As we swipe the calendar past another month and move into September, we get one step closer to the busy fall season of games. Though it’s not technically autumn just yet, that busy season kind of started this week with the launch of Metal Gear Solid V and Mad Max. Did any of your favorite TSA staffers end up playing them this week? What We Played is here to tell you, and all you have to do is read on.
Mark checked in first this week and began with Until Dawn. He says he likes the story and mythology behind what’s happening, but doesn’t really enjoy the jump scares. Next he played Mad Max, and noted how exceptionally good the car combat is, though he also said that the cars were a bit too “slidey” for his taste, and that the Batman-esque fighting isn’t quite what it’s aspiring to be. Finally, he finished his week with Metal Gear Solid V, which he’s thoroughly enjoying after the first 3-4 hours, even though stealth games aren’t usually his forte.
Next we have Dave, who had a relalively light week but still managed to play some good stuff. He just reviewed the Mega Man Legacy Collection, and gave it a nice 7 out of 10 score despite many of the Mega Man games not being included. He also played Gunstar Heroes 3D, which is the new version of a classic game that he managed to complete in just an hour. He noted that the 3D is stellar and that it’s still a fun game.
Miguel‘s check-in was a short one this week, as he’s only been playing Metal Gear Solid V. That said, he seems pretty wrapped up in it. I believe the exact quote was, “I’ve made peace with my angels and my devils, and my life is now a simple vessel meant for fultoning bears from Africa.” That crazy guy.
Aran spent most of his week with the definitive edition of Dishonored. He felt as though it’s a good option for people who may have missed the original release but said there wasn’t anything screaming ‘must buy’ for the crowd that already experienced Corvo’s journey. Now he’s onto reviewing Zombie Vikings with the help of Dave as a co-op partner, and you can expect to see that in the coming week.
Stefan had a tough start to his week, as an issue with his game save for Metal Gear Solid V halted the progress he was making toward the review. You can still read his thoughts in the Road to Review piece he put out a couple of weeks back, but the short version is that he thinks it’s “quite brilliant.” He also spent some time with Tearaway on PS4 (review here), and I Am Bread on iOS, which he says is the perfect game “if you want something silly to pull out and show people down the pub, and not get arrested for it.” He wrapped up his week with Mad Max, and you can check out his (Fury) Road to Review on the site today.
Tuffcub spent his week with Until Dawn, which he described as a “collection of decisions, quicktime events and walking through tunnels/snow.” Though a little short on the interaction, he still loved it and praised the writing and plot twists, though there was a bit toward the end of the game that he could only describe as “Eww!”
Dom began his week with Armello, which is a board game on PS4 that he’s enjoying, despite the slow turn speed and small text. He also reviewed Madden NFL 16 this week, praising it as the best American football game in years. As for the rest of what he played, here it is: Devil’s Third (multiplayer only), Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, Forza 5, the Forza 6 demo, Lego Batman 3, Lego Jurassic World, Disney Infinity 3.0, Resident Evil Revelations 2 on Vita, and Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii U. Of course, he died from a lack of sleep just after telling me about them but look at all those games!
As for me, I finally finished Dishonored on PC and loved nearly every minute of it. Then I tried to play an indie game called DeadCore but almost immediately hated the way it moved and stopped before hitting the one hour mark. And finally, of course, Metal Gear Solid V, which I was thrilled to see look and run so well on my PC after taking a chance and pre-ordering. It’s utterly fantastic so far.
So that’s it from us, but now we need to hear from you. We enjoy reading about what the community has been playing, so please indulge us in your tales of gaming greatness, fails, and how many guards you’ve successfully slipped by while hiding in a cardboard box. Have at it.
freezebug2
I’ve been hammering my ipad with Real Racing 3, what an absolutely cracking game with easy to learn controls. Not been tempted yet to buy any in app purchase coins for progression and doubt I ever will be!
TSBonyman
I dipped into the plus content, nothing much to report. I will keep Grow Home and maybe give STFU another few goes.
Mostly The Witcher 3, have been making good progress but then one side-mission (The tower of mice) i found i didn’t have the required blade-oil to defeat the Plague Maiden, died a few times trying anyway, then decided to leave the area and do something else instead. However, even though i left the area and Geralt sheathed his sword, then selected a different quest to follow, and then fast traveled to a different location, and then quit and restarted – the battle music was still playing and i couldn’t meditate. Finally had to load an older save so i lost an hour or two progress but i’m still enjoying the game more and more.
And finally, last night i loaded up Flower to test the PNG in the system 3.0 beta, got a trophy for returning to the game after a break and managed to find one of the special flowers i had missed the first time around.
Also tested out some of the System 3.0 beta new features, i’ve created a community called Photo Club if any other beta testers want to share screengrabs or photo mode shots. I think the new community feature will be well received.
Carrot381
If you’re needing blade oils I presume you’re playing on a high difficulty. Yrden is definately your friend here combined with the ever useful attack,run away,attack technique. It took me bloody ages:)
TSBonyman
Thanks for the advice Carrot, i will probably avoid her for the time being all the same! :)
Andrewww
Mostly Witcher 3, cruising the sea to find loads of smuggler’s caches, funnily sinking some of my ships on the way, and doing some treasure hunts for witcher gear, but hardly progressing the story at all.
Then I’ve played through Never alone, which I found interesting about 3/4 through, watching about 20 of those videos, but then suddenly it got so frustrating I quit and deleted it.
The Lone Steven
Since Wednesday, I have been Snaking my way through MGS V! It is THE SNAKE! I mean, it is excellent and I truly do feel like a legendary soldier. From capturing outposts by myself to kidnapping 3 commanders and convincing them to join me. I love how you create confusion as I tend to use C4 to destroy equipment whilst confusing the enemy. It is also fun to take them out one by one. D-Dog is so fricking cute that I fear taking him into live combat. For me, he is my spotter and occasional distraction but he ain’t getting involved in fights.
Now for Quiet, let’s just say that some people will call BS on her reason for being almost naked or accept it. Am very curious to find out who the first major person in the prologue is along with that other one. I do have a good idea but I am eager to see if Kojima is pulling a Kojima twist or if it’s a confidence that those characters have certain physical traits.
Also, fulton animals if you want GMP. It’s too fun fultoning everything in sight and I’ve not even developed the vehicle fulton yet.
Unterred
Been playing mgs5: PHANTOM PAIN, it’s incredible.