AI52487963's recent activity
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
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Comment on Best recommendations for PC couch multiplayer games? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkIt’s a single player game, but playing Blue Prince on the couch with others to help puzzle solve is a great experience. Otherwise Ember Knights or Wizard of Legend are good fun roguelikes for...It’s a single player game, but playing Blue Prince on the couch with others to help puzzle solve is a great experience.
Otherwise Ember Knights or Wizard of Legend are good fun roguelikes for casual players.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkThis week we concluded our special two-part on Caves of Qud for our podcast on roguelike/lite games, this time focusing on the gameplay and mechanics of the game. I was a supreme Qud skeptic when...This week we concluded our special two-part on Caves of Qud for our podcast on roguelike/lite games, this time focusing on the gameplay and mechanics of the game.
I was a supreme Qud skeptic when I first touched it two years ago. I wasn’t impressed by the menus, the verbiage and terminology was super alien and hard to understand, but 150 hours later it’s become one of my favorite RPG games of all time.
Taking the time to slow burn the game, learn the systems, and understand the mechanics really turned me around on Qud. The amount of polish the devs put in for 1.0 really shine and separate it to be far ahead of any other traditional roguelike in terms of accessibility.
I think my only major gripe at this point is that it’s not a good roguelike for the learning process. It’s much better to play the game on Roleplay (checkpoints at villages) or Wander (most enemies start neutral) to learn the game before trying the first couple dungeons. I feel like the roguelike mode is better once you’ve gotten very far or beaten the game once.
Overall: highly recommended. It’s a super unique game and experience that is coming to Switch soon and I think folks who are interested are in for a real treat of an experience and one of the most rewarding endings to a game I’ve played in many years.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkThis week for our podcast on roguelike/lite games, we did a special episode covering the soundtrack and main story (except the ending) to Caves of Qud It’s an incredible game once you get past the...This week for our podcast on roguelike/lite games, we did a special episode covering the soundtrack and main story (except the ending) to Caves of Qud
It’s an incredible game once you get past the learning curve. The amazing soundtrack adds so much to a game that looks relatively simple from the Atari-level fidelity of the sprites. There’s so much to cover we had to break our coverage of out into two episodes. The next one on gameplay and systems.
The main story to Qud is a great hybrid between something like Dune and A Canticle for Liebowitz. The writing is something Byron or Keats would be proud of. I think it wholeheartedly deserves the Hugo award town for sure.
One of the most original and interesting sci-fi stories I’ve had the pleasure to experience and the ending is just such a perfect cap to it that it made the 150 hour ride worth every minute.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkThis week we played Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap for our podcast on roguelike/lite games. Despite only one out of the four of us liking it, I feel this is one of the funnier episodes we’ve done in a...This week we played Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap for our podcast on roguelike/lite games.
Despite only one out of the four of us liking it, I feel this is one of the funnier episodes we’ve done in a while. Not every game is for everyone, but sometimes it is fun to dunk on questionable design decisions.
None of us ever played the other games in the OMD series, but I can sympathize with some of the reviews the game got in their behalf. Having to wait 4 years for a new entry and getting…this would make me similarly frustrated.
Deathtrap looks good, it plays good in the moment, but when compared to our episode we just did previously to Deadzone Rogue or with the mega hit Elden Ring Nightreign, OMD Deathtrap feels like an especially lackluster experience that was a riot to pick apart.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkThis week we played the FPS Deadzone: Rogue for our podcast on roguelike/lite games This game has a fascinating history starting out as an extraction shooter in the heels of Tarkov, failing...This week we played the FPS Deadzone: Rogue for our podcast on roguelike/lite games
This game has a fascinating history starting out as an extraction shooter in the heels of Tarkov, failing miserably, then totally tearing down and rebuilding up as a roguelite design. I think the fact that the game is event remotely good given that backstory really underscores the effort the developers put in to making sure it was a fun game.
I was glad to be forced to sit down for two weeks and deep dive Deadzone Rogue because my first impression from the Steam Next Fest demo was extremely underwhelming. But one of my cohosts LOVED it at the time, so I figured something g had to be there.
Fast forward to now and after having rolled credits on it, I’m happy to say I was wrong about my first impressions and that Deadzone Rogue is a perfectly fun game for what it’s going for. There nothing really revolutionary about its design, there’s some clever builds and interesting decision making here and there, but I think it’s backstory adds a lot to its relevance.
The games story is also kind of slapdash and generic, but fun in a kind of low brow 80s Canon Films sort of way. After the end of the first act I was actually quite interested to see where the game was going plot-wise and the ending left me feeling very interested in what’s next for the game.
I think the worst part overall is the grind. Standard difficulty feels padded out with enemies being overly bullet spongey and I had a lot more fun playing on easy mode. The fact there’s special side missions you can do that are shorter runs but with more focused challenges is neat and I think adds a lot to wanting to beat challenge X in harder difficulties.
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Comment on What game is your personal "Silksong"? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkStarcraft 2 for me. I grew up on the original and Brood War, which remain on my short list for 10/10 perfect games still. I remember browsing websites in the pre-Google era seeing preview assets...Starcraft 2 for me. I grew up on the original and Brood War, which remain on my short list for 10/10 perfect games still.
I remember browsing websites in the pre-Google era seeing preview assets for the sequel which were clearly just mods with high hopes, not realizing I’d have to wait almost a decade.
When the music leaked, Blizzard was still in full WoW mode and I had waning hopes for ever getting a StarCraft sequel until I heard the bombastic tunes that sounded very familiar. I always thought that it was going to be some kind of rug pull like “the StarCraft soundtrack remastered” or something until we got the reveal announcement and indeed, it was about time!
Launch day was nothing short of biblical in my dorm. Roommates were going bananas climbing the ladder and finding all the imbalanced and broken builds. Streaming was out of control, Day9 dailies, etc. It was a magical time.
Since then, it feels like SC2 has kind of fallen out of relevance in comparison to things like Counterstrike and League, but it still holds a special place in my gaming fandom. If we ever get a StarCraft 3, or similar level of successor, I can only hope it will capture that same lightning in a bottle moment.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkThis week we played the procgen 4X fantasy game Hero’s Hour for our podcast on roguelike/lite games. Yes, we do discuss at length whether it qualifies for talking about on a roguelike podcast, and...This week we played the procgen 4X fantasy game Hero’s Hour for our podcast on roguelike/lite games.
Yes, we do discuss at length whether it qualifies for talking about on a roguelike podcast, and I think it generates some interesting discussion about how 4X and other Civ-like (lite?) games blend into the standard rogue genre.
Overall, I thought this game was interesting despite the bad tutorial. The differences between the factions and heroes makes for some interesting gameplay decisions. The art and music is fun and charming, and the big battle sequences are quite fun to watch.
Makes me want to dip my toes into the Heroes of Might and Magic series, from which it’s inspired by.
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Comment on California attorney fined for using twenty-one AI hallucinated cases in court filing in ~tech
AI52487963 Link ParentImagine the Chuck McGill meltdowns about LLM hallucinations!Imagine the Chuck McGill meltdowns about LLM hallucinations!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkThis week for our podcast on roguelike games we played The King Is Watching I thought this game was neat. It starts off strong with a very colorful and detailed art style, has a pretty thorough...This week for our podcast on roguelike games we played The King Is Watching
I thought this game was neat. It starts off strong with a very colorful and detailed art style, has a pretty thorough tutorial, and some interesting and unique mechanics.
I think the only downside is the meta progression system. Not anything that can’t be fixed in the long term, but it sort of felt like I didn’t really unlock anything super meaningful after a number of runs.
Overall a game that I put roughly on par with Loop Hero: interesting art and mechanics, maybe a bit grindy for my tastes, but interesting enough for one of my cohosts to put 100+ hours into it and platinum all the achievements.
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Comment on 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Official trailer in ~movies
AI52487963 Link ParentI’d be on board for a “28 centuries later” followed by a “28 millennia later”I’d be on board for a “28 centuries later” followed by a “28 millennia later”
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkElden Ring Nightreign This week we played Elden Ring Nightreign for our podcast on roguelike games. Wow what a blast this was! I was initially skeptical and baffled when Nightreign was announced:...Elden Ring Nightreign
This week we played Elden Ring Nightreign for our podcast on roguelike games.
Wow what a blast this was! I was initially skeptical and baffled when Nightreign was announced: a Fortnite Souls game? Cmon. But I remember how much I liked base Elden Ring before getting burned out on the Mountaintop of the Giants and I was excited to jump back in.
And man does it deliver. It’s not perfect, but it’s got amazing potential to it. If you’re a fan of souls games at all, then you get a really solid 45 minute experience of monster bashing. I was always big into the coop covenants from souls games and this feels like the ultimate incarnation of it.
A new mode is coming in a few weeks which should offer a different, possibly less sonic level speedrun speed to it also. Very excited to see how this game develops and am praying as hard as I can to get an Armored Core Nightreign in the future.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkElden Ring Nightreign This week we played Elden Ring Nightreign for our podcast on roguelike games. Wow what a blast this was! I was initially skeptical and baffled when Nightreign was announced:...Elden Ring Nightreign
This week we played Elden Ring Nightreign for our podcast on roguelike games.
Wow what a blast this was! I was initially skeptical and baffled when Nightreign was announced: a Fortnite Souls game? Cmon. But I remember how much I liked base Elden Ring before getting burned out on the Mountaintop of the Giants and I was excited to jump back in.
And man does it deliver. It’s not perfect, but it’s got amazing potential to it. If you’re a fan of souls games at all, then you get a really solid 45 minute experience of monster bashing. I was always big into the coop covenants from souls games and this feels like the ultimate incarnation of it.
A new mode is coming in a few weeks which should offer a different, possibly less sonic level speedrun speed to it also. Very excited to see how this game develops and am praying as hard as I can to get an Armored Core Nightreign in the future.
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Comment on All things classic Doom in ~games
AI52487963 LinkFor my podcast on roguelike games, we covered the classic DoomRL open source game as well as its commercial 3D remaster Jupiter Hell. I’m still very impressed by its spin on the OG DOOM formula...For my podcast on roguelike games, we covered the classic DoomRL open source game as well as its commercial 3D remaster Jupiter Hell.
I’m still very impressed by its spin on the OG DOOM formula with traditional roguelike mechanics. More than just that, though, I’ve come to realize just how tight and focused its gameplay is when compared to something like Nethack.
Fun fact: the demake of Jupiter Hell that released recently has a steam workshop mod that you can load to just straight up play DoomRL with controller support and Steam achievements.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkThis week for our roguelike podcasts 75th episode, we covered the legendary platformer Spelunky I had a lot of fun revisiting this brutal game that drove me to insanity the first time I played it...This week for our roguelike podcasts 75th episode, we covered the legendary platformer Spelunky
I had a lot of fun revisiting this brutal game that drove me to insanity the first time I played it 12 years ago. I didn’t beat it this time around but my main goal was playing the daily challenge consistently during our two week evaluation period.
On the steam deck, it’s a dream. The form factor is great and the smaller screen helps to hide that it’s locked at 720p which is unfortunately apparently on 1440p monitors. But the gameplay remains so crisp and solid and easy to pick up and play.
That’s not to say it’s easy though. Spelunky is one of the most famous “tough but fair” games out there and I really appreciate the thoughtful design decisions behind it. Opening shortcuts teaches you level progression and gear juggling. The shortcuts allow you to practice against the enemies in that biome. But the shortcuts also start you tremendously under-geared, so you’re incentivized to start from the beginning and work your way up (down?).
It still holds up today and is well worth the under $5 sale price it routinely goes on sale for. If you like punishing platformers, that is.
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Comment on What are some of your favorite Nintendo Switch games? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkIf you’re into 80s style NES games, then UFO 50 is an absolute MUST for the switch. I put more than 50 hours into it and haven’t beaten half the games but the experience itself is so unique,...If you’re into 80s style NES games, then UFO 50 is an absolute MUST for the switch.
I put more than 50 hours into it and haven’t beaten half the games but the experience itself is so unique, especially for single player and 2 player gameplay.
Worth it just for Vainger, Party House, and Mini & Max alone. Elfazar’s Hat is great for two player coop as well.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkThis week for our roguelike podcast’s 75th episode, we covered a titan of the genre with Spelunky! I remember getting brutalized by it 12 years ago, beating it, and thinking “great I’m NEVER...This week for our roguelike podcast’s 75th episode, we covered a titan of the genre with Spelunky!
I remember getting brutalized by it 12 years ago, beating it, and thinking “great I’m NEVER playing that again”, only to have a lot of fun revisiting it this week.
It’s truly timeless and elegant, but you can sort of see some of the wrinkles. It being locked at 720p feels rough in a full screen 1440p monitor, but it plays amazingly smooth and clear in the Steam Deck.
It’s interesting to hear my cohosts reaction who had never played it and how progression systems have had their impact in Spelunky wake. I’m glad no-progression roguelikes still exist, because sometimes firing up a game for the first time and seeing the meta progression wall ahead of you can feel more daunting than dying once every 45 seconds.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 Link ParentI got burned out after taking 4 hours to beat Seven Spears Ashina. Maybe I should go back to it…I got burned out after taking 4 hours to beat Seven Spears Ashina. Maybe I should go back to it…
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 Link ParentI’ve been intrigued to try Two Crowns since the podcast episode. It’s certainly a mega hit popularity-wise, and I can totally see how the coop communication and strategy aspects really mesh well...I’ve been intrigued to try Two Crowns since the podcast episode. It’s certainly a mega hit popularity-wise, and I can totally see how the coop communication and strategy aspects really mesh well with the two sides of the kingdom.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AI52487963 LinkKingdom: New Lands This week we played the 2D side scrolling tower defense game Kingdom New Lands for our podcast on roguelike games. Overall I think it’s a reasonably nice and cozy game that has...Kingdom: New Lands
This week we played the 2D side scrolling tower defense game Kingdom New Lands for our podcast on roguelike games.
Overall I think it’s a reasonably nice and cozy game that has a deceptive amount of strategic decision making to it for a game that has one action button: use coin on object.
The art is great, the sound design is great, but I almost think the constrained gameplay design hinders a lot of strategy. At times it feels like Starcraft if you couldn’t control your units behavior.
The fact that there isn’t really any text or notification or tutorial or anything means you have to learn by failure. I think a mark of true quality for a rogue game is if failure is at least fun in some way, but failing a run here feels bad at least half the time. Individual island runs take so long that if you soft lock yourself in economy, then failure feels like this slow strangulation until you hit the reset button manually.
The game is also frustratingly slow to me. The horse stamina is a system that I wish I could upgrade faster, as it’s really annoying to go from one end of the map to the other and having your horse object to going faster most of the time.
Diablo 1997
This week we played Diablo 1 for our podcast on roguelike/lite games.
While Diablo isn’t a roguelike, D1 does share an interesting amount of historical DNA with other CRPG rogues of the 90s like Angband. In some cases it’s kind of shocking how similar the concepts and gameplay loops are between a static town at the top of the dungeon, and the loot progression treadmill of returning there to sell for gold.
Overall: we had fun with it, despite some elements not aging that great over 30 years. We played on the Devilutionx mod using the GOG files, which thank god for that. I flipped back to the GOG original a couple time to compare and it’s so much slower and frustrating.
Multiplayer in Devilutionx is very simple, but sometimes very sensitive to people’s internet connectivity. There were a handful of times where folks would be dropping out, but I’m not sure how much of that was due to their VPN usage.
I also played a big chunk of it single player on the steam deck as well as the Rogue. Ranged damage is 500x better than melee in this game and much more fun when using a controller input. The interface for Devilutionx takes a little bit to get adjusted to, but works quite well for a pure KB+M classic.