Well, vinyl constitutes a tiny part of the music market and still every major (and a lot of minor) releases are released on the format. A tiny part of something worth billions and billions is still worthwhile. As long as there are core gamers, games will be released on disc/cartridge. Many gaming companies are not willing to give up that slice of the pie. Personally, the day physical disappears is the day I can finally start on my ever expanding backlog…
I’ll be continuing my Baldur’s Gate 3 campaign. Waited for the physical release and in December I finally decided it was time. I was already a big fan of Divinity: Original Sin 1 and 2 so it was no big surprise that BG3 was right up my alley. Right now I’m at the end of Act 2 and it has taken my 198h! So my guess is 300h+ for me to finish the game which means I’ll probably start my next game at the end of February… (which will probably be a Switch game, either Tears of the Kingdom or Mario & Luigi: Brothership)
Lynch’s death is a huge blow. He’s responsible for some of the best films and TV shows ever. Nothing could scare me, excite me and move me like a Lynch movie/show. Personally I regard his 90s/early 00s output highest Mulholland Drive stands out as his finest movie. The fantastic Winkie’s Diner sequence featuring the best jump scare of all time. The Silencio nightclub scene that still brings tears to my eyes. And Naomi Watts delivering the performance of a lifetime, just watch the scene where her character auditions for a role in some corny soap opera. Same thing with Fire Walk with Me and Lost Highway, just amazing films I can watch again and again.
But in the end, Twin Peaks towers above them all. Lynch was making prestige television before the term was invented. I remember curling up in front of the TV once a week, never knowing if I was going to be scared witless, solving riddles using dream logic or just watch some soapy comedy. Of course, Lynch was held back by idiotic US network TV “standards & practices” and was forced to tone it down (just watch Fire Walk With Me for a glimpse at Lynch’s true vision). And, of course, Lynch only directed a handful of episodes. So when Twin Peaks: The Return was announced I was ecstatic and boy did it live up to my expectations. This was Lynch unleashed, directing almost 20 hours of pure bliss. It was no cynical cash-in, instead Lynch delivered something totally unexpected. Freed from network TV censorship, this was dark, experimental, very funny and absolutely amazing. So while Mulholland Drive was his cinematic masterpiece, Twin Peaks The Return was his magnum opus. What a way to end a career! And, yes, I know he did some small scale experimental shorts and music after Twin Peaks but I know which show I’m watching tonight… The grief is real, the loss heavy. A legend is gone.
As someone who hates cinematic trailers this was….a lot. Sure, there were some nice, day one reveals/trailers (Intergalactic, Onimusha, Witcher, Okami 2, Crimson Desert etc) but almost every single one were pre-rendered cinematics with release dates years into the future. And then there were the big disappointments. Usually multiplayer focused which really isn’t my cup of tea (Nightreign, Turok)
But I guess this is par for the course for TGA. Personally, I’m more interested in gameplay trailers with a firm release date
Biggest disappointment of the evening. Talk about dragging the IP through the mud. Looks like just another (soul)less multiplayer battle royale. No wonder it’s coming out soon, it’s just reused assets in the same engine I never thought FromSoft would start chasing the black hole that is GaaS but I was wrong.
Well, people thought vinyl was dead too…. Let’s face it, just like with music, many gamers (including me) want a box for the shelf and a disc for the console. Many people feel the need for collecting stuff and I think gamers are just as passionate as music nerds when it comes to game franchises and characters.
So even if the market is telling us to do one thing I think there will always be 10-20% of gamers supporting physical. Ignore them at your peril…
I watch the occasional review and sometimes the solution to some puzzle that’s got me stuck but other than that, nothing. Watching other people play games, especially multiplayer shooters or similar Twitch fodder, is a foreign concept to me.
@JustCameHereToSay I’m not sure what you’re arguing about. I never said gangster rap was the first type of hip hop, I’m well aware of the genres roots. NWA were huge back when I went to high school, hence using them as an example. What I did complain about was this type of crass, hyper commercialized hip hop with all the edges sanded off. Having been to a few concerts in my day, this just looks so sterile and boring. But I dislike Fortnite in general and I’m over 40 so I doubt I’m the intended demographic
I’m actually playing two of last years best games: Alan Wake 2 and Baldurs Gate 3. How original, I know, but the reason is, of course, that I was waiting for the physical editions. I just finished AW2 and damn, that was much longer than I expected. Took me 40+ hours for the campaign + Lake House + one part of Night Springs. The game was fantastic, so much better than the first one. So now it’s on to BG3. Just created my character so now I’m messing around on the Mind Flayer ship. Good stuff, I expect to be done with the game some time in February….
So this is hip hop for the tween crowd? No cursing, no controversy, fit for parental consumption. I remember back when NWA was “the most dangerous band in the world” and “F**k tha Police” was an anthem. Oh, how the genre have fallen. Old guy rant over.
So it’s GTA without the satire, political commentary, violence, cursing, hookers, drugs, single player campaign or any semblance of realistic graphics. Plus gacha. Sounds marvelous.
I’ve played all of these except Metaphor (which is standing on my shelf, part of the ever growing backlog) and for me nothing beats Erdtree. Definitely the best DLC ever. A strong second is Astro Bot. Gave me flashbacks to waving the Wiimote around in Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 back in the day. FFVII:Rebirth was fun but for me it doesn’t belong in the top 5, maybe top 10 if I’m being nice. Too many minigames and too much running after map icons à la Ubisoft. I would place games like Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Silent Hill 2 Remake higher than FFVII:Rebirth
The big surprise for me was not seeing any Nintendo titles in the top 5. They usually subscribe to at least one position in the top and they did release a Zelda game this year (still on my shelf…). But I guess they’re gearing up for the Switch 2 release and are saving their big guns for then
I’m all for smaller games as long as there is a physical edition. I preordered Banishers but Slitterhead is only available as an expensive import and Path of the Godess is digital only. I vote with my wallet, give me a nice box for my shelf and I’ll buy any smaller, experimental game (as long as they’re good….)
No one loves a deep and massive RPG more than me. Unfortunately, that does not include MMO:s, live service, gacha or any such crap. I’ll take my role playing fix single player, thank you. And my backlog is bursting: Baldurs Gate 3 (had to wait for the physical…), Metaphor ReFantazio, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Eiyuden Hundred Heroes, Sand Land, Unicorn Overlord plus a metric ton of Legend of Heroes and Yakuza games. I could go on but I don’t want to bore you. In conclusion: no New World for me, I’ll stick to the old one.
Count me in, been holding out for this one. And with a backlog as big as mine it’s not like a couple of months waiting actually matter. Hell, I still have both Baldurs Gate 3 and Tears of the Kingdom left to enjoy. And I play for at least 15-20hours/week so it’s not like I’m not trying to decrease my backlog. I guess the conclusion is: I buy too many games… (100% physical!)
I’m on backlog cleaning duty, currently playing through Stellar Blade which is an absolute banger. Great combat and top notch sound and graphics. The exploration usually does the trick even though some of the open areas can feel a bit empty sometimes. I’m about to arrive at the orbital elevator, just gotta clear out these pesky anti aircraft monsters first
Played this when it came out, still have it in my collection. Not interested in the remake, the game is not that good. It’s a decent platformer with some very light rpg style side quests. Back when it came out it was overshadowed by Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2
@Northern_munkey While it’s true that Apple Corps as a whole was a financial disaster, it consisted of many different companies (Apple Films, Apple Electronics, Apple Boutique and so on) Of these companies Apple Records was by far the most successful. Not only did they publish all of the Beatles music, they also found many other successful artists. If my memory serves me right they were actually the most successful “indie” record label ever (at the time) So while comparing Gearbox to Apple Corps is not very kind to gearbox, comparing them to Apple Records is madness. Sorry for my Beatles nerdiness. I just finished “Can’t Buy Me Love”, a fantastic Beatles biography..,
I was never disappointed in Dark Souls 2. It’s not my favorite Fromsoft game but I really enjoyed it when it came out and still play it from time to time. It also had solid DLC, in my opinion the best in the Dark Souls trilogy.
Ohh, I’m getting heavy Super Mario Galaxy vibes from this. If Asobo pulls this off I don’t care if they’re influenced by Nintendo, this could be one of the year’s best. Erdtree and Astro Bot, here’s to 2024!
First Darkest Dungeon 2, now Flintlock. These “Mini Reviews” are more like blurbs and they’re being applied to games that deserve better. Maybe games in the $10-20 range instead of AA games with (in Flintlock’s case) a physical edition could be given this treatment. Or better yet, all these F2P gacha and hero shooters. They never seem very popular in the comments, slap a “Mini Review” on them and be done with it! Or maybe I’m just a grumpy old man and this is what the kids want…
@IamJT Well, I mentioned the word “shame” one time but I see what you mean. So nudity without “context” is wasted on you? For me, context can be something as simple as a character taking a bath or two characters having sex. That is something most people do naked in real life. An immersive/realistic movie or game will show those people naked. What really points to the artifice of the movie/game is cutting away or strategically blocking breasts or genitalia to shield our sensitive minds. It just feels fake. And what I can’t understand is people being totally okay with violence for violences sake. I’m just guessing here but probably over 90% of games (I’m including cartoon violence) contain characters inflicting violence on other characters, often with the flimsiest pretext: “you are good, that bear is evil, kill it” So, is violence for violence sake wasted on you? Is it boring? Because if it is, your selection of games is severely limited… And do you really need to “care” about the characters to enjoy something. I enjoy JRPGs but do I care about the characters, hell no. Same thing with Mario/Zelda. Love the games, don’t really care if Mario gets immolated for the 40th time. Side note: I’m more into 60s and 70s Bergman: Persona, Cries and Whispers etc. As a Swede, the way the actors talk in earlier Bergman can be a bit theatrical which immediately makes me think of a particular kind of really bad screwball comedies (Åsa-Nisse). Its just a personal hang-up, I do still enjoy Summer with Monika but I don’t consider it essential.
@IamJT Oh, you can’t compare them? Of course you can. There are no “rules” in film criticism or film theory saying you can’t compare x to y. Anyway, I wasn’t really comparing them and it’s not my intent to start a Bergman vs Meyer debate. But I will say that when “Sommaren med Monika” was released the cries for censorship and bans were just as loud as they were for GoT. And “Summer with Monika” was, of course, marketed as an exploitation flick in the US. The line between “exploitation” and “art” is in the eye of the beholder. And let’s not kid ourselves, the movie is hardly one of Bergmans best and the reason the movie did well at the time had much to do with the nudity. So we have a minor Bergman vs a show that is often included in lists of the best shows ever. Both used sex and nudity to become known worldwide. So they have that in common, if not much more… And just as I didn’t look away from the screen in shame when Harriet Andersson frolicked across the rocky beach in SwM, I took in every brothel scene in GoT without embarrassment. And just as I enjoy "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!", I’m sure I’ll enjoy every second of nudity in Dragon Age, exploitative or not.
My god, all these commenters trying to show themselves as “mature” by talking about “directorial intent” and “mature writing”. I also took “Film 101” at university, I know what you mean, but come on. Your emotions feel exploited if you happen to see a breast in “Revenge of the Nerds”? And, of course, let’s harp on Game of Thrones because that hasn’t been done to death… I barely batted an eyelid over all the so called “sexposition” but a very vocal group of people reacted as if the world was ending. Even though the show was on HBO, nudity was kind of expected. I mean, I really can’t imagine actually being embarrassed by nudity on screen. Well, unless you’re 12 years old and playing/watching with your mother present. Nudity is fantastic, an integral part of human existence. Personally, I want more nudity in most movies/series/video games for adults. It can be fantastic for immersion, nuance, depth and character development. And sometimes a breast is just a breast, a dong is just a dong. No reason to get your knickers in a twist, not all nudity needs to be supported 100% by fancy scripts or be in good taste. You know, exploitation cinema has some stone cold classics. And just because you dig Russ Meyer doesn’t mean you can’t dig Bergman, Von Trier or Scorsese (all directors who like a bit of nudity….)
@Tchunga Well, now we’re cooking! These are opinions I can respect, well reasoned and obviously coming from a place of love for the genre. Now, obviously, I don’t agree 100% but you do make some valid points. Before I try to counter let me just state why most of these points applies less to me personally. You see, I’m pretty OCD when it comes to my gaming. Basically I play my open world games pretty “linearly”. In Elden Ring I started by doing every single thing in the first area, then followed the “yellow arrows” pretty slavishly throughout the campaign. The first thing my friend did was make a beeline for Caelid. He got slaughtered but he got a real shiny weapon for his troubles. And while I didn’t move on to the next area until clearing every single dungeon, beating every boss and finding every item (well…) my friend happily moved along after doing maybe half. What I’m trying to say is, while you bring up important points, some of them applies less to me than they do to my friend, for example. Also, it was not my meaning to call your criticism of the quest system “silly”. What I did find a bit silly was your “settlement rule”. So that’s on me, sorry. Anyways, on to your criticisms: 1. Well, first off, isn’t this a universal dilemma for open world games? Sure, it might be more noticeable when the previous 4-6 games have been linear affairs. Some RPGs solve this by scaling enemies to your level, something I detest. And isn’t the fact that you can set off in any direction, nab a weapon, see some sights and then get absolutely slaughtered one of the charms of Elden Ring in particular and open world RPGs in general? I mean, even BotW, was lauded for the fact you could go anywhere and both enemies and the climate could put you in an early grave. So, yes, you can end up steamrolled by deviating from the path in Elden Ring but I think it’s something that comes with all open world games. The other problem you mention, players steamrolling the opposition, is this really a thing? It’s just not something I’ve heard many complaints about. 2. Point conceded. This could be a hassle, at least initially. And not because I really NEEDED a +7 instead of my +6. It was more of an itch to scratch. So off I went to Reddit. It should be noted though, mid to late game this wasn’t a big problem, mostly because you could buy missing Smithing Stones at the round table. And at the end of the game I was bathing in stones 3. Was it always down the line though? I seem to recall having to visit places you already been to multiple times. Anyway, I see your point, it can get unwieldy in an open world. Look, I’m ancient. I grew up with the gold box D&D games, Might & Magic, Wizardry 6 and a host of other RPGs where the only way to map out an area or solve quests was by having pen and paper nearby. Add to that years of obscure Fromsoft quests and I actually managed Elden Rings quests pretty OK. Still had to consult the net for a handful but I needed some help in the previous soulsborne games as well.
In closing, you seem to have enjoyed the previous soulsbornes and felt like Elden Ring took the series off the rails. It simply doesn’t work for you. For me, Elden Ring was just MORE of the same drug I’ve been mainlining for years. Sure, it has some balancing issues and maybe every system isn’t pure perfection but it is one of my all time favorites.
Games are art. And it is strictly up to the artist(s) how he presents his work to the world. I applaud Miyazaki for holding firm in a gaming landscape that often goes for the lowest common denominator. It’s not like there’s a lack of easy games on the market. Would I lower the difficulty after the 50th try against some sadistic boss if it were possible? Sure, the temptation would be strong. But it would also ruin that wonderful sense of accomplishment you get in Fromsoft games. So, no difficulty options for me, please.
@Tchunga Dude, I said I adored BotW and called it a masterclass in open world design while criticizing it for simplistic quest design (something every Zelda game is guilty of). All you have done is heap scorn over Elden Ring, mostly about silly things. Sure, Elden Ring could’ve used some kind of Ubisoft quest tracker. I personally think that would have removed some of the Fromsoft charm, just like implementing soulslike quests in Zelda would be weird. Did I use a guide? Sure, for maybe 3-4 quests. The rest I used my phones Notes app or they “solved themselves” while progressing. Your thing about settlements is just weird. Like there is some kind of open world rule about this stuff. Like @Mythologue said, there are a bunch of settlements in Elden Ring. And they are just like settlements in every single Fromsoft soulslike. Obviously, you seem to hate it, I have zero issues with it. The souls formula doesn’t work in an open world? Critics, and the internet, seem to disagree.
@Daleaf Yeah, he was a real drag. I gave it 5-10 tries but the fact that you have to beat that easy pre-boss dude every single time and then the Beast itself being so boring, I threw in the towel before trying summoning another human. Basically, for me, Elden Ring is definitely more about the journey than the destination. I could rest easy without watching that final cutscene knowing that I did 95% of the content previously.
@Tchunga NPCs in Elden Ring actually give you tricky quests unlike BotW where 90% of NPCs just repeat inane dialogue and the other 10% give you simple fetch quests… Yes, this is an exaggeration. I mean, you can actually “build” a town in BotW but in general NPC questlines are better in Elden Ring. I have no idea why you got all defensive over my first post. I love both games dearly. It’s not a competition, they are both masterclasses in open world design. For me personally, Elden Ring takes the crown but the margins are razor thin. Obviously you like BotW more which I totally understand. You do you.
Already started! I have over 300h in Elden Ring without actually beating it. I basically did everything in the game, then got frustrated on the last boss and moved on to the next game. So the DLC is perfect for me, not even Breath of the Wild can beat the sheer variety and scale of Elden Ring.
Since Elden Ring is a game stuffed to the gills with variety, “more of the same” is just what the doctor ordered. Compare to Burning Shores which was a poster child of samey content and stale gameplay. Sure, Forbidden West was a pretty good game but the difference, compared to Elden Ring, is that after 200h of H:FW the last thing you want is an expansion. After 200h of Elden Ring I was begging for an expansion.
Game seems amazing and would normally be a pre-order/day 1 for me. But because of the joke that is the physical edition I’ll wait. Code in a box? No, thanks. Hopefully they really are working hard on the disc version so we don’t have to wait another year for it.
Already pre-ordered, my faith in soulslikes is absolute. Of course, Black Myth Wukong looks even better but the lack of a proper physical edition means it’s going on the wait pile
Let us hope for a physical edition. This is right up my alley. Survival horror, flashbacks to Siren and a touch of soulslikes. Hopefully the jank can be kept under control. This kind of close quarters combat requires stability and a fine touch.
I still haven’t started MH World, it’s in my backlog. Last Monster Hunter I played was Tri on the Wii. I usually despise online multiplayer but the MH series has always been welcoming of single player campaigns.
But, like I said, I still have MH World plus MH Rise just standing in my shelf. It’s something about the 300h+ campaigns, every time I’m thinking of starting a new game I start to ponder “hmm, maybe those 300h could be better spent in Elden Ring or Baldurs Gate 3 or Xenoblade Chronicles or whatever RPG/soulslike is currently doing the rounds”
Maybe Wilds will be the Monster Hunter game for me!
I’m not expecting Capcom quality but I do expect it to be better than the horrid PS3 HD Collection. I’ve actually never played the original. It came out during a period in my life where partying, living abroad and student life in general led to a pause in my gaming (yes, I’m old). So my first impression of this game was the PS3 “remaster”, far from ideal. Looking forward to experiencing this version, jank be damned…
Comments 125
Re: A PS5 Re-Release of SEGA RPG Classic Skies of Arcadia No Longer Seems Up in the Air
Of course I’ve played it. And I’m sad to see the value of my GameCube version potentially crash.
Don’t you just hate rereleases of expensive games…
Re: Fans Are Buying Fewer Boxed Video Games Than Ever in the US
Well, vinyl constitutes a tiny part of the music market and still every major (and a lot of minor) releases are released on the format.
A tiny part of something worth billions and billions is still worthwhile. As long as there are core gamers, games will be released on disc/cartridge. Many gaming companies are not willing to give up that slice of the pie.
Personally, the day physical disappears is the day I can finally start on my ever expanding backlog…
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 565
I’ll be continuing my Baldur’s Gate 3 campaign. Waited for the physical release and in December I finally decided it was time. I was already a big fan of Divinity: Original Sin 1 and 2 so it was no big surprise that BG3 was right up my alley.
Right now I’m at the end of Act 2 and it has taken my 198h! So my guess is 300h+ for me to finish the game which means I’ll probably start my next game at the end of February… (which will probably be a Switch game, either Tears of the Kingdom or Mario & Luigi: Brothership)
Re: Now Sadly Passed, the Legendary David Lynch Directed One of PlayStation's Strangest Adverts
Lynch’s death is a huge blow. He’s responsible for some of the best films and TV shows ever. Nothing could scare me, excite me and move me like a Lynch movie/show. Personally I regard his 90s/early 00s output highest
Mulholland Drive stands out as his finest movie. The fantastic Winkie’s Diner sequence featuring the best jump scare of all time. The Silencio nightclub scene that still brings tears to my eyes. And Naomi Watts delivering the performance of a lifetime, just watch the scene where her character auditions for a role in some corny soap opera.
Same thing with Fire Walk with Me and Lost Highway, just amazing films I can watch again and again.
But in the end, Twin Peaks towers above them all. Lynch was making prestige television before the term was invented. I remember curling up in front of the TV once a week, never knowing if I was going to be scared witless, solving riddles using dream logic or just watch some soapy comedy. Of course, Lynch was held back by idiotic US network TV “standards & practices” and was forced to tone it down (just watch Fire Walk With Me for a glimpse at Lynch’s true vision). And, of course, Lynch only directed a handful of episodes.
So when Twin Peaks: The Return was announced I was ecstatic and boy did it live up to my expectations. This was Lynch unleashed, directing almost 20 hours of pure bliss. It was no cynical cash-in, instead Lynch delivered something totally unexpected. Freed from network TV censorship, this was dark, experimental, very funny and absolutely amazing.
So while Mulholland Drive was his cinematic masterpiece, Twin Peaks The Return was his magnum opus.
What a way to end a career! And, yes, I know he did some small scale experimental shorts and music after Twin Peaks but I know which show I’m watching tonight…
The grief is real, the loss heavy. A legend is gone.
Re: Following Space Marine 2 Success, Games Workshop Seeks Next Big Warhammer Hit
Well, they can start by commissioning a physical edition of Rogue Trader. That would really make my day!
Re: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Unloads PS5, PS4 Combat Overview Trailer
Is this some kind of PG trailer? I miss the blood!
Re: Ring in the New Year with a Reborn Tango Gameworks Inc
Just give me a spiritual Evil Within sequel and I’m a happy camper.
Re: Poll: How Would You Rate The Game Awards 2024?
As someone who hates cinematic trailers this was….a lot. Sure, there were some nice, day one reveals/trailers (Intergalactic, Onimusha, Witcher, Okami 2, Crimson Desert etc) but almost every single one were pre-rendered cinematics with release dates years into the future.
And then there were the big disappointments. Usually multiplayer focused which really isn’t my cup of tea (Nightreign, Turok)
But I guess this is par for the course for TGA. Personally, I’m more interested in gameplay trailers with a firm release date
Re: Elden Ring: Nightreign Announced, a Co-Op Game for PS5, PS4
Biggest disappointment of the evening. Talk about dragging the IP through the mud.
Looks like just another (soul)less multiplayer battle royale. No wonder it’s coming out soon, it’s just reused assets in the same engine
I never thought FromSoft would start chasing the black hole that is GaaS but I was wrong.
Re: Physical Media Just Can't Catch a Break Right Now
Well, people thought vinyl was dead too…. Let’s face it, just like with music, many gamers (including me) want a box for the shelf and a disc for the console. Many people feel the need for collecting stuff and I think gamers are just as passionate as music nerds when it comes to game franchises and characters.
So even if the market is telling us to do one thing I think there will always be 10-20% of gamers supporting physical. Ignore them at your peril…
Re: Gamers Are Reportedly More Interested in Watching Games Than Actually Playing Them
I watch the occasional review and sometimes the solution to some puzzle that’s got me stuck but other than that, nothing.
Watching other people play games, especially multiplayer shooters or similar Twitch fodder, is a foreign concept to me.
Re: Fortnite Attracts 14 Million Concurrent Players to Hip-Hop Concert Event
@JustCameHereToSay I’m not sure what you’re arguing about. I never said gangster rap was the first type of hip hop, I’m well aware of the genres roots. NWA were huge back when I went to high school, hence using them as an example.
What I did complain about was this type of crass, hyper commercialized hip hop with all the edges sanded off. Having been to a few concerts in my day, this just looks so sterile and boring. But I dislike Fortnite in general and I’m over 40 so I doubt I’m the intended demographic
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 557
I’m actually playing two of last years best games: Alan Wake 2 and Baldurs Gate 3. How original, I know, but the reason is, of course, that I was waiting for the physical editions.
I just finished AW2 and damn, that was much longer than I expected. Took me 40+ hours for the campaign + Lake House + one part of Night Springs. The game was fantastic, so much better than the first one.
So now it’s on to BG3. Just created my character so now I’m messing around on the Mind Flayer ship. Good stuff, I expect to be done with the game some time in February….
Re: Fortnite Attracts 14 Million Concurrent Players to Hip-Hop Concert Event
So this is hip hop for the tween crowd? No cursing, no controversy, fit for parental consumption.
I remember back when NWA was “the most dangerous band in the world” and “F**k tha Police” was an anthem. Oh, how the genre have fallen.
Old guy rant over.
Re: Anime GTA-Style Game, Confirmed for PS5, Is Now Being Tested by Chinese Players
So it’s GTA without the satire, political commentary, violence, cursing, hookers, drugs, single player campaign or any semblance of realistic graphics. Plus gacha.
Sounds marvelous.
Re: Astro Bot Blasts Past Elden Ring, Currently 2024's Highest-Rated Release
I’ve played all of these except Metaphor (which is standing on my shelf, part of the ever growing backlog) and for me nothing beats Erdtree. Definitely the best DLC ever.
A strong second is Astro Bot. Gave me flashbacks to waving the Wiimote around in Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 back in the day.
FFVII:Rebirth was fun but for me it doesn’t belong in the top 5, maybe top 10 if I’m being nice. Too many minigames and too much running after map icons à la Ubisoft. I would place games like Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Silent Hill 2 Remake higher than FFVII:Rebirth
The big surprise for me was not seeing any Nintendo titles in the top 5. They usually subscribe to at least one position in the top and they did release a Zelda game this year (still on my shelf…). But I guess they’re gearing up for the Switch 2 release and are saving their big guns for then
Re: Do You Really Want Devs to Make Lower Budget, More Original Games for PS5?
I’m all for smaller games as long as there is a physical edition. I preordered Banishers but Slitterhead is only available as an expensive import and Path of the Godess is digital only. I vote with my wallet, give me a nice box for my shelf and I’ll buy any smaller, experimental game (as long as they’re good….)
Re: Fortnite Mixing It Up with Hip-Hop Chapter 2 Reboot
So is the in-game music actually uncensored hip hop? Or is it just butchered lyrics with a beat for the tween crowd?
Re: New World: Aeternum (PS5) - Full-Bodied Action MMO Will Devour Your Free Time
No one loves a deep and massive RPG more than me. Unfortunately, that does not include MMO:s, live service, gacha or any such crap.
I’ll take my role playing fix single player, thank you.
And my backlog is bursting: Baldurs Gate 3 (had to wait for the physical…), Metaphor ReFantazio, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Eiyuden Hundred Heroes, Sand Land, Unicorn Overlord plus a metric ton of Legend of Heroes and Yakuza games.
I could go on but I don’t want to bore you. In conclusion: no New World for me, I’ll stick to the old one.
Re: Mini Review: A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead (PS5) - Immersive and Surprisingly Impressive
Horror game without a trusty shotgun?
No thanks.
Re: Black Myth: Wukong Physical Version Now Official, PS5 Disc Included
Count me in, been holding out for this one. And with a backlog as big as mine it’s not like a couple of months waiting actually matter.
Hell, I still have both Baldurs Gate 3 and Tears of the Kingdom left to enjoy. And I play for at least 15-20hours/week so it’s not like I’m not trying to decrease my backlog.
I guess the conclusion is: I buy too many games… (100% physical!)
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 549
I’m on backlog cleaning duty, currently playing through Stellar Blade which is an absolute banger. Great combat and top notch sound and graphics. The exploration usually does the trick even though some of the open areas can feel a bit empty sometimes. I’m about to arrive at the orbital elevator, just gotta clear out these pesky anti aircraft monsters first
Re: Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (PS5) - Substantial Updates Paint Over Flaws of Beloved Platformer
Played this when it came out, still have it in my collection. Not interested in the remake, the game is not that good. It’s a decent platformer with some very light rpg style side quests.
Back when it came out it was overshadowed by Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2
Re: Jaw-Dropping 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro Console and Accessories Will Bankrupt You
Not including a disc drive when the format has played a huge part in PlayStation’s success is downright disrespectful to its legacy
Re: Random: Gearbox Founder, CEO Compares Company to The Beatles, Gets Roasted
@Northern_munkey While it’s true that Apple Corps as a whole was a financial disaster, it consisted of many different companies (Apple Films, Apple Electronics, Apple Boutique and so on)
Of these companies Apple Records was by far the most successful. Not only did they publish all of the Beatles music, they also found many other successful artists. If my memory serves me right they were actually the most successful “indie” record label ever (at the time)
So while comparing Gearbox to Apple Corps is not very kind to gearbox, comparing them to Apple Records is madness.
Sorry for my Beatles nerdiness. I just finished “Can’t Buy Me Love”, a fantastic Beatles biography..,
Re: Random: Divisive Dark Souls 2 Is Seeing a Resurgence and Some Revisionist History
I was never disappointed in Dark Souls 2. It’s not my favorite Fromsoft game but I really enjoyed it when it came out and still play it from time to time.
It also had solid DLC, in my opinion the best in the Dark Souls trilogy.
Re: Anticipated PS5 Platformer Astro Bot Looks Absolutely Outstanding in Gameplay Demo
Ohh, I’m getting heavy Super Mario Galaxy vibes from this. If Asobo pulls this off I don’t care if they’re influenced by Nintendo, this could be one of the year’s best.
Erdtree and Astro Bot, here’s to 2024!
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess?
No physical=no play
Re: Mini Review: Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (PS5) - Yeah, It's Pretty Good
First Darkest Dungeon 2, now Flintlock. These “Mini Reviews” are more like blurbs and they’re being applied to games that deserve better. Maybe games in the $10-20 range instead of AA games with (in Flintlock’s case) a physical edition could be given this treatment.
Or better yet, all these F2P gacha and hero shooters. They never seem very popular in the comments, slap a “Mini Review” on them and be done with it!
Or maybe I’m just a grumpy old man and this is what the kids want…
Re: Nudity Confirmed for Dragon Age: The Veilguard: 'This is a Mature RPG'
@IamJT Well, I mentioned the word “shame” one time but I see what you mean. So nudity without “context” is wasted on you? For me, context can be something as simple as a character taking a bath or two characters having sex. That is something most people do naked in real life. An immersive/realistic movie or game will show those people naked. What really points to the artifice of the movie/game is cutting away or strategically blocking breasts or genitalia to shield our sensitive minds. It just feels fake.
And what I can’t understand is people being totally okay with violence for violences sake. I’m just guessing here but probably over 90% of games (I’m including cartoon violence) contain characters inflicting violence on other characters, often with the flimsiest pretext: “you are good, that bear is evil, kill it” So, is violence for violence sake wasted on you? Is it boring? Because if it is, your selection of games is severely limited…
And do you really need to “care” about the characters to enjoy something. I enjoy JRPGs but do I care about the characters, hell no. Same thing with Mario/Zelda. Love the games, don’t really care if Mario gets immolated for the 40th time.
Side note: I’m more into 60s and 70s Bergman: Persona, Cries and Whispers etc. As a Swede, the way the actors talk in earlier Bergman can be a bit theatrical which immediately makes me think of a particular kind of really bad screwball comedies (Åsa-Nisse). Its just a personal hang-up, I do still enjoy Summer with Monika but I don’t consider it essential.
Re: Nudity Confirmed for Dragon Age: The Veilguard: 'This is a Mature RPG'
@IamJT Oh, you can’t compare them? Of course you can. There are no “rules” in film criticism or film theory saying you can’t compare x to y.
Anyway, I wasn’t really comparing them and it’s not my intent to start a Bergman vs Meyer debate.
But I will say that when “Sommaren med Monika” was released the cries for censorship and bans were just as loud as they were for GoT. And “Summer with Monika” was, of course, marketed as an exploitation flick in the US. The line between “exploitation” and “art” is in the eye of the beholder.
And let’s not kid ourselves, the movie is hardly one of Bergmans best and the reason the movie did well at the time had much to do with the nudity.
So we have a minor Bergman vs a show that is often included in lists of the best shows ever. Both used sex and nudity to become known worldwide. So they have that in common, if not much more…
And just as I didn’t look away from the screen in shame when Harriet Andersson frolicked across the rocky beach in SwM, I took in every brothel scene in GoT without embarrassment. And just as I enjoy "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!", I’m sure I’ll enjoy every second of nudity in Dragon Age, exploitative or not.
Re: Nudity Confirmed for Dragon Age: The Veilguard: 'This is a Mature RPG'
My god, all these commenters trying to show themselves as “mature” by talking about “directorial intent” and “mature writing”. I also took “Film 101” at university, I know what you mean, but come on. Your emotions feel exploited if you happen to see a breast in “Revenge of the Nerds”? And, of course, let’s harp on Game of Thrones because that hasn’t been done to death… I barely batted an eyelid over all the so called “sexposition” but a very vocal group of people reacted as if the world was ending. Even though the show was on HBO, nudity was kind of expected.
I mean, I really can’t imagine actually being embarrassed by nudity on screen. Well, unless you’re 12 years old and playing/watching with your mother present.
Nudity is fantastic, an integral part of human existence. Personally, I want more nudity in most movies/series/video games for adults. It can be fantastic for immersion, nuance, depth and character development.
And sometimes a breast is just a breast, a dong is just a dong. No reason to get your knickers in a twist, not all nudity needs to be supported 100% by fancy scripts or be in good taste. You know, exploitation cinema has some stone cold classics. And just because you dig Russ Meyer doesn’t mean you can’t dig Bergman, Von Trier or Scorsese (all directors who like a bit of nudity….)
Re: Take the Edge Off with 10 Minutes of Nobody Wants to Die Gameplay
Sure, if a physical edition comes along I’ll bite.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 535
Erdtree! Erdtree! Erdtree!
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?
@Tchunga Well, now we’re cooking! These are opinions I can respect, well reasoned and obviously coming from a place of love for the genre. Now, obviously, I don’t agree 100% but you do make some valid points. Before I try to counter let me just state why most of these points applies less to me personally. You see, I’m pretty OCD when it comes to my gaming. Basically I play my open world games pretty “linearly”. In Elden Ring I started by doing every single thing in the first area, then followed the “yellow arrows” pretty slavishly throughout the campaign. The first thing my friend did was make a beeline for Caelid. He got slaughtered but he got a real shiny weapon for his troubles. And while I didn’t move on to the next area until clearing every single dungeon, beating every boss and finding every item (well…) my friend happily moved along after doing maybe half.
What I’m trying to say is, while you bring up important points, some of them applies less to me than they do to my friend, for example.
Also, it was not my meaning to call your criticism of the quest system “silly”. What I did find a bit silly was your “settlement rule”. So that’s on me, sorry.
Anyways, on to your criticisms:
1. Well, first off, isn’t this a universal dilemma for open world games? Sure, it might be more noticeable when the previous 4-6 games have been linear affairs. Some RPGs solve this by scaling enemies to your level, something I detest. And isn’t the fact that you can set off in any direction, nab a weapon, see some sights and then get absolutely slaughtered one of the charms of Elden Ring in particular and open world RPGs in general? I mean, even BotW, was lauded for the fact you could go anywhere and both enemies and the climate could put you in an early grave. So, yes, you can end up steamrolled by deviating from the path in Elden Ring but I think it’s something that comes with all open world games.
The other problem you mention, players steamrolling the opposition, is this really a thing? It’s just not something I’ve heard many complaints about.
2. Point conceded. This could be a hassle, at least initially. And not because I really NEEDED a +7 instead of my +6. It was more of an itch to scratch. So off I went to Reddit. It should be noted though, mid to late game this wasn’t a big problem, mostly because you could buy missing Smithing Stones at the round table. And at the end of the game I was bathing in stones
3. Was it always down the line though? I seem to recall having to visit places you already been to multiple times. Anyway, I see your point, it can get unwieldy in an open world. Look, I’m ancient. I grew up with the gold box D&D games, Might & Magic, Wizardry 6 and a host of other RPGs where the only way to map out an area or solve quests was by having pen and paper nearby. Add to that years of obscure Fromsoft quests and I actually managed Elden Rings quests pretty OK. Still had to consult the net for a handful but I needed some help in the previous soulsborne games as well.
In closing, you seem to have enjoyed the previous soulsbornes and felt like Elden Ring took the series off the rails. It simply doesn’t work for you. For me, Elden Ring was just MORE of the same drug I’ve been mainlining for years. Sure, it has some balancing issues and maybe every system isn’t pure perfection but it is one of my all time favorites.
And we both really like BotW!
Re: FromSoftware Boss Puts Elden Ring Difficulty Discourse to Bed, Once and For All
Games are art. And it is strictly up to the artist(s) how he presents his work to the world.
I applaud Miyazaki for holding firm in a gaming landscape that often goes for the lowest common denominator.
It’s not like there’s a lack of easy games on the market. Would I lower the difficulty after the 50th try against some sadistic boss if it were possible? Sure, the temptation would be strong. But it would also ruin that wonderful sense of accomplishment you get in Fromsoft games.
So, no difficulty options for me, please.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?
@Tchunga Dude, I said I adored BotW and called it a masterclass in open world design while criticizing it for simplistic quest design (something every Zelda game is guilty of). All you have done is heap scorn over Elden Ring, mostly about silly things. Sure, Elden Ring could’ve used some kind of Ubisoft quest tracker. I personally think that would have removed some of the Fromsoft charm, just like implementing soulslike quests in Zelda would be weird.
Did I use a guide? Sure, for maybe 3-4 quests. The rest I used my phones Notes app or they “solved themselves” while progressing.
Your thing about settlements is just weird. Like there is some kind of open world rule about this stuff. Like @Mythologue said, there are a bunch of settlements in Elden Ring. And they are just like settlements in every single Fromsoft soulslike. Obviously, you seem to hate it, I have zero issues with it.
The souls formula doesn’t work in an open world? Critics, and the internet, seem to disagree.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?
@Daleaf Yeah, he was a real drag. I gave it 5-10 tries but the fact that you have to beat that easy pre-boss dude every single time and then the Beast itself being so boring, I threw in the towel before trying summoning another human.
Basically, for me, Elden Ring is definitely more about the journey than the destination. I could rest easy without watching that final cutscene knowing that I did 95% of the content previously.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?
@Tchunga NPCs in Elden Ring actually give you tricky quests unlike BotW where 90% of NPCs just repeat inane dialogue and the other 10% give you simple fetch quests…
Yes, this is an exaggeration. I mean, you can actually “build” a town in BotW but in general NPC questlines are better in Elden Ring.
I have no idea why you got all defensive over my first post. I love both games dearly. It’s not a competition, they are both masterclasses in open world design. For me personally, Elden Ring takes the crown but the margins are razor thin. Obviously you like BotW more which I totally understand. You do you.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?
Already started!
I have over 300h in Elden Ring without actually beating it. I basically did everything in the game, then got frustrated on the last boss and moved on to the next game. So the DLC is perfect for me, not even Breath of the Wild can beat the sheer variety and scale of Elden Ring.
Re: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (PS5) - Familiar FromSoftware Brilliance
Since Elden Ring is a game stuffed to the gills with variety, “more of the same” is just what the doctor ordered.
Compare to Burning Shores which was a poster child of samey content and stale gameplay. Sure, Forbidden West was a pretty good game but the difference, compared to Elden Ring, is that after 200h of H:FW the last thing you want is an expansion. After 200h of Elden Ring I was begging for an expansion.
Re: Preview: Black Myth: Wukong Could Finally Be the Game Journey to the West Deserves
Game seems amazing and would normally be a pre-order/day 1 for me. But because of the joke that is the physical edition I’ll wait. Code in a box? No, thanks. Hopefully they really are working hard on the disc version so we don’t have to wait another year for it.
Re: Need Another Soulslike? Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Attacks PS5 Next Month
Already pre-ordered, my faith in soulslikes is absolute.
Of course, Black Myth Wukong looks even better but the lack of a proper physical edition means it’s going on the wait pile
Re: PS1-Style Horror Game Post Trauma Coming to PS5, Out This Year
Both this and Slitterhead dropping soon. Let the fall of the AA survival horror commence!
Fingers crossed for physical editions
Re: Slitterhead Dated for 8th November on PS5, PS4 in First Gameplay Trailer
Let us hope for a physical edition. This is right up my alley. Survival horror, flashbacks to Siren and a touch of soulslikes.
Hopefully the jank can be kept under control. This kind of close quarters combat requires stability and a fine touch.
Re: Many More PS5, PS4 Games from China on the Way
Yeah, real diverse…
4 out of those 5 games are gacha/f2p. It’s so depressing
Re: Monster Hunter Wilds Gets First Gameplay, Looks Like the Evolution of World
I still haven’t started MH World, it’s in my backlog. Last Monster Hunter I played was Tri on the Wii. I usually despise online multiplayer but the MH series has always been welcoming of single player campaigns.
But, like I said, I still have MH World plus MH Rise just standing in my shelf. It’s something about the 300h+ campaigns, every time I’m thinking of starting a new game I start to ponder “hmm, maybe those 300h could be better spent in Elden Ring or Baldurs Gate 3 or Xenoblade Chronicles or whatever RPG/soulslike is currently doing the rounds”
Maybe Wilds will be the Monster Hunter game for me!
Re: Infinity Nikki PS5 Is the Open World Anime Dress-Up Game of Your Dreams
WTF!
“Whether you’re in the meadow, frolicking among the flowers…” This is golden, hilarious!
So this is Pokémon Snap for tween girls? Not for me but at least it was the most unexpected trailer in this State of Play.
Alright, I’m off to frolick in some flowers
Re: Open World Martial Arts RPG Where Winds Meet Announced for PS5
Love soulslikes, love RPGs. This is day 1, whenever that may be. And I do expect a physical edition, otherwise no dice
And please axe the difficulty options…
Re: Silent Hill 2's PS5 Remake Emerges from the Fog on 8th October
I’m not expecting Capcom quality but I do expect it to be better than the horrid PS3 HD Collection.
I’ve actually never played the original. It came out during a period in my life where partying, living abroad and student life in general led to a pause in my gaming (yes, I’m old).
So my first impression of this game was the PS3 “remaster”, far from ideal. Looking forward to experiencing this version, jank be damned…