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 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.