Comments 229

Re: Elden Ring's PS5, PS4 Overview Trailer Is the Extra Hype Your Weekend Needs

nofriendo

@Sir_funkington Zero Dawn was incredible when it came out, but Forbidden West has rendered it virtually redundant. My advice is, watch a Zero Dawn story recap video (Forbidden West gives the excellent story of the first game a very brief overview, not enough info IMO), then purchase Forbidden West immediately and lose yourself in this absolutely incredible science fiction world full of memorable characters, exploration, danger and mystery (and save points!).

Re: Elden Ring's PS5, PS4 Overview Trailer Is the Extra Hype Your Weekend Needs

nofriendo

The biggest source of frustration for me, which is why I bounced EARLY off of Dark Souls Remastered and Bloodborne (the only two From games I've attempted), is losing progress, the inability to save before tough encounters. I understand that some very ill and unhealthy people enjoy this challenge, but as somebody who often plays a game in easy mode to make sure I don't get shoved out of a story I'd like to enjoy, I absolutely cannot abide such punishing mechanics in a game. As for Elden Ring, I would LOVE to explore this world and uncover its mystery, go up against these incredible looking foes, but if it's going to treat my time and sanity with the same gleeful hostility I will take a pass. Looking forward to reviews!

Re: Cyberpunk 2077 PS5 Version Likely Launching Tomorrow

nofriendo

I mean, maybe they're deliberately dropping it in the looming shadow of Horizon Forbidden West and Elden Ring so that people don't have the time to scrutinize it or talk about it. Maybe they're hoping we'll buy it but not play it for a while because we're distracted by the aforementioned behemoths. Just sayin'. **popcorn gif**

Re: Eye-Popping Elden Ring Gameplay Explores Castle Mourne and Liurnia of the Lakes

nofriendo

Just here to echo some of the sentiments expressed above re: gameplay and art direction taking precedence over graphics. My favorite game of all time, the one I've sunk more hours into than practically all others combined, is Breath of the Wild. That game struggled to maintain 30 FPS, and took every single graphical shortcut it could, but even now remains the most immersive and consistently beautiful game I've ever played. Don't get me wrong, I love it when a game blows me away with its visuals (I'm looking - gawping - at you, TLOU2), but at the end of the day, and also the beginning and the middle of the day and all through the night, it's the gameplay, design, and art direction that matter most.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 411

nofriendo

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on Nintendo Switch Online

Uncharted 4, Guardians of the Galaxy, Chorvs, and Tomb Raider on PS5

Forza Horizon 5, Doom Eternal, Golf With Friends and Unpacking on Xbox Series X

I am absolutely spoiled for choice and loving this generation. Game on one and all and happy weekend!

Re: Mini Review: The Artful Escape (PS5) – A Visual Treat That's Light on Gameplay

nofriendo

It's the perfect Game Pass title. Wouldn't purchase it on its own but willing to see where it takes me for a few diverting hours. The art direction is superb, the music is excellent, and the story is... a bit trite, but nice enough for teens or young adults, I suppose. Gameplay is the big missing factor as stated in the review above. Wouldn't you try out a 7 if it became available on PS Plus or Now?

Re: Reaction: Activision Blizzard Buyout Is Devastating for PS5, PS4

nofriendo

Everybody seems to be looking at this through the lens of console exclusivity. While that's certainly a concern over the next few years, my guess is that MS is acquiring Activision Blizzard as a bulwark against Chinese companies coming to dominate what MS sees as the future of video games: the cloud. They're aiming for a console-less future.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 407

nofriendo

I'll be trotting around Tsushima and slowly approaching bands of ronin to annihilate them with perfectly timed, balletic swordplay.

I'll be immersing myself in the fantastically atmospheric world of Unsighted.

I will forget what I was on my way to do in Forza Horizon 5 (which runs beautifully on my last-gen xbox, btw).

I will lust after Guardians of the Galaxy, Chorus and Returnal, wondering exactly when over the next two weeks I will cave and purchase them.

All this to distract from the intensity of the final weekend in retail before Christmas (I run a bookshop).

Happy weekend all and happy gaming!

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 403

nofriendo

Picked up Tetris Effect on digital sale so I'll have tetriminos dancing in my mind day and night for the foreseeable future.

And I am to my surprise quite enjoying Kingdoms of Amalur Re-Reckoning. A traditional fantasy RPG with loads of charm and depth. Sort of like Witcher (without all the gore and sexual violence) meets Fable, with Darksiders-esque combat and loads of interesting weapons and magic. Bit rough around the edges as it is an older game with a new lick of paint, and can a guy get a jump button?? But I highly recommend to anybody inclined towards a good high fantasy RPG or novel. Writing and acting are above-average and its world is colorful and full of character. Happy weekend all and happy gaming!

Re: Best PS4 Puzzle Games

nofriendo

Fun list of games that don't get enough attention, IMO. Especially enjoyed Qube 2 and Gorogoa. Two puzzle games with loads of atmosphere and ingenious design.

Re: Chinese Open World RPG Honor of Kings Looks Mind Bogglingly Good

nofriendo

More and more I weary of seeing the same type of game made better-looking over and over and over again ad nauseum. If you're a fan of this kind of game, I get it, and I don't mean to detract from your excitement. Personally, it'd be nice to get excited over amazing graphics AND gameplay innovation now and then. I guess when such unconscionable amounts of money go into making games, risk-averse design becomes the norm.

Re: Apple Music Confirmed for PS5, Out Today

nofriendo

@velio84 Apple music is great if you're a self-directed music listener and want to build your own library without need of recommendations. I think their algorithms in that respect are rubbish, certainly not as sophisticated as Spotify. They're decent at showcasing new releases by genre, which I appreciate. I use Apple Music because it was a natural transition from my vast iTunes library of burned (and owned) CDs. I don't use Spotify because, well, Apple Music gives me access to everything I could possibly want and at great quality. This new PS5 feature is an incredible bonus to a service I'm already quite satisfied with. But if you're looking for strong recommendations, this ain't it.

Re: Apple Music Confirmed for PS5, Out Today

nofriendo

This is incredible! Will I be able to turn the music off in a game but keep the sound effects while listening to my own tunes on Apple Music? This will be a literal game-changer. Hot Wheels, No Man's Sky, my god, the possibilities!

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 399

nofriendo

I've been holding out on a second playthrough of Witcher 3, but with news of the delay of the PS5 version I thought I'd just jump back in and satisfy my craving. I'm also still progressing through Kena in brief spurts in order to make the most of my time with the game. The more I play it, the more I'm in awe of what the tiny studio accomplished in their first outing. It's a top GOTY contender for me. Inbetween I'll be off to the races: Wreckfest, Onrush, Trackmania, Hot Wheels Unleashed and Horizon Chase Turbo. Happy weekend all, and happy gaming!

Re: All PS5 and PS4 Game Trials and Demos

nofriendo

You'd think they'd make regional restrictions obvious with a campaign like this. I'm in the US and none of these trials is available to me. Nor do any media outlets include this information in their coverage.