My most anticipated games for the rest of this year are Death Stranding 2, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound (and the 4th installment), Gears of War Reloaded, and Hell Is Us. It’s going to be an amazing last half of the year, and it’s already been an incredible first half.
I was never expecting it to release in 2027 to begin with. I feel like it’ll be a launch game for the PS6. Either way, I’m here for it - Stellar Blade is one of my five favorite games this generation.
I haven’t had much time to play games this week, let alone this weekend. Whatever free time I do have I will be spending it in the world of Cyrodiil in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
I always find Bethesda RPGs interesting because I tend to forget how they are meant to be played, and it’s incredibly easy to become overwhelmed. I never know if I should immediately set out and explore, or start the main quest. And yet, the result is always the same - I wander aimlessly and complete dungeons I’m not a high enough level for, pick locks and break into homes, read random notes and journals that lead me down an interesting quest line, and stealth my way through enemies with my bow and arrow.
Somehow, after discovering towns and stumbling my way through tons of side quests, I always manage to organically start the main narrative, unsure of how I did so. I think this is the brilliance that modern Bethesda games are missing — Fallout 4 (I really enjoyed that game; got the platinum for it) and Starfield particularly. There is a certain magic to the art of discovery that will eventually lead you to where you’re meant to go even if it doesn’t appear that way initially.
With that said, there is one issue I have with the game design, albeit it’s a product of 2006. Exploring caves and dungeons are great, but it can be disheartening when at the end of the area there isn’t an exit — you have to backtrack to leave. This isn’t with every area, mind you, but it’s incredibly noticeable. Thankfully, Skyrim fixed this problem.
Other than that minor quibble, Oblivion is sublime. When it first released in 2006, I did not like the game whatsoever. My best friend was obsessed with it, and watching him play it I thought, ”Man, this looks so cool”, but it was never fun to play for me. I had the same reaction to Fallout 3. It wasn’t until Skyrim that these types of games clicked with me. Fast forward 19-years, and it has become my favorite genre. And when Bethesda does make a good game, you know it, and there is no other feeling like it.
I, just like many people here, want Sony to focus on single player games, particularly from their most prestigious studios. With that said, they would be stupid to not invest in live service games. That is a market they have to pursue because of the amount of money that can be raked in. All they need is one good hit — similar to Helldivers 2 — to make a difference in this medium. Unfortunately, that is where a lot of money is being made in gaming nowadays, and where a lot of players are at. It’s ultimately a business.
Glad to see there is a massive patch for the game! I started it up for the first time last night and am having a blast, but there were a few technical issues. It’s nice to see the issues I’ve been having have been addressed.
This is an awesome feature, and it sounds as if it plays well in both perspectives which is always a concern. I’ll definitely do two playthroughs alternating between the two. It sounds like it’s shaping up to be another Capcom hit.
My god, it looks incredible. The gunplay looks more refined too, hopefully in the same vein as MGSV Phantom Pain. I really don’t need to see anymore from this game — I’m in day one.
This is a solid list of games. I wish some people would understand that just because some of the games may not suit their tastes doesn’t mean it’s a bad month of offerings. There are some great games on this list regardless of it appeals to you or not.
I’ve played about two hours so far and it’s solid. It isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind, and it has its technical issues: lip synching, and some stuttering, but the driving is great. The gunplay is okay, but the sound design is off. The story actually seems pretty cool, and the voice acting, animations, and cutscenes are good. It’s probably a 6.5/10 or a 7/10 kind of game, and I’m okay with that. It was what I was expecting and I’m content.
Regardless of reviews, I’m quite interested in this game. I’m honestly ignoring all the negativity because I think it looks like a solid, PS3-era romp. If the driving mechanics and gunplay feel good, that’s all I’m really looking for.
I played the base game on my X and loved it. I was kind of bummed because two achievements were bugged, or I should say the collectibles themselves were bugged, otherwise I would have gotten all the achievements. I bought the game for PS5 to support the developers, so I’ll probably just do a replay later this year when the DLC drops. Surely all of the updates and patches will help me get the platinum trophy this go around.
Man, this is day one for me. I remember playing this on the 360, and I got every achievement — even the 10k kills in multiplayer. I also remember me and my best friend playing all of these games co-op religiously. And this was around the same time Need For Speed Most Wanted was out, and we played that in the downtime.
I am really looking forward to MindsEye. From everything I’ve seen, I don’t see how this game can be any less than solid. It has that PS3 energy. I don’t expect an incredible story, and I’m sure the AI is going to be poor, but I’m okay with that. The game just looks like a fun romp.
@JonnyAces How is the platinum trophy in that game? Can you get all trophies in a single playthrough? I’m assuming some are tied to guilds/quests - can you ever lock yourself out of joining those guilds past a certain point, or can you do it essentially any time?
Day one for sure. Severed is one of my favorite games - a really fun platinum too, and the Guacamole games are sublime. I didn’t care too much for Nobody Saves The World, but that’s only because it didn’t seem too single player focused, and incentivized cooperative play, which I don’t do. It was fun, however. I’ll eagerly pick this new title up.
This week I managed to finish Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo. It is a game that never outstayed its welcome, and its Metroidvania and Zelda-like qualities were incredibly well done. It took me about 17 hours, with completion rate of 78%. I feel quite satiated with my experience.
Subsequently, I was perusing my back catalog of games and saw Sea of Stars. I then realized Sabotage Studios released their hefty free expansion/DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker a week or so ago, and I decided to redownload the game.
I have beaten it before, but I noticed I missed a ton of optional content. Once I booted the game back up, I was immediately drawn back into this gorgeous world, almost without missing a beat. Within a couple of hours I mopped up all side bosses and collectibles, and even got the platinum trophy for it.
It is truly an outstanding retro-inspired JRPG. And, having not played it since release, all of the patches and updates have made it an even more enjoyable experience; it is more streamlined, in a positive way. As of right now, I’m a couple of hours in the DLC and it’s been sublime. I’m really looking forward to the new classes, abilities, and story.
I’m not sure what I want to play next. I have my eye on two games: MindsEye (I honestly think it looks solid despite the hooblah) and Blades of Fire. I’m not looking for anything special - just a simple spray and pray or hack and slash. Really, I’m just biding my time until Death Stranding 2 releases.
I actually booted my NG+++ save this morning after a couple of years, and I was a little midway through. I had no idea what I was doing, haha. This is one of my favorite games, but I don’t know if I have the energy to replay it up until near the end to unlock the DLC. I might eventually, though!
That was my first thought — it was the main actor for the prequel Dexter. Also, that’s a great show, and his performance was very good. I’ll be content if he is the James Bond in this game.
Good to hear that it’s not an entirely open world game. I am looking forward and to it. I really do hope they do something more manageable with the loot system, particularly lowering the amount of drops. That is my biggest issue with these games.
I know James Bond will more than likely be a great game, but for some reason to art-style isn’t vibing with me. Maybe it’s something I’ll grow to appreciate — either way, I’m looking forward to it.
Well deserved. It had some flaws and a slow start, but once the game settled in after a few chapters, it was a brilliant experience. I’m glad I was able to get the platinum trophy for it.
A- for me. It started off very strong, and had a lot of PS3 energy (that’s a good thing). It actually never slowed down; but the latter half of the games didn’t appeal to my tastes personally. Overall, it was a fantastic showing — new games, reappearances, and seemingly a renewed focus.
I really have a hard time believing this is true, but if so, I’ll take it. CO2077 was a phenomenal experience once all the patches, updates, and Phantom Liberty released.
I think this will be cool if true. I don’t mind smaller projects that are interstitial to the AAA experience. I absolutely loved PoP: The Lost Crown, and if it’s similar to that, I’ll be pleased.
This looks absolutely sensational from top to bottom. The art style is gorgeous, the combat looks incredible, the level design seems solid, with fun but challenging platforming. I cannot wait for this. I’m very curious to see how Ragebound and this title compare to one another.
Doom The Dark Ages is my pick. I got the platinum for it and it was a sublime experience. With that said, I also purchased Fantasy Life I: The Girl Who Steals Time, but I’ve only played two hours of it. It is good, but I haven’t sunk enough time in it to make a pure judgment.
This week(end) I got the platinum trophy for Doom: The Dark Ages. It’s truly an extraordinary FPS. My initial impression was lukewarm. I felt the essence of DOOM was absent, but the more I played the more I became enamored with what it was trying to do mechanically.
Once you get past its lengthy tutorial stages the game ramps up the significantly. You are provided a plethora of weapons and upgrades that all feel unique and fun to use. Meanwhile, exploration is rewarding and feels more confident than its predecessors.
Overall, The Dark Ages is probably my favorite out of the trilogy. With that said, I could go back and forth any day of the week because each game does something unique that makes it stand out in ways that suit my play-style. Either way, these are a fantastic set of games that are worth adding to your catalogue.
In the last two weeks, I have obtained the platinum for Doom and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is my personal GOTY. Both games are emotionally draining in their own way, so I needed to change up the pace.
That brings me to Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo (Nintendo Switch). This game rules. If you are a fan of top down Zelda-like with a dab of Metroidvania elements, this game is a must play.
As the title suggests, your main weapon is a yoyo. It’s such a great weapon that intertwines real life tricks such as Walk the Dog as learned abilities that really expand how you interact with exploration and combat. There are many variants, with a large amount of abilities I’ve yet to find, so I’m curious how the game evolves.
There are also upgrades, but they are handled in a way that is a challenge in and of itself. You’re essentially renting them until you can pay off the loan. While you are doing that, certain upgrades may take a life point away from you until you pay back the money whilst learning the skill. It’s a keen balance.
You can see the developers were inspired by classic Zelda games. There are numerous secrets to uncover, one of which is heart petals. Once you find enough of them, you gain an extra life. There are also main dungeons to progress through. They all have a unique locale, and are really fun and clever, making you utilize what an actual yoyo can do. The way these dungeons are set up, and how you’re able to interact with the environment via the yoyo, it’s fun manipulating how to dispatch your enemies.
Speaking of enemies, this game is genuinely challenging. It plays like your typical 2D action platformers, but in a top down view. Moreover, it’s not just the enemies you have to worry about, it’s the levels themselves. The game is constantly moving, making the environment just as much as a threat as the bad guys. I’ve died numerous times, but it always feels like my fault. Thankfully, the game is generous and saves your progress every new room you enter, which is often.
I’m about eight hours in total, and I’ve completed two main dungeons out of four (I believe), along with a ton of optional content. I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface of this game because looking at my upgrades and abilities that I’ve yet to find, I see nothing but endless possibilities. This game is going to be special, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves.
@B0udoir I’m not sure the game needs a map. I got the platinum trophy just fine without it. That said, it would have been nice to have some indication you’re missing a music record or a diary at this/that location. It doesn’t have to say where it is at, just 0/1 collected at “here”.
This is a bummer. I was genuinely looking forward to this because I think the premise of Black Panther is interesting, and I can imagine how fun the combat could be.
This is awesome news. I think the game will turn out great — they (hopefully) learned their lesson with the initial release of CP2077. And they did a miraculous job turning the game around and creating an amazing FPS/RPG.
I can’t wait for this. Will the game be good? Probably not. Will it be mindless fun, similar to old-school PS3/360 games? Probably. I’m going in with no expectations. Hopefully it will be a good time.
Honestly, though, this really does look fun. I have a feeling it will become a cult classic. It doesn’t look like it will do anything to reinvent the wheel, but if the controls are good — driving mechanics and gunplay — then it will be a solid game. The story seems interesting too, and I like the idea of an “infinite” open world.
It sucks that so many people are writing this game off already without giving it a chance. But hey, this is the gaming culture these days. There was similar discourse to Evil West, and that turned out to be fantastic. Idk, guys, I think this will be a good game.
This is a solid list of games. I know most people are going to complain as usual, but there’s a lot of diversity here, and most of these games have gotten great reviews.
It’s awesome to hear the respect from other games and developers, but I’d have to say Clair Obscur has Persona 5 beat, at least in its combat/turn-based sections. With that said, P5 has some incredible visual designs, particularly outside of combat, and I think that’s where it beats Clair Obscur.
@Marquez One thing to keep in mind about his attacks. They are always the same regardless of phase. During his first phase he does his normal attacks. During the 2nd phase he does the same attacks but it’s doubled, so instead of a 3 hit combo it will be 6, and then on the third phase it will be 9. But it’s the same attacks so a quick succession of parries works!
@Marquez Okay, so I’ll provide a spoiler tag just in case others don’t want to see my strategy — [spoiler]I had Sciel and Verso as my first two party members; you don’t need a third, so just save them until the final phase.
For my weapon for Sciel, I used a level 33 Moisson. The skills I had are 1) Delaying Slash, 2) Intervention, 3) Scaring Bond, 4) Phantom Blade, 5) Final Path, and lastly, 6) Dark Cleansing.
[spoiler]As for Verso, my weapon of choice was a level 33 Corpeso, with his six skills being 1) End Bringer, 2) Overload, 3) Steeled Strike, 4) Perfect Break, 5) Phantom Stars, and 6) Follow up.
[spoiler]With those two weapons, that should help maximize damage. Meanwhile, the most important Luminas you need to focus on for all characters are ones that increase speed and provide slow to the enemy. So, Greater Rush, Greater Powerful, Greater Slow, Longer Rush, and Energizing Turn/Attack. Mix that up with your skills, and you shouldn’t really have an issue getting him down to his second phase.
[spoiler]Additionally, Verso will be your main raw damage output, so again, for all characters focus on having Luminas that provide the ability to break - Fueling Break, Gradient Break and Gradient Breaker, Breaking Attack, and Breaking Death. With the Gradients equipped, and using skills such as End Bringer, you will be able to get your Gradient level to 3 very quickly.
[spoiler]It’s also very important that each character has Quick Break equipped, along with Revive Paradox, Second Chance, First Strike, and Painted Power. By doing so, along with the other attributes, you will be able to continuously break Simon’s health because his bar is completely full, so if you use Verso to officially break him, that will save you the concern about allowing him to erasing one of your party members (if they die) from the canvas. And with Sciel’s skill Intervention and Delaying Slash, you can use Int. on Verso and DS on Simon, keeping things flowing in your favor.
[spoiler]As for Maelle, you should save her for the final phase. I used her, Lune, and Monaco at the end. It’s important to use the weapon “Medalum” for her because she starts off in Virtuouso stance. Again, with her, it’s critical to have all the other pictos I mentioned, but also Auto Rush, Glass Canon, Breaking Death, and so forth. By doing all of this, you should be able to easily defeat Simon once Maelle is in your party because you’ll have a level 3 Gradient, and can use her Gommage to wipe him out if you’re still in Virtiouso stance.
[spoiler]Don’t get me wrong, you will still have to dodge or parry his attacks, but it’ll be more manageable. Your goal is to him attack as less frequently as possible. I found this build to be way more helpful than a “one-shot” kill. I’m sure there are other pictos that I’m forgetting, so if you try this method and it doesn’t work let me know! I hope it helps, though! Good luck, man!
@Marquez @Splat If you guys need help with the final optional boss, after days of struggling I managed to come up with an excellent build and strategy that let me beat him relatively easy, and not a one-shot method.
Comments 1,493
Re: Pocket a Platinum in PS Plus Premium's Seminal New Retro Release
I think I’ll pick this up. I remember playing it a lot on the PS2, and also Invisible War on the OG Xbox. Those were some good times.
Re: Feature: The 20 Most Anticipated PS5 Games for the Rest of 2025
My most anticipated games for the rest of this year are Death Stranding 2, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound (and the 4th installment), Gears of War Reloaded, and Hell Is Us. It’s going to be an amazing last half of the year, and it’s already been an incredible first half.
Re: Stellar Blade 2 Dev Will Try Its Best to Hit 2027 Release, But Don't Expect It
I was never expecting it to release in 2027 to begin with. I feel like it’ll be a launch game for the PS6. Either way, I’m here for it - Stellar Blade is one of my five favorite games this generation.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 585
I haven’t had much time to play games this week, let alone this weekend. Whatever free time I do have I will be spending it in the world of Cyrodiil in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
I always find Bethesda RPGs interesting because I tend to forget how they are meant to be played, and it’s incredibly easy to become overwhelmed. I never know if I should immediately set out and explore, or start the main quest. And yet, the result is always the same - I wander aimlessly and complete dungeons I’m not a high enough level for, pick locks and break into homes, read random notes and journals that lead me down an interesting quest line, and stealth my way through enemies with my bow and arrow.
Somehow, after discovering towns and stumbling my way through tons of side quests, I always manage to organically start the main narrative, unsure of how I did so. I think this is the brilliance that modern Bethesda games are missing — Fallout 4 (I really enjoyed that game; got the platinum for it) and Starfield particularly. There is a certain magic to the art of discovery that will eventually lead you to where you’re meant to go even if it doesn’t appear that way initially.
With that said, there is one issue I have with the game design, albeit it’s a product of 2006. Exploring caves and dungeons are great, but it can be disheartening when at the end of the area there isn’t an exit — you have to backtrack to leave. This isn’t with every area, mind you, but it’s incredibly noticeable. Thankfully, Skyrim fixed this problem.
Other than that minor quibble, Oblivion is sublime. When it first released in 2006, I did not like the game whatsoever. My best friend was obsessed with it, and watching him play it I thought, ”Man, this looks so cool”, but it was never fun to play for me. I had the same reaction to Fallout 3. It wasn’t until Skyrim that these types of games clicked with me. Fast forward 19-years, and it has become my favorite genre. And when Bethesda does make a good game, you know it, and there is no other feeling like it.
Re: 'We Won't Make the Same Mistakes Again': Sony Reflects on PS5's Catastrophic Concord
I, just like many people here, want Sony to focus on single player games, particularly from their most prestigious studios. With that said, they would be stupid to not invest in live service games. That is a market they have to pursue because of the amount of money that can be raked in. All they need is one good hit — similar to Helldivers 2 — to make a difference in this medium. Unfortunately, that is where a lot of money is being made in gaming nowadays, and where a lot of players are at. It’s ultimately a business.
Re: Oblivion Remastered Patch 1.511 Out Now on PS5, Big Download Includes Crash and Bug Fixes
Glad to see there is a massive patch for the game! I started it up for the first time last night and am having a blast, but there were a few technical issues. It’s nice to see the issues I’ve been having have been addressed.
Re: Resident Evil Requiem Playable in 1st and 3rd Person, New Screenshots
This is an awesome feature, and it sounds as if it plays well in both perspectives which is always a concern. I’ll definitely do two playthroughs alternating between the two. It sounds like it’s shaping up to be another Capcom hit.
Re: PS5's Death Stranding 2 Gets Another New Trailer, But It's Not Like the Others
My god, it looks incredible. The gunplay looks more refined too, hopefully in the same vein as MGSV Phantom Pain. I really don’t need to see anymore from this game — I’m in day one.
Re: 9 PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for June 2025 Announced
This is a solid list of games. I wish some people would understand that just because some of the games may not suit their tastes doesn’t mean it’s a bad month of offerings. There are some great games on this list regardless of it appeals to you or not.
Re: Hands On: MindsEye Is a Boring Mess
I’ve played about two hours so far and it’s solid. It isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind, and it has its technical issues: lip synching, and some stuttering, but the driving is great. The gunplay is okay, but the sound design is off. The story actually seems pretty cool, and the voice acting, animations, and cutscenes are good. It’s probably a 6.5/10 or a 7/10 kind of game, and I’m okay with that. It was what I was expecting and I’m content.
Re: Site News: Where's Our MindsEye PS5 Review?
@Toot1st You’re not the only one. I think it looks pretty good.
Re: Site News: Where's Our MindsEye PS5 Review?
Regardless of reviews, I’m quite interested in this game. I’m honestly ignoring all the negativity because I think it looks like a solid, PS3-era romp. If the driving mechanics and gunplay feel good, that’s all I’m really looking for.
Re: Indiana Jones DLC Order of Giants Out in September on PS5
I played the base game on my X and loved it. I was kind of bummed because two achievements were bugged, or I should say the collectibles themselves were bugged, otherwise I would have gotten all the achievements. I bought the game for PS5 to support the developers, so I’ll probably just do a replay later this year when the DLC drops. Surely all of the updates and patches will help me get the platinum trophy this go around.
Re: Ninja Gaiden 4 Looks Like a Stunning Sequel, Slashes PS5 in October
I’ve watched this trailer four times and it blows me away even more than the prior time. It looks so good.
Re: MUDANG: Two Hearts Brings Call of Duty, Splinter Cell, and Blackpink Energy to PS5
@Greifchen I don’t see The Last of Us in this trailer at all aside from it being 3rd person.
Re: Gears of War Reloaded PS5 Gameplay Showcased for the First Time at Xbox Showcase
Man, this is day one for me. I remember playing this on the 360, and I got every achievement — even the 10k kills in multiplayer. I also remember me and my best friend playing all of these games co-op religiously. And this was around the same time Need For Speed Most Wanted was out, and we played that in the downtime.
Re: Action Adventure PS5 Game Echoes of the End Shows Real Promise in Debut Trailer
This looks pretty cool. You can obviously see where the game gets its inspiration from. I’ll be keeping an eye out for this one.
Re: These 9+ New PS5, PS4 Games Are Coming Out Next Week (9th-15th June)
I am really looking forward to MindsEye. From everything I’ve seen, I don’t see how this game can be any less than solid. It has that PS3 energy. I don’t expect an incredible story, and I’m sure the AI is going to be poor, but I’m okay with that. The game just looks like a fun romp.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 584
@JonnyAces How is the platinum trophy in that game? Can you get all trophies in a single playthrough? I’m assuming some are tied to guilds/quests - can you ever lock yourself out of joining those guilds past a certain point, or can you do it essentially any time?
Re: Blighted Is a Metroidvania Action Game from the Makers of Guacamelee
Day one for sure. Severed is one of my favorite games - a really fun platinum too, and the Guacamole games are sublime. I didn’t care too much for Nobody Saves The World, but that’s only because it didn’t seem too single player focused, and incentivized cooperative play, which I don’t do. It was fun, however. I’ll eagerly pick this new title up.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 584
This week I managed to finish Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo. It is a game that never outstayed its welcome, and its Metroidvania and Zelda-like qualities were incredibly well done. It took me about 17 hours, with completion rate of 78%. I feel quite satiated with my experience.
Subsequently, I was perusing my back catalog of games and saw Sea of Stars. I then realized Sabotage Studios released their hefty free expansion/DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker a week or so ago, and I decided to redownload the game.
I have beaten it before, but I noticed I missed a ton of optional content. Once I booted the game back up, I was immediately drawn back into this gorgeous world, almost without missing a beat. Within a couple of hours I mopped up all side bosses and collectibles, and even got the platinum trophy for it.
It is truly an outstanding retro-inspired JRPG. And, having not played it since release, all of the patches and updates have made it an even more enjoyable experience; it is more streamlined, in a positive way. As of right now, I’m a couple of hours in the DLC and it’s been sublime. I’m really looking forward to the new classes, abilities, and story.
I’m not sure what I want to play next. I have my eye on two games: MindsEye (I honestly think it looks solid despite the hooblah) and Blades of Fire. I’m not looking for anything special - just a simple spray and pray or hack and slash. Really, I’m just biding my time until Death Stranding 2 releases.
Re: Lies of P: Overture DLC Out Now, Costs $30 on PS5, PS4
I actually booted my NG+++ save this morning after a couple of years, and I was a little midway through. I had no idea what I was doing, haha. This is one of my favorite games, but I don’t know if I have the energy to replay it up until near the end to unlock the DLC. I might eventually, though!
Re: Shovel Knight Dev Confirms Mina the Hollower for October Launch on PS5, PS4
Finally! I’ve been waiting on this one for years. I’m glad it has an official release date!
Re: Fans Convinced They've Figured Out Who Plays James Bond in 007 First Light
That was my first thought — it was the main actor for the prequel Dexter. Also, that’s a great show, and his performance was very good. I’ll be content if he is the James Bond in this game.
Re: No, Nioh 3 Isn't Open World, Despite Team Ninja's Rise of the Ronin Experiment
Good to hear that it’s not an entirely open world game. I am looking forward and to it. I really do hope they do something more manageable with the loot system, particularly lowering the amount of drops. That is my biggest issue with these games.
Re: James Bond, Silent Hill Among the Most Viewed Trailers at State of Play
I know James Bond will more than likely be a great game, but for some reason to art-style isn’t vibing with me. Maybe it’s something I’ll grow to appreciate — either way, I’m looking forward to it.
Re: Game of the Month: DOOM: The Dark Ages (May 2025)
Well deserved. It had some flaws and a slow start, but once the game settled in after a few chapters, it was a brilliant experience. I’m glad I was able to get the platinum trophy for it.
Re: Poll: How Would You Rate State of Play for June 2025?
A- for me. It started off very strong, and had a lot of PS3 energy (that’s a good thing). It actually never slowed down; but the latter half of the games didn’t appeal to my tastes personally. Overall, it was a fantastic showing — new games, reappearances, and seemingly a renewed focus.
Re: Capcom's Pragmata Resurfaces with New Trailer, Out for PS5 in 2026
I’m glad to see this game make a reappearance after all this time. It looks great, so I’m excited to see more.
Re: Final Fantasy Tactics Enhanced Remaster Announced for PS5, Out in September
Day one, without question.
Re: Rumour: New Cyberpunk 2077 DLC Is Incoming, Developer Leak Suggests
I really have a hard time believing this is true, but if so, I’ll take it. CO2077 was a phenomenal experience once all the patches, updates, and Phantom Liberty released.
Re: Resident Evil 9 PS5 Reveal This Week, It's Claimed
In Capcom I trust.
Re: Rumour: Greek God of War Game Is a 2.5D Metroidvania
I think this will be cool if true. I don’t mind smaller projects that are interstitial to the AAA experience. I absolutely loved PoP: The Lost Crown, and if it’s similar to that, I’ll be pleased.
Re: The First of SEGA's Retro Revival Games Is Looking Sick as Hell
This looks absolutely sensational from top to bottom. The art style is gorgeous, the combat looks incredible, the level design seems solid, with fun but challenging platforming. I cannot wait for this. I’m very curious to see how Ragebound and this title compare to one another.
Re: Poll: Vote for Your PS5 Game of the Month (May 2025)
Doom The Dark Ages is my pick. I got the platinum for it and it was a sublime experience. With that said, I also purchased Fantasy Life I: The Girl Who Steals Time, but I’ve only played two hours of it. It is good, but I haven’t sunk enough time in it to make a pure judgment.
Re: Outriders, Bulletstorm Dev People Can Fly Cancels Two Games, Layoffs Imminent
Outriders and Bulletstorm are great games. I hope they will be able to find success in their next endeavors.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 583
This week(end) I got the platinum trophy for Doom: The Dark Ages. It’s truly an extraordinary FPS. My initial impression was lukewarm. I felt the essence of DOOM was absent, but the more I played the more I became enamored with what it was trying to do mechanically.
Once you get past its lengthy tutorial stages the game ramps up the significantly. You are provided a plethora of weapons and upgrades that all feel unique and fun to use. Meanwhile, exploration is rewarding and feels more confident than its predecessors.
Overall, The Dark Ages is probably my favorite out of the trilogy. With that said, I could go back and forth any day of the week because each game does something unique that makes it stand out in ways that suit my play-style. Either way, these are a fantastic set of games that are worth adding to your catalogue.
In the last two weeks, I have obtained the platinum for Doom and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is my personal GOTY. Both games are emotionally draining in their own way, so I needed to change up the pace.
That brings me to Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo (Nintendo Switch). This game rules. If you are a fan of top down Zelda-like with a dab of Metroidvania elements, this game is a must play.
As the title suggests, your main weapon is a yoyo. It’s such a great weapon that intertwines real life tricks such as Walk the Dog as learned abilities that really expand how you interact with exploration and combat. There are many variants, with a large amount of abilities I’ve yet to find, so I’m curious how the game evolves.
There are also upgrades, but they are handled in a way that is a challenge in and of itself. You’re essentially renting them until you can pay off the loan. While you are doing that, certain upgrades may take a life point away from you until you pay back the money whilst learning the skill. It’s a keen balance.
You can see the developers were inspired by classic Zelda games. There are numerous secrets to uncover, one of which is heart petals. Once you find enough of them, you gain an extra life. There are also main dungeons to progress through. They all have a unique locale, and are really fun and clever, making you utilize what an actual yoyo can do. The way these dungeons are set up, and how you’re able to interact with the environment via the yoyo, it’s fun manipulating how to dispatch your enemies.
Speaking of enemies, this game is genuinely challenging. It plays like your typical 2D action platformers, but in a top down view. Moreover, it’s not just the enemies you have to worry about, it’s the levels themselves. The game is constantly moving, making the environment just as much as a threat as the bad guys. I’ve died numerous times, but it always feels like my fault. Thankfully, the game is generous and saves your progress every new room you enter, which is often.
I’m about eight hours in total, and I’ve completed two main dungeons out of four (I believe), along with a ton of optional content. I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface of this game because looking at my upgrades and abilities that I’ve yet to find, I see nothing but endless possibilities. This game is going to be special, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves.
Re: Expedition 33 Could Get Much Requested Photo Mode in Future Update on PS5
@B0udoir I’m not sure the game needs a map. I got the platinum trophy just fine without it. That said, it would have been nice to have some indication you’re missing a music record or a diary at this/that location. It doesn’t have to say where it is at, just 0/1 collected at “here”.
Re: Yes, Death Stranding Is Getting an Anime As Well
Might as well.
Re: EA's Black Panther Game Cancelled, Studio Shut Down
This is a bummer. I was genuinely looking forward to this because I think the premise of Black Panther is interesting, and I can imagine how fun the combat could be.
Re: MindsEye CEO Says People Are Being Paid to 'Trash the Game' Online
I think I’m going to ignore all of the discourse on this game and judge it myself because I think it looks great.
Re: Cyberpunk 2077's Highly Anticipated Sequel Has Entered Pre-Production
This is awesome news. I think the game will turn out great — they (hopefully) learned their lesson with the initial release of CP2077. And they did a miraculous job turning the game around and creating an amazing FPS/RPG.
Re: MindsEye Really Does Look Like a Long-Lost PS3 Game
I can’t wait for this. Will the game be good? Probably not. Will it be mindless fun, similar to old-school PS3/360 games? Probably. I’m going in with no expectations. Hopefully it will be a good time.
Honestly, though, this really does look fun. I have a feeling it will become a cult classic. It doesn’t look like it will do anything to reinvent the wheel, but if the controls are good — driving mechanics and gunplay — then it will be a solid game. The story seems interesting too, and I like the idea of an “infinite” open world.
It sucks that so many people are writing this game off already without giving it a chance. But hey, this is the gaming culture these days. There was similar discourse to Evil West, and that turned out to be fantastic. Idk, guys, I think this will be a good game.
Re: PS Plus Essential Games for June 2025 Announced
This is a solid list of games. I know most people are going to complain as usual, but there’s a lot of diversity here, and most of these games have gotten great reviews.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 582
@Marquez That’s awesome! You got this. Let me know when you do beat him!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 582
@Marquez Did you end up beating him?
Re: Clair Obscur Director Has Exquisite Taste, Says Nothing Tops Persona 5's Visual Design
It’s awesome to hear the respect from other games and developers, but I’d have to say Clair Obscur has Persona 5 beat, at least in its combat/turn-based sections. With that said, P5 has some incredible visual designs, particularly outside of combat, and I think that’s where it beats Clair Obscur.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 582
@Marquez One thing to keep in mind about his attacks. They are always the same regardless of phase. During his first phase he does his normal attacks. During the 2nd phase he does the same attacks but it’s doubled, so instead of a 3 hit combo it will be 6, and then on the third phase it will be 9. But it’s the same attacks so a quick succession of parries works!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 582
@Marquez Okay, so I’ll provide a spoiler tag just in case others don’t want to see my strategy — [spoiler]I had Sciel and Verso as my first two party members; you don’t need a third, so just save them until the final phase.
For my weapon for Sciel, I used a level 33 Moisson. The skills I had are 1) Delaying Slash, 2) Intervention, 3) Scaring Bond, 4) Phantom Blade, 5) Final Path, and lastly, 6) Dark Cleansing.
[spoiler]As for Verso, my weapon of choice was a level 33 Corpeso, with his six skills being 1) End Bringer, 2) Overload, 3) Steeled Strike, 4) Perfect Break, 5) Phantom Stars, and 6) Follow up.
[spoiler]With those two weapons, that should help maximize damage. Meanwhile, the most important Luminas you need to focus on for all characters are ones that increase speed and provide slow to the enemy. So, Greater Rush, Greater Powerful, Greater Slow, Longer Rush, and Energizing Turn/Attack. Mix that up with your skills, and you shouldn’t really have an issue getting him down to his second phase.
[spoiler]Additionally, Verso will be your main raw damage output, so again, for all characters focus on having Luminas that provide the ability to break - Fueling Break, Gradient Break and Gradient Breaker, Breaking Attack, and Breaking Death. With the Gradients equipped, and using skills such as End Bringer, you will be able to get your Gradient level to 3 very quickly.
[spoiler]It’s also very important that each character has Quick Break equipped, along with Revive Paradox, Second Chance, First Strike, and Painted Power. By doing so, along with the other attributes, you will be able to continuously break Simon’s health because his bar is completely full, so if you use Verso to officially break him, that will save you the concern about allowing him to erasing one of your party members (if they die) from the canvas. And with Sciel’s skill Intervention and Delaying Slash, you can use Int. on Verso and DS on Simon, keeping things flowing in your favor.
[spoiler]As for Maelle, you should save her for the final phase. I used her, Lune, and Monaco at the end. It’s important to use the weapon “Medalum” for her because she starts off in Virtuouso stance. Again, with her, it’s critical to have all the other pictos I mentioned, but also Auto Rush, Glass Canon, Breaking Death, and so forth. By doing all of this, you should be able to easily defeat Simon once Maelle is in your party because you’ll have a level 3 Gradient, and can use her Gommage to wipe him out if you’re still in Virtiouso stance.
[spoiler]Don’t get me wrong, you will still have to dodge or parry his attacks, but it’ll be more manageable. Your goal is to him attack as less frequently as possible. I found this build to be way more helpful than a “one-shot” kill. I’m sure there are other pictos that I’m forgetting, so if you try this method and it doesn’t work let me know! I hope it helps, though! Good luck, man!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 582
@Marquez @Splat If you guys need help with the final optional boss, after days of struggling I managed to come up with an excellent build and strategy that let me beat him relatively easy, and not a one-shot method.