MyNameIsAtticus

Today's game is some more Assassin's Creed. I mainly made my way through the Jerusalem assassination. it was here i really started to feel the slowness of this game's parkour. With the other games (not-RPG ones) Parkour feels snappy and like constant lunges. Here it kind of feels like Altair is afraid to grab a ledge and i feeling it out first. Realistic? Yeah. But also it does slow things down a little.

Also, with Altair's face just being Desmond's it really cracks me up a bit. It's just funny seeing that he has the exact same face as him, especially coming from the games where all the Protagonist's have their own faces.

The actual assassination part was fun, albeit it felt a little light on story. I liked actually getting to chase the guy through the streets despite my gripe about the parkour. The fight though kind of boiled down to standing around and countering until he died. And i mean that more so than what the other games are known for.

It also throws me off they don't search for you. Like, i can just hop in there at a yellow and wait them out. I'd expect them to at least search around for me. But nope. They just walk away like they suddenly had something better to do.

Anyways, i'm enjoying this. It's interesting to see the roots of one of my favorite franchises growing up, so exploring this is a fun time. After this i want to go to 2, and work my way up from there. I have a friend who's trying to complete every Final Fantasy game; I'd like to dedicate myself to finishing every Assassin's creed game, even if i'm dreading Odyssey and Valhalla, and Shadows too actually. The story for Shadows was ungodly long, i liked the game play though. I should upgrade my CPU though with how much of a Bottleneck it became for that game.

Today's game is Minecraft, specifically Attack of The B-Team. I had setup a server for me and my friends, and it had gone unused since April. We finally remembered it existed though and all got on it. What initially was expected to be a server of 3-4 people has become one of nearly 12. It's fun having something large. Plus it's all self hosted, so no need to worry about the server turning off or anything.

One of the things i've been dabbling in is the Necromancy mod. I've had fun stitching together weird things. One creature i made had a Zombie Skull, Villager Body, spider legs, and Chicken Arm. I brought it too life but it vanished into the Ether. So... i made a whole new cryptid i suppose.

I started building this castle like thing to live in. Initially i Retrofitted a witch thing i found, but i eventually moved closer to my friends. I'm the "Tinker's Construct guy" so it made sense. I have the Necromancy stuff in the basement along with the forge. I've been working on hollowing out the base and cleaning it up and then finishing the main area. Next i want to turn the rest of the island i built it on into a keep. Then use that as a staging area to launch myself into space and beat everyone else in the Space Race i declared (I'm the only other competitor)

I had something downloading on Steam towards the end of the play session, and it absolutely tweaked out the game. Models started falling apart, mobs were lagging, even the sky seemed to be stuttering. Honestly feels like material for a short story. Imagine if the sky just kept jumping backwards by a few hours. It would be scary as hell.

Anyways, i wanted something interesting to break up the monotony of the first Assassin's Creed. It's fun but not a lot happens. So consider this a break from it while i made some more progress in the background (the Wizard tower belongs to my friend)

Today's game is some more Assassin's Creed. I've been playing through it, and it's an interesting experience compared to the newer games. I assume the Ezio trilogy brought it closer too what i know, but the differences I'm noticing are interesting.

One of the differences I've noticed is that there's these sections where you sort of "stalk" your prey up close in a crowd. These are actually pretty cool to me. I don't feel like i get to see a lot of these in the newer games. Usually i feel like we get a pan out shot showing the target instead. Maybe the only example i can remember is in Black Flag where you're stalking the guy and stab him from the bench.

Also, there's something about Desmond's model that's makes him look constantly pissed off. I mean, he has good reason too be, but it's just funny too me. Plus with the head bobbing thing he does where he looks like a chicken, it's funny to me.

Altair is a interesting protagonist to me too. He's cocky and almost seems apathetic to the creed and authority, which is ironic considering the themes. It's an interesting protagonist to me because i don't feel like we really got one like it. Arno maybe, but even then i feel like he was different.

Anyways, that's kind of my perspective on the first game based on the first 2 units. Overall it's a fairly interesting experience contrasting this with the rest of the games in the franchise, especially against Unity/Syndicate (my favorites) and Shadows (The latest one i've played)

Today's game is Assassin's Creed. The first one Specifically. I have played and enjoyed most of the Assassin's Creed games. Specifically: 3, Black Flag, Rogue, Unity, Syndicate, Origins, Valhalla, and Shadows. With Black Flag Resynced on the horizon, I would be lying if i said i wasn't hyped about it having grown up with the franchise the way i have. I'm hoping to wait until launch to hear about it to even consider it (or even better acquire it through other means), as i'd love to give it a try and form my own opinion on it, regardless of my own personal bias.

Anyways, so i decided to play the First Game, which i have never beaten. I thought if i sink myself into it so maybe i can quell any sort of desire for the Black Flag Remake, at least until i can find out whether it's good. Hopefully though it sates all desire so i don't want to play it. Then again, i'm sure my local library will get it, i can for sure borrow a copy from there.

I mean, my major complaint with Shadows was the story being way too long. Black Flag has an amazing story in my opinion. I don't know how they could fuck it up, so with trust i could believe it will be good, but Ubisoft does not have my trust in this matter.

Anyways, about the game. It looks surprisingly good. Like, the models are a bit eh. And i noticed some NPCs almost look like they're bobbing their head like a chicken. But lighting and texture wise it looks fine. I imagine some of it is carried by having maxed out graphic options. But still.

I appreciate the difference between this too and the modern formula. It's unique to see how the open world is a little less open compared to the sequels. Having gotten countless games with the open world formula it's nice to experience it.

It's also interesting seeing how different the Brotherhood is here. They feel far less secret compared to normal. I mean, they have a fucking castle adorned with their symbol. Not exactly the pinnacle of secrecy. Then again, back in ages like that i imagine word traveled a lot less fast, so it'd be harder to find somewhere like that. Especially with it supposedly being in the mountains.

Also, it cracks me up that the save icon resembles a SIM card. For some reason it's funny to me.

Anyways, i wanted to play this and explore a something from my childhood i never really touched. I've also had a desire recently to replay L.A. Noire too so if that shows up and this doesn't assume it replaced it.

Today’s game is Jedi Survivor. And probably the last time it will be featured. If not then the second to last. I spent yesterday kind of giving my general thoughts. So I’ll just sum up my opinions on the game. The pictures will serve more as an appealing aesthetic to go with it. I don’t want this to be taken as a review, though ultimately I suppose that’s what this will serve as.

My first part I wanted to talk about were the graphics. Looks great at parts but holy shit do they fall apart at the finer details. The game struggled at 1440p with my 7600 XT (16GB). Like, seriously. There’s some egregious pop in issues and sometimes the lighting just didn’t want to look right.

My second part was that it felt a little less console than the first one. The first one felt perfectly put together in this way like a puzzle that fits perfectly. This one wasn’t bad. But it lacked the same feel which is a shame.

Tanalor was pretty though. I loved the color scheme. I do wish we got more though. That brief snippet we saw felt so pretty to see.

Anyways. I’ve been running around getting collectibles and I saw this mole guy in a building I had to break into. I did his little side thing. But his design was still humorous to me.

Anyways. After this I have to figure out what’s next on my list. I got the sudden urge for Uncharted 4 again. So maybe that. I’ll have to see. I still need to do that Speed Run achievement any ways. And lost legacy.

Today’s game is some more Jedi Survivor. I buckled in for the story today and just plowed through the entire thing. I want to avoid story spoilers as, even if it is a 3 year old game I don’t want to spoil anything. Which in retrospect sucks because I’ve gotten some screenshots I’m really proud of.

Spoiler

For example. These two images. I got it during Cere’s duel with Vader. I was really happy they got a rematch as it gave me a chance to avenge my lost pictures from Fallen Order. I went for a two piece assembly with them of Light and Dark. In retrospect I would have liked the maybe use both Red and Blue Lighting on Cere and Vader. Maybe play with the balances so they’re more of one color than the other. I still like them though.

I do wish more games would include orientation options in their photo modes. And a grid. I feel like they’d be a lot more powerful in a vertical portrait arrangement rather than horizontal. I could crop them, but I don’t like cropping them for here. I still rather like them despite these gripes though.

I would also like to say that Cere’s death and Bode’s betrayal was probably the highlight of this game for me. Until then the game kind of felt like it was coasting by on 6/10 moments. Not bad. Nothing special either though. Then this happens and it jumps up.

I also fought Rick the Door Technician. I liked this guy so I ended up dodging his attacks and letting him live. Dude was so gung-ho and ready to give it his all I felt bad just cutting him down.

Anyways. After all that I’ve made it near the end. Tomorrow I’m gonna try and finish the game. And then I’d like to 100% it. I believe it will be a similar deal to the first game in terms of effort. We’ll see though.

Today’s game is some more Animal Crossing New Horizons. After last night I got some much needed rest. Afterwards I decided to check in on my island. I haven’t been on in a bit, and I needed to keep an eye on my pets anyways today. So I kicked back and opened up my island I never visit.

Last time I was on I got a room expansion. Not because I wanted it, but because I needed the storage space that comes with it.

It kind of strikes me as odd how little storages space the game has to start. It just always felt to me the game has this identity of being catering to players in a way it doesn’t really tell them no. Maybe I was wrong about that or misunderstood.

Anyways, after that I went digging around my island. No idea why but I found so much random crap in the ground. I found a sand dollar, a pet bowl, and a table. I must have buried it all previously. Either that or the game has some very interesting choices in what it spawns in the ground.

I finished collecting my fruit and stuff, sold it and donated my fish. And then messed around for a bit longer.

The last thing i chose to do was place the dog bowl in front of Lyman’s home. He hasn’t done anything to me, but he hasn’t done anything for me either. So, since I don’t really like him I chose to place it there.

I’ll probably check in again in a few months. It sucks I can’t keep a constant dedication with this game. Honestly something I’ve always struggled with. Any game that expects regular attendance is an immediate mood killer from me. Animal Crossing is a little forgiving. But still.

Today’s game is Oxygen not Included. I hate a long day today and wanted something simplish to relax. That’s this.

I usually don’t get to get very far in this because the after mentioned simpleness can sometimes backfire and actually make it fairly hard. But despite that this I usually have a great time in this game.

One of the first things I set out to do on this save was make a water pump. Easy enough. I hit a roadblock though where I need to dig for it due to the nearest thing of water being underground.

This resulted in the second issue: There’s no oxygen down there. That means my workers will have to make repeat trips down there to dig, build the ladder, and climb up.

Once I got that out of the way, I started on the second part of my go to plan for this game: Tunneling to the top of the map for Solar Panels.

Admittedly this is probably where all my playthroughs fall apart. As all my little guys end up dying before I get there. And I’m not sure how to make enough oxygen and food to keep them alive. I’ll get there soon one day. I’m determined.

Anyways. I just wanted to make a brief detour and break that I thought would be a nice break. I would have actually done Jedi Survivor but I was about to crash and fall asleep for the first time in a long while, so this is a much appreciated break.

Today’s game is RuneScape. I would like to make a confession with this game, and that is that I have no clue what I’m doing in it. I’ve done maybe 3 quests. I really just like walking around and listening to the music while exploring and taking in the sights. I’m basically using RuneScape as a tourist simulator.

Like today for example. I went by this museum and just checked things out. I imagine it’s tied to a quest, but if it is I couldn’t find it. I suspect maybe it’s under premium or whatever.

The whole vibe of this game also makes me want to play Myst. I have disk copy for MacOS. Like an old one on iMac G3. I’m half tempted to boot it up and play just because of this, but I think I’ll wait and just buy it on Steam. I have to imagine it’s close enough to the same experience, and besides. I have a CRT monitor that I could hook it up to if I really wanted an older experience.

Tangents about Myst aside, I also ventured into this house and killed this imp. I panicked at first because I thought maybe the Imp was with the guy or something but he seemed pretty chill. I head cannoned it as the Imp was like a pest. Or this guy is just a shitty pet owner. Either way I took the spoils from my kill with me. I think I’ll put it in the bank as a weird messed up trophy of sorts. Sorry to that poor Bank Keeper.

Anyways. To end things off I found this village full of Barbarians. Until I boot the game up again I’m going to head cannon that he’s taking a prolonged stay here. He helped bake a cake or something one time. Maybe he can help make food or something to earn his keep.

Today’s game is some more Jedi Survivor. I have some gripes with the games graphics in some places, namely some horrendous culling and pop in, but I would like to admire the graphical effects, like that highlight on Greez being cast by the Warp Vortex Thingy. I know it’s probably a minute little detail, but it’s something that threw me off.

I ran into Dagan again too. I really like this guy as a main antagonist. I just wish he was more involved. He feels like he’s been there a total of twice and that’s it. I wish there was more.

I like that he stays one armed, and I like his pseudo-brotherhood with Rayvis, albeit their bond over wars was weirdly touching. I like characters like that. Specifically villains. I wish we had more.

Also. Droidekas show up. I love these guys. They’re my favorite of the Clone Wars era battle droids. Something about them is oddly satisfying to me. I think it’s the shape plus their shield.

Anyways, today was a pretty light gaming session (here’s an alternative shot of Dagan though), I’m going to be busy these next few days, thankfully I have the foresight to setup systems for doing these even off network or on the go, so I should be set to keep these up, even if they’ll be a little out of place with my recent trends.

Today's game is some more Jedi Survivor. I went through with the story today and that's been my main focus. I did get one picture i felt turned out exceptional though and that's the one above of the storm trooper. I was playing with the filters too and got this one i rather liked. I took a few other shots but they felt far more fantastical.

One thing i've noticed is this game feels a little less refined than Fallen Order, for example, this scorpion. I got locked into one of those "kill" animations and for some reason it moved their position like 20 feet in the air and then dropped Cal right after it was done.

Also, this one isn't an issue but Cal has a habit of making the dorkiest faces. I got this one in the wind tunnels area for example. If you take note i also gave him the Windswept hair style. I think it's meant to look like Anakin, and if not it's at least giving off similar vibes (when it's not being shoved around by air at least).

Anyways, after that quest I decided to go back to Coruscant. I saved the game there. I want to take and redo some pictures i botched the first time i was there before i realized i had to actively hide the UI in the second game

Today’s game is some more Jedi Survivor. Today I just kind of spent the entire time exploring. And man. I got some awesome screenshots (in my opinion).

I spent like a good 10 minutes today for example just setting up this shot. I used spotlights to strengthen the shadow cast on her face and I really like how it turned out. I think I would have liked to get a slightly darker light but since the spotlights are only increments of 5 that wasn’t really an option.

After dicking around for a bit on the reach I went and continued the main story, and being able to get some better pictures out on the desert really made me happy. I don’t like deserts but i really like the photos I got here. I really feel I did the desert justice here.

The walkers in this one do feel a little easier than in the first one. It’s entirely possible I just now how to counter them. The droids though, that’s where I really struggled. I really felt like they were gonna blow up on me every second of the fight.

Anyways. I made my way through the desert for a bit before stopping. I just made it past that puzzle with the wind tunnel where you have to block the wind to cross before getting off. Today was really about just taking photos and exploring for me i think.