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**BrookM**

It Takes Two has some real gut punches in there, poor Cutie.

On my end, back into Brigador after listening to the Brigador Killers audiobook.

**flamingkillamajig**

Bobthehero wrote:
Fired up Gladius: Relics of War, a civ-like 40k game, added a few mods to add a ton of units to the Imperial Guard's roster, got a few DLCs thanks to Steam's spring sale, and I am having a good time making themed runs, such as low-ish tech Death Korps taking on a horde of Orks or Tempestus Scions helping out a PDF to quell the wildlife/heretical cults/Tyranids.

Simple game, but the mods open up a lot of variety, at least for the Guard.

If i recall guard struggles with the early game but has an insane late game. I haven't played much on the modded sphere of it except once with simultaneous turns which as it turns out isn't a good thing for that game.

--------

I've been trying to stream xcom 2 long war of the chosen mod on commander/ironman on twitch. It's one difficulty harder than the base game so it's equivalent to legend/ironman. I feel like the additions to the mod have actually made it much easier overall. A little bummed there's no more lightning reflexes for assaults but in some ways the new ability is also really good where it makes you a little faster and doesn't trigger overwatch. It's not needed as flashbang grenadiers could cancel overwatch and slow down enemies as well as allow even a slow assault (with a shotgun) able to flank and kill but it's still nice.

**Bobthehero**

flamingkillamajig wrote:
Bobthehero wrote:
Fired up Gladius: Relics of War, a civ-like 40k game, added a few mods to add a ton of units to the Imperial Guard's roster, got a few DLCs thanks to Steam's spring sale, and I am having a good time making themed runs, such as low-ish tech Death Korps taking on a horde of Orks or Tempestus Scions helping out a PDF to quell the wildlife/heretical cults/Tyranids.

Simple game, but the mods open up a lot of variety, at least for the Guard.

If i recall guard struggles with the early game but has an insane late game. I haven't played much on the modded sphere of it except once with simultaneous turns which as it turns out isn't a good thing for that game.

The modded stuff is probably a little unbalanced, to be honest, but giving the Guard stuff like ambulances or Trojan support vehicles, as well as the option to have special weapon squads, on top of having Guardsmen from famous regiments instead of just generic Guardsmen does wonder for variety, if anything. Not too mention all the rest, I'll put the list in the spoilers, if you're curious.

Spoiler:

**BrookM**

Back into Payday 3 after a long hiatus, it's actually decent now?

**Apple fox**

We got split fiction, started that today. A lot of fun!
Then also been going for platinum on twisted metal world tour, which is pain. But I will get it.

Then got 10 hours into Assassins creed and loving it, it’s actually really beautiful game as well as fun. Just walking through the wilderness has been amazing.

Got too many games to play, honestly this year has been awesome for new games, but finding time has been difficult for everything.

Want to finish the visions of mana trophies as well, but a second play-through even rush seems like less fun than the first time.

**Gitzbitah**

I went to fire Battle Brothers back up, and was shocked to discover they had put out a free patch with new content in it. So I'll be leading mercenary bands to their bloody demise for a few weeks until I see the fresh events.

**Grimskul**

Been playing Astro Bot after finishing Metaphor: Re-Fantazio, definitely lives up to the Game of the Year award it got, makes really good use of the haptic feedback and other features from the PS5 controller (wish more of Sony's 1st party developers did this). I'm only about maybe a 10th of the game in so far and it's already been a blast, they've done a really good job making each of the levels stand out with the different mechanics and gear they give you and it also helps that the game itself is very stunning from a visual and audio stand point. Also really like the call backs to a lot of the Sony IP that I grew up playing like Killzone, Gravity Rush, Jak and Daxter as well as things technically not in the Sony repertoire anymore, like Spyro and Crash Bandicoot.

**Crispy78**

Bought some add-ons for Total Warhammer 2 and been dabbling with the Tomb Kings and Vampire Coast.

On the Xbox, having great fun with Avowed and am trying to resist starting on AC Shadows. Technically it's my son's copy, so I'm trying to convince myself to give him a head-start before I jump in...

**nels1031**

Crispy78 wrote:
Bought some add-ons for Total Warhammer 2 and been dabbling with the Tomb Kings and Vampire Coast .

Been a while since I played WH2, but Count Noctilus is probably my favorite playthrough with Vampire Coast. Loved cruising the seas putting in Pirate Coves on port towns/cities, hunting Pirates and searching for treasure. His start location is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the map in WH3 so every playthrough is different.

Just thinking about it at work is making me want to do another campaign...

**flamingkillamajig**

Crispy78 wrote:
Bought some add-ons for Total Warhammer 2 and been dabbling with the Tomb Kings and Vampire Coast.

On the Xbox, having great fun with Avowed and am trying to resist starting on AC Shadows. Technically it's my son's copy, so I'm trying to convince myself to give him a head-start before I jump in...

I never tried vampire coast but never really had much of an interest to. Could be an interesting faction in Old World if GW felt like adding it. I don't think it's as promising as other legacy armies though and we did never truly gets "Dogs of War" as a faction even though they were squatted.

I don't think i tried tomb kings that much but beastmen and skaven campaigns in tww2 are very fun due to all the extra abilities they get. Last i remember beastmen were like tomb kings but with extra flavor (heavy limits on what units you can take based on upgrades or buildings) however they are all free and so losing an army doesn't do a whole lot to them. Also watching a friend play as tomb kings with settra and watching his "battle kitty" leap and bound like a cat through enemies and pouncing on top of them was hilarious. It's even funnier when they do that to a skaven army.

**trexmeyer**

No summons run of Elden Ring. Alternating between Brick Hammer /w Lion's Claw, Milady /w Wing Stance, and Antspur Rapier. Parry focused whenever possible.

I did the first two DLC main bosses at like 105-110, +18 weapon, Scadu +5.

Rellana is fine except for the two-three moves that are too fast for me to consistently parry or dodge with MKB. Controller is better for dodging. Found out after beating her that I could Carian Retaliation to abuse her spells. That would have made it easier.

Divine Dancing Beast is awful. I hate everything about it. It moves too strangely for me.

Mohg, Lord of Blood - Phase 1 is fine, Phase 2 AoE explosions suck. First boss where positioning really matters IMO.

Commander Niall - Lion's Claw deletes him, he's also easy to parry. Difficulty is vastly overstated.

Godskin Duo - Same as Commander Niall. I didn't use sleep pots. This took like 5 attempts. They have no bloody health even with only a +20 weapon.

Draconic Tree Sentinel in CFA - Not difficult if you use jump attacks, Square Off, Lion's Claw, Milady + Wing Stance, etc. I've parried them to death before, but it's kind of painful.

Malekith - The only reason he's not my least favorite boss is because Fire Giant exists.

Godfrey - Somehow easier than Gideon now. A lot of his phase 1 attacks flat out miss if you stay close and strafe him.

**Snrub**

Jumped back to Total Warhammer 2 for a bit.

Doing a Teclis Vortex run at the moment. Turn 150 and weirdly it's really only me and the Dark Elves left as Clan Mors got knocked out shockingly early by Last Defenders I think and Hexoatl has been on the back foot for a good while now as he made the mistake of annoying Ironbrow's Expedition, who in true dwarfish fashion took whatever perceived slight to heart and has made it basically his sole mission to eliminate the great orange toad in revenge. He's been whittled down from 30ish settlements to about 4 by the dwarfs. It's kinda fun watching.

**nels1031**

Just finished my first Mortis trial in Darktide. Pretty fun, but I haven’t played in awhile and I didn’t realize I had gotten my skill points wiped in an update and went in somewhat handicapped.

Still did alright I think, but felt like I was getting carried by my team.

I like this mode, as its not a mad dash across a map where a teammate(s) run off and Leroy Jenkins the map.

**BrookM**

Huh, may have to give it a go again one of these days, as the donkey-cave team members thing still turns me off quite a bit from Darktide.

I've been playing Atomfall, it's alright. Quite a few features feel underwhelming (melee combat without the ability to block or dodge), poorly implemented (stealth system is just.. gak) or straight up useless (the barter system), but it has a nice vibe going for it.

**LunarSol**

Finally started God of War: Ragnarok. I had it in my head I wouldn't until I finished Witcher 3, but I've stalled out on that one pretty hard and GoW is just far more my style.

Obviously very good, but just getting started with it. Silly to have left it on the shelf this long.

**nels1031**

BrookM wrote:
Huh, may have to give it a go again one of these days, as the donkey-cave team members thing still turns me off quite a bit from Darktide.

I haven't jumped back in yet, but it was pretty refreshing. The difficulty that I played, 2nd from highest I think, had 12 waves and never felt overwhelming, but that might've been down to how good my team was. I was the weakest link, having forgotten how to play, being new to the mode and not having any skills selected.

Its on a map that's 1/10th the size of a normal mission. I couldn't tell if its purpose built maps for this game mode, or just a normal map cut down to size. There is still a bit of running around and retrieving servo skulls, but I never felt out of reach of a teammate even when I wandered off exploring or separated by enemy.

You also get selectable buffs every few rounds, which might give you more health pips, or increase dame/speed, etc.

I only played the one time, so YMMV.

BrookM wrote:
I've been playing Atomfall, it's alright. Quite a few features feel underwhelming (melee combat without the ability to block or dodge), poorly implemented (stealth system is just.. gak) or straight up useless (the barter system), but it has a nice vibe going for it.

Is that the one that's like a British Fallout?

Heard it was rough around the edges, so I held off. Looks gorgeous though.

**flamingkillamajig**

BrookM wrote:
I've been playing Atomfall, it's alright. Quite a few features feel underwhelming (melee combat without the ability to block or dodge), poorly implemented (stealth system is just.. gak) or straight up useless (the barter system), but it has a nice vibe going for it.

Is that the one that's like a British Fallout?

Heard it was rough around the edges, so I held off. Looks gorgeous though.

**BrookM**

Atomfall is fun, it's not like Fallout, which can be good, can be bad, YMMV, but get it on sale, as it doesn't feel like a full game. I quite liked it, presented me with some fun story elements that haven't yet been answered, but I did get it at a discount.

In other news, played a short game called Spilled! which is about sailing in a little boat cleaning up oil slicks and other pollutants. Over in less than an hour, but a fun little destress game with cosy vibes.

**nels1031**

BrookM wrote:
Atomfall is fun, it's not like Fallout, which can be good, can be bad, YMMV, but get it on sale, as it doesn't feel like a full game.

Which is a shame, as its made by the same developers that made the Sniper Elite games, and I've loved all of them to varying degrees.

edit: Though I see its starting to get better reviews on steam... I might do something silly if I get bored and have some cash I want to waste.

**trexmeyer**

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Beat Midra, Metyr, Gaius, Golden Hippo, Romina, Putrescent Knight by spamming Lion's Claw on a Great Hammer.
Scadutree Avatar required some more variety.
Rellana and Divine Dancing Beast were harder than the mid-level bosses.

The difficulty is so grotesquely overstated.

**BrookM**

nels1031 wrote:
BrookM wrote:
Atomfall is fun, it's not like Fallout, which can be good, can be bad, YMMV, but get it on sale, as it doesn't feel like a full game.

Which is a shame, as its made by the same developers that made the Sniper Elite games, and I've loved all of them to varying degrees.

edit: Though I see its starting to get better reviews on steam... I might do something silly if I get bored and have some cash I want to waste.

It does make me wish there was an option for neutral reviews on Steam sometimes, as it was a short, but fun ride, but for me some points just hold it back from being a complete and total perfect little package.

**LunarSol**

trexmeyer wrote:
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Beat Midra, Metyr, Gaius, Golden Hippo, Romina, Putrescent Knight by spamming Lion's Claw on a Great Hammer.
Scadutree Avatar required some more variety.
Rellana and Divine Dancing Beast were harder than the mid-level bosses.

The difficulty is so grotesquely overstated.

A lot of people didn't really figure out the Scadutree Fragments and the initial scaling was also a lot less generous on them.

**trexmeyer**

Scaling doesn't impact stance damage, which is the real issue, or mechanic, depending on how you look at it.

**Apple fox**

Been sucked into Ai limit and slightly obsessed, probably going to be sad when it’s over just since I’m enjoying it so much. But some of the zones are just great to explore and some really seem to hide stuff well. Sure I missed something every time I sit to play with is fun to chat about.

**flamingkillamajig**

Managed this yesterday as Japan in Hearts of iron 4.

Spoiler:

Took me like 3-4 tries and a lot of headache and some screaming as Japan has a terrible focus tree, terrible resources, terrible civilian and military factories and when fighting through china it's a terrible slog against massive human wave armies and going through a supply desert filled with attrition and poor resupply. Also i stayed up through the night to do it managing to get no sleep and working on no sleep at my job today because i'm an idiot and a gaming addict like that.

I'm not saying i did everything right. Me not pushing forth factory line efficiency really hurt me in replenishing my numbers and making new units which meant i was even more heavily outnumbered. That said i basically blockaded the entire chinese coast which is actually rather easy since their navy sucks and i sank all their convoys so even if they bought stuff on the Arms Market i'd sink it and they'd be left with nothing but basic infantry units and probably next to no artillery. Also china has issue with a lot as well since even though they unite to fight you as japan they don't really have good resources in most of their nearby neighbors which are mostly just in the alliance anyway. I can't stress how important blockading and sinking all his convoys was for me since that left him with mostly awful chinese tech. I don't even think they allow you to trade with landlocked neighbors in HoI4 but even if they do for resources it costs civilian factories at the minimum to maintain it which mainland china (the only part of china in the chinese alliance with an ok military factory and civilian factory amount and lots of armies) also doesn't have much of.

I didn't feel the need to make much of a navy anyway or upgrading it since i don't plan on fighting the usa (or at least not any time soon) since that's just a suicide mission. I focused on air power of all types, bettering research, resource output and more through tech i researched as well as making my infantry fairly modern. Honestly if i had to say the one bonus japan has over china is you can research more tech at a time and therefore you can modernize much faster. Also when you fight china you can easily blockade all their trade while you get trade with the usa until they get annoyed with you a few years down the road and stop all trade with you (very bad honestly because not many nations have the resources you need in your sphere with the ability to trade it to you. However by that time you should be able to fix your resources enough as is if you know what you're doing (even oil somewhat).

**Not Online!!!**

i am confused, why didn't you demand Indochina, it'd also have given you an in into southern china.
Also 44 is pain and suffering. When you can't wrap up pre 40 the game currently becomes a slog fest to the point of pointlessness. Especially for japan.

**trexmeyer**

Beat everything without Spirit Ashes or NPC summons except Starscourge Radahn (screw that), Bayle, and PRC.
PRC phase 1 is not hard. Phase 2 feels impossible.
Bayle is just obnoxious. The hidden Dragonlord took two tries on this run...they're not even in the same league.

**flamingkillamajig**

So i tried another game of hoi 4 as japan and it would've been ok probably if germany and italy didn't decide to get themselves murdered by the commonwealth and soviets while i was out destroying china. This forced me to have to either fight the commonwealth and allies (without the usa or to face down the soviets). I chose to face the soviets because japan needs an absurd navy to fight off commonwealth solo with allies and also because i'm not entirely sure if i'd have been able to grab all the enemy territory but probably since alliances weren't weird.

This is a different run than the last picture as in the last picture the soviets capitulated so i had to face commonwealth. I was actually doing well in that run until i had to fight in europe and africa to speed things along and i had to fight iraq which forced the usa to take sides somehow. I guess usa doesn't care when australia, india, multiple british colonies, china and the soviets are put to the torch but god forbid somebody invades iraq. It's kind of funny when you think about it. Anyway after that came the obnoxious usa and uk have naval supremacy. Wouldn't be a problem but germany and italy wouldn't allow me to take any of africa or europe that i was defeating. Also when i'm out taking territory in africa and europe to maintain the side here comes usa and uk to naval invade everything in various places. This forces me to have to go back slowly and retake it or to have iran re-take it and thus claim territory rights on all my previously conquered lands. Perfect....and because my european axis buddies are such imbeciles they won't allow me to bring any of my air power there with my armies so they are fighting a war without air support. Oh but it gets better. I can't use paratroops to take the UK because i need an airfield and to do that i need territory in europe because i'm technically co-asian prosperity sphere rather than axis so i can't share his airfields. Best i can do is give him as many aircraft as i have and have for the best. Turns out japan and italy/germany are just placed in very bad spots to help each other. Pretty sure if soviets capitulate to axis it helps but not really.

Oddly axis was more useless in my 2nd game than my first. I don't even know what you're supposed to do as japan outside of just fighting asia. There's is legitimately no reason to fight anywhere in europe or africa while playing as japan so you just gotta hope for the best and hope germany can take out the UK commonwealth all by itself and maybe italy. The sad part is it should be do-able. Next time i'll just make a ton of naval bombers and air superiority aircraft and hope he uses them correctly.

Oh and most hilariously of all my 2nd last game had ww2 last into the mid 1950's and saw over 50 million deaths on each side without considering china or the soviet union. So basically over 100 million died and at that point japan had been at war for like 18 years almost. Pretty sure the whole world would be reeling from ptsd at that point.

**trexmeyer**

All bosses done solo, no spirit ashes.
Prime Consort Radahn was easily the hardest.
Bayle is medium difficulty when using the gimmick sword for him.

**Flinty**

Just finished the story mode on Space Marine 2. Quite engaging action, and the cut scenes were nicely done. YouTube had spoiled the big arrival scene, but it was still gratifying to get there.

On to the operations