Topic: The Chit Chat Thread

@MightyDemon82
I still thinking twice to add external HDD as they have shorter lifespan than internal HDD.
I'm afraid of losing the save data, updates when the external HDD died NY itself after several years later.

@Anti-Matter Get an SSD if you're afraid of losing data. They are more durable than HDDs.

But honestly, just delete the game. You can always install in again later. I don't see the issue.

@Octane
Will my PS4 games save data still exist when I installed SSD into PS4 Slim machine?
I'm afraid if it will erase all my save data once I installed with SSD.

@Anti-Matter An external SSD? It's no different to a HDD in that regard.

Also FYI, your save data will NOT be deleted if you delete a game. If you later reinstall the game, your save data is still there. If that's what you're worried about.

The idea that Sony games will drop in quality if they get added day 1 to Spartacus is laughable. HFW is just as watered down as Halo Infinite, but they want you to pay 70 bucks. I am so happy that Elden Ring stole the spotlight, because it at least tries to be different and interesting.

@lolwhatno They are both cookie cutter open world versions of actually good games released a decade ago. At this point I cannot find any meaningful differences between the 2. Elden Ring does the same exact thing of course, but at least that game doesn't treat you like you are 5 years old.

@Bismarck I think it will be a while until we get a good idea of how subscription services affect game quality. I feel like GamePass has only really caught on in the last 2 years, despite being around for longer. Many of the big first party games for XB have been in development for many years, and in the case of Bethesda were in development before acquisition. So even if Starfield is a GOTY type of game, I’m not sure how much we can conclude from that. It will likely be the sequels and next projects after what’s released this year which will be more indicative of the sustainability of quality development.

And to be sure, I realize a large budget doesn’t equal high quality, and vice versa. It’s probably more important to have a good studio culture, good talent, and good production management to produce quality content. But as in many aspects of life, money makes it all easier if you have it, and a sizable production budget doesn’t hurt.

From the outside looking in, it seems like the games made by MS studios are often of high quality (Forza, Halo Infinite, Gears 5, Psychonauts 2, Flight Simulator) but it feels like there’s just not many of them. However, with the state of the world over the last two years, drawing any conclusions about anything will be tough. Development has been in shambles for everyone involved.

@lolwhatno The whole genre is watered down garbage. The quest design, the climbing system, inventory filled with crap, batman's detective vision for scanning the environment which is also filled with crap etc. Some gamers got sick of this a decade while some others seemingly want nothing but these types of games. It's mind boggling to me.

@Th3solution Higher budget does result in a better game to most people. Good lip-synching and wavy grass have replaced quest design and writing in modern game design because there will be enough people giving games like HFW 10/10s for no reason at all.

@Bismarck I haven’t played HFW yet, but I do look forward to it. And to each their own. I have heard people praise the quest design and the storyline, especially in the latter half, but I can’t speak from experience.

Personally I do like games with high production quality and favor things like graphics and visual fidelity more than most of the hardcore gamers. I dunno, I just like when the game looks pretty and runs well. 😄.

But there are plenty of players who enjoy the smaller games and there a schism in the gaming culture whereby some gamers turn up their noses at indies and small budget and some gamers get on their high-horse and look down on anything AAA as automatically boring, void of soul; and overproduced. But yes, in general big budget will get you attention in the marketplace, like you say. But the popularity and acclaim of games like Hades and Death’s Door suggests that there is still an appreciation out there for smaller games too.

@Bismarck you can turn off quest markers and get rid of the HUD in HFW. Been playing it now for 113 hours since launch, I'm not using fast travel and treating the game like an epic t.v. show, each time I play there is something different going on. I've bought Elden Ring but once I do finish Horizon I'll be diving into smaller games for a bit first.

I love mixing my genres up, plenty room for open world games alongside platformers, Shooters rogue likes, RPG's and all the rest.

The problem with big games coming to a subscription service day one, is that people can in theory buy a month's worth of the sub for $10 and finish the game. That's $10 of revenue for a game that would've made 70 otherwise. So they need to take that into account when setting up a budget for a new game.

It's a bit like Netflix, there's some good stuff once in a while, but it's mostly quantity over quality. There's a big focus on getting stuff out there to keep your customers subscribed instead of focusing on a couple of good shows per year.

@Thrillho What did you think about the West Indies win over us? Root's captaincy is being heavily scrutinized now apparently, but there is really no one else for the job.

@Th3solution How are you buddy? Long-time no speak, I was focusing more on guitar than gaming recently but now I have installed Elden Ring and will be focusing on that for the next year or so, going to get hold of the map of the first area then do some heavy soul-farming.

@Th3solution What are you playing right now?

@TheBrandedSwordsman Hey there! Yeah, I’ve been wondering if you had started the game yet. I look forward to your impressions. I’m still basking in the afterglow of finishing Demon’s Souls a few weeks ago, so I’m not ready to start another Souls-like yet. I’m still halfway planning to play either Elden Ring or DS3 later this year. Most people seem to feel ER is the better game but occasionally I’ve heard people say they like DS3 better. I wonder how you’ll like it. The open world format does shake things up a bit.

Right now I’m playing The Last of Us Part II. It’s quite fantastic. I’m really impressed. I knew the game was probably going to be good, but it’s one of those games that was fairly polarizing in the community, so I guess I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I am. I’ve not had much time the last few days to game so I’m still about maybe halfway through, I think, at about the 16 hr mark. I might get to play some tonight or tomorrow, but unfortunately will be traveling this weekend so might not make much progress for a while. Im savoring every moment with it though.

I also concurrently have Mass Effect 1 going and I’m about halfway through that too, but I haven’t touched that in a while, ever since starting TLoU2. ME is good, but doesn’t quite pack the punch that TLoU2 does and I’ve put ME on hold until I finish my escapades with the infected. Have you played TLoU and/or TLoU2? I forget. I know you played most of the Uncharteds.

@Th3solution I'm not very familiar with TLoU or TLoU2 but they don't really appear to be my sort of thing, I did play through most of the Uncharteds though, as you say. I'll tag you once I've had some more hands-on experience with ER to comment on.

@TheBrandedSwordsman Woeful batting collapses yet again! The openers weren't that great and it meant Root was coming in way too soon; hopefully we see him down at 4 again soon. Lawrence did well, as did Bairstow. Stokes had a reasonable tour with bat and ball. Foakes a little disappointing but I hope he gets a series in England before being jettisoned again.

Mahmood looked decent so it'll be good to see him on home turf and it was good to see Leach have a decent series. Fisher seemed to do okay in his one match.

So we're looking alright really for bowlers with Jimmy and Broad in contention, and Robinson too if he's ever fit! I wouldn't mind someone like Broad taking on the captaincy or even seeing it rotate between a few people (maybe Stokes too?).

@TheBrandedSwordsman Ok, cool. TLoU has some similarities with Uncharted since it’s all made by Naughty Dog and has their special shine and storytelling style. But the setting and tone is obviously very different and much more dreary and depressing compared to the lighthearted nature of Uncharted. The feel of the game is reminiscent of UC in how the characters move and play, although TLoU is 70% stealth based combat instead of running in guns blazing like Drake. 😄

Please do tag me when you have some early impressions of ER to share! If you fall in love with it , then it might just convince me to move it up the list!

So since the Russian invasion I’ve had to tank up today for the first time. £1.62/litre.
Obviously there’s more important things going on, but I wonder when or if the price will be going down.

I’m somewhat alright with work being a 10min commute, but I do travel around the country to see family & friends.

Hey, guys. 😃
Check this out my gameplay right now.
I'm playing Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on Nintendo Switch.

The graphic was WOW, running in fluid 60 fps and 1080p. I have never expected Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart looked so great on Nintendo Switch. 😃

@Anti-Matter Nice effort! 😂 I almost believed it, than you said 60fps and 1080p, and the game was given away!