@get2sammyb Yeah, I really miss it as well. Where I grew up in rural Wales, my dad and I used to have to get a 45-minute bus to the nearest town. There we had an indie game store called ACME Computer Games, and it was fantastic. A long, narrow, smoky hole of a place with games that littered the walls along both sides. We were on a first name basis with the owner, and he used to let us try games out in the store, or even take them home and pay later. It was wonderful.
This was before GAME or Gamestation showed up, but as soon as they did, ACME closed down โ they just couldn't compete with the prices. But I'll never forget that game store.
Right next door there was a gallery where my dad used to sell his paintings (he's an artist). We used to go in there to see if he'd made any sales, and if he had, we'd pop over to ACME to get a game. And then we'd take it in turns unwrapping the cellophane; you just couldn't beat the smell and look of the untainted case. I would read the manual all the way home; the excitement was unbelievable. I honestly don't feel that anymore โ not in the same way.
Great article, by the way. Got me reminiscing about the good times! ๐
@SuperSilverback I didn't like it as much as the original either. I don't think it's "garbage", but it's definitely inferior. I didn't like that they changed the soundtrack, it lost some of its atmosphere. I also didn't like some of the voice changes they made, or the Gamecube controller, amid other things.
Maybe we should badger Bluepoint to do a Metal Gear Solid remake, like they've just done with Shadow of the Colossus? ๐
@viciousarcanum True, but as unfortunate as it is, more people know the Hunger Games. But you're right, Battle Royale came first (and is infinitely superior).
@Rudy_Manchego I do this all the time. It's almost become a mini game in itself as I frantically try to find a new show that piques my interest while my food sits there getting cold. It's completely ridiculous. ๐คฃ
It's too late for me to push that play button. The last thing I need is someone like that GoCompare guy in my head when I'm trying to sleep. ๐
To this day, I absolutely refuse to even visit the GoCompare website, even when my insurance is due for renewal. The adverts are so irritating, I actually don't want to support them in any way. Pretty sure advertising isn't supposed to have that effect.
@get2sammyb Yeah, I agree. I honestly don't understand how watching a game online replaces the gameplay experience, but I think a lot of people like the social aspect of YouTube and Twitch. Watching a good Let's Play video is a bit like hanging out with a friend.
When I think about it, though, I used to do a similar thing as a kid. Me and my dad used to play the old PSOne Tomb Raider games together; I say "play", but one of us would be playing while the other directed and helped verbally. The experience on Twitch and YouTube isn't entirely dissimilar to this.
I actually do think that YouTube and Twitch has negatively impacted linear single-player games. Just in my own circle of close friends, they've started buying fewer single-player games and watching them online. I've noticed their buying habits have altered significantly since they started watching Let's Play-type videos. And they have plenty of money to buy them, they just don't anymore.
Interestingly, the one game they did buy was Persona 5, and I remember one of them saying it was because some of the content was blocked for viewing online. Although, obviously, I realise this is a small sample of people near me and might not be indicative of the wider gaming community, but I think it's interesting to note.
@ShogunRok Yeah, I'm leaning towards Tekken, especially since I was such a big fan as a kid. I don't really care about online at all, so my pick will be based purely on single player content. Not sure if that changes anything?
This actually looks like a nice controller, and Hori have a good track record of making these kinds of things. I echo the sentiment that Sony ought to make their own, though.
@get2sammyb It looks like both Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montrรฉal are working on the Avengers game together. The project announcement trailer included both studios.
@get2sammyb Sure, just not micro transactions that feed directly into the balance of play. If EA had implemented it into cosmetic stuff or even a season pass I'd be playing a Star Wars game over Christmas. I'd rather miss out on some content by not buying DLC than play a game that has been gimped by micro transactions that alter the balance of play (that's not to say I want to miss out on some of the content, either, mind). I'm not completely against ALL micro transactions, but I absolutely loath the way they were implemented into Battlefront II, and I won't be buying any game that does it like this in the future either.
@sinalefa Yeah, and it also split the player base by giving those who spend more money a significant advantage during play. (Or it would have had they not temporarily turned MTs off, but that will be the outcome using this model.)
These are the same people who probably think that video games are only for kids. They don't understand the medium and it shows in their response to it.
@ShogunRok Absolutely. Thatโs the problem, right? The Gladiolus DLC was indeed quite fun, as @rjejr said, but it doesnโt feel like extra content - it feels like stuff they ripped out of the base game and are selling it back to us.
I personally love the Deus Ex series so I hope they come back to it. I was also disappointed by the end of Mankind Divided, but hey-ho, life goes on. It was sill a great game on the whole.
@get2sammyb Yeah, they've definitely increased. Fifa cost me ยฃ48 this year; Battlefront 2 was also marked around the same price, although I never bought that one. I never used to spend more than, say, ยฃ38 on a game last generation.
@get2sammyb I really liked The Lost Legacy, just not as much as the others. I think they're all excellent, but as much as I like Chloe and Nadine, I really missed Drake (and Sully). I also think some of the set pieces were a little too similar to previous titles, albeit still fun.
Comments 628
Re: Ni no Kuni II's Looking Especially Lovely in Early Story Gameplay
Everything I've seen about this game looks fantastic. I can't wait to play it.
Re: Soapbox: I Miss the Mystery of Video Games
@get2sammyb Yeah, I really miss it as well. Where I grew up in rural Wales, my dad and I used to have to get a 45-minute bus to the nearest town. There we had an indie game store called ACME Computer Games, and it was fantastic. A long, narrow, smoky hole of a place with games that littered the walls along both sides. We were on a first name basis with the owner, and he used to let us try games out in the store, or even take them home and pay later. It was wonderful.
This was before GAME or Gamestation showed up, but as soon as they did, ACME closed down โ they just couldn't compete with the prices. But I'll never forget that game store.
Right next door there was a gallery where my dad used to sell his paintings (he's an artist). We used to go in there to see if he'd made any sales, and if he had, we'd pop over to ACME to get a game. And then we'd take it in turns unwrapping the cellophane; you just couldn't beat the smell and look of the untainted case. I would read the manual all the way home; the excitement was unbelievable. I honestly don't feel that anymore โ not in the same way.
Great article, by the way. Got me reminiscing about the good times! ๐
Re: Review: Sprint Vector (PS4)
Sounds very good indeed. Can't wait to give this one a go!
Re: Is the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Sneaking to PS4?
@SuperSilverback I didn't like it as much as the original either. I don't think it's "garbage", but it's definitely inferior. I didn't like that they changed the soundtrack, it lost some of its atmosphere. I also didn't like some of the voice changes they made, or the Gamecube controller, amid other things.
Maybe we should badger Bluepoint to do a Metal Gear Solid remake, like they've just done with Shadow of the Colossus? ๐
Re: Fortnite: Battle Royale to Get 60 Frames-Per-Second Mode on PS4
@viciousarcanum True, but as unfortunate as it is, more people know the Hunger Games. But you're right, Battle Royale came first (and is infinitely superior).
Re: Review: Out of Ammo (PS4)
@RogerRoger Definitely not just you. We're all in this together ๐
Re: Review: Out of Ammo (PS4)
@Rudy_Manchego Yeah, so do I. This is a serious condition that deserves a name!
Re: Final Vampyr Dev Diary Reveals Release Date
I've had my eye on this one for a while. I always enjoy Dontnod's games โ even Remember Me on PS3, which was very underrated.
Re: Review: Out of Ammo (PS4)
@Rudy_Manchego I do this all the time. It's almost become a mini game in itself as I frantically try to find a new show that piques my interest while my food sits there getting cold. It's completely ridiculous. ๐คฃ
Re: Far Cry 5 Season Pass Detailed, Is Typically Mental
@dark_knightmare2 True. It's a tragedy that they make some of the best villains in videogames only to not really use them.
Re: Far Cry 5 Season Pass Detailed, Is Typically Mental
@Kidfried Min was a wonderful villain, but he was tragically underused.
Re: Far Cry 5 Season Pass Detailed, Is Typically Mental
Hey, no one can complain that this DLC has been taken out the base game, can they? ๐
This does look like DLC done right to me.
Re: First Ever PS4 Pro Commercial Copies the Go Compare Ads
@get2sammyb Why oh why did I click on that link? Sammy, youโre ruining me. ๐คฃ
Re: First Ever PS4 Pro Commercial Copies the Go Compare Ads
It's too late for me to push that play button. The last thing I need is someone like that GoCompare guy in my head when I'm trying to sleep. ๐
To this day, I absolutely refuse to even visit the GoCompare website, even when my insurance is due for renewal. The adverts are so irritating, I actually don't want to support them in any way. Pretty sure advertising isn't supposed to have that effect.
Re: Sony's Launching Two New PS4 Controller Colours in Europe Next Month
Holy moly, now these are some fine looking controllers. Not sure how I'm supposed to pick...
Re: Guide: The Best PS4 Fighting Games
@ShogunRok You made this article just for me, right?
Re: Review: Lost Sphear (PS4)
@ztpayne7 whoops ๐
Re: 'People Ask for Story-Based Games, But Don't Necessarily Buy Them'
@get2sammyb Yeah, I agree. I honestly don't understand how watching a game online replaces the gameplay experience, but I think a lot of people like the social aspect of YouTube and Twitch. Watching a good Let's Play video is a bit like hanging out with a friend.
When I think about it, though, I used to do a similar thing as a kid. Me and my dad used to play the old PSOne Tomb Raider games together; I say "play", but one of us would be playing while the other directed and helped verbally. The experience on Twitch and YouTube isn't entirely dissimilar to this.
Re: 'People Ask for Story-Based Games, But Don't Necessarily Buy Them'
I actually do think that YouTube and Twitch has negatively impacted linear single-player games. Just in my own circle of close friends, they've started buying fewer single-player games and watching them online. I've noticed their buying habits have altered significantly since they started watching Let's Play-type videos. And they have plenty of money to buy them, they just don't anymore.
Interestingly, the one game they did buy was Persona 5, and I remember one of them saying it was because some of the content was blocked for viewing online. Although, obviously, I realise this is a small sample of people near me and might not be indicative of the wider gaming community, but I think it's interesting to note.
Re: Review: Little Red Lie (PS4)
This sounds really interesting.
Re: Granblue Fantasy Is Probably the Most Promising PS4 Exclusive You've Never Heard Of
@Octane Haha. Yeah, I hadn't noticed that!
Re: Granblue Fantasy Is Probably the Most Promising PS4 Exclusive You've Never Heard Of
This looks really good. Nice to see a properly clad female character wearing actual armour!
Re: Review: Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition (PS4)
@ShogunRok Yeah, I'm leaning towards Tekken, especially since I was such a big fan as a kid. I don't really care about online at all, so my pick will be based purely on single player content. Not sure if that changes anything?
Re: Review: Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition (PS4)
@ShogunRok So if I wanted to get into a fighting game on PS4, what single game would you recommend?
The last fighting game I played was Tekken 3. (Long time, I know!)
Re: There's Another Licensed PS4 'Pro' Controller Out Next Week
This actually looks like a nice controller, and Hori have a good track record of making these kinds of things. I echo the sentiment that Sony ought to make their own, though.
Re: Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter Account Beeps into Life, Could News Finally Be Coming?
@adf86 I know, right? It's potentially the video games I've always wanted.
Re: Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter Account Beeps into Life, Could News Finally Be Coming?
No, stop it! I can't take it.
I love how all they have to tweet is "beep," and Twitter goes crazy. Wonderful stuff.
Re: PlayStation Fans Are Gaming's Biggest W*nkers
You can really tell that Sammy loves writing these articles. He really goes to town with it.
Re: Poll: Ultimate PlayStation Character Tournament: Round 1 - Matches 41-44
@johncalmc She sure does.
Re: Feature: The 10 Best PlayStation Soundtracks of 2017
Just finished Edith Finch and that has a beautiful soundtrack.
Re: Game of the Year 2017: #1 - Persona 5
@ShogunRok Did he really not enjoy it, then? I noticed he recently finished it.
Re: Game of the Year 2017: #2 - Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
@dark_knightmare2 Horizon wasnโt snubbed, it came in at number 3 in a year when a ridiculous amount of amazing games were released.
Re: Review: Mortal Blitz (PS4)
@gbanas92 Definitely. I really think this kind of game is excellent for VR, and if they were to be a little more imaginative, it could be fantastic.
Re: Game of the Year 2017: #4 - What Remains of Edith Finch
I still haven't played this, but seeing all this love is making me want to give it a try. I would love to play something like this in VR.
Re: Game of the Year 2017: Liam's Personal Picks
Nice list, Liam. The Evil Within 2 is tragically underappreciated โ it's a great game.
Re: Game of the Year 2017: Stephen's Personal Picks
@Kai_ youโre not alone. I personally found Horizon really dull.
Re: Catherine: Full Body's First Trailer May Raise an Eyebrow or Two
Oh dear. Please be careful, Atlus.
Re: Sony Discounts Over 1,000 Items in Colossal EU PS Store Sale
@get2sammyb Would you say the Move controllers are essential to fully enjoy Superhot VR?
Edit: Nevermind, it seems they're mandatory.
Re: Deus Ex Developer Eidos Montreal Moving Towards Online Experiences
@get2sammyb It looks like both Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montrรฉal are working on the Avengers game together. The project announcement trailer included both studios.
Re: Review: Star Ocean: The Last Hope (PS4)
@Ryno I would definitely recommend this over Integrity and Faithlessness.
Re: Star Wars Battlefront II Celebrates The Last Jedi with Four Weeks of Free Content
@get2sammyb Sure, just not micro transactions that feed directly into the balance of play. If EA had implemented it into cosmetic stuff or even a season pass I'd be playing a Star Wars game over Christmas. I'd rather miss out on some content by not buying DLC than play a game that has been gimped by micro transactions that alter the balance of play (that's not to say I want to miss out on some of the content, either, mind). I'm not completely against ALL micro transactions, but I absolutely loath the way they were implemented into Battlefront II, and I won't be buying any game that does it like this in the future either.
Re: The Next Game from Vanishing of Ethan Carter Devs Is... A First Person Shooter?
An FPS being made by a team known for their strong narratives is a good thing, in my opinion. Cool trailer.
Re: Star Wars Battlefront II Celebrates The Last Jedi with Four Weeks of Free Content
@sinalefa Yeah, and it also split the player base by giving those who spend more money a significant advantage during play. (Or it would have had they not temporarily turned MTs off, but that will be the outcome using this model.)
Re: UK Politicians and Campaigners Lobby Against Detroit: Become Human
These are the same people who probably think that video games are only for kids. They don't understand the medium and it shows in their response to it.
Re: Persona 5 Sneaks Up on 2 Million Sales Worldwide
@get2sammyb As soon as you unseal it and stick it in the console, though, I'm convinced you'll be hooked.
Re: It Never Ends, Final Fantasy XV Getting 'At Least' 3 More DLC Story Episodes in 2018
@ShogunRok Absolutely. Thatโs the problem, right? The Gladiolus DLC was indeed quite fun, as @rjejr said, but it doesnโt feel like extra content - it feels like stuff they ripped out of the base game and are selling it back to us.
Re: Deus Ex Certainly Isn't Dead According to Square Enix CEO
I personally love the Deus Ex series so I hope they come back to it. I was also disappointed by the end of Mankind Divided, but hey-ho, life goes on. It was sill a great game on the whole.
Re: Weirdness: UK Retailer GAME's Black Friday Ad Has to Be Seen to Be Believed
@ShogunRok Well I worked at GAME for three years and never received a single Christmas bonus, so Iโd say all of them.
Re: Analyst: Gamers Are Overreacting Over Star Wars, Publishers Should Increase Prices
@get2sammyb Yeah, they've definitely increased. Fifa cost me ยฃ48 this year; Battlefront 2 was also marked around the same price, although I never bought that one. I never used to spend more than, say, ยฃ38 on a game last generation.
Re: Guide: Uncharted Games Ranked from Best to Worst
@get2sammyb I really liked The Lost Legacy, just not as much as the others. I think they're all excellent, but as much as I like Chloe and Nadine, I really missed Drake (and Sully). I also think some of the set pieces were a little too similar to previous titles, albeit still fun.