Board 8 > January Game of the Month Club ft. Bloodstained, Hitman, and Gardens Between

(+) Yeah! (+)

MetalmindStats posted...

I'm hoping to come back tomorrow refreshed and figure it out en route to a hopeful finish.

Turns out this was just what I needed, as I simply wasn't processing something easy last night for whatever reason.

Metal has beaten The Gardens Between.

Yeah, I liked this, though I wouldn't quite say I loved it. I particularly appreciated the sense of build-up present in its puzzles and storytelling this session, alongside the absorbing atmosphere that stood out last time. That ending was also nice. It provided a chance for me to get emotional for a bit reflecting on my own memories, such as they are, alongside the ones I'd like to build. I could see myself coming back to this soon even though there's a dozen other games I'd like to get to before my three free months of Game Pass run out.

Speaking of which...
Remove my Hexcells nomination; nominate Gris and Halo: Combat Evolved.

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KCF0107 posted...

Monthly Progress
Bloodstained - Abacus
Hitman -
Gardens - paper, KCF, Sean, Abacus, Ark

Nominations
Abacus - Yakuza 3, Quantum Conundrum, Danganronpa 1
Ark - Rakuen, One Step Eden
Cody - Spyro 2, RE2 Remake
KCF - Titanfall 2, Peggle 2
metalmind - Hexcells
Wickle - Ys II

Supports
darkx - Spyro 2
Paul - Yakuza 3

You missed my noms.

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I may as well give Gardens a go. It seems short and everybody else is doing it.

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Cody11533 posted...

Played through Sapienza in Hitman, that level is huge.

Probably the best level in the series, up there with Miami and I guess Hokkaido and Paris too


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Up to stage 3 of chapter 2 of Ritual of the Night 2. A few spots have annoyed me (especially the end section of stage 56and its boss,) but everything aside from that has been a good time. I was terrified after reading Abacus' spoiler messages that they would take away my Corgi Mech, but thankfully the game didn't do something that horrible (yet.) Also finished the tutorial of Hitman, but I'm not sure when I'll get around to more of that.

Might as well support Titanfall 2 and Gris. Didn't plan on using more than one a month, but when there are two games that (I think) I've nominated myself, I can't resist.

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Started The Gardens Between this morning. The printer one is the first one that gave me a bit of trouble (not that it was particularly hard but took a lot of trial and error).

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Okay now I'm completely stuck on the one with the big pipe in the middle. Please tell me that's the one everyone else got stuck on too, or I'll feel stupid. I thought it looked very straightforward at first but I just can't make it work.

Edit: and it never fails, as soon as I say something, I get it on the next try lol

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That was the first section where I got stuck, I think.

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Okay, now it's the one with the telescope. I'm at the end of it (I think) but really can't figure out how to finish it off...

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Underleveled posted...

Okay, now it's the one with the telescope. I'm at the end of it (I think) but really can't figure out how to finish it off...

Me too (for a good bit)! You have to move the star low enough using either up or down (I forget which) to be in reach of Arina at the right position.

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I've spent well over an hour actively trying to finish this level. I feel really stupid. :(

Edit: ugh, got it. That was a rough one. Incidentally, a trophy name was what made me try something bizarre, even though I didn't end up getting the trophy.

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Underleveled posted...

I've spent well over an hour actively trying to finish this level. I feel really stupid. :(

Honestly, just look up the answer. You've probably already tried the correct solution without it registering, anyway.

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TheArkOfTurus posted...

Honestly, just look up the answer. You've probably already tried the correct solution without it registering, anyway.

I definitely don't do that in games like this. Wouldn't make me feel any better anyway. I still would've felt just as dumb.

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TheArkOfTurus posted...

Up to stage 3 of chapter 2 of Ritual of the Night 2. A few spots have annoyed me (especially the end section of stage 56and its boss,) but everything aside from that has been a good time. I was terrified after reading Abacus' spoiler messages that they would take away my Corgi Mech

The corgi is fantastic, but I always prefer the people with longer reach. Though if they got rid of the corgi I probably wouldn't have beaten it as quick!


Are you doing Casual or Veteran?


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Well, the final level was MUCH easier than the penultimate one... or at the very least, the solution was far more obvious to me.

darkx has beaten The Gardens Between
A nice little puzzle game. Definitely some stumpers that made me feel dumb once I finally got them, but that's the nature of puzzle games. I really liked the atmosphere. I only ever played a little of Braid but this feels pretty similar. Probably not worth the $20 I paid for it but if you can get it on sale and you're a fan of the genre it's worth a look.

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ViolentAbacus posted...

Are you doing Casual or Veteran?

Veteran.

Back at the stage 6 boss. It's been a long time since I've disliked a boss this much.

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TheArkOfTurus posted...

Veteran.

Back at the stage 6 boss. It's been a long time since I've disliked a boss this much.

Is that the sand one?

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Nominate The Last of Us Part II

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ViolentAbacus posted...

Is that the sand one?

That's the asshole.

Onto the final chapter.

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ArkOfTurus has Beaten Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2

Enjoyed it a lot, despite some frustrating moments. Hachi is the best. The final episode didn't bother me as much as I was expecting, given some of the changes, but episode 2 did feel like too much repetition. I'll probably pass on episode EX (apparently I'd have play through episode 2 again to unlock it. I don't think I want to do that.)

Nuking the stage 6 boss in seconds with Alfred's lightning spell was extremely satisfying, and almost makes that boss worth it. Almost.


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Nominate Omori

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TheArkOfTurus posted...

ArkOfTurus has Beaten Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2

Enjoyed it a lot, despite some frustrating moments. Hachi is the best. The final episode didn't bother me as much as I was expecting, given some of the changes, but episode 2 did feel like too much repetition. I'll probably pass on episode EX (apparently I'd have play through episode 2 again to unlock it. I don't think I want to do that.)

Nuking the stage 6 boss in seconds with Alfred's lightning spell was extremely satisfying, and almost makes that boss worth it. Almost.

Try Zangetsu solo, final boss is different
Also you can finish episode 2 and episode ex together in less than 3 hours if you just dash through it in casual
Maybe even faster if you can pick Ultimate Zangetsu as he has a dash (I don't know if you can use him and unlock episode EX like that but it should work)

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I think I'll save that for if I feel like replaying this later. Pretty satisfied with how much I've played, for now.

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I am now up to Colorado in Hitman, which now marks the point to where everything will be new to me. When I last played this, only four episodes were out.

As for what I have done since, I was so disappointed how close I was in Marrakesh to getting both targets to meet in tunnel and burning them alive. I probably should have used run as much as I possibly could when I went to set up the second phone call, but Zeydan began to leave just as Claus was coming down, and I didn't have the desire to reload an appropriate save to make it work. I ended up just garroting them.

Now that I have replayed the first four missions, I want to say:

Paris > Bangkok > Sapienza > Marrakesh

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I played through Marrakesh for the first time tonight. I've been playing the levels quite a few times, but I should probably speed it up a little to finish up by the end of the month.

So far I would say: Sapienza > Paris > Marrakesh
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Oh, just realized the support stuff stuck, and read the rule. I'd like to support One Step From Eden

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KCF0107 posted...

I am now up to Colorado in Hitman, which now marks the point to where everything will be new to me. When I last played this, only four episodes were out.

As for what I have done since, I was so disappointed how close I was in Marrakesh to getting both targets to meet in tunnel and burning them alive. I probably should have used run as much as I possibly could when I went to set up the second phone call, but Zeydan began to leave just as Claus was coming down, and I didn't have the desire to reload an appropriate save to make it work. I ended up just garroting them.

Now that I have replayed the first four missions, I want to say:

Paris > Bangkok > Sapienza > Marrakesh

If this is just for the sake of completing the challenge, you could pacify him and drag him near the barrel

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Monthly Progress
Bloodstained - Abacus, Nanis, Ark
Hitman -
Gardens - paper, KCF, Sean, Abacus, Ark, Metal, darkx

Nominations
Abacus - Yakuza 3, Quantum Conundrum, Danganronpa THH
Ark - Rakuen, One Step Eden
Cody - Spyro 2, RE2 Remake
darkx - Spider-Man Miles, Strong Bad Cool Game, Last of Us II
KCF - Titanfall 2, Peggle 2
metalmind - GRIS, Halo: CE
Wickle - Ys II

Supports
Ark - GRIS, Titanfall 2
darkx - Spyro 2
Paul - Yakuza 3
Wickle - One Step Eden

Drawing likely on Monday

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Nominate Horizon Zero Dawn

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Great_Paul posted...

Nominate Horizon Zero Dawn

I hate to use two in the first month but I also don't wanna be sitting on a bunch later with no games I'm interested in so, what the hell. Support.

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Nominate Hylics

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Gameking has beaten Hitman and The Gardens Between.

I had never played a Hitman game before, and after playing this one, I definitely want to dive deeper into the series. There is just so much you can do in each level and I had a lot of fun replaying each of them. I think Sapienza and Paris are my favorites out of the bunch, but I didn't really dislike any of the levels.

The Gardens Between was a nice little puzzle game. Some of the levels really got me thinking, but for the most part it was a pretty easy playthrough. That last level got me though.

I'm going to nominate Devil May Cry 4, Death Stranding, and Resident Evil 0.

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So far there are five games nominated that I would definitely play (my three, plus my two supports) and a maybe (RE0), so now I'm just hoping the RNG doesn't colossally screw me.

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I'm going to bump up the amount of supports to 11 total as to give everyone an average of one per month since I forgot to give people the opportunity to do it in December.

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Monthly Progress
Bloodstained - Abacus, Nanis, Ark
Hitman - gameking
Gardens - paper, KCF, Sean, Abacus, Ark, Metal, darkx, gameking

Nominations
Abacus - Yakuza 3, Quantum Conundrum, Danganronpa THH
Ark - Rakuen, One Step Eden
Cody - Spyro 2, RE2 Remake
Crispy - Hylics
darkx - Spider-Man Miles, Strong Bad Cool Game, Last of Us II
gameking - DMC 4, Death Stranding, RE0
KCF - Titanfall 2, Peggle 2
metalmind - GRIS, Halo: CE
Paul - Horizon: ZD
Wickle - Ys II

Supports
Ark - GRIS, Titanfall 2
darkx - Spyro 2, Horizon: ZD
Paul - Yakuza 3
Wickle - One Step Eden

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I'm extremely happy that so many people played The Gardens Between. I would have thought maybe one or two at the max aside from me would have.

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Last call for noms and changes

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You missed my Omori nom.

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Noms and changes are now closed. I will draw soon-ish

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And your February Games of the Month are...

GRIS (PC/Switch/PS4/Android)
Horizon: Zero Dawn (PC/PS4)
Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished (PC/PSP/iOS/Android/DS/maybe more)

Congrats to Metal, Paul, and Wickle for having their games selected!

Two of the three were also supported, so the special theme this year has immediately paid dividends

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1. GRIS
2. Horizon: Zero Dawn
3. Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished
4. Yakuza 3
5. Danganronpa: Trigger Happer Havoc
6. Hylics
7. Peggle 2
8. GRIS
9. One Step from Eden
10. Resident Evil 0
11. One Step from Eden
12. Titanfall 2
13. Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage
14. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
15. Horizon: Zero Dawn
16. Resident Evil 2 (2019)
17. Last of Us: Part II, The
18. Rakuen
19. Halo: Combat Evolved
20. Omori
21. Devil May Cry 4
22. Quantum Conundrum
23. Death Stranding
24. Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage
25. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People
26. Yakuza 3
27. Titanfall 2

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Nice, looking forward to starting Horizon next week.

KCF0107 posted...

Two of the three were also supported, so the special theme this year has immediately paid dividends

And Yakuza 3 was also supported, which just missed the cut.

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Definitely going to play GRIS. I might replay Horizon, too.

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I'll have to have my brother send me HZD

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Congrats to those who got their games chosen!

Probably skip next month, unfortunately. I already played through 2/3, and when I tried Ys a while back I couldn't get into the combat.

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May give Horizon a shot next month. I've been meaning to play it.

"Finished up" Bangkok in Hitman, at this point I'm doing them a few times and moving on so I can finish this month.
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Played through The Gardens Between. Short but neat. Helped me out with the Gamerscore challenge in Microsoft Rewards.

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It's probably been long enough that I'll consider giving horizon zero dawn his second playthrough.
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I was planning to play Ys and HZD this year anyway, so I'll probably finish both next month

Looked into GRIS but I don't think it's for me

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Beat Colorado in Hitman. I liked that one more than I expected, there are a lot of ridiculous assassinations.

My only real dislike is that anything beyond 2 targets starts to make the level feel too long in my opinion. I like to tackle a level multiple different ways so have 4+ targets makes me not want to replay it as much.
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