What are you playing?

[Teddy Bear]

"I like your dog."

His bark is worse than his bite...

How many new Games are released a week? How could we say Gaming is in a State when you can get Titanfall 2 for $2 Canadian on sale. I may not use Game pass but it allows you to try a Game so is the cup really half empty or full?

The cup is neither half empty, nor half full, mate - We have a drink, then refill the cup and keep going... Especially thinking of Steam and being given dicounts and sales year-round, some great games for the price of one singular peanut

On that bombshell: Here's Dead or Alive 6 running at 4K - getting 1,200 FPS using Lossless Scaling's Frame Generation at x20. (Interpolation overlay @ Top-Left)

The game engine is capped to 60 (inconsistent implementation and drops frames in it's presentation) - It's dumb as heck, but amusingly impressive.

Since the character movements are fast and the animations vary greatly, it artefacts quite a bit with a x20 multiplier. I can tolerate x2 (120 FPS), but x3 starts stretching it.

Anyway, just something silly I tried while having lunch.

 

[Frick]

Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic is on sale, and immedietly I'm a bit intimidated by the fact that you have two currencies, rubles and dollars.

The music is excellent btw.

 

[Veseleil]

This ridiculous game.



Destructible environment, great physics, music and narrator. BTW it's free.

 

[lexluthermiester]

This ridiculous game.

And yet it's good! Weird, isn't it?

 

[Frick]

This ridiculous game.

View attachment 401107View attachment 401108View attachment 401110View attachment 401111View attachment 401109View attachment 401112

Destructible environment, great physics, music and narrator. BTW it's free.

It's always weird to see swedish names on things.

And yet it's good! Weird, isn't it?

It's also weird!

It's also one of those games that for some unknown reason is very hard on my eyes/brain, when I'm driving anyway. If I lean waaayyyy back in my chair it's sort of ok, but if I sit in my normal position everything is jittery and it's really unpleasant. The other game that does this to me is Titan Quest (and to a much lesser extent Grim Dawn). It genuinely feels like a series of still pictures instead of motion, if that makes sense.

 

[Cvrk]

Still one of the best campaigns

 

[Hyderz]

So I had some pokemon games since 2022 that I didn’t touch until today….fired them up on my 4k tv…. Pokemon arceus legends still sealed unopened, I played violet for maybe an hour since its launch to see if it’s fixed…. Performance is largely fixed but man the quality took a deep dive… everything is just shimmery I think it was rendering at 720p … handheld mode looked abit better than on big tv… pokemon is not ready for open world yet.. then I fired up pokemon brilliant diamond and this was easily the least demanding title… even then the game looked terrible on tv… the game played fine at 30fps but there was some dips here and there… i think game freak should really go back to the drawing board and build an in house game engine where it doesn’t look like it was from Nintendo GameCube… now I’m eyeing on the switch 2 I think it would solve most of the graphical and performance issues the current titles have but I feel the switch 2 is gonna be underpowered for future pokemon titles…

 

[Teddy Bear]

So I had some pokemon games since 2022 that I didn’t touch until today….fired them up on my 4k tv…. Pokemon arceus legends still sealed unopened, I played violet for maybe an hour since its launch to see if it’s fixed…. Performance is largely fixed but man the quality took a deep dive… everything is just shimmery I think it was rendering at 720p … handheld mode looked abit better than on big tv… pokemon is not ready for open world yet.. then I fired up pokemon brilliant diamond and this was easily the least demanding title… even then the game looked terrible on tv… the game played fine at 30fps but there was some dips here and there… i think game freak should really go back to the drawing board and build an in house game engine where it doesn’t look like it was from Nintendo GameCube…

I second this experience... Now if I feel like playing Pokemon, I'll go get out my old Nintendo DS Lite and play it there because I know what to expect and I can forgive the 2D graphics more freely than the modern, messy titles

 

[Veseleil]

It's also one of those games that for some unknown reason is very hard on my eyes/brain, when I'm driving anyway. If I lean waaayyyy back in my chair it's sort of ok, but if I sit in my normal position everything is jittery and it's really unpleasant. The other game that does this to me is Titan Quest (and to a much lesser extent Grim Dawn). It genuinely feels like a series of still pictures instead of motion, if that makes sense.

It makes sense, gave me a terrible eyes fatigue in just an hour. Camera movement (and I've disabled shake ofc) is not smooth at all, it's all over the place, and the colours (bloom and everything) doesn't help it neither.

 

[Vayra86]

It makes sense, gave me a terrible eyes fatigue in just an hour. Camera movement (and I've disabled shake ofc) is not smooth at all, it's all over the place, and the colours (bloom and everything) doesn't help it neither.

This happens a lot with games that run the actual simulation at a much lower framerate than the visible FPS - or enough effects run at lower FPS to make it seem like the whole image actually is.

 

[Teddy Bear]

This happens a lot with games that run the actual simulation at a much lower framerate than the visible FPS - or enough effects run at lower FPS to make it seem like the whole image actually is.

It makes sense, gave me a terrible eyes fatigue in just an hour. Camera movement (and I've disabled shake ofc) is not smooth at all, it's all over the place, and the colours (bloom and everything) doesn't help it neither.

It's also one of those games that for some unknown reason is very hard on my eyes/brain, when I'm driving anyway. If I lean waaayyyy back in my chair it's sort of ok, but if I sit in my normal position everything is jittery and it's really unpleasant. The other game that does this to me is Titan Quest (and to a much lesser extent Grim Dawn). It genuinely feels like a series of still pictures instead of motion, if that makes sense.

In game design, many assets can be coded to run at half-rate, 1/3rd rate, quarter rate, etc. animation speed in respect to the presentation FPS.

E.g. a game running at 60fps with rain animated at half-rate and flags animated at 1/3rd rate:
-Game presents itself at 60fps
-Rain displays at 30fps
-Flags display at 20fps

When studying game design a few years back, I was taught to implement it this way to save engine processing time, and reduce CPU-busy time to lighten the requirements.

The problem is the motion inconsistency created from this method can be detected by the human eye, and our brain constantly tries to correct this (interpolate the motion fluidity). But it cannot, thereby inducing eye fatigue.

It is still done today, and with better implementation (usually), but is less necessary and less frequent since modern hardware can process a lot more before running out of breath.

Just my two cents on how I understand the way that works - for those who didn't know this was a thing, and why.

 

[Veseleil]

Spoiler: off-topic

In game design, many assets can be coded to run at half-rate, 1/3rd rate, quarter rate, etc. animation speed in respect to the presentation FPS.

E.g. a game running at 60fps with rain animated at half-rate and flags animated at 1/3rd rate:
-Game presents itself at 60fps
-Rain displays at 30fps
-Flags display at 20fps

When studying game design a few years back, I was taught to implement it this way to save engine processing time, and reduce CPU-busy time to lighten the requirements.

The problem is the motion inconsistency created from this method can be detected by the human eye, and our brain constantly tries to correct this (interpolate the motion fluidity). But it cannot, thereby inducing eye fatigue.

It is still done today, and with better implementation (usually), but is less necessary and less frequent since modern hardware can process a lot more before running out of breath.

Just my two cents on how I understand the way that works - for those who didn't know this was a thing, and why.

Yes, the game is running at locked 120FPS in 2160p, and yet it feels like it's 30FPS in 480p.

@Vayra86 Probably too many elements seems rendered at 30-60FPS (which feels terrible on a high refresh screens) dragging the whole game down. It's a real shame for a fast paced game like that.

 

[Teddy Bear]

Spoiler: Off-Topic Continued

Spoiler: off-topic

Yes, the game is running at locked 120FPS at 2160p, and yet it feels like it's 30FPS at 480p.

And that's basically frame generation's description too! The game is showing 200 FPS, but it still feels like 50 FPS because your inputs correspond to the actual, rendered FPS

 

[Frick]

This happens a lot with games that run the actual simulation at a much lower framerate than the visible FPS - or enough effects run at lower FPS to make it seem like the whole image actually is.

In game design, many assets can be coded to run at half-rate, 1/3rd rate, quarter rate, etc. animation speed in respect to the presentation FPS.

E.g. a game running at 60fps with rain animated at half-rate and flags animated at 1/3rd rate:
-Game presents itself at 60fps
-Rain displays at 30fps
-Flags display at 20fps

When studying game design a few years back, I was taught to implement it this way to save engine processing time, and reduce CPU-busy time to lighten the requirements.

The problem is the motion inconsistency created from this method can be detected by the human eye, and our brain constantly tries to correct this (interpolate the motion fluidity). But it cannot, thereby inducing eye fatigue.

It is still done today, and with better implementation (usually), but is less necessary and less frequent since modern hardware can process a lot more before running out of breath.

Just my two cents on how I understand the way that works - for those who didn't know this was a thing, and why.

FWIW this is the second game I'm having this kind of problem with, out of all the games I've ever played.

Also, the save system SUCKS. It's like RDR2, you don't actually save the game as such, meaning when you load a save you start over from before a mission was accepted. I mean I get why, but it's still annoying.

Other than that so far it might be almost perfect.

 

[Teddy Bear]

FWIW this is the second game I'm having this kind of problem with, out of all the games I've ever played.

Also, the save system SUCKS. It's like RDR2, you don't actually save the game as such, meaning when you load a save you start over from before a mission was accepted.

Hmm... If your monitor uses VRR tech, it might be mitigating how bad it actually is. Some people aren't affected by it. From experience, the effect gives me a minor headache but not very quickly.

Regarding the save system, in RDR2 you don't get to save an immediate point, rather, you tell the game to "mostly bring me back to where I was" - I feel that, it's annoying to backtrack to a mission or watch a cutscene twice. Stupid way to save.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Oh boy, fired up a bunch of games to see if anything grabs my interest:

STALKER SOC ENHANCED EDITION - I tried playing stalker way back in the day and bounced off the brutal difficulty curve and jank pretty hard so I figured I'd give it another shot since I got the enhanced edition for free. Where to start. The enhanced graphics are both really nice and really blurry. I don't get what's happening here, it's like the game is upscaling from a super low internal render resolution and the whole game is smeared in Vaseline. Turning off AA, FSR, etc changes nothing, game renderer is just kinda weird. Also not a huge fan of the early 2000's jank and lack of QOL features, my gaming time is very limited nowadays so I do not want to be reloading and playing sections over and over or wandering aimlessly with little explanation of where I am supposed to go. I'll keep plugging at it, but we'll see how long I stick with it.

XCom Chimera Squad - I wanted more XCom but don't feel ready for the meme that is XCom 2. I've read that CS is a gentler introduction to the sequel and also a shorter game. The mechanics are great, the concept of a human/advent squad with powers is fun, and the game looks and runs like a charm. Jury is out on the narrative and characters, they've been panned for being poorly acted and written, while I can see what people are talking about it hasn't really bothered me too much yet. I am absolutely seeing this one all the way through.

Papers, Please - A fun little indie game that has you playing the part of a border control agent for a sort of Easter German style government. You call people to your desk and they provide you documentation and it's up to you to review their papers for discrepancies, juggle ever changing beurocratic requirements, and sometimes use your judgement to allow/dent people entry for humanitarian purposes even if their paperwork isn't completely squared away. At the end of the day you take home your meager salary and try to support your wife, son, mother in law and uncle. Its a strangely addictive, wickedly effective at creating pathos despite it's simple art style and gameplay, and really brings home the point that even a lowly government agent can change the course of history through small acts of rebellion. There are 20 possible endings and generally about an hour to two hours per run, I'll play the game till I feel like I've absorbed what I can from it and move on.

 

[Frick]

Regarding the save system, in RDR2 you don't get to save an immediate point, rather, you tell the game to "mostly bring me back to where I was" - I feel that, it's annoying to backtrack to a mission or watch a cutscene twice. Stupid way to save.

It's way better though, because the game is quick and small in scope.

Tried changing the Freesync to Ultimate (it's a Samsung U32J590U) , which made the monitor dissapear and so the game ran on the secondary monitor (24" Benq GL2450HT 1080p) and it was so much better. I put it back on the Samsung and on 1080p it's so much better than 4K. I did fiddle around with AA settings before, when running on 4K, but it didn't really make a difference.

 

[Space Lynx]

Binge played Monster Train 2, beat it (sort of it, you never really beat it) on three different runs so far. Absolute blast so far, and I still have a lot of replay left. Scored a 91 over at PC Gamer review, surprised by that. Also, has overwhelming positive reviews on Steam, which also surprised me, just glad to see the indie card scene getting some love.

Now I am playing Grim Dawn fully maxed out at 240 fps 240hz, and my goodness is it beautiful in QD-OLED.... high refresh OLED has changed gaming for me.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

I wanted more XCom but don't feel ready for the meme that is XCom 2.

Xenonauts 2, if I may suggest.

 

[JoeTheDestroyer]

Just finished Journey to the Savage Planet. Have sequel (bought in discount pack together) but think I'll wait a few months before starting that.

Started Spacebourne Part 2 yesterday, since I got notified it was on sale for like $10. It's janky and the spelling is atrocious. I've also run into several bugs already, but managed to work my way around them. That said, I am still having fun with it.

 

[Sithaer]

Slowly progressing in DOOM Dark Ages, yeah I'm a slowpoke as usual. 'Also gotta stay up to speed in my 2 gachas so ye..'
I'm around half way or so at least based on the chapter numbers.

That is one big ass corpse and sword huh.
But yea the combat system in this DOOM is really starting to grow on me, its just so damn fluid and badass.
This game might very well be the last new game that I'm playing on my 3060 Ti but imo its a proper send off and hopefully it will serve the next owner as well as it did me in the past 2 and half years.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Slowly progressing in DOOM Dark Ages, yeah I'm a slowpoke as usual. 'Also gotta stay up to speed in my 2 gachas so ye..'
I'm around half way or so at least based on the chapter numbers.
View attachment 401228

That is one big ass corpse and sword huh.
But yea the combat system in this DOOM is really starting to grow on me, its just so damn fluid and badass.
This game might very well be the last new game that I'm playing on my 3060 Ti but imo its a proper send off and hopefully it will serve the next owner as well as it did me in the past 2 and half years.

That suit looks badass, especially with the shield.

The weapons are pretty cool too, I enjoyed watching Jonathan's take on them yesterday!

 

[Sithaer]

That suit looks badass, especially with the shield.

The weapons are pretty cool too, I enjoyed watching Jonathan's take on them yesterday!

Oh that sounds like a fun video, gonna watch it later tonight.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[Space Lynx]

Monster Train 2, this game is absolute 10/10 my game of the year.

This is my most recent run, absolute beast, Titanskin is OP, man the combos were so fun with this one

Basically, I would take the Divinity card, I maxed it out with doublestack, spellchain, and -1 cost... and basically just spammed it with a very tight decklist. yeah i know none of that makes sense unless you play it, just sayin i had a ton of fun with this deck haha

I already have 20 hrs in this game, and it only cost me I think $22? insane value. I will probably get 300 hours out of this game easy.

wtf

 

[Ilyasseo]

Last game I played was RDR2, now no time for gaming