@silke I'd not dabble with them at the same time. Hollow has a maze of a set map which does not suit long breaks IMO.

Dead cells is morish AF, but random levels means there's less to remember/forget.

Floor Kids and Hollow Knight.

Floor Kids isn't quite as fun as I thought it'd be, partly because I don't think the controls are particularly responsive and therefore don't map to moves that well. The tutorial is also very basic and doesn't explain certain mechanics or scoring systems - I'm guessing/hoping there's more lessons on these as you progress but at this rate, not sure how long I'm going to stick with it.

Pretty early on in Hollow Knight and just trying not to let everything I've heard about it affect my judgment. Enjoying it so far though navigation is tricky. Need to set aside a good chunk of time to properly explore I think but certainly keen to do that.

I'm trying to temper my expectations, dammit!

I never liked Metroid. Thanks for restoring the balance, Elf.

Super Metroid did some astounding things but wouldn't be a great game these days thanks to the way it controls.  Anyone who says otherwise first played it 'backintheday'.  Hollow Knight is a 10 though.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

Super Metroid did some astounding things but wouldn't be a great game these days thanks to the way it controls.  Anyone who says otherwise first played it 'backintheday'.  Hollow Knight is a 10 though.

I played it last about 3 years ago. Controls are fine. Even if a little fiddly compared to other games, it takes no time for someone to get used to them. First playing it on or near release doesn’t mean it doesn’t play great now. That’s the beauty of it and what makes it so good. It’s still amazing to this day and still better than all other Metroid-likes. No one has bettered it.

5hrs? You were (probably!) so close to the end. I finished it around the 6hr mark a few months back.

The only part that didn't hold up for me were some of the jankier boss fights. Otherwise it's still a sublime example of the joys of exploration and discovery to be found uniquely in deeply atmospheric and intricately realised game-worlds.

Will play Hollow Knight when (if) I get my Switch. Comparison noises with Super are a big plus in my book.

Yeah, if you don't get on with the movement and that I could see how it'd be difficult to properly enjoy the experience. I've always sucked at the wall jump: I can do it but not consistently enough for it to ever be a fun thing to do. Otherwise (fortunately) I loved the controls (tho yes treacle-pits can do one).

Have gone back to No Man’s Sky and have to say I’m enjoying pootling around the universe again. Graphics are much improved, on Pro at least, with much better lighting, textures and resolution. Pop-in is still there, but someone like Trippy would make some even more beautiful pics now. 

Systems seem a bit more thought out with the different factions requiring different things and missions giving a bit more meaning to doing stuff. You are still doing the same stuff, but now with guidance or a reason. For example, I’m trying to find a lost alien at the moment who is guiding me to level up standing with the Vykeen so I need to learn more of their language and then I need to go to other planets and finally build a base. I’m sure it’s just smoke and mirrors,  but it feels more more thought through as an actual game rather than a bunch of systems. You can crash into stuff now and space combat seems more difficult and deadly. The freighters aren’t all that great but defending them means you can board one and buy it if you can afford the ridiculous sum they want for one. 

All in all, it’s still a chill out kind of game, but now it feels like there is an actual game there.

Sounds like I need to go back to NMS when I get my Pro...

@Boris

I did the same a while ago, but wasn't really feeling the crappy missions/story stuff they'd added. It really is one of those games where you just need to pootle about of your own volition. When does the MP update come out on PS4?

NMS is an excellent game for relaxing in while watching something on a second adjacent monitor. Mouse/keyboard works great too, great for lasering up a phat blob of minerals as quickly as possible. Controller is desired for when jumping into the ship though ofc.

regmcfly wrote:

MOOT TALK MORE ABOUT EVIL WITHIN 2 I FUCKING LOVE THAT GAME

I'm definitely enjoying it since dropping the difficulty down to casual.  Combat is outdated (and a bit wonky when enemies get in close) but I'm happier now I've found a shotgun/upgraded my pistol a bit.  It's very much A GOOD OL' VIDEOGAME, which I like, somewhere between Resi, Alan Wake, Condemned and the Scarecrow sections from Arkham Asylum.  Calling it a throwback would be fair, but it's doing some neat tricks with geometry shifting depending on where you're pointing the view.  Plus it gets extra points for having a shooting range just because, and also for calling the realm shifting computer software shortcuts (?) The Marrow.  Seems like £9 well spent at this stage.  Top gamey villain too.

Dead cells. Oh fucking my.

Later levels and unlocks (not that I know how for in I am) are INCREDIBLE.

Playing through my small but perfectly formed Megadrive cartridge collection.