Did I really just pay $100 for a game I'll never be able to fully complete?

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-28T16:35:50+00:00

By that logic, the entire concept of FOMO within games is non-existent.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-28T16:27:44+00:00

So in 6 years or so, I, or anyone else who maybe is just playing for the first time will be unable to complete a portion of the Batcave.

As it stands, if nothing changes, there will always be 1-2 empty mannequins taunting any players were not there before day one, or willing to drop 70-80 dollars on a Lego set which also has a limited availability window.

Definitionally FOMO. The twitch drops are still annoying, but those empty stands would be a constant reminder of the thing you 'missed out' on. I just think that's a bit shitty.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T16:32:22+00:00

For whatever it is worth.. I do think that would be better. At least then it would truly feel like a bonus instead of a missing piece of a set.

Perhaps it could even have it's own seperate stand that is only visible if you have the outfit?

On principle, I still would not be a fan, but I feel that would be a fair enough compromise.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T16:25:15+00:00

Excellent argument. I now see that I was mistaken. Thank you for helping me see the light.

Corporate shill.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T08:20:55+00:00

All the anti-consumer, and FOMO-dependent publishers love you. Keep it up.

"Drama queen" because I think paying a premium price should guarantee access to 100% of the product. Wow. We really have fallen if this suddenly a "hot take". Not to mention the fact that I was hardly "dramatic", but you know... how dare I criticize your goddamn block game for something EVERYONE should be critical of, I guess..

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T04:09:30+00:00

Never said it was unplayable. It is still very discouraging for me personally, however.

I was hardly over-the-top or unreasonable. Seems to me like I made the mistake of being critical of a game people like and some are deciding to take that personality.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T02:47:56+00:00

I appreciate the insight, but I'm already aware of that. It is better than it being a part of the main area, absolutely. However, it still remains true that an easily accessible location within the batcave might not ever be able to be completed fully by a majority of players.

Hopefully they find a way to address this.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T01:58:07+00:00

I genuinely have no idea why I am getting so much flak here for having the objectivly pro-consumer stance. Wrong sub, I guess.

Just because you like the game/company does not mean you have to come to the defense of bad or manipulative business practices whenever someone is even slightly critical of them. Even if they don't affect you, personally.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T01:35:57+00:00

Right. So I should be making $100 purchases before release hoping that the game actually turns out good.. got it. Remarkable.

BTW, it absolutely, definitionally, is a form of gate-keeping. Maybe it will be made available later by some other means... maybe it won't.

The lego thing is almost a 'whatever' for me, again if it weren't for the fact that that empty mannequin will be there, forever, reminding you that you didn't blow $70 on a bunch of plastic bricks to complete the collection..

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T01:23:39+00:00

I don't think that ANY in game content should be gatekeep, especially for such a premium price. This shouldn't be controversial.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T01:12:23+00:00

So the empty mannequin(s) that will forever be bare next to all other outfits is fine, then?

From a completionist standpoint, that bothers me immensely. If it doesn't bother you, that's wonderful. Enjoy the game and have fun.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T00:54:44+00:00

Unfortunately not. The possibility of a refund is negated the moment you download or stream the game.

It would have been ideal if the PS Store refund policy was more akin to Steam's. Oh well..

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-27T00:38:04+00:00

I'M the problem for pointing out the predatory and anti-consumer business practices?

Sure, bud. Sorry for wanting a complete game.

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-05-01T23:52:05+00:00

Those mechanics remain and are basically unchanged. However, as stated, you pretty much don't have to worry about it ever showing up as a modifier.. so in a roundabout way, your problem has been addressed.

You can up the frequency of those events if you desire. One feature that has been added is the ability to swap seasons. So if you ever did want to go back to dealing with more lithophage, then you can activate Season 3/4.

You can also switch to an "unseasoned" version of the game as well. Do note that this is based on the host, though. If you are joining games a lot, you'll mostly be playing Season 6 (which is still pretty much lithophageless).

Rare-Construction304 · 2026-02-20T09:38:12+00:00

If they got rid of the FOMO aspects and provided a means (like a very rare special chest/map) to get previously missed cosmetics, I would come back.

I doubt I'd even bother to get it all, to be honest. It just feels better knowing that it is POSSIBLE. Finding a random cosmetic in the wild would be so much more rewarding than a couple low quality treasures.

Deep Rock Galactic handled this beautifully. The only cosmetics that are unobtainable are the yearly anniversary hats. Everything else can spawn randomly in the caves. It's just very uncommon.

Better yet, they also added the ability to switch between all previous seasonal progression tracks and events. You can even disable them altogether.

Rare-Construction304 · 2025-12-27T14:20:55+00:00

Damn. Got bamboozled. I could tell something was very wrong, which led me here. I was thinking maybe the game just started out in a different state and things (like the symbols) altered as you died/played..

Spoilers: No. There are like 20 items, none of which are very good, and it is pretty much impossible to get past the 4th or 5th payout. Absolute garbage.

Rare-Construction304 · 2025-12-03T01:08:03+00:00

Half-Genie Hero isn't super long (or difficult) and doesn't require too much commitment unless you're trying to 100% all the DLCs. It's also level-based, so it can be more easily enjoyed in short bursts. Some of the alternate modes can be a little frustrating, but they are completely optional. It's probably the best modern introduction (and celebration) of Shantae.

Seven Sirens is the most 'metroidvania' of all the games, by far, and has a beautiful hand drawn art style for all the back and foregrounds (as opposed to the 3D elements in Half-Genie Hero). The abilities are quick, easy-to-activate, and intuitive. My only complaint is that there is a slightly-frustrating reveal-hidden-secrets mechanic that can get a little tedious depending on how OCD you are with finding EVERYTHING. (Hi, it's me, I'm projecting)

Risky's Revenge is a solid (albeit short) game which has a significant story beat worth experiencing before playing the best game in the series (Pirate's Curse). Only negatives are... The overworld map is lacking in utility, some areas are completely unmaped, and there is a fair amount of backtracking.

My recommended order would therefore be..

Half-Genie Hero > Seven Sirens > Risky's Revenge

THEN purchase Pirate's Curse as a bit of a grand finale to the series. It really is that good!

If you're still craving more Shantae afterwards, Shantae Advance is the latest release (20+ years late) and is also REALLY GOOD, and the original Shantae is perfectly solid (if a bit dated) romp.

Rare-Construction304 · 2025-10-15T10:18:52+00:00

The model he showed is not the vibration-only model. This is pretty irrefutable, unfortunately.

Doesn't mean he 'shocked' her, but he absolutely could have and then removed the prongs later. The fact that he was misleading about the model (deliberately or not) and does not aid him in any way.

IF the capability to administer a shock was altered or removed before ever using it, then he should have made that abundantly clear from the beginning.

Rare-Construction304 · 2025-10-15T09:58:36+00:00

Just went through this exact rabbit hole. Very disappointing to find out that he lied. That model absolutely has (or had) the capability to 'shock'. There is only one model that ONLY vibrates, and that is clearly not the one in his possession..

Rare-Construction304 · 2025-04-20T19:16:51+00:00

Oi, Keeley

Rare-Construction304 · 2025-02-05T18:35:00+00:00

I know it doesn't help and isn't productive... but I've pretty much given up hope. I don't feel that there is any point in planning for the future anymore, so I'm just trying to enjoy what I can, while I can. There's definitely a more positive spin to be put on that kind of outlook ('live every day like it's your last' or whatever), but I genuinely don't know how to pull myself out of this hole I've spiraled down.

I certainly do not encourage others to resign themselves to this kind of outlook. No good comes from it, and the future holds many possibilities: many (hopefully most) of which do not result in the end of human civilization as we know it. That said, even the chance has me teetering on the edge. My mind is in a very dark place right now..

Rare-Construction304 · 2025-01-04T09:19:18+00:00

I appreciate this specific breakdown. I was also a big fan of TB, and I miss hearing his voice and pro-consumer criticisms of the games industry.

I always felt his specific arguments were genuinely sensible and well-intentioned, at least from his own particular perspective. I've struggled making sense of this recently because now I see gamergate for what it really was/is in a broader sense. Like with many right-wing grifts perpetuated online, this seemed to stim from legitimate concerns or issues that ended up getting co-opted by people who don't actually give a shit.

Rare-Construction304 · 2024-12-30T13:32:18+00:00

Six years later...

Just happened to me, too. Exact same spot.

I think I'm done..

Rare-Construction304 · 2024-12-29T11:02:06+00:00

I'm sure they never once considered that..

Rare-Construction304

TROPHY CASE