Marquez

Back on ARC Raiders again and need to make a decision about whether to undertake the expedition - the game's version of a season reset - or not. Making it optional, combined with my indecisiveness and the lack of clarity on just how good the rewards will be versus continuing to build my character out instead... not an easy decision. I'd love to know what others are planning and why!

I also started Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden after hearing lots of great things in these very forums and I'm impressed so far, particularly with the atmosphere and the voice acting. Early days but I can see me completing the game, though not going for the 'needs two playthroughs' platinum.

This only being available (again) in NA winds me up.

I turned my sleep pattern upside down to watch two ultimately disappointing days of the first Ashes test and now I need to let my frustration out by downing ARC and other Raiders for the rest of the weekend. See you topside.

Got mine too - let's see what all the fuss is about!

@AhmadSumadi Oh I know that feeling!

I find that 1) going in solo and 2) sticking to Dam Battlegrounds and Buried City for loot runs means it's all pretty griefer-free. Blue Gate, Stella Montis - or anywhere when you are in a trio - shoot first, ask questions later. Every time.

Great that the game has that range of experience though and I hope it continues.

The new area - Stella Montis - is now open for business in ARC Raiders so that’s where I’ll be spending most of the weekend. The ARC are a step up and so is the loot, which means it’s the most tense area and the most rewarding… and the PvP is a notch up! Have a good weekend all.

I'm betting this will be a lot of fun, and I have no problem with Sony spreading their IP to mobile as long as they maintain a good level of quality.

If you'd have told me at the start of the year my top two for GOTY would be a French-made turn-based RPG and a retro-styled extraction shooter - I'd have had you committed.

As for the Eurogamer review, as usual they have failed to get over themselves.

Loved the experience, got the plat, and felt it built on Tsushima enough to be considered the superior game. Definitely more than 'more Ghost'.

This weekend is all about ARC Raiders, which continues to be a fantastic experience. We've got a steady group going and have been running lots of night raids, taking out the larger ARCs (Rocketeers, Leapers, Bombardiers) for loot. And solo runs also continue to be great fun, thanks to the 80% of the community who just want to play it all peaceful and chill. Hit that 'don't shoot!' emote and chances are you'll be teaming up, not eating bullets.

Even if you don't think extraction shooters are for you, this one has enough variety in gameplay and interactions I'd recommend it to anyone.

EDIT - PSA Even though it's not on the official list, ARC Raiders does boot up using the new PS Portal streaming functionality!

This weekend is all about ARC Raiders - to be able to drop into an extraction shooter solo and not feel intimidated is an awesome feeling! Looking forward to some duos later as well. See you all topside.

I'll be (hopefully) getting past the queues tonight, I'm going to mainly be playing as a pair with one of my good mates but previews all said solo is pretty viable - which is nice.

Preordered straight after the server slam, going to play mostly solo and pairs. It shows real promise and if they are as committed as they say, I believe it will be a success. These games live and die on the gameplay loop having enough to keep you engaged and, having only seen one of four areas available at launch, I'm going to reserve judgement on whether there is enough right now. I'll give it a few major updates beyond launch at least... in the meantime, looking forward to Thursday.

@AhmadSumadi I worry that jumping into Arc Raiders at launch is going to lead to all the issues we’ve been discussing - we will see… hopefully I can leave room for other games.

I got the Yotei platinum this weekend as planned and it’s a top quality experience. Enjoy!

@AhmadSumadi I lost count of the number of fantastic games that I never played or at best ended up in my backlog because of my 10 year obsession with Destiny (1&2). GaaS done right are so much fun and so involving - but at the detriment of experiencing a variety of games. Enjoy your new-found freedom!

Well... in last week's WAYPTW I said I was going to finish and possibly platinum Ghost of Yotei and then I jumped on the Arc Raiders server slam instead. I loved it so much I've pre-ordered ready for launch on Thursday... so between now and Thursday I definitely need to finish and maybe platinum Ghost!

I just wish they'd release a special edition with Mr Swallow's rendition of the Jurassic Park theme tune as part of the soundtrack.

On a serious note, my son's favourite strategy series; he was already hours in on release yesterday and laser-focussed on the platinum.

'A very premium and high-end curated experience' is just Sarah Bond conceding they'll sell around ten of them.

@GeeEssEff This is excellent info.

@Hyena_socks

@MrPeanutbutterz If I wanted a condescending response I’d talk to my 16yo daughter, thanks.

I'd very much like to support these devs, and very much not like to support Microsoft. First world dilemma.

FM24 leaving, just before the release of the much-delayed former FM25... now FM26? Consider me not at all surprised.

I'm going to finish the story in Ghost of Yotei, and maybe go for the platinum. I've been using the map as little as possible, instead relying on the various outfits, charms and songs that enable exploration - but let's see how my patience holds up when I'm map clearing for trophies...

After that, I'll be dipping into the backlog for something a little more compact. Happy weekend all!

I got excited by the Jessica Hamby lookalike in the cover art and then... read the review :/

Hopefully this is a couple of patches away from a respectable sale game for fans of the original, but it reads as very much undercooked in terms of systems that can't really be fixed.

@twitchtvpat I was thinking this the other day - cannot wait to se what Mr Barlog has been up to.

Pretty sure I bought this in a sale and have it in my library, gathering digital dust. In the Video Game Year of the Ninja & Samurai (TM), maybe it's time to finally check it out.

More Yotei for me this weekend, probably halfway through but 40 hours in as I'm throughly clearing the map, as I go. It's exactly the kind of game I can get lost in, especially now I have a good loadout for exploration - in Watanabe mode, of course.

YES. AND DOUBLE YES.

I've been playing for over 30 hours, only two of the Yotei Six are down and I'm fully immersed in side content, roaming the world from one standoff to the next and working out builds. That's the bit that surprised me the most so far, I had fun last night with a build that resolves around... drinking sake, drunken master style!

The storyteller's tales are cool, I urge everyone to do the Spider Lily one once they get it - fantastic self-contained side story and mission.

@MrPeanutbutterz That’s not what I’m getting, 20 hours in. Give it a chance. Also, the combat in particular is superb so if you’re in it for the gameplay…

@MrPeanutbutterz Your sake flask is clearly half-empty.

@TheArt I tend to play on whatever quality mode is available, unless the game genuinely demands rapid reflexes. Then my old eyes are assisted nicely by performance modes! I'm hoping Yotei gets a 40fps mode, as I have a 120Hz VRR TV I find it's usually my sweet spot.

Ghost of Yotei first and foremost - I'm in a second area after playing all day yesterday and the way it improves on every aspect of Tsushima is to be commended, especially the revised fighting style. I keep flipping between Performance and Ray Tracing modes on the OG PS5, either way it's also a stunning-looking game.

Pachter Is a 'Terrible Pundit' That's 'Blowing It in the Gossip Business', Says Everyone.

There, fixed it for you @LiamCroft

Continuing a run of short games so I'm free for Ghost of Yotei - having platinum'd Unpacking and Jusant last weekend it's now the turn of Herdling and what a lovely experience it is. Missed a couple of trophies already but will likely replay to plat, since it's so short. But it'll have to wait, as tomorrow's focus is to take my son to university... where did those 18 years go! He already has 20 more plats than me and he's taking his PS5 with him, so I have zero chance of catching him up now.

@Oz_Who_Dat_Dare Amazing - thank you for taking the time to respond.

@Oz_Who_Dat_Dare No I've been a couple of times before but never Hokkaido - mainly the well-trodden tourist path from Tokyo through to Hiroshima. Plan is to start in Hokkaido, and spend 3-4 weeks heading south and then west, probably finishing as far west as is practical. Likely starting in May/June but tbc - all suggestions welcome!

@Oz_Who_Dat_Dare 100%, couldn't agree more. I have a trip planned to Japan for next year and the first week is exploring Hokkaido so I've been reading up on the history of the region including the Ainu - there's a potentially incredible story to tell but like you say, most people will be happy with surface level authenticity in their games.

@Oz_Who_Dat_Dare I expect there’s a nod to Ainu culture, maybe some specific mentions or instances, but no more. Hokkaido 100% picked as a dramatic backdrop, but not necessarily fully integrated into the game. We will see, excited to explore next week!

@lacerz Eurogamer are so miserable these days, aren't they.

@Oz_Who_Dat_Dare I watched MinnMax's review yesterday and they said the narrative, overall story and main character were all big steps up from GoT. There was also mention of how the Ainu had been included in the game, but not much detail on that. Worth checking that review out for sure.

Looks like a sequel that is basically an iteration on Returnal. Given this is the exact same formula that this year has given us Silksong and now Hades 2, I can only assume the negativity in the comments is from people who didn't like Returnal in the first place?

I'm sure Housemarque will have improved the original formula here, on what was already an excellent game.

Bloodborne 2 confirmed.

Somebody had to…

I finally rolled credits on the first Death Stranding (loved the ending) and with less than two weeks to go to Ghost of Yotei I'm planning to fill the gap with shorter experiences, starting with Unpacking and Jusant.

With Star Wars Outlaws' story done and the game firmly in the rear view mirror, I'm glad to say that the original Death Stranding has finally clicked! Having a fun time delivering all sorts.

Next time can you not lump everybody 45+ into a single 'this is the last phase of your gaming life, old timers' category please? Asking for a friend.

With it being the young Bond it won't have my favourite element of the original books, which is his world weary cynicism. Having said that, I thought this looked really promising overall.

Just a reminder for all the people here with the 'I hope it sucks so Sony learn a lesson' comments, because you personally don't want GAAS in your life... that's a hundred or more people you're wishing out of earning a living. Devs need all the support they can get right now.

Sounds brilliant. Now officially on my radar, ironic given the lack of in-game guidance.