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I'm replaying Blasphemous before the sequel comes out and although it's fun, it's just structured unbelievably poorly. I usually try to do all optional content before the game ends and I was looking up whether or not I could spare/ execute a boss when it called them a 'late game boss.' This was very surprising as I had only found 1/4 of the exploration relics and 4 or 5 out of 17 prayers (spells.) There was no indication ingame of where the other abilities were and I had to use a walkthrough to get some idea of where to go. There's just so many prayers that are only possible to get at the end of the game, I'd bet that most of them have hardly ever been used.
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Jul 22, 2023 21:16
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Koburn posted:I'm replaying Blasphemous before the sequel comes out and although it's fun, it's just structured unbelievably poorly. I usually try to do all optional content before the game ends and I was looking up whether or not I could spare/ execute a boss when it called them a 'late game boss.' This was very surprising as I had only found 1/4 of the exploration relics and 4 or 5 out of 17 prayers (spells.) I missed the secret ending because I didn’t use a walkthrough until a bit too late. Worse is you can still do everything else and not realize it’s too late. The game is a lot of fun to play but I fully agree with you that it hides content behind cryptic nonsense like Castlevania 2.
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Jul 22, 2023 21:23
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virtualboyCOLOR posted:The game is a lot of fun to play but I fully agree with you that it hides content behind cryptic nonsense like Castlevania 2. Seriously though, when would you folks recommend looking at a walkthrough for Blasphemous (or otherwise)? I was hoping to play it blind, but I would prefer to do a substantially-complete (if not 100%) first playthrough and don't mind being spoiled once I reach a point of no return.
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Jul 22, 2023 22:22
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ExcessBLarg! posted:But Blasphemous was in your S-tier list! It’s important to recognize and call out flaws in what you enjoy. I’m just going to say look up the requirements for the endings basically at the start and note the boss you shouldn’t fight until the requirements met. virtualboyCOLOR fucked around with this message at 23:04 on Jul 22, 2023 |
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Jul 22, 2023 23:02
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You can just do whatever, beat the game then go and do what you need to do for the true ending if you don't wanna look stuff up from the start. It's way less of a chore now than at launch.
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Jul 23, 2023 00:30
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virtualboyCOLOR posted:Wait until you get to the mario galaxy area. The game is just full of fun areas. I didn't quote this post until I already found it, that was literally the next thing I did because I found more floating platforms along the coastline lol Well, I got a couple lances for a grave first, but then I got to this area and went 
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Jul 23, 2023 00:46
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bawk posted:I'm getting really over the inconsistent healing in AN, though. Same thing existing in Hollow Knight was also a pain in the rear end. If you're going to make your game difficult, I'm cool with that, but if your healing options are "you can only heal with these extremely limited health potions or fill up this meter by hitting enemies" then you can gently caress right off. Afterimage did this better, because you could go stock up on an infinite number of health potions, but you were limited on how many kinds/how many individual potions you could take with you, as well as the regular guaranteed heals after a checkpoint. That game took it to an extreme where you could have 13 free heals + four d-pad directions to fill with different types of health potions, but AN and HK have the seesaw balanced on the completely other end. Aeterna Noctis copied HK's heal wholesale, warts and all, and it's absolutely one of the worst mechanics from HK in hindsight. If I want to go into a boss fight (this Beholder in the Dream Palace is kicking my rear end) then give me my loving heals. I shouldn't have to go on a smoke break to let my heal meter recharge before attempting a boss again. virtualboyCOLOR posted:The Beholder boss fight is the worst boss fight in the game. I just stocked up on heart pieces and auto fill blood gem and just brute forced my way to completing it. Did you figure out the Beholder's Trick(tm)? You're still in the illusion palace, if you plant a few arrows around just before his vulnerable phase then the phantoms won't appear and you won't waste your chance to smack him. He can only take three or four actual hits iirc.
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Jul 23, 2023 01:00
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SkeletonHero posted:Did you figure out the Beholder's Trick(tm)? You're still in the illusion palace, if you plant a few arrows around just before his vulnerable phase then the phantoms won't appear and you won't waste your chance to smack him. He can only take three or four actual hits iirc. He also is the only one that doesn't wiggle when he appears. And you don't have to actually smack him, you can just use a light arrow instead of a crystal arrow to hurt him.  I was kinda digging the galaxy theme for this area but I'm completely over how movement works vs. firing arrows trying to do this puzzle in the Light planet. Really cool idea, absolutely dogshit execution. Feels like I'm trying to play two different video games at the same time trying to aim/time these crystal arrow shots while jumping around this curve
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Jul 23, 2023 01:30
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That’s a shame but I do agree partially in that the arrows don’t move in that area the way you’d expect the too.
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Jul 23, 2023 01:36
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Well, I'm beginning to suspect that's not entirely the game's fault. Considering I've finished fire, ice, light, and just went to do the darkness area. I don't have whatever ability/item I need to traverse the darkness lmao Guess I'll come back later! e: but not before grabbing a chaos emerald! yoink! bawk fucked around with this message at 02:07 on Jul 23, 2023 |
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Jul 23, 2023 01:53
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The DLCs for Blasphemous and the associated extra bosses/story/alternate routing can't even be done in a first cycle anyway. If I was going into it fresh for now I probably wouldn't even worry about what ending I got the first time, then for NG+ just look up the DLC3/true ending requirement or ask in here at that point.
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Jul 23, 2023 02:46
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The real problem with Blasphemous is that you can’t get a Speed Booster ability and run head first into people like a unicorn to impale them on your pointy hat.
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Jul 23, 2023 05:18
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I like Blasphemous but something about it just makes me want to play other things. Hope the sequel is good though! Has anyone played a Robot Named Fight? I tried a couple of runs last night and it didn't grab me. The aiming system and placement of enemies seem to be designed to completely work against one another. Does it get better after you unlock a few more permanent systems?
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Jul 23, 2023 06:11
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Spermanent Record posted:I like Blasphemous but something about it just makes me want to play other things. Hope the sequel is good though! Yeah I'm a big fan of A Robot Named Fight. It's a straight up Super Metroid love letter, my only real complaints about it are some of the shops/shrines kind of expect you to pop a wiki open to get an optimal reward from them. The rest of the game is real fun, especially the final boss. Some of the runs feel pretty different based on what weapon upgrades or subweapons are seeded for the run, and one or two of the upgrades make you insanely durable. Enemy placement doesn't really change though
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Jul 23, 2023 06:18
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Wait, isn't A Robot Named Fight procedurally generated? I've been avoiding it for that reason, is that not actually true?
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Jul 23, 2023 08:43
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guppy posted:Wait, isn't A Robot Named Fight procedurally generated? I've been avoiding it for that reason, is that not actually true? It very much is procedurally generated but it is down surprisingly well. Each run feels like a bite sized metroid (about an hour or so). I recommend checking it out if your are ok with rogue-likes.
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Jul 23, 2023 11:23
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virtualboyCOLOR posted:I missed the secret ending because I didn’t use a walkthrough until a bit too late. Worse is you can still do everything else and not realize it’s too late. It is hilarious to me that people rate the game highly and yet one of literally the most important design aspects of a Metroidvania... it falls flat on. This is bad design at the core, being an apologist for it undermines all of the games where this is done well. It's literally part of the core gameplay loop of a Metroidvania style game.
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Jul 23, 2023 14:08
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I'd say the inability to get the best ending without a guide is a core part of the genre  At least you can just reload your save and do what you need, Minoria was extremely annoying because once you got one ending that was it, the only way to get the others was to start all over again.
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Jul 23, 2023 14:43
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Sakurazuka posted:I'd say the inability to get the best ending without a guide is a core part of the genre The fact that most of the abilities aren't used or just thrown in at the end without any rhyme or reason to how and when you get them.
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Jul 23, 2023 14:46
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Sakurazuka posted:I'd say the inability to get the best ending without a guide is a core part of the genre This reminds me, I've been meaning to try Minoria again. The last time I played that game, I kinda struggled, though. Any advice?
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Jul 23, 2023 14:53
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Fuzz posted:The fact that most of the abilities aren't used or just thrown in at the end without any rhyme or reason to how and when you get them. Ah well That's because Blasphemous isn't a metroidvania
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Jul 23, 2023 14:55
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King of Solomon posted:This reminds me, I've been meaning to try Minoria again. The last time I played that game, I kinda struggled, though. Any advice? No sorry I played it when it first came out and have no memory of anything other than the ending bit
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Jul 23, 2023 14:56
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Sakurazuka posted:Ah well A hot dog is a metroidvania
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Jul 23, 2023 14:59
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Sakurazuka posted:No sorry I played it when it first came out and have no memory of anything other than the ending bit Welp. Thanks anyway, I'll probably figure it out.
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Jul 23, 2023 15:03
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Fuzz posted:It is hilarious to me that people rate the game highly and yet one of literally the most important design aspects of a Metroidvania... it falls flat on. I rate the game very highly because it's a good and fun game, even if you might disagree with how it uses some of the genre tropes Yes, some of the exploration unlocks aren't even strictly necessary to complete the game or see the endings. They instead make certain items easier or possible to get and there are abilities hidden behind using them properly. You can either backtrack and explore when you find them, or use them in a NG+ cycle. Complaining that the “survive falls into pits” unlock isn't progression mandatory is like complaining that Axiom Verge 2 has a bunch of secrets hidden behind the power that lets you exit the Breach anywhere; you can look at the map, see spots where it might be used, and often be rewarded for such.
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Jul 23, 2023 15:04
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I revisited Iconoclasts recently and man, that game still holds up for me. During individual beats, the writing can be a little clunky, but the earnestness of it all greatly outweighs that for me. Just a cool game.
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Jul 23, 2023 17:59
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Even on a casual playthrough, you don't need the Spazer Beam, Plasma Beam or the Springball in Super Metroid. They're all hidden off the beaten path (at least a little), and there are no obstacles that absolutely require them to beat the game. The idea of "some of the big upgrades are optional even on a first time playthrough" is nothing new to the genre.
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Jul 23, 2023 18:32
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Kurui Reiten posted:Even on a casual playthrough, you don't need the Spazer Beam, Plasma Beam or the Springball in Super Metroid. They're all hidden off the beaten path (at least a little), and there are no obstacles that absolutely require them to beat the game. It's actually one of the best parts of the genre if you ask me. Having a side area I don't need to go to in order to beat the game, that's hidden out of the way and a little obscure, that gives me a weapon/item that makes getting around the world easier? Sign me the gently caress up. It's why one of my favorite parts of noted Non-Metroidvania game Dark Souls was Ash Lake, because you have to get through two fake walls to discover a vertical area that goes straight down, even lower than the lowest point of the world you can normally find. And you do get some good poo poo down there, so it's worth the time spent exploring (as long as you have the lordvessel to get out) I'm a little biased because if the "secret ending" of Blasphemous is the one where you have to talk to a certain NPC before moving on to the second half of the game, then I did that on my first playthrough. I'm also the kind of player that will smash my face against almost every wall in case one of them is illusory I say almost every wall because I need a nudge in the right direction in Aeterna Noctis, I'm going insane. I have collected shards from the Forge, Tower of Light, Light Crystal, and Western Wall. I've beaten the Dream Palace, and only have 1/4 of Cosmos left. I've beaten every boss I've been able to find so far except for Skelly Boy Round 2 in the Catacombs. I've discovered the railway station and made it to where I assume the last Shard is at, and have Keycard C, but can't go any further in. I think I've touched every corner of the world so far just exploring, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get further into the undersea mothership. Do I need to approach this place from a different angle besides the railway station? The final room has a gate that should slide if a switch is hit with another keycard behind it, but there's no nearby switch and nothing I can interact with, unless I'm missing something (please tell me if there's an obvious switch I'm walking past)
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Jul 23, 2023 19:00
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bawk posted:I'm a little biased because if the "secret ending" of Blasphemous is the one where you have to talk to a certain NPC before moving on to the second half of the game, then I did that on my first playthrough. I'm also the kind of player that will smash my face against almost every wall in case one of them is illusory From what I remember, you literally cannot access the biggest secrets in Blasphemous on your first playthrough. NG+ is required for a good amount of content/unlocks.
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Jul 23, 2023 19:10
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IIRC that area in Aeterna Noctis has a magnetic switch that changes platforms from red/blue horizontal/vertical for the whole level. You've probably already pressed it, and it needs pressing to its original state. Though that might just be for a collectible.
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Jul 23, 2023 19:13
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guppy posted:Wait, isn't A Robot Named Fight procedurally generated? I've been avoiding it for that reason, is that not actually true? It's procedurally generated but the abilities you get fit into different categories, allowing the game to mix em up - for example, the game always gates the final boss behind the requirement of being able to fly, essentially. So the last required upgrade you'll get is one that either lets you jump forever, or one that turns you into a drone, or one that gives you a jetpack, or just shoot straight up in a line, etc. Same with, like, an ability that lets you blow up walls.
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Jul 23, 2023 19:29
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Fatty posted:IIRC that area in Aeterna Noctis has a magnetic switch that changes platforms from red/blue horizontal/vertical for the whole level. You've probably already pressed it, and it needs pressing to its original state. Nah you need to do it to progress as well. Also go back to areas you visited before etc etc
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Jul 23, 2023 19:42
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Kurui Reiten posted:From what I remember, you literally cannot access the biggest secrets in Blasphemous on your first playthrough. NG+ is required for a good amount of content/unlocks. Looks like there's Ending A (good ending) Ending B (bad ending/regular ending) and Ending C (DLC stuff) and I was doing DLC stuff Fatty posted:IIRC that area in Aeterna Noctis has a magnetic switch that changes platforms from red/blue horizontal/vertical for the whole level. You've probably already pressed it, and it needs pressing to its original state. I just did the whole run-through of the area and I vaguely know what you're talking about, there's a section that has two yellow switches right on top of each other. One on top has two blue doors on either side of it, and the one below it has two blue platforms on either side of it, but I tried hitting them with Light and Crystal arrows (and also just the sword) and nothing happens. I can see there's four slots next to the arrow symbol on the collection screen, I've got yellow and blue lit up. Am I missing an arrow type someplace that this puzzle requires?
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Jul 23, 2023 20:03
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Morpheus posted:It's procedurally generated but the abilities you get fit into different categories, allowing the game to mix em up - for example, the game always gates the final boss behind the requirement of being able to fly, essentially. So the last required upgrade you'll get is one that either lets you jump forever, or one that turns you into a drone, or one that gives you a jetpack, or just shoot straight up in a line, etc. It is, of course, fine if people like that stuff, but for me, proc gen destroys a huge component of what I like about Metroidvanias. I like my worlds to be carefully designed and manicured to give a good experience. Proc gen stuff is missing that human spark to me. Plus, if I get stuck, nobody can really help me, because we'll all have different maps.
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Jul 23, 2023 20:19
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bawk posted:I just did the whole run-through of the area and I vaguely know what you're talking about, there's a section that has two yellow switches right on top of each other. One on top has two blue doors on either side of it, and the one below it has two blue platforms on either side of it, but I tried hitting them with Light and Crystal arrows (and also just the sword) and nothing happens. Looking at a map, try magnetic control on deck C.
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Jul 23, 2023 20:30
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guppy posted:It is, of course, fine if people like that stuff, but for me, proc gen destroys a huge component of what I like about Metroidvanias. I like my worlds to be carefully designed and manicured to give a good experience. Proc gen stuff is missing that human spark to me. Plus, if I get stuck, nobody can really help me, because we'll all have different maps. Totally understand. I do like the game, but it is divorced from the stuff I usually enjoy about the genre. Its tight play time and precise gameplay keep me coming back, but it definitely doesn't have the sway over me that some of the better installments of the genre do.
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Jul 23, 2023 20:35
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Fatty posted:Looking at a map, try magnetic control on deck C. I think that's my problem, I got to Deck D from the railway station and don't have any other floors to explore. There's a teleport looking thing next to the Deck D sign, but I can't interact with it. e: I'm gonna go triple check that because I'm gonna feel real dumb if I've just missed the interact prompt, some of those are very finicky in my experience E2: YUP! I apparently have never stood directly on it, just ran past it or stood next to it. bawk fucked around with this message at 21:25 on Jul 23, 2023 |
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Jul 23, 2023 21:20
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Oh sorry, thought you were much further into the level for some reason.
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Jul 23, 2023 21:36
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Just finished Grime thanks to it being free on EGS, it was much better than I expected. I had absolutely no idea what was going on plot-wise apart from being a black hole person, and once I found the Curved Glaive (which scales off your Stamina stat and attacks faster the more you hit with it, eventually doing 500+ damage per hit deep into the combo) the rest of the weapons were pointless, but the platforming, boss fights and music were all great. The NG+ changes were very cool as well, all the enemies, including the bosses, get new attacks and there's an NG+ only boss.
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Jul 23, 2023 21:46
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virtualboyCOLOR posted:yes to both but even turning it off...meh. Controls just are poor. Especially when compared too... I'm playing Noctis now and so far it's literally a hollow knight reskin so uh yeah, not sure what's up. Good luck.
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Jul 23, 2023 21:51
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