Everything Video Games!

[Fillip J Phry]

Just started playing Binding of Isaac. Seems good so far. Which one of you is obsessed with it - I remember someone is really into it.

Any tips, tricks, explanations?

@Fillip J Phry

Yup, that's me! 2K+ hours and counting over like 8 years or so I think. Best way to play is just jump in and experiment to see what does what. If you're playing on the latest version (Repentance) there's going to be an overwhelming amount of items, and I still find new synergies and combos, and also still sometimes ruin my run by taking the wrong item. Here's some quick bits of advice:
You're going to lose, A LOT. The game wants you to lose very much.
Beating your first run is just the beginning.
Take a lot of stuff early on, many of the achievements/unlocks are just from picking stuff up, then learn what not to take.
Adding to that, achievements ARE worth your time, as they all unlock new items and characters.
Turn the brightness up so you can see when you get Curse of the Blind.
Turn on the option to see your stats.
platinumgod.co.uk has good item descriptions. Alternatively, if you're playing through Steam, the External Item Descriptions mod is a must, it gives the item descriptions directly in game.
Protect your red hearts.
Learn the enemy patterns.
Tinted rocks are slightly off color and have a small x on them. Look out for them.
Look out for secret rooms and super secret rooms. Kind of hard to explain, but this does a decent job Secret Room
There's big debate in the community on whether or not taking pills is worth it or not. They are random and can be good, bad or neutral. Some items help the odds, but overall it's personal preference. Never really had a run won/lost from a change related to a pill.
Don't ever play as Tainted Lost, for your sanity.

There's a LOT to this game, thus why I've put so much time into it and still see new things.

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

Yup, that's me! 2K+ hours and counting over like 8 years or so I think. Best way to play is just jump in and experiment to see what does what. If you're playing on the latest version (Repentance) there's going to be an overwhelming amount of items, and I still find new synergies and combos, and also still sometimes ruin my run by taking the wrong item. Here's some quick bits of advice:
You're going to lose, A LOT. The game wants you to lose very much.
Beating your first run is just the beginning.
Take a lot of stuff early on, many of the achievements/unlocks are just from picking stuff up, then learn what not to take.
Adding to that, achievements ARE worth your time, as they all unlock new items and characters.
Turn the brightness up so you can see when you get Curse of the Blind.
Turn on the option to see your stats.
platinumgod.co.uk has good item descriptions. Alternatively, if you're playing through Steam, the External Item Descriptions mod is a must, it gives the item descriptions directly in game.
Protect your red hearts.
Learn the enemy patterns.
Tinted rocks are slightly off color and have a small x on them. Look out for them.
Look out for secret rooms and super secret rooms. Kind of hard to explain, but this does a decent job Secret Room
There's big debate in the community on whether or not taking pills is worth it or not. They are random and can be good, bad or neutral. Some items help the odds, but overall it's personal preference. Never really had a run won/lost from a change related to a pill.
Don't ever play as Tainted Lost, for your sanity.

There's a LOT to this game, thus why I've put so much time into it and still see new things.

I'm playing rebirth as it was in a steam sale. It looks like repentance is a DLC and kind of the original on steroids?

 

[CroutonBoy]

it's looking like HFW is coming to PS+ this month

It's now July 3 and HZD:FW is the ONLY game I have played since this post. I feel like I've missed absolutely nothing during that time. Absolutely incredible game.

 

[Fillip J Phry]

I'm playing rebirth as it was in a steam sale. It looks like repentance is a DLC and kind of the original on steroids?

Sweet, I would say Rebirth is a great place to start! A lot less going on, but still the same core experience. I also think it's a bit easier than Repentance, and far less overwhelming. Just to give you an idea, Repentance more than doubles the amount of content from everything leading up to it. It's the ultimate experience for sure, but I honestly wouldn't recommend it as a starting point.

One more piece of advice, play on Hard from the get go. Normal's not that much easier, and a lot of the unlocks require playing on hard anyways, so might as well just start there.

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

Sweet, I would say Rebirth is a great place to start! A lot less going on, but still the same core experience. I also think it's a bit easier than Repentance, and far less overwhelming. Just to give you an idea, Repentance more than doubles the amount of content from everything leading up to it. It's the ultimate experience for sure, but I honestly wouldn't recommend it as a starting point.

One more piece of advice, play on Hard from the get go. Normal's not that much easier, and a lot of the unlocks require playing on hard anyways, so might as well just start there.

Yup...i started on Normal and then saw a reddit post saying it was useless and to start on Hard so that's where I'm at. I've made it to Mama twice but haven't beaten her. I'm still confused by a lot of stuff in the game.

Also, there is a keyboard input (left ctrl by default) to pick up items. But what can I pick up?

 

[Fillip J Phry]

Yup...i started on Normal and then saw a reddit post saying it was useless and to start on Hard so that's where I'm at. I've made it to Mama twice but haven't beaten her. I'm still confused by a lot of stuff in the game.

Also, there is a keyboard input (left ctrl by default) to pick up items. But what can I pick up?

Throw all those questions this way, I'd be glad to help!

Been a while since I played on keyboard, but I think that one lets you switch between any item slot if you have two, and if you hold it it will drop your currently held trinket (lower left corner) and card/pill/rune (lower right corner). You should pick things up by walking into/over them.

 

[RenegadeMonster]

I bought one of the Duel Sense Edge controllers for my PS5 last weekend. My second regular controller, developed drift in the left joystick. At first it wasn't too bad, but then within 10 more hours of gameplay it was like full on left was always being pressed. I couldn't active dialogs in Diablo IV because the second I let go of the controller I would just run left and the press x to activate the dialog disappears. I would have to hold the joystick and try to neutralize it.

Probably got about 250 to 300 hours of gameplay on that controller, about the same as my first one when it developed a similar problem.

I went for the more expensive pro controller only because the joystick modules are replaceable. Thank god for that.

 

[RenegadeMonster]

Just completed the main story in FFXVI. I have also completed all side quests and am about 50% to completion on trophies. I wonder how hard it will be to 100% this game, all the trophies remaining are hidden. Is it worth looking up what they are to complete or just stumble around?

 

[bettim84]

Looks like a relatively short game compared to some of its peers.

 

[RenegadeMonster]

Looking it up, one of the trophies is for completing the game in New Game + mode with the newly unlocked "Final Fantasy" difficulty level. So, another complete playthrough is required to 100%.

Another trophy is to beat a boss without taking any damage which sounds like it's going to be a hard one.

 

[EvanBenner]

Dipping back into the VG world for my Halloween costume this year. Decided to do a creature from Returnal, but it's one I haven't encountered yet, so I picked the game back up this weekend. Took some warming up, but I got super close to beating Biome 2 the first time I (finally) reached the top, so I know it's doable! Biome 3 is where I think my costume will be pulled from, so I've got to get at least through that by October.

I try to do something a little different skill0wise each year, and this year will involve some manner of circuitry and lighting on top of textile construction, which should be fun. That's about all I'll spill, but I'm excited to do something creaturey from an under-appreciated game.

 

[wokeupnew]

TOTK for $52 if you don’t have it

Robot or human?

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

Throw all those questions this way, I'd be glad to help!

Been a while since I played on keyboard, but I think that one lets you switch between any item slot if you have two, and if you hold it it will drop your currently held trinket (lower left corner) and card/pill/rune (lower right corner). You should pick things up by walking into/over them.

I beat mama/mother/whatever they call her. I did with Azazel, which honestly felt like cheating. The charge attack just made mince meat and the ability to fly meant I could get everything. Plus I had a good build. I didn't know anything about the character after unlocking, but first run with him felt OP.

So, the womb was unlocked. How do I get to the womb - is it now just a continuation of the levels? As well, after the credits rolled, I looked at my stats and it still says zero for times I've killed mother. Do I need to beat the womb or something to count as killing mother?

Also, I think I've figured out most of the basic mechanics but a few questions - the solid gray blocks (not the regular rocks), how are those destroyed or moved?
Are characters that can fly (or I did get some kind of float ability in a build once) or a ladder (I've only seen it for sale once and couldn't afford it) the only ways to clear gaps?
Is there a guide that can give me more info on pickups? For example, you get those tokens or whatever that populate in the lower right and you can only carry one at a time. Sometimes they tell you what they are, but they seem to have "???" marks next to them more often than not. However, they have colors - do the colors give insight into potential categories or effect?

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

Just grabbed Red Dead Redemption 2 for $20 on the Steam sale. I guess it's time to see why so many like the game.

 

[CroutonBoy]

Just grabbed Red Dead Redemption 2 for $20 on the Steam sale. I guess it's time to see why so many like the game.

Incredible game. Among the best game narratives and characterizations ever, woven into excellent game mechanics and a fully realized "old west" game world.

I do remember that it started very strong but once I got to Horseshoe Overlook I lost some momentum and complained that it felt like a camping simulator. I blame myself because when I start these sorts of games I have a bad habit of languidly exploring and testing mechanics (e.g. fishing, crafting, collecting) at the expense of missions. These missions really shine and take you all over the map and you can do all of that stuff later if you feel like it.

Probably in my top 5 all time. Enjoy.

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

Incredible game. Among the best game narratives and characterizations ever, woven into excellent game mechanics and a fully realized "old west" game world.

I do remember that it started very strong but once I got to Horseshoe Overlook I lost some momentum and complained that it felt like a camping simulator. I blame myself because when I start these sorts of games I have a bad habit of languidly exploring and testing mechanics (e.g. fishing, crafting, collecting) at the expense of missions. These missions really shine and take you all over the map and you can do all of that stuff later if you feel like it.

Probably in my top 5 all time. Enjoy.

One user review on Steam - while overall positive - said the later game felt to drag relative to the beginning because a lot of horse riding from one location to another that felt like a chore.

 

[wokeupnew]

Incredible game. Among the best game narratives and characterizations ever, woven into excellent game mechanics and a fully realized "old west" game world.

I do remember that it started very strong but once I got to Horseshoe Overlook I lost some momentum and complained that it felt like a camping simulator. I blame myself because when I start these sorts of games I have a bad habit of languidly exploring and testing mechanics (e.g. fishing, crafting, collecting) at the expense of missions. These missions really shine and take you all over the map and you can do all of that stuff later if you feel like it.

Probably in my top 5 all time. Enjoy.

I love hunting in RDR2. Spent hours trying to get all the legendary pelts

 

[ayayrawn]

One user review on Steam - while overall positive - said the later game felt to drag relative to the beginning because a lot of horse riding from one location to another that felt like a chore.

It's a technical marvel definitely, one of the best-looking games of all time. I'm one of the few people who felt the later game definitely does drag. imo it's maybe a 50hr campaign stretched to like 80. Had a good time with it for a while, though. The best parts are just exploring the world.

 

[Fillip J Phry]

I beat mama/mother/whatever they call her. I did with Azazel, which honestly felt like cheating. The charge attack just made mince meat and the ability to fly meant I could get everything. Plus I had a good build. I didn't know anything about the character after unlocking, but first run with him felt OP.

So, the womb was unlocked. How do I get to the womb - is it now just a continuation of the levels? As well, after the credits rolled, I looked at my stats and it still says zero for times I've killed mother. Do I need to beat the womb or something to count as killing mother?

Also, I think I've figured out most of the basic mechanics but a few questions - the solid gray blocks (not the regular rocks), how are those destroyed or moved?
Are characters that can fly (or I did get some kind of float ability in a build once) or a ladder (I've only seen it for sale once and couldn't afford it) the only ways to clear gaps?
Is there a guide that can give me more info on pickups? For example, you get those tokens or whatever that populate in the lower right and you can only carry one at a time. Sometimes they tell you what they are, but they seem to have "???" marks next to them more often than not. However, they have colors - do the colors give insight into potential categories or effect?

Azazel is one of the easier characters to play as. They tried to offset the overpowered brimstone shot with short range, but brimstone is very OP in Rebirth. Sadly, it gets nerfed in Repentance, but is still strong.

Congrats on your first win! You'll see why pretty quickly, but most people call that boss Mom's Foot. Without spoiling too much, yes beating womb is the next step, you should get there after beating Mom's Foot again.

As for the solid grey blocks, they typically cannot be destroyed. You are right in that there are characters that can fly, as well as items that grant flight - the Bible and one of the cards do this temporary, others pickups will give flight for the run. Good lead in to the pickups, pills are randomized every run, so it's a chance when you use those - they can be good, neutral and/or useless, and bad. Color doesn't matter other than if you've picked one up and used it, future pills on the run that have the same color will have the same effect. The PHD item will tell you what they are, and a couple of items in the game shift the odds so that the pills will always be good or neutral. The cards all do specific things, and it just comes down to trying them to see what they do. The External Item Descriptions mod also will tell you what they do, or you can look them up. Can't remember if Rebirth has runes, if they do, they looks like crystals. These also have defined uses.

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

Azazel is one of the easier characters to play as. They tried to offset the overpowered brimstone shot with short range, but brimstone is very OP in Rebirth. Sadly, it gets nerfed in Repentance, but is still strong.

Congrats on your first win! You'll see why pretty quickly, but most people call that boss Mom's Foot. Without spoiling too much, yes beating womb is the next step, you should get there after beating Mom's Foot again.

As for the solid grey blocks, they typically cannot be destroyed. You are right in that there are characters that can fly, as well as items that grant flight - the Bible and one of the cards do this temporary, others pickups will give flight for the run. Good lead in to the pickups, pills are randomized every run, so it's a chance when you use those - they can be good, neutral and/or useless, and bad. Color doesn't matter other than if you've picked one up and used it, future pills on the run that have the same color will have the same effect. The PHD item will tell you what they are, and a couple of items in the game shift the odds so that the pills will always be good or neutral. The cards all do specific things, and it just comes down to trying them to see what they do. The External Item Descriptions mod also will tell you what they do, or you can look them up. Can't remember if Rebirth has runes, if they do, they looks like crystals. These also have defined uses.

Right in. I'll keep this all in mind. I just started playing RDR2 so that's gonna monopolize my time.