Welcome to the Free Talk Tuesday Discussion!

What are you up to this week? Want to discuss gaming news? Or maybe share your progress in a game. Any non-gaming related posts are also allowed in this thread to be shared with like-minded people here.

Honestly the Switch 2 is the only future console I have any excitement for.

It's been awhile since I've noticed this honestly, probably around the time they refactored the library & different views for your games but I realized that those annoying self-updating client packages that would restart steam seem to be a thing of the past. I was looking through my download history and the thought occurred to me that Steam hasnt forced a restart on me in so long.

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, it would be a popup like this that would come up 5-10 minutes after steam was running. !

Information originally from MinnMax's Ben Hanson. There is an existing game used to describe this new game to Hanson as a point of reference, and all we know is that that game is not Hitman.

I am using Proton Calendar, hoping there is some service that allows me to subscribe to their service/.ics so that it integrates nicely into my calendar. If anyone have any idea of a such service then let me know :)

Today's game is The Evil Within. I wanted to stick with the horror theme i have going but wanted to pad something in between Alan Wake and Alan Wake's American Nightmare, so i picked this up. I really enjoyed it, if i'm hopefully still in a horror mood after Alan Wake II i'll probably continue this (Especially if i can't get my hands on the Silent Hill 2 Remake by then).

This Sewage tunnel in the screenshot really freaked me out more than it should have. i was fully expecting to get jump scared by something with the way this was designed, or at least have to run. I have to say this game does a good job of managing that feel. I always feel like I'm weak and being hunted despite the game giving me tons of tools to fight things.

In this episode of the Creepy Pokémon Fireplace, we’ll be reading some Creepypastas, especially the ones that made my childhood! Well then, I hope you’re ready to join us, LalaShii, and your fellow viewers, on this night of absolute terror, where Halloween and its themes reign supreme!

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Sir, You Are Being Hunted is a comedic survival game, where you are stuck on a collection of small islands. You need to gather up fragments of an artifact and bring it back to a circle of runestones to create an escape portal.

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You are being hunted by British robot gentlemen, though. So you need to be aware of your surroundings and keep quiet. Stealth is the key to survival in this game.

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You will lose vitality over time and need to replenish it with food and/or drink. You can hunt game and cook it for fresh meat, or you can scavenge the abandoned villages for resources. Most options in the houses are dubious at best, though, and you need to decide just how important your survival is.

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The robots are pretty intelligent, and they only get better as you raise the difficulty. They're actively hunting you, so they will continue to pursue you forever. Your only hope of survival is to avoid them and, if caught, lose them or destroy them. If you are caught and killed, you will get a nice little screen showing off your survival stats for that game.

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The five islands are randomly generated, so you never play the same map twice. You can pick between five biomes for each island: castle, industrial, rural, mountainous, and fenland. So you get a variety of terrain to run, hide and scavenge on.

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The game is officially called Sir, You Are Being Hunted. But if you're not a sir, there is an option on the main screen to switch to Madam, You Are Being Hunted. The disembodied voice of Walter, your butler, will refer to you by your chosen pronoun throughout the gameplay.

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This is a silly, extremely British survival game, and it's loads of fun to play, even for someone like me who hates survival games. Happy hunting!

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/20779359

> Been working on this one for a while and I'm eager to share it. UFO 50 is a collection of 50 retro-style games, and I decided to write a blog post reviewing every single one. Enjoy!

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/45461152

> Holy hell, Doc is in 65% of ranked console matches??!? I hope they nerf his ability to heal himself because he’s a fan favorite of spawn-peekers who are the polar opposite of team-players. Alternatively, get rid of his SMG and give him shotgun options only (spicy take, I know) > > Ballistic shields are FOR SURE losing their Oryx-like knockdown ability in S4. Maybe make the shields more resilient against melee attacks, and maybe change shield melee to interrupt whatever the receiving player is doing (shooting, reloading, vaulting, etc) > > I’m so excited about this Iana buff. Her drone should be better than normal drones but it has never felt that way. Really looking forward to this change > > Jackal and Kali changes are both positives but I doubt they’ll make a big difference. > > Mozzie’s change is interesting. I think it would be better if he got a 4th pest but only if it was progressively generated, like Lesion’s mines or Dokk’s logic bombs. > But also, why give him impacts after taking away his trademark Super Shorty??!?!? > > I’m a Zero main, through-and-through. I am extremely aroused right now. > > 6 CAMERAS?!?!?? I was gonna ask just to be able to pick up misplaced cams, but fuck yeah GIMME 6 > > Zofia is once again a better Ash pick and I’m here for it. Kill the Ash pick rate pls > > Damn. What an update. > > I cannot wait to hear about the Blackbeard rework.

Out of my friends list of 45 people, I know that's not a lot but still, small list of friends that I have that have played this game actively since the very beginning, two of them still play the game and one of them does not even subscribe full-time. Only when there's a major update.... When I asked every single one of my friends why they no longer play anymore the same exact reason was said. “They were taking over by an investment company, and now it just seems like a silly cash grab. They keep raising the prices, keep missing the mark, don't listen to players.” <<< One of my friends said this to me....

So let's get the facts straight here

According to Jagex full accounts report in 2008 from the UK government website, they made $10 million in profit back in 2008. So they were not operating at a loss. Their profit for the year 2022 is up to 38 million. Jagex's profit rose from £10 million in 2008 to £38 million in 2022, a 280% increase. From 2008's price of $7.95 to the current price of $13.99, the RuneScape membership price has increased by approximately 76%.

So in other words, Jagex profit has risen by 280% since 2008, and They raised the subscription by over 80%. If we count the entire lifespan of RuneScape, it's gone up by 180%. This is: corporate greed.

For reference, by the way, World of Warcraft has never once had to increase their subscription price ever. We also have bonds in our game, and RS3 is completely monetized. A monetized game and a subscription is absolutely insanity, when you add in percentage increases to the subscription price, that's just silly

Edit: A reddit user also pointed out that you have to pay $14 a month for EVERY character, even if you're part of the same account. WoW let's you have 60+ characters in your subscription.

Dagon is originally a short story by the creator of the eldritch horror genre, H.P. Lovecraft. This version is a free game on Steam that converts his short story into a visual novel. A narrator reads through the tale while you experience the visuals and landscapes described in the story. You can look around you (and it supports VR too!) but you can't walk and explore. You're stuck in place and only move on as you advance the story.

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Throughout the game, you can find hidden bits of trivia, which dive deeper into topics surrounding H.P. Lovecraft's life, the story itself, or other bits of background lore to help you understand the time period in which this story was written.

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H.P. Lovecraft himself was terrified of the ocean and all aquatic life, ever since he was two years old; although he has no idea what event may have instilled that fear within him. However, he took that fear and translated it into a new genre of unknowable and incomprehensible horror that defied the rules for standard storytelling of the time. As someone who is also afraid of any body of water in which I can't see the bottom, I totally get it.

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Dagon is a tale about a sailor who escapes from enemy capture on the high seas by slipping out in a small rowboat in the night. But when he awakes the next morning, he is no longer on the ocean, as a muddy land mass has risen above the ocean level, stranding him along with all sorts of hidden creatures from the deep.

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He sees a peak in the distance and spends the next day and night journeying toward it, only to discover on the other side, a giant monolith illuminated in the moonlight, engraved with pictograms of horrifying creatures. But then a creature stirs from deep within a pool at its base...

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As a narrative short story, this game will only take you maybe 30 mins or less to play through. But it's fun to search through each area for trivia to collect. There are 20 bits of trivia to find scattered throughout the core game.

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The base game is free on Steam, but there are two separate short story DLCs you can buy for a few bucks each. The first is The Little Glass Bottle, a short story H.P. Lovecraft wrote when he was seven years old! It's a cute tale about treasure hunting in the ocean that has no horror elements in it.

The second story is The Railway Horror, which was a nightmare H.P. Lovecraft experienced and wrote about to a friend of his. Both stories have eight bits of trivia each, giving you further background into Lovecraft's life and works.

Today’s game is Alan Wake. Tonight may or may not be the last Screenshot from Alan Wake depending on how Achievement Clean up goes tomorrow (I have to get most of the collectibles and that’s it besides some misc. stuff). I’m proud to say though I completed the entire game on nightmare mode. Even got the Gunless wonder achievement for beating the last episode without firing a single shot and the one for Special 1 where you don’t use a vehicle (along with all manuscript pages).

This screenshot is from Special 2. I took it while climbing up the lighthouse using the Freecam built into the game. This whole episode is a lot of fun. The word mechanics are great and I feel like it leverages the Dream like state of the Dark Place well.

! Another part I enjoyed was this Ferris wheel segment. Idk why, maybe I’m part hamster, but I really enjoyed this and how everything seemed to be flipped on its head at some parts. Especially the part where I had to jump in the water. I was really unsure due to how water was portrayed in this game.

On a side note. Something was wrong with Dream Barry. Idk if it’s an intentional developer joke because the player would probably never see, or if my game is bugged or what. But Barry’s eye textures were replaced with his face textures. It’s not like this in Special 2, or in his normal model in the base game. So idk what’s wrong with him here.

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Today’s game is Alan Wake. I finally started on Episode 6. I was hoping to clear it in one go and nab the Gunless wonder achievement too. So far I’m doing good. But I got stuck on this section in some woods where I don’t have any flares or flashbacks, and since I can’t use guns or I’ll lose the achievement, I’m basically at the hardest challenge yet I’ve had yet I think. On top of that my battery almost died so I put my console to sleep and plan to finish the last 10~ Minutes tomorrow and start on DLC 1 & DLC 2. The after that I think I might do American Nightmare before Alan Wake II. It’s not too long of a game so I should be able to clear it easily.

This screenshot I took right outside the Majestic Motell. I want to also use this to talk about the games awesome attention to detail as well.

While trying to avoid as many spoilers as possible, In one of the books we follow a protagonist who stays in this hotel, and he stays in the same room Agent Nightingale stayed in. He finds Agent Nightingale’s notes in the Air Vents while looking for a place to store his Dream Journal. Lo and behold. What do I find in the Air Vents in Agent Nightingale’s room?

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Anyways, I love this game’s attention to detail. I really hope Alan Wake II has the same because it’s something remedy does well at on top of original gameplay imo.

As the title says. PS5 is a pain in the arse for not putting patch notes on the console and I hate having to scour the internet to try and find what's new in an update. Whether it be "join our Discord" or Facebook pages or hoping someone posts it in a subreddit.

So are there any sites or apps that do this well?

Game Information --------------------

Game Title: Sonic x Shadow Generations

Platforms:

• Xbox Series X/S (Oct 22, 2024)
• PlayStation 5 (Oct 22, 2024)
• Nintendo Switch (Oct 22, 2024)
• PC (Oct 22, 2024)
• Xbox One (Oct 22, 2024)
• PlayStation 4 (Oct 22, 2024)

Trailer:

• SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS - Announce Trailer

Developer: Sonic Team

Publisher: SEGA

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 81 average - 82% recommended - 22 reviews

Critic Reviews -------------

But Why Tho? - Matt Sowinski - 8 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations is a fun, albeit mixed experience. The Sonic side of the game remains as fun and creative as its original release. Shadow’s story has some fantastic level design, and any opportunity to play as the angsty antihero is a welcome one.

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CGMagazine - Zubi Khan - 8 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations effectively captures the best moments of Sonic Adventures stages in a collection that goes beyond a typical remaster.

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COGconnected - James Paley - 80 / 100

>Shadow Generations feels like a sequel. This is a pretty neat trick for an add-on bundled with a remaster. The controls are better, the graphics are crisp, and the level design is great. While the Sonic section looks awesome, it still feels like the original release. Which is normally fine for a remaster. But it pales a bit compared to the new content. On the other hand, both halves have that incredible corny energy that I love. Sonic (and Shadow) are synonymous with edgy nonsense for me, and this game truly delivers on that front. Whether you played the original or not, Sonic X Shadow Generations is a delightful double dose of high-speed fun.

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Checkpoint Gaming - Edie W-K - 9 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations gives Shadow fans everything they could wish for and more in this celebration of the Ultimate Lifeform's history. The level design established in Generations and Sonic Frontiers has been perfected in the generously sized Shadow Generations storyline, with reimagined stages and boss fights from Shadow's past appearances alongside heaps of references and tributes you're bound to love.

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Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - 3 / 5

>Sonic X Shadow Generations might not dedicate equal time and attention to its two eponymous components, but it’s still a great way to experience one of the better Sonic the Hedgehog games and celebrate the Year of Shadow with a cool bonus campaign on the side. Sure, the latter is probably over too soon and provides a power set that is less flexible than it initially seems, but there’s plenty of collectible artwork and soundtracks to uncover when replaying levels either score chasing alone or online against friends. Overall though I can see why Shadow Generations could never have been its own standalone release, but as a way to sweeten (and darken) an already excellently put together remaster, this package is a fine addition to the Sonic Generations saga.

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GINX TV - Lloyd Coombes - Unscored

>A bundle of two very fun halves that don’t break new ground but bring Sonic and Shadow to a new generation (heh), Sonic x Shadow Generations is a solid update to a great platformer and a promising revival for Shadow. [Review in Progress]

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Game Rant - Matt Karoglou - 9 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations is a loving homage to all eras of Sonic and a reminder of why both the character and his games continue to endure.

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GamingTrend - Jack Zustiak - 85 / 100

>Sonic x Shadow Generations ties past, present, and future together for a comprehensive view of Sonic's appeal. If Sonic Generations signaled a conservative era for Sonic stuck in the past, Shadow Generation signals an exciting future of new ideas and stories that matter.

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God is a Geek - Lyle Pendle - 8 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations is a fantastic bundle of Sonic games, which learned all the right lessons from Sonic Frontiers.

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Hobby Consolas - Daniel Quesada - Spanish - 90 / 100

>Whether you are a veteran player of the franchise or not, here you have fun show to spare. The changes mostly improve the original and the Shadow campaign is a real flip. That's how we like Sonic, friends of SEGA.

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IGN - Jada Griffin - 9 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations takes an already excellent game and spring jumps it to new heights with a creative Shadow campaign and an appreciable graphical upgrade.

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One More Game - Vincent Ternida - 8 / 10

>Sonic x Shadow Generations is a delight for Sonic fans of all kinds. Whether you’re a newcomer inspired by the films or a long-time fan from the series’ early days, this game offers a wealth of content that is sure to win you over. While completing the main story of both titles can take around 10-11 hours, countless additional hours of replayability can be had with its numerous unlockables. > >Sonic x Shadow Generations combines two sides of the same coin into one accessible package, promising hours of enjoyment. If you’re looking for a standout Sonic game among the many released in recent years, this is definitely the one to choose. Having not played a Sonic title in 15 years, I found this to be the perfect reintroduction to the series, and the future of the franchise is looking exciting after experiencing this outing from our beloved Hedgehogs.

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PSX Brasil - Ivan Nikolai Barkow Castilho - Portuguese - 90 / 100

>Sonic X Shadow Generations is basically two excellent games in one. Sonic Generations is a remaster of one of the hedgehog's best titles, while Shadow Generations is a new game that is based on the Sonic Frontiers formula to revisit the past of one of the most beloved characters by fans. Shadow's gameplay mechanics are great, the levels are fun and exploring White Space is very good. It is a round package and recommended.

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Press Start - Matthew Zimmari - 7 / 10

>On its own merits, Sonic Generations does its best to bring the best of both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic together in a fun and creative adventure that's sure to please Sonic fans all around. However, it tries too hard to fit itself into the same mould while attempting to keep true to the 3D Shadow experience, ultimately falling short of the lofty heights it aims for. Die hard fans might enjoy, but more casual players may find themselves overwhelmed by the sense of speed.

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Push Square - Stephen Tailby - 8 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations is a great two-for-one deal, but for us, the antihero's half of the package steals the show. While the remaster of the 13-year-old platformer is perfectly fine, Shadow's brand new campaign outshines it with much improved gameplay and level design. The older game definitely shows its age in some regards, but bundling together one of the most beloved Sonic titles with one of the best 3D entries in recent memory makes for a compelling double feature.

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Spaziogames - Nicolò Bicego - Italian - 7.8 / 10

>All in all, Sonic x Shadow Generations has definitely exceeded our expectations. The second adventure dedicated to Shadow, which initially seemed like just a DLC, turns out to be something much more substantial, both in terms of length and concept, combining the best of the boost era with ideas taken from Sonic's new direction. While the game lacks the surprise factor it had in 2011, we're still talking about a new 3D Sonic chapter that's incredibly fun to play. Which is no small feat, as the history of this character has shown us.

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TheSixthAxis - Gareth Chadwick - 8 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations is a great time. The remaster is exactly as you'd expect and the new game on top of it is better, more polished, varied, and refined. It's almost converted me to a 3D Sonic guy, which is shocking, and, because it's about Shadow instead of Sonic, you don't have to put up with anywhere near as many obnoxious voice performances. Shadow himself is just a bit broody and says things like "the ultimate power" in an almost-Keanu Reeves voice which really makes me laugh – especially with the Keanu voice pack coming in December for some top tier silliness.

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Video Chums - A.J. Maciejewski - 8.1 / 10

>I had a great time playing SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS with its modern adaptation of a genuine classic and its super-fun new campaign featuring Shadow the Hedgehog. This is such a bountiful package that any Sonic fan will absolutely love it. 🦔

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WellPlayed - Ash Wayling - 8.5 / 10

>Sonic X Shadow Generations once again proves that while Sonic may be timeless, Shadow just squeaks ahead in understanding the assignment a little better – offering a revisited revamp that is easy to enjoy for fans and fence sitters alike.

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> You can’t really gauge its Steam reviews because there are only 13(!) total so far, reflective of a game that has launched with just a few hundred players. 224, as I’m writing this article. Sub-Concord levels. Yes. Concord is a unit of measurement now.

The Concord legacy lives on.

Greetings, everyone!

I finished BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extended a few years back, but life happens and I couldn't play the rest of the series. Fast-forward to nowadays, and I decided to play the rest of the series, or, if anything, at least the main games. And reading on them, specially the one I played, since I remembered some quirks about it, I found a mention that apparently, part of its plotline is actually the plotline of Calamity Trigger, introduced in this edition. Is that correct? And if so, could I skip Calamity Trigger, or are there any benefits to playing it too?

Thanks in advance!

Today’s game is Borderlands the Pre-Sequel. Me and a Friend are getting ready for something tomorrow. So we were low on time. We ended up playing some Borderland to save on time. I played claptrap. I don’t have much of a story this time due to just not playing very long, so instead I’ll talk about the game.

I can see why this game was so well received back in the day. A lot of the humor still stands up well, at least imo, and the gameplay cycle is fun. One of the guns I had I could throw when I reload and they explode which is incredibly satisfying to do. On top of that Claptraps special perk is fun, especially when it irritates the people I’m playing with, such as one that makes them continuously fire according to my friend. Overall I had a lot of fun just playing around in the game with my friend and doing some side quests.

Coming to PC January 30th, 2025.

What game has the best thunderstorm? @games #games #gaming