This Old Neon Forum

Sharecrow wrote: ↑23 Oct 2019 14:57 I beat Evil Within 2! Took about 20 hours. Great game. I’d give it an 8.32 out of 9.77. Too tough to platinum though but that’s fine. I’ll either start SOMA or Layers of Fear 2 tonight depending on my mood.

Kong Wen wrote: ↑23 Oct 2019 13:22

Kong Wen wrote: ↑21 Oct 2019 14:10

Kong Wen wrote: ↑15 Oct 2019 13:32 11-14 October - I had a couple good chunks of time to play this despite the holiday. Wow this game is bigger than I thought, even with people telling me it was big. I'm glad I'm playing it right after Bloodstained, because, as good as that game was, it's allowing Hollow Knight to reveal its brilliance in high contrast. I beat Soul Master, Dung Defender, the Mantis Lords (easily the best part of the game), Flukemarm, and some ghostly warriors. I also acquired several more maps, and now have 20/40 charms.

I've been trying to clear as much of an area as I can (beating a boss, getting a map, etc.) before moving on, but after the Greenpath, this game really wants you to juggle several open areas at a time. That feeling of leaving things undone all over the map is part of what contributes to its feeling of scope. It's also very patient with revealing the world's central lore. The early game sets a certain pace, so you think you're progressing along quite nicely through a snappy Metcastlevania, and then you get to the City of Tears and realize that you've just passed the tutorial.

It lets you prod at the world where you like, instead of just telling you where to go (or even not-so-subtly guiding you through use of one obvious roadblock that can be solved with one obvious new power).

The Mantis Lords are fucking great.

OK, whew...

15-20 October - I'm now up to around 28-30/40 charms, I have a map of every area, I have the shadow versions of all my abilities including dash, I have three nail techniques, I've unlocked all the Stagways, and I beat a couple more bosses and a couple more difficult platforming sections. I'm really not sure how much is left in terms of the main story, but I'm guessing at least 4 bosses. I need to get at least 4 more mask shards (maybe 8) and 1 more vessel shard (maybe 4) and the rest of the charms. If I really want the Platinum, I also have to go to work on the pantheon/boss rushes, which will be... quite challenging. Coming along, though! I'm really glad I dedicated my October to this gem!

22 October - I beat two more bosses, completed my second soul vessel, rescued something like 9 more grubs, and I think I've unlocked the final boss (or the fake final boss before the real one, because that seems like something this game would do). Before I tackle that, I'm going to keep scouring the map for little things I may have missed. My file is at around 40 hours now.

Kong Wen wrote: ↑24 Oct 2019 13:30

Kong Wen wrote: ↑23 Oct 2019 13:22

Kong Wen wrote: ↑21 Oct 2019 14:10

OK, whew...

15-20 October - I'm now up to around 28-30/40 charms, I have a map of every area, I have the shadow versions of all my abilities including dash, I have three nail techniques, I've unlocked all the Stagways, and I beat a couple more bosses and a couple more difficult platforming sections. I'm really not sure how much is left in terms of the main story, but I'm guessing at least 4 bosses. I need to get at least 4 more mask shards (maybe 8) and 1 more vessel shard (maybe 4) and the rest of the charms. If I really want the Platinum, I also have to go to work on the pantheon/boss rushes, which will be... quite challenging. Coming along, though! I'm really glad I dedicated my October to this gem!

22 October - I beat two more bosses, completed my second soul vessel, rescued something like 9 more grubs, and I think I've unlocked the final boss (or the fake final boss before the real one, because that seems like something this game would do). Before I tackle that, I'm going to keep scouring the map for little things I may have missed. My file is at around 40 hours now.

23 October - I started scouring areas one by one. Found two more charms and a couple more grubs. I also triggered what appears to be a fairly significant side-quest, but we'll see how that goes. I went to the Arena and won the first challenge (there are two more). I also started mapping out an area I had already gotten through and found another boss stashed away in there! So that's where I'll be heading tonight.

Kong Wen wrote: ↑28 Oct 2019 13:48 24-27 October - Alright... I beat the boss I mentioned before, then finished a new (!?!?!?) zone last night, collected all the collectible grubs, all the sword techniques, all the magic spells and their upgrades, all the mana upgrades. I still need 2 mask shards (HP containers), 5 charms, 1 more ore for what has to be my final sword upgrade (and I know where it is), and there are 6 optional bosses I haven't tackled yet, 2 more levels in the arena, 1 whole sidequest chain that I just discovered (not sure how long it is), and then the optional boss rush modes.

Game clock: 45 hours.

I spent $12 on this game.

Kong Wen wrote: ↑29 Oct 2019 13:48

Kong Wen wrote: ↑28 Oct 2019 13:48 24-27 October - Alright... I beat the boss I mentioned before, then finished a new (!?!?!?) zone last night, collected all the collectible grubs, all the sword techniques, all the magic spells and their upgrades, all the mana upgrades. I still need 2 mask shards (HP containers), 5 charms, 1 more ore for what has to be my final sword upgrade (and I know where it is), and there are 6 optional bosses I haven't tackled yet, 2 more levels in the arena, 1 whole sidequest chain that I just discovered (not sure how long it is), and then the optional boss rush modes.

Game clock: 45 hours.

I spent $12 on this game.

28 October - I defeated 5 of the 6 optional bosses that I hadn't tackled. There's one left and I've tagged him on my map, so I'm coming for him tonight. I found a new Super Meat Boy platforming zone. (And beat it!! It took 3 hours.) I got the final two mask shards to complete my HP, and the final sword upgrade. I'm only missing 3 charms, but I'm 100% certain where one is, 90% on another, and 50% on the last one. I completed the arena. I only have one missing entry in my hunter's journal. I'll work on all this lingering stuff tonight. Might be on pace to finish everything on Halloween night!