Diecast 332: Mailbag Speedrun
Channel: Paul Spooner
Date: 2021-02-08

Listen to all the Diecast episodes with Shamus Young in here: https://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?cat=287

Show Notes:
00:00 Paul is Moving
3:48 Mailbag: KoToR
16:06 Mailbag: Reverse-ARPG-ification
21:33 Mailbag: Disco Elysium
25:57 Mailbag: Ring Fit Adventure
31:05 Mailbag: Changing Perspective
39:13 Mailbag: Evolving Sequels
46:46 Mailbag: Minecraft mods
1:08:52 Wrapping Up
1:09:31 Outro
1:10:49 Stinger


KoToR

Valuable Diecast

Help, I’m running out of synonyms for „dear”

After Disney finally took away from EA their exclusivity to develop Star Wars games, the media began to gossip about the new SW: KotOR game.

For this reason I was wondering:

Do you think there is a place for new KotOR? Assuming it would take place in the Old Republic period, would that franchise still carry its weight?

Shamus once mentioned (well, checking it now, it was Josh, but Shamus agreed) that the first KotOR was pretty much THE RPG for many players. That wasn’t the case in my country – for us it was Gothic – so I don't know how strong the sentiment towards this game is. Was it really that popular? Is it still?

Cheers,
Darek


Reverse-ARPG-ification, subgenre patch

Dear Diecast,

WaveofKittens' question about ARPGs in Episode 330 made me think about Ghost Recon. It's a series of tactical shooters that became co-op open-world Ubisoft collect-a-thons where the player feels like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando. Breakpoint, the most recent title (2019), tried to be more like Destiny or Borderlands, with randomized loot, gear levels, and raids.

This new direction didn't interest me or my friends, so we didn't pick it up. Sales figures aren't public, but Ubisoft's CEO said it was very disappointing. I'm not sure how many sales were lost because of gameplay changes versus its' horribly buggy launch.

Six months later, they released the "Ghost Experience" update, allowing players to turn off most RPG elements. You can disable gear leveling and change simulation settings for more realism. The crazy part is that both game systems run concurrently, so one person in a co-op session can be playing a milsim, while the rest are searching chests for a +2 Legendary Assault Rifle.

I bought Breakpoint after the update and I'm having fun with it. Are there any games you wish would get a patch to become a different sub-genre?

Stay safe,
Dennis

P.S. Breakpoint takes place on TIM Island; you should demand royalties from Ubisoft.


Disco Elysium
Dear Diecast,
With the imminent release of the Director's Cut next month, I was curious if either of you had played Disco Elysium, and if so, what are your thoughts? After playing it a few weeks after its release, I was enthralled in the game in a way I haven't been for many years, and I personally think it's in the running being one of the best RPG's ever, or at the very least, the best of the past 10 years.
Many thanks,
Mokap


Ring Fit Adventure
Hello,
 
I recall when you were playing with Wii Fit you talked about creating actual games that included exercising as part of the mechanics.  I've been playing Ring Fit Adventure and it seems to be trying to do that, as to even move through the game you have to at least lightly jog, the attacks are specific exercises, and even opening chests in the world requires squats.  Do you have any thoughts on it?
 
Daimbert


Changing Perspective

Hello Diecast.

Recently I watched a video on how replaying Dishonored in 2020 was a very different experience from when it first came out due to the pandemic.
Have you ever replayed a game and found that your perception of it was vastly different to your initial reaction because of something you had experienced in the intervening time?

Cheers.
~Ben Hilton


Evolving Sequels

Shamus, good afternoon. I have a short question for the DieCast, along with a longer thought about what prompted it that would just be too long for the show. Obviously, it's your show - feel free to cut out anything!


"Dear DieCast,

I'd like to hear your thoughts about how far sequels can change the direction, style or feel of a game series. Your dialogue concerning Thief: Deadly Shadows brought this issue to mind. Although, I personally enjoyed the game, I also understand that players who loved the sprawling levels might have found the smaller Thief 3 stages less disappointing. What do you think the limit is for sequels, or should there even be one?" ...


Minecraft Mods

Dear Diecast,

in last week's episode Shamus mentioned he has been playing Minecraft again, which made me wonder: what mods do you guys like?

I myself have been playing some GregBlock, although I like switching it up with Enigmatica 6 for the QOL improvements we got since the Update Aquatic.

Vale,

-Tim