Patreon Q&A #18 (Patreon)

Matt Koster Asks
I've heard people describe many games from many genres as "comfortable" over the years: Minecraft, Stardew Valley, Halo, DOOM, and many others. What makes a game "comfortable"?

Various ways. I think the primary method is sound & visuals. Lots of games are about making the player react instinctively. Gunshots, explosions, loud engines, slashes, shouting, etc. Playing something Stardew or Minecraft, only has those situations at their most intense moments, which are still calmer than most mainstream action games.

In terms of what people find comfortable about things like Halo & DOOM, I imagine it stems from familiarity. I find Halo comfortable because it's one of those games I can boot up and seemingly be competent in almost immediately. I don't need to relearn maps, understand the damage output of weapons, or learn the physics. I've played those games so much that it's mostly second nature.

The Great Leveler Asks
What is your favorite mini game in a video game and why? 

Now that it is a good question. One that's tough because Mini-Games aren't something we traditionally think about. Perhaps this is cheating, but Ridge Racer on the PSP let you play one of Namco's arcade classics, New Rally X. I'd often catch myself playing far behind what was required to load.

DaCody Asks
What's your favorite game that came out of your home country? 

Probably Mass Effect 2. I imagine many Canadians would say, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.

Dmaster Asks
If Battlefield ever had that dinosaurs mode that was rumored a few years ago, how would you want it to play?

Dino D-Day but with destructible environments. I want to be a T-Rex that eats sheds soldiers hide in.

Finn Clarke Asks
Thoughts on Massive Attack? Favourite song? 

Oooo, that's easy! Angel on the album Mezzanine. Honestly, I don't go to the group too much for an album experience, Portishead mostly takes that occupation over them. But Angel's one of my favorite songs of all time. Snatch, one of my favorite movies of all time, was what introduced me as a kid, but even since then, the song gives me goosebumps.

Metro Exodus got me irrationally excited when one of its trailers played the song. It's dark, moody, but with a fantastic build that's delightfully intense. Not to suggest Mezzanine doesn't itself have some classics.

Ferenc Viczmándi Asks
Will you ever review Mafia II? If not, can you summarize quickly what you thought of the game.

Funny enough, it was the first game I reviewed for what I considered to be my big break as a 16 year old critic, GXPtube, which eventually got to Machinima Respawn. That was so long ago though, I'm not sure if I want to repeat my opinion on it at the time.

I recall its story and characters being very captivating with an unsatisfying conclusion, and gameplay that felt dull at the time, so it's probably gotten worse.

That's all assumption though, I haven't actually gone back to verify how it holds up.

Parker Brown Asks
Have you ever though about doing a video on Battlefield: Bad Company?  I remember finding the first one an incredible, funny and unique shooter and the second -- well, the multiplayer was fun but the tone and gameplay of the campaign drastically changed and lost a lot of the original's charm and wit. And it's never gotten a third one... 

I believe a Bad Company 3 is just about the only way EA could generate massive amounts of hype for that franchise after the mixed reception of BFV. As for a video about the original? I'd certainly be up for it at some point, especially if I followed it up with a piece on Bad Company 2, as that game holds a very special place in my heart.

Submit your questions in the comments below, for future Patreon Q&A's.