Comments 845

Re: 17 More PS Plus Extra, Premium Games Available Now on PS5, PS4

Ristar24

As a non subscriber, thought I'd check if I could download Type 4 as owned as the game as a PS1 classic on PS3 / PSP, but no. Seems strange as its very selective, I was able to download the PS1 Abe games and PS1 Resident Evil from owning them digitally on PS3, but not Ridge Racer. Shame, but I can still play it on PS3.

Re: Feature: ICO At 21 - Remembering Fumito Ueda's Seminal PS2 Classic

Ristar24

I remember seeing ICO on sale, I think in HMV on Oxford street, I didn't have a PS2 at the time, but I almost bought it just for the great cover art. I finally played it on PS3 in the HD collection with Shadow of the Colossus and it did really impress me, though equally I've not played it since, it is a very memorable game.

Re: Sonic Frontiers Gets Its First Free DLC Expansion This Week

Ristar24

I do own this on PS4, but I just could not get into the game. Put it down on the first island as felt quite aimless, and not gone back yet. Got to a section I was fighting a large creature and it all seemed so imprecise control-wise. Maybe if I get a PS5 will try again with the improved 60fps performance.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 468

Ristar24

Was working today... but hoping to find some time to play some more Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse.
Continuing to play through Monster World IV on the Wonderboy Anniversary Collection. Never played through the whole game before, though Dragon's Trap was one of my favourite Master System titles.
Also still playing Slipstream, a great retro style arcade racer which is like OutRunners meets OutRun 2, which I keep coming back to.

Re: Resident Evil 4 (PS5) - A True Masterpiece Made Even Better

Ristar24

The movement in the demo seemed somehow a bit floaty to me, compared to the snappy original. Based on the demo at least, I've not tried the full game. It looked great, but it didn't feel as good to play, perhaps as I am so used to the original and I am only going on the demo. I did pre order the original back on GameCube so played it at release and it was really impressive at the time, but the action for me became a bit prolonged in the island section.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 467

Ristar24

Decided to pick up Project Zero (Fatal Frame): Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, was going to wait for a sale, but I'd wanted to play this game on the Wii, and of course it never left Japan officially (though I know there was fan translation patch). I played the first two back on the original Xbox and thought the 2nd game was outstanding within the genre. Though I dont think the later games with the over the shoulder camera are as good overall, I'm glad to finally play this entry in the series.

Also redownloaded Streets of Rage 4 to try the new patch, and maybe some Metroid: Fusion on Switch, as they added it to NSO.

Re: Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse (PS5) - A Warts and All Survival Horror Remaster

Ristar24

I think Fatal Frame / Project Zero 2 was a hightpoint of the series for me, the first game is also good and I've not played the 3rd one as I owned an Xbox at the time. I was really anticipating this one on the Wii as I thought the 2nd game was outstanding within the genre, but of course it never came to Europe. Oddly, the Wii did recieve a third person remake of Fatal Frame 2 in Europe which I did play and which was styled more like this game, but it wasn't as good as the original version with its 'fixed' RE style camera angles for exploration.

Am interested to finally play this one, though may wait for a sale. I think I actually prefer the 'fixed' camera of the early games for exploration, to the broadly third person view which follows your character, and the controls inplemented in this release and thereafter.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 464

Ristar24

@JamieO I remember the old days of VC Reviews and then the early days of Nintendo Life, seems retro itself now! The Virtual Console was how I first played a lot of SNES games as I went from the Master System to the Mega Drive in the early 90s, after the C64.

The Saturn was great to import 2D games for, while the PlayStation was really capturing the wave of emerging 3D games, the Saturn was receiving amazing ports of 2D games like X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, where the RAM cart reduced loading to practicality nothing. Capcom Gen 5 almost brought the arcade versions of Street Fighter 2 home. I also imported a few Neo Geo ports like The King of Fighters and Metal Slug, and the the Japanese SEGA Ages releases of OutRun and Power Drift. The Saturn was a great console at the time, but I can see why the buzz was more around the PlayStation and emerging 3D games.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 464

Ristar24

When not at work... am nearing the end of Metroid Prime Remastered, what a great game it still is today, and an excellent update of the original. Also finally got around to playing some more of Grid on the Switch, it's a very well done and technically impressive port. If feeling retro, might play Stunt Car Racer on the A500 Mini.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 463

Ristar24

@JamieO No worries at all, life can be quite busy these days, and gaming often has to take a back seat. I'm working today myself, but just popped onto Push Square for a usual check in of 'what are you playing this weekend', always interesting to read people's recomendations.

Origins is really good, looks very nice on the Switch OLED where the lack of screen filters are less noticable. I really recomend the Metroid Prime remaster, I also played the game back on the GameCube and am close to the end of the game now on Switch, it's a really great remaster of a classic.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 463

Ristar24

Metroid Prime Remastered, I was very suprised to see this game announced and released the same day last, had the original and this is a great update.

@JamieO Origins is a good collection overall, but it really could benefit from some better screen filter options. The 'Plus' Id like to see would be the addition of the 8-bit the Master System and Game Gear games, maybe even the Neo Geo Pocket game as I've never played that one!

Re: PS5 Shipments Eclipse 32.1 Million Units, with Huge Year Ahead

Ristar24

My PS4 launch broke during the pandemic, I couldn't obtain a new Pro or a PS5 at the time, so I bought a slim. Then I bought an OLED Switch and somehow, despite the graphical limitations, it's become my most played console. Really enjoying all the retro games and it tends to do well with older ports like Dragon's Dogma. I'm not a big fan of Zelda myself, but PS5 just hasn't compelled me back to PlayStation yet.

Re: PS Plus Members Lose 19 Games in May as Sony Drops PS Plus Collection

Ristar24

@JP80 Yep, seems almost a retro thing now. I buy mostly digital on my Switch these days just for convenience, only own 4 cartridges. PS4, my last purchases were also digital.

I like the idea of a physical copy in theory, partly for preservation. Something like the digital PS3 version of OutRun 2, or other licenced games that get delisted, is a real shame.

Re: PS Plus Members Lose 19 Games in May as Sony Drops PS Plus Collection

Ristar24

@JP80 Good point, I remember running the disc version of Drive Club unpatched on my PS4, was like a different game. Dirt 5 was also missing many effects as your car interacted with the terrain on PS4. Think we often don't realise what might be missing on that unpatched disc (outside of some of the more publicised games, like Cyberpunk), so once the patch is gone...

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 461

Ristar24

Has to be GoldenEye on the Switch, at first the controls really put me off, until I realised you could remap them in the Switch settings and swap the analogue sticks. I never owned a N64, but did used to play this game a lot at a friends house, its still an enjoyable game.

Also picked up the new digital version of Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection, which is a great collection of the games including multiple versions. Shame it's missing home computer versions such as the C64, but still a good collection for a fan of the series, if a bit pricey.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 460

Ristar24

Revisiting Double Dragon Neon on Switch after first playing on PS3 10 years ago! I's still a good game and I think the soundtrack is great. Also maybe some Atari 50th, VCTR-SCTR is one of the stand outs on the collection for me. Though it's a 'new' game which remixes Asteroids, Temest, Lunar Lander... it's really addictive. Jeff Minter's Tempest 2000 has also been updated with analogue control and an overclocked 60fps mode.

Re: Mini Review: Ridge Racer 2 (PSP) - A Greatest Hits Album for Arcade Racing Royalty

Ristar24

I owned the first PSP game digitally, but this one was disc only, I did have the disc, it but would have been nice if it was digital to play on the Vita. If I could buy it without subscribing, I probably would. I actually still boot up my PS3 for Ridge Racer 7, it still looks great in 1080p and 60fps. The one other arcade racer I really want to return is OutRun 2, even a port of 2006 would be great, but due to licensing it wont happen.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 458

Ristar24

Playing some of the games on the Disney Lion King / Aladdin collection, the Capcom SNES version of Aladdin was a nice suprise, a really enjoyable little 16 bit platformer to discover. Also giving Crash Nitro-Fueled another go and actually learned how to properly drift / boost this time, fun game so far.

Re: Game of the Year: #7 - Sonic Frontiers

Ristar24

I bought on PS4 and the irregular frame pacing in addition to the 30fps just took the fun out of the game. Got to a part where I was fighting a large enemy on the first island and the weird physics, fast motion and bad frame rate, made success feel more like luck than skill. It also all felt a bit aimless. I've not gone back to the game, maybe if I get a PS5 at some point will try again with improved performance, am sure will be better to play.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Xmas 2022 Edition

Ristar24

Been playing 'Legends of Amberland: the Forgotten Crown' over on Switch. Came across this on a website which listed first person, grid based, dungeon crawlers as its a genre I enjoy, which is less popular these days. Had on my wish list for a sale. It's a great little streamlined, retro style game.

Also playing some good old Wreckfest and perhaps some Xenoblade 3, or might run through the Christmas stages in Great Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 446

Ristar24

When not working, will be 'playing' the Super Castlevania IV soundtrack on vinyl I picked up last week. Might revisit the game too, it's one of my favourites. Also been going back to Need for Speed Hot Persuit Remastered. I never did complete it on PS3, but got back into the remastered version recently, it's actually a really challenging racer. Also part way through a new play through of Alien Isolation, such a great game.