Weekly “What are you playing” Thread || Week of April 13th : gaming

[-] knokelmaat@beehaw.org 4 points 1 day ago

I'm also starting to lose myself in Blue prince. I was a bit hesitant in the starting hours, feeling like progress was limited, the puzzle element rather basic and the whole game too RNG based.

But now that I'm further in, I'm really starting to unravel the hidden depth of a lot of its mechanics and secrets. I'm keeping notes on my netbook and it's starting to become more of a wiki. I'm currently unlocking and discovering new stuff at a very satisfying pace, and my opinion of the game is growing immensely.

If I remember correctly you were also a huge fan of Outer Wilds. While I do understand the comparisons, this does feel like a whole other thing to me. More mysterious and strange, but also a bit more sterile. Outer Wilds is just so filled with love and beauty on top of its mystery, that I cannot fathom any game ever pushing it from the top spot in my favorite games of all time.

[-] chloyster@beehaw.org 3 points 1 day ago

Yeah I agree there so far. I'll have to see once I beat it and peel back some of the layers. But yeah while it is scratching that same discovery itch for me, outer wilds is an unmatched experience. I will say though, while the rng is definitely different, there is a similar feeling to starting a new loop in OW and starting a new day in BP

[-] knokelmaat@beehaw.org 3 points 18 hours ago

True, that same "I wonder what I'm going to discover today?" feeling. Just had an insane run in BP with lots of new stuff an an absolute abondance of all resources. Sadly no antechamber, but I'm getting closer. Also starting to unravel the story, this too seems way more interesting than at first glance.

[-] endeavor@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago

HOLE: A simple extraction shooter-roguelite where you shoot masked d00ds in liminal spaces. Each run is a quick bite and the game can be completed sub 10 hours. Perfect grownup roguelite.

vintage story: windows has minecraft, linux has vintage story.

[-] chameleon@fedia.io 2 points 1 day ago

Started Blue Prince, but to be honest I haven't gotten past the initial "RNG wall" and I'm sorta over it. I'm 5 hours in and continue to get the same rooms I've documented in detail in my notes with little new to show for it, and while I have some leads and puzzle pieces, nothing fits. Not particularly excited about a lot of the small repeat puzzles anymore either. I get the impression that I just need one or two pieces of knowledge that the game is refusing to provide to me. Kinda hoping that the good old trick of complaining on the internet will make things work out.

[-] knokelmaat@beehaw.org 3 points 1 day ago

I too had this at the start. My hint is to indeed make sure you visit all rooms at least once, even if they are bad for your layout for that specific day. Make sure you read the notes you find and make us of the items too. Some items have a clear purpose for the basic runs (just helping out with money or steps) but some seen less useful. It is these items that actually often help you unlock new things though, just think logically where you would be able to make use of them.

Also, there is actually quite a bit of permanent progression / unlocks. This only started happening for me after that long initial phase of just mocking about, but once it starts happening you are better equiped for further discoveries.

My final tip is to actually not see it as a roguelite. You don't need to just have luck / better insight for a winning run, every run is a new moment to investigate new stuff and attempt new things, not to get better at doing the same stuff like other roguelikes. I hope I've explained this well.

[-] chameleon@fedia.io 2 points 23 hours ago

That's what I've been trying, yesterday ended up being a little more fruitful (internet complaining trick worked!) and luckily gave me more interesting rooms, though I'm not convinced it was any action on my part that did it.

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 1 points 21 hours ago

You kind of have to just bumble around for a bit and take notes on everything and hope it starts making sense later. I've been playing it like "take notes and screenshots first, ask questions later". The roguelite part and the puzzle/mystery part sort of play out in parallel.

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 1 day ago

My final tip is to actually not see it as a roguelite. You don't need to just have luck / better insight for a winning run, every run is a new moment to investigate new stuff and attempt new things, not to get better at doing the same stuff like other roguelikes. I hope I've explained this well.

Exactly this. You start out thinking "oh okay, its a roguelite and I need to get to rooom 46". But that's not actually the point and once you realize there is more depth to it you start seeing value in every run, even those that never get close to rank 9.

At least that's been my experience so far, and I've yet to even enter the antechamber myself.

[-] knokelmaat@beehaw.org 2 points 21 hours ago

I totally agree and am currently in the same spot as you, less and less interested in the antechamber and more in the puzzle as a whole!

[-] chloyster@beehaw.org 3 points 1 day ago

Yeah I kinda get that. I've had a couple of those walls. But I think if you purposely try to pick rooms that you've not had, even if it seems bad or not useful things might start to piece together more. A lot of things can be useful in ways you might not expect. I think I've maybe had 1 or 2 runs where I truly learned nothing. Every other run has had some sort of knowledge or permanent progress. Also some rooms only appear on certain edges of the house. I've found some of the important profession related ones that way.

But yeah it's a game you gotta treat as much as a roguelite as you do a puzzle game. And it unfortunately isn't for everyone

[-] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 10 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

A Mind Forever Voyaging, by Infocom.

It's an old text adventure from the 80's with a particularly cool and oddly relevant concept: You take the role of an AI that's been meticulously raised in a simulation to truly become a general intelligence. The reason this project was undertaken was to eventually send you, the AI, into other simulations based in the near future to test the outcomes of various political policies of the new republican government, record your interactions, and report back to the engineers who created you.

The game's designer said that he created the game in response to the despair he felt from Ronald Reagan being elected.

I haven't gotten super far in it, but it has an incredibly well written short story in the manual that details all the events leading up to the start of the game, and so far the game itself is unlike anything else I've ever played.

[-] Megaman_EXE@beehaw.org 3 points 2 days ago

How can I play this? It sounds really interesting!

[-] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

You can play the game here on Archive.org, or you can download a copy from that page and play it in DOSBox Staging.

Here's all the physical documentation you'll need, such as the short story, how to play manual, and an in-world map (you'll have to draw your own, but it'll give you a rough idea of the land. If you find map making tedious, you could use a map someone else made).

Lastly, you'll need this interactive copy protection wheel when it prompts you for a combination in game, right before entering a simulation.

Good luck! :D

[-] Poopfeast420@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 2 days ago

Still trying Baldur's Gate 3 solo Honor Mode. I've died a lot, to all kind of different enemies. Currently, I got a good run going, made it to level 6, still Act 1, but almost done. Hopefully I don't turn off my brain again in a crucial moment and just eat dirt.

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Blue Prince is monopolising a majority of my mental bandwidth currently as I'm growing increasingly obsessed with it. I've spent about 11 hours on it so far and have taken probably a dozen pages of notes in my little notebook next the to the PC.

I think this game could go down as a modern classic, and if it sticks the landing it will likely be my GOTY. It's cheap too, and even 10% off right now as a release week sale.

I can't really say anything more because, much like Outer Wilds, the less you know about it going in the better. If you even remotely enjoy mysteries and puzzles do yourself a favour and go play it like... right now.

[-] Krauerking@lemy.lol 4 points 2 days ago

Same.

I'm now 15 hours in, my runs look nothing at all like my first ones, and are rapidly changing each new run but also still haven't "beaten" it once.

Feels like I built a skyscraper and yet still have to get across the grand canyon to actually win and it has nothing to do with the skyscraper.

Except now I have foundation.

[-] chloyster@beehaw.org 2 points 2 days ago

It's so good isn't it? Figured out some big brain puzzles yesterday and was blown away. Absolutely loving it

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 1 day ago

I'm loving it, but definitely also constantly second guessing whether I'm smart enough for this game haha. Especially when you come across a problem and can't work out whether you're supposed to wait for the clue/solution to turn up later or whether it's something you're supposed to be able to solve but are being too stupid to notice/connect.

How far in are you in terms of Days/time played. I'm at about 12 hours and 12 days played.

[-] chloyster@beehaw.org 2 points 1 day ago

I think I'm at day 21 or 22. Made it to the antechamber for the first time yesterday. Not sure hours played atm

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 1 day ago

I could probably have made the antechamber last night if I had picked up a pair of dice I missed and found on the way back. But I'm kind of glad I didn't as there is so much unexplored and unexplained still.

[-] chloyster@beehaw.org 2 points 1 day ago

I will say the antechamber is just the beginning of the end game stuff. There's a lot more to go after making it inside

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 1 day ago

I presumed as much based on clues and indicators I've been finding.

[-] chloyster@beehaw.org 2 points 13 hours ago

Just rolled credits! Really amazing. But there's still sooooooooo much more

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

I just got

spoiler

down to the basement

and I'm shocked at how much there is. I thought I was going to get somewhere this run.

spoiler

I look like I'm stuck, I assume the gear puzzle can't be solved first time? I can't figure out how to move the mine cart. And maybe drain the reservoir? Is this supposed to happen? It looks like there is another entrance from the Tomb (though I've never even seen a tomb when drafting!). Am I on to something? Am I not supposed to be able to get further this run?

[-] chloyster@beehaw.org 2 points 3 hours ago

small hint

Yeah I've also never seen a tomb while drafting, but there is one other entrance that the map shows. Have you found the pump room?

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 3 hours ago

spoiler

The Fountain right? I assume it's on the east side lawn, but I haven't found any way to open a door to the outside on the east side. I've been through the Garage on the west side.

I have found the pump room and drained as much of the reservoir as I could, but there is still a touch of water at the bottom preventing me from going down there and both tanks are full, as are all rooms. No idea how to empty the last bit. I thought it was opening the tap in the kitchen to drain the water, but that doesn't seem to affect the water level...

[-] chloyster@beehaw.org 2 points 2 hours ago

another small fountain hint

The fountain isn't where you think. And is much more accessible. Calling it a fountain is a bit much to be frank. If you were to drain it I think you would see what it's referring to

[-] raod_guitar@feddit.org 3 points 2 days ago

Played through Chants of Sennaar - great unique language puzzle game.

Started Dredge now and it seems really fun.

[-] Malix@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 days ago

Chants of Sennaar

samesies. Finished it yesterday, absolute banger of a game. The different word order/sentence structures between the languages did my head in a bit, and the last few glyphs I had somehow entirely missed on earlier areas, and when I did finally find them - the backtracking to solve the remaining translations was a bit of back and forth. But man, what a vibe that game was.

[-] Maestro@fedia.io 3 points 2 days ago

I just started playing "Dave the Diver". It's been a lot of fun so far. There are a lot of systems to play with, and you keep unlocking more. I just unlocked the fish farm.

[-] Ignatz@beehaw.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

For the Frog, the Bell Tolls

An adventure puzzle/platformer for the Game Boy. The mechanics are fun, and has you transforming between a human, frog, and snake to get through various areas. I'm about an hour in and the puzzles are fairly simple, but the charming writing and art design carry the game for me. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something somewhat casual. I have laughed out loud a few times while playing it.

If you want to check it out, you'll need to run it on an emulator.

The game is a Japan-only release, but there's an English fan patch you can find on here
You'll need the base ROM for the game, which you can find here
Once you download both of those, use this to mash them together and you're good to go.

[-] swordgeek@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 days ago

Morrowind.

Ages ago I got a new video card that came with bundled games, including the slightly-old Morrowind.

That was the intro for me to deep RPGs, and I fell hard.

A few weeks ago I decided to revisit it, and went with Open-MW and a vanilla experience.

So awesome.

[-] kurcatovium@lemm.ee 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Morrowind is clearly and by far the best TES game ever made. It's old and it shows, but this doesn't take anything from the quality of the game. It has one of the best executed and most interesting worlds in any game I've played, it has great main story that is still just a scratch among other stories hidden throughout the Vvardenfell, and lastly the soundtrack... It's epic when it needs to be epic, it's calm when it needs to be calm, great melodies very well tied to different areas and parts of the game, it's just awesome.

[-] wildflowertea@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 days ago

Starting Little Nightmares today… orrr at some point this week, depending on Life™️.

[-] pete@social.cyano.at 3 points 2 days ago

@chloyster Grim Dawn on my highest level character (Lvl73) but still getting my head bashed in by some Mini-Bosses on Ultimate difficulty.

Blasphemous - gave it a swirl for about an hour / hour and a half. Lovely world building and premise, but for the souls-like platforming I really need to be in the mood first it seems.

[-] SweetCitrusBuzz@beehaw.org 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Cassette Beasts and soon Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, Tape 2

[-] luciole@beehaw.org 1 points 2 days ago

I’m playing Cassette Beasts lately too! It’s such a good monster collector. The low poly 3D+2D aesthetic is on point and it’s real cozy. They don’t hide their Pokémon inspiration but they do their own thing with it and I really like their take. It feels both kinder and more stimulating. I love that basically all battles are doubles.

[-] SweetCitrusBuzz@beehaw.org 2 points 2 days ago

Yeah. I never really got into pokémon as I didn't like the idea of capturing creatures and forcing them to fight, but Cassette Beasts doesn't have that problem. Oh yeah, good point about them being doubles. I do like the aesthetic/graphics and that it's avaliable on every platform, unlike pokémon.

[-] overload@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 days ago

Lonely Mountains: Downhill. A voxel indie mountain bike riding game that basically has you trying to ride down various mountain trails in shorter times and with less crashes. Very chill game, good for parents who don't have a lot of time to game anymore.

[-] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 3 points 2 days ago

Just saw a video on Blue Prince earlier. Would totally love to play it but I saw someone play through the demo enough to where I feel spoiled enough to not wanna play it because I know I'd probably just cheat. Probably a game I'd pick up in a few years, after I've forgotten it, similar to Baba Is You, which I've been stumped on certain levels of recently.

Otherwise I've mostly been absolutely addicted to Pokemon Rejuvenation because of debug mode making the game a lot more fun. Absolutely would not recommend it if you don't like long pokemon games or edgier stories in your pokemon.

Same thing with Feudal Tactics on my phone/laptop. Very simple game. You have a map made up of coloured tiles. Six different colours. Two or more of the same make a city/kingdom(?). Get resources by having/taking over more connected tiles, buy/upgrade people, conquer land, defeat everyone else.

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 4 points 2 days ago

You should still play Blue Prince. I sincerely doubt you can be spoiled enough by the demo to not make the game worthwhile. There is so much in this game to find and figure out.

[-] Panties@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago

I was trying for the second time to enjoy animal well. I kind of see how it's a great game, but playing it feels like torture to me. I'm constantly second-guessing myself whenever I'm stuck, I don't know if I haven't figured out the puzzle, suck at platforming, or missing a tool.

Thinking about playing Hades again next week.

[-] totallyNotARedditor@lemm.ee 3 points 2 days ago

I basically stopped playing everything except chivalry 2. I don't know why, but it's the only thing I've been playing for months

[-] raod_guitar@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago

I played chivalry 1 a lot back then until people became so good that it didn't feel organic anymore to me and there wasn't really any kind of matchmaking... I really miss the early days of it. How is chivalry 2 doing?

[-] totallyNotARedditor@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago

Unfortunately, I feel it's heading in the same direction. Torn banner released a final update in 2024 and basically dropped the development in order to work on other games. The skill ceiling is super high, and most players are very very good. Every now and then there's a sale or the game goes free and there is an influx of new players. In any case, I still enjoy it a lot 😁

[-] deadcream@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 days ago

Avowed and X4 depending on the mood. X4 started slow but I think I've started the process of getting the hang of the basics after 30 hours.

[-] Lifekraft@jlai.lu 1 points 2 days ago

Im almost 200h in my divide and conquer campaign for medieval 2 total war. Playing dorwinion and fighting endless hordes of mordors orc.

[-] remington@beehaw.org 2 points 2 days ago

Last Epoch and Diablo 4

Getting ready for the new content

[-] _Lory98_@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 2 days ago

Played Splatoon 3. The different modes are really fun, except for Turf War which kinda sucks. It's the first time I'm trying to learn how to play a team game and I'm confused on how to improve, but I'm having fun with it.

For some reason tho Nintendo thought it was a good idea to do two day events ("Splatfests") periodically which lock you out of any mode beside Turf War for their entire duration, so I went looking for other competitive games:

I went back to Guilty Gear Strive after dropping it for more than a year, but after playing it for a few hours, I still don't like how sluggish the game feels and I'm not too happy with the modern design trends in fighting games (or in general the curent state of them). The biggest issue that stops me from playing tho is the terrible online experience which still hasn't been fixed after 4 years.

Gaming