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[Kazza]

As the summer fades into memory and the days get shorter and colder, the Halloween season is once again upon us. Although some may think we have already experienced enough horror this year, that still doesn't mean we can't get into the Halloween mood by playing some spooky/horror related games. So, what are you all playing this year?

I'm continuing my tradition of playing a new Castlevania game each October (Super Castlevania IV two years ago and Bloodlines last year), and I've just started playing through this classic for the very first time:

The save file says 15% when I save (playing on PS3's PSN), so I'm guessing I'm already almost a fifth of the way through the game. After having recently played the 16 bit games, this one definitely feels "next gen". The music is fantastic, the whole open world design works really well in the context of exploring this huge, mysterious castle, and the variety in enemy designs and area backgrounds really makes you feel you are on a huge adventure.

Last night I was presented with a choice of exploring up or down and at first decided to go downwards (to the Marble Gallery, I believe). I got past what almost looked like a mini boss (a huge guy with a ball and chain which he flung at me), but then got one-hit by another big enemy (also not a boss). I lost a fair bit of progress then, so decided to take the upper route this time, thinking it might be easier. There I made it to the library, defeated a clone of myself, and made my way up part of the outer wall/tower. I started to get nervous as I spent a lot of time exploring without finding a save point, but then entered this keyhole/mirror thing, which transported me back to the beginning of the castle, where I could save.

Can I just carry on randomly exploring without worrying about levelling up, or is some amount of grinding necessary to progress smoothly? If anyone has any useful tips about the game that they think will help me enjoy it even more (without spoiling anything), then please let me know, otherwise I'll continue with my blind playthrough.

Speaking of the Marble Gallery, I really liked that stage's music:

​

 

[Kazza]

A second game I'm playing is Luigi's Mansion 2 on the 3DS:

While it's not hitting me like SotN is, it has still been a pretty charming and enjoyable playthrough so far. The 3D effect is pretty good, and it feels a little like a Ghostbusters game with the capturing ghosts mechanic.

 

[Jaxcellent]

I would like to play Silent hill the room, but i cant find it anywhere so i settled for Castlevania, Lords of shadow via BC on my OG Xbone, played a few levels, now im fighting some Ice Giant, pretty cool game!

 

[WakeTheWolf]

Currently playing Costume Quest on PC. Quite a fun little game which is on the lighter side for Halloween. Also playing a bit of Warzone with Zombie Royale

 

[Salmon Snake]

I've been playing Bioshock Remastered and Sherlock Holmes The Devil's Daughter on PS4 and I think after those I'll play Until Dawn (the loading update arrived just in time!)

 

[Kazza]

I would like to play Silent hill the room, but i cant find it anywhere so i settled for Castlevania, Lords of shadow via BC on my OG Xbone, played a few levels, now im fighting some Ice Giant, pretty cool game!

Aren't the later Silent Hill games hated (not sure about The Room)? Apparently it's available on GOG, but the link to its place on the store doesn't work - strange.

Speaking of Silent Hill, If I finish SotN quickly, then I might give the first Silent Hill a try. I know people always rave about 2, but I fancy starting the series from the very beginning. I'm pretty tolerant of early 3D graphics and would be playing it on the Vita anyway (the smaller screen is more forgiving to PS1 graphics).

 

[Jaxcellent]

Aren't the later Silent Hill games hated (not sure about The Room)? Apparently it's available on GOG, but the link to its place on the store doesn't work - strange.

Speaking of Silent Hill, If I finish SotN quickly, then I might give the first Silent Hill a try. I know people always rave about 2, but I fancy starting the series from the very beginning. I'm pretty tolerant of early 3D graphics and would be playing it on the Vita anyway (the smaller screen is more forgiving to PS1 graphics).

i don't know if the room is good or not, it just seems so fitting, with all the lockdowns going down, i'd love to give it a go. the first SH is pretty good, back in the day the atmosphere give me the chills...but you really need to dig those ps1 3d retro graphics.

 

[Thing on a Spring]

Considering giving Costume Quest 2 a shot as I got it free on EGS. Rather enjoyed the first one a few years back so why not.

 

[Mista]

Been playing Apex Legends Halloween LTM and Hades

Hades is such a great game! Supergiant Games keeps surprising me!

 

[V1LÆM]

nothing halloween themed.

just the usual. WoW/Rocket League.

 

[Kazza]

A good video for anyone looking for ideas:




Blood: Fresh Supply is currently 40% off ($5.99) on gog.com, so I bought that on the back of the video. I'll play it once I've finished Castlevania:SotN (currently over 50% complete).

 

[The Cockatrice]

Since Amnesia Rebirth was a dud I went ahead and bought another horror game and hopefully this one will deliver:

 

[Guilty_AI]

A good video for anyone looking for ideas:




Blood: Fresh Supply is currently 40% off ($5.99) on gog.com, so I bought that on the back of the video. I'll play it once I've finished Castlevania:SotN (currently over 50% complete).

I've been playing Blood FS for a while and its really good. It that reminds me how much better level design used to be in old games, with each level packed with secrets and hidden areas. The only incovenience i had with it is that the standard difficulty settings are sort of broken, being either too easy or too hard, so you need to use a custom difficulty if you want it to be fun.

There's other "spooky" old games that are pretty cheap right now o GOG that might be worth worth checking out like Bioshock remastered, old Thief Series, Realms of the Haunting, as well as some newer ones like Hellblade SC, Layers of Fear and SOMA

 

[drganon]

Nothing Halloween themed. Probably just 13 sentinels, animal crossing, and maybe ff15.

 

[HDM]

Apparently not Resident Evil 3 , so maybe Visage on PS4, if the framerate is ok. (But I don't have high hopes.)

 

[amigastar]

A second game I'm playing is Luigi's Mansion 2 on the 3DS:

While it's not hitting me like SotN is, it has still been a pretty charming and enjoyable playthrough so far. The 3D effect is pretty good, and it feels a little like a Ghostbusters game with the capturing ghosts mechanic.

I also want to give it another chance. The problem with Luigis Mansion Dark Moon is the strange save mechanics, it should save more often. That what stopped me from playing it last year.

 

[Kazza]

I've been playing Blood FS for a while and its really good. It that reminds me how much better level design used to be in old games, with each level packed with secrets and hidden areas. The only incovenience i had with it is that the standard difficulty settings are sort of broken, being either too easy or too hard, so you need to use a custom difficulty if you want it to be fun.

There's other "spooky" old games that are pretty cheap right now o GOG that might be worth worth checking out like Bioshock remastered, old Thief Series, Realms of the Haunting, as well as some newer ones like Hellblade SC, Layers of Fear and SOMA

Yeah, I saw a review earlier which said you could manually tweak each aspect of the difficulty (number of enemies, damage etc). It recommended putting number of enemies at high, but keeping the damage they do low, for maximum fun. I just bought the original Thief trilogy on gog - currently on sale for just $0.75 each!

I also want to give it another chance. The problem with Luigis Mansion Dark Moon is the strange save mechanics, it should save more often. That what stopped me from playing it last year.

I have to admit that I haven't really played it since I made this thread, and have instead devoted all my playing time to SotN. I remember having to replay a lengthy part after dying, so I agree on the need for more frequent checkpoints. It is a pretty charming game though, so I think I'll finish it once SotN is over.

 

[Jaxcellent]

I found a pretty cheap 27 imac with ok specs, it runs Starcraft 2 pretty good, this is my Halloween game of 2020, tomorrow i'm going to try Condemned 2 on the 360, I got a copy for only 5 euro

 

[Lionel Richie]

A second game I'm playing is Luigi's Mansion 2 on the 3DS:

Phenomenal game. I'm yet to play the third one, but man my Switch backlog is mental and I can't stop playing Animal Crossing and Smash Bros.

 

[#Phonepunk#]

Castlevania
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
Castlevania 3
Bayonetta
Bloodborne
Monkey Island EGA
Monkey Island 2

 

[WakeTheWolf]

Completed Costume Quest 1 and 2. Wow what a trip that was. The story was spot on and even though the games were kinda short they were such a treat to play. I really despised the battle system of 2 though. Worth a play for this Halloween.

 

[TheMay30thMan]

Started the DLC for the first Evil Within. I had bought it on super sale years ago and never got around to it. I started with The Executioner because I heard it was horrible. I went in with zero expectations and loved every second of it. Working on the other two now.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

Was going to start RE2make for the first time and got distracted playing RE4 again. This is probably my 15th time through the game. Idk how this keeps happening.

 

[TGO]

Apparently not Resident Evil 3 , so maybe Visage on PS4, if the framerate is ok. (But I don't have high hopes.)

I've been playing on PS4 Pro and pretty damn good, I'm surprised I haven't heard much on hear about it, very PT and I'm around 6hours in and just finished the first chapter (apparently there's multiple stories this house tells)

 

[Kazza]

I completed SotN last night. That Belmont chap went down like a little bitch. I think I must have chosen my weapons/equipment wisely (holy mail and one of the special swords). At 87% completion, is the remaining 13% worth doings? (The only uncovered parts of the map are the right hand at of the clock room, the dark room with hidden spiked requiring the bat, and the one in the top left hand corner.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

I completed SotN last night. That Belmont chap went down like a little bitch. I think I must have chosen my weapons/equipment wisely (holy mail and one of the special swords). At 87% completion, is the remaining 13% worth doings? (The only uncovered parts of the map are the right hand at of the clock room, the dark room with hidden spiked requiring the bat, and the one in the top left hand corner.

Coming from someone who just played for the first time a couple months ago, its worth it and you have no idea lol. Did you enjoy what you played so far? If so finish up those rooms. Especially the top left and bat rooms. Then rematch Belmont.

 

[Krappadizzle]

A second game I'm playing is Luigi's Mansion 2 on the 3DS:

While it's not hitting me like SotN is, it has still been a pretty charming and enjoyable playthrough so far. The 3D effect is pretty good, and it feels a little like a Ghostbusters game with the capturing ghosts mechanic.

I actually bought a 3DS for this game specifically. Glad I did. Love the series, the 3rd is probably my favorite of the whole bunch.

 

[Kazza]

Coming from someone who just played for the first time a couple months ago, its worth it and you have no idea lol. Did you enjoy what you played so far? If so finish up those rooms. Especially the top left and bat rooms. Then rematch Belmont.

I kind of had heard a bit about the big "secret" and assumed it was a small thing, but it seems to be much more substantial. Since it looks like a big chunk of additional gameplay, I'm going to save it for next Halloween. I think I'll enjoy it more then after a long break rather than right now. It must have been pretty mind blowing back in the day (if people even discovered it at all).