Returnal - on PC now - The Bear and Badger

Syph79

I can play it for 90 mins and offer a review ahead, if you’d like?

Minnesänger

Syph79 wrote:

I can play it for 90 mins and offer a review ahead, if you’d like?

Please do. Play special attention to the start menu. Does it say Press X? Press Any Key? How loud are the noises? Is it Outrun?

Cover all the important bases.

JonB

Moot_Geeza wrote:

drumbeg wrote:

I saw some leaked review content that described the game as great but with "insurmountable difficulty". Bring it on!

I just read that one, the reviewer hasn't beaten the second boss after 20hrs and describes 'Demon's Soul' as a cakewalk in comparison. It does sound a bit tricky.

That's surprising. FWIW I've finished the whole thing. There were some tough parts, but overall I don't think it's *that* difficult.

acemuzzy

Numbers are important too. How many BLIPS? how many FLOPS?

JonB

Harder than Demon's, sure. Certainly not harder than Bloodborne, though.

Skade

Minnesänger wrote:

Syph79 wrote:

I can play it for 90 mins and offer a review ahead, if you’d like?

Please do. Play special attention to the start menu. Does it say Press X? Press Any Key? How loud are the noises? Is it Outrun?

Cover all the important bases.

What pronoun does the led character use on twitter?

Syph79

acemuzzy wrote:

Numbers are important too. How many BLIPS? how many FLOPS?

It’s reading the disc. This sounds a little blippy so far. I have heard/seen no flops.

Syph79

The game icon/image looks like Selene standing in front of bubble rap, some of which has been popped.

10/10

Syph79

Skade wrote:

I can play it for 90 mins and offer a review ahead, if you’d like?

Please do. Play special attention to the start menu. Does it say Press X? Press Any Key? How loud are the noises? Is it Outrun? Cover all the important bases.

What pronoun does the led character use on twitter?

Shkle

tin_robot

JonB wrote:

Harder than Demon's, sure. Certainly not harder than Bloodborne, though.

Sounds like another one for my "I really like this but I'll never finish it" list. (Which is generally what I expect with Roguelikes anyway to be honest - the advantage of them changing each time is that my being a bit shit doesn't necessarily mean it's not worth playing again.)

To what degree can you improve your chances by understanding and exploiting the systems in play? (I appreciate you may not be allowed to answer that question for another 2 hours...)

Syph79

Minnesänger wrote:

Syph79 wrote:

I can play it for 90 mins and offer a review ahead, if you’d like?

Please do. Play special attention to the start menu. Does it say Press X? Press Any Key? How loud are the noises? Is it Outrun? Cover all the important bases.

15 minute install from disc. Straight after the game launched it started downloading a patch.

This may concern you, but there doesn't appear to be a menu at first boot - goes straight into the game.

Noises seems to reflect the speakers.

It is not Outrun.

digi

Syph79 wrote:

It is not Outrun.

Thanks pal.
Still hype!

b0r1s

JonB wrote:

Harder than Demon's, sure. Certainly not harder than Bloodborne, though.

I’ve got this

Spoiler:

acemuzzy

Are there any bells? #PrayForElf

Syph79

acemuzzy wrote:

Are there any bells? #PrayForElf

I have found a key, no bells so far.

I have a meeting now, so have to stop. Will pick up after.

JonB

tin_robot wrote:

To what degree can you improve your chances by understanding and exploiting the systems in play? (I appreciate you may not be allowed to answer that question for another 2 hours...)

Ah, it's probably fine now.

Honestly I think it's mainly a case of adapting to its way of doing things, which means getting into the Roguelike rhythm of it.

This is non-specific structural stuff, but I'll put it in spoilers just in case:

Spoiler:

tin_robot

JonB wrote:

tin_robot wrote:

To what degree can you improve your chances by understanding and exploiting the systems in play? (I appreciate you may not be allowed to answer that question for another 2 hours...)

Ah, it's probably fine now. Honestly I think it's mainly a case of adapting to its way of doing things, which means getting into the Roguelike rhythm of it. This is non-specific structural stuff, but I'll put it in spoilers just in case:

Spoiler:

This isn't a Roguelike where you have to do the whole thing in one go. Once you hit certain objectives or beat a boss, you won't have to do that again and you'll unlock shortcuts to make it quicker to return to where you were. For example, once you beat the first boss, you'll still start in the first area each time, but you've unlocked the gate to the second area, so all you have to do is run through part of area 1 to reach it. The rhythm, I think, is basically making slow progress by repeatedly getting back to where you died asap, until you've learned how the area works. And then when you think you're ready to actually get through it, take some extra time to power up in the first area before giving it a proper try. Once you reach the part you've been stuck on with some extra health and a couple of refills, it's usually not too tough. It's just that it takes a while to get that stuff every time, so it's only worth it when you're relatively confident you know what's coming.

That's great thanks.

Spoiler:

Minnesänger

Syph79 wrote:

Minnesänger wrote:

Syph79 wrote:

I can play it for 90 mins and offer a review ahead, if you’d like?

Please do. Play special attention to the start menu. Does it say Press X? Press Any Key? How loud are the noises? Is it Outrun? Cover all the important bases.

15 minute install from disc. Straight after the game launched it started downloading a patch.

This may concern you, but there doesn't appear to be a menu at first boot - goes straight into the game.

Noises seems to reflect the speakers.

It is not Outrun.

70 quid and they don’t even give you a start screen for that money?!

#LazyDevs

afgavinstan

This is comfortably AA/BBB level, right? Don't think Housemarque have ever made anything *big*. That's why £70 sticks so hard to me. Any different publisher and this would be in a 2024 indie sizzle reel, imo.

Anyway, price aside, game looks class. Hopeful of good reviews, and that you lot devour it.

b0r1s

Got setup. Got my headset ready. Got my drink sorted. Watch the countdown 10... 9... 8...

...Button changes to play game. Click play.

Can’t use this content.
It hasn’t reached its start date.

New 11 hour countdown kicks in.

Wankers.

JonB

Yeah, it's out tomorrow. Not sure why that countdown happened.

But reviews are happening now for anyone who's interested.

JonB

I think I can say now that's one of the best games I've played in recent years.

Difficulty and repetition will be an issue for some, but it does so much so well and I found the challenge absolutely in tune with what it's trying to do. It'll be an easy 9 from me, probably just a whisker off a 10.

b0r1s

Nice.

Oh well it gave me time to take down Flamelurker so silver lining.

Skade

b0r1s jebaited, and JonB with a strong review.

Happy days.

b0r1s

hylian_elf

JonB wrote:

I think I can say now that's one of the best games I've played in recent years. Difficulty and repetition will be an issue for some, but it does so much so well and I found the challenge absolutely in tune with what it's trying to do. It'll be an easy 9 from me, probably just a whisker off a 10.

FFS

yourfavouriteuncle

The EG review, though positive, fills me with a little dread. Be nice to see something new though.

stonechalice

Lots of big scores coming in...

bad_hair_day

2021 players are easily pleased?

Moot_Geeza

Looking forward to giving this a good go at some point but I don't fancy my chances of finishing it. It wouldn't surprise me to see a slightly easier mode added post launch.

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