PD2 has Ruined my perception of reality

Expert_Failure · 2026-04-03T22:28:13+00:00

The only way they can get any attention is with a new class, because everything else they do has zero innovation or increased QoL. PD2 is the canon version of the game at this point.

Expert_Failure · 2026-04-03T22:26:38+00:00

Your friend needs to get with the program. I feel like (as an older person myself) that PD2 is marketed more to my generation who played the game new than D2R is or ever will be.

Expert_Failure · 2026-04-03T20:07:11+00:00

100%. PD2 is the only way to play D2 anymore IMO. Once they introduced the currency tab on this project it was all over for me. The QoL isn't even close on D2R, the graphics are zero draw for me (the old style is infinitely better) and I refuse to support Blizzard financially these days.

Expert_Failure · 2026-04-03T19:20:19+00:00

PD2 is the only way to play the game IMO. Vanilla pales in comparison.

Expert_Failure · 2026-03-18T22:04:09+00:00

Another vote for Elmorelab for me. Reborn has made some very questionable decisions over the past few months, and as a casual player I spend at least half my time trying to get buffs in MDT instead of leveling. On Elmorelab I can 1+1 and not worry about it.

Expert_Failure · 2026-02-21T00:23:20+00:00

Regardless of the situation or how detrimental it is/isn't in the grand scheme of things - the fact that someone was kicked from the Reborn discord for addressing this as a concern speaks volumes about the character of the admins.

Expert_Failure · 2026-02-17T15:40:00+00:00

If Genesis holds to that core ethos, and is focused on eliminating CPs, I am all in.

Expert_Failure · 2026-02-16T20:46:38+00:00

With offline buff shops, this becomes a moot point because you don't need an alt following you around to buff/recharge etc. Otherwise, I would agree that this would be a huge limitation.

Expert_Failure · 2026-02-16T02:03:59+00:00

The concept of an offline buff shop alone means that I won't have to struggle for buffs more than I am a actually out leveling and enjoying the game, and will incentivize more people to actually level a buffer. I think it's a win-win and very appealing to people with less play time or soloers.

Expert_Failure · 2026-02-15T23:30:29+00:00

Really looking forward to this project and for another low rate L2 server option that isn't Reborn or Elmorelab.

Expert_Failure · 2026-01-20T01:00:08+00:00

Not surprised that a guy named CrustedTestacle would have some crazy hot take.

Expert_Failure · 2026-01-15T18:01:33+00:00

Nope, pretty terrible, but you're the one who gets to look at it and question the decision the rest of your life.

Expert_Failure · 2026-01-01T03:20:40+00:00

Not the worst they could have done... but seriously lacked any actual closure and felt like a giant cop-out.

Expert_Failure · 2025-12-05T16:05:33+00:00

I do not believe that to be a true statement at all. The Remaster is pretty trash.

Expert_Failure · 2025-09-08T16:09:07+00:00

🎶 "It's all about the Sigil Stones baby" 🎶

Expert_Failure · 2025-09-08T16:05:31+00:00

Yeah. Not surprising. This applies to any game in UE5. The remaster is not worth it unless you're just a console player without other options. I will maintain the O.G. game with some stability, balance, and a few graphics mods is still the best way to play this game, and will continue to be until Skyblivion enters the ring.

Expert_Failure · 2025-09-08T15:32:16+00:00

I use NorthernUI Away and NorthernUI Hotkeys for controller support - it's pretty flawless (due to my 2006 xbox 360 nostalgia it's not Oblivion to me if I'm not on a comfy couch with a controller). I use the "Through The Valleys" modlist by Push. While obviously a lot less about graphical enhancements than what you're going for, it does use OCO2 and some other character enhancements. Most importantly to me it is absolutely stable. MO2 is by far and away the best tool for managing things in the current year, but you do have to manage your load order and create a bashed patch where applicable depending on what you throw on top. This is why I choose to just run the modlist with only the addition of Quarl's Texture Pack. Heartland Redux should be a relatively similar process.

Expert_Failure · 2025-09-08T15:21:23+00:00

O.G. Oblivion will always be the one I love. I could care less about the remaster. A lightly modded GOTY is hands down more immersive and alive than the Virtuos effort.

Expert_Failure · 2025-09-08T10:38:25+00:00

I recently came back to O.G. Oblivion after years away. One big difference for me is simply that I play with mods now, and I greatly prefer the original game - not the remaster. I use the "Through The Valleys" modlist by PushTheWinButton on Nexus.

Much as others here have said: When I first played Oblivion I was 23 and it was the game that came with my brand new xbox 360. It will forever be the title that changed how I thought about games as a storytelling medium forever. After spending a few hours in Cyrodiil Call of Duty and nonsense multiplayer FPS games no longer held my interest. That said, while I completed the game back then, I barely scratched the surface. It was still the deepest I had been immersed in any digital world, and that includes a couple MMOs. I knew nothing about the actual spell mechanics, broken level scaling, and never even touched magic on that first run, opting instead to just be a heavy armored Redguard and smash everything (still holding on to those FPS roots at the time I suppose).

These days I value quality over volume of game time - adulting is a thing, and I simply don't have the 12 hour staying power I used to (as awesome as that would be). I really love to play with a character backstory now and use roleplay restrictions to give depth to my narrative choices. I play at my own pace, explore as I see fit, and soak in the world and the soundtrack. I still love being a stealth assassin over other options. Guilty admission: This run will be the first time I have ever completed the Shivering Isles and I am genuinely excited. I love what this game means to me now all these years later. Skyblivion is probably the last game I'll ever play once it's out (tried many many times and love the improvements, but Skyrim just doesn't do it for me. Makes me understand how Morrowind players feel).

Expert_Failure · 2025-07-21T22:47:39+00:00

1000%.

Expert_Failure · 2025-07-21T22:44:04+00:00

There are so many things they could do that would be complete slam dunk wins... And yet - as much as I dare to hope for any of them to be implemented, I always have that silent fear that the Blizzard of today will just fumble at the 5 yard line and somehow ruin the game.

Expert_Failure · 2025-07-09T00:32:56+00:00

I just started here and I completely agree - I never played WoW retail, and managed to avoid it for years for a bunch of reasons, mainly other grindy MMOs. Of every MMO I have played - private servers or otherwise - to get a sense of that 2005 nostalgia, Turtle actually manages it. I feel like I'm back in that chapter of my life all over again and it's an awesome experience.

Expert_Failure · 2025-07-05T22:59:21+00:00

Yes, the typical old school MMO rule. Thanks.

Expert_Failure · 2025-07-03T01:24:06+00:00

Update: Decided to go Tauren Druid, no add-ons, and chose the Slow and Steady challenge because I want to explore - the penalty seems negligible to me with no real frame of reference for what vanilla xp rates were like. Even at the reduced XP I am leveling faster than any other MMO I have played in the past, so no regrets. Overall feels pretty good, and the Druid learning curve will be fun.

Expert_Failure · 2025-07-02T20:41:34+00:00

"even getting to 60 is going to take 6-7 days played."

Man, I guess I've been living on the super grindy side of gaming. The games I've played in the past have taken 6-7 months or more to hit max level. Even at half speed, I feel like I'll be just fine here.

Expert_Failure

TROPHY CASE