Smevin's Regular, Every Day, Normal Ass Gamer Attempts at Trophy Hunting

[Blood_Hungry_III]

Hey there! Just stumbled upon your thread, and I've loved reading some of your thoughts! I hope you can forgive me bringing up games you talked about a year ago, but I love hearing other people's thoughts on my favorite games.

 

On 12/24/2021 at 4:50 AM, YaManSmevz said:

Then there are the cities themselves. I've never been to Miami, so I can't speak to how well VC captures it. I can, however, attest that SA completely nails the feel of both 90s Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and now that I've been to San Francisco, I can happily report that they did a pretty solid job there as well!

GTA: San Andreas is my all-time favorite game. I loved your whole write-up, but this part especially jumped out at me. I was a teenager when San Andreas came out, and I'd never been to California, so I had no idea what it was like outside of what I saw in movies and TV. But driving around Los Santos made me feel like I knew what LA was. When I was in high school I dreamed of moving to LA after I graduated, and I think San Andreas is the reason for that, so I'm glad to hear they captured the vibe.

 

On 7/13/2022 at 4:21 AM, YaManSmevz said:

The first thing that impressed me was Los Santos itself - it's staggering in both size and intricacy. I've put at least a hundred hours into this game, and I still find new billboards, buildings, paths, etcetera. Even more than that though, Rockstar nailed its portrayal of Los Angeles and its outskirt areas, it absolutely blew me away. There's just so much that I recognize in Los Santos from its real life inspiration that makes it all the more of a joy to idly drive through and look around. And this high powered engine pulses life into the city, with NPCs all over the place going about their day and doing their own thing. It's no Hitman 3, but for 2013 this was pretty impressive. Like its older Los Santos based sibling, the game came out at the end of its gaming generation and pushed its console to the absolute limit.

GTA V is another top 5 game for me, and once again, I think the setting is another big reason. Funny enough, I still hadn't been to California when I played this one, so I still had to assume that the game accurately captured what it was like. In a way, my mental image of LA was just Los Santos, so I loved driving around for hours in this game. I loved how big and lived-in the world felt and I found myself stopping to admire the scenery or eavesdrop on NPCs constantly.

 

The first time I finally went to California was a few years after I finished this game, and when my friends and I stepped out of LAX to get an Uber, my first thought was, "This looks like a GTA mission". Totally ridiculous, of course, but I guess I'll always associate California with GTA.

 

On 2/4/2022 at 0:20 PM, YaManSmevz said:

S - Sapienza, Berlin, Miami, Mendoza, Dubai, Paris

 

A - Dartmoor, Bangkok, Santa Fortuna, Chongqing, Mumbai, Haven Island, New York, Hokkaido, Marrakesh, Isle of Sgàil

 

B - Whittleton Creek, Colorado, Hawke's Bay, ICA Facility, Carpathian Mountains

I didn't start Hitman 1 until Hitman 3 was already out, so getting to play the entire trilogy at once was a blessing that a lot of early adopters of the series would've missed out on. It quickly became another all-time favorite, and I think getting to binge the series probably helped that. Either way, the varied settings are a huge part of why I love the game, too. Your tiers are pretty close to mine, with just a couple changes.

 

S - Sapienza, Berlin, Miami, Mendoza, Dubai, Paris, Dartmoor

 

A - Bangkok, Chongqing, Mumbai, Haven Island, New York, Hokkaido, Marrakesh, Isle of Sgàil, Whittleton Creek, Hawke's Bay, Ambrose Island

 

B - Santa Fortuna, Colorado, ICA Facility, Carpathian Mountains

Edited February 13, 2023 by Blood_Hungry_III

[YaManSmevz]

15 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

Hey there! Just stumbled upon your thread, and I've loved reading some of your thoughts! I hope you can forgive me bringing up games you talked about a year ago, but I love hearing other people's thoughts on my favorite games.

 

Ayyy what's up! Thank you so much for stopping by?

 

15 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

GTA: San Andreas is my all-time favorite game. I loved your whole write-up, but this part especially jumped out at me. I was a teenager when San Andreas came out, and I'd never been to California, so I had no idea what it was like outside of what I saw in movies and TV. But driving around Los Santos made me feel like I knew what LA was. When I was in high school I dreamed of moving to LA after I graduated, and I think San Andreas is the reason for that, so I'm glad to hear they captured the vibe.

 

Dude San Andreas is up there for me too. I was mad impressed with how well they captured the feel of Los Angeles but...

 

15 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

GTA V is another top 5 game for me, and once again, I think the setting is another big reason. Funny enough, I still hadn't been to California when I played this one, so I still had to assume that the game accurately captured what it was like. In a way, my mental image of LA was just Los Santos, so I loved driving around for hours in this game. I loved how big and lived-in the world felt and I found myself stopping to admire the scenery or eavesdrop on NPCs constantly.

 

...GTA V just takes it to another level. It's so painstakingly well done - I'm a county away and I still find myself sated by just driving around in the game rather than actually going out there?And yeah, random NPC dialogue in these games is way more interesting than it has any right to be! Hell, even GTA III has got its gems!

 

15 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

The first time I finally went to California was a few years after I finished this game, and when my friends and I stepped out of LAX to get an Uber, my first thought was, "This looks like a GTA mission". Totally ridiculous, of course, but I guess I'll always associate California with GTA.

 

I feel that?

 

15 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

I didn't start Hitman 1 until Hitman 3 was already out, so getting to play the entire trilogy at once was a blessing that a lot of early adopters of the series would've missed out on. It quickly became another all-time favorite, and I think getting to binge the series probably helped that. Either way, the varied settings are a huge part of why I love the game, too. Your tiers are pretty close to mine, with just a couple changes.

 

That's some fine taste, I must say! That trilogy is just a masterpiece, the gameplay is soo good??

 

15 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

S - Sapienza, Berlin, Miami, Mendoza, Dubai, Paris, Dartmoor

 

A - Bangkok, Chongqing, Mumbai, Haven Island, New York, Hokkaido, Marrakesh, Isle of Sgàil, Whittleton Creek, Hawke's Bay, Ambrose Island

 

B - Santa Fortuna, Colorado, ICA Facility, Carpathian Mountains

 

Damn, that is pretty close! That top 3 of Sapienza, Berlin, and Miami is just ?

[Heather342]

@YaManSmevz slightly off topic, but have you been playing the new Freelancer mode in Hitman? 

[DrBloodmoney]

1 hour ago, Heather342 said:

@YaManSmevz slightly off topic, but have you been playing the new Freelancer mode in Hitman? 

 

Let me just add - if not, you should be, because it's fucking awesome!

 

I'm not sure when I'm going to feel comfortable doing a "mini-game-science" review of it - it's pretty tough (read, brutally unforgiving!), and I'm playing in little bits here and there among other things, but rest assured - it's astounding how well it is done.

It could honestly be it's own separate game - I don't know why they didn't add new trophies, because it could have supported an entire second list!

 

 

(Also - it feels somewhat redundant to do a "re-ranking" for the game that is current No.1.... but that mode pretty much elevates Hitman 3 so far into the stratosphere, I'm not sure if any game is ever going to dethrone it ?)

[Blood_Hungry_III]

5 hours ago, YaManSmevz said:

...GTA V just takes it to another level. It's so painstakingly well done - I'm a county away and I still find myself sated by just driving around in the game rather than actually going out thereAnd yeah, random NPC dialogue in these games is way more interesting than it has any right to be! Hell, even GTA III has got its gems!

I think stuff like that is why GTA is my favorite series. I just can't get enough of driving around and listening to the radio. I'm getting close to the end of my second 100% playthrough of GTA V and it's going to be an adjustment to not have a GTA game lined up to (re)play after it. I tried the Definitive Edition of San Andreas but it just isn't the same.

 

 

2 hours ago, DrBloodmoney said:

Let me just add - if not, you should be, because it's fucking awesome!

 

I'm not sure when I'm going to feel comfortable doing a "mini-game-science" review of it - it's pretty tough (read, brutally unforgiving!), and I'm playing in little bits here and there among other things, but rest assured - it's astounding how well it is done.

It could honestly be it's own separate game - I don't know why they didn't add new trophies, because it could have supported an entire second list!

 

 

(Also - it feels somewhat redundant to do a "re-ranking" for the game that is current No.1.... but that mode pretty much elevates Hitman 3 so far into the stratosphere, I'm not sure if any game is ever going to dethrone it )

Do you think it could be so unforgiving that it would push people away? I haven't tried it yet but it seems so different to the way I typically play the game that I'm kind of nervous to try it.

[DrBloodmoney]

Just now, Blood_Hungry_III said:

Do you think it could be so unforgiving that it would push people away? I haven't tried it yet but it seems so different to the way I typically play the game that I'm kind of nervous to try it.

 

It's definitely one that removes all the safety nets - you can't save anywhere in the maps, and most of the random useful items are removed, meaning you pretty much go in with nothing early on. You also lose weapons that you don't bring back after the mission - not to mention that the targets and the starting areas are truly random - so sometimes, you might get someone piss easy, right at the start, and other times, it might be someone who literally never moves from a crowd, and you need to deal with that.

 

It's not something that should be approached until the player is super familiar with all the mechanics... but on the other hand, it's completely repeatable, and entirely separate from the main game (and has no trophies) so really, there's no downside to trying it - and for sure, if you can do well in the Freelancer mode, you will absolutely destroy the main missions!

[Blood_Hungry_III]

21 minutes ago, DrBloodmoney said:

 

It's definitely one that removes all the safety nets - you can't save anywhere in the maps, and most of the random useful items are removed, meaning you pretty much go in with nothing early on. You also lose weapons that you don't bring back after the mission - not to mention that the targets and the starting areas are truly random - so sometimes, you might get someone piss easy, right at the start, and other times, it might be someone who literally never moves from a crowd, and you need to deal with that.

 

It's not something that should be approached until the player is super familiar with all the mechanics... but on the other hand, it's completely repeatable, and entirely separate from the main game (and has no trophies) so really, there's no downside to trying it - and for sure, if you can do well in the Freelancer mode, you will absolutely destroy the main missions!

That's good to know. The maps aren't altered at all are they? I maxed out every location mastery so I guess I'd have that advantage of knowing the maps pretty well.

 

You make a good point though- I have nothing to lose by giving it a shot. Thanks!

[DrBloodmoney]

16 minutes ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

That's good to know. The maps aren't altered at all are they? I maxed out every location mastery so I guess I'd have that advantage of knowing the maps pretty well.

 

You make a good point though- I have nothing to lose by giving it a shot. Thanks!

 

No, they're not changed as far as I can tell - in fact, most of the campaign mission targets are still there, doing their thing - like in a user-created contract. The only thing that's different as far as I can tell is that all the shortcuts in the H3 maps are open (the lift shaft in Dubai, for example... though I had already opened them all, so maybe that's just on my profile?) - and the fact that most random items are much scarcer. 

 

there are some things added, like safes in some rooms that you need to find clues to access and whatnot, but the actual geometry is not changed as far as I have noticed.

[Blood_Hungry_III]

5 minutes ago, DrBloodmoney said:

 

No, they're not changed as far as I can tell - in fact, most of the campaign mission targets are still there, doing their thing - like in a user-created contract. The only thing that's different as far as I can tell is that all the shortcuts in the H3 maps are open (the lift shaft in Dubai, for example... though I had already opened them all, so maybe that's just on my profile?) - and the fact that most random items are much scarcer. 

 

there are some things added, like safes in some rooms that you need to find clues to access and whatnot, but the actual geometry is not changed as far as I have noticed.

That makes sense. I appreciate the info. I think I'll have to give it a shot then.

[YaManSmevz]

7 hours ago, Heather342 said:

@YaManSmevz slightly off topic, but have you been playing the new Freelancer mode in Hitman? 

 

No, but I should be - I've heard nothing but good things, and I get the sense that it's like the very first time you play a Hitman mission, walking in with no idea whatsoever. Well, except the map, obviously? It's really making me consider sliding back to my PS4!

 

5 hours ago, DrBloodmoney said:

I'm not sure when I'm going to feel comfortable doing a "mini-game-science" review of it - it's pretty tough (read, brutally unforgiving!), and I'm playing in little bits here and there among other things, but rest assured - it's astounding how well it is done.

It could honestly be it's own separate game - I don't know why they didn't add new trophies, because it could have supported an entire second list!

 

I'd read the shit out of that??

 

Well shit, between the two of you, I feel i have no choice but to slap that on now! I've been meaning to revisit for some time anyway... Hitman 3 is one of those games where if it had come out 10-15 years ago, when I didn't have literally hundreds of games to get to, I'd be playing it nonstop?

 

5 hours ago, DrBloodmoney said:

(Also - it feels somewhat redundant to do a "re-ranking" for the game that is current No.1.... but that mode pretty much elevates Hitman 3 so far into the stratosphere, I'm not sure if any game is ever going to dethrone it )

 

Yeah I wouldn't bet against it?

 

2 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

I think stuff like that is why GTA is my favorite series. I just can't get enough of driving around and listening to the radio. I'm getting close to the end of my second 100% playthrough of GTA V and it's going to be an adjustment to not have a GTA game lined up to (re)play after it. I tried the Definitive Edition of San Andreas but it just isn't the same.

 

Agreed 100%, the environments are always so alluring and feel so alive, it's just fun to be hanging out in those worlds. And that's impressive af, getting a second hundo for that game! I get what you mean about being like "but what GTA do I play now?" though. After completing GTA V I thought "NEVER AGAIN" and yet the second anybody mentions they could use a hand in GTA Online I trip over myself to sign up?

[Blood_Hungry_III]

1 hour ago, YaManSmevz said:

Agreed 100%, the environments are always so alluring and feel so alive, it's just fun to be hanging out in those worlds. And that's impressive af, getting a second hundo for that game! I get what you mean about being like "but what GTA do I play now?" though. After completing GTA V I thought "NEVER AGAIN" and yet the second anybody mentions they could use a hand in GTA Online I trip over myself to sign up?

Yeah after I finished V the first time I was really craving more GTA. I'd played it on PS4 and I ended up driving to a used game store the next day to buy a PS3 so I could play IV for the third time. I actually had the game in hand and was waiting in line for the employee to help another customer before me but I ended up talking myself out of getting the PS3. I ended up driving home and buying SA on PS4 and jumping right into it that night.

 

I think when I finish V this time I just need to get into another big open world game to replace it. Either that or I'll put some hours into Freelancer.

[YaManSmevz]

Platinum #84: God of War II

 

Of all you assholes that won't be missed / You've made my shitlist

 

It's interesting to think now that the first two God of War games acted like Rockstar rehab for me, namely when I've always been a much bigger fanboy for the latter. God of War came along and distracted me from playing The Warriors on a near loop, and I was still absolutely obsessed with Bully when the 2007 sequel dropped and gave me something new to do.

 

Makes me wonder... if I was playing new games in 2018 (or ever), could I have been playing the reboot, fascinated with how all the characters look like Mastodon's road crew, then Red Dead Redemption 2 would come along and bring it full circle for Rockstar? Perhaps I'll never know.

I remember when God of War II was announced, it felt like a foregone conclusion that it was gonna land on the PS3 side of the poverty line (those were nooooot cheap at launch), and I tried to keep my excitement in check. So when Santa Monica Studio did us the solid of sticking with the PS2, you can imagine the sudden disregard for my wallet. It was like I had to buy it - not only had I thought I wouldn't get to play it, but since I didn't need a PS3 it was like I wasn't spending fifty bucks, I was saving five hundred!

It's long been the general consensus that God of War II pretty much did everything a little bit better than the first game, and I'm not about to rock that boat. We got a lot of dope new features, some stuff got cleaned up and streamlined, and it really doesn't feel as though we had to give anything up in the process. Not a lot more you could ask of a sequel, really!

Our story starts with a restless Kratos, who is taking full advantage of his newfound godhood by leading his Spartan army to basically raze whatever city they feel like at any particular moment. Athena and the gang are not pleased with this, and after Kratos predictably ignores a stern warning he is unceremoniously kicked out of the club and sent to the Underworld once again. This time, however, he is quickly plucked out by the Titan Gaia, who proposes they join forces to get a mutually desired revenge on the gods. Kratos is down af, and we're off on another solid whirlwind of delicious Grecian carnage.

Once again, Santa Monica Studio does such a great job of integrating Kratos and his story with the mythology, impressively managing to expand on both. We're introduced to Cronos and the Titans, we get opponents like Theseus and Perseus (in addition to the usual non-human fare), and we meet characters like Icarus, but we also get the Barbarian King coming back for his own revenge, that poor ship captain, and surprisingly gentle moments with Kratos' deceased wife and the last Spartan. Trying to show that there actually are some things he cares about does find itself at odds with the person that we see him be for 95% of the game, but I'm still glad it's there. I suspect that Terrence C. Carson was also glad for any moment where he didn't need to bellow at the top of his lungs!

Of course, there's a lot of silliness as well, even straight out the gate with Zeus' "I got a great idea, you should relinquish all your power, oh whoops you got killed" routine. Then the Sisters of Fate show up with their brilliant plan:

"I'll show you how insignificant you are Kratos, by taking you back in time to your fight with Ares and killing you there!"

"Well... sure, but I can still fight you. Wouldn't it make more sense to go back to when I was a baby or something?"

".........I TOTALLY THOUGHT OF THAT. Just uh, cuz this is way cooler, y'know? But I guess if you really want, I'm open to the baby th-"

"Nah that's cool, I'll just kill you and be on my way."

"Crap."

The gameplay and presentation is once again outstanding. Everything feels a tick smoother, even with simple things like switching out the trigger buttons for the bumpers when opening chests. Beyond tightening up what we already loved, there are several new mechanics to sink our teeth into as well. We get flying (and floating) sections, we get swinging sections, we can traverse across ceilings now. We can even slow down time - which comes through in one of my favorite moments, where you perpetuate a mini time loop to prevent someone from committing suicide before they can read an esoteric script for you and... well, basically end up the same as if they'd killed themselves anyway.

Also the deaths are getting noticeably more brutal, particularly the aforementioned Theseus and Perseus. It's like the creative director saw the moments where Kratos is expressing regret and thought "Oohhhh no you don't - no sensitive moments until we get a head smashed repeatedly in a doorway or a body impaled on a giant hook. Preferably both."

The score is back in full force too - and I hate painting it in the same lazy "It's kinda like it was before, but better" light, but it really is - it's still highly reminiscent of its predecessor with the dramatic punch, the booming voices and distinct percussion, but feels, for lack of a better word, a bit more robust to me.

I really liked how they did the bosses this time around too - we got seriously spoiled. Kicking things off nice and big with the Colossus of Rhodes, the neat phases to the fight with Perseus, and the fact that Clotho barely put up a fight at all, but rather forced you to have a look at all the contraptions and finish her off that way. Then of course, Zeus... I remember thinking "Jesus Christ, this guy does NOT WANT TO DIE." Then I fought him in God of War III?

So yeah, Santa Monica Studio hit it out the park, for the second straight time no less. They didn't try to do anything crazy, and while they may have played it a touch safe, trusting in their franchise and doubling down on what worked paid off magnificently. It doesn't make the first game obsolete, but gameplay-wise, if you could only play one, this would likely be the choice for most.

 

I was actually a lil hesitant to get the PS3 God of War Collection initially, I'd somehow forgotten how much I loved these games, but I'm so glad I did. Revisiting these two games was such a great fuckin time!

Stray Observations

- So you take a jerk and make him into a god, then you're surprised to see him still acting like a jerk. No sympathy for you on that one.

- Gameplay aspect that I forgot to give props to? Smoother platforming with WIDER PLANKS. I was SO appreciative of that!

- "DO YOU SEE, GODS OF OLYMPUS???" SQUASH. Even if you're the biggest Kratos fanboy in the world, that shit was funny.

- When Gaia was revealed to be our narrator, I really wanted for there to be a Joe Pesci in Casino type moment later on. "I mean what's right is right, they don't give a fuck abou- AAHHH!!!"

- Flying Kratos! I love that this was something they wanted for the first game and didn't forget the second time around. Then in the third game we get even cooler flying segments! Ehhhh getting ahead of myself though...

- One of my favorite little touches was how they sped up that blood container or whatever when you level up. Toward the end of the first game it felt like you'd be sitting there for a minute!

- I also really like that we still have the ability to breathe underwater from the first game, just like so much of the cool stuff we get in this game carries over as well. We only lose what makes narrative sense to lose, I dig that.

- For all of the incredible battles in this game, I gotta give a shout to the mystery fight in the shadows that looks like the fight with Dark Link from Zelda 2. There were definitely more complex and dazzling battles to choose from, but this one really struck me.

- Jesus that ending, what a rush! I legit don't understand how anyone could see that and then not be chomping at the bit to get back into the story!

THAT Trophy: Bleeding Thumbs

The Challenge of the Titans quickly lost having anywhere near the power that the first game's Challenge of the Gods had over me. There were only seven, they didn't need to be done in one sitting, and when the first few went by with an unexpected breeziness, my guard came down real quick. I got this, I cockily said to myself.

Then I hit the final challenge, where you can't take a single hit. You know those moments where you can't seem to get something right, to the point where it's not even frustrating so much as bewildering? That's where I was with this one. I kept waking up the Titan Minotaur, or letting the priests conjure up a gang of Cyclops, there was always some dumb, careless thing I kept finding myself doing. Once I got it, I gave the game a nod - I should have respected you more, that was my bad.

[DrBloodmoney]

That was a great one man - I go nothing to add really, cause GoW2 is, indeed an awesome one!

 

...just one thing I gotta say though:

 

I think this...

 

8 minutes ago, YaManSmevz said:

"So you take a jerk and make him into a god, then you're surprised to see him still acting like a jerk."

 

 

...is both completely appropriate...

 

...and also, totally feel like a line older Kratos from the Norse games would say himself, when describing his own past to Mimir or to Atreus! ?

 

 

 

[Blood_Hungry_III]

Great write up! I remember loving this game when it came out and I agree that it was even better than the first.

 

I especially love this call out:

 

3 hours ago, YaManSmevz said:

- Gameplay aspect that I forgot to give props to? Smoother platforming with WIDER PLANKS. I was SO appreciative of that!

 

 

The Path of Hades in GoW1 was my earliest memory of getting frustrated with a game to the point of wanting to give up on it forever. I like platformers, but that isn't what I play/played this series for so I agree that it was nice that they made it a bit easier in the sequel.

Edited February 23, 2023 by Blood_Hungry_III

[YaManSmevz]

On 2/23/2023 at 10:00 AM, DrBloodmoney said:

That was a great one man - I go nothing to add really, cause GoW2 is, indeed an awesome one!

 

Thank you sir!

 

On 2/23/2023 at 10:00 AM, DrBloodmoney said:

...and also, totally feel like a line older Kratos from the Norse games would say himself, when describing his own past to Mimir or to Atreus! 

 

Dude I am more intrigued than ever now by the reboot! The idea of an older, wiser Kratos always sounded cool, but hot off the heels of the original trilogy even more so!

 

22 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

Great write up! I remember loving this game when it came out and I agree that it was even better than the first.

 

Thanks a lot dude! Yeahmann, I really they outdid themselves for sure!

 

22 hours ago, Blood_Hungry_III said:

The Path of Hades in GoW1 was my earliest memory of getting frustrated with a game to the point of wanting to give up on it forever. I like platformers, but that isn't what I play/played this series for so I agree that it was nice that they made it a bit easier in the sequel.

 

No lie there! When I replayed GoW1 recently I got to the underworld and was like "I don't remember it being this tricky, damn..." I may have blocked it out?

[Redblaziken8]

Nice write-up! I'm going to be replaying the older games next month, and 2 is my favourite one, so it's been nice to read your GoW reviews! I'm looking forward to revisiting Kratos the 'angry bald fanny in a loincloth' as Rob would say ?, and seeing how Christopher Judge compares to T. C. Carson ?.

Edited February 24, 2023 by Redblaziken8

[YaManSmevz]

4 hours ago, Redblaziken8 said:

Nice write-up! I'm going to be replaying the older games next month, and 2 is my favourite one, so it's been nice to read your GoW reviews!

 

Thank you very much, I appreciate that? And that's what's up! You're gonna have a great time, nostalgia will hit you upside the head real good. It did for me at least!

 

4 hours ago, Redblaziken8 said:

I'm looking forward to revisiting Kratos the 'angry bald fanny in a loincloth' as Rob would say , and seeing how Christopher Judge compares to T. C. Carson .

 

Yes he would! I love it???

 

I've heard Christopher Judge did an amazing job, but I'll vouch for T.C. all day!

 

...watch I play the Norse games and I'm all like "T.C. Carson?? He sucked!!"

[Redblaziken8]

I did binge the series about 6 years ago, but that was my first time playing them since I was a generic COD only on PS for a while as a teen ? (along with a lot of Nintendo stuff in the back, probably obvious with my username).

I just love that hack 'n' slash gameplay, and the massive scale in the older games that the newer ones have less of. I miss those fights where Kratos looks like a tiny speck facing massive gods, but 2018 and Ragnarök are great, and Christopher Judge is fantastic as Kratos. You're in for a treat when you play those! Both voice actors are really different and really good - it's hard to compare them I think.

[YaManSmevz]

Monthly Update with Ya Man Smevz

February 2023

 

Happy March, everybody!

 

Little late in the day for an update, but we're here, we're queer, let's drink some beers (or however the fuck that goes). February was a trying month for me, with less gaming time than I'd like and a bit of a dip in productivity, but I still played some great games, and it finally happened - in spite of my best efforts, it seems I may be firmly in the 90% completion club. Woohoo!

 

90.84% Overall Completion (+1.49)
458 Unearned Trophies (-107)
3.65 Trophies Per Day (+0.04)
89 Platinums (+2)
Level 390 (+4)

 

Game of the Month

 

To start things off, I had the pleasure of playing a bit of Altered Beast and a lot of Streets of Rage 2 with the homie KindaSabbath. We were beatin on the Syndicate as well as each other, bullshittin the whole time, and I had a total blast! Both games show their age, but Streets of Rage 2 has aged far more gracefully - definitely the George Clooney of the two!

 

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is in the mix as well, but I think I was expecting more. The characters and story are very well written, and the world is painfully gorgeous, but it makes the lacking areas all the more glaring. It's still an above average game, but I feel it could've been more.

 

Then of course there's the horror classic Dead Space, which mastered the atmosphere to such a degree that even an unexpected transmission from an ally could give a little jolt! It just does everything so well, and is so fun to play. It would've won the honors too, if I hadn't started playing Sayonara Wild Hearts!

 

I'm not even really deep into the game yet, but I'm already humming the songs to myself out of nowhere. The music is outstanding, it's got QUEEN LATIFAH, and the arcade meets indie feel makes for an endlessly charming game. I'm so pleased to have more of it to look forward to this month!

 

Rating the Month

 

My past two Februaries have each seen at least six games completed, so this time around it was a bit of a disappointment to only get three. Of course, it's hardly the end of the world, and I set myself up quite nicely for March to catch up to where I was last year, but the productivity was lackluster all the same. This February gets three out of five Square Coins.

 

February Goals

 

Thankfully, I've got a number of games on the brink of completion, so I can't see this month going too shabby. Now that we've hit 90%, I'd like to stay there, so completions over new shit! Also, it was nice to crank out some writing this past month, I'd like to see more of that in March!

 

Gaming Hitlist

 

 

Only two down from last month, but we've made the switch to horizontal pics now! Dead Space, DW7, and SoR2 are priority, and once those are put to bed I do believe XCOM and Metal Gear Solid will be up to bat! On the PS4 front, Sayonara is calling my name, and given the month, I need some baseball in my life, I think it's time to slap on MLB The Show 21!

 

That about does it! Thanks to all who read my nonsense, I hope everybody has a great month and I'll see you later??

[Heather342]

6 hours ago, YaManSmevz said:

I'm not even really deep into the game yet, but I'm already humming the songs to myself out of nowhere.

 

I have 'Dead of Night', 'Mine' and 'Inside' as permanent fixtures on my Spotify playlist ?. Occasionally stick 'Forest Ghost' on when the mood strikes, and then just remember all the fun I had on that level leaping around on the back of a stag!

[YaManSmevz]

Monthly Update with Ya Man Smevz
March 2023

 

Before getting into this month, there have been some allegations I need to address.

 

Maybe you've heard some things going around about me, maybe not, but whatever the case may be, I feel that honesty is always the best policy, and it would be best for anyone who associates with me in any way or even just reads my stuff on occasion to hear it directly from the source, as it were.

 

I'm just gonna come out and confirm that the rumor is true: I haven't written a review in over five weeks.

 

I know!!

 

A sad, low down dirty truth, and it's something I need to correct this month. But forget about April for a second, how about March?

92.19% Overall Completion (+1.35)
409 Unearned Trophies (-49)
3.64 Trophies Per Day (-0.01)
94 Platinums (+5)
Level 396 (+6)

Game of the Month

Dynasty Warriors 7's completion took a lot longer than anticipated, and it felt good but at the same time I dropped that talk of playing DW 6 Empires real quick? Finally stopped procrastinating and finished Streets of Rage 2 as well, that high score trophy is no joke. Then there's XCOM: Enemy Within, which at long last has got some momentum going and has been a lot of fun (though good fucking lord is it infuriating to constantly miss shots with 90% accuracy). I loved Enemy Unknown back in the day, so a revisit with some new elements has been pretty great.

 

The winner, however, is a game that would've gotten the nod last month if not for a last minute rhythmic swoop - Dead Space! I put off the Impossible playthrough for a while, and although I am the last person to champion always playing games on their hardest difficulty, in this particular case I feel it adds to the experience. Even after two playthroughs, the game still felt genuinely scary, and in no small part due to knowing how easily my ass could get ripped to shreds!

Rating the Month

Five plats and a hundo for six overall completions, now that's a solid month! More than made up for February's lackluster production, and more importantly it was a perfect blend of fun and accomplishment. And a lot of baseball too, which is never a bad thing. Five out of five Ishimuras!

April Goals

1. Write a damn review already, seriously. I'm falling waaayyy behind.

2. Can we get under 400 unearned? That'd be dope.
 

3. Try and play a lot during the first half of the month... we got in laws coming to visit, and they don't wanna watch you play video games.

Gaming Hitlist

 

The PS3 backlog started last October, so I'm hoping I can get these done in six months. A year seems about the right amount of time to spend on PS3 games. Or not. Who knows. I'm just makin this shit up.

 

1. XCOM: Enemy Within

 

Only played this on Normal back when I didn’t care about trophies/achievements, so Classic took some adjusting. It's definitely gotten less frustrating now that my troops are all good and leveled up.

 

2. Silent Hill 2

 

Possibly the PS3 game I've been dreading the most. I'm really excited to play the game like a normal person, but not so much the 10 star business that comes after.

 

3. 2046: Read Only Memories

 

Perfect blue for the Kaleidoscope Challenge, and it should be a chill experience. I don't really play many games like this, so it'll be a nice change of pace.

 

4. Katamari Damacy Reroll

 

Bruh. Just follow a guide and get the last trophy, it's annoying but it ain't hard. This is a silly game to be afraid of, just finish it off!

 

5. WWE 2K22

 

Only got til the year's end to finish the MyFaction grind, but the sooner the better. Just... man. IT IS A LOT.

 

Ran a lil long this month, I do apologize for that. Here's hoping for a good month, April ho!

[YaManSmevz]

Monthly Update with Ya Man Smevz

April 2023

 

Am I Logan Paul? Because after so much anticipation, here I am face to face with May weather!

 

Eh? ...ehh???

 

....Ugh, I'm firing my writers.

 

What's up everybody, and a happy May to you all! It's that time once again, where we dig up a newly deceased month for the purposes of picking, prodding, and pointing at it. So, let's all gather 'round and have us a look!

 

92.85% Overall Completion (+0.66)
393 Unearned Trophies (-16)
3.71 Trophies Per Day (+0.07)
99 Platinums (+5)
Level 402 (+6)

 

Game of the Month

 

Quite a few solid candidates! Both Moving Out and Hue were cute little games that were great to chill out with. 2064: Read Only Memories was surprisingly entertaining and Treasures of the Aegean lived up to the hype, and now that I've finally completed Katamari Damacy Reroll, I can just play it and enjoy it like a normal person!

 

Pretty solid competition, but Valfaris was able to handily come out on top! A bad ass side scroller with some serious Contra DNA, this one is as addicting as it is difficult. My ass got beat pretty soundly throughout my first playthrough, but the satisfying combat, awesome visuals, and Dethklok-quality soundtrack kept me coming back for more!

 

Rating the Month

 

A bit of a mixed bag, this one. Many hitlist games were neglected, the PS3 backlog has found itself on an accidental hold, and I have become convinced that I've actually forgotten how to write a review about something?

 

However, we completed six games, got under 400 unearned trophies, and have a 41 day trophy streak goin. Not too shabby, so April gets four out of five Hellwraiths!

 

May Goals

 

1. At long last, it's time to crown plat #100!

 

2. Get back on the PS3 backlog!

 

3. Try and hit 93% overall completion!

 

Gaming Hitlist

 

No picture of the PS3 stack this month because there is no change. For shame!

 

1. Pyre

 

I had a few games in the running for the coveted #100 title (because games totally covet things like that... or at all) but it's stuck with this one. Been meaning to get to it forever, and between all the great things I've heard, my already stellar experience with Supergiant, and the fact that it is pretty much textbook maroon for a certain gaming challenge, the deal was sealed pretty quickly!

 

2. WWE 2K22

 

Just gotta keep chippin and take a few more days of crankin out matches. I'm not hating on MyFaction but... yeah I don't know how to finish that sentence, it really does feel pretty needless.

 

3. Resident Evil 4

 

My embarrassing admission is that I've never gotten particularly good with the shooting for this game (or 5, for that matter) so the shooting galleries have kept me at bay. But I've been getting better at tackling games I've been dodging, so this one is good for the next as any. Besides, everybody seems to be having a great time with the remake, this way I can pretend I'm a cool kid with a PS5 too!

 

 

4. XCOM: Enemy Within

 

Have been making some quiet strides with this one. Went for some basic trophies on a secondary save file with the difficulty switched to Easy, and it's remarkable how quickly you can tear through it when you're used to Classic difficulty! Just a few more miscellaneous bits left and I'll be left with simply finishing the story!

 

5. Silent Hill 2

 

Meant to get into this last time, we'll give it another shot this month. That first playthrough is gonna be fantastic... then there's however more playthroughs I'll need after that, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there?

 

Here's to a solid May??

Edited May 2, 2023 by YaManSmevz
It's 2064! 2046 is a movie. Lousy dyslexia

[CelestialRequiem]

Well, even when you have had more to update, I haven't been present enough to take the time to sit down for more thoughtful responses (though I do admittedly even sometimes lack the time to even read any new updates). Never been an excuse I've been fond of... "I just don't have the time."

 

Even as adults, it's not so much we don't have the time, but we're not putting priority on it. That's a more acceptable and honest response anyway -- so I can faithfully (though regretfully) admit that the limited free time I have had, has been going to other things (even touching up my archaic checklist -- but I'm not in a rush to bring to a respectable standing from its sorry state, anyway).

 

 

1 hour ago, YaManSmevz said:

3. Resident Evil 4

 

 

My embarrassing admission is that I've never gotten particularly good with the shooting for this game (or 5, for that matter) so the shooting galleries have kept me at bay. But I've been getting better at tackling games I've been dodging, so this one is good for the next as any. Besides, everybody seems to be having a great time with the remake, this way I can pretend I'm a cool kid with a PS5 too!

Though I'm decently proficient with this game back when I played it as a kid from the original release, the re-release on PS4 from 2016 or so I believe had changes to bring it closer to modernity. Much like RE5, you aim with the right thumbstick. With the original release (even from what I recall on my PS2 copy) you aim and position yourself with the left stick. So even though you may feel like you aren't performing as well as you would like, at least it'll be a familiar unfamiliarity. ?

 

I believe the PS3 version still has it set to where you aim and shoot with the left stick; though I don't have that version to confirm.

 

1 hour ago, YaManSmevz said:

5. Silent Hill 2

 

 

Meant to get into this last time, we'll give it another shot this month. That first playthrough is gonna be fantastic... then there's however more playthroughs I'll need after that, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there

 

Here's to a solid May

Oh don't worry, I haven't gotten to this monster yet either... and I thought I would have by now.

 

A friend of mine is going through the PC version (which recently got fan mods to make it even better -- and now seems like the best way to experience the game) and has been giving tips for optimal strategies for the 10-Star Run. Might post them in here if requested; he's definitely an expert.

[DrBloodmoney]

Dan son, you played some bangers last month!
 

I’ve had Valfaris in the ol’ to-play pile for a while, but any game that can beat out TotA for game of the month has to have some special sauce!

 

…and got Pyre coming up! ??

If that doesn’t take the monthly crown, I’ll eat my hat - wicked-awesome!

[YaManSmevz]

Ayy what's up @CelestialRequiem?

 

I feel as though "haven't had the time" is just shorthand for what you're saying about priorities. Perhaps I've just been fortunate, but throughout my adulthood I've never experienced anyone (including myself) responding to another person not having the time with anything other than "yeah, I get it."

 

Well, except work and shit like that of course!

 

Quote

Though I'm decently proficient with this game back when I played it as a kid from the original release, the re-release on PS4 from 2016 or so I believe had changes to bring it closer to modernity. Much like RE5, you aim with the right thumbstick. With the original release (even from what I recall on my PS2 copy) you aim and position yourself with the left stick. So even though you may feel like you aren't performing as well as you would like, at least it'll be a familiar unfamiliarity.

 

Haha dude I didn't even notice! I one-and-doned RE4 on the PS2 (I think as highly of it as the next gamer, but for whatever reason it was never an "I could play this forever" game for me) so I don't remember the controls all that well, just the laser sighting. I'm dreading the Professional playthrough because I believe the Plagas move much more quickly, and it isn't as though I'll be able to ask them to hold still for a second while I aim?

 

Quote

Oh don't worry, I haven't gotten to this monster yet either... and I thought I would have by now.

 

A friend of mine is going through the PC version (which recently got fan mods to make it even better -- and now seems like the best way to experience the game) and has been giving tips for optimal strategies for the 10-Star Run. Might post them in here if requested; he's definitely an expert.

 

Damn man, seems like PC gaming really is where it's at sometimes! I'm trying not to think of the 10 Star run just yet... taking the alcoholic approach of 'one day at a time.' Enjoy the game first, and then I can torture myself!

 

17 hours ago, DrBloodmoney said:

Dan son, you played some bangers last month!
 

I’ve had Valfaris in the ol’ to-play pile for a while, but any game that can beat out TotA for game of the month has to have some special sauce!

 

…and got Pyre coming up! 

If that doesn’t take the monthly crown, I’ll eat my hat - wicked-awesome!

 

Yoooo I think you would enjoy the fuck out of Valfaris! The 16 bit run and gun style is done so well. It looks dope, the whole metal worship of it all is fantastic (you even headbang every time you get a new weapon, I cracked up the first time), the clever risk/reward system adds a nice extra element, and it's in that sweet spot with difficulty where it's definitely challenging but rarely (if at all) frustrating.

 

Besides, when is it not fun to shoot, slice, and explode your way through ungodly mayhem?

 

Treasures was easily in second place, it's a great game (the parkour and baseball slides alone!) and I give Copa props on that one all day. Personally though, I felt like Valfaris had that wonderful quality where it just stayed on the brain, whether I was playing it or not!

 

You might be right about Pyre! The idea of a Supergiant NBA Jam was truly novel but hard to wrap my head around... then I start playing it and I'm like "Ooohhh!!" It's really fun so far, not that I'm surprised?

Edited May 2, 2023 by YaManSmevz