J2theEzzo

@MrPeanutbutterz Yeah, like the vibe is cool, and it's all very nicely presented, but in terms of gameplay, I just didn't find it to be very gripping. I'd rather play Nine Sols 😉

Slight typo where Remi is referred to as Henry in the mid-point! 😉 (I assume it's that fated auto-correct)

I tried Hollow Knight - started it a couple of times, even - but just really couldn't get into it. Compared to other metroidvanias I liked (Blasphemous, for example), I just found it way too limited? Is it just a real slow burn start, or am I missing something here?

@Gremio108 😂 Sounds like you got your monies' worth

Combat looked pretty floaty, and a bit off, to me since some of the previous videos they put out. I'm a fan of action games, but this looks like the most remarkably 7/10 game I've seen this year, and somehow, a 7 just isn't good enough for me any more.

@Gremio108 I guess that's you and I then, because I've never played Stardew Valley, either!

But, to be fair, I played a harvest moon game once, and after a good 10-20 hours, decided that was quite enough time given to a virtual farm.

Been very curious and keen to play through the psychonauts series, so this might just be what makes me jump aboard and buy the original. Tends to be heavily reduced on sale, so not a bad deal!

@stupidget I never read the books, but Hellraiser 1 and 2 are definitely up there for me as some of the best examples of classic horror. Some of the imagery and practical effects are just too good! The whole opening act of Hellraiser 2 is just 🤌

@PuppetMaster I think every modern game is basically half an rpg now? Or heavily utilises such systems. In any case, I don't think because it's part rpg, that that takes away from the beat em up value of Dragon's Crown. It's both. You can engage with the rpg systems as much, or as little, as you like- though it will obviously affect the difficulty going ahead.

But this is my point- having depth doesn't detract from it being a beat em up, in my opinion. The elf was my favourite class, and I'd spend most of my time kicking enemies and juggling them mid air, occasionally blasting arrows. The dwarf likewise feels like a real brawler.

Absolum also uses rpg style classes: a warrior, a tank, a rogue, a mage. Combat is gonna feel vastly different for each character, by playing into those details, and yes, it has rogue-lite systems, but it's definitely a beat em up.

Thinking that the genre is only what it is because of technical limitations that you enforce yourself doesn't ring true to me, personally.

@PuppetMaster As a quick follow up, check out Absolum. It's a new game coming out by the guys from Streets of Rage 4, and it looks incredible!

@PuppetMaster I do understand that, but as a couple of examples from past/ recent years (due to remaster or sequels) I would credit with innovation would be Castle Crashers, or Scott Pilgrim (despite being buggy af). In the former, all characters are basically equal, but with different elements. But as you play, you level up and put points into strength, magic, hp, speed. So, by the end, if playing coop, all 4 characters become very different and play 'uniquely' by the end. Some might have learned more spells, whioe another is speedy as hell, or whatever.

Scott Pilgrim, there's rpg-lite mechanics; food gives permanent buffs to different stats (increase hp, attack power, etc.) And you learn a few more moves as you level up, so it becomes a bit closer to a fighting game, how it plays. Every character gets the same move set, ( up and □, down and □, etc.) but their techniques differ between.

They're just small things, but they really do go a long way to keep the genre fresh, and make replays feel more viable.

I've been a fan of the genre for 30 odd years, so I don't think it's unfair to expect a bit more nuance by now, rather than just shinier/ smoother models. Dragon's Crown is also another top title, where it plays heavily into the D & D thing, and every character class can learn skills and be tailored towards 'builds'.

One of my favourite franchises from 'back in the day'. Yes, even the maligned 4th entry, and the smash bros. style fighter. Super eager to pick up and play this; confident it'll be superb!

@PuppetMaster I just think some gameplay innovations between all these beat em ups would be nice, or else they're essentially just palette swaps. Same limited type combos, same 3 button movesets; jump, attack, special. Etc. It feels a bit like a lazy way to cash in on the aesthetic charm that it holds over people.

Introducing a few new systems, or ideas, to shake it up would be one way to revitalise it proper. At least the Marvel one has tag team, though it technically borrows that from Double Dragon, I believe!

Don't really see the appeal of this beyond nostalgia. What separates this at all from Shredders Revenge, or one of the other many beat em ups newly announced/ releasing? It just looks like the same limited gameplay (again) with a new coat of pixels. Not saying it's 'bad', but I don't see the Unique Selling Point.

Facial animation is looking great 👍

Black Myth Pokédemon

Looked like Lord of the Rings; Sauron's Return 🙃

Only just realised the kanji symbols spell the word 'oni' 😯

Combat is looking very FF16 inspired. May not be such a bad thing, but I did find, by the end game, you're kind of reduced to just using the same "best" moves over and over.

@dv_xedge Yeah, that's what I thought. I never even made it to the end, but I'm aware of the details.

Also explains why his stats aren't all S across the board- like you can genuinely find some grunts that are better! (Or comparable, at least!) 😦

@MFTWrecks They tried some new ideas, but they also seemed heavily entrenched in the Fortnite aesthetic and to aiming for the same crowd... Destruction All-Stars for one. That seemed to fade into obscurity pretty quick. Foamsters, and Rumbleverse also had their moment and phased out soon after (though not necessarily Sony IP).

I think it's just the case that the audience who play these 'ever online' games do so for the community that they're part of, (so seldom risk hopping ship) or for some quick streaming revenue. But once the spark is gone, no one is gonna go back. Dead servers will see to that, if nothing else.

Personally, I like my games to have an end goal/ objective to work for, and just don't see the appeal to being stuck in perpetuity, but it seems to be the direction everything is headed, whether racing, sports, fighting games, online shooters, etc.

Is it hyped? I'd never even heard of it, and I guarantee I know a few others who haven't either!

@aethermath 😂 Maybe "2 Far to Fall"

Perhaps the first (not the original first, which already has) will arrive on ps plus essential soon... 🤔

@get2sammyb You got at least 3 or 4 of us here to share in that sentiment 🥲

I really enjoyed SF X Tekken, and was always eagerly anticipating the alternative, as more of a Tekken player. Would love to see some footage of how it was coming along.

Also a big Tekken Tag fan! Any game that can add an aspect of cooperation, and thus allow for couch coop, is a win in my eyes. Having a tag mode in future Tekken games would be ace.

@nomither6 Have to agree. I've been waiting (what feels like) all my life for someone to make a new Rising, or rerelease/ remake it. That glorified plasma cutting needs to be done in HD, and with 60fps. It's too good to be left to the past!

@TruestoryYep I've read things to the contrary from some sites, where they've played it. On PC gamer (sorry push!) they suggest it feels more akin to a platinum games action title than it does a true successor to the series. Although it does appear that Ryu feels/ plays closer to past games than the new protagonist.

That said, would have to agree with your thoughts about PB0... autocombos and sponger enemies- though I hope that latter part is worked on!

@Oram77 Agreed. Shifting to a new protagonist puts me off a bit (yes, I know Ryu is in it, but he seems to be a secondary character?) And the neo-tokyo anime style aesthetic isn't really doing it for me.

On the other hand, PB0 seems to have a much grittier look, with the same fluid combat and a variety of fun weapons to use, making it seem like a spiritual successor to me. Eagerly awaiting reviews/ a demo!

Should read something like: "Following spending over 3 billion to acquire the studio, only to be hit with delays and stolen art work, Sony is now realising the foolishness of their live service push and faith in a company that hadn't put out any new games in over a decade."

Just sounds like a lot of mis-management. Cancelling a bunch of live service efforts that sounded more impactful, or original, in favour of bland products with greater 'mass appeal' (eg. Concord, fairgames, marathon), that seem more likely to flop because relatively unoriginal or uninspired.

Then the fact they paid so much for Bungie, who've been all but useless, so now they're 'reigning in' their freedom. Hmm.. a bit too late, maybe.

They need greater company oversight and to stop throwing cash at every idea. Concentrate on a smaller selection of titles, with a greater view of giving their fans good games, and not just chasing trends that they think will be easy money.

I used to love playing Hexen when I was a kid. Only at a friend's, as I never owned it. Mighty tempted...

I almost wept... tears of pure joy! Until I saw it was only the PS4 version. Damn.

@WhoderMan That's it, yeah. I had the same thought!

Very Might and Magic. Never had a good enough pc to run it (back then), so would love to get this on PS5 with some haptics!

@playstation1995 A real-time, turn-based shooter 😂

Far out concept, but also quite accurate!

@Midnyte-Monkey Aesthetically, it looks a lot like Vanquish, so very PS3/ 360 era, yeah.
Only this plays at about an 1/8 of the pace, and has you jump and hover, rather than slide behind cover. 😂

@TBubs311 I'm with you on the jump thing. Being able to jump in Elden Ring was a game changer, and then it's hard to believe something so small wasn't previously implemented, for all the good it brings. Now, I can't go back to games without a jump! Like, what do you mean a small ledge is blocking my progress? Naaah

@AdamNovice For sure. SF6 has been a big glow up all round!

@AdamNovice Haha, I feel you man... Blanka was my go-to in the early days of SF2. Probably more for just being able to bash 'b' and electrocute (and what kid doesn't want to play as a weird green ape guy?). These days, I'm all for Ken... but my secret card(s) are Sagat and Abel. Hate the characters, but I can't deny their offensive versatility!

@Hyena_socks I would second this! I always liked the stripped back strategy of making a random officer and rising through the ranks to become emperor.

I've always enjoyed playing as Cap, much as I think he's a boring character, but Doom is calling me.

@AdamNovice I actually haven't picked it up (yet...), but I'd include his SF6 appearance as doing him justice. Just feel some time beforehand, he became made out to be a bit of a 'joke' character, same as Paul in tekken.

Not so into this series, and still somewhat put off by the guest character fiasco, but I am glad to see my main man Ken get the love he deserves at last across his last few entries!

Darksiders 1 and 2 were cool. Can't help but feel the series fell off a bit, and - I'm sorry (not), but Fury and Strife are not horsemen of the apocalypse. Give me War, or give me Death.

Now, that is an advert.

I mean... I'd say 5/ 6 good games out of that list...

Keen to pick this up at some point soon! Glad for its success and for showing that there's space for multiplayer shooters beyond the ususal battle royale and extraction/ hero shooter types.

Looks dull as hell to me, but do they really need to sue for cash - as if they don't have enough? Suppose tencent probably have some deep pockets themselves, mind... I figure destroying all the assets is enough.

Wonder if this is a little closer to the Horizon mp game they're planning than they'd like!

@PuppetMaster Have to agree, yup. Looks much less like a standard stamina bar, and much more like its own resource meter tied to special moves etc.

A bit like the posture gauge in Wo Long, maybe. Builds up over time and combat, but is used for more powerful spells and techniques. I believe they said itd be tied to special weapons also, like the hand cannon we've seen in previous footage.

Any case, looks good!