OS Neutral What Game You Play'n?

[hieromonk]

Murder Mystery Machine - really good! free on Apple Arcade

ECO Inc. Similar to Plague Inc but related to environment

Gaming on Apple Arcade seems pointless to me now ,
ever since native M2 GeForce now app + steam taken over , I buy games > one tap instant play

I like the feature of steam
like the achievements system / trading cards / personal profile

Especially now with the steam deck

 

[Huntn]

Aug 2022-

• Raft- A decent survival game. More fun if you are playing with others but imo, you need to commit to dedicated play, because there is a trigger in the game that leads to a story, consumable content. This is why I’m playing it solo, because the person I was playing with would not play dedicated, but no hard feelings there. I can’t say how long I’ll play this. The routine seems to be getting repetitive, which eventually is true with all games. The important factor is how long before you get bored with the routine?
  Crafting is simplistic, but that is ok, however you seem to be over-reliant on junk floating in the ocean A LOT of junk to build your raft. And you turn crude materials into highly complex items, but isn’t that the way with this genre? The crafting is unrealistic, but no different than any other survival game out there including my all time favorite Fallout 4, but that’s more an RPG. Anyway, I’ll stop there.
  
  A matter of routine….​
• Guardians of the Galaxy- I’m still making my mind up about this. I’m a huge fan of the 2 movies. They did not try to replicate the actors from the movies and the voices are not the actors, which is fine by me.
  In the first level to fetch some stuff, from some derelict place which feels like a No Where (first movie) kind of place, in space where there appears to be air, the environment is dynamic, highly scripted and cinematic. Controls are complex, as far as telling your teammates what to do. I’ve got to get to a point where I am pulled in. So far not yet. 🤔
• World of Warships- Subs with their homing torps are still pissing me off. There is just no place for them in this game. You’d think the destroyers would be all over them, but their bread and butter is loosing huge unrealistic torpedo salvos on unwary battleships.
  Yet I can overlook these serious flaws for the strategy of situational awareness, staying away from destroyers* and constantly positioning myself so I can deal damaged, but not become the target of 3 or more ships trying to kill me. Besides being competant with aiming mechanics, 90% of this game is situational awareness. It’s very different in tempo from World of Tanks.
  * How ironic is that Battleships are fearful of destroyers, all in the name of game balance. 🤮
• World of Tanks- I posted a “quit again” thread in their forums then reinstalled the game after my son described his sadness at no longer playing with me. Sigh…
  You’ve heard me rag for years on this game. I’ll say for a variety of reasons my win rate is going down, some mix of power creep, and aI don’t buy every new tank (but I have bought a lot over the years) people who have been playing for years who know every good spot on the map and are better than me at peek and shoot around the rock, which is the vast majority of battle interactions, and me getting older and losing my edge.
  
  There is also a constant pay to win vibe in progress there, ie the constant flow of $$ better tanks being offered for sale while due to power creep older classics have lost their edge.
  
  That said there are still infrequent times with some exhillersting encounters. Usually they involve a battle underway, wirth enemy tanks not focused on me, where I can insert myself as a wild card tank, usually a fast tank, and auto aim is relied upon. Sad? Yep, but when it works, fun.
  
  For those unfamiliar, auto-aim allows you to lock you gun on the middle of the target tank. When you are driving around at 40-60kph, for myself, it is impossible to aim your gun, and avoid running into obstacles. A common maneuver is to be in a light fast tank , and circle a slow heavy tank with a slow rotating turret. In the light tank, you’ll eat them for lunch. Just remember to shoot the sides and rear of their tank. But honestly I just hold the fire button down and let the gun shoot upon every reload.

 

[lucky8919]

Murder in the alps is also another great game and not on Apple Arcade

 

[diamond.g]

Now playing Stray, The visual looking amazing on RTX 3080 on 4k.
But the total gameplay is about 5 to 6 hours ....

I tried Stray on both, I think it's better suited to the desktop. It really thrashes the Steam Deck, so I was getting about 90 minutes of battery life quoted. Limiting it to 40 fps raised that by another 45 minutes.

I got a refund before I played that long, though. This one just wasn't for me, I thought it was really slow and dull. You can only jump where it shows you a button icon, so exploring is kind of on rails. Also, what kind of cat can carry buckets in its mouth, operate levers, and rewire electrical circuits?

Playing it on my desktop. Tried the -dx12 switch which forces RT, but @1440P it crushes my 6900. It makes the shadows in the game look odd as well, so I turned it off.

 

[Koudspeel]

I'm playing macOS native game: Cult of the Lamb

The only downside is that it isn't a Universal App, as in, it runs through Rosetta 2. Performance is great though!

 

[Queen6]

I'm playing macOS native game: Cult of the Lamb

The only downside is that it isn't a Universal App, as in, it runs through Rosetta 2. Performance is great though!

There's a certain irony to this, but I wont go any further before humour is twisted into something else. Just made me laugh LOL...

Q-6

 

[Anand Pollard]

Murder in the alps is also another great game and not on Apple Arcade

I also play Murder in the Alps 😃

 

[lucky8919]

I also play Murder in the Alps 😃

I guess if you played that one you also played New York Mysteries, I have been playing that one recently and quite liked it. You can play the whole 4 games series for free.

 

[Queen6]

Been scratching about trying to get old games and mods to play well on both Windows 10 and Apple Silicon.

Been challenged to go at Halo Combat Evolved on Legendry, so will give it a crack in the near future. Played the game multiple times and know this is not an idle challenge by any means.

In the meantime, latest update (mod) to Return to Castle Wolfenstein has dropped and that is a must play for me...

One, if not the best FPS ever produced, similar to a fine wine just gets better with age I kind of envy those who are first time players, walking into the room with the Super Soldier. It's definitely an eye opener...

Game is dirt cheap on GOG & Steam, mod is free, go play and you'll see exactly why this 20-year-old masterpiece is so revered by the community and why so many devs are so committed to updating the game. Was planning to play another title, but RTCW...

Q-6

 

[Queen6]

Still dabbling with RTCW, arguably the best of the Wolfenstein series. Side tracked by the latest update of Radiophobia, is going to be outright dirty & dangerous, after all its S.T.A.L.K.E.R...

Took a crack at Elder Scrolls II Daggerfall Unity (GOG Cut 58 mods incorporated) is surprisingly good as long as you like retro games. Fun to play such an old school RPG with vastly improved graphics for a game that's passing 26 years old not too shabby at all.

Might look at a few more mods and add them into the mix. Yet to get a handle on the combat, seems very RnG based. Doubt I'll get deeply into Daggerfall as it's such a massive game and the Zone is calling me back to the CNPP LOL. Daggerfall has one of the largest playing areas ever produced. Think like one-to-one scale.

You could sink thousands of hours into Daggerfall and not see Everywhere & everything, especially with mods. Arguably in 2022 would make far more sense to play Witcher 3 or Kingdom Come: Deliverance with DLC's, but it won't feel the same...

Daggerfall Unity is free, so if you want to get lost for years in a deep, & immersive classic RPG this is the one to play. Daggerfall is very much an old school RPG nor suffers for it thx to an epic modding community

 

[Dalton224]

Embers Adrift has a native client now, it’s been between that and WoW classic basically all year.

 

[Queen6]

Been playing these two pretty much since release with the battle of good versus evil still raging on LOL. Both games are now on fresher fields and platforms due to updated source ports with many bug fixes & improvements. Better still now native to Apple silicon & 64-Bit Intel thx to Mac Source Ports.

Doom 3 (2004)

A survival horror focused FPS that genuinely gets under your skin. Quite literally a very dark experience. dhewm3 (source port) Keeps the original experience with bug fixes and far better support for newer operating systems and hardware.

Dev:
"Compared to the original version of Doom3, dhewm3 has many bugfixes, supports EAX-like sound effects on all operating systems and hardware (via OpenAL Softs EFX support), has much better support for widescreen resolutions and has 64bit support."

Doom 3 BFG (2012)

Feels and plays more action focused, reduces the tension of the original in trade for some quality-of-life mechanics. I tend to drop the brightness to match as close as possible the original as I like the horror aspect. RBDOOM-3-BFG (source port) vastly improves immersion due to a complete overhaul of the games lighting systems.

Dev:
"RBDOOM-3-BFG is based on DOOM-3-BFG and the goal of this port is to bring DOOM-3-BFG up to latest technology in 2021 making it closer to Doom 2016 while still remaining a DOOM 3 port regarding the gameplay."

Naturally the battle continues to which is the better game LOL. Personally, I like both and therefore have the best of both worlds

Both source ports are freely distributed; however, you will require the original game data files to play either title. Those that want to install on Apple Silicon or 64-Bit Intel need to download from Mac Source Ports.

Q-6

 

[Queen6]

Dropped back into RBDOOM BFG 3, is a wild ride with the brightness dropped. Dev has very cleverly split global brightness and ambient brightness makes for a hell of a difference. Extremely immersive to say the very least, nails the feeling of being on backup lighting and the feeling of being so very isolated with superb soft shadow effects.

Mod draws you in so deeply, I only play at night in a darkened room as the atmosphere is off the wall with this set up. Really enjoying as this is how Doom 3 should be played. Soon I'll come across the Revant's but I'm excited to do so as this game is playing out so well. D3 BFG on RBDOOM 1.4 think is the best playthrough ever of D3 it's really killing it and then some. Defining factor is that you want darkness to get back into the game...

Just seen this and hit DL.

Could be right up my street Want to explore the zone with more interesting and diverse quests. I don't want ridiculous difficulty levels or excessive micromanagement mechanics or a semi Tarkov reproduction. I want to play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. as it was originally intended just fully fleshed out across all maps....

Hopefully a lot of prospects in this mod. While I respect what others have done, many have diverged far too much from the original intent. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. was always tough game so why make it so much harder? by just upping the hit numbers and or enemy count to an absolutely unfair level, make stealth near impossible. Yes, it's more challenging but is it any fun?

I want to play and explore the Zone, the lore/weapons be accurate to the period, not spend half the time in menus balancing trivia or playing the same scenario over and over as is completely unbalanced...

I've played a lot of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and then some, but these days I want to go back to the roots as that's where it's at. After Doom 3 as RBDOOM is kicking ass and then some on both W10 and macOS Monterey

Q-6

 

[Queen6]

Just seen this and hit DL.

Could be right up my street Want to explore the zone with more interesting and diverse quests. I don't want ridiculous difficulty levels or excessive micromanagement mechanics or a semi Tarkov reproduction. I want to play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. as it was originally intended just fully fleshed out across all maps....

Hopefully a lot of prospects in this mod. While I respect what others have done, many have diverged far too much from the original intent. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. was always tough game so why make it so much harder? by just upping the hit numbers and or enemy count to an absolutely unfair level, make stealth near impossible. Yes, it's more challenging but is it any fun?

I want to play and explore the Zone, the lore/weapons be accurate to the period, not spend half the time in menus balancing trivia or playing the same scenario over and over as is completely unbalanced...

I've played a lot of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and then some, but these days I want to go back to the roots as that's where it's at. After Doom 3 as RBDOOM is kicking ass and then some on both W10 and macOS Monterey

Q-6

I got this one on the drive now...

Very early days, but officially impressed. Is so reminiscent of Shadow of Chernobyl,

For those that want to get into S.T.A.L.K.E.R. in a more modern space yet retain the original feel & experience this could be the one for you. Lot of the full mod games diverge from the original, and or ramp up difficulty way beyond the average players skill. It's all good for the seasoned player, equally sometimes you just want to explore the game world. Not worry about micro mechanics, ramped up difficulty just play as was originally intended

Full free game:
Anomaly 1.5.1 game
Anomaly 1.5.2 update
Latest Old World Addon

All available on moddb.com

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

Been playing these two pretty much since release with the battle of good versus evil still raging on LOL. Both games are now on fresher fields and platforms due to updated source ports with many bug fixes & improvements. Better still now native to Apple silicon & 64-Bit Intel thx to Mac Source Ports.

Doom 3 (2004)
View attachment 2092245
A survival horror focused FPS that genuinely gets under your skin. Quite literally a very dark experience. dhewm3 (source port) Keeps the original experience with bug fixes and far better support for newer operating systems and hardware.

Dev:
"Compared to the original version of Doom3, dhewm3 has many bugfixes, supports EAX-like sound effects on all operating systems and hardware (via OpenAL Softs EFX support), has much better support for widescreen resolutions and has 64bit support."

Doom 3 BFG (2012)
View attachment 2092246
Feels and plays more action focused, reduces the tension of the original in trade for some quality-of-life mechanics. I tend to drop the brightness to match as close as possible the original as I like the horror aspect. RBDOOM-3-BFG (source port) vastly improves immersion due to a complete overhaul of the games lighting systems.

Dev:
"RBDOOM-3-BFG is based on DOOM-3-BFG and the goal of this port is to bring DOOM-3-BFG up to latest technology in 2021 making it closer to Doom 2016 while still remaining a DOOM 3 port regarding the gameplay."

Naturally the battle continues to which is the better game LOL. Personally, I like both and therefore have the best of both worlds

Both source ports are freely distributed; however, you will require the original game data files to play either title. Those that want to install on Apple Silicon or 64-Bit Intel need to download from Mac Source Ports.

Q-6

I remember very atmospheric, it‘s strength, horror oppressively atmospheric, so you have to brace yourself, I jumped more than once , but a disappointing, mechanical, end boss fight. Overall I give the game a thumbs up. Another game that reminds of this is Dead Space.

 

[Huntn]

Oct22

• Cyberpunk 2077- 3rd playthough. This game is simultaneously flawed, an achievement, and controversial. One of the quests involves a voluntary, state sanctioned, crucifixion, broadcast live! Read more about the game here (spoilers).

Johnny Silverhand (He annoyed me at first, now I like him)


Panam (Nomad- Aldecaldo)


Judy Alvarez (Braindance Techie, Editor)​

• World of Tanks- These days I seem to be a crappy tanker, but keep playing it with my son. Every so often the blind squirrel finds a nut.
• Enlisted- Online WWII shooter, if I could ever get myself signed into it. By the War Thunder Devs.

 

[Queen6]

I remember very atmospheric, it‘s strength, horror oppressively atmospheric, so you have to brace yourself, I jumped more than once , but a disappointing, mechanical, end boss fight. Overall I give the game a thumbs up. Another game that reminds of this is Dead Space.

Played a lot of Dead Space as well. It too has a weak end, but the journey is what it's all about...

Q-6

 

[txa1265]

Oct22

• Cyberpunk 2077- 3rd playthough. This game is simultaneously flawed, an achievement, and controversial. One of the quests involves a voluntary, state sanctioned, crucifixion, broadcast live! Read more about the game here (spoilers).

Also playing Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam Deck - they’ve really made so much progress since launch.
Also -
- Half Life 2 - just finishing this up, and while it remains a great FPS, the weaknesses that bugged me nearly 20 years ago (too much vehicle stuff, ‘gimmick gun’ underutilized, weapons imbalanced) have only gotten worse.
- Elex 2(also on Steam Deck) - I read a one-sentence review “the first game is better but PLAYING the second game is better” which seems pretty true!
- Skyrim - have never finished the ‘anniversary edition’ with all the extra content, but whew there is a lot! I’m on a break for a bit.

On Switch I’m playing ‘Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero’ that recently launched and is a lot of fun so far!

 

[Queen6]

And so, the journey starts...

Broke, no weapons to speak of, in need of work to just survive the next few days...

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Anomaly 1.5.2 - Old World 2.7 addon, Hard & Scavenger. I must have several thousand hours in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe. 30 seconds in I instantly know I'm home This combination has the look and feel of the original game, with massive graphical & QoL upgrades.

Still need to help out the Doom guy on Mars but the call of the Zone is so deeply ingrained. Also need to check out the latest Radiophobia 3 release. Be warned this one is for seasoned S.T.A.L.K.E.R. players as hard is an understatement to say the very least, but what a rush it is as this is very much a fight to survive on all levels.

Similar to Doom 3 I'll burn all the save games for Radiophobia 3. Go at it from scratch, but man does the Old World addon look good and it calls to me...

Q-6

 

[turbineseaplane]

I have been playing Tiger Woods 2013 and 2014 for PS3, via emulation in RPCS3

They both upscale brilliantly and look wonderful in 4k!

 

[Huntn]

Is anyone playing Tiny Teena's Wonderlands, a spiritual companion to Gearbox's Borderlands? If so I'd like to hear what you think it's on sale at Steam through the 17th (I think). How is coop handled, local, or a server?

​

I played Borderlands with my grandson for a long time and we had lots of fun there. I know it was more fun coop than solo, and I imagine Tiny Teena might be the same way.

 

[Queen6]

Not moved on much.

• Doom 3 BFG on the RBDOOM engine. This is the source port to play, you can get the atmosphere of the original release with the benefits of the BFG release.
• Lords of the Fallen (GOTY edition).
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Anomaly with the Old World addon (well recommended).

Tremendous atmosphere with the Old World addon, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. as it should be

Full free game:
Anomaly 1.5.1 Game
Anomaly 1.5.2 Update
Latest Old-World Addon

Stalker's welcome to the Zone...

Q-6

 

[Marsikus]

Found that some games marked as 32 bit are in order 64 bit on Steam, so playing Insurgency again.

 

[suburbia]

Been playing Shadow of Mordor for a few years now…

It was a great way to relief some stress for a bit of time by playing, then get back to work, play a bit, get back to work… The exploration; unlimited ability to confront captains, brand them; take on side missions at your own pace; choose whether to seek out full-on action play or just stealth your way through the region, etc is what makes this game so immersive.

Unfortunately— and the reason for playing for this game for a few years, was that the game was stuck at 30% completed: unresponsive on the “select a game mode” scree). Started from the beginning again some time ago, made it to 68%— and surprise, surprise: unresponsive on the “select a game mode” screen. Forget it, I’m not starting at the beginning again. Shame, it really is/was such a good game.

Started on Shadow of Tomb Raider a couple of weeks ago. So far, gameplay pales by comparison to Shadow of Mordor.

 

[Huntn]

Been playing Shadow of Mordor for a few years now…

It was a great way to relief some stress for a bit of time by playing, then get back to work, play a bit, get back to work… The exploration; unlimited ability to confront captains, brand them; take on side missions at your own pace; choose whether to seek out full-on action play or just stealth your way through the region, etc is what makes this game so immersive.

Unfortunately— and the reason for playing for this game for a few years, was that the game was stuck at 30% completed: unresponsive on the “select a game mode” scree). Started from the beginning again some time ago, made it to 68%— and surprise, surprise: unresponsive on the “select a game mode” screen. Forget it, I’m not starting at the beginning again. Shame, it really is/was such a good game.

Started on Shadow of Tomb Raider a couple of weeks ago. So far, gameplay pales by comparison to Shadow of Mordor.

This is in my large queue to check out. What do you find appealing about the story/gameplay?