RPG Games – Blog of Games – A Friendly Gaming Community https://blogofgames.com Fri, 15 Nov 2024 08:01:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://blogofgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cropped-BoG-black-1-180x180-3501448-150x150.png RPG Games – Blog of Games – A Friendly Gaming Community https://blogofgames.com 32 32 Black Myth: Wukong Review https://blogofgames.com/black-myth-wukong-review/ Mon, 19 Aug 2024 06:02:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=1815 Black Myth: Wukong surprised me with its unique take on action-RPG gameplay. Despite its similarities to the souls-like genre, the game’s Chinese developer, Game Science, insists it isn’t one, defining it instead as a straightforward action-RPG. This distinction holds true, as Black Myth: Wukong is not a traditional souls-like. Instead, it feels more like an extended boss rush, frequently transitioning from one challenging boss fight to another. These elaborate battles are where the game truly shines, though the segments between them can sometimes feel aimless and tedious. Thankfully, the satisfying combat and diverse boss encounters help to mitigate these issues.

The game’s narrative is inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, originally published in the 16th century during the Ming dynasty. This epic saga has had a lasting impact, influencing works from Ninja Theory’s Enslaved: Odyssey to the West to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga. Black Myth: Wukong is set after the original story while incorporating familiar characters such as Zhu Bajie, Kang Jinlong, and the Bull Demon King, although some character allegiances differ from the source material.

In Black Myth: Wukong, you step into the role of a mute monkey known as the Destined One, who bears a striking resemblance to the legendary Sun Wukong, better known as the Monkey King. This connection to such an iconic character from Journey to the West adds a layer of intrigue, as players are left wondering about your true identity: Are you a reincarnation of the Monkey King, or perhaps a clone setting out on your own journey? While the ultimate answer to this mystery isn’t particularly shocking, it culminates in a thrilling conclusion to the adventure.

However, I found the overall narrative to be somewhat lacking. While it’s evident that Game Science had the freedom to diverge from the original story, I often felt lost trying to grasp the intricacies of Black Myth: Wukong’s plot. The game is structured into six chapters, each focusing on a self-contained tale that explores universal themes like love, hate, and greed. Yet, for players unfamiliar with Journey to the West or Chinese mythology, many references and concepts may be confusing.

This makes it challenging to fully engage with both the overarching narrative and its more personal stories. It’s disappointing because the opportunity to experience a Chinese interpretation of such a classic tale is inherently captivating. Many people are familiar with the story through adaptations from other cultures, so seeing it handled with care and detail here is refreshing. There are standout moments, such as the encounters with a headless monk who serenades you with a Sanxian, and the character designs are exceptional throughout. However, without a solid grasp of the source material or the context of Chinese folklore, it can be tough to fully appreciate the richness of the story being told.

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One of the standout features of Black Myth: Wukong is how it integrates Sun Wukong’s extraordinary abilities into its fast-paced combat system. Players control the Destined One, who is closely tied to the legendary Monkey King, and this connection is reflected in the diverse combat mechanics available.

At the heart of Wukong’s arsenal is the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a magical staff that can change size at will. Players will find themselves executing fluid combos with this staff, which can elongate to deliver devastating blows and then retract to strike with precision. This dynamic combat style is complemented by a range of magical spells that utilize mana and come with cooldowns. For instance, players can create clones of the Destined One, allowing them to distract and overwhelm enemies. Another notable spell is Immobilize, which freezes opponents in place for a brief period, granting players the chance to unleash a flurry of attacks or retreat and heal.

Shapeshifting is another critical aspect of gameplay. The Destined One can transform into certain defeated enemies, each offering unique movesets and abilities. Early on, players gain the Red Tides transformation after defeating the giant wolf Guangzhi. This form allows you to wield a flaming glaive, inflicting burn damage while executing impressive combos. Notably, each transformation comes with its own health bar, effectively acting as an extra life. Once this health bar is depleted or after you’ve used up your Might through attacks, you’ll revert to your original form, adding a strategic layer to combat.

These elements combine to create a combat experience that feels both engaging and versatile. The ability to seamlessly switch between different styles of play—whether through staff combat, magic, or shapeshifting—keeps the gameplay fresh and dynamic. This intricate system showcases the Monkey King’s prodigious combat capabilities and offers players a variety of tactical options as they navigate the game’s challenging boss encounters and explore the richly detailed world of Black Myth: Wukong.

In Black Myth: Wukong, the combat system is intricately designed, blending unique mechanics that keep players engaged, particularly through its combo system and focus on strategic timing. The combat revolves around building Focus points through light attacks, which can then be unleashed as heavy attacks. This creates a rewarding cycle where players must balance quick hits with the timing of more powerful moves. While light attacks may feel somewhat insubstantial, serving primarily to build Focus, the satisfaction comes from chaining these attacks into heavier finishers. Executing a full combo—especially one that transitions into a heavy attack—results in visually striking moments where your staff glows red-hot, delivering significant damage and staggering foes with a powerful impact.

Finding openings in enemy attacks is crucial, particularly using the Immobilize spell to create opportunities for your most effective combos. As players master the dance of dodging and executing their abilities, boss fights transform into exhilarating, fast-paced battles. This core gameplay loop is at the heart of what makes combat in Black Myth: Wukong feel alive and dynamic.

As an action RPG that often feels like a boss rush, the quality of the boss battles becomes pivotal, and Black Myth: Wukong largely excels in this area. Each chapter introduces a cast of formidable Yaoguai, mythological beasts that offer diverse challenges. From a giant black bear to a fierce dragon and a blood-spattered tiger, these encounters are visually and mechanically varied. The combat focuses on dodging rather than blocking or parrying, with the latter being limited to a magic spell with a cooldown. This design choice encourages players to develop their dodging skills, navigating the frenetic pace of battles.

While some may find the lack of traditional blocking and parrying options daunting, the overall challenge is balanced well. Many bosses can be defeated on the first attempt, even for those familiar with more challenging action RPGs. This accessibility does not undermine the game’s intensity, as tougher bosses still provide a significant challenge without adjustable difficulty settings. The game offers a forgiving ramp-up to its most demanding encounters, ensuring that players are engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Overall, Black Myth: Wukong successfully merges its unique combat mechanics with thrilling boss battles, creating a fast-paced, strategic experience that both challenges and entertains players. The intricate design and the satisfaction of mastering its systems contribute to the game’s identity as a fresh take on the action RPG genre, rooted in the rich lore of Journey to the West.

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The boss battles in Black Myth: Wukong are undoubtedly the highlight of the game, offering a visually stunning and mechanically engaging experience. The variety of settings—ranging from frozen lakes to blood-soaked pools—adds to the drama of these encounters, enhancing the feeling of immersion as you face off against the formidable Yaoguai. The fights have a choreographed elegance that combines martial arts influences with supernatural elements, creating a sense of tension and excitement. Players are encouraged to study attack patterns, time their dodges precisely, and exploit openings for counterattacks, which elevates the combat from simple button-mashing to a more nuanced dance of strategy and skill.

The strategic component of combat is particularly noteworthy; players must adapt their approach based on the unique traits of each boss. The Immobilize spell, for instance, may not always be effective, prompting players to think creatively about their abilities and transformations to exploit an enemy’s elemental weakness. This tactical depth contributes to the thrill of victory, especially when defeating tougher bosses elicits a rush of adrenaline and a profound sense of accomplishment.

While the game shares certain traits with souls-like titles—such as the checkpoint system that respawns enemies and the limited healing mechanics—its overall design diverges significantly from the genre. The linear structure of levels often feels straightforward and occasionally uninspired. While there are some branching paths that lead to optional bosses and crafting materials, the majority of the gameplay follows a singular route. This design choice can make the exploration feel less rewarding, particularly when combined with an abundance of invisible walls and a jump mechanic that lacks utility throughout most of the game. The result is that sections between the exhilarating boss battles can feel sparse and drawn out, detracting from the overall pacing and engagement.

A significant moment toward the end of the game highlights the design’s shortcomings. Players may encounter a puzzle or task that feels out of place compared to the rest of the game, requiring a very specific solution that lacks clarity. This moment can lead to frustration, as players may spend hours trying to figure out the correct approach, only to be left questioning whether they’ve encountered a bug or simply overlooked something obvious. This kind of design misstep can sap the momentum of the final chapter, undermining the otherwise thrilling experience built throughout the game.

In summary, while Black Myth: Wukong excels in delivering memorable boss battles infused with strategic depth and visual splendor, its linear level design and occasional frustrating moments can detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game’s ability to evoke strong emotions and provide exhilarating combat moments makes it a noteworthy entry in the action RPG genre.

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Black Myth: Wukong undoubtedly excels in its visual presentation and combat mechanics, creating an engaging experience that captures the essence of its source material while offering players thrilling encounters. The environments, from the serene bamboo forests to the eerie, spider-infested estates illuminated by moonlight, are beautifully crafted, showcasing the game’s artistic direction and attention to detail. Each setting is distinct and vibrant, enhancing the overall immersion and making exploration feel rewarding, even if the level design itself can sometimes be linear and uninspired.

The game’s performance on PC has been commendable, particularly with its use of Unreal Engine 5. The preemptive shader compilation effectively mitigates stuttering issues, allowing for a smooth gameplay experience that showcases the stunning graphics without interruptions. This technical polish helps to elevate the overall impression of the game, making the beautiful environments even more enjoyable to traverse.

While the boss battles are the standout feature of Black Myth: Wukong, serving as exhilarating highlights that keep players engaged, the moments between these encounters can feel lacking. The scarcity of enemies and the straightforward level design contribute to a sense of stagnation, which may leave players yearning for the next thrilling clash with a Yaoguai. Despite these drawbacks, the choice to focus on boss fights rather than adhering to the traditional souls-like formula is commendable and offers a refreshing take on the action RPG genre.

In summary, Black Myth: Wukong strikes a balance between its cinematic boss battles and the less compelling elements of its design. The game is uneven, yet the highlights often outweigh the low points. Its ambitious approach, striking visuals, and fast-paced combat make it a noteworthy title, even if it falters in certain areas. Overall, it represents an exciting step forward for action RPGs, carving out a unique niche that sets it apart from the increasingly saturated souls-like landscape.

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Stellar Blade Review https://blogofgames.com/stellar-blade-review/ Sat, 27 Apr 2024 05:53:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=1805 What inspires us and what we choose to honor reveals much about our creative works. Stellar Blade draws heavily from the last two generations of character action games, proudly showcasing influences from titles like Bayonetta and Nier: Automata in its themes, designs, and stylistic elements. To fully appreciate Stellar Blade, one must recognize its roots to see what it enhances and where it falls short compared to the giants it aims to emulate.

In Stellar Blade, you play as Eve, a human navigating a distant future Earth overrun by monsters known as Naytibas. EVE possesses superhuman abilities, having been raised in a space colony and trained to rescue the few survivors from this pervasive threat. While the story features some intriguing twists, it primarily remains in the realm of pulp science fiction, sometimes feeling over-the-top in its attempt to surprise. Characters frequently shift their motivations to serve plot twists, often reverting to their original mindsets without acknowledgment. At times, I wished for a bit more restraint in the writing, as it feels reminiscent of a first season of a TV show trying desperately to secure a second season.

The inconsistent quality of the writing in Stellar Blade weighs heavily against it, as some puzzling side quests are followed by more engaging ones, though not frequently enough. Just when you start to feel fatigued by waypoint navigation, the game surprises you with a side quest featuring unique content and boss fights, or a narrative that goes beyond the typical search for someone who has already died. While the main story touches on themes like transhumanism and moral relativity, it fails to explore them meaningfully. The stilted and awkward voice acting further detracts from the experience, making it difficult to take the story seriously. Historically, the narrative quality in character action games has often been secondary, but those expecting more than the genre’s average will need to adjust their expectations.

Where Stellar Blade truly excels is in its gameplay. Whether sprinting down a desert dune or battling a cockroach monster that leaps out at EVE, the action is genuinely enjoyable. EVE typically embarks on missions filled with dynamic set pieces and numerous enemies, and this formula generally works well. There are some missteps, such as jumping sections, tedious puzzles involving an arcade-style pipe game or a Simon Says variation, and lengthy tunnel surfing segments that clash with the game’s inherent floatiness. However, for the most part, Stellar Blade understands its strengths and delivers an entertaining experience.

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Gameplay in Stellar Blade is enhanced by an engaging combat system that focuses heavily on parries and dodges. Instead of being a simple combo fest, the game adds depth by channeling all your actions into powerful special moves. Successfully deflecting attacks or dodging enemy onslaughts not only keeps your health bar intact but also amplifies the effectiveness of your counterattacks when the opportunity arises. Defeats in battle usually stem from a lack of understanding of enemy patterns rather than unexpected attacks, inviting you to return with newfound knowledge for your next attempt.

However, a significant drawback preventing Stellar Blade from surpassing its notable inspirations is its pacing. While the game is relatively long for its genre, individual sections can feel excessively drawn out. Many doors are locked or unpowered, requiring detours to find keys or activate switches, making it frustratingly rare to simply progress as intended. Tasks that should feel like quick set pieces often become tedious, as players may have to fight through 30 enemies before reaching an objective, all while knowing they must defeat multiple targets to complete the level. These overly lengthy sections would have benefited from more decisive editing.

In some ways, it feels as if Stellar Blade wants to have its pacing both ways. On one hand, the game consistently directs you forward, creating a sense of progression. On the other hand, many enemies pose a real threat, capable of taking EVE down with a single powerful combo, while requiring multiple special moves to defeat. This balance can make encounters feel unwieldy and slightly tedious, especially when they accumulate on your path to the objective. When death only results in retracing the same combat-heavy route, it can start to feel punishing.

The game’s structure does allow for some player-driven pacing, particularly in missions set in its open areas. However, these zones, though large, tend to funnel you down predetermined paths rather than offering creative routes. Most frustratingly, there are only two desert-themed zones—one subtropical and one semi-arid—wasting an opportunity for variety. A minimap would have been beneficial in these open spaces instead of a separate, underutilized map screen. Additionally, side quests become unavailable surprisingly early in the game, and players are explicitly warned about this, leading to a rush to complete them when they would feel better spread out.

One redeeming quality is the game’s soundtrack, which features one catchy track after another. Navigating the desert and tackling sub-missions becomes almost zen-like with a vocalist’s soothing interludes. Boss fights range from heavy metal to pop, providing an appropriate backdrop to the clash of combat.

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Stellar Blade often impresses with its visuals, featuring dazzling set pieces and stunning character models. While NPC designs vary significantly—some appear as lifelike plastic dolls while others reuse elements from less prominent characters—the main cast stands out in both fidelity and animation.

Although the game’s non-linear areas lack environmental diversity, the main story explores slightly broader settings. Most of the game takes place in ruined buildings and the tunnels beneath them. While the post-apocalyptic backdrop allows for creative combinations of elements and ambiance, it’s disappointing to frequently encounter similar-looking tunnels. A globe-trotting adventure in a sci-fi world should evoke a sense of wonder, but Stellar Blade achieves this only on rare occasions.

As you explore, you’ll discover plenty of loot from treasure chests and enemy drops, though it never feels overwhelming. Most collectible items consist of resources for various shopkeepers, with occasional equipment drops that cater to different playstyles. Each equippable item can slightly change how EVE plays, but none offer such significant alterations that stats become unimportant. If you prefer to focus solely on increasing numbers, Stellar Blade accommodates that as well.

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Regarding the game’s controversial sexiness, I found it to be largely inconsequential, neither a strong positive nor a negative. The only time it became slightly annoying was when quests or exploration rewarded me with yet another dress that offered no stat benefits. I would have preferred items that enhance EVE’s strength rather than more skintight outfits, especially since I already had plenty in my inventory. EVE’s physical appearance felt irrelevant to the overall game, only becoming noteworthy in the early hours.

Stellar Blade possesses a dreamlike quality, though this shouldn’t be misconstrued as a sign that everything is exceptional. It resembles a half-remembered dream that lingers in your mind throughout the day, filled with vague recollections—like a collapsing train yard, a ruined opera house, or an Asian garden—while the details in between fade away. I genuinely enjoyed Stellar Blade despite its flaws, primarily due to its robust systems. Its main weakness lies in some sections feeling overly prolonged, which could be viewed as a compliment from a different perspective.

However, a lingering question remains: does this game reach the heights of its inspirations? My conclusion is no, but the fact that it attempts to do so without failing spectacularly is impressive in itself. Ultimately, it stands as a great game, demonstrating the power of being inspired by those who came before.

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The 10 Weirdest Final Fantasy Enemies in the Entire Franchise https://blogofgames.com/the-10-weirdest-final-fantasy-enemies-in-the-entire-franchise/ Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:59:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=402 The Final Fantasy series is home to some of the strangest and most unimaginable creatures found anywhere in the world of gaming. Some of them recur throughout the franchise, whereas others stand alone within a specific entry. 

From Flans and Chocobos, to Cactuars and Malboros, you are sure to encounter some strange fiends along your journey. But which are the strangest? Read on for our list of the 10 weirdest Final Fantasy enemies and, as always, let us know your take in the comment section below!

The Unknown – Final Fantasy 7

The Unknown are a group of grotesque monsters that appear in Final Fantasy 7. The beasts are a result of scientific Shinra biological experiments that led to a number of deformities and abnormalities. 

There are three different forms of the beast. Unknown 1 (pictured above) is a multicolored head with claws and a freakishly long tongue that it uses to attack. Unknown 2 is a skeletal creature with abnormal breath and protective spines akin to that of a sea urchin. Unknown 3 is a winged beast with poisoned fangs and a creepy touch. 

Ozma – Final Fantasy 9

Ozma is a celestial looking monster that appears in Final Fantasy 9 in the Chocobo’s Air Garden. This giant, vibrant ball of energy is far more dangerous than it first appears and can easily dispose of your party should you be ill-equipped. 

Ozma can inflict Death, Holy, Flare, and Meteor on its opponents, among other things. It is also self-healing. One way to dispose of it quickly, though, is to carry some Dark Matter with you and throw it at the hostile sphere. 

Heavy Tank – Final Fantasy 7

Heavy Tank is a half-tank, half-triceratops monster who appears at the Gongaga Reactor in Final Fantasy 7. It is a weird looking creature, made stranger by the lack of backstory to it. How did this biomechanical experiment come about?

They are high on HP and deal devastating physical attacks. Although they are intimidating in appearance, this dinosaur-machine hybrid shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for Cloud and co. That being said, it’s still one of the weirdest Final Fantasy enemies of all time.

Anima and Maester Seymour – Final Fantasy 10

Anima is a summonable Aeon from Final Fantasy 10 that first appears as an enemy alongside Maester Seymour during the blitzball tournament in Luca. 

Anima is split into two parts – both of which are rather unbecoming. Her top half is a chained aquatic looking beast with her Fayth hanging around her neck. Anima’s bottom half is a furry demon-like beast with claws, horns, fangs, and all other demony things that make her one of the strangest enemies in Final Fantasy history. 

Humbaba and Terra – Final Fantasy 6

Humbaba is one of the many beasts released by Kefka in Final Fantasy 6 after the villainous jester initiated the cataclysm and brought about the beginning of the end of the world. 

For something so supposedly apocalyptic in nature, there is something quite comical about Humbaba to me. Maybe it’s his ginormous ogre-like torso contrasted against the tiny, straw-like legs. Or perhaps it’s his goofy goblin face. Either way, Humbaba is easily one of the most comical and weirdest Final Fantasy enemies around. 

Gighee – Final Fantasy 7

Fewer times have I laughed so hard as when I was first confronted by this pink unicorn-like beast with spiky blonde hair and needle-thin legs. 

Located in the Northern Cave of Final Fantasy 7, Gighee will always appear alongside the equally ridiculous Christopher, a prancing jester who plays music to to inflict damage on Cloud and the party. 

Despite Gighee’s weird appearance, watch out for its Sun Diver move, as it could leave you one party member down. 

Cactuar – Final Fantasy series

Cactuar is one of the most commonly recurring enemies throughout the Final Fantasy series. Typically, they will have low HP, deal high damage, and yield a high amount of Gil upon defeat. 

In appearance, the Cactuar is an anthropomorphic cactus wearing a constant shocked expression. Its limbs also appear to be permanently in running form, even when the creature is stationary. 

Look out for the 1000 needles attack, it can sometimes be enough to see off your party entirely!

Gerogero – Final Fantasy 8

Not only is Gerogero one of the weirdest Final Fantasy enemies, it is also one of the most horrifying. In fact, the beast was so grotesque that it was partially censored for the international version of Final Fantasy 8 (in which it appears), with the protruding organs being changed to blue instead of red to appear less realistic. 

Gerogero is the true form of the Fake President Deling, and the beast will morph from the decoy when enough damage has been dealt. You’ll wish it didn’t, though!

Exdeath (tree form) – Final Fantasy V

Exdeath is the main villain in Final Fantasy V. Initially, he appears as a knight and is fought twice in this form. Later on, though, you get to experience Exdeath’s true tree form, and that’s when things get strange. 

Exdeath is found in the Interdimensional Rift and can attack with a variety of physical and magical abilities. In its final form, exdeath appears as a gigantic cephalic tree with abundant gruesome teeth and a grotesquely dense root structure. It’s not often that you get to fight a tree, and the whole experience makes Exdeath one of the weirdest enemies in Final Fantasy.

Hell House – FF7 Remake

Out of all the weirdest Final Fantasy enemies, Hell House tops the list for me. When all is said and done, fighting a house will never not feel strange, and both the iterations in Final Fantasy 7 and FF7 Remake offer wonderfully bizarre experiences. 

The Hell House has a concealed form and a released form, the latter of which reveals a set of mechanical limbs and thrusters which can unleash powerful physical attacks. In the original Final Fantasy 7, Hell House can be seen as a challenging foe that can be defeated given the right approach. In FF7 Remake, though, Hell House is seen as one of the hardest bosses in the game that is the source of great frustration and has, no doubt, caused one or two chucked controllers during the battle! 

Do you agree with our list of the strangest Final Fantasy enemies? What would you have included instead? Let us know in the comment section below!

To see the Hell House in action in the FF7 Remake, check out the YouTube video below by Boss Fight Database.

If you have any enquiries, or want to let us know your list of the weirdest Final Fantasy enemies, them please get in touch at richard@blogofgames.com

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5 Games Like Mount & Blade https://blogofgames.com/5-games-like-mount-blade/ Tue, 22 Mar 2022 14:25:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=375 Despite being released all the way back in 2008, Mount & Blade and its expansions still stand out from the crowd in the domain of medieval strategy games. The combination of real-time strategy and third-person combat is something which few games have been able to implement so successfully.

Yet, though many games have tried and failed to reach the heights of M&B, there are plenty of gems out there that are worth trying if you’re into this style. We’ve rounded up the best one. Here are 5 games like Mount & Blade

battle-brothers-gameplay-7313016 Battle Brothers Gameplay

Like Mount & Blade, Battle Brothers is a tactical battle RPG in which you lead a small battalion of mercenaries in a procedurally generated medieval world. The obvious difference to M&B is that the combat is turn-based, yet that doesn’t detract from the brilliance and brutality of the game. 

You get to choose where to go, who to fight, who to hire, and how to upgrade your fighters. The characters you begin with each have a backstory, and each of them start with nothing. You must take on missions to earn money, build an army, and strategically learn how to advance throughout the game. 

Granted, the graphics aren’t anything to write home about, but the game is deeper than it looks at first glance, and there is plenty to be getting on with. Indeed, this is a game that you can sink hundreds of hours into and is easily one of the best games like Mount & Blade around. 

Download Battle Brothers on Steam

kingdom-come-deliverance-henry-of-skalitz-5859029 Kingdom Come Deliverance – Henry of Skalitz

Although lacking in the strategy aspect, Kingdom Come: Deliverance has excellent third person combat that is reminiscent of Mount & Blade. Plus, it is abrim with medieval vibes and the immersion makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. 

It is common to hear of people giving up early with KCD due to the difficulty of the combat in the early game. Yet, this difficulty is what makes the game so immersive and satisfying. You start out with the battle skills of a peasant, and combat is painfully slow and sluggish, yet, as soon as the opportunity to train Henry becomes available, you can quickly hone your skills. 

While you don’t get to recruit and manage armies in KCD, you most certainly get a tremendous storyline and excellent combat for those who are patient with the game. If you do decide to try it out, check out these beginner tips for Kingdom Come: Deliverance

starsector-gameplay-6532358 Starsector Gameplay

Often referred to as space M&B, Starsector is very similar to Mount & Blade in terms of its gameplay dynamics. 

In Starsector you take control of your own army as a space captain, and must send them around the universe to trade, pillage, and conquer other kingdoms in order to improve your own. The combat mechanics are incredibly detailed and there is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get used to how the game plays, you can gain experience and level up your units. 

This open-world space-combat game is incredibly vast and, with a very active dev team and mod support, it continues to grow and implement new content.   

If you want to learn more about the game, check out the official Starsector website. 

mount-blade-2-gameplay-2641121 Mount & Blade 2 Gameplay

This might feel like cheating in a list of games like Mount & Blade, but the sequel released in 2020 is absolutely worthy of a mention. The game lives up to expectations and, by many accounts, even exceeds. 

But there is no need to compare the games, and you can perhaps appreciate the second installment more if you treat it as if you are a newcomer.

The game boasts immersive and challenging combat, a well-implemented trading system, impeccable music, and an ever developing quest system. 

With so much hype surrounding the game, it was always going to be the case that it didn’t meet many people’s expectations, but for anyone looking for games like Mount & Blade, I personally think that its sequel is a great place to start. 

kenshi-gameplay-5343107 Kenshi Gameplay

Kenshi is a deep sandbox roleplaying game that often goes under the radar when discussing games like Mount & Blade. Yet, this game is truly phenomenal and the level of depth it has is almost overwhelming.

The graphics aren’t the best, and there is a fair bit of grinding involved to level up, but if you are a patient gamer Kenshi could easily become one of the best games you have ever played. 

You can decide to build a powerful kingdom, become a highly skilled warrior, live life as a slave, or trade your way to the top. You can replay Kenshi multiple times and have completely different playthroughs each time. 

Starting out as just a regular guy, you have the opportunity to upgrade a number of skills including martial arts, stealth, thievery, cooking, swimming and many more. 

I can’t recommend this game enough if you are looking for games similar to Mount & Blade. Download Kenshi on Steam.   

Which games do you think are similar to M&B? Did we miss any in our list? Let us know in the comment section below!

For any enquiries, contact richard@blogofgames.com

For a more detailed review of Kenshi, check out the great YouTube review below by SsethTzeentach.  

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Will there be a Final Fantasy X-3? Everything we know so far https://blogofgames.com/will-there-be-a-final-fantasy-x-3-everything-we-know-so-far/ Fri, 04 Feb 2022 10:24:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=174 Fans of FFX will be used to the rumors of a Final Fantasy X-3 release, and there has been intermittent news related to the topic ever since the original was released in 2001. 

But what exactly do we know about a potential sequel? Will it be released any time soon, if at all? Here’s everything we know about it so far.  

Related: What is the best Final Fantasy game of all time?

Will there be a Final Fantasy X-3?

FFX Characters

The good news is that there is a very real possibility of a Final Fantasy X-3 being developed at some point in the future. The bad news is that it is unlikely to be anytime soon. 

In 2021, it was reported that FFX writer Kazushige Nojima had loosely written a draft story for Final Fantasy X-3, and it seems that there are conversations behind the scenes about a third sequel eventually taking place. 

There is obviously an awareness of the demand for a third game in the Final Fantasy X series, and many people were left unsatisfied with how things ended with FFX-2 and the subsequent novel. It is possible that this sentiment could push the developers to prioritize ending the series on a high note by rounding things up in another sequel.   

One member of the Final Fantasy development team, Motomu Toriyama, has said that the team “has to finish the remake of 7” before they can even think about progressing with any game. 

And with FF7 Remake rumoured to be a trilogy, it is perhaps too early to be thinking about a Final Fantasy X-3 release date. The remake series could take several years to complete, so it is not likely we will hear anything about another FFX sequel any time soon. 

What would the Final Fantasy X-3 story look like? 

Final Fantasy X-3 could focus on Braska, Jecht, and Auron

This is something that has been much debated in the FFX fandom over the years, and there are seemingly a number of directions that the writers could follow with the story. 

One of the most common theories is that a third installment to the series would be a prequel following Braska’s pilgrimage and journey to defeat Sin. This is an appealing prospect as we would get to see a deeper insight into the history of Spira, while also learning about the relationship that was formed between Braska, Jecht and Sir Auron. 

Another option could be to focus the game on the Machina War between the cities of Bevelle and Zanarkand. The War is alluded to in X, X-2, and X-2.5, and the details are sufficient enough to flesh out into a fully fledged game. There are many things to unpack from the Machina War (which took place 1,000 years before the events of FFX), and a game focussed on this period of Spira’s history could look at the destruction of Zanarkand, the creation of Sin by Yu Yevon, and the different ways of living in Zanarkand and Bevelle. 

In truth, the game’s lore has so much depth that a Final Fantasy X-3 could choose a number of things to follow up on, or even combine some of the aforementioned potential plot directions. 

Is there a FFX Remake?

Would Tidus and Wakka feature in a third game?

There has not been a FFX Remake in the same vein as the FInal Fantasy 7 Remake. However, an HD remaster of FFX and X-2 was released in 2013 and is now available on multiple platforms. 

This will have, undoubtedly, brought new audiences to the game and reinvigorated a desire to see a release of Final Fantasy X-3

Get in Touch

If Final Fantasy X-3 was released, what would you like to be included in the game?

For any enquiries, contact richard@blogofgames.com

To watch a beautiful video made for the 20th anniversary of FFX, check out the great YouTube video below by Toby Saunders. 

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Can you Customize The Brotherhood in FFX? https://blogofgames.com/can-you-customize-the-brotherhood-in-ffx/ Fri, 28 Jan 2022 14:33:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=271 When Rikku joins the party as a permanent member, you get access to the very useful Customize ability which allows you to modify any weapon in the game which has an empty slot for a new ability. 

One of the first things you might try to do is customize Tidus’ weapon, The Brotherhood. This is an obvious step to take as there are 3 empty slots ready to be upgraded. Yet, you’ll soon discover that this isn’t possible. Fear not, though, The Brotherhood does get upgraded, read on to find out when. 

Can You Customize The Brotherhood in FFX?

the-brotherhood-was-once-chappus-sword-2566867 The Brotherhood was once Chappu’s sword

The Brotherhood is not customizable during the start of the game, and even for a short while after Rikku joins the party and makes the Customize option available. 

The Brotherhood is automatically upgraded after visiting the Farplane in Guadosalam. When you enter the Farplane, interacting with Wakka initiates a dialogue between him and his brother, Chappu. 

Wakka tells his brother that Tidus reminds him of Chappu, and that he had given him Chappu’s sword. Following this scene, Tidus’ Brotherhood is upgraded automatically, gaining Waterstrike, Strength +10%, and Sensor

FAQs

What is Tidus’ Sword Called?

Tidus’s main weapon in Final Fantasy X is The Brotherhood. The sword has a blue, watery appearance and eventually becomes imbued with the very useful Waterstrike upgrade. Tidus’ other main weapon is the Caladbolg, which can be acquired late on in the game. 

How Do You Upgrade Weapons in Final Fantasy X?

The ability to upgrade weapons in FFX becomes available when Rikku joins the party in Moonflow after defeating the Shoopuf. Rikku will give Tidus a brief tutorial on how the Customize feature works using the menu. Subsequently, any item with an empty slot may be upgraded. 

How do you get Tidus’ Celestial Weapon?

Tidus’ Celestial Weapon is the Caladbolg and it is one of the strongest swords in FFX. To acquire it, you must first get the Celestial Mirror by completing a side quest in Macalania Woods South. 

Then, you must head to the Calm Lands and beat the Chocobo Trainer to acquire the Lv. 3 Key Sphere. This will also open the path to Celestial Weapon in the northernmost part of the Calm Lands. 

Finally, take the Sun Sigil and the Sun Crest to the giant orb in Macalania Woods and upgrade the Caladbolg by interacting with it. 

Get in Touch

What’s your favorite weapon in FFX? Do you like to wield The Brotherhood, or do you prefer your own customized weapon for Tidus? Let us know in the comment section below!

For any enquiries, contact richard@blogofgames.com

To see the Farplane scenes in Final Fantasy X, check out the video below. 

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The Original Besaid Aurochs: How Good Can They Get? https://blogofgames.com/the-original-besaid-aurochs-how-good-can-they-get/ Thu, 27 Jan 2022 09:08:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=155 One of the best things about Final Fantasy X is the side game, Blitzball. In fact, finding the best Blitzball players can be a rewarding experience in itself that will have you travelling all around Spira.

Yet, how good would your team be if you stuck to the original lineup of the Besaid Aurochs. Is it worth keeping Keepa around? Is Letty a worthy box-to-box midfielder? Read on to find out!

Besaid Aurochs Original Lineup

Tidus

tidus-besaid-aurochs-7876488 Tidus – Besaid Aurochs

Position: Forward

Level 1 Stats: HP 132. SP 60. EN 10. AT 3. PA 3. BL 2. SH 10. CA 1.

Level 50 Stats: HP 3,347. SP 64. EN 45. AT 13. PA 31. BL 11. SH 49. CA 11.

Level 99 Stats: HP 9,999. SP 67. EN 80. AT 23. PA 49. BL 19. SH 78. CA 20.

Tidus is probably the only original member of the Besaid Aurochs that you’re likely to keep around long term if you’re going for the best possible team. 

Starting off with strong Endurance and Shot stats, the best thing about Tidus’ Blitzball skills are his Sphere Shot and Jecht Shot, which should win you most games early on with the Aurochs. 

Datto

datto-aurochs-9310705 Datto – Aurochs

Position: Forward

Level 1 Stats: HP 90. SP 60. EN 12. AT 2. PA 4. BL 2. SH 8. CA 1.

Level 50 Stats: HP 2,852. SP 87. EN 41. AT 12. PA 19. BL 9. SH 35. CA 11.

Level 99 Stats: HP 8,567. SP 90. EN 65. AT 26. PA 34. BL 26. SH 62. CA 20.

Datto is a good Forward to have in the team, and is a player who remains relatively consistent throughout. 

He starts (and keeps) solid Endurance and Shooting stats, and if you stick with him until level 99, he’ll be the fastest player in the Besaid Aurochs lineup and the third fastest player in the entire game behind Nedus and Brother. 

Letty

letty-besaid-aurochs-5448988 Letty – Besaid Aurochs

Position: Midfielder

Level 1 Stats: HP 95. SP 60. EN 7. AT 5. PA 10. BL 5. SH 4. CA 1.

Level 50 Stats: HP 3,092. SP 60. EN 29. AT 18. PA 43. BL 22. SH 19. CA 11.

Level 99 Stats: HP 9,209. SP 60. EN 61. AT 37. PA 83. BL 39. SH 39. CA 20.

Letty is a well-rounded midfielder with exceptional Passing abilities and decent Endurance stats. 

If you start playing Blitzball early on in the game (not highly recommended if you’re building the strongest team), Letty will be a real asset to the team. In truth, though, as other players in the game level up around him, his abilities are quickly overshadowed. 

Jassu

jassu-besaid-aurochs-3362390 Jassu – Besaid Aurochs

Position: Defender

Level 1 Stats: HP 100. SP 63. EN 7. AT 10. PA 7. BL 5. SH 1. CA 1.

Level 50 Stats: HP 3,520. SP 65. EN 31. AT 25. PA 27. BL 21. SH 11. CA 11.

Level 99 Stats: HP 9,999. SP 67. EN 37. AT 50. PA 52. BL 40. SH 20. CA 20.

Jassu is a solid defender early on in the game, with strong AT and BL attributes. Additionally, Jassu’s passing ability is good enough that he can double up as a midfielder if you are so inclined to do so. 

Unfortunately, Jassu doesn’t progress as fast as some of the other members of the Besaid Aurochs, and it can feel like a chore to keep him in the team at times. 

Botta

botta-besaid-aurochs-9240716 Botta – Besaid Aurochs

Position: Defender

Level 1 Stats: HP 105. SP 60. EN 3. AT 10. PA 6. BL 2. SH 1. CA 1.

Level 50 Stats: HP 3,353. SP 60. EN 16. AT 24. PA 18. BL 17. SH 12. CA 11.

Level 99 Stats: HP 9,121. SP 60. EN 34. AT 46. PA 16. BL 61. SH 26. CA 21.

Similarly to Jassu, Botta starts off as a decent defender and will get you through the early Blitzball games at low levels. His AT attribute is his main attribute at the start of the game, but his EN is nothing to write home about. 

Botta’s BL stat starts off very low, but biomes very high if you stick with him to the later levels (61 at level 99). 

Keepa

keepa-besaid-aurochs-2509061 Keepa – Besaid Aurochs

Level 1 Stats: HP 90. SP 54. EN 4. AT 2. PA 2. BL 4. SH 1. CA 5.

Level 50 Stats: HP 3,075. SP 54. EN 22. AT 7. PA 13. BL 17. SH 4. CA 31.

Level 99 Stats: HP 8,028. SP 53. EN 45. AT 22. PA 23. BL 57. SH 99. CA 39.

Keepa starts off as probably the weakest link in the original Besaid Aurochs lineup. His Catching stat is a mere 5 at level 1, but increases steadily to 39 by the time he is level 99. 

One of the most surprising things about Keepa, though, is that if you persevere with him throughout all the levels, he ends up with the highest Shooting stat in the entire game at 99! It’s fun to do, if nothing else. 

Wakka

wakka-blitzball-1462551 Wakka – Besaid Aurochs

Position: Forward

Level 1 Stats: HP 150. SP 60. EN11. AT 3. PA 3. BL 2. SH 13. CA 1.

Level 50 Stats: HP 2,920. SP 60. EN 40. AT 10. PA 19. BL 7. SH 46. CA 11.

Level 99 Stats: HP 8,817. SP 60. EN 78. AT 16. PA 35. BL 11. SH 80. CA 20.

Wakka starts as an original member of the Besaid Aurochs, but becomes unavailable until you get the airship. Once you do get the ship, though, Wakka can be hired for 1 gil per match. 

One of the best things about Wakka is the Aurochs Spirit ability that appears randomly as a prize during the Blitzball tournaments. This ability adds +10 to Wakka’s shot, in addition to the SH stats of any Besaid Aurochs player in the pitch at the same time. This is one reason why keeping onto the original lineup can prove beneficial. 

FAQs

Where are the Besaid Aurochs based?

The Besaid Aurochs are, unsurprisingly, based on the island of Besaid. They were widely regarded as the worst team in the whole of Spira, but the emergence of Tidus has the ability to change their fortunes. 

How do you get an Aurochs Reel for Wakka’s Overdrive?

To get the Aurochs Reels, you must have competed in 450 battles with Wakka. Then, it will appear as a prize during one of the Blitzball Tournaments. Follow the link to learn more about Wakka’s Overdrives. 

Is Datto a good Blitzball player?

Datto is one of the best players for the Besaid Aurochs. He is also a player that you could keep in the team throughout all of the levels without sacrificing much quality. 

Datto has the potential to become the third fastest player in the game.  

Get in Touch

Did you keep the original Besaid Aurochs lineup? Or did you recruit other blitzball players? If so, who did you choose? Let us know in the comment section below! 

For any enquiries, contact richard@blogofgames.com

Check out the first time Tidus meets the Besaid Aurochs below!

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The 10 Best Characters in Cyberpunk 2077 https://blogofgames.com/the-10-best-characters-in-cyberpunk-2077/ Mon, 20 Dec 2021 14:10:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=353 Now that the dust has settled on Cyberpunk 2077’s disastrous launch, patches and updates have started to reveal what is a truly incredible game. 

Granted, it’s not perfect, and the occasional bug pops up to leave you internally sighing, but overall the game provides a wonderfully immersive experience in a world that’s abrim with things to see and places to explore. 

Part of what makes the game so great is the characters. You can’t help but become emotionally attached to some of them. So, we’ve had a go at ranking the best characters in Cyberpunk 2077 in this completely objective list. Let us know your favorites in the comment section below!

RELATED: What are the best cyberpunk games to play right now?

V – Cyberpunk 2077

It feels like cheating to start off with the main playable character and protagonist, but V is definitely worthy of a mention. I chose to play as the male version of V, and the voice acting was superb. I hear the same is also true of the female V. 

While controlling V, it was the first time in a long while that I really grew attached to my character, and I genuinely liked playing as them.

This might be because of the stylistic choice to only allow first-person perspective – something I (incorrectly) thought would be a mistake – but is more probably down to the fact that V has good dialogue options, and you can mould your character to behave in a way similar to how you might act in the same situation.  

Rogue Anderson – Cyberpunk 2077

I personally feel that Rogue is a very average character whose conversations always seemed to bore me and with whom I had to pry my fingers away from the “Skip Ahead” button. It’s not so much that she was written badly, it’s more the case that I found her character boring.

With that being said, though, there’s no denying that Rogue is integral to the multiple story arcs and plays a big role in the game. Without Rogue, you wouldn’t meet Panam, for example, and you also wouldn’t be able to delve into Johnny Silverhand’s past so thoroughly (some may think that’s a good thing!).

Either way, the game as a whole would not be as good without her, so Rogue has to be one of the best characters in Cyberpunk 2077.  

Viktor Vector – Cyberpunk 2077

This may be controversial, as I know that a lot of people love Viktor Vector, but for me I think the fanfare is overdone. I mean, I like Viktor’s character, don’t get me wrong, but I never felt any sort of attachment to him.

Viktor is a nice man, and he helps V out in immeasurable ways. Yet, his strong connection to V is only ever implied, as opposed to made within the game. For me, this made it very hard to warm too much to Viktor. 

That being said, Viktor is a constant in the game, and a friendly face that I was always happy to see. For the reasons already stated, though, I can’t put him higher in this best Cyberpunk 2077 characters list. 

Johnny Silverhand – Cyberpunk 2077

Whether you like or loathe Johnny Silverhand, there’s no denying that he’s entertaining. Granted, he’s self-serving, misogynistic, and generally just a bit of a wally, but he adds value to the game and (oftentimes) injects some much needed humor to some of the slower missions. 

I don’t think that Johnny is even meant to be likeable, and the character plays on this. His blasé attitude towards life and death is apparent whenever he appears, and is something that Keanu Reeves portrays well, despite some of the criticism that came his way. 

As with the aforementioned Rogue, Johnny Silverhand is not one of my personal favorites, but he definitely makes the game better, and for that reason he has to be included as one of the best characters in Cyberpunk 2077

River Ward – Cyberpunk 2077

Purely from the perspective of the side quests he provides, River is easily one of the best characters in Cyberpunk 2077. I say that as someone who did not romance the character and feel the clarification is necessary as many have reported that the romancing of River is lacklustre and poorly played out. 

The side quest with River very much had that Deckard/Blade Runner-vibe to it, something that I enjoyed very much. The detective work is depressing but engaging, and you encounter the lowest form of low along the way. 

Without giving too much away, this was one of the best side quests in the game, and one that I couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of.  

Delamain – Cyberpunk 2077

For many, Delamain tops the list of the best characters in Cyberpunk 2077, and it’s easy to see why. I think of Delamain as the C3PO of Night City, with his android tendencies so obviously shadowing his attempts to appear human, often with comedic effect. 

Delamain’s side quests are among the best in the game, and provide a much needed chuckle in a game that can get quite dark at times. 

RELATED: What is the best order to play the Shadowrun games?

Jackie Welles – Cyberpunk 2077

Perhaps it’s true that Jackie is in this list by virtue of being the first character in the game that you became emotionally attached to, but that still counts for something. 

When you first enter Night City, Jackie serves as a beacon of hope and teaches V that not everybody is out for themselves. Jackie is kind, loyal, and loveable, all wrapped up into one tidy package of braun and charm. Plus, he leaves his very nice Arch motorcycle to V… 

Goro Takemura – Cyberpunk 2077

Goro is one of the characters that I spent most of the time getting to know simultaneously wondering if I liked him or not. This is, of course, intentional on the part of the writers, with V’s inner monologue even making a point of telling him not to trust Goro. 

After some time, though, Takemura’s dignity and integrity shine through, and it is his adherence to his values that make him so likeable. 

Without giving too much away about Takemura, his story gets more interesting with each mission, and there is a reason why he is considered to be a favorite among so many players. 

Judy Alvarez – Cyberpunk 2077

Judy is another one of those characters in the game that will leave you thinking about them long after you stop playing. 

You first meet Judy through Evelyn, and initially I got the impression that Evelyn would be the bigger character of the two. This was not the case, and rightfully so, too. 

The thing about Judy is that she felt so real: the rebellious exterior that masked great insecurity; her blind ambition to do the right thing while not seeing the problems that lay ahead; and a sense of loneliness and resignation to the horrible nature of Night City that leaves a bitter undertone to her dialogue.

All these things made her authentic, and it’s this authenticity that resonates with so many players, and why she has gained a committed following since the game was released. For sure, Judy’s story is one that will keep you gripped throughout.  

For me, Panam is easily the best character in Cyberpunk 2077. From the first moment you interact with her it is clear that she will play an important role in V’s story. 

The emotional connection built with Panam feels very real, and you couldn’t help but smile when you receive a text message from her. The only complaint I’d have about Panam’s character is how quickly she goes from cold to hot with how she feels about V when they first meet. It was a little confusing, but this could also be explained by her highly strung nature. 

It’s testament to the writing team how quickly the player is able to feel emotionally connected to Panam, and that’s not because she’s the perfect character, but because she feels very real. Panam, like everyone, is flawed. On the one hand you have a caring and tenacious character who gets the job done, but on the other hand, she could easily be described as selfish, blindly pursuing her goals no matter who gets hurt along the way.

This complexity in personality is what makes Panam one of the best characters in Cyberpunk 2077. That and, of course, the fact the she’s a beer-chugging hottie with a penchant for doing the no-pants dance in high grade military tanks.   

Who do you think are the best characters in Cyberpunk 2077? Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comment section below!

For any enquiries, contact me at richard@blogofgames.com

If you’re new to the game and are looking for some tips, check out the great YouTube video below by Upper Echelon Gamers. 

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Best Final Fantasy 12 Characters – All Playable Characters Ranked https://blogofgames.com/best-final-fantasy-12-characters-all-playable-characters-ranked/ Sat, 18 Dec 2021 19:34:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=506 Although FFXII is not everybody’s cup of tea, it introduced some great characters with unique combat abilities. 

Some are better than others, and here we’ve aimed to rank the best Final Fantasy 12 characters from worst to best. Read on for more.

RELATED: The 10 best quotes from the Final Fantasy series

Vossler – FF12

Vossler York Azelas used to be a captain of the Order of the Knights of Dalmasca, before joining the Resistance to take down Imperial forces in Ivalice. 

The knight joins the party only twice throughout the game – once aboard the Leviathan, and the other in the Tomb of Raithwall.

Vossler is not a bad character to play as, and has the very handy Technik ability, but the fact that you only get to use him on two occasions means that Vossler can’t be any higher on the list of best Final Fantasy 12 characters.   

Reddas – Final Fantasy 12

Reddas, whose full name is Foris Zecht, is a mature pirate with a thickset build and white beard (despite being only 33…). Reddas is haunted by his past, and carries a great deal of remorse on his shoulders for his past actions.

He joins as a guest member after Treaty-Blade is gained, and is available to use throughout the Pharos and Ridorana Contract dungeon quests. 

Despite being strong and quick, a lack of HP makes Reddas not a particularly great addition to the team, and he can easily be overlooked for better characters in FF12. 

Larsa – FF12

Larsa Ferrinas Solidor is the son of Emperor Gramis who first appears in Bhujerba when the party is searching for Penelo. He introduces himself to the group as Lamont, his alias, and subsequently becomes a temporary playable character. 

Larsa joins the team as a very strong character, with his level being made up of the average of your two highest party members at the time +2. Yet, despite being a popular character in FF12 fandom (rightly so, too), the fact that he is playable for such a short time in the game makes it difficult to rank him higher. What did you think about Larsa? Let us know in the comment section below!

Penelo – FF12

Penelo’s childlike persona should not trick you into thinking she is weak. In fact, Penelo is one of the strongest playable characters in FF12. After learning martial arts from her brothers, Penelo becomes involved in issues that involve the most important people on Ivalice.  

Of all the characters in the game, Penelo has the highest potential MPand Magick Power. Despite this, though, Penelo also has the lowest HP and Strength growth. There are no two ways about it, though, a well equipped and geared-up Penelo is a force to be reckoned with. 

RELATED: What is the best Final Fantasy game ever released?

Fran – Final Fantasy 12

Fran belongs to the race of Viera, and is the only non-Hume playable character among the main cast of FF12. As is typical of her race, Fran is wise, graceful, and an exceptional craftsperson. She is also stoic in nature, and perhaps the most mysterious of all the main cast. 

Fran joins the party after the Royal Palace of Rabanastre, and initially wields a long-ranged weapon. Despite having relatively low stats across the board, what makes Fran one of the best Final Fantasy 12 characters is that she can easily be tweaked and modified however you like without any setbacks. This means that Fran doesn’t have to be a long-range specialist, but you can outfit her with melee weapons and she will become equally adept over time. 

If you are a fan of Fran’s personality, you can easily find a way to fit her into your main party. 

Vaan – FF12

Vaan generally gets a hard time when the best Final Fantasy 12 characters are discussed, but personally I think Vaan is a great character and an asset to the game. All too often, protagonists are depicted as being uniquely special or chosen in some way or other, but Vaan is merely a commoner with an aptitude for combat, and that makes him stand out from the rest. 

Throughout the game, Vaan also shows a tremendous amount of growth in character, from coming to terms with his brother’s death, to maturing in the increasingly corrupt and dangerous world of Ivalice. 

Perhaps Vaan’s greatest strength, though, comes in his stats. He has the best overall stats in the game, with his Strength, Speed, and Vitality outranking all other playable characters in the game. Add to that some of the best Quickenings in the game, and Vaan is easily one of the best Final Fantasy 12 characters to play as. 

Basch – FF12

Basch usually ranks among the favorites when the best Final Fantasy 12 characters are discussed. It’s easy to see why, too. The once disgraced knight is a strong, muscular warrior whose main character traits are loyalty, professionalism, and selflessness. 

He has the highest HP and joint-highest strength of all of the characters and, despite having low MP and Speed, Bash is one of the strongest playable characters when properly equipped. When he joins the party, his level will be 2 higher than whatever Vaan’s level is at the time. 

Ashe – FF12

Ashe, whose full name is Ashelia B’nargin Dalmasca, is the heir to the Kingdom of Dalmasca, and she plays a major role in the game’s main narrative. The 19 year old is both driven and independent, and her sense of loyalty is demonstrated by her determination to restore power to her family name. 

Ashe’s character growth is very much centred around her Magick abilities, and she has the highest potential MP growth and joint highest Magick Power. Despite being the last of the main cast to join the party, Ashe joins with more licenses than any other character starts with, and her level is determined by the average of all party members. 

If you model Ashe as a mage-like character and take advantage of her stat growth, there is no question that Ashe will become one of the best playable characters in Final Fantasy 12. 

Balthier – Final Fantasy 12

It’s perhaps no surprise to see Balthier at the top of this list, as many regard him to be one of the strongest characters in the entire franchise, let alone in Final Fantasy 12. 

Balthier, whose real name is Ffamran mied Bunansa (good luck pronouncing that…), is charming, cocky, and cynical Sky Pirate, who believes that the whole story revolves around him. Yet, despite this, his backstory brings players closer to the character, and over time you can’t help but fall for his theatrical charm. 

As a playable character, Balthier has the highest Speed attribute and also has high Strength. Despite initially wielding a gun, Balthier is best when equipped with melee weapons that take full advantage of his speed and strength. If you do this, Balthier becomes a real asset to the party and you may find it hard to remove him from the team. 

Who do you think is the best Final Fantasy 12 character? Do you agree with our ranking? Let us know in the comment section below!

For any enquiries, contact me at richard@blogofgames.com

For more info about recommended jobs for each character in The Zodiac Age, check out the great video below by Declarify. 

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The Best Weapons in Kingdom Come Deliverance – All 9 Weapon Types https://blogofgames.com/the-best-weapons-in-kingdom-come-deliverance-all-9-weapon-types/ Thu, 09 Dec 2021 19:18:00 +0000 https://blogofgames.com/?p=492 Finding, and maintaining, good weapons in Kingdom Come Deliverance is a rewarding experience that makes the game’s already great battle system even better.

It’s always nice when you find your own trusty sword that has grown used to cutting through Cumans found within the Kingdom of Bohemia. Sometimes, though, you just want the best weapons you can find for the job, and hopefully this will help you find them. Read on for the best weapons in Kingdom Come Deliverance, including where to find them. 

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metal-plated-battle-axe-icon-kcd-4456836 Metal-plated battle axe icon – KCD

The best axe in the game is the Metal-Plated Battle Axe. Rather confusingly, there are two axes with the exact same name. Both are great weapons, but the one we I refer to here is the spiked Metal-plated battle axe (see above picture). 

The Metal-plated battle axe has great Stab (27), Slash (42), and Blunt (40) damage. It also has good Durability (70).

yew-longbow-kcd-2695527 Yew Longbow – KCD

The best Bow in Kingdom Come Deliverance is the Yew Longbow, which can be bought from Berthold the huntsman in Rattay, or located in the Treasure Map I chest. 

The Yew Longbow has a devastating 77 Power stat, which is higher than any other bow. It is, however, also the most expensive bow in the game, and is worth 553.4 Groschen. 

Not only is the Yew Longbow one of the best bows, but it also looks beautiful too.

Ornamental Dagger Icon

The Dagger only becomes useful once Henry unlocks the Stalk Kill Perk after reaching Stealth level 5. 

There are only two types of usable daggers in the game, too. The regular Dagger is one, and the other is the Ornamental Dagger.

The best dagger in KCD is the Ornamental Dagger, which can be found in the Sasau Monastery during the A Needle in a Haystack quest. After finding the dagger in the dormitories, the Worldy Goods quest will be activated. 

Find the Decorated Sabre at Menhart’s grave

Sabres are among the weakest weapons in KCD, with the only real advantage being that they show up abundantly due to being carried in huge quantities by the Cumans. 

The best Sabre in Kingdom Come Deliverance is the Decorated Sabre whichh has high Stab (58) and Slash (42) damage, along with a decent Defence stat (69). It can be found from the grave of Menhart after the All that Glisters quest. 

Note: Technically, the best Sabre in the game is the Oriental Blade, but this wasn’t included in the list as it is unobtainable without cheat codes.   

The Stinger has great Stab damage

Shortswords are many people’s first choice of weapon type in the game due to the fact that you can hold a shield at the same time, and the fact that there are a wide array of shortswords available in the game. 

The best shortsword in KCD, in my opinion, is the Noble Sword. It is a great all-rounder and has good Stab (61), Slash (61), Defence (75), and Charisma (18) attributes. It can be found by locating the chest in Treasure map XIII, or as loot from defeating Hagen Zoul.

There are a number of good shortswords, though, and the Stinger is also one of the best weapons in Kingdom Come Deliverance, with a high Stab damage of 79. 

The Noble’s Hunting Sword – KCD

The best Hunting Sword in KCD is the Noble’s Hunting Sword. It has the highest Stab damage (48) and the second highest Slash damage (43) of all the hunting swords in the game. 

Not only that, but the weapon also provides huge benefits to Charisma (12) and is an excellent defensive weapon (86). 

The Noble’s Hunting Sword can be bought from the Rattay Swordsmith, awarded as a prize in the Rattay Tourney, or by locating the chest in Treasure Map III.  

Other great hunting swords include the Falchion, and the Cleaver.

Location of St. George’s Sword in KCD

The best Longsword in Kingdom Come Deliverance is St. George’s Sword. In fact, for many, St. George’s Sword is at the top of the pile of the best weapons in Kingdom Come Deliverance

This longsword is a good all-rounder with excellent attributes, including Stab (72), Slash (72), Defence (110), Charisma (18), and Durability (71).  St. George’s Sword can be found using the Treasure Map VII, and is located in a chest by a tree north west of Ledetchko (see picture above). It can also be awarded as a prize in the Rattay Tourney. 

A table of Maces – Kingdom Come Deliverance

Maces are easily among the best weapons in Kingdom Come Deliverance, and the best Mace in KCD is widely considered to be the Cermonial Mace

It has the joint best Blunt damage (61) of all the Maces in the game, but also has a very high Defence attribute (43) and Durability (81). The Ceremonial Mace can be found on various guards, and can also be bought at the Swordsmith of Rattay. 

Another very good Mace is the Bailiff’s Mace, which has the following attributes: Blunt (61), Stab (2), Slash (2), Defence (30), and Durability (55). 

Halberds in Pirkenstein Guard Tower

Although Polearms and Spears can’t be added to your inventory, it’s always good when you find one lying around or snatch one that has been dropped by an enemy. 

They are among the most powerful and best weapons in Kingdom Come Deliverance, with some having the potential to cause almost twice the damage of most Maces and Swords. 

The best Polearm in the game is the Halberd, which has good Stab (100), Slash (122), and Blunt (28) damage. The Halberd can be found in Rattay, inside Pirkenstein’s guard tower. 

Another very strong Polearm is the Lucerne Hammer, which deals the highest Blunt (87) damage of any weapon in the entire game. 

So, these are the best weapons in Kingdom Come Deliverance according to the weapon type, but what is your favorite KCD weapon? Let us know in the comment section below!

For any enquiries, contact me at richard@blogofgames.com

For a more in depth weapons guide for Kingdom Come Deliverance, check out the great YouTube video below by Callisto. 

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