Video Games Randomness - Prioritize specific game threads!

[Daehawk]

Been years and years. Might be fun? Easy to learn anyway. That's the real roadblock to playing anything new...the learning curve. It's nearly impossible for me to just start playing a game and figuring it out as I go. As I don't enjoy doing it either, so I spend hours reading up on a game before playing, most of the time.

Funny Im the same. Funny because when I started gaming in 84 I had Master of Orion. I read the entire manual before even playing it. And its a huge manual. I always read them through for all my games first then played the games. I just loved PC games and the detail to them and the stories in the manuals and such.

Now I dont read a thing even when theres a manual and I want fast action play. Back then i was all about turn based combat and such and loved every sec of games like Fallout 1 and 2 and such. Now i cant stand turn based anything. Gotta be real tiem and fast.

I have fortnite, tf2, and fallout 76 installed right now. Im already not logging into palia unfortunately. Im so stressed and sleepless that I kinda dread firing up anything and when i do I log back out sooner than ever. Or I get really pissed about something in the game and leave.

[TheMix]

Most of my strategies stemmed from knowing that, as soon as I saw good mutation, I'd die on the first ship.

Tying in the thread on cheating, I discovered that ALT+F4 is your friend. And the boot time for the game is pretty quick.

When I first started playing again, I used it pretty liberally. As I got more experienced, I found I didn't need it. Learning which ships to walk away from was the most valuable things. Patients? Screw that. Many Juvies? Also bad. Any ship where one one type was friendly, or the security was subverted was a must. The most recent run taught me that not having tourists explode might be my favorite mutation.

[GreenGoo]

1. Play a game that is different from what you normally play - a different genre, a different point of view, a console rather than PC (or vice-versa.)
2. Take the hint from your brain and stop forcing it - go pursue something that's not gaming related for a few days. Catch up on a show, do some reading, finish a project, fiddle with a different hobby. When the Funk has run its course, you'll know - you'll have that irresistible urge to game back.

I play what I feel like, which is typically a rotation through various genres. By the time I return to 1 genre, it's been long enough that it's fresh. Seriously considering a souls-like, but those things are such a slog and I'm just not in the right headspace.

My funk has been developing for a few days, maybe a couple of weeks. So I've been looking for new things as my interest in my current games wanes. I do take plenty of breaks, and game less than half as often as I did when I was younger (like, 30's or 40's, not young younger).

Your advice is excellent and I do follow it myself, it's just not working yet. The real problem is that I haven't found the right game yet, not that gaming itself is the problem.

As was hinted at, I just don't have the energy or focus to learn a new game, and that's really the problem. I have plenty of games that are excellent that I have never touched, it's just a lot of work getting up to speed on any of them.

I did install and play Void Bastards. I was excited when I realized it was a rogue-like shooter, but after a few hops, I'm not sure it's for me. I did try though!

[GreenGoo]

Been years and years. Might be fun? Easy to learn anyway. That's the real roadblock to playing anything new...the learning curve. It's nearly impossible for me to just start playing a game and figuring it out as I go. As I don't enjoy doing it either, so I spend hours reading up on a game before playing, most of the time.

Funny Im the same. Funny because when I started gaming in 84 I had Master of Orion. I read the entire manual before even playing it. And its a huge manual. I always read them through for all my games first then played the games. I just loved PC games and the detail to them and the stories in the manuals and such.

I also read through my game manuals front to back before trying a game, back when manuals were paper. Or occasionally loading it up to see if it ran, and what it looked like, but never a serious game before manual was read.

[TheMix]

I did install and play Void Bastards. I was excited when I realized it was a rogue-like shooter, but after a few hops, I'm not sure it's for me. I did try though!

Fair enough. Hopefully you enjoyed those few ships.

There is more variety as you go on - more enemies, more weapons, more mutations, but the general gameplay doesn't really change.

[Daehawk]

Meant 94 not 84...though you could say I start in 78 lol.

[Baroquen]

My current gaming routine / cycle / playlist is -

One SRPG:
Currently still playing Tactics Ogre Reborn. (Started Vestaria Saga as next game up. Might pivot to Disgaea 4 or latest Fire Emblem.)

One RPG (usually from the past):
Currently Trails in the Sky SC. (Slightly on the back-burner but I intend to get back to it).

MLB: The Show
Though I haven't liked this year's version as much as past years

Other games "on a whim".
Recently played a round of Civ 6, hunting achievements. Some mindless Gems of War. Lots of little phases. About to try Void Bastards thanks to this thread...

Works for me, and I've finished more games in recent months/years than I ever used to do. So there's that.

[Kasey Chang]

My current game cycle is... nothing! I'm taking a bit of break from gaming at the moment, as I have videos queued up until October. Though I probably should make some more videos "soon". I did go on MiniMetro and MiniMotorways for a bit of achievement streak.

I've been cycling among Chorus, Cold Waters, F-117, and I may add M1 Tank Platoon 2, and Helicopter Gunship DEX into the mix.

[GreenGoo]

I want to love builders, but I have zero imagination, so I just watch videos, do what they do for awhile, realize there is no end and no goals (beyond making a cool base or whatever) and just stop playing.

Factorio, Rimworld, Surviving Mars, Oxygen Not Included etc, etc. They all look really cool, but playing them is less than awesome, for me.

[Blackhawk]

Try something like Planet Zoo, where you have the freedom to build, but also specific goals and challenges (although if the core building and management gameplay isn't your thing, it still won't be a good match.)

[coopasonic]

I want to love builders, but I have zero imagination, so I just watch videos, do what they do for awhile, realize there is no end and no goals (beyond making a cool base or whatever) and just stop playing.

Factorio, Rimworld, Surviving Mars, Oxygen Not Included etc, etc. They all look really cool, but playing them is less than awesome, for me.

I can't speak for the others, but Factorio has a definitive goal and I have never made a cool base. I generally also need my games to set specific goals for me and get bored, distracted playing in a sandbox. Factorio doesn't make the progression path and goal as in your face obvious as Satisfactory does, but it is there.

[GreenGoo]

I suppose, but it's more like progressing to the next demand/supply aspect. I'm sure you get off the planet eventually, but it's hard to argue that building your base isn't the entirety of the game. Whether it's pretty or not is up to the motivations of the player.

[GreenGoo]

Try something like Planet Zoo, where you have the freedom to build, but also specific goals and challenges (although if the core building and management gameplay isn't your thing, it still won't be a good match.)

I don't have Planet Zoo, but I have Planet Rollercoaster, and Jurassic World Park whatever. I can't even get started with those. To be clear, it's me, not the games that are the problem here. I think building your own theme park is an amazing idea and I did play Tycoon back in the day.

I appreciate all the input everyone is giving though. Really.

[Smoove_B]

I appreciate all the input everyone is giving though. Really.

When I get "stuck" (which has happened quite a a bit over the last ~3 years), I'll play things like Wolf Among us or the Walking Dead (Telltale games) or Hero of the Kingdom. Things that aren't about learning a set of rules or system but instead, just playing a game-ified story.

[GreenGoo]

Interesting. I don't usually have those on my wishlist and/or game backlog because they aren't typically my kinda thing. That said, I'm sure we have some telltale games around here. I've tried Walking dead a few times and only made it a short way into it. My son says the Borderlands Telltale game was a lot of fun. I'm skeptical

Going to give Void Bastards another try tonight. And probably Monkey Island as well. See if they stick.

[Anonymous Bosch]

Uh oh, I've hit a gaming funk.

Scrolling through my very large backlog full of excellent games, many of which have not been installed, let alone played.

So far...nothing grabs my attention.

Except maybe the Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition.

Been years and years. Might be fun? Easy to learn anyway. That's the real roadblock to playing anything new...the learning curve. It's nearly impossible for me to just start playing a game and figuring it out as I go. As I don't enjoy doing it either, so I spend hours reading up on a game before playing, most of the time.

IMHO, the best way to hit yer mental reset button? Keep it simple, stupid; stick with simpler games with intuitive -- yet rock solid -- gameplay mechanics that don't require any reading up prior to playing, e.g.

[hitbyambulance]

IMHO, the best way to hit yer mental reset button? Keep it simple, stupid; stick with simpler games with intuitive -- yet rock solid -- gameplay mechanics that don't require any reading up prior to playing

this is the way

[Smoove_B]

I'm skeptical

I don't remember exactly where I stopped playing TWD games, but the first few were really good. Wolf Among Us was A++, imho and a really engaging experience.

[hitbyambulance]

95%+ of my game playing over the past eight months has been in Zachtronics Solitaire, now trying to get the pointless "win 100 games" achievements for all the solitaire variants. why am i doing this?! but there's something about the absurdity that draws me in. i got 100 wins on three of the variants some months ago, but some of the rest are being a total slog - Cluj just feels like makework at this point and i gotta grind it for 25-ish more wins, and Proletariat's Patience is brain dead easy but i still have to put in the time and i have 30-something more wins to get, yet.

however... it did force me to learn Cribbage Solitaire and i've become decent at that one. and i definitely do feel good at finally seeming to 'get' Kubufuda Solitaire, and i only play that on Expert mode (now that i can consistently win on Hard difficulty) and went from 15 wins to 60+ in that in just a month's time. i still have at least a month more to go, but i probably won't 100% it all until sometime this fall. it keeps me going, but it's also crowding out everything else game-related at the moment. i like to think it's more of setting a goal - no matter how stupid it is - and sticking to it, and getting in that sort of mental discipline training ... such as it is.

[GreenGoo]

IMHO, the best way to hit yer mental reset button? Keep it simple, stupid; stick with simpler games with intuitive -- yet rock solid -- gameplay mechanics that don't require any reading up prior to playing

this is the way

I've actually been looking for tower defense games, but despite there being a billion of them, I haven't really found anything for free I want to play, or pay that I'm willing to spend money on.

I think I'm done with vampire survivors, which I played a ton of when it first showed up. I own the original 1 finger death punch. I should check out #2.

Dome Keepers is on the wishlist.

All good suggestions, thanks for letting me know about them.

[Anonymous Bosch]

I own the original 1 finger death punch. I should check out #2.

Absolutely. One Finger Death Punch 2 is immensely enjoyable, and a whole lot better than the first title.

More importantly, it looks, sounds, and feels awesome when you 'get in the zone' while playing:

[Hipolito]

Today, I wanted to listen to the soundtrack from Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within. I searched for it on YouTube and clicked on the first result.

I was vibing to it when I noticed the name of the YouTube channel: Conversations with Curtis. Curious name, I thought. So I browsed the channel's other videos. I'm really glad I did.

Conversations with Curtis is run by Paul Morgan Stetler, the actor who played the lead role of Curtis in Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh (aka Phantas 2). He interviews the actors and designers of classic 90s Sierra and LucasArts adventure games and some newer games. For example, he interviews none other than Roberta Williams herself, joined by the lead actor from Phantas 1:

If you've got adventure game nostalgia, you'll find something of interest here. Just be warned that a couple of the video titles have spoilers for Phantas 2 in case you're of a mind to play that game for the first time.

Interesting. I watched an Infocom documentary on youtube recently.

I still have to watch the 2-hour Get Lamp documentary on interactive fiction. It's on YouTube, but I bought it on DVD. Came with a bonus coin!

[GreenGoo]

Thanks for the link.

I think Suspended was the most noteworthy game I played as a pre-teen. Was super fun using each robot's specific sense.

[Anonymous Bosch]

I've actually been looking for tower defense games, but despite there being a billion of them, I haven't really found anything for free I want to play, or pay that I'm willing to spend money on.

Dunno if you've tried Element TD 2 - Tower Defense, but it's an absolute banger if you're hungering for a good tower defense game:

[hitbyambulance]

spiritual knock-off of Dreamcast's Jet Set Radio:

[coopasonic]

it has been 118 hours since I have played any video game. I finished BG3 at lunch Monday an haven't even had a game installed since then. Now I am kind of curious if I can make it to the Starfield Early Access without playing anything. Have I ever gone 11 days without a video game? Probably not since my last Army "summer camp."

[Daehawk]

I dont know how to grab a pic fro man Instagram post so Im just linking the post. To see the pic go there. This gaming setup looks like its on a starship. Theres 2 giant curved monitors and one big ass ultrawide one among all that lighting.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwQfX88v2c8/?img_index=1

[Blackhawk]

Good lord, is there any glowing gamer junk that guy didn't buy? I love a good thematic setup, but lighting can be taken way, way too far.

[jztemple2]

it has been 118 hours since I have played any video game. I finished BG3 at lunch Monday an haven't even had a game installed since then. Now I am kind of curious if I can make it to the Starfield Early Access without playing anything. Have I ever gone 11 days without a video game? Probably not since my last Army "summer camp."

I'm kind of doing the same thing, just dabbling in a odd game here and there just to take a break from my reading as I wait for Starfield. Also I have F1 and Indycar racing this weekend to fill the time. This upcoming week we have several appointments to go to and I've told my wife (whom I am still driving since she hasn't been cleared to drive yet) that I am hers until 8pm Thursday night

[Daehawk]

I surf the web from the time I wake up until about 10pm. Then I game an hour. If I dont game a little I feel I wasted my game time. For some reason I just enjoy surfing the web more than anything....this site, tons of YouTube, news, just about anything.

[Kasey Chang]

According to Steam, last game I touched was... Save Room. Which was... August 8th. That's roughly 400+ hours w/ no gaming. LOL.

[GreenGoo]

Here's my current gaming.

25+ different alts played through NG of the original Nioh. And that's just this time. I've played at least as many alts years ago when I first played it.

Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars. Heavily modded. Played through to the end of multiple games, usually turn 300-400. The game bogs down so badly in end game that I need to quit and restart just to avoid memory leakss (possibly exacerbated by mods, but base game is a nightmare too).

Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms. Clicker game but so much stuff to do that it requires active management. This sort of annoys me.

Monkey Island. Almost finished.

Grim Fandango. Daughter is playing on the PS5. I watch and offer help when she gets stuck. At this point we're basically playing it together. 1/2 way through. Annoying positional fiddly bits.

So that's what I'm actually playing. The list is fairly long of games I've tried to play the last two weeks.

[Daehawk]

Im considering adding a MMO back into my mix. Thinking about DC Online or Star Trek Online.

I dont have time for a regular game . Like I need to play Mass Effect 3 Legendary since I replayed the other two this years.

But as i posted I also dont play much of anything right now but Fallout 76.

[Hipolito]

Thanks for the link.

I think Suspended was the most noteworthy game I played as a pre-teen. Was super fun using each robot's specific sense.

Oooh, I've been wanting to try Suspended. I've played half of the text adventures in Infocom's catalog, but not yet that one. I hear it's their hardest.

Of the ones I've played, my favorite is Trinity. Bombass game.

[GreenGoo]

I don't think I found it to be the hardest, but it was fun and interesting. Imagine Floyd from Planetfall, but there's 5 or 6 of them, and they each can only "see" the environment using 1 of the senses. i.e. one can hear, one can use touch to feel things, one can see, etc.

It's got a turn limit, which isn't great imo, but you can do things with the robots to increase that limit, and that was fun!

Honestly I don't know which adventure I'd call the hardest. I definitely didn't play them all, but I did play quite a few. The original Zork was pretty esoteric, and I was young, so there were a lot of cultural expectations that I didn't understand at the time. It's the same way with my kids now. There was something about a beatnik and she had no idea what those are. So I think it's harder to do these games as a kid because you are going to miss some cues that the average adult will understand immediately.

I didn't even recognize Zork II's references to Alice in Wonderland. That made things more difficult than they should have been.

The Enchanter games were fun. Infidel was noteworthy because you feel very alone in a tomb and the ending was a surprise to me.

I missed some good ones. A Mind Forever Voyaging is supposed to be very good, but I never played it. I didn't play (or like? I can't remember) any of the mystery games (Deadline etc). Some of the late 80's games I had moved on to other things by then. Which is too bad, as some of them sound pretty good. I did play some of the later Zork games, I couldn't resist. Beyond Zork and Zork Zero, for example.

They taught me what the word "parse" meant.

[hitbyambulance]

Some of the late 80's games I had moved on to other things by then. Which is too bad, as some of them sound pretty good.

Infocom's Shogun looked pretty neat at the time, and i regret not ever trying it as i was really into Mastertronic's Shogun (both based off the James Clavell novel, but very different games)

EDIT: i see it wasn't very good https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cla ... h%C5%8Dgun

[GreenGoo]

If Dave Arneson didn't like it, it probably didn't have enough dungeons and/or dragons in it.

[Jaymann]

Im considering adding a MMO back into my mix.

My son told me about this:
https://www.legendsofold.net/
It's like a single player Everquest. I will be checking it out.

[Daehawk]

Im considering adding a MMO back into my mix.

My son told me about this:
https://www.legendsofold.net/
It's like a single player Everquest. I will be checking it out.

That looks kinda neat. Sent the link to my friend who played all those old MMOs with me like EQ every night for years.

Its strange to me though how a modern game like this cant look as good as a game from 25 years ago.

I have an urge for a DnD game due to watching the new DnD movie and STO because ive been watching eps from Star Trek series. ( I really need to start watching SNW)

[Kasey Chang]

Trying Legend of the Keepers, which is a spiritual descendent of Dungeon Keeper, but done more like Darkest Dungeon. The idea is you run Dungeons for Dungeon Corp, and you employ monsters and engineer traps and have spells, and your job is to, well, kill all heroes that come along (or scare them off). There are of course, complications like using traps, the monsters that got "killed" then resurrected suffers morale damage and have to "rest", you need to train up your monsters, spend money on upgrades, as the heroes gets ever stronger, you get the idea. It's... kinda addicting, as you don't fight heroes every day of the week, but more like... once a week? In the days between you have bonus "events" you have to resolve, making it a hybrid of builder, RPG, and so on. You don't need to physically build anything, but managing your "employees" can be difficult as you need to recruit additional monsters, train them, AND do good HR work (LOL). I'm playing on easy, so I'm always short on gold, but so far, this thing is... interesting, and there are DLCs to add more keepers, more monsters, and so on.