[DonDonDonPata]

I fried my PS4 Pro so no more Mount & Blade 2 for the time being. if I'm being honest with myself, the system was already having some unusual high-fan activity starting late last year so I'm gonna chalk it up to Sony's poor hardware build quality.

M&B2 is a lot of fun, I'm considering getting a Steam deck and playing it (as well as other PC games of course) in handheld mode instead of hurrying out to replace the PS4. But... I also have a nice PS4 library full of games that my family and I play regularly. So maybe jump to PS5 and put the steamdeck on hold for another year or so.

With no PS4, I decided to finally fix the top screen of my N3DS XL and then I dug into that library over the weekend. Mario Golf, Meteos, New Super Mario bros 2, Mario Kart 7, Honeycomb Beat, and M&L Partners in Time.

 

[HariSeldon]

I fried my PS4 Pro so no more Mount & Blade 2 for the time being. if I'm being honest with myself, the system was already having some unusual high-fan activity starting late last year so I'm gonna chalk it up to Sony's poor hardware build quality.

M&B2 is a lot of fun, I'm considering getting a Steam deck and playing it (as well as other PC games of course) in handheld mode instead of hurrying out to replace the PS4. But... I also have a nice PS4 library full of games that my family and I play regularly. So maybe jump to PS5 and put the steamdeck on hold for another year or so.

With no PS4, I decided to finally fix the top screen of my N3DS XL and then I dug into that library over the weekend. Mario Golf, Meteos, New Super Mario bros 2, Mario Kart 7, Honeycomb Beat, and M&L Partners in Time.

I have M&B2 so if you like I'll install it on my deck and give a quick check on performance.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

I have M&B2 so if you like I'll install it on my deck and give a quick check on performance.

I can't imagine it's any worse than the PS4 version. Thank you for checking, let me know (in particular) how the game performs with larger battles during a Castle Siege, that would be the surest way to check performance. 'Quick Battle' is available from the main menu, just make sure to crank up the total # of troop count, change your game type and map to a Seige, and then see how it holds up

Anyway, the PC version has mods. The game is jam-packed with mods and total conversions. And M&B is just one recent game out of many that I would be able to start enjoying if I got a Steam deck. I've been out of PC gaming for awhile, only playing stuff that comes out on console or occasionally checking something out on a not-adequate Mac.

 

[HariSeldon]

I can't imagine it's any worse than the PS4 version. Thank you for checking, let me know (in particular) how the game performs with larger battles during a Castle Siege, that would be the surest way to check performance. 'Quick Battle' is available from the main menu, just make sure to crank up the total # of troop count, change your game type and map to a Seige, and then see how it holds up

Anyway, the PC version has mods. The game is jam-packed with mods and total conversions. And M&B is just one recent game out of many that I would be able to start enjoying if I got a Steam deck. I've been out of PC gaming for awhile, only playing stuff that comes out on console or occasionally checking something out on a not-adequate Mac.

Cool - I'll do my best to get an accurate report. The Deck definitely punches above its weight - likely I'll test on the 1280x800 screen on the device and at 1920x1080 on an external monitor to get an idea.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Cool - I'll do my best to get an accurate report. The Deck definitely punches above its weight - likely I'll test on the 1280x800 screen on the device and at 1920x1080 on an external monitor to get an idea.

thanks Hari. I already warned the wife that the PS4 is gonna get replaced, it's just a matter if I decide to dump ~$500 into a PS5 now or wait a bit and sink that $$ into a Steamdeck. Which would definitely be the more "selfish" choice.

I can always pull out the good ol' "this stuff gets destroyed because I let our kids play with it, but if I get a handheld for myself it won't likely become another family casualty"

 

[Dreamlord]

Played a couple of hours of Infernax via GP. It's ... alright. A bit charming retro metroidvania, but with a lot of the frustrations of old.

For example:

• some of the enemies are just plain annoying, like the axe throwing skeletons
• the fact that each rooms gets repopulated every time you enter / re-enter
• the spikes together with the jumping on several spiked moving platforms is super annoying

It feels like the game is being padded time-wise, but I would still like to play more.

 

[bork]

I'm still making my way through Infernax. I like it, but I find myself not playing long stretches. I've made it into the 3rd castle.

There are just times when I find some of the platforming mechanics more frustrating than fun like with the rotating platforms. I like challenge, but when it's the 3rd screen of the same mechanic that wasn't very fun to begin with, and you get knocked down to your death, doing the 3 screens again doesn't make them any more fun lol

Just don't die thats what I do

 

[Grinchy]

Just don't die thats what I do

I started a new file after beating it and saw that the non Classic mode just lets you die over and over and has save shrines inside castles lmao.

God what a game for retards. I guess you gotta have a journalist mode to get good reviews tho.

 

[bork]

I started a new file after beating it and saw that the non Classic mode just lets you die over and over and has save shrines inside castles lmao.

God what a game for retards. I guess you gotta have a journalist mode to get good reviews tho.

I didn't even know that lol. The special dungeon at the end is pretty tough. Difficulty in general wasnt too bad.

 

[J-Roderton]

Stick of Truth. The space ship area is a bit of a drag.

 

[HariSeldon]

I can't imagine it's any worse than the PS4 version. Thank you for checking, let me know (in particular) how the game performs with larger battles during a Castle Siege, that would be the surest way to check performance. 'Quick Battle' is available from the main menu, just make sure to crank up the total # of troop count, change your game type and map to a Seige, and then see how it holds up

Anyway, the PC version has mods. The game is jam-packed with mods and total conversions. And M&B is just one recent game out of many that I would be able to start enjoying if I got a Steam deck. I've been out of PC gaming for awhile, only playing stuff that comes out on console or occasionally checking something out on a not-adequate Mac.

1000 troops each side and default settings the visuals are decent and frame rate is around 40 to 45. I'd probably lock it to 40 to keep it consistent. No attempts at optimisation needed as I didn't need any. Went in first person, died, did some flying around to try lots of different angles on the action and frame rate didn't suffer.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

1000 troops each side and default settings the visuals are decent and frame rate is around 40 to 45. I'd probably lock it to 40 to keep it consistent. No attempts at optimisation needed as I didn't need any. Went in first person, died, did some flying around to try lots of different angles on the action and frame rate didn't suffer.

Gorgeous! Dang, you don't know it but you just tilted me hard toward the SD. I've been biding my time for the right hardware / setup to get back into pc gaming, maybe the death of the PS4 was a sign

 

[HariSeldon]

Gorgeous! Dang, you don't know it but you just tilted me hard toward the SD. I've been biding my time for the right hardware / setup to get back into pc gaming, maybe the death of the PS4 was a sign

Just realised I forgot to check 1080p (I checked 800p when I was in bed). I'll let you know what I find.

 

[HE1NZ]

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. Game is just as good as I remember. Even better in fact, some clever trick from pcgamingwiki unlocks uncompressed textures, game looks sharp and clean. It aged wonderfully except widescreen support is broken.

 

[and 3 others]

Got 2 days off work. Got a giant frozen pizza, soda, and ima play BF2042 and Dead SpaceR until my eyes fucking bleed.

 

[HariSeldon]

Gorgeous! Dang, you don't know it but you just tilted me hard toward the SD. I've been biding my time for the right hardware / setup to get back into pc gaming, maybe the death of the PS4 was a sign

Frame rate at 1080p dips a bit - 20fps is a bit rough so you might need to turn settings down a bit. That said, 1280x800 actually didn't look too bad on my 1920x1080 monitor but your mileage and tolerance may vary.

 

[WesternBlood]

Heads up. Go download the PS Plus free games today before they go away.

• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (PS5/PS4)
• Fallout 76 (PS4)
• Axiom Verge 2 (PS4/PS5)

Looks like Mafia: Definitive Edition is next months PS Plus free game download.

 

[and 3 others]

Heads up. Go download the PS Plus free games today before they go away.

• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (PS5/PS4)
• Fallout 76 (PS4)
• Axiom Verge 2 (PS4/PS5)

Looks like Mafia: Definitive Edition is next months PS Plus free game download.

Damn, good looking out. I'll add AV2, even though I still need to play #1.

 

[WesternBlood]

Damn, good looking out. I'll add AV2, even though I still need to play #1.

I'm in the same boat. I have had my eyes on that game, but life got in the way of playing Axiom Verge 1.

I have also never played Mafia 1, but have finished 2 and 3, so this is my chance to check it out.

 

[WesternBlood]

ATTN: Borderlands GAMERS!
Is it ok to talk about Taking Borderlands 2 saves from Nexus Hub (or wherever) on PC to get lvl 72 characters, then using third party tools to convert to Xbox so I can not go through the grind on Borderlands 2 for a fun replay at top level?

If it isn't ok to discuss openly here, can someone who knows what I am talking about slide into my DM's to help me out?

I plan on doing a new PC build sometime later this year, so I am stuck on the Xbox One X platform with the Handsome collection, right now.

 

[skeem]

Finished up Xenogears. Disc 2 issues aside, the story itself gets really wild and definitely goes to different places than I would ever have expected when playing through the first half. At least I can say I've played it now.

Which is what I will also say when I finish my next game. I started up Crono Trigger today. I'm only a few hours in, but I like that the story got going straight away. Straight into business. Its another one where I'm going in blind. I've never seen a review. I only know that it's rated very highly by those who have played it.

And so far, I see why. It is fun. For it's old age, I imagine it probably set a few standards in its time. The soundtrack is

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Finished up Xenogears. Disc 2 issues aside, the story itself gets really wild and definitely goes to different places than I would ever have expected when playing through the first half. At least I can say I've played it now.

Which is what I will also say when I finish my next game. I started up Crono Trigger today. I'm only a few hours in, but I like that the story got going straight away. Straight into business. Its another one where I'm going in blind. I've never seen a review. I only know that it's rated very highly by those who have played it.

And so far, I see why. It is fun. For it's old age, I imagine it probably set a few standards in its time. The soundtrack is

Chrono Trigger is a classic! Hope you end up enjoying the whole thing.

 

[Grinchy]

I've become a little bit re-addicted to Monster Hunter Rise. I never fully completed the Sunbreak expansion and I've just been grinding and trying new stuff out with the heavy bowgun, making new builds, etc.

 

[Mal]

Playing forspoken, I'm 10 hours in and only finished the first tanta. I thought this was supposed to be a short game, unless I do too much side shit

 

[regawdless]

Playing forspoken, I'm 10 hours in and only finished the first tanta. I thought this was supposed to be a short game, unless I do too much side shit

How do you like it so far?

 

[Mal]

How do you like it so far?

Everything about the game is average for me besides the magic/combat system which I really like. As you go on, you unlock more spells and parkour abilities and then the gameplay is fun, at least for me.

So far it would be a 7/10

 

[and 3 others]

Some clips from the last 3 days.

 

[Amorous Biscuit]

Put Mass Effect Andromeda on the backburner these past few weeks. It's just not compelling or fun to slog through Z-tier presentation, story and dialogue.

I have however started Kentucky Route Zero which has been on my backlog for ages and I'm enthralled by it's presentation, completed Act 1 last night and I can't wait to see more! It is largely text based but it has this sort of "magical realism" feel to it. The world is mysterious and intriguing and the text is well written with some nice presentational flourishes added to further enhance what's on screen. The soundtrack and diegetic music is outstanding too.

Roadwarden continues to be great, should have that completed by the end of the week and Death Stranding is phenomenal on Steam Deck, I cannot believe it runs so well.

I need to decide on what to play once completing this round of games, I think DOOM Eternal might be the palate cleanser I am after.

 

[J-Roderton]

Finally found game pad settings that work perfectly for me on Project Cars so I'll be enjoying this one for a while. Nice change up from other arcadey racers lately.

 

[HariSeldon]

Finally found game pad settings that work perfectly for me on Project Cars so I'll be enjoying this one for a while. Nice change up from other arcadey racers lately.

Yeah Project Cars is good fun. It gets a bit of undeserved hate tbh but it's a solid racer.

 

[J-Roderton]

Yeah Project Cars is good fun. It gets a bit of undeserved hate tbh but it's a solid racer.

Yeah. It's a shame my first real good time spent with the series was P Cars 3.

 

[HE1NZ]

Sunset Overdrive on PC. Once you learn how to traverse fast it's super addicting. Fun game. Played on Xbox One a long time ago, cool that they made a PC port even if it's somewhat limited.

 

[Dreamlord]

I am about two thirds in Hi_Fi RUSH and it's actually an enjoyable game. A bit repetitive and the environments are not really memorable, but it's alright. I am not a fan of rhythm games, but this one is tolerable (except them nasty samurai fuckers).

Oh, I finished Ender Lilies and it was superb, one of the best metroidvania of the last few years. Definitely recommended.

Still struggling through Plague Tale Requiem. Still finding it boring.

 

[WesternBlood]

Sunset Overdrive on PC. Once you learn how to traverse fast it's super addicting. Fun game. Played on Xbox One a long time ago, cool that they made a PC port even if it's somewhat limited.

The best thing about that game is coding the music to the action. Doesn't hurt that the songlist isn't totally bad, either.

 

[Rock And Roll]

I was 30 hours into Elden Ring and still loving it, but decided to take a break after finishing the academy. I had been playing it for a month straight so I didn't want to risk getting burned out on it. I'm playing Wolfenstein 2 since it finally hit that $5 mark. It's not as bad as I expected. Definitely a major step back from New Order and Old Blood, the levels aren't as tight or as memorable, and there are way too many cutscenes which suck, but the game is still fun enough when it lets you play.

I'm also going through Card Shark which is a ton of fun. For those unfamiliar, it's a game where you learn to how cheat/stack the deck to win poker hands. Takes place in France during the 18th century so you hustle aristocrats. Got a nice artstyle of impressionism to fit the time period as well. Might not be worth full price to some of you, but I really enjoy it. I will warn you, the gameplay is almost like QTE/Warioware mini games, as each sleight of hand/trick you play has its own special technique. So if that's not your thing, best to steer clear.

 

[Dreamlord]

Finished Hi-Fi RUSH. I liked it! The thing is, this style reminded me of the old Dragon's Lair laserdisc game as well as Space Ace. I would absolutely love to see a new DL or SA game with these graphics, but modern gameplay. Imagine Dragon's Lair but not a quick-time events game, but fully playable. That'd be grand!

 

[J-Roderton]

Street Supremacy on PSP and a little NFS Most Wanted with XBSX2. Just getting ready for Hogwarts.

 

[regawdless]

FInished Dead Space today. Will play some more BallisticNG and try to finish Man of Medan before Returnal releases in six days.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

playing more FF Theatrhythm demo on Switch and then comparing it to the 3DS full game. So addictive, and I've got my youngest son to fall in love with it too. This would be the first rhythm game he's gotten into. My daughter already loves the genre so she's sold. My oldest son kinda-sorta likes it but we'll see how long his interest lasts.

Strangely they really click with the format. Maybe it's because they've played a ton of Miitopia which has a similar simplistic theme/ art style / lightheartedness. The core gameplay is a lot easier and a lot more "immediate" in FF Theatrhythm compared to a normal RPG which throws a lot of storyline and reading text at the player. In FFTR you kinda just jump in and play, not much build -up or pretense. Yet you're still unlocking characters, leveling up, gaining items, unlocking cards, etc.

Maybe a strange comparison but it also feels like a Cookie Clicker / Autobattler since the RPG side of things don't really matter if you play the songs without missing notes.

They've added another nuance of scoring: you can get Criticals, but you want to get Perfect Criticals to get a perfect score. I got 9.7 million on a song, full chain, "All Criticals", but still not a perfect score which would be 9,999,999. I got a few dozen Perfect Scores on the 3DS version but it seems like it might be a bit harder to do in this version for that reason.

Definitely gonna be playing it a lot more once it launches end of February. I've already maxed out the Rhythmia in the Demo and so has my son (the one mentioned earlier).

 

[Showdown]

Was going through Batman: Return to Arkham the last week or so. Asylum played like I remember but when I moved on to City, it's a 30 FPS mess. I don't remember the original City playing like that on PS4. Was it always 30? Honestly, it's ruining it for me. I don't even want to continue playing it.