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Gaming Xbox Series X|S

Which of these do you prefer

  • Microsoft Game Pass

  • Xbox Game Pass


Results are only viewable after voting.

Balljy

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Jan 31, 2016
Messages
3,349
I've started the Medium, although on PC. Not that long in, just got in the building via the dumpster (not a spoiler at all, trust me) and I have to say it already seems very mediocre.

I like the setting, but that's clearly where all the budget went. The character design and animations are absolutely woeful, they are so out of place with the environments it's not even funny. Also the spirit world lacks any kind of style, certainly not as polished as the main world especially when they try so hard to show off their RT implementation in the rain/puddles, but absolutely nowhere else...it's a very weird choice. The story has started predictable and not particularly well written, and the cardinal sin of game design has once again been cast upon us...why the feck do they think changing the active button adds any depth??? X becomes Y at times, that's a huge bug bear and a design no no, yet so many "interactive story" games like this do it. Finally, there's a lack of atmosphere, the sound design so far is non-existent which is a bit odd considering they make a point of wearing headphones. Perhaps that is to come though, but you'd expect a game like this to start off heavy on the build-up.


However I'm going to continue playing as I assume (probably wrongly, but fingers crossed) that the main gameplay hook will actually throw up some interesting puzzles. Oh and the fact I didn't expect Booker DeWitt to show up! :lol:
The puzzles aren't interesting unfortunately. It's a shame as the gameplay could have made for some fun moments, but they don't really take advantage. There's a couple of moments where it does get a few more interesting uses, but I would like to see something with it done really well.

I haven't quite finished, but am kind of enjoying it despite the problems. I'm not overly worried about the graphics as it wasn't a huge budget so there's going to be some corners cut.
 

Redlambs

Creator of the Caftards comics
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No fighting in here lads. Conserve that energy for the bad guys (you know the ones).
No fighting from me. I was watching a great game and then in the half time break decided to occupy my mind commentating on an incredibly mediocre one.

The other guy was ignoring the great game in chase of some absolutely meaningless award which only shows how mediocre of a human he is.

I'm good over here.


The puzzles aren't interesting unfortunately. It's a shame as the gameplay could have made for some fun moments, but they don't really take advantage. There's a couple of moments where it does get a few more interesting uses, but I would like to see something with it done really well.

I haven't quite finished, but am kind of enjoying it despite the problems. I'm not overly worried about the graphics as it wasn't a huge budget so there's going to be some corners cut.
Budget isn't really an excuse though, considering how much they have been paid for this and how much went into promotion. You can have a budget title be a budget title, that's 100% acceptable. However in this it's clearly supposed to be some kind of showcase, and the environments are nice, but the stark contrast to the models and animations is ridiculous.

Even the RT is limited despite no obvious reasons as to why it couldn't be the showstopper. The whole thing is weirdly miss-matched as to what they wanted. If I was putting my cynical developer hat on, I'd say it's a sign the MS wanted show more than go and the original design and ideas were lost to that...but what do I know. Maybe they designed this as a medium level game from the off.
 

VeevaVee

The worst "V"
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I posted at half time whilst waiting for the second half. You read my post and replied just before our 6th goal.


There was a game on mate. It was a cracker too, shame you missed it.
I'll keep an eye out for the next half time review after barely playing the game
 

VeevaVee

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You guys only seem to be able to 'win' by being the bigger asshat. I'm not interested in petty quarrels where whoever stoops the lowest 'wins'. I only pointed out that there's a game on.
 

Balljy

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Messages
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No fighting from me. I was watching a great game and then in the half time break decided to occupy my mind commentating on an incredibly mediocre one.

The other guy was ignoring the great game in chase of some absolutely meaningless award which only shows how mediocre of a human he is.

I'm good over here.




Budget isn't really an excuse though, considering how much they have been paid for this and how much went into promotion. You can have a budget title be a budget title, that's 100% acceptable. However in this it's clearly supposed to be some kind of showcase, and the environments are nice, but the stark contrast to the models and animations is ridiculous.

Even the RT is limited despite no obvious reasons as to why it couldn't be the showstopper. The whole thing is weirdly miss-matched as to what they wanted. If I was putting my cynical developer hat on, I'd say it's a sign the MS wanted show more than go and the original design and ideas were lost to that...but what do I know. Maybe they designed this as a medium level game from the off.
Yeah, it is a bit odd what they've decided to focus on. I really liked Observer by Bloober Team as well so it's a bit disappointing for me overall. To be fair, the promotion budget doesn't help the dev team and I read the budget was around 7 million Euros so I wonder if Microsoft did try and put pressure to showcase certain areas at the expense of others.
 

Redlambs

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You guys only seem to be able to 'win' by being the bigger asshat. I'm not interested in petty quarrels where whoever stoops the lowest 'wins'. I only pointed out that there's a game on.
A game you ignored, just before we scored our 6th goal no less, to post that.




In response to a post I made DURING HALF TIME.




Comprende?
 

Redlambs

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You seem put out mate
You seem distracted.

Whilst a game was on, and not just any game, one where we won 9-0. It's hard being the king, no?


In fairness, we probably could have scored another 2 at half time.
I like you. When you take VV's crown, remember I said that and I'll kill you.
 

Redlambs

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Yeah, it is a bit odd what they've decided to focus on. I really liked Observer by Bloober Team as well so it's a bit disappointing for me overall. To be fair, the promotion budget doesn't help the dev team and I read the budget was around 7 million Euros so I wonder if Microsoft did try and put pressure to showcase certain areas at the expense of others.
Yeah, they are a good team which begs the question of why some decisions in this were made. M$ have a history in that regard, we all know. But also they have heavily promoted it and yet it's not a full priced title, that should speak volumes.

That being said, I've paid for it on PC as I want to support them and so I'll complete it. One thing that bothers me though is the story/writing is so flat so far, that's not something that MS or the budget affects. The actual scripts just seem flat and lifeless, even the actors struggle. I'm intrigued to hear more from Troy Baker to see if he pulls anything from it all.
 

Redlambs

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Why are you always causing trouble?

Especially in my threads.
To be fair, as much of an annoyance as that little gnat Elvis is, this one is on VV.

If he had actually watched the united game rather than this thread, and thus didn't horribly misjudge his attempted little dig, then he wouldn't have had to be embarrassed. He certainly then wouldn't have attempted to do it in the matchday thread too...

Live and learn eh!
 

Alock1

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I did more developing in Project Spark than Lambs has ever done mate. One of those guys who took a course and did some work experience at a devs and clings onto it for the rest of his life.
 

Shamwow

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The desire to write a 400 word review during half time after having made it through part of a game's tutorial section is kind of funny tbh.
 

Redlambs

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I did more developing in Project Spark than Lambs has ever done mate. One of those guys who took a course and did some work experience at a devs and clings onto it for the rest of his life.
And you failed at making anything. I wonder who could have predicted that eh?


The desire to write a 400 word review during half time after having made it through part of a game's tutorial section is kind of funny tbh.
:lol: That's a fair point. But at least it wasn't during the game ;)
 

Reditus

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Its not a great game in fairness. Story is OK though, so I will see it through.

EDIT: Talking about the Medium
 

Shamwow

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Its not a great game in fairness. Story is OK though, so I will see it through.

EDIT: Talking about the Medium
Definitely seems like a marmite game. I'm not a fan personally although not made it much further than Redlambs.

Now, is the Caf going to get together to play project winter?

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/02/02/coming-soon-xbox-game-pass-february-2021/



The perfect game to back-stab your friends. Project Winter is an 8-person multiplayer game focusing on social deception and survival. Communication and teamwork are essential to the survivors’ goal of escape. Gather resources, repair structures, and brave the wilderness together.
Could be a good outlet for all this anger going on.
 

Damien

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Definitely seems like a marmite game. I'm not a fan personally although not made it much further than Redlambs.

Now, is the Caf going to get together to play project winter?

Could be a good outlet for all this anger going on.
Getting seven other people might be a bit of a toughie. Sounds fun though.
 

Shamwow

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Getting seven other people might be a bit of a toughie. Sounds fun though.
If we could put down our differences and assuming there is PC cross play I'm sure it's within our powers.
 

Redlambs

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I definitely could. Both our CVs are empty when it comes to games development.
Aww I know you are trying to fight for your little friend here, and that's cute and all, but I'm sure you used to be more creative rather than repeat the same joke over and over?

Also, funny how you lot never actually talk about the games eh? Have you even played The Medium?


Getting seven other people might be a bit of a toughie. Sounds fun though.
If we could put down our differences and assuming there is PC cross play I'm sure it's within our powers.
I'd be down, but as Damien said getting a consistent group together is tough. Especially as the few on here who actually own an Xbox barely drag themselves away from Cod.

Are you in the discord? We have a bit more luck in there at times.
 

Alock1

Wears XXXL shirts and can't type ellipses
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Aww I know you are trying to fight for your little friend here, and that's cute and all, but I'm sure you used to be more creative rather than repeat the same joke over and over?

Also, funny how you lot never actually talk about the games eh? Have you even played The Medium?





I'd be down, but as Damien said getting a consistent group together is tough. Especially as the few on here who actually own an Xbox barely drag themselves away from Cod.

Are you in the discord? We have a bit more luck in there at times.
It's not a joke and when have I used it before today?

I've not played The Medium yet no, it came out less than a week ago.
 

Damien

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I'd be down, but as Damien said getting a consistent group together is tough. Especially as the few on here who actually own an Xbox barely drag themselves away from Cod.

Are you in the discord? We have a bit more luck in there at times.
Yeah the discord would be the best shot if you plan a time. The seven people wasn't a dig at the lack of Xbox community on here - I just know that getting that number of people on at the same time isn't easy from when the PS4 GTA crew was active.
 

Redlambs

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It's not a joke and when have I used it before today?

]I've not played The Medium yet no, it came out less than a week ago.
You always try to use the "fake developer" line when one of your little buddies is under the cosh. I know you do rewrite history, but to deny that one is actually funny :lol:

In fact, why are you even in here trying to have a little dig? Did he need help for a bit of banter he started? Wow and here I was talking about a game and then having a little fun with the guy when he chirped up. I feel bad now, sorry if I upset you @VeevaVee! You know I'm rarely actually being serious though, in fact I keep offering to show you guys the ropes on the seas! You lot are missing out one of the best games on an MS machine ever...

I'll tell you what, why don't we get back to the games eh? You know instead of the daft little attempts at derailing threads that keep plaguing every gaming thread...



Yeah the discord would be the best shot if you plan a time. The seven people wasn't a dig at the lack of Xbox community on here - I just know that getting that number of people on at the same time isn't easy from when the PS4 GTA crew was active.
I know some of this touchy lot will, but I didn't see that as a dig! It is a bit easier to get people together on the discord, for the voice chat alone.

I don't know if Project Winter will hold people's attention though, I haven't played it personally but it seems there is a boredom element that sets in quickly and knowing our attention spans it might be tough to retain players even short term. Unlike something like Among Us where the games are short and we can have a laugh and move on to the next one, this seems more involved. I'm still up for trying it though.
 

Shamwow

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What ropes are we being shown on the seas? Is Redlambs showing us how to do Shibari?

I can get on Discord, I've been meaning to get with the times as I've never used it before.
 

Redlambs

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What ropes are we being shown on the seas? Is Redlambs showing us how to do Shibari?
I think these guys think I'm going to use it to tie them to the bed below deck...:nervous:

But I'm getting back into Sea of Thieves (though I've yet to start again!) so have an open invitation to teach a few of the caf guys how to play. I dived in solo when I first started, and although it's not the worst thing it was tougher than it needed to be. It definitely helps having a crew and being shown the mechanics.


I can get on Discord, I've been meaning to get with the times as I've never used it before.
We are a bit better at organising games on there. Mostly of late it's been Phasmophobia, but I think the guys still sometimes play Among Us and Rocket League plus we always look for the next game to group up on.