Topic: The Chit Chat Thread

@TheBrandedSwordsman Oh, just a short trip to visit some extended family for the holidays. Nothing fancy, but it will take me away from my console for several days over the next couple weeks. This is actually where I might either play a Vita game or finally get a Switch for portability. I have been considering it. Have you ever played Nintendo or any handhelds?

As for SotC, it’s a tough game to recommend because it’s quite unique, but I love it (as you could tell from my interest in Praey for the Gods). The grip mechanic for the game is one of the things that is difficult to get accustomed to, but is central to the gameplay. You have to hold the grip while climbing the colossus and they will try to shake you free and you’ll lose your grip sometimes even when you’re holding on. And you’ll lose grip if you run out of stamina which also is slowing decreasing as you climb and hold on. So there’s a finicky yet tactical approach to it all. I’ve heard the game explained as the Colossi each being a mini-puzzle as much as a boss fight. Slaying each one will require a tactic or series of tactics that you have to employ to climb it and stab all their weak points. Sometimes it’s as simple as jumping onto the enemy and just climbing, but sometimes there will be things in the environment you have to use to scale the enemy. But the grip/stamina side of things is always a limiter that makes it something of a challenge. One thing many people don’t realize is that (minor gameplay spoiler but if you’re struggling it might help a little bit) you can increase your stamina bar by two ways — each Colossus you kill increases your base stamina and health, AND also eating certain lizard tails will increase stamina and eating fruits from the trees will increase health. There are 33 fruits throughout the map, found in random trees. You’ll need to shoot them down with your bow and then pick it up with R2 to gain a small upgrade of health bar. Same with lizards, you’ll need to kill it with bow or sword and then pick its remaining tail up with R2 to gain a small upgrade to the stamina bar. Not all lizards work though — only lizards with white/blue tails will increase the stamina. Other lizards are useless. There’s are a finite number of white tailed lizards on the map too, like the fruits. Each one you consume only adds a sliver more of stamina, and honestly most people play and complete the game beating all the colossi without knowing about the lizard tails and fruits, so it’s not essential, but might make your fights a tiny bit easier if you pick these up while you explore. You can find maps online of the locations of the fruits and lizards if you want a little help while exploring because some are hard to find

Anyways, it’s a game that has a special place in my heart, but I know a lot of people don’t click with it, but if you’re curious then maybe take another try at it. Some of the colossi are more simple and some are a little frustrating at times, but the visuals and spectacle of the world is great.

@TheBrandedSwordsman very nice! I really need to play Shadow of the Colossus at some point.

I just finished Deathloop recently. Moving onto a mix of Horizon Zero Dawn, Uncharted 3 and the Halo Infinite campaign on my One X.

@TheBrandedSwordsman I’ve only read about it briefly and it sounds like it was pretty much downhill from there and England were lucky that Warner decided to give his wicket away.

Having a wicketkeeper who can catch would’ve helped too..

I predict an England follow on unless the Aussies feel like really turning the screw.

Guys, is there anybody have ever played MLB Power Pros + 2008 PS2 / Wii version ?

I need some quick review about those games if those games easy enough for me to play and some review about Success and My Life mode.

@Anti-Matter I’ve played a Japanese version of a Vita entry in the series. They’re fairly detailed baseball simulators with deceptively cutesy graphics. Unless you’re really into baseball I’d say you probably wouldn’t enjoy it.

@nessisonett
Are Jikkyou Powerful Pro games always have like My Life mode and Success mode according from what i watched from Youtube (English version) ?

What are those two mode purpose ?

What are the unlockable things from Jikkyou Powerful Pro games by generally ?

What are the different from each series as i know the games has annual series like mainstream sport games with reskin from previous years ?

I'm very casual in playing cartoonish sport games so i want to know from the English version first before i try one of annual series on PS2 / PS3 / PS4.

Sorry for a lot of questions about those games.
I need to know first before i decide to pick the games.

@Anti-Matter My Life is just the equivalent of any mode from a sports game where you control one player and guide their career. The differences in each game are again just like any other sports game, different rosters and occasionally new modes. If you were going to get one of those games, I’d say get 2008 as it’s the newer game.

@nessisonett
Ok, thanks for the quick review about MLB Power Pros. 😀

@Th3solution I've only played the N64 at family and family friends houses during childhood. By the way, thanks for your thorough explanation of the SotC gaming mechanics. I'm also considering Ni No Kuni 2 ,which looks considerably easier and is a JRPG, are you familiar with that game at all?

@TheBrandedSwordsman Oh, no problem. I enjoy talking about different games - especially those that I love and am interested in. 😄

I’ll go ahead and move over to the recommendation thread with further response about the Ni No Kuni discussion.

@TraCuz- How's the guitar going? Ever listen to any Jeff Parker? You might like him. He's just got a new record out.

@Thrillho Another woeful disappointment for the Barmy Army at the end of this morning's play eh? Even with the addition of Anderson and Broad. Was it all Buttler and Burns' fault? What do you reckon?

I got a HomePod and a "smart lightbulb" for Xmas and I think I wanna go full "smart home" at my new place now, lol.
Also, I'm still impressed how seamlessly Apple devices work with each other and how easy they are to set up if you already have one.

So what did everyone get for Christmas? 🌲⛄

Santa brought me;
Spiderman Miles Morales PS5
Ghost of Tshushima
Dirt 5
£20 voucher
£25 voucher
12 months PS Plus
Yeti Mic

Love Christmas. 🎅 You are the best!

@themcnoisy Nice haul. I'm disappointed because I didn't get any socks.

@Voltan Don't worry, I evened this out by getting pretty much nothing but socks. And pants.

@themcnoisy Alcohol, a coffee grinder, lots of chocolate! Assorted ‘stuff and things’ and that SpongeBob remaster for PS4 which is supposed to be great. I got that Train Sim World 2 for PS5 as well which should be loads of fun. And then both the Spice Girls’ Spice and A Charlie Brown Christmas on vinyl. Because of course 😂

@themcnoisy Nice haul. I got:

Pyjamas
Alcohol
More alcohol

So basically I can get drunk and stay warm when I eventually fall asleep 👍😀

@Jimmer-jammer @Th3solution How was your Christmas? Watch anything good on TV? I watched both the original Home Alones. Tim Curry alone makes the second movie worth watching

Donald Trump was even in the movie, apparently he bullied his way into it by saying the only way they could use that hotel, which he owned, was if he was in the movie, he has a cameo role and says one line, directing Macauly Culkin to the lobby. Classic.

@TheBrandedSwordsman Christmas was great, although not much in the way of TV or gaming. Mostly have been spending time with family and friends.
Not much of a Home Alone fan and I’m not sure I ever saw any of the sequels. But that’s hilarious that Trump was in the movie 😂