Titntin

@Dom_31 I played DD2 for 90 hours and enjoyed it.
Its not even fit to lick the boots of crimson desert though - not even close.

This is the correct way to recognise Devs.
Love to see it.

Yes, cant wait.
My fave AC game and its full of pirates and sea shanties.
I live in Brixham and its pirate festival this weekend (check 'Bixham pirate festival' on Google for pics).
I'll sail the high seas again and erase the horrid memories of skull and bones for ever.....

Crimson Dessert again I'm afraid. Got 130 hours in it and feel like I'm barely started!
It'll take small breaks to play Saros and Forza Horizon 6 when they release, but I suspect my time is taken for many more months.

Whatever you are all playing, I do hope you are having a great weekend!

@IOI Comparing this with Sony's PC ports is a real stretch. Xbox announced their next console is a PC and there were pictures all over the net of the Xbox ROG playing Spiderman. Of course porting to PC needed a re evaluation after those announcements, it would be ridiculous to allow Xbox most sony content 'via the backdoor'.

This is a completely different scenario to what Xbox have done/not done with their own releases, which is prompted by Xboxes need to actually sell some games they have developed.

Personally I don't really care - I have a series X so I'll play the worthwhile ones regardless.

Thanks Stephen, good review.
It was tough for me, but I played returnal for a long time and enjoyed myself. This game then is somewhat of a no brainer for me to buy and I'm really looking forward to trying this

That's fantastic! Good luck to them, I'll be interested to watch how they grow into it.

Its a cool unit, I had the original back in the day and we were paying nearly £220 a cart back then, back when £220 was worth something.

Much as I like to see this, you need to not care about money at all to be paying £70 a title for 'Magician Lord's or 'Metal slug', especially as these titles play perfectly elsewhere for a fraction of the cost.
Still, if I won the lottery and was building a games room, I'd pick it up without a thought!

Thank you! I've put this on my wishlist 😀

Thanks for the review Stephen, appreciated. As someone who got got 'caught' by survivors, I feel the need to check this out.
Fortunately its on GP so I can check it out on Xbox and see if it grabs me there!

Love to play it, but too many games ATM. Its on GPU, so I'll have to turn the Series X on to play, I'll get to it one day

'Idle speculation confirmed as not true SHOCKER!' 🤣

Already bought Horizon remastered and Motor Fest and can highly recommend both titles.

Fortunately, I like the look of some of the other titles too, but I'm unlikely to get the time for them as I have so many games waiting..

@CaptainWow Hernand, essentially the first biome. Took a northan detour to spread my wings, and dipped into the second area (Deminess) to follow the crow boss, but pretty much all of it in Hernand so far, building camp and questing. Just started chapter 6 earlier today.

Absolutely deserved and I appreciate that Liam did not use the opportunity to somehow dis the game again. Thank you.
Its good to hear that sales are so high. They absolutely deserve it, and I hope it encourages other developers to 'reach for the sky' in terms what they were aiming for. I would imagine if they have the ability to have some engine support staff, they could lisence this engine out for other Devs, its one of the better engines on the market right now.
My profile says 99 hours in, and I've barely traveled out of the first area. Despite the odd annoyance, this game has had so many 'wow' moments for me, I will remember this and reference it for many years to come.

Yet another attempt to throw shade from Push..how many of these articles can you post?

Delighted at the QOL improvements added to the game, and the Devs actually listening. I've played since release and the game has never felt broken just unbelievably full of systems and therefore complexity. Fortunately I've been playing all the camp missions, which are full of tutorial missions for the huge number of systems and things you can do in the game, many of which I might never have discovered.
Lots of respect for Black pearl, I like the way they made their game and now I like the way they support it.

@Stocksy Just be glad we live in a culture where people are seen as more than just a workbot and getting a balance between work/life is seen as important. I feel sorry for a culture where you are defined by your job and all else is subservient to this.

@DennisReynolds Sorry to hear that mate. Wow they certainly did screw it up!

@DennisReynolds
'its not the worst version as the Xbox version is the same.'
I don't know why you say that, could you please share the evidence that led you to make that claim please?
Certainly comparing the reception of this title on Pure, where no one is talking about crashes, with here, where loads of people seem to be experiencing them, would not back this up. It certainly doesn't match with my experience, I played 80 + hours on my series X with plenty of bugs but no crashes. I watched my friend play on PS% pro and have 3 crashes in 30 minutes - we switched it off. So it also doesn't match with my own (albeit limited) experience.
Be nice to know where you got your figures from!

@Northern_munkey Thanks for banging the drum and shining a light on their continued hypocrisy, though they usually just delete the post if you call them out!

I expect them to do the bare minimum to keep the game running and not lose sales through refunds and nothing more. We've been watching their poor responses to these types of issues since the mid nineties, and they wont suddenly change and become responsive now.

Thank you Stephen, you have fast become the best reviewer on the site, and your writing is excellent.

Another banger from capcom. I've had this one in my sights since that announcement all them years back - its great to see it turn out this way. I'll probably wait to pick it up in a sale as I'm pretty covered for games right now and in the coming months (assuming I'm ever finished with Crimson Dessert that is.)

@wildcat_kickz @Stocksy @1UP-HUSKY
Thanks for your sympathy, appreciated. I was describing the crunch for Dungeon Keeper 2 in 1999.
27 years and we haven't changed a bit. The more things change, the more they stay the same eh?

@TheWarPigeon Yeah the word salad is getting boring and certainly not serving the interests of anyone looking for a good debate. I tell you, quite correctly that the game is based on a story, you tell me it isn't, but admit you've hardly played the game - there is no conversation to be had.
When you eventually play the game (if ever) you will be surprised as tojust how much story there is and how it drives your progression. Until then, your just someone who dismisses others experiences without having the experience yourself.
Please feel free to never reply to my comments unless you have experienced the game yourself and are talking from a place of knowledge rather than assumption.
Good day to you.

The people expected to have no life and work 7 days a week with no overtime are not the people who will benefit if the game is a success. It literally over paid executives cracking the whip so they can run off with the money.

I've been expected to do it several times, but E.A. were the worst. I literally used to get up at 6am and I got home about 10 to 10.30 pm and was still getting called out for leaving too early. This was 7 days a week and went on for many months. Did I get a big bonus for a delivering a successful game - of course I didn't.

This has been 'most likely AAA title to get pushed back' since we last saw it.
I'm hoping I'll like it, but I was really hoping for this year...

@TheWarPigeon I retract nothing as I simply don't believe you have played the game. The game and its progression and systems are absolutely focussed on a narrative, which you would know if you played it.
I agree 'narrative action game' IS a broad definition, but it does define a class of games for which full character creation may be incompatible. Crimson Desert is such a game.
I'm not hugely bothered when people criticise a game I like, even if its one I helped to develop. You cant please everyone.
But I do have an issue with a site I've supported for so long showing they have such biasis as I'd prefer better of Push, and I feel I'm allowed to say so - without being targeted by a reply suggesting I'm not playing a narrative title which has set traits for it character to deliver the story - when I so clearly am.

@HRdepartment I prey for you! You got this 😀 Took me over 400 hours to complete it 3 times for platinum, but that's mainly because I'm not too good with the souls type fighting and had to brute force my way through most of it by over levelling 🤣

Rather predictably, I'm still in Crimson Dessert and still rebuilding the Graymane's. Over 70h now and still in the first area playing the story and quests there. I think this could last some time!

I will take a break for FH6 when it launches - how could I not?

Hope you are all enjoying whatever you are playing.

@TheWarPigeon Its quite clear that you have not played the game. It is absolutely not a broad stroke to define this as a narritive exploration game and I've so far spent nearly 70 hours doing exactly this and not much more, as have many others I've shared experiences with. Suggesting the narrative is not a main point can only be said by someone who not played it. Maybe you've followed the troubled development story and understand that this originated as an MMO design and you can certainly see many signs of that thought the game, but its not by lack of effort as the story is huge and sweeping and has just as many character interactions, friend and base building, as any other design of title I have played. The story of the breakup of the Greymaynes and the rebuilding of their community is absolutely tied into the significant events of the game, and the character motivation for being there and the way in which the world interacts with him.
That the story may not be the best top teir story in a game is clear, but is absolutely central to this narritve adventure game which would be obvious to you if you had any experience of actually playing the game.
For better or ill, this game was released as a narrative adventure, its absolutly how this game was designed (eventually) and delivered, and its clear that the Devs put huge effort into this side once the game was redesigned.
If you wish to comment on the game with such sweeping generalisations, then you need to actually play and engage with it, as its clear you do not have the experience with which to jump to your conclusions.
Do I wish Kliff had a more engaging character? Absolutely. Does his VA? I hope so cause its a bad job. But its clear why he's there , how his background and ties to his fellows shape what he is doing and why he is doing it. Its also very clear why there is no character creation, and its got nothing to do with wether you love him or not..its because he is one of a very tight knit band, who's downfall and reconstruction are a very central plot line for this narrative led game.

I understand many people hated Deacon St John too, and many profess an issue with Aloi in the Horizon games. Just as with them, Kliffs identity is central to the plot delivered.

Anyway, enough waffle, its clear we will not see eye to eye on this unless you play and experience what the title delivers.
I wish you a good day.

Thank you Stephen, I always appreciate these lists and I think the picks are a good solid all round selection. We are not exactly short of great games, right now and in the near future, but I cant resist a bargain!
Is it a bargain if then sits in my playlist for a year? Probably not, but shhhh, you'll give my wife ideas! 🤣

@TheWarPigeon What utter bull. You should understand what the article is about before jumping in with a reply that clearly shows you have no idea what you are talking about.
This is not about whether its a likeable character or not? What are you on?
This is a large narrative action game and its pretty common for them to have no character customisation as I clearly stated.
It would be like allowing players to create their own 'Deacon' in days gone. Imagine a female pink hair bathing suited character in that game - its just stupid there and it would be stupid here.
Whether the character is 'loved' or not has absolutely nothing to do with it. Writing your response shows you genuinely have no insight at all into what is under discussion and absolutely no idea of game design... I'm not interested in weather a character is 'liked' - we are discussing weather it would approprite to have their character designed by the player or not, at least read what you are jumping into.

@Northern_munkey Delighted you are enjoying it my friend - Gran Turismo and NMS alone are great reasons to have a headset. I'm so gutted I get so ill with VR, the scale is awe inspiring and I'd love to be able to participate!

@lazarus11 Yes mate, I threw myself out of the abyss and landed there. In the minute or two before I got roundly destroyed by the army I seemed to land in the middle of, I thought - this is pretty!

Didn't require a second of thought.
Crimson Desert is the best game I've played since Elden Ring, and may go on to be better by the time I've finished it (sometime next year no doubt!).
Its fantastic to see a developer use a custom engine to such results, and even better, to do things there way, not copying and pasting other teams solutions.
Is it perfect? No, but its such a phenomenal achievement I'm not looking for perfection. The best versions of most things have little flaws and I'll take them every day in a title with such depth.

Anyone taking any notice of Patcher and his dumb and always wrong predictions clearly hasn't been in the gaming space for long.

Decent mix, should be something that appeals to most.
I'm happy to have the tomb raider re releases - its not something I'd have paid for, but I'll be happy to have them available - perfect Plus material!

The art direction is really sublime and the music can be pretty special too. Unfortunately, the game play doesn't match this with a lack of any finesse in the combat and issues with level layout such that I got stuck in the scenery once to often. But theres some good boss encounters - one in particular I'll always remember.
I was fortunate to play it on GP, but I'd recommend waiting for a discount if you think its undoubted charms need to be experienced!

@Oram77 @AnginaPectoris I'm obsessed with Crimson Dessert - I may take a break for Saros, but I cant imagine putting CD down for very long!
Nice to be blessed with so many titles I really want to play 😃

With Saros coming very soon, this one will have to wait, but it looks great so It'll definitely get to it!

I remember playing the original game in in about 1990 when I was 26 and hanging around the Soho arcades in London. I always knew it as Tatsujin untill there was a western version released on the mega drive and they called it Truxtun, a name I don't find as appealing.
I loved this back in the day, it was tough, but you could learn it and succeed as you could many of the great schumups in that time period.
I hope this new version keeps the playability, and I'm keen to hear the newly composed music. I might wait till its in a sale, but I'll definitely be buying this and hoping it lives up to the originals playability.

@hol_up Two screen taps mate.Its not hard to see you came here specifically to troll.

Games have made more money than films for a long time now - its not surprising the very biggest of them will cost the same budget as an epic film.
Its endlessly amusing to see people without the slightest idea of development process's talking as if they know how they are made. I guess the internet made everyone an expert eh?
Just like films, there are a large range of budgets and costs associated with games. The investment can be high, but the returns for a worldwide hit can be even higher. Its the standard risk/reward based investment that's been happening for 40 years or more and wont stop because some journo calls it unsustainable.

@ElectricWizard That may be the case, but Playstation support physical media while Xbox doesn't (look at its own titles to check - no physical). I'm digital only, but I think theres a lot of people who would choose to have competition from physical discs and prices rather than a digital reseller.
I could be wrong mind you, but there seems to be strong support on this site for physical (I'm all digital myself).
Have a good one. 😀

@RoomWithaMoose
Off course life isn't a console war - who said it is? You are the only one to mention such a thing.
I'm merely remarking that Xbox and its supporters are much more suportive of MS than Sony players are of Playstation. Part of that is editorial decisions on this site, but the difference is quite notable and I noted it.
I tend to play most on PS rather than Xbox or Nintendo, but I engage far more with Pure as a site as the users are not so quick to jump on a hate bandwagon and you can usually get a better conversation there. For all his faults Fraser actually supports Xbox, in strong contrast to this site.
Have a good one 😀

The practice of offering targeted discounts has been running on Xbox for over a year with no one really remarking on it.
The difference is Sammy likes a rage bait headline,and the ps members he's attracted here with this over the last couple of years love to attack their own platform.

What a shame that using Push Squares new scoring policy this game is a 'Major Disappointment', it sounded like you quite enjoyed it.

I do like a good arcade racer and am tempted to try it regardless!
Good write up Stephen thanks for this.

@MARl0 The four trigger design on Sony's pads is not 'one or the other' they are used to give several options at the same time. There is no mandate that you will not have to use both triggers and unless you are only playing driving games, using multiple triggers is a part of gaming.
I'm delighted you have access to statistics on 'what most people do', would you mind linking me to the statistics that show this please. Unless of course you are just assuming that everyone does what you do?
I still contend that if you have issues hitting two triggers at once you are clearly not much of a games player and its a mechanic that's been used in a large number of titles for launching a special move.
If you wanna cry that hitting two triggers is too difficult, then maybe gaming is not for you and you certainly should not be reviewing a title on a PS website.

I know not everyone agrees, and it has some jank, but Crimson Desert is an epic world to get lost in and I'm slowly unraveling its charms. I suspect I'll be playing this for a long while to come.
I'll break this up with some old school schumups and get my fighting stick out for a while too.

Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have a lot of fun!

I haven't had time to play for very long, but I must admit I have no real issue with what I've played so far, and if using a button combo like R1 and R2 at the same time is difficult for people, I wander if they've played games before? Theres nothing even remotely difficult about that.
The arm wrestling mini game however had me screaming at the screen. Got an online tip and put it back in performance mode and completed it immediately. So far the voice acting and script have been OK and though the story is a bit obscure, I don't mind it at all. I think many might be put off by the sheer number of side missions mind you. Maybe they grow into more interesting distractions later, but initially they are basic fetch quest type objectives. I'm happy enough to do such busy work, but I understand that these will disappoint some!
I never thought this game would be for everyone, and I can understand why. But it IS for me, I'm happy so far.