teaandgames.bsky.social
31, he/him. Writes, plays games, writes about playing games. Lover of horror, cooking, cats and apple cider. Avatar is from https://shop.ukiyoeheroes.com.
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On the writing, I find a lot of writers have an inclination to over-write things when it comes to out-there settings like this. A strength of gaming is that visuals and gameplay can do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to world building.
OS focuses on characters and is stronger for it.
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Ultimately, I think this one could've been fantastic if it'd taken its hands off the reins a little. Let us explore a bit further, uncover some horror at our own pace.
The brutal pace and short length means its hard for any real part to stand out, nor the key story beats to land.
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Oof, this just reminded me that I read all of Moby Dick last year. It's a strange experience. Don't know any other book where I thought it'd completely slipped out of my memory right after reading, only for certain scenes to re-hit me like a freight train out of nowhere.
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Fantastic book and (very different but still amazing) film
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If you're still kicking, then you're taking care of yourself. Twats will always have an image in their head of what you 'should' look like, without considering you at all.
Hang in there girl, you're doing good.
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I say this as a wrier, which I'd consider having the lowest barrier to entry.
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Don't forget the bit about the first level being a basic grassland!
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Definitely agree. We're starting to see that creep in with games like Pacific Drive, where you need to keep a central element running in order to survive.
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I call this 'Chess Paranoia'. The feeling when you pick up a piece and all the possible moves and counter-moves flash through your head, causing you to freeze, until you realise it's ten minutes later and you're still just staring at the board.
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Which loops back to no combat. I guess the struggle is coming up with a 'conflict' for the player, which is challenging. Eliminating these ends up with 'walking simulators', which are one step from films.
Conflict makes the art, even when brutally simple, like Peaks of Yore.
(Sorry for rambling)
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I'd consider the Blasphemous series as a step in the right direction. Obv. combat focused but a lot of mobs are unique to location, which weaves atmosphere and narrative into the fights.
The industry sorely needs to break away from cinematic spectacle, and embrace what gameplay mechanics can do.
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Definitely. I feel like a lot of games pour all their creative thinking into boss fights, but use combat outside of those as just a skill-gate of sorts for the player.
You can see it in Metroidvanias, where the boss fights are elaborate designs, but basic mobs are routinely pallete swapped.
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Enjoying learning about Humus. Though the name makes me hungry.
I don't think dipping pita bread into fungal humus would end well though.
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The opening hour or so of Lost in Vivo really got to me. I hadn't been spooked like that in years.
I'd like to praise the rest, but I'm too chicken to go back.
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Why limit it to Skyrim? Any game would be improved by the addition of rats.
Rats already in the game? Then add more.
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I got a Steam Deck a while back, and I love it. Once you get over the size difference, it honestly feels very similar to a Switch.
Not every game will run great straight from the get-go, but steam lets you remap controls smoothly.
It's not a bad route to go.
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As they're new, might take a little while at first but I'd probably expect them to start being discounted towards the end of the year (winter sale I'd guess), then in the big seasonal sales following that.
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Base game will be fine. If his Bday is before the 11th, you could buy the deluxe edition so he can get in earlier.
Other than that, the DLC on offer is bonus civs/wonders really, which aren't essential. Best scooped up when on sale. Base should be more than enough for now.
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My plans to create 'Dark Champions Rising: Destiny Royale' are in tatters...
Fully agree that Game dev in general is in desperate need of a workshop on good titles.
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Absolutely regal. Do you put their dinner under a cloche when you bring it to them?