OT: Video Games/Computers/Gadgets/Gizmos

[MikeIsGood]

After talkinng about sports games a few days ago I've been thinking about them. Golf notwithstanding - which feels different to me, for some reason - I think the last one I really played was The Show like a decade ago. I've tried some things here and there but nothing stuck.

Last time I had checked in on The Show, RTTS (which is all I care about) was a mess. I read that it was much better this year with some new token system, but curious if anyone here has played it at all and has thoughts.

[ReasonablySober]

I was looking for something to dig into in June and gave AC Odyssey another go. Didn’t like Shadows, and AC Valhalla was just too big. I’ve been having a ton of fun with Odyssey though. It’s got everything I want: dozens of camps to take down of every size, cool abilities, solid naval battles, great gear, fun side characters.

[dbrodz7]

I was looking for something to dig into in June and gave AC Odyssey another go. Didn’t like Shadows, and AC Valhalla was just too big. I’ve been having a ton of fun with Odyssey though. It’s got everything I want: dozens of camps to take down of every size, cool abilities, solid naval battles, great gear, fun side characters.

Odyssey is the only one I've played, but I spent a lot of time on it it was an amazing open world.

[TroyD92]

Inside the 'Dragon Age' Debacle That Gutted EA's Bioware Studio

Summary from Reddit:
- The Dragon Age team knew the pivot to live service would be a terrible decision--one they disagreed with but were forced into by EA.
- The Marvel-esque quippy dialogue was the idiotic idea of Matt Goldman, once art director, who took over as creative director when Laidlaw left.
- Despite being forced to retool their game, a chunk of their team was sent to bail out Anthem.
- Getting to switch back to single-player didn't come with needed development time.
- Bioware was told to "aim for as wide a market as possible" for the final game in a decades-long series. Absolutely stupid.
- The game did not originally have major choices (it sounds like it didn't have choices at all), but these were (noticeably) shoehorned in within the last year after playtesters rightfully asked where the meaningful decisions were that the series was known for.
- The very Mass Effect-like suicide mission ending felt that way because... it was designed by the Mass Effect team brought over to help finish the game. This was despite the fact the DA team were told they didn't have the budget to make big choices like that.

This is especially sad.

"One day in October 2017, Laidlaw summoned his colleagues into a conference room and pulled out a few pricey bottles of whisky. The next Dragon Age sequel, he told the room, would also be pivoting to an online, live-service game — a decision from above that he disagreed with. He was resigning from the studio. The assembled staff stayed late through the night, drinking and reminiscing about the franchise they loved."

I'm glad I never played it (and won't be), but it sucks it turned out this way. Completely wasted game world.

Man this makes me so sad. Admittedly I didnt love DA2 or Inquisition, but they were still pretty true to the series (even if they lost the dark tone of Origins). These major publishers really are ruining series I love. Reading this its not surprising smaller AA/A studios are producing insane quality games and the major companies are producing ****.

[TroyD92]

Anyone try the new CFB game? I wanted to love the 2025 but so much was missing.

[ReasonablySober]

Anyone try the new CFB game? I wanted to love the 2025 but so much was missing.

It's gonna take a lot for me to buy this year's version and so far I haven't been impressed with the pre-release overviews. Honestly, I would have just preferred not having names of players (and coaches) if it meant being able to create and edit players in Dynasty, and export them to Madden.

[ReasonablySober]

Sekiro is starting right now at SGDQ if you're looking for a good time.

[machu46]

Anyone try the new CFB game? I wanted to love the 2025 but so much was missing.

I have it preordered but I'm out of town until Tuesday and didn't pay extra so I think it comes out on Thursday for me anyways. Looks like some pretty good upgrades this year and I loved 25, so easy decision for me personally.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

[jschligs]

I think early access went live today for those who paid. I’m not making that mistake again this year. I’m going to wait a month or two to see if the shine wears off for folks like it did for me and others last year. I’ll probably watch some videos or streams too.

[FrieAaron]

Finished DOOM and started my first playthrough of Clair Obscur. Thought I'd give expert a go and was complete ass at first but slowly getting the hang of it. Just beat the optional Bourgeon side-boss and it was pretty satisfying.

[MikeIsGood]

Ghost of Yotei looks awesome.

[GoldenAntlers]

Ghost of Yotei looks awesome.

The Samurai Champloo soundtrack-integration announcement made me happy.

[machu46]

Ghost of Yotei looks awesome.

I've seen some complaints that it's too similar to the original and that sounds A-OK to me

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

[jmuelly]

Anyone try the new CFB game? I wanted to love the 2025 but so much was missing.

It's gonna take a lot for me to buy this year's version and so far I haven't been impressed with the pre-release overviews. Honestly, I would have just preferred not having names of players (and coaches) if it meant being able to create and edit players in Dynasty, and export them to Madden.

I think it's going to take a while for that to occur, if at all due to licensing. Especially the exporting part.

[jmuelly]

I'm enjoying CFB a ton right now. It's not perfect, never will be but it plays pretty darn good on heisman. The CPU not getting speed boosts and the in game adjustements they've made in early release just makes for a more fun and realistic experience. Blocking at times can be not good, and at times jump balls seem OP but make more sense when looking at height and ratings, some of the times.

I'm playing default heisman settings, penalties are a bit low but Im hesitant to change anything because it oftens affects something else as well. I did increase transfers from 20 max to 30 max, transfers are a bit crazy expecially at small schools. May need to tweak some settings here but have not yet simply becaue the portal IRL is crazy and unpredictable.

I'm enjoying it so far, hope future patches dont break it. Madden always falls victim of catering to casuals and MUT that it ruins solo players franchise experience. I've disliked Madden for years.

If your on the fence spend the $5 for a month of EA play to get a 10 hour trial. Within that same month you'll also get 10 hours early access to Madden to check that out.

[MikeIsGood]

MLB The Show 25 has been fun. I don't do any of the Diamond Dynasty stuff and I haven't really played it (for more than a couple hours on PS+) in like a decade, so I've avoided most of the complaints people have I think. RTTS has been a blast. The system they have for upgrading your player is awesome, it's got just a touch of RPG/dialogue cutscenes - without being annoying about it, the on-field play is also way improved from last I played. I'm part way through my AA season and really enjoying it. It's fun to play a few series in 30m a day.

[jschligs]

I'm enjoying CFB a ton right now. It's not perfect, never will be but it plays pretty darn good on heisman. The CPU not getting speed boosts and the in game adjustements they've made in early release just makes for a more fun and realistic experience. Blocking at times can be not good, and at times jump balls seem OP but make more sense when looking at height and ratings, some of the times.

I'm playing default heisman settings, penalties are a bit low but Im hesitant to change anything because it oftens affects something else as well. I did increase transfers from 20 max to 30 max, transfers are a bit crazy expecially at small schools. May need to tweak some settings here but have not yet simply becaue the portal IRL is crazy and unpredictable.

I'm enjoying it so far, hope future patches dont break it. Madden always falls victim of catering to casuals and MUT that it ruins solo players franchise experience. I've disliked Madden for years.

If your on the fence spend the $5 for a month of EA play to get a 10 hour trial. Within that same month you'll also get 10 hours early access to Madden to check that out.

How is defensive tackling/pursuit angles? I played 25 with some buddies this weekend and it was basically big play after big play because tackling sucks and pursuit angles are nearly impossible to do properly. I've been watching some streems/social videos and it doesn't seem like a big enough jump for me to buy right now. Especially because I've been super busy. It just doesn't seem like Dynasty got much deeper and there are still some really glaring issues from 25.

[Siefer]

Just finished Chapter 1 of Clair Obscur. This game is leading me to make bad bed time decisions.

[machu46]

I'm enjoying CFB a ton right now. It's not perfect, never will be but it plays pretty darn good on heisman. The CPU not getting speed boosts and the in game adjustements they've made in early release just makes for a more fun and realistic experience. Blocking at times can be not good, and at times jump balls seem OP but make more sense when looking at height and ratings, some of the times.

I'm playing default heisman settings, penalties are a bit low but Im hesitant to change anything because it oftens affects something else as well. I did increase transfers from 20 max to 30 max, transfers are a bit crazy expecially at small schools. May need to tweak some settings here but have not yet simply becaue the portal IRL is crazy and unpredictable.

I'm enjoying it so far, hope future patches dont break it. Madden always falls victim of catering to casuals and MUT that it ruins solo players franchise experience. I've disliked Madden for years.

If your on the fence spend the $5 for a month of EA play to get a 10 hour trial. Within that same month you'll also get 10 hours early access to Madden to check that out.

I'm still tweaking with the gameplay sliders here and there, but yeah, definitely enjoying it so far. The soundtrack is also one of my favorite sports soundtracks ever and the presentation has been given a nice face-lift between the updated team runouts, commentary mentioning that I'm returning home to my former school, better transitions for instant replays and stuff, etc.

Making the transfer portal actually feel significant is such a huge improvement from last year. If I have a complaint about that aspect so far, it would probably be that recruiting might be too easy? Granted that my team had back to back great seasons (like 10-3 and then 11-2 or something including a win in the CFP), but I was able to get a top 25 recruiting class in my 2nd season at Buffalo and was able to pull in two safety transfers after my first year that ended up being over 90 overall after offseason training. I seem poised to land a 5 star LB in my first season at Maryland too, and I was not in his top 10 to start the season (should mention though that he's in a level 5 pipeline so that probably helps a lot). Should also mention I have zero invested in the Recruiter archetype so this is all working off the default 50 hour max stuff.

[machu46]

I'm enjoying CFB a ton right now. It's not perfect, never will be but it plays pretty darn good on heisman. The CPU not getting speed boosts and the in game adjustements they've made in early release just makes for a more fun and realistic experience. Blocking at times can be not good, and at times jump balls seem OP but make more sense when looking at height and ratings, some of the times.

I'm playing default heisman settings, penalties are a bit low but Im hesitant to change anything because it oftens affects something else as well. I did increase transfers from 20 max to 30 max, transfers are a bit crazy expecially at small schools. May need to tweak some settings here but have not yet simply becaue the portal IRL is crazy and unpredictable.

I'm enjoying it so far, hope future patches dont break it. Madden always falls victim of catering to casuals and MUT that it ruins solo players franchise experience. I've disliked Madden for years.

If your on the fence spend the $5 for a month of EA play to get a 10 hour trial. Within that same month you'll also get 10 hours early access to Madden to check that out.

How is defensive tackling/pursuit angles? I played 25 with some buddies this weekend and it was basically big play after big play because tackling sucks and pursuit angles are nearly impossible to do properly. I've been watching some streems/social videos and it doesn't seem like a big enough jump for me to buy right now. Especially because I've been super busy. It just doesn't seem like Dynasty got much deeper and there are still some really glaring issues from 25.

There's definitely still some wonky pursuit angles from time to time. The physics around tackling feels like a decent improvement (gang tackling, Player A initially hitting the ball carrier and having the animations blend nicely when Player B comes in and hits him mid-tackle, you feel the hit stick tackles more, etc.) Succcessful hurdles, spins, jukes, etc. feel more believable than 25 IMO and the AI has juked me out a few times from what I thought was about to be a big hit.

Gameplay wise, my main complaints at the moment would be (in no particular order):

1. Feels like if you throw up a jumpball type of pass, defensive players really struggle to turn around and make a play on the ball. Still oftentimes results in an incomplete pass as they end up hitting the WR and knock the ball out, but it doesn't look right as it's happening.

2. AI run game feels way too weak to me, even on Heisman difficulty. I'm going to play my next game with AI run blocking turned up significantly, but so far, it's pretty common for the AI to finish the game with negative rushing yards when you factor in sack yards, which brings me to my next point.

3. I think there's a QB ability that allows the AI QB to quickly diagnose blitzes, call hot routes, and attack the defense before the blitz can get home, but if they don't have that ability, they take way too many sacks IMO. Fairly easy to rack up 10+ sacks in a game; even had one game where my defensive end finished with a school record 5.5 sacks.

4. Flicking the right stick up attempts to truck the defensive player (no different from past years) but pushing the right stick up (not even really holding it, but simply not being a quick flick) triggers the ball carrier to "fight for yardage" aka absorb the contact and then extend their arm out to try to reach for the first down marker, pylon, etc. It's supposed to be a high risk maneuver since you're exposing the ball to the defense but I haven't had it result in a fumble yet, so it hasn't hurt me yet. But I'm having a really hard time attempting to truck anyone and as a result, I'm more likely to just try to stiff arm them instead.