What are you Playing Now? I name all the operations that go down in Taipei.

[Bartimaeus]

5 hours ago, Hawke64 said:

Nioh 2. I think I am pretty close to the end of the main game. Defeated Lady Osakabe, aka the castle with tentacles. Luckily for me, her 2nd phase tentacles spawned at the farthest side of the roof and I was able to shoot her in the eye almost issue-free.
So far the only things I dislike about Nioh 2 are

1. The main story is linear, which should be expected, but still unpleasant;
2. The loot is unsatisfying, like in Diablo or Divinity, colour-coded piles of RNG'ed story-free pointy sticks, instead of unique lore-rich legendary artifacts;
3. There is no auto-saving on exit, only at the shrines ("bonfires");
4. The size of the game is ridiculous, around 76GB.

Otherwise, it is a decent Souls-like with comfortable customizable controls, diverse character builds, and epic bosses. There is no open-world, the game uses mission-based structure, though the locations are quite large.

If you've played it, how does it compare to the first Nioh? The first game was one of the "worst" games I've ever played (it's not actually among the worst in an objective sense, but I thought it was a pretty shoddy 5/10-ish Dark Souls knockoff that did practically just about everything it tried to do somewhere between somewhat to much worse than Dark Souls...and a 5/10 game that you play all the way through to the end feels much worse when it's like a 60 hour long game compared to a 5/10 4 hour game). Your top two complaints sound like they didn't fundamentally change much about the design of the game, though.

[Hawke64]

8 hours ago, Bartimaeus said:

If you've played it, how does it compare to the first Nioh? The first game was one of the "worst" games I've ever played (it's not actually among the worst in an objective sense, but I thought it was a pretty shoddy 5/10-ish Dark Souls knockoff that did practically just about everything it tried to do somewhere between somewhat to much worse than Dark Souls...and a 5/10 game that you play all the way through to the end feels much worse when it's like a 60 hour long game compared to a 5/10 4 hour game). Your top two complaints sound like they didn't fundamentally change much about the design of the game, though.

Pretty much the same, the differences I've noticed are:

• You can customize your character's appearance and their yokai form (it works instead of Living Weapons; 3 options - a great club, dual daggers, or some mid-ranged throwing weapon);
• There are yokai active abilities;
• Boss battles have 2 phases - normal and Dark Realm (harder);
• There are Dark Realm areas - stamina regeneration is lowered, the compass does not work, the shrines are not active until you kill a specific yokai in the area (has red lilies around it, usually somewhere deep in the area);
• Co-op with AI-controlled players' characters is much easier (or I've been playing online since switching to another antivirus and it's actually the same, not sure);
• You can auto-purchase elixirs (Estus), ammunition, and co-op items for Divine Rice, which you get by offering unwanted equipment at the shrines (instead of just offering equipment for a chance to get elixirs).

I haven't played PvP (not counting AI-controlled PCs) or crafted equipment in either game.

Screenshots:

Spoiler

 

 

[marelooke]

21 hours ago, kanisatha said:

I'm a little surprised by your experiences. I really like the game and play it quite often. And things generally work pretty well for me with a solid, well-developed colony (I always only build a single colony). And I haven't bought the two most recent DLCs.

Re. what happened with your colonists, maybe they couldn't reach your other dome for some reason, either before they went into the uninhabitable dome or after? Turning off a dome should automatically move all colonists out of it, so long as they can reach another dome that allows them access. I have done this myself, when I want to demolish an old dome. Never lost any colonists.

Re. AI prioritization, yeah that is hit or miss because you will have a lot of things at the same level of priority and the AI then just randomly decides what it wants to do. So I usually keep everything at the lowest priority setting, and only assign higher priorities to very select few things to ensure they get prioritized.

Nah, the domes are connected with tunnels, unless they lost their legs they were perfectly able to move. I've since replicated the same again multiple times later when things started really going to hell. I destroyed their workplace, homes and pretty much everything in the dome. Quarantined it, turned it off, and the ones that hadn't yet died still wouldn't move (didn't try what would happen if I destroyed the dome they were in, something to keep in mind for the future). Since I cleared everything I ended up moving them manually since I could easily select them this time around (though can't move renegades, so he just chocked to death like the dumbass he was)

As for the priority thing, seems the only way to fix the AI is using mods as the "default" AI is dumb as bricks when it comes to job preferences. Eg. if you don't specify "specialists only" (or the inverse) on buildings you'll have Geologists doing the dishes in the bar and untrained mooks mining, from the same dome. Otoh, if you do specify specialists only you often get understaffed buildings. Setting preferences on domes similarly has the risk of you ending up with *only* that specialisation in that dome resulting in trouble with utility building staffing.

Per my understanding the only fix is either dealing with it, and just letting them do whatever, micromanaging the hell of out of things, or mods (which is what I'll try next). There really should be more fine grained control of target populations here, imho.

When it comes to resource management, I kept things at default priority unless I needed them sorted asap. Though in general it doesn't really seem to matter much, and gets much, much, worse when Shuttles get involved. Eg. if you have an Electronics Store at low or medium it will still gobble up all your electronics if you're low, even if you set repairing the Drone Hub to max priority (and yes, there were active drones in range to actually do the repair), only solution is to actively turn it off.

Not sure how you'd get away with only a single colony on a map with massive elevation differences though. Guess you could flatten the entire thing, in theory, but doubt that's practically workable. The only other thing I can think of is to make each colony entirely self-sufficient, but that sort of defeats the purpose...

I'll look for some of the mods that are claimed to be essential to fix some of the AI issues and give it another go, see if that makes things more workable.

Edited June 9, 2022 by marelooke

[kanisatha]

5 hours ago, marelooke said:

Nah, the domes are connected with tunnels, unless they lost their legs they were perfectly able to move. I've since replicated the same again multiple times later when things started really going to hell. I destroyed their workplace, homes and pretty much everything in the dome. Quarantined it, turned it off, and the ones that hadn't yet died still wouldn't move (didn't try what would happen if I destroyed the dome they were in, something to keep in mind for the future). Since I cleared everything I ended up moving them manually since I could easily select them this time around (though can't move renegades, so he just chocked to death like the dumbass he was)

As for the priority thing, seems the only way to fix the AI is using mods as the "default" AI is dumb as bricks when it comes to job preferences. Eg. if you don't specify "specialists only" (or the inverse) on buildings you'll have Geologists doing the dishes in the bar and untrained mooks mining, from the same dome. Otoh, if you do specify specialists only you often get understaffed buildings. Setting preferences on domes similarly has the risk of you ending up with *only* that specialisation in that dome resulting in trouble with utility building staffing.

Per my understanding the only fix is either dealing with it, and just letting them do whatever, micromanaging the hell of out of things, or mods (which is what I'll try next). There really should be more fine grained control of target populations here, imho.

When it comes to resource management, I kept things at default priority unless I needed them sorted asap. Though in general it doesn't really seem to matter much, and gets much, much, worse when Shuttles get involved. Eg. if you have an Electronics Store at low or medium it will still gobble up all your electronics if you're low, even if you set repairing the Drone Hub to max priority (and yes, there were active drones in range to actually do the repair), only solution is to actively turn it off.

Not sure how you'd get away with only a single colony on a map with massive elevation differences though. Guess you could flatten the entire thing, in theory, but doubt that's practically workable. The only other thing I can think of is to make each colony entirely self-sufficient, but that sort of defeats the purpose...

I'll look for some of the mods that are claimed to be essential to fix some of the AI issues and give it another go, see if that makes things more workable.

Yeah I use a lot of mods in my game.

I have only one colony because I play only for the colony-building and resource management elements of the game. So I keep reloading the map until I get a map I like for my game, and I turn off all catastrophes. Then I play until I get bored with my colony, so I've never ever completed the game.

[Wormerine]

Started Dragon Age: Inquisition. So far I am enjoying it much more then I expected though I didn’t get too deep yet (just founded Inquisition, and am departing to the first area of the game, that I heard bad things about). Cutscenes feel very junky  (low FPS lock?, lots of pop in), and combat I feel will get very awful but then again those ar DA staples by that point. A lot of callbacks to previous games that even don’t feel too much like fan service. Lilliana’s VO still feels like the actress struggles to read the script - I wonder if it’s the weird French accent she has to do. The new Seeker companion seems to have a little bit of the same clumsiness in her delivery. 

[Humanoid]

Decided to stop quibbling so much over $20 and bought Rogue Legacy 2 with the stacking discounts on EGS. I've played it for like 20 hours over the past three days so I can say well worth it. Even if I do suck at precision movement and barely ever remember to use anything but my basic attack.

Not also being able to play it on the Xbox when I want to is unfortunate but it's the type of game I wouldn't mind double dipping on a year or two down the line. I did try to install it on my NUC but it won't launch, I imagine because integrated graphics are good enough even on a primarily 2D game, figures.

[Bartimaeus]

9 hours ago, Humanoid said:

Decided to stop quibbling so much over $20 and bought Rogue Legacy 2 with the stacking discounts on EGS. I've played it for like 20 hours over the past three days so I can say well worth it. Even if I do suck at precision movement and barely ever remember to use anything but my basic attack.

Not also being able to play it on the Xbox when I want to is unfortunate but it's the type of game I wouldn't mind double dipping on a year or two down the line. I did try to install it on my NUC but it won't launch, I imagine because integrated graphics are good enough even on a primarily 2D game, figures.

Did they improve upon the design of the original where like...you could only play as Shinobi and maybe like one other class I can't remember right now because every other class made for terrible damage sponge gameplay?

[Chilloutman]

Finished Disco Elysium - Best game of the year for me bar none. I would not call it RPG but more an adventure game but man, did I loved every bit of it (maybe except those dice roll skill checks)

[uuuhhii]

my lovely wife

surprisingly fun and addictive with a nice art style

not very long even for completionist

dialogue tree trigger are a little confusing

[Humanoid]

5 hours ago, Bartimaeus said:

Did they improve upon the design of the original where like...you could only play as Shinobi and maybe like one other class I can't remember right now because every other class made for terrible damage sponge gameplay?

I do like quite a few of the classes, but some I've only used once admittedly.

- Top five for me so far, in no particular order, are Fighter, Boxer, Chef, Valkyrie and Duellist. Versatile and no obvious weaknesses that make me wish I'd taken something else.

- Barbarian, Lancer, Ronin and Assassin are a step below in my experience so far. A common theme between them is that their regular weapon attacks are a bit unusual, more than just the super responsive see-thing-hit-thing of the above classes (except Chef who is a bit slow).

- I've played the ranged classes the least so take my opinions on them lightly. I had an awful time (once each) with the extraordinarily gimmicky duo of Pirate and Bard. Mage is disappointing because they have no defining characteristic and you may as well just play Astromancer who is simply a better mage. Ranger and Gunslinger are the two classes in the game where you have to aim every shot, and I don't have the patience to play like that at the moment.

For context I've just taken down the fifth boss, so I've now seen all the regularly accessible zones.

[kanisatha]

On 6/10/2022 at 6:45 PM, Wormerine said:

Started Dragon Age: Inquisition. So far I am enjoying it much more then I expected though I didn’t get too deep yet (just founded Inquisition, and am departing to the first area of the game, that I heard bad things about). Cutscenes feel very junky  (low FPS lock?, lots of pop in), and combat I feel will get very awful but then again those ar DA staples by that point. A lot of callbacks to previous games that even don’t feel too much like fan service. Lilliana’s VO still feels like the actress struggles to read the script - I wonder if it’s the weird French accent she has to do. The new Seeker companion seems to have a little bit of the same clumsiness in her delivery. 

Glad you're enjoying it so far. I liked it too. But as far as that huge area early on goes, just as so many others have said, don't get "trapped" in that area doing everything there all in one go. Do some stuff, then leave the area and go do other things before returning to that area. And make note of the respawning trash mob locations and try to avoid them in the future (unless you're into refighting trash mobs again and again). And don't avoid the war table quests. Some of them are quite good and fun.

[BruceVC]

On 6/11/2022 at 12:45 AM, Wormerine said:

Started Dragon Age: Inquisition. So far I am enjoying it much more then I expected though I didn’t get too deep yet (just founded Inquisition, and am departing to the first area of the game, that I heard bad things about). Cutscenes feel very junky  (low FPS lock?, lots of pop in), and combat I feel will get very awful but then again those ar DA staples by that point. A lot of callbacks to previous games that even don’t feel too much like fan service. Lilliana’s VO still feels like the actress struggles to read the script - I wonder if it’s the weird French accent she has to do. The new Seeker companion seems to have a little bit of the same clumsiness in her delivery. 

Nice Wormie, keep us updated how things progress. I have yet to play DA:I but I will play it

Who do have your eye on for Romance, Iron Bull?  

Edited June 12, 2022 by BruceVC

[majestic]

2 hours ago, kanisatha said:

Glad you're enjoying it so far. I liked it too. But as far as that huge area early on goes, just as so many others have said, don't get "trapped" in that area doing everything there all in one go. Do some stuff, then leave the area and go do other things before returning to that area. And make note of the respawning trash mob locations and try to avoid them in the future (unless you're into refighting trash mobs again and again). And don't avoid the war table quests. Some of them are quite good and fun.

Quoted for truth. Do yourself a favor and bail out of the Hinterlands the moment you can. You'll be back more often than you'd like anyway.

[kanisatha]

30 minutes ago, BruceVC said:

Who do have your eye on for Romance, Iron Bull?  

Romance with Iron Bull has some of the best dialog lines with your companions. I'll leave it at that.

[Wormerine]

1 hour ago, BruceVC said:

Nice Wormie, keep us updated how things progress. I have yet to play DA:I but I will play it

Who do have your eye on for Romance, Iron Bull?  

I am playing as a Quanari so we will see. I am going pretty blind into the game (outside knowing it's.. MMO influences) so we will see what companions will there be to romance.

[BruceVC]

8 minutes ago, Wormerine said:

I am playing as a Quanari so we will see. I am going pretty blind into the game (outside knowing it's.. MMO influences) so we will see what companions will there be to romance.

Yes, dont feel pressured. If you dont find an appropriate Romance partner then just skip it

I haven't  had that problem in Bioware games, except for ME:A, but in ELEX 1 I didnt like the potential partners so I didnt pursue Romance 

 

 

[Mamoulian War]

Third playthrough of Journey on my PS3 is behind me. The plan was to find as much companions as possible and to get last symbol for the golden trophy. Well, I found 4 companions, but clumsy me missed the symbol again At least, I was able to finish the game with one of these companions, and got at least one trophy for that

[Ross_Witchen]

Hello all.  Been 3 years since my last posting. 

 

  Using a old computer, can't really see this web page too well.  I'm a old member from the 1998 era, till they switched forums in 2004. Glad to see my account still has a blood pulse, in the database..he he.

 

  What am I playing now? Well, just left off World of warcraft Classic era, after a 2019-2022 (march) effort.  Trying to play is more like it.  The servers have a rocky population health record.  I ended up being the sole auction house seller on Stalagg server for a year and a half.

 

  Now I'm letting the servers fament abit, to see if they repop properly.  So, I'm dusting off old CD's to replay.  Looking at Neverwinter Nights (version 1), currently.  Havent made contact with any servers yet.

 

  Are any of the old Black Isle members still around on this forum?  Didn't see any.

 

    Anyways, I'm keeping an eye on you Obsidian.  Hope things go well for your future projects.

[BruceVC]

10 hours ago, Ross_Witchen said:

Hello all.  Been 3 years since my last posting. 

 

  Using a old computer, can't really see this web page too well.  I'm a old member from the 1998 era, till they switched forums in 2004. Glad to see my account still has a blood pulse, in the database..he he.

 

  What am I playing now? Well, just left off World of warcraft Classic era, after a 2019-2022 (march) effort.  Trying to play is more like it.  The servers have a rocky population health record.  I ended up being the sole auction house seller on Stalagg server for a year and a half.

 

  Now I'm letting the servers fament abit, to see if they repop properly.  So, I'm dusting off old CD's to replay.  Looking at Neverwinter Nights (version 1), currently.  Havent made contact with any servers yet.

 

  Are any of the old Black Isle members still around on this forum?  Didn't see any.

 

    Anyways, I'm keeping an eye on you Obsidian.  Hope things go well for your future projects.

Welcome back, yes their are some veterans still left here from Black Isle days. Most of them are moderators  because of all the perks and high salaries 

I recently played NWN 1 EE and the 2 expansions and it was a great gaming experience

Dont forget to  also support Elder Scroll games, Bioware  and games like ELEX 2 

[Gorth]

Sitting and staring at the cds with two of my old games. Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield Vietnam. They are the original cds from around 2004. I wonder both if the discs still work and whether the games will run on 64 bit windows 10

[marelooke]

On 6/11/2022 at 12:45 AM, Wormerine said:

Started Dragon Age: Inquisition. So far I am enjoying it much more then I expected though I didn’t get too deep yet (just founded Inquisition, and am departing to the first area of the game, that I heard bad things about). Cutscenes feel very junky  (low FPS lock?, lots of pop in), and combat I feel will get very awful but then again those ar DA staples by that point. A lot of callbacks to previous games that even don’t feel too much like fan service. Lilliana’s VO still feels like the actress struggles to read the script - I wonder if it’s the weird French accent she has to do. The new Seeker companion seems to have a little bit of the same clumsiness in her delivery. 

Glad I'm not the only one who struggles with Leliana's accent, at least.

[Wormerine]

Recruited Sera - first impressions: I can't decide if she is my least favourite or the favourite Dragon Age companion. Did they try to make a ****ney elf?

Edit. Lol I can believe they censored kockney

Edited June 13, 2022 by Wormerine

[BruceVC]

4 hours ago, Gorth said:

Sitting and staring at the cds with two of my old games. Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield Vietnam. They are the original cds from around 2004. I wonder both if the discs still work and whether the games will run on 64 bit windows 10

I dont those versions will by default but you should be able to run them in compatibility mode that emulates older Windows versions?

[Keyrock]

The Quarry is pretty great. I'm probably roughly halfway through the game. The prologue gives you a tease of what's out there and a small taste of tension, then the game chills out for a good while as it introduces the 7 teens. This very much works in the game's favor.

One of the problems a lot of slasher movies face is that there's not enough time in 90 minutes to really get to know all of the characters AND have plenty of chasing and hiding and killing. What typically winds up happening is that I only care about 1 or 2 of them. So when the other characters are facing potential death, the moment is not nearly as tense and emotional as it would have been had I grown attached to them.

The Quarry has a lot more than 90 minutes to work with and it puts that extra time to good use. I got to spend a generous amount of time getting to know all 7 of the teens. So now that my choices, actions, and performance on QTEs could be the difference between them living or dying, it's extremely tense because I give a **** about all 7 of them.

So far nobody is flat out dead, but I highly doubt I'm saving all of them on this first playthrough. Several of them are now injured and bloody. I've made a couple of choices that I think will come back to haunt me, though I can't be sure yet. The timing on the QTEs is pretty generous but I have screwed a few of them up, so that's not helping matters either. The game gives you 3 mulligans that you can use if someone dies. I've not used any yet, but, from what I've read, it takes you back to the choice or action that ultimately caused that teen to die, and that could be several chapters back. I want to save them all, but my top priority is saving Kaitlyn, so I'm always going to hold on to a mulligan just for her.

[bugarup]

Started Dragon's Dogma, Japanese console action RPG that wants to be Eurojank. Made myself a pawn (a supporting companion of sorts) who accidentally looks a lot like company's system administrator (but with pink hair) and it makes for amusing but also uncanny experience. I think I'll dump him for someone else soon.