General gaming discussion

CastorTroy · 14-04-2026 10:34PM

Was reading that filming for the Zelda movie has finished. Surprised there were no more set pics leaked. The Ninjas must've been thorough.

johnny_ultimate · 15-04-2026 09:56AM

Played through Idols of Ash yesterday after hearing a bit of buzz about it. Very fun 30-45 minute 'normal' playthrough where you're descending into a deep, sinister abyss equipped with a grappling hook… and being pursued by a giant nightmare centipede. It reminded me most of a Dark Souls style descent ala Blighttown in terms of finding the safe path down, albeit in first person and with a grappling hook. As it goes you'll have to take a few more leaps of faith than you'll probably like given the increasing distance between safe grapple points and landing spots.

As I said, normal mode is pretty short, but it unlocks a 'nightmare' mode without checkpoints (which is tough but there are only a handful in the main run) when finished and I believe there are then inverted and alternate maps as you go. An easy recommendation for less than 3 quid on Steam. Really enjoyed the moody, oppressive atmosphere and art design here too. A fun hour of spelunking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhyFez6TNLs

SuperBowserWorld · 15-04-2026 01:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124396179#Comment_124396179

I was thinking that was done very quickly. A lot of CGI to add now of course.

Penn · 17-04-2026 09:22PM

Played about an hour of Pragmata. Feels fun. The hacking can feel a bit hectic if there's more than one enemy, but started finding new weapons which can help.

It's interesting and feels a bit different anyway.

TitianGerm · 17-04-2026 09:36PM

Anyone playing Replaced? Just spotted it on steam and it looks interesting.

Grumpypants · 17-04-2026 10:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124403611#Comment_124403611

I've started it, it's free on game pass. It's taking a little bit to get going but feels like it could have potential. It's styled like an 90s game but at times it looks astounding.

Zero-Cool · 18-04-2026 11:30AM

This is a great little indie story. Ceo of Tiny Build games posted that since prob Graveyard Keeper for free to go with announcement of the sequel, they've made 500k from dlc sales and GL2 is in top 100 wishlist.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2045433956234105335

MikeRyan87 · 19-04-2026 12:06PM

Was gonna play Mouse and Pragmata first but couldnt resist and bought Hades II yesterday. Anyone else playing?

Absolutely great so far, playing it mostly on Portal which is working flawlessly.

Absolutely love Supergiant since playing Bastion on Vita. Surprised they weren't purchased back then.

Pyre is probably my favourite of their games. Still havent completed Transistor.

Got a little bit sick of the first Hades after beating it 4 or 5 times, I assume it'll be the same with this one.

I really hope they move onto something a bit different after this game.

TitianGerm · 19-04-2026 01:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124406595#Comment_124406595

I have Hades 2 since early access. Bought it for Switch when it came out there as well. Great game and I still jump in for a few runs every now and then.

johnny_ultimate · 21-04-2026 09:17AM

Been playing lots of Ys X and loving it (aside from NIS’s cynical move of releasing glorified DLC at full price - I’m just playing the vanilla version).

Real comfort food gaming for me: simply a fun, pacy action JRPG with lots to do and classic Ys combat design. Combat is mostly about switching between two characters to chain combos of skills, and it’s a delight in action. It can sometimes get a tad chaotic when there are multiple stronger enemies on screens, but really like how it handles its blocking mechanic (you hold down a button to auto block, but can do it with quick timing to knock the enemy off stance). It’s ultra fast and responsive, and the bosses offer a nice bit of challenge versus the regular enemies. I’m playing on hard difficulty - recommended for those who’ve played Ys games before, but there are harder ones again from the off - and it’s been a nice balance of getting more powerful with a few tricky encounters thrown in for good measure.

I haven’t played IX as it received a pretty mixed response, but I think the blue skies and open seas of this feel more quintessentially Ys than the darker tone that seemed to shoot for.

The story is nonsense, the environment variety pretty limited, and the game takes a little while to get going, but other than that it’s been a grand old time indeed. I’m a fan of the series - though must get back to VIII in the near future as only dabbled in that - and great to see it still channelling the spirit of the PSP and PS Vita entries in the series. I feel like the series remains somewhat neglected outside Japan, even compared to the Trails series. But this is a fine entry point, alongside Oath in Felghana or VIII.

Retr0gamer · 21-04-2026 09:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124410943#Comment_124410943

I've heard IX is one of the best on the series, some people just had issues with it because as the engine is really out of date and it didn't look like the latest god of war or something.

Penn · 21-04-2026 09:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124406595#Comment_124406595

Hades II is superb. I maybe enjoyed the first one that bit more overall, just because sequels often have that issue where even though almost everything is better, it just doesn't recapture that feeling of playing the original. There's no denying though that the gameplay and options you have in this one are fantastic, particularly with the cast and special attacks which have much greater variance and utility, as well as different types of boons/power-ups.

Also not to spoil things, but there's also more variance in doing repeated runs rather than just going through the same four areas and bosses repeatedly.

MikeRyan87 · 21-04-2026 12:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124410969#Comment_124410969

I've gotten to 3rd area already and am surprised how well the story is adjusting/keeping up. Handled way better than the first one from what I remember. Agree that the second game is never as special.

Absolutely loving it. And seamless swapping between the PS5 and Portal when the OLED tv isnt available makes it all the better.

Pragmata and Mouse(definitley waiting for a sale) can wait until after Saros.

Zero-Cool · 21-04-2026 06:59PM

I have gone through a ton of games in my catalogue recently and can't seem to stick to any. Would love to find a good single player game i can get absorbed in but not finding any and any new releases coming up don't interest me.

Was thinking of Mafia Old Country or Bloodlines 2, has anyone here played and recommend them? Both are 30 in smyths and cex offering 20 cash for them so not a big loss if awful.

I reinstalled Mafia 2 the other day but it's so old and clunky, very hard to play. The original Bloodlines oozed cool, surely the sequel still has some of that?

Anois_ · 21-04-2026 07:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412251#Comment_124412251

Grounded Fully Yoked is a great game to get stuck into. I loved it. You are shrunk down in a garden witha pond for underwater parts. Sand pit for sand area. Underground sections. Climb a tree. Under the shed and loads more it was a brilliant experience.

Zero-Cool · 21-04-2026 07:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412292#Comment_124412292

I actually really like the look of that but I'm only on Playstation.

johnny_ultimate · 21-04-2026 07:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412251#Comment_124412251

If you haven’t played Dispatch, I think you would love Dispatch.

Anois_ · 21-04-2026 07:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412310#Comment_124412310

It's on Playstation 4 and 5.

Zero-Cool · 21-04-2026 07:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412323#Comment_124412323

Oh i thought it was just xbox and pc, thanks.

Zero-Cool · 21-04-2026 07:55PM

Something about that never piqued my interest so i never looked into it much but will check it out, thanks!

Anois_ · 21-04-2026 08:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412361#Comment_124412361

There is a second one out but it is in early access. I'm not playing it until the full release as I do not want to play the game for ever even though I loved the first. I will wait till it's full release like the Fully Yoked Edition of the first. As the first was early access as well for a long time.

Anois_ · 21-04-2026 08:04PM

Also I played the game myself even though the game supports up to 4 people. Just thought I'd mention that as it can be a bit confusing while reading about the game.

The Iron Giant · 21-04-2026 08:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412251#Comment_124412251

Mafia Old Country is a very fun game that I'd highly recommend. An old fashioned Mafia story that doesn't overstay its welcome at around 12 hours. Don't bother with any of the open world stuff (as it's a bit scarce and a bit pointless unless you like the scenery) and stick to the story and you'll love it.

Retr0gamer · 21-04-2026 08:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412251#Comment_124412251

Time to play Ace Combat 7 and not some 7/10 jank.

Jordan 199 · 21-04-2026 08:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412422#Comment_124412422

….

Zero-Cool · 21-04-2026 08:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412422#Comment_124412422

Played it already and quit after the first mission, not enough motorbikes, 3/10.

MikeRyan87 · 21-04-2026 08:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412251#Comment_124412251

Powered through and finished Mafia 2 last year but it is very dated and clunky. I really enjoyed The Old Country.

Dispatch is great and a great change of pace so I'll second that recommendation.

Have you played Lumines Arise? Man I love that game and it doesnt get mentioned enough.

Cronos The New Dawn is very underrated as well.

RobbingBandit · 21-04-2026 08:55PM

Hope you have DANGER ZONE on loop while playing Ace Combat

Potential-Monke · 21-04-2026 09:05PM

Mafia Old Country really takes the interactive movie up a notch. It's good, but you'll spend half your time watching cutscenes and driving /riding with dialogue.

If you're looking for a great single player game, I highly recommend Crimson Desert. But it's a long and big one! 145 hours in and still experiencing new things. It doesn't do any 1 things perfect, but it does so many things well that I can honestly say it's one of the best games I've ever played. And I'm still a good way from the end. Massive. Full of life. Content everywhere. A genuine joy to just explore and experience. A new bar for open world games. And that's not mentioning the unbelievable support from Pearly Abyss.

Retr0gamer · 21-04-2026 09:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412494#Comment_124412494

Who needs danger zone when you have arguably the best soundtrack of the decade:

https://youtu.be/TAeE3_xMrWk?si=UHNkM6EOPuMqqOiG

https://youtu.be/_h6QFqGla7E?si=hN5G8Xb-BY7TCCH-

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