Thanks, this really hit home and was genuinely uplifting. You're a nice person.
True, that same "I wonder what I'm going to discover today?" feeling. Just had an insane run in BP with lots of new stuff an an absolute abondance of all resources. Sadly no antechamber, but I'm getting closer. Also starting to unravel the story, this too seems way more interesting than at first glance.
I totally agree and am currently in the same spot as you, less and less interested in the antechamber and more in the puzzle as a whole!
I too had this at the start. My hint is to indeed make sure you visit all rooms at least once, even if they are bad for your layout for that specific day. Make sure you read the notes you find and make us of the items too. Some items have a clear purpose for the basic runs (just helping out with money or steps) but some seen less useful. It is these items that actually often help you unlock new things though, just think logically where you would be able to make use of them.
Also, there is actually quite a bit of permanent progression / unlocks. This only started happening for me after that long initial phase of just mocking about, but once it starts happening you are better equiped for further discoveries.
My final tip is to actually not see it as a roguelite. You don't need to just have luck / better insight for a winning run, every run is a new moment to investigate new stuff and attempt new things, not to get better at doing the same stuff like other roguelikes. I hope I've explained this well.
I'm also starting to lose myself in Blue prince. I was a bit hesitant in the starting hours, feeling like progress was limited, the puzzle element rather basic and the whole game too RNG based.
But now that I'm further in, I'm really starting to unravel the hidden depth of a lot of its mechanics and secrets. I'm keeping notes on my netbook and it's starting to become more of a wiki. I'm currently unlocking and discovering new stuff at a very satisfying pace, and my opinion of the game is growing immensely.
If I remember correctly you were also a huge fan of Outer Wilds. While I do understand the comparisons, this does feel like a whole other thing to me. More mysterious and strange, but also a bit more sterile. Outer Wilds is just so filled with love and beauty on top of its mystery, that I cannot fathom any game ever pushing it from the top spot in my favorite games of all time.
Very good article, thanks for sharing!
Any portable console is amazing for this, as you can literally change the whole context on a whim. A steam deck is nice, but even a used older console like a PSP / Vita or 3DS is amazing for a reasonable amount of money. As most of these systems no longer have legal ways to buy new games, I see no harm in pirating the games. I am doing this with a 3DS right now and going through the systems hit games is just an amazing ride. Currently enjoying Super Mario 3D Land and Bravely Default.
Killing a bunch of innocent families in his home city will have zero effect on Putin and only make their citizens more likely to keep supporting his invasion.
I understand this reaction, but please let's not use the lives of innocents as chess pieces if it can be avoided.
Aged like the best of wines! 🤌
I think 4 runs decently now though? I have it installed on Steam Deck and that seems to handle 60fps well. I have only played around an hour of it, as I didn't feel in the mood for that type of game then.
I 100% see that it is satire and respect almost all of its narrative choices, even the torture scene. But that doesn't mean that it is fun to play. It just felt really draining to have to inhabit these characters for dozens of hours, rather than watching a film about them. Something about playing a game forces you to empathize more closely with "your" character, and it is so draining for me when that character is a dick.
I think it gets 10s because of the attention to detail and vast amount of stuff in it, but I agree that underneath all the polish and glamour it is just an average game with some very dated mechanics.
Weirdly enough, it is the story that makes it worthwhile, even though it was not relaxing to me it did have some amazing moments of both satire and just hilarious situations. I also really enjoyed Franklin as a character and the contrast with Michael (who you could argue is actually a worse person than Franklin).
Thanks, I'm always happy to see you too, you're really doing wonders in the gaming community :). I think games is probably what I'm most passionate about and the space you helped create really emphasizes that passion!