I finally picked up Stray!

Literally just started that a few minutes ago actually. Really good first impressions. The cats are very realistic. So much so my dogs were having just as much fun as I was watching me play haha.

I've basically been marathoning Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. It's hard to state just how much improved from the original game without writing a book, but the highlights are that combat is way better, the stealth is way better, the mission designs largely don't ask you to do anything tedious for the sake of "immersion" without something interesting happening along the way, and they do a better job of recording everything you need to know about a quest in your journal this time around, while signaling the things that they won't. I'm having a hard time putting the game down. It's Witcher 3 levels of "every side quest is interesting", and the game gives you a lot of freedom. My alchemy skill is now maxed out, and there's basically no problem I can't solve with potions. So far, this is the best game I've played this year.

caves of Qud

Disco Elysium, already played for 30 hours and I only got it a few days ago lol

0 A.D.

It's a free opensource RTS game. It's hard as hell though.

I've been playing Kid Icarus (NES) here and there, and really having a good time.

My past experience with it was with the 3D Classics release on 3DS. I guess I didn't stick with it very long, but I remember thinking it was excessively difficult at the time.

This time around I'm just winging it. But this time I had more patience and managed to make it past 1-3. That level does have a lot going on. You're early in the game, so barely any health. You're platforming upwards, so the ground that was below you scrolls away for constant death traps. And you're being pressured to move quickly, by enemies spawning in from below. You also can't afford pretty much anything from the shops to help you. Makes a satisfying little challenge.

After that you get to a labyrinth, which is like a teeny tiny Metroidvania. Very different kind of pace and feel that makes for a fun change up. I'm on the second labyrinth now, and I think I'm gonna have to take paper notes next time to navigate.

The going seems much easier now in world 2's platforming stages, since I have several powerups. Glad this game has infinite continues and gives passwords though.

Anyway, I want to be playing more of the new DK... but right now KI's been kinda hitting the spot.

Finally back in a mental state where I can resume Expedition 33 again.

Octopath Traveler! Very fun and I love the art style so far

Dread Delusion!

The game truly feels like Morrowind at times, like others have said.

I miss games with rich lore like this so much

Played the Heretic remake. Pretty fun to come back to that one after 30 years. 😂

I might try Hexen next, I hear they made it much better, but the original wasn't great at all.

Haven't really had anything I've enjoyed lately, but I am ready an exceedingly good video game-esque novel. It's called 'Dungeon Crawler Carl'.

the original half life. I decided to load games onto my deck smallest to largest. Playing ones that held my interest and kicking off others. It can only hold like 3 or 4 latest triple A type games so I figures I would just have like two on their and use the rest of the space to have a greater variety of games.

Currently playing through all the Zelda games with a friend in this curated order:

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I just finished Wind Waker and it was far worse than I remembered, and I didn't remember it being very good in the first place. Probably a conversational opinion, but I think Wind Waker is the most lazy and forgettable Zelda game. Curious if anybody liked this one for more than just the music and artstyle.

I can't wait to move on to the DS games which I really like, but I'm waiting for my buddy to play Wind Waker first.

I‘ve picked Manifold Garden back up and man… this game is so utterly unique, I recommend anyone give it a shot next sale. Even if you‘re not into puzzle games, just seeing what it does visually will give you a unique experience, I reckon.

I've been spending a little more time with Forever Winter.

Its very definitely early access; not the bullshit "We're releasing the game, but calling it early access so you can't complain about any bugs you find" stuff you get now but actual real old school Minecraft style early access where you're basically getting alpha builds straight from the developer.

That said, it's in much better shape than it was when I first looked into it (maybe a year ago?). Game is really fun to play, unbelievably tense, but without being too punishing. I think they're really starting to zero in on that Dark Souls sweet spot where dying sucks, but not in a way that actually sets you back all that much. The stealth gameplay feels good, and getting out with a haul of loot is intensely satisfying.

Plus the art design is unbelievably good.

I bought Octopath Traveller 1 when it was on sale a while back. I loved 2 but never got around to 1. With Octopath Traveller 0 on the way and being a prequel to 1 it high time to play 1. I'm enjoying it so far but I miss some of the additions 2 has.

Also playing Tony Hawk 3+4. It's great but the soundtrack is not even close to as good as 1+2 is.

From that big racial justice bundle from Itch, Lenna's Inception. It's the game Bytten Studio made before Cassette Beasts. A bunch of things from this game definitely ended up in Cassette Beasts as well.

I beat Diablo 1 recently which I already written about in another thread. After that I decided to try Atlyss. Too early to give proper feedback, but I must say I enjoy it so far even though I find it a bit strange to have MMORPG gameplay loop in a singleplayer game. It does have lobby-based multiplayer though, and I haven't tried that yet. Art direction in general is great, but models/textures are extremely lowpoly/lofi (with texture filtering on top of that, going for faithful PSX look I guess). Characters in particular look great, and there is a full-featured furry character creator.

Just finished a play through of Dungeons 3. It’s campy and silly but a really enjoyable campaign.

Finished three games:

• ATRI: My Dear Moments
• We Love Katamari Reroll+Royal Reverie
• Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition

Will be posting more details on !nintendo@lemmy.world's next "What are you playing this weekend?" thread tomorrow, but I enjoyed and recommend all three games.

Started playing two more today:

• Witch on the Holy Night
• Guacamelee! 2

First impressions are good but it's too early to recommend either of these.

Been playing Tower Networking Inc. Pretty challenging networking game that teaches you how to setup core routes and such. Very fun if you’re a nerd like myself.

I’m playing Ex Astris! I can’t believe I slept on this game. It’s so good.

Random URF is back in league, so probably that. Maybe Rivals

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound: Not finished yet, but having a total blast playing it. Great/responsive controls, level design is great and enemies telegraph their attacks properly, like it should be in an action game

Street Fighter 6: Gave Sagat a try

Slay the Spire: Acension level 18, want to make it to 20 before the 2nd part gets into early access

Darkest Dungeon 2. Really like the dark and sinister style. Narrator has a great voice and the creatures look fantastic.

Gameplay is definitely on the challenging side but I'm enjoying it.