Comment by meristohm | Hacker News Reader

Comment by meristohm | Hacker News Reader

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Same here; I won't buy it anytime soon (possibly ever; depends on if there's still a place for games in my life after going without for a year), though the fact that I'm reading and commenting this thread says that gaming is still important to me, if not just out of nostalgia but also that I recognize the importance of games in our collective experience, and I know something about them after three+ decades of playing and designing (table games; no publications, just for me & friends).

I like to read the negative reviews on Steam to help talk myself out of purchases. I usually find something convincing, the urge passes, and I spend more time doing something with a longer-lasting benefit (for who I an now, anyway). I thought for so long that I'd never quit gaming, but it served its purpose, I try not to regret it as wasted time (gaming gave me an easy sense of purpose, without which I might have joined a cult or become an alcoholic like my dad), and I try not to rain on anyone's parade.

> I like to read the negative reviews on Steam to help talk myself out of purchases.

Hah, I do the same thing. On other sites too - the well-written negative reviews have a lot of value. Although, on some of the best games on steam, I've seen a few top negative reviews that say something like: "Why are you looking at the negative reviews? You know this game is great."

I think you're right though. Games have their place and are culturally important, but the trend has veered more toward optimizing for engagement (addiction) and dark patterns like overcharging for cosmetics and such.

I'm 24 hours into the story and I have yet to be disappointed by anything the game. Literally my only complaints are 1) the animation sequence for rolling active skill checks (lockpicking, persuasion, intimidation, etc.) is far too long for what it is, and 2) forgetting to save often can (and has, for me) led to _lots_ of lost progress when stuff went south.

I will say, combat is pretty challenging. I think it has to be, since the save and reload mechanic exists; otherwise the encounters would need to be toned down. However, it's challenging in a way that doesn't feel unfair. It gives me the same feeling as when I played through Hollow Knight - the game is challenging, I mess up a lot, but I never feel like the difficulty is "artificial" (e.g., HP or enemy count has some multiplier applied). The combat is always challenging in ways that require strategy, planning, and skill.... and wishing you'd made different choices in the past :)

Well, I have no problems not buying this game. For one, I simply do not have the 150GB of SSD space it requires. LOL

> I try not to regret it as wasted time

I wish games had more transferable skills … most games unfortunately are at best a very ineffective use of time.

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