Other than Astro's Playroom, Neptunia is the only PS5 exclusive I have; everything else I have on the system is multiplat and/or cross gen. It makes me sad.MrPopo wrote:Returnal is probably the best actual PS5 exclusive. Unless you're claiming it could have been done on the PS4 with less particle effects, and if that's the case that's basically been the case for the past few console generations for the launch titles.
Games Beaten 2021
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ElkinFencer10
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Re: Games Beaten 2021
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Raging Justice
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Re: Games Beaten 2021
In a weird sort of way, I guess we can throw Final Fantasy 7 Remake into the conversation. The game itself isn't a PS5 exclusive, but the DLC is. Such an odd decision by SquareEnixElkinFencer10 wrote:Other than Astro's Playroom, Neptunia is the only PS5 exclusive I have; everything else I have on the system is multiplat and/or cross gen. It makes me sad.MrPopo wrote:Returnal is probably the best actual PS5 exclusive. Unless you're claiming it could have been done on the PS4 with less particle effects, and if that's the case that's basically been the case for the past few console generations for the launch titles.
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ElkinFencer10
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Re: Games Beaten 2021
Games Beaten in 2021 - 62
* denotes a replay
January (12 Games Beaten)
February (5 Games Beaten)
March (3 Games Beaten)
April (7 Games Beaten)
May (9 Games Beaten)
June (17 Games Beaten)
July (8 Games Beaten)
62. The Falconeer - Series X - July 7
I remember when The Falconeer popped up on Limited Run Games website as, if memory serves, their first Xbox game. Granted, it's part of their distributed line, not one of their numbered entries that they're publishing, but still. I thought it looked super good, but I was trying to cut down my spending, so I skipped it at the time. It came back on my radar when their website added physical releases of the "Warrior Edition" release on PS4, PS5, and Switch. Naturally, being a big Switch collector, I bit the bullet on that release, but having just signed up for Game Pass and seeing The Falconeer on there, I thought, "Why not go ahead and play through the game in 4K at 120 fps so I can better compare to how it plays on Switch?"
What's super impressive to me is that this game was made by one guy considering that it's a pretty decently sized open-world game, and while the world is mostly ocean, it's still impressive. There certainly isn't as much content and side quests and whatnot as most open-world games, but as far as the open world goes, it has a vibe similar to Wind Waker except that you're flying instead of sailing. The game is broken into a prologue, four chapters, and an epilogue, and with the exception of the prologue (which is basically just a tutorial) and the epilogue, it's all open-world. Each of the chapters is from the perspective of a different faction, and as the larger narrative of a budding war unfolds, you start to see that, just like in real life wars, there is plenty of blame to go around, and no one is innocent.
The actual gameplay is aerial combat. Think Crimson Skies on Xbox, but instead of an airplane with machine guns, you're riding on the back of a giant bird with a magic lighting rifle. You other giant bird pilots, ships on the ocean, and big airships. The combat is definitely the highlight here; as I mentioned, the open world is a bit sparse, and the story is good but nothing mind blowing, but the combat is smoother than an android's bottom especially if you're playing on Series X and set the frame rate to 120 fps. Zero frame rate issues, zero screen tearing, a beautiful cell shaded world, and addicting combat mix to make this one of the finest aerial combat games I've ever played.
That said, the game isn't perfect. The voice acting is pretty bad. It's not 90s FMV game bad, but it's definitely not one of the better voice acted games out there. The story, as well, is good enough to keep me going, but it's nothing memorable, and I can guarantee I'll forget the majority of it by August. There are some side quests that can keep things interesting and give a break from the main quest, and there are random tasks you can complete for money, but with fairly limited means of buying upgrades, the incentive to do them was pretty low in my opinion. It's a great game, and there's apparently some DLC available that's going to be included with the PS4/PS5/Switch releases, but I pretty much stuck with the main story outside of hunting down the discoverable locations for achievements.
The Falconeer is an extremely fun and addicting flight combat game with a gorgeous world and a good enough story. That said, the world can feel a bit empty, and the story isn't going to set anyone's literary loins ablaze. Still, the gameplay is more than enough to warrant a strong recommendation. It's on Game Pass, so if you have that, give it a download, but even if you don't, it's definitely worth the $20 download.
* denotes a replay
January (12 Games Beaten)
I remember when The Falconeer popped up on Limited Run Games website as, if memory serves, their first Xbox game. Granted, it's part of their distributed line, not one of their numbered entries that they're publishing, but still. I thought it looked super good, but I was trying to cut down my spending, so I skipped it at the time. It came back on my radar when their website added physical releases of the "Warrior Edition" release on PS4, PS5, and Switch. Naturally, being a big Switch collector, I bit the bullet on that release, but having just signed up for Game Pass and seeing The Falconeer on there, I thought, "Why not go ahead and play through the game in 4K at 120 fps so I can better compare to how it plays on Switch?"
What's super impressive to me is that this game was made by one guy considering that it's a pretty decently sized open-world game, and while the world is mostly ocean, it's still impressive. There certainly isn't as much content and side quests and whatnot as most open-world games, but as far as the open world goes, it has a vibe similar to Wind Waker except that you're flying instead of sailing. The game is broken into a prologue, four chapters, and an epilogue, and with the exception of the prologue (which is basically just a tutorial) and the epilogue, it's all open-world. Each of the chapters is from the perspective of a different faction, and as the larger narrative of a budding war unfolds, you start to see that, just like in real life wars, there is plenty of blame to go around, and no one is innocent.
The actual gameplay is aerial combat. Think Crimson Skies on Xbox, but instead of an airplane with machine guns, you're riding on the back of a giant bird with a magic lighting rifle. You other giant bird pilots, ships on the ocean, and big airships. The combat is definitely the highlight here; as I mentioned, the open world is a bit sparse, and the story is good but nothing mind blowing, but the combat is smoother than an android's bottom especially if you're playing on Series X and set the frame rate to 120 fps. Zero frame rate issues, zero screen tearing, a beautiful cell shaded world, and addicting combat mix to make this one of the finest aerial combat games I've ever played.
That said, the game isn't perfect. The voice acting is pretty bad. It's not 90s FMV game bad, but it's definitely not one of the better voice acted games out there. The story, as well, is good enough to keep me going, but it's nothing memorable, and I can guarantee I'll forget the majority of it by August. There are some side quests that can keep things interesting and give a break from the main quest, and there are random tasks you can complete for money, but with fairly limited means of buying upgrades, the incentive to do them was pretty low in my opinion. It's a great game, and there's apparently some DLC available that's going to be included with the PS4/PS5/Switch releases, but I pretty much stuck with the main story outside of hunting down the discoverable locations for achievements.
The Falconeer is an extremely fun and addicting flight combat game with a gorgeous world and a good enough story. That said, the world can feel a bit empty, and the story isn't going to set anyone's literary loins ablaze. Still, the gameplay is more than enough to warrant a strong recommendation. It's on Game Pass, so if you have that, give it a download, but even if you don't, it's definitely worth the $20 download.
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prfsnl_gmr
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Re: Games Beaten 2021
First 30
31. Mega Man 11 (Switch)
32. Superliminal (Switch)
33. Shantae & The Seven Sirens (Switch)
34. Halo 3 (360)
35. Legacy of the Wizard (NES)
Halo 3 is a very mid-2000s FPS. I played through the campaign in co-op mode with my son, which was fun. Neither of us found the gunplay particularly engaging, but it was still fun running around shooting and elbowing aliens while high-fiving each other and yelling, “Space ‘Murica!” Halo: CE remains my favorite game in the series, but, admittedly, I have not played some of the more recent entries.
I beat Legacy of the Wizard for this month’s TR, and I wrote a good bit about it in the TR thread.
32. Superliminal (Switch)
33. Shantae & The Seven Sirens (Switch)
34. Halo 3 (360)
35. Legacy of the Wizard (NES)
Halo 3 is a very mid-2000s FPS. I played through the campaign in co-op mode with my son, which was fun. Neither of us found the gunplay particularly engaging, but it was still fun running around shooting and elbowing aliens while high-fiving each other and yelling, “Space ‘Murica!” Halo: CE remains my favorite game in the series, but, admittedly, I have not played some of the more recent entries.
I beat Legacy of the Wizard for this month’s TR, and I wrote a good bit about it in the TR thread.
Re: Games Beaten 2021
So I beat Legacy of the Wizard too at the beginning of this year. No cheats - no guides - took three weeks. LOVED IT. One of my favorite NES games.
HAPPY TO SEE A FELLOW MEMBER ACCOMPLISH THIS FEAT!
Now I’m going to go read your review!
HAPPY TO SEE A FELLOW MEMBER ACCOMPLISH THIS FEAT!
Now I’m going to go read your review!
Buy / Sell / Trade List: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17958
Last updated: 11-10-16
PS3 ID: dakkenblackblade 360 ID: dakkenblackblad
Last updated: 11-10-16
PS3 ID: dakkenblackblade 360 ID: dakkenblackblad
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prfsnl_gmr
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Re: Games Beaten 2021
chupon wrote:So I beat Legacy of the Wizard too at the beginning of this year. No cheats - no guides - took three weeks. LOVED IT. One of my favorite NES games.
HAPPY TO SEE A FELLOW MEMBER ACCOMPLISH THIS FEAT!
Now I’m going to go read your review!
I consulted a guide from time-to-time! I’m not nearly hardcore enough to beat that game without at least assistance. No cheats, though, and no save states until after my third trek back through the dungeon to slay the dragon.
I can see how this game would be INCREDIBLY rewarding to complete this game without a guide, and I mention that in the TR thread.
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ElkinFencer10
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Re: Games Beaten 2021
Games Beaten in 2021 - 63
* denotes a replay
January (12 Games Beaten)
February (5 Games Beaten)
March (3 Games Beaten)
April (7 Games Beaten)
May (9 Games Beaten)
June (17 Games Beaten)
July (9 Games Beaten)
63. Astral Chain - Switch - July 10
Astral Chain, like Bayonetta 2 and Wonderful 101 (until the remaster) before it, is a Nintendo-exclusive Platinum Games title, and that pretty much tells you everything you need to know. Like From Software, Platinum has a very distinct style, and you can usually tell that they made a game just based on the feel and flow of the combat, and Astral Chain is no exception to that.
Humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction by incursions from interdimensional creatures called Chimeras from the "Astral Plane." Our species now lives exclusively on an artificial floating megacity called the Ark. These Chimeras are typically invisible to the naked eye and tough as nails in a fight, so to combat them, a shady research institute with the UNION government developed a way to capture Chimeras and bind them with an "astral chain." These "Legions" would be paired with a highly trained cop in the Ark Police Department's Neuron division; these Legions give the officers in Neuron the ability to see and fight Chimeras effectively.
If you've played Bayonetta and Wonderful 101, this is kind of like a blend of the two though far closer to Bayonetta. You could also think of it as a modern action implementation of the core idea behind Knuckles Chaotix. You control one of the two characters on the game's cover depending on what sex you chose; they're twins, and whoever you didn't pick becomes a major supporting character. Your Legion is chained to you with the titular astral chain, and while you can control the Legion's movement while holding ZL, it will be AI-controlled most of the time while you control the human character. Combat is fast-paced like most of Platinum's games and like most of their games can best be described as "acrobatic." It can take a little practice to get the hang of it, but once you do, it's extremely addicting and gives you a major sense of power as you're chaining up enemies, hopping and sliding across the battlefield, and pulling of brutal finishing moves.
Astral Chain isn't just a treat to play; it's also a treat for the eyes. With gorgeous colorful visuals and a bright art style, it definitely disproves the Internet trope of "Switch games have bad graphics." It's definitely no Nier Automata nor could it be with the hardware difference, but Astral Chain is a beautiful game nonetheless and definitely one of the best looking games on Switch. I played with the mClassic dongle plugged into my HDMI hub, and that gave some slight smoothing to some of the stair stepping, but the effect wasn't night and day or anything, and the game obviously still looks absolutely fantastic by itself.
Astral Chain, as a Switch exclusive, is definitely a feather in the console's cap. Having sold over a million copies in its first half-year, it may not be a "killer app" for the Switch, but it's definitely a huge success for the system and for Platinum; game director Takahisa Taura told Famitsu that the game had outperformed the company's sales expectations. The game may not sell consoles on its own, but it's definitely another bullet point on the list of reasons to own a Switch, and it's a game that Switch owners who enjoy action games definitely need to check out. It can get a little repetitive at times, but there are enough side missions to keep things varied, and as I've mentioned, the combat is just sublime.
* denotes a replay
January (12 Games Beaten)
Astral Chain, like Bayonetta 2 and Wonderful 101 (until the remaster) before it, is a Nintendo-exclusive Platinum Games title, and that pretty much tells you everything you need to know. Like From Software, Platinum has a very distinct style, and you can usually tell that they made a game just based on the feel and flow of the combat, and Astral Chain is no exception to that.
Humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction by incursions from interdimensional creatures called Chimeras from the "Astral Plane." Our species now lives exclusively on an artificial floating megacity called the Ark. These Chimeras are typically invisible to the naked eye and tough as nails in a fight, so to combat them, a shady research institute with the UNION government developed a way to capture Chimeras and bind them with an "astral chain." These "Legions" would be paired with a highly trained cop in the Ark Police Department's Neuron division; these Legions give the officers in Neuron the ability to see and fight Chimeras effectively.
If you've played Bayonetta and Wonderful 101, this is kind of like a blend of the two though far closer to Bayonetta. You could also think of it as a modern action implementation of the core idea behind Knuckles Chaotix. You control one of the two characters on the game's cover depending on what sex you chose; they're twins, and whoever you didn't pick becomes a major supporting character. Your Legion is chained to you with the titular astral chain, and while you can control the Legion's movement while holding ZL, it will be AI-controlled most of the time while you control the human character. Combat is fast-paced like most of Platinum's games and like most of their games can best be described as "acrobatic." It can take a little practice to get the hang of it, but once you do, it's extremely addicting and gives you a major sense of power as you're chaining up enemies, hopping and sliding across the battlefield, and pulling of brutal finishing moves.
Astral Chain isn't just a treat to play; it's also a treat for the eyes. With gorgeous colorful visuals and a bright art style, it definitely disproves the Internet trope of "Switch games have bad graphics." It's definitely no Nier Automata nor could it be with the hardware difference, but Astral Chain is a beautiful game nonetheless and definitely one of the best looking games on Switch. I played with the mClassic dongle plugged into my HDMI hub, and that gave some slight smoothing to some of the stair stepping, but the effect wasn't night and day or anything, and the game obviously still looks absolutely fantastic by itself.
Astral Chain, as a Switch exclusive, is definitely a feather in the console's cap. Having sold over a million copies in its first half-year, it may not be a "killer app" for the Switch, but it's definitely a huge success for the system and for Platinum; game director Takahisa Taura told Famitsu that the game had outperformed the company's sales expectations. The game may not sell consoles on its own, but it's definitely another bullet point on the list of reasons to own a Switch, and it's a game that Switch owners who enjoy action games definitely need to check out. It can get a little repetitive at times, but there are enough side missions to keep things varied, and as I've mentioned, the combat is just sublime.
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alienjesus
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Re: Games Beaten 2021
prfsnl_gmr wrote:chupon wrote:So I beat Legacy of the Wizard too at the beginning of this year. No cheats - no guides - took three weeks. LOVED IT. One of my favorite NES games.
HAPPY TO SEE A FELLOW MEMBER ACCOMPLISH THIS FEAT!
Now I’m going to go read your review!
I consulted a guide from time-to-time! I’m not nearly hardcore enough to beat that game without at least assistance. No cheats, though, and no save states until after my third trek back through the dungeon to slay the dragon.
I can see how this game would be INCREDIBLY rewarding to complete this game without a guide, and I mention that in the TR thread.
I also played through the game a few years ago, without cheats or save states - but I made quite a lot of use of maps and guides. I didn't really love the game:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... d#p1128452
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prfsnl_gmr
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Re: Games Beaten 2021
My feelings on the game mirror yours, AJ. If the game had focused a bit more on being fun, it would have been pretty great. Going with “inscrutable and relentlessly difficult,” instead, brings it down a bit. It would be a good candidate for a remake, though.
Re: Games Beaten 2021
You can kind of tell they came from the early PC space. That kind of inscrutability is pretty common in PC titles.