Topic: What Game(s) are You Currently Playing?

@JaxonH I see. I know they've changed a few things from the 3DS titles - no random encounters and, thus, no encounter slider to control the frequency for example - so I'll try to go in with an open mind.

Glad that you seem to like TS over it! Appreciate the feedback.

@Tyranexx
I had no problem with the omission of the slider. I actually prefer the enemies in the overworld.

I think what held BD2 back from being masterpiece level, for me, was the story. The gameplay is super fun. It has a very solid battle system. But the story was very meh. Characters didn't grab me. Narrative didn't grab me. If you're a gameplay over story person, that's no problem.

I prefer gameplay over story, except for genres that rely on story, such as JRPGs and SRPGs. For those, even though they can still be good games based on gameplay alone, story is the make or break as to whether it's elevated to masterpiece status.

That's partly why I hold Triangle Strategy in such high regard. The story is superb and with characters I truly relate to and care about. On top of having incredible gameplay. On top of having an immaculate soundtrack. On top of having luscious HD-2D visuals.

Triangle Strategy has me hooked. It’s been a very long time since I have been this emotionally invested in characters. I’m rooting for the heroes and town’s people (somehow the game makes the right amount of flavor dialogue from the NPCs that they don’t feel like pixels to make the world less empty but instead people that may not have names but are under team Wolfort’s protection), I am agonizing over choices and wishing that logic didn’t clash with honor, I am wishing painful death on the villains. This is what I loved about snes era JRPGs. That sense of stakes and gravitas and just a little helplessness. Your choices and your play style have consequences and at first I was saddened but the lack of permadeath but for one I would have lost half my army in chapter 7 and for two the other things you do feels so impactful that I just pretend they limp out of battles (the game does too after a fashion. I was looking at the narrator like “you don’t have to throw that much shade, thank you”) grinding is even fun because I think the intended purpose is to make you better at properly deploying your units rather than truly grinding for xp/materials. I will go back and play mock battles I am leveled past to figure out how new units work together. It’s early but this may be my GOTY already.

Yeah, there really aren't many SRPGs of any kind, @JaxonH .... I like all varieties of those! BDII is pretty good, @Tyranexx. The main thing I didn't like was the final boss There's a demo for it? That'll help you decide on the game

Primary:
-Gear Club Unlimited 2
-Ni no Kuni 2 (when it arrives this week)

Secondary:
-Moto Rush GT

Xenoblade Chronicles DE (second playthrough, first was on 3DS)
Dying Light (fourth playthrough, first time on Switch)
Root Film (better vibes than Root Letter)
eBaseball Pro Yakyuu Spirits 2021 (one or two exhibition games a week)
Riddled Corpses EX (one run a day, just working towards unlocking characters)

@JaxonH True, at the end of the day I do prefer visual encounters over random ones, though being able to control the rate of the latter almost makes up for it IMO.

I tend to be a story over gameplay person when it comes to various RPG types too, though decent gameplay certainly is a plus. Otherwise, my preference varies based on genre and franchise. In fact, that could in part explain why something with the Octopath demo didn't quite sit right with me. Not to mention the gameplay mechanics, while decent, could very well become repetitive over 80+ hours.

Glad to read that TS's story is pretty decent in your eyes. I admit the first demo felt somewhat bland in that department, though they were upfront about it being a rough draft. I do plan to try the newer demo at some point.

@BruceCM I actually already received Bravely Default II as a gift, so I may as well jump in when I feel like it. ;P

Been playing a ton of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons lately. I got through the fifth dungeon, and I now gotta find the four gems to get to the ruins. I got two out of four as of now.

Been playing a lot of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Tetris Effect Connected, with occasional bursts of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I just downloaded the game trial for Monster Hunter Rise, so starting the day after we all celebrate my favorite character, I'll be giving that a try and see if I like it.

Well, the main 'problem' with the story part of the original TS demo was it being Chapter 6, without the build up & intro, @Tyranexx .... When you get to that in the full game, it's much better just because of that! Do let us know how you get on with BDII, then

Started playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe again today. Sadly I lost all the Kart parts I originally had because those were saved to my stolen Switch. Such a dumb idea Nintendo having game stuff save to the console and not the game itself.

Other then that I had fun playing it again and can't wait for the new courses.

Been playing Ys: Memories of Celceta (Steam).

I'm working my way around the Ashen Forest and just got a new item after fighting a boss. Map completion is getting close to 80% so I want to say I'm getting close to the end, however my party's level is in the mid 30's (not typically end game levels), so it's hard to say (not sure if it's going to be the case here, but I know it's pretty common in JRPGs to have new dungeons pop up in previous areas once you travel the world once, so that could explain it).

Oh, you'll find out soon, @RR529 .....

@BruceCM I still think it was an odd decision for them to start the demo in that spot. On BD II: Will do.

Yeah, I have no idea what they were thinking originally, @Tyranexx .... It presumably got them a lot of feedback saying something about that, like I did, though!

After completing Xenoblade Chronicles 2 & expansion, bought XBC1 new for a VERY reasonable price and enjoying it so far. It does feel like a bit of a step back in some ways with its archaic quest design and fiddly combat, but once I got my head around it, it’s been quite good!

Also started Doom 2016 which I just got in the recent sale and, well, it’s great and all, but wow, it is a bit of a blurry mess. I think I much prefer Doom 3 and Quake for my FPS needs.Those both being 60fps and pretty close to native resolution definitely helps, as well.

This week i'm mostly focusing on finishing Mario Galaxy again
Some Mario kart 8 races to warm up till the new courses
And i think i'm almost at the end of Skyward Sword, amazing game
Oh and also i am probably gonna restart the Super Mario Bros series

@BruceCM Oh believe me, I gave them plenty of feedback lol. I am pleased they at least took some of it into account.

Yeah, @Tyranexx .... I'd bet most who played that demo did say something along very similar lines! But rest assured, the new demo is the 1st 3 chapters!

games im playing this weekend

Xenoblade 2
WWE 2K19 for my X Box One S

Booted up Animal Crossing again.
Wanted to decorate some vacation homes.