Happy Backloggiversary Weekiversary!

Happy Backloggiversary!

I've been wanting a cross country driving (not racing) game.

Low stress navigation that still allows a basic mindfulness, unlike most of my open field experiences (Zelda, Red Dead, etc.), just pointing in a direction or tracing a preset path. Mindful not acrobatically like in Super Mario 64, mindful like driving through traffic while holding a drink. But the lower stress segments are regularly broken up by segments that apply two different styles of pressure to keep moving while remaining undetected, occasionally stupidly screwing up, scrambling to recover as the situation snowballs. I was concerned, but I've enjoyed them—particularly how BT segments push a decision between either collecting more information or pushing forward without, complementing themes of observing and navigating the environment.

Also helps that environments visually appeal to me.

The collaborative interactions surprised me. Scanning the environment for materials to use on shared structures, considering what I could plant to contribute, giving likes to and taking note of what I found helpful. I'm accustomed to puzzles or dances (mechanical or narrative) as tests of glory. Despite narrative attempts at exceptionalism, I feel pleasant as a fellow contributor, rather than perhaps a superficial moral superiority from choosing between author intent or selfish destruction (limited options for the latter.) After reconnecting areas, I actually wish online structures would be introduced more gradually to leave more holes to fill myself.

Overall, a collection of many little mechanics all playing off each other. Little decisions—which equipment, how much cargo, what pace, which route (once past the tutorial area), whether to detour to pick up materials, upgrade structures, view sites, collect trinkets. I'm not surprised some people are bored. I like the pace I've taken, but that pace is slow and lengthy, though I've only noticed because play time is tracked. I can imagine backtracking increasing in the future, to detriment or benefit, depending how collaborative elements play out. Perhaps my experience will dry, but I keep thinking about how to tackle the next objective and how these mechanics could be built upon.

Oh, there's a plot, I guess. I've enjoyed the world building, but too many key characters feel like straw dolls. Unsurprised, not disappointed, but I'm curious how the social dynamics of terrorism or insurgency could have interacted with the play mechanics.

Happy Backloggiversary! 🎉 ʕ◉‿◉ʔ 🎂

Happy Backloggiversary!

If you're referring to the early boat section, it's possible to hide around a corner to briefly pseudo-split up the couple that run in after the initial two. Since that level is full of bads with the most strict counter timings, hit and run seems the most reliable tactic. It's amusingly infuriating when the loading screens suggest taking them on one at a time without divulging any mechanic designed for that purpose. And one time, I actually managed to duplicate the bad's gun instead of knocking him out.

It was frustrating though; I really wanted to give up a couple times. Though even replaying, the gunplay is deeply underwhelming. It's the second combat encounter in the boat that tied for giving me the most problems; there's also a segment in the warehouse that I figured out only yesterday a likely designed non-lethal route, and it still requires stormtrooper aiming luck. Another area seems to require either taking down two evil knockoff runners (I have managed to punch one out in a different area before another two kicked me to death) or a lucky pipe climb before they decide to taser the player down. At least the final combat area contained little tag teaming.

Happy Belated Backloggiversary!

Happy Backloggiversary!!

Your icon drew me in. Love your banner too. So many amazing games.

Hope you enjoy the Arkham games as much as I have.