Currently playing...

[Misfit]

I started Not For Broadcast last night. You've been tasked with looking after the broadcast feeds for a channel during an election night. You're picking ads, bleeping swears etc. But then it gets insidious, letting you pick photos/scenes that favour certain people or change the context of a story. It's all set during a huge political upheaval in a country and it's handled really well. The devs had a ton of fun doing the scenes - there's some great Brass Eye stuff in there and the ads are brilliant

Never heard of that, it looks great.

I wonder if anyone has got it running OK on an M1 Mac...

[Rhythm]

I started Not For Broadcast last night. You've been tasked with looking after the broadcast feeds for a channel during an election night. You're picking ads, bleeping swears etc. But then it gets insidious, letting you pick photos/scenes that favour certain people or change the context of a story. It's all set during a huge political upheaval in a country and it's handled really well. The devs had a ton of fun doing the scenes - there's some great Brass Eye stuff in there and the ads are brilliant

Never heard of that, it looks great.

I wonder if anyone has got it running OK on an M1 Mac...

One of those games I ended up with a copy of almost by accident. I got the first chapter as part of a bundle ages ago but it unlocked into the full version when it launched last week so gave it a try.

Can't see any reason why it shouldn't play nicely - there's almost nothing 3d to speak of and the rest is about navigating/controlling the 50gb(!) of video feeds they give you

[MattyP]

Currently working my way though Horizon Zero Dawn on the PlayStation. Interesting game so far... I was originally put off this a bit when it released as it looked a bit like a JRPG game which I'm not really a fan off. It's more like God Of War (PS4) with robots for want of a better description. Big map lots of things to do (mostly optional) and a story threaded into the world.. It's the complete version so think there is a bit of extra content in there.

Also got Uncharted The Lost Legacy on its way to play through enjoyed 4 so looking forward to playing this.

Having fun catching up with some older PS4 content I missed or dismissed over the years. Much of it enhanced on the PS5 which is an added bonus.

So still catching up on PS4 content. You can upgrade to the PS5 version of UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection if you have wither Uncharted 4 or The Lost Legacy in your collection for £10. However this does not work with any free versions you might have got via PSN+ etc.

Also the other thing is if you have a disk that is not EU/UK then you cannot get the offer on your UK/EU account - you need a US account and then you need to add credit to your account via a top up card.

Never played the lost legacy so far enjoying it - great locations, characters etc as always with these games. Of course they are very linear cinematic experience but like the pacing of a bit of shooty fun, exploration and puzzle solving.

The other thing I picked up is Ghosts Of Tsushima : Directors Cut on the PS5. I've been on the fence about this one since it got released. On one hand I like the setting, ancient Japan however just not sure about the open world bit of it. It sounded a bit like a cookie cutter Sony open world game - big map, horse replacing motorised transport and lots of fetch quests etc. However this feels very different to play - almost relaxing in places. Music and graphics are beautiful and using a sword as a weapon more graceful and elegant. Makes a huge change from guns and cities anyway! Runs silky smooth on the PS5.

So plenty to keep me bust for the foreseeable future what with GoT, Horizon Zero Dawn and Uncharted

Looking forward to the State Of Play update tonight from Sony to see how GT7 is progressing... something else I've been waiting for!

[MattyP]

Finished up on the main story of Ghosts Of Tsushima and really enjoyed it! Despite my initial thoughts of it being a Sony cookie cutter open world game as I progressed through really enjoyed the setting and the storyline. Riding through a 13 century feudal Japan was a great experience. The swordplay was fun although to be honest did get a touch repetitive towards the last quarter of the game although it did become a bit more fun too as your abilities improved during the course of the game.

Worth a play through if you want to explore a long gone world with some lovely visuals. Gameplay is a welcome change from guns too!

Now clear for Gran Turismo 7 which drops on Friday. Pre loaded and ready to go!

[VNVObit]

Finished AC Valhalla (or it finished me!)
ending was a bit "is that it"
finished the conquering of England as well and picked up a few other trophies but think I've given it enough time now that I have got more than my monies worth


Currently splitting time between Ruined King (PS4 though played on PS5) and Lost Ark (PC) with Black Widow and Hades (both PS5) as quick interludes

Ruined King is a western JRPG (turn based combat with interesting initiative system) based on League of Legends lore. Similar to Battle Chasers (another turn based RPG). Really enjoying it as a change of pace though side quests are a bit of a pain (traipsing backwards and forwards a lot). The combat system has some nice touches with additional bits from Runes, Abilities, Enchantment that make it a bit more interesting. Story is enjoyable so far (about 5 hours in and apparently 35% completed). It was discounted on the PSN store when I picked it up. I had enjoyed Battle Chasers and this builds on that

Lost Ark on the other hand is an ARPGMMO which I thought I'd give a whirl as I really enjoy ARPGs. Combat system is not too dissimilar to Diablo3 with some nice touches for crowd control. Difficulty on set dungeons is user defined and rewards reflect this. Graphics look lovely and am enjoying working my way through the story element but really don't see the MMO bit (you can do the dungeons with others but have always gone solo). Like Path of Exiles it is free to play and has plenty of in app purchases available. Nice distraction overall but doubt I'd play it beyond the main story - only time will tell - as it is supposed to sink into a grind fest then which is not that appealing. Plenty of loot with more than adequate carrying capacity of the character (which I find a little odd when looking at either PoE or Grim Dawn).
Big install size and initial start up does take some time (running it on Ryzen 9 5950 with RTX 3080). If you like ARPGs then definitely worth a try

[VNVObit]

Finished AC Valhalla (or it finished me!)
ending was a bit "is that it"
finished the conquering of England as well and picked up a few other trophies but think I've given it enough time now that I have got more than my monies worth


Currently splitting time between Ruined King (PS4 though played on PS5) and Lost Ark (PC) with Black Widow and Hades (both PS5) as quick interludes

Ruined King is a western JRPG (turn based combat with interesting initiative system) based on League of Legends lore. Similar to Battle Chasers (another turn based RPG). Really enjoying it as a change of pace though side quests are a bit of a pain (traipsing backwards and forwards a lot). The combat system has some nice touches with additional bits from Runes, Abilities, Enchantment that make it a bit more interesting. Story is enjoyable so far (about 5 hours in and apparently 35% completed). It was discounted on the PSN store when I picked it up. I had enjoyed Battle Chasers and this builds on that

Lost Ark on the other hand is an ARPGMMO which I thought I'd give a whirl as I really enjoy ARPGs. Combat system is not too dissimilar to Diablo3 with some nice touches for crowd control. Difficulty on set dungeons is user defined and rewards reflect this. Graphics look lovely and am enjoying working my way through the story element but really don't see the MMO bit (you can do the dungeons with others but have always gone solo). Like Path of Exiles it is free to play and has plenty of in app purchases available. Nice distraction overall but doubt I'd play it beyond the main story - only time will tell - as it is supposed to sink into a grind fest then which is not that appealing. Plenty of loot with more than adequate carrying capacity of the character (which I find a little odd when looking at either PoE or Grim Dawn).
Big install size and initial start up does take some time (running it on Ryzen 9 5950 with RTX 3080). If you like ARPGs then definitely worth a try

[Foozwah]

Finished up on the main story of Ghosts Of Tsushima and really enjoyed it! Despite my initial thoughts of it being a Sony cookie cutter open world game as I progressed through really enjoyed the setting and the storyline. Riding through a 13 century feudal Japan was a great experience. The swordplay was fun although to be honest did get a touch repetitive towards the last quarter of the game although it did become a bit more fun too as your abilities improved during the course of the game.

Worth a play through if you want to explore a long gone world with some lovely visuals. Gameplay is a welcome change from guns too!

I finally started playing Ghost of Tsushima about a week and a half or so back (my eldest got it for Xmas...), and am really loving it for all the reasons you noted. No guns, an interesting story, and I find myself enjoying just semi-randomly wandering about as much as I do pursuing the quests/storyline; finding fox dens/shrines, riding through autumnal forests on my horse, taking in the sights and sounds. Lovely stuff.

(And I'm just up to the last bit of Act 1, having gotten the forge back in action etc. so still plenty to see and do.)

[Rhythm]

Been sinking a ridiculous amount of time into Walkabout Mini Golf on the Quest 2. Hands-down the best feeling VR game I've ever played. So easy to play, great courses, no superfluous nonsense... It's so good that for the first time since getting the Quest I'm now recommending that other people get one.

And I just read they're developing a licensed Labyrinth DLC pack

[Rhythm]

OMG, found another time sink this weekend. Browsing the Steam store on Thursday, stumbled across a £2 game called Vampire Survivors

From the outset it looks like a top down twin stick 16-bit shooter. Overwhelmingly positive rating on Steam, though, so tried it.



It might be one of the best (semi) idle games I've played in years. You pick a character, get dropped into a map and enemies start approaching you. That's when you realise you have no control over firing your weapon. Instead you're moving the character in ways that mean the auto-firing weapon hits enemies and gets you XP. Get enough and you're given a choice over upgrading/new weapons/skills. And it goes from there.



And it's insanely addictive. Managed to drop 8 hours on it without even trying, unlocking new characters, levels, skills etc. My top round had me killing ~25000 enemies and capping out at level 62



Strong recommend. Even with hundreds of enemies on-screen it's a perfect game for when you don't really want to focus on one thing too much. Heck, it plays with one hand, so you can even eat a sandwich mid-round :-)

Had a search for images for this post and all I can find are articles talking about how good it is

[merman]

Nathan Brown recommended it on his Hit Points Substack - and it’s been affecting my productivity, just playing the itch.io online version. EDGE mentioned it in their latest issue too.

[PVB]

Currently playing two games on my PS5;

Grow: Song of the Evertree

To break it down, there’s gardening, city-building, and exploration.
You plant seeds to build worlds that you cultivate, and this provides you with resources.
You then use these resources to build regions of a town and attract villagers.
In order to make progress, you then have to find a fragment of the song, return it to the Evertree’s heart chamber, then if your townsfolk are happy enough, you can push back the withering and expand your town.

and Cyberpunk 2077

Since ‘meeting’ the Keanu Reeves character the game has really opened up!
Up to that point it was the usual open world game; follow the main story and/or do side missions and such.

[VNVObit]

played quite a bit of Diablo Immortal last night - ipad with a controller. Better than I expected but plenty of micro transactions which I do find annoying and not will to pay. Out on PC later today where I think I will play it as it burns through the IPad's battery. Downloaded in advance so roll on 6pm

Vampire Survivors is really fun. Well worth the price of admission. Can see myself sinking quite a bit of time into it. Do like the upgrade/levelling system and it has that just one more go feeling which is great

[grue]

Elden Ring
Never played any Dark Souls game but I'm mesmerized by this one. When I'm not banging my head on the keyboard that is..

[MattyP]

Still playing Gran Turismo 7 ... Love this car p0rn. Scapes is excellent too. Finished up on the single player bit (completed all the cafe cards). Although they keep dropping extra things with each update which is fantastic! Sunk 30+ hours in already. It's been a while since something has grabbed me like this. Superb game and worth every penny. Even if I do moan about £70 RRP games at times.

[Foozwah]

Elden Ring
Never played any Dark Souls game but I'm mesmerized by this one. When I'm not banging my head on the keyboard that is..

Same. Except banging head on PS4 controller. Great game, but yeah, not an easy one, by any stretch.