Video Games

I would prefer to stick with 1080p for higher framerate and refresh, but compared to 1440 I can't unsee all the jaggies.

 

I remember having 9800gt sli. If memory serves me right, that thing had like 32x SLI AA option. Nuts!

It's too bad newer engines never support aa settings outside of game. Last time I had to change those in nvidia control panel were I don't remember when!

 

https://youtu.be/TTaCrP_U4ao?si=NuyJmWqMvbvMO0E2

It's a few years old, but I just downloaded Age of Empires IV and since I love playing AoE II, and it's on sale, no brainer. The updated graphics and even better storytelling are awesome!

 

Age of Empires will always have a special place in my heart. I played it in my Grandmas basement with her on her old computer. Nostalgia is one hell of a drug.

 

Anyone using AR glasses? I just picked up the xReal Air to try out with my gaming laptop, and if I like it, I'll probably grab a Steam Deck as well.

 

The trailer was cool, and yep, I'm very excited about it. But, I'm also very much interested in NCAA football 24or25 coming out next year!

 

Got a couple of gaming toys for Christmas, a pair of AR glasses and another handheld (ASUS ROG Ally Extreme). I had tried out a Steam Deck earlier this year but sent it back as my eyes didn't do well with the small screen. The AR glasses solves that problem which projects the equivalent of a 200" screen, and it's OLED tech. Been having a blast couch gaming the past week on the evenings while the wife watches her shows.

 

Spoiler

 

Horizon: Forbidden West Complete Edition (Steam 03/21/24)

 

Nice! I only played the first one, but I really enjoyed that game. The story was great as well as the side quests.

I need to get the other ones and play them

 

I'm a sucker for some of the remakes Nintendo has put out. Currently playing through Super Mario RPG, takes me back to my childhood...

 

The sequel overall is a much better game, mainly due to the storytelling. Although I think the combat was a little better in the first. Not that the combat is bad, there just some slight changes that give the combat a slightly different feel.

 

So the new Fallout show got me pumped for a replay. Fallout 4 is back on the menu. Playing in 32:9 super ultrawide aspect. Completely immersive!

Spoiler

 

Gorgeous. I still log in and kick ass but it's kinda boring now that I have 10 power suits etc etc etc

 

Anyone do Valheim?

I got in at launch but shelved it after a measly 20 hours. Couldn't get into it at the time because I was busy with work and playing 2 other games. A buddy of mine started playing at the same time I did and he's well into it (just tamed 2 loxes) so I wanna catch up. I'm 275 hours in and just got my 76 year old dad in it - he fell into a wolf trap I built and got eaten still waiting on him to log in and get his stuff back lol. He's heavy into Witcher 3 right now so maybe it'll be a bit before that happens.

Here are some shots of my various escapades (I'm nowhere near endgame):

 

I hate to admit I haven't tried it because of the graphics. The gameplay itself looks awesome enough, but in the end I like the pretty and detailed views. There are HD texture mods available for it, but maybe when it hits the $10 bin I'll give it a go. Although it is a little enticing right now at the current Steam price of $20.

 

Yeah coming from ESO and even FO4, it's an adjustment. I look at it like a better version of minecraft - you get lost in the game play and the graphics actually give the game its overall feel.

I believe it's always been $20 lol.

 

Yeah if he’s heavy into Witcher 3 it’ll be a while. I put a ton of hours into that one.

 

The State of Decay games are very high on my favorites of all time and those graphics are horrendous.

 

This is actually an improvement over Valheim

https://youtube.com/shorts/114iAQsnbYE?si=0XqMk0ueXFbcdYOO

But coming from a small-time, no name developer in Seattle and seeing it go viral at launch. Pretty cool.

 

Been playing Dragon’s Dogma 2 for the last month. I loved the first one and was pleasantly surprised when they finally made a sequel. It’s really enjoyable. Only problem is I got most of the good stuff pretty early on so I’ve been using the same gear for most of the game. I also have a habit of exploring like crazy and doing every side quest so I’m pretty OP now that I’m progressing the actual story.
I have that problem with most games though. I just about one shotted the final boss in Forbidden West.

 

I've got a buddy who specifically loves to grind and over level to steamroll through games. He learned a hard lesson on FFVIII, I believe it was.

 

You should check out the first one. It was released in 2013 and the graphics were outdated even then. But yeah, I started Valheim a couple of years ago and it was even worse. Bad enough that I gave up on it. I’ll have to give it another try.

 

I am so glad I came back to it. Mildly addicted.

 

I hadn’t developed the tendency yet when I played FFVIII (damn that was 25 years ago). Did the enemies level up with you? I learned that lesson with the first Dragonage. Spent a ton of time in the first couple of areas leveling up, only to start getting wiped due to the enemies leveling up and not having any good gear yet.
That’s the biggest problem with DD2. It pretty much spoon feeds you the good stuff way too early in the game.

 

Yeah, apparently the enemies not only level with you, but a bit more than you, so you can actually over level to the point it becomes unbeatable once you reach a certain point in the story. I laughed super hard at the thought of the developer punishing those that were pushing to one shot the bosses.

The accidental over level like what you are saying you have in DD2 is always a bit of a bummer. A game has to have really good story to keep me going if I'm just in god mode after a time, which is funny because I'm a filthy casual and wouldn't say I'm "good" at a lot of games. How about you? Do you lose the interest when it's too easy?

 

I've never heard of it. Looks like an MMO? PC I assume?

 

I’m pretty casual for the most part also. I’ve reached an age where it’s about shutting my mind off and vegging out for a few hours. There’s only been a handful of games I’d say I was ever exceptional at. I did get to top 6% worldwide on The Division. For some reason that one just really clicked with me and I played it pretty much nonstop for a year or two. You couldn’t really get “OP” in that game though.

I tend to burn a ton of hours doing all the side stuff in these games, then blow through the story once I get bored. It drives my son crazy that I do this. He sent me this a while back:

https://youtu.be/I4P2N5fyqbo?si=iMfktwbqxSZkNPSH

 

It was on Xbox game pass when I tried it. No idea if it still is though.