Kraven

@Frmknst Just like your comment. Why is every comment you post whether here or elsewhere so negative?

I can’t wait to see what this game really is. Naughty Dog never disappoints, in my opinion. I have no doubt it’s going to be fantastic.

What I’m playing is completely out of character: Marathon. Multiplayer games aren’t my forte. It’s been over a decade since I have dedicated any time to playing online with others, whether that’s cooperatively or competitively. I’m not even sure what compelled me to buy Bungie’s latest, but I did, and I am happy with my decision.

My first few matches were shockingly successful. We — randoms — managed to exfiltrate. I didn’t have my mic on so there wasn’t any communication, but we performed well. Did I have any idea what I was doing? Nope. In fact, I didn’t know how to heal; I ran out of ammo multiple times; and I didn’t know where to go. But we won.

And then I lost. Again, and again. But I was learning bits and pieces as I did. For starters, patience is key. I studied what my loot actually did. I managed my inventory accordingly. Subsequently, I took my time in each run throughout the various maps, slowly completing my contract objectives whilst wandering aimlessly.

The second thing I began to realize quickly is Marathon is a trial by fire - you learn as you play. It’s not going to be easy, and it isn’t meant to. The learning curve is very steep. However, if you can get over the minor hiccup you will be rewarded with an intense FPS that has high highs and low lows but not in a negative way.

To be fair, particularly to newcomers (I’m still one myself), Marathon doesn’t have a good onboarding. It can feel daunting with the amount of systems and mechanics at work. Its UI and interface make it that much more difficult. Again, though, that is where patience comes in. Learn the game within the game; don’t neglect checking out the codex, and be mindful of your challenges. You’ll find that no run feels entirely meaningless even if you die within a couple of minutes.

The one thing that should be hammered home for new players: don’t get attached. That will be the toughest hurdle. You’re going to lose your gear. It’s unavoidable, and it’s going to suck. You can, however, obtain awesome weapons and gear as quickly as you lose it, and that’s the biggest thrill.

It quickly became an addiction. I almost called out of work because one, I have the flu, and two, so I could do more runs. Unfortunately, my adult brain kicked in and convinced me otherwise, but the temptation … oh, the temptation was powerful.

I could rant on and on about why this game shines above the crowd. I don’t think the amount of words I could use would be able to fill up this comment adequately. Ultimately, as the game suggests, it’s a Marathon, not a sprint. Don’t give up hope, runners. Let’s not make this a Boston.

I’ve never heard of this until this article. It looks and sounds great! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

It’s rare for me to want to play a game immediately after I beat it - I’m typically a one and done type of player - but this game is phenomenal. I went through it on my Switch 2 (runs excellent, btw), and immediately double dipped on PS5 for trophies and whatnot. It’s easily in my top five games of this generation.

2032 … just saying that year is mind blowing to hear to me. We are in Blade Runner territory.

@charbtronic Yeah, I played my first match and successfully exfiltrated with a random crew of people. I didn’t have my mic so there wasn’t any communication, but we performed well. Since it was my first game, I was and still am confused by how to heal, how to text chat the group within the fight, and get more ammo. I’m assuming the latter is found throughout loot and enemies, but I went without for about two minutes. It’s really fun. I can definitely see myself playing more frequently once I get a better grasp of its systems and mechanics. And don’t ask me why — I truly don’t know — but this is my first purchase specifically for a multiplayer game in at least eight years. The last game that had its hooks in me competitively is Overwatch.

@EK42 Overrated, by whom exactly? And why is it crappy? It seems to me that the majority of people playing it believe the game is great. I’m all for a variety of opinions, but at least expand on why you consider it the way you do.

From what I’ve seen and read, it has the classic staple Bungie gunplay that is top tier. They are arguably the best in class when it comes to shooters. The aesthetic is hit or miss for some, but it’s definitely unique and different. The lore and story within a multiplayer game is clearly compelling. The map design appears to be praised by the majority of folks, and the AI seems to be good as well.

So, what exactly is overrated about a game that doesn’t have proper reviews out yet?

Both great games, and would be an awesome addition! Dragon’s Dogma 2 is in my top 10 of all time. It hit every sweet spot I like in gaming, and was an incredible experience from start to finish.

Maybe I overlooked it, but does the game require you to play the first two games in the series, or is this a good starting point?

I’m playing Resident Evil 9: Requiem. I don’t get scared often, but this game has been anxiety inducing. There have been moments where I had to pause the game just to breathe. The last (horror) game to evoke these emotions was Alien: Isolation. It’s been a fantastic experience. And just when I thought my arachnophobia couldn’t get any worse … oh, boy.

This is tough! I got the platinum for NiOh 3, so obviously I loved it; but RE9 is so damn good.

This is a great move. Sony is starting to realize what drives their fan base to the console brand itself. Plus, they weren’t getting enough revenue from single player games on PC, at least not enough to satiate the need to shift in that direction.

@yohn777 Yes, I was being sarcastic.

🤞 that Bluepoint is involved …

I think this is a great move for them. Stellar Blade was … stellar. I think it would be wise to have that game on more platforms, if applicable, and get hype started for its inevitable sequel. It’s one of the rare niche games that stood out amongst the crowd, so it already has a decently sized fan base to help promote the next entry.

After an excessive amount of time, approximately 80 hours, I got the platinum for NiOh 3. I’m proud of the accomplishment, but let me state for the record now, and forever more: ***** the final boss.

It is now time to focus on Resident Evil Requiem. I picked up the generation pack that includes 7 & 8 on the Switch 2 since I’ll be traveling extensively the next few weeks. I can’t wait!

It’s disappointing to read comments on this review. 8/10 is apparently a bad score, though other sites have given it 9s and 10s. It’s sitting at a 90 on Open Critic, yet because it gets one point lower on Push Square it’s not that great. Other sites clearly think it’s a GOTY contender. Honestly, Push’s sister sites, Pure Xbox and Nintendo Life scored the game a 9/10. Honestly, I wish review scores would go away. ACG’s approach is nice - Buy, Don’t buy, Wait for a sale.

I’m stoked for this. It’s getting rave reviews on many other notable sites, and is sitting at a great score on Metacritic/Open Critic. Once again, Capcom delivers.

Thankfully, this should release before GTA 6.

I think developers need to stop pursuing live service. It’s such a tough market to break through. Don’t get me wrong, if your game is a success then it will become a culture phenomenon, but it’s rare when that happens. 1 or 2/10 new live service games gain traction. And when you have your top tier studios working on this genre, and subsequently get cancelled, or worse, shut down entirely, then you are losing at least three years on their AAA first party games. I understand the need to pursue this genre, but it’s way too risky.

The only game on my list is RE9. I’ve been hyped for it, and been playing Biohazard to get me in that world again.

I’m still neck deep into NiOh 3, working my way to the platinum trophy. It’s been such a tantalizing experience, and scratches that Elden Ring itch. By that, I mean its open world design. I prefer this approach to the genre because the difficulty of formidable bosses can be overwhelming. Being able to go somewhere else, explore, and level up gives you the feeling of always making strides to improvement.

That said, the final boss for the first region, Takeda Shingen was the bane of my existence. There were moments I contemplated whether or not victory was even fractionally possible. My death count was approximately 25 times, and my head hanged low before I had to go to work for the day. Prior to him, the (boss) fights had been challenging, but my confidence grew with each attempt. Nine hours later, I arrive home from work, and tell myself that I can beat him. Once again numerous deaths. And then I learned a pattern. Though I still died I was consistently getting him to the halfway mark. And then I learned another pattern. And another. Two attempts later, I beat him.

Sometimes, you just need to take a step back for a while. You have to realize that this is just a video game, and it can be beaten. Once I didn’t let the enemy frustrate me, toy with my emotions, and make me play defense, reacting for sheer survival rather than be offensive minded and focus on positioning, I knew I could do it. There is no other feeling like adrenaline. Subsequently, the next main boss I encountered I was victorious on the first attempt.

Meanwhile, during my lunch break at work, I read the news that Xenoblade Chronicles X got a Switch 2 upgrade; I downloaded it as soon as I could. It’s nearly been a year since I’ve last played — I have forgotten the controls and sole core mechanics. I’m debating whether I want to start a fresh playthrough, or boot up my save file that has 120-hours logged, and get accustomed to the systems again. I will probably choose the latter, knowing I more than likely won’t finish it if I start anew.

What an insane news week. I can’t fathom the Bluepoint closure, but I can see why Phil stepped down. It doesn’t matter how good Game Pass can be, it’s just not viable long term. But with all sincerity, I do wish him the best in retirement and whatever else he decides to do in life. He’s not a bad guy by any means, and I think he did the best that he could given the circumstances.

The more people that get to play this game the better. It’s easily in my top five this generation, and I would absolutely double dip if it came to Switch 2.

I’ve never played a game in this series, but it has always intrigued me, particularly the stealth. I think I will check this one out!

Wow, this is insane. They were one of the biggest up and coming developers out there. If they weren’t tasked to making a live service GOW game perhaps they would be in a better position on focusing on what they excel at.

Their influx of indie games reminds me of the Xbox 360 era, where there were so many available. I’m glad Sony is realizing how beneficial it is to support these games.

@rjejr That wouldn’t be a bad thing — KoA is fantastic.

@ShogunRok How are the trophies, and the platinum? Can it be done on a single playthrough?

Awesome review! I have it downloaded and ready to go for when I get off work this evening. Glad to see that it still has that Obsidian spirit, and while it may stumble in a few areas, it succeeds just as much.

If it’s Castlevania, I think it will be awesome. I can only imagine a AAA third person action adventure set in the universe of CV. The combat, weapon variety, interesting characters, and even the map design (assuming, of course), could be incredible given the high pedigree God of War’s combat is.

Excellent game. I’m glad to see the success the game has done in the west, and I’m looking forward to Chapter 2.

It’s an easy 9/10. My only criticism is how large the game is. I’ve spent 20 hours in the first region alone. I hope the game evolves over time, but as it stands it is fantastic.

I am VERY curious to see how Avowed reviews. I’ve been tempted to play it on numerous occasions. I know there are some fundamental problems with the game, particularly uninteresting companions, but the gameplay and map design/rewards for exploration have been praised quite a bit. If it reviews well, I’ll be picking it up for sure.

That’s not quite bad considering how much space most games take up nowadays.

Wow; these games were a big part of my PS2 childhood.

This weekend I am playing NiOh 3. I’m approximately a quarter of the way through with 13-hours of playtime. My experience has been sublime thus far. If you are not a fan of souls-like then this game won’t move the needle. However, if you’re a fan of this genre, and generally hardcore action game with robust combat, then welcome aboard.

This latest entry is probably the most accessible because of the approach in its difficulty. It’s achieved by open world exploration, and giving always giving you something to indulge. If you’re having trouble with a group of enemies, or an optional boss, simply go somewhere else. There is a strong essence of player agency and freedom, providing you the feeling that you aren’t ever stuck. It’s comparable to Elden Ring in that regard.

As we all know, this genre is typically associated with difficulty; NiOh 3 is no exception, but it’s hardly unbearable. There were a few boss encounters where I questioned my ability to defeat them, but once I understood the mechanics, the correct time to switch fighting styles (samurai and ninja), and deflecting, fights became manageable. One boss I encountered, Kamaitchi, which I believe is optional, was frantic, engaging, and incredibly unique with some of its movements. It’s easily one of my favorite throughout the entire souls-like games on the market.

The combat is the real star of the show—a staple in this franchise. It’s arguably better than any souls-like, perhaps even superior to From Software games. There is so much variety on play, and the amount creative builds feel limitless. In the prior two games you acquired various weapon types, each with their own stance and skill trees to master. That core element is still present, but rather than being a samurai you can switch to a Ninja on the fly. In doing so, there is no Ki pulse or different stances; instead, you’re more versatile, nimble, quicker to dodge, and can use various magic abilities in addition to numerous weapons. It’s a fun mechanic that is seamlessly integrated in the enemies and bosses you fight, making you to have quick reflexes.

One complaint I’ve had in every NiOh game is the copious amounts of loot. It really can be exhausting trying to manage everything. Whilst it’s still prevalent, there are accessibility options to make life easier. You can adjust your settings so anything that you pick up can be sold, or disassembled from common, uncommon, legendary, and rare. You also get the choice to choose between common, uncommon, rare, and legendary, that way you won’t be overwhelmed (more than you have to). This helps ease the monotonous of pouring through lists and lists of what to keep or not.

All in all, NiOh 3 seems to be the culmination of all its trademarks, and a new beginning for the franchise. It builds upon its foundation, sharpening what sets it apart from its contemporaries, and tries something different. There may be a couple of stumbles along the way, but nothing too bad to negate the amount of positives the game offers. This will more than likely be in the GoTY discussion, and it will be justified. In my opinion, this is Team Ninja/Koei Tecmo’s best game yet.

I feel like I woke up in the Twilight Zone this morning. Konami is actually caring, and seemingly releasing promising games again? I don’t know what world I’m living in right now.

I’ve played about an hour but it’s good. I wouldn’t say it’s great just yet—I want to see how the game evolves over time. The combat does feel crunchy, and good. It has Metroidvania aspects which I’m excited about because you’ll obviously unlock new abilities as you go, and the way the maps are set up, I think they will be very interesting.

This was the highlight of the show for me. I’m so happy Konami hasn’t forgotten about Castlevania, because for a long time I thought they had. This will be a day one purchase, and I love the title for the game.

It looks so good. I trust Remedy in just about anything they create, so this is high on my most anticipated list for the year.

I was praying for a shadow drop, but at least there is a hopeful release date soon, perhaps April. I’ve been dying to play this, aside from the demo.

I bought it without an hesitation. I will definitely be playing this evening when I get home from work!

The first game is one of my all time favorites. It came out at an interesting time for me—just when I was a teenager, and finding things that really inspired me. That game, along with a few others, defined my PS2 era. I can’t wait for this remake.

Solid A for me! There were a ton of announcements, and surprises. 2D God of War is finally real, and I will definitely be playing it tonight! And of course, the highlight of the show for me is a new Castlevania! It looks incredible.

This was a huge surprise, and I think it looks awesome! The first one was really good.

Damn, this is awesome! Absolum was one of my favorite games last year, and this is a great reason to jump back in.

This sounds better and better, and maybe a “forever game” without the live service. I really, really hope this game delivers. It’s clear they are confident in their product due to the amount of footage released, so fingers crossed 🤞

I personally loved this game, and I thought despite its flaws, there were interesting aspects to it. Combat was awesome, and really versatile, and the Metroidvania aspects were well done. The only real problem was the map design—it was confusing. But I think this game is underrated; it’s the perfect 7/10 type of game.