It’s been a while since I used their app but I vaguely remember some support (?). Although at that point you’re basically using GoG as DRM, but I appreciate the attempt to give Steam competition in that space. The whole concept of meta gaming in general is kind of monopolized.

Yes, can confirm that a major aspect of the genre is total exploration and collection of items. Hollow Knight, due to it’s difficulty and attraction to the “dark souls” adrenaline junkies, has added importance of achievements for things like Steel Soul mode (aka ironman, i.e. no deaths).

Also the genre has a long history of rewarding speed running. Metroid’s secret endings were hidden behind fairly strict time limits, for instance.

Well, yes, enough that gamification snuck into other sectors. That said, implementation isn’t always great, but at least in HK/SS (games focused on exploration and collection of upgrades) achievements are a popular acknowledgement of that collectathon.

I get too much anxiety to chase after speed run achievements, though. It’s really meant to be up to the users if they care or not.

It’s what happens when you copy someone else’s homework; the formula they tried to emulate with VII is Humankind, which actually is a good game, but they didn’t really understand the secret sauce that made it good. They just stole mechanics and called it a day.

I don’t mind Steam for my copy, but if you’re worried about achievements I can say they have in game ones to scratch that itch if you’re considering GoG for drm free experience.

I might just get two copies, depending how I feel after beating it. $20 USD is a bit of a steal.

Y’know, from a risk assessment standpoint, you can’t be too surprised they over rely on data since AAAs cost so much to make an a flop can lose millions, and sometimes even billions of dollars. Mediocre can still sell, and you and I both know they aren’t doing it for art or expression.

I do want to make one other point about survivor bias, though… there are plenty of crappy indie games, too. We focus a lot on the greats (and trust me, I hunger for the Silksong) but it makes up a pretty small percent in a world where everyone can make something. I sometimes will spin up a random game from regrettable purchases (like, indiegala bundles or those “mystery game” purchases) and some of them are really, truly horrible. I try to give is as much respect as I can, and sometimes I do find a few gems that nobody has played, but like… not every passion project is Undertale, lol.

Although tbh, I like streaming a bad game for friends because they can watch me suffer, haha, so I still appreciate the, uh, effort.

Idk why people are giving you shit on that, you’re right. Not necessarily indie-level right, but people hired to do the next Mario or Zelda are given remarkable freedom. I read up on the BotW development and they pitched their crazy idea, got green lit, and when leading their team they took suggestions from every part of the team (quite literally, artists, marketers, localization specialists, etc.). If I could remember the link I’d share it, but it’s straight up good AAA management.

Though, to be fair it’s really team by team and it’s quite possible they got lucky with some of these. There are plenty of misses, after all. I’m kinda glad I’m off the Nintendo bandwagon after the whole Yuzu/Ryujinx legal crap.

The original creator moved on from the series a while ago and I don’t think came back, but I’m happy to see nonetheless.

I should use this as an excuse to finally get a NAS setup. Maybe.

Yeah, I’m afraid the tech bros cut costs by not saving backups and removing all the old ones. Hell, all our changes are made in prod, no staging allowed here.