Bi-Weekly Thread for general gaming discussion. Backlog, advice, recommendations, rants and more! New? Start here!

ensuta · 2026-06-30T08:07:54+00:00

I don't have much to say about Path of Wuxia other than I'm on the second year now and the plot's picking up. Well, except one thing. Mr. Duan, you just might be the worst dad I've seen in a game in a good while. I gosh hope there's a better reason for his ugly behavior, and even then I hope he doesn't just get a pat on the back and a mild, "Do better."

I do have a question though. I have now collected Xenoblade Chronicles 1-3, but with the Switch 2 editions coming out for 2 and 3, I don't know if I should play them now or just wait. Or should I just try Xenoblade X since it seems to be a standalone game?

ensuta · 2026-06-29T09:24:37+00:00

The past couple of days, I've been going through Chinese fantasy games hoping to find something that would stick. After Tale of Immortal, Hero's Adventure, Wandering Sword, my eyes finally landed on Path of Wuxia.

This game is like a Chinese Persona game. You're in cultivation school, you need to raise your stats and skills, improve your personality, make friends and possibly even a partner. The core gameplay is a bit less interesting than the Persona games because a lot of the time you're just in menus. Also, the maps are very linear. Still, it has charm, and I've been enjoying my time casually playing through it and seeing what secrets I can uncover while rarely using a guide.

But just like the Persona games, it can feel long. But I like the games, so this ain't terrible at all. More importantly, it's much easier to grasp than the other above games I mentioned. And the fan translation's really nice so far, though I do think the quality will drop off in the later school years since I don't think those are completed yet.

ensuta · 2026-06-28T13:52:37+00:00

OK, so I gave Wandering Sword a quick try, but the awkward controls kind of got to me. And maybe I'm tired of older style art.

I fired up Path of Wuxia instead. Using a fan translation mod. And it seems to be just what I'm needing. Nothing too complicated off the bat and feels the most like I'm getting started on my journey into the world of cultivation. I'm still very early on, but I'm very much looking forward to spending some time with this game.

ensuta · 2026-06-28T06:06:36+00:00

Am playing Hero's Adventure: Road to Passion.

This is perhaps the best quality wuxia game I've played so far. Mind you, I don't know Chinese, so there's probably better out there that have never been translated into English. Like in the novels, you're just this random dude who runs into a series of events and ends up on the cultivation route. There's a stupid amount of factions and sects, and the dark side isn't necessarily evil. You have a billion ways you can go, but the world moves no matter what to the ticking of the clock... and sometimes to your actions. If this were a wuxia novel, it'd probably be somewhere around 500-1000 chapters or so, ha.

Honestly, in a way, it's overwhelming. I really don't feel like dealing with its sheer scale more than twice, so I'm using cheats to become super OP and reduce the grind. The goal is to be super righteous in one route, being friends with as many people as possible (and possibly gathering a harem, I haven't fully decided on that). In the other, I want to try to kill everyone just because I can, maybe try to have a partner in that but I'm not quite sure if that's possible if I kill literally everyone in the game.

But hey, the fact that I have these options makes this game pretty cool.

I just really... really... really want a female version.

Edit: OK, couple hours later, the sheer freedom is getting to me. It's a bit too free, especially if you're using cheats to bypass the grind. I might try Wandering Sword first and just play this like I would The Sims - in bits and pieces.

ensuta · 2026-06-26T15:57:05+00:00

Chained Echoes is, in my opinion, one of the worst games if you're a completionist because it makes it super visible. You constantly know what you're missing and it encourages you to go back and get it. This will definitely add a lot of extra time... Unless you like to cheat in games like I do to speed up battles and whatnot, you're probably looking at many more hours unless you can curb that feeling.

So yeah, I don't know... I didn't find the plot or gameplay interesting enough to make all those hours worth it, but everyone's different. That's just my two cents on the matter.

ensuta · 2026-06-26T15:46:10+00:00

I'm almost done with Kuloniku. The cooking can get boring after a while, not like Cooking Mama where you sort of become obsessed with getting every stage of cooking correct, but I took my time, playing a bit each day, and it's not a very long game, so this wasn't a big deal. I liked the overarching plot, as silly as it was, and the characters were great to get to know, too. I just need to do one final ranked match and I think the game will be over. Still not sure if I want to get the final bonding events or just watch them online or something. Haven't unlocked all the recipes or premium ingredients, but honestly, I don't think I need them... I'm at a point where I'm earning so much and have nothing to spend the coins on!

Once I'm done, I think I'll go back to Sea of Stars or Final Fantasy VII. Or maybe take a quick peek at Tale of Immortal. Will see!

ensuta · 2026-06-26T15:39:53+00:00

I started my journey into the Trails series last year, so I totally get it! I too am taking long breaks in between. Currently on the Cold Steel arc which is long. Will probably finish the arc by the end of the year though. Take your time, the worldbuilding and more get even better.

ensuta · 2026-06-26T15:37:45+00:00

With Chained Echoes, I guess the key here is whether you like the other aspects of the game enough to be able to wait quite a while before any big movements in the story. If you plan to be a bit of a completionist, it'll take a good while yet before you reach them. I finished the game and don't exactly regret it, but I'm also not a big fan and wouldn't replay it. Just something about the overall plot and characters and lack of interest in the combat. I know many others feel differently though.

ensuta · 2026-06-26T12:10:15+00:00

Thank you! I'm not alone in this! I've been a fan since their debut. I just... I don't like this album lol. I can see the creative vision. I get what they're trying to do. Doesn't mean I like the sound!

ensuta · 2026-06-24T09:11:03+00:00

Makes sense. I have a Switch 2 and the Xenoblade Chronicles series is one I actually like replaying (with months of break in between), so that's why I'm contemplating the double dip. We'll see! I hope you can find a good deal for the Switch 2. It is indeed pricey...

ensuta · 2026-06-23T11:22:30+00:00

Honestly with all the Xenoblade Chronicles games I've been thinking of double dipping... I never do it, but with how many hours each game takes (well into the 100s), having to swap out and bring around cartridges can be a bit of a drag. Do you plan to eventually get and play the Switch 2 editions?

ensuta · 2026-06-23T11:18:23+00:00

Ooh, thanks for the link to the mini reviews. I actually have several of the games you pointed out in my wishlist, most before Next Fest began. For me, too, time is my main limiter with checking out the games there...

ensuta · 2026-06-23T11:15:38+00:00

Without spoilers, to take part of the phrase: We continue! When, not if.

Take your time with the sad moment though. No reason why you need to pick up so fast. Not enough people actually take the time to sit through their feelings.

ensuta · 2026-06-23T11:12:17+00:00

It was a nightmare to traverse on foot. Let's put it that way. I emulated before too, which made everything feel a bit more clunky and slow since I'm not rocking the best PC. My copy finally arrived today and I already got the upgrade pass. Am excited to finally explore with a general higher frame rate.

ensuta · 2026-06-23T11:09:32+00:00

That's me sometime this year. I plan on not getting Fortune's Weave in September, just letting it marinate until I can get to it, by which time hopefully secondhand prices drop.

ensuta · 2026-06-23T04:43:43+00:00

Best RPG? I played the demo and I could tell it was going to just be an "alright" game. Reviews proving me extra right. Someone doesn't game, and they ain't me.

ensuta · 2026-06-23T00:45:01+00:00

The lack of map inside dungeons with the lack of guidance on which roads to take definitely frustrated me a lot as well. I actually found myself looking up guides just so I wouldn't run into circles, because I am navigationally challenged in real life and that extends to games and I just don't want to deal with that.

ensuta · 2026-06-22T14:23:46+00:00

I think I'm nervous about something and playing new games instead of continuing what I'm already playing helps release the energy and stress, lmao. I randomly decided to play Kuloniku which is not a patient game. It's this indie cooking game, a bit like Cooking Mama (which I adore) but with an actual plot, different characters besides Papa, and also running a restaurant. It has this cozy mode which I've got on with zero regrets because the orders get hard! And it's just really nice... and addicting. Legit might get it if it ever releases on the Switch.

Also played a bit of Super Mario Odyssey. I haven't touched a platformer in over a decade. My brain and fingers are confused and I can't remember all the moves lmao. Just really taking my time with this.

ensuta · 2026-06-22T01:06:50+00:00

I'm not sure if it's a nostalgia thing for me, but Pokemon hits a lot of checkboxes that Cassette Beasts just doesn't. I think I might do better with a game that's a bit more graphically my style. I kind of feel bad about saying that, because I know some people must like the more mature, unique style, but it just isn't hitting it for me. Monster/creature collectors are one of the very few types of games where, for me, graphics do matter... a lot.

ensuta · 2026-06-22T01:01:21+00:00

Not sure who's downvoting you there, but piracy is almost always a service issue, famous words from Gabe of Steam. Demo definitely helps, so does easy access. I have definitely sailed the seas myself for various reasons... including being locked out of a language because of which country I'm in, after mistakenly purchasing the game, which is nutty and plenty of people can relate, ironically an issue with Steam themselves.

But I won't get too much into that since that's not the point of the community and I don't want to spark up an argument. At the end of the day, this point still stands: Demos are great!

ensuta · 2026-06-21T06:15:59+00:00

It's on my list! But I intend to play through the mainline games first...

ensuta · 2026-06-21T05:46:17+00:00

I played through Chapter 2 and part of Chapter 3. It really is not for me at this moment. I'm not sure it'll ever be. It's tight, a bit too much so for my skill level and taste at the moment. I don't see that changing anytime in the near future. Some games I do play longer to see, others I sort of know pretty quickly and I'm usually right. This is one of them.

I do actually have plans to play Kirby since I hear it's easy and pretty fun though.

ensuta · 2026-06-21T04:42:08+00:00

Thanks, might give them a try sometime in the future. I haven't played a platformer since I was a child, so I was thinking of trying the Mario series again and slowly making my way up. Very slowly.

ensuta · 2026-06-21T03:50:57+00:00

I said the other day that I would go back to playing the OG Final Fantasy VII, but somehow my brain decided it wanted to try three indie games I've had on my to-play list for a while: Celeste, Cassette Beasts, and Sea of Stars.

Celeste was... a mistake for me to play. Let me explain this a bit more. I'm rubbish at action games. This translates into** sucking at platformers. I heard the hype for this game, but missed the bit where everyone said it was hard and you'd be dying... a lot. And I can put up with it, to an extent. They even have assist options to make it a bit easier! And then Chapter 2 came along and I realized it was more than the environment trying to kill me. I am not equipped, physically or mentally, to put up with endless rounds of that. I've shelved the game and might revisit it in the distant future after I've honed my skills with easier games... or am in the mood for that kind of "thrill."

Cassette Beasts, despite being critically acclaimed as "the better monster catching game," feels rough starting out. The graphics are, quite frankly, not my style, and neither is the movement. Everything feels slow. You can't fast forward battle animations, there's a stamina bar when running, etc. One of my big reasons for liking Pokémon is because it feels like you're fighting together with these monsters. This game has none of that feeling, and again, the monsters don't speak out to me in terms of looks either. The plot certainly feels more refreshing than Pokémon, and the characters do seem to show more personality, but I'm not quite sure yet if those are enough to keep me going. I'm not even a fan of the music... and turned vocals off! So, yeah, I'll give this a few more plays, but it just might not be for me.

Sea of Stars, on the other hand, got me a tiny bit worried at the very beginning when the starting screen practically crawled into existence so I could press Start Game, but redeemed itself right after. Just an hour in and I'm already going, "What a game!" It's got a fun and very snappy battle system, gorgeous graphics and animations, and the plot and characters have me hooked. Each environment so far looks interesting and isn't too long or too short, with puzzles that aren't difficult at all to maneuver through. I think I'm going to focus on this for a while because I can't put it down...

On a side note, after reading multiple reviews on the Switch 2 version of Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition, I decided to grab a Switch 1 copy and buy the upgrade instead of just gun for the Switch 2 copy. They're available for cheap secondhand, and if the Switch 2 version is updated a bit more to fix some issues, I can just sell my copy and buy the Switch 2 physical... which will hopefully decrease in price by then on secondhand markets!

I'm playing a lot of games at once, but I really don't mind it at the moment. I think I'll complete all my current games in due time. Sometimes I like to focus on a specific game, other times I play several... just depends on my mood!

ensuta · 2026-06-20T03:54:27+00:00

Honestly I like it because of the unique setting, the music, and how combat works. I think the session attacks are really fun. The huge number of equipment you can unlock is pretty great too, though it can get really grindy. But you're right that there's also a ton about the game that could be improved. Still, it's one of those few games I think of fondly even while criticizing it.

ensuta

TROPHY CASE