What are you playing?

[Splinterdog]

You can set AA to 4x, transparency AA to SuperSample and AF to 8x in nv control panel or AMD equivalent to properly enjoy the pictures (I see you're only running AA @ 2x).

Thanks, I'll check out those tips!
Btw,I'm using the save mod which you load in the main menu/mods which really helps because I'm not as good on FPSs as I used to be!

 

[Apocalypsee]

Finished Bulletstorm. That was a fun game! The story is a typical hero action movie stuff, and the action is fun a lot of kicking, sliding tackle (enemy slows down so you can either land a headshot/ use shotgun to tore into half or whatever you fancy like kicking them into spikes, carnivore plant, cactus spikes, electric fence, over the edge etc.)

Some proper screenshot, I played at 1280x800 because for some reason this game only support widescreen and not 5:4 or 3:4 display (my Windows 7 PC uses 1280x1024 19 inch display)

Mile high club made me chuckle seeing enemies flies to the ceiling and spins like helicopter blades. Those points you accumulate to upgrade weapons getting more ammo and higher ammo pool also upgrade to secondary powerful attack that can 1 shot bosses. Each weapon have its own 'achievement' on how to massacre the enemy.

There's sniper bullet time, when the bullet near the enemy you can steer even more and for some reason enemy sees the bullet and try to duck and run away. Not on my watch!

 

[jallenlabs]

My first YouTube Short <--Call Of Duty BO 6 hard core mp, play of game. I just started this channel last week... if ya like COD multiplayer gameplay, hopefully you'll like my uploads! Thanks all.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Completed the main story missions of Mad Max after about 30 hours of playtime. Still have some wasteland missions to go.

WB Game studios do a great job with their IPs really leaning into the characterization of the protagonist as an S-tier badass. Whether it's Talion from the Shadow games, Batman from the Arkham games, or Max from this... you're a one man army who doesn't take crap from anyone.

The story, while very poorly paced, is pure Max. The life of a lone wanderer in a hellish post apocalyptic wasteland. Trust no one. Help only yourself. The strong Lord over the weak. Death is preferable to continued existence. Never rest. Keep wandering the plains of silence in the hope of finding peace.

Some people have suggested that Mad Max is an allegory for limbo, a place where the cursed go to either burn off their sins to enter heaven, or stack on more sins to descend into hell. Those like Max, tough but inherently good with a strong sense of justice, will ascend. Everyone else? One way ticket down. It makes as much sense as anything makes in the Mad Max universe (Max looks like he's in his 30's, but was alive when the apocalypse occured, but everything looks like it all went to crap 100's of years ago).

As a game Mad Max is like 80% of the way there. It's a great 10 hour game that gets diluted into a OK 40 hour game through open world cut and paste.

The highlight of the game is the vehicular combat and vehicle customization. There is a lot, it's quite unique, and it's well developed. Upgrades are unlocked by reducing threat in allied bases and completing main and side missions.

Max follows his own upgrade tree determined by reputation. Complete any one of a couple dozen repeatable feats and he will rank up (Do a perfect parry 5 times, kill 12 enemies in a row without taking damage, defeat 10 enemy vehicles by ramming them, etc...). It's a fun and clever system that avoids standard XP points and rewards clean gameplay. The game world also responds to Max's growing reputation as well with some flavor commentary from various wastelanders.

Hand to hand combat should be familiar to anyone who has played other WB "flow" combat games. It's a little rough here, Max does have some issues handling large groups of enemies since you cannot multi-parry forcing you to either take a hit or dodge away interrupting the flow of the combat. Button presses don't always register depending on where Max is in his current animation, causing some cheap hits etc. The game is pretty forgiving in terms of difficulty overall, and Max will eventually be upgraded into an unkillable juggernaut, so very rarely does this result in death.

Everything wrong with this game is everything wrong with mid-2010's open worlds. 90% of the game world is an ever growing list of grocery items and honey-do's. Defeat these enemy camps, climb these towers, collect scrap to upgrade your base/vehicle/Max.

Hell, even the mini-bosses that watch over camps look exactly the same and play exactly the same with virtually 0 variation between them.

The game tries it's best to have different regions of the map be different kinds of wasteland hell, but really it's all desert and there are only so many ways to skin that cat. A couple stand out locations like The Dump and The Dunes, but you really only encounter those late in the game.

Mad Max could have had it all. It was right on the precipice of open world gaming history but then just stopped and didn't take that extra step to add some surprises and keep the player engaged while completing their checklist of chores. The story missions (which did have some fun unique locations and gameplay) needed to be more spread out, and gate the open world a bit more to prevent players from burning themselves out.

As it is I'd heartily recommend Mad Max, but know you're getting a deeply flawed gem. Plenty there to enjoy, but plow through the story as soon as the open world starts to drag you down.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

IMHO, Mad Max is a great game to pick up here and there. A good 'secondary' game for when you are not in the mood for your main/current game. It breaks up a lot of the repetitiveness and allows you to focus on the overarching story.


It's also a good game for completionists. You feel like you have achieved something when you drive an enemy faction out of an area.

 

[Princess Garnet]

...but know you're getting a deeply flawed gem.

Honestly, I wish this phrase would be used more. This isn't a bad thing, and it used to be a commonly used term to signal that a game wasn't perfect but maybe still worth looking into, and that it was hard to recommend broadly but would be the perfect recommendation with a taste that aligned with what kind of game it was.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Honestly, I wish this phrase would be used more. This isn't a bad thing, and it used to be a commonly used term to signal that a game wasn't perfect but maybe still worth looking into, and that it was hard to recommend broadly but would be the perfect recommendation with a taste that aligned with what kind of game it was.

-Yes. Mad Max is frankly a fantastic open world Ubisoft like game. But it is what it is and that is what it is, corners were cut and such.

But it has presence and it has style and it does a pretty good job being it's own thing. Could it have been more? Yeah. But no one is going to mistake it for anything else than what it is and there is something to be said for that.

 

[Maxihell]

Just started to play Valkyrie Elysium

 

[Chomiq]

Yep, that's me! You're probably wondering how I got here...

 

[GodisanAtheist]

IMHO, Mad Max is a great game to pick up here and there. A good 'secondary' game for when you are not in the mood for your main/current game. It breaks up a lot of the repetitiveness and allows you to focus on the overarching story.


It's also a good game for completionists. You feel like you have achieved something when you drive an enemy faction out of an area.

- Yeah, the game can definitely get samey if you try to play 3 or 4 hours of it in a go (really what game wouldn't really) but MM is well built to drop in for an hour, take down a caravan and maybe a top dog camp, then hop out.

Get some collectables, a small dash of vehicular and hand to hand combat, feel like you made a bit of progress without overstaying its welcome.

 

[Princess Garnet]

- Yeah, the game can definitely get samey if you try to play 3 or 4 hours of it in a go (really what game wouldn't really) but MM is well built to drop in for an hour, take down a caravan and maybe a top dog camp, then hop out.

Get some collectables, a small dash of vehicular and hand to hand combat, feel like you made a bit of progress without overstaying its welcome.

That's how I played the Spyro trilogy. Sometimes for a session I just played a level or two, not even fully completing them, and it was really fun. I definitely don't mind games that captivate me into playing longer and grab my attention more, like Clair Obscur did, but those other games really do make for the perfect "side game" because you can always pick them up and drop them regardless of how long has passed since your last time playing.

 

[Apocalypsee]

Sounds like a fun game judging from GodisanAtheist, I might put Mad Max on my to-play list. A lot of good games have inherent flaws but that for me is the charm of it, not because it was perfect.

Funny I read in YouTube Clair Obscur is the best thing ever, many reviews saying they cried at the end or give an impact in life etc, like wtf man the game isn't really that deep. Perhaps they just write such thing for clickbait which I didn't bother to watch at all. The game is damn good in terms of story and music I give you that, it's the GoTY this year? Perhaps, but the best game ever? No, not really.

Still a good game though, so good that I start a new playthrough with better (slower parry/dodge) mod. I still need to wrap my head I need to press it BEFORE the attack lands; I just so used to QTE in first person shooter that you need to press it at the time of impact which is annoying.

I got a lot of backlog of games I need to play, recently started Final Fantasy VI on my Anbernic but from tired from work and taking care of my kids, I barely play games on weekdays.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

I got a lot of backlog of games I need to play, recently started Final Fantasy VI on my Anbernic but from tired from work and taking care of my kids, I barely play games on weekdays.

Kids definitely eat a lot of your gaming time but that's definitely worth it.

I've been able to game a lot more since I retired in March but my son definitely takes up the majority of my time, can't wait to build him a pc when he is old enough.


Glad that mod seems to be working out for you in Clair Obscur. I play a lot of souls like so the systems are pretty similar.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Ok, completed my replay of Batman Arkham Asylum the OG flow combat game (AssCreed I know but Batman feels like it really solidified and then perfected the formula in subsequent games).

Its been maybe 15? Years since I last played Batman, and damn it's still great. Smaller and more interconnected than it's sequels, it feels more like a Metroidvania with tight interconnected maps that open up as you get tools, opening up new areas in places you've already been.

Riddler trophies aren't nearly as annoying to find and get thanks to less visual clutter and the aforementioned backtrack with new gadgets element.

It was good to experience the combat, because it doesn't really flow nearly as well as I remembered.

Rocksteady and Monolith really tweaked and perfected the system in the sequels and Shadow series, and I think my mind sort of assumed the responsiveness, generous timing windows, multi-parry, gadgets, etc from later games were present here.

They're not and much like Mad Max which I recently completed there are definitely some cheap hits and frustrating moments that take you out of the power fantasy. Again it rarely results in a death, but it does sometimes feel unfair.

The detective vision is a gift and a curse. On one hand it's a great tool for picking out items in the highly detailed and visually fun environments, but it's so useful that I'm sure many people just play though the whole game with detective vision on and miss the colors and details and obvious fun Rocksteady had in designing Arkham Island.

The story is pure Batman though, and the juxtaposition of the zany rogues gallery against Conroy's deadpan and steely Batman portrayal is great. It's one really bad night for the Bat. Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Bane, Joker of course. Tons of Easter eggs and collectables related to the rest of the gallery that don't make an appearance.

Not much else to really say about it. Its a 2000's classic, and holds up really well today. Looks good, plays good, feels good man.

Kids definitely eat a lot of your gaming time but that's definitely worth it.

I've been able to game a lot more since I retired in March but my son definitely takes up the majority of my time, can't wait to build him a pc when he is old enough.


Glad that mod seems to be working out for you in Clair Obscur. I play a lot of souls like so the systems are pretty similar.

-They really don't have to.

Granted I don't game much more than a couple hours a week at this point, but I generally try and play "cinematic" games that the kids generally like to snuggle up and watch while I play (Like Batman for example, or Mad Max although that was just a poor parenting decision on my part due to the graphic content of the game).

If we're going to spend an hour cozying on the couch watching TV before bed, what difference does it make if it's a cinematic game or a YouTube or Disney + show?

When we were all playing through Hogwarts Legacy, the kids or wife would play and it would be a sort of group gaming sesh we where we would give advice (or heckle!) whoever was playing at a given time.

My wife walks by while I'm gaming and the kids are geeking out and she mutters "I hope you know what a lucky man your are, GodisanAtheist".

 

[Frick]

Farthest Frontier 1.0 beta test unlocks this evening. (you need to be a forum member to access the page for the code)

Tech trees! Policies! Bridges!

 

[Splinterdog]

Completed the main story missions of Mad Max after about 30 hours of playtime. Still have some wasteland missions to go.

WB Game studios do a great job with their IPs really leaning into the characterization of the protagonist as an S-tier badass. Whether it's Talion from the Shadow games, Batman from the Arkham games, or Max from this... you're a one man army who doesn't take crap from anyone.

The story, while very poorly paced, is pure Max. The life of a lone wanderer in a hellish post apocalyptic wasteland. Trust no one. Help only yourself. The strong Lord over the weak. Death is preferable to continued existence. Never rest. Keep wandering the plains of silence in the hope of finding peace.

Some people have suggested that Mad Max is an allegory for limbo, a place where the cursed go to either burn off their sins to enter heaven, or stack on more sins to descend into hell. Those like Max, tough but inherently good with a strong sense of justice, will ascend. Everyone else? One way ticket down. It makes as much sense as anything makes in the Mad Max universe (Max looks like he's in his 30's, but was alive when the apocalypse occured, but everything looks like it all went to crap 100's of years ago).

As a game Mad Max is like 80% of the way there. It's a great 10 hour game that gets diluted into a OK 40 hour game through open world cut and paste.

The highlight of the game is the vehicular combat and vehicle customization. There is a lot, it's quite unique, and it's well developed. Upgrades are unlocked by reducing threat in allied bases and completing main and side missions.

Max follows his own upgrade tree determined by reputation. Complete any one of a couple dozen repeatable feats and he will rank up (Do a perfect parry 5 times, kill 12 enemies in a row without taking damage, defeat 10 enemy vehicles by ramming them, etc...). It's a fun and clever system that avoids standard XP points and rewards clean gameplay. The game world also responds to Max's growing reputation as well with some flavor commentary from various wastelanders.

Hand to hand combat should be familiar to anyone who has played other WB "flow" combat games. It's a little rough here, Max does have some issues handling large groups of enemies since you cannot multi-parry forcing you to either take a hit or dodge away interrupting the flow of the combat. Button presses don't always register depending on where Max is in his current animation, causing some cheap hits etc. The game is pretty forgiving in terms of difficulty overall, and Max will eventually be upgraded into an unkillable juggernaut, so very rarely does this result in death.

Everything wrong with this game is everything wrong with mid-2010's open worlds. 90% of the game world is an ever growing list of grocery items and honey-do's. Defeat these enemy camps, climb these towers, collect scrap to upgrade your base/vehicle/Max.

Hell, even the mini-bosses that watch over camps look exactly the same and play exactly the same with virtually 0 variation between them.

The game tries it's best to have different regions of the map be different kinds of wasteland hell, but really it's all desert and there are only so many ways to skin that cat. A couple stand out locations like The Dump and The Dunes, but you really only encounter those late in the game.

Mad Max could have had it all. It was right on the precipice of open world gaming history but then just stopped and didn't take that extra step to add some surprises and keep the player engaged while completing their checklist of chores. The story missions (which did have some fun unique locations and gameplay) needed to be more spread out, and gate the open world a bit more to prevent players from burning themselves out.

As it is I'd heartily recommend Mad Max, but know you're getting a deeply flawed gem. Plenty there to enjoy, but plow through the story as soon as the open world starts to drag you down.

I've been playing Mad Max since 2016 and still haven't finished it with 65 hours in. I was first struck by how good it looks and yes, it can get a bit repetitive, which is why I just dip in from time to time.
But it's a solid game and I've had a blast so far, and it can be very challenging at times, especially trying to knock out a convoy.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

I've been playing Mad Max since 2016 and still haven't finished it with 65 hours in. I was first struck by how good it looks and yes, it can get a bit repetitive, which is why I just dip in from time to time.
But it's a solid game and I've had a blast so far, and it can be very challenging at times, especially trying to knock out a convoy.

-Upgraded Thunderpoons make very short work of convoys or really.just about anything.

It's a shame the game is so samey, but when it's not and it throws you a little curveball it stands out that much more and it's great.

 

[Splinterdog]

-Upgraded Thunderpoons make very short work of convoys or really.just about anything.

It's a shame the game is so samey, but when it's not and it throws you a little curveball it stands out that much more and it's great.

I can't remember if I upgraded the Thunderpoon, so I'll need to check...

@GodisanAtheist
You've just renewed my interest in Mad Max!

 

[Ahhzz]

Farthest Frontier 1.0 beta test unlocks this evening. (you need to be a forum member to access the page for the code)

Tech trees! Policies! Bridges!

oooh, been a bit!

 

[Bobmitmen]

I am playing Atomfall on my desktop...very impressive graphics for no RT, DLSS or FSR...

On my laptop, replaying Robocop Rogue City getting primed for the new release Unfinished Business

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Right now, not much. Tinkering with setting up a BattleFront 2 server, but everyone is just so busy these days.

Finished Bulletstorm. That was a fun game! The story is a typical hero action movie stuff, and the action is fun a lot of kicking, sliding tackle (enemy slows down so you can either land a headshot/ use shotgun to tore into half or whatever you fancy like kicking them into spikes, carnivore plant, cactus spikes, electric fence, over the edge etc.)

Some proper screenshot, I played at 1280x800 because for some reason this game only support widescreen and not 5:4 or 3:4 display (my Windows 7 PC uses 1280x1024 19 inch display)

Mile high club made me chuckle seeing enemies flies to the ceiling and spins like helicopter blades. Those points you accumulate to upgrade weapons getting more ammo and higher ammo pool also upgrade to secondary powerful attack that can 1 shot bosses. Each weapon have its own 'achievement' on how to massacre the enemy.
View attachment 407665

There's sniper bullet time, when the bullet near the enemy you can steer even more and for some reason enemy sees the bullet and try to duck and run away. Not on my watch!
View attachment 407667

I remember bulletstorm. It was a lot of fun, shame the game was so incredibly short. Always felt like it was the first act of a complete game that never got released.

 

[Apocalypsee]

I remember bulletstorm. It was a lot of fun, shame the game was so incredibly short. Always felt like it was the first act of a complete game that never got released.

It does feel like that, especially there is a post credit that seems like there is more stories to it. Sadly, we might never see a sequel to it.

 

[Nikhar]

View attachment 407597

Just found a similar monitor while perusing my storage,
plus an old DELL 390 Workstation with a Core 2 Duo and Nvidia FX 3800 that I used for programming in school so I never felt like selling it...
Guess I gotta build a Windows 7 PC when I have time...
If only because I found my GTA 4 DVD and I know it will be psychological torture to install and run that broken port again Feeling nostalgic thinking about it.

 

[LifeOnMars]

I've been on a souls-like kick for the past month. DS1, DS2, DS3, Elden Ring and now onto Wukong. I wish I still had my old 3080 12Gb but I'm surprised this 1080 Ti has enough life left in it to play this with reasonable settings. It's consistent and responsive and I'm not getting any major stuttering but fps could be higher. All in all, though, I'm happy with it and enjoying the game, which is the main thing.

 

[Frick]

Backpack Hero was free on Epic a few weeks ago and it's a honestly a very nice little game. The inventory management works really well and is way more fun than I thought it would be. EDIT: I realized I messed up the screenshot. That bow shoots those two arrows every turn, and their damage increase with empty spaces to their right. Leveling up means unlocking spaces in the bag. That helmet below the bag? Gives automatic armor each round, with the bonus increasing with more spaces (filled or not) beneath it. The round blue-ish thing below the bag? That gives +1 damage to all adjacent weapons ... but it's a floater, meaning it sticks to the top of the bag.

It's a rougelite, so what you do is basically fighting stuff in a dungeon and then go back to the village, which you have to expand, and for every run on the dungeon you start over. There are quests and stuff, with specific items (or classes of items) unlocking new stuff. I really like the puzzle of the game. It's a really cool little game.