Comments 101

Re: Don't Expect Intergalactic PS5 to Launch Until at Least 2027

EvenStephen7

@Elfuggingjefe @dodoo @lifegirl Agreed with all of you. The game industry is going to have to pivot away if it wants to survive. My favorite example is RDRD2, which literally has a system to shrink and enlarge horse testicles based on temperature. Sure, it’s funny, and the detail is impressive, but they literally took resources away to model that — and countless other details that no one would ever, ever know unless they read about it. Sure, Rockstar can take these swings, but how many billion-dollar budgeted AAA games have failed in the last few years — when those devs could have made several in the same frame for less cost, taking more chances and not hanging their future on one giant expensive title that’s focused-tested to the point of being boring?

I think the rise of less-powerful portables and indie games, and the overall indifference to more powerful console refreshes, are a sign that people are caring less about this giant graphical showcases and just want more varied games that are fun.

Re: Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (PS4) - Deep Cuts and Cool Crossovers Make a Strong Combo

EvenStephen7

The bummer here is that being arcade versions means they’re missing a lot of content from the home releases. Power Stone 2 Arcade pales in comparison to all the modes, new items, etc. of the Dreamcast version. Project Justice is the same. And Street Fighter 3 Alpha Upper is missing characters and the excellent world tour of mode PSP’s Street Fighter Alpha Max, so it can feel less “complete” (though sprite work is better on arcade, so it’s kind of a matter of preference).

Now obviously not everyone can emulate these games so I’m not trying to rain on any parades. But it’s worth noting for anyone that the games in this collection may not line up with their memories. Single-player only players have a lot less to do with these versions.

That said it’s still a great lineup. I’ll pick it up at some point, probably after a sale.

Re: Poll: One Year Later, How Would You Rate Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PS5?

EvenStephen7

I enjoyed it, had fun, have no desire to return.

Spider-Man 1 was revelatory and thrilling and Miles was a pretty exciting showcase for the PS5.
Spidey 2 ran into the same problems this gen as the Horizon and God of War sequels: it just felt like it all had been done before and was more of the same (in some ways, it was even less).

I dont regret my time, I enjoyed it a lot (a solid 8 or 8.5), and I’ll be there for the next one. But I really hope we see something really exciting again.

Re: Days Gone Director Roasts 'Small Game' Astro Bot PS5 for Deacon St John Cameo

EvenStephen7

I get why he’s frustrated. He spent years working on something, only for Sony to not stand behind it and pass on exploring it further. Then a few years later, they go and pretend to be reverential while featuring his work in a cutesy context without his previous knowledge. I’ve been in a position where I’ve been let go and watched my creative work continue to be used and promoted — it’s not a good feeling.

But sometimes these thoughts are best left in private. And turning your ire towards Team ASOBI, fellow game developers who obviously meant no disrespect and aren’t a part of larger PlayStation business decisions, feels like misdirected hostility.

Re: Everyone's Talking About Eve's Outfits in PS5 Exclusive Stellar Blade

EvenStephen7

@Northern_munkey Yes, I saw that. Though as “the basis” for the character that doesn’t look like a very accurate 1:1 representation. In other words, things were exaggerated.

Either way, I don’t know if a supermodel is “as real as it gets” either any more than I’d hold up The Rock as an achievable physique for most men. Especially since both had work done.

Again, I’m not offended. I’ve always been a DoA fan! But some of these comments are hilarious in a very virgin kind of way. Especially when it’s so obviously less about “realistic representation” and “appreciating the female form” and more about seeing cartoon boobies. I’d take them more seriously if they were being honest.

Re: Spanish Sales of PS Portal Are Gaining on PSVR2

EvenStephen7

Good news for the Portal, coming at the expense of more bad news for PSVR2.

The benefit for the Portal is it doesn't require Sony to continue to support it. They don't have the best track record supporting niche accessories or secondary consoles (EyeToy, PSVR2, Vita), but the Portal succeeds as long as Sony just keeps supporting PS5.

Re: Feature: Our PS5, PS4 Predictions for 2023 - Results Revealed

EvenStephen7

@Kienda I am sorry to hear of the stress of your year, but so, so happy to hear your son is healthy and well (having a PS5 is nice but a far distant second). I’m a father of three and can’t imagine the year you must have had — here’s to a healthy, happy 2024 for you and your family. You guys deserve it, and you’re absolutely right: you won.

Re: One of PSVR2's Biggest Developers, nDreams, Has Been Bought Up for $110 Million

EvenStephen7

I don’t know, I’ve seen this story before.

1. Mysterious buyer snatches up dev. With dollar signs in their eyes, the buyer touts the acquisition as the ability to “seize this critical moment in VR” (we are here)

2. The buyer gives the dev a shockingly deep budget for their latest game, letting them complete creative and financial control to make the biggest VR game ever.

3. The game is a critical hit at launch

4. One month later the buyer is upset about the game’s sales, previously unaware that VR has a smaller and more niche audience than they thought. They disband the dev, and announce a greater focus on flat gaming after learning the install base of a PS5 alone.

5. They buy a traditional game dev, and with dollar signs in their eyes, tout the acquisition as “seizing a critical moment in gaming.” The cycle begins anew.

Re: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Is So Long, It's Being Called 'Monster-Class'

EvenStephen7

No thanks. Happy for everyone else who loves this series and see this as good news, but I really need a break from all of these 60-100-200+ hour games. It's hard enough to make room for everything I want to play already.

This was hard enough before a career/kids/house/etc. but these days it's impossible; hearing a dev boast about how long a game is just tells me it's not for me (e.g., Starfield).

Re: Poll: Is God of War Ragnarok Still One of Sony's Best Games, One Year Later?

EvenStephen7

Honestly, I was a little let down by it. I admire Barlog and co's idea to not stretch it out into a trilogy, but the end result was a game that was unevenly paced and narratively suffered for it. Plot threads involving mcguffins and character relationships were drawn out for a long time and then quickly abandoned or resolved offscreen.

(MILD SPOILERS AHEAD):

Ragnarok, the big battle the whole game is about, had zero preparation phase at all and was anticlimatic.
That mask took forever to assemble and then it was just...meaningless. The rifts weren't really explained and Odin's motivations were And other Qs weren't resolved: Who was behind Faye's fate? What's going on with the giant orbs? Who blew the horn in 2018 GoW and why did the big sequel twist/conflict teased in that never materialize? If Odin can just teleport anywhere at anytime, why didn't he and the crew just appear before Kratos immediately after Baulder returned to report what happened in 2018?

Ragnarok was beautifully acted, some of the sets were awe-inspiring (some less so), and mechanically its sound. But I remember 2018 so much more for its incredible gameplay events, the intrigue, and the emotionally charged story beats that left me wanting more.

I can hardly remember Ragnarok, outside of a few key moments — and even those are murky at best.

Re: Poll: Do You Think GTA 6 Will Release on PS4?

EvenStephen7

GTAV had incredibly long legs, spanning 10 years and 3 console generations. No doubt Rockstar anticipates the same sales tail for GTA 6. They’ll probably prefer not being technologically stifled and releasing on a smaller install base (PS5), knowing that the game will be a incredible profit churner quarter after quarter as more players buy PS5s.

Re: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Really Is Just DLC, Says Its Trophy List

EvenStephen7

@GymratAmarillo I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, but it’s a walled garden platform. Sony already makes universal rules across the board on trophies, how they’re implemented, and how games are listed (this is why you don’t see a game offering 30 platinums for pressing start and DLC fitting under the base game/contributing to overall trophy completion rates). They created the reward system that all games are required to use.

It seems oddly against their own strict policies to let standalone, $70 AAA games get listed as DLC when they’re not. Why wouldn’t they have an issue with something dismantling the rules they implement for everyone else?

Re: Interest in Destiny 2 Reportedly at an All-Time Low

EvenStephen7

With the rumors that Sony is now backing off the live service/GaaS plans, the expensive Bungie purchase looks even a worse deal.

One criticism that gets lobbed at PlayStation a lot is that all the first- party titles are third-person adventure games. Bungie and their FPS background could fix this.

Like, say, a Bungie-developed Killzone?

Re: PSVR2 Is 'Important' to Sony, But 'PS5 Is the Core'

EvenStephen7

I mean, is this even a shocking statement? Of course PSVR2 was never going to be their core product. Not only because it’s an add-on, but because it’s more niche and has a much, much smaller audience.

Honestly I don’t think the prognosis for PSVR2 is looking too hot, though I’d love to be wrong. But I don’t think this statement alone really projects that it’s doomed or that it’s their most popular product. It seems like another non-answer from the same guy who said PS+ price increases are because Sony wants to make it better.