Topic: Playstation 4 Backloggery and most wanted!

@Th3solution You're welcome, although now I really hope you like it. 🤣 Looking forward to reading your thoughts. It's still quite a unique title, and I really appreciated the care put into the remaster, given the sloppy efforts other companies have released this year.

I’ve been trying to organize my thoughts and plans and figured I ought to update…

>>>>Previous Plans —

PS5

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - done and platinum!

Demon’s Souls - Not done yet, but edging closer and closer, making consistent progress.


PS4

Rime - done and platinum!

13 Sentinels - nope.

The Last of Us 2 - nope.


Vita

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - nope.

>>>>>>>Previously Planned Purchases -

Kena: Bridge of Spirits - not yet

Hades - not yet

Gran Turismo 7 - not yet

🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅

>>>>>>New Short-term Plan —

PS5
Demon’s Souls - I’m going to be sad to see this end, and would be tempted to restart with another build after I finish it, but the backlog looms. First task is to properly finish the game and see the ending though. Maybe within the next week…? Won’t be long now.
Dirt 5 - I’m halfway through the game, and although the repetitive nature of the game is now on full display, taking a drip-feed approach to playing just a handful of races intermittently has kept it fun enough to stay with it. I’ll probably end up trying for the platinum.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales - Embarrassed to say I still have this in the backlog. I keep meaning to boot it up but something else keeps pushing it down. It might be time.
The Pathless - I’m keeping this on deck for the next month or so, as I think it will be a good change of pace indie style game to throw in the mix somewhere.

PS4
Mass Effect - I anticipate this will be my main game soon. Depending on how it goes, I might just abandon all other well-developed plans and just play the sequels too.
Resident Evil 4 - I’ve been deliberating which zombie game to play next and I’m leaning toward experiencing the next installment of the RE series, so switching out TLoU2 for this.

Vita
MGS2: Sons of Liberty - I almost didn’t put this in my plans again, since I have been negligent toward my Vita, but there’s an off-chance I’ll get some portable time over the next month or so.

>>>>>>Next Planned Purchases —

GT7 - depending on reviews and whether I feel compelled for more racing
Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection - I want to replay these games at the highest fidelity available

It's been a hot minute since my last update!

Previous backlog:
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (3DS) - Finished
Call of Duty: Black Ops (360) - Finished
Shadow of the Colossus (PS4) - Finished
Kingdom Hearts III (PS4) - Finished

Previous upcoming purchases:
Grandia (Vita) - Not purchased
Lunar: Silver Star Harmony (Vita) - Not purchased
Odin Sphere Leifthrasir (PS4) - Not purchased
Oninaki (PS4) - Not purchased

Current backlog:
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls (PS4)
Forza Motorsport 6 (Xbox One)
No More Heroes (Wii)

Upcoming purchases:
Tons of 3DS and Wii U digital games

I have such a hard time buying planned games because I constantly change my mind. Which is why I'm only going to write a broad statement this time for 3DS and Wii U titles since there are a lot I want to buy on the eShops but I'm not sure if I want to buy exactly everything.

In terms of backlog, it took some time to get through KH3 and Shadow of the Colossus but I finally managed to play through all these games! I expect little difficulty with most of the current three titles as I'm already almost done with Diablo 3 (on the final act now) and I'm halfway through Forza Motorsport 6's career mode (which is probably my favourite racing sim of all time). However, I'm having so much trouble getting through No More Heroes. I haven't been this unmotivated to play a game in a very long time. The issues with it are 1) you are forced to do boring side missions in order to unlock the story missions, and 2) the story missions get progressively worse over time as there are boss fights with massive difficulty spikes and the levels become shorter and repetitive. I'm basically halfway through the game but it's taking me much longer than expected to get through it because it's so unrewarding. I can only do a few side missions and one story level each day before I'm completely drained. I still want to get through it since it's been in my backlog for over a decade.

@LtSarge I personally would avoid Odin sphere. On paper it sounds like my cup of tea but it gets tedious really quickly. Some of the mechanics have not aged well.

I can see why it was well regarded over on the PS2 when long games were restricted to 3d RPGs, but now with the plethora of long games to waste time. It doesn't stack up.

@Th3solution the mass effect remake was my GOTY sol. The first one is good, the second is a masterclass. The third is actually better than I recall. I think the ending might be different as well

Currently playing:

Ghost of Tsushima: Finish the campaign
Chess Ultra: get into the 1500s where I belong
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania: Complete world 4

To buy:

Gran Turismo 7

Here's mine, in "order"

Horizon Forbidden West
Elden Ring
Gran Turismo 7

Street Fighter 5
Far Cry 4
Dishonored 2
Mass Effect 1
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 3
Control
Crash N Sane Trilogy
Hades
Yakuza Like a Dragon

Ninja Gaiden 1
Ninja Gaiden 2
Ninja Gaiden 3
Assassin Creed 2
Assassin Creed Brotherhood
Assassin Creed Revelations
Assassin Creed 3
Assassin Creed 4

Ni no Kuni: WoWW
GTA: San Andreas
Days Gone
Shadow of War
Shadow of The Tomb Raider
L.A. Noire
Devil May Cry 4
Diablo 3
Jak 1
Jak 2
Jak 3
Jak X
XCOM 2

Assassin Creed Origins
Assassin Creed Odyssey
Assassin Creed Valhalla

I want to buy Dragons Dogma if there's a sequel in the making (pretty sure there is one)

Not very exciting, but will throw my hat into the ring nonetheless!

Purchased, pending delivery:

• Elden Ring (PS5), pre-ordered from Base.com and hoping/praying for early delivery on release day!

Purchased, in backlog:

• SIFU (PS5), downloaded off the hype regarding it being a 'difficult' game. Having beaten Returnal and DeS last year, I feel like another challenge could be on the cards!
• Pokemon Arceus (Switch), brought recently.... not had a chance to boot up yet due to another Switch game consuming me!

Currently playing:

• Ghost Tsushima Director's Cut (PS5), loving this game. Played through and platinumed the base game on 'hard' difficulty, then ramped up to 'lethal' for Iki Island! Lethal is a solid challenge, and some of the duels in particular are quite rough! Beautiful game, and I think Iki is perhaps the most remarkable DLC I have ever come accross. The story really fleshes out Jin, who I perceived as a bit stoic in the base game. Iki also has some (brilliantly) campy 'horror' vibes... reminds me a bit of Resi 4 in places, which is meant as a compliment! But basically just great.
• Salt and Sanctuary (Switch), this game is a MUST for anyone looking to kill a week or so before Elden Ring drops. Basically a 2D Dark Souls, with really great mechanics and a rich build/skill-tree system. Was cheap on e-shop and I took a punt based on recommendations... can't put it down!

The plan:

• Polish off the final Iki trophies on GoT (just collectibles) and then perhaps delve into NG+... but realistically I think I might quit Ghost after getting all the Iki trophies and then move onto SIFU instead.
• Idea is to hopefully finish SIFU prior to Elden Ring arriving, depending of course on my resilience to tackle the challenge!
• Continue with S&S on Switch when I am travelling with work, which is fairly frequent.

(nb. Horizon is exciting me also... BUT I never played Zero Dawn, and also I think it would be foolish to think I could/would enjoy 'double dipping' alongside Elden Ring. Will hopefully pick up in a sale. I generally like to have just 1 PS5 game running at a time, with 1 Switch game on the side)

@themcnoisy Looking forward to it. If it has the Noisy seal of approval, it should be awesome. I played ME2 and 3 back on PS3, so will be happy to start at the beginning this time.

@RevGaming I bloody love XCOM2.

The War of the Chosen DLC is absolutely top notch too and expands on the base game so much. Great if you’ve not played before, even better if you have!

@Thrillho I don't play many Strategy games, so this should be a nice change of pace.

Let's review:

Not too bad.

Since then, I've also played and beaten:

• Intelligent Qube
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
• Mega Man Powered Up
• Spyro the Dragon (via the Reignited Trilogy)

I plan to do the following by April 18th (my birthday; seemed as good a goal date as any):

• Finish The World Ends With You on NDS
• Finish Pokemon Legends: Arceus on NS
• Finish The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve on NS
• Start, play, and beat Persona 5 Strikers on PS4

Planned Purchases thru April 18th:

• Either Horizon Forbidden West on PS4 OR Triangle Strategy on NS
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land on NS
• Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp on NS

@themcnoisy Have you played the Leifthrasir version of Odin Sphere? I really enjoyed the new combat and felt the game shone on the Vita.

I didn't really stick to my plans much, but am going more with the flow now and playing what I feel like in any given moment rather than being too rigid. Playing a mixture of old favourites and backlog games is a good idea and has struck a nice balance. I haven't been well recently so haven't been gaming too much, but my main focus has been on my 3DS backlog.

That said...

Currently playing:

• Assassin's Creed Odyssey Atlantis Episode 3 DLC (PS5)
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U)
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch)
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice For All (3DS)

Things I might play next:

• Ys: Memories of Celceta (Vita)
• Ratchet & Clank: Nexus (PS3)
• Horizon: Zero Dawn - The Frozen Wilds DLC (PS4)
• Halo Reach (Xbox One)
• Chrono Trigger (DS)

Things to Buy:

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land (maybe)

@RogerRoger Your comments on Ghost are quite interesting!

Whilst I have really enjoyed my time with it, I can 'objectively' step back and see why it wouldn't necessarily click for everyone.

In all honesty, I tried to start it several times... and just couldn't 'click' with it. Eventually I said I would force myself through Act1 and see how I felt about continuing. So glad I did, as the plot/game/mechanics really begin to open up within Act2 - not to mention some of the character developments are great (less so Jin the protagonist, but he really does shine in the Iki expansion!)

The thing that really changed it up for me was cranking the difficulty from Medium - - > Hard pretty much as soon as I started. I actually wish I played on Lethal for the 'base game', although I did do all of Iki on lethal. This added element of difficulty is 'do-able', but really makes you concentrate and plan your attacks properly... ensuring you use all the tools at your disposal.

Customisation and build awareness also are much more needed on hard/lethal, and all of a sudden you feel like you're actually playing a rich game!

Playing base and Iki back-to-back was interesting for me though, as I actually enjoyed Iki a lot more than the base game! The plot is wild, and the Iki antagonist is pretty preposterous in the best way (very 'Resident Evil' at times ha)

Let me know if you ever revisit? I cleaned up all the Iki trophies yesterday, have the plat on base game and now might dabble in NG+ and/or the online legends mode before Elden Ring next week.

Or indulge masochistic tendencies and (attempt to) tackle SIFU ha

@themcnoisy Cheers for the heads-up! I'll have to look up some gameplay videos of Odin Sphere and see if it appeals to me or not. I mostly wanted this game because of how highly people speak of it, but perhaps it's not something that I'd like.

@RogerRoger Thanks! I've actually already bought tons of games on Wii U and 3DS these past few days, so that's one thing that I'm able to check off as finished in my next update!

@mookysam yes bro. I got up to around halfway through the second character and left it there. It's still in my collection funnily enough.

@CJD87 exactly mate, you need to make every outfit a different build. That's not explained at all in game and you have to flick on a button in the settings. Way better. I finished on hard as well and took me over 50 hours.

@RogerRoger Thanks for sharing your take on GoT - as you say, very interesting how the same game can cater to two different 'approaches' to playstyle (difficulty vs story).

This is exactly why I sit on the fence a bit, when it comes to the ongoing discourse regarding 'difficulty modes'.

For games like GoT, wide-sweeping and story-driven open world adventures, I am 100% in favour of multiple difficulties to ensure that enjoyment of the game is made feasible to as wide a demographic as possible. If I had not been able to dial up to hard/lethal, I would have for sure dropped it in Act1. Likely, I assume same for yourself - if a more story-focussed difficulty had not been available, you may have dropped as well?

However, saying that I do think there are anomolies to this rule... SIFU being a recent example where I think the difficulty level (and vision of the devs) should be maintained. Whereas GoT has so much to be enjoyed, and so many facets outside of 'challenge', I feel that SIFU is essentially a game that is all about overcoming difficulty. Having kicked off SIFU now (and getting my *ss kicked majorly!) I would argue that there would be precious little left to enjoy if it was made easier.

I haven't dabbled in the online mode for GoT at all, but I have heard amazing things about it...! Basically the next week I am killing time for Elden Ring, so if SIFU starts to REALLY p*ss me off (and I fail to git gud) then I'll prob jump into Ghost online.

How did you find Iki Island measured up against the base game btw?

Previous backlog:
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls (PS4) - Finished
Forza Motorsport 6 (Xbox One) - Finished
No More Heroes (Wii) - Finished

Previous upcoming purchases:
Tons of 3DS and Wii U digital games - Done

Current backlog:
999 (PS4)
Prototype (Xbox 360)
Yo-Kai Watch 2 (3DS)

Upcoming purchases:
None

Managed to finish all the games I've been playing and I also bought tons of titles on Wii U as well as 3DS. Next I'm focusing on 999 (which I'm making good progress with), Prototype (just started it) and Yo-Kai Watch 2 (which I've been playing for a few hours, very chill JRPG to play in between these titles). Don't have any upcoming purchases as the only thing I'm interested in is continuing to clear my backlog and maybe buy a month of Game Pass eventually since so many compelling games have been added since the last time I was subscribed.

It was April last year when I last updated this so thought I'd have a look and see how it went, I've had a lot of time off work since April so have managed to complete alot of games but it's quite interesting that alot of these on my list ended up getting pushed further down.

Resident evil 2 - completed one run and Leon and 1 run as Claire, loved it

Ghost of Tsushima director's cut- Completed and Platinumed and wow this game was special and the Iki island expansion was a nice change of pace

Jedi Fallen Order - Completed really enjoyed the game, Cal as the main character was a bit...dry but overall a really good star wars game

Assasins creed odyssey - Completed game and dlc, really enjoyed this game i put 150 hours into it but was glad to be finished by the end.

Final fantasy VII remake - Completed

Bloodborne - Completed now going for Plat

Replayed God Of War and got plat

Tomb Raider Trilogy - Completed all 3

Persona 5 - Started did 16 hours and then stopped really wanted to like it but wasn't feeling it.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition - Completed 1 and 2 still along 3

Sackboy - Complete

Spiderman Miles Morales - complete(Close to plat)

Doom Eternal - Completed

Greedfall - Played about 20 hours thenost interest.

Fortnite - played probably about 100 hours mainly with the little one

So the current backlog now looks like this

Outerworlds
Dragon Quest
Resident Evil 3
Resident Evil 7
Resident Evil Village
Final Fantasy X/X2
Demon Soul's
Cyberpunk
Hades
Horizon Forbidden West
Elden Ring
Tales of Arise

@RogerRoger yeah it was quite a year 🤣 I did have a lot more time on my hands than I've ever had before as seen as I couldn't do anything physical for a good 6 month I put my time to good use (Gaming wise anyway).

Seems we got through alot of similar games, which if any did you enjoy the most? I know that their all different in their own way and each one had something unique about it but I was blown away by Ghosts of Tsushima, I even went straight on to the Iki island expansion straight after which I normally don't do with dlc, normally need a break.

Mass effect I've only completed the first 2 and I'm currently going through number 3 but they have been some of my favourite games since I first played them years ago, it's one of my favourite series mass effect and I'm not the biggest Sci fi fan but the lore in mass effect is really well written I think.

In regards to Persona its a strange one, I'm a big JRPG fan and a big fan of Anime although more old school anime, I struggle with the newer slightly more child/camper type anime. But I've never played a Persona game and this is my first in to the entry, I think because when I booted it up I was at the begging stages of working through my backlog and not to well at the time mabye this played a factor but I just didn't click with it, some of the early dialogue (which there is a lot of dialogue) seemed really drawn out and i found myself just skipping alot and then not really knowing what was going on which is really not like me. I wanted to like it, especially with they way everyone goes on about it but unfortunately we can't win them all can we lol.

Also I forgot to mention I actually played through the whole of final fantasy 14 from the free trail then all the way to shadowbringers, I got the complete edition online for £20 on sale on ps and that included 30day playtime and I must say for any final fantasy fans out there this is a fantastic game, some of the best story's I've ever played in any game.

@MaulTsir Nicely done, buddy. Some great games in there.

On the Persona 5 subject, it is an interesting one. Although I really enjoyed P5 in the end, I have played P3, P4, P5 and have messed around with one of the P2s a couple of other SMT games in the past and so perhaps I knew more what to expect. I could see how being a newcomer to the series might be off-putting. There’s a lot of visual novel qualities to the game, in the sense that you have to be ready to do a lot of reading and listening to dialogue and exposition. The combat is pretty complex if you don’t have a background in the series too, with the all persona fusions and traits to track, etc.

That said, I think it’s a good entry point to the series because of the phenomenal art design and general production quality. So if you don’t care for it, then you may not like the other Persona games, unless you’re issue is just with the characters not being likable enough. Some prefer the flow, story, and characters of P3 and P4 better.

@RogerRoger Yeah Miles Morales was a fantastic introduction to the ps5, it was short and sweet but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the whole experience of Ghost of Tsushima and although the gameplay wasn't anything revolutionary it worked really well in the world it was set and with the story. I'm glad you were able to get back in to it after a little break because. I can see why people would get bored of it especially going into act 2 but I enjoyed the story the way the old and the new clashed (similar to what has always gone on in history).

Yeah loving Mass Effect probably even more than the first time I played them, I never did any of the dlcs when they first came out, so going through all of the dlc has been brilliant and really opened up more of the story for me, some of the story arcs of the dlc are really important and tie the whole games together alot more.

@Th3solution I really expected to enjoy P5, its right up my street, I love JRPG's and I'm also a big fan of anime, I'm in my 30's so mabye I just couldn't get with the whole high school vibe.

The game art and style seemed really awesome and I felt after the first hour or so this might really get me hooked but then it just never. I've played alot of jrpgs so I'm quite accustomed to the heavy reading so I don't think it was that which put me off, I think I mabye just didn't connect with the story or the characters.

It was a bit if a weird one and I sort of felt out of sorts because of how popular the game is. It always baffled me when people would say The Witcher 3, Mass Effect, The Last of Us or God Of War wasn't for them, but now I guess I understand somethings just don't float ya boat.