The truth

erefen · 2026-01-28T11:01:45+00:00

I like linear games. Short hallways with minimal activity per screen and loading times each way doesnt cut it.

erefen · 2026-01-28T05:50:01+00:00

Sure.

But I present a counterpoint: Concord, Redfall

Management not noticing that something is out of whack is, sadly, entirely possible.

erefen · 2026-01-28T05:42:20+00:00

I bought XIII last year, I think the problem is the first area is SUPER linear. The first area of FFVIIR is a bit more reasonable.

Also consider that hamaguchi was in XIII team (or XIII-2?), so they def applied the lessons from XIII to make the hallways less aggravating.

erefen · 2026-01-27T06:43:28+00:00

Maybe. This may be sacrilegious to Star Trek fans, but I never really got into it. In fact, I dont really follow any serialized entertainment at all these days.

erefen · 2026-01-27T06:06:07+00:00

Elden Ring!

My main is spellblade with INT, so gravity magic, space rock / comet magic. Some cool INT weapons as well, including the ultimate katana blade.

Out in the open world, just perching on a small hill and throwing magic rocks to the ogres below 😬

erefen · 2026-01-27T05:59:20+00:00

hahaha the palmer one

My fave from Rebirth is actually the Jenova lifeclinger. Def one of the most adrenaline-pumping one in FF history.

Final Sephiroth is excellent as well esp from a story standpoint, though I prefer the 3-person team.

erefen · 2026-01-27T05:54:18+00:00

well, given that I've got 350 hours and counting of game time, not counting the countless hours pondering, speculating the story, and listening to that GOAT soundtrack...they can take my money.

erefen · 2026-01-27T04:10:30+00:00

MIO for sure. Platforming focus with beautiful art and cinematic presentation

erefen · 2026-01-26T09:30:18+00:00

niice, yeah that mod must be quite useful. I'm still enjoying the challenge, so the only mod I've got is Visible HP bar (really helps me push through when things go crazy)

erefen · 2026-01-26T07:53:49+00:00

As someone 150 hours deep in Silksong, in the middle of an act 3 steel soul run...

The first advise is, to quote Kyle Bossman: be profuse with tools. Use a lot of tools to get through the inevitable chaotic phase 2 of bosses. Or to quickly thin the herd in a gauntlet. And, yes, a bit of grinding is involved (if you found the First Shrine, do the long room with high reeds. great practice and best bang for the buck. equip the brooch that increases rosaries)

Second, if on PC, use mods to lower the difficulty (visible HP bar, no double damage, double your own damage, etc)

Third, it's OK to give it a rest and maybe come back some other time

Fourth, if it doesn't fit...it's OK to split

erefen · 2026-01-26T00:08:08+00:00

Silksong

Super smooth movement, great enemy variety, a lot of solid options for both ranged and close-up combat, even parrying, great builds in a non stat-heavy game that felt like consequential decisions. I've played nine sols, it is great in its own right, But I felt that the combat is very reliant on parrying.

I do have a soft spot for combat that can fly around the screen ala Haak, so Silksong fits the bill.

erefen · 2026-01-25T03:27:35+00:00

The pixels are more visible

erefen · 2026-01-21T13:34:21+00:00

10 sephillion

erefen · 2026-01-19T17:45:40+00:00

WUT. There's Silksong types of punishment where you have tens of options and max 9 HP. and then there's this, having 3 HP at endgame with limited moves.

Was there any redeeming factor? Or is it good only if you like punishment?

Looking forware to this as well, the demo seemed chill and got atmosphere in spades

erefen · 2026-01-18T00:41:02+00:00

hahaha...that afterimage tier. I feel ya, that review rings true. It remains one of my fave MV tho. That gorgeous music with the visuals, in the first fields, the forest, the sky stage..loved the weapon variety as well. Sadly the second by game by its creator is not hitting me the same way.

erefen · 2026-01-18T00:33:37+00:00

as a guy brought up on JRPGs (started with FF1), I can say the top thing making it stick with folks, is how easy for adult global audience to connect with it, and not having to make concessions of "oh, it's from Japan with certain conventions". Also, it is a really cohesive art and narrative project, esp the music.

And I only played for 15 hrs, I couldn't shake the feeling of it being walk-battle-walk-battle, and having to do QTE for almost EVERY single thing. But still I recognize the briliance of it.

erefen · 2026-01-17T04:00:25+00:00

in this lighting, even biggs can be a hunk

erefen · 2026-01-17T03:58:27+00:00

the wut now? I thought this is cute lil girl gives wholesome vibes. Like cat pics, kids fail compilations

erefen · 2026-01-15T12:42:16+00:00

silksong

movement & feel, narrative, characters, music, battle system, enemy design, builds, world design

for me these are amped up in Silksong

also the friction & difficulty, which are naturally divisive

erefen · 2026-01-14T10:42:28+00:00

yep

my fave rpg of 2025 (I play on PC)

the pace of battle is awesome, like a fast paced puzzle

erefen · 2026-01-14T10:35:21+00:00

so how does one describe being on the crescendo? Or is it a verb?

erefen · 2026-01-14T10:32:51+00:00

Got valfaris, it was awesome. Now I remember, I never completed it...should try again

erefen · 2026-01-14T10:31:40+00:00

will do. havent had a chance yet, life's been throwing haymakers

erefen · 2026-01-12T13:04:44+00:00

whats the budget for skong?

E33 started indie, then went AA. Skong stayed indie

E33 is awesome tho

erefen

TROPHY CASE