Pudding Face Simulator... aka Oblivion

Looks like I haven't had enough fantasy RPG open-world action since I dived right into Oblivion after my 200+ hour run in Skyrim. While I've dabbled with the former here and there, I've never given it a serious attempt at really playing through it.

I actually had to do a do-over around 10 hours in because I was leveling way too fast with the main skills I had. Oblivion's leveling system is very much an oddity. So I re-rolled with a custom class. Started off doing a hand-to-hand brawler with a side of magic, but that wasn't working all that well after a while. On the plus side, the skills I'm using the most now with that same character are not my main skills so it keeps the leveling in check. *shrug*

I forgot how silly NPCs' stilted impromptu chats sound to overhear. Half the women sound like drag queens. Enemies will throw out Monkey-Island-ish quips like "You fight like a cow!" or "Why don't you make it easy and jump on my sword?" and other silly phrases. And the commentary from some shop keepers and quest givers is curious.

That said, looks like I did find my groove in this amerijank game and I'm having a good time. :)

Cities Skylines 2

time spend: 33 hours

inhabitants: 40k

City life is grabbing me slowly but sturdy, by the time you're placing pedestrian roads to guide the children safely to their schools (while at the same time avoiding any people clothing the crossways during rush hour) you know you've got a problem.

Also, one of the first thoughts I had about this game was something along the line of, it is very easy to run a city. It was very nice to see that thought reflected in the pre patch notes from Colossal. Apparently the developer is aiming to provide a more challenging environment with its next patch.
Personally, i think it would be nice to see something similar with Simcity. The money free artist mode and the normal simulation. Of course maybe with some sliders that are specifically aimed at your profit and of course one for the traffic.

I do hope i'm fed up with this specific game before the next patch approaches, such changes and older saves don't tend to work well together. I believe the patch is due for end of the month, i am curious if i could make it to at least 500k inhabitants before that time.

Another game i'm slowly picking up again is Tomb Raider. atm walking against walls in some frozen Byzantium city, chasing holy relics trying hard not to rely on any walk through. Which is a bit fiddly at best since the game has glitches.

Control

ooooh, you badass!!

Thanks! :)

Eccentric Pudding Faces of Cyrodiil ...aka Oblivion continued

Barely pushed the needle forward on the main quest. Just finally picked it up again +70 hours into the game. Kind of left poor Martin stranded outside of Kvatch for the longest time after clearing it of the demonic horde. Too busy faffing about everywhere else and meeting the many colorful characters inhabiting the land.

To think one of my best spells was found in a random cave/fortress (I forget which) fairly early on. Strangulation is awesome! I can insta-kill lowlife minions and take good chunks of health out of everybody else. Comes in very handy when they try to gang up on me or when I can't be bothered to duke it out. ;)

I genuinely laughed. Continue.

Steel Division 2

working my way through the tutorial

looks to be very promising so far. Of course, i could imagine a couple of bears. How do they manage to keep the battles interesting enough for one? But yea silly me been playing almost every total war game released since 1999 . . . Guess that's enough honey.
But the bee's?!?!

Xanadu Next is the first Nihon Falcom title for me, stumbled upon it through a post in this thread by viperfdl. Action-JRPG, visuals somewhat reminiscent of the PS1 era, love the style. Soundtrack is fantastic.

Steel Division 2

Fired up one of the campaigns. Now, about the 4 campaigns available. For some reason, the developer made a choice of presenting a fragment of WW2, cut that specific fragment into 4 pieces (following the historical lines) but decided that the 1st campaign, the start point of the journey so to speak is also the most difficult campaign available.

Imagine that....

This means that if you want to enjoy some historical accuracy, you need to be either hellbent on a steep learning curve or are a experienced Eugene player set on changing or at least presenting history with an alternative outcome.

Believe me when i say the learning curve is steep for any newcomer. I myself i have accumulated a nice varied wargaming experience throughout the years (neglecting the true rts games out there tho, be it supcom or CnC derivates) but none of that managed to prepare for what happened in the first conflict. Sjeez!!!

Next wkend i'll give it another go. Already determined some factors to keep in own control, for now i'm out.

Peace

p.s.

finally figured out how to really manipulate the quality of picture without decreasing resolution

been here and there this week

My kind of Battle in TW WH III.
Really, if the Gods of Chaos ever arrive and i had no choice, it would be Khorne. Of course I would have to bulk and get some martial experience goin on butteh yea ... Khorne. Really Slaanesh and Nurgle are way too disgusting for my taste.

Rentin a flat in CP2077

I've finally decided which way to go. Corporate ending in sight! Heeeeere comes Johnny!!

also played through the prologue of SotTR

It was the most spectacular start of all three games! The game looks beautiful. Lara is a bit too doll like, though. And you know, a bit to much like a girl who wants to make a good first impression on a first date and decides to go with a bit
of cleavage

Army of Ruin, very fun action game with some minor rogue-lite mechanics :)

So, finished with CP2077 ( for now ) i'll spare you guys the peaceful last breath before departing into the netherworld.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is giving me the creeps, like the tension build-up found in a film such as The blue lagoon. Next to creepy sounds and sudden movement in the brushes, I'm pretty sure someone tried to lob rocks on top of Lara's head!

also getting along slowly with Tales of Arise. This fight actually got me interested in the game

Ohh this looks nice, thanks for tip. Suddenly have a craving for some well-made JRPGings, and a big GOG sale is apparently starting in a few days... :)

You are welcome, I can really recommend Xanadu Next (and it's indeed discounted at the moment). I'm still at it, making my way through an optional dungeon that's quite challenging and rewards tinkering with different equipment loadouts. And yeah, I'm also enjoying this thread for discovering titles I haven't heard anything about before.