Topic: The Chit Chat Thread

I bought a Chromebook as my laptop does meet the specs for Windows 11, and support will stop for 10 next year. I've been thinking about getting one for a few years now, but when I last looked into it I didn't think the machines for the price range I was looking in were upto snuff.

Now Google have introduced Chromebook Plus laptops, I found it much easier to find one. Most of the complaints I've seen are from people who didn't really know what they were getting. I don't use my laptop as much as i used to these days, so felt i didn't need a full on Windows laptop at home any more.

I'm still getting used to it, but I've been using Android devices for yonks now so am familar with them. I have noticed the quicker start up times compared to a Windows machine, as I use one for work.

@Th3solution @Jimmer-jammer Hey guys, I'm back! Spent my time away with family and friends and focusing on a more John Coltrane-inspired guitar-sound. I think free jazz is the way forward! Also recently had a training session for my voluntary role for specific mental health needs. Anyway, planning to download Elden Ring tomorrow and get back at it as soon as it downloads - final Miyazaki masterpiece. Let's go!

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN Hey, that’s great! Glad to see you had some fulfilling activities in the real world. I’ll be curious how Elden Ring goes. I left some recent thoughts on DS2 over on the Souls thread if you’re interested.

@Th3solution Hey man, I'm impressed and intrigued with regard to the fact that you're still playing DS2 several months (in my estimation) since you first started it - you're like me, man, mainly a 'farm' guy when it comes to these games , just spend ages on farming in order to become op and then just slaugther the remaining bosses, haha, that's what I'm planning to do for ER as well anyway, already got that build planned from YouTube that I shared in the ER thread a while ago.

But yeah, I think going through the game at my own pace, picking up the missable 'weapons' trophy early on and then save scumming in order to get the three endings - (I've already researched on how to get the platinum) should work well for me. It would be nice to eventually get a FromSoft platinum given my previous commitment to Miyazaki's visions, especially as I don't know what direction the company will go in next.

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN Yeah, I’ve been really taking my time, but I probably could have been done by now if I didn’t over-level and try to get every single collectible. I’m about 70 hours along. I’m on the verge for the final primordial bonfire which is maybe the halfway point, but I’m sufficiently leveled so that I can probably do the second half a little quicker than the first. We’ll see. I’m like you also with the lack of a FromSoft platinum. Not sure I will ever get one but it would be nice!

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN Hey, man! Glad to have you back and glad to hear you had a fulfilling time away. The Lands Between beckon, fellow tarnished.

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN waoh man, it’s good to see you back.

Sent my wee brother off to uni today. He was 8 when I made this account 😂

@nessisonett One of my neices turned 30 this week, which made me feel really really old.

@nessisonett my sister also started uni. when I first started browsing this site, she around 9.

@JohnnyShoulder Haha, my sister turns 30 next year and we’re not letting that one go!

@Yousef- It feels like summer flew away and it’s already term time!

@nessisonett I’m not looking forward to streets getting crowded when I drive to work 😆
I am however looking forward to temps dropping below 50 Celsius!….. in a few months.

@Jimmer-jammer @Th3soltuion @Yousef- Further to what I said before, I feel like the FromSoft Souls games really do ruin most other video games for a lot of people, myself included, simply because they are simply such quasi-perfect RPG video gaming experiences.Given my commitment to farming and becoming op as well as chasing that ever-elusive platinum I'll probably be at Elden Ring for over a year, though, so I won't be at a loss for something for to play for quite some time now.

I mean, Rise of the Ronin was fun, but it just didn't quite hit that sweet spot that the Souls games have provided for me , although in terms of transferable skills I feel that the faster-reaction times I seem to have gained from a game like RotR are already beneitting me with regard to ER.

Even so, though, I'd like to just note that playing it briefly this morning, aquiring the steed and meeting the 'Maiden' that you use to level-up type character and farming a little, was like slipping on and old glove, i.e a feeling of something comfortable and familiar, I may just stick to FromSoft Souls games from now on and explore whatever they put out next year or whenever after Elden Ring. Thoughts?

N.B Also I know SOTE is already out, with regard to further content, but the lack of trophies puts me off, with regard to that particular expansion. Old Hunter's was great!

N.B II I also abandoned RE2 REmake and Another Crab's Treasure in the interim of my absence from this website, because they didn't hit that so-called 'sweet spot' .

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN I wouldn’t go so far as to say that From Software games have ruined other games for me but I would easily agree that their recent output represents some of the best the medium has to offer. They’re in a league of their own

SotE’s lack of trophies is certainly an annoyance (and a misstep in my opinion) but it in no way negatively impacted my overall enjoyment of the experience.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing to know what you like and stick within it. It’s not like you’re out here berating folks for liking games unblessed by Miyazaki’s genius 😂

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN @Jimmer-jammer on top of the quality, From Softwares output is incredible too. As game development times seem to be increasing everywhere… From Soft just keep churning out bangers on the reg.

@colonelkilgore @BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN It’s insane. They are a bonafide machine!

Hello to all the lovely people in this thread! I have nothing else to say but I hope you are all having a good day (or had a good day) and are all safe with your families Hope you are all playing super fun games too!

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN That's a shame you've decided to skip Shadow of the Erdtree, as I think it contains some of their best work.

It was a bit weird not to have any trophies as first, but it did not impact my enjoyment. I didn't realise you are that into trophies, but if that is your only concern I would not let that stop you from playing the expansion.

@JohnnyShoulder That and it being more difficult to become op in the DLC. Plus I get a little impatient towards the end of games and ER is huge already!

@BlAcK_Sw0rDsMaN I wouldn't say it is more difficult but different than in the main game.

There is a limit of the items you need for sure, but by the time you've got all the fragments and stuff, you will be OP for every thing barring the last boss.