[DonDonDonPata]

the setting and art direction are pretty generic sci-fi, that's true.

 

[BlackOlivesMatter]

Currently counting down the hours until MLB The Show 23 comes out at midnight

 

[Amorous Biscuit]

I've no-lifed Destiny 2: Lightfall for the past 3 weeks and I think I might have addiction issues. I'm often finding myself only playing one game at a time but doing it a lot. I'm talking more than 80 hours played in 3/4 weeks. It's basically a second job at this point.

I think the move to a seasonal story model has really paid off for Bungie and helps keep things feeling "current" and continuous. Whilst the story for Lightfall was a bit flat with many unanswered questions, I am sure this will be remedied for Final Shape. Game is in a good spot, maybe a bit weaker since Witch Queen was so good, but damn man is this how it felt being addicted to WOW all those years back? The pull to do daily bounties and quests is strong and the gunplay is just very satisfying.

When do I seek help?

 

[gameragodzilla]

Been replaying some Doom 3 again. Best Doom game.

It has the combat chess, level design, and fixed enemy placements of classic Doom and the atmosphere, worldbuilding and immersion of System Shock.

And going ham with the BFG 9000 at the end of the game is awesome.

 

[Grumpy Karen]

I've put Bioshock, Bioshock 2 and now Bioshock Infinite to bed.

This is the first time I've managed to get through Bioshock Infinite as, previously, I just got weary of the walking-simulator aspect of the game.

To be fair, the richness of the world-building is fantastic and the fidelity understandably a generation higher than the previous games.
The gameplay, when it makes an appearance, is reasonably good. But it's rather like being at a lavishly furnished restaurant with wonderful decor and sophisticated entertainment and an enticing menu - but it takes forever for your food to turn up, and when it does it's a remarkably small portion that looks exquisite on the plate but isn't especially satisfying.

The burden that the game's story has to live up to all the highs of Bioshock's is evident. And there is much potential in all of the teasing threads started in all the world-building that goes on. Most of which are either abandoned, fizzle into nothing or implode on themselves by the time the game reaches its final act and greatest, mind-bending, reveal.

I've watched a few deep dives (pun somewhat intentional) into the series this last week and it appears that Ken Levine and team at Ghost Story Games have allegedly been working on a project since Bioshock Infinite was done. That's over 7 years! So it'll be interesting to see what comes out of it, if it emerges at all.

As for what to play next - it won't be an FPS.

 

[Werewolfgrandma]

I can't stop playing apex Legends. All the time I want to but the gun play is too good. Just picked up triangle strategy for switch at a pawn shop last night. Gonna start after work today.

 

[Grisham]

I've watched a few deep dives (pun somewhat intentional) into the series this last week and it appears that Ken Levine and team at Ghost Story Games have allegedly been working on a project since Bioshock Infinite was done. That's over 7 years! So it'll be interesting to see what comes out of it, if it emerges at all.

Ken Levine-led studio Ghost Story Games announces narrative first-person shooter Judas

https://www.gematsu.com/2022/12/ken-levine-led-studio-ghost-story-games-announces-narrative-first-person-shooter-judas-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc Here is an overview of the game, via its store pages: A disintegrating starship. A desperate escape plan. You are the mysterious and...

d-pad.life

 

[DonDonDonPata]

dang Death Stranding got its hooks in me again. It is the anti-open world. My wife has watched all the story segments with me. So, I have a good groove where I work on the mundane non-story chores like building roads and ziplines (this is actually my favorite part...) I save the story missions for when we play together. Didn't think she would be so interested but she's already theorizing about Death Stranding 2 after we watched the trailer together.

It's hard to recommend to someone based on the premise -- you carry stuff around and your main rewards are more efficient routes to carry more stuff around -- but I can't deny I'm enjoying it all over again. Instead of tip-toeing around enemies, I'm much more confident this playthrough, knowing all sorts of tricks and ways to dominate those Amazon workers and the BTs. And I've already found some of the new Director Cut items like the Sonic the Hedgehog ramps...

 

[gameragodzilla]

I've put Bioshock, Bioshock 2 and now Bioshock Infinite to bed.

This is the first time I've managed to get through Bioshock Infinite as, previously, I just got weary of the walking-simulator aspect of the game.

To be fair, the richness of the world-building is fantastic and the fidelity understandably a generation higher than the previous games.
The gameplay, when it makes an appearance, is reasonably good. But it's rather like being at a lavishly furnished restaurant with wonderful decor and sophisticated entertainment and an enticing menu - but it takes forever for your food to turn up, and when it does it's a remarkably small portion that looks exquisite on the plate but isn't especially satisfying.

The burden that the game's story has to live up to all the highs of Bioshock's is evident. And there is much potential in all of the teasing threads started in all the world-building that goes on. Most of which are either abandoned, fizzle into nothing or implode on themselves by the time the game reaches its final act and greatest, mind-bending, reveal.

I've watched a few deep dives (pun somewhat intentional) into the series this last week and it appears that Ken Levine and team at Ghost Story Games have allegedly been working on a project since Bioshock Infinite was done. That's over 7 years! So it'll be interesting to see what comes out of it, if it emerges at all.

As for what to play next - it won't be an FPS.

Bah, Bioshock Infinite has to have some of the worst AAA shooting combat I've ever had the misfortune of playing. Granted, none of the Bioshocks had fantastic combat (nor did System Shock, for that matter), but Bioshock Infinite stripped out enough of the RPG and exploration aspects that it turned into a straight shooter without improving the actual shooting (and going backwards in many respects, like the two weapon limit).

Meanwhile, I played Singularity a few days ago (mainly because Atomic Heart had some similar "Sovietpunk" themes) and I'm reminded of the time I made a giant image looking at how similar in concept Singularity and Bioshock Infinite were. And it was funny because Singularity was often seen as a Bioshock ripoff, and then Bioshock Infinite ripped off its alternate timeline themes, only Singularity was made by Raven Software which are a developer with a lot of FPS experience (Wolfenstein '09, Quake IV, Jedi Outcast, Star Trek Elite Force, Heretic, Hexen, etc.) so the shooting was actually good.

 

[bork]

Just beat Felix the Cat on nes. Easy, fun platformer

 

[LtGoose]

Gonna pick up Foxhole again and spend my days moving pixels from one end of a war to the other.

 

[Rock And Roll]

I don't remember who in this thread recommended Splasher, but I had it on my wishlist and picked it up for $4. Might be the best $4 I've ever spent on an indie title. It's a great platformer with some run n gun + light puzzle elements. It's made by ex Ubisoft staff who worked on Rayman, which explains why it's such a tight experience. The levels are fun with a lot of variety and if you are into collectibles as part of the platforming challenge, they struck a nice balance of adding those in without it being tedious to go after. There's also speed trials if that's your thing.

Highly recommended if you enjoy platformer. 7/10 and once again, thanks to whoever mentioned it previously or this would have never been on my radar.

 

[Grumpy Karen]

You're welcome.

Glad someone else had a blast with it.

 

[synchronicity]

What a fun action rpg. I never played it back in the day, but I'm having a blast. It's deeper than I expected. I'm only to the fourth town so far, but it really feels like an epic adventure, particularly when accounting for the hardware.

I don't remember who in this thread recommended Splasher, but I had it on my wishlist and picked it up for $4. Might be the best $4 I've ever spent on an indie title. It's a great platformer with some run n gun + light puzzle elements. It's made by ex Ubisoft staff who worked on Rayman, which explains why it's such a tight experience. The levels are fun with a lot of variety and if you are into collectibles as part of the platforming challenge, they struck a nice balance of adding those in without it being tedious to go after. There's also speed trials if that's your thing.

Highly recommended if you enjoy platformer. 7/10 and once again, thanks to whoever mentioned it previously or this would have never been on my radar.

That's in my backlog. I'll have to give it a try. Have you played Celeste yet? I ask because that might be the best pure platformer I'ver ever played.

 

[regawdless]

Got sucked into Dark Light again, hard. (here's the OT if you want to see it in action).

Fought many bosses, did missions, unlocked a bunch of really cool weapons. I keep forgetting to use all the available tools. Game is really good and exploring the levels is fun, and the hours go by....

 

[HE1NZ]

I can't believe how big Valhalla is.

 

[Rock And Roll]

What a fun action rpg. I never played it back in the day, but I'm having a blast. It's deeper than I expected. I'm only to the fourth town so far, but it really feels like an epic adventure, particularly when accounting for the hardware.


That's in my backlog. I'll have to give it a try. Have you played Celeste yet? I ask because that might be the best pure platformer I'ver ever played.

Celeste was my GOTY in 2018, I love that game. It's definitely one of the best platformers of all time. Splasher isn't anywhere near as challenging but the platforming is pretty tight and it should give you a few challenges in the later levels.

Crystalis is dope too, I love that game. It's an underrated game and I think it holds up pretty well today. Glad you dig it

 

[DonDonDonPata]

I'm on Chapter 5/14 of Death Stranding Director's Cut, 50 hours in. Including my PS4 playtime, I'm over 100 hours. Playing through with my wife watching the main story segments while I handle building the map at other times. Some random thoughts on this amazing game:

- trophy stats for Director's Cut show that most people didn't bother. Only 18% got past Chapter 7 (halfway point) and 14% beat the game. trophy stats for the original ps4 version aren't much better: only 30% of players got past Chapter 7 and 25% beat the game.

- walking and climbing is a lot of fun and satisfying in the same way QWOP and Mud Runners and Getting Over It are all fun and satisfying. Unlike every other open-world game where fetch quests are boring, this game makes them as nuanced and realistic (and challenging) as possible.

- credit to the game, it doesn't hand hold you and it doesn't gatekeep its own mechanics. You unlock the majority of the tools early in the game, and you unlock some of the Best tools by 5-starring the early game preppers like Chiral Artist (boots), and Junk Dealer (ladder and speed skeleton).

-combat is one of the most rewarding parts of the game (both in mechanics and in-game rewards), and it's a lot of fun even though you are typically just knocking people unconscious or blasting BTs. I don't think there is ever an official quest to "Take down a Mule camp" yet if you do, it clears the area of bandits for awhile and porters will travel through safely.

- online asynchronous thing is less Dark Souls and more... Minecraft server or The Tomorrow Children, which I think is underappreciated. I like logging in to see what other porters have built and seeing more resources delivered to the hubs for me to use to build more roads or zip lines or ramps (or whatever else). I hope the 2nd game has actual open-world co-op, similar to Journey, where you can do cargo runs with other players, perhaps even long trek caravans.

- the story is easier to take seriously than Metal Gear. As far as sci-fi post apocalypses this is one of the weirder ones and it keeps my interest even the second time around.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Oh and Death Stranding is the best use of PS5 adaptive triggers by a huge margin, and the best "holding your dick while peeing" simulator on the market (I've tried them all).

Shooting guns feels great, I like the snap and rumble of each gun, I like charging up the BT-Blaster, it all feels next gen. Using L2+R2 to grip the straps of your gear actually feels different depending on the weight you're carrying, and if you hold them down about 3/4ths the triggers will pulse and shake with each step. You can also pee.... let's just say as a male penis owner, the adaptive trigger very accurately simulates the difference of peeing when you have a full bladder compared to when it's almost empty. I laughed out loud.

 

[miona's shoulder monkey]

Oh and Death Stranding is the best use of PS5 adaptive triggers by a huge margin, and the best "holding your dick while peeing" simulator on the market (I've tried them all).

Shooting guns feels great, I like the snap and rumble of each gun, I like charging up the BT-Blaster, it all feels next gen. Using L2+R2 to grip the straps of your gear actually feels different depending on the weight you're carrying, and if you hold them down about 3/4ths the triggers will pulse and shake with each step. You can also pee.... let's just say as a male penis owner, the adaptive trigger very accurately simulates the difference of peeing when you have a full bladder compared to when it's almost empty. I laughed out loud.

I really want to finally play it. Since you're an expert... is the Director's Cut the better experience?

 

[HariSeldon]

Must admit I really liked Death Stranding when I played it but then I got distracted by something. Given I've hit the boredom point with Hogwarts Legacy a bit, and I'm having one of my "games don't do shit for me" spells, maybe I need to go back to DS and see some more of it.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

I really want to finally play it. Since you're an expert... is the Director's Cut the better experience?

yeah, I'm enjoying the improvements enough to slog through all the same chapters all over again. It's just one of the improvements but the Dualsense rumble is a huge step up. The trigger-holding thing plus the thumping rumble of your step would be a shallow gimmick if it didn't adjust dynamically to your weight and terrain. The PS5 rumble helps your navigation in a way the PS4 version didn't, that's a strange thing to read back as I type it out but it's true.

Something about completing your missions in a true simulation sandbox that slowly molds to your presence is really satisfying but also takes some time to smolder and catch fire. I'll compare it again to QWOP, to Getting Over It, to Mud Runners, or even to Truck Simulator or the old Freelancer / Privateer games. The fun and satisfying part is the travel itself, and the reward is arriving at your destination and using those goods to build stuff that makes travel more enjoyable, which leads to more traveling, which leads to more cool stuff you're building in the world.

Most modern open world games lack the "sandbox" element. The big map is full of quests and caches of items, but the NPCs and world are static outside of some scripted exceptions.

 

[synchronicity]

- trophy stats for Director's Cut show that most people didn't bother. Only 18% got past Chapter 7 (halfway point) and 14% beat the game. trophy stats for the original ps4 version aren't much better: only 30% of players got past Chapter 7 and 25% beat the game.

I'm always amazed when I look at global trophy/achievement stats. I mean, I'm certainly willing to put down a game, and have done so a good number of times when it's clearly not for me, but I always give *every* game I play a fair chance and only set it aside when it's *clear* that it's poor or simply not to my tastes. And I even end up finishing games I *don't* like just because it's not so long or I just keep going in the hopes of finding some redeeming qualities.

I don't think people should waste their time, but why buy and start games just to dismiss them almost immediately. I don't understand that, yet it seems to be the norm. Most all games are briefly sampled and dropped. I know many are more casual gamers, but it's still hard to understand the big picture numbers you see in regards to completion %.

(I need to pull DS out of my backlog too. I think I'll like it, but just never got around to it.)

 

[HariSeldon]

I'm always amazed when I look at global trophy/achievement stats. I mean, I'm certainly willing to put down a game, and have done so a good number of times when it's clearly not for me, but I always give *every* game I play a fair chance and only set it aside when it's *clear* that it's poor or simply not to my tastes. And I even end up finishing games I *don't* like just because it's not so long or I just keep going in the hopes of finding some redeeming qualities.

I don't think people should waste their time, but why buy and start games just to dismiss them almost immediately. I don't understand that, yet it seems to be the norm. Most all games are briefly sampled and dropped. I know many are more casual gamers, but it's still hard to understand the big picture numbers you see in regards to completion %.

(I need to pull DS out of my backlog too. I think I'll like it, but just never got around to it.)

Sales. People get games cheap in sales and don't value them.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

I'm always amazed when I look at global trophy/achievement stats. I mean, I'm certainly willing to put down a game, and have done so a good number of times when it's clearly not for me, but I always give *every* game I play a fair chance and only set it aside when it's *clear* that it's poor or simply not to my tastes. And I even end up finishing games I *don't* like just because it's not so long or I just keep going in the hopes of finding some redeeming qualities.

I don't think people should waste their time, but why buy and start games just to dismiss them almost immediately. I don't understand that, yet it seems to be the norm. Most all games are briefly sampled and dropped. I know many are more casual gamers, but it's still hard to understand the big picture numbers you see in regards to completion %.

(I need to pull DS out of my backlog too. I think I'll like it, but just never got around to it.)

I agree overall, and unfortunately I think the sour feelings toward Metal Gear Solid 5 put unfair expectations on Death Stranding. People picked it up, they realized they weren't immediately piloting a Metal Gear or shooting enemies, so they dipped out

For MGS5 expectations, The sandbox map, the graphics, enemy AI, combat, and diversity of items in MGS5 were all praised. Complaints centered around the "missing Third map" and feelings of "unfinished story", which made a lot of people feel like it wasn't the send off to Big Boss it should've been. So when Death Stranding showed off near-identical shooting mechanics, a big open map, a fresh sci-fi world, everyone was like "Oh sweet it will be like all the hopes I pinned on mGS5 fulfilled!"

This game's launch was a culmination the fuckKonami sentiments. That was a major factor in the gaming community's expectations toward this specific game. There was a general feeling that Kojima's new game would be everything good about Metal Gear and more (because unshackled from evil Pachinko Konami!!)

Combat and stealth are both there but neither of those are the focus. Therefore, I can understand why people who wanted MGS6 in everything but name were baffled and turned off

 

[synchronicity]

Sales. People get games cheap in sales and don't value them.

Yeah, I suppose you're right. I guess it's hard for me to relate because I value my *time* over money. Even if I get a game for free, I'm going into it with hopes of enjoyment and I dedicate myself to finding it, if possible. If I'm going to give of *myself* to any experience in life, I invest with the hope of a "return" and that takes some "effort" and engagement. I realize that I, and most here, love games more than the average "gamer", and that's probably why this issue seems strange to me.

 

[HariSeldon]

Btw mgs 5 seems to get so much hate and yet I bloody loved it. Good silly fun. I've not played the earlier games admittedly so maybe my expectations were different to other people but I had a good time.

 

[Rock And Roll]

Finished up Chrono Trigger last night, only took me 3 months or so. I checked the eshop before it closed down and saw Capcom had a decent sale going on, so I picked up a couple of the Ace Attorney games I didn't have and Monster Hunter 4, which I doubt I'll ever seriously play but it's there if I want to try it again.

I think I'll play Apollo Justice next since I'm almost done the book I was reading and a visual novel would be a nice substitute.

 

[bork]

If you loved that check out Evil Quest on steam

What a fun action rpg. I never played it back in the day, but I'm having a blast. It's deeper than I expected. I'm only to the fourth town so far, but it really feels like an epic adventure, particularly when accounting for the hardware.


That's in my backlog. I'll have to give it a try. Have you played Celeste yet? I ask because that might be the best pure platformer I'ver ever played.

 

[synchronicity]

If you loved that check out Evil Quest on steam

It was already on my wish list. I just never got around to picking it up. Thanks for the suggestion. Appreciated.

 

[bork]

It was already on my wish list. I just never got around to picking it up. Thanks for the suggestion. Appreciated.

No prob! A vote for Shadowrun?

 

[DonDonDonPata]

I grabbed The Rift Breakers + DLC on sale. It was one of the indie games I've had my eye on before I got the PS5. Really enjoying it so far! Nothing mind-blowing, it's just really competent and well made. Reminds me of They Are Billions or Factorio blended with X-Morph Defense. I'm eager to explore the map and unlock new tech.

Also playing more Death Stranding, saving the main story missions for when my wife is watching and doing the "chores" during other times. The gameplay loop is satisfying and fun, I feel like a lot of people misjudged it. There are so many 3D games where the poor collision or an obscure edge could be used to get out of bounds in the map, to reach an interesting area. I feel like DS is doing this the whole way, rewarding you for the basic act of navigating across the land. Kinda like an open world Mud Runners or QWOP, there's an addictive challenge to master the terrain using your tools and footwork.

 

[regawdless]

I grabbed The Rift Breakers + DLC on sale. It was one of the indie games I've had my eye on before I got the PS5. Really enjoying it so far! Nothing mind-blowing, it's just really competent and well made. Reminds me of They Are Billions or Factorio blended with X-Morph Defense. I'm eager to explore the map and unlock new tech.

Also playing more Death Stranding, saving the main story missions for when my wife is watching and doing the "chores" during other times. The gameplay loop is satisfying and fun, I feel like a lot of people misjudged it. There are so many 3D games where the poor collision or an obscure edge could be used to get out of bounds in the map, to reach an interesting area. I feel like DS is doing this the whole way, rewarding you for the basic act of navigating across the land. Kinda like an open world Mud Runners or QWOP, there's an addictive challenge to master the terrain using your tools and footwork.

Rift Breaker is on my wishlist and I was very close to pull the trigger. Keep me updated on your progress please.

 

[regawdless]

I think about checking this game out. I have a retro boner at the moment.



Edit: it's out in Early Access, 40% off and there's a demo. Will try it later tonight!

 

[HeresJohnny]

I'm at the Castle in RE4, there are some things I don't care for, but overall, it's a great remake/master/whatever. I still miss the merchant music though.

 

[Arkam]

CS:GO.... after a year away.

Holy shit is this community gay as fuck. Its like I am in Uni 20 years ago. The jokes and vapidity is the same. Do these people come out of the Play Doh factory? And holy shit the amount of blatant Aimbots and wall hacks is insane. Played 5 matches and not one was without at least 3-4 obvious cheaters.

If CS2 doesnt solves this super prevalent hacking there is no point what so ever.

 

[regawdless]

CS:GO.... after a year away.

Holy shit is this community gay as fuck. Its like I am in Uni 20 years ago. The jokes and vapidity is the same. Do these people come out of the Play Doh factory? And holy shit the amount of blatant Aimbots and wall hacks is insane. Played 5 matches and not one was without at least 3-4 obvious cheaters.

If CS2 doesnt solves this super prevalent hacking there is no point what so ever.

That's so good about playing CS 1.6, not many cheaters around because it's mostly just the old school Chads.

 

[regawdless]

Did anyone play this game?



Looking nice and has very good user reviews.

 

[Grumpy Karen]

Hollow Knight
I'm a fan of a half-way decent Metroidvania and had previously attempted to get into this celebrated game a couple of times in the past.

This time I pushed through and got to the first of the game's endings.

Whilst I appreciate all the work that's clearly gone into the game, the original themes and setting, characterisation, audio, mix-and-match charm buffs and - in particular - great variety of enemies and their behaviours - I can't say I am especially fond of the game or found it as gratifying as other Metroidvanias.

I think this largely boils down to a few of things:

1. The game feels like it's always about to play a trick on the player
Most often times this is with a 'surprise' boss-fight. There are no shortage of these but they are very rarely signposted. Even the trope of foreshadowing a boss with lots of health and resource boosts in a neighbouring room - the save points tend to be a few screens away so there's not much warning.

Also a lot of encounters with new enemies or challenges are sprung on you as surprises too. Nintendo and Valve are famed for how they do this sort of thing - usually by presenting a new concept or adversary in a 'safe' manner before putting the player in peril a little later on. Hollow Knight goes straight in and grabs a chunk of your life right off the bat.

Overall, this means that it's a long time before you can traverse with confidence - far longer than it should and this impacts on the fun. When traversal in a game is a chore or a challenge it brings the entire game down.

2. The upgrades aren't very rewarding
There's lots of little upgrades to spend currency on, sure. But the gatekeeping upgrades that are the cornerstone of any Metroidvania are not that significant and take an awful long time coming.

Again, as such upgrades in games of this genre typically affect traversal mechanics (ie: double-jump) then this makes traversal less satisfying.

3. Plenty of lure. All obscure.
The theme and characters grew on me, but the poetic and mystifying lore reveals just rub me up the wrong way. I'm not a fan of obtuseness in any game.

So, when I have those 3 criticism and look at a game like Hollow Knight, I can't help but look at a game(s) like the Ori Metroidvanias. Ori gets all three of these things right. And, in the case of traversal, it totally knocks it out the park with the game's signature 'catapult' traversal move.

NEXT:
Maybe dipping back into Horizon: Forbidden West
Peeking at Mindustry on PC (automation meets tower defense)
Seeing if I can get into Subnautica after a few failed attempts in the past

 

[Dreamlord]

Hollow Knight
I'm a fan of a half-way decent Metroidvania and had previously attempted to get into this celebrated game a couple of times in the past.

This time I pushed through and got to the first of the game's endings.

Whilst I appreciate all the work that's clearly gone into the game, the original themes and setting, characterisation, audio, mix-and-match charm buffs and - in particular - great variety of enemies and their behaviours - I can't say I am especially fond of the game or found it as gratifying as other Metroidvanias.

I think this largely boils down to a few of things:

1. The game feels like it's always about to play a trick on the player
Most often times this is with a 'surprise' boss-fight. There are no shortage of these but they are very rarely signposted. Even the trope of foreshadowing a boss with lots of health and resource boosts in a neighbouring room - the save points tend to be a few screens away so there's not much warning.

Also a lot of encounters with new enemies or challenges are sprung on you as surprises too. Nintendo and Valve are famed for how they do this sort of thing - usually by presenting a new concept or adversary in a 'safe' manner before putting the player in peril a little later on. Hollow Knight goes straight in and grabs a chunk of your life right off the bat.

Overall, this means that it's a long time before you can traverse with confidence - far longer than it should and this impacts on the fun. When traversal in a game is a chore or a challenge it brings the entire game down.

2. The upgrades aren't very rewarding
There's lots of little upgrades to spend currency on, sure. But the gatekeeping upgrades that are the cornerstone of any Metroidvania are not that significant and take an awful long time coming.

Again, as such upgrades in games of this genre typically affect traversal mechanics (ie: double-jump) then this makes traversal less satisfying.

3. Plenty of lure. All obscure.
The theme and characters grew on me, but the poetic and mystifying lore reveals just rub me up the wrong way. I'm not a fan of obtuseness in any game.

So, when I have those 3 criticism and look at a game like Hollow Knight, I can't help but look at a game(s) like the Ori Metroidvanias. Ori gets all three of these things right. And, in the case of traversal, it totally knocks it out the park with the game's signature 'catapult' traversal move.

NEXT:
Maybe dipping back into Horizon: Forbidden West
Peeking at Mindustry on PC (automation meets tower defense)
Seeing if I can get into Subnautica after a few failed attempts in the past

Totally with you on Hollow Knight. I loved the game, but it frustrated me in equal measure. My biggest gripe (and the reason I never finished it) is traversal. The save points are too far between and (more importantly) fast travel points are way too few, for a game that has so many enemies in each screen. Combined with the vague map, it made things too frustrating and time consuming for me.

I hope they address these issues with their upcoming second game, which I am definitely buying, but would be nice to finish this time.