Monthly Recommendations Thread: What are you playing?

Been having exceptionally difficult few weeks, mental health wise. Playing stardew valley to cope.

16

Firewatch. Got it for like 3€ or so at the sale.

15

I wish I could play this for the first time again. Maybe if I leave it long enough I'll forget enough to have something like the same experience.

2

In memory of Matthew Perry, I played through Fallout New Vegas, with the Viva New Vegas mod pack. I sided with Benny (the character voiced by Perry) for the first time ever. Even played a female character with the black widow perk, so Benny could get lucky one last time.

14

Bro-job playthrough

6
I keep wanting to like New Vegas, but find that after a few hours it becomes more of an inventory management game than anything else. Has anyone had success with getting mods running under Linux?

1
- Yup, I played with literally dozens of mods under linux and steam. I'm having trouble finding it again, but I used a guide to install steamtinker and mod organizer, then everything was pretty easy after that.
  
  3

Death Stranding Director's Cut via PlayStation Plus membership. I had a healthy amount of skepticism about it at launch, but it got its hooks in me deep. I've got 80 hours so far and I'm planning to Platinum it before moving on.

It's one of those games that will either bore you to tears or suck you in. Half of my gaming sessions are just spent building infrastructure. The game progression is on point.

13

I absolutely love Death Stranding as well. It's definitely a game where the details of the mechanics make the seemingly mundane become interesting.

And knowing that the things you make and place will help others is a great motivator.

5
DS is an all-time top 5 game for me. It's also one of the most difficult to explain why without sounding either bonkers or boring...

3
I loved it so much. It became a mission of my life to rebuild all the roads lol. And then to get zip lines everywhere. However I left the last 2 trophies as it needed more grinding. Handheld gaming seems like a great fit for this game.

2

Finally got around to starting Sekiro a month ago and 100+ hours and five runs later I'm wondering why I waited so long

12

32 hours into my first playthrough of Metro Exodus. I think I'm on the last chapter now (dead city). The game is simply a great piece of art. It adds open world like mechanics but in such an immersive way that even if you are "clearing" a marker, it takes a lot of deliberate thought and planning that it genuinely feels like a linear level inside a cohesive open world. There have been attempts like this, in games like Gears 5, TLoUP2, Uncharted 4, where you suddenly are in this huge space and going back and forth to clear out stuff in a shallow way. This feels much more deep (TLoUP2 was better one of the three, but Exodus is much more detailed) and for me it really worked well.

The game is bit clunky, but I feel it only works in its favour. If you think of a cool FPS like Far Cry, everything is smooth, quick and snappy. Guns feel great, killing is fun, traversal is pretty much brainless. Metro Exodus is completely opposite as your guns keep getting dirty, out of ammo or discharged. Killing isn't fun as you've to be careful with ammo and also the moral points. Traversal is slow or so finicky that you have to pay attention. All that clunk makes you actually feel everything the game wants you to feel.

The criticisms that I do have though are largely to do with dumb AI and the good ending/bad ending system that is a series standard. I know I should not kill, so I try to be sneaky. But when I fail, then I can predict enemy movements, come in and out of dark places and just knock them out. This breaks everything and what should be either fun shoot out or a stressful stealth mission, becomes a cat and mouse game of knocking everyone out. You also don't want to skip any of the locations as the game otherwise teaches you that important loot or lore can be hidden, which is generally true. So if you want the good ending, and want to upgrade gear, you pretty much have to do the dance of knocking everyone out. This is why I'm 30 hours in to the game. If the game wants us to find all the lore, and wants us to improve our gear and use newer weapons, I think it shouldn't let us have agency over story, or it should have non lethal weapons to make it more fun to take out bases without killing anyone.

Overall I'm very happy with the game. I'll probably replay it and not care about good ending and just play it as a shooter even if the game doesn't want you to do that (OMG the terrible music it plays when you do something wrong lol).

11

You might consider turning comments like this into posts in this community in the future. You didn’t do anything wrong, but I think people would engage with you more and be interested in having a separate thread to discuss this in.

7
- Sure. I'll post one once I've finished the game and the DLCs
  
  3

I picked up RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 on GOG after learning about OpenRCT2. Pretty much it's an open source engine that allows the game to run on modern operating systems really easily. I've never played any RollerCoaster Tycoon before, but so far I've been having a great time with it!

11

I've been playing this, too. Supports all of RCT1 and 2 mashed into one game, which is neat. Runs great on Linux, too, which is also neat.

4
If you’re looking for the modern version of this, Planet Coaster is a decent experience for those that enjoy RCT2. I’d recommend it if you can get it discounted. It’s better in a lot of ways when building coasters but doesn’t have the staying power that RCT2 has. Might give it a try though.

2

The Expanse: A Telltale Game, and so far so good. I'm still early in the first episode but I'm happy to be back in the world.

10

I'll have to throw that on my list. I just started reading the books (about halfway through the first), and it would be fun to follow it up with the games.

1
- It does make me want to re-read the books again and I'm looking forward to continuing my play through when I get more time.
  
  2

Started red dead redemption, I wanted to play something on the TV with a controller, so far it's pretty good but I'm having a hard time with the controller haha

8

The controls on RDR2 are a bit clunky. You'll keep accidentally pointing your gun at friendly strangers and riling them up. Know that it's not your fault!

2

Hades again. I'm on a rogue lite binge lately.

8

Ditto on the roguelike binge! I found a used copy of Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania at my local game store, and I am hooked.

3

Been intermittently trying to finish Jedi Fallen Order, but for some reason I gave in to my kids that kept getting on my case that I should try the best game of all time: Stardew Valley.

6

Hope you're enjoying it! If you play on PC you should try Stardew Valley Expanded on your second playthrough

1

Picked up Frost Punk cheap and started banging my head against it

6

Such a good game. It really pushed me emotionally having to decide between bad and worst decisions.

1
- It's impressive how much it pains you on certain decisions, the storm is on the way and I've just discovered a cave of children. I know I can't reasonably take them in without building way more housing which I don't think I've got time for. Welp time to leave then and live with that.
  
  2

I'm still enjoying guild wars 2. It avoids most of the MMO bullshit, so it's just fun to play every so often. No gear treadmills or chasing bigger numbers forever. Just you and 49 buds fighting demons together. Or you and 50 friends dropping meteor showers on 100 jerks who are trying to break into your castle. Or just farting around on your lonesome is fine, too.

6

I'm still playing Animal Crossing at the moment but I did just pick up Cult of the Lamb for the Thanksgiving sale. And my husband has been killing himself trying to learn how to survive in Don't Starve. It's been very entertaining.

6

I started Watch Dogs Legion, but I don't think I'm likely to finish it. As someone who actually lived in London I just can't get over the terrible voices and insane things the characters all say.

6

Can you give some examples? I think it would be fun/interesting to learn what a londoner actually says and what the world/devs guess they would say.

2
- I've never unironically called someone fam, or bruv. I don't speak Cockney Rhyming Slang on a regular basis, nor do my China plates. Almost every person in that game is a caricature based on the worst stereotypes of Londoners throughout the ages.
  
  3

Outer Wilds! (Not to be confused with 'The Outer Wilds')

Be careful not to read into it too much; the less you know going into it the better!!

5

So wait is outer wilds or not

3
- I'm pretty sure he meant to say "not to be confused with 'the outer worlds'"
  
  4
- They specifically asked you to not get confused. Look what you've done now :/
  
  /jk
  
  My guess is that it's Outer Wilds and not Worlds, as their suggestion to go in blind is more applicable to former.
  
  3

Remnant From the Ashes: They call it a Souls-like with guns, I'm not sure I totally agree, but there are similarities with the checkpoints and NG+ mechanic. It's a shortish game. Plays well in coop, and is made tomplay through a few times as levels are procedurally generated. The second game is out now, but there are still players on this.

Astral Ascent: Kind of a rogue-like action platformer, the game seems straightforward at the beginning but as you try new runs and unlock more skills there is a very deep build and progression system where you can get super powerful and the screen goes wacky. Also the music and atmosphere is top notch. Oh it's only just been released, but it has been in early access for +6 months, so sorry, not sorry.

5

I think I am going to start Astral Ascent as soon as I am finished with Dave the Diver. Thanks for the mini review.

1

I’m looking forward to finally getting into Code 7. It’s mostly a sci-fi text adventure.

5

I really enjoyed the game for the first couple of chapters. I should get back into it now that there's more content...

2
- The bad news is chapter 4 development is only planned to start in March 2021 which [checks calendar] is in the past. Still fun though!
  
  2

I've really been enjoying EVE Online for the past few months. Tried it a decade ago and bounced right off, but it caught me this time around.

5

Just started playing as well and was in time for the recent free week of omega and then topped up with the black Friday sale

1

Bloodborne.

Beat it and the DLC years ago. This time I've done all the chalice dungeons and am progressing through the NG+X replays. It keeps getting better and the music in game is just so, so good.

5

Little Nightmares
Hollow Knight
CrossCode
Katamari Damacy Reroll
Dad Quest
Bendy and the Ink Machine

I got most of those in the recent Steam sale, and I'm pretty sure they go on sale regularly, so if you're interested, maybe wait until the next sale.

I also just finished Mirrorama last night, which was pretty fun but the story bits were weird and not my cup of tea.

I also have a bunch of games on the backburner, just waiting for a few days off work to really dive in again.

5

Playing Hogwarts Legacy for the first time now

5

Is it any good? It's on my wishlist but is too expensive for my taste.

3
- Pretty good so far, but i'm still in my first 5hrs of the game. Can recommend especially if are a Harry Potter fan. (I bought for around 30usd i think.)
  
  3

Almost done with Dave The Diver. I am enjoying it quite a bit.

4

The Ace Attorney Chronicles. It's two ace attorney games bundled, and I'm playing it on switch. You play as a defense attorney and try to solve crimes and defend your client, and the cases are top notch.

4

I've got Quake 1, 2 and 4 yesterday from the GOG newsletter, haven't had the chance to play it yet but i'm looking foward to enjoy it tonight. I'm also playing Dead Cells since recently most of the dlcs where on sale, now i just need to buy the castlevania dlc.

4

Is quake 2 the recent remake? I got that one on steam and loved it.

2
- Looks like is both
  
  1

With a racing wheel:

Pro/Toca Race Driver
GRID 2
Gran Turismo 1 (with Duckstation emulating a NegCon controller)

4

I keep coming back to GRID 2 on my steam deck. I'll go weeks between playing it then get in the mood to work my way through a bit more of the campaign.

2
- I'm playing it mostly on 2P split screen, but I have to play the campaign too to unlock more cars, lol
  
  1

I just started playing Tunic, both me and the kids love it so far!

4

Had a devil of a time finding a good cartoony cart racer for PC. Giving Team Sonic Racing a try this weekend. The great thing about having a young kid who's just getting into gaming, it really leans me into patience. We get to revisit a TON of old games, and they're CHEAP.

4

That should be fun!

When then kids are ready (mine had some learning curve with the added flying) be sure to also eventually grab Sonic Racing All Stars: Transformed. It's fantastic.

3
- Oh good call! That's cheap too!
  
  2
I'll preface this by saying that I haven't played it in probably at least two decades, but I used to love Wacky Wheels. I believe it's on Steam now, too.

2
- Right on! I'll check it out! I don't have a current era Nintendo, and my daughter is NOT that interested in 16 bit Mario Kart LOL.
  
  1

GTA SA on iPad, the nostalgia kicked in hard this weekend

4

Elden Ring. I tried it again after bouncing off in 2022. So glad I did. Absolutely massive, dense world to explore and beautiful art direction

4

Been bouncing between hearts of iron 4 and Rimworld. Started playing hoi4 about 2 months ago for this first time and just picked up rimworld on sale a couple weeks ago.

Picked up two complicated games in a couple months and trying to learn the intricacies simultaneously lol

3

I started playing The Ascent, I do dig the cyberpunk atmosphere.

I played bitburner for a bit (heh). It helped me so much to practice js coding, I was so rusty. It is free BTW.

3

The Ascent is a really good game imo. Playing it in co-op or solo?

2
- Solo, I did not even know it was coop xD
  
  2

Star Wars: The Old Republic

3

Factorio, never had a sale, free demo on website.

3

I've been playing Horizon Forbidden West. Beat the main game and am in the DLC now. Pretty good, but would recommend not going super completionist on it. There's just so much.

Oh, by the way, you don't have to play Machine Strike to fill out all your passive skills. Heck, I've maxed out several valor surges too. You can comfortably skip it if you want.

3

DOOM: Eternal (single-player) and Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2017) (with friends). DOOM is incredibly fun and great to play even for 30 min at a time as a busy adult. Battlefront likewise supports my relatively busy group of friends being able to play for a bit at a time and in various combinations without being a huge commitment. I love that I can play easily with 1 or 5 friends without issue and still have fun.

3

I'm playing DOOM: Eternal too, but I can't play it for just 30 minutes or so. I really need to finish a level in one sitting, or else I'm utterly confused when I jump back in. So for me I really need to set aside a solid 2 hours or more in order to play it.

3
Rip. And. Tear.

Good luck to you Slayer!

2

I've just been playing Valorant, might get back into Age of Empires 2.

3

I have just started Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order. My reaction to the opening controls training sequence: Dear lord why am I working in such a dangerous place?! This is the most dangerous environment I can imagine! Why is it so difficult to get anywhere? What am I trying to accomplish by risking my life right now?! WORST SHIPYARD EVER.

3

The Star Wars universe certainly doesn't have OSHA or anything similar.
Huge open void pits with no railing everywhere.

1
- Except for the Ewok village. They may (and do) eat people, but safety first for them goshdarnit!
  
  2

The lethal company, casual fun if you can find 2-3 friends to play.

3

I am playing Cyberpunk 2077. Pretty much finished the main story and playing the DLC story line right now.

It's great fun but when I hit the level cap I got bored regarding my playstyle (SMG and sword) and started experimenting with different weapons and skills. Since you can't max out every skill I cheated to achieve this.

Now I'm a omnipotent killing machine and should probably increase the difficulty...

2

I'm playing Breath of The Wild right after I finished Batman Arkham Knight... I still need to play the DLCs of Batman though :(

2

I want to play Stray, but my computer is not powerful enough to play it

2

Picked up Marvel's midnight suns when it was on sale in november and oh boy does it scratch my itch. 60 hours in and on the final mission. Definitely going to go back for a second playthrough/new game plus!

2

Permanently Deleted

2

After getting annoyed at New Vegas, I picked up Red Dead Redemption 2 and have been really enjoying it. I kind want to get a cowboy hat, not ironically. My wife would probably hate it though.

1

Lethal Company with a group of good friends.

Also redoing a co-op run of Dark Souls 3 with one of the friends.

Solo, I'm about to complete Solar Ash from GamePass. Next I have Cocoon installed and Jusant installed.

1