DrunkenEngineer's OCD Funhouse!

[DrunkenEngineer]

Thanks for the feedback, gents.

 

It's still a good game, and my intention wasn't to dissuade people from checking it out.  I would still buy and play it, 100%, knowing what I know.  But it's a solid 7/10, maybe an 8/10, while the other Arkane games are like 11s.

 

edit: Damn, I just noticed I put the wrong picture in for my Deathloop review, and Smevz quoted it.  My OCD!!!

Edited October 26, 2021 by DrunkenEngineer

[YaManSmevz]

2 hours ago, DrunkenEngineer said:

Damn, I just noticed I put the wrong picture in for my Deathloop review, and Smevz quoted it.  My OCD!!!

 

No I didn't?

[DrunkenEngineer]

Hey ya'll, it's been what feels like a grip!

 

True to the thread title, I subjected myself to some weird anxiety and OCD about gaming, which platform to focus on, what title to work on, et al.  Noted good dude @rjkclarke suggested that this forum doesn't necessarily need to cover trophies exclusively, and I should consider documenting my other gaming exploits outside of the Playstation platform.

 

I like to play games on PC.  I have a very nice gaming PC, and I appreciate the flexibility that having not only a PS5 but a well equipped gaming PC offers me.  Rather than feeling overwhelmed by choice, I should revel in the opportunities presented in the luxury of picking and choosing what platforms I play on, and can pop between the two when I start feeling burned out on one.  I'm really just about playing videogames, and I really shouldn't be too sussed about how I get to experience them.

 

So, that said, if ya'll don't mind I'll start rolling out impressions of games I've tackled on PC - I'll save the nice review write ups for Playstation titles.

 

So what have I been up to?

 

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

I tried rolling in to this immediately after Deathloop and just wasn't into it.  I felt like I was forcing it and treated it like a task to get through, which was a definite time to STOP, take a breath, and reevaluate.  Figured it was time to put it down and look at my Steam library, which led me to playing...

 

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (STEAM)

I purchased this on what one could call a lark: I knew very little about it, missed all the trailers announcing it, figured it was like Marvel's Avengers (and all the hub-bub that entails), until I saw reviews popping up from YouTubers I respect.  I'm very glad I bought it.  GotG is a 3rd person action-adventure, linear, single player title, bereft of DLC/Microtransactions/Live-service bullshit.  It's by the same team at Eidos-Montreal who produced the fantastic Deus Ex reboots, so the production values are absolutely aces.  All the care and attention to detail applied to their immersive sims have been brilliantly applied to a narrative-heavy title.  The writing is some of the strongest I've experienced in a video game.

 

The best way I could describe it is a pulpy, sci-fi mashup of Uncharted, Mass Effect, and Telltale games.  Dialog and cutscenes are heavily featured, and dare say is the focal point of the experience.  Set designs feel extravagant and never wasted.  Combat is a little dull, unfortunately.  If one is only interested in gameplay and would skip all the cutscenes, this isn't for you.  But if a story with a lot of heart, fantastic alien worlds, and a rocking 80s soundtrack sounds appealing, please check this out.  The industry is really shifting away from linear, curated single player games that are complete packages, so gamers speaking with their wallets will hopefully push Squeenix to greenlight more games like this.

[Rias Gremory]

Your presentation is very impressive and well made Drunk.

Edited November 15, 2021 by Yuzuru Yamai

[DrunkenEngineer]

I popped the platinum on Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and owe the thread a review.  It might take a little bit for me to get around to it as I'm just not feeling that motivated to sit down and do that.  It took me close to 8 weeks to finish the game so I'll need to put some more time into the NG+ playthrough to refresh my thoughts.  Suffice to say, it's a very good game and a lot of fun.

 

Coming up in December I'll be traveling for a couple of weeks, visiting my retired parents in a warmer climate.  I spent a little cash on a nice travel case for my PS5, so when I have downtime I'll get some gaming in.  Not sure exactly what I'll have lined up for that moment.  Likely the DLC for Manhunter as it's on sale and all the annoying trophy bugs were recently patched out.

 

I still have multiplayer trophies to tackle for Last of Us and Red Dead Redemption 2 but I am just not feeling it.  I've been feeling pretty burned out cleaning up my trophy profile so I'm going to take a step back and hit it hard in the new year.

 

The Elden Ring network test occurred recently (I wasn't lucky enough to get an invite) which gave me the itch to revisit the Dark Souls games which I own on Steam.  Been playing Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition, Doom Eternal (patch just dropped with a new mode I completed to maintain my 100%) and Hades.  All fantastic stuff.

[YaManSmevz]

Good shit, man. Travel will do you good! Also I feel you on bein burned out.. seems like every time I stopped gaming for long periods of time, it was due to not taking regular breaks!

 

I seen Hades and all the Dark Souls games on sale, which got me like uhhh.... these sales are evil! You can have so much on your plate but a sale comes along to get you like "ooh, I think I'll be free in March of 2023, I should buy that!"

 

Looking forward to your R&C review. You're right to not rush it, it's usually best to wait til it's something you really wanna do then and there. Besides, I already know you're gonna kill it anyway??

[damcrac5]

As someone who is about 1 plauthrough away from the Dark Souls Remastered platinum, I'd say go for it. Been pretty manageable other than the Four Kings. Not lot of farming either, about 2 hours total for me.  Not sure if I'll get around to DS2 & 3 prior to eldin ring releasesbut I want to make sure I do before I play it. 

Edited November 22, 2021 by damcrac5

[DrunkenEngineer]

38 minutes ago, YaManSmevz said:

Good shit, man. Travel will do you good! Also I feel you on bein burned out.. seems like every time I stopped gaming for long periods of time, it was due to not taking regular breaks!

 

I seen Hades and all the Dark Souls games on sale, which got me like uhhh.... these sales are evil! You can have so much on your plate but a sale comes along to get you like "ooh, I think I'll be free in March of 2023, I should buy that!"

 

Looking forward to your R&C review. You're right to not rush it, it's usually best to wait til it's something you really wanna do then and there. Besides, I already know you're gonna kill it anyway

 

Thanks bro!

 

The Dark Souls games are long investments - Hades is, too.  However, Hades is the perfect "chip away at" game - runs take like an hour to do and it's meant to be played a billion times.  I pick it up and play a run from time to time whenever I'm between stuff.

 

15 minutes ago, damcrac5 said:

As someone who is about 1 plauthrough away from the Dark Souls Remastered platinum, I'd say go for it. Been pretty manageable other than the Four Kings. Not lot of farming either, about 2 hours total for me.  Not sure if I'll get around to DS2 & 3 prior to eldin ring releasesbut I want to make sure I do before I play it. 

 

Oh man, I've got tons of history with Dark Souls.  The Prepare to Die Edition was the original release on Steam, and I have 200+ hours in it.  Back then it had no Steam achievements, but those were added like 4 years ago and I've booted it up and am playing through with several of my legacy characters.  Would like to get the 100% sometime.

 

Dark Souls 2 I never finished, Dark Souls 3 I did (but never checked out the DLC).  Sekiro I have the 100%, along with Bloodborne and Demon's Souls Remake on PS4/5.

[DrunkenEngineer]

I'm baaaaaaaaaaacccckkk!!

 

Popped the platinum in Solar Ash, a very charming indie game.  I'll get to cranking on a write up for that and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.  Stay tuned!

[DrunkenEngineer]

Platinum #27 - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (November 13, 2021)

 

 

Our heroes meet their counterparts from another dimension in Sony's latest entry of family-friendly, digestible, flagship titles.  Zip around the universe(s) and foil Doctor Nefarious(es?) and other evil doers!

 

The Good

• Technical showpiece.  Fancy reflections and ray tracing! 60 FPS! Oooo!
• Rift mechanics
• Combat!  The guns are very inventive and I had much more fun with them over the previous game
• The platforming is aces, too
• Upgrade paths are shared between both main characters

The Bad

• It's a little short
• Not a fan of the Clank "metaverse" puzzles
• Trophy list is a little too easy!

100% Impressions

Easy, accessible, and fun. I played the game expecting a similar trophy list to Ratchet & Clank (PS4), especially needing to upgrade all the weapons to max level and find all the gold bolts.  It's even easier than that and you don't have to go for a true 100%.  I unlocked 90% of the trophies naturally during a blind playthrough.  A full NG+/challenge mode run isn't required, just need to pop in briefly to buy the two weapons that are gated and voila!  Platinum trophy!

 

Debatable whether the $70 price tag is justified given it's short length, but what's here oozes quality and polish.  If you have access to a PS5 it's worth at least a rental.

[DrBloodmoney]

12 hours ago, DrunkenEngineer said:

Platinum #27 - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (November 13, 2021)

 

 

It's funny, I was a little cold on this one - (it made a spot on my "Most Disappointing"  list, despite winning my "Best Looking"!....

 

...but actually, I still basically come to the same overall conclusion you do, and agree with your final thesis statement:

 

12 hours ago, DrunkenEngineer said:

  If you have access to a PS5 it's worth at least a rental.

 

 

Totally a game worth seeing - even if it's probably just for the one time through the platinum, and lacks some of the meat that previous R&C games had.

 

Frankly though, it looks so good, that it's impossible not to recommend people at least see it through - and see what their shiny new PS5 can do with visuals in the right hands!

 

[DrunkenEngineer]

Platinum #28 - Solar Ash (December 16, 2021)

 

 

A spiritual sequel to Hyper Light Drifter, Jet Set Radio + Shadow of the Colossus = Solar Ash.   You play Rei, a voidrunner looking to save her planet from the grip of the Ultravoid, a malevolent Black Hole.  After crashing in the Ultravoid you must clear each zone of "anomolies", which function as platforming & timing puzzles, before unlocking a giant Remnant boss with similar puzzles.

 

The Good

• Incredibly striking color palette
• 3d platforming and rhythm game elements with a real sense of momentum
• Awesome music by Disasterpeace

The Bad

• Camera is a little ropey (this might just me being bad at the game)
• Story telling is...just there?
• PS5 performance is all over the place, with lots of dropped frames

100% Impressions

A lovely 3d platformer with a great aesthetic and minimal combat.  As far as the trophy list it's all very straightforward and reasonable.  Nothing near as hard as the developers previous game, Hyper Light Drifter.  It took me approximately 20 hours to earn the platinum over three runs. First, a slow 12 hour NG playthrough where I explored everything, got all the NPC quests and collectibles (no guide required), and saw both endings.  Second, the Hardcore playthrough (which only unlocks after NG), which significantly tightens up the puzzle timing windows.  To be honest I struggled mightily with this mode, and took about 7 hours to clear this.  Third, a speedrun which can be done on any difficulty and was a breeze after honing my skills in Hardcore.

 

This is just a cool game, it oozes style.  I feel I didn't get as much out of the game as others simply due to my lack of skill with these kind of rhythm games.  Right when I felt I was on a roll, skating through puzzles and smacking the weak points with aplomb, I'd hit a stumper and smash my head against it over and over again and lose momentum.  But that's on me.

 

At $40 it's probably a little expensive, but there is hope that DLC will round out the experience.

[DrunkenEngineer]

On 12/19/2021 at 0:01 AM, DrBloodmoney said:

 

 

It's funny, I was a little cold on this one - (it made a spot on my "Most Disappointing"  list, despite winning my "Best Looking"!....

 

...but actually, I still basically come to the same overall conclusion you do, and agree with your final thesis statement:

 

 

 

Totally a game worth seeing - even if it's probably just for the one time through the platinum, and lacks some of the meat that previous R&C games had.

 

Frankly though, it looks so good, that it's impossible not to recommend people at least see it through - and see what their shiny new PS5 can do with visuals in the right hands!

 

 

I can see how one would be pretty cold on it, but it's a WYSIWYG kind of game - pretty shallow and meant to appeal to as broad an audience as possible.

 

It's funny, I had similar feelings about Deathloop in contrast to your review.  My review was trying really hard to be positive, but after many months of reflection I'm pretty disappointed in it.

[DrunkenEngineer]

Time for a brief update!

 

On the trophy-hunting front I’ve popped the PS4 platinum & DLC 100% for Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor (review upcoming).  The holidays are always when I do a rewatch of the movie trilogy and so it was a perfect time to add this game to my trophy profile, having previously played it on PC.

 

Since then I’ve been mostly playing PC games, either because they were exclusives or because I already owned them.  I earned the 100% for Telltale’s Game of Thrones, The Ascent (PC/Xbox exclusive), and am churning through Dead Cells (recently picked up the new DLC) and Deep Rock Galactic (all my multiplayer buddies play on PC).

 

After I post my Mordor review I think it’s finally time to work The Last of Us Remastered multiplayer into the rotation.  That’s all I have left to pop the platinum, which would be #30 and a nice milestone for my trophy case.  If anyone has been putting off playing, let’s do it together!

[DrBloodmoney]

Nice work on Mordor man - those DLC's can be a real sticking point for some -  they sure were for me for a long time!

 

Good luck with the Last of Us MP too - a brilliant MP, and with great trophies - finally a MP game that rewards actually, y'know, playing the game, the way you want to, without having to tailor your play style to specific metrics!

 

It's a great MP too - just a great time!

[DrunkenEngineer]

19 minutes ago, DrBloodmoney said:

Nice work on Mordor man - those DLC's can be a real sticking point for some -  they sure were for me for a long time!

 

Good luck with the Last of Us MP too - a brilliant MP, and with great trophies - finally a MP game that rewards actually, y'know, playing the game, the way you want to, without having to tailor your play style to specific metrics!

 

It's a great MP too - just a great time!

 

I’ll share some nice stories about the DLC Mordor trophies when I post my review.  I did the 100% on both Steam and PSN, and they were harrowing.  I honestly dreaded doing the PS4 version because of that stress, but got both trials done in an afternoon apiece.

 

I think I saw a post of yours in the TLOU section on how to git gud at the MP, so I know it won’t be too bad once I settle in.  I always find starting new stuff sort of stressful when I have expectations going in - one of my New Year’s gaming resolutions was to chill about that and just focus on having fun.  And playing more multiplayer games with buddies as a way to reconnect.

[damcrac5]

18 hours ago, DrunkenEngineer said:

 

I’ll share some nice stories about the DLC Mordor trophies when I post my review.  I did the 100% on both Steam and PSN, and they were harrowing.  I honestly dreaded doing the PS4 version because of that stress, but got both trials done in an afternoon apiece.

 

I think I saw a post of yours in the TLOU section on how to git gud at the MP, so I know it won’t be too bad once I settle in.  I always find starting new stuff sort of stressful when I have expectations going in - one of my New Year’s gaming resolutions was to chill about that and just focus on having fun.  And playing more multiplayer games with buddies as a way to reconnect.

I've always wanted to play the Middle Earth games.  I really appreciate that they changed the trophy requirements when they took down the multiplayer servers.  Seems like the DLC is a pain?  Guide shows a 5 and 6, is it really that difficult?

 

As for TLOU, I also really want to play it, but with my backlog I might wait it out and hope for them to release a rumored ps5 version that I expect to not have multiplayer trophies.  I'm purely basing this off of the confirmed? TLOU stand alone multiplayer title will carry that responsibility, plus with the HBO series coming out, maybe they'll re-release the two games in a collection similar to the Legacy of Thieves Collection which also excluded the multiplayer portions.  The risk I take is that I might miss out on some boosting opportunities.  Speaking with someone who used the boosting community on the boosting thread, they got the MP trophies done in 14 hours.  I'm getting closer to playing it either way.  Need to get over it and knock it out so I can enjoy what is supposed to be a great game and sequel.  

[DrunkenEngineer]

4 hours ago, damcrac5 said:

I've always wanted to play the Middle Earth games.  I really appreciate that they changed the trophy requirements when they took down the multiplayer servers.  Seems like the DLC is a pain?  Guide shows a 5 and 6, is it really that difficult?  

 

It’s honestly not that difficult with a guide that tells you the exact strategy to use.  The RNG is what will kill you.  Once you get past the 15 minute mark in a Trial of the Wild run I’ll get a complete with all the requirements for the trophy.  But those first 15 minutes can be frustrating to set up.

 

4 hours ago, damcrac5 said:

As for TLOU, I also really want to play it, but with my backlog I might wait it out and hope for them to release a rumored ps5 version that I expect to not have multiplayer trophies.  I'm purely basing this off of the confirmed? TLOU stand alone multiplayer title will carry that responsibility, plus with the HBO series coming out, maybe they'll re-release the two games in a collection similar to the Legacy of Thieves Collection which also excluded the multiplayer portions.  The risk I take is that I might miss out on some boosting opportunities.  Speaking with someone who used the boosting community on the boosting thread, they got the MP trophies done in 14 hours.  I'm getting closer to playing it either way.  Need to get over it and knock it out so I can enjoy what is supposed to be a great game and sequel.  

 

I would probably wait for a PS5 version as well, but I already have a trophy record so c’est la vie.

 

How can I convince you to knock the MP trophies out with me?

[damcrac5]

3 hours ago, DrunkenEngineer said:

How can I convince you to knock the MP trophies out with me?

Ha!  I'm about 8 and 15 hours into Mass Effect Andromeda and Ghost of Tsushima, so I'm a ways away from getting started on TLOU.  Plus, found out I'm going to be traveling for the next week or so, so that will halt any progress I can make on these.  Will be time for some Vita titles.

[DrunkenEngineer]

Platinum #29 + DLC 100% - Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor (December 28, 2021)

 

 

Join our hero Talion, a grief-striken Gondorian Ranger, as he teams up with betrayed ghost-elf Celembrimbor to torment hapless Orcs.  A mashup of Batman Arkham (combat), Assassin's Creed (open-world, collectibles), and Pokémon (gotta catch 'em all!), Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is vastly greater than the sum of its parts.  It certainly took most folks, myself included, by surprise in the Fall of 2014.

 

The Good

• The Nemesis System....so good it had to be patented!
• Trophies patched by the developer to still work after online service shutdowns
• Crunchy combat with photo-finish combos
• Did I mention how awesome the Nemesis system is?

The Bad

• Why are we still holding "X" to run in a game with analog sticks?
• Story is ultimately forgettable

100% Impressions

The winter holidays is always The Lord of the Rings season.  The films released in December of the early 2000s and so when it's that time of year, it's always a good opportunity to revisit one of my favorite franchises.  I've S-ranked this game now on both PC (Steam) and PS4, and objectively I don't really know why.  It's a licensed game, not terribly original story, lots of tropes.  It lifts heavy influences from a lot of popular 3rd person games.  But the IP, and one gameplay innovation, carries it to greatness.  The Nemesis system shines, with each orc exhibiting lots of randomly generated personality.  At one point you'll come across a particularly thorny captain who just becomes your bane, and it's completely random per save file.  I had one that I had murdered in so many different ways he showed up with a burlap bag over his head to mask his horrendously burned face.  He wasn't happy about this, and loved to taunt me when he'd get an opportunistic kill in.

 

The trophy list is a bog standard affair.  Collect all the collectibles (manageable, nothing overkill like Assassin's Creed or Far Cry), engage in some light background challenges, and explore the Nemesis system.  Nothing missable, all can be achieved at any time, though there are advantageous situations in story missions to knock out a handful of trophies.

 

The real memorable experience is in the DLCs, namely the Test of the Ring and, notoriously, the Test of the Wild.  Both offer a randomized scenario with challenging objectives.  Complete them all, get a trophy.  Test of the Ring was reasonable and easy (had one attempt I flubbed up and went slightly over time), and a large part why I did the DLCs out of order.  Narratively I felt like ending the game with Talion (first DLC) rather than Celembribor felt better.

 

Test of the Wild has some truly sadistic requirements, but the big one is doing it all in under 40 minutes.  Both of my successful runs on Steam and PS4 were completed with seconds to spare.  For one we are talking 5 seconds, and I was riding a Graug and trying to eat the last captain required for a beast kill, and willed him to not bother chewing his food!

 

 

There is a very specific strategy shared in most guides, but you'll still be subject to the RNG gods.  Run into a Warchief's bodyguard immune to combat moves, stealth finishers, and arrows? Hope there is a Graug bait nearby!

 

I've read that the sequel was controversial at launch because of the microtransactions.  It seemed like the publisher found a sleeper hit with Shadow of Mordor, and mined its sequel unnecessarily.  Maybe I'll get around to playing Shadow of War, but for now the first game will sit forever in my collection of memorable game experiences.

[DrBloodmoney]

Congrats, and great write up mate!

 

Was just gonna say:

 

26 minutes ago, DrunkenEngineer said:

I've read that the sequel was controversial at launch because of the microtransactions.  It seemed like the publisher found a sleeper hit with Shadow of Mordor, and mined its sequel unnecessarily.  

 

It absolutely did get a lot of flack at launch (and from what I understand, quite rightfully so!) however, all that is but a memory now - the game was reworked to remove all that stuff, and it is a very good, pleasant and fun sequel now ?

[DrunkenEngineer]

3 minutes ago, DrBloodmoney said:

It absolutely did get a lot of flack at launch (and from what I understand, quite rightfully so!) however, all that is but a memory now - the game was reworked to remove all that stuff, and it is a very good, pleasant and fun sequel now 

 

It's on my wishlist, and barring a good sale I can always borrow a disc copy!  I missed out on redeeming the PS+ copy, but oh well!

 

Thank you!

[YaManSmevz]

Great review!! I've heard the Shadow of Mordor name thrown around quite a lot, and you make it sound like an absolute blast! Also, you are a straight up beast, bro. The Test of the Wild you talked about intimidates me a bit... but as we all know, conquering those ones is by far the sweetest plum!

 

I'm booked pretty solid for February (last month of a challenge I'm in), but come March if you're still toiling away at the Last of Us MP, you can count on me to jump in and help out however I can!

[DrunkenEngineer]

5 hours ago, YaManSmevz said:

Great review!! I've heard the Shadow of Mordor name thrown around quite a lot, and you make it sound like an absolute blast! Also, you are a straight up beast, bro. The Test of the Wild you talked about intimidates me a bit... but as we all know, conquering those ones is by far the sweetest plum!

 

I'm booked pretty solid for February (last month of a challenge I'm in), but come March if you're still toiling away at the Last of Us MP, you can count on me to jump in and help out however I can!

Thanks boss!

 

I booted up TLOU MP last night and…it’s good?  Like I stink at it, but the trophy journey doesn’t seem that hard.  As the good Doctor said it really let’s you play however you want.  You can straight up lose every match and still complete the trophies just fine.  I got up to Week 3 last night on my own and time flew by.  I would really prefer it if I didn’t get stuck in matches with lvl 999s on the opposite team, but at least those go by quick as I’m curb stomped.

 

I’m really bummed it took me this long to try out the multi as it’s legit fun, but 6 years too late haha.

[damcrac5]

On 2/1/2022 at 11:29 AM, DrunkenEngineer said:

Thanks boss!

 

I booted up TLOU MP last night and…it’s good?  Like I stink at it, but the trophy journey doesn’t seem that hard.  As the good Doctor said it really let’s you play however you want.  You can straight up lose every match and still complete the trophies just fine.  I got up to Week 3 last night on my own and time flew by.  I would really prefer it if I didn’t get stuck in matches with lvl 999s on the opposite team, but at least those go by quick as I’m curb stomped.

 

I’m really bummed it took me this long to try out the multi as it’s legit fun, but 6 years too late haha.

Great to hear the multiplayer is enjoyable. I thought the same thing about the ghost of tsushima multiplayer. Though I imagine TLOU won't take as long. Need to bump it up on the priority list.