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.
This weekend I can happily say I beat Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and got the platinum trophy. For me personally, this game will go down as an all-time favorite. It’s peak RPG in every facet, but does it in a condensed manner that never outstays its welcome. It also features one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a video game. I’ve had the song Visages - Aria pour un Masque de Colere on repeat for days.
I’m now on to DOOM: The Dark Ages. The gameplay is top notch, but the tone and atmosphere feel different from its predecessors. There were shades of demonic horror in the first two games, from its enemies and environments, which told a story on its own. With this entry, everything seems more cartoonish and colorful. For a game that has Dark Ages in the title, it seems too bright in its aesthetics, and strips away the darkness of the first two games — something that would be more fitting for not only a DOOM game, but for a medieval title.
With all of that said, from a combat perspective it feels great. It plays fast and kinetic, but also feels slowed down to feel properly in control. The shield is an excellent addition to a series bolstering legendary weapons, and it never gets old throwing your saw shield at enemies and carving them to pieces. All of the weapons are fun to use, each with their own unique abilities, and the plethora of upgrades available really enhance experience.
Still, though, my only complaint is changing for the positive thus far. I’m on the 9th chapter and have a 100% completion rate for each mission. The game really hits its stride with confidence on the sixth chapter, after its tutorials. And really, these games are all about gameplay, and there aren’t many franchises that do it better than id Software. I’ll be looking forward to obtaining the platinum trophy for this one.
My wife is also having some friends staying over this weekend, so I think my father-in-law and I will bust out my Blackstone grill and cook hibachi for everyone. We haven’t done that in a while and the weather should be perfect to spend outdoors enjoying good food and even better company.
@themightyant I agree with you. The opening levels weren’t that great. It really starts to get its stride around Chapter 6, and then you can see how confident the game is.
I just completed chapter 6 — the best chapter so far — and it’s excellent. I was iffy on it at the beginning, but the game continues to evolve in its combat, particularly with its numerous weapons and upgrades. Exploration is also very satisfying, with secrets everywhere. So far, I am giving it an 8/10 but it could easily be a 9/10.
I’ve been wondering if they will go the Antarctic route, but I’m excited nonetheless. The first one is an absolute masterpiece. Also, this might be controversial, but for my tastes personally, Infinite is better and my favorite in the franchise. That game hit me hard.
I admittedly didn’t give this game the proper chance I should have. At the time, I was playing Cyberpunk 2077 (Phantom Liberty) and was enamored with it, but wanted to play SF because it was the big new thing. I played 10 hours, and wasn’t really focusing on dialogue or anything like that. I do remember getting to the first big location and being overwhelmed by the amount of people to speak to, and most of them leading to quests. I ended up putting it down and never playing it again.
When it inevitably comes to PS5, I’ll give it a fair shot because A) it will be in the best shape, with patches and all updated content, and B) it has all of the things I enjoy on a personal level.
I know there will be a debate about Xbox Game Pass and its sustainability, particularly with sales. For my own belief, I think Game Pass, while good for the consumer, it’s ultimately creating a ripple effect that will have consequences in the future for games that aren’t purchased.
Studios have to make money on their product — it’s a simple as that. Microsoft may pay them outright to have their game on Game Pass, but it stops there. The remaining source of income has to come from the consumer. If developers don’t make a profit then future games may not be made.
This is why I always purchase games, especially from studios that I love, and I even have Game Pass. I essentially use that subscription service as a rental. I’ll test the game(s) out, and if I like it I will buy it, whether it’s on my Series X or on my PS5.
At the end of the day, games cost tons of money to make, and they have to be reimbursed somehow, and that is by the consumer. Otherwise, we won’t see games. It’s the same way when a big budget movie releases in theater and becomes a box office failure. You won’t get a sequel to it, and the same goes for games. Plain and simple.
I’m so stoked for this. Lies of P shocked me by how good it was, and it has become one of my favorite games of all time. Moreover, it’s the only game in recent memory where I instantly replayed it, not just once, but twice, after I beat it. I never do that. Once I beat a game I shelve it for years. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
I won’t buy it at full price, but I’ll definitely play it at some point. Funnily enough, I’ve had the game installed on my Series X since the day it came out and I’ve yet to find the desire to actually play it. That said, I have the platinum for the first game so I might as well get the platinum for the sequel, especially since you can realistically beat it in a single sitting or two.
@themightyant There is a song in Renoir’s Draft that has a unique battle song and it’s incredible. It’s called “Aria pour un Masque de Colere”. It gives me chills every time I hear it. And if you listen to the lyrics it is Clea singing about Verso. It might be Maelle, not sure, but regardless, it’s a banger and the only place the song plays in the game.
I bought the game, and I plan on starting it tonight. I’m looking forward to it, but there have been conflicting numbers about the sales in the past couple of days.
This is awesome, but not surprising! I can’t wait to see how much they improve from the first game. Right now, it’s one of my favorite games of this generation.
Comments 1,626
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.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 582
This weekend I can happily say I beat Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and got the platinum trophy. For me personally, this game will go down as an all-time favorite. It’s peak RPG in every facet, but does it in a condensed manner that never outstays its welcome. It also features one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a video game. I’ve had the song Visages - Aria pour un Masque de Colere on repeat for days.
I’m now on to DOOM: The Dark Ages. The gameplay is top notch, but the tone and atmosphere feel different from its predecessors. There were shades of demonic horror in the first two games, from its enemies and environments, which told a story on its own. With this entry, everything seems more cartoonish and colorful. For a game that has Dark Ages in the title, it seems too bright in its aesthetics, and strips away the darkness of the first two games — something that would be more fitting for not only a DOOM game, but for a medieval title.
With all of that said, from a combat perspective it feels great. It plays fast and kinetic, but also feels slowed down to feel properly in control. The shield is an excellent addition to a series bolstering legendary weapons, and it never gets old throwing your saw shield at enemies and carving them to pieces. All of the weapons are fun to use, each with their own unique abilities, and the plethora of upgrades available really enhance experience.
Still, though, my only complaint is changing for the positive thus far. I’m on the 9th chapter and have a 100% completion rate for each mission. The game really hits its stride with confidence on the sixth chapter, after its tutorials. And really, these games are all about gameplay, and there aren’t many franchises that do it better than id Software. I’ll be looking forward to obtaining the platinum trophy for this one.
My wife is also having some friends staying over this weekend, so I think my father-in-law and I will bust out my Blackstone grill and cook hibachi for everyone. We haven’t done that in a while and the weather should be perfect to spend outdoors enjoying good food and even better company.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give DOOM: The Dark Ages?
@themightyant I agree with you. The opening levels weren’t that great. It really starts to get its stride around Chapter 6, and then you can see how confident the game is.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give DOOM: The Dark Ages?
I just completed chapter 6 — the best chapter so far — and it’s excellent. I was iffy on it at the beginning, but the game continues to evolve in its combat, particularly with its numerous weapons and upgrades. Exploration is also very satisfying, with secrets everywhere. So far, I am giving it an 8/10 but it could easily be a 9/10.
Re: After Pre-Launch Sellout, Expedition 33 Offers Collector's Edition Content Standalone
@BusyOlf “S” was my biggest obstacle from getting the platinum, but I finally did it. If you want, I can explain my setup/builds.
Re: Rumour: A BioShock Announcement Is Inbound, and It's a Return to Rapture
@Americansamurai1 I hope not. I think it holds up perfectly fine as is, especially the PS4 remastered versions.
Re: Rumour: A BioShock Announcement Is Inbound, and It's a Return to Rapture
I’ve been wondering if they will go the Antarctic route, but I’m excited nonetheless. The first one is an absolute masterpiece. Also, this might be controversial, but for my tastes personally, Infinite is better and my favorite in the franchise. That game hit me hard.
Re: Starfield Should Still Come to PS5 in 2025, and It'll Be in Its Best Shape Yet
I admittedly didn’t give this game the proper chance I should have. At the time, I was playing Cyberpunk 2077 (Phantom Liberty) and was enamored with it, but wanted to play SF because it was the big new thing. I played 10 hours, and wasn’t really focusing on dialogue or anything like that. I do remember getting to the first big location and being overwhelmed by the amount of people to speak to, and most of them leading to quests. I ended up putting it down and never playing it again.
When it inevitably comes to PS5, I’ll give it a fair shot because A) it will be in the best shape, with patches and all updated content, and B) it has all of the things I enjoy on a personal level.
Re: Analytics Firm Predicts Paltry Full-Price Sales for DOOM: The Dark Ages on PS5
I know there will be a debate about Xbox Game Pass and its sustainability, particularly with sales. For my own belief, I think Game Pass, while good for the consumer, it’s ultimately creating a ripple effect that will have consequences in the future for games that aren’t purchased.
Studios have to make money on their product — it’s a simple as that. Microsoft may pay them outright to have their game on Game Pass, but it stops there. The remaining source of income has to come from the consumer. If developers don’t make a profit then future games may not be made.
This is why I always purchase games, especially from studios that I love, and I even have Game Pass. I essentially use that subscription service as a rental. I’ll test the game(s) out, and if I like it I will buy it, whether it’s on my Series X or on my PS5.
At the end of the day, games cost tons of money to make, and they have to be reimbursed somehow, and that is by the consumer. Otherwise, we won’t see games. It’s the same way when a big budget movie releases in theater and becomes a box office failure. You won’t get a sequel to it, and the same goes for games. Plain and simple.
Re: Round Up: Lies of P: Overture Previews Reveal Difficulty Options, Boss Rush Mode, and More
I’m so stoked for this. Lies of P shocked me by how good it was, and it has become one of my favorite games of all time. Moreover, it’s the only game in recent memory where I instantly replayed it, not just once, but twice, after I beat it. I never do that. Once I beat a game I shelve it for years. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
Re: PlayStation Stars Rewards Program Shutting Down, Sony Confirms
This is a bummer. I actively used this system, and I checked on it regularly. Oh well.
Re: Hellblade 2 Announced for PS5, Out This Summer
I won’t buy it at full price, but I’ll definitely play it at some point. Funnily enough, I’ve had the game installed on my Series X since the day it came out and I’ve yet to find the desire to actually play it. That said, I have the platinum for the first game so I might as well get the platinum for the sequel, especially since you can realistically beat it in a single sitting or two.
Re: Breakout PS5 Hit Expedition 33 Is Getting an Official Art Book This Year
@themightyant There is a song in Renoir’s Draft that has a unique battle song and it’s incredible. It’s called “Aria pour un Masque de Colere”. It gives me chills every time I hear it. And if you listen to the lyrics it is Clea singing about Verso. It might be Maelle, not sure, but regardless, it’s a banger and the only place the song plays in the game.
Re: Breakout PS5 Hit Expedition 33 Is Getting an Official Art Book This Year
@themightyant It’s one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a game, and there have been some good ones.
Re: DOOM: The Dark Ages Attracts Three Million Players, Dev's Biggest Launch in Its History
I bought the game, and I plan on starting it tonight. I’m looking forward to it, but there have been conflicting numbers about the sales in the past couple of days.
Re: Blades of Fire (PS5) - Steely Action with Blunt Art and Storytelling
@homelesscretin This sounds like the perfect analogy, and those are my types of games.
Re: Blades of Fire (PS5) - Steely Action with Blunt Art and Storytelling
I didn’t play the demo, but I like Mercury Steam so I’ll probably pick this up during a deep sale.
Re: Stellar Blade Sequel Announced, Out by 2027
This is awesome, but not surprising! I can’t wait to see how much they improve from the first game. Right now, it’s one of my favorite games of this generation.