What are you playing?

[Akala]

First quiet weekend in a while and did a lot of nothing. Was on console most of weekend. Played a few things that were picked up on sale, haven't touched, etc.

Tomb Raider Definitive Edition - Finished in basically two sittings. Loud, dumb, and vioent kideo game. There were a lot of hold-forward-to-win scripted moments and a bit too many QTE's, but I liked the  skill progression/upgrades and had a good time with the combat. Thinking back on it a bit it probably is pretty close to Uncharted 1. Hear the next one is good, will play it soonish. 

The Surge - Started off better than expected, seems kind of funny. I like foraging for limbs and it seems pretty well done? Played a few hours, hit a wall on first boss I found. Will get back to. Probably. 

I have no idea when I started being ok with soulsy games after not really liking them for a while now. Unsure if it's that I don't like slow/methodical play, or I just suck at them. I recently got further in Dark Souls than have in past, and genuinely like Nioh (need to get back to it).I should give BB another shot one of these days.

Steep - Hard pass, game seems crap. Even the music seems terrible/lowish energy. Maybe it gets a bit better after tutorial section, but seemed like bad jank with a lot of procedurally-generated terrain. Deleted.

Shadow of the Colossus (2018) - For some reason I thought this was just a further uprezzed/cleaned-up rev but it's a full on remaster. Game is gorgeous. Did first colossus and quit, will save for a rainy day.

[Bebpo]

Yeah, SoTC was a full remake and great. That's why people are excited about whatever Bluepoint is doing next if they're doing the same thing from now on. Imagine Demon Souls looking like that.

[Trent Dole]

I'd try Celeste but the "it's about depression" stuff is a big turnoff, not really a fan of "depression culture" so popular with gen Z...

I downloaded Lego City Undercover since it has the 'going away soon' flag on gamepass. It is very much GTA for kids. You're a cop but they make donut cracks and such constantly, you can 'borrow' anyone's car and say 'sorry it's an emergency', there's little bits set to old popular songs, and you have some item that's literally the wii u gamepad as your communicator or whatever and they didn't change or try to hide that at all for the port.

[Svejk]

I think I'm starting to get into a groove with Baldur's Gate:EE some.  Some of the interface is tedious, but also there's some weird gameplay things that are questionable.  Like for example, the inventory management is a chore when gathering potions and trying to distribute them among your peeps.  Unless I'm doing something wrong, I just end up passing the whole lot off to each character to use.  Is there a way to divide them up amongst everyone?  (Granted, I'm playing on Android).  I Just finished clearing the mine with the tainted ore.   Wanted to play through this before BG2, and even Siege of Dragonspear too.   

[Bebpo]

I just played that last fall. Don't remember about the inventory

[D3RANG3D]

Tried to play Two Worlds 2 man it aged worse than the first one.

[Great Rumbler]

Tried to play Two Worlds 2 man it aged worse than the first one.

Two Worlds 1 was goofy, janky fun. With Two Worlds 2 they actually tried harder to make a good game but didn't, and it just made the whole thing dull and forgettable.

[D3RANG3D]

The default MC looks like a front man for a Nu Metal band.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Has anyone played the new expansions that came out in the last few years?

[close]

[Spieler1]

Hellblade - w-w-walking simulator Imagine making Viking Silent Hill and the best gameplay you come up with is lame ass Uncharted corridors. I wanted to say "with button mashing inbetween" but the fights are actually legit.

[bluemax]

Yeah, SoTC was a full remake and great. That's why people are excited about whatever Bluepoint is doing next if they're doing the same thing from now on. Imagine Demon Souls looking like that.

I watched a GDC talk with their Tech Director and their methods for re-mastering games is pretty in depth. They actually get the original came compiling with all the old tools again before they start changing things. Sadly it isn't a freely available talk so I can't link to it.

This is a shorter version I guess:

[Spieler1]

best thing about SotC is the improved controls. The camera can still be trash from time to time, but grabbing is less clunky. Also normal button layout.

[Spieler1]

I was playing the PS3 port(?) of SotC last year, got up to the 6th Collosi and oh my god the controls SUCK SO MUCH ASS. It's unbelievable how bad it is... the climbing, the grabbing, the bow etc. Very cumbersome.

It's way better in the remake. Game becomes the 10 9/10 it deserves to be in the remake, finally.

[Joe Molotov]

I AM A FREE MAN NOW

I CAN PLAY WHATEVER I WANT

Time to play Jedi: Fallen Order.

[demi]

1000/1137

Sorry? Is polish math different?

[bluemax]

I was playing the PS3 port(?) of SotC last year, got up to the 6th Collosi and oh my god the controls SUCK SO MUCH ASS. It's unbelievable how bad it is... the climbing, the grabbing, the bow etc. Very cumbersome.

The PS3 version is pretty much all the old PS2 gameplay code running on top of a newer renderer (this is an oversimplification). The PS4 version they actually put in more QoL changes.

[tiesto]

1000/1137

Sorry? Is polish math different?

Yeah:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_Polish_notation

[Spieler1]

Hellblade - w-w-walking simulator Imagine making Viking Silent Hill and the best gameplay you come up with is lame ass Uncharted corridors. I wanted to say "with button mashing inbetween" but the fights are actually legit.

Those bosses

[Bebpo]

Binary Domain - That gorilla boss, geeeeeez 

Still beat it, but boy giant bosses that insta-track you and one-hit KO you over and over and have a billion HP are pretty annoying.

[Raist]

So what you're saying is that you've not really completed it.

I thought you had higher standards.

[Chooky]

but what is a plat if it isn't full completion

[Akala]

a plat

[Freyj]

Installed and fired up Warframe and hit an immediate wall on too much shit to figure out after the tutorial mission. Wanted to try to wean myself off of Path of Exile with a similar sort of online progression thing, but the F2P model there seems a bit more grating what with boosters and paid mods and shit. So I’m back to leveling another PoE Metamorph league character I guess.

Maybe 20 hours into Underrail, a brutal grognard take on Fallout 1/2 that I enjoy far more than I probably should. Will still take me months to finish much less to get to the Expeditions DLC.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 was a road trip pickup. I think the boss encounters get a little too wacky with trying to make use of every tool in Luigi’s arsenal but the core concept of the series is still one of the best original ideas Nintendo has had in eons.

[HardcoreRetro]

I AM A FREE MAN NOW

I CAN PLAY WHATEVER I WANT

Time to play Jedi: Fallen Order.

Lords of the Fallen and Salt and Sanctuary are also still there.

[Freyj]

Let It Die was pretty disappointing iirc.

Salt & Sanctuary was good though.

[Joe Molotov]

Is Jedi Fallen Order really Souls like? Doubt... my co-worker categorized it more as Uncharted + Metroid Prime + Souls.

It's got bonfires and estus flasks.

[Spieler1]

Let it Die was fun until you hit the paywall. Which afaik has only been getting worse, as usual within the F2P cycle.

[eleuin]

I think I'm starting to get into a groove with Baldur's Gate:EE some.  Some of the interface is tedious, but also there's some weird gameplay things that are questionable.  Like for example, the inventory management is a chore when gathering potions and trying to distribute them among your peeps.  Unless I'm doing something wrong, I just end up passing the whole lot off to each character to use.  Is there a way to divide them up amongst everyone?  (Granted, I'm playing on Android).  I Just finished clearing the mine with the tainted ore.   Wanted to play through this before BG2, and even Siege of Dragonspear too.

Did you ever figure it out? I've played it for a bit recently on PC, there it's double clicking the item to choose the amount selected.



Got up to chapter 4. Not sure if I fell off out of boredom or fatigue from playing in such a short span a few weeks ago. The lack of dialogue even with the well written mod doesn't really bother me, I did play through all of Dragon Age Inqusition without knowing a glitch prevented my party from ever speaking. The dream sequences are the best parts of the story so far, but I guess the overall goose chase still doesn't feel very compelling. Game holds up well though, besides some cubersome party pathing resulting in members blocking entrances.

[Coax]

Bought one of those official dual charging docks for the Dualshock 4. Ironically I'm not that impressed with its docking action (can't get the controller seated correctly first try any time I've tried) or the extra brick of an adapter it includes but did like its cardboard packaging which is secured with just folds and friction and comes apart with no annoying paper latch side wings and can be put back together without issue.

Edit: fark. Wrong topic. Did hate-play more of The Messenger's DLC. The totem boss is some BS. Was up to a shadow version of the protagonist that you have to race multiple times and I get almost to the end but no dice so I've left it completely.

[Svejk]

I think I'm starting to get into a groove with Baldur's Gate:EE some.  Some of the interface is tedious, but also there's some weird gameplay things that are questionable.  Like for example, the inventory management is a chore when gathering potions and trying to distribute them among your peeps.  Unless I'm doing something wrong, I just end up passing the whole lot off to each character to use.  Is there a way to divide them up amongst everyone?  (Granted, I'm playing on Android).  I Just finished clearing the mine with the tainted ore.   Wanted to play through this before BG2, and even Siege of Dragonspear too.

Did you ever figure it out? I've played it for a bit recently on PC, there it's double clicking the item to choose the amount selected.

(Image removed from quote.)

Got up to chapter 4. Not sure if I fell off out of boredom or fatigue from playing in such a short span a few weeks ago. The lack of dialogue even with the well written mod doesn't really bother me, I did play through all of Dragon Age Inqusition without knowing a glitch prevented my party from ever speaking. The dream sequences are the best parts of the story so far, but I guess the overall goose chase still doesn't feel very compelling. Game holds up well though, besides some cubersome party pathing resulting in members blocking entrances.

(Image removed from quote.)

Ah ok.. duh, I didn't think about trying a double click (or tap.. using a stylus). Got so use to long presses.  Thanks!
The pacing is a bit strange.  I guess after certain chapters turned, all sorts of my side quests disappeared, which is unfortunate, because I feel more equipped for them now.  But yeah, the dream sequences get kind deep and give me some Tolkien vibes.

[Rufus]

Children of Morta, cause it just popped up on Game Pass. Run-based isometric action. 9-classes to chose from, gradually unlocked as your family settles in to their ancestral duty as guardians. It takes a bit to expand your capabilities, but I'm happy with the pace. Unless you faceplant right out the gate, you'll always come back with enough money for an upgrade, or you find a quest item. And even if you don't, you'll at least get to see some family interactions and maybe even get access to another character.

[Bebpo]

I think I'm starting to get into a groove with Baldur's Gate:EE some.  Some of the interface is tedious, but also there's some weird gameplay things that are questionable.  Like for example, the inventory management is a chore when gathering potions and trying to distribute them among your peeps.  Unless I'm doing something wrong, I just end up passing the whole lot off to each character to use.  Is there a way to divide them up amongst everyone?  (Granted, I'm playing on Android).  I Just finished clearing the mine with the tainted ore.   Wanted to play through this before BG2, and even Siege of Dragonspear too.

Did you ever figure it out? I've played it for a bit recently on PC, there it's double clicking the item to choose the amount selected.

(Image removed from quote.)

Got up to chapter 4. Not sure if I fell off out of boredom or fatigue from playing in such a short span a few weeks ago. The lack of dialogue even with the well written mod doesn't really bother me, I did play through all of Dragon Age Inqusition without knowing a glitch prevented my party from ever speaking. The dream sequences are the best parts of the story so far, but I guess the overall goose chase still doesn't feel very compelling. Game holds up well though, besides some cubersome party pathing resulting in members blocking entrances.

(Image removed from quote.)

Ah ok.. duh, I didn't think about trying a double click (or tap.. using a stylus). Got so use to long presses.  Thanks!
The pacing is a bit strange.  I guess after certain chapters turned, all sorts of my side quests disappeared, which is unfortunate, because I feel more equipped for them now.  But yeah, the dream sequences get kind deep and give me some Tolkien vibes.

If I remember right, they didn't disappear they just moved under a different tab of older chapters.

[Svejk]

If I remember right, they didn't disappear they just moved under a different tab of older chapters.

Oh shit... Ok,... So the embroidery around the Chapter # isn't just for decoration, but actual arrow select prompts.  Well I'll be.  Thanks y'all!    Time to wrap up some side quests.

[Freyj]

Children of Morta, cause it just popped up on Game Pass. Run-based isometric action. 9-classes to chose from, gradually unlocked as your family settles in to their ancestral duty as guardians. It takes a bit to expand your capabilities, but I'm happy with the pace. Unless you faceplant right out the gate, you'll always come back with enough money for an upgrade, or you find a quest item. And even if you don't, you'll at least get to see some family interactions and maybe even get access to another character.

Fell off this after a few hours due to the RNG nature of health regen. I didn’t feel like I was improving really which is the opposite experience you want to have for a 2019/2020 Roguelike.

[Freyj]

Luigi’s Mansion 3 becomes irritating as fuck the closer you get to the top of the hotel. The puzzles become less intuitive and more “try every tool in Luigi’s belt until one works”, the Polterkitty stuff is horseshit padding and the Boilerroom water stuff may be the worst controls in a game in decades.

Shame because the first 5-6 floors are fantastic. More of that less of this other shit. Game difficulty doesn’t always need to be an ever increasing slope or curve it can just plateau at some point. Lots of games not understanding this in the last 5 years.

[Spieler1]

Hellblade's finally getting more diverse gameplay-wise in the second half. The horror elements were really good. I wish puzzles and exploration weren't so vanilla. If they were harder, this might've been a true classic. Still, everything else has grown on me so much, particulary the atmosphere, this probably stil isl the only one of these cinema corridor games that I thoroughly enjoy. Like a good version of reboot God of War or that Naughty Dog cancer.

[Svejk]

Hellblade's finally getting more diverse gameplay-wise in the second half. The horror elements were really. Still, I wish puzzles and exploration weren't so vanilla. If they were harder, this might've been a true classic. Still, everything else has grown on me so much, particulary the atmosphere, this probably stil isl the only one of these cinema corridor games that I thoroughly enjoy. Like a good version of reboot God of War or that Naughty Dog cancer.

Wearing headphones for this game was one of the best audible experiences in gaming.

[Rufus]

Fell off this after a few hours due to the RNG nature of health regen. I didn’t feel like I was improving really which is the opposite experience you want to have for a 2019/2020 Roguelike.

Yeah, it can be tough. I don't particularly like having to break every pot in the area to find potions, but I'm having enough fun with the game that I can look past it.
It did make me gravitate toward the ranged characters though. Lucy being my clear favourite. With the exception of Kevin, all the melee characters just feel too vulnerable. Joey is slow as molasses and Mark (aka D3 Monk) lunges toward enemies, but has no real AoE. One small group of the weakest vermin can take a third of his HP, easily. Real big character.

[Kunai With Chain]

Nioh was pretty disappointing, it wasn't bad but when I read some people say some hyperbolic stuff like it having one of the best combat system in an action game I thought it was gonna be a lot closer to NG than the Souls games. But it played pretty similar to your average Soulsborne game, could be because I picked the Odachi as my main weapon tbf. Also the level scaling is even more broken than Souls game, at least on the normal run, if you bothered doing the side quests by the time you get to the third map area the game ceases to have any challenge bar the occasional boss every now and then. It doesn't help that the games gives out whatever they call potion like candy.

It just ended up feeling like a budget Souls game. It was still enjoyable, but feel like an idiot for passing up on Sekiro when it was 40 bucks during black friday since I figured one Japanese inspired setting Souls game was gonna be enough for a while.

[Nintex]

Assassins Creed Odyssey
At a very interesting part in the story now and I noticed that with story progression, the forts, bounty hunters and other side things get an increase in difficulty as well.



These sort of vistas look so good with HDR on my OLED 

[Svejk]

Got to Chapter 4 in Baldur's Gate:EE.  Getting a better hang of things and understanding the UI a bit better.  One thing about these games that I don't (but should) fiddle with, is setting up your team mates AI scripting.  It could benefit in certain fights for sure, but not all of them... And I can't say I want 100% control either, as chaotic as it can get when all the fighting can be jumbled and concentrated in one spot. 

For like the 4th time now, this makes me want to give DA: Inquisition another try yet again.  I get into it, but quickly fall out of interest.  What's wrong with me?  Lol That has me wondering also, how come Bioware no longer had the D&D licensing when making DA?  I want to say I'd enjoy DA:I more if it were authentic D&D, but that's my 8 year old son speaking through me. 

[MMaRsu]

Started playing Dragon Quest 11 Echoes of an Elusive Age again, man what a good game. Im not even that far in, like 20 hours? I feel like the game just opened up after finishing Gondolia (where I quit playing). Now on a new system the game runs a lot better so I figured I pick it back up. Its still hard af due to the draconian options I picked, but I like that better than easily killing everything. Money is still real hard to come by though. But such nice graphics ^_^

[Bebpo]

Assassins Creed Odyssey
At a very interesting part in the story now and I noticed that with story progression, the forts, bounty hunters and other side things get an increase in difficulty as well.

(Image removed from quote.)

These sort of vistas look so good with HDR on my OLED 

AC Vistas always make me want to play them.

[Bebpo]

Started playing Dragon Quest 11 Echoes of an Elusive Age again, man what a good game. Im not even that far in, like 20 hours? I feel like the game just opened up after finishing Gondolia (where I quit playing). Now on a new system the game runs a lot better so I figured I pick it back up. Its still hard af due to the draconian options I picked, but I like that better than easily killing everything. Money is still real hard to come by though. But such nice graphics ^_^

I need to get back to this. Loved it too! Was like 30-40 hours in the PS4 version when backlogged it, but picked up the Switch version last fall and can even import my PS4 save into it, so I really have no reason not to get back and finish it.

[Bebpo]

Got to Chapter 4 in Baldur's Gate:EE.  Getting a better hang of things and understanding the UI a bit better.  One thing about these games that I don't (but should) fiddle with, is setting up your team mates AI scripting.  It could benefit in certain fights for sure, but not all of them... And I can't say I want 100% control either, as chaotic as it can get when all the fighting can be jumbled and concentrated in one spot. 

I pretty much just let them auto-battle on easy enemies and then nit-pick control every millisecond on tougher one. Don't think I messed with the AI scripting at all in BG1 EE.

Btw, which characters are you using? BG1 EE is such a weird ass game in that there's like a dozen+ characters and you probably end up using like 3. Also my biggest criticism with BG1 is the characters are all barely a step above a create a character. They have a few barks, maybe a couple bark interactions with other characters, and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe a questline? (don't think all of them do, and some the questline is just getting them and then they have nothing).

Looking forward to the cast being more actual characters in BG2.

[Svejk]

Got to Chapter 4 in Baldur's Gate:EE.  Getting a better hang of things and understanding the UI a bit better.  One thing about these games that I don't (but should) fiddle with, is setting up your team mates AI scripting.  It could benefit in certain fights for sure, but not all of them... And I can't say I want 100% control either, as chaotic as it can get when all the fighting can be jumbled and concentrated in one spot. 

I pretty much just let them auto-battle on easy enemies and then nit-pick control every millisecond on tougher one. Don't think I messed with the AI scripting at all in BG1 EE.

Btw, which characters are you using? BG1 EE is such a weird ass game in that there's like a dozen+ characters and you probably end up using like 3. Also my biggest criticism with BG1 is the characters are all barely a step above a create a character. They have a few barks, maybe a couple bark interactions with other characters, and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe a questline? (don't think all of them do, and some the questline is just getting them and then they have nothing).

Looking forward to the cast being more actual characters in BG2.

My main is a Human Ranger.  Otherwise, I still have
Imoen (Human Thief), Jaheira (Half Elf Druid), Khalid (Half Elf Fighter), Xan (Elf Enchanter) and Viconia (Elf Cleric). 

Another thing that finally clicked, was using abilities.. first you have to write/memorize them, then you have to rest before using them... Such a different way than I'm use to; the simple, gain abilities when you level up, and MP, and Mana to restore it. I still need to get use to it, but I think I'm coming around.

[Bebpo]

Finally sitting down and making story progress in RDR2. This game is pretty good, but how is dominoes anything but luck??

[Bebpo]

Beat Binary Domain - This was a great action game. Really enjoyed a lot of the combat pieces and most of the bosses (fuck that Gorilla though), the cutscenes and the characters. Some jank and died a handful of times but figured out what the game wanted me to do and it was fine. Glad I played it and I'd definitely play a sequel.







Also Dan kinda looks like a Bionic Commando.

[bluemax]

Started playing Dragon Quest 11 Echoes of an Elusive Age again, man what a good game. Im not even that far in, like 20 hours? I feel like the game just opened up after finishing Gondolia (where I quit playing). Now on a new system the game runs a lot better so I figured I pick it back up. Its still hard af due to the draconian options I picked, but I like that better than easily killing everything. Money is still real hard to come by though. But such nice graphics ^_^

I put in 113 hours and ended up 1 trophy shy of platinum. If you're not playing completionist though, it is probably 60-80 hours, but enjoyable overall!

[Bebpo]

Got to Chapter 4 in Baldur's Gate:EE.  Getting a better hang of things and understanding the UI a bit better.  One thing about these games that I don't (but should) fiddle with, is setting up your team mates AI scripting.  It could benefit in certain fights for sure, but not all of them... And I can't say I want 100% control either, as chaotic as it can get when all the fighting can be jumbled and concentrated in one spot. 

I pretty much just let them auto-battle on easy enemies and then nit-pick control every millisecond on tougher one. Don't think I messed with the AI scripting at all in BG1 EE.

Btw, which characters are you using? BG1 EE is such a weird ass game in that there's like a dozen+ characters and you probably end up using like 3. Also my biggest criticism with BG1 is the characters are all barely a step above a create a character. They have a few barks, maybe a couple bark interactions with other characters, and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe a questline? (don't think all of them do, and some the questline is just getting them and then they have nothing).

Looking forward to the cast being more actual characters in BG2.

My main is a Human Ranger.  Otherwise, I still have
Imoen (Human Thief), Jaheira (Half Elf Druid), Khalid (Half Elf Fighter), Xan (Elf Enchanter) and Viconia (Elf Cleric). 

Another thing that finally clicked, was using abilities.. first you have to write/memorize them, then you have to rest before using them... Such a different way than I'm use to; the simple, gain abilities when you level up, and MP, and Mana to restore it. I still need to get use to it, but I think I'm coming around.

Hmm, yeah I used Imeon/Jaheira/Khalid. They're kinda default team good from ch.1 which doesn't leave you much room for others. I used Dynaheir as my other mage (because magic is OP in D&D) and Minsc as my other melee because he seems like the fan favorite character of the series.

The spells system is fine. I don't love it, but its manageable.

[Bebpo]

RDR2 - Got to Strawberry. Cool little town but wtf at this Micah in Jail main story mission that requires you to basically shoot up the town. I'm playing a LAWFUL GOOD CHARACTER and am friends with all the townspeople. This is lame that there's no non-violent option for this mission. RDR2 would do better to be a little bit more rpg than it already is and have more options for how you complete missions.

[MMaRsu]

I disagree, let R* tell a story. Not every game needs to be a damn rpg

But yea.. not a great mission all in all Micah is a crazy dude

[Stro]

You're not even playing RDR2 if you're trying to be lawful good

[MMaRsu]

Its funnier to be a dick in that game

Like.. I always thought the best thing about Arthur was his 'grey'ness. Like he does bad shit, but has good sides too.

[Bebpo]

You're not even playing RDR2 if you're trying to be lawful good

Nah, the game has this honor system and most of the time gives you non-violent choices to solve quests. Arthur Morgan definitely comes off more like an anti-hero, at least so far, if you play him that way.

So then having a mission where you have to murder an entire town of innocent people while breaking out Micah sure seems out of fucking character.

[nachobro]

If you think its out of character, just keep playing. It'll all make sense.

[TVC15]

Pathologic 2 is pretty cool. I’m hoping that it’s not too difficult. The survival aspect is already pretty intimidating.

[Coffee Dog]

You're not even playing RDR2 if you're trying to be lawful good

Nah, the game has this honor system and most of the time gives you non-violent choices to solve quests. Arthur Morgan definitely comes off more like an anti-hero, at least so far, if you play him that way.

So then having a mission where you have to murder an entire town of innocent people while breaking out Micah sure seems out of fucking character.

I really didn't think that was too much of a stretch given that it's already established that he doesn't give a fuck about mowing down lawmen or beating the shit out of debtors. Arthur is a much more defined character than I expected, but I felt the narrative was better for it.

Arthur is nowhere near a blank slate, he doesnt even have the moral vagueness of John's past in RDR1. His awfulness is exposed to the player firsthand. Arthur's role in this terrible gang is that of the muscle; he's not the person you send when you want to resolve things with subtlety. Arthur's a killer who kills at the behest of people who escalate situations needlessly, and that's the lot he's chosen in life.

[Great Rumbler]

Pathologic 2 is pretty cool. I’m hoping that it’s not too difficult. The survival aspect is already pretty intimidating.

The devs added a lower difficulty option post-release because it was initially too hard.

[Stro]

You're not even playing RDR2 if you're trying to be lawful good

Nah, the game has this honor system and most of the time gives you non-violent choices to solve quests. Arthur Morgan definitely comes off more like an anti-hero, at least so far, if you play him that way.

So then having a mission where you have to murder an entire town of innocent people while breaking out Micah sure seems out of fucking character.

There really are no benefits to your morality meter being all good or all bad beyond more bounty hunters will head your way when you're full baddie. It doesn't impact the story or character stuff in anyway whatsoever. It just gives you the illusion you're playing a real RPG. Outside of getting a trophy for hitting the max on both sides, you're really just fucking yourself out of most of the fun you can have with the game by playing a lawful good.

[Coffee Dog]

Your position on the morality meter actually affects Arthur's dialogue a lot more than you'd think. When I replayed the game I was pretty pleasantly surprised at how organic it was all implemented.