OT: Video Game Computers/Gadgets/Gizmos Thread

[ReasonablySober]

Wow, Grime looks amazing. Seems like the only way I'll be able to play it as of now is signing up for Stadia.

[TroyD92]

https://www.vg247.com/2021/08/10/tales-of-arise-demo-playstation-xbox/

Tales of Arise demo comes out next week, Wed 8/18. I'm in-process of moving, so probably won't get to it for a couple weeks, but looking forward to playing. Game is looking great and I think some of the gameplay changes they've made put it a bit more in my wheelhouse.

I'm so hyped. I love Tales games anyways, but this one looks like a new step for the franchise.

[Nightfall]

Wow, Grime looks amazing. Seems like the only way I'll be able to play it as of now is signing up for Stadia.

Steam ?

[ReasonablySober]

Wow, Grime looks amazing. Seems like the only way I'll be able to play it as of now is signing up for Stadia.

Steam ?

Doesn't look it's available for Mac on Steam yet.

[WRau1]

I should've never linked Darkest Dungeon sale, I'm now going on 3 days of doing nothing but playing through it again.

[MikeIsGood]

I should've never linked Darkest Dungeon sale, I'm now going on 3 days of doing nothing but playing through it again.

There are worse ways to spend your time.

[MikeIsGood]

One part of me wants to play because I never got to experience D2. The other part of me reaaaaally doesn’t want to support Blizzard at all in its current state.

You never played D2? Ok, then think of it this way - Blizzard isn't as bad as Amazon, so at least it isn't that bad.

That’s valid. And yeah, D2 came out when I was 9. Pretty sure we didn’t have a computer that could handle most games at that point and I was more focused on like Pokemon and N64/GameCube stuff at that point in time.

To be clear, I didn't realize they were engulfed in controversy right now above the normal resting point. I heard about the high-visibility departures today and it's the first time I'm then seeing anything about the walkout, sexual harrassment lawsuits, etc. I thought you just meant the sorry state of their games But, wanted to be clear I wasn't making light of what's going on with them.

[ReasonablySober]

You never played D2? Ok, then think of it this way - Blizzard isn't as bad as Amazon, so at least it isn't that bad.

That’s valid. And yeah, D2 came out when I was 9. Pretty sure we didn’t have a computer that could handle most games at that point and I was more focused on like Pokemon and N64/GameCube stuff at that point in time.

To be clear, I didn't realize they were engulfed in controversy right now above the normal resting point. I heard about the high-visibility departures today and it's the first time I'm then seeing anything about the walkout, sexual harrassment lawsuits, etc. I thought you just meant the sorry state of their games But, wanted to be clear I wasn't making light of what's going on with them.

Am I wrong when I say that Diablo fans consider D2 the best of the series? I played the 1st when it came out, never played the 2nd, and it wouldn't surprise me if I found out I played over 1000 hours of D3.

[ReasonablySober]

Starting Code Vein. A little overwhelmed with the systems early on, but it's got the trappings of a Soulsborne so if I stick with it I'm guessing I'll love it.

[Henchman24]

Wow, Grime looks amazing. Seems like the only way I'll be able to play it as of now is signing up for Stadia.

Steam ?

Doesn't look it's available for Mac on Steam yet.

Do you have a M1 Mac?

[ReasonablySober]

Steam ?

Doesn't look it's available for Mac on Steam yet.

Do you have a M1 Mac?

No, and it's a huge regret of mine. Last year when I started working from home I had to use my personal laptop, and it was on its last legs so I bought a new machine. Two months later the M1 Macs came out. I've thought about trading my purchase in but I'm probably gonna wait until the 2nd or 3rd gen chips come out.

But I've been complaining about my 2015 iMac since I've returned to the office, for good reason, so I'll probably get an M1X or M2 iMac when they come out.

[MikeIsGood]

That’s valid. And yeah, D2 came out when I was 9. Pretty sure we didn’t have a computer that could handle most games at that point and I was more focused on like Pokemon and N64/GameCube stuff at that point in time.

To be clear, I didn't realize they were engulfed in controversy right now above the normal resting point. I heard about the high-visibility departures today and it's the first time I'm then seeing anything about the walkout, sexual harrassment lawsuits, etc. I thought you just meant the sorry state of their games But, wanted to be clear I wasn't making light of what's going on with them.

Am I wrong when I say that Diablo fans consider D2 the best of the series? I played the 1st when it came out, never played the 2nd, and it wouldn't surprise me if I found out I played over 1000 hours of D3.

I think not only that, but most ARPG fans consider D2 to be the godfather of the genre. Not kidding when I say I'll probably get it for PC, PS5, and Switch. Crossplay is an epic feature.

[Sauce Boss]

You never played D2? Ok, then think of it this way - Blizzard isn't as bad as Amazon, so at least it isn't that bad.

That’s valid. And yeah, D2 came out when I was 9. Pretty sure we didn’t have a computer that could handle most games at that point and I was more focused on like Pokemon and N64/GameCube stuff at that point in time.

To be clear, I didn't realize they were engulfed in controversy right now above the normal resting point. I heard about the high-visibility departures today and it's the first time I'm then seeing anything about the walkout, sexual harrassment lawsuits, etc. I thought you just meant the sorry state of their games But, wanted to be clear I wasn't making light of what's going on with them.

I took it more as a real uppercut to Amazon than making light of Blizzard’s current state.

[ReasonablySober]

To be clear, I didn't realize they were engulfed in controversy right now above the normal resting point. I heard about the high-visibility departures today and it's the first time I'm then seeing anything about the walkout, sexual harrassment lawsuits, etc. I thought you just meant the sorry state of their games But, wanted to be clear I wasn't making light of what's going on with them.

Am I wrong when I say that Diablo fans consider D2 the best of the series? I played the 1st when it came out, never played the 2nd, and it wouldn't surprise me if I found out I played over 1000 hours of D3.

I think not only that, but most ARPG fans consider D2 to be the godfather of the genre. Not kidding when I say I'll probably get it for PC, PS5, and Switch. Crossplay is an epic feature.

I'm anxious to play it. I'll be honest, I'm skeptical it can be as good as D3 because from what I understand this is almost completely a cosmetic upgrade, and D2 in video always looked stiff. But some of my favorite games in other genres were released in the mid-90s, so

[MikeIsGood]

Am I wrong when I say that Diablo fans consider D2 the best of the series? I played the 1st when it came out, never played the 2nd, and it wouldn't surprise me if I found out I played over 1000 hours of D3.

I think not only that, but most ARPG fans consider D2 to be the godfather of the genre. Not kidding when I say I'll probably get it for PC, PS5, and Switch. Crossplay is an epic feature.

I'm anxious to play it. I'll be honest, I'm skeptical it can be as good as D3 because from what I understand this is almost completely a cosmetic upgrade, and D2 in video always looked stiff. But some of my favorite games in other genres were released in the mid-90s, so

It plays very different than D3, so try to go in without expectation of comparison. Part of the reason D3 is so divisive is because it essentially upended the legacy of D2 and plays as a more casual game (which I don't mean negatively, but more as an honest descriptor, though it's hard to not sound negative). Some examples:

You do not freely respec characters. If you want a new skill, you start a new character.

Grinding and chase items are the basis of the game. If you think D3 is a grind (and maybe you don't), buckle in. Drop rates are not high; monsters do not **** out legendary items. Part of the grind is finding runes to construct rune words, the high-end of which can take some streamers - not to mention casual players - months to construct.

To that extent, MF (magic find) is legit important in D2 and many characters are built around MF to farm loot for other builds.

There is no "end game" in the same way modern ARPGs have end games. The grind is the end game. This has been changed by many mods, which are also set to be fully supported by D2R, but not part of the base experience.

Personally, I also greatly prefer the feel, art style (not graphics, but artistic style), and story of D2. D3 is utterly lifeless in comparison. D2 is dark and grim; D3 is a cartoon. Also, **** Blizzard for killing Deckard Cain with absolutely zero impact.

All of this said, I played D3 easily for over 300 hours. I don't hate it by any stretch, though it's pretty down on my list of modern ARPGs. I just find D2 to be wholly superior for my tastes. IMO, the closest spiritual successors to D2 are Grim Dawn and Last Epoch.

[ReasonablySober]

I think not only that, but most ARPG fans consider D2 to be the godfather of the genre. Not kidding when I say I'll probably get it for PC, PS5, and Switch. Crossplay is an epic feature.

I'm anxious to play it. I'll be honest, I'm skeptical it can be as good as D3 because from what I understand this is almost completely a cosmetic upgrade, and D2 in video always looked stiff. But some of my favorite games in other genres were released in the mid-90s, so

It plays very different than D3, so try to go in without expectation of comparison. Part of the reason D3 is so divisive is because it essentially upended the legacy of D2 and plays as a more casual game (which I don't mean negatively, but more as an honest descriptor, though it's hard to not sound negative). Some examples:

You do not freely respec characters. If you want a new skill, you start a new character.

Grinding and chase items are the basis of the game. If you think D3 is a grind (and maybe you don't), buckle in. Drop rates are not high; monsters do not **** out legendary items. Part of the grind is finding runes to construct rune words, the high-end of which can take some streamers - not to mention casual players - months to construct.

To that extent, MF (magic find) is legit important in D2 and many characters are built around MF to farm loot for other builds.

There is no "end game" in the same way modern ARPGs have end games. The grind is the end game. This has been changed by many mods, which are also set to be fully supported by D2R, but not part of the base experience.

Personally, I also greatly prefer the feel, art style (not graphics, but artistic style), and story of D2. D3 is utterly lifeless in comparison. D2 is dark and grim; D3 is a cartoon. Also, **** Blizzard for killing Deckard Cain with absolutely zero impact.

All of this said, I played D3 easily for over 300 hours. I don't hate it by any stretch, though it's pretty down on my list of modern ARPGs. I just find D2 to be wholly superior for my tastes. IMO, the closest spiritual successors to D2 are Grim Dawn and Last Epoch.

Seriously, thanks much for the in depth explanation. I think that's all very interesting. I don't know how I'm gonna feel about the endgame, but I am anxious to check it out.

[ReasonablySober]

Watch on YouTube

The visuals here are just silly.

[MikeIsGood]

Holy ****, I forgot that was coming out this year too. Stoked now. Horizon 4 was so much fun.

[ReasonablySober]

Starting Code Vein. A little overwhelmed with the systems early on, but it's got the trappings of a Soulsborne so if I stick with it I'm guessing I'll love it.

It's great. The ability to completely change builds on the fly is kinda wild. The difference in play styles really is stark. I struggled with a boss for a while, changed literally everything up, and had no problems with it.

A small thing I especially appreciate is you start with no map in an area. Then you unlock the map. But all the while the mini-map shows literal footsteps of where you've traveled. The boss arena where I had problems for a dozen times is littered with hundreds of tiny dots. It's cool, and useful for knowing where you've been and where you haven't.

[REDDzone]

Starting Code Vein. A little overwhelmed with the systems early on, but it's got the trappings of a Soulsborne so if I stick with it I'm guessing I'll love it.

It's great. The ability to completely change builds on the fly is kinda wild. The difference in play styles really is stark. I struggled with a boss for a while, changed literally everything up, and had no problems with it.

A small thing I especially appreciate is you start with no map in an area. Then you unlock the map. But all the while the mini-map shows literal footsteps of where you've traveled. The boss arena where I had problems for a dozen times is littered with hundreds of tiny dots. It's cool, and useful for knowing where you've been and where you haven't.

I'm a huge Souls guy and have always seen this on sale and recommended but never pulled the trigger because it seemed kinda anime-ish which isn't my thing.

You're kind of tempting me though.