adkm1979 wrote:

I don't get the Bloodborne love. I read about this complex battle mechanic, then I watch a video of two avatars moonwalk-waltzing around each other, swinging weapons which pass through or over each other as though meeting no resistance. The movement and combat have no physicality. Or, at least, not one that looks at all engaging to me.  I suppose it's similar (but different) to the Halo/Destiny thing.  Or cauliflower.

afgavinstan wrote:

Batman: Arkham Knight.

I don't exactly go nuts over the sheer amount of media being created on this type of IP. Constantly juggling stock of it in work as the relentless Marvel Studios hype juggernaut rolls on doesn't help, but at £25, I won't say no to a solidly made game.

And that's what it mostly is. The characters and voice acting is superb, script is tight and moody, plenty of atmosphere, and it's generally quite fun to play, zooming around rooftops or on the streets in the 'mobile, which I found really fun to use, personally. But it's in the design of the game, and how it opens itself and the world up that I found the most problems. It, to me at least, is supposed to be an open world. But there were times when I couldn't get somewhere I wanted to go (choosing a mission from the wheel) cos I didn't have a particular item or upgrade. So I don't *really* have freedom. For some reason I don't find that a problem in Zelda/Metroid/Castlevania, but here I do. Maybe I've been spoilt on previous open world's. But it's also how the game keeps on Adding Shit for you to remember. Mechanic after mechanic after mechanic. To the point where I now go into missions forgetting half my arsenal. The combat is good enough, but what's the point of unlocking moves when it constantly prompts Other Shit when fighting. The combo list just felt like a mess after a while. It also seems certain items/weapons are made for only a handful of missions or points in the game, and are useless elsewhere, so why do I need to remember it all? It all just became too busy for me, and the itch to turn it back on just shrunk and shrunk.

I know I'm probably sounding like a yuppie gamer that's had it too good for years, and maybe I spread myself too thin across too many games to the point where I forget too much, but all that up there combined with the fact I'm not drooling over Batman lore means it's off to get traded in. Sorry, Bats!

Tempy wrote:

It gets much better after the beginning, which is meant to feel like Wolfenstein of yore. Nothing 'groundbreaking' but a meaty shooter with fun mechanics, tips of the hat to Quake and a story that's got some great characters in it.

trippy wrote:

Remember to stop before you get to the final boss, too. That game is bookended with dog plops.

yourfavouriteuncle wrote:

Talos Principle. Loved it for a large proportion - even found how to access the messengers but it's just dragged on too long. I know I'm not far from completion but it's just stretched out over too many levels with mechanics that I've grown just too weary of. I'd like to think I'll return to complete it once I've ploughed through firewatch but I know that's not really going to happen. I'd really recommend the game as it's obviously a passion project but it needed a third lopping off the running time. Like most games actually.