@tpz4sheezy: Honestly my favorite form of progression is learning the mechanics and getting better at playing the game. But I don't think leveling up in games is a negative either, varies on the game. I don't for example think a leveling system really works in a Super Mario platformer. But in a Role Playing Game in-which you build your own class and set-up? absolutely.

@tpz4sheezy: Elden Ring is in fact as hard as any From Souls games, the difference is it's not quite as linear. If you are struggling with a boss at a dungeon? chances are you can tackle dozens other areas and return at a much higher level, because the big difference is ER is openworld. And while DkS games have different paths they're usually as difficult as each other if not far more difficult that the one you seemed to struggle with.

Elden Ring just offers more exploration with more secrets to find. But ultimately it's not an easier game, just more accessible overall.

Going to be frank even as an adult with a full-time job had some ludicrous long one-sittings for games that I prep for in advance.

Have food, drink, everything done (chores and social obligations) ready for a good fun session. Sometimes I take holidays just to play games uninterrupted.

Longest ones that comes to mind is for the Monster Hunter series, I have gone for at least 26 hours. Is that healthy? no, but I don't do it every week either so I don't care.

Yes.

If I have a choice I will always go physical over digital, namely games I plan to trade-back in or add to my return & play more pile.

Outdated? Hmm, games that are praised on graphics or having an openworld usually 'feel' extremely dated. When a game fails to function from something as basic as player inputs, and fun gameplay, that is dated.

As a result The Witcher III felt dated on release, and now it's only more noticable that the honeymoon period is over for even the most diehard fan. Has horrible input control and unresponsive movement, and a lot of that all inbetween. If you command Geralt to turn 360, the avatar will just shrug his shoulder one side. That's unresponsive controls and very, very outdated. Weighted controls is something from old Atari games that have not held up well. Don't feed me the "plays flawlessly on P.C." bull either I've played it on P.C. TW3 is an excellent game for what it aimed to achieve, an immersive world filled with well written quests. TW3 just isn't a smooth gameplay darling, cope.

The mentioned Dark Souls, Shovel Knight, Pac-Man (DX Champions is one of my favorite games ever) and OG Resident Evil 4 don't really feel outdated to me. Clunky, I could understand being phrased. Even Dragon's Dogma II is pretty clunky, as they do mechanics and design decisions different to the norm, throwing the player off familiarity. I'd call that process a learning curve. Monster Hunter has a steep learning curve and is the best gaming franchise around.

Now The Evil Within (the first one) did suffer a lot from input controls and being fairly unresponsive, so while I like the game, it is very outdated (mechanically similar flaws to TW3). I can't defend bad gameplay that is similar to how games use to be in retro times. Luckily the sequel TEW2 fixed a ton of the first games failings, mechanically. My main reason for loving TEW is just how much Tango understood Survival Horror and item placement/ limit pick-ups. TEW is poorly designed in many aspects, yet it is also brilliant in others for fans of the genre. Chapter 9 is one of my favorite acts in any video game ever as a result.

Possible, they haven't released a new entry in three years, with Arise overall being well received.

Remasters though. . I recall Tales of Symphonia getting a lot of heat for being a lazy, unstable port.

@davillain: I'm curious on Stellar Blade because I love 3D Hack n' Slasher Action games. Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry. Some of my favorite games of all time.

I will wait on Stellar Blade though, only because despite the backlash I'm having a ton of fun with Dragon's Dogma II. & because that hype topic is deadier than Game Spot I'll note it's not perfect yet quickly become one of my favorite games of all time. If you are a fan of Dragon's Dogma? you'll love the sequel, no question. If you didn't care for it? nothing to see here. Level design in the open world is so dense and clever, so much fun to explore, namely in the end-game.

I'm very excited for the expansion.

My only point is, that everyone has the right to spend their money for whatever they desire, but there's nothing wrong pointing out advice such as Litchie is saying. He might be right, some of us gamers have patience and some of us don't.

Preaching your own take as an absolute never sits right with me that's all. Namely when the logic behind it seems hypocritical, everyone who has posted here has been playing games they wanted day-one, I've read them post about games on the day of release as well and how they're fairing.

I'm all down for patience when need-be. But don't give me bullshit and act superior because you don't have a game to be excited for currently.

Dragon's Dogma II is a sequel I've been preaching for longer than the Bloodborne goons have on these forums. So to make a topic telling me not to play a game, one I'm having a lot of fun playing (knowing that I would) get out of here!

It's the equivalent of_

For relaxation currently it's DD2. Travelling/ exploring, the decent combat, and camping is a ton of fun.

Usually it's MH because I get a ton of the above with better combat and level design than any other ARPG franchise, all with drop-in drop-out four player coop.

Survival Horror games are pretty relaxing depending, yet while I enjoyed Alone in the Dark 2024 it was not exactly relaxing.

Finally a good puzzle game Tetris, Monster Strike, etc.

They'll possibly do away with the word play/ hidden roman numeral with the next game.

Seeing as it was only really a thing with the Ethan Winter saga (two games and five DLC expansions 'Banned Footage 1&2, Not a Hero, End of Zoe, Shadows of Rose')

& Capcom has officially stated to be done with the Winters story.