OT: Video Games/Computers/Gadgets/Gizmos

[TroyD92]

Agree to disagree. I thought it was Fallout 4 in space.

FO4 is probably the most linear/empty Fallout game ever as well. So if that's what you're looking for I don't really disagree.

[ReasonablySober]

Agree to disagree. I thought it was Fallout 4 in space.

FO4 is probably the most linear/empty Fallout game ever as well. So if that's what you're looking for I don't really disagree.

I didn't stick with FO4, but I finished Starfield. I didn't think it was great. But again, if you like Fallout, you'd probably get 50 hours out of Starfield like I did.

Every game of theirs since Skyrim has been the same.

[ReddRum]

It’s strange I loved Fallout 3 but just couldn’t get into Fallout 4. Maybe I just didn’t give it enough time but I remembered it being pretty difficult as well. I don’t want an easy game but when I’m usually playing its at night after a long, mentally draining day at work (usually work 55 hour work weeks) after the kids go to bed, which is why I think I really enjoy Zelda BOTW and TOTK because they are just relaxing.

I’m wondering if I would like Baldurs Gate 3 or Skyrim? Any recommendations on either of these or similar entries?

[glenn]

It’s strange I loved Fallout 3 but just couldn’t get into Fallout 4. Maybe I just didn’t give it enough time but I remembered it being pretty difficult as well. I don’t want an easy game but when I’m usually playing its at night after a long, mentally draining day at work (usually work 55 hour work weeks) after the kids go to bed, which is why I think I really enjoy Zelda BOTW and TOTK because they are just relaxing.

I’m wondering if I would like Baldurs Gate 3 or Skyrim? Any recommendations on either of these or similar entries?

I’m in a similar situation with work/kids. As great as BG3 is, it’s been really hard for me to put in the time to get the most out of it. It begs to be played for several hours at a time and I just can’t give it that.

[ReasonablySober]

It’s strange I loved Fallout 3 but just couldn’t get into Fallout 4. Maybe I just didn’t give it enough time but I remembered it being pretty difficult as well. I don’t want an easy game but when I’m usually playing its at night after a long, mentally draining day at work (usually work 55 hour work weeks) after the kids go to bed, which is why I think I really enjoy Zelda BOTW and TOTK because they are just relaxing.

I’m wondering if I would like Baldurs Gate 3 or Skyrim? Any recommendations on either of these or similar entries?

Dave the Diver was a really good Switch game last year that doesn't demand much out of you.

Watch on YouTube

Definitely recommend this one.

[MikeIsGood]

Definitely do not recommend BG3 if you cannot put hours in at a time. I'm a lifelong BG obsessee, and I haven't been able to put enough time into it and it's killing me. I've tried playing in short bursts several times and it just doesn't feel worthwhile. You need to sit down with it for a couple hours IMO. Hope to get back to it soon though because it's incredible. Think I'm partway through A2.

Skyrim is good. It just feels janky because it's so old now and the combat does not translate well IMO (I actually think that's pretty objective). But since you enjoy FO3 - have you tried New Vegas? It's probably the best regarded 3D Fallout, even though nostalgia probably puts FO3 above it for me.

[ReddRum]

Definitely do not recommend BG3 if you cannot put hours in at a time. I'm a lifelong BG obsessee, and I haven't been able to put enough time into it and it's killing me. I've tried playing in short bursts several times and it just doesn't feel worthwhile. You need to sit down with it for a couple hours IMO. Hope to get back to it soon though because it's incredible. Think I'm partway through A2.

Skyrim is good. It just feels janky because it's so old now and the combat does not translate well IMO (I actually think that's pretty objective). But since you enjoy FO3 - have you tried New Vegas? It's probably the best regarded 3D Fallout, even though nostalgia probably puts FO3 above it for me.

Thanks Mike and thanks to everybody else as well! I’m actually getting pumped for Switch 2 once that arrives.

[TroyD92]

So the 450 dollar gigabyte motherboard ended up being faulty after about 5 months. Now I get to deal with the worst RMA support in the world.

[machu46]

While y’all are playing new games, I’m still balls deep in NCAA Football 14. I just know EA is gonna **** up the new one.

I wish I could be doing this. My Xbox 360 disc drive finally stopped reading discs. I tried to fix it but it’s too far gone. Gonna miss my NCAA and College Hoops dynasties.

I suppose I could just find a 360 on eBay or something and take the hard drive from my current one but not sure if I can really justify it with new NCAA and Top Spin coming.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jschligs]

While y’all are playing new games, I’m still balls deep in NCAA Football 14. I just know EA is gonna **** up the new one.

I wish I could be doing this. My Xbox 360 disc drive finally stopped reading discs. I tried to fix it but it’s too far gone. Gonna miss my NCAA and College Hoops dynasties.

I suppose I could just find a 360 on eBay or something and take the hard drive from my current one but not sure if I can really justify it with new NCAA and Top Spin coming.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yea my 360 is basically toast and new copies of 14 go for $150-200. I just downloaded and emulator on my PC and it’s been flawless.

[GoldenAntlers]

Enshrouded is quite enjoyable. It's getting mixed reviews. Initially, I was hesitant. Felt clunky. Decided not to judge it until I learned the mechanics - only took a couple days to really dig in. Very fun game, especially if you already like survival games such as Valheim.

It was on sale for $27 - early access. Definitely worth it. The movement and combat is quite engaging. The crafting continues to open up as you unlock NPC's. The skill tree is inspired by mixing traditional high-fantasy RPG games with a Final Fantasy-like system. I really like it.

[Sauce Boss]

Definitely do not recommend BG3 if you cannot put hours in at a time. I'm a lifelong BG obsessee, and I haven't been able to put enough time into it and it's killing me. I've tried playing in short bursts several times and it just doesn't feel worthwhile. You need to sit down with it for a couple hours IMO. Hope to get back to it soon though because it's incredible. Think I'm partway through A2.

Gonna need you to put down Enshrouded and get back after BG3

I basically had the same issue though — I dumped a bunch of time into it, life got busy, work burned me out, distracted by other hobbies. I wanted big chunks of time to dedicate to it, but it’s hard to consistently get multiple eight hour block for games in a week. I’m filtering all the other noise out and focusing on it. Maybe doing and hour and a half to two hours a night, more on weekends, until I hit credits. It’s too good to not complete.

[machu46]

While y’all are playing new games, I’m still balls deep in NCAA Football 14. I just know EA is gonna **** up the new one.

I wish I could be doing this. My Xbox 360 disc drive finally stopped reading discs. I tried to fix it but it’s too far gone. Gonna miss my NCAA and College Hoops dynasties.

I suppose I could just find a 360 on eBay or something and take the hard drive from my current one but not sure if I can really justify it with new NCAA and Top Spin coming.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yea my 360 is basically toast and new copies of 14 go for $150-200. I just downloaded and emulator on my PC and it’s been flawless.

I have the games still but the 360 has crapped out. The emulators run like crap for me (and I also just have the sentimentality with my save files on 360).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MikeIsGood]

Definitely do not recommend BG3 if you cannot put hours in at a time. I'm a lifelong BG obsessee, and I haven't been able to put enough time into it and it's killing me. I've tried playing in short bursts several times and it just doesn't feel worthwhile. You need to sit down with it for a couple hours IMO. Hope to get back to it soon though because it's incredible. Think I'm partway through A2.

Gonna need you to put down Enshrouded and get back after BG3

I basically had the same issue though — I dumped a bunch of time into it, life got busy, work burned me out, distracted by other hobbies. I wanted big chunks of time to dedicate to it, but it’s hard to consistently get multiple eight hour block for games in a week. I’m filtering all the other noise out and focusing on it. Maybe doing and hour and a half to two hours a night, more on weekends, until I hit credits. It’s too good to not complete.

100% guilty I think I put 5 hours into Enshrouded yesterday, and plan to again today. After, considering either a re-run through of FF7R1, or BG3 time. Or maybe both. Maybe BG3 on the weekends.

[ReasonablySober]

I got to the final chapter in FFT last night, but then I found out about some genius that has spent years modding the War of the Lions PSP version. I never liked the WOTL version and preferred to play the original. But I checked out all of the QOL improvements (there are around 100) and just about all of them look like they make for a better experience.

So I'm starting over again. Just stuff like "Gain JP up" being permanently on, having no random encounters, and being able to control guest characters is going to be so nice.

If you're a FFT head and are interested in the changes, here they are. I love whoever did this.

Spoiler:

GENERAL GAMEPLAY IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) PSP spell effects slowdown fix
2.) Controllable "Guest" characters
3.) Quicker spell & skill casting speeds
4.) JP Boost always in effect
5.) Treasure Hunter always in effect & always finds the better item
6.) No missable items or spells
7.) Multiplayer items are obtainable in the campaign
8.) All rare (but not unique) items can be purchased at the end of the game
9.) Broken and Stolen equipment can be repurchased at the Poachers' Den
10.) Poachers' Den now opens earlier + rare item chance raised to 50%
Opt1.) Optional Feature: Only fight random encounters when you want to (Smart Encounters)
Opt2.) Optional Feature: Enemies no longer scale to your level (Encounter Unscaling)


GLOBAL BALANCE IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) US PS1 Version balance updates restored
2.) Gender equality: female and male characters now have the same base stats
3.) Standardized levelup Stat Growths + initial randomization removed
4.) More consistent critical hits + chance increased while invisible or near-fatal
5.) Knockback can only happen on the last hit of a combo (critical hits no longer cause whiffs)
6.) More consistent reviving + JP costs reduced
7.) More consistent status attacks; Status -ja spells buffed; Misc Status Effect buffs & nerfs
8.) Slightly reduced Zodiac effects + new Zodiac protection accessory
9.) More consistent weather effects
10.) Perma-dead units on the player team always crystalize (and refund all equipment)
11.) More powerful endgame magic damage (but lower MP maximums) + new MP regeneration accessory
Opt3.) Optional Feature: Start at zero MP and gradually regenerate MP per turn (FFTA2 MP System)
12.) Less powerful special character skills damage
13.) Less powerful melee Support ability damage
14.) Endgame weapon attack power values reduced across the board


SCENARIO & RANDOM BATTLE IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Slightly easier/faster intro battles
2.) Your next world map objective now always shows as a red dot
3.) More varied monster innate abilities
4.) Monsters can now be weak to weapon types
Opt4.) Optional Feature: Undead Reanimation chance is 100% instead of 50% (Undead Always Reanimate)
5.) More relevant early and midgame Treasure Hunter items
6.) Random battles drop common items
7.) Slightly easier Golgollada Gallows battle (reduced difficulty spike)
8.) Human bosses are immune to fewer status effects
9.) Monster bosses have more HP/Defense; take less damage from Gravity & Drain; no longer have Swiftness
10.) Easier end of chapter 3 battles (reduced difficulty spikes)
11.) Rare battle friendlies can join your team
12.) Agrias's birthday sidequest is easier to activate
13.) Mustadio is no longer required to activate sidequests
14.) Removed "hose yourself" sidequest dialogue choices
15.) Chapter 4 sidequests are easier to find
16.) The Dark Dragon battle is less of a boring slog
17.) The Fort Besselat decision is less of a blind guess
18.) Harder end of chapter 4 battles
19.) Harder Midlight's Deep


UI & METAGAME IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Humans (in addition to monsters) can be renamed in the Warriors' Guild
2.) Recruit better generic units from the Warriors' Guild
3.) Special (non-generic) characters can be sent on Errands + Errands take half as many days
4.) Less confusing shop inventories
5.) More meaningful choices to make in shops (price and availability rebalances)
6.) Spellcasting quotes reimplemented
7.) Consistent skill list ordering
8.) Consistent status effects ordering
9.) Unique names for modified Squire classes
10.) Consistent "Boost" ability names
11.) Updated disallowed Support Ability equips for every job
12.) Additional Reaction Ability animations
13.) Earned JP/EXP is no longer shown for enemies; enemies no longer "celebrate" job levelups
14.) Readable sound novels in the Chronicle menu
15.) Improved Select-button character tips and quotes
16.) Units are allowed more Faith (or less Brave) before deserting the team
Opt5.) Optional Feature: Units NEVER desert the team (No Unit Desertion)
Opt6.) Optional Feature: Disable permanent Brave & Faith alterations (Static Brave & Faith)
17.) Misc UI text improvements
18.) Known issue: the Battle Tutorials don't work properly


EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Gender equality: female and male characters now have access to the same equipment
2.) Weapon evasion (Parry Rate) always applies; the Parry ability now doubles it
3.) Equip X ability improvements (and renames)
4.) Special Skillsets that require a Sword now function as "Equip Swords"
5.) Special Sword Skills can be used with a Katana equipped
6.) Knives, Bows, & Crossbows buffed (plus new endgame weapons)
7.) Axe/Flail Improved random-scaling & Available earlier in shops; Axes are no longer two-handed
8.) Knight Sword Improved Brave-scaling; Knight Swords are now two-handed
9.) Katana Improved Brave-scaling; Break chances INCREASED (but can be bought back from Poachers' Den)
10.) Fell Sword Improved AntiFaith-scaling
11.) Magic Gun Improved Faith-scaling and random spell selection (now they are proper weapons)
12.) Handbags Revamp: Reduced attack power and prices; Enhanced "accessory effects"
13.) Power/Speed and Power/Magick hybrid weapons round up when calculating damage
14.) Rod damage uses magic instead of physical attack power
15.) Pole damage uses magic and physical attack power instead of just magic (nerf)
16.) Innate: Haste removed - replaced with flat Speed bonuses
17.) Innate: Reraise removed - replaced with Initial: Reraise
18.) Weapon buffs: Sasuke's Blade, Materia Blade, Dragon Rod, Staff of the Magi
19.) Genji equipment buffs
20.) Midgame light armor buffs: Adamant Vest, Sorcerer's Habit (Wizard Clothing), Brigandine, Jujitsu Gi
21.) Midgame light armor nerfs: Power Garb, Wizard's Robe
22.) Accessory buffs: Battle Boots, Spiked Boots, Power Gauntlet; Red Shoes can be bought earlier
23.) Accessory nerfs: Bracer, Tynar Rouge
24.) Weapon & Shield battle sprites better match their UI icons + misc sprite changes
25.) Improved equipment descriptions
26.) Item Attribute & Inflict Status slot consolidation (for modders)


CLASS & ABILITY IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Squire: Basic ability list revision; Defend buff; Focus raises both physical & magic attack power
2.) Chemist: Can now equip Crossbows; Reduced JP costs for Item skills
3.) Physical/magic hybrid builds are more viable
4.) Knight: Reduced Rend JP costs + increased success rates; Can now equip Axes & Flails
5.) Monk: Damage formula changes
6.) Monk: Martial Defense; Cyclone, Pummel, & Doom Fist buffs; Chakra healing nerfs
7.) Geomancer: Increased vertical tolerance for Geomancy skills
8.) Archer: Slight Speed buff; Reduced JP costs for Aim+ skills
9.) Thief: Reduced Steal JP costs + increased success rates; Steal Heart JP cost increased
10.) Jump+X movement abilities are available earlier & have reduced JP costs
11.) Dragoon: Jump skills simplification
12.) Samurai: Innate Doublehand + HP buff + Iaido buff
13.) Black Mage: Innate Arcane Strength + Nerfs to compensate; Improved Magick Counter
14.) White Mage: Innate Arcane Defense + Magic Power buff
15.) Spellcasting classes can now all equip Tomes (Books)
16.) Time Mage, Summoner, & Mystic: Improved Gravity & Drain spells
17.) Mystic: New Support ability: "Combat Casting" for casting in melee
18.) Orator: Can now equip Crossbows; "Beast Tamer" = all beast abilities combined + no range requirement
19.) Endgame job prerequisite reductions (Bard, Dancer, Arithmetician, Onion Knight, Mime, & Dark Knight)
20.) Bard & Dancer improvements + gender equality changes
21.) Arithmetician: Arithmeticks nerfs + Stat buffs
22.) Onion Knight improvements
23.) Dark Knight: HP buffs; new "Greatsword Lore" Support ability; misc nerfs
24.) AI Swiftness-related bugfixes
25.) AI equipment selection improvements
26.) AI ability selection improvements


SPECIFIC CHARACTER IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Ramza improvements
2.) Lavian, Alicia, & Ladd improvements & changes
3.) Guest characters no longer reset their EXP and JP when they leave and rejoin the party
4.) Lategame characters start with much more JP
5.) Mustadio can equip Guns regardless of his class + misc improvements
6.) Luso improvements & changes; differentiation from Ramza
7.) Rapha & Marach improvements
8.) Agrias/Meliadoul/Orlandeau nerfs & buffs; Orlandeau differentiation from Agrias & Meliadoul
9.) Beowulf improvements
10.) Reis can use Dragon powers on non-Dragons at half effectiveness + misc improvements
11.) Cloud improvements
12.) Balthier nerfs & changes; differentiation from Mustadio; Barrage works with Doublehand & Dual Wield
13.) Byblos improvements

[MikeIsGood]

I got to the final chapter in FFT last night, but then I found out about some genius that has spent years modding the War of the Lions PSP version. I never liked the WOTL version and preferred to play the original. But I checked out all of the QOL improvements (there are around 100) and just about all of them look like they make for a better experience.

So I'm starting over again. Just stuff like "Gain JP up" being permanently on, having no random encounters, and being able to control guest characters is going to be so nice.

If you're a FFT head and are interested in the changes, here they are. I love whoever did this.

Spoiler:

GENERAL GAMEPLAY IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) PSP spell effects slowdown fix
2.) Controllable "Guest" characters
3.) Quicker spell & skill casting speeds
4.) JP Boost always in effect
5.) Treasure Hunter always in effect & always finds the better item
6.) No missable items or spells
7.) Multiplayer items are obtainable in the campaign
8.) All rare (but not unique) items can be purchased at the end of the game
9.) Broken and Stolen equipment can be repurchased at the Poachers' Den
10.) Poachers' Den now opens earlier + rare item chance raised to 50%
Opt1.) Optional Feature: Only fight random encounters when you want to (Smart Encounters)
Opt2.) Optional Feature: Enemies no longer scale to your level (Encounter Unscaling)


GLOBAL BALANCE IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) US PS1 Version balance updates restored
2.) Gender equality: female and male characters now have the same base stats
3.) Standardized levelup Stat Growths + initial randomization removed
4.) More consistent critical hits + chance increased while invisible or near-fatal
5.) Knockback can only happen on the last hit of a combo (critical hits no longer cause whiffs)
6.) More consistent reviving + JP costs reduced
7.) More consistent status attacks; Status -ja spells buffed; Misc Status Effect buffs & nerfs
8.) Slightly reduced Zodiac effects + new Zodiac protection accessory
9.) More consistent weather effects
10.) Perma-dead units on the player team always crystalize (and refund all equipment)
11.) More powerful endgame magic damage (but lower MP maximums) + new MP regeneration accessory
Opt3.) Optional Feature: Start at zero MP and gradually regenerate MP per turn (FFTA2 MP System)
12.) Less powerful special character skills damage
13.) Less powerful melee Support ability damage
14.) Endgame weapon attack power values reduced across the board


SCENARIO & RANDOM BATTLE IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Slightly easier/faster intro battles
2.) Your next world map objective now always shows as a red dot
3.) More varied monster innate abilities
4.) Monsters can now be weak to weapon types
Opt4.) Optional Feature: Undead Reanimation chance is 100% instead of 50% (Undead Always Reanimate)
5.) More relevant early and midgame Treasure Hunter items
6.) Random battles drop common items
7.) Slightly easier Golgollada Gallows battle (reduced difficulty spike)
8.) Human bosses are immune to fewer status effects
9.) Monster bosses have more HP/Defense; take less damage from Gravity & Drain; no longer have Swiftness
10.) Easier end of chapter 3 battles (reduced difficulty spikes)
11.) Rare battle friendlies can join your team
12.) Agrias's birthday sidequest is easier to activate
13.) Mustadio is no longer required to activate sidequests
14.) Removed "hose yourself" sidequest dialogue choices
15.) Chapter 4 sidequests are easier to find
16.) The Dark Dragon battle is less of a boring slog
17.) The Fort Besselat decision is less of a blind guess
18.) Harder end of chapter 4 battles
19.) Harder Midlight's Deep


UI & METAGAME IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Humans (in addition to monsters) can be renamed in the Warriors' Guild
2.) Recruit better generic units from the Warriors' Guild
3.) Special (non-generic) characters can be sent on Errands + Errands take half as many days
4.) Less confusing shop inventories
5.) More meaningful choices to make in shops (price and availability rebalances)
6.) Spellcasting quotes reimplemented
7.) Consistent skill list ordering
8.) Consistent status effects ordering
9.) Unique names for modified Squire classes
10.) Consistent "Boost" ability names
11.) Updated disallowed Support Ability equips for every job
12.) Additional Reaction Ability animations
13.) Earned JP/EXP is no longer shown for enemies; enemies no longer "celebrate" job levelups
14.) Readable sound novels in the Chronicle menu
15.) Improved Select-button character tips and quotes
16.) Units are allowed more Faith (or less Brave) before deserting the team
Opt5.) Optional Feature: Units NEVER desert the team (No Unit Desertion)
Opt6.) Optional Feature: Disable permanent Brave & Faith alterations (Static Brave & Faith)
17.) Misc UI text improvements
18.) Known issue: the Battle Tutorials don't work properly


EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Gender equality: female and male characters now have access to the same equipment
2.) Weapon evasion (Parry Rate) always applies; the Parry ability now doubles it
3.) Equip X ability improvements (and renames)
4.) Special Skillsets that require a Sword now function as "Equip Swords"
5.) Special Sword Skills can be used with a Katana equipped
6.) Knives, Bows, & Crossbows buffed (plus new endgame weapons)
7.) Axe/Flail Improved random-scaling & Available earlier in shops; Axes are no longer two-handed
8.) Knight Sword Improved Brave-scaling; Knight Swords are now two-handed
9.) Katana Improved Brave-scaling; Break chances INCREASED (but can be bought back from Poachers' Den)
10.) Fell Sword Improved AntiFaith-scaling
11.) Magic Gun Improved Faith-scaling and random spell selection (now they are proper weapons)
12.) Handbags Revamp: Reduced attack power and prices; Enhanced "accessory effects"
13.) Power/Speed and Power/Magick hybrid weapons round up when calculating damage
14.) Rod damage uses magic instead of physical attack power
15.) Pole damage uses magic and physical attack power instead of just magic (nerf)
16.) Innate: Haste removed - replaced with flat Speed bonuses
17.) Innate: Reraise removed - replaced with Initial: Reraise
18.) Weapon buffs: Sasuke's Blade, Materia Blade, Dragon Rod, Staff of the Magi
19.) Genji equipment buffs
20.) Midgame light armor buffs: Adamant Vest, Sorcerer's Habit (Wizard Clothing), Brigandine, Jujitsu Gi
21.) Midgame light armor nerfs: Power Garb, Wizard's Robe
22.) Accessory buffs: Battle Boots, Spiked Boots, Power Gauntlet; Red Shoes can be bought earlier
23.) Accessory nerfs: Bracer, Tynar Rouge
24.) Weapon & Shield battle sprites better match their UI icons + misc sprite changes
25.) Improved equipment descriptions
26.) Item Attribute & Inflict Status slot consolidation (for modders)


CLASS & ABILITY IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Squire: Basic ability list revision; Defend buff; Focus raises both physical & magic attack power
2.) Chemist: Can now equip Crossbows; Reduced JP costs for Item skills
3.) Physical/magic hybrid builds are more viable
4.) Knight: Reduced Rend JP costs + increased success rates; Can now equip Axes & Flails
5.) Monk: Damage formula changes
6.) Monk: Martial Defense; Cyclone, Pummel, & Doom Fist buffs; Chakra healing nerfs
7.) Geomancer: Increased vertical tolerance for Geomancy skills
8.) Archer: Slight Speed buff; Reduced JP costs for Aim+ skills
9.) Thief: Reduced Steal JP costs + increased success rates; Steal Heart JP cost increased
10.) Jump+X movement abilities are available earlier & have reduced JP costs
11.) Dragoon: Jump skills simplification
12.) Samurai: Innate Doublehand + HP buff + Iaido buff
13.) Black Mage: Innate Arcane Strength + Nerfs to compensate; Improved Magick Counter
14.) White Mage: Innate Arcane Defense + Magic Power buff
15.) Spellcasting classes can now all equip Tomes (Books)
16.) Time Mage, Summoner, & Mystic: Improved Gravity & Drain spells
17.) Mystic: New Support ability: "Combat Casting" for casting in melee
18.) Orator: Can now equip Crossbows; "Beast Tamer" = all beast abilities combined + no range requirement
19.) Endgame job prerequisite reductions (Bard, Dancer, Arithmetician, Onion Knight, Mime, & Dark Knight)
20.) Bard & Dancer improvements + gender equality changes
21.) Arithmetician: Arithmeticks nerfs + Stat buffs
22.) Onion Knight improvements
23.) Dark Knight: HP buffs; new "Greatsword Lore" Support ability; misc nerfs
24.) AI Swiftness-related bugfixes
25.) AI equipment selection improvements
26.) AI ability selection improvements


SPECIFIC CHARACTER IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Ramza improvements
2.) Lavian, Alicia, & Ladd improvements & changes
3.) Guest characters no longer reset their EXP and JP when they leave and rejoin the party
4.) Lategame characters start with much more JP
5.) Mustadio can equip Guns regardless of his class + misc improvements
6.) Luso improvements & changes; differentiation from Ramza
7.) Rapha & Marach improvements
8.) Agrias/Meliadoul/Orlandeau nerfs & buffs; Orlandeau differentiation from Agrias & Meliadoul
9.) Beowulf improvements
10.) Reis can use Dragon powers on non-Dragons at half effectiveness + misc improvements
11.) Cloud improvements
12.) Balthier nerfs & changes; differentiation from Mustadio; Barrage works with Doublehand & Dual Wield
13.) Byblos improvements

That's pretty dope. I haven't played FFT in so long. Do you play on an emulator (I assume for the mod)?

Also, you might want to check out Disgaea if you never have. It's goofy as absolute **** but there's a metric ton of combat and character depth. Watch an overview video and see if it looks like your cup of tea.

[ReasonablySober]

I got to the final chapter in FFT last night, but then I found out about some genius that has spent years modding the War of the Lions PSP version. I never liked the WOTL version and preferred to play the original. But I checked out all of the QOL improvements (there are around 100) and just about all of them look like they make for a better experience.

So I'm starting over again. Just stuff like "Gain JP up" being permanently on, having no random encounters, and being able to control guest characters is going to be so nice.

If you're a FFT head and are interested in the changes, here they are. I love whoever did this.

Spoiler:

GENERAL GAMEPLAY IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) PSP spell effects slowdown fix
2.) Controllable "Guest" characters
3.) Quicker spell & skill casting speeds
4.) JP Boost always in effect
5.) Treasure Hunter always in effect & always finds the better item
6.) No missable items or spells
7.) Multiplayer items are obtainable in the campaign
8.) All rare (but not unique) items can be purchased at the end of the game
9.) Broken and Stolen equipment can be repurchased at the Poachers' Den
10.) Poachers' Den now opens earlier + rare item chance raised to 50%
Opt1.) Optional Feature: Only fight random encounters when you want to (Smart Encounters)
Opt2.) Optional Feature: Enemies no longer scale to your level (Encounter Unscaling)


GLOBAL BALANCE IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) US PS1 Version balance updates restored
2.) Gender equality: female and male characters now have the same base stats
3.) Standardized levelup Stat Growths + initial randomization removed
4.) More consistent critical hits + chance increased while invisible or near-fatal
5.) Knockback can only happen on the last hit of a combo (critical hits no longer cause whiffs)
6.) More consistent reviving + JP costs reduced
7.) More consistent status attacks; Status -ja spells buffed; Misc Status Effect buffs & nerfs
8.) Slightly reduced Zodiac effects + new Zodiac protection accessory
9.) More consistent weather effects
10.) Perma-dead units on the player team always crystalize (and refund all equipment)
11.) More powerful endgame magic damage (but lower MP maximums) + new MP regeneration accessory
Opt3.) Optional Feature: Start at zero MP and gradually regenerate MP per turn (FFTA2 MP System)
12.) Less powerful special character skills damage
13.) Less powerful melee Support ability damage
14.) Endgame weapon attack power values reduced across the board


SCENARIO & RANDOM BATTLE IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Slightly easier/faster intro battles
2.) Your next world map objective now always shows as a red dot
3.) More varied monster innate abilities
4.) Monsters can now be weak to weapon types
Opt4.) Optional Feature: Undead Reanimation chance is 100% instead of 50% (Undead Always Reanimate)
5.) More relevant early and midgame Treasure Hunter items
6.) Random battles drop common items
7.) Slightly easier Golgollada Gallows battle (reduced difficulty spike)
8.) Human bosses are immune to fewer status effects
9.) Monster bosses have more HP/Defense; take less damage from Gravity & Drain; no longer have Swiftness
10.) Easier end of chapter 3 battles (reduced difficulty spikes)
11.) Rare battle friendlies can join your team
12.) Agrias's birthday sidequest is easier to activate
13.) Mustadio is no longer required to activate sidequests
14.) Removed "hose yourself" sidequest dialogue choices
15.) Chapter 4 sidequests are easier to find
16.) The Dark Dragon battle is less of a boring slog
17.) The Fort Besselat decision is less of a blind guess
18.) Harder end of chapter 4 battles
19.) Harder Midlight's Deep


UI & METAGAME IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Humans (in addition to monsters) can be renamed in the Warriors' Guild
2.) Recruit better generic units from the Warriors' Guild
3.) Special (non-generic) characters can be sent on Errands + Errands take half as many days
4.) Less confusing shop inventories
5.) More meaningful choices to make in shops (price and availability rebalances)
6.) Spellcasting quotes reimplemented
7.) Consistent skill list ordering
8.) Consistent status effects ordering
9.) Unique names for modified Squire classes
10.) Consistent "Boost" ability names
11.) Updated disallowed Support Ability equips for every job
12.) Additional Reaction Ability animations
13.) Earned JP/EXP is no longer shown for enemies; enemies no longer "celebrate" job levelups
14.) Readable sound novels in the Chronicle menu
15.) Improved Select-button character tips and quotes
16.) Units are allowed more Faith (or less Brave) before deserting the team
Opt5.) Optional Feature: Units NEVER desert the team (No Unit Desertion)
Opt6.) Optional Feature: Disable permanent Brave & Faith alterations (Static Brave & Faith)
17.) Misc UI text improvements
18.) Known issue: the Battle Tutorials don't work properly


EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Gender equality: female and male characters now have access to the same equipment
2.) Weapon evasion (Parry Rate) always applies; the Parry ability now doubles it
3.) Equip X ability improvements (and renames)
4.) Special Skillsets that require a Sword now function as "Equip Swords"
5.) Special Sword Skills can be used with a Katana equipped
6.) Knives, Bows, & Crossbows buffed (plus new endgame weapons)
7.) Axe/Flail Improved random-scaling & Available earlier in shops; Axes are no longer two-handed
8.) Knight Sword Improved Brave-scaling; Knight Swords are now two-handed
9.) Katana Improved Brave-scaling; Break chances INCREASED (but can be bought back from Poachers' Den)
10.) Fell Sword Improved AntiFaith-scaling
11.) Magic Gun Improved Faith-scaling and random spell selection (now they are proper weapons)
12.) Handbags Revamp: Reduced attack power and prices; Enhanced "accessory effects"
13.) Power/Speed and Power/Magick hybrid weapons round up when calculating damage
14.) Rod damage uses magic instead of physical attack power
15.) Pole damage uses magic and physical attack power instead of just magic (nerf)
16.) Innate: Haste removed - replaced with flat Speed bonuses
17.) Innate: Reraise removed - replaced with Initial: Reraise
18.) Weapon buffs: Sasuke's Blade, Materia Blade, Dragon Rod, Staff of the Magi
19.) Genji equipment buffs
20.) Midgame light armor buffs: Adamant Vest, Sorcerer's Habit (Wizard Clothing), Brigandine, Jujitsu Gi
21.) Midgame light armor nerfs: Power Garb, Wizard's Robe
22.) Accessory buffs: Battle Boots, Spiked Boots, Power Gauntlet; Red Shoes can be bought earlier
23.) Accessory nerfs: Bracer, Tynar Rouge
24.) Weapon & Shield battle sprites better match their UI icons + misc sprite changes
25.) Improved equipment descriptions
26.) Item Attribute & Inflict Status slot consolidation (for modders)


CLASS & ABILITY IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Squire: Basic ability list revision; Defend buff; Focus raises both physical & magic attack power
2.) Chemist: Can now equip Crossbows; Reduced JP costs for Item skills
3.) Physical/magic hybrid builds are more viable
4.) Knight: Reduced Rend JP costs + increased success rates; Can now equip Axes & Flails
5.) Monk: Damage formula changes
6.) Monk: Martial Defense; Cyclone, Pummel, & Doom Fist buffs; Chakra healing nerfs
7.) Geomancer: Increased vertical tolerance for Geomancy skills
8.) Archer: Slight Speed buff; Reduced JP costs for Aim+ skills
9.) Thief: Reduced Steal JP costs + increased success rates; Steal Heart JP cost increased
10.) Jump+X movement abilities are available earlier & have reduced JP costs
11.) Dragoon: Jump skills simplification
12.) Samurai: Innate Doublehand + HP buff + Iaido buff
13.) Black Mage: Innate Arcane Strength + Nerfs to compensate; Improved Magick Counter
14.) White Mage: Innate Arcane Defense + Magic Power buff
15.) Spellcasting classes can now all equip Tomes (Books)
16.) Time Mage, Summoner, & Mystic: Improved Gravity & Drain spells
17.) Mystic: New Support ability: "Combat Casting" for casting in melee
18.) Orator: Can now equip Crossbows; "Beast Tamer" = all beast abilities combined + no range requirement
19.) Endgame job prerequisite reductions (Bard, Dancer, Arithmetician, Onion Knight, Mime, & Dark Knight)
20.) Bard & Dancer improvements + gender equality changes
21.) Arithmetician: Arithmeticks nerfs + Stat buffs
22.) Onion Knight improvements
23.) Dark Knight: HP buffs; new "Greatsword Lore" Support ability; misc nerfs
24.) AI Swiftness-related bugfixes
25.) AI equipment selection improvements
26.) AI ability selection improvements


SPECIFIC CHARACTER IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Ramza improvements
2.) Lavian, Alicia, & Ladd improvements & changes
3.) Guest characters no longer reset their EXP and JP when they leave and rejoin the party
4.) Lategame characters start with much more JP
5.) Mustadio can equip Guns regardless of his class + misc improvements
6.) Luso improvements & changes; differentiation from Ramza
7.) Rapha & Marach improvements
8.) Agrias/Meliadoul/Orlandeau nerfs & buffs; Orlandeau differentiation from Agrias & Meliadoul
9.) Beowulf improvements
10.) Reis can use Dragon powers on non-Dragons at half effectiveness + misc improvements
11.) Cloud improvements
12.) Balthier nerfs & changes; differentiation from Mustadio; Barrage works with Doublehand & Dual Wield
13.) Byblos improvements

That's pretty dope. I haven't played FFT in so long. Do you play on an emulator (I assume for the mod)?

Also, you might want to check out Disgaea if you never have. It's goofy as absolute **** but there's a metric ton of combat and character depth. Watch an overview video and see if it looks like your cup of tea.

Yea, I used DuckStation for PSX and PPSSPPSDL for the PSP version. But OpenEMU works just as well, if not better. I didn't realize emulators have come so far. I honestly had no idea they did stuff like create virtual memory cards so you didn't have to rely on save states.

Speaking of which, god I love save states in FFT. It makes stealing completely trivial. By the time I quit my first play through I had so much gear from just keeping someone in the party whose only job was to steal every last piece of cool gear on the battlefield.

The other really nice thing goes along with better controllers since I last was into emulation. Now I've got dedicared buttons to save states, load states, and best of all: fast forward. It's wild how much time is save FF'ing through load screens, dialogue, and enemy movement.

[PintSizedBox10]

I want to enjoy Enshrouded but the choppy performance is turning me off

[WeekapaugGroove]

Looking for a new game or 2 to play guys! Thanks in advance for your help for those that respond.

I have Nintendo Switch & PS5 (no Xbox nor computer games please).

I like Zelda games, Fallout 3, Doom, Dragon Quest, Resident Evil, Mario Kart, Tomb Raider, Uncharted, Super Mario Bros 3 just to name some of my all time favorites.

I am willing to think outside the box so looking for games maybe similar to some of my favorites but don't necessarily have to be. I don't want anything super difficult like Dark Souls and no games where I have to mash buttons. I am the type of thinker that takes my time in games and doesn't like to rush or have to fight impossible bosses.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!! Have a great weekend everyone!

Lots of good suggestions already but I'll add Hades for switch. It's an old school button smashing dungeon crawler with a cool story and play style.

Sent from my SM-F731U using RealGM mobile app

[MikeIsGood]

I want to enjoy Enshrouded but the choppy performance is turning me off

Ah, that sucks. I haven't experienced this so far. What platform and where abouts did you run into it?