What video game are you playing?

[Whiskeyjack]

Art is beautiful. Design is very clever. Sound is great. But holy shit is it difficult.

It's worth it! Keep at it.

 

[IrishLion]

Finished the main thread on 'God of War' last night.

Man, what a good story. I will avoid posting specifics since NDdomer2 is getting into it, but I feel like I probably should have seen the twist/Easter Eggs coming in the end based on the lore markers and whatnot throughout the game.

Really looking forward to visiting the realms I haven't visited yet (Muspelheim and Nilfheim) and clearing out some stuff that I didn't get to in Helheim.

NOT looking forward to the Valkyrie fights.

REALLY looking forward to getting to THOSE realms in the next game, whenever that may be.

Now excuse me while I research good armor combos and figure out how to do the Infinity Gauntlet thing to clear out these enemies.

 

[NDdomer2]

Finished the main thread on 'God of War' last night.

Man, what a good story. I will avoid posting specifics since NDdomer2 is getting into it, but I feel like I probably should have seen the twist/Easter Eggs coming in the end based on the lore markers and whatnot throughout the game.

Really looking forward to visiting the realms I haven't visited yet (Muspelheim and Nilfheim) and clearing out some stuff that I didn't get to in Helheim.

NOT looking forward to the Valkyrie fights.

REALLY looking forward to getting to THOSE realms in the next game, whenever that may be.

Now excuse me while I research good armor combos and figure out how to do the Infinity Gauntlet thing to clear out these enemies.

im currently at the lake of the 9. question for ya - how much did you mess around here before you went on to the "journey"?

 

[IrishLion]

im currently at the lake of the 9. question for ya - how much did you mess around here before you went on to the "journey"?

Explore as much or as little as you want.

Lake of Nine is always open for exploration between main quests (with one or two exceptions where you get locked into specific sequences), and I don't think there is anything that you can miss if you progress too far. The game is about exploration and completion, so they don't lock you out of anything at any point afaik.

TL;DR

You won't miss anything if you decide to do the story first.

 

[NDdomer2]

Explore as much or as little as you want.

Lake of Nine is always open for exploration between main quests (with one or two exceptions where you get locked into specific sequences), and I don't think there is anything that you can miss if you progress too far. The game is about exploration and completion, so they don't lock you out of anything at any point afaik.

TL;DR

You won't miss anything if you decide to do the story first.

i think most of the things I can currently do I have captured. The only things left currently are Realm Tear Encounters, and I am not sure I have the skills/armor needed to beat these guys yet. Their bars are purple and one single strike does me in.

There are some items covered in wood roots that I cant break through yet, some purple glowing thing I have no idea what to do with and some gold rocks that dont have the blast barrells next to them.

 

[IrishLion]

i think most of the things I can currently do I have captured. The only things left currently are Realm Tear Encounters, and I am not sure I have the skills/armor needed to beat these guys yet. Their bars are purple and one single strike does me in.

There are some items covered in wood roots that I cant break through yet, some purple glowing thing I have no idea what to do with and some gold rocks that dont have the blast barrells next to them.

Over-leveled realm tears are quite the experience lol.

I ran into a Traveler (big armored dude) pretty early on and thought it was a taste of how the entire game would go.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

NOT looking forward to the Valkyrie fights.

They're so fun!

Now excuse me while I research good armor combos and figure out how to do the Infinity Gauntlet thing to clear out these enemies.

Before New Game +, best-in-slot armor is pretty obvious: Valkyrie set > Ivaldi's Deadly Mist set >>> everything else. You'll need to head to Niflheim to farm for Ivaldi's and level it up. Once that's done, you'll be ready to take on Valkyries.

For talismans, the Shattered Gauntlet of Ages is obviously great, but mostly because it allows you to equip an extra three epic gems. The active effect is pretty meh. The Talisman of the Realm offers fewer stats, but a much better active effect. I used the former for Niflheim runs, clearing trash mobs, etc. and the latter for Valkyries.

For pommels, the best ones all drop off Valkyries. I'm partial to Retribution (crazy upgrade to your axe throws), but the other two are also solid. I'd use Forbidden Grip of the Ages or Surtr's Grip of Flame until then.

Once you start working on gearing for endgame, pay close attention to the extra bonuses you get in the Skill tree for hitting certain Strength, Runic and Defense thresholds. The boost you get on Pride of the Frost (quick > quick > quick > strong combo) is incredibly powerful. Ensuring you've got as many of these bonuses as possible should dictate how you gem.

im currently at the lake of the 9. question for ya - how much did you mess around here before you went on to the "journey"?

There are two talismans you can get immediately after reaching the lake which will make a big difference during your playthrough: The Golden Talisman of Protection and Amulet of Kvasir. I'm partial to the former, because parrying is almost always better than dodging and a wider parry window makes certain enemies so much easier to deal with, but the latter is also very good. Grab one of those ASAP.

The only other impactful item that can be reached somewhat early is The Forbidden Grip of the Ages. You can reach it once the water level drops. It offers a lots of stats, and adds a ranged attack to the end of your quick > quick > quick combo. But it's not easy to get, and is nearly impossible to figure out without a guide, so be warned.

 

[ColinKSU]

I'm currently deep into Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and The Outer Worlds, and I'm loving both of them. Outer Worlds, in particular, is what Fallout should be, but hasn't been for years.

 

[IrishLion]

I just got Talisman of the Realms, but I often forget that I have to initiate the active effects on a talisman depending on what I've equipped.

(I also played through the whole main story without ever using Atreus' Runic Summon ability... a fully upgraded Storm of the Elks helped me get through my first Valkyrie fight much easier.)

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I just got Talisman of the Realms, but I often forget that I have to initiate the active effects on a talisman depending on what I've equipped.

(I also played through the whole main story without ever using Atreus' Runic Summon ability... a fully upgraded Storm of the Elks helped me get through my first Valkyrie fight much easier.)

Elk and Wolves are two of the best. The former is better for swarms, while Wolves are better for bosses. Crows offer the best damage overall, but no stun, so it's only ever 3rd best. Squirrel is funny, and good for topping off health if you're in a tight spot.

 

[ACamp1900]

Luigi's Mansion has been much more fun than I would have expected. My youngest and I have played through it up to the last couple levels. Very cool finding a game she can play with me all the way through, good daddy/daughter time...

 

[IrishLion]

Elk and Wolves are two of the best. The former is better for swarms, while Wolves are better for bosses. Crows offer the best damage overall, but no stun, so it's only ever 3rd best. Squirrel is funny, and good for topping off health if you're in a tight spot.

Elk worked well because apparently I was fighting the one Valkyrie that summons Draugr and Revenants during the fight (and apparently she is also the easiest to beat? Wonderful), so it cleared out the annoying/damage-dealing groups while I focused on spamming her with Atreus' arrows and hitting her with Runic attacks.

I'm heading home at lunch time, so I'll have 45 mins to upgrade the Wolves on Atreus' runic summon and take on another Valkyrie, or to finish a favor quest for the dwarves.

I think I'm addicted to this game.

 

[wizards8507]

Luigi's Mansion has been much more fun than I would have expected. My youngest and I have played through it up to the last couple levels. Very cool finding a game she can play with me all the way through, good daddy/daughter time...

Does Player 2 need to be competent?

 

[ACamp1900]

Does Player 2 need to be competent?

eh?? there was like a few times through the game where she needed to actually do something specific for us to move on... so long as P2 has the base controls then you should be fine. Even if not you can turn the co op on and off pretty easily in the moment.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Does Player 2 need to be competent?

eh?? there was like a few times through the game where she needed to actually do something specific for us to move on... so long as P2 has the base controls then you should be fine. Even if not you can turn the co op on and off pretty easily in the moment.

Can always go with the tried and true method of older brothers everywhere:

 

[IrishLion]

The trials of Muspelheim are an ORDEAL.

I’m through 3.5 trials, and it feels like I’m running a marathon with brief periods of frenzied activity.

Throwing in the towel for the night and finishing the other 2.5 tomorrow night.

(I have no idea how I’m gonna score “perfect” on any of these trials to get get a PSN trophy to pop on my quest to platinum this game.)

 

[wizards8507]

Wife got me a Switch Lite for Christmas. Much hype.

 

[gkIrish]

Wife got me a Switch Lite for Christmas. Much hype.

Why do you already know that?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Why do you already know that?

Because he's a heathen who's probably already celebrating Christmas, putting up his tree, and listening to Christmas music already!

 

[IrishLion]

Why do you already know that?

Idk about Wiz, maybe he's just a snoop, but once you throw kids into the mix, there are no* secrets or surprises for Christmas in my house lol.

We plan a lot of our gift purchases around Black Friday, so my wife knows what I want, I know what she wants, and we both know what the kids want/need, so we have to look at everything together and see if we were able to get our hands on everything we planned for or not.



*I will probably get her one or two little surprises, but the big stuff is usually accounted for due to budgeting purposes

 

[wizards8507]

Why do you already know that?

Do you let your wife spend money without your permission?

 

[gkIrish]

Do you let your wife spend money without your permission?

I am engaged so I don't have a say in that yet. I guess personally I love Christmas day and the surprise element of it so I would be really depressed if I knew what someone bought me 3 weeks before the actually day.

 

[ACamp1900]

Do you let your wife spend money without your permission?

....??? Yes, we make good money, she’s responsible (I wouldn’t have married her otherwise) and I’m not an asshole.

 

[NDdomer2]

Do you let your wife spend money without your permission?

i do, its her money. why would i have any say on how its spent.

i spend my money without permission as well.

 

[ACamp1900]

i do, its her money. why would i have any say on how its spent.

i spend my money without permission as well.

All day. Plus, surprises stay surprises. Update your base boards wiz, and let your wife off the chain.

 

[koonja]

Wiz sounds like he has himself a nice husband.

 

[wizards8507]

Wow you guys got Big Mad, huh?

1. I was joking.
2. Camp, I sold that house three years ago.
3. Separate bank accounts for a husband and wife is a significant risk indicator for divorce.
4. I hate surprises. 98% of the time, if it's something I actually want and think is worth the cost, I probably would have already bought it for myself.

 

[koonja]

Wow you guys got Big Mad, huh?

1. I was joking.
2. Camp, I sold that house three years ago.
3. Separate bank accounts for a husband and wife is a significant risk indicator for divorce.
4. I hate surprises. 98% of the time, if it's something I actually want and think is worth the cost, I probably would have already bought it for myself.

Wiz just let her breath, man.

 

[ACamp1900]

4. I hate surprises. 98% of the time, if it's something I actually want and think is worth the cost, I probably would have already bought it for myself.

So if she decides steak and BJ Thursday should be moved up a day you say no??

 

[Circa]

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