I just finished my second playthrough of Dead Island 2, and for some reason this game really resonated with me the way few other games ever have, and just like with the first playthrough, I’m kind of bummed that there’s nothing left for me to do in the game.
The story was the weakest part, but the gameplay, music, sound production, voice acting, “set design,” – everything-- was absolutely incredible, imo. Attention to detail is huge for me, and when I can read what it says on a tiny box of pills–that says passionate devs and quality publisher to me. I also LOVE how the zombie damage is depicted, with different weapons causing different wound shapes, and the guts jiggle independently of the body. Most satisfying zombie killing ever.
So what games did you yearn for more of when you finished it?
RDR2
I never should have left Horseshoe Overlook.
Spoilers
The game would be severely diminished if it’s story changed. IMO, the “good times” has more to do with Arthur being an “unreliable narrator” than the actual material circumstances.
This is illustrated best by Arthur recognizing Micah for what he was, while remaining childishly blind to Dutch’s character. Arthur’s constant doubt and reluctance was the truth bubbling up, just below Arthur’s consciousness.
The reading that Mica, Bill, and Javier are evil while Charles, John, and Arthur are good depends not on one group being more dishonorable, cruel, or murderous, but rather who stayed “loyal” to Dutch.
I think it’s brilliant the way the story uses the “ludonarrative dissonance” as tension not between gameplay and story, but perspective and reality.
Keep a save at the beginning of chapter 2 so you can go back to the good times.
Last of Us, both Part 1 and 2, were incredibly bittersweet endings. Was happy to see the stories conclude, but loved the games so much I definitely wanted more.
Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3 probably fit the category too. Not bittersweet endings really, but the games were so much fun I didn’t want them to end.
Esoteric Ebb 🥹🙆🏼♂️
haven’t heard of this, but it looks awesome-- going to give it a try. thanks for the rec!
raw fury also released blue prince and dome keeper, both of which i enjoyed much more than i thought i would–also recommended
Weirdly enough : Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous. It’s an absurdly long game, each run lasting for more than 75 hours, but it ends like half an hour after your unlock the last level for your characters and you basically never get to experience playing as a true late-game party. I never played the DLCs though, so maybe that’s no longer true
superhot, i think, haven’t played it in a while
Outer Wilds. Such a great game. I won’t post any spoilers but there were moments I actually held my breath. I had feelings I havent had in any other video game. It was bittersweet to finish. I still haven’t done the DLC - I’ve been saving it for a good time.
Not to be confused with Outer Worlds, the Morning bsidian RPG. That one is also goid but nowhere near as mind-blowing as Outer Wilds is
Honestly, I really disliked the end of outer worlds 1. The game felt not as polished near the end, and I got railroaded into the ‘evil’ ending with no way out of it.
Hoping outer worlds 2 fixes that, but I’m waiting for a deep discount first.
The Outer Worlds was like… copper. Maybe tin. I went in with no expectations and was disappointed. It’s a fine game, it just really lacks depths and is way more linear than it puts on.
I just beat Outer Wilds a few months ago and the DLC last week. It’s easily one of my favorite games but once you know the secrets there’s no going back. I’m so glad I never had anything spoiled and went in on a random recommendation.
Even though I loved the base game the DLC doesn’t have quite the same feel. I got legitimately frustrated at certain parts too. But it’s also more outer wilds and is nearly it’s own game so can’t really complain.
Wrapped it up this week, amazing game. One of my favorites of the last couple years.
Tomb Raider (2013). You finally fully upgrade all of your gear and get to use for what feels like ten minutes before the game ends. I tried wandering around finding bandits to murder, but they rarely spawned… :( Such a fun game though.
Wintermoor Tactics Club. Such a cute little game and the tactics combat was fun and funny. Just wanted more or another one after
I have two. First is Portal2. I had so much fun in that game. The second is Half-Life: Alyx. That is the game that taught me how immersive a VR game could be. I particularly enjoyed one part where I was in a pitch black tunnel with only a narrow flashlight beam to try and spot the head-crab that I could hear somewhere nearby in the darkness. But the whole game was a fantastic experience.
Alyx is a genre defining game. It’s Half-Life 3 for anyone who bought into VR, and it’s one of the best and most immersive games you’ll ever play. In fact, I’m hoping that it gets its due with the new Steam equipment.
I highly recommend looking into the Goldeneye Mod if you wanted to juice a little more playtime in the system. The facility map is :chefs-kiss:.
Try portal: reloaded and portal: revolution. Those are fan made mods with more levels. Pretty good so far.
Portal: Revolution is awesome!
Thief: Deadly Shadows
Skyrim. Yeah I know there’s a ton to do and the real game is side quests and leveling up etc etc. But after I killed Alduin I kinda looked around and was like “wait is that the end of the main quest?” First game I ever had to google if I had beaten it.
If you’re looking for that Skyrim itch and are ok without the high fantasy, check out Kingdom Come: Deliverance
And the sequel. The first game is probably the best, at least in my eyes. It really put you into the life of a medieval peasant and said good luck you dumb shit. The first time riding a horse through the woods only to get branched was a moment of …wow this game really tells you, you’re not the main character of this story, just some dumb idiot that is a cog in the bigger machine.
Oh my god. Suggesting KCD to someone as next game after Skyrim has to be some kind of sadism xD But yeah, KCD is a great game, just…IMO not really anywhere genre-wise near Skyrim except for open world.
Open world, massive side quest backlog, skill based progression, crafting, random little “why the heck is this out here…?” moments, a decent stealth system, and generally interesting characters?
Hits most of the boxes for me. I don’t think I would consider Skyrim replays ever again.
Absolutely brutal learning curve, no power tripping until late game, requiring player to get good at the same time as character, no QoL features, in-built survival…
Skyrim is a power fantasy casual RPG. KCD is medieval immersion sim with RPG elements.
And crafting in KCD only has Alchemh and fixing stuff, whereas Skyrim has blacksmithing, alchemy and enchanting, each with skill tree.
You’re only selling it to me harder, haha
I played through Skyrim at least three times, so it’s just not the same. Great the first few times, but gets boring. The replay factor is high, but eventually you’ll need something new to try, which is why I suggested KCD!
Heat Signature, because as much as I love replaying this game, I want more content (which i guess i got at one point, but I still want more😔).
Kingdom hearts 2. It was immersive and amazing from the start and idc how many times I replayed it I will never get that feeling back. The animation , the story and action was awesome back in the day.
I am reluctant to re-visit Half-Life 2 and its episodes. Simply because they were great games for their time and overall classics. I just remember in Episode 2, looking back longingly at the devastated City 17 when you launched the rocket in episode 1. How much reflection I did about the series I completed and the episodes I would complete after.
It was an experience going through those games all the way the first round, recalling all of the hype, the memes, the talks and so much build up. Revisiting it now for me would just be rewriting those memories over.
The Messenger is another. Really loved that game for what it was. It had so much charm to it.
Horizon: Forbidden West because the story,music, voice acting, and gameplay really pulled me in. I felt a lot of emotions that I hadn’t felt in a long time because of this game. When it ended I felt like I was losing something dear to me lol
Baldurs Gate 3 left me wishing for more, but that is entirely because the third act was so damn rushed compared to the rest of the game.
