I love Returnal. They changed the rules on the DLC a bit, but the original game levels :drool:

Edit: I had a few choice words for Phrike too :lol:

It’s a From Software thing. Exploration can’t be just go here and then there. It is all hidden drops and passages, intentional blockages, and penalizing sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. It sort of makes exploration not something done casually.

Ah gotcha, yeah it’s absolutely a Fromsoft thing. I actually missed a couple of areas that had straight and simple paths, just because I was convinced it had to be a trick jump or something :lol:

I couldn't get into Returnal. Doesn't do enough to build you up.

That and the first time I got to Phrike I died and had a respawn thing and he didn't spawn again when I got to his arena. Had to quit the loop. So **** that. Not gonna deal with time wasting bugs.

The RNG in the game is crazy. One run can leave you at the mercy of everything, the next you’re a killing machine long before you get to Phrike.

It’s not for everyone though. The frustration factor is off the charts sometimes.

I don't get the love of those type of games. I signed up for the new PSN and downloaded Returnal, played it to the first boss, died and started from the space ship again. Where is the fun in doing the same stage and things over and over again. I quit the game and deleted it.

Returnal is one of those games where a demo is a must have. The game is beautiful, the gun play is amazing, but I think a lot of the sales were folks who may not know what a rogue like is.

I find the challenge very engrossing, and some of the levels/visuals in this, especially on an OLED, are just gorgeous.

But to each their own - it’s why we have genres. There are hundreds of games out there that others love, but I’m just not interested in. It doesn’t mean anything other than that there’s a game type for every preference out there. That’s a good thing.

To each their own of course. I prefer Elden Ring for the reasons you stated.

I don't play games casually though, I need a good challenge (within reason). The open world of the Horizon games are just too damn boring for me.

i would've been seriously surprised if you would've liked Horizon, Meteor. It's always hard to step back (challenge-wise that is)

Fair enough. Personally i have only a couple of hours a week to play and i certainly am not going to spend it playing the same stage over and over. I like a challenging game, found Ghost of Tsushima and Cyberpunk engaging and challenging enough and enjoyed the games. Horizon was fun in the beginning but eventually got bored with fighting machines and mostly avoided them. Did a few side missions and also eventually just did the main story. The world did look really good though

My standards for challenge was built up over years of playing tough games. In the beginning it was a frustrating slog with lots of repetition but I still enjoyed the slog and worked my way up to it being normal for me.

I'm just used to games with the difficulty level of the Souls series now. I can pick them up and it does not feel overly challenging and just enjoy them like they are normal difficulty games. The downside to that is when I try to play a more casual game like Horizon, its a real step backwards in challenge and it just does not keep my interest. I really wish it wasn't that way because I find it hard to discover new games that I like.

That bold….I feel your pain.

Yeah, sucks.

When's that new Team Ninja game releasing again?? ;)

It better be good lol.

It really does depend on personal preference. I really like to experience a setting and storyline that is unique and interesting when I play through a game. Having to fight the same boss twenty times before moving on to the next experience can be tedious. It can feel great when you finally move on so the reward is there. But I rarely finish those games because the repetition gets monotonous and the exploration is constantly being interrupted. I did enjoy games like Sekiro. But when I got to the final boss I was thinking there is no more game after this so why bother. You guys sound like the exact opposite. Getting to the end and taking done the super-difficult final challenge is what the game is all about.

My standard for open world games is Witcher 3. Forbidden West is far closer to that sort of gameplay is why I like it. Unfortunately, the story and side-quests weren’t the same caliber. But it wasn’t that bad.

Yeah Witcher 3 is the standard for traditional RPG for me as well when I'm looking for strong character based role playing (Geralt), and great quality quests.

From Soft games and Souls-likes in general scratch a different itch for me. Its all about mastering the gameplay. I treat bosses like puzzles I need to figure out, rather than just steam rolling through for story progression like you do in casual games. Tbh I generally don't even follow the story at all in Souls games. I'm just there to dissect and master the gameplay. But the fact they incorporated a vast open world with Elden Ring was just a bonus that got back to purchase their game again.

^^^ To both you gents points, Witcher 3 is also my gold standard for a traditional rpg. I still remember getting the copy of the first game from another member in the mail so long ago, and it changed my entire perspective on gaming.

Where Fromsoft and certain clones (Ska Studios etc) come in, is that they introduced games that a player could devise multiple ways to overcome the odds, as well as the traditional way of simply winning by being fast and good at avoidance.


Dark Souls 1 had me figuring out how far I could get if I never leveled up, and oddly enough, it was easier at sl1 than at sl80 with a different build. Go figure, but it got me seriously hooked on “figuring it out” because there was always a way, something I was missing. Etc.

It’s so addictive and so rewarding to figure those things out that very little else satisfies except another run, different build, similar game with like mechanics and so on.

It’s tough, because it really does make it hard to find a game that can hold my attention for long.

Anyone boning GT7. Any tips and tricks to git gud in this game. I tried the music rally and couldn’t go above silver medals. :nuts:

Seems on normal difficulty it is not bad. I am getting gold medals for almost all races. I like that this time the structure of the game is better and easily accessible without overwhelming the crap out of you. The PS5 controller is dope and I can see how you could please a woman with the controller rumble while also racing in the game. :bleh:

Win win solution, I tells you.

Paid 9 bucks for PS+ Extra. Downpumping Stray, Sushi Ghost, Returnal and Demon Soul. Ok to pay 9 bucks to try this crap.

You’ve done bullet hells before right? You really need to not let Returnal’s perma death stop you from progressing..there’s a story to it, fed in bits as you progress, and it’s spooky and all kinds of amazing. Give it a chance :up:

Yes all 4 games are downloaded. Have 2-3 months to try them out so will do.

Tried Returnal. Doesn’t seem like my kind of game. Died once thus far. But the map is confusing af and most times I don’t know what the woman is trying to find.

Kinda like life story of most women on the planet.

yeah it’s confusing at first. Each level has a boss that, once you kill it, you have the option of skipping it on later attempts. You’ll also open a gate to the next level.
You just have to find the boss.

There are also permanent perks that are hidden throughout the levels that make subsequent runs a bit easier.

I do get it though, it’s not for everyone.

Fine I will continue playing. Game is depressing af though. I turn it on but then start playing GT7. :D.

I can’t play the GT games. reminds me too much of my neighborhood :bleh:

Finally got a Playstation 5!!

I had signed up for the Amazon wait list on both a disc system and a disc system bundled with Horizon: Forbidden West. After being on them for months, my turn came up to purchase the Horizon bundle, so I grabbed that and got it 2 days ago.

Unfortunately (to me), Horizon is a digital only version. I'm thinking about putting that up for sale at a price less than retail. Anyone here interested?

Otherwise, totally love the system. The new controller is awesome! Haven't played much on it yet since I'm still finishing up what's left of the PC backlog. Going to start looking for PS5 games soon. :drool:

awesome, hope you'll be able to enjoy it

I saw that deal yesterday. Looks like both xbox & playstations are (mostly) available now, at close to MSRP, so the shortage looks like it's close to being over. That being said, they'll prolly sell out for the christmas holiday, so if people are looking to buy a PS5 or Series X, now is the time to do it.

the PS5 is still around 720-750€ (over here), if there is a stock. For me, personally, not worth that amount of bucks, but i'm still happy to see others get their hands on one.