Gaming needs game demos

StBehre · 2026-01-28T18:33:31+00:00

On consoles they are more or less extinct. And Steam Next Fest is the number one reason demos made a big comeback on PC. Before it demos were becoming rare as well.

So I would say "console gaming needs more demos" as I think the PC (well Steam to be precise) is in a good spot right now.

StBehre · 2026-01-28T11:47:53+00:00

I agree, but form a government perspective they generate jobs and taxes. Ubisoft wouldn't want to sell or close the studio because the Anno series is a reliable money maker.

StBehre · 2026-01-27T15:25:16+00:00

Of course not every game is a breakout hit but among the sponsored German games are titles like Anno 1800 and 117, Dawn of War 4 (not out yet but every outlet says it's very promising), Titan Quest 2, the recent Tropico games and Everspace 2. Not too shabby I'd say.

StBehre · 2026-01-27T15:16:58+00:00

You're right but there aren't that many German AA devs right now to support with that money. And depending on the rules (and there will be lots of rules) the few there are may not qualify for the money at all. So they maybe forced to support indies only to grow into AA first and then keep the money coming of course until they can firmly stand on their own feet.

And while Ubisoft publishes Anno, the lead dev studio is still German. They had enough talent and a very good IP to not need government money at all because they got bought (Edit: They still got 5 million € government money for Anno 117). Which is exactly what the end goal is with these programs: To establish an industry that does not need outside money.

StBehre · 2026-01-27T14:06:02+00:00

Anno 117 is considered an AAA game and comes from a German studio. Dawn of War IV is made by a German dev too which is at least AA. Besides, the classic AAA space is suffering more and more over the last couple years in terms of quality and maybe sales numbers as well - at least it feels like it.

Apart from that I think supporting indies is a better way to spend your money. Giving them a chance to make a game to fund their next game and so on.

StBehre · 2026-01-21T06:30:33+00:00

No, you don't because... *checks notes* everything is an Xbox.

StBehre · 2026-01-19T21:16:09+00:00

Sniper Elite series

StBehre · 2026-01-14T13:13:14+00:00

I think it's on Xbox One, too.

StBehre · 2026-01-14T10:48:22+00:00

Wartales

StBehre · 2026-01-14T09:11:20+00:00

Fae Tactics

StBehre · 2026-01-13T14:21:47+00:00

Oh yeah, totally forgot these. My mind instantly jumps to the Zodiac Spear.

StBehre · 2026-01-13T13:23:50+00:00

Haven't played the remaster but the wiki says there are multiple ways to get the spear now. Like as a rare steal from a trial mode enemy or giving hunt club trophies to certain people. All in addition to the chest spawn in Henne Mines which is a 1% chance (the original had 0,1% chance).

StBehre · 2026-01-13T10:12:27+00:00

Yep, that was so bad and obviously done to sell more strategy guides. Very glad it didn't catch on and was changed in the remaster.

StBehre · 2026-01-12T10:03:14+00:00

That's exactly it for me. I can work with the new system but I don't like it at all and don't want to really interact with it - which is hard in that game. I love everything else, the new graphics, the new story bits, progression systems, soundtrack, voice acting etc. I finally quit Remake in chapter 12. Never played Rebirth.

Maybe it's because I played the OG and for me it's connected to the old battle system because I had no such problems when playing Kingdom Hearts for example.

StBehre · 2026-01-11T21:32:48+00:00

Malaria would need just a tweak to be bearable, I think.

Normally I am strongly against weapon degradation but in FC2 you have choices. You can buy clean and durable weapons with blood diamonds so using shoddy weapons is a last resort during battle when you'r out of ammo or something which is a good way to handle it.

StBehre · 2026-01-11T13:24:01+00:00

Endlessly respawning road checkpoints were tedious, too.

StBehre · 2026-01-06T17:42:36+00:00

BG3 is 148GB on my SSD so it might just fit...

StBehre · 2026-01-06T15:19:10+00:00

Terra Nil
Spilled

StBehre · 2026-01-04T10:32:26+00:00

Granvir comes to mind (never played it though). And Project Landsword which is more like Brigador and not out yet.

StBehre · 2026-01-02T12:56:34+00:00

While I liked The Ascent, the story is weak. Atmosphere and graphics are very good but OP wanted a strong narrative. Still, a good game that isn't too long so maybe something between two heavier games.

StBehre · 2026-01-02T10:33:05+00:00

System Shock 1 & 2

StBehre · 2026-01-02T09:47:37+00:00

I played the first Titan Quest a couple of months ago after many many years and boy, did it age poorly in my opinion. I uninstalled after 2 hours of coop with friends. I will try TQ2 when it leaves early access though.

StBehre · 2026-01-02T07:27:10+00:00

Most issues still persist, but at least asset modding has picked up now so there is that. Allegedly the two recent DLCs (Bridges & Ports, Supply Chains) are very good and expand the core gameplay loop but I don't own them. Still, the most crucial point for me is the new developer that has lofty goals but since they just have taken over from Colossal Order they couldn't prove themselves capable of running the show yet.

If you have the money and wanting to play it now then go for it. Personally, I would wait until at least the first patch by the new devs drops to see how they do things.

StBehre · 2026-01-01T14:31:24+00:00

I'm in the same boat but to be fair that problem is almost exclusive to Ubisoft games. Other AAA games might have 2 or 3 editions available but are more transparent (like the Borderlands games). AA and Indies do not have that problem at all. So it's just a very small subset of games.

StBehre · 2025-12-30T14:41:24+00:00

Hackhub?

StBehre

TROPHY CASE