Mamoulian War

I have the same issue with all open world and roguelike games

Fourth GOG giveaway during this winter sale. https://www.gog.com/en/game/vambrace_cold_soul

List of my gaming goals achieved in 2024 11 games – 2 GOG games and 9 PS4 games (I was hoping the Dark Souls 2 Platinum will be there as well, but Lud and Zallen decided otherwise ) 1 - January 29, 23:00 – My first finished game of 2024 has become Dark Souls: Remastered on PS4. I have reached the Dark Lord ending after almost 80 hours and 292 deaths, which I have accumulated, while trying to get every item in game, and fulfill all prerequisites for Platinum Trophy. And due to the personal challenge, I have also cleared the all DLC areas and bosses, which are not needed for it. At the end I had to finish Gwyn, Lord of Cinder in 1 on 1 fight, as I have failed Solaire's quest due to visit of Lost Izalith sooner, than required. This is the first time, that I have finished Soulsborne game with melee character build. The side-effect was, that I have died much less to trash mobs, but most of the boss fights were much more challenging. 2 - February 25, 21:30 – New Game + of Dark Souls: Remastered on PS4 has been completed :). The second ending was of course To Link the Fire, which gave me another trophy in my Platinum run. During this run, the goal was all miracles trophy, and all missing weapon ascension trophies, with the exception of Knight's one, for which I need to defeat Sif one more time, and then run all the way to Anor Londo blacksmith. During NG+, I have found out, that this game started to feel much easier with melee character than with the sorcerer one. The only exception was Kalameet, which was destroying me for almost 3 hours and almost always around 10-20% HP mark. I am just happy, that I have learned how to control my rage, as few years ago, I would be most likely in need of a new controller . 3 - February 28, 21:15 – I have completed very fast run for the last Trophy in New Game +2 of Dark Souls: Remastered on my PS4. Approximately three hours to clear my way to both Bells of Awakening, defeat Sif and another run to Anor Londo blacksmith. There I have ascended last two boss weapons from Sif’s and Gwyn’s souls, and with that, I have unlocked the Knight’s Honor and The Dark Soul Platinum Trophy. 4 - March 23, 16:00 – I met the criteria for the first ending in my first GOG playthrough of Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG. I had a “genius” idea of trying out a comfy coffin on display at Concord Station Terminal. I have to say, it was really comfortable and I have enjoyed the quietness inside. Unfortunately, it was completely soundproof, so soon, I was transported to local crematorium, but at least, I got an achievement for it . 5 - March 23, 23:45 – It did not took long, and I had a chance to see the second “ending” in Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG from GOG. It was much easier to spot than the first one, so the only reason, why I have went for it, was my curiosity, if there will be achievement for this demise as well. And there was . I have exploded in the elevator, while trying to get out of the Dome . 6 - August 29, 19:00 – I have finished my first Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin playthrough on my PS4. This time, including all DLCs. In contrast to vanilla version of the game, you need also to clear the DLCs, to fulfill all criteria for Platinum Trophy. Unfortunately I have messed up the ending, as I have forgotten, that I need to defeat Vendrick before defeating Nashandra, and I have forgotten to backup my save . It took me almost 100 hours and 294 deaths. Almost the same as Dark Souls Remastered . The DLCs have been as much challenging, as I have anticipated, with few terrible areas like Iron Passage, which won my personal Worst Area Design Contest in all of the games, I have ever finished . 7 - September 28, 22:30 – I took a small break from DS2:SotFS NG+ and played through the original story of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate on PS4. This unlocked Frost and two arenas. It took me about 4 and half hours and if I remember it correctly, I enjoyed the Story Mode more than in Mortal Kombat X and 2011. I will need to replay three chapters where you had to pick the fighter, and the last fight to see all the content and finish it on 100%. 8 - October 1, 19:15 – After I spent way to much time fighting in Towers of Time to unlock Klassic MKII Skarlet skin, I have took today a more chilling approach to my PS4 version of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate and replayed last three chapters needed for completing the Story Mode on 100%. 9 - October 5, 15:30 – I have decided to relax a little bit with Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate on my PS4 again, and started the Aftermath story added to the game as a DLC. It started immediately after the events of the original story and brought back to life few old characters. It was 2 hours shorter than the original story and this time, you are also playing as members of the evil entourage. At the grand finale I have picked Liu Kang’s ending. 10 - October 26, 11:45 – More of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate on my PS4. I have decided to finally finish the last missing branch to get 100% in the Aftermath story mode and finished the story as evil Shang Tsung. 11 - December 3, 11:45 – And again more of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate on PS4. Today, I have finished all of the Klassic Towers for canon and non-canon endings of every playable character.

Lud and Zallen have been defeated. The 2H Dark Infused Rapier with Leo Ring, Ring of Blades+2, Ring of Steel Protection+2, Soldier's Ring+2, Havel's Chest+5 and Feet+5, Sanctum Knight Helm+5, Black Witch Staff, Rose Shield and Dark Weapon Buff with Sacred Oath Buff (which probably did not work due to the Shield Buff ) (This made exactly 49.9% encumbrance) did the magic trick. Had to use 1 Repair Powder in the final fight, but the damage was insane. Only R2 two handed attack with BKH has matched out the damage output of this combo, but it was less likely to hit and eat much more stamina. Which in the end was my end. With this combo, I was able to defeat the first Cat almost on every try, so I had much more attempts with second Cat today, which helped me to defeat him. Thanks again for your advice, without it, I would probably still be bitching about this encounter (more than 5 hours of attempts and another 5 more of farming stuff in 4 days, to be able to get the winning gear for this encounter). For my old hands and reflexes, it was definitely the hardest solo boss fight in Dark Souls 2. We'll see about the Gank Squad

I am close to giving up. Spent two more hours at the cats. The Heide Lance with Sunlight Blade and Oath something buff and Leo Ring is doing 800+ damage on a single hit. Despite that, it is not enough for me to finish off the first cat, before the second obliterates me. And If I am able to finish it off, I get the worst of RNG again, and the second cat finishes me off with first few hits… sighs I will probably try your Rapier Advice tomorrow as I do not see myself being able to win this fight in non-cheesy way For today, I just have enough of bad luck.

Thanks a lot for a very detailed advice. Much appreciated. I have heard similar “rumors” about rapiers, and it looked to OP for me to enjoy the game in my playstyle, so I have chosen at the beginning the Lance/Spear combo (currently using Lightning Heide Lance with Sunlight Spear), with few exceptions where I am using Lightning Defenders Sword. If I will hit this wall for to long, I will definitelly do it, as you recommend, just to overcome this hell of a boss. And probably, I will still need this on Gank Squad as well. Yesterday, I have finaly got into last phase of the fight, when the second “cat” buffed itself with Berserk. Unfortunately, the RNG in this phase was completely against me. Not a single spell cast during it’s duration, to take a breath, so it ended up with me smashing Estus in a panic mode and subsequent one-hit defeat by the cat The best attempt so far was with the Fire Infused Black Knight Halberd. Had to use three Repair powders, but it worked. Especially, when I was able to land both hits of the two handed strong attack. Speaking of Leo Ring. Does it work only on thrust weapons or on all weapons during the counter attack? Extra damage on the strong attack would be good. Currently I am experimenting with two options. Back to Lighning Heide Lance or keeping the BK Halberd. Rings should be Ring of Blades+2, Chloranty Ring+2, Ring of the Soldier+2, and Ring of Steel Protection+2. I was using for the fights the Lighning/Fire Cluth Rings from DLCs, but I have found out just yesterday, that they lower your defence by 80 points. So if Leo Ring would work on the BK Halberd as well, I might change the Protection Ring to it. For Heide Lance ot would definitely work, but the handling of lances seems to me a little bit more delicate, than the BKH. (BKH Strong Attack is slashing attack, which eats a lot of durability, but if I land both hits of a single button press, I deal 1400 damage with Fire Buff and Fire Cluth Ring).

I think hit my skill wall in DS2. King’s Pets at Frigid Highlands, or whatever is the name of the frozen gauntlet, are currently eluding me. I had a lot of issues with Aava and now, there are two of them. Out of 20 or so atrempts, I have managed to make finishing blow on one of them only three times And then I always made some stupid mistake… Trying to find a weapon which hits harder and has fire infusion from the get go. I have three choices, but not sure which pick yet. Charred Loice Great Sword, Black Knight Great Sword or Black Knight Halberd. I have 40 STR and 30 DEX.

Point and click adventure from Dark Eye setting up for grabs on GOG. https://www.gog.com/en/game/the_dark_eye_chains_of_satinav

First confirmed capture of “never deployed” DPRK soldier into Europe has been reported. Including picture. https://bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3leblo456ps27

Destruction of any military target, which is actively engaged in the hostilities, wherever he is residing, is a valid defense. Especially, when no collateral damage has been inflicted. For all sides of the conflict. Terrorist attack performed by UA was the van exploding on Kerch Bridge. Although few people might dispute it as it was performed to slow down the most used logistic route to occupied Crimea. Liquidation of a war criminal and mass murderer of civilians is definitely not such case.

Nevermind that Russia has launched thousands of cruise missiles at civilian targets during the last few months. It’s the killing of General who ordered it, that should be called the act of Terrorism…

Seems like the UA numbers about the RU casualties are pretty accurate. Mayor of Moscow admitted to cameras, that there are currently 600k soldiers attending medical rehabilitation . Excerpt of his speech is somewhere after 3 minute mark of the video below. Also Russia shot down another civilian airliner, and and ther “chinese” ship cut another cable.

I have finally decided to continue my DS2 NG+ playthrough, which I have postponed for a month or so, because I have the most annoying parts of DLCs in front of me. So my plan for today was Sir Alonne. A lot of people have said, that this one is even harder than Fume Knight. For my surprise, I have downed him in 7 or 8 tries. First time, without summons. Shield helped in this encounter a lot. My damage was pretty low though. Even after I have went for a two attempt kill of Twin Pursuers, which dropped my new Ring of Blades+2. Thankfuly Alonne’s moveset was easy to learn and predictable. All I needed to do, was to be patient enough to hit him only once during his openings. Because whenever I tried two hits, he always punished me with his follow up. Next eithe Gank Squad or King’s Pets. We’ll see. Not very happy to go through their gauntlets again

After 20 years, and numerous cancelled attempts, Tales of Rebirth finally got english translation. Courtesy by Life Bottle Productions fan translation group.

Another Giveaway on GOG. Seems fun and relaxing game https://www.gog.com/en/game/chicken_assassin_reloaded

So you are missing Heavy Duty DLC as well

That is definitely not the case for Witcher 3. As the crazy big spike of sales happened when Netflix introduced the Witcher series. So a lot of the tens of millions of sales of W3 happened in the last three years. But yeah, the Gen Alpha with their 30 second TikTok conditioned attention span might have issue remembering that as well

Do you have also both DLCs installed? I have Underrail on my backlog, but missing the latest DLC yet.

Very good video PPT about why it happened so fast. If you have 1 hour to spare, I can only recommend it. I have listened to it today while driving during my business trip, and I have found out about things, which I never heard before. Like Assad being head of “drug cartel”, which provided synthetic drugs to the whole middle east (responsible for about 80% of worldwide production).

Another war criminal met his demise in Moscow. One of the most influential Generals. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/12/17/7489424/ This time the guy responsible for supplying chemical weapons to Assad, and their usage in Ukraine. He was also responsible for nuclear forces of Russia. So whoever is behind it, saved the world from few weeks of nuclear blackmail rhetorics.

This one jumped at me on my YT feed

Spending to much time on Mortal Komabt 11 in Towers of Time. I am to bad at playing it, but it still is fun enough to me to spend a lot of time. Had 5 hour long session in Twitch Rivals Premier Towers, to get new purplish skins for most of the characters, before they expired.

I am surprised no one linked this yet

You are not alone on this. The algorithms are really terrible at offering decent content. You have to search for good content yourself, and even after that you are offered trash content. The best example from me would be Dragon Age: Veilguard. I am “progressive”, but for the very same reasons, as Zorraptor mentioned few posts above, to not be trapped into my own bubble, I am following 2 or 3 “conservative” youtubers, which I consider to be as objective as possible from the perspective of my worldview. So on the date of the release of the Veilguard, I have of course watched a video made by one of the. Up until today, Youtube algorithm offers me probably the worst “incel” **** about games… And I can’t get rid of it as well. And after that episode, it almost never offers me “woke” content, in which I was and still am interested

If you start to wonder for whatever reason, that Russia really cannot be so ****ed up country, as people say, you find this