Enriesto

@SMJ I’m not sure what links I can share here, but look up ‘Yoshida thoughts on Demon’s Souls’ when you have a chance. Sony had a chance to work exclusively with Miyazaki and his team but Shuhei didn’t share the vision, and was relatively negative about the game demos. It was demoralizing for the original devs and created tension between them and Sony. Along comes Dark Souls and Sony realized how they fell short of what the core FromSoft team was doing. Bloodborne as a result was an apologetic collaboration for their shortsightedness - they even supported them with their own studio, Japan Studio. I don’t mean to be preachy with the background of it, you likely know most of this, just making sure the context is there. In short, the fumble was them not sharing the innovation of Miyazaki’s formula.

And yes, it would be confusing with some saying that it’s up to Sony, but that could mean so much. It reminds me of how Ember Labs said they weren’t focusing on games a while back… and then we got a Kena sequel at the last state of play. Everybody talks. That said, Jason Schreier isn’t known for getting things wrong, so I wouldn’t discount his claims about FromSoft devs refusing the prospect of a Bloodborne remake.

@SMJ We are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I don’t think disrespecting the original makers is cause to go ahead with a remake of something they don’t want done.

And I never said they’re (Sony) valuing all their relationships, that’s clearly not the case this gen. But with FromSoft, the evidence says otherwise and this article is another case for it - they learned from their fumble with Demon’s Souls.

@SMJ This isn’t the case with Schreier’s info though. Yes it’s their IP, and they were moving forward with the pitch. But they valued their relationship with Miyazaki/FromSoft at the time they wanted to green-light it, and the answer was no. So it’s not simply a matter of Sony owning the IP and deciding suddenly not to pull back on their accord. They respect the original devs enough to leave it if that’s their wish.

I had been saying for a while I didn’t see Sony as being the obstacle. In spite of Miyazaki’s past statements, this game is his baby and he’s aware of how cherished it is among the game’s fans - hell, the whole world knows how us BB fans don’t ever shut up about it.

In my view, Miyazaki wants to have the space to do it. I don’t think he’d be averse to pursuing this at some point, but he clearly has his hands in a few kitchens right now, notably with Duskbloods releasing this year.

At the very least, it looks like people can stop assuming it was Sony that was the barrier to this dream. Who knows what will happen, but it’s sad that FromSoft decided that it wasn’t time.

@saffeqwe No worries, I get it. It’s a holistic thing for me, and I’m someone who can tolerate some of the outdated issues in the game (the UI for example is cumbersome in the original game, as with its relative title Vagrant Story) if the universe I’m traversing is immersive and real. I crave stories that go beyond the standard of conventional entertainment, and that matters loads in the games I play, even if combat is flawed.

I suspect then you are into titles from Fire Emblem? You must be excited for the new one coming next year, I know I am.

@saffeqwe I agree in terms of gameplay, but in respect to world-building, story, characters, the immaculate translation and writing of Smith, it’s unmatched. I think it’s because of the depth the game presents rather than simply being FF that people are so fond of it.

@PuppetMaster my prediction was definitely wrong lol, but I wouldn’t go that far. There were also no Xbox games announced either and we know there’s more coming from them, so I think we’ll see something at Sony’s next show where a title like Gravity Rush Remastered is shown and then later shared as playable on Switch 2.

I think we can expect at least one Japan Studio game in Nintendo’s Direct tomorrow. Much of the retro PS fan base has shifted to Nintendo, and this demonstrates that they (and others) will happily buy a resurrection of these old school IPs. It also means that we’ll get to play it on PS5, so the options are nice. I just hope the publisher (was it Bandai before?) can optimize and polish it well.

I’m here for it - now give us more loco roco.

@K1LLEGAL That sounds like a good problem to have unless you’re really strapped for minutes in your day. And it’s a great time to jump in, since you have loads of added (and good) content to explore. You’ll be eating well.

@Shepherd_Tallon That’s a good problem to have

I ended up getting one because there’s mutterings of a price increase on the horizon (not to mention it almost certainly won’t go down in a sale), and I’m curious about some of the upgrades as with TOTK. Mario Kart also, already, has some of the best tracks I’ve ever played, and I do NOT like kart racers. You’re in for a treat when you’re ready to jump in.

Bummer, just beat this a month ago, and the additions here are plenty good. I didn’t beat the post-game content though, so it might be worth jumping in again.

@cburg I can appreciate the Ubisoft comparison, but calling the combat in Ghost Of Tsushima “mediocre” is a hot take if I’ve ever heard one 😅

That’s great! I’m already enamoured by the “side content” we’ve been tasting so far. I hope they keep their cards close until around launch, many of us love being surprised by uncovering the main content for ourselves. Day one… keep cooking!

One of my most anticipated games, up there with Yotei, Prime 4 and Fable. Trailer instantly made me re-install Returnal and I’ve fallen in love with the macabre underworld of Atropos once again. Cannot wait to see gameplay, Housemarque is on another level.

Already had my collector edition pre ordered for PS5 back in December (hoping for around Xmas release at that time), and am very excited to return to my 9 year old self when this first released. In just a couple weeks too! Glad Argonaut took the time to polish this, and that they’re back for what is hopefully many years to come. 💚

I don’t think it was terrible, but I did expect more which I think is realistic. The SOP from Feb. ‘22 demonstrates that Sony is capable of housing a show with numerous new announcements, and I was hoping for something like that here (No Resi at all? Square Enix? Level 5? FromSoftware?). If they had subbed a couple bangers like these in and kept the Housemarque finish, that would have been a good show for me. Otherwise, just okay, and I’ll look forward to the summer PS show in the meantime, as well as the upcoming Switch 2 Direct.

Weekend is preordained on JRPGs. Picking this up tomorrow with a continued awe of Metaphor on the side. What an incredible year for games, goodness, I dare say it’s as strong as last year, especially if this is your genre. Very glad gaming is a passion of ours… even with stinkers that release every year. Can’t wait to play this, happy adventuring everyone!

@ShogunRok Thanks for the review! I want to pick up now, but am concerned about your thoughts on the dungeon design, as it’s something I’ve loved about previous Persona games (especially 5R). Are there some dungeons that you found enjoyable? Would you say the rest of the game outshines this issue?

Thanks again

Am content! A nice start with Astro, a banger finish with Ghost, and a few announcements in between that piqued my interest such as Hell Is Us, Lunar, Kain, and Hitman VR.

Solid show, I’m happy with what was shown.

@ButterySmooth30FPS this isn’t comparable at all? Portal was an accessory device (which you need a PS5 for) not meant to make a profit, and this is an upgraded console price-hiked to heaven without a key feature that millions of consumers prefer to have, the disk drive. Yes, you might be right that it will sell, but that’s not a good thing.

@Enuo I can corroborate this. I also have a source that affirms timed exclusivity on the title until the next Nintendo console launches, where it will be available alongside PC. No Xbox I’m afraid, according to said source 😞

@riceNpea I was thinking this too! If they’re back, then… time to revive the cancelled project?

NO. What?? Yes, I’m excited! My childhood remastered, let’s go!

The French doing as they do, bless them.

Amour et soutien aux travailleurs, c’est parti!

That is awesome, I’ve watched a couple fights on streams and seems a certified banger sans performance issues. I’d have grabbed it Day One myself but am waiting on Astrobot and Zelda, can only spend so much for first day releases 😭 but will absolutely buy this later on a deal after patches.

Joy and cheers to those playing it this weekend!

@Steel76 I can appreciate this, and would imagine you’re not alone. I’m assuming there will be an option for you to adjust this if you’re looking to play without these blur effects (I think FF16 did too if I’m not mistaken?).

For some of us, I think these effects add a sense of thrill and simulation to intense combat, I personally become more immersed as a result. But totally understand not everyone does…. Hopefully there’s something in settings or accessibility to tweak in the game if you’re interested in playing

Just started playing with a friend a couple weeks ago, so I can’t comment on specifics from this expansion. Overall impressions so far though, game is an absolute blast, and this is coming from someone who hasn’t played a game like this in years. It’s great to have a game I can look forward to playing with others on weekends again 😎

@Nepp67 i would much rather be “stuck” in Santorini for vacation than playing new game content 😂 have fun out there! The Greek islands are immaculate.

Started last night, proper From dlc in that you’re immediately thrown into an even less forgiving world. Very difficult, but loving it. Music too is evocative as in the original title, aura permeates a kind of quiet, troubled world. Too early to say much, but so far it’s exactly what I wanted and I’ve the whole weekend to fully enjoy it.

Yeah I need more info on that performance/fidelity option too. I was defaulting to the Switch version, but would happily reconsider if PS5 has a noticeable optimization when playing. I bought Octo 2 on PlayStation and didn’t seem to miss the handheld experience (I play Switch 90% undocked), so I may try this one with PS5 too.

I’m in that camp, it’s time. Xbox had a stellar show, and though we know “games are cooking” at PS Studios, the ball seems to be in Sony’s court now. Microsoft has confirmed they’re all in for gaming, and that fans have a lot to look forward to from them. Here’s hoping the PlayStation showcase (if it’s happening in September) can match it. There’s no need to console war on any of this either! We all won today as gamers, and will win more if Sony knock it out of the park with their next show just like Xbox did today.

@UltimateOtaku91 Nah, just enjoy yourself. As much as I dislike Geoff, the ads, and his business entourage (that sit on the board with him), this festival is one of the best ways devs can share their projects. They usually start and end with something noteworthy, so there’s always a couple games to look forward to after it’s over. Have fun!

Not much? Not pessimistic, but I don’t see us getting major news with Keighley. I’m of the opinion that a September showcase is likely so we’ll only get a sprinkling of PS announcements. Lego Horizon, a remaster of some sort, and maybe Spiderman 2 dlc. No hardware reveal yet. And that’s okay! Astro Bot is coming later and we likely have bigger announcements in the latter half of 2024.

@Fishmasterflex96 I’d wager Sony is hoping Marathon can pull PC players into the PS environment, and could see franchise collaboration of Sony titles with Marathon’s content. Bungie, yes, is meant to provide guidance on Live Service development as you say, but Sony still reaps the revenue on their future projects. I could see them (Sony) using this opportunity to glamorize their own IPs within the game if it really takes off.

@Americansamurai1 that would be awesome, but I just can’t see it at a SOP. Major game reveals always occur in a showcase, as did the Ragnarok announcement you mentioned. However, playing devil’s advocate with myself, there could be some inner-business strategy shifts where a state of play takes on a bigger role in promoting their first party titles. So…. Maybe this state of play communicates that moving forward, it will be a bigger deal and use a Ghost 2 teaser as a means of communicating said shift.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, it just doesn’t follow Sony’s historical pattern for these shows, so I think anyone expecting something like Wolverine and GoT 2 (I’m seeing loads of these predictions online already) will have to wait for another time. More than willing to be surprised 😎

@Americansamurai1 I think Ghost 2 isn’t ready to show yet, seems the focus will be on first party games releasing just this year. Concord and Astro would be the only ones I’m expecting to see, but who knows… maybe there’s “one more thing” for fireworks.

Not a showcase, but that’s alright. We’re getting other big shows in June and the announcement confirms first party updates. Looking forward to tomorrow!

@Grumblevolcano Geoff’s scheduling strategy doesn’t actually surprise me, as he’s been wanting his show to replace E3 for years. Basically, he wants those of us not working/studying for the weekend to give him the summer fever attention for games 👀 something E3 fulfilled before.

As for PlayStation, I’m not sure if they view Friday as a placeholder for bad news in spite of their history (as you say) sharing bummers then. What we can definitely agree on is that Sony is cutting it close in communicating with us whether a major show is coming.

@Grumblevolcano I think there’s still time, I believe they’ve announced a showcase 5 or 6 days prior to the event itself before, meaning next Wednesday/Thursday could be slotted. I would say if nothing is shared by Sony after tomorrow, then Summer 2024 is a no go for a major show.

The last showcase was just confusing… it presented itself as the future of PlayStation being Live Service focused with some first party basis, which is not what many of us fans want. This upcoming show, if it’s happening, has to flip that script. You can (actually) show us Concord and Fairgames, that’s fine, but bombard us with updates from your internal studios, not just 1 or 2. And above all… surprise us. Maybe a tall order, but it’s overdue for Sony to show their hand and imbue us again with the reason for why we invested in this gen to begin with - their games. They can do it… they’ve found a way every PlayStation gen so far.

Sony is the only one left to announce a show for the summer. Even in spite of an underwhelming show last year, I’m excited even at the possibility of another. Here’s hoping to one happening, and a much better one at that this year 😎

@RicebinBernacky Agreed, I imagine that’s what they meant, I see why that could be unclear. Here’s hoping this is true and we see it soon (it’s rumoured to be open world, so I’m extremely curious to see if this is the case)

@RicebinBernacky I think imminent refers to the announcement drop, as we’re entering summer show time and Sony has a history of revealing big Capcom titles (further hinting at a May show coming soon, hence “imminent”).

@felip Indeed! As much as I enjoy Sony template games, these two studios (maybe also housemarque and MM) seem to be the most promising for delivering titles that can shine in uniqueness.

@Nei games are great but taking care of yourself is always number one. Rebirth will be there when you’re back. Hope all goes well 🙏

Very sad to read about the padding and side quests. I’ve all but absolutely lost patience with these issues in rpgs - extending gameplay time in order to hit the reward flow of my brain at the cost of a game’s substance. I felt this a lot with games like FF16 and Fire Emblem Engage, where the strengths shine but anchor beneath their potential because of frustrating busywork. I’m a tad more cautious about my purchase next week, but I’ll read a few more reviews before making my mind. And of course, happy for those excited I still am extremely interested despite my concern.

This is wonderful! I play Xbox on PC, so I didn’t have an option for a physical version of Pentiment. Do I go Switch or Ps5? 🤔 either way, very nice news.

@Olmaz not hyperbole, have done in the past. This is how I decompress, and once in a while I make a little vacation out of it. Why not? Life’s short, enjoy it when you can

Edit: the Nordic spa mention is also not hyperbole, I actually did this last time and was an amazing mix to my time off. Try it! Throw in a good massage or something for your next gaming weekend.

Long weekend booked. I remember taking vacation during the Elden Ring release, coupling it with a Nordic spa day. Methinks I’ll do just that again

Cannot wait 🤩 I hope to see what they’ve done with Torrent. New abilities, mobility options? Otherwise, crazy curious about environments, enemy types, and a glimpse at boss encounters.