@Archaeokaiser Alan Wake is wall-to-wall homages to Twin Peaks and Stephen King and other pre-existing IP and hardly the pinnacle of originality...but if you want to act like that was some massively inspired choice, go for it.
Luckily, we've learned from this generation that it'll be virtually pointless to support the PS6 in its first several years of release, so hopefully the RAM market is doing better around 2029-2030. (Or whenever PHYSINT comes out.)
I remember being outraged and jealous when the PS5 Pro was first announced. The price tag was too ridiculous to even consider it, but I was bummed that I wouldn't have the ideal equipment for upcoming games like Death Stranding 2.
Fast forward to today: DS2 performed enjoyably enough on a base console, and all three of the other games I've purchased recently are apparently WORSE to play on a Pro console.
I never played the PSP version and the changes just would've been foreign to me. Seems like they knocked this out of the park if that's the main flaw. Definitely buying this.
The original was polished and fun (enough), with a great setting as its biggest strength. I've never been eager for another 80 hours of open-world busy work, though. I'm so exhausted with all of the collectibles and repetitive tasks in games like this, it's just blatantly uninspired filler.
I'm trying to replay the original first so I can segue directly into the sequel! And I'm very glad I had already decided on that beforehand, since Amazon whiffed big time and still hasn't delivered the game...
One of the hints that Kojima's games are special is the way he manages to trigger some gamers so profoundly. It's easy to understand that the gameplay might not be for everyone... But not as easy to figure out why that prompts some people to post ten different negative comments in a rage, all throughout the day.
It's finally here! I have been bogged down with the Yakuza series (which can monopolize your time way too easily), but I plan to refresh myself with a run through Death Stranding Director's Cut and then get started on this ASAP.
The gameplay was phenomenal and the story was atrocious. Not just the broad strokes, either--it was bad down to the smaller moments and little bits of interstitial dialogue.
For example: Ellie's cynical mockery of random dead bodies during her travels (since it's implied that they're "chuds," so naturally they don't deserve to live). On one level, it's horrific because of how obviously she's a self-insert for the annoying writers, but it's even more idiotic since you'd think someone would place a bit more value on people's lives when the whole human race is fighting for survival.
Another example: The absolutely ham-fisted attempts to humanize Abby and her crew after they've already been shown to be callous and bloodthirsty, to put it mildly. Even if I accept Abby's motivations for murder, it doesn't explain why all of her friends exult in a man being beaten to death and happily participate. Regardless, when we next meet them we're expected to find them lovable based on their unfunny banter and enthusiasm for burritos. It was nauseating.
Another: An old man briefly speaks to Ellie in a bigoted manner. A lot of people would probably flip them the bird and move on, but this is a huge point of emphasis for some reason. Probably because these are the issues the writers are obsessed with on a personal level, and they couldn't see past their own noses.
I could go on listing examples of why I found the writing cringe-worthy, but there's a segment of the audience who found all this crap palatable, and beyond them, there's no one left who needs these things explained.
Yeah, this is one of those games that I still might enjoy playing somewhat (for THPS3), but can't justify rewarding the developer for... So I'll wait 'til I can snag a copy on eBay for $15.
I consider this the protest vote of the gaming world.
I'm actually getting excited for Metal Gear Solid Delta, but if it turns out it's been prudishly edited in unnecessary ways, I'll probably just stick to the original and look forward to MGS Collection Vol. 2.
Martin clearly contributed virtually nothing to the game itself other than the use of his name for marketing purposes. The lore was extremely similar to FromSoft's previous games. But it's nice to see he's got another effort-free paycheck coming his way so the movie posters can say "from the creator of Game of Thrones."
@PuppetMaster He still looks like a young man, if that counts for anything.
And if he's anything like Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli, his eventual retirement may not last very long... Miyazaki's "final" film came out 12 years ago, but he just released a new one a year or so ago, and I believe he's working on yet another one now.
I was a kid when Metal Gear Solid was released, with no idea that I'd still be greedily anticipating the next game from Kojima when I was pushing 50. But I bet it'll be worth the wait.
I don't watch the show because I really disliked the story of TLOU2, but I have a morbid curiosity about it and have been reading these reviews for that reason.
Why is it that the episode reviews constantly highlight glaring flaws in the show, but it's still getting a pass no matter what?
A week or two ago, the reviewer said it might have to be downgraded from "a masterpiece" to merely "great." But every week, one of the main topics is how weak the performance is from the LEAD ACTRESS, whose character is the linchpin of the entire show. Every choice they've made regarding the structure of the story has apparently made it weaker instead of stronger.
Is there anything they could do with this show to earn an unapologetically negative review? I don't get it.
I was going to buy this but heard about the scam they pulled with the physical edition and changed my mind. Will wait for a good while and see if they make that right (though I doubt it). Maybe some day a few years from now I'll get it for pennies on the dollar via eBay.
The guy has a 40+ year career and I don't think he's created a single bad game. Call it pretentious if you want, but if anything, people should be taking notes on his approach.
There are still plenty of people who want physical copies of games, but as this trend increases, the decreased sales of these physical-in-name-only releases will only be used as further justification for prioritizing digital.
It's pretty clear where this is going and who'll be reaping the benefits.
Am I the only one who associates this song exclusively with Spaceballs?
This trailer was pretty slick. With all the key creatives who have left Rockstar, I've been worried about the vibe of the game changing and too much being done to reflect..."modern sensibilities." Starting to have a tiny bit of hope that it might actually be decent now.
I don't mind the delay, since I'm not spending the money on a PS5 Pro and this seems like the project that'll have the most egregious performance differences when played on a base console.
By the time this comes out, PS6 will be right around the corner anyway, and I can just plan to pick up the inevitable rerelease on the new system, hopefully with DLC included.
(If I buy this at all of course, which is another story.)
This oughta tide me over until the release of TLOU3, TLOU1 and 2 (PS6 Remaster) and TLOU (Fully) Complete, which are hopefully released as limited edition steelbooks with DLC bonuses and extra swag, like Abby-themed dumbbells or a collectible poster of Ellie shivving a pregnant lady in the throat.
At the end of last year, I scoured eBay to put together a full Yakuza collection. I'm not planning on replacing my copy of Yakuza 0 for 26 minutes of cutscenes... The game has so many cutscenes already, that amount reflects about 0.3% of the total runtime of the game.
I hope they keep some of the best parts of TLOU2, like when the vile murderers bond over their favorite type of burrito and engage in other "fun" lighthearted banter.
They should just make the games as difficult as they like and provide accessibility settings to allow people who hate a challenge to plow through the game their own way. Returnal couldn't be dominated immediately by design, but it was really not that difficult...and the challenge it did present was part of the appeal of the game.
Anyway, regardless... I'm excited to see how this turns out.
The chorus of agreement about how poorly this movie has aged is kind of amusing. I saw this in a movie theater on opening night, and people were laughing so loud and frequently that you couldn't even hear a few of the jokes. Back in the old days, when comedy was still allowed.
I'm not an expert on Silent Hill lore and have no idea about how much sense this will make in connection with past games. All I can say is that it looks super cool, and I'm excited to see how it turns out.
A lot remains to be seen as far as the gameplay is concerned, but it looks like they kept the core elements from the first game while adding more equipment/abilities to increase the fun factor... Along with incorporating some more traditional action and gunplay for the people that felt like the original was just a "walking simulator." (It wasn't of course, but the new gameplay elements are welcome regardless.)
I won't even comment on the insertion of a Solid Snake analogue into the storyline. Kojima is an absolute madman. I'd love to see the discussions he had with Kojima Productions' legal team before pulling the trigger on that one.
Comments 149
Re: The Fallout TV Series Will Have a Direct Impact on Fallout 5, Says Todd Howard
Not interested.
Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Dev's Divinity: Original Sin 2 Out Now on PS5, Offers Free Upgrade
This is the fun part of never getting through your backlog. By the time you finally play the game, it's been optimized.
Re: 'Grace Is the Biggest Scaredy-Cat in Resident Evil History': Capcom Details How Leon's Gameplay Will Differ in Requiem
@Archaeokaiser Alan Wake is wall-to-wall homages to Twin Peaks and Stephen King and other pre-existing IP and hardly the pinnacle of originality...but if you want to act like that was some massively inspired choice, go for it.
Re: 'If I Don't Belong in the Games Industry, I'll Have to Look Elsewhere': Keita Takashashi Moves Back to Japan After To a T Flopped
@Blaze215 Right, because what's most popular is always what's best.
Re: 'If I Don't Belong in the Games Industry, I'll Have to Look Elsewhere': Keita Takashashi Moves Back to Japan After To a T Flopped
I bought To A T right away for exactly this reason, and I almost never buy digital-only titles. Sorry that more people didn't do the same.
If there isn't a major player smart enough to scoop this guy up and bankroll him, this industry is doomed.
Re: PS5 Exclusive Saros Delayed, But Pre-Orders Are Live Right Now
Yes, I will be in line for a new game from the makers of Returnal. (adjusts calendar)
Re: Mini Review: Skate Story (PS5) - The Most Unique, Most Stylish Skateboarding Game to Date
Another title brilliantly enhanced by the PS5 Pro.
Re: This RAM Crisis Is Looking Like a Nightmare for the PS6
Luckily, we've learned from this generation that it'll be virtually pointless to support the PS6 in its first several years of release, so hopefully the RAM market is doing better around 2029-2030. (Or whenever PHYSINT comes out.)
Re: Gran Turismo 7's Biggest Update Yet Available to Pre-Load on PS5, PS4 Now
I just started playing this finally, nice timing. Super nostalgic experience after being away from the series since Gran Turismo 2.
Re: Hands On: PS Portal Is a Whole New Device with Cloud Streaming Update
I laughed when I finally read this article, because I thought this was the way Portal had always worked...
Re: Battlefield 6 (PS5) - The Best Battlefield in Over a Decade
@Steeleye25 LOL
Re: Battlefield 6 (PS5) - The Best Battlefield in Over a Decade
@Steeleye50 "We always hear how videogames cause violence, but what if they could be used to affect our thinking by presenting false narratives?"
This has been happening for years, you just fail to notice when it involves the false narratives you personally favor.
Re: Silent Hill 2's Overdue PS5 Pro Fixes Now in Konami's Hands
I remember being outraged and jealous when the PS5 Pro was first announced. The price tag was too ridiculous to even consider it, but I was bummed that I wouldn't have the ideal equipment for upcoming games like Death Stranding 2.
Fast forward to today: DS2 performed enjoyably enough on a base console, and all three of the other games I've purchased recently are apparently WORSE to play on a Pro console.
Bullet dodged.
Re: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (PS5) - Still the Benchmark for Turn-Based Tactics
I never played the PSP version and the changes just would've been foreign to me. Seems like they knocked this out of the park if that's the main flaw. Definitely buying this.
Re: Ghost of Yotei (PS5) - The Greatest Sucker Punch Game Ever
The original was polished and fun (enough), with a great setting as its biggest strength. I've never been eager for another 80 hours of open-world busy work, though. I'm so exhausted with all of the collectibles and repetitive tasks in games like this, it's just blatantly uninspired filler.
Re: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 (PS5) - An Imperfect Remake, But a Great Skateboarding Game
I might play this someday, but if I do, I'm buying it on eBay for $15.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Death Stranding 2?
I'm trying to replay the original first so I can segue directly into the sequel! And I'm very glad I had already decided on that beforehand, since Amazon whiffed big time and still hasn't delivered the game...
Re: Death Stranding 2 (PS5) - A Masterpiece in Every Sense
@Liamsufc1 It's not disliking the game that screams insecurity, it's the fact that you can't stop talking about it.
Re: Death Stranding 2 (PS5) - A Masterpiece in Every Sense
One of the hints that Kojima's games are special is the way he manages to trigger some gamers so profoundly. It's easy to understand that the gameplay might not be for everyone... But not as easy to figure out why that prompts some people to post ten different negative comments in a rage, all throughout the day.
Re: Death Stranding 2 (PS5) - A Masterpiece in Every Sense
It's finally here! I have been bogged down with the Yakuza series (which can monopolize your time way too easily), but I plan to refresh myself with a run through Death Stranding Director's Cut and then get started on this ASAP.
Re: Poll: How Do You Feel About The Last of Us Part 2, 5 Years Later?
The gameplay was phenomenal and the story was atrocious. Not just the broad strokes, either--it was bad down to the smaller moments and little bits of interstitial dialogue.
For example: Ellie's cynical mockery of random dead bodies during her travels (since it's implied that they're "chuds," so naturally they don't deserve to live). On one level, it's horrific because of how obviously she's a self-insert for the annoying writers, but it's even more idiotic since you'd think someone would place a bit more value on people's lives when the whole human race is fighting for survival.
Another example: The absolutely ham-fisted attempts to humanize Abby and her crew after they've already been shown to be callous and bloodthirsty, to put it mildly. Even if I accept Abby's motivations for murder, it doesn't explain why all of her friends exult in a man being beaten to death and happily participate. Regardless, when we next meet them we're expected to find them lovable based on their unfunny banter and enthusiasm for burritos. It was nauseating.
Another: An old man briefly speaks to Ellie in a bigoted manner. A lot of people would probably flip them the bird and move on, but this is a huge point of emphasis for some reason. Probably because these are the issues the writers are obsessed with on a personal level, and they couldn't see past their own noses.
I could go on listing examples of why I found the writing cringe-worthy, but there's a segment of the audience who found all this crap palatable, and beyond them, there's no one left who needs these things explained.
Re: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Will Include THPS4's Less Conventional Objectives After All
Yeah, this is one of those games that I still might enjoy playing somewhat (for THPS3), but can't justify rewarding the developer for... So I'll wait 'til I can snag a copy on eBay for $15.
I consider this the protest vote of the gaming world.
Re: Konami Continues Road to Resurrection with Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill Livestream This Week
I'm actually getting excited for Metal Gear Solid Delta, but if it turns out it's been prudishly edited in unnecessary ways, I'll probably just stick to the original and look forward to MGS Collection Vol. 2.
Re: State of Play Confirmed for 4th June, 40+ Minutes of PS5 Games
It's a lock, they're definitely announcing a remastered Bloodborne this time. (dodges tomatoes)
Re: Borderlands 4 Boss Writes Grovelling Apology for Implying 'Real Fans' Will Pay $80 for PS5 Game
The real question is whether I'd bother picking this up for $8.00.
Re: Mini Review: to a T (PS5) - The Most Joyful Game in the World
Waiting/hoping for a limited physical release for this one, so it can sit on the shelf with Wattam and the Katamari games.
Re: Elden Ring Will Get Its A24 Movie Adaptation, with Alex Garland in the Director's Seat
Martin clearly contributed virtually nothing to the game itself other than the use of his name for marketing purposes. The lore was extremely similar to FromSoft's previous games. But it's nice to see he's got another effort-free paycheck coming his way so the movie posters can say "from the creator of Game of Thrones."
Re: PlayStation, Hideo Kojima's Next-Gen Physint Game 'Five or Six' Years Away
@PuppetMaster He still looks like a young man, if that counts for anything.
And if he's anything like Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli, his eventual retirement may not last very long... Miyazaki's "final" film came out 12 years ago, but he just released a new one a year or so ago, and I believe he's working on yet another one now.
Re: PlayStation, Hideo Kojima's Next-Gen Physint Game 'Five or Six' Years Away
I was a kid when Metal Gear Solid was released, with no idea that I'd still be greedily anticipating the next game from Kojima when I was pushing 50. But I bet it'll be worth the wait.
Re: TV Show Review: The Last Of Us (HBO) Season 2 Episode 6 - Robbing the Story of Its Genius
I don't watch the show because I really disliked the story of TLOU2, but I have a morbid curiosity about it and have been reading these reviews for that reason.
Why is it that the episode reviews constantly highlight glaring flaws in the show, but it's still getting a pass no matter what?
A week or two ago, the reviewer said it might have to be downgraded from "a masterpiece" to merely "great." But every week, one of the main topics is how weak the performance is from the LEAD ACTRESS, whose character is the linchpin of the entire show. Every choice they've made regarding the structure of the story has apparently made it weaker instead of stronger.
Is there anything they could do with this show to earn an unapologetically negative review? I don't get it.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing DOOM: The Dark Ages?
I was going to buy this but heard about the scam they pulled with the physical edition and changed my mind. Will wait for a good while and see if they make that right (though I doubt it). Maybe some day a few years from now I'll get it for pennies on the dollar via eBay.
Re: Internal Death Stranding 2 Reviews Are Tracking Much Higher Than the First Game, But Kojima Isn't Pleased
The guy has a 40+ year career and I don't think he's created a single bad game. Call it pretentious if you want, but if anything, people should be taking notes on his approach.
Re: Reaction: Game Key PS5 Discs Are a Disgrace, and Sony Should Put a Stop to Them
There are still plenty of people who want physical copies of games, but as this trend increases, the decreased sales of these physical-in-name-only releases will only be used as further justification for prioritizing digital.
It's pretty clear where this is going and who'll be reaping the benefits.
Re: GTA 6 Trailer 2 Is Finally Here, PS5 Graphics Are Jaw-Dropping
Am I the only one who associates this song exclusively with Spaceballs?
This trailer was pretty slick. With all the key creatives who have left Rockstar, I've been worried about the vibe of the game changing and too much being done to reflect..."modern sensibilities." Starting to have a tiny bit of hope that it might actually be decent now.
Re: GTA 6 Delayed to 2026, Out on 26th May 2026
I don't mind the delay, since I'm not spending the money on a PS5 Pro and this seems like the project that'll have the most egregious performance differences when played on a base console.
By the time this comes out, PS6 will be right around the corner anyway, and I can just plan to pick up the inevitable rerelease on the new system, hopefully with DLC included.
(If I buy this at all of course, which is another story.)
Re: Days Gone PS5 Is a 'Really Good Piece of Work', Say Tech Experts
They had one job: try to sell some copies of an unnecessary remaster. And this is the comparison shot that's used? Yikes.
Re: The Last of Us Complete Out Today at $99.99 on PS5, Physical Collector's Edition Drops in July
Rushing to pre-order the physical version!
This oughta tide me over until the release of TLOU3, TLOU1 and 2 (PS6 Remaster) and TLOU (Fully) Complete, which are hopefully released as limited edition steelbooks with DLC bonuses and extra swag, like Abby-themed dumbbells or a collectible poster of Ellie shivving a pregnant lady in the throat.
Re: Yakuza 0's Director's Cut Has 26 Minutes of Extra Cutscenes PS5, PS4 Fans Will Want to See
At the end of last year, I scoured eBay to put together a full Yakuza collection. I'm not planning on replacing my copy of Yakuza 0 for 26 minutes of cutscenes... The game has so many cutscenes already, that amount reflects about 0.3% of the total runtime of the game.
Re: Round Up: The Last of Us 2's TV Show Reviews Aren't Quite a Hole in One for Sony, HBO
I hope they keep some of the best parts of TLOU2, like when the vile murderers bond over their favorite type of burrito and engage in other "fun" lighthearted banter.
Re: Sony Reportedly Gearing Up to Sell You The Last of Us on PS5 One More Time
Only Taylor Swift could re-release the same content more than this.
Re: Saros, Housemarque's Upcoming PS5 Exclusive, Only Possible Thanks to Sony Acquisition
They should just make the games as difficult as they like and provide accessibility settings to allow people who hate a challenge to plow through the game their own way. Returnal couldn't be dominated immediately by design, but it was really not that difficult...and the challenge it did present was part of the appeal of the game.
Anyway, regardless... I'm excited to see how this turns out.
Re: Sony Banned Jonah Hill from Playing PlayStation in Superbad
The chorus of agreement about how poorly this movie has aged is kind of amusing. I saw this in a movie theater on opening night, and people were laughing so loud and frequently that you couldn't even hear a few of the jokes. Back in the old days, when comedy was still allowed.
Re: Silent Hill F Revealed for PS5 in Debut Trailer
I'm not an expert on Silent Hill lore and have no idea about how much sense this will make in connection with past games. All I can say is that it looks super cool, and I'm excited to see how it turns out.
Re: Death Stranding 2 PS5 Release Date Set for 26th June
A lot remains to be seen as far as the gameplay is concerned, but it looks like they kept the core elements from the first game while adding more equipment/abilities to increase the fun factor... Along with incorporating some more traditional action and gunplay for the people that felt like the original was just a "walking simulator." (It wasn't of course, but the new gameplay elements are welcome regardless.)
I won't even comment on the insertion of a Solid Snake analogue into the storyline. Kojima is an absolute madman. I'd love to see the discussions he had with Kojima Productions' legal team before pulling the trigger on that one.
Re: Death Stranding 2 PS5 Release Date Set for 26th June
Absolutely INCREDIBLE.
Re: Activision Confirms Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Won't Be Free Roam on PS5, PS4
The only way to respond is to refuse to buy this. They cut corners like this because they expect everyone to consume mindlessly. Let it fail.
Re: Assassin's Creed Shadows PS5 Trophies Will Test Your Shinobi, Samurai Skills
A whopping 9 people are salivating waiting for this one.
Re: Bloober Team Partnering with Konami Once Again Following Silent Hill 2 Success
Silent Hill 1, please.
Re: Katamari Damacy's Keita Takahashi Returns to PS5 with to a T
Not gonna sleep on anything this guy does. This is the type of visionary the industry is desperately lacking.
Re: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (PS5) - Madcap Majima Does the Job
I'm just, finally, starting this series with Yakuza 0, so I'm excited to play this game sometime around 2029.