Spiders

@Flaming_Kaiser I really mean “Netflix-like UI” in a general sense... I’m not talking about Netflix I’m talking about XBox Gamepass on PC. For @200 games, it does a very good job and I’m contrasting it as “Netflix-like” to storefronts like Steam, PS Store, and Xbox Game Store, and to other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Hulu that features content that requires further subscriptions alongside the included content. “Netflix-like” in that it focuses you on what you can access immediately, and not trying to sell you more.

@rjejr I heard good things about Bug Tales... I only ever played Super Paper Mario so I have a lower bar than you haha.
Did you see Cris Tales got added to PC Gamepass? I wonder if that’s up your alley. Looks gorgeous.

@Flaming_Kaiser For a library of about 200 games you have access to, the Netflix 'style' as opposed to a Steam Library 'style' works very well. You can just have all the games A-Z if you'd like, or explore by genre, plus there's a "Play Next" list which works like a queue. A sidebar has icons all your installed games.
What video streaming service do you think does UI better than Netflix?

This game looks like a knock-off energy drink come to life.

@mrtennis1990 I know you didn’t ask me but I’ll chime in anyway. Look at the list of games - nobody can tell you how good the value is to you. The Xbox app is very slick and Netflix-like. A lot less store-centric and ad-centric than Steam, Epic, or the XBox consoles. Faster for me to get into a game than Steam, but lacks some of the nice community features, playtime clock, and easy access to game files.

I have an XBox One controller, but I lost the dongle so I just plug it in via USB. Not sure how it functions with other controllers without additional software or drivers.

As a console player I really like using it - but for PC gamers a lot of things are a little more difficult like modding, organizing your library and getting third-party software to access the game files (like benchmarking for example). For a buck it’s worth a try for a month if a title grabs your interest (like Psychonauts 2).

“While the overall art direction doesn’t personally appeal to this particular author...”

...who asked? I don’t mind a bit of personality in my news, but this comes off as fanboy-ish in the context of the article. Hope you’re not doing the review.

@rjejr @Agramonte Same... Psychonauts 2 got me to try Gamepass on PC.

Confusing headline for US readers... to “table” something means to postpone it in the States.

@darksoul77 They has their once a generation creative outburst with Mario x Rabbids. Maybe BG+E 2 will be the next title exempt form their business-first game design.

The Tom Clancy entry into Ubisoft’s live service initiative. Woo.

@culjoseth I'm skeptical — XCX and Subnautica are in my top 25 games of all-time and generally I prefer new experiences to polished ones, but I'm looking forward to giving it a chance eventually.

If it's as good as you say, I'll come back here give you some PushSquare comment bucks.

@Culjoseth Ghost of Tsushima is better than Xenoblade Chronicles X and Subnautica!?

They all set out to do completely different things with their open world — if Ghost does what it wants to do half as well as those games, I’m in for a treat when I get around to it. My impression though, is it’s an Ubisoft style open world that does little to shake up the formula.

@gollumb82 Same. I was on a feudal Japan kick after playing Sekiro and Nioh 2, but I’m too skeptical about a go to the icon-fest open world for more than 20 bucks or a PSNow sub. It’s very tempting though!

@Ear_wiG That’s definitely the fault of the game design... never played GoT but many open world games share that problem.
Assassin’s Creed 2 was the best game I ever played for about four hours... then the difficulty curve went off a cliff. I don’t need to engage with any of the games mechanics, I don’t need to sneak around unless forced to by a mission because combat is trivial... I don’t even need a weapon because I can take the enemies‘. It went from a completely immersive world to 1) rotate camera towards objective marker, 2) press forward, 3) hold X.
I don’t play a lot of open world games, but for example Xenoblade Chronicles X and Subnautica do not have that problem. Their are layers of challenge that are spread throughout the experience. You never become overpowered for very long, you’re just able to meet the next layer of challenge.

I’m not sure how GoT handles this, but no shame in blaming the design if you’re not enjoying it. You are not the problem!!!

I’m bummed they’re re-releasing it... seemed about due for a price drop. One day... I’ll come back in a couple of years and rate in the poll.

@KippDynamite Agreed. I don’t think a dedicated handheld spec will ever fly again. Switch works because it’s hybrid, Steam Deck hypothetically works because it shares the PC storefronts. A Sony handheld would have to literally be a PS4 to succeed — full compatibility with current library, no “handheld upgrade fee”, and push developers to continue a cross-gen philosophy. Never say never, but it ain’t happening.

Slick design, but 1440p on a 6” screen? WHY?

Well deserved. New to the series (I bought Revelator on sale and bounced off almost immediately), and I gotta say it’s the most fun I’ve had playing a fighting game since the Capcom arcade heyday (SF Alpha 2, Third Strike, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, etc.). The mechanics are so elegant and the learning curve is really good - I’m a very poor execution player but I’ve managed to get on the 9th floor (our of 10?) in ranked learning the game’s fundamentals and characters. Combos feel very natural - once you know your character you can feel your way through them rather than rely on rote memorization.

@sanderson72 You're right Sony (and many others) dropped motion controls like a hot potato, but we're just going disagree on the practical applications. AFAIK Playstation never hosted a good implementation (Tearaway Unfolded was decent), so I understand it being a niche, but I don't think it's a gimmick. I agree they shouldn't be mandatory, but gyro controls should be seen as an accessibility option at minimum - we should be encouraging devs to implement them on systems that support them.

Being a leftie, I don't have the coordination in my right hand to aim. Using "southpaw" options is an embarrassing spectacle, as I'm trying to fight decades of muscle memory. The difference for me is being below average at FPS and TPS shooters VS being able to compete at the top ranks in games that support gyro + sticks.

If you ever get the chance, I hope you try out a game with great implementation of gyro + thumbsticks like Splatoon 2 (Switch), Doom Eternal (Switch), or Apex Legends (Switch).

I love “ok” games, and a lot of the “great” games just appeal to the lowest common denominator. Seriously though, every time this guy opens his mouth I’m less excited about the future of Playstation.

@sanderson72 The motion control fad? It’s the cornerstone of VR and gyro controls are so much better for aiming than thumb sticks alone. It’s a shame only devs on Nintendo hardware bother to implement it. It really bridges the gulf between controllers and KB+M. Steam Controller also has built-in options to roll your own gyro controls in most games.

You’re probably right about the activity cards, but if there was the possibility of developers providing hints without spoilers (which are almost always the case online) it would be a strong selling point for me.

@get2sammyb I appreciate your honesty.

@playstation1995 Makes you wonder how many reviewers were “not in the mood”. Not very professional!

This technology sounds pretty good! Hope it delivers, and they add it to a sports game I care about:P

Is this not a “playable trailer”? Seems stupid to release video trailers in its own app id there’s no real-time element to them. Are we sure it’s not a proper engine demo?

It must suck to have your livelihood’s fate tied to what some corporate division decides to do with the IP you work on in other domains. Like the games or not, NRS and TT have been putting out quality titles and done great work for their respective brands.

@Voltan I was hoping that was the case. Haven’t played Returnal yet but it’s the main reason I want a PS5.

Am I the only one worried about “bigger, more ambitious?”
Housemarque is practically alone in designing tight, arcade inspired games with skill mechanics and tons of replay value for a big publisher. They’re a close as we have to a modern day Treasure. I’d hate to lose them to the fluff and padding of the “bigger” AAA titles they seem to want to make.

What a shame. I don’t know whose decision it was to leave all their franchises in the past, but it’s no wonder they couldn’t find commercial success. Just looking through their published games on wikipedia, there’s decades of great IP stuck on PS1, PS2 and handhelds.
Even something just like leaving Tokyo Jungle to rot on the PS3 store boggles my mind.

Cute tag line, but the community manager promised much longer support at launch. This might have to do with the WB /AT&T merger that are cutting resources for NRS (speculation), but either way this isn’t positive news.

Rarely do I not even bother to Add To Library.

@AFCC I was in two different threads and got confused. My bad!

And here I was waiting for a price drop...

Anything shy of the Kohima PT/Silent Hills tease is going to be a disappointment for most fans.
I’d say have an open mind and let’s see what Bloober can do. Maybe Blue Box is Bloo Ber and Konami insisted they change their dumb name to something else.

@Olmaz You’re a stronger person than I! I agree there is a completeness to the package played in full with the DLC that doesn’t really leave me wanting more, besides a play through on better hardware than a base PS4.

All that said, with a clean enough break... the idea of walking into Faden’s office and picking up the Service Weapon off her dead body would be an exhilarating sequel.

4 player co-op is the new open-world game. Is the a result of pandemic psychology and the kinds of games people think we want to play? The breakout success of Among Us? I’m really baffled..

@AFCC What does that have to do with bloated, padded game design?

Returnal is the only title that really has me itching for a PS5, as would any future exclusive Housemarque games. Smart move by Sony.

@AFCC I always found that funny - that Nintendo was the one in the end who fulfilled Sony’s promise of ending the “handheld ghetto”.

Oh no! What about all those messages from girls who thought my profile pic was cute and wanted to send me nude pics?

Underrated game and I hope Spiders (no relation) keeps aiming upward. Most issues can be directly tied to the budget, yet the game can surprise you and outclasses many “AAA” RPGs in a lot of ways.

Guilty Gear STRIVE. It cannot be understated how good the netcode is, and how that elevates the entire package. As much as I’ve enjoyed any fighting game, when the rubber meets the road playing other people has to be an enjoyable experience. Without locals or friends who play, online is the only option, and every game I’ve loved before has been miserable to play.

@gavin_is_gavin It seems silly at first glance but I totally agree. With a roster of 15 I can actually go through and learn all characters at a basic level and then matchups for who I decide to main.

@Loftimus I think that’s what Geoff Keighley is trying to do with Summer Games Fest.

@fR_eeBritney You can just stop an take a drink whenever you want though.... I understand Demon’s Souls load screens actually had lore and art and were interesting enough, but enjoying load times is very peculiar.

@z0d15g0d You already got the avatar, you know how good it is!

For all these complaints about E3 2021 my wallet wishes I had your guy’s tastes. So much goodness coming down the pike!

The vision for Summer Games Fest >>>> traditional e3. I really like a “season” for hype and reveals, but the structure for e3 is terrible and most of these publishers shouldn’t have bothered showing up.

@FatalBubbles FF7-R is probably the perfect example for me. I beat it, but never really understood the combat. I didn’t realize I was using the wrong move to build the stagger meter the whole time, and really didn’t understand the purpose of different attacks besides the range and timing. It’s the lack of difficulty that makes me feel I never had to bother, and the idea of playing on Hard wasn’t an option because I didn’t understand the systems anyway.

God Of War has more variety in its challenges like keeping the valkyrie fights optional. I think I took down one, but for others it’s like I don’t even understand how to be better at this and was figuring I just needed better gear. By the time I got to the top of the mountain I lost interest to go back... that’s another thing From does really well for me is the incentives locked behind the difficulty are better just by dint having no other choice. I don’t need the bragging rights or the trophy for a higher difficulty and don’t care to “master” many games unless it’s a something like Bayonetta where mastery is the meat of the experience.

@gusglez Review outlets tend to have a very low threshold for “jank” unless it’s a Bethesda game. I felt the same way until I saw some videos on an RPG youtube channel and I was sold. All that said I haven’t played it yet, finishing Dragon’s Dogma, then on to Elex.

Well deserved, and I hope more people get into it. I’m new to Guilty Gear and having so much fun. I can tell I’ll be playing this for years.

@Dr-M There is an arcade mode, mission mode which is a very in-depth tutorial, and a really well-done training mode. I’ve never been a “lab” person, but I’m spending hours in training mode having a blast.

The amazing netcode is really the pearl in the oyster, so if you’re not interested in that maybe wait for a sale.