Gaming

Review – Biomutant

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I have tried to put my finger on the reason developer Experiment 101‘s Biomutant does not gel with me. I know that it has nothing to do with Biomutant feeling like a AAA game made by a small design team on a limited budget. If anything, Returnal, developed by Housemarque, shares this indie game turned AAA game feel. Indie game developers being given a AAA game budget is a fantastic development. The size of the studio does not limit perfect execution on a core gameplay concept. The problem is when the story, which ties everything together, needs more time in the editing oven.

Into the Fire

Anytime Biomutant pauses the gameplay to further the story, told through static cutscene, I found myself wanting to skip it. Sure, there is the Narrator, who does a good job reading what text he is given. But even he cannot save what amounts to two 3D models standing next to each other, doing nothing, while he narrates. I cannot think of another game I’ve played, in many years, that has chosen to convey story in this manner. While I commend developer Experiment 101 for their cleverness in using a narrator, I wish they had chosen a different way to share their story with us.

On that note, I find the humor to be off… way off. At first I thought that it was a dark humor sort of thing. The more I played Biomutant though, the more I realized that the humor needed more time to bake. With a bit more time in the editing oven, I think Experiment 101 could have had a solid winner here. Alas, the way the story is presented with its humor, I 100% don’t get it. It’s not only odd but off-putting.

What I Loved

  • The handcrafted feel of Biomutant‘s open-world.
  • The way Björn Palmberg’s score blends so seamlessly with this post-apocalyptic Kung-Fu RPG.
  • The responsiveness/quickness of the characters movements.
  • The way the character runs.

What I Disliked

  • The way that combat is executed. I hate having to memorize combos. Square + Circle + Circle + L2.
  • Anytime there is a cutscene. Ugh.

In the End

There is a market for Biomutant. You might be the perfect candidate for it! I’m just not it. I need a compelling story to go with my Kung Fu. I need a reason to play.

Title: Biomutant
Developer: Experiment 101
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Reviewed On: PlayStation 4
MSRP: $59.99

Review by Bryan Hall

*Biomutant was reviewed using a code provided by EvolvePR.

The Surf Report – Missionaries, Legalism, and Biomutant

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Welcome to the Surf Report for June 9, 2021!

.: God :

My wife’s cousin Elizabeth and her husband William came to stay with us a few weeks ago. We had a good visit with them. Getting to learn about Brazil (where they have served as missionaries) and learning about Southern Brazil (where they are going to be missionaries next). I, personally, learned a bit about pride while they were visiting. I learned that when William asks if he can do something, he is more than willing to do it (no strings attached).

God also reminded me, gently, not only about praying/asking Him to show me my gifts (in this case, mine is listening to people). But further more, then asking God where I can serve with my gifts. Who might need an ear to listen?

Liz and William were so giving of their time and themselves. A good reminder of how I need to be as a Christian.

.: Life :

Have you heard this:

“I don’​t drink, smoke, or chew, or go with girls who do.”

Wyatt came back from the first day of missions week (put on by a group of local churches) and mentioned that someone had repeated this statement. Got me thinking about Christian legalism. Drinking, smoking, and chewing tobacco are not inherently wrong.

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. – 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NLT)

In excess, without moderation, any one of those things mentioned above can be harmful to your health; Food and even video games can be harmful to your health. I think that it is funny that we, as Christians, can hyper focus on some things are not on others. Declaring things sinful simply because our parents didn’t do such things. As William reminded me, some things are not in the Bible.

.: Gaming :

Sunday, I played video games for a couple of hours. First, I played Biomutant. After spending more time with the game, I’m finding that the story bits just aren’t working for me. More thoughts to come on Biomutant.

I did happen to buy/play FAR: Lone Sails. From the little I played, I kind of love it. 🙂

Press Start – Biomutant

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Biomutant feels like a AAA game made with the small design team and on a limited budget. I made it through the character creation process, the opening level, and out into the wilds.

I have to decide whether to go with the Jagni tribe or the Myriad tribe. One tribe wants to cleanse the world; the other tribe wants to save it. Which tribe should I go with? Better yet, if you’re playing, which tribe did you choose?

What We’re Playing – 4/20/21

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I pull into my driveway and park my car. Making sure everything is turned off/good to go, I gather all my things and exit the vehicle. From out of nowhere, “Hey Dad, have I told you about what I’m doing in Sneaky Sasquatch?”

“Umm…”

“Today in Sneaky Sasquatch, I became a police officer. You see, I used my radar gun to catch bad guys.”

It has been like this for awhile now, which is how I know that a game has gotten Wyatt. I don’t know too much about Sneaky Sasquatch, but I do know that it is good enough to catch my son’s attention.

So much so, that Wyatt was asking the other day if the developers sell tee-shirts–They do! Head on over here.–. I think this is a first for him.

When I have had time, I’ve been dabbling in Cozy Grove. Think Animal Crossing, via Apple Arcade, but more of a hidden object game with clues. I’m loving it so far!

What are you playing?

South of the Circle

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Memory is a tricky thing.

South of the Circle begins with a plane crash. But the plane crash isn’t what the story is about… or is it?

As the plane flies into nuclear dawn and credits roll, I find myself thinking, “Why?” South of the Circle’s ending shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise. The decision had already been made. I think I blame the faulty memory of the protagonist. Wishing for what might have been… could have been… and in the end, nothing. Blah.

12 Inches of Deception – A Tale from Risk

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It’s your turn.

You place one guy, at a time, on a territory of your pick.

Eventually, you place another guy on a different territory. And another, and another, and another until all your men have been placed.

The dice of power, domination, and rule enter your hands. Which territory to attack first?

Passing the dice of defense to a fellow player, you begin your turn. Who will win?

Risk
I’m safe in Australia, I swear!

Buried beneath 12 inches of snow, Tabitha, Wyatt, and I decided to play a game of Risk.

Phase 1: I Think I Can!

Tabitha placed most of her pieces in North America. I didn’t think much of it as I had Australia and the tips of South America and South Africa. My reasoning was that I could battle my way north to victory while still maintaining a base of operations (Australia).

Phase 2: I Thought I Could

Well… my strategy was a bust! Tabitha fought against Wyatt and I like a whirlwind. Before I knew it, Wyatt was gone from the game (haha!). Within the few fell swoops, Tabitha did me in and won. SHE WON!

Risk

I didn’t see Tabitha coming. I was clearly the superior Risk player here. Heck, I’ve played a 24 hour game of Risk before. I was going to win… until I didn’t.

Congrats again, Tab!

What’s your favorite snow day, rainy day, death from above day game to play?

Playing Together in Among Us

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“Do you want to play again?”

Wyatt looked at me. He had us playing Butter Royale on Apple Arcade. To say that I was done with it after 3 games was an understatement.

“No, I’m good. Do you want to play Among Us?”

“Sure.”

Among Us

I hadn’t played Among Us before. I had no clue how the controls worked; I had no clue what you did in the game besides make guesses as to who the imposter is.

The game starts you off in the lobby where you wait for other players to join your game. Wyatt and I created a password protected game first, joined the game together, and then opened it up to the public. While we waited, I used the computer to change my color and add some accessories. Perfect. Once we had enough players (the minimum is four), we were good to go.

Among Us - Playing

From there, we ran around and accomplished different tasks (as you can see in the top left of the screen above). While we were accomplishing tasks, the imposter lurked nearby. Before I knew it, I was dragged into a meeting where we could chat and decide who was the imposter. Wyatt and I decided it was a specific player, so we voted for him. Among Us then cuts to an airlock screen where the player who received the most “he’s the imposter votes” is sent floating in space. The person we all voted for, the person we thought was the imposter, wasn’t.

Our game went through this cycle a few more times. Each time we voted wrong, a fellow player was sent out the airlock. Eventually, the imposter won, and we lost.

Wyatt and I played 5 or 6 games together. Each on our own screen (we both have iPads). Completing tasks, making accusations, and generally having a good time.

I miss this.

Playing games, together, is a lot of fun.

It almost makes me miss Fortnite. Almost.

The Surf Report – Bible Reading, Social Media, and Alba: A Wildlife Adventure

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Welcome to the Surf Report for January 14, 2021

.: God :

My Bible reading plan for 2020 has carried over into 2021. I’ve got to finish up:

  • Jeremiah
  • Psalms
  • James
  • 2 Kings
  • 2 Chronicles
  • Lamentations
  • Obadiah
  • Ezekiel
  • John
  • Daniel
  • Ezra
  • Haggai
  • Zechariah
  • 1 John
  • 2 John
  • 3 John
  • Esther
  • Revelation
  • Malachi
  • Job

.: Life :

I’ve been sitting here scrolling through Facebook. Mindlessly, I scroll past former friends and acquaintances. Some have tried to monetize their lives, perhaps even create some sort of lifestyle brand; Some have tried their hands at homebuilding, while documenting how many kids they have on the side. Through the countless pictures, videos, and inspirational images of scripture, I have to wonder, does anybody care?

We put so much time into social media but what does it really give us?

More importantly, could I start a lifestyle brand? 🙂

.: Gaming :

I spent part of my Christmas break playing Ustwo Games Alba: A Wildlife Adventure on my iPad. I love it! I loved:

  • Skipping around the island
  • Taking pictures
  • Enjoying the wildlife
  • Being able to explore and chill at my own pace

So, what about you?

How did your Bible reading plan go for 2020? Did it bleed over, like mine, into 2021?

Play anything good lately? Read a fantastic book?

Let me know in the comments below.

Welcome to JBG in 2021

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You are probably now discovering what everyone else is discovering, the problems of 2020 have carried over into 2021. We are still dealing with COVID, masking up, and all of the little things that a pandemic brings. Here in East Texas, life has continued as pandemic normal. Which is to say that I’m still wearing a mask when going into businesses (thankfully though, not at work) and that I’m still beyond bothered by decisions this pandemic “forces” us to make.

In the midst of it all, be it 2020 or 2021, God is still in control. Beyond my annoyances (which are annoyances), He is still reigning.

In 2021, I hope that you’ll make the journey with my family and I. A journey were we can:

  • Share what we love and what we don’t like
  • Practice authenticity
  • And continue writing on the topics of Faith, Life, and Video Games

8 The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. – Deuteronomy 31:8 (CSB)

Impressions – Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

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In the absence of Nate, Elena, and Sully, where does the Uncharted series head off to next?

Building upon the lessons learned while making The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, developer Naughty Dog unleashes a new kind of adventure in Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.

Chloe Frazer (Uncharted 2)
Nadine Ross (Uncharted 4)

I’m only an hour or two into the game. Enjoying my time with Chloe and Nadine so far.

The Surf Report – Junior High Boys, Dogs, and Star Wars

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Welcome to the Surf Report for December 9, 2020.

.: God :

I’ve been teaching the junior high boys, at church, for over a month now. I find myself surprised. I think, walking into this, I had thought these kids would be on the same level (at least) of the adults I used to teach. Sadly, basic Bible reading and prayer (essentially a daily quiet time) are really hard for these kids. Be that these spiritual disciplines are perhaps not happening at home, I realize we have a lot of ground to cover. And yet, it is hard to teach the lesson at hand when you are fielding off-topic questions, off-the-wall thoughts, and just trying to create a general order in the room.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the challenge of teaching this class. I don’t regret stepping down from teaching my adult Sunday school class. I just thought it would be easier.

Right now we are focusing on:

  • Prayer – having one boy pray per week
  • Reading – having the boys read the Bible in class
  • Pushing the core theme of the lesson at hand

.: Life :

We got a dog! This is Gus.

Gus

Gus is a American Staffordshire Terrier (at least, that is what his official documents say). He is a good boy who enjoys having his belly rubbed.

.: Gaming :

Wyatt and I have been playing Star Wars Battlefront lately. Specifically the co-op hero battle matches that allow you to destroy one another. Oh yeah, we’ve also been playing Castle Crashers! I picked this one up on sale, and we’ve really been enjoying it.

That’s it for us. How about you? What have you been up to? Let me know in the comments below.