TGO Daily | October 8, 2020 | Baldur's Gate, Solitaire Conspiracy, Genshin Impact!
Today, in the absence of significant news items, I want to tell you about three games that people are talking about. Two of them even released today!
I’m super excited to see what comes of Baldur’s Gate 3. Not only is it the revival of one of the most revered franchises of all time, but it’s got one of the best developers possible at the helm. Their success with handling a large-scale RPG like Divinity: Original Sin II has put them in a prime spot for success.
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Until tomorrow,
Adrian
In The News
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3, developed by Larian Studios, entered Early Access today.
In traditional Larian fashion, the Early Access version will feature the first of three acts that the game is slated for. In terms of length, that’s about 25 hours of self-contained content. The developers are usually great about giving a complete product with Early Access, which they then expand for final release.
Should you buy it though? They answer that right on the Steam page:
You should not buy Baldur’s Gate 3 in Early Access if you want a polished experience.
Early Access gives you a chance at an early taste of what the gameplay will be like but we still have a lot of work ahead of us…Only buy the game now if you want an early look or if you want to participate in community feedback. Otherwise, you’re probably best off waiting until version 1.0 releases.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the latest entry of the Dungeons & Dragons based Baldur’s Gate series, which had its last main-line entry in 2000. After a numbers of failed attempts at a revival, Larian was finally chosen to continue the series after their success with Divinity: Original Sin II. While the game is adapted from the traditional D&D ruleset, the connections to Divinity are inevitable (and probably a positive thing). Both franchises are known for being extremely dense RPGs, so Larian is well equipped to live up to Baldur’s Gate’s reputation.
The Solitaire Conspiracy
Another game available today is Mike Bithell’s The Solitaire Conspiracy.
This is the best looking Solitaire game you’ve ever seen. Set on the backdrop of a spy agency, the game features three modes, FMV cutscenes, and a unique twist on the game you’re used to.
Is this a true Solitaire game? From the Steam page:
Yes-ish. The Solitaire Conspiracy is inspired by a variant of solitaire called Streets and Alleys, but with some small adjustments and the big addition of suit based powers. Campaign and skirmish (choose your own suits and powers) are take-at-your-own-pace experiences that fit into your schedule. Countdown mode is a place to test your skills with nuanced powers against a ticking clock. This game is endlessly replayable.
Critics generally liked the new twist, calling it fun and addictive. Unfortunately, most agreed that the story elements weren’t as compelling as it may have been advertised.
Nonetheless, Bithell is a legendary game designer, and worth checking out. He’s also responsible for games like Thomas Was Alone and John Wick Hex.
Genshin Impact (again)
While I don’t necessarily have anything new to tell you about Genshin Impact, I did want to push you again to give it a look if you haven’t already.
It isn’t without its criticisms. The end-game content is apparently lacking because development is still ongoing. Also, because the team is based out of mainland China, they have to conform to certain laws that people disagree with, like censoring any use of the words “Taiwan” or “Hong Kong.”
All that being said, I’m mostly hearing good things about it. You wouldn’t expect “F2P Breath of the Wild” to actually be pulled off successfully, but in this case, people are pleasantly surprised. Microtransactions are not pushed in your face, and there is a substantial amount of content to explore.
You can check it out on PC, PS4, or mobile devices.
Also In The News
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