Another week....

Gaming is most definitely the distraction from all in the real world, life and everything else.

 

Stop Killing Games, has been having more and more updates, here, here and now this latest one:

 

Accursed Farms

 

 

 

Jake Baldino had an interesting vid and info on the Micrsoft/Xbox news on top of everything else. gameranx also did more on it.

 

   

Skill Up had a good video as well, worth a look:

 

  

I have to say I'm very much in agreement with John Hancock's final thought, disappointment in them never-mind any greater thoughts on their business practice etc. 

 

 

 

Last week was the first time I've really thought of not getting my Ultimate sub renewed. Thinking about it and it's not making sense for me to buy in. I play games on gamepass on PC and Xbox but sometimes maybe not enough to justify it.... But it's only €17.99 a month.... I don't want to feel forced to play games I'd not have naturally played....... So I'm 70% or so there that in a few months I'll not renew; And that's besides all the MS.Xbox shenanigans to consider.

 

 

 

 

As for Ubisoft, well they can go take a long run off a short pier.... 

https://gamerant.com/ubisoft-eula-change-game-deletion-user-requirement/

 

 

 

 

Subnautica 2 had it's own issues with P.R. to say the least. 

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/subnautica-2-studio-begs-rioting-fans-for-benefit-of-the-doubt-after-leadership-axed-by-owner-krafton-the-team-that-has-been-working-on-the-game-day-to-day-over-the-last-few-years-remains-completely-unchanged/ 

Just as I thought things for the second game were ramping up..... Now not so sure...... Time will tell indeed....

 

 

  

 

Moving on.... 

 

 

 

Breachway is a good game. I like the deck building, rogue-lite game set in a sci-fi universe. A game I've played since it was early 'early access', but not so early early, early access. Demo's lead to a sale purchase of said early access. It's enjoyable to see a game develop and get better, which this one is. My current view is that it's a bit overly complex in this iteration, with it's ship systems, crew, 'power' distribution mechanics etc. All before you have the cards to work with....  I'm still pottering away with it but if it wasn't 'early access' I think I'd call it done and say the game wasn't really for me..... The ongoing development is keeping hope alive for a more playable(for me) game.... I am a filthy dirty casual at heart after all. As is, we'll see what the next changes, updates/patches bring; And see if they are game changers. 

 

 

 

 

 

Stargate Timekeepers is a niche game for sure, one that should have included me with enthusiasm. A game I bought in the Winter 2024 sale, just after the release of it's second half(it's 'full' release). I've had the game sitting there ever since, waiting for me to have the right mood/frame of mind to take it on...... I've been into the old Commandos games but where this game is the same(sneaking/planning) it's so much more 'work' to do. Which if your into it should make a player the proverbial pig in shiz..... But I've no enthusiasm at all for it's game-play. Playing the game just 'feels' like too much work, too much effort with a lack of a fun reward. Quirky in it's user interface clicking/character actions; At least for me it isn't charming but frustrating. That Stargate 'fun', as thematic as the game is, is missing for me. It's almost like the game is trying too hard and misses the mark in more noticeable ways than should be noticed. It's charecters are all trying to be clones of the shows stars, rather than being new and unique. 

 

 

Over time I thought that going into it slowly, save and walk away (rinse and repeat), then that game-play 'something' would kick in and I'd be 'into it'. That's just hasn't happened. 

 

Looking at the comments on Steam I do get a lot of what they are saying. The game is "flat and uninspired".... and "eyes of a dead fish"......  Harsh to read but they are onto something, it's a very player perspective thing. In a love it or not kind of way. Comments on the narrative being 'ok' but not great are for the most part true imho. Comments on the lack of a real connection to the TV show are somewhat unkind after seeing what's there; But at the same time are true as well. The game tries it's best with what it has, which is a lot; But at the same time kinda misses the mark in a "could try harder" kind of way. More like could try harder in some ways and not others. From what little I've seen myself. It's a slow game, the sneaking and planning make the game what it is. A slow paced sneaking, planning, paced game. It is what it is because it's not any other type or genre; But there seems to be so much expectation for it to have been so much more...... I never saw the early days, I've no idea about the promises made or broken but what I did see was the sneaking game and it looked interesting, promising even. Slitherine have so many good games under their belt I'm sure that added to the 'promise' and expectations; But I think too many people did expect too many things.

 

In an effort to make actual progress in the game, to get fun from the gameplay I've reduced the 'difficulty' to the lowest. The carebear in me is fine with that, the game player in me is looking to get back to at least normal difficulty and push through the lethargy of mechanics and self motivation without just letting the game sit where it is....  

 

The melancholy goes on.... 

 

 

  

 

 

The Saboteur is a game I picked up just as I'd initially read and watched a few vids about it... A couple of months ago. Well worth it at €10 never mind a sale of €5. The graphics despite larger resolutions are 'of their time', some would say dated; But I'm a gamer that sees the nostalgia and there is plenty with the way this game looks. The game itself oozes character, charm and game-play to jump into. The game takes a lot of elements from a lot of games, mixes them all up and still comes out recognizably unique. The most interesting element for me are the Assassins Creed climb anything. It really opens up the open world rather than feeling limited with walls. The unique way the black and white turns to colour after freeing sections is such a good element. Overall, the style of the game, setting, music, make the game interesting to get lost in. To want to get lost in and do more.... The story, the characters, stereotypical as they are are, are all well written, fun, it's a joy to watch and take part. So many little touches that make the game alive, idle animations, random interactions on the streets.... Such a good game. It should have been more of a hit back in the day. Apparently console reviews were meh and middling where PC had received better. But still, had I known about this game back then I'd be singing it's praises. It's akin to being the Mad Max of it's day! Very underappreciated!!   

It's worth going into the install directory to launch VideoSetup.exe and bump up the default graphics from their late 2000's default minimums. Not that I maxed everything.....

 

One of the big things about the game that I appreciate is that there's no bloat, it's a direct game, missions(main and side) and objectives with story..... Open world but not in a way where there's too much.... I'll be having fun inhabiting this world.

 

 

2009,,,, It's almost 20 years ago....

 

 

 

 

Euro Truck Sim 2 has had some more quality of life updates, retroactively bringing in some Steam Achievements as well. Nice to see. Not that I've done much play in the game; I've a feeling I should wait for the next in game event. Given that that is most likely October/Halloween that game-play itch will only grow, so will see. Here's to a special event appearing sooner.... 

 

 

SCS Software

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Star Trek Online is seeing the Summer Event in full swing across all platforms. 

 

 

I like the way that the event reward ship(The Federation Intel Holoship) is (like in the movie) in the water. Looking aptly very cruise ship-esque.  

 

 

 

So I've been busy running my PC and Xbox accounts through it's activities and daily need towards the reward. 

 

The ship itself has no interest for me besides wanting to see it's special mechanics in action for myself; So I'll get to mess about with those at the least..... Might be time for another themed alt on Xbox..... I've also an odd need to see it cloak.....

 

 

 

 

 

Eve Online.... Is as usual all about the industry, p.i. marketeering and PvE....... With healthy doses of sitting in stations doing not much of anything.... While watching Youtube....

 

I've decided to downsize my alts. There's no use having a ton of ships and 'gear' on them if I'm not using them..... Other than doing the basics on them.... So a lo to of asset shuffling going on.... 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

With a push to finish the Starship Troopers Terran Command Urban DLC; I can now say it's over... It's all over, Done, thank Fk! Talk about a grind. Bringing the typical Starship Troopers themed grind dial up to 20. Halfway through the DLC I was really fed up, but once started I needed to finish it. So that kind of motivation was always going to feel more of a grind; But dámn the grind was more than real as the game went on. Talk about meat grinder.

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

Not an unexpected narrative end in one respect but there was in another(taking the shot); That said the 'story' played out in a satisfying way given the Troopers universe. Gameplay wise, as I said, it really is peek Starship troopers, as I said 'talk about a grind'. PTSD for the grind PTSD. I'm glad I've been giving it a break before going back in to each gameplay session. Some of those missions are harsh and always have maintained pressure on a player that only ramps up. But this DLC again as I said really turns it up. So yea it was a push to get it done and I'm glad it's the end, to finally say I'm 'done with it all'. Thank F. Did I mention, thank Ffffffffffffff..f.......... Plenty of time before I get nostalgic about this...