#aaagames

MonriaTitans

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Welcome to Part 15 of the Let's Play Some Demos! | LPSD series! For those who are new, I aim to introduce gamers to, usually, Indie games and to provide commentary and feedback on the games for educational purposes! For this episode, I used some of the demos I had grabbed from the Cooking Fest and Cozy Quest Steam Events! I think. I grabbed a bunch during those events, and outside of them, so I don't know anymore…

Today, I, attempted, to play 4 demos for your enjoyment:

Chicken Journey - Available Play as an adorable chicken in this relaxing platformer. Jump, climb and solve puzzles to find the answer to the ULTIMATE question a chicken can ask...

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension - Available Embark on an adventure to discover your memories and save the world from a mechanical infection. Maneuver your skill trajectories during battle, and dive into a new dimension with a unique twist on a classic RPG experience.

Terra Memoria - Available A shortage of magic crystals and the sudden awakening of ancient robots leads six new friends on an incredible investigation across Terra – a cozy and fantastic world that combines 3D and pixel art.

Until Then - Available A fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark's life. People disappear and memories prove unreliable. Uncover a hidden truth with Mark and his friends in this narrative adventure and race to unravel the mystery before it's too late.

All links above are to the games' Steam pages.

Why was it an "attempt" to play? Because Chicken Journey stumped me with a puzzle, and I wasn't going to sit around so I could continue to feel like an idiot. (And the point of these videos is to introduce people to indie games, or AAA games that wow me, so I'll keep grabbing them.) However, I will still be able to render a verdict. With that out the way, on to my observations and opinions, via the "Layered Compliment Sandwich":

MonriaTitans

Let's Play Some $#!7!: Tales of Arise - Part 2 | Let's finish the demo!

Come join me for another installment of Let's Play Some $#!7 | LPS$, where I play games to provide commentary to educate on game development! Provided I don't get too caught up in the game to comment, which, in a sense, is commentary in and of itself. Today, we finished playing Tales of Arise's demo! Check out when I first tried the demo here, TIMESTAMP - 54:45! I had to cut the initial video short so it didn't get to 4 hours long. I also gave a quick view of my current playthrough of Ratopia, my current obsession, and you can check out when I played the demo here, TIMESTAMP - 11:29. Another reason I finished the demo was to make sure I did the game as much justice as possible. Now, I didn't call this stream Let's Play Some Demos! | LPSD because I want this game. After I get it, it'll be a regular feature on the show. With all that out of the way, here are my opinions: Bouncing off what I said in the Let's Play Some Demos post, Tales of Arise reminds me a LOT of Visions of Mana, a game I also want. I was, also, surprisingly happy the demo made me start from the beginning instead of having me continue from where I left off. One of the reasons being I got to go through the controls again. And, this time, I did MUCH better, I'm pleased to say. I had some unfinished business. When I played it the first time, I ended it after I got my ass kicked by a giant pig. Thankfully, even though I hadn't played it in a month, I'm pleased to say I still had some muscle memory. Good job game developers. I, also, saw some additional tutorial items I didn't see, or don't remember seeing, last time. My biggest gripe during my last attempt was I couldn't switch characters after my character went down in a fight, to discover, this time, I could open up the Item menu during the battle and have someone use a revival item so I could rejoin the fight. Oh. I, also, learned I could use the Item menu to have other people use items themselves AND I could change up the strategy to either focus on being aggressive, focus on healing, and other types. Oh.

MonriaTitans

Let's Play Some Demos! - Part 8

Welcome to Part 8 of the Let's Play Some Demos! | LPSD series! For those who are new, I aim to introduce gamers to, usually, Indie games and to provide commentary and feedback on the games for educational purposes! For this episode, I, once again, perused through Steam's Demos Category to see what was available.

Today, I played demos for 4 games:

Detroit: Become Human – Available Detroit: Become Human puts the destiny of both mankind and androids in your hands, taking you to a near future where machines have become more intelligent than humans. Every choice you make affects the outcome of the game, with one of the most intricately branching narratives ever created.

Little Goody Two Shoes – Available Venture into the woods as you play Little Goody Two Shoes, a phantasmagorical horror narrative adventure where all your decisions matter!

Luma Island – Planned Release Date: Nov 20, 2024 Travel to Luma Island to go on an epic adventure by yourself or with your friends and family. Build your dream farm, master professions, collect magical Lumas, find treasures and unravel the mysteries of the island.

Tinkerlands Demo – Coming Soon This demo is your gateway into the vast world of Tinkerlands. Explore the island, craft equipment, build a settlement and fight monsters and bosses to survive, solo or in co-op!

All links above are to the games' Steam pages.

The verdict?

Quick note, while doing the TIMESTAMPS for the video, I noticed Detroit: Become Human's demo lasted for, roughly, 20 minutes. Little Goody Two Shoes' lasted for an hour and 40 minutes-ish and Luma Island's lasted for 46 minutes-ish ONLY because I cut it short. I cut Tinkerlands short as well at, roughly, 47-ish minutes. Why is this interesting? I'll get to it.

Also, I had an ADHD moment. I mentioned in the video I didn't know Two Shoes was a horror game, and then I read the description IN THE BLOG POST again. Oh… Let's call it a "pleasant rediscovery"!

My favorite demo is a tie, to my surprise, between Little Goody Two Shoes and Tinkerlands. While I love all of them, Two Shoes being a horror game ACTUALLY didn't throw me (check out LPSD – Part 7, 2:32:28, for the last time I played a horror game) and I was sad when I reached the end of the demo and Tinkerlands sucked me in, proven by the fact I not only went quiet, but I kept delaying ending the video. I'm also pleasantly surprised their art styles didn't have me mentioning Super Lesbian Animal RPG. Almost every pixel art game does.

Two Shoes' story had me from the beginning, introductory cutscene! Even if Elise's complaints right afterward got on my nerves. And even after my somewhat loud frustration at there not being enough guidance to figure out where Elise's home was. My favorite part of the demo was when I talked about there being no map, and then it popped up! What excellent timing! I'm also a fan of how it's LGBT+! I wasn't expecting any romance and the fact all the options were women had me amused. And, because I forgot about the horror element, it was QUITE the twist! I had been wondering throughout the demo when the Hearts, health meter, was going to come into play. This Little Red Riding Hood retelling had me hooked until the demo ended! I wanted to keep playing…

I felt the same way about Tinkerlands. How many times did I say I was going to end the video, but kept playing instead? I had to practically yell at myself to get me to stop playing! I was HOOKED! I don't know what it is about games like this, but the inventory management, crafting, and exploring to get more resources, which then unlocks recipes, always make me happy! I don't think I've found one I didn't like. If I have I don't remember it. OH! And the fact I get to build a house is pretty neat, even if I don't really understand how it works, yet! I'm suddenly reminded of Skyrim (the only reason why I played it was to build the houses)!

Luma Island, a 3D and more focused version of Tinkerlands, had me mentioning Fae Farm repeatedly, which one would think isn't a good sign for it. However, it didn't make me want the game any less. There were some frustrating bits, like the fact the game didn't warn me how time worked. It told me to go talk to a guy, I ran around looking for the guy, but they didn't tell me he would only be available in the morning. The lack of a jump button was annoying as well. I had to run around a building because I couldn't get up at a certain spot because I couldn't jump. Fae Farm handled time better by making sleeping important and I was a jumping fool because it got me to places faster (check out LPSD – Part 4 & LPS$: Fae Farm – Part 2 for a laugh). Does the pixel art style have something to do with it? I can't remember playing a pixel art game where jumping was possible… If I find one, I'll update this section. If I remember. I also can't remember the last time I played a 3D pixel art game. It looked great!

Speaking of games that looked great, Detroit: Become Human handled as I expected it to. I'm a BIG fan of Beyond: Two Souls and don't share the same complaints many others have with the game's controls. I quite enjoy them! It feels more interactive than your usual "press a button to get something done" mechanics. And, being a fan of Quantic Dreams' games, if you wanna consider me biased, I can't really bitch. The graphics were exquisite, as usual. The voice acting was sublime, as usual. The story was enticing, as usual. I felt the usual tension regarding my choices; I was TERRIFIED I would fail to save the hostage! The "Story Tree" was a neat idea, too! AND, even though I enjoyed the controls, they had their usual issues. The camera, as usual, was a hassle. As was the lack of guidance on when I had control of the character. It also, as usual, screwed with my sense of direction. I’m biased, so I won’t end this with compliments.

Overall, I want ALL of the games! Luma Island and Tinkerlands aren't going to be demos I finish on stream, though. Too bad Detroit: Become Human and Little Goody Two Shoes were finished in the video…

As a reminder, Luma Island planned release date is Nov 20, 2024. Tinkerlands does not yet have a release date.

Another ADHD moment. Apparently, I already own Detroit: Become Human…

And that's it for Part 8! Thank you for reading! If this series of videos is something you're interested in, you can watch it on YouTube, Steam, Rumble, Odysee, and The Titans' Discord! Don't forget to hit the Subscribe and/or Follow buttons to know when there's more!

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"Let's Play Some Demos!" Playlist

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The Monday, November 11th, and 643rd, Artist Shout-Out goes to Robyn Lara! Check them out here!

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TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Welcome Gamers! 1:47 – Artist Shout-Out 5:24 – Demos' Intro 6:28 – Detroit: Become Human 26:35 – Little Goody Two Shoes 2:02:41 – Luma Island 2:48:47 – Tinkerlands Demo 3:35:45 – Artist Shout-Out 3:37:21 – Thank You/Links 3:39:07 – Rendezvous Point Bookshop Plug 3:40:01 – Farewell

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MORE INFO & TO SUPPORT – MonriaTitans | WGS Summarized – Rendezvous Point Bookshop – Artist Shout-Outs Criteria – Throne Wishlist – #SubOffTwitch – YouTube – Rumble – Odysee – Twitch – Steam

ASUS ROG Laptops for the Best Gaming Experience

Many gamers have one question while looking for the best ASUS ROG Laptops: which laptop would provide them with the greatest, most powerful performance? Modern AAA games do, after all, demand high specifications; the more power your computer has, the higher the graphics and framerates will be.

The Best ROG Laptop for Gaming Performance: ROG Strix SCAR with an RTX 4090

Image credit to ASUS

Ideal are ROG Strix SCAR 16 and ROG Strix SCAR 18 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. Their power can wreck most AAA games. Top-tier Intel Core i9 processors, 64GB RAM, and library-sized storage take gaming seriously.

However, their real power is found in the graphics processing unit (GPU). There are options for the SCAR 16 and SCAR 18 that support up to a GeForce RTX 4090 laptop GPU. These are not just the most powerful consumer graphics chips available for ASUS ROG Laptops right now from NVIDIA, but they can also use up to 175 watts in ASUS computers.

This is significant because not all ASUS ROG Laptops with an RTX 4090 are made equal. The GPU will perform better the more power you provide it (sometimes referred to as Total Graphics Power, or TGP). Therefore, a laptop with a lower TGP may have a less powerful RTX 4090 than another laptop with a higher TGP. Fortunately, the Strix SCAR provides plenty of power to guarantee that the RTX 4090 is operating at its best. The maximum TGP you’ll probably find in an off-the-shelf laptop with this potent CPU is 175W.

ASUS exclusive ROG Intelligent Cooling technologies, which include a specially designed vapor chamber, heatsink, and fan, enable us to reach 175W. Its may safely increase the power dose and push performance limitations because they enable the machines to cool their GPU more effectively. See this article for a list of the TGP of ASUS TUF Gaming, ROG Strix, ROG Zephyrus, and ROG Flow laptops to find out more about how much power give each of laptops GPUs.

When you combine this powerful RTX 4090 running at 175W with an amazing CPU, lots of RAM, and a ton of storage, you have a laptop that can handle any game you want to play.ModelConfigWhere to Buy (US)Where to Buy (CA)ROG Strix SCAR 16 (2024)Intel Core i9 Processor 14900HX

High-performance alternatives: the best ROG gaming laptops under $3,000

Look at alternative ROG Strix configurations if you want to prioritize performance but don’t want the most expensive option. The powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is also compatible with ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 and Strix SCAR 18, as well as the ROG Strix G16 and G18. These four models are excellent options if you want really high performance without having to reach the absolute maximum because they all have the same graphical setups. These four options are the best for anyone looking for a gaming laptop around $3,000.

All of the outstanding characteristics that set ROG apart from the competition are included in both the ROG Strix SCAR and ROG Strix G: Studio-quality sound, a huge touchpad, full-size keyboard keys, ROG Intelligent Cooling, and a 90Wh battery. From Intel Core i5 and Core i7 gaming laptops to Core i9 variants that rival its SCAR counterparts, the Strix G16 and G18 are available in two striking hues. In the meantime, the Strix SCAR 16 and SCAR 18 combine 2.5K ROG Nebula HDR display with a dazzlingly brilliant, detailed Mini LED panel, together with the power of that i9 and RTX graphics chip with additional RGB flourishes.

Find the ideal Strix machine for you by reading this explanation to learn more about the parallels and differences between the Strix SCAR and Strix G lines.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Laptop

Other powerful gaming laptops to consider

Image credit to ASUS

For high-performance gamers, there are more options outside the Strix line. Check out the ROG Zephyrus range if you’re looking for the tiniest, most portable powerhouse available. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 offers a 115W GeForce RTX 4090 in a lightweight design for all-day work or school use. If you’re always on the go and need a portable machine, the Zephyrus G16 may be right for you.

Additionally, ASUS aware that many gamers are budget conscious and value-conscious. Its is pleased to introduce the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 with a GeForce RTX 4070 for these gamers. With a maximum TGP of 140W and ample capacity for demanding gaming, this graphics processor is difficult to top if you’re looking only for power-per-dollar value.

MonriaTitans

Let's Play Some Demos! - Part 6

Welcome to Part 5 of Let’s Play Some Demos | LPSD! In sum, these videos and streams aim to introduce gamers to, usually, Indie games! For this episode, I, once again, looked through my Steam Wishlist to see who had demos available.

Today, I played demos for 4 games:

Glorious Companions – Early Access Explore the open world of Terscara as you advance through the challenging and tactical encounters in this epic turn-based tactical RPG. Form and lead a group of battle-proven companions, delve into the ancient dungeons to collect the elusive vault crystals, and end Xandar’s Wraith once and for all.

Tales of Arise 300 years of tyranny. A mysterious mask. Lost pain and memories. Wield the Blazing Sword and join a mysterious, untouchable girl to fight your oppressors. Experience a tale of liberation, featuring characters with next-gen graphical expressiveness!

Ultionus: A Tale of Petty Revenge Ultionus is a love-letter to the home computer arcade games of the late 80s and early 90s, with colorful 2D visuals, catchy chiptune music by the legendary Jake ‘Virt’ Kaufman, and 7 stages of hard-as-nails gameplay.

Cozy Island Take a relaxing walk around a surprise-filled island and build your own secret base! Explore the island, meet cute animals, play fun mini-games, and collect cool toys and furniture. Enjoy carefree and happy moments on the island! Play with your friends and share the fun together!

All links above are to the games’ Steam pages.

The verdict? Cozy Island was a bust. The sound design was annoying and grating and it was designed in such a fashion that one error and I couldn’t proceed with the story. The art style was cute in its simplicity, but the character animation had me tilting my head. Why? As my favorite game critic says, paraphrasing, “I don’t care how big the world is. I only care about what I can do.” And there was NOTHING to do. Just play Fae Farm. My favorite demo was Tales of Arise! And it reminded me a LOT of Visions of Mana! The design was GORGEOUS! I freaked out, excitedly, a few times at how it looked. I, also, freaked out a few times because I was being chased, but that’s another story… The combat tutorials could use some work; it should not have taken me as long as it did to figure out how to block/guard. And I could have SWORN, I was able to switch characters during combat, but couldn’t find how to do it. Unless I mistook it for something else, which is possible. Which is a problem. The combat was fun, despite my, temporary lack of blocking. Why biggest frustration with it, however, was when the character I was controlling went down in a fight, I wasn’t automatically switched to another one. Nor was there an option to switch. I was literally spectating the fight, waiting for it to be over, but I couldn’t remember how to flee if fleeing was even an option while downed. Ending out the Compliment Sandwich, the party banter was entertaining. The character design was sublime. The art style was anime tap dancing on realism. The UI was easy to follow. And it was one of a HANDFUL of games I can remember playing that made me WANT to explore! Normally, I want linear storylines and clear paths, but this one was an exception. Well done! Why had I not heard of this game before? Because I don’t pay enough attention to Bandai… Glorious Companions, which was in Early Access, looked and played GREAT! It was a decent example of Early Access done right! And it was my second favorite. It reminded me a lot of a game called Price of Freedom, NSFW, but was WAY simpler and more straightforward. Price of Freedom had you attacking separate body parts while Glorious Companions was straight-up attacking and defending. The tutorial was easy to follow. It was beautifully designed. Backing up a bit, I ACTUALLY had a tough time picking what class I wanted to play because 3 out of 4 were FANTASTIC! I wished there was character customization, but they might have locked it for either, a) demo and/or b) story reasons. My biggest issue was my inability to add things to the Inventory slots for battle. I was walking into fights with no bandages or potions with no understanding as to why. Which would have been fine had I been able to use them out of battle, outside of camping. And there was no explanation as to why I couldn’t. If I missed the explanation, that’s a problem. I shouldn’t be missing shit in a tutorial. To end on a high note, I LOVED the art design! I loved how it was animated! I definitely intend to recommend this one to my partner!

And that’s it for Part 6! If this series of videos is something you’re interested in, don’t forget to hit the Subscribe and/or Follow buttons!

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“Let’s Play Some Demos!” Playlist

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TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Welcome Gamers! 2:17 – Demos’ Intro 2:40 – Glorious Companions – Early Access 54:45 – Tales of Arise 1:53:26 – Ultionus: A Tale of Petty Revenge 2:12:19 – Cozy Island 2:29:46 – Mini Critique/Thank You 2:37:38 – Rendezvous Point Bookshop Plug 2:41:58 – Farewell

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MORE INFO & TO SUPPORT – MonriaTitans Summarized – Rendezvous Point Bookshop – Artist Shout-Outs Criteria – Throne Wishlist – #SubOffTwitch – YouTube – Rumble – Odysee – Twitch – Steam

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