#especially after buying a $30 dlc lol

[lilyware]

reaching the end of phantom liberty and decided to look up the new ending cause I couldn't help myself and wanted to make the right decision (already knew I was gonna have to choose between reed and so mi) and man

kinda don't wanna finish this anymore lol i was really holding out hope for this new base game ending

[messydiabolical]

Mass Effect Qs: 1, 5, 16, 30, 36, 37, 45, 67, 76, 79, 95, 101

Thanks for the ask, you mean business! *cracks knuckles* okay let's do this (link to all the questions) 1) How did you get into Mass Effect? 2013: Spouse gifts me a copy of me1 on steam. I, according to steam, played 61 minutes and decided it wasn't for me and uninstalled it 😅 2021: I watch Jessie Gender do a letsplay and enjoy it a lot. I buy Legendary in a sale deal. I am hooked. 2013 me apparently wasn't ready lol (I've always struggled with non 1st person perspective games, it's probably what put me off).

5) Preferred alignment Overall paragon, though I do think some of the paragon responses are too washy/hand wavy when it comes to say, the council. I go with the in between option a lot in general dialogue. 16) MAKO: Die in a fire or best thing ever? I have to be in the mood for it, and when I am, I enjoy the MAKO a lot. Just vibing along. It helps that I play with mods. N7 MAKO for more speed, MAKO squadmate banter for more vibes, and charted worlds for easier map navigation. But even first playthrough vanilla, I liked the MAKO. I find thorough exploration satisfying.

rest of answers under cut as there are so many and this is getting long!

30) Favourite DLC mission? Mission is a toss up between Lair of the Shadow Broker (Feron my beloved) and Leviathan (probably the most fun overall gameplay wise, I like the detective aspect and the lab apartment is cool). Fave DLC is Thane's alternative outfit though. DLC of all time, all hail Thane's cool dad glasses.

36) Funniest moment in the game? Grunt falling past the Heurta lab window, Feron's sassy little "I'll try not to go anywhere" while strapped into the chair (the ultimate commited to the bit sarcasm king) and the sexually awakened salarian's email after recruiting Thane (funny and wholesome. You go you horny funky little guy, you and me both).

37) Creepiest moment in the games? The T-GES Mineral works employees on Mahavid in the Leviathan DLC telling you to leave, you don't belong here etc. Especially on first playthrough when you can't be sure if they might turn on you violently or not, and will you have to fight these poor brainwashed civilians? In a similar vein, the Reaper IFF mission with the vids showing the workers sharing memories and their growing confusion.

45) Best Villian in the series? The leviathan

67) Who would you cosplay if you could (no holds barred)? The biotic God would be fun

76) What are you hoping from ME4? That they take their time, are well invested and the staff treated respectfully so that they can produce something with love and care *crying thumbs up* I just hope they don't rush through some money grabbing shit show. Storywise the skies the limit, there's a whole universe to explore, have fun with it, do something new, respect the old, and heck if you can throw in more drell that'd be neat.

95) Do you mod your games? Heavily. My MAKO answer probably shows that lol. Herobrine24's modlist is a great base for modding I'm always checking it.

101) If you could meet Shepard, what would you say? Can I offer you an egg in these trying times? In seriousness I would just want to offer them some food and a nap.

[bethesdaglitch]

1-70 do em all! 😁💙

I’m seriously so sorry this took so long, but it was so much fun!! thank you!!! Also it’s super long so I’m gonna put it under a readmore!

1. First game you played obsessively?

Jak & Daxter! 2. A game that has influenced you creatively? Writing, drawing, etc.Lmao I’m not exactly a creative person, but when I was little I tried coming up with and drawing my own pokemon. They were… bad3. Who did you play with as a kid?My brother! At first I stole his Gameboy Color whenever he wasn’t using it, but then he saved up and bought a PS2 so we could play games together4. Who do you play with now?No one really lol. I kinda prefer to play single-player games now? But I’ll play with various friends when we hang out.5. Ever use cheat codes?When I was little, yeah! Especially in the Sly Raccoon games 6. Ever buy strategy guides?Before the age of unlimited free online strategy guides I did, now I just use said online ones7. Any games you have multiple copies of?Yep, I’ve “lost” games only to find them again after replacing them like… four times? It happened with Oblivion, Fable 3, DA: Origins, and, weirdly enough, that one obscure (but fun imo!) wii game, Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon8. Rarest/Most expensive game in your collection?This one was hard! After a teeny bit of research, I narrowed it down to either Rule of Rose, LoZ Collector��s Edition on Gamecube, and pokemon red and yellow9. Most regrettable purchase?Hhhhhhhh I bought the video game for the 2006 Dreamworks movie Over the Hedge. I was only 12, but I still should’ve known better :(10. Ever go to a midnight game release or stand in line for hours?I’ve gone to a few midnight releases, but none that have lasted for hours, luckily. I only started going to them in the last few years, so the only ones I’ve been to so far are Fallout 4, DA:I and uh… ME:A (I KNOW)11. Have you ever made new friends from playing video games?Nah not really, I don’t play online games, so. I have friends who play video games, but I’ve never met someone BECAUSE of video games12. Ever get picked on for liking games?Lol no?13. A game you’ve never played that everyone else has?Overwatch14. Favorite game music?NIER, hands down. 15. If it was a requirement to get a game related tattoo, what would you pick?Probably something cute and harmless like the leaf from Animal Crossing lol16. Favorite game to play with your friends IRL?Lately we’ve been really into Towerfall: Ascension and Screencheat17. Ever lose a friend over a game?Wh—no????18. Would you date someone that hates gaming?So long as they didn’t try to “forbid” me from playing and so long as we had other interests to bond over, then sure. It’d be kind of a bummer though lol19. Favorite handheld console?Idk that I have one! Maybe the Switch, since that’s the most recent and popular?20. Game that you know like the back of your hand?Silent Hill 3 and DA:I21. Game that you didn’t like or understand as a kid but love now?The Civilization games22. Do you wear game related clothing/accessories?Sometimes, yeah. Nothing too embarrassing, though. 23. The game that you’ve logged the most hours into?What, like… ever?? Geez, I dunno… probably Oblivion?24. First Pokemon game?Yellow!25. Were you ever an arcade game player?I actually wasn’t really :/26. Ever form any gaming rivalries?Oh yeah, with my brother. He’s 6 years older than me, which pretty much guaranteed I got my ass kicked in every game we played when I was younger27. Game that makes you rage?Bloodborne and Dark Souls!!!!!! I swear I try to go back and play them at least once a year, and I can never get past the first hour :(28. Ever play in a tournament?Not like an official one, but ones with friends, yep29. What is your gaming set up?Imma be real with you chief I don’t know nearly enough about computers to answer this question with anything other than “a computer”30. How many consoles do you own?Ohohoho far too many31. Does the 3DS and/or Virtual Boy hurt your eyes or give you headaches?I’ve never had the 3D slider up long enough to tell, but that probably means yes lol32. Did you ever play a game based on your favorite show/cartoon/movie/comic?BOY when I was in first grade I played Spongebob: Supersponge on Gameboy advance so much I STILL remember the password that lets you skip to the final stage (it’s WMBT) 33. Did you ever have any bootleg games or plug-n-play games?nah 34. Do either of your parents play video games?PFFF GOD NO. Although my mom does love Animal Crossing. Not playing it, but just like it’s whole deal. 35. Ever work in a game store? Or do you have a favorite game shop?No and no, tbh36. Have you ever shed actual blood, sweat or tears over a game?I… don’t think so? Maybe I’ve cried over a game, but blood?? Put the controller down, y’all37. Have you played E.T. for the Atari 2600? Do you think that’s the worst game ever, or do you have another nomination?NO NO NO OVER THE HEDGE (2006) FOR THE PS2 IS THE SINGLE WORST GAME EVER MADE FIGHT ME ON THIS38. A game you’re ashamed to admit that you like?Oh lord… idk if anyone’s ever played any of Ambition’s dating sims (Dream Girlfriend, Dream Boyfriend, Animal Boyfriend, and Moe Can Change) but I’ve literally been playing them for about… 5-ish years now? They’re seriously the worst, I fucking love them 39. A sequel that you would die for them to make?Hmm… Maybe a new Kingdoms of Amalur game would be cool? 40. What to you think of virtual reality headsets or motion controls?I love VR but the last time I tried it at a friend’s place I fucking faceplanted after leaning on a counter I forgot was also virtual and the first thing my friend asked was whether the headset was ok, so that stung. As for motion controls, they’re fun but they can be a real pain41. A genre that you just can’t get into?Sports games 42. Maybe it wasn’t your first game, but what was the game that started you on your path to nerdiness?The path to what43. Ever play games when you really should have been concentrating on something else?Oh yeah, who hasn’t?44. Arcade machine that has consumed the most of your quarters?Idk if this counts but I am a MASTER at the claw machine and that stacker game. My closet is full of useless shit I’ve won from those things45. How are you at Mario Kart?OH SO FUCKING GOOD YOU HAVE NO IDEA46. Do you like relaxing games like Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon?yesssss I love them47. Do you like competitive games?I mean like I said, I mostly prefer single-player games, but I do enjoy the occasional co-op game48. How long does it take your to customize your player character?about an hour49. In games where you can pick your class, do you always tend to go for the same type of character?I actually don’t! If it’s a game I’m not confident I’ll be good at, I pick whichever class is recommended for beginners, and that changes from game to game. Alternatively, I just go through phases where I prefer a specific class above others 50. If you were a game designer, what masterpiece would you create?Christ I have no idea. Maybe a first-person escape game? idk51. Have you ever played a game for so long that you forgot to eat or sleep?NO?? DAMN ARE Y’ALL OK????52. A game that you begged your parents for as a kid?Literally any M game; my parents were strictly “No M games until you’re old enough!” I just got my brother to buy them most of the time though lol53. What’s your opinion on DLC these days?Most DLC is fine, it’s microtransactions in “pay-to-win” games that I fucking hate. 54. Do you give in to Steam sales?HAHAHAHAHA yeah absolutely 55. Did you ever make someone you hated in the Sims and did mean stuff to them?N-No??? 56. Did you ever play Roller Coaster Tycoon and kill off your guests?Ok yeah I did do that 57. Did you ever play a game to 100% or get all of the achievements?Ew no58. If you can only play 3 games for the rest of your life, which ones do you pick?Ooooh… ok, Oblivion, My Time in Portia, and Divinity 259. Do you play any cell phone games?I do! I play a lot of escape games, and uh… the Ambition games mentioned previously60. Do you know the Konami Code?Is that the up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A? Huh, I never knew it had a name!61. Do you trade in your games or keep them forever?I used to trade them in occasionally, but mostly I keep them 62. Ever buy a console specifically to play one game?Yeah the Switch for BotW. Not proud of it, but it was worth it63. Ever go to a gaming convention or tournament? nah64. Ever make a TV or monitor purchase based on what would be best for gaming?Yep! 65. Ever have a Game Genie, Game Shark or Action Replay? Did it ever mess up your game’s save file?OHHHH MY GOD YEAH, I’M STILL FUCKING PISSED ABOUT IT. I had GameShark for Gameboy and PS2, but that one was fine, it didn’t cause any problems. It was ACTION FUCKING REPLAY that fucked me over. I used it for KH2 and it worked the whole time until literally THE VERY LAST XEMNAS FIGHT, when my HP bar suddenly dropped to 1??? Not my HP, mind you, the HP BAR. Meaning 1 HP was the most I could have. Literally fuck action replay >:( 66. Did you ever have have an old Nokia with Snake on it?nope67. Do you have a happy gaming-related childhood memory you want to share?I do! The very first thing I ever saved up money for to buy myself was Pokemon Crystal version. Until then I’d just been borrowing (re:stealing) my brother’s, but when I was 5 and Crystal was about to come out, my parents made me a deal that if I saved up $15, they’d pay the other $15 and I could get it! It was the first time I was working towards a fun goal, so it was all pretty exciting for 5-year-old me lol. It’s dumb, I know, but it’s something I look back on fondly68. Ever save up a ton of tickets in an arcade to get something cool?Lol nah, I think the best thing I ever got with tickets was a cheap snowglobe 69. In your opinion, best game ever made? UHHHH GOD. That’s… super tough. I’m genuinely not sure I have an answer tbh. I’m really into Divinity 2 right now but best game ever made?? Idk! that’s a hard one!!!! 70. Very first game you ever beat? I won’t lie, it was Spongebob: Supersponge on GBA

[thesimolius-blog]

Mount & Blade 2 is coming to consoles, and it’s a really bad idea.

Mount & Blade Warband is definitely one of my favorite games on PC, because of it’s originality, the freedom it gives you to take on the northern kingdoms any way you wish, the simplicity of it’s combat system that actually ends up being quite interesting and satisfying... Needless to say, I’ve been keeping an eye on Mount & Blade II Bannerlord ever since it was announced. Unfortunately, there seems to be a problem I have only recently noticed. For some reason, M&B 2 is not only going to be available on PC, it’s also going to be released on Xbox One and the PS4. To any seasoned PC gamer and fan of the franchise, this is obviously a big problem.

Developing a game with consoles in mind can result in an idea with a lot of potential turning into a game full of limitations, features getting cut out or not even being approved due to the limitations of the outdated hardware of the consoles. Massive games like Arma 3, Minecraft, Word of Warcraft, Europa Universalis, and many others, would have never been able to see the light of day if they were to be developed for consoles. Keyboard and mouse are less restrictive than controllers, computer hardware is always ahead of whatever is being used by the current generation consoles, allowing for bigger games with more technologically innovative features. Consoles are so much more restrictive, they aren’t fit to innovate and don’t allow for bigger and better games to grow on and from them. If you make a game that is the same for both consoles and PC, chances are the PC version is going to turn out the worst of them, because of all the limitations that were put on the game by the consoles. It’s an even worse idea to take a PC exclusive game,  come up with a sequel, which should be bigger and better, and develop it with consoles in mind. And, oh look! Taleworlds ported Warband to the consoles and guess what happened...

Now, we all know that IGN is not to be trusted, but for this time only, I found that their review of the console port of M&B Warband was just what we needed to look at to see how PC exclusive masterpieces are seen by the console community when said masterpieces somehow land on their potato boxes...

IGN called Warband on Xbox One “an unsharpened blade” criticizing it’s “outdated graphics and sometimes disappointing controls”. I could also quote a bunch of others critiques to the character models, map design and graphic quality, but there would be more pointless quotes in here than on a 14 year-old’s Facebook feed. Also, graphics are the most minor of problems this game has. Very few M&B fans will ever have serious complain about the graphics of the game, despite how bad they truly are. That’s because the gameplay of M&B easily compensates for the weak visuals.

 Although the amount of text in the game can be a bit annoying, IGN seems to attribute a lot more negative points to that than the average PC player, definitely demonstrating how console players just can’t be bothered with anything more complicated than “shoot bad guy, get ranks”.

They also notice the games lack of direction and high difficulty, specially when getting started. This is yet another characteristic sometimes found on great PC games. You will have to learn things, by yourself or with the help of guides. Once you do that, the game opens up and everything is wonderful. Also, if Dark Souls does it, i’ts cool, but if it’s poor old M&B, it’s not so cool. Interesting... 

They say issuing orders with the D-pad sucks and apparently there are multiple actions bound to the same button, of course. Also, as amazingly retarded as it sounds, it really seems like IGN focused more on analyzing the multiplayer than the singleplayer. They took their time to praise multiplayer gamemode variety, but seem to have completely ignored everything about the singleplayer. You can be a mercenary, a merchant, a merciless raider, you can become a lord, own territories and towns, create enterprises, rescue prisoners of war in return for renown and reputation, carry a banner, make your game harder by playing as a woman (lol)... So much to do in so many different ways. And the modding! Wow, the modding. There’s a mod called Clash of Kings which fully converts Warband into the Game of Thrones video game you’ve always wanted. It’s so good that you could buy Warband just for the mod and nobody would find it stupid. But, who cares, right? What we really want to know is: are the graphics xxX!NeXt*GeN!Xxx, and is the multiplayer 360NoScOpeYOLOsWaG enough.

“Graphics aren’t everything - but they’re something.“ - IGN

Part of this quote is correct. Part of this quote is meaningless.

“It already looked a decade old when it first came out on PC in 2010 (and received a review score of 8.1), and some minor updates to its Xbox One and PlayStation 4 release do little to make it look remotely modern.“ - IGN

As if the game wasn’t worthy of running on an Xbone or a Piss4 until it got “updated” to look more “modern”. What do you even mean with "updated” and “modern”? Does the game now run exclusively at 30 FPS on a 1280x720 resolution?... For cinematic purposes, of course.  Also, yes it got a 8.1 when it released on PC, and you gave it a 6.3 on consoles, even after “updates”. It’s almost as if the problem isn’t the game itself, but the crap boxes running it.

“And yet for all that, this remains a roleplaying game that does a better job of conveying the rags-to-riches journey than a game like Skyrim.“ - IGN

Mount & Blade Warband is an open-ended RTS/third-person action hybrid with RPG and simulation elements that allows you to participate in massive 200 vs 200 unit siege battles and open field battles. You can also get the Napoleonic War DLC and play out historically accurate battles with muskets and such... They compare this to Skyrim.

The best they ended up doing was praising the game’s living world and it’s “depth, replayability, and ambition“.  

“This is clearly a game designed for mouse and keyboard“ - IGN

Yet M&B Bannerdlord is somehow going to be on both PC and consoles. Deal with that, developers.

“Mount & Blade: Warband may not have a carefully guided plot or even reasonably attractive graphics, but it recreates the sensation of living in a medieval world like few other games by allowing freedom to decide your own approach to carving out your destiny in a dynamic world of rapidly changing alliances. Controls are awkward at best, making it tough to appreciate how good the combat is, but there's a lot of fun here, especially in the eight multiplayer modes for up to 32 players. As a veteran of the PC version, which I love, I feel bad not being able to recommend the console version more highly, but this port doesn’t fully allow Mount & Blade’s charm to shine through.“ 

As a “veteran of the PC version”, I don’t understand why you put so much stress on the game’s graphics and crappy controls, specially on the controls, since that’s obviously a controller issue and not a fault of the game. But seriously, how is Bannerlord supposed to be the sequel we all need if it’s going to have to deal with console parity now? That’s a freaking riddle right now, at least to me. I can’t see the game coming out and being a hit on all platforms. Either the console versions are going to be handicapped by default, or the PC version is gonna be handicapped by console parity. Pick your poison.

That’s my opinion on the matter. I hope you enjoyed this medium-sized read, and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @theSimolius.