Fiendish-Beaver

I'm hoping there will be a decent Collector's Edition for the game, though I am not sure whether to get it by way or pre-order because I did that with Spiderman 2, only for it to be offered for half what I paid some time later. I'm definitely going to be getting the game though...

Just Resident Evil: Requiem for me from that list, and it will be the first game that I shall buy for my PS5 Pro, which I have owned for 2 weeks but not played on at all. Indeed, RE:Requiem is the reason that I finally decided to get a Pro because it has many extra features that I hope will show the console off for me.

Really looking forward to the game, though I am concerned that there maybe too many stealth parts for me when playing as Grace. Hopefully I wrong about that, and I will enjoy the whole game in it's entirety...

They actually only have two permanent staff on Pure Xbox, @dskatter. It just might be neither of them are working at the moment, bearing in mind it is 9 p.m. on a Friday evening in the UK where they both live...

I said last year that I thought Spencer would retire this year. He has had it rough for the past two years because Nadella has undermined him at every opportunity. Spencer says one thing, and then Nadella tells him to do the opposite. It's made Spencer look the bad guy, when in fact the blame lies with Nadella.

I said time and again that I don't think Spencer believes the path that Nadella has put Xbox on is the right one for Xbox, and now look at Xbox. It is suffering mightily, and it is Nadella's doing, but Spencer takes the heat.

I dread to think what Nadella will do now. I am not 100% convinced the PCBox will see the light of day, and I think Game Pass will be gone inside 5 years too, probably much sooner.

As for Bond, I never really liked her. I always thought she was a bit smarmy, and had a superiority complex. I'm not sadden to see her go. I also think she was a Nadella 'Yes woman', but I think the reason she has gone is that Nadella promoted someone else into Spencer's position.

Just have to hope that Asha Sharma has the best interests of Xbox at heart, and is able to stand up for Xbox and against Nadella, though I highly doubt it because likely as not Nadella has promoted Sharma into that role precisely because she will do what he tells her, no questions asked...

There's no doubt that Sony put Stellar Blade at the front of people's minds, and they should be given credit for that.

Hopefully it does get an Xbox release because I often see comments from people hoping to play it over there, and more people playing the game is better for the developers. It's not like it's a Sony first-party title, after all...

Thank you, @Areus...

Thank you, @Quintumply. I wonder why few developers use it then because the results are beautiful...

I will be pre-ordering Mortal Shell 2 as I absolutely loved the first game.

I will also be keeping an eye on ONTOS, which I have been unaware of until now, but I do love a Sci-Fi game, and also horror, so it could be something well worth playing...

Do we know whether any other games have used the engine, @Quintumply? Or whether any upcoming games are doing so? Thanks...

I have zero interest in the game itself, but I do love a Collector's Edition that has some kind of model included, so I might just pick this up despite telling myself not to buy as many CE's this year...!

I know no one likes the sound of this, but imagine being Microsoft and attempting to tackle this issue. With one third of the player base that PlayStation has, there are far fewer options for them to make do this.

I guess the only advantage they have is that they also expect to sell one third of the number of consoles that PlayStation do too. However, we have already seen them raise the prices of their consoles repeatedly, and aggressively raise the prices of Game Pass too. Both, I would argue, have probably had an adverse impact on their business with even fewer consoles being sold and many Game Pass subscribers either downgrading their tier or quitting the service altogether.

I'm sure Sony have watched things unfurling on Xbox with a keen eye, and will do their best to avoid similar mistakes...

Personally I love a challenge, and am more than looking forward to this game. Cannot wait to try it out on my brand new Pro...

You'd like to think the would change a component here, or a component there, @Oram77, but the device is built as a whole with each component impacting another, made to sing as a choir, not as a solo. In other words, you cannot just change one component without potentially having to change several others. It then means that the costs in redesigning the device costs so much as to make it unviable. Better to release the PS6 as currently envisaged now, than release an updated version in a few years time because as much as it would be nice, and indeed better, to have a later model, the costs of the earlier model would still need to be recouped somewhere, and the chances are they would add it to the asking price of the PS6 anyway, so you would be paying a premium for the device, which could have cost less had you had it earlier. I just don't see Sony doing this because to alter the PS6 now would likely cost them hundreds of millions of pounds and they are not likely to want to swallow that cost themselves. They will pass it on to us. Like it or not, we are going to get the PS6, as originally conceived, and not one that has been changed later down the line. If it is not going to change, then we might as well have it now, and not wait for it. And as I said, people do not have to buy it if they do not want too.

As for technology having plateaued, I agree we are not going to see massive changes no matter when it arrives. If you really want the next PlayStation to feel significantly different from the PS5, you are probably best to get the PS7 and skip the PS6 altogether, and even then, the changes may not feel all that impactful.

The difference is, that usually the components come down in price meaning that when you upgrade, you are usually paying the same or just a little more than the previous generation. That's not happening right now, and indeed, it may not happen for some time, if ever again. We are in very uncertain times, in that regard...

Exactly, @Bamila! And that is precisely why celebrating a delay makes absolutely no sense. The costs to Sony to change the components in the PS6 now would be astronomical. Therefore, we might as well have that tech in our hands now, than wait for it, only to find when we do get it that it is massively outdated (in tech terms). And as I said, if you don't want to buy the PS6 then you do not have too, the choice is up to the individual...

Oh, yes, @Oram77, I absolutely know that. I'm a child of the early 60's so I have seen tech come, age, and go forever. It matters not when the PS6 releases, it will have tech within that was already a year or two out of date at the conception stage. But that is the point; if the PS6 were to release next year, containing tech from 2025, then it's only 2 years out of date. If it releases in 2030, then the tech is 5 years out of date. However, that only reflects the year of release. If the PS6 releases in 2030, and the generation lasts 7 years, before the PS7 then rocks up in 2037, then before we even have chance to buy the PS7, the architecture within the PS6 will be 12 years out of date. This is why I don't think the delay really helps us...

I think the biggest issue with the delay, is that potentially, we will be getting 2027s tech released in 2029 or beyond. Probabilities are that the components and architecture is already locked down tight, and will not be changed no matter when the console releases, so in reality, if you want to experience the tech when it shines the brightest, you want it to release at the earliest opportunity. 2027s tech will look somewhat older in 2030 when compared to the latest tech available at that time.

If Sony were going to change the components within the PS6 in 2029 to be the best available at that time, then fine, the delay may benefit us, but the truth is that they won't. Sony have already determined what they will use, and that is what we will get no matter when it releases.

The other thing to consider is that if the PS7 comes out 7 years after the release of the PS6, and the PS6 comes out in 2030, then we will still be using tech available now (which will already be slightly out of date even if it were to release this year!), some 11 or 12 years after it was at its best!

Plus, at the end of the day, if you don't want to upgrade in 2027, then you do not have to. Indeed, you do not have to upgrade at all. It's entirely optional...

Cronos: The New Dawn was the best game I played last year (and I played a lot of games!). It was simply fantastic. I cannot recommend it highly enough...

Agreed, @graymamba. Obviously I knew there was a risk of the PS6 releasing next year, and I am fine with it if it does, but if I can get 2 or 3 years out of my Pro before the PS6 releases, then all the better.

I am looking forward to the update to PSSR because I think it could be something quite special...

I just bought a Pro, and gave the PS5 I have had since day one to my eldest son. I intend to effectively move from Xbox now over to my Pro starting with Resident Evil: Requiem, having, until now, had each generation of PlayStation as my secondary console just for the exclusives (that obviously was not the case for the PS1 and PS2, which were my main consoles back then).

I remain undecided about the PCBox, and whether I will return to having Xbox as my main. It all depends on whether it can play games natively, or whether everything is streamed. Streaming is not for me, and I fear that Microsoft's push for Play Anywhere is because they intend for their next 'console' to be a streaming device.

Time will tell, but as I have only just bought a Pro, I don't mind waiting another couple of years for the PS6...

It feels very much like the first game, @ilyn. I'm really enjoying the exploration side of things, which feels like it might be better than it was in the first game. There is a huge and confusing array of stats and things to get your head around when building your character, but I'm starting to understand that side of things now too. I'm not particularly far in the game; I have finished the tutorial island, which is not particularly big, and have just started on the second island (I'm not sure if there are more than two), and am yet to find the necessary item to upgrade the weapon I am using to level 2, but I imagine I'll find that relatively soon.

Because I suck at the parrying at the moment, I have gone down the over-levelling route, so that basic attacks hit harder, but it means that I can take on most enemies, even junior bosses with relative ease.

Honestly, if you enjoyed the first game, (even if you found it a tad confusing as I did!) then I think you will enjoy this one too...

I'll be continuing my Code Vein 2 run, which I am very much enjoying. Loving the exploration, and am finding the combat fun though I rarely seem to get my parries off, although that is normal for me as it's never been my strong point.

I'll also be doing another two afternoons of Horde runs on Master difficulty as a team of 3 in Gears 5. We've now managed to complete 16 of the 37 maps as just a trio on the hardest difficulty, which is meant for a team of 5, so pretty proud of our achievement. Some maps will be impossible to do, and we are starting to run out of manageable maps, but hopefully we can knock a few more out before we move on to E-Day. Also hoping that I can get to Re-Up 60 before then too, as I am currently on Re-Up 56, and it takes something like 3 weeks for each re-up...

This is what I wanted to hear, and indeed, is what I said earlier. I want a good story to link together what looks like it will be an action heavy game. In total, Wick has killed 439 people throughout the 4 films, so I imagine we could kill a lot of people in the game, and it would feel like just another day for poor old John... 😂

I usually buy the best version of any game I buy as I like to have everything included. That said, even when said game offers earlier access, I have never yet indulged in it because I usually have to finish off whatever I am playing first.

When it comes to Saros I will be pre-ordering the best version of the game. Just have to hope I am ready to play the game when it comes out...

I've not forgotten them, @RolyTheBeerGeek, as I know they exist. However, I have not played them! I've only played the previous two games...

I didn't like the art style, the movement, and don't like side-scrollers, so this game is more definitely not something that I will play. Hopefully the other GoW game in development is more like the previous two...

I haven't been impressed with what I have seen so far. The combat seems very flimsy, particularly the melee combat, which looks super weak...

I liked the look of Crimson Moon, and I will be watching this going forward. My only concern is whether it will be built with solo play properly in mind. Too often a game that can be played solo, but which has co-op, is geared towards co-op play, and soloing it can be pretty difficult as a consequence. Hopefully they get it right though as I don't like people...! 😂

Absolutely agree, @SodaPop6548. For a few seconds the start had me wondering whether it was indeed a Darksiders game...

Beast of Reincarnation looks absolutely gorgeous. I can see me pre-ordering this one closer to the release date...

I loved Returnal, so much that Saros is a definite pre-order with absolutely zero hesitation. It looks phenomenal...

I have been tempted to buy this on a number of occasions, and it is only time to play it that has stopped me from doing so.

I will definitely be picking this up at some point though, and hope the developers are able to find some success with the game...

Ideal, @LiamCroft. Thank you for the response...

Great review, @LiamCroft. Certainly something I'll play at some point. Does the game have difficulty settings? And, is it possible to earn all the trophies in one run, or are multiple runs required? Lastly, can all the trophies be earned solo, or are some of them tied to playing in co-op? Thanks...

Thank you, @dirty_score. I appreciate your help...

I've only ever played one of the Silent Hill games, as far as I can remember, and it was back on the Xbox 360 (I think). Memory is a bit hazy these days, now that I'm in my 60s. I do remember enjoying the game, but also being quite relieved when I had finished it as it was undoubtedly the creepiest game I have ever played.

However, I have three questions;

1. Does Silent Hill 2 follow on from the first game?

2. If Silent Hill 2 does follow on, why was it not made first?

3. Do we have any indication as to when the remake of the first game is due out, and when development started? Okay, so that is technically 4 questions, but if we know how long the remake of the second game took, it might give a rough idea of how long the first one will take...

I own the SH2 and SHf but don't know in what order to play the games, or whether I should wait for the remake of the first game to come out first...

I'm guessing that they will do some kind of Developer Direct Deep Dive where they will go over the latest expansion / update during which they will confirm the April release date. Whether the game can pull a Cyberpunk 2077 comeback, I'm not sure, but it certainly strikes me that this is one of those games that will be most worth playing once they have finished updating it...

I've always watched these events for the Sony exclusives only, but now that I have a PS5 Pro, I'll also be watching it for those third-party games that I will now be getting on the PlayStation instead.

Particularly looking forward to Saros update. Hopefully we will see some Wolverine and also Intergalactic.

As for third-party games, I'm already sold on Resident Evil: Requiem, but I expect that to feature. What I'd really like to see is some Control: Resonant gameplay.

I also expect to see Starfield finally announced for the PS5 seems as it'll arrive here in April...

Disciples: Domination is the game I am most interested in from that list. I really enjoyed the first game...

I am on the 51st mission in King Arthur: Knight's Tale, which I am very much enjoying. I only have a couple of side quests, and one main mission left, I believe, so I may actually finish the game tomorrow. Then I will be jumping on Code Vein 2.

Also, today, I am about to jump on a Horde in Gears 5 with my mate, where we will attempt an Inconceivable run as just a duo (with 3 useless bots!).

We attempted a Master run yesterday as a trio, with my youngest son as the third player, but he's not available today. Unfortunately a bit of bad luck ended our two runs firstly on wave 30 and then on the second run on wave 40. We'll knock it out next weekend, I reckon, which will then mean we have Mastered 14 out of the 37 maps as just a trio in a mode meant for a team of 5, which is pretty good going. Both my mate and myself are in the top 100 rankings for our classes in the World, and we dedicate a lot of time to the game. Hopefully E-Day will offer a quality Horde mode too, and I cannot wait to see what they have cooked up there...

Really looking forward to playing this game. I'll be pre-ordering it much closer to its release date...

Thank you, @spukknik1. That explains things... 👍

I've been disagreeing with him a fair bit recently, @themightyant, and had a couple of my comments removed (as did he), so I'm trying to be a little more choosy in the battles I wage... 😂

Oh, @LiamCroft. Slightly disappointed with that. I always like to play as a female redhead! 😂

I'll have to see what each character has in the way of skills and go from there. I take it you pick a character and that's it for the entire game? There's no ability to swap between characters? Thanks...

I think there is a strong possibility that this rumour is true, and I have been saying it will be out early this year for some time.

Coincidentally, I think it will also be announced for the Switch 2 at today's Nintendo partner showcase. So I guess it'll be announced for the PS5 at the same time...

So looking forward to playing this game, and have been since it was first revealed, which feels like an age ago now.

I'm a bit surprised that there is not a character creator for the game. That is what you are saying, @LiamCroft, right...?

Thank you, @themightyant. That's interesting. As we know, there are some individuals who like to dump all over the PS5 on the Xbox forums, and it would be good to have some numbers to push back against his assertions. I imagine, if he saw this article, he'd be fuming to see the PS5 doing so well... 😂

Well, I've bought added twice to the PS5s totals; first I received my base PS5 the day it released, and yesterday I received my PS5 Pro. Both are excellent machines, though I have not used my Pro yet as the first game I want to play on it is Resident Evil: Requiem and I am finishing up a game on my Xbox in the meantime...

Do we know how many Pro's have been sold in total, @themightyant?

Personally, I loved GoT, but I loved GoY even more. Superb game. Ghost of Yotei was my second favourite game last year, behind the even better Cronos: The New Dawn. Everyone should play all 3 games, they are just fantastic...

Another quick question, @LiamCroft, and I think I know the answer to this one; but do you need to have played either of the first two games to understand what's going on in the third? In other words, do they follow on from one another? Thanks...