Cyberpunk: I see. I played the Witcher 3 (and all of its DLC) so my expectations seem to be inline with what you said. I’ll check it out when it’s on sale. I tend to take breaks from games that are thematically similar, so I’ll check it out after I’ve “recovered” from Mankind Divided (more on that later)
Ghost of Tsushima: Yeah I played parts of it during a Playstation Premium sale and felt no regrets dropping it. I had the impression that it would be ok, but definitely not worth 60 hours of my time.
Metro: Similar viewpoints on the Metro series. I’d say get to Exodus when you are ready. It was on my waitlist for about 2 years.
Mankind divided: It seems the consensus online is that Human Revolution is overall better than Mankind Divided, but Mankind Divided is better gameplay wise. Personally, I liked Mankind Divided more than Human Revolution, although the former has its fair share of flaws. I can go into them if you want, although personally I think its better to just play it and form your own thoughts on it. Personally, I made peace with the flaws and accept the game for what it is. (Also, its “A Criminal Past” DLC is amazing and highly replayable)
Bioshock infiinite: It’s been a few years since I played this, but from what I remember its a solid action shooter. It’s not so much an immersive sim like the previous entries. Go into it with the right expectations and it’s a fun time.
Yakuza: My special interest series, lmao. I have played most games. However, I have not played Infinite Wealth, nor the spinoff games (Man Who Erased His Name, Pirate Yakuza in hawaii, Samurai games, or zombie spinoff).
I’ve also played the Judgement series, which feels like Yakuza meets Ace Attorney.
As for which to start with… that’s tricky. I played the original Yakuza back in 2004 (with Mark Hamil’s joker voice acting for Majima), took a 15+ year hiatus from the series, returned to the series with 0, and then binged most of the mainline games during covid lmao.
I’ve read some things about Mankind Divided, mainly critiquing the first hour or so and the abrupt ending, including an unsatisfying ending. So if those are the flaws I’m braced for them. Otherwise I’ve heard pretty good things. It’s actually installed already and quite likely my next game, though I saw Skald is on sale now so it’s making a late charge.
Bioshock Infinite sounds like what I’d expected. But I wouldn’t call either Bioshock 1 or 2 an imsim? They’re just tight shooters with some occasionally great writing (mostly in the first one) and some stellar world building.
I could do with some advice about Yakuza though. I’ve heard three suggestions: start with 0, start with Kiwami or start with the original Yakuza (and play them in release order). It seems to me Kiwami is a solid middle ground compromise as a first game, but I am aware it will lead to a downgrade in quality between Kiwami 2 and Yakuza 3. On the other hand, starting with the original Yakuza and playing in release order is most “correct”, and probably the best experience if I do end up loving the series - but I’m worried the original Yakuza will feel old and clunky and put me off the series as a whole.
It seems like you’ve heard everything about Mankind Divided. The other thing is that the first two DLC should have been included in the game. The first one is forgettable, the second one is decent.
In hindsight, I think imsim is the wrong genre name for Bioshock 1 or 2. I wasn’t sure how to word it, but I guess I mean that you’ll definitely see a difference in pacing and overall gameplay compared to Infinite.
Yakuza: So while this is my favorite series, I don’t want to ignore its flaws. I tried replaying the PS2 games recently and they were way too clunky and miss a lot of quality of life features that the sequels / remakes have.
Honestly, I would just skip the PS2 games and substitute them with Kiwami.
The original saga is every numbered game from 0 - > 6. The consensus (which I agree with) is that 0 is the strongest one in this saga.
Also, ending the saga with 6 sets up 7 (Like a Dragon) pretty well. Also, Judgement takes place between 6 and 7, although this series doesn’t reference Yakuza that much (and vice versa)
There are a couple of orders that make sense
Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 6 -> 0 (end of original saga, wrapping back around to prequel game. Ends the saga with a bang)
0-> Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 6 (Chronological order, which is what I did. Starts with a bang but tapers off, and nose dives on 3. Gets better as it gets closer to 6, though)
Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 ->0 -> 6 (what I wish I did, probably would have given 6 a lot more emotional weight)
and then there’s release order (ew): 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 0 -> Kiwami -> 6-> Kiwami 2
We live in the future so maybe don’t pick that one lol
Are the two DLCs not included and integrated into Mankind Divided? That’s a shame. The DLC for Human Revolution was seamless and maybe the best part of the game (excluding the “you lose all your gear and skills” gimmick that I’m quite fed up with). It’s a shame about the ending of MD though, I hear the game feels like basically 2/3 of a great game and then just ends in a cliffhanger, which hurts knowing it never got continued.
Sounds fine for Infinite. I loved Bioshock one, and I think it’s one of the best games of all time. Bioshock 2 is like an 8/10, it’s essentially just “more Bioshock” but with a worse story. I’d rather they try something different with Infinite than another runback.
Yeah I suspected as much for the old games. Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 0 -> 6 is what I was planning on doing, and so it seems I was on the right track. I have heard there is technically some extra content in Kiwami 1&2 you’d only appreciate if you’d already played some of the other games, but I’m not sure it’s worth hunting down and suffering through the original Yakuza 1&2 for those tidbits. Plus it seems awkward to fit in progression wise since you’re replaying the story of 1 and 2… Do you play 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 0 -> 6 -> Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 then? Or save 6 for last? And it seems like a lot of effort for marginal gains.
Are the two DLCs not included and integrated into Mankind Divided?
First one is: after spending a few months as a pre-order exclusive it was added in a free update.
Human Revolution’s DLC was also my favorite part of the game, although I felt that it hurt the pacing of the original game’s story. That said, it did set up plot points for Mankind Divided (and its missing second half / last third). Still hurting over the incomplete story…
Bioshock: Agreed. I think you’ll like it, then
Yakuza: I heard the same about Kiwami 1 and 2 having some extra content… although I really don’t remember what it is so that probably says how tiny/unimportant that extra content is lol.
As for the frankly mediocre Yakuza 3 and ok 4-5:
While Yakuza 3 is rough, it becomes a cakewalk once you learn how the AI works. It also has a nice change of scenery. 4 and 5’s stories are bloated, but you could always rush through them. Those last two games have combat almost as good as 0 and have some fun minigames.
Cyberpunk: I see. I played the Witcher 3 (and all of its DLC) so my expectations seem to be inline with what you said. I’ll check it out when it’s on sale. I tend to take breaks from games that are thematically similar, so I’ll check it out after I’ve “recovered” from Mankind Divided (more on that later)
Ghost of Tsushima: Yeah I played parts of it during a Playstation Premium sale and felt no regrets dropping it. I had the impression that it would be ok, but definitely not worth 60 hours of my time.
Metro: Similar viewpoints on the Metro series. I’d say get to Exodus when you are ready. It was on my waitlist for about 2 years.
Mankind divided: It seems the consensus online is that Human Revolution is overall better than Mankind Divided, but Mankind Divided is better gameplay wise. Personally, I liked Mankind Divided more than Human Revolution, although the former has its fair share of flaws. I can go into them if you want, although personally I think its better to just play it and form your own thoughts on it. Personally, I made peace with the flaws and accept the game for what it is. (Also, its “A Criminal Past” DLC is amazing and highly replayable)
Bioshock infiinite: It’s been a few years since I played this, but from what I remember its a solid action shooter. It’s not so much an immersive sim like the previous entries. Go into it with the right expectations and it’s a fun time.
Yakuza: My special interest series, lmao. I have played most games. However, I have not played Infinite Wealth, nor the spinoff games (Man Who Erased His Name, Pirate Yakuza in hawaii, Samurai games, or zombie spinoff). I’ve also played the Judgement series, which feels like Yakuza meets Ace Attorney. As for which to start with… that’s tricky. I played the original Yakuza back in 2004 (with Mark Hamil’s joker voice acting for Majima), took a 15+ year hiatus from the series, returned to the series with 0, and then binged most of the mainline games during covid lmao.
I’ve read some things about Mankind Divided, mainly critiquing the first hour or so and the abrupt ending, including an unsatisfying ending. So if those are the flaws I’m braced for them. Otherwise I’ve heard pretty good things. It’s actually installed already and quite likely my next game, though I saw Skald is on sale now so it’s making a late charge.
Bioshock Infinite sounds like what I’d expected. But I wouldn’t call either Bioshock 1 or 2 an imsim? They’re just tight shooters with some occasionally great writing (mostly in the first one) and some stellar world building.
I could do with some advice about Yakuza though. I’ve heard three suggestions: start with 0, start with Kiwami or start with the original Yakuza (and play them in release order). It seems to me Kiwami is a solid middle ground compromise as a first game, but I am aware it will lead to a downgrade in quality between Kiwami 2 and Yakuza 3. On the other hand, starting with the original Yakuza and playing in release order is most “correct”, and probably the best experience if I do end up loving the series - but I’m worried the original Yakuza will feel old and clunky and put me off the series as a whole.
It seems like you’ve heard everything about Mankind Divided. The other thing is that the first two DLC should have been included in the game. The first one is forgettable, the second one is decent.
In hindsight, I think imsim is the wrong genre name for Bioshock 1 or 2. I wasn’t sure how to word it, but I guess I mean that you’ll definitely see a difference in pacing and overall gameplay compared to Infinite.
Yakuza: So while this is my favorite series, I don’t want to ignore its flaws. I tried replaying the PS2 games recently and they were way too clunky and miss a lot of quality of life features that the sequels / remakes have. Honestly, I would just skip the PS2 games and substitute them with Kiwami.
The original saga is every numbered game from 0 - > 6. The consensus (which I agree with) is that 0 is the strongest one in this saga. Also, ending the saga with 6 sets up 7 (Like a Dragon) pretty well. Also, Judgement takes place between 6 and 7, although this series doesn’t reference Yakuza that much (and vice versa)
There are a couple of orders that make sense
Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 6 -> 0 (end of original saga, wrapping back around to prequel game. Ends the saga with a bang)
0-> Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 6 (Chronological order, which is what I did. Starts with a bang but tapers off, and nose dives on 3. Gets better as it gets closer to 6, though)
Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 ->0 -> 6 (what I wish I did, probably would have given 6 a lot more emotional weight)
and then there’s release order (ew): 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 0 -> Kiwami -> 6-> Kiwami 2
We live in the future so maybe don’t pick that one lol
Are the two DLCs not included and integrated into Mankind Divided? That’s a shame. The DLC for Human Revolution was seamless and maybe the best part of the game (excluding the “you lose all your gear and skills” gimmick that I’m quite fed up with). It’s a shame about the ending of MD though, I hear the game feels like basically 2/3 of a great game and then just ends in a cliffhanger, which hurts knowing it never got continued.
Sounds fine for Infinite. I loved Bioshock one, and I think it’s one of the best games of all time. Bioshock 2 is like an 8/10, it’s essentially just “more Bioshock” but with a worse story. I’d rather they try something different with Infinite than another runback.
Yeah I suspected as much for the old games. Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 0 -> 6 is what I was planning on doing, and so it seems I was on the right track. I have heard there is technically some extra content in Kiwami 1&2 you’d only appreciate if you’d already played some of the other games, but I’m not sure it’s worth hunting down and suffering through the original Yakuza 1&2 for those tidbits. Plus it seems awkward to fit in progression wise since you’re replaying the story of 1 and 2… Do you play 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 0 -> 6 -> Kiwami -> Kiwami 2 then? Or save 6 for last? And it seems like a lot of effort for marginal gains.
First one is: after spending a few months as a pre-order exclusive it was added in a free update.
Human Revolution’s DLC was also my favorite part of the game, although I felt that it hurt the pacing of the original game’s story. That said, it did set up plot points for Mankind Divided (and its missing second half / last third). Still hurting over the incomplete story…
Bioshock: Agreed. I think you’ll like it, then
Yakuza: I heard the same about Kiwami 1 and 2 having some extra content… although I really don’t remember what it is so that probably says how tiny/unimportant that extra content is lol.
As for the frankly mediocre Yakuza 3 and ok 4-5:
While Yakuza 3 is rough, it becomes a cakewalk once you learn how the AI works. It also has a nice change of scenery. 4 and 5’s stories are bloated, but you could always rush through them. Those last two games have combat almost as good as 0 and have some fun minigames.