What are you Playing Now? Volume XIX: The New Beginning of the End of the Middle

[BruceVC]

17 hours ago, melkathi said:

I find first person better for combat.

 

The most important mod for me (besides no random dragons) is the alternate start one. It still allows you to get a rumour about Helfen and be the first to get there after it's destruction, and link into the main quest, but the different starts really help make your character yours.

I  prefer first person combat because its easier for me , most of the LoreRim  videos I have seen around combat are third person but I  am generally comfortable with the whole game being in first person and its more immersive. I would have to consciously learn third person combat if I want to change to that because combat in Requiem is much harder and Im much more competent in first person

 

The alternative starts are amazing, you have all these options like shipwreck, beggar or werewolf\vampire but I selected Inn start because it gives you a safe  starting point where I also have crafting tables. But as I mentioned the greatest strength with LoreRim is the absolute and deep RP in this massive world

Because I havent initiated the main quest its like nothing I have ever experienced and I can do anything I want 

 

[MrBrown]

20 hours ago, Sarex said:

I already saw the whole (mostly) story via Twitch, which has not stopped me from playing a game before, but I don't know how much interest I will have in the gameplay. The Final Fantasy combat mechanics are not something I particularity enjoy.

It's not very final fantasy, it's mostly about dodging.

[melkathi]

I just realised I own Greedfall. And have it installed.

So I am trying that.

First impression:

yup, definitely a Spiders game.

[Wormerine]

On 11/11/2025 at 10:14 PM, Sarex said:

I already saw the whole (mostly) story via Twitch, which has not stopped me from playing a game before, but I don't know how much interest I will have in the gameplay. The Final Fantasy combat mechanics are not something I particularity enjoy.

For whatever it is worth, I tend to not care for jRPGs, but I enjoyed CO:E33 gameplay anyway. It's jRPG systems are actually rather overshadowed by dodge/parry mechanic which makes it closer to baby's first Sekiro. One optional boss in particular felt very FromSoftware. That however, I think is also a weakness as while the game does have variety of characters with their own gimmicks, and neat character building system, it does just dictates how much dodging/parrying one will have to do per-encounter. 

That said, story is the selling point.

[MrBrown]

I went in expecting a final fantasy style turn-based combat, and was turned off by the dodging.

[Hurlshort]

I'm about 30 hours in Outer Worlds 2. The character progression is a huge improvement over OW1. Flaws and perks really change the game and give you a lot of options for development. It is one of the best leveling systems I've played in awhile. I'm also really enjoying the companions. This cast compares favorably to the ones in KotOR 2. It is a diverse group and I'm interested in getting to know more about each one of them.

So yeah, another Obsidian win for me.

[Hawke64]

I have tried Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and it plays surprisingly poorly. I am puzzled how this got such a positive reception - the bosses miss the health bars, everything has contact damage, enemies revive upon re-entering rooms, and there is no dedicated dodge key. And the MC screaming on every executed attack annoys me. 

I have also tried Real Web Legends: Carter's Quest. It is in Early Access and the custom controls reset upon closing the game. The developer stated that it will be resolved eventually, so I am happy to wait for v.1.0. Otherwise, it is an action-adventure with generally pleasant combat and interesting character design. The areas are a bit too large and too empty. The story of a silent and amnesiac protagonist following suggestions of a flying entity is not new, but works. 

[Malcador]

Finished Dispatch, it was an okay romp, sort of abrupt how it concludes, everything happens in the last 2 episodes pretty much.  The dispatch mini game is fun, wish there was more of it.  I suppose the game would be better served with 2 or 3 more episodes.

 

[Sarex]

Finished The Alters. Took a little longer because I had to backtrack half of Act 2 to change the last Alter I picked. Overall a very interesting game, I was engaged until the end. The dialogue was fine, it had it's moments and not every Alter was as interesting. The big complaints I have are the camera movement and the constant clipping of terrain.

Also no clue why they felt the need to sabotage the mod to have all the Alters in one playthrough. I don't think the game has enough to warrant another playthrough.

Either way a cool concept and good execution.

[Wormerine]

4 hours ago, Sarex said:

Overall a very interesting game, I was engaged until the end. The dialogue was fine, it had it's moments and not every Alter was as interesting. 

Yeah, I feel there could be more done with choice and consequence gameplay wise, and there is definitely some smoke and mirrors going on when it comes to story and Alters. Two mandatory alters get easily the most narrative stuff, and out of other optional one one opened some major story opportunities and others seemed rather modest in content.

Looking back at potential story choices and their outcomes there seem to be mostly better and worse options - which I think would be far less compelling on 2nd playthrough.  

[Tale]

It's been a busy week for me. All of it good.

Dispatch had it's finale. I don't know what to tell you but I loved it. It's not deep, what is nowadays, but it's hella fun and full of charm and loveable scamps. I want more.

I also finished the Passenger. Interactive Fiction from the Hosted Games label of Choice of Games. It's longer than most of their titles are and a really interesting take on cosmic horror. Though not exactly scary.

And Rue Valley. It's not Disco Elysium. It's not even actually an RPG though it pretends at it. Your stat choices end up being almost entirely for flavor. But it's a good story that I recommend.