The Backlog Check-in Vol. 240: 8/6/22: Cult of the Lamb Edition

[Phaseknox]

j, are you going to buy Saints Row on day one? I’m going to and cane might as well, so that will be three of us here buying it on day one. Maybe argyle will too, he often says that he’s not going to buy games on day one but still does anyway. I’m not sure about crim and izzy, but it’s unlikely since they usually don’t buy games on day one and I don’t even know if they like Saints Row. But if most of us do buy it on day one, it will be the first game since Red Dead Redemption II that we’ve done that with.

[isthatallyougot]

j, are you going to buy Saints Row on day one? I’m going to and cane might as well, so that will be three of us here buying it on day one. Maybe argyle will too, he often says that he’s not going to buy games on day one but still does anyway. I’m not sure about crim and izzy, but it’s unlikely since they usually don’t buy games on day one and I don’t even know if they like Saints Row. But if most of us do buy it on day one, it will be the first game since Red Dead Redemption II that we’ve done that with.

Yeah, I'm definitely not. I found 3 to be pretty mediocre, although I think I'll like 4 and 2 better (based on comparisons I've read), both of which are in my backlog. But my first impression with the series didn't get me buzzin'.

[crimson_tide]

Man izzy, now I kinda want to go back and finish the post game. I had to put it down once I rolled credits because Neo The World Ends With You. It should speak volumes about XI that it kept my attention long enough to finish before moving on to Neo. And I love when the cliches in a game like XI are used effectively. These things become cliche for a reason and that doesn't make it bad or wrong to use. The Last Story did a great job with this as well which is one reason I loved that game so much. But they just gave me a dog in Lost Judgment last night. Because this game needed MORE things to dick around with. But at least everything on my phone is open now so hopefully nothing else gets added...I hope...

I will say they are not really nailing this bullying storyline very well. It feels off. They haven't felt this off since Yakuza 4. And that was understandable because they decided to do way too much with that one for whatever reason. They could have really done great considering the nuance and attention to detail RGG studio normally gives their story. I will see it through but it's definitely not firing on all cylinders. I don't think I really like Yagami this time. He's fine. But this is an RGG game. I expect fine from other studios, not them. He's just kinda there. I guess that's where the disconnect is? Normally, I care about the protagonist because they care about a thing. Yagami is just an ex lawyer PI. And that's it. It's just a case. It's not compelling me to care. The side stories have been fun. The school stuff too. The Kaito Files DLC should be awesome as well, that guy should be the protagonist going forward. So it's not a total loss. I just wanted more I guess.

[Phaseknox]

I will say they are not really nailing this bullying storyline very well. It feels off. They haven't felt this off since Yakuza 4. And that was understandable because they decided to do way too much with that one for whatever reason. They could have really done great considering the nuance and attention to detail RGG studio normally gives their story. I will see it through but it's definitely not firing on all cylinders. I don't think I really like Yagami this time. He's fine. But this is an RGG game. I expect fine from other studios, not them. He's just kinda there. I guess that's where the disconnect is? Normally, I care about the protagonist because they care about a thing. Yagami is just an ex lawyer PI. And that's it. It's just a case. It's not compelling me to care. The side stories have been fun. The school stuff too. The Kaito Files DLC should be awesome as well, that guy should be the protagonist going forward. So it's not a total loss. I just wanted more I guess.

This is disappointing to hear, because I know that you really liked the first game. But j seemed to really like Lost Judgment, so there’s still a chance that I will too. However, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s getting to the point now where I just don’t want to play as male protagonists in games anymore. But if I do have to play as a male protagonist in a game, then they better be extremely likable. I’m getting the feeling that Takayuki Yagami isn’t, and that could be a dealbreaker for me if I have no interest in playing as him. We’ll see whenever I finally get around to checking out this series, but I don’t know when that will be.

By the way, I decided to buy Street Fighter V: Champion Edition for $15 because I found out that the only content that it doesn’t have are the season 5 characters which only two interest me (Akira, Rose). Two characters aren’t worth an additional $15 to me.

[Phaseknox]

After watching this new Saints Row video, my hype level just went up for the game. My biggest concern was that I wasn’t going to like the story and characters, but after watching this video I think that I’m going to because it looks comedic and entertaining. And the game itself looks like it’s going to be packed with content, and a ton of fun. I can’t wait, less than two weeks to go.

[isthatallyougot]

Man izzy, now I kinda want to go back and finish the post game. I had to put it down once I rolled credits because Neo The World Ends With You. It should speak volumes about XI that it kept my attention long enough to finish before moving on to Neo. And I love when the cliches in a game like XI are used effectively. These things become cliche for a reason and that doesn't make it bad or wrong to use. The Last Story did a great job with this as well which is one reason I loved that game so much.

Yeah I agree. I don't mind cliches necessarily. It's more about execution imho, and DQ XI is doing a great job with that for me. Some really nice characters and presentation.

[jfissel]

Wow, you and cane are *really* familiar with the series. I can see why though, judging by my time with XI. I've got IV, V, VI and IX on the DS in my backlog as well as VIII on PS2 and Heroes on PS4. So IV and VIII are the cream from your perspective. I'll keep that in mind. I'd probably just emulate VII or the older ones if I ever want to dive deep into the franchise.

Last night I was in the Casino watching the slots spin around forever, ha. As much as I've loved everything so far as well as loving casinos in games/rpgs in general, I was a bit disappointed with the execution in this one. It seemed an inevitability that you would win if you just kept spinning long enough - quite at odds with the nature of casinos, lol. I get it, they don't want players getting frustrated losing all their money in-game, but I wish there were some consequences there. I kept getting free and silver spins and my tokens just kept going up and up. I'm happy to exchange them for some nice items, but it felt hollow. And the act itself felt like tedious busywork after a while due to the lack of risk. Granted, I didn't have to do it, but I wanted some of the loot that was unique to the casino.

I've been playing since the first game came free with my Nintendo Power subscription in 1989 or 1990, long time. IV is somewhat divisive as it has a chapter system (which I think works amazingly) and because the DS version has a lot of written out accents (which I don't mind at all). A lot of people feel that V has the best story. And IX is just overloaded with content...it's fun and I put like 200 hours into it, but it's a lot.

And you'll definitely win in the casino, just save a lot after. There are trophies and unique items available there so you need to win big!

j, are you going to buy Saints Row on day one? I’m going to and cane might as well, so that will be three of us here buying it on day one. Maybe argyle will too, he often says that he’s not going to buy games on day one but still does anyway. I’m not sure about crim and izzy, but it’s unlikely since they usually don’t buy games on day one and I don’t even know if they like Saints Row. But if most of us do buy it on day one, it will be the first game since Red Dead Redemption II that we’ve done that with.

I have never played a Saints Row game.

Man izzy, now I kinda want to go back and finish the post game. I had to put it down once I rolled credits because Neo The World Ends With You. It should speak volumes about XI that it kept my attention long enough to finish before moving on to Neo. And I love when the cliches in a game like XI are used effectively. These things become cliche for a reason and that doesn't make it bad or wrong to use. The Last Story did a great job with this as well which is one reason I loved that game so much. But they just gave me a dog in Lost Judgment last night. Because this game needed MORE things to dick around with. But at least everything on my phone is open now so hopefully nothing else gets added...I hope...

I will say they are not really nailing this bullying storyline very well. It feels off. They haven't felt this off since Yakuza 4. And that was understandable because they decided to do way too much with that one for whatever reason. They could have really done great considering the nuance and attention to detail RGG studio normally gives their story. I will see it through but it's definitely not firing on all cylinders. I don't think I really like Yagami this time. He's fine. But this is an RGG game. I expect fine from other studios, not them. He's just kinda there. I guess that's where the disconnect is? Normally, I care about the protagonist because they care about a thing. Yagami is just an ex lawyer PI. And that's it. It's just a case. It's not compelling me to care. The side stories have been fun. The school stuff too. The Kaito Files DLC should be awesome as well, that guy should be the protagonist going forward. So it's not a total loss. I just wanted more I guess.

The dog will sniff out items for you around town! lol

I don't know, crim. What chapter are you in? I can't remember when the story takes it's first crazy turn...

[crimson_tide]

The dog is alright, I colored him black . Now I am wrapping up side cases in chapter 4 then I am off to good ol Kamarucho again. I hate this new handyman character by the by. I am 100% in solidarity with Yagami being irritated by this loser. I just want him to shut up every time he shows up.I hope he gets it good but nobody cares. What a lame character. I think this is part of my general blah about the story is coming from partially, these new characters aren't giving Yagami anything to work with thus far.

[canedaddy]

I have never played a Saints Row game.

I slummed around with SR 2 and 3 on PS3. If you don't expect GTA quality and can stomach what is often very dumb humor, they're reasonably entertaining.

As much as I'm jonesing for that kind of game, I'm not there on day one. My price point is more like under $20 or free via PS+.


I finished Inside last night... yeah, things got verrrrry weird at the end, lol.

Then it was on to...

[Phaseknox]

I have never played a Saints Row game.

As much as I'm jonesing for that kind of game, I'm not there on day one. My price point is more like under $20 or free via PS+.

And crim, why are you ignoring my posts? If I said something wrong...