Topic: What PS5 Games Are You Currently Playing?

Lies of P: Overture has been kicking my arse. I've made it to just before the second boss in the DLC. I have also realised that I've been playing on Legendary Stalker difficulty and it remains to be seen whether or not my ego will allow me to turn the difficulty down.

I don't actually remember choosing it as a difficulty option because I think the difficulty options only came out with the DLC if I'm not mistaken? Maybe it defaulted to that difficulty and I just hastily clicked through it.

It's been a good DLC so far but jumping between it and Elden Ring Nightreign is really messing with me.

You are correct, they did add some difficulty options with the DLC!

Also there are no difficulty related trophies, no shame in lowering it.

I’ve been playing Death Stranding 2. I’m still on the first chapter but I feel like I’ve done a lot already. I’ve beaten the first boss, made many deliveries, and took out bandits. I’m on the verge of getting to the second chapter. This game is really special, and paced exceptionally well.

I’m still trying to figure out all of its mechanics and systems - it can be overwhelming because there are layers to everything, but I’m finding it to be more digestible when I play in short bursts. I haven’t had a long DS2 gaming section and that’s why I haven’t progressed as much, but I am preferring it that way.

This might sound embarrassing, but after 15 hours I finally beat the first chapter in Death Stranding 2. Wow - what a start to the game. I feel like this kind of storytelling is what MGSV: TPP was wanting to be but was unable to achieve due to Kojima and Konami not being on good terms. I’m so impressed with this game so far, and it’s had me on the edge of my seat a couple of times already.

Beat the second phase of the final boss fight in Sekiro now. The second phase of three. Then it's all over, after I beat the third phase as well, if I can do it, 🤞. Making progress.

I’m currently in the third episode in Death Stranding. Man, what a game so far. It continues to blow my mind with all the options it gives you to suit your style of play. It really feels like the perfect sandbox game. Moreover, the story is very compelling, along with the characters. Everything about this game is mechanically sound and feels satisfying to do. This could be an all-timer for me.

@Kraven I'm playing the first Death Stranding too. Unfortunately you're going way faster than me. In between real life going-ons and the heat, I'm hardly playing any games unfortunately. Two days ago I played Death Stranding only to watch a half hour long cut scene and then going to bed.

I hate this weather!

@Kraven I agree, though, that mechanically the game is really well thought out. No idea how they do it.

Played a bit more Death Stranding (the first one) last night. Managed to make my way past the BT's on the way to the wind farm. It was slow and steady but I managed to get past them despite having a few close calls. I did get spotted by one right at the end but by that time I was already within touching distance of the wind farm so the BT's didn't give too much chase.

The game hasn't been a bad experience so far but I still don't think it has really gripped me the way I thought it would. Perhaps that will change. I'm not writing the game off though as I'm sure there's even more wacky Kojima nonsense on the way.

This is pretty much the case until the final credits roll 😁

@Kairuuu perhaps sometimes you could let them catch you, and then see if it grips you more because of that. I feel like I remember when I realised it's not a game over to be caught that it isn't always the worst option to take to liven things up a little 😁 I hope I'm not misremembering. As long as you're not carrying too much important stuff, of course, it might be worth seeing what happens

@Ravix Yeah, there’s some joy in finally finding a use for all the excrement and urine that the character has been creating. 😂

@Ravix Oh, I've been caught by them before. I think it was during one of the first encounters. I just decided to run the opposite way. 😂

@Jimmer-jammer How are you? How are the kids and the family?

Just thought I'd check in with you, my fellow Shinobi-brother as I think I am nearing the end of Sekiro for getting the 'Shura' ending (i.e Emma/Isshin Ashina - supposedly easier than the Sword Saint) I have beaten the first two phases, of three. I was talking to someone at the pub who plays the same games as me, for the most part, who said it's all about patience, as I was remarking that you have to learn the bosses' movesets for all their phases in these games. The trouble, is, I was also remarking, that in order to get comfortable with phase '3' you have to play through 1 and 2 ,respectively enough times to be able to spend a sufficient amount of time in phase 3 to learn the boss's movesets for that phase, after already familiarising yourself with one and two. Definitely requires a lot of commitment and practice.

But I think I am getting better and more familiar with Isshin Ashina's moves, and I can consistently get through Emma's phase without needing to heal, now.

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN Just out of curiosity, is this your first playthrough of the game and will the 'shura' ending be your first ending?

@Kairuuu Yes to both questions and I don't expect to play through the game again afterwards at a later date, the "easier" ending is all I feel that I am capable of managing! How about you?

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN I see! I had seen some of your posts talking about your playthrough of the game but I didn't realise until the one above that you were going for the Shura ending.

I have beaten the game but, funnily enough, I never went back to get the Shura ending myself. It's definitely one of From Software's most difficult games. I do hope you get round to doing another playthrough at some point because the Shura ending does cut out a good portion of the game and I definitely think it's worth experiencing the game in its entirety.

I'll throw in a pre-emptive congrats for when you finally beat it!

@Kairuuu Thank you for your kind words. I actually began to get interested in other things such as Art and Film recently, as well as developing a greater commitment to the guitar, as I've noted elsewhere on this website, and have a solid plan to stop gaming after beating this, Nine Sols and ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree.

But if I do decide to return to gaming, I'll definitely keep your thoughts on gaining a full appreciation of the game via the complete experience that you get through setting out to reach any of the specific alternative endngs in mind.

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN Nine Sols is absolutely fantastic. Despite it being a metroidvania, you can definitely sense the Sekiro influence throughout the game. Some of the bosses in the game are just an absolute joy to fight so I reckon you'll have a tough, but enjoyable, time.

I don't need to say much about Elden Ring as I believe it's a game that should speak for itself. I was sceptical of the open-world nature of it at first and how the 'souls' formula would fare with it but it genuinely blew my mind. The arrival of the DLC last year helped cement the game's place as my all time favourite game (dethroning its gothic emo cousin Bloodborne) so you're in for an astounding treat there too.

Just finished Evil West from my PS+ backlog. One of them enjoyable 7/10 games. Reminded me of Shadow Warrior 3 - obviously that one is a first person shooter and this one kinda tries to be God Of War in the combat sections but the structure outside of that seems pretty similar.
Not too surprising, seeing as they came from the same studio.

Next stop: Indiana Jones