Topic: What PS5 Games Are You Currently Playing?

@colonelkilgore Yeah, I think it’s a matter of persistence. The timing in Stellar Blade feels different too. I’m usually not as trash at parry as I seemed to be in this game, but even in the practice arena I was having trouble with the practice dummy. I could parry maybe once out of 3 or 4 attacks. That didn’t bode well for a calm simple interaction in the practice setting so you can imagine in the heat of combat with multiple enemies that percentage went down further.

The dodge window is also quite narrow in the game. As a preferred dodger over parryer I couldn’t even rely on that very well either.

@Th3solution you’re not the only one who found it tough if that’s any consolation, I’ve watched a few streams of people who found the demo quite a challenge. Having said that though, they still seemed to feel really positive about the game, which I’m taking heart from

@colonelkilgore Yes, overall the demo showcased a really impressive looking game, especially for Shift Up’s first real attempt at a big console action game like this. Very impressive considering the team is fairly new to this. I was expecting something much less AAA and this appears to have all the signs of a big budget hit.

@Th3solution good to hear… and an impressive feat in and of itself.

I liked the demo a lot and while it's definitely not an easy game, it doesn't seem to take the difficulty to a level that would make it unenjoyable for me personally (tbf that rarely happens - I don't really enjoy From Soft games for different reasons altogether).
I actually found the bosses surprisingly easy, considering that a few basic enemies before made me use multiple healing items just for losing my focus for a second (this isn't meant to be a flex, just thought it was curious) - I really liked their animations though. Top notch stuff.
Anyway, I pre-ordered the game today.

@Th3solution It does not, as I always like to start from scratch even when there's a demo that allows that.

This will be a quicker reply than I thought it would be, but thanks for taking the time for the lengthy write-up. I will definitely check out the demo eventually. I'm concentrating solely on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth right now, but I'll try out the demo at some point since this not being what I initially expected it to be definitely has me on the fence. I don't want to totally dismiss it though.

As for dropping the difficulty, I do remember doing that for boss fights in Kena. I was fine most of the time with the regular encounters, but the boss fights would really kick my butt. I may end up doing the same thing here if it clicks. We'll see.

@Voltan Oh I hope you enjoy the game when it comes out. It does seem to be a game that seems to a large degree to stand on the shoulders of giants so to speak. With some clear inspirations from other games. Which I consider both good and bad in a way.

*I have not played the demo myself yet.

@KilloWertz No problem. I’ll be curious what you think. Although a very different game from Kena, this could be one of those that might need occasional difficulty adjustment at certain bosses. (Edit: I forgot to add that if you drop the difficulty during the game then you do have to restart at the last checkpoint. It’s a small thing, but it could become an issue if you want to do normal difficulty for the regular encounters and then just drop it for bosses)

It does also look like a game that could be exploited for level grinding to become OP, which is how I got through the three Souls games I’ve completed. The skills trees appear quite expansive so leveling the right way could make things much easier.

Anyways… Hopefully Rebirth is living up to expectations. 👍🏼

Still farming in DeS, going for the max build. 5 more levels of End to go and then 32 levels of Str, then it's complete, Vit & Magic already at 99 & 50, for those who've missed previous posts.

I have noticed boosting my End stat by 10 levels so far, up to 35 of 40, has enabled me to fast-roll in med armor, and also allowed me to swing my DBS at a faster speed.

@Th3solution Making it to a boss fight doesn't necessarily trigger a checkpoint?

Rebirth is for sure. I'm behind a lot of other people because I started it late due to real life getting in the way, but I figured it was best to start it when I was able to fully enjoy it (which was roughly 3 weeks ago). Ignoring the technical issues the game has in Performance mode since you are able to change the camera speed in the game, so the usual rough camera panning in 30 FPS isn't really noticeable, my only real complaint would be maybe there are actually too many mini-games in the game. Still loving the game regardless though.

@KilloWertz The demo has a checkpoint very close to the boss (just got to go up a couple flights of stairs) - obviously I can't be sure that will be the norm throughout the game but I wouldn't be surprised.

@KilloWertz Like @Voltan said, who knows in the full game but for the one boss in the demo, yes there’s a save station right before it.

I’m getting more excited to try Rebirth, but first Spider-Man 2 and FF Crisis Core later this year, so it might be a while before I get to hang out with Tifa on the beach.

@Th3solution Yeah, I'd definitely play Crisis Core first. You may already know everything from playing the games back in the day, but I never did (never finished the original VII), so I was glad I played Crisis Core.

Tifa on the beach... I kept it PG-13 and went with the actual clothes outfit for her and Aerith on the beach. I apologize to all of the men out there.

@Kidfried Hey Kiddo, how you doing?

How do you feel about the game? Are you itching for more or do you feel ready to move on to another game?

@Th3solution

@Jimmer-jammer

@Pizzamorg

I've decided to break my rule about not posting about DeS until I complete my so-desired 'max' build. Just to say that I am reflecting upon my time with the game, and FromSoftware's Souls games in general. The journey to completing this game has become somewhat emotional as I am now 2/3 of the way towards completing a build that should trivialize the remainder of the game for me. And I am reflecting upon all the good times I had in Dark Souls, Dark Souls III and Bloodborne, I realised that Dark Souls II wasn't a game I was particularly interested in playing, I tried it, didn't like it, and Sekiro and Elden Ring are beyond my skills/interest.

Plus, given the direction that FromSoftware has been going in since Bloodborne, i.e, making the solo campaigns (if you don't summon, have trouble traversing gargantuan open worlds or decide to use minimal summons) much harder than they did in previous iterations of their tried and true formula, I have lost interest in playing anything else they produce. Therefore, if you like their early games with the exception of DS2, then it is all about Dark Souls, Dark Souls III, Bloodborne,(the FromSoft games I have completed, two of them twice) and of course, my current game, the legendary Demon's Souls.

So ,yes it is getting quite emotional as once I have completed this game I will be done with FromSoftware Souls games, and onto Soulslikes and other RPGs/other video games. It is the closing of a chapter, but the birth of a new one.

@Black_Swordsman Often when I finish a really epic and enjoyable gaming experience I will have a strange mix of emotions, not unlike what you describe. Those impactful moments are part of why I love gaming so much. Other forms of entertainment like movies or books can also leave me feeling satisfied and emotional, but it’s not quite the same as what it feels like coming to the end of a long gaming journey.

Part of the complex emotional response is both simultaneously wanting the enjoyable experience to continue and yet wanting the contentment and gratification that comes with completion and victory over the game’s conclusion. Some of the discontent that comes at the end of a game is assuaged by knowing there’s a sequel or similar game around the corner. So I can see how you’re even more emotional with no From games on the horizon that you can pivot to for displacement of your appetite for these experiences.

I think you have a good response though — knowing that there are still a number of Souls-likes as well as a sea of RPGs and other gaming options that will likely scratch that itch eventually.

I have Dark Souls 2 on deck, as we discussed earlier and I will definitely come with lots of impressions to share. I’ll admit that part of my desire to play it before DS3 comes from my want for delaying that inevitable time when I run out of From games to play 😄. Of course the rate I play them, there will likely be no end in sight.

But yes, with Lords of the Fallen, Lies of P, and others like Wukong coming, there are still lots of options. Also, there’s always the option to continue to replay your favorites because there’s so many ways the From games can be played, like doing magic based playthroughs and experimentation with different weapons, etc.

@Th3solution There can also be the odd combination of loving a really long game, but at the same time getting thoughts of what your next game will be when you've played a game for dozens of hours. Not that I really want to stop playing something I'm loving, but that feeling can still crop up at times no matter what if it's a really long game.

@Black_Swordsman “The end of a melody is not its goal: but nonetheless, had the melody not reached its end it would not have reached its goal either. A parable.” -Nietzche

@Jimmer-jammer Profound.

Playing Rise Of Ronin and South Park Snow Day.

Quite the combo lol.