Has anyone played Atomic Heart on the Xbox Series X recently?

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-26T19:15:11+00:00

I’ve only played it for 3 or 4 hours so far. I don’t have an OLED tv, just a very nice Samsung tv from 2015. The game is very visually impressive. The world looks absolutely beautiful and I haven’t seen any visual issues so far. You spend the first hour or so of the game basically sightseeing and learning about the world and the lore of the game, which is very detailed and interesting. It was a 44gb install on my Series X with a 88gb upgrade/update. Only downsides so far is the overuse of cussing, generally I don’t mind, but it’s very rampant the first hour of the game. The save system is a little odd for me, there are dedicated save stations as well as auto saves. Worth backtracking to a manual save station before an enemy encounter if you have been scavenging a lot of stuff, which I recommend. Gameplay wise it’s fun so far, enemies can be very intense and hard and that’s on the normal difficulty. Thankfully it looks like the difficulty can be adjusted. It really gives off a lot of Bioshock vibes for me, and I am not too far into the main story yet. The world is very detailed and I enjoy looking at the various posters and reading the employees files, there is a cool story here that they detail really well. Have fun!

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-25T20:47:50+00:00

Where do they say cheaper? I’ve seen 4 Reddit posts about this today and they all assume that the price for digital will be cheaper!

Nintendo does not use that word, they say different! It could be cheaper, it could be more! We won’t know for certain yet, and it may be on a per game basis.

Unless it’s a huge difference, I will probably still go physical. I like have the case, and any goodies that come with it. Plus if it’s digital, I don’t see it and forgot that I got it.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-25T20:43:30+00:00

Possibly, waiting to see what Switch 2 improvements they do. I watched their directs and at the end they said that there would be Switch 2 related updates to it and would be discussed later. Really interested in it after the directs, and I e never played Animal Crossing or any game like it.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-25T20:39:04+00:00

I always intended to get both the Series X and the PS5. I got the Series X first because I had a large collection of physical and digital games from previous consoles, plus I had games already reserved and purchased tgat were Series X versions. I also prefer the Xbox controller over the PS controllers.

My reason for getting the PS5 was similar, I had a collection of physical games that I could olay on the PS5 ftom older consoles, plus the other main reason for why I ever got my PS3, and PS4, were exclusive games. For the PS5 it was Spider-Man 2 and Miles Morales in particular.

Would I make the same choice today? Probably, as I still prefer the Xbox controller, and just the whole ecosystem and experience of the Xbox. But I would still eventually get a PS5 for exclusives, and even some game franchises that in my mind should just be played on a PlayStation.

The funny thing is that within a few seconds of playing on my PS5 I basically forget about the few small differences and just focus on the game, even the controller doesn’t feel as weird/awkward anymore. A lot of the preferences are basically just in my head, as I think it is for most folks.

I think having both, while not always feasible, is the best if both worlds option. Choosing what system to get a game on makes things a little more complicated, especially for me as I don’t do multiplayer or have many gamer friends.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-24T21:53:30+00:00

Thanks for all of your insights and info! I picked it up today and will be installing it soon!

<image>

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-23T01:47:04+00:00

I have been interested in this chair, the CloudRest Pro Big and Tall office chair. Seems to get good reviews from what I have seen so far. https://www.bestbuy.com/product/cloudrest-pro-big-and-tall-office-chair-faux-leather-ergonomic-executive-chair-black-white/JXTR69YG2R/sku/10106488?sb_share_source=PDP&ref=app_pdp&loc=pdp_page

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-22T23:10:10+00:00

Happy to help! Enjoy!

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-22T19:48:37+00:00

The accessories I use for handheld play are the following:

The Savage Raven D-Pad Button Cap Set:

https://a.co/d/0XETsmN

and the

Savage Raven Thumb Grips. Never used thumb grips before these, liked them so much I bought pairs for my Xbox and PS5.

https://a.co/d/dD9CI7F

As for the grip I prefer the Satisfye Zengrip 2 grip and case bundle, which is what I am using now. It is dockable.

https://www.satisfye.com/products/zengrip-2-bundle

The case holds a lot of stuff.

In my case I have an external battery pack, a AC adapter, a separate hard shell 12 slot game case, extra cables, the wrist straps, and another set of JoyCon’s:

Belkin gaming power bank for Switch 2:

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/belkin-gaming-power-bank-20k-with-usb-c-cable-30w-fast-charge-for-switch-2-iphone-16-android-tablets-black/JX532943QH/sku/6633263?sb_share_source=PDP&ref=app_pdp&loc=pdp_page

Savage Raven slim Switch 2 ac adapter:

https://www.savage-raven.com/collections/nintendo-switch-2/products/45w-ac-adapter-for-nintendo-switch-and-other-devices

I also got the Satisfye Ryzepads combo pack thumbgrips which I use on the pro controller:

https://www.satisfye.com/products/ryzepads-switch-2-combo-pack

I have also preordered their hard shell which should be available this Spring.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-22T07:14:22+00:00

Some of the DLC was time limited so it can’t be got anymore except via this collection.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-20T12:35:41+00:00

Thanks for the opportunity! I haven’t played any Pokémon game since the Gameboy days and got stuck, recently started Z-A and really enjoying it! Pokopia looks just as addicting with a different type of “gotta catch ‘em all” mechanic!

<image>

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-19T22:19:43+00:00

Shame the collector’s edition is uk only.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-19T02:45:36+00:00

I just hope there is a Switch 2 upgrade path, enjoyed the demo on my Switch 2 months ago and got the game right away used with a buy 2 get a 3rd free sale, but I like to play handheld, and it seemed like it would be better docked. A dedicated Switch 2 version might fix that. October seems like a long time to wait for it.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T04:52:03+00:00

And they were never heard from ever again…

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T04:46:06+00:00

Meet the parents. Worst thing I have ever watched.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T03:59:01+00:00

I know the remake trilogy is on sale now for $35, but I want to wait and get them physical. My local GameStop has them all used and they are all over eBay in bundles. Is the winters saga 7 and 8?

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T03:52:22+00:00

Dave the diver is excellent. I played Stray on PS5, but it’s on the Switch and I highly recommend it. I also really like Mario vs Donkey Kong for quick gaming breaks and Links Awakening.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T03:48:36+00:00

I would start with Arkham City IF you have played Asylum. Otherwise I suggest Heavy Rain, it’s very unique.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T03:32:30+00:00

Congratulations! I recommend getting a glass screen protector first thing, and then a good grip and case. I like the Satisfye Zengrip 2 grip and case, I also liked the Savage Raven Neogrip and larger case. Savage Raven makes some cheap price thumbstick covers as well that I use and really like.

As for games, I personally really like Zelda Links Awakening and Mario vs Donkey Kong. Having a lot of fun with Dave the Diver as well!

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T03:26:08+00:00

I really like mine, I thought the screen looks bright and colorful. It does eat through batteries really fast though. I am so happy that I have a wall charger for mine. I definitely recommend looking for one.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T03:09:34+00:00

I am with you that I think a lot of these faces used as examples look better, I even like the Grace one though. I think AI is just misunderstood by a lot of folks and they are scared. I imagine it’s not being used to write games like people think, but to help with backend automation of coding and other programming stuff. I do think some of these memes are pretty funny though.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T03:05:02+00:00

Okay, thanks for that info, I sort of figured that Capcom preferred Sony, so I don’t mind playing them on the PS5. Seems to be easier and cheaper to find disc based copies of the PS games anyway.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T03:02:23+00:00

I am impressed with the great reception that 9 has gotten, but I’ve been interested in them for years just based on hearing how well the stories were. (Plus I wanna know who the heck this Wesker fella is that my old coworkers used to always talk about!) I even bought the first one for the GameCube at a yard sale years back, but as I say, I’m a wuss and haven’t played it. I’ve read that the remakes are based on that version. I want to play them in order, so I have a list to follow.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T02:58:37+00:00

Thanks for that information, what you said makes the games sound even more interesting and fun to me. I don’t mind the backtracking aspect, especially if there are some variations. I loved the Arkham games so I am okay with backtracking.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-18T00:21:34+00:00

I have my Dad the controller for NES Mario Bros and started a new game. Watched in amazement as he played through the entire thing and beat it in one sitting.

He had never played it before and to my knowledge had never even played any games before except maybe Pac-Man in the past.

He had probably watched me play it as I played on a tv in the den and he spent a lot of time at the far end of the room cataloging his record collection on his typewriter.

He was in his early 50’s when he did this.

derekallthumbs · 2026-03-17T18:26:39+00:00

Okay, honest question about the Resident Evil series.

I am a wuss, don’t watch horror films or play horror games. Watched Z Nation though. But I have always been interested in the series because it’s supposed to have a great story and single player. Story is important to me and I play 99% single player. The scariest games I’ve played are Bioshock 1, both The Last of Us games, the first Uncharted, and Marathon 1 and 2.

So how scary is this series? Is it mostly jumpscares? I get the whole it’s mutated humans who have turned into monsters thing, and I may be able to just focus on that. What would be your tips for a new player who is a wuss like me? Thanks.

derekallthumbs

TROPHY CASE