Last Game You Played and What You Would Rate It Out of 10

[Redwyrm]

I rarely drop games but this one is one of them. By the time I reached the second or third area I was so bored. The game was so bland and easy that I couldn't take it anymore.

I have tried many times to get into this (the original release) game. The main character, storyline, plot and quests are just so forgettable. Combat is nice and environments are interesting but that's about it. I tap out after the third region usually after the spider storyline.

If the player character had even the smallest bit of personality instead of the blank thousand yard stare they have in cut scenes i might feel more invested.

[Eapoe]

Tormented Souls 2 7/10
Fun game. Enjoyed the 1st one and this one is pretty similar overall. Definitely a good game for people who enjoy survival horror games like Resident Evil 1-3.

[gondrin]

Been playing both Dragon Quest 1-2 HD-2D Remake and PowerWash Simulator 2. Both are played on the PS5 Pro. Performance and other things may vary depending on if you are on PC or other consoles.

DQ 1-2 HD-2D: 8/10

If you like old school JRPGs(and I do mean old school), they pretty much are the original games with stuff added to it like massive quality of life, a lot of added story to flesh out the game world and a massive graphical upgrade. Graphics are the same as Octopath Traveler and other similar games to that. DQ1 is as short as ever(it is a decent bit longer due to added story but you can 100% the game in under 15 hours) and DQ2 got the same treatment. There are even things that unless you follow a guide, unless you constantly visit every area repeatedly, you will miss them. The only downside that I have is the short length for DQ1(as said, you can 100% it under 15 hours) and very few side quests for DQ1(there is literally 1 sidequest that is hidden and has nothing to direct you to it). $60 for 2 good games is a decent deal.

PowerWash Simulator 2: 9/10

If you played the first one, it is that but more features, better graphics, bigger and more diverse areas(and hidden areas that come active after you completed part of an area) and a homebase where you can design(to a point). It is pretty much the perfect relaxing game where you cannot fail, there is no combat and pretty much is there to be something to pass the time away. The best part is you can stop playing for a while and pick up right where you left off without needing to remember story, how to play a class or anything else that typically happens in other games after you progress through it. The only downsides to it is there are random performance issues(on the PS5 Pro, if you play for too long the game starts to stutter which requires a restart) and some of the surfaces make it hard to point out that last few spots that need cleaned so you could be spending extra time on something that shows it being 99.99% cleaned but there is nothing showing that needs to be cleaned even after using the dirt detector.

[Davemetalhead]

PowerWash Simulator 2: 9/10

If you played the first one, it is that but more features, better graphics, bigger and more diverse areas(and hidden areas that come active after you completed part of an area) and a homebase where you can design(to a point). It is pretty much the perfect relaxing game where you cannot fail, there is no combat and pretty much is there to be something to pass the time away. The best part is you can stop playing for a while and pick up right where you left off without needing to remember story, how to play a class or anything else that typically happens in other games after you progress through it. The only downsides to it is there are random performance issues(on the PS5 Pro, if you play for too long the game starts to stutter which requires a restart) and some of the surfaces make it hard to point out that last few spots that need cleaned so you could be spending extra time on something that shows it being 99.99% cleaned but there is nothing showing that needs to be cleaned even after using the dirt detector.

Love the first one, one of my favourites, but I'm holding off on the 2nd until they give us PC users the ability to remap keys, and to be able to read the emails at the end of the job, just like the 1st one. But good to see the foundation is there to be a really good sequel

[Redwyrm]

DQ 1-2 HD-2D: 8/10

Been curious about this one. Got the DQ3 remake and was considering the 1&2 remake. DQ1 was probably my first console RPG and I played the hell out of it back in the dark ages. I don't remember playing DQ2. I didn't expect much from the DQ1 side since that game is as bare bones as it gets and if they update it too much it would be unrecognizable. The could have taken a page from the randomizer community and added that as a feature (random maps, towns, monsters, etc).

I am looking forward the the DQ7 remake coming next year. Hopefully that one fares better.

[gondrin]

Been curious about this one. Got the DQ3 remake and was considering the 1&2 remake. DQ1 was probably my first console RPG and I played the hell out of it back in the dark ages. I don't remember playing DQ2. I didn't expect much from the DQ1 side since that game is as bare bones as it gets and if they update it too much it would be unrecognizable. The could have taken a page from the randomizer community and added that as a feature (random maps, towns, monsters, etc).

I am looking forward the the DQ7 remake coming next year. Hopefully that one fares better.

The biggest updates to it is the story(especially for DQ1 where the story was just barebones originally, now it pretty much ties into DQ3 and DQ11 to a point) and a LOT of dialog is voice acted so there is that. It also has the difficulty choice along with some quality of life features like quick saves/auto saves when you change areas.

If you played the updated DQ3, it pretty much is that but with DQ1 and 2 content.

And I owned the original PS1 AND still own the Nintendo 3DS version of DQ7. It still literally holds as one of the longest games ever made. The first 5 - 10 hours(all depending on what you do) has no combat of any kind. Not even a tutorial fight. And like any old school DQ game, you literally could get lost without even trying. Add in the fact that the first half of the game is literally 60 hours or more, it pretty much is up there with Persona 5 in game length. There was a guy who was writing a real time review of the game. He got about 2/3 of the way through and was at about 130 hours played and gave up.

Because it was just that long.

[Daedius]

Silent Hill f - 7/10

Enjoyed it, but got repetitive quick with the small variety of enemies available. Exploration made up for it, which held plenty of story telling.

The story itself was alright, if somewhat frustrating with regards to the MC who's essentially a door mat to her "friends".

The gameplay was pretty easy, even on the hardest difficulty. The only boss I struggled with was the final boss. Hardest difficulty on puzzles though... yeeeeeesh.

[Katchii]

Middle Earth: Shadow of War - 8/10

I'm going back and playing these two games. Just finished Shadow of Mordor and really enjoyed it. Main complaint is the controls. constantly having to hold down the stealth button is annoying.

Really enjoying Shadows of War, am only a couple hours in but I'm devouring it. Combat, story, game play, world, etc.. are all a solid 8/10 for me. Only thing that's weird to me is sexy Shelob...maybe it will make more sense as I go through the story but it's just messing with my brain atm.

[hellhamster]

Armored Core 6: 10/10

Excellent, I think it's top 3 Fromsoft material after replaying it for the third time. So many different builds, amazing mission variation, incredible story with brooding atmosphere and presentation. It just becomes too bleak though lol.

That NG++ mechanic with the new missions and expanded story is pretty good but after having done some missions like half a dozen times if you replay it for the third time in 2 years, you just want to power through it for the new missions and weapons. Still, this is a great throwback to PS2/PS3 era games that focus mainly on gameplay.

Just a gem that is filled with incredible moments, riveting and engaging gameplay, and that mech building aspect that no one can dislike.

Like I said, top 3 Fromsoft with Elden Ring and Bloodborne. My game of the year of 2023 when Baldur's Gate 3 was released.

[schwank05]

Warframe 8/10

Recently comeback to Warframe after a 5 or so year hiatus, It has been an absolute blast. They made it so you can merge your accounts, so I was able to get all my stuff from PlayStation 3, days I spent on it Id give it a 10/10 if It was not so overwhelming to come back to the game and not know how all the new systems and what not work. Luckily, I have found a pretty helpful clan to get me back on the path. Its the best Looter/ Shooter there is and can be played completely free.

[Benggaul]

The story itself was alright, if somewhat frustrating with regards to the MC who's essentially a door mat to her "friends".

Did you get the full story or did you only play through once?

[Daedius]

Did you get the full story or did you only play through once?

Twice, not purifying the sword in second playthrough. Cba replaying it more than that.

[extasy]

Warframe 8/10

Recently comeback to Warframe after a 5 or so year hiatus, It has been an absolute blast. They made it so you can merge your accounts, so I was able to get all my stuff from PlayStation 3, days I spent on it Id give it a 10/10 if It was not so overwhelming to come back to the game and not know how all the new systems and what not work. Luckily, I have found a pretty helpful clan to get me back on the path. Its the best Looter/ Shooter there is and can be played completely free.

100% agree with this.

[Frostfred]

Continuing to work on my backlog during the gov shutdown...

Age of Wonders 2 + Shadow Magic - 9/10
A bit older, but a lot of fun. In case you don't know it, it's in the style of HoMaM: Cities to build up, units to recruit, heroes to level, turn-based main map, and individual battles between the armies. Has the "just one more turn" feeling, aaaaand it's 4 in the morning. I put AoW 3 immediately on my wishlist after finishing the campaigns and playing a few scenarios in this one, I will probably get it in the next major sale.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - 9.5/10
Probably one of the best games I played in the past few years. It does some things so incredibly well, that the things I didn't like as much didn't really matter. World building, visuals and art direction, music and voice acting are imo among the best in video games ever. Especially the music. I like both classical and more modern orchestral music, and while I'm not too much a fan of Opera, I like elements from it mixed into other genres - so this was right up my alley. I found myself sometimes just standing around doing nothing enjoying the environment and music. The story was also very good. I really enjoyed the approach of having the main story more or less completing that arc, but rewarding exploration with more story bits to get a more complete picture of everything that happened around it. It had a few weak points, though.
My personal biggest downside: I wasn't too much a fan of the combat system. I prefer pure turn-based or RTWP over more action-oriented and timing-based systems.

[Divada]

Alan Wake 2: 8.5/10

Such a fun game, with some beautiful visuals and solid writing. I wasn't a huge fan of the combat (the hatchet throwing enemies can go straight to hell) and some of it is a little repetitive. I would recommend it to anyone that is a fan of Twin Peaks and enjoys small town spooky horror with a surreal edge.

[Auxis]

Pokemon Legends ZA: 7.5/10

While I'm not sure if the battle gameplay will make it into future mainline Generation games, I enjoyed it. Some moves are brokenly powerful in multi-target battles (Surf is a gd tsunami), and others are laughably bad (Substitute.. didn't translate well into the new battle style).

Playing on a Switch 2, graphics are good until they aren't (see; any building exterior). Besides those wallpaper exteriors, everything else looks good. Pokemon models look nice, NPCs look passable. Moves look good.

I was a bit worried about the apparent small amount of "routes" (Wild Areas) based on the map size about 3/4s of the way through, but the roof tops well and truly make up for the lack of exploration in most of the wild areas.

Story is good considering what we've gotten since USUM (haven't played Legends Arceus, though). Has a very Digimon Tamers vibe to it, especially the mid-to-final act, and the last boss fight itself. I like the returning character development, the lore building from XY/the past. Bit confused about how the government wasn't... aware of what Prism Tower was? Were they paid to be kept quiet about it or something? Was the throne room completely inaccessible so they didn't know it was there?

[Benggaul]

Alan Wake 2: 8.5/10

Such a fun game, with some beautiful visuals and solid writing. I wasn't a huge fan of the combat (the hatchet throwing enemies can go straight to hell) and some of it is a little repetitive. I would recommend it to anyone that is a fan of Twin Peaks and enjoys small town spooky horror with a surreal edge.

Out of curiosity did you play the first game and/or Control? I always wonder what fans of the full Remedy-verse take away from AW2 versus what those who are only familiar with Alan Wake

[PACOX]

Arc Raiders - 7/10

My first PvEvP extraction shooter not my first game from the devs. Really like The Finals but it was mismanaged and in a crowded space. Still a good game. Extraction shooters for the most part have been EA games, f2p games heavy on the MTX, or added game modes. Nothing really with a full polished game in mind if a certain caliber. Arc Raiders is full of polish, great design, and love that someone like me not necessarily hot about potentially losing all my shit in a run checked it out. The game feels more like a coop extra game with friendly fire on than a straight up PvPvE game. It has small but impactful systems that make it a lot easier to be cooperative or accountable if you choose to be a bandit. An intuitive and dynamic ping system, easy to use communication wheel, proximity chat (with voice changer that doesn't sound too fake), plenty of ways to early extract, incentives to be cooperative and incentives to keep the tension perks of pvp. The devs took the time to handcraft each map that tell stories through props and scenes not to the depth of Fallout for instance but you can tell that's what they were going for. The AI enemies are an ever present and fair threat. Some are solo, some rely on teams, part damage is huge and enemies are subject to the same physics players are. Sound, motion, lighting, and geography impact the AI the same it does players. For instance, enemies are mostly aerial drones, you can, you can take them out but shooting off a rotor and then getting them to fly into a cliff at high speed. "Injure" one but fail to take it out and it will "learn" how to fly with only 3 out of 4 rotors and take you out. Bandits in solo queues can only do so much because each human kill causes a very loud flare too go off, alerting other humans and the AI. Nor can you 1 shot people in the game if they are at full health.

There's a questline and sense of progression to follow. Risking your loot and losing it doesn't set you back that much once you progress the storyline, no riskier than losing souls in a souls game really.

It has the feel of Helldivers 2 but in less bombastic post apocalypse Earth environment. 7/10 until I see what else they have planned. Them devs released an ambitious roadmap. Sidenote, the game started out of a PVE until the devs felt like the world felt better with friendly fire on as I described it earlier. Good call.

[Divada]

Out of curiosity did you play the first game and/or Control? I always wonder what fans of the full Remedy-verse take away from AW2 versus what those who are only familiar with Alan Wake

I tried to play Alan Wake for the first time this year, but couldn't get the game to work so watched a playthrough instead. Played Control and then AW2 after. As someone new to the whole Remedy-verse I'm quite impressed. Tons of ambition! Control is my favourite so far

[Benggaul]

I tried to play Alan Wake for the first time this year, but couldn't get the game to work so watched a playthrough instead. Played Control and then AW2 after. As someone new to the whole Remedy-verse I'm quite impressed. Tons of ambition! Control is my favourite so far

Haha I had sort of the reverse path because my PC isn't good enough for AW2 so had to watch a playthrough instead. Control is also my favorite, but I think the way AW2 (and likely the upcoming Control 2) has integrated ALL of the Remedy games including Max Payne and Quantum Break is pretty masterful. Glad you enjoyed it!