What games are you currently playing?

[Steve 7,530]

I'm playing:

Cyberpunk 2077

Destiny 2

Sniper Elite 4

Red Dead Redemption 2

 

Most of them I dabble with, mostly playing Cyberpunk 2077 now.  Red Dead didn't grab me the way I expected it to.

[Elovia 841]

Most recently I've been immersing in a heavily modded game of TES: Oblivion, and have dabbled over this past week a bit with Operencia: The Stolen Sun.

Oblivion is just as fun as I remembered it.  Between this and Skyrim, I've chalked up hundreds if not thousands of hours in these games.  Last I looked on Steam (a long time ago), I had almost 500 hours in Skyrim alone.  And I know I played Oblivion much longer than Skyrim.

Operencia has a decent story going for it between instances of turn-based combat.  I'm probably in chapter 3 (?) if such things are noted as such.  That just means, not counting the prologue, I've cleared two "dungeon" play areas as much as I'm able, but I haven't yet fully explored them due to game reasons.  The game is unapologetic in letting the player know they will have to go back and uncover more secrets after advancing more.  That's fine with me as long as there is a reason to go back and not just to prolong the time it takes me to complete the game (yet to be seen).

 

[Steve 7,530]

I've thought about giving Oblivion another play through, but the switch back from Skyrim takes a while to get used to.  I like the character creation options more in Oblivion and the mini games within the game, even having a conversation with someone is fun.

[Elovia 841]

One of the weird things I didn't like about Oblivion was the way leveling and advancement worked, especially to a min-maxer like myself.  You would be forced to optimally work up your minor skills in your class, not your major skills.  This is because your character starts with major skills that are relatively high, and they can cap out which then reduce your leveling potential.  Also, advancements in character stats (e.g., strength, etc.) depended on which skills were leveled.  So you could end up boosting non-helpful stats as you leveled depending on which skills you used.  And because the world levels around you, the player, you could disadvantage yourself somewhat easily.  The solution is in the mods.  They decoupled skill use as a leveling criteria, and you can now level the traditional RPG way ... by killing things, or exploring places, or any number of other activities that grant experience points which when accumulated enough of allow you to allocate your own stats and skills when you ding a new level.

I play a heavily modded version of Oblivion, that more or less suits my taste.  If it has been a while since you played, I highly recommend the following guide for modding up a new install ...

https://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/49898?tab=description

In addition to many of the base ones described in the above-linked guide, I've added a few others myself to better fit my preferences.  For example, I added the Clocks of Cyrodil mod that ... uhh ... adds clocks to various places so you have a more immersive way of finding out the time (rather than opening the map tab in the UI).  I also switched out the Kahjiit night eye shader to a more pleasant and helpful hue, and found a spell toggle so I don't have to keep recasting it every 30 seconds or so (after all, it is an ability that should be active whenever the character is in a darkened place).  My modded game is a lot harder, too, especially since I play the quintessential glass-cannon stealth bow cat.  If I get caught flat-footed, or get tangled up in melee, I have a better than good chance I'm not going to survive.  Which makes it all the more exciting ...

 

[Affinity for MTG 781]

I've been obsessed with Rocket League since it went free-to-play. I've managed to log 150+ hours in the last 3 months. It's kind of a problem! :P

[Steve 7,530]

1 hour ago, Affinity for MTG said:

I've been obsessed with Rocket League since it went free-to-play. I've managed to log 150+ hours in the last 3 months. It's kind of a problem! :P

Rocket League is one of those games I try to avoid like I avoid the dope man on the corner 😓

[Boag 116]

My son plays rocket league alot.

[Steve 7,530]

On 12/20/2020 at 5:24 PM, Elovia said:

One of the weird things I didn't like about Oblivion was the way leveling and advancement worked, especially to a min-maxer like myself.  You would be forced to optimally work up your minor skills in your class, not your major skills.  This is because your character starts with major skills that are relatively high, and they can cap out which then reduce your leveling potential.  Also, advancements in character stats (e.g., strength, etc.) depended on which skills were leveled.  So you could end up boosting non-helpful stats as you leveled depending on which skills you used.  And because the world levels around you, the player, you could disadvantage yourself somewhat easily.  The solution is in the mods.  They decoupled skill use as a leveling criteria, and you can now level the traditional RPG way ... by killing things, or exploring places, or any number of other activities that grant experience points which when accumulated enough of allow you to allocate your own stats and skills when you ding a new level.

I play a heavily modded version of Oblivion, that more or less suits my taste.  If it has been a while since you played, I highly recommend the following guide for modding up a new install ...

https://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/49898?tab=description

In addition to many of the base ones described in the above-linked guide, I've added a few others myself to better fit my preferences.  For example, I added the Clocks of Cyrodil mod that ... uhh ... adds clocks to various places so you have a more immersive way of finding out the time (rather than opening the map tab in the UI).  I also switched out the Kahjiit night eye shader to a more pleasant and helpful hue, and found a spell toggle so I don't have to keep recasting it every 30 seconds or so (after all, it is an ability that should be active whenever the character is in a darkened place).  My modded game is a lot harder, too, especially since I play the quintessential glass-cannon stealth bow cat.  If I get caught flat-footed, or get tangled up in melee, I have a better than good chance I'm not going to survive.  Which makes it all the more exciting ...

 

I'm going to check that out.  My wife has been addicted to Skyrim for a while and she started playing on pc.  She wants to try Oblivion but when she asked if character progression was the same and I wasnt sure how to explain it to her coming fringe Skyrim. 

[Boag 116]

Ark: Survival Evolved

7 days to die

Stationeers

Astroneer

Subnautica

 

I just kind of rotate through them depending on my mood.

[Dunnar 773]

On 1/3/2021 at 12:50 PM, Boag said:

My son plays rocket league alot.

Same.  Solitaire and Sudoku for me.  Old man games lol

[Steve 7,530]

7 hours ago, Boag said:

Ark: Survival Evolved

7 days to die

Stationeers

Astroneer

Subnautica

 

I just kind of rotate through them depending on my mood.

How is 7 Days to Die these days?  Still in alpha or did they get to beta after 10 years or so?

[Elovia 841]

11 hours ago, Boag said:

Stationeers

Astroneer

These two piqued my interest.  I'll check them out.  Thanks for the heads up.

[Pasanda 1,012]

I tend to only play one game at a time. So Cyberpunk 2077 since early Dec. Really enjoying it. Very well produced game, with none of the bugs on the consoles. Seen a few, but all fairly minor. Love the effort put into the quests and storyline. There are the usual rinse and repeat type quests, but there are hundreds of well crafted, well scripted quests too. 

[Steve 7,530]

On 1/13/2021 at 4:03 AM, Pasanda said:

I tend to only play one game at a time. So Cyberpunk 2077 since early Dec. Really enjoying it. Very well produced game, with none of the bugs on the consoles. Seen a few, but all fairly minor. Love the effort put into the quests and storyline. There are the usual rinse and repeat type quests, but there are hundreds of well crafted, well scripted quests too. 

I'm a one game at a time kind of guy, too.  Haven't had time to play anything lately but Cyberpunk is fun.

[Pasanda 1,012]

So, skimming my way through:

Hitman III - didn't like II, so not holding out too much hope. 

Horizon Zero Dawn - i think this might be my next game. Seems decent and i really like the setting.

Call of Cthulu. Not started yet, but it's calling to me.

Detroit Become Human. Gave it a few hours and i think i've lost my save games. Not sure i love it enough to start again. Kismet.

Black Mesa. Just the first few mins. Not sure i have to cojones to put up with the still old graphics.

Metro exodus, after a crappy first half hour (i hate games that just try to scare you for the sake of it), it might be ok. And it has raytracing.

[Steve 7,530]

I only played Metro for a few minutes, it didnt grab me.

Keep us posted on Htman

[JesGolbez 1,644]

Giving Hades a go. Aurian loved it, and it's pretty easy to get into. 

[Boag 116]

7 days is still in Alpha, but has come along ways since 2017 when I started playing.  Really I don't know why they have kept it in Alpha state, it is more polished than some released games.

 

Stationeers and Astroneer are similar but feel very different.  Stationeers needs more thought, Astroneers controls are easier.

 

All 3 games have fairly regular updates that change play to a degree, but mean you have to start over on your building.

[Pasanda 1,012]

Been playing Horizon Zero Dawn for about 2 weeks, quite intensely. I'm really enjoying myself. I love hte pace, which is not too frantic. It seems to be a very large game, with 100+ hours easily, in content. I enjoy the combat, lot's of sneaky sneaky. The character progression could use a little work - too much seems unimportant. But the story is what really works for me. It's a bit like planet of the apes, but with machines instead of apes. Can't say much more, as it's the story that unravels very slowly. Graphically thrilling with lovely environments. The kind of game i enjoy, as i can begin to appreciate the care and effort that went into every detail.

[Elovia 841]

10 hours ago, Pasanda said:

Been playing Horizon Zero Dawn for about 2 weeks, quite intensely. I'm really enjoying myself. I love hte pace, which is not too frantic. It seems to be a very large game, with 100+ hours easily, in content. I enjoy the combat, lot's of sneaky sneaky. The character progression could use a little work - too much seems unimportant. But the story is what really works for me. It's a bit like planet of the apes, but with machines instead of apes. Can't say much more, as it's the story that unravels very slowly. Graphically thrilling with lovely environments. The kind of game i enjoy, as i can begin to appreciate the care and effort that went into every detail.

Sounds like a game I might enjoy; I like 100+ hour, large game world, sneaky sneaky.  My hangup with Horizon Zero Dawn is the premise that giant machines evolved in the form of Earth-like animals.  Now, if you assure me there is a plausible explanation in game lore and that the planet's inhabitants are not just some arbitrary fantasy (i.e., there is a rational reason why the giant machines are shaped like and act like Earth-like animals), and "killing" them with a meager compound bow somehow seems to the best tool for the task, then I'll believe you.  Until then, my skepticism abounds.

[Affinity for MTG 781]

I'm still playing a ton of Rocket League, but I've also been playing Endless Legend a lot lately. 4X games are a curse! Such a massive timesink, but I really like this one. The fantasy theme is super cool (so many 4x games are either history-themed like Civ or sci-fi) and the factions are really unique and interesting.

[Pasanda 1,012]

On 2/11/2021 at 12:47 AM, Elovia said:

Sounds like a game I might enjoy; I like 100+ hour, large game world, sneaky sneaky.  My hangup with Horizon Zero Dawn is the premise that giant machines evolved in the form of Earth-like animals.  Now, if you assure me there is a plausible explanation in game lore and that the planet's inhabitants are not just some arbitrary fantasy (i.e., there is a rational reason why the giant machines are shaped like and act like Earth-like animals), and "killing" them with a meager compound bow somehow seems to the best tool for the task, then I'll believe you.  Until then, my skepticism abounds.

I really can reassure you of that. The reason for the situation with machines taking over is the main story. I will caveat this with the fact that i've not yet completed the main story. 

[Pasanda 1,012]

@Elovia

Just a tease. Have to say i think this is one of the best games stories i've played. I've all but completed the main game and before starting the end-game, felt compelled to start the add on Frozen Wilds. Not sure why, apart from the fact that i was aware there were some decent upgrades that might make the main game end-game less of a headache. Some glamour shots i took this afternoon. The sparkles on Aloy's armour are indeed one of those upgrades.

 

 

[Pasanda 1,012]

Just to show it's not all snow...

[Elovia 841]

It looks very nice.  Your reputation as a self-professed graphics whore is well sustained.  As previously mentioned, I'll probably (eventually) pick this title up, but not anytime in the near future.  I have too much on my plate at the moment, and a backlog of games demanding my attention.  That and my machine is getting a bit long in the tooth ... over 10 yrs old not including the graphics card (980ti) upgrade.  I don't know if my machine would do this game much justice playing on low graphical settings.

Glad you're enjoying it.  Does it play well with mouse and keyboard, or is this a console port best played with a controller?