Wormerine

I didn't play much (too distracted with other games for now) but I do like the setting. It aims for pulpy adventure vibe (Indiana Jones, Mummy, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Rocketman, and probably the whole host of media those films based themselves on), and so far so good. I also don't like the mesh of turn based and real time stealth - whenever it is Baldur's Gate3 or Mutant Zero real time controls just aren't tight enough to be enjoyable. THAT said, so far Lamplighters seemed like the best implementation of the idea of the three. Honestly, I enjoyed my time with the game a lot, but reviews cooled me off a bit. Will wrap up what I have now, before diving into LL for real.

Welcome to Mimimi goodness. If you like it, Desperados3 is pretty much the same, but more polished and robust (and with pause!). Shadow Gambit ain't bad either, though it's more freeform nature made it less appealing to me.

Cocoon. The dimention hopping puzzle game. It's alright. I mean it is very, very well designed, but I didn't find it that fun to play for the most part. Puzzles ramp up very gradually, and the game does an excellent job in introducing concepts. However, I didn't find this puzzle game actually required me to do much thinking, until last few puzzles. I was more often amazed how devs found clever way for me to do what they need me to do, and take with me balls they wanted me to have, but I had very few "aha!" moments.

As they moved on to microtransactions filled live services it only makes sense to bring their games to a platform with a wider audience.

Both Witcher3 and Cyberpunk were mostly narrative action games anyway. If judged as RPGs both games were horrendous. From what I have seen of the new skill tree it seems like a big improvement - the old one was rather dull and not meshing well with action gameplay. Old system had a lot of nodes, but most of them were filler anyway.

So, Elden Ring DLC early 2024?

I played X-Wing Alliance only. I really need to dish out some money on a flight stick. I am itching to replay Freespace’s - those were amazing Space Combat games.

Narrative and gameplay just don't go together in BG3. Narrative designers seem to do their own thing, and system designers another. Wait till you see Halsin and Minsc's stats. I haven't thought much of the issue you brought up but I did wonder why I found the scene somewhat farcical.

Eh, ME2 did it better

I took a deep breath, slogged through UI maintenance, and continued with WotR. Finished the opening dungeon. Seems like a step up from Kingamer, so still there was a bit more repeat encounters that I wished they would be. I was almost impressed by opening companion choice, with both characters making compelling arguments for their stance - alas the pragmatic one turned out to be lying, psychotic monster. How unfortunate - they created a compelling decision, only to make it binary good vs evil.

76 is numbered as well.

I don't think RPS are that complex to play gameplay wise. PoE1&2 and Solasta did a fine job making UIs that help to understand and engage with the content. Perhaps Pathfinder and BG3 just assumes familiarity with the system - if you know what you are looking for finding it isn't easy. I don't enjoy getting new character and getting a vomit of disorganised icons and having to read up, memorise and organise them by function and resource. edit. I will probably get back to it once I am in a right brain space. Also some modding will be needed. I had the same issue with pathfinder where I found the camera to not zoom out enough.

After BG3 scraching an RPG itch, I finally gathered courage and installed Pathfinder:WotR. I created character, went through intro with some community play flavour to it "It is I, protector of this fair city, and also a dragon!". My enthusiasm evaporated as soon as I gained control over characters. Why is it, that recent RPGs can't be asked to design a UI? Both Pathfinder and Baldur's Gate3 are awful in that regard. You get a character, and all you get is a pile of icon and it is up to you to make sense of it. I can manage it for one character, but I already got 4 party members with classes I am unfamiliar with and I have to stop, read up and play a bit of "design your UI" before venturing forth.

Good news! Based on leaked Microsoft doc Dishonored3 might be a thing. Though after Deathloop and Redfall back to back, I am remaining cautious. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/dishonored-3-plus-fallout-3-and-elder-scrolls-4-oblivion-remasters-appear-on-leaked-microsoft-doc edit. The same doc mentions XBOX interest in acquiring Nintendo RPS editorial also isn't very optimistic, criticising how risk averse the lineup is - focusing on remasters and sequels to sure bet titles. Also this little gem at the end: XBOX willingness to dismiss BG3 doesn't inspire me confidence in them as caretakers of RPG studios that they have acquired. Would like to see the actual email - can't find the source of the quote.

I think the question was if it is possible lore wise.

That's sounds like something that should be illegal. Presumably they already got their cut from games that release up to day. Games were developed and sold and revenue split under some kind of licence. For Unity to just say: "Oh BTW on top of the cut we got, now you have to pay us everytime someone reinstalls the game" doesn't seem like should be a thing. Has anyone in the know commented on the situation?

Obsidian? Most of their biggest upcoming releases moved to Unreal, no? (Outer Worlds, Avowed). I have no clue how it might impact smaller titles. Also is the change in licence apply to previously released titles? Surely not.

Yes, that's all correct. It's annoying that characters still disappear from camp as if Orin revealed herself in camp.