Kinda glad I sat this one out for now, performance looks baaaaaaaaaaaad....

So i kinda want to buy FFXVI but looking through the opinions and reviews it stands somewhere between the worst final fantasy game ever made and second coming of jesus wit plot ranging from infantile dark fantasy to great story with deep engaging dark themes.

WHICH IS IT?

I’m still working my way through New Vegas. I assembled the crew tonight in Dead Money. I have found the ghost people pretty easy to deal with. I think I may be over leveled for it and stat dumping into guns definitely helped. The hologram guards freaked me out a little despite knowing how to beat them. After rescuing Christine I dragged God all the way back here and made him pose for a group photo.

I missed the days of Uncharted and Tomb Raider, those games don't exist anymore, instead open world "everything games" have taken its place, AssCreed, Horizon, Fallen Order etc.

So Jedi Survivor scratches that traversal itch well, it has limited platforming sections and exploration, but enough to get the sense of wonder I had previously in the worlds of the old games.

It does a lot of things and takes inspiration from Souls likes, adventure platformers, hack and slashes, open world etc, but does none of it particularly well. This iteration focuses more on platforming and metroidvania as compared to the first game, here are some things that I wished were better.

1. It takes too long to get good. The setup at first seems very similar to Uncharted, solid platforming and combat wrapped around chunky set pieces placed in each act, however for some reason, Cal starts with losing all his abilities from the previous game and has to start again, you also slowly gain platforming abilities like air dash similar to a metroidvania. So you start the game feeling very anemic, a weak Jedi who can't do much but just gets pushed along the story.

The first point where I felt the game had potential was an amazing boss fight set piece on a desert planet, at that point, the initial hours of the game were a slog, probably only sustaining interest from Star Wars fans

2. It hates Lore I don't mean the canon and Lucasarts vs Disney and all that, I myself am not familiar with the "correct" story, by Lore I mean how things work in universe are not consistent or sensical at all.

In one part of the game, you put on an imperial disguise and depending on the customisable hair and beard style you have, you obviously look extremely out of place, the disguise is also of a high ranking officer, but the NPCs of lower rank look down on you.

There are several simple visual or dialogue changes that could have been done, for example removing the rank from the uniform or acknowledging that the designers thought about imperial ranks. There are also problems of weird architecture, random items scattered around the galaxy which I'll cover in my next 2 points.

3. Exploration with no rewards Speaking of items, the loot in the game is terrible, consisting mostly of cosmetics, so while you take on a tough platforming challenge, you may end up with not much at the end, this also really brings up the Lore part, like finding paint colours for your lightsaber in a meat packing factory, or force essences in random caves. Exploration is fun for its own sake and there are "audio tapes" of side stories when walking around, but again very uninteresting stories that do nothing.

4. Combat Lightsabers don't cut people in this game, behaving more like glowy baseball bats in combat and act like movie lightsabers in cutscenes. As many people have pointed out, the combat was probably started out as a Sekiro style parry into deathblow mechanic that was downplayed so that casual players could get into it by mashing. Only 1 stance out of 5 has animation cancel and the most enemy attacks are not well telegraphed, bosses are designed better, but they still take 20-30 light saber cuts to bare skin without so much as a scratch. The stamina and health mechanic doesn't gel and I wished they had designed a system that had the lightsaber cut off armor and limbs if they didn't one a one hit kill.

Force powers are not integrated well, being quite useless against strong enemies, obviously dark side powers are more flashy and easier to implement, but maybe we'll see it in the 3rd game

I did enjoy the puzzle sections of the game but it felt like it ought to belong and it completely different series altogether, the mish mash and inconsistent vision for this series really stops it from becoming one of the greats

Hi guys, I have the hunger for more history games. I have to say that usually I'm not a huge AC fan, but last summer I played Odyssey and I'm a huge ancient history nerd and I think that the game and the period were represented very well. (The Story was kinda meh, but serviceable). What other AC game would you recommend for me to play next? What other titles are the most like Odyssey?

This game...

I love it. I love how true it is to the (Bethesda, et al) spirit of the Fallout series. I love the humour, the clever touches, the obvious love with which it was crafted.

But holy fuck, the bugs. The bugs, the bugs, the fucking quest-breaking BUGS!!!

Also, the "FO4 too easy? We're going to make this incomprehensible" attitude.

Let's consider companions. First companion was Churchill, followed shortly by Archie then Arthur. I was travelling with Arthur when I finished Archie's questline, and then shortly after, I finished Arthur's as well. Then Arthur swapped his massive gun for melee, so I dumped him.

Unfortunately, I couldn't re-join with Archie. After every interaction, he goes into an unclickable merchant menu, and you can't get him to join you no matter what.

Back to Arthur then. I sent him to Biggs Airport, and...he's not there! FUCK!

Kiera? As soon as I didn't sign on, she went to a location I can't yet reach!

Fine, I'll solo it. Except that the Roundels are stuck in the basement of the bar, which breaks THREE SEPARATE QUESTS!

We'll see if 1.02 fixes any of this shit, but I honestly can't play anymore. Everything - EVERYTHING - in the game is broken for me now.

I recently started a game of Pirates! When I sat down to play today, the pirates were no longer the only ones spicing up their speech with arrs and ahoys. The merchants were doing it. The military were doing it. The nobles were doing it (awkwardly). The barmaids were doing it. Even the user interface was doing it.

I thought at first that it might have always been that way, and just escaped my notice, but that seemed unlikely. Next I thought I might have accidentally enabled a game option for it, but I didn't remember reconfiguring anything.

Then another possibility came to mind. It seemed like a long shot, but just in case, I looked up today's date. Sure enough, today is International Talk Like a Pirate day. This 20-year-old game apparently knows it, and switched every bit of its dialogue and writing into pirate speak to honour the occasion.

I love this.

Game is Still Fallout New Vegas (Almost Done! I just have to do Lonsome road after Dead Money and then Hoover Dam). I went ahead and started Dead Money. I don’t have any long stories attached to this one, but this screenshot felt appropriate regardless

We have reached new levels of "remaster of game that already looks great and runs well"

Game Information

Game Title: Frostpunk 2

Platforms:

• PC (Sep 20, 2024)

Trailer:

• Frostpunk 2 Announcement Trailer

Developer: 11 bit studios

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 85 average - 95% recommended - 44 reviews

Critic Reviews

33bits - Fernando Sánchez - Spanish - 92 / 100

Frostpunk 2 is a continuous game with its first installment, although the developer has been able to expand and enhance a formula that worked wonderfully in Frostpunk - construction and management of cities plus survival - delving into expansion, management, and colony construction. and above all the relationships with the different factions and the political aspect, creating a much more complete title and to a certain extent somewhat more complex, but superior to its predecessor. If you liked the first game or you like the genre, Frostpunk 2 is a title that you cannot miss.

ACG - Jeremy Penter - Wait for Sale

Video Review - Quote not available

AltChar - Semir Omerovic - 97 / 100

Frostpunk 2 is an absolutely incredible game, a true shining masterpiece with a unique setting, mechanics and addicting gameplay loop. Since it's also on Game Pass, I'm recommending it even to players who aren't really into these types of games. You won't regret it.

Atarita - Eren Eroğlu - Turkish - 100 / 100

Frostpunk 2 is one of those rare, unique games that we rarely encounter. It has evolved in an incredible way compared to the first game, taking it to an entirely new level.

Bazimag - Sina Golabzade - Persian - 9 / 10

Frostpunk 2 may not feel as personal as the previous game but it not only has kept the tense atmosphere we’ve come to expect from this series, it has also brought the scale to a whole new and unexpected level.

But Why Tho? - Arron Kluz - 9 / 10

What is most impressive about Frostpunk 2 is how well it blends its emotional narratives with its gameplay mechanics. It challenges the player on an emotional and moral level while also challenging them to grapple with some of the most intricately linked and well-refined gameplay the strategy genre has seen in years.

CGMagazine - Justin Wood - 8 / 10

Frostpunk 2 expands on what made the original so fresh. While a harsh difficulty might turn some players off, forging through is the name of the game in Frostpunk 2.

COGconnected - Mark Steighner - 90 / 100

Frostpunk 2 broadens the scope and deepens the mechanics of the first game, adding even greater complexity to puzzle-like city building that remains addictive and unique in the genre.

Cinelinx - Emily Hughes - 5 / 5

Frostpunk 2 has made improvements in just about every way, making it an immersive and engaging city-builder that every strategy lover should consider adding to their library!

Digital Trends - Jason Rodriguez - 4 / 5

Frostpunk 2 scales up the drama with a bigger, more strategic sequel that's easy to get lost in.

Digitec Magazine - Simon Balissat - German - 3 / 5

Like its predecessor, Frostpunk 2 is extremely dark and dystopian. If you are looking for a laid-back building strategy game to relax in, you are in the wrong place here. The rays of hope are few and far between, and death and despair are omnipresent. The political components, the exciting story and the decisions whose consequences you have to live with are great. Yes, it lacks the complexity of comparable strategy games. If you are looking for the great depth and complex gameplay mechanics of Anno, you won't find them here. Nevertheless, Frostpunk 2 is a worthy successor. The annoying micromanagement is gone, exploration and politics take up more space, which I appreciate. If you can cope with the dark scenario, you can definitely pick it up. “Frostpunk 2” only just misses out on four stars.

GAMES.CH - Steffen Haubner - German - 88%

The announcement of an official modding tool alone is likely to bring tears of joy to the eyes of "Frostpunk" fans. The setting remains attractive, the artwork and gameplay are equally clever, even if the novelty value has worn off a bit. But everything is now bigger, more complex and more impressive, and it is remarkable how smoothly 11 bit has interlocked the various elements and made them shine. There is always something to do in "Frostpunk 2", even if the feeling of a living game world, as one is used to from "Anno 1800", is missing here simply because of the thematic requirements. Anyone who wants an extraordinary experience and some real gaming challenges will feel at home in the eternal ice.

GRYOnline.pl - Konrad Sarzyński - Polish - 7.5 / 10

Frostpunk 2 is different that its predecessor. It too experiments with gameplay and tries to create a thrilling system of making difficult decisions, but the bigger scale of governing an entire region looks a bit uninished. Great potential to create a giant world was squandered, and the thing that generates most fun, is the policital system, not building your city.

Game Rant - Max Borman - 4.5 / 5

Frostpunk 2 has once again whisked players away to an apocalyptic Earth for a city building experience that many may not soon forget.

GameLuster - Nirav Gandhi - 9 / 10

Frostpunk 2 is a masterpiece of design, and it'll be a warm day in Frostland before I let a single one of you skip it.

GameMAG - Russian - 8 / 10

Frostpunk 2 remains quite brutal, and yet offers a great city-building gameplay with a very stylish visuals. You can also clearly see in which ways developers addressed some of the criticism of the first game, making the sequel that much better game.

GameSpot - Kurt Indovina - 8 / 10

Frostpunk 2's challenging gameplay makes for a compelling experience despite a dour and cynical view of human nature.

Gamefa - Arman Zarmehr - Persian - 9 / 10

Frostpunk 2 is one of those games that fans of the strategy genre and city-building games "must" experience; We are faced with a multi-layered deep experience with different moral and political approaches, which is in many ways bigger and better than its original version. The expansion of the scale of cities compared to the first version, as well as the presence of mechanisms such as Council Hall, present attractive challenges to the player. Distinct factions with different ideologies have a significant impact on the political dimensions of New London governance, and its extensive and influential skill tree adds several strategic twists to the city's progression.

Gameliner - Anita van Beugen - Dutch - 4 / 5

Frostpunk 2 offers a robust survival city-builder with a strong focus on social and political aspects, appealing to newcomers and fans alike, though it may leave existing fans with mixed feelings due to its broader scope and diminished focus on individual connections and survival.

Gamepressure - 9 / 10

Forstpunk 2 should appeal not only to building and planning enthusiasts but also to people who appreciate a serious narrative and a more profound treatment of the factions and characters present in the game.

Gamer Guides - Ben Chard - 86 / 100

Frostpunk 2 is a great entry into the city-survival genre and one that will hook even newcomers to the genre. With a fantastic campaign full of difficult choices, a sandbox mode available from the start, and so many options on how you shape New London, the larger scale of Frostpunk 2 is one that succeeds in every way.

Gamersky - Chinese - 8.7 / 10

If Frostpunk 2 continues to provide players with more playable content in the future, like its predecessor, then it will definitely be a better title than it is now.

God is a Geek - Chris White - 9 / 10

Frostpunk 2 requires your patience and ability to make tough decisions, but rewards you for sticking with it and respecting its systems.

IGN - Dan Stapleton - 8 / 10

Thanks to a ground-up rethinking of its ice-age city builder mechanics, Frostpunk 2's larger scale is less intimate but more socially and politically complex than the original.

INVEN - Dongyong Seo - Korean - 8 / 10

'FrostPunk 2' has an irreplaceable charm. The distinct feelings of bleakness, solitude, and the desperate struggle for survival remain unparalleled, just as in its predecessor. The larger scale of the city, the conflicts arising between communities within, and the weighty decisions required to manage and mediate these tensions create a unique and engaging experience.

NoobFeed - Sarwar Ron - 95 / 100

Expanding upon the original's strengths, Frostpunk 2 adds additional features, a more in-depth storyline, and more intricate city-building. Even while it takes time to get going, once it does, it unveils a massive game that surpasses the original in size and scale. Although there are some issues, especially with how some mechanics are explained, the game provides a deep and thrilling experience worth delving into.

PC Gamer - Christopher Livingston - 85 / 100

Not as satisfying a city builder as the original, but the society simulation is still on point.

PCGamesN - Reid McCarter - 8 / 10

Frostpunk 2 makes clever reconsiderations of, and expansions on, the first game's design, offering a better rounded, even harsher follow-up to the original's concept.

Prima Games - Enzo Zalamea - 9 / 10

Frostpunk 2 easily immerses the player by putting them in the center of the turmoil of a never-ending battle against the winter. You'll constantly be hit with difficult decisions all while trying to build structures for the betterment of your people.

Pro Game Guides - Stephanie Watel - 4 / 5

In the world of city-builder games, the Frostpunk franchise stands proudly at the snow-capped peak of Mount Everest in terms of what definitively is the most all-around challenging IP in the genre. Frostpunk 2 easily helps it keep that title in a tight-gloved fist, with its incredibly intricate game design and uncompromising difficulty that is best suited for the most fearless and ambitious of Stewards.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Sin Vega - Unscored

An atmospheric, bold attempt to reinvent its own society-moulding subgenre whose story and building features too often frustrate with too few options or distract with too many.

SECTOR.sk - Branislav Kohút - Slovak - 8.5 / 10

A post-apocalyptic world with an eternal winter will once again entrust us with the fight for the survival of the survivors, whose fate will this time be strongly influenced by civil factions. A complex system of voting and negotiation is involved, which makes the game unique, but also challenging and sometimes frustrating.

Screen Rant - Deven McClure - 4 / 5

Frostpunk 2 is an innovative take on management.

Sirus Gaming - Erickson Melchor - 8 / 10

Frostpunk 2’s emphasis on intensity and foresight makes it a worthy sequel to the first game. While it treads well-worn paths, the game takes everything we’ve come to expect from the series and expands upon the idea in every way possible. I highly recommend the game for fans of the series. First-time players may find it too daunting but that’s all part of the Frostpunk experience.

Spaziogames - Daniele Spelta - Italian - 8.5 / 10

Frostpunk 2 puts its gameplay at the service of the story and, through simple game mechanics, manages to make the player experience strong emotions and a constant moral dilemma.

TechRaptor - Andrew Stretch - 7 / 10

Frostpunk 2 takes everything that made the first game challenging and scales it up. Bigger cities, more mechanics, and larger expansions will push a player's ability to balance so many resources and the consequences of their own actions. Overcoming these will reward you with an immense sense of pride.

The Games Machine - Gabriele Barducci - Italian - 9 / 10

Frostpunk 2 combines the solidity of the mechanics of the first chapter, with some excellent additions to make the game truly one of a kind. Not just an excellent management software, but a real gaming experience.

The Punished Backlog - Amanda Tien - 8.8 / 10

11 Bit Studios should be extremely proud of Frostpunk 2; it’s an intoxicatingly detailed and beautiful survival management game. For those who do want more Frostpunk, Frostpunk 2 delivers and then some. Fans of games like Crusader Kings 2 will rejoice, and these added social elements may delight fans of Sid Meier’s Civilization series. 

The array of laws and choices means Frostpunk 2 is hyper-replayable, for those interested in that sort of thing. Just a glance at the Steam Achievements list makes it clear that there’s a lot you can do and different approaches you can take. I’m already considering what I’ll do next time.

TheGamer - Tessa Kaur - 4.5 / 5

Frostpunk 2 has shaped up to be a hefty sequel that built intelligently on the bones of its already excellent predecessor, capturing all the most compelling parts of the first game while exploring human nature and morality with deftness.

Try Hard Guides - Erik Hodges - 10 / 10

Frostpunk 2 does exactly what a sequel should do. It excels in all the ways the original game did while increasing the scale and adding even more. It is an excellent expansion on everything we loved about Frostpunk and delivers a new, utterly unique experience and story, and one that fans of the original, as well as newcomers to the franchise, are sure to love.

Twinfinite - Keenan McCall - 4 / 5

While it might not be the most approachable city builder in the world, Frostpunk 2 is still an exemplary entry in the genre.

VideoGamer - Tom Bardwell - 8 / 10

Frostpunk 2 is a worthy sequel that ramps up the grit and immersion, but sheds some of the original's magic in the pursuit of innovation.

Wccftech - Chris Wray - 9 / 10

Frostpunk is an excellent looking, excellent sounding, and great playing organic growth and succession from the original. Spreading further along the wasteland, you have to balance more as you deal with politics, resources, factions, and ever more challenges, often including settling and building in new areas. Still a challenge, but more approachable, this is yet another city builder that will shine out amongst others.

Zoomg - Afshin Piroozi - Persian - 9 / 10

Overall, 11 Bit Studios has managed to create a highly respectable and valuable sequel for the first installment of this series in Frostpunk 2. The game has become significantly more extensive and detailed in almost every aspect, and in terms of content delivery, it reaches a more desirable level. This allows players to enjoy it for a longer period of time. If you’re interested in strategy and city-building games or if you were a fan of the previous version, Frostpunk 2 is something you must play.

It’s part of a Dole collaboration that was added in last night’s update for Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble.

As the author of the Dole banana mod for Banana Mania on PC, I’m beyond excited about this.

The game is Fallout New Vegas. I’m going to mark this I beat Old World Blues today. I fought the giant robo-scorpion (I had to use up all my grenades left over from the death claw quarry to do it). I ended up lying and saying I was Mobius in order to beat it peacefully. I think for now I’m going to scavenge Stimpaks and other supplies before heading onto The Sierra Madre