Random Gaming Talk Thread

[D3RANG3D]

[bork]

ASUS CURSE STRIKES AGAIN

[bork]

Decided to try doing the cloud recovery method for upgrading the SSD.  Was super easy to open up the unit and change out SSDs and ASUS' instructions were pretty straight forward...until it got to the Windows install part.  It did everything on its own for the most part, but then they have nothing on what to do once Windows is installed- none of the ASUS software-related stuff installed and I had to do it on my own.  Not really an issue, but you'd think they'd mention this.


This replacement unit has better analog sticks than the first one.  They don't feel as loose.  ASUS really needs to get their QC shit together here.  Anyway, seems to all be working nicely now- noticed that performance is better, too.  Got 99 FPS average in the CoD benchmark.  Download speeds are also faster.

[MMaRsu]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

How soon?

[close]

Hey, guess what?

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

I got the 2TB SSD I ordered early and went to clone it.  The only thing I had to use to both power it and plug something else in is the ASUS HDMI dock (rip-off of the Genki Switch dock that's an AC brick with PD, USB-A 2.0, and HDMI out).  The cloning process went insanely slow, so I left it and came back a few hours later.  The screen was off and it wouldn't wake up.  Had to force a cold boot and it was all fucked up after that.  Stuff not loading and a clicking noise coming from the inside of the unit that must be from a fan.  So heading to a Best Buy to exchange it now.


I am definitely not doing well with ASUS products. 

 

[chronovore]

None of this sounds like the experience I want from a handheld game console.

[bork]

None of this sounds like the experience I want from a handheld game console.

The Steam Deck is far better than the Ally when it comes to ease of use.  It's like a PC that feels like a handheld console, whereas the Ally is a PC with a handheld form factor.  Asus has done some things to make it more console user-friendly, but the SD is still better in this regard. 

However, the Ally has much better performance, a better screen, and can run everything.  I don't regret switching up since this is what I was looking for.  I'm also not a big fan of the Linux desktop part of the SD and find it much easier to control and do things with Windows 11 using the built-in controls.

In fairness, the Steam Deck had issues at launch, too.  I recall articles calling it half-baked and unfinished, but Valve improved things with updates.  Whether ASUS can do the same remains to be seen.

[D3RANG3D]

[pilonv1]

https://twitter.com/gosokkyu/status/1670672835990421504


 

[Coax]

1080 Snowboarding but you kill your competitors? I now want a whole series of slasher sports games.

[D3RANG3D]

[HardcoreRetro]

Looks to be based on Cool Boarders.



The announcer in this game is WAY COOL!!

[bork]

Laptop #8: ASUS Z13 Acronym (part deux): Got it, de-bloated it, and updated it.  ASUS has BIOS updates baked into Windows updates, so it forced me to do a BIOS update whether I wanted to or not.  The screen went black after the update completed and nothing happened.  Figured it bricked like the last one did, but then it rebooted itself a few times and was normal. 

...And following this, the keyboard cover started having issues with the lighting flickering just like the first one I got and returned.    It's more sporadic though and easy to fix (just turn the lighting off/on), so I'll stick with it for now.  But if anything else happens, it gone and the odyssey either ends or I will go with an Alienware X14.

I can really see how the performance isn't as good as the MSI Stealth 14 despite this having better specs.  The wattage really matters here.  But it's not bad- getting 130-140 FPS in COD versus 140-160 FPS on the Stealth, and I much prefer this device's form factor.

I think I was wrong and this was laptop #9

Update-

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

"WTF, again?!"  Well, we know I'm crazy.  Two reasons why the Z13 is going back:

-I've found myself just going for the Asus Ally over this, despite its better performance and hardware.  The Ally is more portable and is running everything I want to play so incredibly well that I just don't see the point in having what are kind of two of the same device. 

-The Z13 got another forced BIOS update a few days ago.  This caused performance in general to get worse by around 10-15 FPS in most games and this was the final straw.

I still had another week to return it, so decided to just send it back for the last time.  Ally aside, I think I'm done with Asus in 2023.  Nearly every 2023 product I have tried from them has had something wrong to the point of needing to be exchanged or refunded.

I did consider just waiting another six months to a year to see what else comes along, but Dell is having a sale right now so I'm gonna give them a try,  I got the Alienware X14 R2 with 32GB of ram and a 4TB SSD for $400 cheaper than the Z13 Acrnonym costs.  It has a 4060 versus the Z13's 4070, but the X14's GPU and CPU run at a higher wattage so it should even out or perform better.  If it's on par with what the MSI Stealth 14 ran like, I'll be pretty satisfied.  If not...uh...Razer next? 

[D3RANG3D]

[bork]

Sticking to my guns!

But if anything else happens, it gone and the odyssey either ends or I will go with an Alienware X14.

[Svejk]

Sooooo was that Metal Gear Collection release date on the direct apply to all systems?

[demi]

[D3RANG3D]

[Himu]

Glad that people that want to play FFXVI are enjoying it.

[D3RANG3D]

[bork]

Sticking to my guns!

But if anything else happens, it gone and the odyssey either ends or I will go with an Alienware X14.

Not sticking to my guns!

Getting the new Razer Blade 14 instead!  Mainly because instead of buying it outright, I can do a monthly plan that is cheap as hell with zero interest.

[Svejk]

Why is Dino Crisis 2 going for this price?! 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1311&_nkw=dino+crisis+2+ps1&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=alundra+ps1&_osacat=0

[bork]

Why is Dino Crisis 2 going for this price?! 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1311&_nkw=dino+crisis+2+ps1&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=alundra+ps1&_osacat=0

EVERYTHING IS RARE!!!  *

spoiler (click to show/hide)

*on eBay.

[close]

[demi]

Because its only on ps1, a survival horror on ps1, and a popular series

Nothing really weird about it

[D3RANG3D]

[Coax]

Virtually the entire front is glass, what were they thinking

[MMaRsu]

https://twitter.com/necrosofty/status/1672660903668641793

[bork]

Virtually the entire front is glass, what were they thinking

Don't worry, here's another in this endless line of releases!



One thing I will not do again is purchase anything without at least decent customer support options.  So Steam Deck and ASUS Ally are it.

[D3RANG3D]

[Svejk]

Not gonna lie, I've watched the Starfield deep dive twice now.  Shit looks incredible.  I hope my laptop will run it ok. 

[MMaRsu]

I've already watched it five times lmao

Also started a new Skyrim playthrough with a shitton of mods

[Svejk]

FINALLY broke free from that godforsaken schmapple arcade garbage, and onto PC and consoles November 10, 2023. 

[demi]

Fantasian needs to escape from Apple Arcade next

[bork]

Endless Laptop Odyssey #10?  #11?  I don't even know anymore. 

---

Got the Razer Blade 14 2023.  Never had one of their PCs before.

-The build quality is insane.  It's all-metal.  Even the screen bezels.
-The laptop is noticeably heavier than others because of this.
-The power brick isn't too bad size-wise.  Kind long, but thinner than others.
-The keyboard lighting is fry-your-eyeballs bright.  Shits all over all the others I've tried.
-The trackpad is HUGE!  Biggest one I've ever seen on a laptop.
-The screen is nice, with no noticeable light bleed.  Can't say I feel a difference between 240hz and other 165hz panels.
-The screen is also insanely bright.  Had to turn it down a bit!
-It runs pretty quiet and cool so far.  More than the others I've tried.
-The image came bloat-free apart from what Windows itself has.  This was easily the fastest laptop setup out of all the ones I've tried.  Bonus points for no BIOS updates needed.
-I put it on turbo/boost settings and loaded up CoD.  The fans don't sound too loud when they kick in, but are definitely quite audible.  Typical for a gaming laptop, but also more on the quieter side for one.
-CoD benchmark, at recommended settings/1600P/DLSS on performance gave an average of 153 FPS.  The highest it got was 177 FPS.  Beats out everything else I've tried at this size, but the MSI Stealth 14 came pretty close.
-It's Razer, so I did something I never do and got an extended warranty on it. 

The 2023 model also finally has user-upgradeable RAM.  Cloning the drive to a 2TB now and then will pop in 32GB DDR5 5600 sticks.

[bork]

[Svejk]

Can't say I'm a fan of the art direction.  Last thing a beat'em up needs is SD characters.    That thumbnail art is great though... wish the gameplay had that style.

[Himu]

Why is Dino Crisis 2 going for this price?! 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1311&_nkw=dino+crisis+2+ps1&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=alundra+ps1&_osacat=0

...

That isn't expensive for psx.

[Svejk]

Physical MGS Collection on Switch will contain no MGS games. Lmao
 

Konami gonna Konami

The Switch version comes in at 24.1GB all up… if you don’t count the bonus videos. Those will add a further 30GB into the mix, bringing the whole package up to 54GB

According to the official website for the Master Collection, 2.4GB of the collection is “front loaded onto cartridge”, while the rest will have to be downloaded.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

This is all tentative right now and may change, however.  I just kinda doubt it.

[close]

Even more Konami gonna Konami, currently they're only releasing a PS5 version, but no PS4 version??   Leaving money on the table.

[Svejk]

Why is Dino Crisis 2 going for this price?! 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1311&_nkw=dino+crisis+2+ps1&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=alundra+ps1&_osacat=0

...

That isn't expensive for psx.

Game is good, but not that good.  Guess I assumed there was a PC release also, but I was wrong.

[D3RANG3D]

[bork]

https://twitter.com/Gill_F/status/1672639154306584578

[bork]

[bork]

Asus just released the new X13 in the States.  Temptation is...gone! :O

It's not just that the Blade 14 is gonna run games better.  That 0% interest plan just can't be beat.  Thanks, Razer.

[MMaRsu]

PI for FTC denied, MS can close the deal

[demi]

LRG had a showcase, and showed a lot of nostalgia bait:

- Clock Tower (1 - SNES) remaster/port
- Gex Trilogy
- Plumbers dont wear ties (september release date)
- El Shaddai Switch
- Tomba (1) port for Steam/PS/Switch
- Arzette: Jewel of Faramore (game made by some guy who remastered the Zelda CDI games?? has goofy MS Paint cutscenes)
- Jurassic Park collection (just the 8/16 bit games)
- Shantae GBA (unreleased, the official sequel to Shantae)
- Castlevania Advance Collection (yes, even an xbox version)
- Colossal Cave (from Ken/Roberta Williams)

[bork]

Here's the full LRG announcement list and showcase:



Another Crusade
Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore
Castlevania Advance Collection
Chicory
Clock Tower
Colossal Cave
DoubleShake
Dungeons of Aether
El-Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Gargoyles Remastered
Gex Trilogy
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection
Jurassic Park: The Chaos Continues
Karateka
Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony
Kyukyoku Tiger-Heli Collection
Midnight Fight Express
Odencat‘s Paradise
Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties: Definitive Edition
Rise of the Triad Ludicrous Edition
Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition
Rose & Camellia Collection
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Soundtrack Collection
Tomba!
This Way Madness Lies

[Svejk]

Here's the full LRG announcement list and showcase:



Another Crusade
Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore
Castlevania Advance Collection
Chicory
Clock Tower
Colossal Cave
DoubleShake
Dungeons of Aether
El-Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Gargoyles Remastered
Gex Trilogy
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection
Jurassic Park: The Chaos Continues
Karateka
Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony
Kyukyoku Tiger-Heli Collection
Midnight Fight Express
Odencat‘s Paradise
Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties: Definitive Edition
Rise of the Triad Ludicrous Edition
Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition
Rose & Camellia Collection
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Soundtrack Collection
Tomba!
This Way Madness Lies

Fuck all that noise, y'all are missing the good shit..

https://limitedrungames.com/collections/rifftrax-the-game

 

[bork]

https://www.gematsu.com/2023/07/blizzard-entertainment-games-coming-to-steam-starting-with-overwatch-2-on-august-10

[Sideshow Raheem]

Excited for the Pikmin. Am definitely a Pikmin 1 person.

https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-10-pikmin-4-part-1/

[Joe Molotov]

I'm getting pikpilled

[Svejk]

Nintendo still selling Pikmin 3 for $60.

[bork]

Natsume Atari subsidiary Tengo Project has published a new video teasing the announcement of a Shadow of the Ninja remake.

Shadow of the Ninja is a side-scrolling action game originally released for Nintendo Entertainment System in August 1990.

In the video, Tengo Project composer Hiroyuki Iwatsuki visits former Natsume “super composer” Iku Mizutani in Osaka, where he tells Mizutani that Tengo Project is currently working on a remake of one of Natsume Atari’s past titles that Mizutani worked on, and asks Mizutani to handle the music.

When asked if he remembers how the game’s music goes, Mizutani plays a short sample on his guitar, which ends up being the Shadow of the Ninja title screen music.

Mizutani then plays more of the music as scenes of the remake are shown in small bursts, before ending with the text, “Please wait for more news!”

[Svejk]

Sony and Nintendo ANNIHILATED.

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/07/24/pizza-scented-xbox-and-tmnt-mutant-mayhem-controller/

Amp Up Your Gaming with TMNT: Mutant Mayhem Pizza-Scented Controller

Satisfy your hunger for kicking butt with the world’s first ever pizza-scented controller! Designed to deliver the smell of the Turtles’ beloved meal to your game time, these exclusive Xbox Wireless Controllers come with a built-in scent diffuser shaped like a slice of delicious New York ‘za.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[Joe Molotov]

False advertising, all my controllers are already pizza and cheetos scented.

[Svejk]

Good grief... I was gonna maybe pass on this game and wait for a discount, but this shit looks too good.. this may be a Day Oner...  I got a month to hopefully finish FFXVI. 



I'll be honest, I never really played an AC game.  Was always fascinated with them since the PS2 entries and only dabbled with one or two, but never sat down and sink into one for some reason.

[Beezy]

Same. I love most things mecha though and the first trailer for this looked amazing, so I have to get it day one.

[Joe Molotov]

The gameplay demo looked hot.

[Polident Hive]

Have to wait and see how it is on PC as I don’t think I can play on PS5 at release. But yeah. Only game that can beat Zelda TOTK for me this year. Looks amazing.


Anyway, somehow MAME and arcade emulation has gotten more complicated than it was in the 2000s. Looking up guides, some still recommend the 2003 Plus set. Newer sets are updated and more accurate rips but tend to have various dependencies? After a point different arcade boards need whole different emulators. And even further down the line arcade cabinets just became desktop PCs and potentially sketchy programs bypass DRM to run on windows? Probably easier to stick with the old set. Even if I may miss out on newer versions of Qix for perverts

[Svejk]

Have to wait and see how it is on PC as I don’t think I can play on PS5 at release. But yeah. Only game that can beat Zelda TOTK for me this year. Looks amazing.


Anyway, somehow MAME and arcade emulation has gotten more complicated than it was in the 2000s. Looking up guides, some still recommend the 2003 Plus set. Newer sets are updated and more accurate rips but tend to have various dependencies? After a point different arcade boards need whole different emulators. And even further down the line arcade cabinets just became desktop PCs and potentially sketchy programs bypass DRM to run on windows? Probably easier to stick with the old set. Even if I may miss out on newer versions of Qix for perverts

MAME needs to be streamlined better somehow. It's weird, I can get it running on my Wii U and my phone even, but the PC version, I can't.  The interface is completely different and just doesn't click for me.    I'm too lazy to yt some tutorials.

[Polident Hive]

My limited understanding is they’ve essentially started over a couple times for the sake of accuracy. New versions of MAME need new rom sets. Ignoring MAME and using Finalburn Neo seems easier all around. For me, my nostalgia with arcades ends in the early 2000s. But there are some games I only played once, if ever, like Planet Harriers, Virtua Cop 3, 2 Spicy.

[Svejk]

This may be the best DS clone yet.     The platforming segments being arguably better than a DS with it's Soul Reaver type parts..  It definitely looks gorgeous.