Played some more Donkey Kong Bananza, trying to collect everything in the 6th world before moving on to 7th.
I mentioned a few weeks back that I was playing Ghost of Tsushima, but then put it on back burner since I was focusing on Midnight Suns, so since that has been finished, back to being a Ghost now!
When I was around halfway through the game, I realised that there is too much side stuff and that’s burning me out, so ignored everything, and just finished the story.
End Story Spoilers
The game had some really emotional moments. I didn’t feel too sad about Taka, I saw it coming a mile away, but then they killed my horse! Why would they do that?
And then the ending!? After all they went through, to end up like that…
After finishing the game, didn’t felt like starting another game right away, and there wasn’t too much remaining for the Platinum (you don’t need to 100% all collectibles), so going through the other stuff and Platinum the game.
Started Diablo IV with some friends, as it was given away as PS+ monthly game recently. If they all got bored with it (they aren’t isometric / action-RPG fans), may start focusing as my next single player game, but not going to focus on it much for now, only playing it as a co-op game.
What about all of you? What have you been playing and/or plan to play?
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It’s been a busy non-gaming weekend of Octopath Traveler Champions of the Continent while thinking of playing lots of things when I have more time in the coming weeks. I did open up Balatro for the first time in ages. But most of my gaming enjoyment has been reading through this thread’s comments. Thanks for sharing, y’all!
School started?
Week two starts today. In Florida, I think the priority is getting our kids back in the air conditioning.
I’m getting my first 8bitdo Ultimate 2 controller, so I’m going to be running Smash Bros.
I just got it couple of weeks ago, kinda feels like Pro Controller.
Earthbound via NSO. I hate the mushroom status!
Other that that, great game but very linear so far.
Nice. I tried playing it, but gave up after an hour or so.
Yeah it is not for everyone. It is practically Dragon Quest by Nintendo.
I like traditional JRPG so Earthbound is my cup of tea.
I’ve been playing Cyberpunk 2077. It’s the one game I own that feels like it would definitely not work on the Switch 1. Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World are pretty looking and stuff, but they still don’t feel “next generation” as much as Cyberpunk does.
The game is really fun, though it has that thing from AAA games where there’s a lot of storytelling. Sometimes having long conversations in interactive cut-scenes bores me and I just want to play the game. Other than that, I’m having a really good time and I have to force myself not to play it during the week, otherwise I’ll go to bed at 3am 😅 (just like it happened with DK Bananza…).
Story spoiler (after The Heist)
Yeah, that was great how they made me have a virtual best friend Jackie then killed him off and had an emotional ceremony for him… Why Jackie why?! 😭
I got the physical editions of Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. for Switch, so I’ll also be checking out those games during the weekend.
I have heard great things about Cyberpunk 2077. Still have tons of games that I need to play before that though.
I think I’m near the end of Bananza. There’s a fossil museum at some point and there’s not much space left in it, so it seems like a safe guess. And I will repeat what I said last week: The second half of the game is way better than the first!
I will also say that the Bananza mechanics isn’t that great now that I’m this deep into the game. It’s initially introduced as an upgrade to yourself, which makes sense with the energy gauge, but most of the forms you get seem to just be minor puzzle elements. It doesn’t feel right to use up your gauge just because you need to run fast or jump high for a second. That combined with how fast the gauge recharges makes me wonder why it exists in the first place. There’s a consumable item that refills your gauge, too, and quite frankly, I have no idea how to even use it because you just don’t need it. The elephant is the only one I really use anymore because it does what I generally need the most: destroy.
And I found some time to play Yakuza 3 again. I’ve finally made it to Kamurocho and, naturally, there are immediately a ton of side quests. So who knows when the story continues.
Agreed that the Bananzas are a little weird. Personally I find myself toggling it on and off (you can drumbeat again to transform back), which causes it to use so little meter that it’s recovered almost instantly, if not already recovered by the coins I earned doing the thing.
I’m definitely not using it as a transformation as much as I am just using it as a move in the kit though, so I’m not feeling like I’m using it as intended either.
Interesting.
I was cautious of using Bananza mode previously, but now I use it whenever I feel like, cause it just fills up so quickly, and that is without wearing special costumes that allow quick refill.
Finished the Super Robot Wars Y Demo!
I’ve written a post in another thread about it, so I’ll just link it here.
Finished ATRI: My Dear Moments!
Another great story. I loved how this game kept a positive tone despite its melancholic, “quasi post-apocalyptic” setting.
This VN is at its strongest when it’s focused on slice-of-life, which is why I think the first “Act” was the best part. The lowest point is definitely the weak and unnecessary “villain” that shows up in the final stretch, though thankfully his participation in the story is kept short.
Finished We Love Katamari Reroll+Royal Reverie!
I take back the “more of the same” I said last week, they definitely put some effort into doing different things with the premise. It doesn’t always work, but some new stages are a blast - I loved the one where it turns into a “racing” game with a fast-moving katamari that can’t move backwards.
It’s not as good as the original game but still fun to play.
Finished Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition!
An old metroidvania I had never played and is currently at 75% discount on the eShop.
Had a good time with it, it has interesting plataforming challenges and fun combat, though not particularly hard in either aspect. It’s also very linear, which I don’t mind but some people might consider a big negative.
Playing Witch on the Holy Night!
Finally restarted this one. This is another kinectic novel, though this one is from Type-Moon and shares the same universe as the Fate and Tsukihime games.
Good lord, the presentation in this game is insane. I’m coming from two VNs with excellent production and this one outdoes both easily, with a huge amount of CGs plus exceptional framing and usage of it. Screenshots don’t do it justice, check some videos if you want to see what I’m talking about.
Playing Guacamelee! 2!
Current side-game, it’s also on sale with the same discount as the first game.
Still fairly early, just got the first power move and the grappling hook. Getting some PTSD since the grappling mechanic works the same way as Bo: Path of Teal Lotus and I absolutely hated it in that game, but thankfully it seems like it’s less finicky in this one.
I have played and loved both Guacamelee games. I remember some backtracking in both of them, though I hadn’t played many (any?) metroidvanias back then, so can’t compare them with others of the genre.
How is We Love Katamari to play? I have seen the trailers, but can’t figure out what’s “fun” in it. Maybe it’s something I need to play.
How is We Love Katamari to play? I have seen the trailers, but can’t figure out what’s “fun” in it. Maybe it’s something I need to play.
If you want to try the series I’d go with the first game instead. There’s nothing wrong with the second game (in fact, many consider it the superior entry), but it’s kinda of an “expansion set” of the first game and I think it’s better to play them in order.
As for why it’s fun… it’s hard to explain, because it’s a mix of elements - the weird/unique gameplay, the whimsical mood, the trippy visuals and story, the god-tier soundtrack… all of this adds up and makes it a fantastic chill game to play for a while and relax.
I’ve been playing Katamari since they started coming over to the US. I’m now sharing a long play with my youngest child as we brush our teeth. It’s only a little fun to watch. It’s greatly satisfying to play. I feel like I’m playing an incremental game when I’m rolling around picking stuff up. It’s a really slow build that turns into an exponential explosion in size that hits just right.
I just finished the Katamari Damacy book from Boss Fight Books. It talks about the creator’s view on games and design in general, and then notes that after the second game, he has no role in development. I love the games, but the first and the second one are the only ones I would call must play (more like must-experience). They are best in a room of four friends passing the controller around and backseat driving each other.
I expect the new game will be a more of the same experience that will still buy right away.
Hmm… sound like it’s at least worth a try.
Will add it to my never ending wishlist!
It definitely is for it’s uniqueness. Even if you end up not liking it it’ll be an interesting experience.
More Baten Kaitos, of course. I’m still heavily invested and keep finding new interesting things.
One thing the game does, I’ve not seen much - if at all, is that you are not the protagonist. You input your name in the beginning and take the role of a spirit accompanying the protagonist. At times, he turns directly to the camera and asks you questions. Depending on your answers, you can influence a hidden value for each character, which basically reflect how much they like you. A higher value results in cards temporarily transforming into stronger ones mid-combo more often. Well, at least that happens for the protagonist. I’ve not seen it with anyone else, but I’m quite sure they have a hidden stat of their own.
I’ve also played some more MH:Rise. I’m still on a challenge run with my partner, randomizing weapons for each quest. And rolling a single armour for LR, HR and MR (the three quest difficulties). We’re already at least halfway through MR, however we’ve rolled late game monster for our armour, therefore still fighting them with HR stuff. I can highly recommend the idea, if you guys are into casual challenge runs!
Lastly, I plan on playing the Super Robot Wars Y Demo.
That’s an interesting challenge run. Will see if anyone is interested in it.
