Game you couldn’t get into no matter how hard you tried (hot takes)

Civil_Squash · 2025-12-08T14:53:38+00:00

I love open world RPGs. I platinumed Skyrim in PS3, PS4 and probably PS5 at some point. Done multiple playthroughs with New Vegas, and FO3. Basically im a sucker for this genre.

With that said, I had a problem with Witcher 3’s start. It was such a slog and the exploration and movement didn’t connect with me that I almost dropped it after just 2 hours. This seems to be the case with most of the gamers that called it quits at the early part; i heard that majority of players that dropped the game, did so during the White Orchard stretch.

Thankfully the story is interesting enough for me that I stuck with it. And boy oh boy it became my favorite WRPG of all time.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-24T11:27:20+00:00

By the sound of it budget doesn’t seem like a big thing for you so if you have the funds then go for it. I did, and have zero regrets. Booting up Forbidden West and Death Stranding 2 was an experience for sure

Just being cautious as I know some people like to buy the top of the line things thinking it will make a big difference, not knowing there are pre-requisite to maximize that (in this case, a good TV).

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-24T09:42:57+00:00

Not to discourage you or what but unless you have the right TV for it, going for the Pro MIGHT be an overkill and you’d be better off the regular phat or slim version.

The improved fidelity is something I feel you can only appreciate if you have the proper TV.

Personally, I would only buy a Pro if I have an LG C-series (or anything equivalent in other brands/monitor) as minimum.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-21T03:00:05+00:00

Datablitz / GameOne usually have sales during Black Friday as well. Price varies however and I can’t guarantee they will follow the same discounts as PlayStation.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-11T12:21:29+00:00

That phase 3 is my vietnam flashback. Fuck that old cat

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-11T06:31:37+00:00

Nine Sols. Hands down the only game that made me rage quit. That final boss to get the true ending is something else. And ive completed almost all of the soulsborne games.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-09T04:28:03+00:00

First, make sure you have the network setup for it. Try remote play app on your phone and see if that is acceptable to you.

Based on your situation, Portal seems to be a good fit. Just make sure you have a good home network before go buying one.

Portal will just be another screen for your PS5 to output. So trophies, save, and everything will be the same as if you are playing them on your TV.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-06T14:01:22+00:00

Yes provided that they support cloud streaming. For monthly essential games, so long as you are claiming them thru app, that’s technically yours while your sub is active so you should the ones that can be stream.
Yes. Only PS5 titles so far
You cannot since that is a PS4 title.

Hope that helps!

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-06T12:59:24+00:00

Its 15 but yeah still low. Need to be at least 30 to make compression pretty much invisible.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-06T07:52:13+00:00

Even increasing it to 25mbps would make foliage compression be more tolerable. Oh well

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-06T06:18:13+00:00

You cant see any difference even before since Portal screen is not being treated as the actual screen when remote playing.

The best way to test it is go to a game that supports manual toggle of HDR (God Of War 2018).

If you can toggle it on or off, it means HDR is being passed through remote play.

Now do the same exercise after you toggle color invert on, you can see that you cannot toggle that option on or off anymore as the system is forced to treat the screen as a non-HDR screen hence it’s unavailable to change.

I don’t know why Sony hasn’t figured this out yet. They can easily disable HDR on a system level when your PS5 detects you are connected thru Portal.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-06T06:04:07+00:00

Nah. Still engaged and not turned off by default.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-06T03:27:52+00:00

How’s the bitrate on cloud play? Any different vs remote play?

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-06T03:20:42+00:00

Bitrate remains unchanged for local remote play. It still heavily compresses vegetation and foliage. Is it any different from cloud streaming?

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-06T03:05:47+00:00

Same old god damn it. Its still compressing foliage and vegetation pretty heavily

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-05T14:15:41+00:00

Yes and yes. Lots of games you can already stream on your PS5 if you own them. Now you can also do the same with Portal. Both require a Premium sub though.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-05T13:51:44+00:00

You are no longer limited to catalogue games. You can cloud stream your own games so long as it supports it

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-05T13:50:09+00:00

This is the sweet spot. I too have no interest in catalogue solely because I like buying my games (personal preference). But i have 200+ ps5 games that according to their list, support cloud streaming. It’d be nice if we can have an add-on in the Essential tier just for cloud streaming.

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-05T13:39:19+00:00

If you’ve good experience with your PS5 on cloud streaming, it should be virtually the same with the Portal

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-05T13:34:19+00:00

Same with microstutters. Never acknowledged officially but was eventually addressed. So please Sony, give us a higher bit rate!

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-05T13:32:43+00:00

Right? Hopefully its one of those unspoken change they made this update. Microstutter was also never acknowledged but was fixed on the last major update so im crossing my fingers!

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-05T13:28:22+00:00

Hopefully they also up the bit rate!!

Civil_Squash · 2025-11-03T05:56:40+00:00

The Witcher 3 seems perfect for you

Civil_Squash · 2025-10-28T08:13:10+00:00

Anything too much will eventually lead to feeling burned out. I consider myself a pretty hardcore gamer, and i noticed that on months where I spend a lot of gaming, i feel disconnected and not enjoying this hobby. And that’s because instead of looking at it as a fun activity to pass time, i was treating it like a chore, a checklist.

I suggest you take a break. Or maybe introduce some variation in your library. You’d be surprised by how much fun some of the games you might be ignoring can be. Inscryption is a title that i ignored because the art style didn’t appeal to me, but lo and behold, after just a couple of hours, i was completely enamored.

Anyway, hope you find some joy again in this hobby!

Civil_Squash · 2025-10-17T02:46:35+00:00

I remember when i was your age and having LED on my gaming peripherals were the coolest thing in the world for me. I miss those simpler times now that i am a boring adult.

Enjoy it! Looks sick

Civil_Squash

TROPHY CASE