OS Neutral What Game You Play'n?

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Okay time for a break from Street Fighter 6 (for now) and now time for something special

There is a new free to play shooter made by ex-Battlefield developers coming next year called The Finals. The game is themed around a virtual reality game show in which teams fight each other for fabulous prizes. They're currently in Closed Beta 2, and since I was in the first Closed Beta I got access!

Being as the game is made by ex-Battlefield developers, the maps are entirely destructible. If the cashout spot is being heavily guarded, blow up the floor under them or the walls. Need a quick way around a building? Blow it up!

The game still needs a lot of work but hey that's the point of the beta. Playtesting the game and sharing feedback.

But man this game is absolutely gorgeous, especially since it's raytraced.

 

[EDiTOR9]

I'm finally deep into TOTK where it is enjoyable. I made the mistake of exploring everywhere with only four hearts so I was getting my butt kicked regularly. I'd put it down for a couple of days. Now, I am on the fourth dungeon and have completed about 30 shrines.

I also picked up the ROG Ally but have yet to open it. I'm going to get Spierman remastered on steam to break it in.

 

[Huntn]

I'm finally deep into TOTK where it is enjoyable. I made the mistake of exploring everywhere with only four hearts so I was getting my butt kicked regularly. I'd put it down for a couple of days. Now, I am on the fourth dungeon and have completed about 30 shrines.

I also picked up the ROG Ally but have yet to open it. I'm going to get Spierman remastered on steam to break it in.

Tears of the Kingdom? I looked that up...

 

[Huntn]

Okay time for a break from Street Fighter 6 (for now) and now time for something special

There is a new free to play shooter made by ex-Battlefield developers coming next year called The Finals. The game is themed around a virtual reality game show in which teams fight each other for fabulous prizes. They're currently in Closed Beta 2, and since I was in the first Closed Beta I got access!

Being as the game is made by ex-Battlefield developers, the maps are entirely destructible. If the cashout spot is being heavily guarded, blow up the floor under them or the walls. Need a quick way around a building? Blow it up!

The game still needs a lot of work but hey that's the point of the beta. Playtesting the game and sharing feedback.

But man this game is absolutely gorgeous, especially since it's raytraced.

That looks wild! I'm sure it's beyond me. I used to love the frantic play of Unreal Tournament, but don't know if I can hack it today with live the game online players. 🤔

 

[Queen6]

Recently updated Doom 3 (Original & BFG) source ports on the PC. Moved onto the M1 MBP, just updated the Doom 3 data files, adding in Resurrection of Evil (expansion pack) as the application is already the latest (dhewm3 PC/dhewm3 Mac). Am also running D3HDP (Essential HD pack) on the PC which literally strips years off the game without altering gameplay or the look and feel of Doom 3 👍

Mac Source Ports is where I get the notarised source ports (by Apple) for Doom 3 and other games that run on my M1 and x64 Mac's Now playing the original Doom 3 after testing the updates as has been a spell.

I like both Doom 3 Original & BFG, former is tilted more towards Survival Horror as resources are limited making it essential to open storage lockers. The choice of hand torch or weapon also adds to the horror aspect, although doesn't entirely make sense in the setting.

BFG has around twice the ammo pickups making the storage lockers less important and is generally lit brighter. The shoulder mounted light is also a big factor. It's on a cool down, equally allows greater illumination in combat. Generally plays faster versus the original release where you tend to be far more cautions. Ironically John Carmack wanted a shoulder mounted flashlight, however the team couldn't realise it in the day. In some respects Doom 3 & BFG are akin to Alien & Aliens having a similar focus.

Thankfully on the RBDoom 3 BFG source port you can drop the lighting down, both brightness & ambient Came across a mod that reduces the ammunition pickups to the original game's level, uncertain as yet will be compatible with the newer RBDoom BFG engine. I'll have a look on the PC and see.

Doom 3 on the dhewn3 source port engine with D3HDP (Essential HD pack) only original game files are pk4 (game data) from the base & d3xp folders the rest is all the work of the dhewm3 & D3HDP mod teams.

Plays beautifully, D3HDP doesn't alter any gameplay aspect nor change the models or tone of Doom 3. Next will be to see if D3HDP can be added to the game on the M1 MBP.

Competed Total Chaos (full mod conversion on the GZDoom engine) certainly gets challenging as you press on...

Q-6

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Today's the last day of The Finals beta, but I got all the beta tester items so I don't wanna play anymore. The game's still a long way from being done as there's more tweaking that needs to be done, especially with how jank it is.

So I grabbed my Steam Deck, and started Just Cause 3 for the first time.

Welcome to Medici, home of old wine villas, beautiful beaches, and most of all: An oppressive totalitarian dictatorship. Time to do what Rico does best as the Dictator Removal Specialist™️ and blow up every bit of red colored public infrastructure to liberate his home

Dear god Medici is massive and the sandbox just gives you so many goodies to cause chaos and blow everything up. How the hell do people speedrun this game?

At least flying around with the OP Wingsuit is a blast, but not as much as all the big vehicles like mechs, bomber fighters, and even gunboats.

 

[Huntn]

June 2023-

• FarCry New Dawn- I’n enjoying post apocalyptic Montana and dealing with the Highway men, led by The Twins. In the realm of RPGs, this is weak imo. It is a good, forgiving, open world action, game with the same overall mechanics as previous FarCry editions, as you try to rid Hope County of the Highway men.

​

• Nebulus Fleet Command- An early release space RTS combat game. Purchased recently on sale at Steam, worth the gamble. This requires study, a series of tutorials to learn how to move your ships, targeting, deploying weapons, EW, and ship repair. Having completed 5 tutorials, my impression is there will be micromanaging multiple ships, but I have my fingers crossed that ships can handle some things on their own like repairs. There are quite a few how-to YouTube videos available.​

​

• Grounded- I’m enjoying being small in the backyard. This game is not for sissies, not a walk in the park especially if solo. ​
• World of Warships- PVP can be fun and at times annoying, playing Random Battles when you end up on a rotten team. 🤔​

 

[Queen6]

Was able to install the D3HDP graphics pack on the M1 MBP with the Doom 3 (dhewm3 source port) and it worked however similar to a small number of others with PC's when you come across reflections on glass the FPS absolutely tanks

A few have asked the dev if this new feature can be turned off. Seems it's not possible as is baked into the mod's pk4 data files...

Here's a good example where the machines on the left are reflected in the glass to the right with the mod installed which very much adds to the atmosphere & immersion of the game. It's dynamic, if you approach the glass you can also see your avatars reflection

My PC has no issue with no drop in FPS. The M1 MBP can easily deal with the mod's enhanced graphics barring this where FPS will violently drop. In this room be lucky to see 20 fps om the M1, others where there's less reflection around 40 fps. Suspect is a compatibility issue with some GPU's.

Other than that the mod runs perfectly with a solid framerate. Still impressed that I could get D3HDP to even run on Apple Silicon as the mod is designed for Windows. That said all the calls from the new autoexec & pk4 files are handled by the source port game engine not the OS.

This was D3HDP V2, might try V1 and see if the glass reflections are not included. Also digging about for a similar mod. I can still use the D3HDP autoexec file which helps a little to tune the graphics. I'll also add key binds to toggle; show fps & HUD on/off, also 1st & 3rd person views.

HUD toggled off but has to be said looks awesome and adds a lot to the atmosphere

Doom 3's protagonist, John Kane aka Killer Kane in all his glory LOL

Nothing but pain lies beyond this point - Mancubus I remember this all too well...😂

Overall I solidly recomend the dhewm3 source port for Apple Silicon & 64bit Mac's and Windows for that matter. If you want to push the graphics to the edge and an easier play try RBDoom 3 BFG impressive what can be done with the ID4 game engine in 2023.

Apple Silicon & 64bit Mac's - dhewm3 & RBDoom 3 BFG
Windows - dhewm3 & RBDoom 3 BFG

n.b. you need to own the game for the data files. GOG is a good deal as both Doom 3 & Doom 3 BFG are a single package on their platform and on a deal as of today...

Q-6

 

[avro707]

I have Flight Sim 2020 running in Windows 11 and a HP Reverb G2 headset connected to the big Mac Pro. Favourite plane is the 737-700 BBJ.

It runs beautifully - almost wondering how it would go on a W6800X Duo MPX module (or 2 of them).

I was using it a lot a while back but health problems are stopping it. Trying to get my body back in working fit shape and injury and fatigue reduced my interest.

I don’t really read this section much.

 

[Queen6]

I have Flight Sim 2020 running in Windows 11 and a HP Reverb G2 headset connected to the big Mac Pro. Favourite plane is the 737-700 BBJ.

It runs beautifully - almost wondering how it would go on a W6800X Duo MPX module (or 2 of them).

I was using it a lot a while back but health problems are stopping it. Trying to get my body back in working fit shape and injury and fatigue reduced my interest.

I don’t really read this section much.

You should while there's not many of us, we're committed and game on both the Mac & PC

Q-6

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I have Flight Sim 2020 running in Windows 11 and a HP Reverb G2 headset connected to the big Mac Pro. Favourite plane is the 737-700 BBJ.

It runs beautifully - almost wondering how it would go on a W6800X Duo MPX module (or 2 of them).

I was using it a lot a while back but health problems are stopping it. Trying to get my body back in working fit shape and injury and fatigue reduced my interest.

I don’t really read this section much.

You're using a 2019 Mac Pro as your rig for PCVR?

I mean more power to you, but the GPUs in a Mac Pro were optimized for workstation tasks not games let alone VR, especially at the absurd prices of the Mac Pro the last thing people are thinking is "mmm yes this is perfect for me to run VRChat and Beat Saber."

 

[avro707]

You're using a 2019 Mac Pro as your rig for PCVR?



I mean more power to you, but the GPUs in a Mac Pro were optimized for workstation tasks not games let alone VR, especially at the absurd prices of the Mac Pro the last thing people are thinking is "mmm yes this is perfect for me to run VRChat and Beat Saber."

I was not asking to be told how I should be using that computer nor what the GPUs were optimised for.

I fully know that and it spends most of the time doing normal work duties you would expect for such a machine.

If you get yourself a life changing health event you might also try something in your spare time to take your mind off things in spare time. That’s what flight sim was on *my* computer for me.

You should while there's not many of us, we're committed and game on both the Mac & PC

I don’t have a PC so given the Mac also runs windows on a separate drive for other applications I need it was easy to install it just out of interest and as a distraction from real world problems. On macOS side I don’t have any games at all. Just all work applications.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I was not asking to be told how I should be using that computer nor what the GPUs were optimised for.

I fully know that and it spends most of the time doing normal work duties you would expect for such a machine.

If you get yourself a life changing health event you might also try something in your spare time to take your mind off things in spare time. That’s what flight sim was on *my* computer for me.

Calm down man. You don't have to get so defensive. All you had to say was "yeah I know it's not what most expect but hey since it's my work machine I can kill two birds with one stone so I don't need to get a second machine."

 

[Queen6]

I was not asking to be told how I should be using that computer nor what the GPUs were optimised for.

I fully know that and it spends most of the time doing normal work duties you would expect for such a machine.

If you get yourself a life changing health event you might also try something in your spare time to take your mind off things in spare time. That’s what flight sim was on *my* computer for me.



I don’t have a PC so given the Mac also runs windows on a separate drive for other applications I need it was easy to install it just out of interest and as a distraction from real world problems. On macOS side I don’t have any games at all. Just all work applications.

When I travel I take both a Mac & Windows PC as offers a great deal of redundancy. I also like the challenge of getting applications to work on Apple silicon. While Windows is clearly the better platform for gaming, yet there is a certain satisfaction to running natively on the Mac.

Well if your Mac is running Windows it's effectively a PC as are all Mac's for that matter. My systems run smoothly rest dont care about. Our media server is an MBP approaching 12 years old, last clean installed was at the factory, so yeah I like the Mac and what they can do...

TBH nobody remotely cares beyond what you deliver....

Q-6

 

[Irishman]

Calm down man. You don't have to get so defensive. All you had to say was "yeah I know it's not what most expect but hey since it's my work machine I can kill two birds with one stone so I don't need to get a second machine."

That is literally what he said! Lol

 

[txa1265]

Calm down man. You don't have to get so defensive. All you had to say was "yeah I know it's not what most expect but hey since it's my work machine I can kill two birds with one stone so I don't need to get a second machine."

You could have done the decent human thing and apologized. But instead you chose to victim blame. Seems very on-brand.

 

[Queen6]

All too serious, games are for fun meant and designed to be enjoyed and entertaining. dont see any harm or fowl here, regardless of the hardware...

Q-6

 

[Mackilroy]

Back on topic, I picked up the Uncharted Collection yesterday as it's on sale; I'd played a bit of the first one but never finished it. I like adventure games so hopefully this is enjoyable.

 

[txa1265]

Back on topic, I picked up the Uncharted Collection yesterday as it's on sale; I'd played a bit of the first one but never finished it. I like adventure games so hopefully this is enjoyable.

Speaking of sales ... Steam Sale starts today ...

 

[Huntn]

Back on topic, I picked up the Uncharted Collection yesterday as it's on sale; I'd played a bit of the first one but never finished it. I like adventure games so hopefully this is enjoyable.

What’s interesting is that the artwork on the game looks more like Nathan Fillion than the “I apologize-Spiderman” I don’t like. Before anyone helpful chirps in, I know the background of the movie, hence the comment. And of note I did not finish the movie not getting past the opening parachute/skydiving sorta scene. This is not to imply that the game is bad as I have not played it. So any reports appreciated.

 

[Huntn]

July 2023-

• Nebulous Fleet Command I find impressive but I just can win any battles which tells me, the AI needs to be tweaked, or I’m just not good enough. Went on with my son, 2v2 with us on one side, AI on the other, we would focus fire on a single ship, they would do likewise, and our ship would be destroyed first. One of the people in the forum volunteered to meet and help me, and I thanked them but declined. It’s a game, not a job, or a project, told them, I’d check back after they added a tutorial battle or two. The tutorials as good as they are did not prepare me for an actual battle. Maybe you would do better?🤔
• Restarted The Outer Worlds and enjoying that so far. Interactions with people you meet are interesting, interesting story elements like Spacer’s Choice corporate town boss vs the deserters, although the social aspects of having a companion are short changed as compared to Fallout 4.
• FarCry New Dawn- Still progressing with this, it’s a continuation of the story after FC5, with the same setting, and some repeat characters. It’s good fun, in an open world, relatively forgiving combat, but weak as an RPG. you talk to people, you help people, you gain abilities, but it feels flat as an RPG, your relationships with everyone are superficial.
• World of Warships- still slogging with this, my only current PVP game. Subs suck so bad I actually don’t mind destroyers as much as I used to except for the 15 torpedo volleys which are always curse worthy. It helps that I started playing cruisers and destroyers.
  
• Grounded- Still working this, deciding if I want to continue working this. It’s a brilliant game, solo-able so far, but difficult. Help as in co-op makes a huge difference in fights. As a solo player, you have to take it slow and learn the mechanics as in don’t go head to head with a spider, at least not near the beginning, maybe not the mid game either. Attack them from a location where they can’t get close to you, with an upgraded bow. Regular bows work, but always have a minimum of 60-80 arrows on you. A nice thing is that after a fight, you can retrieve most of those arrows you shot into that monster.

 

[Mackilroy]

What’s interesting is that the artwork on the game looks more like Nathan Fillion than the “I apologize-Spiderman” I don’t like. Before anyone helpful chirps in, I know the background of the movie, hence the comment. And of note I did not finish the movie not getting past the opening parachute/skydiving sorta scene. This is not to imply that the game is bad as I have not played it. So any reports appreciated.

It's fun so far. I won't really dig into it until after I've finished Cyberpunk, but I don't feel that I've wasted my money. So far as the film, I haven't seen it, so I can't compare.

 

[Huntn]

It's fun so far. I won't really dig into it until after I've finished Cyberpunk, but I don't feel that I've wasted my money. So far as the film, I haven't seen it, so I can't compare.

Cyberpunk 2077, not perfect by a long shot, but the main and companion side quests are stellar Imo. Plus, I got the good ending. I know some people are sticklers for knowing what they are getting themselves into and much has been written about endings if you want to know Or be brave and take a chance. I have avoided the worst ending in 3 playthoughs, but I know what generates the worst ending cause I peaked.

 

[Mackilroy]

I've completely avoided peeking so far; I have no idea what the 'good' ending is, and I don't even know how far I am through the main story. It's been fun so far! What lifepath(s)/sex(es) have you played? I'm playing a female Corpo.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I grabbed the System Shock remake during the sale and I'm playing it on my Steam Deck. It plays so good on Deck, using the built in motion controls to aim and control the inventory and puzzles.

I love the fact the moment the remake came out during the Xbox Showcase we had so many more immersive sims get announced. Immersive Sims are back on the menu.

Fingers crossed the game gets a Mac port in the near future, as when asked about a possible Mac port Nightdive said they'll discuss bringing the game to other platforms later.