Backlog Completion Thread - Have choice paralysis? Need to get your money's worth? Have the farms help you.

[mooey]

First thread here so hope it goes well, I also did a pretty basic search and couldn't find a thread with people posting/helping others choose which title to play. Was hoping we could hype each other up or some shit.

I'm sure many of us have backlogs of games mounting up. If you're anything like me it can be hard picking a title to play when you have 30+ games to choose from that you already own. I figured we could all post our backlogs and KF members can weigh in and try to encourage each other to start/finish shit. Mine are mostly JRPGs and RPGs but all genres are of course welcome.

General discussion of titles people listed (with no spoilers) would be ideal in making people decide what they should tackle next.

My list, in no particular order:
1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Switch)
2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
3. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
4. Octopath Traveller
5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
6. FFXII: Zodiac Age
7. FFXV: Royal Edition
8. Tales of Berseria

There are plenty others that I own but these are the ones I've been looking at. How about we get our money's worth out of our titles? Look forward to suggesting/getting feedback. It might be smart to not post your entire backlog and just focus on the titles you could see yourself playing either right now, or after you've finished what you're currently playing.

 

[A_Callow_Youth]

First thread here so hope it goes well, I also did a pretty basic search and couldn't find a thread with people posting/helping others choose which title to play. Was hoping we could hype each other up or some shit.

I'm sure many of us have backlogs of games mounting up. If you're anything like me it can be hard picking a title to play when you have 30+ games to choose from that you already own. I figured we could all post our backlogs and KF members can weigh in and try to encourage each other to start/finish shit. Mine are mostly JRPGs and RPGs but all genres are of course welcome.

General discussion of titles people listed (with no spoilers) would be ideal in making people decide what they should tackle next.

My list, in no particular order:
1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Switch)
2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
3. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
4. Octopath Traveller
5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
6. FFXII: Zodiac Age
7. FFXV: Royal Edition
8. Tales of Berseria

There are plenty others that I own but these are the ones I've been looking at. How about we get our money's worth out of our titles? Look forward to suggesting/getting feedback. It might be smart to not post your entire backlog and just focus on the titles you could see yourself playing either right now, or after you've finished what you're currently playing.

Three Houses is the only one of those I've played, so it's the only one I can comment on. I guess the best opener would be "is this your first Fire Emblem game?" Ever since Awakening, IntSys has started developing a nasty habit of getting overly ambitious, and the compromises they made in 3H really show, but perhaps not so much if you're a first-timer. I suppose a better question might be "how important is a game's story to you?" 3H is a game that demands multiple playthroughs to fully understand, and even then there will still be loose ends that can only be speculated upon. Given that the rest of your list consists of RPGs, I'd guess that story is a fairly big deal for you, and story has never really been FE's strong suit, with the exception of Genealogy of the Holy War, but that really shouldn't be somebody's first FE game. For my money, the GBA games are still the best point of entry into FE, in large part because they do the best job of being welcoming to newcomers without bending over backwards to accommodate them, and their status as probably the most basic/streamlined/barebones iteration since the NES original makes moving to other games into a generally straightforward increase in complexity.

 

[mooey]

Three Houses is the only one of those I've played, so it's the only one I can comment on. I guess the best opener would be "is this your first Fire Emblem game?" Ever since Awakening, IntSys has started developing a nasty habit of getting overly ambitious, and the compromises they made in 3H really show, but perhaps not so much if you're a first-timer. I suppose a better question might be "how important is a game's story to you?" 3H is a game that demands multiple playthroughs to fully understand, and even then there will still be loose ends that can only be speculated upon. Given that the rest of your list consists of RPGs, I'd guess that story is a fairly big deal for you, and story has never really been FE's strong suit, with the exception of Genealogy of the Holy War, but that really shouldn't be somebody's first FE game. For my money, the GBA games are still the best point of entry into FE, in large part because they do the best job of being welcoming to newcomers without bending over backwards to accommodate them, and their status as probably the most basic/streamlined/barebones iteration since the NES original makes moving to other games into a generally straightforward increase in complexity.

I do enjoy story heavy titles, and it embarasses me to say so, but it would be my first FE title. I've always known about the series and it's always interested me, just didn't pick one of them up until I saw it on Switch on sale one week. So it'd probably be for the best if it's slightly more stripped back I guess. I'm fine with more than one playthrough of titles and I've heard the gameplay of FE titles tends to be more tactical which does interest me.

Out of interest, of the 3 houses to start with, which one did you pick and which one do you think is "best" for the 1st playthrough?

 

[A_Callow_Youth]

I do enjoy story heavy titles, and it embarasses me to say so, but it would be my first FE title. I've always known about the series and it's always interested me, just didn't pick one of them up until I saw it on Switch on sale one week. So it'd probably be for the best if it's slightly more stripped back I guess. I'm fine with more than one playthrough of titles and I've heard the gameplay of FE titles tends to be more tactical which does interest me.

Out of interest, of the 3 houses to start with, which one did you pick and which one do you think is "best" for the 1st playthrough?

Blue Lions, no doubt about it. It's the most coherent of the routes and makes for the best single playthrough of the lot, while also leaving enough questions to incentivize further runs (though, granted, those questions tend to be "where the fuck", "why the fuck" and "how the fuck"). I'd recommend a route order, but to give you one, I'd also have to give you what technically counts as a spoiler, so continue at your own risk.

Spoiler

There are actually 4 routes, with the Black Eagles route splitting into two separate routes right around the end of the first half. The problem is that the dumbasses made the route that keeps you working with your house leader the "secret" one, which is reliant on speaking with her around the monastery, so make sure to do that often. Preface out of the way, my suggestion is:

1: Blue Lions
2: Black Eagles "secret"
3: Black Eagles "non-secret"
4: Golden Deer

 

[CrippleThreat]

I do enjoy story heavy titles...

If that's the case, go with either Xenoblade. Play the first game's "Definitive Edition" on Switch for continuity if that's your thing, but playing either that or XB2 first doesn't matter in the long run. While I haven't played any of the titles (yet...), I can say for sure that Xenoblade 1 is the greatest game I've ever watched. That's how cinematic the game is!

...and it embarasses me to say so, but it would be my first FE title.

Fire Emblem usually focuses more on its strategy/wargame gameplay, while the stories are hit or miss. Three Houses however, is up there with a few of the other titles. The story I feel, hits more with people who haven't played other titles in the series. If I had to give a warning, after you beat the game with a certain house route, let the dust settle for some time. Don't hop back in unless you're hyped. If that's the case, have fun with another route, but come back to it after a while.

First time playing, I finished with 200+ hours and the next was 100+. Needless to say, I was fatigued by the third without even knowing it, and I skipped through most of everything, Let the game and the experiences come naturally and slowly, to make things short.

Blue Lions, no doubt about it. It's the most coherent of the routes and makes for the best single playthrough of the lot, while also leaving enough questions to incentivize further runs (though, granted, those questions tend to be "where the fuck", "why the fuck" and "how the fuck").

Seconded. And as for the leaving enough questions, that's why I immediately hopped into a new route after beating it first out of the three.

 

[mooey]

I think for now I'll check out the FE game. Thanks for the advice guys. I'll check out the Blue Lions playthrough first and will update with my opinions on the game once I've beaten my first playthrough. Pretty excited to try something a bit more tactical and I assume it'll scratch that itch for me.

I liked Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U) and have owned Xenoblade 2 for more than I care to admit. I did get maybe 25% through 2 the first time I bought it for Switch years ago but dropped it because I got busy. But grabbed 1 on Switch when the definitive edition came out so I'll start with one that first. I think I prefer Shulk to the protagonist in 2. From what little I've gleaned over the years.

Edit: With that said, you two got a backlog you want my opinion on?

 

[CHARizard]

I keep buying games then just playing Stellaris, 7 Days to Die, Rimworld etc. We have a severe problem of picking something up for like 10 hours then putting it down and forgetting about it. This list is just my console games and not my PC stuff.

1. Yakuza: Like a Dragon (x1), on chapter 4 here, really liking it will probably finish it first

2. Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire (x1)

3. Ryza 2 (NS)

4. Nexomon: Extinction (NS)

5. Nier: Automata (X1)

6. Astral Chain

7. Pokemon Sword Expansions

8. Space Hulk (x1)

9. Torment Tides of Numeneria (x1)

10. Warhammer 40k Inquisitor Martyr (x1)

11. Tales of Vesperia (ns)

12. Starlink: Atlas (ns)

Currently I am looking for something chill to just play as I watch TV which is why this list is so long. I want to just turn my brain off so I think that eliminates most games on this list.

 

[Dark Edea]

First thread here so hope it goes well, I also did a pretty basic search and couldn't find a thread with people posting/helping others choose which title to play. Was hoping we could hype each other up or some shit.

I'm sure many of us have backlogs of games mounting up. If you're anything like me it can be hard picking a title to play when you have 30+ games to choose from that you already own. I figured we could all post our backlogs and KF members can weigh in and try to encourage each other to start/finish shit. Mine are mostly JRPGs and RPGs but all genres are of course welcome.

General discussion of titles people listed (with no spoilers) would be ideal in making people decide what they should tackle next.

My list, in no particular order:
1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Switch)
2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
3. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
4. Octopath Traveller
5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
6. FFXII: Zodiac Age
7. FFXV: Royal Edition
8. Tales of Berseria

There are plenty others that I own but these are the ones I've been looking at. How about we get our money's worth out of our titles? Look forward to suggesting/getting feedback. It might be smart to not post your entire backlog and just focus on the titles you could see yourself playing either right now, or after you've finished what you're currently playing.

Pass on Octopath Traveler and swap it with Dragon Quest V, VII or XI if you have not already played them.

Octopath is very mediocre and disappointing.

@Celestial Being Starlink was another disappointing one. The Star Fox inclusion is why I got it. But Star Fox it is not. I probably would have liked it better if I had never associated Star Fox with it. So keep that in mind of Star Fox was what got your attention and remove those expectations if you have them. You will like the game better

 

[JamusActimus]

1. Xenoblade Chronicles (Switch)

Spoiler

Good game:nice gameplay and good story for a Jrpg. Great game you can't really go wrong with it.


I would just advise you to change characters a lot,try niche builds and lower your level. If you only control Shulk and use Sharla+Reyn the whole game you will be miserable tho(that's how I played on the wii and how game journalist play).

2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Spoiler

It's a slow burn gameplay wise according to some. I didn't enjoy the game at all and stopped playing pretty fast. Didn't like the story and characters. It gets better according to some but I didn't found the things I enjoyed about Xenoblade 1 in this game.

3. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

didn't play

4. Octopath Traveller

Spoiler

Fuck this game. The pc port is a disgrace it took 1 year to publish and 1 year to crack because they bought the best Drm at the time. The price in Steam is horrible fuck this game.

The gameplay is very good,the combat system at least feels like an advanced version of Bravely default combat system.The story is pretty bland and the structure makes the whole game very unpleasant.

With 8 characters you would assume they each have a bond with the others and it feels like a real Jrp party. Actualy the other might as well not exist. When it's character A story segment, character B,C and D might as well not exist. Each segment feels very disconnected and distant. The story and stucture ruined to game for me.

5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Spoiler

Nice game with decent gameplay.The story was pretty meh but my expectations were low. I would advise you to do chalenges runs after your first run and to stay away from Madening mode keep the game in Hard mode trust me.

The cracks start to show after the first run. You realise all/most maps are the same pre-timeskip and the maps design is overall pretty poor. That's why I would advice you to do challenge runs with odd restrictions to spice up your run.(mage/bow(no ennemy phase)/flyer only)

6. FFXII: Zodiac Age

didn't play

7. FFXV: Royal Edition

didn't play

8. Tales of Berseria

didn't play

 

[milk]

"Have the farms help you"​

Honestly, the farms has helped me realize, I don't need to play videogames to pass time. I can just laugh at autists instead.

 

[Dark Edea]

Oh @mooey Final Fantasy XII Zodiac Age is arguably the definitive way to play. There are job boards (skill trees) for each character. In the original, everyone could learn everything. In Zodiac Age each character has their own tree, making them more unique.

Depends what style of play you want.

Both versions are broken thanks to the gambit systems that allow the game to play itself. Fun time though. It is very dissimilar to any other Final Fantasy game and is more like a MMO without other people.

 

[mooey]

1. Yakuza: Like a Dragon (x1), on chapter 4 here, really liking it will probably finish it first

I managed to finish Yakuza: Like a Dragon just before Christmas. I really loved it so hope it goes the same way for you.
I think I'm going to start FE tonight and follow it up with FFXII in between the separate FE run throughs. @Dark Edea any fun builds I should try out? I've heard it's got quite a cool sub-job system?

Back to Yakuza but is it your first entry? Like a Dragon was my first Yakuza game but I went and beat Yakuza 0 right after. Totally different style as it's not turn based and is more of an arcade beat em up. Enjoyed both of them alot and intend to play the remainder of the series eventually, just don't want to burn myself out on too much Yakuza.

On your list I've heard Nier Automata is really good... It's also a game sat on my shelf unopened so can't say much more sadly...

 

[CHARizard]

Back to Yakuza but is it your first entry?

I havnt played 3 or 5 but I have played the rest. Main reason I am taking 7 slower is because I miss Kiryu so much, but I love the turn based combat.