Topic: What PS5 Games Are You Currently Playing?

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN Yes, although I’m still too early to pass final judgment, I don’t think Outlaws will surpass the Jedi games in my preference order.

They are very different games though, with the Jedi games being Souls-like and Outlaws being a standard open world action-stealth. We automatically want to compare them because they are in the same Star Wars universe, but Jedi Fallen Order/Survivor is more like Dark Souls, and Outlaws is more comparable to Assassin’s Creed, or Horizon, Ghost of Tsushima, Uncharted, or heck, even the Metal Gear Solid series, the newer Tomb Raider series, or even the sneaking and hiding aspects of the Batman Arkham games from a gameplay perspective. The game is designed to favor stealth to make it through its conflicts. When things go south and you get discovered by the enemy, it naturally turns into a shootout and then it starts to feel more clunky from a gameplay perspective. Both the stealth and the combat are less satisfying and less interesting than the best of those other games’ mechanics. MGS, GoT, and AC do stealth better and Horizon, Uncharted, TR, and Arkham do combat better, in my limited opinion. But it’s not fair to even compare Outlaws to those other action-stealth games, because its emphasis is more on the tumultuous adventure of being a scoundrel and infiltrating the different factions.

So although the lightsaber is definitely part of the allure for the Jedi series and there’s a definite power rush when you wield it and hear the iconic whirring sound effect, but that’s only part of it. A blaster should also feel cool to use, but Outlaws doesn’t really excel in making you feel powerful and there’s no ‘crunch’ or visceral feeling to even it’s melee. Ironically, Jedi Survivor Cal has the opportunity to use a stance that utilizes a blaster and the shooting in that game has arguably more kick to it than Kay’s blaster in Outlaws. But I’m not holding it against the game, since it wasn’t really designed to be combat focused. Also, I’m still early game and I suspect the combat options will become deeper as I go along.

@Jimmer-jammer Thanks for sharing, I know I've shared plenty of my creative pursuits with you through the years, so some reciprocation is always good. Looks awesome! And would love to see more of it when it's done.

@JohnnyShoulder I'd be happy to be updated (as in, tagged) with regard to your progress with, and impressions of LotF, if you don't mind, as it's a game in my backlog that I'm waiting to get around to later.

I defeated another miniboss in Sekiro, it was a puzzle miniboss, so it was a bit finnicky, those who have played it may know the one I mean, but yeah, great to have the victory.

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN Sure thing dude, I am still digging it and the light puzzle elements. One level had you swapping in and out of Umbral to remove the water from parts of the level. Reminded me of games like Zelda and Tomb Raider back in the day.

@JohnnyShoulder Thanks, man ,good to see you are having a good time with the game and that it reminds you of the old-school games that you mentioned. How does it compare to the Souls games? Would you say the quality matches that of Dark Souls 1, for example?

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN I personally do not think it is as FromSoftware's offerings, but it is close. Combat does not feel quite as satisfying and exploration is lacking a sense of wonder I get when playing those games, so far at least.

One thing that stands out is the music. It is very atmospheric, and the different themes suit the surroundings almost perfectly. Lots of weird voices and chants going on too, which I appreciate.

Defeated another miniboss in Sekiro and upgraded my Vitality and Posture for the third time, it was a fairly easy miniboss, kind of like a Lady Butterfly junior sort of thing, I think most Sekiro players will know the one I mean. 😃

I plan on starting The First Berseker: Khazan tonight. I preordered it and have early access, and I’m itching for a solid Souls-like. I’ve read some reviews from outlets I trust and it sounds like a game right up my alley.

Defeated the Folding Screen Monkeys in Sekiro, not really a challenging combat sort-of-boss-fight, more of a puzzle, but still, glad to have the trophy. I used a guide, i must confess, however. 😉😂

So far, The First Berserker is really good. The combat is smooth and fluid, and whilst difficult, it is manageable. I also love the loot system — it isn’t overwhelming and it’s easy to understand. I cant wait to see how the game improves combat wise, and the ability to use new weapons. I think this game will be a standout for this genre due to its combat alone.

I just downloaded Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon demo, just released. I have been tracking this game for some time as it looks like the Skyrim game I have been missing. Looking forward to the full release unless the demo really turns me off.

Technically cheating here as it's a PS4 game... But I'm playing it on PS5 so who cares

I'm playing Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition and I'm really enjoying it.

Maybe it's because I don't actually think all that much of Chrono Trigger and therefore don't have any expectations? Either way I'm having a blast with it.

The soundtrack IS gorgeous. Every track I've heard so far is just wonderful. The battle theme goes so flipping hard on the violins and I LOVE it.

I like the battle mechanics with the stamina system and elements. There's some nice depth to it and always have to be mindful of the field so your enemies attacks aren't powered up.

The story... Is a bit over the place? I don't think it helps I "abandoned" kid and missed an entire dungeon. But I like that the choices you make DO matter.

Also the amount of party members I've already acquired is insane. Pretty sure I have 14 already and the fact your battle party only has 3 slots (Or two since you can't switch out Serge) is a little disappointing cus there's so many characters I'd like to use but can't justify using with so few slots.

Either way I'm enjoying it so much and I'm looking forward to playing more~!

@Elodin oooh thank you for that, I have the game wish listed and yet it didn't alert me to the fact there is a demo!

@Elodin never heard of Tainted Grail… before… and as a huge fan of Arthurian myth (& I used to love Elder Scrolls too) this is something I’m genuinely interested in. Appreciate you bringing this to my attention.

@Elodin @nitraM @AgentCooper @graymamba

Is this... Elden Rim?

How is it, if anyone has played the demo yet? I expect it to be a super janky (AA?) like similar titles in the genre, but any trailer that has the balls to end with the character hoovering up chunks of cheese in the snow has to make it on to the radar 😁

@Ravix Haha! Yeah, it seems like the developers are trolling us with that ending. 3 minutes of melodramatic apocalyptic footage of dark magic and fantasy drama and then a short mundane sequence of picking up cheese in the snow right before it abruptly ends. 😂 Brilliant.

@AgentCooper @graymamba @nitraM @Ravix Glad I could get the word out. I do feel like this game has gone under the radar. @Ravix I have played the demo roughly an hour or two. I just got the beach if looking for a point of reference. It very much reminds me of Skyrim. Jank and all. It is pretty smooth. I had a bit of floating from the enemies if I was in another room. They seemed to ghost towards me not walk. I can't quite figure out the controls for blocking as it is the same button for left hand use. Also the buttons to remind you how to see controls stayed on screen the whole time. Again holding L2 plus R2 to bring them up made me swing as that is your attack buttons also. I went mage class and mainly cast spells. You get 1 to start and a healing one a bit later or only healing to start if you answered that way. The healing spell drains hp and shows a line seeming to pull blood(hp) from the enemy. Once the spell froze and the line stayed on screen until I cast again. I did melee some, but first run I wanted to focus on spells. It was a lot cast cast cast dodge, run, let mana refill. Then repeat with the occasional bonk with the club. Saying all that I really eam enjoying the game even if the jank isn't ironed out. It's quite fun. Ill finish the demo today and start over. Curious to know what you all are experiencing.

@get2sammyb seems quite a bit of interest in Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon. Maybe a good article about it on this website? 😁

I just beat the second boss, Blade Phantom, in The First Berserker. This guy was tough as nails, but I managed to overcome it in about an hour time of attempts. It was really fun and incredibly satisfying learning the patterns and getting perfect blocks, and essentially becoming unstoppable. It’s a great feeling of progression.