@GalacticBreakdown Kinda true but I doubt they did for Arc Raiders. That's just how it goes, every game has 1 chance to either wow everyone or they'll never give it a chance again. It might still be too early to say but I don't think Marathon wowed the people it needed to wow.
@GalacticBreakdown Decided to check out the stream in question. I went into the comments and a vast majority of them were noting that the game is boring but peanut is a good entertainer so they stuck around. It's once again not a good look for Marathon.
The general gaming consensus seems to have switched back to "meh". I was trying to catch a couple streams but not many big streamers were playing it and if they aren't showing off your game that's kinda a death sentence in the modern gaming landscape. Even saw some people start with Marathon but by the end of the stream they were playing something else entirely.
It's really not a good look, a game lives or dies by what the general audience thinks about it and no amount of media propaganda will be able to save it.
I believe that Marathon is the new end goal for modern Sony. A departure from the single player experiences that people love to this desperate trend chasing "we need a piece of the Fortnite pie" that is live service. The message that Sony sent with Bluepoint's closure is that some of the money isn't fine anymore. We want ALL of the money and will focus all our attention on trying to get it.
Just got through pretty much all the content currently available in Arknights Endfield and honestly? It's one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had in a long time. How much did I pay for it? Nothing. It feels almost criminal to be able to play things like this and not have to fork over 60...oh sorry, 70 bucks. At this point I'd be perfectly fine with the paid model dying out. Not like they don't wind up turning them into live services with pay for cosmetics anyway.
Goes to show that a game can rarely be "perfectly fine" and still find success. This goes doubly so for a live service type of title. When every game is competing for your time why spend it on an ok experience when you can spend it on a really enjoyable one?
@Axelay71 what if you don't want to own it forever? This is simply the evolution of going to your local video store and renting out a game... except you usually get to keep it a lot longer.
@get2sammyb I'll eat some crow here because it seems like public opinion has shifted from immediately dismissive to "wait this actually looks good." So I'm sure Marathon will wind up finding an audience and won't be the immediate trainwrecks that Highguard and Concord were.
I mean if you look at where God of War started and where it is now I can kinda see his point. Game is way too up its own bum. This really does make me worried about what they're going to do with the trilogy remake. It's like they're slowly retconning the old Kratos completely to turn him into this tragic father character. Dude just used to a himbo beating up gods. That's all we needed back then.
I just hope they don't use the GoW remakes as an excuse to remove "problematic" parts of the game (sex minigames). It would lessen the impact of how much he has changed by the time he becomes a father. His younger self indulged in every sin before he matured into the Kratos we know now.
Gameplay wise it seems like it's going for a bit of Elden Ring Nightreign. Visually it seems like it's going for Fortnite. Honestly, if this doesn't release F2P I don't see it doing well and even then, I'm not sure this is what fans and non fans were expecting. I'm kinda tired of being negative about everything though so I'll give it the positive that HZD always had some pretty fun gameplay, so it they can bring that in then I think it'll at least play ok
For anyone that finds themselves really enjoying the factory aspect but wants it cranked up to 11, check out Satisfactory. Does everything this game does and more, almost to a staggering degree if I'm being honest.
I've been playing a lot of Arknights Endfield lately but ZZZ still blows it out of the water when it comes to the combat. Luckily I enjoy the factory building aspects more, otherwise I'd still be coming back to ZZZ.
I feel like the people picking it back up now are in for a pleasant surprise. There's things to grind for, the multiplayer community is still thriving and the difficulty has been upped (some might say a bit too much) overall as someone who played since launch, I think you should give it another try if you beat the main story and quickly got bored. There's a lot more content to sink into.
@Stragen8 I think it's mostly Geoff and the Game Award's fault. He hyped the thing up to high heaven and clearly it was simply just an ok game. When expectations are lifted so highly the scrutiny becomes all the harsher. At the very least its getting SOME attention. This seems like the kind of game that would otherwise sneak into steam and have like 100 players, if that.
It seems the ability to connect to your PS5 from anywhere was the thing it really needed to succeed. My nephew brought his over for the holidays and it was basically like he had his PS5 here, miles away. Cool bit of tech.
Marathon just looks visually unappealing. Unless they've been overhauling the entire style of the game these past few months I just don't see it doing well or standing out.
Really wanted to like Expeditions but I realized it was the worst parts of snowrunner to me. Trying to climb mountains and stuff, I'm just not good at that. Vastly preferred roadcraft as a Snowrunner fan.
@naruball It sounds like we're giving gooners more credit than they usually get in that case. Though this is just one person's review, whether people actually buy it will be more telling. I've already seen some trying to defend the flaws away on other's video reviews so there is a contingent of consumers that truly will buy the game just for the...other content, even after hearing the actual gameplay sucks.
@RoomWithaMoose When you compare this to a game look Stellar Blade it visually looks awful. For sex to sell it actually has to, you know, look appealing.
All I can say is give Route 96 a try if you haven't guys. It's a bit of a different experience but somehow feels sort of LiS to me and it's just a really well done game in general.
Overtime is a byproduct of mismanagement. When the higher ups screw something up it's your head on the platter and you say "thank you sir" because if you don't, why you just go ahead and look for another job. Nevermind that your resume will have a nasty spot for quitting because you didn't want to pick up others' slack.
@SeaDaVie After watching the video myself, there was no way a seatbelt was saving them. I guess the best decision would have been to not get in the car with him.
My only opinion this time is that if you are so anti AI that you want to shut down any game that uses it to save the employees from losing their jobs.....what do you think that actually means? When a game does poorly is it the executives and managers that get fired? No, it's the rank and file developers who are first to get the axe. The very people you are claiming to protect from big bad AI... you're dooming them to unemployment if your boycotts actually succeed.
Have you ever stopped to question why? Perhaps if they paid you a liveable wage you wouldn't have to work overtime in the first place. These poor CEOs just can't go without another yacht...
This is exactly what I was talking about in the last article. People see the words AI and immediately shut their brains down and go into full on rage mode. They don't try to look for context or clarification, they go straight to the witch hunt. As I've said before this parallels how people react when they assume anything is DEI or Woke. Once again, those who pick either side are proving to be two halves of the same coin.
Comments 2,513
Re: 140K+ Players Slam Marathon Servers in Pre-Launch Test, and That's Just on PC
@GalacticBreakdown
Kinda true but I doubt they did for Arc Raiders. That's just how it goes, every game has 1 chance to either wow everyone or they'll never give it a chance again. It might still be too early to say but I don't think Marathon wowed the people it needed to wow.
Re: 140K+ Players Slam Marathon Servers in Pre-Launch Test, and That's Just on PC
@GalacticBreakdown
Decided to check out the stream in question. I went into the comments and a vast majority of them were noting that the game is boring but peanut is a good entertainer so they stuck around. It's once again not a good look for Marathon.
Re: 140K+ Players Slam Marathon Servers in Pre-Launch Test, and That's Just on PC
The general gaming consensus seems to have switched back to "meh". I was trying to catch a couple streams but not many big streamers were playing it and if they aren't showing off your game that's kinda a death sentence in the modern gaming landscape. Even saw some people start with Marathon but by the end of the stream they were playing something else entirely.
It's really not a good look, a game lives or dies by what the general audience thinks about it and no amount of media propaganda will be able to save it.
Re: PS Plus Essential Games for March 2026 Announced
The first Slime Rancher was pretty fun and Rise is a nice, if pretty old, get.
Re: Incoming Xbox Boss Promises a 'Renewed Commitment to Console', and 'Hears' Fans on Skipping PS5
All she needs to do is drop the price of Gamepass back to what it was and boom, immediate PR win.
Re: Sony Goes Silent on Social Media as Fans Turn Feral Following Bluepoint Closure
I believe that Marathon is the new end goal for modern Sony. A departure from the single player experiences that people love to this desperate trend chasing "we need a piece of the Fortnite pie" that is live service. The message that Sony sent with Bluepoint's closure is that some of the money isn't fine anymore. We want ALL of the money and will focus all our attention on trying to get it.
Re: Phil Spencer Stepping Down, Sarah Bond Leaving Microsoft in Huge Xbox Shake-Up
Hermen Hulst should join him!
Re: 'I'm Confident in the Direction We're Headed': Under-Fire PlayStation Boss Tries to Explain Baffling Bluepoint Closure
Fire Herman please.
Re: Sony Makes Shocking Decision to Shut Down Bluepoint Games
This is why you guys gotta make sure Marathon flops. Don't let them keep chasing these live service traps.
Re: Preview: This GTA-Inspired Anime Game Took Me by Surprise on PS5
Just got through pretty much all the content currently available in Arknights Endfield and honestly? It's one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had in a long time. How much did I pay for it? Nothing. It feels almost criminal to be able to play things like this and not have to fork over 60...oh sorry, 70 bucks. At this point I'd be perfectly fine with the paid model dying out. Not like they don't wind up turning them into live services with pay for cosmetics anyway.
Re: Failing FPS Highguard's Concord Arc Seems Almost Complete as Website Goes Down
Goes to show that a game can rarely be "perfectly fine" and still find success. This goes doubly so for a live service type of title. When every game is competing for your time why spend it on an ok experience when you can spend it on a really enjoyable one?
Re: Failing FPS Highguard's Concord Arc Seems Almost Complete as Website Goes Down
I'm sure there's a dedicated few desperately trying to earn the platinum trophy before it shuts down like they did with Concord.
Re: PS5's Retro God of War Game Gets the Worst Reviews in the Series
Was David Jaffe right????
Re: 6 More PS5, PS4 Games Will Be Removed from PS Plus Extra Next Month
@Axelay71 what if you don't want to own it forever? This is simply the evolution of going to your local video store and renting out a game... except you usually get to keep it a lot longer.
Re: Sorry Haters, But Marathon Is Looking Real Good Right Now
@get2sammyb
I'll eat some crow here because it seems like public opinion has shifted from immediately dismissive to "wait this actually looks good." So I'm sure Marathon will wind up finding an audience and won't be the immediate trainwrecks that Highguard and Concord were.
Re: Sorry Haters, But Marathon Is Looking Real Good Right Now
It probably would have been a bigger thing if Arc Raiders hadn't beaten them to the punch.
Re: Poll: Are You Happy with Your PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for February 2026?
Monhunt Stories is what I've been waiting for. Patience wins out in the end once more.
Re: 'One of the Worst Decisions Ever Made': God of War Creator Tears 'Total Crap' 2D Title Apart
I mean if you look at where God of War started and where it is now I can kinda see his point. Game is way too up its own bum. This really does make me worried about what they're going to do with the trilogy remake. It's like they're slowly retconning the old Kratos completely to turn him into this tragic father character. Dude just used to a himbo beating up gods. That's all we needed back then.
Re: PlayStation Fans Delighted with New State of Play, Already the Most Popular One Ever
I just hope they don't use the GoW remakes as an excuse to remove "problematic" parts of the game (sex minigames). It would lessen the impact of how much he has changed by the time he becomes a father. His younger self indulged in every sin before he matured into the Kratos we know now.
Re: Finally Some Good F***in' Food! The Unorthodox Panty Party Perfect Comes West on PS5, PS4 This Week
@Nepp67
The people that protest the loudest always wind up being into the freakiest things. I just like to live and let live.
Re: Exciting Anime Action Game MIGHTREYA Considering PS5 Release
If it's not a simultaneous release I'm usually not interested. I hate playing catch up in these style of games.
Re: Poll: What's Your Reaction to Horizon Hunters Gathering?
Gameplay wise it seems like it's going for a bit of Elden Ring Nightreign. Visually it seems like it's going for Fortnite. Honestly, if this doesn't release F2P I don't see it doing well and even then, I'm not sure this is what fans and non fans were expecting. I'm kinda tired of being negative about everything though so I'll give it the positive that HZD always had some pretty fun gameplay, so it they can bring that in then I think it'll at least play ok
Re: Arknights: Endfield (PS5) - Automation Turns Busywork into Bliss
For anyone that finds themselves really enjoying the factory aspect but wants it cranked up to 11, check out Satisfactory. Does everything this game does and more, almost to a staggering degree if I'm being honest.
Re: Anticipated Idol Group Arrives in PS5's Zenless Zone Zero Alongside More of the Best Gacha Game Rewards
I've been playing a lot of Arknights Endfield lately but ZZZ still blows it out of the water when it comes to the combat. Luckily I enjoy the factory building aspects more, otherwise I'd still be coming back to ZZZ.
Re: Best Co-Op Games on PS Plus
@rjejr I just don't like how confidently incorrect AI can be. Made me double check to see if I missed an update or something. 😂
Re: Best Co-Op Games on PS Plus
@rjejr
This is why we don't listen to AI. The Sims 4 is in fact single player only with no multiplayer at all.
Re: Monster Hunter Wilds Sells 11 Million in Just Under a Year, But May Lack World's Momentum
I feel like the people picking it back up now are in for a pleasant surprise. There's things to grind for, the multiplayer community is still thriving and the difficulty has been upped (some might say a bit too much) overall as someone who played since launch, I think you should give it another try if you beat the main story and quickly got bored. There's a lot more content to sink into.
Re: More Licensed 16-Bit Classics Are Coming to PS5 This Week
If I remember correctly these games were pretty frustrating or simplistic, even for their time. I guess it's cool they're being preserved?
Re: Hands On: Highguard Is Real and Potentially Great on PS5
@Stragen8
I think it's mostly Geoff and the Game Award's fault. He hyped the thing up to high heaven and clearly it was simply just an ok game. When expectations are lifted so highly the scrutiny becomes all the harsher. At the very least its getting SOME attention. This seems like the kind of game that would otherwise sneak into steam and have like 100 players, if that.
Re: PS Portal Peaks in USA with Highest PS5 Console Attach Rate Yet
It seems the ability to connect to your PS5 from anywhere was the thing it really needed to succeed. My nephew brought his over for the holidays and it was basically like he had his PS5 here, miles away. Cool bit of tech.
Re: Marathon's PS5 Release Date Looks Like It's Leaked
Marathon just looks visually unappealing. Unless they've been overhauling the entire style of the game these past few months I just don't see it doing well or standing out.
Re: Ubisoft All-Timer Far Cry 3 Is Getting a 60fps Update on PS5, with More to Follow
Back when Ubisoft was at their peak. Man did I look forward to every game back then.
Re: Poll: Are You Happy with Your PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for January 2026?
My patience continues to be rewarded. Why pay for games anymore? Who cares if I get to play them a bit late, it's still gonna be new to me.
Re: Yes, RPG Arknights: Endfield Is Absolutely Looking Like PS5's Next Big Gacha Hit
I've dropped a majority of the Gacha I was playing so I'm ready to try something new for a while.
Re: NES Fans Won't Want to Miss Chaotic 8-Bit Platformer Lovish on PS5
Everything points to her wanting to be with the demon lord but MC wants to steal her away. I'm interested in the premise at least.
Re: Granblue Fantasy Dev Cygames Apologises for AI Studio Announcement Following Backlash
My AI chatbot told me this is no big deal.
Re: 9 PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for January 2026 Announced
Premium is a joke. I thought Nintendo's pace was glacial but this is absurd.
Re: PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for January 2026 Leaked
Really wanted to like Expeditions but I realized it was the worst parts of snowrunner to me. Trying to climb mountains and stuff, I'm just not good at that. Vastly preferred roadcraft as a Snowrunner fan.
Re: Persona Anniversary Site Mentions 'Next Chapter for the Series'
Please be a college student or salaryman. We've done the high school kid plenty, let's see how they explore adulthood.
Re: Code Violet (PS5) - Gooner Shooter Can't Get It Up
@naruball
It sounds like we're giving gooners more credit than they usually get in that case. Though this is just one person's review, whether people actually buy it will be more telling. I've already seen some trying to defend the flaws away on other's video reviews so there is a contingent of consumers that truly will buy the game just for the...other content, even after hearing the actual gameplay sucks.
Re: Code Violet (PS5) - Gooner Shooter Can't Get It Up
@RoomWithaMoose
When you compare this to a game look Stellar Blade it visually looks awful. For sex to sell it actually has to, you know, look appealing.
Re: Life Is Strange Reunion Pairs Max with Chloe Once More on PS5
All I can say is give Route 96 a try if you haven't guys. It's a bit of a different experience but somehow feels sort of LiS to me and it's just a really well done game in general.
Re: Life Is Strange Reunion Pairs Max with Chloe Once More on PS5
It seems like they aren't able to capture the same magic unless they keep going back to these 2 characters.
Re: 'No Need to Be Embarrassed About It': Zenless Zone Zero Staff Say 'It's Painfully Obvious' They're Working Tons of Overtime
Overtime is a byproduct of mismanagement. When the higher ups screw something up it's your head on the platter and you say "thank you sir" because if you don't, why you just go ahead and look for another job. Nevermind that your resume will have a nasty spot for quitting because you didn't want to pick up others' slack.
Re: Vince Zampella, Call of Duty Co-Creator and Respawn Boss, Tragically Dies Aged 55
@SeaDaVie
After watching the video myself, there was no way a seatbelt was saving them. I guess the best decision would have been to not get in the car with him.
Re: Vince Zampella, Call of Duty Co-Creator and Respawn Boss, Tragically Dies Aged 55
@Uromastryx
Reports are coming out that Vince was speeding. I only feel sorry for the passenger whose life he took.
Re: Embattled Divinity Dev to Host Q&A with Fans After Tough Week
My only opinion this time is that if you are so anti AI that you want to shut down any game that uses it to save the employees from losing their jobs.....what do you think that actually means? When a game does poorly is it the executives and managers that get fired? No, it's the rank and file developers who are first to get the axe. The very people you are claiming to protect from big bad AI... you're dooming them to unemployment if your boycotts actually succeed.
Re: Naughty Dog Forces Crunch to Get PS5 Exclusive Intergalactic 'Back on Track' for Mid 2027 Release
@mvhess
"i needed the money"
Have you ever stopped to question why? Perhaps if they paid you a liveable wage you wouldn't have to work overtime in the first place. These poor CEOs just can't go without another yacht...
Re: PS5 Wins a Nightmarish November for All Console Hardware in the US
People just don't have leisure money anymore. Everything goes to food, bills and other necessities. We're winning so hard right now guys.
Re: Divinity Dev's Comments on Generative AI Trigger a Total Social Media Sh*tstorm
This is exactly what I was talking about in the last article. People see the words AI and immediately shut their brains down and go into full on rage mode. They don't try to look for context or clarification, they go straight to the witch hunt. As I've said before this parallels how people react when they assume anything is DEI or Woke. Once again, those who pick either side are proving to be two halves of the same coin.