General gaming discussion

recyclops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121818299#Comment_121818299

I cant find my 2ds stylus making this near impossible to play :(, wanted to give the original a bash before picking up switch game.

SuperBowserWorld

Pocket Card Jockey is a gateway drug to gaming. Nintendo saves the industry, again. 😆

Mr.Saturn

Stuff like Pocket Card Jockey really highlights the level of talent at Game Freak outside of their mandated Pokechurn.

PCJ also has sharp, actually witty writing under the hood too, which tends to go under praised considering it’s got one of the most flawless and addictive gameplay loops you’ll ever come across. Seriously, I sat down to give the Switch remake a quick blast after work and 2 hours just melted.

Zero-Cool

Question for anyone who has had a preorder with Smyths lately, they just took money from my card for my final fantasy preorder that's due out Thursday. Do they usually take the money when they're shipping it? I wish just got txt with preorder dlc code. I'm hoping for a delivery tomorrow but might be a bit optimistic.

Edit: just got an email saying order is prepped for delivery, courier will collect it shortly. Do you usually get this the day before delivery?

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823041#Comment_121823041

Relax the kacks. They usually get the game to you the day before or day of release. And it's only a game 😝

The games been sitting in their warehouse for the last two or three weeks so there won't be a delay.

Zero-Cool

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823049#Comment_121823049

"It's only a game" No sir, it's the greatest RPG of all time and certainly the greatest JRPG of all time.

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823073#Comment_121823073

Yakuza Infinite Wealth and Suikoden 2 remaster are out this year so at best it's the third best rpg of the year 😝

Exclamation Marc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823041#Comment_121823041

Usually the email is sent the day before the courier physically takes it so you'll likely get it on Thursday.

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823041#Comment_121823041

Think of us poor PC gamers in the Sony ghetto. We have to wait 6 months for the exclusivity deal to be up and if it's like GTA5 or FF7 remake they will make us wait 18 months because of the next gen version.

SuperBowserWorld

We'd be screwed without Smyths. They had the PS5 discount recently. Also the games there are cheaper than that the other shops here. Amazon is convenient but a risk with hardware issue and returns.

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823504#Comment_121823504

What other shops here? Genuinely asking because Smyth's seems to be the only one. Also they seem to have really reduced the variety of their stock for all consoles, especially the switch, since Xmas and are only carrying the big hitters.

Zero-Cool

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823634#Comment_121823634

I think that leaves the ridiculous game section in sports direct, supermarkets like Tesco which are not a reliable source of games and then cex when you want to pay more for a 2nd game than it's rrp. If Smyths ever went, I'd have to go fully digital

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823634#Comment_121823634

Catering for the Irish Market. Surprised they don't just stock Fifa and COD to be honest.

Same reason we get boring crisps, soft drink flavours and plain sausages.

SuperBowserWorld

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823634#Comment_121823634

None really. I sold my Series X and got 80 quid off a PS5 slim in Smyths recently. They do have new games available, but then they sell out and they stick with the big consistent sellers. I'm only buying physical games now, so it's Smyths/CEX second hand if cheap/Amazon new/second hand.

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823091#Comment_121823091

Possibly not even the best JRPG of the week - the new Shiren The Wanderer is sounding more tempting to me once I’m done with Infinite Wealth 😅

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823846#Comment_121823846

All the Shiren games are amazing but it's only now the west is finding that out since people now understand what a rogue like is and that they've been sleeping on Shiren for years which is the best rogue like out there. I'm amazing the last game that was ported from vita to steam slipped under the radar but thankfully it looks like this new game has managed to finally grab some mainstream attention.

And yes, if the rest of the series is anything to go by it will be better than FF7 rebirth.

Retr0gamer

Supermassive going into consultation as well. Not sure if they are Sony owned and is part of the Sony cuts?

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121824023#Comment_121824023

Don't think so. Supermassive announced their layoffs yesterday so seem to be separate from the Sony layoffs.

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121824023#Comment_121824023

No they’re independent AFAIK. The Dark Pictures series and The Quarry and nothing to do with Sony.

As awful as it is for the workers, sadly I’m not super surprised by the news around Supermassive. A lot of their post Until Dawn always seemed to have a fairly minimal footprint, and don’t think even Until Dawn was a massive blockbuster hit either (though seemed to ‘surpass expectations’ despite a fairly limited push by Sony).

Mr.Saturn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823709#Comment_121823709

Harvey Norman do games, though big hitters only for the most part. Currys' stock is surprisingly decent, picked up Persona 5 Tactica off them at Xmas. Golden Discs have also recently returned to the games market — though going by their Dundrum store, it really is a small part of their shop and, again, big hitters only.

But, yeah, it's pretty bleak for B&M retail at the minute.

Retr0gamer

Now this is an absolute disgrace. Nintendo peddling hardcore class A drugs to children on Instagram:

RedXIV

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121825136#Comment_121825136

It's how they got me :(

Necro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823223#Comment_121823223

I'm sure I read somewhere it's only three months exclusivity for PS5 this time out...

Corvo

It's been a long time since I've had as much fun playing a game as I have Helldivers 2. And I've only played a handful of games because I've been busy.

pixelburp

Sometimes algorithms aren't all bad: the sudden surge in interest and enthusiasm for Helldivers 2 resulted in a lot of suggestions for Starship Troopers related media on YouTube for me; while I see it popping up a lot on social media; clearly people have been joining the dots with that game's obvious nod to Paul Verhoeven's initially misunderstood classic

Would you like to know more?

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121826905#Comment_121826905

Oh sweet summer child you must not be on twitter because the discourse there the last few months has been right wingers saying the left are wrong about their interpretation that the movie is a satire on right wing propaganda and just a fun movie about killing bugs threatening a perfect society. And Neil Patrick Harris decked out in a black Hugo Boss uniform isn't an obvious give away.

CatInABox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121827000#Comment_121827000

Indeed, it's gone from being misunderstood accidentally, through appreciated for it's excellent satire, and straight back into being misunderstood, albeit misunderstood on purpose.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121827000#Comment_121827000

Your first mistake here is: you're on Twitter.

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121827065#Comment_121827065

I'm not sure it's misunderstood on purpose and more 'I see nothing wrong with this as it's making fun and **** people and I'm too delusional to realise that I'm also a **** person'.

Zero-Cool

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121823041#Comment_121823041

Arrived today 🤩

Retr0gamer

Go to google and search for 'chocobo'

Then press the little orange Chocobo button on the bottom right.

Retr0gamer

Death stranding a tiny bit more sense now... A tiny bit:

https://twitter.com/wrathofgnon/status/1763138299085091110?t=laq4lLPWPutORXcG7Jm3-g&s=19

Mal-Adjusted

Is that the reason starship troopers discussion and analysis has blown up online the past few months?

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121834766#Comment_121834766

Some right winger made the worst take ever of it and it drove people rightfully nuts.

Retr0gamer

Finally got around to the Metroid prime remake last night. It's incredible. It's very faithful to the original but the dual stick controls really suit the game and it still feels the same. It's just such a well designed game and I find it baffling that it hasn't been emulated by anyone else, probably the new God of War games come closest. It's also remarkable how good the game looks yet still runs are a rock solid 60 fps on switch. It was always a gorgeous looking game on GameCube but the modern sheen is spectacular. Just like the original every area looks and feels authored with a real attention to little details.

The game really holds up as well with spectacular boss fights, a compelling game loop, and a stunning soundtrack. The space Pirate AI is still fun to fight against.

johnny_ultimate

Booted up Balatro over the weekend.

If you value reasonable bed times, I would recommend not booting up Balatro.

Excellent game though. Rogue-like, deck builder poker is a mad concept but is wonderful in execution, and the delivery offers that ‘just one more blind’ adrenaline hit in spades (and hearts, clubs and diamonds). Delightful fun to break poker with insane combos and score multipliers.

https://youtu.be/2n9pkiuSZLU?si=3_E-9pTpdZFbXO3M

pixelburp

All due respect, I have somewhat reached a point where the words "roguelike deck builder" just makes my brain glaze over as a reflex.

Potential-Monke

Yeah, not a fan of deck builders either. Card games are meant for tables, not computers! It's actually just the waiting in general, no matter the game. Any game that makes me wait to move or attack, I don't usually like. That encompasses all turn based games, deck builders, original FF style combat, etc. They just ain't for me. So like pixelburp, when I see any of those words mentioned, I move on without reading any more.

And in my current lull of not being able to get into a game, I'm somehow getting into AC Valhalla... guess 2+ years of a break worked, helped by Mirage being... meh.

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121848437#Comment_121848437

I can kind of feel the same at times, but always willing to give something a try if sources I trust say it's worth the time. Never would have given Inscryption (a roguelike deck builder) a chance but heard such great things about it that said I may as well, and I loved it. Have heard similar about Balatro and have already bought it but not started playing it yet, but really looking forward to getting into it when I get a chance.

Luna84

I hate turn based games too. Really annoying I find plus I have no idea how to play them properly due to lack of play time as I usually never play them and the ones I did try I get into one or two battles and quit as they are s**t. I made two exceptions and that was the South Park games as I'm a big South Park fan and liked the games humour but the battles were a bit annoying for me.

McFly85

Tried Balatro this evening and the hours flew by! Roguelike deck builder didn’t sound appealing but really its score-attack poker. Fast paced, easy to get into and there’s a good depth to it.

Im sure it’ll happen at some stage, but itd be perfect for mobile gaming. Definitely one to have a quick run while on the bus or whatever.

Between this and Queens Blood I’m definitely on a card game kick!

dav45

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121849970#Comment_121849970

So true. Those games are kind of annoying too.

Retr0gamer

I'm not going to take this turn based slander lying down. Some of the all time best games have been turn based. Stuff like the Persona series, Etrian Odyssey, the entire rogue like genre, X-Com, Baldur's Gate 3, etc. There's so much variety on turn based games, dismissing them entirely is akin to saying you don't like open world games or platformers. There's bad examples, honestly think the south park games arent good examples. I find turn based games offer strategy and depth you just don't get with real time games without making them stressful.

CatInABox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121856111#Comment_121856111

And that's before you get to the Civilization series..... I don't want to think about how much time I've sank into those games

pixelburp

That's interesting: I started this with my diss of deck-builders, but broadly Turn-Based games do interest me whether it's x-com, the civ games or whatnot. There's just something about the loop in deck-builders, and the saturation of them as a core mechanic that puts me off.

Penn

I think action combat gives a more immediate and consistent satisfaction, whereas turn-based ebbs and flows a lot more. It's more about being patient, setting everything up, and then can result in huge bursts of satisfaction when your plan works. I remember the discourse when Baldurs Gate 3 came out and some people online saying they wouldn't play it because it's turn based, and there should be an option for people to play it in a more action style. The trouble is the sheer scale and variety of things you can do, actions you can perform, spells you can cast, plus the fact you're controlling 4+ characters... it could never work like that or would be incredibly scaled back to the point where it practically needn't be included in the game at all.

But the scale of what you can do in that game's turn-based combat is a huge part of what makes it a joy to play. It gives you such incredible options to mess with enemies, trap them, use the environment, and really let your imagination run wild. And similar with other turn-based games. It's all about implementation. I could just never get into X-Com 2 for a variety of reasons, but one of the reasons was I just found a lot of the combat kind of dull and frustrating at times. Whereas Marvels Midnight Suns I thought was a joy to play. The first South Park I found the combat a bit bland, but when they added in the movement and grid system in the second one, I actually enjoyed it a lot more.

johnny_ultimate

The mini-narratives and memorable moments that emerged during my playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3 simply would not have come from a real-time battle system. My fights with Raphael and Grym will stay with me for a very long time, just due to the sheer versatility and dynamism of the combat and the catastrophes/triumphs that emerged as a result of it.

And playing Infinite Wealth - which has cleverly refined the more rudimentary, old-school turn-based combat from its predecessor - reminds me how much more enjoyment I've gotten out of the Yakuza / LaD series now that it's moved away from its brawling system. Not the most mechanically or strategically complex turn-based game around (though adds some very fun modern wrinkles around positioning), but so much more engaging for me than the series' traditional combat.

Always worth being open to different gameplay styles. I was always frustrated by RPGs with more real-time or hybrid fighting systems, as I thought there was always an unsatisfying remove there compared to the immediacy of actual action games or the strategic possibilities of turn-based ones. But games like FF7 Remake - where combat was IMO the only unqualified triumph of the game - have happily proven me wrong, and show there's certainly space for more real-time combat in RPGs alongside classic turn-based systems.

Retr0gamer

Speaking of awesome turn based games, the new Shiren game on Switch is getting rave reviews. Hoping it's the west finally taking notice of that series.

Mr Crispy

Did any of you watch the Xbox Partner showcase yesterday? They had some interesting looking titles on display. At the risk of triggering some of you with its card mechanics, Sleight of Hand looks just like my kind of jam.

https://youtu.be/YVd4bEiiCIU?si=kfIPVoSCEs1GAWG3

And Creatures of Ava looked lovely as ****, with the story co-written by Rihanna Pratchett.

Retr0gamer

Reviews starting to come in for unicorn overlord. 88 and 87 metacritic for the PS4 and switch version respectively.