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“I Just Think They're Neat.” Like What You are Playing
- Thread starter Becksworth
- Start date
As this video shows, besides his right winger grifter shit, it's also amazing how JBP uses a ton of words to say nothing at all.
I understand that it's theoretically possible, and if this was a jury trial I wouldn't convict, but if I'm just making a judgement based on publicly available information, it looks pretty bad to me. I do sincerely wish a journalist would follow up on this. If someone on a 17 person team was secretly inserting anti-trans content against the will of the sole person credited for Game Design, Writing, Direction, and Code who is also the Game Director and President of the studio, that would be an interesting story about the complexities of launching a studio. He's the only one credited as the writer for the game, and most of the text by volume is made up of references to Jordan Peterson. Did he do that or not? There's a story there, one way or another.
I...don't think it is, though? One of the things you have to do with your final build is play through every part of it to make sure nothing's broken. Granted, I work for a studio that's a couple orders of magnitude bigger than theirs, but I would assume the step of making sure all the things in your game work happens across the board regardless of size. If this was really somehow inserted into the game without the knowledge of, as estragon says,
someone would absolutely have flagged that content before release.
God I wish Sea of Stars didn't have its baggage. (full disclosure, I Kickstarted the game when the KS first launched, before I knew of the transphobic joke being removed from the Messenger or the JP reverence) Unlike Hogwarts Legacy where the link to a truly abhorrent figure is distinct and unavoidable there's enough plausible deniability in the mire of game development to go 'ennnhhhhh, maybe ok?????'
But also unlike Hogwarts Legacy, which was by all accounts a dull AAA cash-grab that's letting familiarity with the liscenced property do most of the heavy lifting, Sea of Stars is honestly really damn good. Like, shockingly good. The sprite art is just gorgeous and the world design is creative enough to make excellent use of it. Like, this is how I would want a Chrono Trigger sequel to look. Battles are fast and snappy and the MP-regeneration on standard attacks lets you use your abilities liberally. The character design is charming (double-eyepatch pirate wizard!) and so far the dialogue isn't plagued with the tedious sort of 'nudge nudge wink wink' voice that The Messenger had.
But also unlike Hogwarts Legacy, which was by all accounts a dull AAA cash-grab that's letting familiarity with the liscenced property do most of the heavy lifting, Sea of Stars is honestly really damn good. Like, shockingly good. The sprite art is just gorgeous and the world design is creative enough to make excellent use of it. Like, this is how I would want a Chrono Trigger sequel to look. Battles are fast and snappy and the MP-regeneration on standard attacks lets you use your abilities liberally. The character design is charming (double-eyepatch pirate wizard!) and so far the dialogue isn't plagued with the tedious sort of 'nudge nudge wink wink' voice that The Messenger had.
Beat the original Pikmin on Gamecube in 16 in game days. I looked up a better strategy for the final boss, since I beat him on my own once. He still sucks, but it's more manageable now with a semi-cheesy strategy (semi-cheesy because I figured out the basic premise of the cheesy strategy on my own, I just didn't realize how effective it would be multiplied by like 20 lol. I figured it'd cap out at like 5 times what I was attempting, and didn't want to risk the Pikmin in case going that hard would've been a waste).
Gonna take a break from Pikmin for a bit lol. I really, really like the series though (obviously lol)
Gonna take a break from Pikmin for a bit lol. I really, really like the series though (obviously lol)
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
In the past two weeks I've educated five distinct friends on JK Rowling's behaviour related to trans people, they hadn't heard anything about it. I think we forget how online we are on here sometimes and it's good to educate others.
Which again is why I want to thank people on here for being helpful and polite with my questions. I was legit concerned people would be angry I didn't already know about it.
Purple
(She/Her)
It's not even just Rowling. Take a look at this quick primer on a voice actor for the game.
ArugulaZ
Fearful asymmetry
Lode Runner Legacy is a game I felt almost obligated to buy after spending so much time playing the Apple II version in elementary school, but you know what? I'm glad I coughed up the cash, because this version of the game does things the original doesn't, like teach you how to play. The first game was a sort of trial by fire experience, with the action getting pretty vicious after maybe two stages, but the new game explains the play mechanics in a way that makes those mountainous stacks of bricks in the later stages seem less intimidating.
Mixed feelings on the voxels. I can learn to live with them.
Mixed feelings on the voxels. I can learn to live with them.
R.R. Bigman
Coolest Guy
Devil May Cry 3 is a h*ck of a game. I played through a second time on hard, and now have started a third go as Vergil, who has got a very unique feel that I’m not too comfortable with after Dante’s freewheeling shenanigans.
Speaking of Vergil, what is his motivation for causing all this mess? In the reboot, he’s a sociopath who wants to have absolute control over everyone, presumably after the trauma with his and Dante’s parents. Since DMC pulls heavily from DMC3, I guess he wants enough raw power to protect himself? His false bravado, compared with Dante’s detachment and Lady’s violent obsession, are a fair bit more interesting than I was expecting. It’s a bummer that DMC4’s plot is almost nothing after this heavily character driven tale.
Speaking of Vergil, what is his motivation for causing all this mess? In the reboot, he’s a sociopath who wants to have absolute control over everyone, presumably after the trauma with his and Dante’s parents. Since DMC pulls heavily from DMC3, I guess he wants enough raw power to protect himself? His false bravado, compared with Dante’s detachment and Lady’s violent obsession, are a fair bit more interesting than I was expecting. It’s a bummer that DMC4’s plot is almost nothing after this heavily character driven tale.
Pixel Game Maker Series Pearl Vs Grey for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site
Story Pearl and Grey find a treasure map. The two rivals compete with each other... Take control of Grey and clear 100 stages to reach the treasure first! Game System An easy-to-learn puzzle action game with lots of variety! Collect key items and open th…
www.nintendo.com
This game is very obvious about its influence, both aesthetically and mechanically. However, the protagonist definitely isn't nimble like Mario in DK '94 and it's pretty intentional. Each set of levels has a new gimmick or ability for you to use and it's built around that. Your protagonist is pretty limited in movement otherwise. It took me a while to get used to this, but once I accepted it I really started enjoying the game.
There are some rough spots where the mechanics are very demanding and leave little room for error, but the game compensates by throwing out free lives like candy and plentiful checkpoints/saving. It also features real "boss fights" at the end of worlds that can sometimes be rather rough. I wouldn't pay full price for it, but would recommend putting it on your wish list and getting it in a sale like I did.
Can confirm; it’s not to the level of its inspiration but it’s a good one
Beavers Be Damned is a cute 2-player local co-op beaver heist simulator. It's a free download on Steam and a student project, so it's a bit rough around the edges, but it's a cute premise with cute artwork and a fun way for two people to kill an hour.
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
Oooh, this sounds fun and I'm always interested in local co-op games. I'll have to check it out.
I started replaying Deaths Gambit not long ago, and it’s honestly right up there with Metroid Dread for being one of my favourite Troids in recent years, and easily my favourite Souls-em-up.
My last playthrough was as a Wizard, which effectively turned the game into Mega Man, but this time I’m using Blood Knight, which is much more in line with the likes of SotN, but with parrying and dodge rolls.
My last playthrough was as a Wizard, which effectively turned the game into Mega Man, but this time I’m using Blood Knight, which is much more in line with the likes of SotN, but with parrying and dodge rolls.
ArugulaZ
Fearful asymmetry
Neat! Neat neat neat! After hours of struggling, I finally got my Xbox Series S to play Sega Saturn games reliably. Even the weird ones that require this expansion cartridge or that expansion cartridge... they're all running great now. And it's been one helluva nostalgic ride playing all these again, even the dumb games like Final Fight Revenge, which only justifies its existence through just how stupid it is. That's the great thing about fighting games... when they suck, they suck memorably, with personality.
(Well, usually. Doomsday Warrior for the Super NES sucks, but forgot the personality. Even Tuff E Nuff has more charisma!)
(Well, usually. Doomsday Warrior for the Super NES sucks, but forgot the personality. Even Tuff E Nuff has more charisma!)
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
Sega released a free visual novel game interspersed with isometric running levels (that have a no-fail option if that's a concern) called the Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog.
I beat it in 2-3 hours and it was just so fun! The dialogue is goofy and the art is great. All the best screenshots I took have spoilers but here's a fun one.
Highly recommended and it's free so go get it.
I beat it in 2-3 hours and it was just so fun! The dialogue is goofy and the art is great. All the best screenshots I took have spoilers but here's a fun one.
Highly recommended and it's free so go get it.
I've been playing seminal chinese RPG Sword and Fairy. It's about as good as a game from 1995 can be, which is to say it fucking rules.
I can already feel a long effort-post brewing but until it rears its ugly head here's some screenshots of good pixel art and funny translation gaffes.
Environmental details, hogs heads, and cute chicks!
This game's version of the level 1 slime, a little bush than turns into a goblin and says "rawr!"
This pugilistic scum's hit-all attack literally carves a chunk out of the ground. You can do this back to the enemies if you hit with a strong special move.
He means "Grammy" but I like the idea he's taken a gamer hostage. No true hero would let that particular group of sweet angels come to harm, right?
I can already feel a long effort-post brewing but until it rears its ugly head here's some screenshots of good pixel art and funny translation gaffes.
Environmental details, hogs heads, and cute chicks!
This game's version of the level 1 slime, a little bush than turns into a goblin and says "rawr!"
This pugilistic scum's hit-all attack literally carves a chunk out of the ground. You can do this back to the enemies if you hit with a strong special move.
He means "Grammy" but I like the idea he's taken a gamer hostage. No true hero would let that particular group of sweet angels come to harm, right?
Attachments
I tried that once! I was really impressed by how it opened, but I reached some kind of volcano dungeon where the combination of the featureless labyrinth layout, the zoomed-in display, and the non-scrolling camera just completely sapped my will to continue. I've been interested in seeing the branch of RPGs descended from it ever since, now that they're getting released on Steam, but I just can't deal with how many of them appear to be incompetently translated.
FelixSH
(He/Him)
Continuing to explore that old itch.io bundle brought me in contact with Dominique Pamplemousse in "It's All Over Once The Fat Lady Sings!". Instead of describing how it looks, just look at a screenshot:
It's a point-n-click adventure, where you play the titular character (the one on the left). Everything is voiced, and often sung (It's a musical, you see?). The singing is bad, but indearingly so, I think.
My only (but kinda major) gripe is, that saving doesn't really work. It does so automatically, and you can close and reopen the game. But I just wanted to continue from yesterday, and the save is gone. Sigh.
It's not that big of a deal, the game is below two hours and the puzzles are short, simple and few. Mainly, you just click through all the options. I'll just wait a few weeks before beating it in one sitting.
As mentioned, it's in that itch.io bundle, that a lot of you guys probably have. Even if you don't plan on playing through, give it a go or watch a longplay. Because, if nothing else, it's certainly one of a kind.
It's a point-n-click adventure, where you play the titular character (the one on the left). Everything is voiced, and often sung (It's a musical, you see?). The singing is bad, but indearingly so, I think.
My only (but kinda major) gripe is, that saving doesn't really work. It does so automatically, and you can close and reopen the game. But I just wanted to continue from yesterday, and the save is gone. Sigh.
It's not that big of a deal, the game is below two hours and the puzzles are short, simple and few. Mainly, you just click through all the options. I'll just wait a few weeks before beating it in one sitting.
As mentioned, it's in that itch.io bundle, that a lot of you guys probably have. Even if you don't plan on playing through, give it a go or watch a longplay. Because, if nothing else, it's certainly one of a kind.
FelixSH
(He/Him)
Went ahead and just replayed it, I think getting to the portion I stopped took like 10 minutes? You can skip through regular text, just not through the sung parts. So, considering I started after writing that post, it's probably around 90 minutes of total play time.
Also, really says something about me not understanding what good singing is. I mean, I can recognize that it's not good in this game, but I still enjoyed it. I'll count this as a blessing. Certainly was a charming and enjoyable game. And there is a second part, also contained in the bundle, for another time.
Also, really says something about me not understanding what good singing is. I mean, I can recognize that it's not good in this game, but I still enjoyed it. I'll count this as a blessing. Certainly was a charming and enjoyable game. And there is a second part, also contained in the bundle, for another time.
FelixSH
(He/Him)
And I'm triple posting.
Yet another game from the bundle, Underhero, is one that I wanted to play for years. It's a game that starts by killing the Hero, the Chosen One. The underling who kills him gets his legendary, talking, snarky sword, which tasks him with becoming the new hero and slaying the evil overlord. Who just knows that the Hero is dead, and he has won.
While the premise is fun, the game doesn't really do too much with it. You can talk to enemies and even bribe them to go away, because they don't know that you are now working against them. But elsewise - your character just goes along with it. Probably doesn't help, that he is a silent protagonist.
But, while a shame, it's not something really bad. The game is a fun side-scrolling RPG, clearly influenced by the Paper Mario games. You can talk to every creature in battle, you can dodge attacks and have a sword and a slingshot for enemies close and far. Instead of regular turns, there is a stamina meter. The artstyle is very pretty, and the font feels pretty Mario-y to me. The dialogue is charming and funny enough.
It's also very easy, at least on Normal. This isn't a complaint, just something to be aware of, if anyone else wants to try this game. For me, the difficulty is fine as it is, but if I remember correctly, you can turn it to Easy or Hard, too.
Yet another game from the bundle, Underhero, is one that I wanted to play for years. It's a game that starts by killing the Hero, the Chosen One. The underling who kills him gets his legendary, talking, snarky sword, which tasks him with becoming the new hero and slaying the evil overlord. Who just knows that the Hero is dead, and he has won.
While the premise is fun, the game doesn't really do too much with it. You can talk to enemies and even bribe them to go away, because they don't know that you are now working against them. But elsewise - your character just goes along with it. Probably doesn't help, that he is a silent protagonist.
But, while a shame, it's not something really bad. The game is a fun side-scrolling RPG, clearly influenced by the Paper Mario games. You can talk to every creature in battle, you can dodge attacks and have a sword and a slingshot for enemies close and far. Instead of regular turns, there is a stamina meter. The artstyle is very pretty, and the font feels pretty Mario-y to me. The dialogue is charming and funny enough.
It's also very easy, at least on Normal. This isn't a complaint, just something to be aware of, if anyone else wants to try this game. For me, the difficulty is fine as it is, but if I remember correctly, you can turn it to Easy or Hard, too.
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
So I just noticed that this had an update, which surprised me, and it turns out it's a bunch of quality of life updates. And they're encouraging people to try the game because the sequel comes out next month!? I am very excited about this!
FelixSH
(He/Him)
So, something about that Dominique Pamplemousse stuck with me. One of the songs became an earworm, with it's bad-but-endearing singing. So I decided to play the second game. Dominique Pamplemousse and Dominique Pamplemousse in "Combinatorial Explosion". Spoilers to follow, but I think in this case it doesn't matter? Maybe? It's a weird experience. The first game was a point'n'click adventure with barely any puzzles. This here is basically a visual novel. You make one decision that doesn't matter (no, this is not a spoiler, it's extremely clear that it doesn't matter).
There is more singing (though less than in the first game), there is more queerness, there are more questions about queerness. The first game ended with a decision, resulting in two endings. This game starts, by the two Dominiques of the different endings meeting each other, trying to find out who of them is canon. In the end, they talk to the creator (who made a video of themselves talking, which you then see). They talk about not being able to come up with a canon ending, with not understanding how live works, despite them having achieved stuff, with a fine job and no live-threatening problems. About the void that still keeps being there. I'm paraphrasing here, these are not the words, but it's what stuck.
It's really hard to describe, but the game offers a bunch of questions, specifically regarding queerness (Dominique never answers if he is a boy or a girl, for example), without providing any answers. It is a weird and fascinating piece of work, and if this sounded interesting at all, give the two games a shot. They are maybe three hours long in total, and if nothing else, they are absolutely unique experiences, like nothing I have seen before. The second game specifically was absolutely hilarious and deeply touching, in the time frame of an hour. And there is more bad, but endeering singing. Please give it a shot, it's just such a unique experience. And if you got that old itch.io bundle, you already own both games!
If anyone else plays them, please write about them. I want to hear other opinions.
There is more singing (though less than in the first game), there is more queerness, there are more questions about queerness. The first game ended with a decision, resulting in two endings. This game starts, by the two Dominiques of the different endings meeting each other, trying to find out who of them is canon. In the end, they talk to the creator (who made a video of themselves talking, which you then see). They talk about not being able to come up with a canon ending, with not understanding how live works, despite them having achieved stuff, with a fine job and no live-threatening problems. About the void that still keeps being there. I'm paraphrasing here, these are not the words, but it's what stuck.
It's really hard to describe, but the game offers a bunch of questions, specifically regarding queerness (Dominique never answers if he is a boy or a girl, for example), without providing any answers. It is a weird and fascinating piece of work, and if this sounded interesting at all, give the two games a shot. They are maybe three hours long in total, and if nothing else, they are absolutely unique experiences, like nothing I have seen before. The second game specifically was absolutely hilarious and deeply touching, in the time frame of an hour. And there is more bad, but endeering singing. Please give it a shot, it's just such a unique experience. And if you got that old itch.io bundle, you already own both games!
If anyone else plays them, please write about them. I want to hear other opinions.
I've been playing the Armored Core games in release order and having a good time generally, but I was very happy to see that the consensus online reputation I've seen of Armored Core 2 (the first PS2 game, after one numbered title and two pretty big expansions on the PS1) of being "just the PS1 games with better graphics" dramatically understates just how immediately better it feels to handle your AC, even with the clunky stock parts you start the game with. Excited to start upgrading.