I hope they decide to bring it back for GTA VI. Surely the current generation of consoles could handle it… though I suppose it may depend on what the devs want to prioritise - graphics or physics. I miss the fluidity of GTA IV!

Oh GTA V used the same physics system (Euphoria) - I think it was just a developer choice to dial it back a bit. Was that related to performance in some way? Potentially. GTA IV had a feeling of the NPC physics being ‘always on’ - you could shove into other characters and they’d stumble and fall. Whereas GTA V (and the Red Dead games I believe), the character physics only seemed to trigger when you punched, shot or ran over an NPC. It’s a shame, as I loved messing with that engine in a ‘non-violent’ way xD

Yeah, I loved that aspect! Trying to escape from a chase with the car half caved in, full of bullet holes. The driving was so fun.

Ah sorry I worded that badly - I meant BG3 was another game that blew my mind, not for the same reasons as GTA IV. BG3 impressed me with how interconnected all the systems were and how well the story comes together no matter which angle you come at it from. But yes like you say, the world in that sense isn’t very alive!

Oh neat! I like all the little details in GTA IV like being able to ride the subway - and I imagine a ferry system would have done something similar, but to ‘Happiness Island’? Like the subway, I probably would’ve tried it once but just stolen a boat/helicopter to get there in future.

I remember the game really blowing my mind when I first played it, mostly in the sense of just how alive the world was. The only other games that have done so (blown my mind in the same way) would probably be Skyrim and Baldur’s Gate 3, which felt so ahead of their time.

Good memories of just driving around Liberty City, messing with the physics system (usually getting pedestrians arrested by pushing them over and waiting for them to retaliate in front of the cops lol)

Yeah, I’m sure the Switch 2 is capable of much more. Mario Kart World looks really pretty, and they managed to get FF7 Rebirth running on it. So I’m sure the Pokemon devs could do a lot better really - but by their standards it’s an improvement at least.

From 1:31 onwards?

Interesting! I haven’t played a Pokemon game since Sword and Shield, but I’m liking the setting here. And it looks a little bit more graphically impressive than previous instalments?

Ah I know, I’m not waiting for a sale. Just need more spare time lol

How does one ‘finish a level’ in Factorio? I thought it was pretty open ended (until you launch a rocket)?

But I do get what you mean - it’s definitely harder to drop and return to a story based game.

I mean I say it kinda tongue-in-cheek! I’ll play it eventually, it’s not going anywhere :)

I’ve been meaning to try Factorio for years. But I’m worried that as soon as I do, I’m never going to get round to playing all the other games in my backlog…

CrossCode was great fun, and it really captures that MMORPG feel. Very much enjoyed my time playing it.

Nothing on my Switch at the moment, but I have been meaning to borrow Echoes of Wisdom from a colleague at some point.

On PS5 I’m nearing the end of Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3. Loving the game so far - excellent writing and the streamlined D&D gameplay is incredible.

I’ve also just purchased Squeakross: Home Squeak Home on Steam! It’s a picross game, where each completed puzzle earns pieces of furniture to decorate a little house for your rat character. I love rodents and picross, so this is right up my street! Apparently it’s on Switch as well.

It looks cute and I’m a fan of all the silliness. If the reviews are good and it runs well on the original Switch I might consider it :)

Oh god, the most annoying part of Mario Wonder has broken into the real world :')

(I didn’t mind him in the game to be fair, he made me chuckle a few times)

Nothing on my Switch right this moment, and given that I’ve just started a rather large game it may stay that way for a little while!

The game in question is Baldur’s Gate 3. I’m quite late to the party, but I’m finally getting around to playing it. I’m not that far in yet, but I’ve been enjoying it so far (and slowly getting my head around the mechanics). I’ve never played D&D so a lot of it’s quite a lot to take in - but playing other RPGs has given me some idea of the basics.

Relatedly, I finished Disco Elysium the other day (which has a character sheet and ability checks like D&D). It was just surreal and beautifully written, with some really memorable characters. Some of the interactions you can have with people are great.

Love the design of the anubis!

That’s beautiful! I love all the little details, and you did a great job with the photos :)

Yeah it seems to go in and out of the fabric in that way - almost like a drawstring bag around the hole. I’ll give it a go :)