Topic: What (Non-PS4) game are you playing??

@nessisonett Well, with AC3 you finally get to leave Renaissance Europe, so there’s at least a shake-up in the setting.
And actually, I recently said something about the paucity of Native American representation in gaming (in reference to Aloy and the Horizon Zero Dawn artistic and aesthetic vibe), and AC3 is one of the few chances you get to delve into that culture. The shift in focus to American history may not be of interest to most but I quite liked AC3. The major gameplay advance is the introduction of ships, seafaring, and naval battles, which of course became a huge focus in Black Flag, Rogue, and even in Origins and Odyssey. Despite this major innovation and the unique setting and cultural representation, most players and critics call AC3 one of the weakest of the mainline games, and I don’t know why. Personally, I liked it leagues better than AC4, but I know I’m in a small minority.

@nessisonett I've never played AC 3 but my nephew was a big AC fan at the time, but he could never get past the seemingly never ending tutorials!

@RogerRoger It's very interesting

It's really annoying how the key cards don't actually stack so you have to navigate your inventory for the correct one to unlock specific doors, and how Snake can't wear a gas mask and hold onto a key card at the same time so he has to unequip the gas mask when he's in a poisonous room, basically forcing him to take damage while the door opens and he gets let into the next area in Outer Heaven

Also this game probably punishes me for getting caught or spotted even more than any of the Solid games tbh. Enemies just swarm in like a beehive and not helping things is that I think they're actually able to aim their shots diagonally while my movement is restricted to just four directions

@Th3solution @Kidfried Interesting to see two differing opinions! From what I understand, 3 is a very divisive game so it’ll be interesting to see which side I fall down on.

With Revelations, I’m nearing the end as it’s really not that long a game if you don’t bother with most of the side content. I’m enjoying it, it’s a more mature story as it deals with a more mature Ezio. It might lack a bit in charm but Istanbul/Constantinople is a pretty interesting setting and there have been some proper great set-pieces like stuff out of Uncharted or Tomb Raider.

Decided to just go ahead and start yet another game of Oblivion. I do love it, even despite the hilarious balance issues. The setting’s probably the most beautiful in terms of traditional fantasy, even if I prefer Skyrim’s snowy landscapes. I’ve had no trouble finding loads and loads of quests even before bothering to dip into the main story. I appreciate the QOL changes from Morrowind to Oblivion, fast travel is a big help and at least I don’t miss 99% of my attacks to start with. Looking forward to spending many many hours in Cyrodiil again.

Nier Automata on PC

Still an excellent game and the PC version at high settings looks gorgeous as hell. Especially environments like the Amusement Park and the camp where you meet up with Pascal

Ori and the Will of wisps. I am also considering Disco Elysium, I don't want to wait until next year but I don't want to miss out on the trophies either

When it works, Partisans 1941.

Back to Digital Devil Saga 2 on the PS2. I'm in the final dungeon, and will be grinding mantras for a while, and trying to complete some of the optional boss fights in the meantime.

@Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy So, I've beaten Jack Frost's quiz and figure I'll probably be able to face him in the final dungeon somewhere, but two of the bosses, I guess, require me to take items from powerful demons. Parvati and Narashimha both have a dialogue where they challenge you to take something from them. Does this game have a steal mechanic that I've not noticed? Do I have to kill them with certain spells?

@Kidfried How are you liking it so far?

I've been playing the Trails series on PC which has been awesome. This is actually one of the few full series that I have re-played a lot of times because of the emotional connection that I have with it.

I’ve just started Final Fantasy V for the first time, I thought I might as well get round to it as it’s the only mainline FF I haven’t at least started. I’ve gone for the GBA version as the PS1 version apparently has a strangely bad script and annoying loading times.

@nessisonett Yes. the Advance versions of both FFV and FFVI are still the best versions of those respective games. Don't even get me started on their mobile ports.

@TheFrenchiestFry Yeah, I have a patched cart of FFVI Advance that sorts the music and I’d say it’s the definitive edition. I’ve never been big on the classic medieval FF games compared to VII or X’s settings but I’m liking the light hearted tone so far!

@nessisonett Honestly after years of nothing but sci-fi or cyberpunk-influenced settings for recent Final Fantasy games, I'm glad XVI decided to actually take things back to basics in a sense. The return of the medieval setting to the series is actually pretty refreshing if you've followed these games as they were coming out, because after IX they didn't really return to that setting or aesthetic until now with main entries.

@TheFrenchiestFry Well my first game was III so I’ve flip-flopped between styles as I played through the entries. I still think VI has the best mix of cyberpunk and medieval, it feels like a true blend.

I don't necessarily mind more fantasy-themed settings (I love FFIV), but FFXVI barely even feels like a FF game to me. It's very dark and action-y looking, and the character designs aren't particularly memorable. Feels very Western-influenced.

I mean, hasn't that kind of been the case for years? Since like XII in particular?

In my opinion there isn't a set criteria for what exactly dictates a Final Fantasy game being just that, because since the PlayStation 1 games they've rapidly changed setting, character design tropes, storytelling techniques, gameplay techniques and themes for every game. VIII doesn't look at all like VII, XIII doesn't look at all like X, IX doesn't look at all like X-2, and XV doesn't look at all like VI. It's a series that constantly tries to experiment with new things, but at least the core elements like having summons and production value that pushes the spectacle and visuals to new levels are all stil there.

I can't really describe what makes a Final Fantasy game as being a set criteria, but rather just very few essential components. It looks like Dark Souls or Witcher 3, but then again they showed like a 3 or 4 minute trailer of nothing but a few cinematics and very brief gameplay snippets. Compare that to VII where in all the marketing they literally just showed the FMVs and none of the actual gameplay. I'd say this is probably a game I have to really see more of, but I like what I see.

Heya @Ralizah! Sorry for the late reply! (I've been away from Push Square for nearly two weeks. You musta not seen my post in the goodybe thread!)

All you need to do to get those items is to beat those monsters a number of times and hope you get the special items "Pinaka" and "Nandaka" from Parvati and Narashimha respectively. There's a skill called "Item find" I think that should come in handy? Maybe a higher luck stat'll help out too? I'm not too sure about that one though

@Foxy-Goddess-Scotchy Ah, sorry, I didn't see your post in that thread. I haven't been maintaining a massive presence around here lately either. I hope you're feeling better!

My character's terrible luck stat would probably explain why I can't seem to find these items. I knew it must have been useful for something!

I was technically stuck with Roland, although I didn't use him at all. I assume you get Heat if you do something differently? Although, to be honest, he's a more physical attacker, and a tsundere, so I'm not heartbroken over not getting him back in my party.

Yeah, the entire second half of the game is... weird. I've actually finished it now, but I'll probably go back and try to find those items while I'm writing my review. It feels a bit like Atlus had no idea what to do with the story once the player got to the sun.

I will say: that almighty nuke you get at the end of the game is a lot of fun to spam on all of the random enemies. I had so many of those stat-boosting items that restore your HP/MP fully, so I got through the final dungeon by using that skill and almost nothing else (with the exception of boss fights, of course!)

I am thank you and no worries! Glad to see to see you're ok too @Ralizah!

I know what you mean... I was pretty surprised when I first played it too. Really goes all in on the Hindu themes that were (admitedly) fairly present throughout the games huh? I did think the whole Schrödinger being Seraph from another universe guiding them along and to get Seraph on the path of enlightenment was rather interesting. Weird as hell but interesting.