Here we go people, say goodbye to games being carefully curated and scripted experiences. If games generally follow this path then that will be me out of gaming, not for me thanks.
Interesting this one. Just from my perspective I was a long time cod player who fell off the hype train around about the time WW2 came out. I hadn't bought anything in the franchise until last year's Black Ops 6. I have to say when I first started playing I was happy to be back, it was like a comfortable pair of shoes I'd not worn for ages. However as time went on the game became an AI, microtransaction treadmill that turned me off, and it doesn't look like this has changed with this installment. I wonder if this sentiment is common, probably. It's a shame because BO6 was quite good when it came out and they could have kept a lot of players had they continued the high quality releases.
I don't use social media at all anymore. I realised a long time ago that it made me feel like **** so I quit and never looked back. If people want to use social media to fill their time then good for them, but I prefer to use my time for gaming, reading, or improving a skill set like music or painting.
I had issues with the combat balance in Outer Worlds 1. On normal difficulty I found it too easy but on hard it was too difficult. I also had this issue with Pillars of Eternity - Obsidian need to focus on this area of balancing going forward.
Although Anthem was indeed deeply misguided I have to disagree with that statement when it comes to Mass Effect Andromeda. I finished it recently and although it isn't a scratch on the original trilogy there is clearly good intentions there, you can see a great game trying to get through, but it's obvious that the project didn't come together how they hoped it would. It's a shame, because there are fleeting moments where the Bioware formula works, if it had better focus it would have been really great.
@Oram77 That's cool. I know David Hayter insisted all of the voice lines we re-recorded and paid from his own money didn't he? Something little that. Anyway I think some lines are delivered better and some worse. The motion blur is too intense but overall I enjoy the QOL improvements and crazy cut scenes. Original version is still great in it's own right though of course.
Playing Hollow Knight which I played for a bit when it came out but decided to start again for obvious reasons. It's a good game, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure it's life changing.
Just finishing up Death Stranding 2, think I'm right at the end. Really enjoyable game and highly polished, some cut scenes are wild in the greatest possible way. 9/10.
I bought this at launch and was my first COD since Advanced Warfare. I enjoyed the game a lot at the beginning but it slowly descended into a micro-transaction ridden binge fest, where greedy execs bend the player over and attempt to shove some turtle or some **** up your backside so they can sip Champaign and fire more developers whilst they do it.
It's the gaming equivalent of finding a bit of cheese in the back of your fridge, and you think ah I might enjoy this, but it's covered in mould and it needs to be set on fire and thrown into the nearest bin.
I enjoyed Blooper Team games even before Silent Hill 2, even if some were not 'great' but solid 7/10 experiences. Layers of Fear and Observor are both brilliant however.
Maybe I'm old and cynical but this must have been developed concurrently alongside the main game and has essentially not been included in the main product. It's been siphoned off so they can charge another £15 for it.
Although Bioshock 2 doesn't have its own killer story twist it's quietly a better game than the original. But I love them both. Bioshock Infinite was pretty good but not on the same level.
Comments 367
Re: After a Rocky Launch, the Entire Team Behind PS5 Racer Wreckreation Might Be Laid Off
@themightyant Tell me about it, I started Silent Hill 2 in mid October and I'm only 2/3 of the way through lol
Re: Marathon's Stolen Art Debacle Has Finally Been Resolved
@get2sammyb Yeah, or as part of the agreement she had to write and put a statement on social media.
Re: Marvel Cosmic Invasion (PS5) - Marvel's Most Fun Beat-'Em-Up in Decades
Streets of Rage 4 is also another great recent retro beat em up, but seems to have been largely forgotten for some reason.
Re: Assassin's Creed Shadows Confirms Free Attack on Titan Crossover Quest for a Limited Time
I mean, like...what are we doing here guys?
Re: Ubisoft Is All In on Generative AI, Says Its as Big a Leap in Tech as the 'Shift to 3D'
Here we go people, say goodbye to games being carefully curated and scripted experiences. If games generally follow this path then that will be me out of gaming, not for me thanks.
Re: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 UK Sales Plummet 61% Compared to Black Ops 6
Interesting this one. Just from my perspective I was a long time cod player who fell off the hype train around about the time WW2 came out. I hadn't bought anything in the franchise until last year's Black Ops 6. I have to say when I first started playing I was happy to be back, it was like a comfortable pair of shoes I'd not worn for ages. However as time went on the game became an AI, microtransaction treadmill that turned me off, and it doesn't look like this has changed with this installment. I wonder if this sentiment is common, probably. It's a shame because BO6 was quite good when it came out and they could have kept a lot of players had they continued the high quality releases.
Re: Talking Point: The Game Awards 2025 Nominations Announced: Who Are Your Winners?
@get2sammyb More than Baldur's Gate 3 you reckon?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 607
Playing Silent Hill 2 remake. I've always enjoyed Blooper Team games but this is definitely a step up for them, very good so far.
Re: Talking Point: Is PS5 Really in Competition with TikTok?
I don't use social media at all anymore. I realised a long time ago that it made me feel like **** so I quit and never looked back. If people want to use social media to fill their time then good for them, but I prefer to use my time for gaming, reading, or improving a skill set like music or painting.
Re: PUBG and Hi-Fi Rush Owner Krafton Is Spending $70 Million to Become an 'AI-First Company'
Hopefully AI is a bit like the Metaverse, remember that? Anyone? No?
Re: The Outer Worlds 2 (PS5) - Mechanically Fantastic RPG Struggles to Be Memorable
I had issues with the combat balance in Outer Worlds 1. On normal difficulty I found it too easy but on hard it was too difficult. I also had this issue with Pillars of Eternity - Obsidian need to focus on this area of balancing going forward.
Re: Rumour: New Halo Game Will Be Announced for PS5 This Weekend
I've not been this taken aback since Mario and Sonic at the Olympics.
Re: For a Fleeting Moment, It Felt Like PS2 Gangster Game Scarface Could Be Getting a Re-Release
I remember this being a solid 7/10 experience.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Ninja Gaiden 4?
I'm not playing Ninja Gaiden 4, I'm playing Ninja Gaiden.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 602
@4fold I literally just rolled credits on Hades. I agree, a great game but might take a break before 2.
Re: Absolum (PS5) - Dragon's Crown and Hades Combine in Stunning Beat-'Em-Up
I definitely like my soundtracks 'shockingly robust' haha.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 601
Hooked on Hades, can get all the way to Hades pretty consistently but he kicks my arse every time.
Re: KPop Demon Hunters Show Fortnite How It's Done with Special Mode, Outfits, More
Normally I'm in to Rock and Metal but my god, what a banger of a sound track. Great film too if you ask me.
Re: Rumour: Mass Effect, Dragon Age Studio BioWare Braced for Layoffs After EA's Buyout Agreement
Although Anthem was indeed deeply misguided I have to disagree with that statement when it comes to Mass Effect Andromeda. I finished it recently and although it isn't a scratch on the original trilogy there is clearly good intentions there, you can see a great game trying to get through, but it's obvious that the project didn't come together how they hoped it would. It's a shame, because there are fleeting moments where the Bioware formula works, if it had better focus it would have been really great.
Re: The Last of Us 2 Is Now Available on PS Plus Extra on PS5, PS4
@LogicStrikesAgain Also their The Last of Us online game was cancelled. They worked on that for a while.
Re: Konami Asks Which Metal Gear Solid Game You Want Remade Next
@Oram77 That's cool. I know David Hayter insisted all of the voice lines we re-recorded and paid from his own money didn't he? Something little that. Anyway I think some lines are delivered better and some worse. The motion blur is too intense but overall I enjoy the QOL improvements and crazy cut scenes. Original version is still great in it's own right though of course.
Re: Konami Asks Which Metal Gear Solid Game You Want Remade Next
@Oram77 Twin Snakes is great, my preferred MGS version.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 598
Playing Hollow Knight which I played for a bit when it came out but decided to start again for obvious reasons. It's a good game, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure it's life changing.
Re: What PS5 Games Have the Best Graphics?
When I first started playing Death Stranding 2 I thought they had incorporated live action footage, amazing graphics.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 597
Fast RMX on Switch. Pretty good zero G racer, perfect for short gaming sessions.
Re: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Is Having a Tougher Time on the PS5, PS4 Pre-Order Charts
What an earth have they done to Master of Puppets in this trailer! Complete massacre lol.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 595
Just finishing up Death Stranding 2, think I'm right at the end. Really enjoyable game and highly polished, some cut scenes are wild in the greatest possible way. 9/10.
Re: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (PS5) - The Best Version of an Undisputed Classic
It's worth mentioning that MGS 3 : Subsistence had many quality of life improvements already including free movement of the camera.
Re: 'We'll Continue to Evolve the PS Store': Sony on Making PS5, PS4 Shopping Better
Get rid of the AI slop, that would be a good start.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 593
Split between Death Stranding 2 (great), and Mass Effect Andromeda (just about good enough to pass the time).
Re: Dynasty Warriors: Origins 'Major DLC' Announced Alongside Remaster of an Old Game
I hope the remaster of an old game is Bloodborne.
Re: Xbox Backtracks on $80 Price Tag for The Outer Worlds 2 Following Public Outcry
What will this be in the UK though. I suspect there will be no price change?
Re: Rumour: Sony Engineers Allegedly Helping Rockstar Achieve 60fps in GTA 6 on PS5 Pro
Get it running at 4k , 60fps on PS3.
Re: More Red Dead Redemption 2 PS5 Port Speculation Emerges
I think this game is really great but am I the only one thinking the controls are awful?
Re: 10 New PS Plus Extra, Premium Games Announced for July 2025
Hello Night Bluey!!
Re: Xbox's Phil Spencer 'Not Retiring' After Disastrous Day of Cancellations and Job Cuts
I'm sure absolutely no one saw all these lay offs coming with all the massive acquisitions Microsoft was making.
Re: What the Hell Has Happened to Call of Duty?
I bought this at launch and was my first COD since Advanced Warfare. I enjoyed the game a lot at the beginning but it slowly descended into a micro-transaction ridden binge fest, where greedy execs bend the player over and attempt to shove some turtle or some **** up your backside so they can sip Champaign and fire more developers whilst they do it.
It's the gaming equivalent of finding a bit of cheese in the back of your fridge, and you think ah I might enjoy this, but it's covered in mould and it needs to be set on fire and thrown into the nearest bin.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 587
@hypnotoad I had to do a double take when I started playing it, for a second I thought they had implemented live action stuff haha!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 587
Death Stranding 2. The graphics are insane, really enjoying it so far.
Re: Square Enix 'Aware' of Clair Obscur's Success, Ponders Turn-Based RPG Revival
They ignored the staggering success of Baldur's Gate 3...
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 586
I'm actually playing Mass Effect Andromeda for the first time, having played the original trilogy many times over.
So far it's ok, not brilliant. I can't imagine it improves much tbh.
Re: Two-Week Holiday, Bonus, Switch 2 for All Lies of P Devs After Game Sells 3 Million Units
This is how you treat staff, bravo.
Re: Poll: How Do You Feel About The Last of Us Part 2, 5 Years Later?
I liked it when I played it at launch and I like it now. Solid 9 for me, I like being challenged by the media I consume.
Re: There's a Lot of Hype for PS5 Horror Cronos: The New Dawn
I enjoyed Blooper Team games even before Silent Hill 2, even if some were not 'great' but solid 7/10 experiences. Layers of Fear and Observor are both brilliant however.
Re: Atomfall PS5, PS4 DLC Crosses Shores to Wicked Isle, Out 3rd June
@DennisReynolds oh a sly dig online at my expense, not had one of them in a while, this is exciting! Well, on guard good sir!
I don't own the game, sorry.
I also don't mind waiting. For example I only played Cyberpunk 2077 for the first time last year.
Re: Atomfall PS5, PS4 DLC Crosses Shores to Wicked Isle, Out 3rd June
Maybe I'm old and cynical but this must have been developed concurrently alongside the main game and has essentially not been included in the main product. It's been siphoned off so they can charge another £15 for it.
I'm clearly in a grumpy mood today.
Re: Dragon Quest 12 Still in Limbo as Another Dragon Quest Day Has Nothing to Show
Not in limbo then, just, you know, being developed.
Re: Rumour: A BioShock Announcement Is Inbound, and It's a Return to Rapture
Although Bioshock 2 doesn't have its own killer story twist it's quietly a better game than the original. But I love them both. Bioshock Infinite was pretty good but not on the same level.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing DOOM: The Dark Ages?
I'd love to play this, but I just can't afford new games anymore unfortunately. I'll play this when it's heavily discounted or on PS+.
My one gaming purchase this year will be Death Stranding 2 and that's because I have a gift card I've saved for it.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 580
Continuing my play through of Jedi Survivor which I'm really enjoying.
Also Balatro. I need help to stop playing, so addictive.