Topic: Which games would you recommend for a birthday present?

Hi guys,

My belated 21st birthday is coming up at the end of the month and my Mum is nagging me about what I want for it, as per usual, as there's never really anything that I particularly want at my older age, but as I'm an avid casual PS4 gamer, I would normally get a game and there's a fairly big selection I've been wanting to play at some point, but I'm not sure which particular one to get as a present because I'm not particularly bothered about one other the other. Does that make sense? So, I've got a few ideas below and it would be super kind and helpful if you could please help inform my decision?

There are two games that came out earlier in the year that I was interested in, but I didn't get around to buying, which are Days Gone and Rage 2. As for Days Gone, I typically enjoy survival horror games and the open world setting looks interesting, but I've heard it's very much a 7/10 kind of game, so I'm not too sure about it and I've played loads of other PS4 exclusives that I'm worried it won't live up to. That said, the story and characters look pretty cool. As for Rage 2, I loved Doom and I loved Mad Max, so it obviously has a fantastic development team behind it. I've never played the first one and I know that doesn't matter, but I don't enjoy many shooters and pretty much all of the reviews I've read are 6/10 and 7/10, so it's another one that I'm not 100% sold on at the moment. I've heard it's short, but as I'm a Uni student who doesn't get to play games very much on a weekly basis, that's fine because I could just play and enjoy it, before moving on to Doom Eternal in November, which I'm hyped for.

I was also thinking of getting Red Dead Redemption 2 as I missed it when it came out last year due to Spider-Man and Darksiders 3, and I typically enjoy Grand Theft Auto and I've heard the story, characters and the RPG elements are absolutely fantastic. However, I never played the first one because I wasn't into games much then and I'm not sure about the western setting. I don't want to play 100 hours + of desert after desert after desert. I've also heard it's VERY long, so that puts me off a little bit as when I'm at Uni, I don't really have time for that.
Same goes for Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. I was also thinking of getting Horizon: Zero Dawn - Complete Edition, but I'm think I just want a more recent game as it's going to be a present and a sequel will probably get announced soon.

Those are pretty much all my thoughts. If you own these games, could you share some thoughts to help me inform my decision or maybe even suggest a completely different game based on how I'm feeling/thinking?

Thanks very much,
SPGFan34

@SPGFan34 I've played very few of the games you're considering, alas, but I'm sure others who might've tried them will be along shortly.

As a former student who tried to squeeze in as much gaming as possible, however, I can say that by all accounts, Red Dead Redemption 2 may not be what you're looking for. There are folks around here who still haven't managed to finish it, and who have a little more dedicated gaming time than most, and they got it at launch. Others have found its size and pace daunting and off-putting. It's a huge ask, especially if you're the type to break up longer games with other, smaller experiences.

I have also heard that, despite those 7/10 scores, Days Gone has impressed fans of open-world gaming. It may be nothing special, but it apparently does what it does pretty well. It won't reshape gaming in the same way some other PS4 exclusives have, but if you're a fan of everything it pertains to be then that might be worth looking into; you'll likely enjoy it, even if you don't adore it.

The last piece of advice? Horizon: Zero Dawn is still one of the most gorgeous, stunning experiences available on the console, despite being two-and-a-half years old now. It will feel recent enough, and has a good balance of story and side quests to fit around play sessions of varying length.

Sorry I can't be more detailed, but I hope some of this helps, at least.

@SPGFan34 avoid RDR2 and W3 they are too big for your current situation.

I would recommend either HZD (42 hours it took me to do everything) or as a backup Tetris Effect to pop on now and again.

@SPGFan34 Actually, of those games you mention, Horizon Zero Dawn makes the most sense. It’s a wonderful game, you can both drop in and out of it for short sessions, or sit and play it 6 hours a day for a week straight - both are viable options. I do understand you’re probably looking for something newer since it’s a gift and you can buy HZD yourself for pretty cheap. From that perspective Days Gone makes sense. It’s newer and, although I haven’t played it, I think follows the same recipe as a third person open world story driven action/stealth game.
Further echoing @RogerRoger ‘s and @themcnoisy ‘s comments, Red Dead 2 is a fantastic experience, but not one designed for the uncommitted. I am a huge fan of the first game and still felt it was a very slow burn that took a lot of hours to ramp up and some dedication to follow through and learn how to enjoy the game. It is most definitely not a “desert after desert after desert” game though. It’s one of the most beautiful games on console and has the richest open world I have ever played. The payoff is immense and definitely worthwhile for the spectacular achievement that RDR2 is, but it isn’t designed for casual drop in and out type of gameplay. In my short sessions with The Witcher 3 it’s pretty similar in that regard. I didn’t have the patience and time at this point in my life to dedicate huge chunks of time in numerous sequential days in order to get the most out of it, so I put TW3 in hibernation until I get more time.
Rage 2 isn’t one I’ve felt inclined to play so it’s hard to say one way or the other on that. I hear the gunplay is fantastic, but the story, world, and mission structure is quite mediocre. But for a fan of the genre I think it would be a good one to have for a sporadic University schedule.
I guess there is the obligatory God of War suggestion, which I again can’t speak first hand but is a medium sized game like DG and HZD that probably can be played in separate sporadic chunks. Again, not a new game and so it falls into the ‘wait and get it cheap later on your own’ basket like HZD might.
I’ve probably been no help, but Happy Birthday all the same!

I suggest asking in the ongoing thread found here

https://www.pushsquare.com/forums/ps4/ps4_recommendation_thre...

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Thanks for understanding