The video game thread.

Jason P said:

My jaw dropped when I left the sewers!  I was expecting a graphics upgrade but this looks as good as Kingdom Come II.  The speed FPS is a big change ... I didn't realize it until now, but the original game didn't have a sprint button (back in my day, we had to walk 5 miles thru the snow to school without a sprint button, kids!)

I'm playing a Breton from Systres with Assassin Class and Thief Birth sign.  A wood elf would be the logical choice, but I played one 20 years ago and those short bastards are always looking up someones crotch.  Last time my main character was a high elf with Atronic Birthsign which has great bonus but you need use potions to charge magic instead of it auto regenerating.

Big Tip ... don't tell Jauffre to wait somewhere and then play the game over a three year span and expect to find that motherfucker when you decide you want to play the main quest.  I had to start over to finish the main quest!

There wasn't a sprint in the original? I'm glad I don't remember that.
I've spent the last four hours of play time working on unlocking the cure for vampirism questline haha.

I also picked a Breton this run, I think I chose a Battlemage and I forget what sign I chose. Probably thief as well.

MayDay10 said:

Expedition 33 is amazing.

Not sure i have ever been this mesmerized by a video game plot and atmosphere

The turn based fighting with a few real-time elements is well done too.


Go play this now!!!  Early game of the year favorite.  I don't think anybody has turned video games on it's ear like this since bioshock.  

Getting it this weekend! Can't wait

Expedition 33 has taken all my free gaming time, but meanwhile, I did play Oblivion.  It was good and would have kept at it if it werent for the Gommage.  

I also grabbed a Steam Deck OLED.  100% pleased with it so far.  Got a nice skin and case for it as well.  It is a retro game powerhouse and I also have played some of my steam library on it.  I got it with the understanding that I am not going to play the newest super heavy AAA action titles on it (Im normally not a huge fan of those, and would play those on my consoles anyway).  I have my Factorio, got Lumines, Skyrim so far.  Going to try to see how Civilization 4 is on it. 
It is a very impressive machine though.  GREAT screen.

What is people's take on looking up things online?  

I remember as an 80s and 90s kid.  Not having internet.  You would have to grind out games, sometimes shitty games, and figure things out on your own.  Draw maps and take notes sometimes.  You would have to talk to other kids on the bus or at lunch and share information.  That was great.

But now, you can look online for the best/easiest stategies, maps, item location, etc.  Being a working stiff with kids it is a timesaver, but it feels like it ruins the experience a bit.  

MayDay10 said:

What is people's take on looking up things online?  

I remember as an 80s and 90s kid.  Not having internet.  You would have to grind out games, sometimes shitty games, and figure things out on your own.  Draw maps and take notes sometimes.  You would have to talk to other kids on the bus or at lunch and share information.  That was great.

But now, you can look online for the best/easiest stategies, maps, item location, etc.  Being a working stiff with kids it is a timesaver, but it feels like it ruins the experience a bit.  

I usually give things a go for a bit on my own and look it up if I can't figure out whatever it is.
Some games I am quicker to look up strategies than others. 

I mean I also had a Game Genie and there were magazines so, eh. 

MayDay10 said:

What is people's take on looking up things online?  

I remember as an 80s and 90s kid.  Not having internet.  You would have to grind out games, sometimes shitty games, and figure things out on your own.  Draw maps and take notes sometimes.  You would have to talk to other kids on the bus or at lunch and share information.  That was great.

But now, you can look online for the best/easiest stategies, maps, item location, etc.  Being a working stiff with kids it is a timesaver, but it feels like it ruins the experience a bit.  

Depends on the game.  For Elden Ring, I figured out everything on my own my first playthrough.  I spent soooo much time trying to figure things out, but it was worth it to me.
I'm currently playing the new Assassin's Creed, and i've def looked up some stuff...locations, etc.

Anybody jump into Expedition 33 yet?   Im about 1/3 of the way through I think but taking my time and I think I am probably collecting and finding about 95% of things.  The game is tough, but in my opinion it is pretty well balanced so far.  Bosses and some enemies are challenging enough where I need to take a few tries to get past them.  The game also re-starts you just before where you died, so it is not the end of the world.
You also get items that allow you to reset your character so you can reallocate skill points and re-think your "skills tree".  I really appreciate this now as I learn the mechanics of the game.  

I don't have too many complaints with it.  There is the lack of a minimap which gets annoying, but also it is nice to be forced to kind of take in the world and get familiarity without just following the map.  I feel like in some of the areas I end up knowing the landmarks and roads better than I know in things like RDR and GTA.