JB_Whiting

OMG when we people learn DEI is NOT restrictive, the opposite is true; it gives opportunity to ALL minorities/walks of life. That's literally the point of its implementation.

I love me some over-the-shoulder survival horror as much as the next guy, but this just looks... dull?

Ohhhh boy, that's kind of a terrible release window; going directly up against CoD didn't do them any favours for 2042. I really want this to do well as from what I've seen it looks like a return to form.

Still, I'm also happy I don't have to wait that long to jump in with my friends!

The more I see, the less I'm into it. It just looks like a really basic third-person stealth/shooter. I know Mafia 1 & 2 weren't technically open world but the cities felt somewhat lived in; removing that and you're left with some seriously linear and narrow looking sneaking levels.

The main issue I had with the first (among many other problems, like the script), is that it was just shot and edited terribly; it totally failed to capture some of the better choreography. I think that's in-part to having a director who's never even shot a film before, let alone martial arts films - which is why I'm surprised he's returned, because while II looks marginally better, it's still plagued by poor visuals.

Heaven knows why they didn't get a director who's handled decent Asian fight movies. They could've had some fantastic fights. I still stand by that the 1995 film is the best one.

Also just want to clarify this is developed by The Game Kitchen, the folks who made the incredible Blasphemous; Dotemu are publishing.

@Jrs1 I think the issue I have with difficulty sliders - especially ones that come with no penalty, like DOOM: TDA - is that there is always this temptation to just drop it down slightly when things get hot; no one's gonna know right? But if the game is built around being difficult, and has no slider, it encourages (or forces) you to properly engage with the game's mechanics, and therefore, at least for me, engage my brain a bit more creating a far more satisfying experience.

Though I admit some games take that notion too far.

I think this’ll be really fun but, man I really don’t like the look of the game. I mean that everything looks too small and almost, cute and colourful. reminds me of Shredder’s Revenge in that sense.

I remember Robocop vs Terminator on the MD having this grungy aesthetic, with HUGE sprites for its characters. Like everything felt super imposing. Here the terminators look almost like chibi versions.

I'm enjoying it, but also I'm struggling; I'm just not utilising the mechanics properly and there is NO room for error. Players are already getting too good at it. I'm like, c'mon guys I have a full-time job, I can't compete with that much free time

Ahh the good o'l January dumping ground; doesn't inspire much hope. The first film had some gnarly moments but overall was quite dull.

It was pretty abysmal, and the weakest aspect for sure. It felt like one of those knock-off sci-fi books you see at the backend of a Waterstones with the terrible covers. Poorly thought out story that wasn't very engaging. Thankfully the gameplay loop was just solid enough that I didn't care too much. Basically skipped all dialogue.

Why the hell would anyone want to play as a pregnant Eve? Surely running around while 9 months due is going to look utterly ridiculous.

Wait I thought this was remade in UE5? How come it still looks like a UE3 game. Unless that was deliberate; but man, I really don't miss the look of early UE3 games. All that brown, grey, and everything is shiny.

Surprised that IOI let it release in the state that it is; surely it's going to be a blow to their reputation.

@Waa-Laa I kinda get where your're coming from - it's a form of addiction - I had it during the Xbox 360 days (and most of the PS4 gen, too) where I was obsessively hunting achievements/trophies, but ultimately it left me completely hollow.

Looking back on it I wasted so much time chasing them, and on most occasions I ended up despising a lot of games because the lingering memory of them wasn't fun, it was the chore of mopping up trophies, and it soured the experience.

I've since learned to let go - turned off trophy pop ups - and I'm enjoying games SO much more now

@Imalwaysright It's your opinion, and I get that, but please don't state that as fact, because it makes you look stupid. I'm not sure whether you have actual critiques of the GTA series, or you're just being contrary for attention, but by no means are they "bad" games; comparative to a 3/10, which is what you're insinuating.

Sure, the game mechanics might not push boundaries now, but back in 2001 with GTA 3 it was revelatory, and has had steady evolutions over the years. Also they have living, breathing worlds that are heavily populated. And they have well written characters and a sharp eye on satire. It doesn't look like Mind's Eye has anywhere near those elements (hell, this game has literally no cops), so I'm not sure the comparison is even valid.

@LifeGirl The "catastrophic failure" of Concord was in its sales and player numbers. The game itself was a polished, technically competent, if uninspired, game.

Mind's Eye on the other hand is totally broken it seems.

@Nepp67 Exactly, it's also down to how your character moves and interacts. Like with the RE4 remake, Leon had a hefty physicality to him, he felt properly planted in the world; movement was deliberate. Contrast to Ethan in Village, he felt very 'floaty'.

Kinda reminded me of the third person view in Elder Scrolls games, clearly wasn't made with that in mind.

Hmm, not sure how to feel about this. I mean with Village, you could tell it was designed with first person in mind, so the third person addition felt a little strange to me. But hopefully it'll blend well in this one.

I'll probably do starting playtrhough in first person to properly soak up the terror. Then subsequent runs in third for the achievements/challenges.

Also hope they add another Mercenaries in!

@Batesy125s True, that's what makes Kojima's games so endearing. I just meant that this is more aimed at the "normies" lol. And nothing captures casual gamers' hearts more than loadouts and skill trees

@dskatter That's what I was thinking - Sony was done with all the arty farty stuff and just wanted people to see the damn mechanics of the game.

@nessisonett They'll definitely be a small sub-set of people that will somehow call this a "misunderstood masterpiece".

I'm sorry... what... the game is CAPPED AT 30fps?? That's just the cherry on this massive ***** cake.

I really can't stand locking betas and demos behind a pre-order. Does anyone know if you can pre-order, try the beta and then cancel the order?

I skipped the first game cause it looked too janky. Would peeps say this looks more polished?

@Blacksmith1985 They won't; Capcom release dates are usually solid. RE games rarely, if ever, slip. It will come Feb.

@Cornpop76 It's not nearly as long as TLOU; I finished 1886 in 5 hours, TLOU - if I remember - probably around 12/13. Also I think it's better to compare it to something like Gears of War, anyway, of which it still falls painfully short.

Agree the world and characters were interesting, but the game ended before it even got started. It felt like a prologue/tech demo to a full release. Such a shame because it was a technical marvel.

PS3? I think go even further back; this actually reminds me of Headhunter on the Dreamcast!

So that's two classic GTA-style games out in the same week that both look pretty average.

If it's going be more of a remaster type thing ala DQ HD-2D then I'm all on board. I don't think a full FF VII reimagining would work with this one; I just have too much fondness for it.

@Traman500 I'm hoping it'll be the new enhanced version too; it says PS5, so maybe? Really wanna give it a go.

So we'll potentially see games running natively as low as 720p, then upscaled to 4K. Hmm, maybe we'll see GTA VI at 60fps after all?

@AdamNovice Wait, it IS her! I was thinking the whole time, man, she resembles the Intergalactic lead so much it's uncanny.

This must just be a commissioned post. No way in hell this is seen as a good deal.

Well the fact that the grotesque (now) former CEO of Tripwire is out of the equation; I might consider it in a sale!

@Oram77 I'll throw Safe and The Mechanic in there as decent Stath joints; but man yeah, his recent outputs are slipping (really didn't like Wrath of Man, Beekeeper, and Working Man was just downright awful). We need a Crank 3!

@get2sammyb Agreed. The mission design was dated even by GTA V standards. My biggest bugbear is the gameplay itself; that REALLY needs an overall. I don't want the movement to feel like molasses. And if they make me "mash X" to sprint, I'm gonna lose it haha.

It's definitely giving PS3 era AA game. Not necessarily a bad thing; the visuals look slick and the driving seemed fine. But man, the shooting really doesn't look great (stiff movement, no feedback from the guns - and if you're spending 70% of the game shooting, that's not good).

Also I'm not sure the story or dialogue will be anything to write home about. Especially not next to the likes of Cyberpunk.

We'll wait for reviews. Could be a sleeper surprise.

@Cutmastavictory Acti don't care much for us folk with working brains. They're targeting the whales, as per usual.

Ahhh, so that's why the framerate felt choppy

@RagnarLothbrok Why would it make them angry? That there are male and female dual protagonists? I don't read Kotaku.

For all we know Jason could the deuteragonist, with the story focusing on Lucia. Is that something to be angry about? I can never keep up..

The shot with the animals is extraordinary; looks like they're pulling in some of that RDR2 wilderness. I still love that, despite the environments looking photorealistic, their character faces still exude a clear sense of style. As in, they don't look like uncanny-valley meta-humans or anything. Just good ol' manual design/animation

"Captured on PS5" and it's running at 30fps; so either there are quality and performance modes or (as some of us feared) it'll be 30fps only. Not to be a framerate snob or anything but that will affect my decision to purchase; I've just been too used to higher refresh rates since the console's launch. Will keep a close eye though, it does look incredible.

I bet the Pro WON'T do 120fps for the campaign, however. That's kind of the only thing I'd want added. It's going to look graphically great regardless so why not use the horsepower to bump up the refresh rate please.

@Enuo I would say the same but we also have KCII this year, so it'll be a tough race.

@DennisReynolds Glad I'm not the only one. I mean he's obviously not the face model but you can tell they've made it look deliberately like him; probably R-Patz fans.

Renoir also looks a helluva lot like Pierce Brosnan too.

@joeyflannel Only a couple beers? As the waves increase, I think it'll be a couple crates

@-Sigma- Totally; it basically turns into a horror game solo and it's just far too anxiety inducing playing it that way. Have managed to rope a friend in so we're duo-ing at least. But man losing all your stuff in a run is heartbreaking.

Somehow I'm really enjoying it however. Though I'm skeptical how much longevity this kind of game will have. Needs continuous support of course.

I think we all just need to come to terms with the fact that this IP is DOA now. Completely creatively bankrupt; mind you I only played 1 & 2, but I just can't see how this franchise still somehow has a place. It looks so dated.

Played a couple rounds. The game feels lovely and responsive; guns sound excellent (some of that DICE sound design at play here).

I do however find it a little.... boring. Like you spend most of the time wandering around lonely places, opening boxes and drawers; maybe shooting the odd drone out the sky. Then suddenly when you're trying to extract you get bum rushed by others players.