YeulEmeralda
Linux User
Games with cute girls. I'm a simple man.
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Way too much whining & crying lately so this is a thread to talk about what you're happy about in Gaming
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LectureMaster
Gold Member
I was genuinely surprised how civil we were when discussing Jordan and Intergalactic and not a single fight happened.
Hawk The Slayer
Member
Love the stuff that happened this year with the bad games flopping hard. And at the same time we got some great games like Rebirth, Stellar Blade, Space Marine 2, Wukong etc etc. Looking forward to 2025!
StereoVsn
Gold Member
I am happy and thankful for an amazing variety of great games constantly coming out across both PC and consoles. Just this year I played FFVII Rebirth, Astrobot, Persona 3 R, DQ3 HD and much more. Especially Japanese developers have been hitting it out of the park all year.
But let’s not forget all the cool indies coming out, a ton of great games getting remasters or remakes and much more.
And also I am very thankful for amazing quality of emulation now days so I can go back and many libraries from consoles stretching decades back. Not to mention awesome hardware mods that keep old consoles in great shape and of course folks who gave us MiSTer FPGA.
All in all it’s been a great year for gaming and I am glad there is such an amazing forum to share my hobby with as most of my friends don’t game, lol.
Looking forward to great 2025!
Edit: Forgot to add that finally Europa Universalis 5 is coming out next year and EU4 is probably my most played game of ever, so yay!
But let’s not forget all the cool indies coming out, a ton of great games getting remasters or remakes and much more.
And also I am very thankful for amazing quality of emulation now days so I can go back and many libraries from consoles stretching decades back. Not to mention awesome hardware mods that keep old consoles in great shape and of course folks who gave us MiSTer FPGA.
All in all it’s been a great year for gaming and I am glad there is such an amazing forum to share my hobby with as most of my friends don’t game, lol.
Looking forward to great 2025!
Edit: Forgot to add that finally Europa Universalis 5 is coming out next year and EU4 is probably my most played game of ever, so yay!
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Gandih42
Member
Played the shit out of Titan Quest back in the day, the fact that a Titan Quest 2 is coming is the bestest answer here
Gaming always makes me happy.
I'm happy I get to play Super Mario RPG and actually play it - turn based games didn't click for me when I was 6. At almost 35 I'm loving what I tried so many times to get into, but kept quitting after the first hour, in a way that's pretty perfect to me.
Indiana Jones I just put 25 hours into, it got me to watch Raiders of the Lost Arc and had my husband enjoying the story watching me play. Nothing better than that...
... but this year also had Shadow of the Erdtree which adds on top of Elden Ring as my absolute GOAT. Stellar Blade blew me away with its gameplay. Hellblade 2 with its graphics and performances.
Super Mario Wonder played only in co-op. Playing TMNT Shredders Revenge on our holiday nights off. Playing through Astro Bot and feeling those nostalgic vibes of nearly 30 years of my life in a game that embraces gameplay and fun in such a pure form.
I can't wait for what I'll play in 2025. Finally Rebirth, maybe even Metroid Prime 4. South of Midnight, a patched STALKER 2. Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2. Every single Nintendo game on Switch 2. Fable!
Love all this hobby, the talent that fuels it, and the discussion around it that's shaped it into what it is today, both that good and the bad.
I'm happy I get to play Super Mario RPG and actually play it - turn based games didn't click for me when I was 6. At almost 35 I'm loving what I tried so many times to get into, but kept quitting after the first hour, in a way that's pretty perfect to me.
Indiana Jones I just put 25 hours into, it got me to watch Raiders of the Lost Arc and had my husband enjoying the story watching me play. Nothing better than that...
... but this year also had Shadow of the Erdtree which adds on top of Elden Ring as my absolute GOAT. Stellar Blade blew me away with its gameplay. Hellblade 2 with its graphics and performances.
Super Mario Wonder played only in co-op. Playing TMNT Shredders Revenge on our holiday nights off. Playing through Astro Bot and feeling those nostalgic vibes of nearly 30 years of my life in a game that embraces gameplay and fun in such a pure form.
I can't wait for what I'll play in 2025. Finally Rebirth, maybe even Metroid Prime 4. South of Midnight, a patched STALKER 2. Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2. Every single Nintendo game on Switch 2. Fable!
Love all this hobby, the talent that fuels it, and the discussion around it that's shaped it into what it is today, both that good and the bad.
Klosshufvud
Member
In 2024 you could buy several brands of handhelds that were capable of playing brand new current gen AAA games while delivering excellent battery life and image quality.
My best gaming memory of 2024 has precisely been in that handheld experience, from being able to emulate Playstation 1 to 3 games to playing current gen games like Tekken 8 and Metaphor at great quality. It's a tech marvel in both hardware and software terms.
My best gaming memory of 2024 has precisely been in that handheld experience, from being able to emulate Playstation 1 to 3 games to playing current gen games like Tekken 8 and Metaphor at great quality. It's a tech marvel in both hardware and software terms.
LavitzSlambert
Member
There's always stuff to complain about, but I love this hobby and it really feels like we have been in a new golden age since 2017.
TropicanaTwista
Member
I really never understood the doom and gloom stuff. This was probably my favorite year gaming since 2020. Didn't have a single down spot the entire year, just great game after great game. Didn't even touch my backlog.
EruditeHobo
Member
A major positive is that the variety of gaming is astounding right now... think about the differences between the likes of Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, Astrobot, Helldivers 2, Tekken 8, blasphemous & Hollow Knight. That's all attainable on a single system. All the different experiences therein. Pretty good stuff.
And the ease of use is in a completely different world. These days it's easy to sync with a few friends on a multiplayer title and all of a sudden, despite being hundreds of miles apart and everyone having kids and wives and lives, maybe once a week or a few times a month... you're all playing games together! It's like you're back on your couch bullshitting and playing Street Fighter like you were in elementary school. Hours of fun, and it's done on a whim for about 25 bucks each due to a game on sale and a quick digital download.
Prime example for me is that on a whim a few friends of mine picked up NBA 2k25 a couple weeks ago because it was on sale. And despite having wives and lives, we got together on a Friday night and just like that we looked up and it was I believe 1 am. We are in the middle of recreating an epic NBA WCF series, and we're gonna play the full 7 game series. Now is this the best game of all time? Is it going to win GOTY? I mean no... in fact on this board it probably gets completely shit on because of PTW MTX shit or whatever else. But it's a game in which we can all play Magic's & Kareem's Lakers vs Kobe & Shaq's Lakers, or we can put Jordan's 72 win Bulls vs Curry's 73 win Warriors... and most of all we can hang out with each other having fun for a couple hours. And maybe we'll only do it 5-7 times with this game. But the overall point is this kind of thing was essentially not possible (ie it was not this easy and this accessible, even to people who haven't been "hardcore" gamers for about 15 years) outside the very recent era of gaming. We don't have to be in the same city, we don't have to meet up and bring our controllers over to someone's house... we notice someone online, we send a group text, and sometimes a mere 5-10 minutes later we're tipping off and joking with each other like it was 30 years ago.
That's something to be really excited about and pleased with, IMO.
And the ease of use is in a completely different world. These days it's easy to sync with a few friends on a multiplayer title and all of a sudden, despite being hundreds of miles apart and everyone having kids and wives and lives, maybe once a week or a few times a month... you're all playing games together! It's like you're back on your couch bullshitting and playing Street Fighter like you were in elementary school. Hours of fun, and it's done on a whim for about 25 bucks each due to a game on sale and a quick digital download.
Prime example for me is that on a whim a few friends of mine picked up NBA 2k25 a couple weeks ago because it was on sale. And despite having wives and lives, we got together on a Friday night and just like that we looked up and it was I believe 1 am. We are in the middle of recreating an epic NBA WCF series, and we're gonna play the full 7 game series. Now is this the best game of all time? Is it going to win GOTY? I mean no... in fact on this board it probably gets completely shit on because of PTW MTX shit or whatever else. But it's a game in which we can all play Magic's & Kareem's Lakers vs Kobe & Shaq's Lakers, or we can put Jordan's 72 win Bulls vs Curry's 73 win Warriors... and most of all we can hang out with each other having fun for a couple hours. And maybe we'll only do it 5-7 times with this game. But the overall point is this kind of thing was essentially not possible (ie it was not this easy and this accessible, even to people who haven't been "hardcore" gamers for about 15 years) outside the very recent era of gaming. We don't have to be in the same city, we don't have to meet up and bring our controllers over to someone's house... we notice someone online, we send a group text, and sometimes a mere 5-10 minutes later we're tipping off and joking with each other like it was 30 years ago.
That's something to be really excited about and pleased with, IMO.
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V1LÆM
Gold Member
I expect many will not agree with me but I am enjoying game streaming at the moment.
I do play games on my PC but it’s uncomfortable for me to sit for too long. I can’t sit down and chill for hours at my desk even if I recline my chair. I have good days and bad days but sitting on a chair can be painful. Recently something happened to me and now I have a problem with with my hip.
So I’ve been looking for a way to be able to play games on my TV. I downloaded the Steam Link app and it’s been a great experience to stream my PC games to the TV. It’s not as good as playing natively but it’s not bad. I’ve been playing Elden Ring which requires fast reactions.
I also decided to download Xbox app and have been streaming through xCloud. That has been a great experience too. I’ve been playing Forza and Flight Simulator. I really get what Microsoft are going for now. I can play all these games on my phone, laptop, PC, or TV. I don’t need to buy a £300-450 console. Just need to download an app or use my browser. I just bought a Firestick for £50 and it basically acts as the console.
I’m impressed with what Microsoft are doing. Streaming quality can improve but since I last tried it it has improved significantly. I don’t see it replacing native local gaming for me just yet but I’m gonna be playing a lot more games through streaming going forward.
I do play games on my PC but it’s uncomfortable for me to sit for too long. I can’t sit down and chill for hours at my desk even if I recline my chair. I have good days and bad days but sitting on a chair can be painful. Recently something happened to me and now I have a problem with with my hip.
So I’ve been looking for a way to be able to play games on my TV. I downloaded the Steam Link app and it’s been a great experience to stream my PC games to the TV. It’s not as good as playing natively but it’s not bad. I’ve been playing Elden Ring which requires fast reactions.
I also decided to download Xbox app and have been streaming through xCloud. That has been a great experience too. I’ve been playing Forza and Flight Simulator. I really get what Microsoft are going for now. I can play all these games on my phone, laptop, PC, or TV. I don’t need to buy a £300-450 console. Just need to download an app or use my browser. I just bought a Firestick for £50 and it basically acts as the console.
I’m impressed with what Microsoft are doing. Streaming quality can improve but since I last tried it it has improved significantly. I don’t see it replacing native local gaming for me just yet but I’m gonna be playing a lot more games through streaming going forward.
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Sintoid
Member
I’m happy that in the coming months, hopefully, Nintendo will finally announce new hardware.
Maybe a new Punchout too …
Do you realize that a new Puchout will probably have motion control for Joycons? That Boxers like Vodka Drunkensky or Bald Bull will no longer be around and instead there will be Soda Popinsky and something like that?
Anyway I'm happy for my gaming notebook I bought last year. I had a tax credit to spend and I got this Lenovo with RTX 3060m for a decent price and It's a decent hardware that lets me enjoy PC gaming world without selling a lung
T0minator
Member
Gaming right now is at a high point for me, I haven't been this excited about the industry in awhile,
Tekken 8 tournaments have been awesome
Helldivers 2 has been hilarious/fun throughout the year
Seeing Ghost of Yōtei and finally seeing Naughty Dogs new IP Intergalactic are incredibly exciting.
The possibility of a new 3D Mario sometime next year on a powerful Switch is incredibly exciting
Xbox finally coming in to it's own next year after so many years of disappointments, next year looks like a win for them. Possibly seeing GOTY nominations for all 3 brands in a single year is incredibly exciting.
I'm incredibly excited about gaming right now.
Tekken 8 tournaments have been awesome
Helldivers 2 has been hilarious/fun throughout the year
Seeing Ghost of Yōtei and finally seeing Naughty Dogs new IP Intergalactic are incredibly exciting.
The possibility of a new 3D Mario sometime next year on a powerful Switch is incredibly exciting
Xbox finally coming in to it's own next year after so many years of disappointments, next year looks like a win for them. Possibly seeing GOTY nominations for all 3 brands in a single year is incredibly exciting.
I'm incredibly excited about gaming right now.
Soodanim
Member
I'm most pleased with options. Valve are making new movements when it comes to the PC space with Steam Controller 2 and Steam branding/certification (whatever it will be), which opens things up and also helps with the Linux gaming in the long term (can only be a good thing).
I'm pleased that GOG is still going strong and has a mixture of old and new. Trying to support them more because I love that it exists.
I also like that on the console side performance modes exist. It's nice to know that if I went back to console I'd have options there, too.
I'm pleased that GOG is still going strong and has a mixture of old and new. Trying to support them more because I love that it exists.
I also like that on the console side performance modes exist. It's nice to know that if I went back to console I'd have options there, too.
Magister
Member
I realized that the only way to deal with a gaming burnout is to switch genres.
Also, actually playing games I own from my backlog instead of PS+ games made me happier.
I also don't have to play new games of questionable quality when I have a mountain of good older games.
This was also the year when I started playing indie games and they are more fun than most modern ones (I hate when a game tries to be an interactive movie).
Also, actually playing games I own from my backlog instead of PS+ games made me happier.
I also don't have to play new games of questionable quality when I have a mountain of good older games.
This was also the year when I started playing indie games and they are more fun than most modern ones (I hate when a game tries to be an interactive movie).
Switch is the second best for indies. The best platform for them is actually the Steam Deck.
Skifi28
Member
Yeah, GAF lately feels like being locked in the comment section of a Yongyea video. Lately I've been quite happy replaying some older games on the pro, double dipping on some Sony games on PC and really getting into Zenless Zone Zero which I did not expect to be this good and without having to spent any money. Tons of good games out there, both older and new, no reason being bitter all the time about everything methinks.
Markio128
Member
FF7:R and Astrobot saved the year for me as far as new games are concerned. Other than that, I’ve mostly been playing the evergreens that are GT7, Witcher 3 and GTAV, in part thanks to the boost they all received on the Pro.
I’ve been pretty content with 2024, but I reckon that I’ve completed fewer games this year than in any other year. I think I’m gagging for ND’s new game and the new GTA to be honest. There have been a lot of okay and decent games released this year, but not many that have reached for the stratosphere, as far as I’m concerned.
I’ve been pretty content with 2024, but I reckon that I’ve completed fewer games this year than in any other year. I think I’m gagging for ND’s new game and the new GTA to be honest. There have been a lot of okay and decent games released this year, but not many that have reached for the stratosphere, as far as I’m concerned.
Sure, I get that. But I don't really game on PC so for me it's Switch.
Hypereides
Member
I appreciate we have developers who have still have free reign and take chances to create mid-budget AA games/experiences which cater to "niche" audiences. Any AA devs reading this, you're the real MVPs and the true beating heart of this industry. Respect to all of you.
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MikeM
Member
I’m just happy to see that both consoles and PC are completely viable places to play with minimal compromises.
Days of consoles being 30fps only are long gone and the continued acceptance of VRR is allowing for near PC level framerates of 60+ FPS.
Tempest remains the best 3d audio I have used regardless of platform.
Dualsense can be a work of art in immersion if used properly like Astro and Returnal.
The release of PSSR, while imperfect, is the first true AI upscaler to consoles.
While PC has had its issues with stutters and cheating in the MP world, there is no denying that if you have money to burn, a high end GPU will take the console experience and crank it up some serious notches visually.
Then there has been the resurgence of handheld gaming which has been largely declared unsexy until Switch and Steam Deck came out. Now we have countless options, with more to come from Xbox and PlayStation.
Days of consoles being 30fps only are long gone and the continued acceptance of VRR is allowing for near PC level framerates of 60+ FPS.
Tempest remains the best 3d audio I have used regardless of platform.
Dualsense can be a work of art in immersion if used properly like Astro and Returnal.
The release of PSSR, while imperfect, is the first true AI upscaler to consoles.
While PC has had its issues with stutters and cheating in the MP world, there is no denying that if you have money to burn, a high end GPU will take the console experience and crank it up some serious notches visually.
Then there has been the resurgence of handheld gaming which has been largely declared unsexy until Switch and Steam Deck came out. Now we have countless options, with more to come from Xbox and PlayStation.
Humdinger
Gold Member
I'm happy that there are still older games to play when the newer ones seem stale. I'm happy that we're still getting older-style gaming in this 'modern' era. And I'm happy about the increasing hybridization between console and PC gaming, which should eventually let me leap the gap without too much trouble.
Nickolaidas
Member
I love the fact that a lot of dormant / forgotten IPs seem to be making a comeback and look like they might be very good.
I love the fact that I Final Fantasy VII is becoming my favorite game once more.
I love the fact that I Final Fantasy VII is becoming my favorite game once more.
John Marston
GAF's very own treasure goblin
Wolves hunt in packs
Member
I'm happy in general about gaming, had some awesome and surprising games like Atomic Heart and Dead Island 2, and overall still excited about upcoming games/consoles. 
TheTony316
Member
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
I was genuinely surprised how civil we were when discussing Jordan and Intergalactic and not a single fight happened.
Justice for Little Chicken
EruditeHobo
Member
Oh right, a backlog. Another thing which we take for granted but has only really been a thing for the last 20 years. And like anything which increases in value over time/in the aggregate, it's never been a better time to have a backlog than... right now!
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Days like these...
Have a Blessed Day
I wont be happy till Sony goes under and Sega returns to it's former glory*
*I'm cognizant of the fact that I will die an unhappy man
*I'm cognizant of the fact that I will die an unhappy man
ValiantTraveler
Member
I'm happy that:
- Every year has some huge JRPG releases, with more to come in 2025.
- Older games are getting ports, remasters, and remakes that make them accessible on current platforms. I can play a lot of games I missed out on year ago, like Tales of Vesperia and Baten Kaitos. Looking forward to Tales of Graces F and Xenoblade Chronicles X.
- Indies keep making a huge variety of games that are innovative, experimental, or that simply keep alive pixel art and retro aesthetics.
- The retro handheld segment keeps expanding and more people are open to exploring the games of the past.
- Asian devs take their shot at AA/AAA gaming, bringing mor competition and variety.
- Holy shit Bleach is getting a brand new console game.
- Every year has some huge JRPG releases, with more to come in 2025.
- Older games are getting ports, remasters, and remakes that make them accessible on current platforms. I can play a lot of games I missed out on year ago, like Tales of Vesperia and Baten Kaitos. Looking forward to Tales of Graces F and Xenoblade Chronicles X.
- Indies keep making a huge variety of games that are innovative, experimental, or that simply keep alive pixel art and retro aesthetics.
- The retro handheld segment keeps expanding and more people are open to exploring the games of the past.
- Asian devs take their shot at AA/AAA gaming, bringing mor competition and variety.
- Holy shit Bleach is getting a brand new console game.
ricardo_sousa11
Member
Indie games have been getting better and better,
Also love that I can get PS1 games now without the premium, on Ps5
And POE2 has me feeling like a kid playing WoW.
Also love that I can get PS1 games now without the premium, on Ps5
And POE2 has me feeling like a kid playing WoW.
Aguero9320
Member
Game Pass and then GeForce Now have reinvigorated gaming for me. Playing more than ever I’d say, across all platforms (except Switch, which I’ve dropped almost completely), and the quality of games are amazing. Never better IMO. I also like Exophase for tracking my play cross platform.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
I’m happy to just step away from the internet and enjoy games. I’ve also got an older coworker that plays games - and is oblivious to the constant drama.
S0ULZB0URNE
Member
That these days high quality games sell good and sometimes great.
bundylove
Member
I am happy about remakes and remasters.
There are many games i missed out on or had nothing but love for and to replay them in a new light or play them first time with new graphics is a dream come true.
Honestly....take my words serious here...remakes pulled me back into hardcore gaming again. It reminds me why i love gaming in the first place.
There are many games i missed out on or had nothing but love for and to replay them in a new light or play them first time with new graphics is a dream come true.
Honestly....take my words serious here...remakes pulled me back into hardcore gaming again. It reminds me why i love gaming in the first place.
Nickolaidas
Member
Still have a long way to go.
MajinSweet4
Member
I remember people saying the same thing about Punch Out Wii. "It will probably use the wii mote and nunchuck, most likely be baby version of Punch Out." I played it recently and its awesome. Stop being a weirdo doomer, its the whole point of this thread.
I am happy that FF7:rebirth is coming to PC next month and will be my first game purchase in over a year.
Then I'm also happy that Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is coming out shortly after.
Don't know what else, right now, but I expect greatness and think I'll be satisfied.
Hope the same for all of you.
Then I'm also happy that Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is coming out shortly after.
Don't know what else, right now, but I expect greatness and think I'll be satisfied.
Hope the same for all of you.
yansolo
Member
im not sure what you mean but yes playing older games you missed out on at the time is fun
EruditeHobo
Member
Only that the nature of a backlog is that, generally, it's going to be bigger, better, and more varied the more time passes... almost by definition it's getting added to more than it is being subtracted from over time. Very general statement though.
And the modern backlog (steam, digital downloads, seasonal sales, etc) is going to be much less cumbersome and easier to manage than anything happening say 15-20 years ago.
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