What games have you been playing lately?

ancapailldorcha

Still playing Europa Universalis IV after giving myself lent off from it. Got some mods to add a better font, enhance the map and upgrade the soundtrack with some classical tracks.

Mods can make the map awfully pretty though.

Gbear

I've been giving Civ 6 another go, with the two DLCs that I got on sale a few weeks ago.

There's a few things that still irritate me about it, but there's some mods that improve stuff like trade, make wonders worth getting, and so on.

There's someting enjoyable to me about using the giant earth map mod with real start locations, and putting down cities where they really are. And just building away, and not really engaging with the AI. I'm mostly enjoying the regular game as well.

I think it's about 5% off of being really really good, but I'm finding that missing 5% quite important, and I've struggled to stick with games beyond the industrial era. Hopefully there's another DLC to give it that mirror finish.

I think I've also discovered how to play factorio properly. It's important not to play too much in one sitting and take breaks or doing other things. It's very much like programming. Sometimes you just need to reset your brain to be able to tackle a particularly complex task.

Another thing I've found is that it's ok to build a factory, and then bin it when you realise it won't scale to lategame. The blueprints system gives you a flexible form of progression, that has some similarities to object oriented programming, and it means in your next game, something that you really had to meticulously plan can now just be plonked down as a plan at the start of the game and you'll have a far better idea how to plan out your main conveyors of raw material (which in the community, again uses computer terminology and is called your main bus). You can get some blueprints off the community as well, but I think they serve better as demonstrations in techniques for efficient object placement and how to manage loads of different streams of components going into a single product.

VP4. Could lose hours on it.

ironictoaster

Not sure if it's anyone elses cup of tea, but I've been playing a lot planet coaster/zoo. I find it very therapeutic/relaxing during a certain health crisis currently happening.

shaveAbullock

Valkyria Chronicles 4, a game I bought on sale on steam ages ago that I only got around to playing.
Loved it at first but now about 3/4 of the way through I find that I'm starting to lose interest, they dragged it out a bit much for my liking.

Mr Crispy

ironictoaster wrote: »

Not sure if it's anyone elses cup of tea, but I've been playing a lot planet coaster/zoo. I find it very therapeutic/relaxing during a certain health crisis currently happening.

PZ is on my Steam wishlist alright, but I'd need to read more reviews before I buy (if I ever get around to that). How deep is it, in terms of management etc?

Zulu

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Still playing Europa Universalis IV after giving myself lent off from it. Got some mods to add a better font, enhance the map and upgrade the soundtrack with some classical tracks.

Mods can make the map awfully pretty though.

...

I want to try this.
I love Stellaris. Sunk countless hours into it.
....but I bought Crusader Kings II, and couldn't get into it. The barrier to starting the learning curve completely put me off.

I presume Europa is just like CKII so thats putting me off.

....maybe I should try CKII again... ugh.

killanena

Playing Bannerlord and Mordhua a lot lately with a bit of warzone thrown in. Sadly all my friends who play warzone are playing from midnight on and I am still working and have be up at 5am lol. Don't like Warzone solo very much.

Taylor365

killanena wrote: »

Playing Bannerlord and Mordhua a lot lately with a bit of warzone thrown in. Sadly all my friends who play warzone are playing from midnight on and I am still working and have be up at 5am lol. Don't like Warzone solo very much.

Much like myself, except replace Bannerlord with Wreckfest!


Will pick up Bannerlord when she's much more polished

killanena

Taylor365 wrote: »

Much like myself, except replace Bannerlord with Wreckfest!


Will pick up Bannerlord when she's much more polished

Bannerlord is already a ton of fun. I've 100 hours put into it already sense It came out and thats a lot for me. Mods make it even better but I get ya. Its only going to get better with time. They are on the ball with updates though.

Wreckfest looks savage but I dont have a controller for the PC at the moment so havent picked it up yet.

ironictoaster

Mr Crispy wrote: »

PZ is on my Steam wishlist alright, but I'd need to read more reviews before I buy (if I ever get around to that). How deep is it, in terms of management etc?

I haven't played a management game since theme hospital back in the today! I think it's quite in-depth. You could spend hours trying to perfect your park/zoo

PyreOfHellfire

I started playing Command and Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars, last played it on the 360 over a decade ago. Holds up incredibly well to this day. But it's still very bittersweet knowing what EA did to Westwood studios. EA really are a poison.

ancapailldorcha

Zulu wrote: »

I want to try this.
I love Stellaris. Sunk countless hours into it.
....but I bought Crusader Kings II, and couldn't get into it. The barrier to starting the learning curve completely put me off.

I presume Europa is just like CKII so thats putting me off.

....maybe I should try CKII again... ugh.

It's a wonderful game. You absolutely should. There was a just a sale on Humble Bundle recently. It seems to on sale there with the DLC quite often, especially lately. I got it half off which still cost over £100. Oddly, I don't regret that at all as I get so much fun out of it.

CK2 is free and there's DLC lists of recommended purchases all over.

I found this playlist helpful with CK2 as the guy is competent but still learning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbrlO8vuZS0&list=PLwH1xJhcXG0d2LzZ2y_FSz3QF3wRGxPa2

EnigmaticRose4 has a list here I'm working through:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM69YTNGPPhPCYE6-56OqDH5lVsKD0gPm

For EU4, this was really good:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH-huzMEgGWBbYuS-yMApLBZgVaug8NSQ

It's got a bit of banter which you may/may not enjoy but it's valid for the most recent patch.

The barrier to learning is significant but I think Paradox have ruined other strategy games for me. I can't even focus on one as I end up jumping to another.

Never touched Stellaris though. I own it as well.

iLikeWaffles

Started playing Stellaris the base game is very overwhelming and daunting to learn, under €10 on cdkeys atm also. Discovered a Star Trek mod called ST: New Horizons this is a complete overhaul of the game music the lot.

Started playing Wreckfest. Good fun so far. Anyone else playing it?

ancapailldorcha

iLikeWaffles wrote: »

Started playing Stellaris the base game is very overwhelming and daunting to learn, under €10 on cdkeys atm also. Discovered a Star Trek mod called ST: New Horizons this is a complete overhaul of the game music the lot.

Paradox tend to release games somewhat unfinished. A lot of the changes they make tend to lie behind DLC.

eyerer

Deleted User wrote: »

Started playing Wreckfest. Good fun so far. Anyone else playing it?

I've played about 250 hours on the multiplayer. It was great craic.
I've spent more time on rocket league recently because I got a bit burned out on Wreckfest. But I see they are still adding new content.

Colonel Claptrap

Returned to XCOM 2 once again. I still haven't finished it. Usually start up a fresh game, get 80% done then rage quit because a 90% shot misses.

Anybody rate Chimera Squad? I missed it at half price. I'll wait for it to come down in price again.

wotzgoingon

Returned back to GTA V single player for the umpteenth time after not player for over a year. I played a game or two of multiplayer but I just love the single player part more. 3 main characters was a good choice in my opinion as they all completely different which is a nice change and it's nice to pop in and see what the others are up to by them selves especially Trevor.

Looks amazing still for an older game at 4k.

Colonel Claptrap

wotzgoingon wrote: »

Returned back to GTA V single player for the umpteenth time after not player for over a year. I played a game or two of multiplayer but I just love the single player part more. 3 main characters was a good choice in my opinion as they all completely different which is a nice change and it's nice to pop in and see what the others are up to by them selves especially Trevor.

Looks amazing still for an older game at 4k.

Every time i return I get as far as Trevor reaching the city, then give up.
The story seems to lull at that point.

Taylor365

Deleted User wrote: »

Started playing Wreckfest. Good fun so far. Anyone else playing it?

Unbelievable game! Such a hidden gem.
Picked it up for me and my buddie for 13 euro. Best purchase this year!

Glebee

Burnt out of warcraft after the last month so started into Warzone. Dont usually do these online ahooters but this is great crack. Makes me nearly want to pick up the full game... Full game still around €50 at the moment. Not paying that.

stuff.hunter

Hell Let Loose and X-com

Outkast_IRE

X Com Chimera Squad . Just finished it , solid addition and priced about correctly. But its not a patch on xcom 2.

KilOit

Finally got rdr2 after much consideration, taking a break from they are billions after a good 100+ hours and completing all survival maps. Great game if you like to turtle in rts games

Outkast_IRE

KilOit wrote: »

Finally got rdr2 after much consideration, taking a break from they are billions after a good 100+ hours and completing all survival maps. Great game if you like to turtle in rts games

I love the turtling maps but was hopeless at the missions where you start in the middle and can setup a limited defense and need to hold out . I could never beat the bloody things

Shlippery

Finished HL:Alyx, which was outstanding....

then tried 'Firewatch' as one of the story guys from Alyx was involved.

It was..an odd experience. I think I enjoyed it...

Robert ninja

Just tried Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor for no reason other than that it had native linux support and I thought surely a Batman clone will be a bit o fun. Absolutely blown away at the quality of this game! Incredible graphics, combat puts Batman to shame, very cool progression system and story is interesting. Add top tier voice acting and proper use of licensed characters/properties and it really comes together. Can't believe I never touched this till now!

The linux version is performing immaculately. 1440p internal with a 720p OBS stream at the same time. 60+fps. No long loading screens or anything but I've moved this baby to the SSD now, it deserves the space.

amusicalfrog

Just finished RE2 Remake and RE7 in quick succession. only previous experience with RE was RE 4 and 5, which I'd played years ago when I was about 10. RE2 Remake is truly phenomenal - I'd heard all the hype around Mr X and the RPD, but I actually wasn't aware of the fundamental gaming loop of the traditional RE games, that being the management of space, juggling of resources. I'm not sure how it played in the original RE2 but this felt truly sublime. Every decision I made, whether it was to leave a herb for later or to use gunpowder in a certain way, felt really impactful and helped immerse me in the game. I've played through Leon A - Claire B and will definitely be going back soon to replay as I was utterly blown away.

Then I went and played RE7, which I also really enjoyed. Recognised a similar gameplay loop to that which is in RE2 Remake, but streamlined a bit for the 2010s audience I suppose. Enjoyed the boss encounters but was pretty underwhelmed by the generic mobs (I think this is a common criticism). Combat felt pretty decent and I was enjoyably scared at times - I've realised that horror is a good genre for escapism these days. Flubbed the ending a bit imo but there are epilogue DLCs I've yet to tackle.

Think I'm going to tackle REmake next, then replay 4 and 5, and try to coax a friend into co-oping 6 with me. Will get RE3 Remake when it's next on sale.

Also finished Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, yesterday. Telling that I just remembered that after writing this whole post. It was fine. Enjoyable enough but having recently replayed Dark Souls 1, 2, and 3, I was a little underwhelmed. Pretty to look at, anyway.

My plan to get really stuck into games after finishing final year is off to a solid start, anyway!

_Godot_

I've been playing Picross 3D Round 2 after getting the half price thing off my nintendo. Really good so far.