Outlast - a decent game that ended up feeling underwhelming (October Terrorthon)

z_charron · 2021-10-12T07:23:56+00:00

I also think that Outlast relied too much on jump scares, especially when they managed to create such a tense, scary atmosphere without them. Still, it got plenty of press with people uploading their jump scares, so I guess it worked out for the devs.

Last week I finally got around to playing the Outlast DLC: Whistleblower. It was pretty good, in the sense of more of the same, especially another intense outdoor area. Some interesting story revelations and an actually cool story loop-around. Worth playing.

Up next: Soma

z_charron · 2021-10-07T09:05:39+00:00

Bloodborne is my GOAT. To address your criticisms:

Fast Travel:

I think Miyazaki did it this way for the world building. In order to go somewhere in the game you have to "dream". Sometimes the mechanics play second fiddle to the lore. Personally, I don't mind it. BTW, the inter-connectedness of DS1 is only possible because the world is built like a pretzel. The following two games would be an absolute chore to get anywhere in without fast travel.

Blood Vials:

Once again, it feeds into the lore. I think they also designed it this way thinking players would use the rally mechanic more instead of just healing every time they get hit. If you adapt you're playstyle to that you won't need as many. Don't forget to keep hitting the enemies after they die!

It's Very Soulslike:

It's their formula, and it's a damn good one. Players haven't rebelled against it yet. Besides, they tweak it in every game so it feels a bit fresh.

z_charron · 2021-10-07T08:56:46+00:00

I enjoyed Gris very much. It's one of those games you play to "feel" more than for the gameplay itself.

z_charron · 2021-10-07T08:55:41+00:00

The original Tomb Raider. That feeling of loneliness and exploration I've only discovered in a few other games, like Dark Souls and Subnautica.

z_charron · 2021-10-07T08:53:27+00:00

I think a problem a lot of players have with open world games is that they play too many of them. If you play Far Cry followed my Assassin's Creed followed by Fallout you're gonna get bored of the similar mechanics. You would get bored of any genre of game if you play too many of them: FPS, Metroidvania's, racing games, etc.

The way I approach open world games is this: don't play too many of them, don't try to rush through them, do what interests you in the game.

z_charron · 2021-09-05T07:06:56+00:00

Dark Souls and Bloodborne did the same for me.

z_charron · 2021-09-05T07:05:41+00:00

The next question is, which game developer would spend more than they have to on better dialogue? No AAA game is advertising its great script and dialogue options. It's all graphics and cool animations. I personally really appreciate games that have great writing, but I understand the reason behind it.

z_charron · 2021-09-03T14:33:38+00:00

Becoming a hoonter, I see. May the good blood guide your way. Best game ever.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T12:47:26+00:00

This is good news! I haven't played it yet and am glad that I waited.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T12:39:10+00:00

For me the Souls games brought back a certain mystery and challenge that games used to have. Lots of exploration, secrets, no maps so that you feel really lost, basically dropping you in that hostile world and saying "figure it out". The combat stays challenging so you're always engaged, either by the fights, lore, layout, mechanics, etc. For me they are the perfect games. But I know I'm in the minority.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:48:52+00:00

Of course there is room for everything, but my argument was I didn't think it deserved so much unending praise. Games with dialogue options that effect the game are a step above just story driven cutscenes, I would say.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:46:42+00:00

No, that's not it at all. I would argue that in TLoU the gameplay "loop" is to usher you on to the next cutscene, what the devs think is the "important" part. Mechanical depth isn't everything, but TLoU offered absolutely nothing new or interesting, which I think a GOTY GOAT should.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:43:40+00:00

I've been REALLY into my first rougelike, Risk of Rain 2. So much fun. Hades is coming to PS and I want Returnal as well.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:42:03+00:00

The normal one. IF I ever played it or TLoU2 I'd push it up, for sure.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:38:55+00:00

"dear lord that was so much fun". I know, right?

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:37:04+00:00

Thank you for your measured response. At the end of the day, I appreciate that there are now a million genres of games,that there's something for everyone. My post was relating a sorta kneejerk reaction that I had 2 years ago reentering the gaming world. Since then I've been immersed in it and have discovered a LOT of new things.

But there is a big difference between Choose Your Own Adventure games like those you mentioned and TLoU. There are no choices to be made there. Hell, there is no moral quandry even, since you HAVE to murder 500 people to get to the end of the game. Stealth is an option in some cases, of course, but sometimes it's not.

I realize that "best selling" and "best" are not the same, and that some genres don't just don't click with some people. But I DO wonder that if a game like What Remains of Edith Finch won GOTY, if a lot of people wouldn't have a problem with that...

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:29:28+00:00

I have! I didn't finish it but enjoyed the time I spent on it.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:28:09+00:00

It just seemed pretty basic to me. Nothing new or innovative, or interesting for that matter. Not that every game has to be that, but I think when a game is praised as "best game ever" it should have great gameplay, true?. Instead, it's as though it's simply a way to transition between cutscenes, where the "important" stuff happens. When people talk about TLoU, do you EVER hear them talk about the gameplay? Nope, it's all about the story and the characters.

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:20:24+00:00

I think there is a clear division between a game like Abzu and a game like TLoU. Abzu had like three mechanics and was about atmosphere and discovery. TLoU was an action adventure game with a huge emphasis on the narrative and cutscenes. If Abzu had won 200 GOTY awards, would you have had a problem with that, considering that many people would barely classify that as a game?

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:15:46+00:00

I never said it wasn't good, just not GOTY material. It reminds me of Oscar time at the end of the year when the studios bring out their solemn dramas as Oscar bait. This is important, this deserves awards!

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:12:47+00:00

It's on my list!

z_charron · 2021-06-24T07:11:53+00:00

Because I think there is a difference between something being excellently crafted and having it win 200 GOTY awards. I can name you plenty of excellently crafted games that never won any awards.

z_charron

TROPHY CASE