StingingVelvet: I haven't played a video game since Dragon Age: Awakening but I just installed Gog Galaxy and downloaded Sam and Max Hit the Road, plus I bought Rayman Origins. Hopefully one of these two hits the sweet spot of gaming need I have right now while also working on my ancient desktop (GTX 480 and Intel Q9550).

StingingVelvet: Glad to see some of the vets still around! I've just been watching a lot of movies, fell out of love with games. Dipping my toe back in though, thinking I might finally update the PC a bit on the cheap side and see what's what. Just played Sam and Max for an hour and had a great time, so maybe I was away long enough to bring the love back.

tinyE: A friend of mine wants to know why AOE 3 sucks and I'm having trouble putting into words. :P Can anyone truly convey why this game is shit?

mk47at: I still have not bought the DLC although I was planning to buy it at day one. The delay of the GOG release saved me.

I'll wait till the patch marathon has died down and the DLC's mechanics are balanced and bug free. IMO you should put the game aside, give it some time and then try again.

GR00T: Interesting it's Sam& Max that's bringing you back into it. I just grabbed them recently, as my older daughter has just gotten into them and loving both the games and the tv show. She did a drawing a while ago, which I posted here:

dtgreene: Currently playing Oblivion. My character is level 9.

I have been avoiding joining the Mage's Guild (using Frostcrag Spire for my spellmaking/enchanting needs), but I think I'll do it at level 10 so that I can get the best version of the Robe of the Apprentice (though it doesn't really matter; all it gives is 6 Willpower, and I can easily enchant clothing with 10 with the help of a Black Soul Gem), but save completing Fingers of the Mountain until I can get the strongest version of the spell (impractical due to its 710 Magicka cost (at max skill, which is required), but possible with the help of Fortify Magicka/Intelligence spells).

I've reached Expert in Restoration, and that means I can do things like boost my Luck by 100 points for 18 seconds,
which in turn makes my other spells much cheaper to cast, among other things. That spell actually doesn't affect its own cost, but does affect whether I have enough Magicka to re-cast it, making it possible to end up with negative Magicka, which would mean being unable to use my greater power Arcane Well.

I currently have 12 defense, 12% reflect damage, 10% or 24% reflect spell (if I use a specific amulet), and, if I instead use the other amulet, 14% spell absorption. Also, I have the Staff of Corruption, which can be fun to fire into a crowd and see how the AI reacts.

tinyE: AOE 2 HD
I was going to skip the regular stuff I've played a million times and jump to the new missions, alas here I am going through the whole damn thing again. :P Currently I'm on Joan of Arc #5.

It's three campaigns away but I'm wondering in the back of my mind if I'm going to try the Great Wall mission. It is beyond a killer.

Matewis: I think the Great Wall level is the last level I played in AOE2HD come to think of it, and I managed to finish it with a trick I read somewhere. Instead of building your base at the starting location, build it on that island/peninsula with the siege workshops, and then build up a force to directly attack the dude building the wonder which initiates the timer. Seemed to work ok, but it was still a hell of a mission to beat :P

tinyE: Yeah, that's the way to go. The problem for me is the Wonder at the beginning. Getting through the damn wall and getting that thing destroyed IS A BITCH! After that it's smooth. Slow and grinding, but at least you aren't being rushed.

Matewis: I think I avoided the Great Wall altogether though. Iirc there are some transport ships next to the coast, and you can hide them and save them for later to send a force directly to the right corner of the map. Then you're at the wonder's doorstep and can, uhm, nuke it with trebuchets.