Plat Runner 08: Fall Guys

Fall Guys for all of us with a PS Plus membership was a free delight. While it may still be having teething problems Mediatonic expected, at a best case scenario to have 100,000 users on at once and at day one the PS4 had 300,000. Servers were unstable and it was near impossible at times to get a game. 

Despite this Fall Guys is not only a real joy to play but the perfect battle royal game for all ages. It is cute, fast, fun and rewarding. The customisation is perfect and the trophies for the most part attainable.

So far only a handful of people have the platinum, a platinum of which I shall probably never attain. However those that have achieved the hardest trophy: Infalillible say that it actually was not too bad.

Infalillible How to Guide: 

• What you need for the unlock is win 5 games in a row.

• After the first win all you gotta do is leave the game before getting eliminated so it doesnt count as losing. 

• Then just win the last 4 games and you are done.

• Beware there are some game modes that can be very hard to leave before getting eliminated like jump club or jinxed.

• Only go for the most comfortable starts.

• Also you can have your party members sabotage others so you have better chance of winning.

As far as getting all the trophies in the game as fast as possible check out the advice from Antivist, self proclaimed no-lifer, who has already done it all. 

His guide is here.

For those of you attempting this long road I wish you the best of luck. Sooner is better for the Platinum as the longer you leave it the better everyone will get at the game.

Grounded Mode in The Last of Us Part 2

For many purists and the more hardcore gamers, The Last of Us' Grounded Mode was seen as the way the game should be played. No Hud, no listen mode, the most brutal combat and scarce resources it tested even the most patient of survivors. 

Many fans were upset at the lack of a Grounded Mode in the sequel. Perhaps Naughty Dog left it out as they wanted to attach a prestigious trophy to it and not perturb those after an easier platinum trophy. 

Never fear as Naughty Dog have now announced that it is coming to The Last of Us Part 2, along with a permadeath mode... yay.

In what form Grounded Mode will take we do not know but it will be a treat I am sure.

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 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