https://talkativeturtles.club/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:53:25 +0000 MyBB https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=127 Sat, 27 Jun 2026 20:52:08 +0000 Zero Two]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=127
Games I finished recently that I think got this right:

• Hades - every run is 30-45 minutes. Drop in, drop out. Progress feels constant.
  
• Outer Wilds - 15-20 hours, zero padding. Every minute is discovery.
  
• Disco Elysium - dense and long but earns every hour because the writing is the game.
  
• Returnal - punishing but never wastes your time with busywork
  

I have basically given up on 80-hour open world games unless someone whose taste I trust specifically tells me the whole thing is good, not just the first act.

What games do you think get the time-respect balance right?]]>
Games I finished recently that I think got this right:

• Hades - every run is 30-45 minutes. Drop in, drop out. Progress feels constant.
  
• Outer Wilds - 15-20 hours, zero padding. Every minute is discovery.
  
• Disco Elysium - dense and long but earns every hour because the writing is the game.
  
• Returnal - punishing but never wastes your time with busywork
  

I have basically given up on 80-hour open world games unless someone whose taste I trust specifically tells me the whole thing is good, not just the first act.

What games do you think get the time-respect balance right?]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=92 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:07:32 +0000 Zero Two]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=92
Couch co-op / same screen:

• It Takes Two - designed as a co-op game throughout, constantly inventive, great writing. One of the best co-op games made.
  
• Overcooked 2 - genuinely stressful in the best way. Tests communication and patience.
  
• Cuphead - brutal but rewarding with a partner. Shared failure makes it funnier.
  

Online co-op:

• Deep Rock Galactic - co-op mining/shooting with excellent class design. Community is famously friendly. Rock and stone.
  
• Lethal Company - horror/comedy co-op with emergent chaos. Better with voice chat and people who don't take it seriously.
  
• Monster Hunter Wilds - the whole game works solo or co-op seamlessly, and hunts with friends are enormously satisfying.
  
• Hades II - still technically in early access but worth it if you played the first one. The roguelite loop is excellent with a friend taking turns.
  
• Baldur's Gate 3 - the multiplayer mode is fully functional and playing through with a friend who also makes choices is a genuinely different experience from solo.
  

Competitive co-op (co-op against AI or environment, competitive with each other):

• Golf With Your Friends - chaotic minigolf, works with any group
  
• Pummel Party - Mario Party style, works for non-gamers
  

What are you playing co-op right now?]]>
Couch co-op / same screen:

• It Takes Two - designed as a co-op game throughout, constantly inventive, great writing. One of the best co-op games made.
  
• Overcooked 2 - genuinely stressful in the best way. Tests communication and patience.
  
• Cuphead - brutal but rewarding with a partner. Shared failure makes it funnier.
  

Online co-op:

• Deep Rock Galactic - co-op mining/shooting with excellent class design. Community is famously friendly. Rock and stone.
  
• Lethal Company - horror/comedy co-op with emergent chaos. Better with voice chat and people who don't take it seriously.
  
• Monster Hunter Wilds - the whole game works solo or co-op seamlessly, and hunts with friends are enormously satisfying.
  
• Hades II - still technically in early access but worth it if you played the first one. The roguelite loop is excellent with a friend taking turns.
  
• Baldur's Gate 3 - the multiplayer mode is fully functional and playing through with a friend who also makes choices is a genuinely different experience from solo.
  

Competitive co-op (co-op against AI or environment, competitive with each other):

• Golf With Your Friends - chaotic minigolf, works with any group
  
• Pummel Party - Mario Party style, works for non-gamers
  

What are you playing co-op right now?]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=91 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:59:52 +0000 Zero Two]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=91
My take by genre:

Keyboard and mouse is clearly better for:

• FPS games - mouse aim precision is simply higher ceiling than analogue sticks, even with aim assist
  
• Strategy games - clicking units, managing build orders
  
• MOBAs
  
• City builders and management sims
  
• Anything where text input matters
  

Controller is clearly better for (or equal):

• Platformers - analogue movement, face buttons in the right places
  
• Fighting games - many players prefer d-pad or arcade stick
  
• Racing games - analogue triggers for throttle/brake
  
• Souls-likes - designed around controller, camera control with right stick feels right
  
• Lying on the sofa - this is underrated as a use case
  

It depends:

• Action-adventure (Zelda-style, God of War) - controller feels more natural but both work
  
• RPGs - depends massively on the game, many feel designed for controller even on PC
  

Honest answer on "does it matter": In multiplayer games where you're competing against others, yes it can matter at high level. In singleplayer games, use whatever feels comfortable - the fun is not impacted by your input method.

What do you primarily use and for what?]]>
My take by genre:

Keyboard and mouse is clearly better for:

• FPS games - mouse aim precision is simply higher ceiling than analogue sticks, even with aim assist
  
• Strategy games - clicking units, managing build orders
  
• MOBAs
  
• City builders and management sims
  
• Anything where text input matters
  

Controller is clearly better for (or equal):

• Platformers - analogue movement, face buttons in the right places
  
• Fighting games - many players prefer d-pad or arcade stick
  
• Racing games - analogue triggers for throttle/brake
  
• Souls-likes - designed around controller, camera control with right stick feels right
  
• Lying on the sofa - this is underrated as a use case
  

It depends:

• Action-adventure (Zelda-style, God of War) - controller feels more natural but both work
  
• RPGs - depends massively on the game, many feel designed for controller even on PC
  

Honest answer on "does it matter": In multiplayer games where you're competing against others, yes it can matter at high level. In singleplayer games, use whatever feels comfortable - the fun is not impacted by your input method.

What do you primarily use and for what?]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=66 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:48:51 +0000 Zero Two]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=66
Caves of Qud - Deep as the ocean roguelike RPG. ASCII graphics (with tile option) and more systems interacting with each other than you can wrap your head around. Not for everyone but if it clicks it really clicks.

Norco - Point and click adventure set in a fictional Louisiana industrial town. Writing is exceptional, weird and specific in a way that big studios would never greenlight.

Void Stranger - Puzzle game that pretends to be simple and then reveals layers over layers. Dark, cryptic, demanding. Might be the most interesting puzzle design I've seen in years.

Ultrakill - FPS with movement mechanics and style rating that makes DOOM feel slow. In Early Access but already feature-complete enough to recommend.

Terra Nil - Reverse city builder where you restore ecosystems and then pack everything up and leave. Very calming, mechanically clever.

Balatro - Already gone somewhat mainstream but if you haven't played it: poker roguelike, deceptively deep, will eat your weekend.

What indie games have genuinely surprised you recently?]]>
Caves of Qud - Deep as the ocean roguelike RPG. ASCII graphics (with tile option) and more systems interacting with each other than you can wrap your head around. Not for everyone but if it clicks it really clicks.

Norco - Point and click adventure set in a fictional Louisiana industrial town. Writing is exceptional, weird and specific in a way that big studios would never greenlight.

Void Stranger - Puzzle game that pretends to be simple and then reveals layers over layers. Dark, cryptic, demanding. Might be the most interesting puzzle design I've seen in years.

Ultrakill - FPS with movement mechanics and style rating that makes DOOM feel slow. In Early Access but already feature-complete enough to recommend.

Terra Nil - Reverse city builder where you restore ecosystems and then pack everything up and leave. Very calming, mechanically clever.

Balatro - Already gone somewhat mainstream but if you haven't played it: poker roguelike, deceptively deep, will eat your weekend.

What indie games have genuinely surprised you recently?]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=110 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:35:30 +0000 Zero Two]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=110
Non-negotiable:

• Disco Elysium - the best writing in any game, period. Detective RPG set in a bizarre city, almost no combat, entirely about choices and the internal monologue of a detective in personal crisis. Not for everyone but nothing else does what it does.
  
• What Remains of Edith Finch - 2 hours, not long enough to call it a game but one of the best uses of the medium for storytelling. Each vignette uses different mechanics to tell a different story.
  
• Outer Wilds - listed as story but really "mystery". Everything is learned through exploration rather than cutscenes. The moment of understanding the ending is one of the best experiences in games. Go in completely blind.
  

Also worth playing:

• Pentiment - Obsidian's medieval murder mystery. Illustrated manuscript aesthetic, slow burn, genuinely engages with history.
  
• Planescape: Torment - old but the most philosophical RPG ever made. "What can change the nature of a man?" Still remarkable.
  
• Night in the Woods - about returning to your small hometown after dropping out of college, depression, and the feeling of being left behind. More resonant if you've felt any of that.
  
• Hades - the story is in the dialogue, which is delivered through repeated runs. The writing team deserve enormous credit for making hundreds of lines of incidental dialogue feel personal.
  

What games have genuinely moved you or stuck with you after finishing?]]>
Non-negotiable:

• Disco Elysium - the best writing in any game, period. Detective RPG set in a bizarre city, almost no combat, entirely about choices and the internal monologue of a detective in personal crisis. Not for everyone but nothing else does what it does.
  
• What Remains of Edith Finch - 2 hours, not long enough to call it a game but one of the best uses of the medium for storytelling. Each vignette uses different mechanics to tell a different story.
  
• Outer Wilds - listed as story but really "mystery". Everything is learned through exploration rather than cutscenes. The moment of understanding the ending is one of the best experiences in games. Go in completely blind.
  

Also worth playing:

• Pentiment - Obsidian's medieval murder mystery. Illustrated manuscript aesthetic, slow burn, genuinely engages with history.
  
• Planescape: Torment - old but the most philosophical RPG ever made. "What can change the nature of a man?" Still remarkable.
  
• Night in the Woods - about returning to your small hometown after dropping out of college, depression, and the feeling of being left behind. More resonant if you've felt any of that.
  
• Hades - the story is in the dialogue, which is delivered through repeated runs. The writing team deserve enormous credit for making hundreds of lines of incidental dialogue feel personal.
  

What games have genuinely moved you or stuck with you after finishing?]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=47 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:42:20 +0000 Zero Two]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=47
I've been sinking time into Caves of Qud which is one of those games that is deeply hostile to newcomers but opens up into something extraordinary once it clicks. Genuinely one of the most interesting world-building exercises I have seen in a game.

Also replaying Hollow Knight for the third time because apparently I enjoy suffering.

Anybody else playing anything interesting?]]>
I've been sinking time into Caves of Qud which is one of those games that is deeply hostile to newcomers but opens up into something extraordinary once it clicks. Genuinely one of the most interesting world-building exercises I have seen in a game.

Also replaying Hollow Knight for the third time because apparently I enjoy suffering.

Anybody else playing anything interesting?]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=46 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:42:20 +0000 Zero Two]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=46
Permanently Free (no gotchas)

• Dwarf Fortress (classic ASCII) - Bay 12 Games, free forever at bay12games.com
  
• 0 A.D. - Open source Age of Empires-style RTS, genuinely excellent
  
• Battle for Wesnoth - Turn-based strategy, huge campaign library, fully open source
  
• Endless Sky - Open source space trading/combat, addictive
  
• SuperTuxKart - Mario Kart-style racer, cross-platform
  
• OpenTTD - Transport Tycoon remake, endlessly replayable
  

Free-to-Play (monetised but not pay-to-win)

• Path of Exile - Deep ARPG, cosmetic-only monetisation
  
• Warframe - Coop looter, fair F2P model
  
• Dota 2 - Full game free, cosmetic shop only
  
• Brawlhalla - Platform fighter, free with cosmetic DLC
  

Watch for limited giveaways on:

• Epic Games Store (weekly free game)
  
• GOG (occasional giveaways, DRM-free)
  
• Prime Gaming (Amazon, requires Prime)
  

]]>
Permanently Free (no gotchas)

• Dwarf Fortress (classic ASCII) - Bay 12 Games, free forever at bay12games.com
  
• 0 A.D. - Open source Age of Empires-style RTS, genuinely excellent
  
• Battle for Wesnoth - Turn-based strategy, huge campaign library, fully open source
  
• Endless Sky - Open source space trading/combat, addictive
  
• SuperTuxKart - Mario Kart-style racer, cross-platform
  
• OpenTTD - Transport Tycoon remake, endlessly replayable
  

Free-to-Play (monetised but not pay-to-win)

• Path of Exile - Deep ARPG, cosmetic-only monetisation
  
• Warframe - Coop looter, fair F2P model
  
• Dota 2 - Full game free, cosmetic shop only
  
• Brawlhalla - Platform fighter, free with cosmetic DLC
  

Watch for limited giveaways on:

• Epic Games Store (weekly free game)
  
• GOG (occasional giveaways, DRM-free)
  
• Prime Gaming (Amazon, requires Prime)
  

]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=15 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:34:07 +0000 Zero Two]]> https://talkativeturtles.club/showthread.php?tid=15 Gaming covers all platforms - PC, console, mobile, and tabletop.

Posting Rules:

• No piracy. Do not link to or request ROMs, cracked games, or activation bypasses.
  
• No cheats in multiplayer context. Discussing single-player cheats/mods is fine; asking for help cheating in online games is not.
  
• No console wars. Platform preferences are fine to share; mockery of other platforms or their users is not.
  
• Tag spoilers. Use [spoiler] tags for major story moments, especially for recently released games.
  
• No exploitative micro-transaction promotion. Sharing a good deal is fine; shilling loot boxes or pay-to-win schemes is not.
  

]]> Gaming covers all platforms - PC, console, mobile, and tabletop.

Posting Rules:

• No piracy. Do not link to or request ROMs, cracked games, or activation bypasses.
  
• No cheats in multiplayer context. Discussing single-player cheats/mods is fine; asking for help cheating in online games is not.
  
• No console wars. Platform preferences are fine to share; mockery of other platforms or their users is not.
  
• Tag spoilers. Use [spoiler] tags for major story moments, especially for recently released games.
  
• No exploitative micro-transaction promotion. Sharing a good deal is fine; shilling loot boxes or pay-to-win schemes is not.
  

]]>