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Discussion What Are You Playing Right Now?
- Thread starter Explosive Zombie
- Start date
I'm going to drop this in spoiler, for any who are sensitive to going in fully blind. I think Locations #2 and #3 as well as Knowledge most directly answer your question.
I will add that resource reward puzzle, such as the parlor logic puzzles, will be different each day.
Resources #1:
Within the manor, you can find items called Upgrade Disks. These items allow you to permanently modify a room to change its properties to better suit your playstyle. For example, you could make it so a previously empty hallway now always contains a key.
Resources #2:
You can find items called Allowance Tokens which cause you to permanently start each day with a stipend of gold. Similarly, you can unlock a location which grants a permanent bonus to your gems.
Locations #1:
Early in the game, you can unlock an external room, which you can draft each day to provide benefits to your run. For example, that room might make digging locations more common in the manner.
Locations #2:
While rooms may have their locations reset each day, some have states which carry over until you modify them again. For example, you may encounter a room where you alter the water levels of other rooms across your estate. These water levels will remain, until you decide to change them by drafting that room again.
Locations #3:
As you approach late game, you will increasingly appreciate the benefits of having multiple ways to easily access key locations. It's possible to create shortcuts for yourself in various rooms and areas, which can reduce the randomness of being able to access a specific location.
Draft Pool #1
You can find blue prints hidden across the manor, which you can permanently add to your draft pool. In some instances, these may be copies, effectively doubling your likelihood to draft a desirable room. In other cases, these rooms will be wholly unique and may contain new puzzles, or hold the solutions to other puzzles you hadn't been able to solve.
Drafting Pool #2:
In post-game, you can find a way to alter the room rarities of your draw pool. This can allow you to manipulate your deck, significantly increasing the likelihood that you'll draw into the sequence of rooms you might need for challenging puzzles.
Knowledge:
Information is a constant in Blue Prince. What that means is if you've solved a combination, or learned a passcode, it will always be the same. Thus, a room which previously served no purpose, may now be more valuable, because you can instantly access its hidden resources, or manipulate its mechanics. Of everything above, this is the most important, as sometimes your reward for solving a puzzle or drafting a room is a clue to a larger meta puzzle.
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I've just finished playing Farewell North, an adventure game developed by Kyle Banks and published by Mooneye Studios. Farewell North is a relatively brief story, which can be easily 100% within 5~7 hours.
Farewell North is an adventure about a border collie, Chesley, and their owner Cailey, as they travel the northern isles of Scotland on journey to come to terms with loss. The game largely takes place across four major islands, with a collection of smaller islands, with each serving as a way to narrate the journey, and provide some opportunities to hunt for collectables. While the game makes a large point at the beginning of the importance of Gaelic to its plot and setting, I was disappointed that it hardly ever actually came up, and that there was not a language option to swap the dub to Gaelic.
The narrative of Farewell North, revolves around Chesley and Cailey's relationship, and the trip the two of them are making together to say farewell. Cailey seems to have mistaken this game for a Hallmark movie, as she's a mid-30's young woman who left the isles of Scotland for the busy city, and is now returning to her roots and discovering the beauty of the land she left behind. Meanwhile, Chesley is the border collie of Cailey's late mother, who was adopted by Cailey and brought to the city. Cailey's mother was a shepherd, so Chelsey was raised as a working dog, and misses his home in the Isles, where he used to help on various farms with Cailey. Farewell North is told from the perspective of Chelsey, who perceives two periods of time. Chelsey's memories are largely represented by a "white world" which is nearly devoid of color, and depict the years when Cailey and Chesley used to roam the isles together; however, as these memories are joined with Cailey's the world is brought into the colorful present. As you travel together, Cailey narrates her life story to Chesley, which allows the story to delve into her anxieties of what she left behind, and also the grief she's experiencing from revisiting the home of her late mother.
The gameplay of Farewell North is something between a dog simulator and a kayak simulator. Whenever the pair travel between islands, Cailey awkwardly paddles a kayak across the open waters, which the player controls via timed inputs on each paddle stroke. However, on land, Chesley is the protagonist, as he runs about the islands herding sheep, or helping Cailey find hidden paths. Unfortunately, I did not particularly enjoy either aspect of the gameplay. For Cailey, the main issue is how awkward the kayak is to paddle, with any missed input drastically slowing your speed. Whereas Chelsey suffers from a game world which is drastically too large for his movement speed, and largely devoid of any activities to do on the islands, other than listening to Cailey's story. Chelsey's movement is frequently quite awkward, with punishingly short fall distances, and jumps which are often hard to facilitate basic map traversal. Among the worst aspects of the game is herding animals, wherein animals will just randomly turn around and run straight into Chelsey, even when he's right behind them, or similarly follow awful pathing up cliffsides.
Farewell North is a pretty game, with a good use of color to contrast Chelsey's white world. There are beautiful sunrises, with some lovely accompanying music which all point towards a competent art direction on this project, highlighting decent visuals and audio; however, many of the character models are pretty stiff and are far from the best I've seen before.
For me, Farewell North is not something I would generally recommend to all players. The ending to Farewell North dips its toe into being a genuinely moving sequence; however, absent from that moment, it was not engaging enough to make up for how often I felt bored running Chelsey around the islands. If you're a gamer who really wants to play a game from a dog's perspective (sort of like cat people for Stray), there's a lot of just being a dog in this game, likewise if you happen to be a kayaking fan, and really want a kayak simulator set in the northern Isles, this game might be for you.
Farewell North is an adventure about a border collie, Chesley, and their owner Cailey, as they travel the northern isles of Scotland on journey to come to terms with loss. The game largely takes place across four major islands, with a collection of smaller islands, with each serving as a way to narrate the journey, and provide some opportunities to hunt for collectables. While the game makes a large point at the beginning of the importance of Gaelic to its plot and setting, I was disappointed that it hardly ever actually came up, and that there was not a language option to swap the dub to Gaelic.
The narrative of Farewell North, revolves around Chesley and Cailey's relationship, and the trip the two of them are making together to say farewell. Cailey seems to have mistaken this game for a Hallmark movie, as she's a mid-30's young woman who left the isles of Scotland for the busy city, and is now returning to her roots and discovering the beauty of the land she left behind. Meanwhile, Chesley is the border collie of Cailey's late mother, who was adopted by Cailey and brought to the city. Cailey's mother was a shepherd, so Chelsey was raised as a working dog, and misses his home in the Isles, where he used to help on various farms with Cailey. Farewell North is told from the perspective of Chelsey, who perceives two periods of time. Chelsey's memories are largely represented by a "white world" which is nearly devoid of color, and depict the years when Cailey and Chesley used to roam the isles together; however, as these memories are joined with Cailey's the world is brought into the colorful present. As you travel together, Cailey narrates her life story to Chesley, which allows the story to delve into her anxieties of what she left behind, and also the grief she's experiencing from revisiting the home of her late mother.
The gameplay of Farewell North is something between a dog simulator and a kayak simulator. Whenever the pair travel between islands, Cailey awkwardly paddles a kayak across the open waters, which the player controls via timed inputs on each paddle stroke. However, on land, Chesley is the protagonist, as he runs about the islands herding sheep, or helping Cailey find hidden paths. Unfortunately, I did not particularly enjoy either aspect of the gameplay. For Cailey, the main issue is how awkward the kayak is to paddle, with any missed input drastically slowing your speed. Whereas Chelsey suffers from a game world which is drastically too large for his movement speed, and largely devoid of any activities to do on the islands, other than listening to Cailey's story. Chelsey's movement is frequently quite awkward, with punishingly short fall distances, and jumps which are often hard to facilitate basic map traversal. Among the worst aspects of the game is herding animals, wherein animals will just randomly turn around and run straight into Chelsey, even when he's right behind them, or similarly follow awful pathing up cliffsides.
Farewell North is a pretty game, with a good use of color to contrast Chelsey's white world. There are beautiful sunrises, with some lovely accompanying music which all point towards a competent art direction on this project, highlighting decent visuals and audio; however, many of the character models are pretty stiff and are far from the best I've seen before.
For me, Farewell North is not something I would generally recommend to all players. The ending to Farewell North dips its toe into being a genuinely moving sequence; however, absent from that moment, it was not engaging enough to make up for how often I felt bored running Chelsey around the islands. If you're a gamer who really wants to play a game from a dog's perspective (sort of like cat people for Stray), there's a lot of just being a dog in this game, likewise if you happen to be a kayaking fan, and really want a kayak simulator set in the northern Isles, this game might be for you.
Rolled credits on River City Girls 2. 8.2/10, it was better in many ways than the first game but I think it could've been a bit shorter (could be a me thing since beatemups aren't usually my thing). Still very entertaining and somehow it didn't get old despite the running gags.
Will be interested to hear your thoughts on Stars and Time next. That's been in my library for a few months now, so if you think positively of it, that'll bump it up my queue!
Here's my games completed so far for 2025
Split Fiction
Monster Hunter Wilds
Kingdom Come 2
Xenoblade X Definitive Edition
and next up
Oblivion Remaster and Clair Obscure E33.
And in May? Doom TDA, Elden Ring Nightreign, and Lost Soul Aside. After that Switch 2 launch baby!!!!!
Split Fiction
Monster Hunter Wilds
Kingdom Come 2
Xenoblade X Definitive Edition
and next up
Oblivion Remaster and Clair Obscure E33.
And in May? Doom TDA, Elden Ring Nightreign, and Lost Soul Aside. After that Switch 2 launch baby!!!!!
Real good list!!
My completed games for 2025 thus far -
- Star Wars Outlaws (base game/2024)
- Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card (expansion/2024)
- Visions of Mana (2024)
- Avowed
- Assassin's Creed Shadows
- South of Midnight
Currently playing through Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League which I hope to have done by Wednesday. Already about halfway through the main story.
Next up -
- Expedition 33
- Towerborne
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- MindsEye
July/August is empty thus far for me as no game im interested in has an official release date yet. After June, the only game on my official list is Borderlands 4 in late September.
You should be looking into Death Stranding 2. Without a doubt gonna be my GOTY
interesting you listed MindsEye, as I see nobody talking about it. I am interested in it as well, not because I think it'll be mind-blowing or anything, but I really want to support IO's new publishing initiative.
Expedition 33 is getting loads of hype..... I think it'll be good, but I think people should temper the hype a litte.... studios first game and all.
I don't see anyone talking about it either, but it has piqued my interest.
No interest whatsoever in Death Stranding 2. Combat/gameplay wise, it's not for me at all. Kojima is one of the all time best but I haven't completed one of his games since MGS 2 on PS2. Death Stranding 2 looks awesome which should be no surprise as the Decima Engine is one hell of a game engine. Kojima is just too "out there" for me and like I said, combat/gameplay wise, just no interest at all. It's too early for me to know what will be my 2025 game of the year. Chances are that it will be a game that releases later in the year like Yotei or GTA VI possibly.
MindsEye reminds me of watching the first Watch Dogs trailer or the Eight Days trailer. It really looks like a current generation only game and im hoping it has some cool shit in it. I'm surprised that IO Interactive is publishing the game because as an independent development studio, you would think that they wouldn't want to take on the monetary risk associated with publishing a game that isn't their own. Very few people are talking about it but I understand why. It's an unknown studio that's new even though im really hoping it's good because it's from Leslie Benzies who literally saved Rockstar numerous times so I do have confidence in him but it remains to be seen if that carries over to the entire studio and game itself.
Expedition 33 looks awesome and seems to have a unique twist on turn based combat which im very interested in seeing how it's implemented and if they pull it off. Looks great, cast and voice acting is top tier, story seems interesting so if they can nail the combat system, it should be a really good game. I'm thinking low 80's on Open Critic. I love that I can free roam and explore outside of combat. Reviews are Wednesday and game releases Thursday so not much longer.
2025 games completed thus far:
Remnant II
Strange Horticulture
Oxenfree
Oxenfree II: Lost Signalis
Drova
Florence
The Plucky Squire
Final Fantasy VII: Intergrade (the Yuffie section)
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Toem
Dordogne
Master Key
Gris
Sable
Avowed
A Short Hike
Journey
Indika
when the past was around
Wasteland 2: Director's Cut
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
The Roottrees are Dead
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Blue Prince (so far my 2025 GotY)
Farewell North
Currently working my way through Wolfenstein: The New Order
Up next is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Holy shit!!!
You've completed more games (20+) in less than four months than I completed in my most packed year which was 2023 with 20 games, 2 of which are in my backlog. Wolfenstein: The New Order is my favorite game of the four games released last generation. Next up for me is also Expedition 33!!
Shadow of the colossus, beat 5 of them. Previously KOF 2006
dude...... we're not even in may yet. great work
so Blue Prince is actually as good as they say? I have it downloaded but haven't played. How long is it to beat?
@DarkLordOtaku
Thanks. So there is a good sense of progression and tools that let you influence each run.
Thanks. So there is a good sense of progression and tools that let you influence each run.
Yep, the items that you find or prepare for yourself at the beginning of each day (run) can influence the strategy of how you approach the day, and potentially which puzzles/mysteries you decide to pursue.
You can roll credits in under 10~15 hours with no guides or outside clues, assuming what I would perceive to be an average level of intelligence/reasoning capabilities, and that you're not horrifically unlucky. There's even a trophy if you do it in an hour.
Blue Prince is great if you like knowledge based progression games with meta puzzles. Things like Outer Wilds and Animal Well. I think the Roguelite elements work for the game, but they also serve as bit of friction in the latest portion of the game when you have to spend several runs as "prep runs" to attempt a puzzle with particularly niche conditions to pull off.
My advice would be to try to go into the game blind. Once you're playing, resist the urge to pickup a guide or "theory check" until you've thoroughly hit a wall.