What are you playing right now?

[Niahak]

Almost 3 weeks later, I've finished Suikoden 1 and just recruited my 108th member in Suikoden 2, so I think I have about 3 hours left at the most.

Suikoden 1 is an interesting game to go back to, since it has an inventory system that was kind of archaic even at the time (Earthbound is the only SNES game I recall that had one like it, with only character inventories). It's a kind of rough game and feels SNES-ish in other ways - but its ambition and setting make it stand out from other RPGs of the time. While other RPGs had done dozens of characters, recruitment was usually through battle mechanics (Like Pokemon or Destiny of an Emperor). Here each optional character has a place in the world, and you have to find them and figure out what they want (sometimes with very little in the way of clues). A particularly dedicated player might find some of the trickier ones - Pesmerga and I think Kage are mentioned explicitly in one of the old books - but it would be tricky to get all of them (Leon, for example, is notoriously tricky to get as you have to interact with him and then Mathiu at specific times). Later games ease up a bit on the worst of these requirements and provide more clues in-game, but Suikoden 1 in particular feels designed for you to not find everyone the first go around.

Suikoden 1 also doesn't seem designed to let you use most of the characters you find, even though it makes many oddball recruits usable in fights. Your party is frequently filled with two or three plot-related characters for story events, and the row/range system often means you can only find room for one short-ranged character. This combined with the expense of bringing equipment and weapons up to speed makes it trickier to use many of the characters, even where using them makes sense.

Overall though the remaster is a great version of an already good game. The narrative in Suikoden is a particular standout, it blends tragedy and hope in so many good ways, and you see the human cost of war even as you try to make the world a better place.

[Sharecrow]

I’m playing a handful of things. I did finish Grandia but missed some stuff. I’ll replay it after beating Suikoden, which I’m playing on hard mode but am still really early in it.

Started over Resident Evil 2 because it’d been a couple years since my last save. I’ll get through it this time (hopefully). Also on the horror from I started that Silent Hill 2 remake. I love that game and the remake is gorgeous in a gruesome sort of way. Finally, I’m playing AssCreed Shadows, which is phenomenal. I’m early in that as well.

Back burner games include Dig Dug, Days Gone, Dragon Warrior III (the kindle version) for my master run, and Tales of Graces wtf,

[Claytone]

I picked up a used copy of Um Jammer Lammy at my local game store the other day and really enjoyed it. Been having a lot of fun revisiting the PS1, and I grabbed a couple Polyphony games, Gran Turismo and Omega Boost off eBay. Love any excuse to spend some time with old hardware at my dedicated CRT setup.

Haven't started Omega Boost, but it looks like a nice, single-sitting clear if I set aside a little time for it. GT is more involved, but I've enjoyed my first hour or so with it. The only other entry I've played is GT7, and it's interesting to see how much of the DNA was already there all the way back in 1997. Fun game.

I've also been playing Split Fiction with my partner, and it's a blast. This is my first experience with a Hazelight game, and I think I can see why their previous works were so well received. They are constantly introducing new ideas into what is a pretty mechanically simple and approachable game. The writing and dialog can be a bit corny and annoying at times, but that does little to diminish the enjoyment of playing a fun and truly co-operative game. We're a little over halfway through, I think, and unless things take a serious nosedive, I think this is one I'll hold in high regard.

...and I'll get back to that Suikoden remaster eventually!

[Kong Wen]

My main ambient games are still Final Fantasy XIV: Online and Langrisser Mobile, although I am weaning off both of them. Not as much going on in either right now.

My main active social game is Monster Hunter Wilds, which I'm still playing nightly with friendos despite having the platinum trophy already. There's a major free title update coming this week, so there will be even more to do then!

On the PSP/couch gaming side, I'm working my way through Suikoden II. By the time that is done, my Lunar remasters should be here, so I'll move on to those. I still have to go back and (re)replay Final Fantasy VI for the platinum trophy as well, so I'll be well taken care of with RPGs for the foreseeable future.

[Claytone]

Finished Split Fiction. Really terrific game. It's pretty easy and accessible, but any concerns that this could result in boredom should be set aside. Hazelight is constantly throwing new (and well-executed) ideas at you every few minutes, so the gameplay never gets stale. I think this is the longest game I've ever finished fully in co-operative play. Fortunately, one of Hazelight's previous efforts A Way Out just got a steep discount on PSN (likely not a coincidence), so I picked that up to fire up soon.

I also finished the short single-player mode of C-Smash VRS. It's a VR reimagining of Cosmic Smash, the old SEGA Dreamcast/arcade racquetball game, now in first-person. It's wonderful to play, really nailing that feeling of playing a virtual sport. Striking the ball feels good and natural, and aiming shots works as you'd expect on a real court (if anything, it's a bit more forgiving, which is nice). Sadly, I don't think the game has a particularly active online community, so I doubt I'll get to experience much of the PvP (except against bots), but the single-player modes are very fun and replayable. Definitely one I'll be firing up from time to time to get off the couch for a bit (still got to grind for the platinum anyway!). Highly recommend this one to anyone with a compatible device.

[Niahak]

Finished the Suikoden II remaster and I was left feeling a bit empty. I may dive into Suikoden III in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, I picked up Chaos Galaxy 2, a simple Grand Strategy / tactical combo (think Total War, but with Advance Wars style battles instead of RTS). on sale and I'd been eyeing it for a while. CG2 is much like Chaos Galaxy 1, but has a different starting scenario (set a couple years later) with more variation, versus CG1 starting structured and going pretty wild after a couple years due to events. CG2 also offers an (optional) alien invasion, which is kind of superboss-ish although you can set it to come in from any direction at the start.

CG2 also offers more customization and faction-specific mechanics, research is still different per-faction but also some factions have additional features (Imperial sub-factions have the court, which offers passives and bonuses to COs with specific ranks, for example). Once aliens have been fought, you unlock additional research options which can also sprinkle in more flavor for your faction.

The base game is quite similar though, despite some changes to planet development the general flow is still pretty simple. My first game was a classic "restore the Empire" run, starting as the Royalists (who fled the capitol with the imperial heir) and then eliminating the Regency. I tried with fairly easy settings, and will likely continue to do so as I don't have a taste for the micromanagement that harder settings would require for victory. I'd rather enjoy the flavor and try out new things faster.

Some diplomacy functions would still be greatly appreciated - for example, it was frustrating when a strong ally of mine suddenly turned into a vassal of my enemy (who was not much stronger). There are tools in the toolbox to prevent that from happening (not least of which is reloading a previous save) but it can be frustrating when the AI snowballs in ways that you as a player cannot.

[Kong Wen]

My main ambient games are still Final Fantasy XIV: Online and Langrisser Mobile, although I am weaning off both of them. Not as much going on in either right now.

My main active social game is Monster Hunter Wilds, which I'm still playing nightly with friendos despite having the platinum trophy already. There's a major free title update coming this week, so there will be even more to do then!

On the PSP/couch gaming side, I'm working my way through Suikoden II. By the time that is done, my Lunar remasters should be here, so I'll move on to those. I still have to go back and (re)replay Final Fantasy VI for the platinum trophy as well, so I'll be well taken care of with RPGs for the foreseeable future.

This is largely still accurate here at the end of the month. I'm pretty much done with FFXIV and Lang though, so Monster Hunter Wilds kind of counts as my ambient and my social game now. There's a new arch-tempered monster coming out tomorrow, so we'll be farming him to turn him into hats.

Due to the recent Monster Hunter kick, I've also gone back and picked Monster Hunter World back up, installed the Iceborne expansion, and have been replaying through it with a friend who hadn't played before, on a different weapon I haven't played before. The game still holds up really well, and there are still a lot of people playing online.

I did finish Suikoden II, so now I'd consider Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 my main RPG, but when I'm away from the big screen TV or just can't concentrate for long stretches (e.g. when playing on a break at work, or when hanging with the dogs upstairs and playing on my PSP) I have Lunar: Silver Star Story loaded up as well.

So, Monster Hunter Wilds, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Lunar: Silver Star Story.

[Sharecrow]

I’m mostly playing Silent Hill 2 these days. I did start Clair Obscur as well but am only playing occasionally as I’m kind of savoring it. Still playing Tales of Graces wtf and I did beat RE2, so I’ve started RE3, but am not far in it though I like it so far. Also still chipping away at Suikoden 1 as well.

At some point I’ll start and knock out my Harlan Ellison game and/or Night Book. Either should be short but still thought provoking.

Silent Hill 2 has eight endings so yikes. Not sure how many times I’ll need play it to get them all. lol I’ve only previously beaten it twice. Enjoying replaying Tales of Graces wtf as well. I understand this version has some new post game content and the quality of life updates are all spiffy despite the original game not really being too burdensome. It’s fantastic…probably my third favorite Tales games (after Symphonia and Berseria). Good times…good times…