What I've Been Playing This Week (aka Pile of Shame Sunday)

I got a bad feeling about this place

The following post is part of a series of posts that are published every Sunday to update readers on what Mark G has been up to with respect to finishing off games on his "Pile of Shame". The games to target are picked by Choicest Games contributors Choona, Luke and myself. As I'll be talking about my progress through these games, there may be spoilers ahead, especially for games containing a narrative. Consider yourself warned.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

• Picked by Me
• Percentage Complete = 4%

I'm enjoying Shadow of Mordor so far. It's very much like Assassin's Creed except using the "Lord of the Rings" IP. I find it interesting how a Wraith gives you a chance at avenging the deaths of your loved ones (including yourself). You get to kill a lot of Uruks along the way but seems like you're stuck in Mordor (hence the name I guess). Judging by the title and the murmuring amongst the Uruks, I'm guessing you become a bit like the protagonist in "I am Legend", where you become the monster to the monsters.

Despite the game having released in 2014, I'm getting framerate issues with the cutscenes which is a shame. I like the fact you get to hunt down Uruk captains though.

Fallout 4

• Picked by Luke
• Percentage Complete = 25%

One thing that keeps bugging me about this game is that when you talk to NPCs, at first you'll be able to see subtitles, but when you actually start talking to them in the conversation tree, the subtitles disappear and their voice is so soft compared to the other sound effects you'll hear in the game, that it means I'm constantly turning the volume control up and down on my speakers. I'll have to check if there's any way I can rectify the situation in the game options.

I spent all my time this week focusing on one of the main storyline missions: finding Nick Valentine. This takes you to Vault 114 which has been taken over by a lot of ghouls in suits equipped with Tommy guns.

Also, on the way there I encountered a group of people calling themselves the "Pillars of the Community". In order to join, you have to surrender all your worldly possessions to them. When I said I had changed my mind and didn't want to find out what their organisation was about, the recruiter said it was impossible for me to leave now. Thankfully, when I successfully passed a "Threaten" check and told the guy I was leaving, whether he liked it or not, he conceded defeat and told me to get lost.

Quest for Glory I (EGA)

• Picked by Choona
• Percentage Complete = 18%

Ahhhhh, just like old times. I love this game and having a blast just like before. I noticed that you can actually use the mouse to look at objects now so this game demonstrates how the SCI engine evolved over time. I'm playing the game as a fighter although I'm finding that combat usually involves me spamming the attack key against weaker opponents and then attempting to flee for more difficult ones. I'll have to pay the Weapon Master for some more lessons!

LINK:
[ The Pile of Shame ]