Plat Runner 07: Days Gone

For my 60th Platinum I was going to get Uncharted 3 or maybe Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell, instead I set my sights on finishing a larger task and finished those two before hand. 

Days Gone wasn't received too well by a lot of critics on release. The quote I recall reading was this: "Days Gone is a game that tries to do many things and does none of them well..."

This put me off of buying the game when I got my PS4 and it could not have been further from the truth. Days Gone is easily one of my favourite gaming experiences of all time. The world is so rich and well considered, the story emotive, yet not gruellingly depressing like most releases I have played of late. The games story is a solid 40-45 hours and the platinum you're looking at 60-70 depending on your play style.  

At the start of the game you are faced with the task of surviving the post apocalyptic state of Oregon. To begin with you are under-equipped and your bike is poor. The fights are a struggle and even small skirmishes are a very real mortal threat. As the game progresses your skills and firepower scales with the environment. When you get to the final regions you are dealing with hordes of undead in the 200+ bracket, bringing a different level of intensity to the experience. 

While many have said there are better games and other games do certain aspects better, there is nothing quite like Days Gone. The social drama is better than The Walking Dead, more believable and grounded in our reality. It isn't a soap opera, the characters feel real and the narrative touches on a whole host of world issues. None of this is shoved down your throat either, it is subtle world building. Small glimmers in conversations and found collectables really reveal the greater world. While it is possible to plough through the game, you would be missing most of what makes the game special. 

Days Gone brings content in spades and keeps both the sandbox gaming and horror genre fresh and enticing. Once the game is over there is still a rather large amount of side missions to be carried out that tie up all of the loose ends nicely. While there is more than enough room for a sequel, if one never came I would still feel fulfilled and content. 

I would recommend this to any plat hunter that hasn't played it yet, who has the time to dedicate to the game. 

Hints and Tips

• There are no missable trophies, so play the game and enjoy it.

• If you are finding fighting hordes hard just avoid them until the end game.

• If you are skilled enough to wipe out hordes early the weapon rewards make the entire game much easier. 

• There is no difficulty requirement. You can play on easy all the way.

• If at the end of the game you are getting worn down hunting collectables Iron Butte has 13 RIP Sermons that are all very close to one another (They are speakers that broadcast religious sermons).

• There are two points of no return, but do not fear as by the end of the game everything opens up again, allowing you to tie up any loose ends.

• You've Got Red on You, requires you to loot 541 corpses, which you cant do if your inventory is full. Make sure to craft and use items often or this may be a real grind at the end of the game. Even actively looting corpses I only got this towards the end of the game. The undead don't count here.

• For the more intense trophy hunters the DLC trophies require you to play on harder difficulties and also a New Game +, as well as gold ranking the challenge mode, which is hard!

Plat Runner 06: Clash Force

Yesterday I received my first preview copy of a game from Ratalaika Games. Clash Force is due out tomorrow and I feel very fortunate to have gained a copy ahead of release.

Ratalaika Games is well known for its short, affordable and easy to platinum games. Clash Force is no exception at the price point of €4.99 and a plat time of 25-45 minutes based on your skill set. While this is covering the PS4 version, it will also apply to the Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch.

The game itself is a tribute to side scrolling platform shooters of the past. Using only the standard button to shoot made the game a tense, classic feeling game of the genre. The bosses were challenging and the levels fairly brutal. I managed to get to level 18 before starting to use the turbo fire mode.

Holding either of the right triggers allows for a constant stream of firepower. For those just in it for the platinum trophy, this will get you through the required 15 levels with very little challenge whatsoever. It removes most of the threat and vanquishes the majority of enemies before they even enter the screen. On my second play through I hit level 15 in 20 mins using this tactic. 

For fans of the classic platforming, Clash Force feels like Sonic meets Mega Man. It’s fast paced, vibrant and athletically pleasing pixel artwork takes me back to my early days of gaming. It gave me the same rush as the classics did back then, made my thumb hurt and put a smile on my face. 

Another two features that I really enjoyed were the lack of respawning enemies. In most games such as the near impossible Ninja Gaiden, if you made the mistake of going to far back enemies in front of you and behind you would respawn, often making a tactical retreat impossible. In Clash Force enemies stay defeated, making a hit and run tactic very preferable. The other feature I loved is the jumping. Out of nearly all of the indie titles I’ve played, the jumping in clash force is fluid and so smooth to control. The height and distance is easy to determine, so much so that most of the time I didn’t have to deploy consider jump timings or large drops. I found I could jump weave through hazards and land where I needed to.

The game is short at a mere 21 levels but on harder difficulties and not using the turbo function, you will get more than your moneys worth. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and for any gamer it will be another platinum in the cabinet. 

Hints and Tips

• If you are finding an area especially challenging use the hit and run tactic, approach, shoot and back up.

• The hardest level (In regards to the platinum) I found was level 5. Use the platforms to jump ahead and doge the bats. I didn’t even worry about killing most of them.

• If stuck (or lazy) use R1 or R2 to turbo fire.

Plat Runner 05: Peasant Knight

I first purchased Peasant Knight when I bought my PS4 Pro. I wanted a swift easy platinum to get my collection started. My expectations were low and I had just finished My Name is Mayo. At first I was drawn in by its simplicity. Two buttons: Jump and stop are all that is required to play. The first few levels passed in mere seconds and then the real game started. 

As previously stated in my other articles I am a huge fan of indie gaming and spent most of my early days only playing Gameboy games and PC indie titles. Peasant Knight takes the runner genre of gaming and boils it down to its most basic form, then converts it into something else. Much like Zero Zero Zero Zero, the game has a perfect balance of frustration meets reward. The levels are no more than a few seconds and only 47 are required to gain the platinum.

The boss that I thought I could not beat, defeated.

Over on PSN Profiles the game is rated 2/10 for difficulty. I’m not sure why or how as the game is a challenge. On my initial purchase, I reached a point where I felt I couldn’t get any further and resigned myself to not getting the platinum. Yet, a few months later I picked it up and got that sweet reward and not only did I attain the trophy but I had a blast doing it.

Despite the games simplicity the constant introduction of new mechanics and hazards keeps you on your toes. The levels are short enough that you don’t have time to get bored. While not as hard going as Zero Zero Zero Zero it isn’t for the feint of heart or those with high blood pressure. You will die constantly. The more you die the more rewarding the victory will be.

All of the games trophies come through natural gameplay.

Out of all the Ratalaikia games I have purchased it took me the longest to finish in terms of start and end date. My friend tells me in the US it is currently on sale for $1. That’s a dollar well spent! 

Peasant Knight may not be the prettiest out of the companies releases, but it has an undeniable charm about it. For those into the gruelling punishment of games like Super Meat Boy, it’s a must play. A short sweet burst of arcade fun.

Tips and Tricks

• Persist you’ll get there

• You only have to do each level once

• It’s all in the timing. Learn how hazards work and adapt accordingly. 

• The moving platforms are a pain you have to stop in the air before you hit them. Otherwise you get left behind.

• The Platinum didn't pop for me but I had actually earned it, so don't panic!

That sweet Platinum Pop!

Plat Runner 04: Zero Zero Zero Zero

A few days ago I managed to get my 50th Platinum. It was Dynasty Warriors 9, a series close to my heart. Straight after getting it I decided to hit a few indie titles as a cheeky reward. All three of course are published by Ratalaika Games S.L. but the one I am going to give advice on today is Zero Zero Zero Zero.

This monochrome platformer felt like the later levels of Super Meat Boy. It is simple, fast and brutal. Some levels feel near impossible while some are more straightforward. The twist is there is no level select. Levels are thrown at you, if you die you are put at the start of one of the levels you have yet to finish. This twist means that you do not have time to learn from your errors or even what the level entails sometimes. 

I adored it. It made me sweat and got me thinking. About halfway to the final trophy I announced I was done and then continued to play on. Not many of Ratalaika Games S.L. products come with this deep level of frustration meeting satisfaction. 

Unlike a lot of hard games these days you are not learning through death. There is no trickery here or subterfuge. The game handles smoothly and you can see the entire level and what it entails before you. All errors are your own. The game demands patience, precision and skill. Luck does not come into it.

In hardcore you have one life to get as many levels done as you can. Thankfully the only hardcore trophy Requires you to only pass the initial level, where you walk to the coin and back to the door. Every level requires you to carry out this task but none will ever be this easy again.

As far as the trophy list goes it is very straightforward: 1 Platinum and 11 Golds. Finish 1 level on hardcore and 34 on Normal.

Tips and Tricks

• You will die and you will die a lot. Do not be put off, the payoff is very rewarding for each level completed.

• There are a lot more than 34 levels.  If one looks to hard or you hate it die and try for something that is more to your skill set.

• Take it slow, you are unlikely to get anywhere charging in blind. Some levels require speed in order to avoid death but in most cases you can pace it until you get the lay of the level. 

• Know that you only have to succeed once. When a level is done it will not return. 

• It should only take between 30 minutes and an hour. It took me 36 minutes and 27 seconds. 

That sweet Pop moment

I have seen this game get a lot of hate online and I don't think it's justified. It is cheap, satisfying and well considered. If you don't like the idea of a punishing platformer or just are in it for a quick plat, go elsewhere. But if for a change you want to play something that pays a homage to the dawn of gaming, gives you a decent challenge and a more proud indie plat, then Zero Zero Zero Zero is for you. 

Plat Runner 03: Resident Evil HD Remake

Today we have our first guest post from a fellow Plat Runner and Trophy Hunter Garav. Having been driven by lockdown he has been crushing games and taking names in the aim of those sweet platinum rewards. Today he is speaking to us about his efforts in Resident Evil the HD Remake. Far from an easy trophy to obtain, Garav reassures us that it is not too hard so long as you take into account a bundle of tips and tricks. Now I hand over to Garav.

Resident Evil shot by Garav

Personally I played the original, the HD version on the Gamecube, Xbox360, PC and Deadly Silence on the DS. Therefore I am unlikely to attempt the platinum having run it into the ground. But this account almost tempted me to buy it all over again on the store. Hopefully some of you will also be struck by temptation and add this gem of a platinum to your cabinet.

The first time I played Resident Evil was maybe around 4-5 years ago, back on Xbox 360. When i got my PS4 I decided to get this game here as well since i really enjoyed it on the last gen.

Resident Evil shot by Garav

When I first played this on PS4 I wasn't planning on getting the platinum. At the time I thought most of the trophies are impossible.

But ever since the quarantine started I've been getting huge motivation for platinum hunting thanks to VPVibrancy, and so i decided to try for this platinum until I eventually got it.  This platinum for me was not too hard but can take a very long time if not done right. So to help everyone who are planning to get this, here's some tips.

Resident Evil shot by Garav

Tips and Tricks

• Always save your game in the same slot. This is important for the "Passion for Fashion" trophy

• Ideally you should go for the speed run trophies as soon as possible so you can get the infinite rocket launcher. You get this from finishing the game under 3 hours on normal/hard.

• Speed run in this game are quite hard, since there's no way to pause the in-game timer. I recommend watching a speed run video and making notes before attempting this.

• During the speed run you can check your notes during the door loading screens

• Once you get the rocket launcher, attempt the trophies "Every Nook and Cranny" and "Ink is for Squid" in one Hard play through

• "Every Nook and Cranny" trophy description is misleading. You have to get EVERY ITEM in EVERY ROOM.

Resident Evil shot by Garav

• Do every new play through from the "Once Again" option so you can select the difficulty

• You can do the knife only run in invisible enemy mode on very easy as Chris. You're ignoring most of the enemy in this mode anyway so this shouldn't be too hard.

• For invisible enemy, don't save Richard. This will make the Plant 42 boss a little easier.

• To get the "CQC FTW" trophy, don't save anyone or you'll risk failing the trophy

• Save Real Survival mode for the last. In this mode, the enemy setting is on hard, auto aim is off, and the item boxes are not connected with each other.

• Real Survival tips. Play as Jill. Put most of your items in the Eastwing Storeroom box. I recommend getting the shotgun as soon as possible. As soon as you have it, don't bother bringing the handgun. Use the grenade shell for crimson head boss and acid shell for the second Yawn boss fight. After these two boss fight you don't need the grenade launcher anymore. Don't pick up the magnum. Don't save Barry (so you can have his gun). Barry's gun is over powered and should be saved for the tyrant. Only bring the shotgun (& ammo), Barry's gun, and whatever health items you have to the lab.

• You don't have access to the rocket launcher in invisible enemy and real survival.

Resident Evil Platinum earned by Garav

Plat Runner 01: Resident Evil 6

So far in my delve into trophy hunting I haven’t tackled anything at the elite levels of difficulty and I’m not sure if I will. Resident Evil 5 had a couple of really nasty moments on Professional difficulty and Uncharted 2 almost made me cry on Crushing mode, but it was doable.

Uncharted 2 shot by me

I’m pretty sure 5/10 is the hardest difficulty platinum trophy I’ve collected so far (judged by PSN Profiles). I’m not afraid to admit that I am more of a casual gamer. Gone are those days in my early gaming ventures where I could slam myself into the brick wall of a games hardest settings over and over until I came through the victor. Nowadays I prefer to focus on enjoyment over pain, a rewarding and expansive narrative over damaged control sticks and rage quits. 

One of our many deaths during Professional mode.

Today I’m going to discuss the journey of Resident Evil 6, a game sidelined by a lot of Resident Evil purists and the reason we now have Resident Evil 7, followed by a glut of remakes. 

Initially my venture into the world of PSN gaming started out as a casual affair. I was enjoying exploring the exclusives and playing Read Dead Redemption 2 online, then I lusted for a decent couch gaming style co-op adventure. After finishing Boarderlands 3 I suggested to LeonardoxAngel that we play Resident Evil 5. We ended up finishing it in just over a week and hungry for more we dived into 6.

Having already finished the game to 100% (yes including the online multiplayer) on the Xbox, this was my fifth play through of the game. We tackled it on Normal and then Professional. Unbeknown to us the game didn’t change the second players difficulty in line with the first player. Therefore on our second playthrough Leo was still on normal while I was on professional, meaning he got an easier ride. Regretfully we did not realise this until we finished it and he did not get the trophy. 

Leon's Chapter feels much more like the classic Resident Evil compared to the other chapters.

Being suckers for punishment we did it again for a third time. In total to get the platinum took me 84 hours, far longer than the predicted plat time, also the longest it’s taken me to get any platinum so far.

As far as two player co-op gaming goes I really don’t think it gets much better than Resident Evil 5 and 6. They are challenging, achievable and beautifully cinematic. Resident Evil 6 will take roughly 30 hours to complete in a first play though. It is the longest and most ambitious Resident Evil to date. It has a wide scope and is wonderfully entertaining. 

Jake admiring a rather lavish fountain.

Tips and tricks for the Platinum

• Get all of Leon’s medals first try in Chapter 1. It’s the slowest and most painful chapter in the game to replay, with a lot of unskippable scenes. The rest are fine to do in chapter select if you miss them. 

• Your first skill should be Item Drop Increase. 

• Focus on Defence and Firepower in terms of skills, they make professional a walk in the park. 

• Don’t waste skill points on lots of infinite weapons, just purchase the infinite machine gun. It’s more than enough and every character has one. 

• Don’t be too concerned about medals, they are quickly farmed in Mercenaries No Mercy. Don’t pick up the timer and you should be able to chain a 70 kill streak within two minutes easily, granting you an S rank. 

• Quick time events have been made easier in the re-release and a lot you can even fail in some instances and you continue regardless. 

• If you don’t care for the experience find someone who loves the game and has done it all. Get them to run you through on professional while they play on easy. It saves you replaying the game and allows you to just clean up the rest of the trophies. 

• Lastly the Skill point grind is hideously long. You can farm mercenaries if you are good. I used the first level and the catacombs, but if you don’t mind a tedious run, replaying Chris and Piers final chapter is ideal. Clear the big conveyor belt room get to the checkpoint and repeat.

That sweet pop moment!

Having just finished my eighth play though of the game with Enthusiast Gamer I can safely say I enjoy the game a lot. It is a large time commitment but also a very respectable trophy. Rare and shiny it sits on the virtual top shelf of my collection. 

Happy hunting Plat Runners!

Plat Runner: My Path into Trophy Hunting

Assassins Creed Origins shot by me
Aim high, the hardest Platinums give the greatest satisfaction.

I was a late adopter to gaming. I did not enter the hobby until I was 15. But my entry was strong. I was handed down to me a Gameboy Colour and a N64 by a friend and then began my journey. At first games were a distraction from the pains and hardship of my reality, but as time went on they became more of a casual hobby. 

Choosing to knuckle down on a career my gaming took a backseat. I chased responsibility and financial gain and worked my way up the ladder. My work ethic is strong and I tend to work at an alarming rate making myself an asset to any company I work for, however such dedication comes at a cost. At the end of last year in November I snapped somewhere inside and probably never will recover fully, January things got worse and then it was a steady downward spiral. 

Resident Evil 5 shot by me
A wonderful and underrated Co-op platinum experience.

However, it was during the end of October I bought my first non-hand me down console. The PS4 pro. I traded in my Xbox One, a ton of games and sold a few rare Pokemon games on ebay, netting me enough not only for the Pro but a wide selection of games. This choice really was one of the best choices I have made without knowing it at the time. 

Gaming for me comes with feelings of guilt. If I game for more than an hour or two I and hit hit with shame and self hate, knowing I am doing anything productive with my time. If I am not earning or benefiting my life in some way I considered it a waste of time. 

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune shot by me
It was free for all PS Plus members and briefly for all PSN Users
An attainable and rewarding plat.

Thanks to the encouragement of my girlfriend and also being on home care for two weeks after my breakdown point, I had little option but to press on with the PS4 gaming. Eventually the guilt subsided and I was gaming like a 14 year old with no concern for life pressures and responsibilities. Of course this only lasted a few days but it is what I needed at the time. 

It was during this time the Playstation Trophy System caught my eye. No longer did I have to get every achievement in a game to "complete" the entry in my achievements list. The addition of DLC, especially multiplayer DLC to single player games on the Xbox killed my love of achievement hunting. Resident Evil 5 and 6 were probably the last two games I 100%, after the slap dash multiplayer aims, I vowed never to waste my time on a game like game again. 

Control shot by me
An easy and enjoyable 15 hour platinum. Well worth a play even just for the game itself.

At first I was spurred into this by LeonardoxAngel over on Instagram as he had 8 Platinums in his cabinet that he was particularly proud of. I vowed to get four by the end of the year, which I attained. I achieved 6 through 4 easy indie titles Magus on a PS Now 7 day trial and Spider-man.

I found by applying my same work ethic to my gaming I found that it felt less trivial. Not only did I get to play games that I loved but also explore them in depth and do things I would not normally do, such as headshoting two enemies in a set time at a set distance with a sniper rifle, or doing every location objective on the map. 

Far Cry 5 shot by me
All Far Cry titles and most Assassin's Creed games are very achievable Platinums and great fun!

Since being more open about my trophy hunting I get asked questions about it daily on Instagram and have inspired others to join in on the journey. NotGarav just secured his Platinum in the Resident Evil Remake, a feat that is no easy task, while others have gone on to chase their first platinums or pressed onto get more. Through this journey I have had the support and encouragement from many in the community that were already Trophy Hunters themselves. Dragngirle Gaming helped me attain the multiplayer trophies in Far Cry 4 and is a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. 

Quiet Wolf84 also spurred me early on with his wise words of encouragement and pointed me towards good more prestigious games to Plat, while TheInnerclick at 961 platinum trophies really inspired me and helped fuel the hunting fire. Most recently I hit it off with Enthusiast Gamer and we have been helping each other attain co-op trophies and trading games. 

My current standing after 7 months of PS gaming.

The sense of community, leader-boards and goals have kept me going over the past few hard months. Due to this along with the VP features I am also going to be running a new feature series under Plat Runners, which will feature posts from trophy hunters on recommended games and how they felt attaining certain prestigious trophies. If you would like to be featured contact me here. 

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare shot by me.
All trophies are story related, checkpoints are very generous and the plat takes around 10 hours.