Hmm. I didn't enjoy the exploration in HK too much, thought navigating the map was a chore at times. Doesn't bode well for HLD does it?

I tried Axiom Verge a bit over the weekend. Didn't get on with that either, too retro for me.

Nah, again too retro. It's not the visual style, as I like the look of them, but going back to that hold button to stand still and aim thing after playing modern stuff like Shadow Complex is a no go for me.

Apotheon
Not just completed, but got the platinum. Although, that was achieved through a wee glitch; the penultimate trophy is achieved through completing the game on Olympian difficulty. However, if you start a new game on that difficulty in your original slot, then load your save just before the big final boss fight, and beat him, that counts.

Anyway, it was a rather enjoyable romp through Greek mythology. At times frustrating, if you were overwhelmed by enemies, or the game was being a little obtuse about how to proceed, or in trying to remember what each thing in your inventory does and also select it in the heat of battle, but it was otherwise a fine enough mix of action and platforming, with some voice acting that would suitably put you in mind of Clash of the Titans etc. The art style is a selling point, but there’s more to the game than looking interesting.

One nice touch (which I believe is also used in Spider-man) is that when you find new (stronger) armour, it upgrades all the armour of that category you own, so that you can keep wearing whatever you think looks coolest.

I did it. Completed Bravely Default, a game that keeps on walking that fine line of being way too tedious and making you want to go all in.

I have to admit I needed 1-2 week breaks between sessions, but every time I got back to it it managed to absorb me and I couldn't see why I took me so long to get back into it. Until that next point of saturation. It was worth it though, what a ride. It's so silly and meta, characters turn out to be way more interesting than you'd think at first.

Game clock says 103 hours, 3DS clock says 111. Time well spent. I did everything I wanted and got everything I had my eye on. I know you can clear it in half that, I had Muzzy's copy of the game and his save file has around 60 hours I think.

And you unlock a movie for Bravely Second after you've completed it. Oh my. Seems like that's gonna take it to the next level.

Been tempted a couple of times but I think I'll give it a miss then, thanks.

Tomb Raider: Shadow of the Tomb Raider or something or other.

It's semi sort of open world and I'm not sure it really suits Tomb Raider. In general I preferred the previous game. This one feels padded and simultaneously a bit slim. There's lots to do but much of it isn't very interesting. Some of the Side Missions are terrible so I gave up. The optional Tombs are good when you can find them.

The story is bobbins and I'm not entirely sure I could tell you anything about it.. you start off with the usual Private Army type thugs.. then it goes a bit Assassin's Creed for a long stretch before back to the thugs and none of it makes much sense .. there is of course a McGuffin to find.

It's like they've just thrown to much stuff at it, to many systems, to many collectibles, to many things to search for.. You have to do Bat vision every few steps and it lights up with crap that'll award XP and you need that as you don't really know what upgrades are going to be needed. They're a mixed bunch too.

It's just a tiny bit unpolished. You end up longing for the crisp platforming of Uncharted and you get the feeling Drake wouldn't of made quite so heavy weather  of it. There's so many systems in play the game is still over laying them to make sure you don't forget that of course I can repel down here or make this jump with an axe swing.. It's also quite janky with her sometimes bouncing off things when she should stick the landing or getting stuck in teh scenery and bouncing around.. fitting tribute to the PSone classic but not quite on in this day and age.

Also she dies a lot. and the load times aren't quite fast enough to stop this being annoying.

Swimming is absolute bollocks even after three upgrades. and the air hole animation is exactly the same every time. Give the girl scuba gear already.

Oh and despite a hue range of costumes I'm being forced to play a huge amount in a set costume. Which is annoying.

It's fucking beautiful to look at though. Went with resolution over frame rate and it's gorgeous.

Oh and the final boss fight required far to many hits. Fuck off. Three hits is the rule.

Overall though it's an enjoyable enough romp. Worth a tenner for sure. 7 out of 10.

That's about when I was expecting with TR.  Hopefully I can burn through it without having to do extra stuff to level up my skill trees.

Skill tree is uber disappointing.. ended up with loads of points left over cos nothing interesting in it.

I guarantee you wont in this.. I've never heard as much dull crap.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

Been tempted a couple of times but I think I'll give it a miss then, thanks.

@Moot_Geeza I have free copy via humble.... all yours if you want to dabble.

Spec ops the line.

Very very good. Small lack of polish around cover controls, but it packs a punch. Played on pc, and with all the settings cranked up it looked quite OK for a now oldish game.

Spelling Konrad with a K really saved us all from lazy heart of darkness comparisons, luckily.

Into The Breach

Spent a fair amount of time on this now and have done it on Hard mode with the squad I find it easiest with. So I’ma call it completed there although could just keep on playing and playing. It’s an utterly fantastic game that is so fun to play. An an amazing soundtrack. Will go into my Top 100 list.

[9]

Dragon Quest XI

Saw the credits this morning after 60 hours. This really is an old school SNES JRPG brought up to date with sharp visuals and lots of user friendly gameplay features. It's actually too generous in some ways, to the point of overriding any meaningful challenge - I don't recall ever finishing a JRPG before without ever seeing a Game Over. Plus it certainly feels overly conservative in its structure and combat for the most part. 

But there's a sense of nostalgia and a certain comfort in knowing how things will work that comes with that too. And actually it does get more interesting as the game goes on, especially as you realise that the slow pace in establishing everything in the first half has been working to set up a much breezier second half with a number of good narrative pay offs. The characters are also a good bunch once you get to know them (although the hyper-camp Sylvando pushes things too far at times).

So perhaps not the classic I was hoping for, but it's a very well made game with tons of stuff to find (expecting a lot of post-credits stuff now) and that usual DQ style and charm.

A 7 or 8, depending how harshly you judge it for lack of originality and some dated content.

hylian_elf wrote:

How many hours did you put into it?

Sorry, just edited it in. About 60 to the credits. Could certainly be done quicker though.

Have you started this yet?