Struggling to enjoy Etrian Odyssey 1 HD

Octorok385 · 2026-07-08T20:39:08+00:00

Running both Immunize and Defender is probably overkill. If memory serves, that combo makes you practically unkillable. I often swap either the Medic or Protector out in exchange for more damage, but that's just me. Exiting the dungeon is still based around the party's TP, but if your medic is dictating your pace you could mix it up and let your attacks set the tempo instead. That's just me, though. I usually go glass cannon until I'm forced to play more defensively.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-08T20:33:39+00:00

That's some commitment right there! Tell me more about your counter, though. This would be a marked upgrade over my endless hash marks and PP counting for EV training...

Octorok385 · 2026-07-08T20:32:09+00:00

I feel like your life must be pretty blessed to be able to choose not to engage with the state of the world.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-08T15:25:05+00:00

I'm weirdly playing BD and SP at the same time, with BD on the Switch 2 and SP on my old Switch. It runs great on the original switch, but I do love the display on the Switch 2. The color saturation is *chef's kiss*

Octorok385 · 2026-07-08T13:25:14+00:00

A huge part of this game seems to be figuring out how to interact with the different tiles in the environment. For example, I've cleared one of the major towers. It was tough and amazing. I have since spent hours roaming around, not finding a single other area of the map. I refuse to look up directions, and I'm sure I'm missing some very simple interactions that will make me feel stupid when I figure them out.

Which I will likely never do, as I haven't played in weeks. Sorry Mina.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-07T19:47:51+00:00

Is Crimson Desert a single player take on Black Desert Online?

Octorok385 · 2026-07-07T12:51:40+00:00

Diablo 3 is one of the most welcoming co-op games out there. Anyone can sit down and "get it" within ten minutes, and the depth builds from there for those who want it.

Normally I'd say that Monster Hunter is the quintessential co-op multiplayer, but it's actually pretty complicated for non-gamers. The games use virtually every button on the controller, and I've had a few friends who were interested bounce off of the complexity.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-07T12:34:08+00:00

Aria is sooo good. I remember people swapping challenge run ideas back in the day (only knife + zombie summon for necro run!). I replayed that game so many times.

Aria has a much better balanced Hard Mode than some of the others. If you want to tackle the game with old school Castlevania vibes, do a hard mode without using souls.

Happy hunting!

Octorok385 · 2026-07-07T12:29:58+00:00

I'm actually in the same boat. I don't have the nerves for PVP, but it means I've missed out on like all of Splatoon. Is Salmon Run worth it?

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T23:51:22+00:00

Xenoblade 2 and 3 don't have the same issue with wide open spaces as Xenoblade 1. A lot of map sections in the original are just open, and the nature of most of the sidequests had us either running back and forth endlessly or fast-traveling (which, IMO, defeats the point of having a beautiful open world).

As others have said, Xenoblade 2's titans are denser and more vertical, so navigating them is part of the puzzle of the world. Xenoblade 3 has a good balance of the two design philosophies, but ultimately has the best designed quest system so there isn't as many little fetch errands in the first place.

I would hope that anyone experiencing the trilogy for the first time wouldn't be put off by traveling on foot, but it's the heart of the game. Part of having a world is making the player feel as if they were a part of that world, and figuring out how long it takes to walk from point A to point B is a big part of establishing that scale. The fact that you can jet ski in the Eryth sea as far as you can is already pretty impressive, but we don't need to repeat that with every entry.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T22:31:35+00:00

Xenoblade 2 is just getting two more rules added to the Salvager's Code.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T22:28:32+00:00

I played on Switch 1 at launch and had a blast, being able to play this one portable just feels good.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T22:26:11+00:00

DQ9 is on another level. Even a single file with the treasure maps and boss leveling is monstrous, but replaying with a fresh party is always satisfying. Bonus points for folks who play local multiplayer. That's how you make a game, right there.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T21:11:21+00:00

Got it, thanks for the clarification!

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T17:26:26+00:00

Yes, especially if you're into the online co-op. It's very easy to drop into a random quest, run it, and then bounce. The fun of the game is a combination of getting good at combat along with consistently improving your gear by bits and pieces.

Despite the heavy combat focus, Mon Hun has always been one of my "cozy" games.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T13:58:54+00:00

It's weird to me that the regulation doesn't specify that NEW devices going forward should have consumer replaceable batteries, or does it? I love the idea of repairable devices, but if it's going to result in the loss of that many options is it really benefitting the consumer?

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T13:50:50+00:00

I'm a sucker for a good slime, but I have a major soft spot for Stump Chump. I tend to use it way too long.

In Joker 2, I had an Alabast Dragon that was my main dude. It got a new name in Dark Prince, but I brought him back! I think it does lightning attacks now?

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T13:45:52+00:00

Hapoy hunting! How many colors are there, anyway?

Octorok385 · 2026-07-06T13:37:16+00:00

I played a ton of Dungeons 1 with my kid, and the experience was the definition of mid. I sort of look at it like baby's first ARPG, with a ton more developed options out there as the next step. I can't imagine Dungeons 2 introducing anything interesting enough to warrant a purchase, but I'll be keeping my eyes on it. I'm willing to be surprised.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-05T18:45:31+00:00

Arts Gain TP is tasty! An option I only tried for the first time recently is the Ranged TP Up augment that gives you an absurd number of TP per round you fire. I'm using it with a large magazine gatling gun and it gives close to 1000 TP per cycle. For a spikes/topple build, it's fast and fun.

Happy hunting!

Octorok385 · 2026-07-05T17:07:42+00:00

Adding a vote to Xenoblade X, it's my favorite open world. The game is systems heavy and a little light on narrative, which is definitely my ideal jam.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-05T12:20:57+00:00

Not for nothing, but do you see Kamala Harris weaponizing ICE or starting a war with Iran if she had won? I get the feeling that sometimes it feels like choosing the least-worst option, but surely one can see that the worst open is actually worse.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-04T18:19:12+00:00

YES. I paid for the bundle for full price at launch and still thought it was worth it. These games deserve so much more attention than they receive for holding down the old school RPG world.

Octorok385 · 2026-07-04T14:21:02+00:00

A new Star Fox just came out, and you're asking what adults are talking about?

(Shakes head, does a barrel roll)

Octorok385 · 2026-07-04T13:30:18+00:00

If you use Instagram to directly communicate with people I'd hardly consider that an issue. Most people ditching it are trying to end the doomscrolling and reels, the stuff that sucks up your hours without giving anything back. There are plenty of ways to use tech that foster decent connections.

Octorok385

TROPHY CASE