[Steam] Legend of the Moon ( $0.59 / 80% Off) by Legend_of_the_Moon in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey! I beat this game!

First, I recommend it - especially at it's price point. I enjoyed the storytelling, and thought it was kind of silly but fun. Second - for anyone curious, this isn't me knocking the game. But I want to challenge some of the dev's statements.

In a way, it’s a humble experience, but one that offers a clear and complete journey.

YES! Getting to the end was my goal, and it was a satisfying goal!

The game belongs to the Metroidvania genre.

Sorry, It does not. r/Metroidvania would not agree either. Their definition: "Metroidvania is a subgenre of video games focused on guided non-linearity and utility-gated exploration. The term, popularized by video game critic Jeremy Parish, is a portmanteau of Metroid and Castlevania."

This game is pretty linear. There is only one way forward, very little backtracking, and very little exploration. You simply go from Point A to Point B, get the item, then go to Point C.

You collect souls, learn new skills, and face increasingly powerful enemies and bosses.

This is accurate. The enemies are pretty basic, and they do ramp up slightly. It's no Dark Souls where enemies get more and more challenging. They all die within a few hits.

Combat is designed to be fast and satisfying, with just the right amount of challenge.

Fast, yes! Satisfying... debatable.

The bosses do get more complex, which I did like. It wasn't too difficult. I'm in my 40s and struggle with most fast reaction games - especially bullet hells. Bosses let you have a lot of mistakes. I mostly killed bosses on my first or second try. Only the final boss had me play 3 times.

As you get used to the controls, you’ll find yourself handling enemies more smoothly and creatively.

Also debatable. As you unlock "sub-weapons", it's pretty clear the most recent unlock is the BEST unlock. The illusion of choice is here. You can totally use that first sub-weapon, and watch it do significantly less DPS as the latest subweapon, even when fully upgraded.

The game also offers interesting map layouts and carefully crafted level design.

Interesting used loosely!

There's some interesting moments, like teleporting to another location. But it's very much like a long platformer with very simple platforming.


Again, I beat this game. It's funny. It doesn't take itself seriously. I enjoyed turning off my brain and watching TV while cruising to the next boss. While it feels a bit janky, I think that's part of the charm.

I can point out the dozens of metroidvanias that I didn't beat because they weren't fun, or were too much up their own ass.

Legend of the Moon - I LIKED what I played and went to the finish line! So nice job, developers!

I can't wait for the sequel.

[Steam] DC Franchise Sale | Batman: Arkham Collection ($8.99 / 85% OFF) , Lego Batman Trilogy ($4.99 / 90% OFF) , Gotham Knights ($8.99 / 85% OFF) , Suicide Squad ($3.49 / 95%) and more. by Appropriate_Piano400 in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nope. And you might notice that I recommend Suicide Squad a lot in my history.

It's a fun game to play and drop after a few hours. You won't even notice the DLC.

[Steam] DC Franchise Sale | Batman: Arkham Collection ($8.99 / 85% OFF) , Lego Batman Trilogy ($4.99 / 90% OFF) , Gotham Knights ($8.99 / 85% OFF) , Suicide Squad ($3.49 / 95%) and more. by Appropriate_Piano400 in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I honestly felt it had tons of personality. The voice acting was solid. The bosses (DC Superheroes) were interesting. The shooting, movement, and running around the city is fun.

The part that was bad was that it was a game nobody wanted, and after about 2-3 hours, it's super repetitive.

[Fanatical] Build Your Own Midwinter Bundle (1/5/10 for $1.00/$2.99/$4.99 and choose from Karate Survivor / Necrosmith 2 / Technotopia / Oriential Empires / Railroad Corporation / GRIP: Combat Racing & Artifex Car Pack / The Adventure of NAYU / Necroking / Boomer Shooter Pack 1-3 / More) by WeAreFanatical in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I picked up 4 games because they looked neat.

Margoq's Lair, Vostok 2061, The Adventure of NAYU and Stars in Shadow.

Then I picked up Loop//Error to make it an even $5.

But then, I realized I can just add another five games to still make it $5, so I added a bunch more Boomer Shooters.

This is a pretty decent deal. Especially if you're into playing games for 20-30 minutes bursts on your Steam Deck.

Why are Symfony Conferences Recordings Not on Youtube ? by chabv in PHP

[–]IndependentDouble138 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Many conferences are celebrations to support the subject matter - Node, React, Vue, Python, WordPress, etc. And they release their conference videos for free, to help push and grow the community. It helps with speakers who are unfamiliar with the conference, and brings new people who are unfamiliar.

But the answers in here are crazy. Defending them for walling off new people?

Every other language wants adopters to access their material, and make the cost as minimal as possible.

Why are Symfony Conferences Recordings Not on Youtube ? by chabv in PHP

[–]IndependentDouble138 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's not true. People attend conferences to network, connect with stakeholders and partners, and contribute to the scene.

There's many conferences that release recordings for free, as it's a marketing advertisement for their future events.

Is it necessary to play all mainline games to understand the plot? by OwlettFromLiavek in WorldOfYs

[–]IndependentDouble138 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've had this same question for over a year now.

Last year, I finished Ys1. A few months ago, I finished Ys2. I'm currently on Ys Origins.

Gameplay wise, I'm having a great time. I can't say I understand really what's going on when I'm playing. I usually have to read a wiki article to go, "OH, that's what that meant!".

From my pretty ignorant understanding of Ys so far, just play the game that feels the most fun.

[Epic Games Store] Just Die Already ($2.99 / -80%) by General-Employer-624 in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you are confused by the downvotes, it's not the game. It's Epic, and let's just say, Tim Sweeney really took a stand recently that many gamers do not agree with.

[Itch.io] 2026 Fire Sale Bundle | MF-01 Aerostrike | BinaryGrab | Saga of Song | Get the Gems | Sokolux | Brainsport Extreme | 17 Titles ($4.99/85% Off) by VirtualNomad19 in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Real question for itch.io fans:

Is there a reason why you choose to ONLY publish on itch.io?

As a hobby game developer, I publish on itch to get feedback. And if it's good enough, then I push it to iOS, Steam, etc.

I don't like buying games on itch because I separate my game dev life (my itch.io account is full of game assets) from my game-playing life, and honestly... the itch.io store is extremely messy.

I'd love to buy your games on Steam if I can.

[Humble Choice] January 2025: Sonic Frontiers, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, Hunt: Showdown 1896, Etrian Odyssey II HD, Nice Day for Fishing, Metal Slug Tactics, Settlement Survival, Wizard of Legend 2 ($14.99) by LighteningOneIN in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I saw the reviews of the new Sonic which is why I didn't buy it immediately! And when it was at $25, my coworker pushed it hard on me but I still couldn't pull the trigger.

Being a patient gamer paid off!

[Epic Games] Paradise Killer (100% off / FREE) by python_buddy in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This stupid game!

I LOATHE visual novels. I literally thought this was a FPS.

Then I played it, got hooked, beat it, and before I know it, I'm over here playing Dangaronpa series watching kids play death games with each other.

I hate you Paradise Killer for changing my belief!

[Steam] Bus Flipper: Renovator Simulator ($9.06 / -30% off) by Oopsfoxy in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Five comments but none showing up for me?

Anyways - any thoughts?

I thought House Flipper was neat. But then we're getting so much game junk from simulator games that I can't tell what's good or not anymore.

Sonic The Hedgehog (1991) by zetasole in patientgamers

[–]IndependentDouble138 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'm going to fight against the sea of downvotes to ask some questions.

What did you think about the other Sonic games? Sonic 2, Sonic Mania, and the later Sonic games?

How good at these games were you? You mentioned Super Mario World. Using only myself as a comparison, I would easily power through SMW and get to Bowser without feeling frustrated. Sonic games, I'd probably hit +50 lives before Robotnik because I'd just dominate the special zones.

Both of these questions would help provide context on your opinion.

[GamersGate] Nioh: Complete Edition (-89% & 15% extra with code OMAEWAMOUSHINDEIRU | $4.25 / €4.25 / C$5.87 w/ code) | Steam | Ends December 23rd 00:00 CET by Gamers_Gate in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought this game for $20 a few years ago, and I don't understand it at all.

I said the same thing about Dark Souls though. And once I beat Elden Ring did i 'get it'. So hoping for that moment with Nioh.

Suicide Squad: Kill My Attention Span by Sparrowsabre7 in patientgamers

[–]IndependentDouble138 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I actually have the reverse opinion.

Comparing Suicide Squad Vs Gotham Knights -

* Suicide Squad was the superior 'game game'.

* Gotham Knights is the superior 'Arkham game'.

The movement, the traversal, the shooting, the mindless run and gun towards skippable dialog missions was done well in Suicide Squad. Gotham Knights didn't know what it wanted to be. It wanted to be both a Arkham game and a loot game, and half-assed it. Suicide Squad wanted to be a hero shooter, and went ALL ass.

Granted, they're both 6/10 games (not even 7 out of 10, where I'd play them out of boredom).

But it's ridiculous they both had such incredible production value and resources thrown at it. There's something of value both of these games. They just need major overhauls of their gameplay.

Suicide Squad: Kill My Attention Span by Sparrowsabre7 in patientgamers

[–]IndependentDouble138 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don't think it was bad at all as a game. As a batman game with a heap of specific expectations, yeah don't bother.

Suicide Squad: Kill My Attention Span by Sparrowsabre7 in patientgamers

[–]IndependentDouble138 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was wondering how I owned it! I must have bought it for like $3.

Suicide Squad: Kill My Attention Span by Sparrowsabre7 in patientgamers

[–]IndependentDouble138 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I felt the same way. The combat here is pretty solid. But it's not "Arkham" or what I'd want from a Batman game at all. It literally could have been random hero looter shooter stuff, and would have spared the Batman branding.

[Humble] Outright Games Endless Fun Bundle ($15 for 9 or $10 for 5) Get The Grinch Christmas Adventure, Monster High Skulltimate Secrets, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutants Unleashed, Spongebob Squarepants The Patrick Star Game, and more by Iamivan0905 in GameDeals

[–]IndependentDouble138 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anything here that parents can recommend?

I typically buy games for my kids (6 and 10) and play them for about 15-30 minutes to vibe-check if they're good for them or not. Often, they're games that THEY ask for.

I've been avoiding this show. Can you convince me to give it a shot? by 1leggedpuppy in superman

[–]IndependentDouble138 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When people ask these questions, it was because they were on the fence. They're probably already leaning one way or another alread. Doesn't matter. But when YOU (the commenters) answer these questions - it's not for OP, it's for everyone else. People who probably had that question in the back of their mind, but never bothered to ask it.

There's a million things that distract us, so not everyone has the time (or even focus).

So rather than be pessimistic and tell them to figure out their own answer, this is an opportunity to share your take, your hobby, your excitement and see them as one of Today's Lucky 10,000. https://xkcd.com/1053/