@Kezelpaso Thanks for sharing. It’s annoying that Sony has decided to take this route with their discounts. Would much prefer if they offered everyone the same deals.
My Australian account is offering 33% off Deluxe (our inferior version of Premium), 25% off Extra, and 15% off Essential for 12 months.
My Japanese account is offering 55% off Premium only for 12 months or 3 months. I was really hoping for a discount on Essential so that I could resubscribe and swap cloud saves between my Vita TV and Vita again.
Anyway I thought I would share the difference in offerings between regions as I found it quite shocking to be honest!
I moved overseas a few months ago and sold my PS5 Pro to not only help pay for my flight but also to push me to get stuck into my enormous PS3 backlog once I settled in.
I recently had a blast playing through Hitman: Absolution (finally got to see The Saints from that memorable E3 trailer in action! ) and, thanks to all the Battlefield 6 beta hype, I was inspired to blitz through the campaign of Battlefield 3 for the very first time. I especially loved the Comrades mission in Paris since some of the colour schemes and office designs in that level brought back memories of playing Mirror’s Edge many years ago.
This weekend I’m looking forward to getting back into Never Dead as well trying to decide on what to play next.
@PuppetMaster I hear you! I’m currently getting stuck into my PS3 backlog and recently started and finished 007: Quantum of Solace. I’m by no means a huge FPS player but I had so much fun playing it and I loved how it didn’t outstay its welcome!
I wouldn’t say turn-based games are uncool, it’s just a matter of personal preference. When I was younger I loved the likes of FFVII and Wild Arms. However, now that I’m much older I simply don’t have the patience to navigate multiple menus and sub-menus to make a selection and then watch the same animations over and over again. That’s no longer my idea of fun and with my limited time to game I’d much rather play an action-RPG that engages me more.
As soon as I saw that the likes of Metaphor and Expedition 33 were turn-based I dismissed them out of hand (much to the relief of my wallet and backlog). I have no doubt that these games are of extremely high quality, they’re just not for me. I’d much rather play something like Valkyrie Elysium or Raidou instead. To each their own!
On my Japanese app there is still a wallet charge of ¥1,450 store credit in exchange for 3,625 points. However, before there was also the option of ¥700 store credit in exchange for 1,750 points, which I’ve used previously.
It will take me a lot longer to spend enough money on the online store to accumulate 3,625 points, especially since Sony are reducing the period of time points will be valid, in addition to no longer giving points for PS Plus membership subscriptions from next year.
If this is further enshittification of the Stars program and not simply a bug it will encourage me to buy more physical and second-hand games, meaning less money going directly into Sony’s coffers.
Just finished Chapter 4 in Valkyrie Elysium. Absolutely loving this game! I’m now very tempted to order the soundtrack and art book online. Hope everyone has a brilliant weekend of gaming!
It popped up on my Japanese account a few days ago. I like how you can use a screenshot as the background image. It’s the closest we’ll get to a theme this generation!
I think most gamers simply don’t have time for another live service multiplayer game, certainly not a mediocre one. I still play the occasional game of Rocket League, but it’s been nearly six months since I touched Helldivers 2. Far too busy with single player games!
Just finished Chapter 1 of Valkyrie Elysium on the PS5 and loving it just like I thought I would. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was developed by Soleil, who also made Wanted: Dead which I thoroughly enjoyed despite being rough around the edges. Happy gaming everyone!
As someone who lived in Japan for several years and enjoys consuming Japanese social media to maintain my language ability, I can confidently say that the majority of criticism written in Japanese regarding Shadows is by native speakers, not Westerners using Google translate to impersonate them.
I must say the lack of due diligence and sincerity shown by the devs, researchers and consultants working on Shadows has been painful to watch! The devs in particular remind me of the uncouth foreign tourists recently swarming Japan due to the cheap yen - they treat the country like a playground for their own amusement with absolutely zero consideration for the local people, rules and customs. One can hardly be surprised that some Japanese gamers may take offence and hold Ubisoft in contempt for some of the choices they have made.
Now compare Ubisoft’s efforts to the love, care and respect Sucker Punch had for source material while making Ghost of Tsushima. That game is unsurprisingly praised amongst Japanese gamers, with a couple of members of the dev team even becoming ambassadors of Tsushima due to their endeavours while making the game! Ubisoft devs can only dream of such recognition, and only have themselves to blame for the current predicament they find themselves in.
Also, it’s hard to comprehend Ubisoft pulling out of TGS at the last minute, leaving organisers and promotional staff hired for the event scrambling. Given that Japanese culture generally prioritises the needs of the group over the individual, I can’t imagine a Japanese company doing what Ubisoft has done as it would be so damaging to their working relationships within the industry and reputation in the domestic market. Ubisoft will no doubt lose some face as a consequence of such actions. I feel bad for all the local staff working at Ubisoft’s headquarters in Japan. They’re no doubt experiencing a really difficult time through no fault of their own.
@HonestHick You raise a very good point about Covid accelerating the switch to digital and people becoming more comfortable with it. I agree that the PS6 will more than likely be digital-only with an optical drive available separately for those who want it.
I completed Vampyr earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I have been holding off grabbing Banishers as I was hoping they would localise it for Japan. If Dontnod release a remaster of Remember Me I will gladly buy it since it was criminally overlooked at the tail-end of the PS3’s life. I loved the concept of altering memories and the setting of Neo Paris was brilliant. I even bought the art book!
A PSN account isn’t required to play the single player component of Ghost of Tsushima, so why is it necessary for Ragnarok? Sony only have themselves to blame if they’re not consistent with implementing their own policies.
@Medic_alert I was also wondering about that, but the title only mention games rather than DLC and mtx?
On the other hand, there are many games that come with DLC and mtx bundled in a “digital deluxe” edition that is only available in the online store. If the player wants that extra content, they would buy that version over a physical copy, skewing these numbers further in favour of digital. For example, I bought both Returnal and Rise of the Ronin off the online store as the deluxe versions came with the soundtrack (as well an artbook in Ronin’s case). Had the physical editions come with a code for the same content (or better yet an actual physical soundtrack and mini art book) I would have bought them instead. It’s nice to have options.
@HonestHick I think most fans with physical collections are angry because there is no Pro console bundle that includes the optical drive. Both the original and slim models of the PS5 have SKUs available with or without the drive. Now, with the release of the Pro that option is no longer available. Yes, you can purchase the optical drive separately, but it’s more expensive compared to getting it bundled with the console. Here in Australia it’s a $40 difference, which isn’t an insignificant sum of money. For many this is just another recent example of Sony fleecing their loyal fanbase and erodes goodwill.
My first two DualSense controllers had to be replaced due to stick drift and broken triggers. I would love to get this 30th Anniversary controller or the Astro Bot edition but knowing that they will inevitably go bad has turned me off getting either of them. It’s such a shame because when the DualSense is fully utilised (e.g. in Returnal) it is an absolute joy to use. My PS3 and PS4 DualShock controllers by comparison are all still going strong without issue (and have much better battery life!).
Even if it’s only half that figure, the purchases of Firewalk and Bungie have been absolute disasters for Sony, who are getting their just desserts for abandoning their policy of only acquiring studios they have strong working relationships with.
Modern PlayStation is desperately lacking from strong leadership. The brand hasn’t been the same in my eyes since Andrew House and Shawn Layden left and bean counter Jim Ryan took over. I don’t know if Shuhei Yoshida was pushed or volunteered to look after indie initiatives, but his experience is being wasted there. Hulst never gave me the impression that he was comfortable in his role as Head of PlayStation Studios and seems increasingly out of his depth as CEO. I am not confident about PlayStation’s future under his tenure.
@Icey664 I remember playing it a few times on my PlayStation (Vita) TV and it's definitely easier to control with a DualShock controller compared to the Vita. Can't wait to play it again with improved graphics, resolution and frame rate.
Oh my god, tell me I'm not dreaming. This news has absolutely made my day! Freedom Wars is one of my favourite games on the Vita - I have never been able to get into the Monster Hunter franchise but I loved the dystopian setting, cyborg accessory system and soundtrack in this game. I remember playing a few online co-op sessions just before the servers shut down on Christmas Eve in 2021. Unfortunately, the AI companions weren't strong enough to help me take down bosses later in the game, making solo progress towards a Platinum trophy virtually impossible. I'll definitely be buying this remaster on day one!
Like others, I'm disappointed that Sony has outsourced this to Bandai Namco rather than doing it themselves. Given that they've closed Japan Studios it's hardly surprising, but even now I struggle to accept that the PlayStation I loved during the PS3-Vita-PS4 era no longer exists. At least Sony had the decency to license the game, and given that Dimps is the original dev and Bandai has a good pedigree in the genre (God Eater, Code Vein etc.) the remaster is in good hands. I'd love to know if Bandai approached Sony or vice versa. Anyway, it's time to listen to the soundtrack on Spotify again.
I’m currently playing the port of Enclave HD on the PS4. I remember completing the original on the Xbox TWENTY years ago during my university days… Where does all the bloody time go eh? Anyway, it’s an absolute joy to play this game again, warts and all. I forgot how good the soundtrack is at building the atmosphere as well. Such a nice trip down memory lane!
For anyone interested in the Pro (e.g. @MikeOrator) or more technically-minded (e.g. @NEStalgia), I hope the following video will be of interest to you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZgo_BmzgaI
It is worth mentioning that Astro came out on a Friday, meaning it only had a few days of sales to make this list.
Having said that, PlayStation is becoming less and less relevant in Japan and its future is bleak.
With three successive price rises the base PS5 has become prohibitively expensive for the average Japanese family, reducing the likelihood of the next generation of gamers growing up with a PlayStation in their home. Given the average Japanese salary, this generation will still struggle to afford a PS5 even upon entering the workforce (assuming there are enough games on the system that appeal to them).
Following the recent announcement of the PS5 Pro, I am seeing comments from Japanese gamers stating that the PS4 will now be their last Sony console - it is not just the astronomical prices that turn them off, but PlayStation's focus on chasing frames and graphical fidelity over fun gameplay.
Nintendo's dominance in Japan is surely to grow when the Switch's successor arrives, restricting PlayStation sales to the more hardcore, affluent gamer. Given Japan’s declining birthrate, the pool of customers willing and able to buy PlayStation consoles will only continue to shrink.
@TrickyDicky99 To be fair, just like The Last of Us Part I this remake is likely aimed at the PC market, with a PS5 version made to placate the fans who would’ve complained otherwise had a console version not been made available. From what I’ve read TLOU Part I has done quite well for Sony since its release, even though many of us have little interest in playing it again (certainly not at full price at least). Hopefully Until Dawn does well for Sony as well, and is releasing at the opportune time around Halloween. I am actually looking forward to this remake but will happily wait until it’s at least 50% off before purchasing.
Just like what happened the other day with Ouka Studios following the release of Visions of Mana, I genuinely feel sorry for these developers who have been let go. The games industry is absolutely ruthless and you have to wonder about its future and long-term sustainability. Why would any aspiring young talent want to enter the industry if they are constantly going to be made redundant at the earliest opportunity?
Wow, jacking up prices across the board again in Japan just a few days after nerfing the PS Stars program. Sony sure knows how to generate goodwill in their homeland of late! I get that the yen has weakened but that is one severe price hike…
I managed to beat the amazing Returnal the other day after about 50 hours. Then the following day I played through it again to get the second ending without dying once! Isn’t it funny how things work out? Absolutely brilliant game, with the best use of the Dual Sense and 3D audio on the PS5 in my opinion.
Beating Returnal has been the perfect reminder on the eve of my 40th birthday that if you keep chipping away at something without giving up you can indeed “git gud”. I’m now busy clearing the tutorials and combo challenges on Dead or Alive 5&6 after picking them up in recent sales. Getting the timing right on some of the combos and throws is bloody difficult on a standard controller but I’m sure with more practice I’ll get there! Really enjoying this new challenge and I’m even quite tempted to invest in an arcade stick now. Nobody Wants to Die and Kunitsugami are going have to wait a bit longer haha…
@Specky Hell yeah! I miss the days when Essential included indie games for PS Vita and PS4. I remember the PS4 being being called Indiestation before big releases started to come out on a regular basis…
I wonder if both the PS3 and Vita online stores have seen an increase in online activity recently as the closure of the 360 marketplace approached?
I must say PlayStation announcing that they were shutting down the PS3 and PS Vita stores back in 2021 was one of their best marketing campaigns ever. I must have spent close to AUD$1,000.00 between my Australian and Japanese accounts on both systems since then, including buying heaps of themes and avatars. There are some amazing dynamic themes by an artist called Steven Stahlberg on the PS3 which I love cycling between whenever I boot up console.
Random request - Can anyone please confirm there is vibration/haptic feedback in the first 20 minutes of the game? I’ve checked the settings and tried two different controllers but no luck…strange!
@Daleaf Glad to hear you downloaded it again. That’s pretty impressive that you were able to get to the first boss on your second run despite not having played for a while! Have you tried the tower that came with the DLC update?
I played the first 20 minutes of Nobody Wants To Die today and looking forward to spending more time with it next week. For some reason it there was no vibration or haptic feedback even after checking the settings and swapping controllers. I don’t know if my copy has a bug? Feels like I’m missing out!
@XanderTigerclaw Glad to hear that the sequel has more than enough to bring you back for a second play through. The remaster of the original is a bit unwieldy to control but as you said the story and setting more than make up for it. I’m trying to think of the reason why I put it down now haha. I have plenty of time for Remedy - Control on the PS4 was my first ever platinum. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
@Daleaf Absolutely! As you said, once everything clicks it’s such a joy to play. And I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the DualSense feedback when using the grappling hook haha.
I’ll probably start Nobody Wants To Die tonight as I don’t think it’s too long and I’m worried about unintentionally coming across spoilers. Robocop is yet another game I want to get round to one day. There are just too many good games to play!
I’ve recently gone back to playing the game that convinced me to upgrade to a PS5: Returnal. After much toil and struggle I managed to beat boss #3 Nemisis on my third attempt on Thursday. The final phase of that battle where you’re constantly having to use the grappling hook to move between collapsing platforms while avoiding enemy fire was just incredible! I thought that was the end of the game but much to my delight it was only the end of Act 1!
Having found my rhythm I managed to smash through the first part of Act 2 relatively quickly last night, beating boss #4 Hyperion on my first attempt by the skin of my teeth! However my euphoria hasn’t lasted long as the enemies on the snow level are now giving me a proper beating today haha.
What an outstanding game to show off what the PS5 can do… Is there a game that makes better use of the DualSense and 3D audio than Returnal? I can’t think of one, at least not out of the games I’ve played (Ghostwire Tokyo is a noteworthy mention).
Anyway, I’ve got Kinitsugami and Nobody Wants To Die both downloaded waiting to be played. But I’m worried if I put Returnal on hold again my reflexes will slow down and I’ll never be able to finish the game. 😅 Not a bad problem to have, mind you. Happy gaming everyone!
As a fan of Altered Carbon (Season 1) and Blade Runner this game really appeals to me, and when I saw the price and rating for mature content it became an instant buy haha. I wish there were more games like this on consoles. If Still Wakes The Deep launched at the same price point it also would have been a day one purchase for me. Oh well, I have a huge backlog so no rush on that one!
As a big fan of Japanese art and mythology this game has piqued my interest ever since it was announced. However, I was pretty disappointed when I found out that it is a strategy RPG/tower defence game as I tend to avoid that genre (generally don’t have the patience nor time to learn the deeper mechanics found in such games).
Boy am I glad they released a demo for this game as it totally won me over! The novelty of the maiden being a moving target across the map, together with the hack and slack segments, really appealed to me. The art style in the environments and menus inspired by ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) are absolutely gorgeous, and are complemented by an understated soundtrack and cool sfx. The foreboding sound that plays as the sun begins to set matches the atmosphere so well!
Before I knew it I was hooked on the demo and getting into a real rhythm with the day-night cycle. Any game that absorbs me like that and allows me to experience the “flow” state deserves a purchase.
That being said, I can appreciate if people will wait for a sale on this one. Fortunately I have a Japanese PSN account as well as an Australian one because the price discrepancy is ridiculous (5,000¥ vs AUD $74.95!). Considering the current exchange rate I basically saved AUD $25 up front by purchasing the game on my Japanese account.
If they release a physical copy or special limited edition I will happily double dip to support this game. Can’t wait to get stuck into it later this weekend!
I went in with an open mind but left sorely disappointed. There was a well-polished cutscene but no onboarding to learn the basic controls, mechanics, and different player types. Matchmaking was also nonexistent, as the opposing team in the games I played were ranked far higher, leading to inevitable one-sided victories. Not fun, and certainly not something I would pay for to experience again.
@nomither6 DriftSense haha I love it! The triggers busted on my first DualSense within 10 days of buying my PS5 and the left stick on the warranty replacement DualSense started drifting last week. Fortunately there is a sale on DualSense controllers at the moment so I bought another replacement yesterday. Not happy that I’m out of pocket though. I’ve never had a problem with any of my PS3 or PS4 DualShock controllers.
Recently finished Vampyr via backwards compatibility on the PS5. I made it through the game without turning or killing any of the main NPCs despite being tempted more than once! Looking forward to doing another play through sometime in the future where I’ll focus on maxing out supernatural abilities and being a ruthless cold-blooded killer haha.
The game could have really benefited from a fast-travel system but overall a solid AA title. I was impressed and pleasantly surprised by the range of political and social issues interwoven into the game without any of it feeling forced or jarring. The letters and collectibles discovered along the way also did a great job to flesh out the story, too. Wish there were more games like this that remind me of the late PS3-early PS4 era. It was also great to see developer Dontnod team up with composer Olivier Deriviere again as I loved what they did with Remember Me a decade ago. The final track on the Vampyr soundtrack, What We Could Have Become, is hauntingly beautiful.
Now I’m back to Rocket League until I figure out which next single-player game to start... Happy weekend everyone!
This is great news and well deserved. Ronin is by far my favourite game on the PS5. The way it recreates famous places, buildings, and figures from the Bakumatsu period in Japanese history is absolutely brilliant! The variety of weapons and fighting styles in this game is also incredible and actually spoiled my experience with Stellar Blade somewhat because it made the latter’s combat feel so dull and limited in comparison.
Unfortunately I feel a lot Ronin’s charm and finer details (such as the regional dialects spoken by the huge cast of characters in the game) will be under appreciated or go completely unnoticed by the players unless they’re Japanese or have a keen interest in Japan. Indeed, since watching the preview for the new Assassin’s Creed my respect for Team Ninja and what they achieved with Ronin has only grown.
@get2sammyb Sony’s communication in general leaves a lot to be desired these days. PlayStation Stars has been down for days now and we’ve received no notification to say it’s being fixed or thanking us for being patient while it’s being updated. It doesn’t take much effort but would certainly be appreciated by the community. Really disappointing how much PlayStation takes its fanbase for granted these days.
In my opinion Sony is just doing what they did with Last of Us Part I - updating one of their games to release on PC but making sure there is a PS5 version to placate their core audience.
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Re: Huge PS Store Black Friday Sale Live Now with 1,900+ PS5, PS4 Offers
@Kezelpaso Thanks for sharing. It’s annoying that Sony has decided to take this route with their discounts. Would much prefer if they offered everyone the same deals.
Re: Huge PS Store Black Friday Sale Live Now with 1,900+ PS5, PS4 Offers
My Australian account is offering 33% off Deluxe (our inferior version of Premium), 25% off Extra, and 15% off Essential for 12 months.
My Japanese account is offering 55% off Premium only for 12 months or 3 months. I was really hoping for a discount on Essential so that I could resubscribe and swap cloud saves between my Vita TV and Vita again.
Anyway I thought I would share the difference in offerings between regions as I found it quite shocking to be honest!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 595
I moved overseas a few months ago and sold my PS5 Pro to not only help pay for my flight but also to push me to get stuck into my enormous PS3 backlog once I settled in.
I recently had a blast playing through Hitman: Absolution (finally got to see The Saints from that memorable E3 trailer in action! ) and, thanks to all the Battlefield 6 beta hype, I was inspired to blitz through the campaign of Battlefield 3 for the very first time. I especially loved the Comrades mission in Paris since some of the colour schemes and office designs in that level brought back memories of playing Mirror’s Edge many years ago.
This weekend I’m looking forward to getting back into Never Dead as well trying to decide on what to play next.
Happy gaming everyone!
Re: Clair Obscur Director Says Turn-Based JRPGs Are Still Seen as 'Uncool'
@PuppetMaster I hear you! I’m currently getting stuck into my PS3 backlog and recently started and finished 007: Quantum of Solace. I’m by no means a huge FPS player but I had so much fun playing it and I loved how it didn’t outstay its welcome!
Re: Clair Obscur Director Says Turn-Based JRPGs Are Still Seen as 'Uncool'
I wouldn’t say turn-based games are uncool, it’s just a matter of personal preference. When I was younger I loved the likes of FFVII and Wild Arms. However, now that I’m much older I simply don’t have the patience to navigate multiple menus and sub-menus to make a selection and then watch the same animations over and over again. That’s no longer my idea of fun and with my limited time to game I’d much rather play an action-RPG that engages me more.
As soon as I saw that the likes of Metaphor and Expedition 33 were turn-based I dismissed them out of hand (much to the relief of my wallet and backlog). I have no doubt that these games are of extremely high quality, they’re just not for me. I’d much rather play something like Valkyrie Elysium or Raidou instead. To each their own!
Re: PS5, PS4 Fans Are Worried Cash Rewards Have Been Removed from PS Stars
On my Japanese app there is still a wallet charge of ¥1,450 store credit in exchange for 3,625 points. However, before there was also the option of ¥700 store credit in exchange for 1,750 points, which I’ve used previously.
It will take me a lot longer to spend enough money on the online store to accumulate 3,625 points, especially since Sony are reducing the period of time points will be valid, in addition to no longer giving points for PS Plus membership subscriptions from next year.
If this is further enshittification of the Stars program and not simply a bug it will encourage me to buy more physical and second-hand games, meaning less money going directly into Sony’s coffers.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 550
Just finished Chapter 4 in Valkyrie Elysium. Absolutely loving this game! I’m now very tempted to order the soundtrack and art book online. Hope everyone has a brilliant weekend of gaming!
Re: PS5's New Welcome Hub Reportedly Now Popping Up in Europe
It popped up on my Japanese account a few days ago. I like how you can use a screenshot as the background image. It’s the closest we’ll get to a theme this generation!
Re: By the Way, Foamstars Is Now Free-to-Play on PS5, PS4
I think most gamers simply don’t have time for another live service multiplayer game, certainly not a mediocre one. I still play the occasional game of Rocket League, but it’s been nearly six months since I touched Helldivers 2. Far too busy with single player games!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 549
@ErrantRob Thank you good sir! I see you also have impeccable taste. I hope you enjoy your time with Ronin as much as I did!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 549
Just finished Chapter 1 of Valkyrie Elysium on the PS5 and loving it just like I thought I would. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was developed by Soleil, who also made Wanted: Dead which I thoroughly enjoyed despite being rough around the edges.
Happy gaming everyone!
Re: Ubisoft Backs Out of Tokyo Game Show at Eleventh Hour, Cancels Livestream
As someone who lived in Japan for several years and enjoys consuming Japanese social media to maintain my language ability, I can confidently say that the majority of criticism written in Japanese regarding Shadows is by native speakers, not Westerners using Google translate to impersonate them.
I must say the lack of due diligence and sincerity shown by the devs, researchers and consultants working on Shadows has been painful to watch! The devs in particular remind me of the uncouth foreign tourists recently swarming Japan due to the cheap yen - they treat the country like a playground for their own amusement with absolutely zero consideration for the local people, rules and customs. One can hardly be surprised that some Japanese gamers may take offence and hold Ubisoft in contempt for some of the choices they have made.
Now compare Ubisoft’s efforts to the love, care and respect Sucker Punch had for source material while making Ghost of Tsushima. That game is unsurprisingly praised amongst Japanese gamers, with a couple of members of the dev team even becoming ambassadors of Tsushima due to their endeavours while making the game! Ubisoft devs can only dream of such recognition, and only have themselves to blame for the current predicament they find themselves in.
Also, it’s hard to comprehend Ubisoft pulling out of TGS at the last minute, leaving organisers and promotional staff hired for the event scrambling. Given that Japanese culture generally prioritises the needs of the group over the individual, I can’t imagine a Japanese company doing what Ubisoft has done as it would be so damaging to their working relationships within the industry and reputation in the domestic market. Ubisoft will no doubt lose some face as a consequence of such actions. I feel bad for all the local staff working at Ubisoft’s headquarters in Japan. They’re no doubt experiencing a really difficult time through no fault of their own.
Re: A Massive 75% of UK Game Sales Were Digital Last Month
@HonestHick You raise a very good point about Covid accelerating the switch to digital and people becoming more comfortable with it. I agree that the PS6 will more than likely be digital-only with an optical drive available separately for those who want it.
Re: Don't Nod 'Disappointed' by Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Jusant Sales
I completed Vampyr earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I have been holding off grabbing Banishers as I was hoping they would localise it for Japan.
If Dontnod release a remaster of Remember Me I will gladly buy it since it was criminally overlooked at the tail-end of the PS3’s life. I loved the concept of altering memories and the setting of Neo Paris was brilliant. I even bought the art book!
Re: 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim, DualSense Prices Leaked
@Zemo55 sounds like a plan! I hope you get many years of good use out of both controllers.
Re: God of War Ragnarok PC Review Bombed Over PSN Requirement
A PSN account isn’t required to play the single player component of Ghost of Tsushima, so why is it necessary for Ragnarok? Sony only have themselves to blame if they’re not consistent with implementing their own policies.
Re: A Massive 75% of UK Game Sales Were Digital Last Month
@Medic_alert I was also wondering about that, but the title only mention games rather than DLC and mtx?
On the other hand, there are many games that come with DLC and mtx bundled in a “digital deluxe” edition that is only available in the online store. If the player wants that extra content, they would buy that version over a physical copy, skewing these numbers further in favour of digital. For example, I bought both Returnal and Rise of the Ronin off the online store as the deluxe versions came with the soundtrack (as well an artbook in Ronin’s case). Had the physical editions come with a code for the same content (or better yet an actual physical soundtrack and mini art book) I would have bought them instead. It’s nice to have options.
Re: A Massive 75% of UK Game Sales Were Digital Last Month
@HonestHick I think most fans with physical collections are angry because there is no Pro console bundle that includes the optical drive.
Both the original and slim models of the PS5 have SKUs available with or without the drive. Now, with the release of the Pro that option is no longer available. Yes, you can purchase the optical drive separately, but it’s more expensive compared to getting it bundled with the console. Here in Australia it’s a $40 difference, which isn’t an insignificant sum of money. For many this is just another recent example of Sony fleecing their loyal fanbase and erodes goodwill.
Re: A Massive 75% of UK Game Sales Were Digital Last Month
This is hardly surprising given that many new games are digital-only and purchases of second-hand physical copies are not tracked at all.
Re: 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim, DualSense Prices Leaked
My first two DualSense controllers had to be replaced due to stick drift and broken triggers. I would love to get this 30th Anniversary controller or the Astro Bot edition but knowing that they will inevitably go bad has turned me off getting either of them. It’s such a shame because when the DualSense is fully utilised (e.g. in Returnal) it is an absolute joy to use.
My PS3 and PS4 DualShock controllers by comparison are all still going strong without issue (and have much better battery life!).
Re: Rumour: Concord Cost $400 Million, Sony Believed It Was the 'Future of PlayStation'
Even if it’s only half that figure, the purchases of Firewalk and Bungie have been absolute disasters for Sony, who are getting their just desserts for abandoning their policy of only acquiring studios they have strong working relationships with.
Modern PlayStation is desperately lacking from strong leadership. The brand hasn’t been the same in my eyes since Andrew House and Shawn Layden left and bean counter Jim Ryan took over. I don’t know if Shuhei Yoshida was pushed or volunteered to look after indie initiatives, but his experience is being wasted there. Hulst never gave me the impression that he was comfortable in his role as Head of PlayStation Studios and seems increasingly out of his depth as CEO. I am not confident about PlayStation’s future under his tenure.
Re: Mini Review: Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP (PS5) - A Sweet Return with a Bittersweet Bite
@HughJasol A PS4 port is coming in November.
Re: Stone-Cold PS Vita Classic Returns in Freedom Wars Remastered PS5, PS4
@Icey664
Yes indeed! If the haptic feedback on the thorn mechanic is anything like the grappling hook in Returnal I will be in heaven haha!
Re: Stone-Cold PS Vita Classic Returns in Freedom Wars Remastered PS5, PS4
@Icey664 I remember playing it a few times on my PlayStation (Vita) TV and it's definitely easier to control with a DualShock controller compared to the Vita. Can't wait to play it again with improved graphics, resolution and frame rate.
Re: Stone-Cold PS Vita Classic Returns in Freedom Wars Remastered PS5, PS4
Oh my god, tell me I'm not dreaming. This news has absolutely made my day! Freedom Wars is one of my favourite games on the Vita - I have never been able to get into the Monster Hunter franchise but I loved the dystopian setting, cyborg accessory system and soundtrack in this game. I remember playing a few online co-op sessions just before the servers shut down on Christmas Eve in 2021. Unfortunately, the AI companions weren't strong enough to help me take down bosses later in the game, making solo progress towards a Platinum trophy virtually impossible. I'll definitely be buying this remaster on day one!
Like others, I'm disappointed that Sony has outsourced this to Bandai Namco rather than doing it themselves. Given that they've closed Japan Studios it's hardly surprising, but even now I struggle to accept that the PlayStation I loved during the PS3-Vita-PS4 era no longer exists. At least Sony had the decency to license the game, and given that Dimps is the original dev and Bandai has a good pedigree in the genre (God Eater, Code Vein etc.) the remaster is in good hands. I'd love to know if Bandai approached Sony or vice versa. Anyway, it's time to listen to the soundtrack on Spotify again.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 546
@LikelySatan I had no idea about the origins of MachineGames. Thanks for the heads up!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 546
I’m currently playing the port of Enclave HD on the PS4. I remember completing the original on the Xbox TWENTY years ago during my university days… Where does all the bloody time go eh? Anyway, it’s an absolute joy to play this game again, warts and all. I forgot how good the soundtrack is at building the atmosphere as well. Such a nice trip down memory lane!
Happy gaming everyone.
Re: Feature: PS5 Pro's Been Clowned on By the Entire Internet, and the Memes Will Make You Laugh
For anyone interested in the Pro (e.g. @MikeOrator) or more technically-minded (e.g. @NEStalgia), I hope the following video will be of interest to you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZgo_BmzgaI
Re: Japan Sales Charts: Astro Bot Barely Registers at Retail, PS5 Numbers Plummet After Price Hike
It is worth mentioning that Astro came out on a Friday, meaning it only had a few days of sales to make this list.
Having said that, PlayStation is becoming less and less relevant in Japan and its future is bleak.
With three successive price rises the base PS5 has become prohibitively expensive for the average Japanese family, reducing the likelihood of the next generation of gamers growing up with a PlayStation in their home. Given the average Japanese salary, this generation will still struggle to afford a PS5 even upon entering the workforce (assuming there are enough games on the system that appeal to them).
Following the recent announcement of the PS5 Pro, I am seeing comments from Japanese gamers stating that the PS4 will now be their last Sony console - it is not just the astronomical prices that turn them off, but PlayStation's focus on chasing frames and graphical fidelity over fun gameplay.
Nintendo's dominance in Japan is surely to grow when the Switch's successor arrives, restricting PlayStation sales to the more hardcore, affluent gamer. Given Japan’s declining birthrate, the pool of customers willing and able to buy PlayStation consoles will only continue to shrink.
Re: Layoffs Hit Ballistic Moon Ahead of Until Dawn PS5's October Release
@TrickyDicky99 To be fair, just like The Last of Us Part I this remake is likely aimed at the PC market, with a PS5 version made to placate the fans who would’ve complained otherwise had a console version not been made available. From what I’ve read TLOU Part I has done quite well for Sony since its release, even though many of us have little interest in playing it again (certainly not at full price at least). Hopefully Until Dawn does well for Sony as well, and is releasing at the opportune time around Halloween. I am actually looking forward to this remake but will happily wait until it’s at least 50% off before purchasing.
Just like what happened the other day with Ouka Studios following the release of Visions of Mana, I genuinely feel sorry for these developers who have been let go. The games industry is absolutely ruthless and you have to wonder about its future and long-term sustainability. Why would any aspiring young talent want to enter the industry if they are constantly going to be made redundant at the earliest opportunity?
Re: Japan Hit with Yet Another PS5 Price Increase
Wow, jacking up prices across the board again in Japan just a few days after nerfing the PS Stars program. Sony sure knows how to generate goodwill in their homeland of late! I get that the yen has weakened but that is one severe price hike…
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 541
I managed to beat the amazing Returnal the other day after about 50 hours. Then the following day I played through it again to get the second ending without dying once! Isn’t it funny how things work out? Absolutely brilliant game, with the best use of the Dual Sense and 3D audio on the PS5 in my opinion.
Beating Returnal has been the perfect reminder on the eve of my 40th birthday that if you keep chipping away at something without giving up you can indeed “git gud”. I’m now busy clearing the tutorials and combo challenges on Dead or Alive 5&6 after picking them up in recent sales. Getting the timing right on some of the combos and throws is bloody difficult on a standard controller but I’m sure with more practice I’ll get there! Really enjoying this new challenge and I’m even quite tempted to invest in an arcade stick now. Nobody Wants to Die and Kunitsugami are going have to wait a bit longer haha…
Happy gaming everyone!
Re: PS Plus Essential Has 3 More PS5, PS4 Games to Download Now
@Specky Hell yeah! I miss the days when Essential included indie games for PS Vita and PS4. I remember the PS4 being being called Indiestation before big releases started to come out on a regular basis…
Re: PS Plus Essential Has 3 More PS5, PS4 Games to Download Now
I’ve thought about buying Ender Lilies on and off for ages so I’m happy to add it to the library.
@Specky out of curiosity what kind of games would you like to see added?
Re: Random: PS3 Last Seventh Generation Console Standing with Functional Storefront
I wonder if both the PS3 and Vita online stores have seen an increase in online activity recently as the closure of the 360 marketplace approached?
I must say PlayStation announcing that they were shutting down the PS3 and PS Vita stores back in 2021 was one of their best marketing campaigns ever. I must have spent close to AUD$1,000.00 between my Australian and Japanese accounts on both systems since then, including buying heaps of themes and avatars. There are some amazing dynamic themes by an artist called Steven Stahlberg on the PS3 which I love cycling between whenever I boot up console.
Re: Nobody Wants to Die (PS5) - Film Noir Meets Cyberpunk in This Stylish Detective Thriller
Random request - Can anyone please confirm there is vibration/haptic feedback in the first 20 minutes of the game? I’ve checked the settings and tried two different controllers but no luck…strange!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 538
@Daleaf Glad to hear you downloaded it again. That’s pretty impressive that you were able to get to the first boss on your second run despite not having played for a while! Have you tried the tower that came with the DLC update?
I played the first 20 minutes of Nobody Wants To Die today and looking forward to spending more time with it next week. For some reason it there was no vibration or haptic feedback even after checking the settings and swapping controllers. I don’t know if my copy has a bug? Feels like I’m missing out!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 538
@XanderTigerclaw Glad to hear that the sequel has more than enough to bring you back for a second play through. The remaster of the original is a bit unwieldy to control but as you said the story and setting more than make up for it. I’m trying to think of the reason why I put it down now haha. I have plenty of time for Remedy - Control on the PS4 was my first ever platinum. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 538
@Daleaf Absolutely! As you said, once everything clicks it’s such a joy to play. And I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the DualSense feedback when using the grappling hook haha.
I’ll probably start Nobody Wants To Die tonight as I don’t think it’s too long and I’m worried about unintentionally coming across spoilers. Robocop is yet another game I want to get round to one day. There are just too many good games to play!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 538
@XanderTigerclaw Yes, it is so damn good! I can’t wait to see what Housemarque has in store for us next.
Good luck with making progress in Alan Wake II. That’s another game I’ll eventually get to (the original is still in my backlog half-finished!).
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 538
I’ve recently gone back to playing the game that convinced me to upgrade to a PS5: Returnal. After much toil and struggle I managed to beat boss #3 Nemisis on my third attempt on Thursday. The final phase of that battle where you’re constantly having to use the grappling hook to move between collapsing platforms while avoiding enemy fire was just incredible! I thought that was the end of the game but much to my delight it was only the end of Act 1!
Having found my rhythm I managed to smash through the first part of Act 2 relatively quickly last night, beating boss #4 Hyperion on my first attempt by the skin of my teeth! However my euphoria hasn’t lasted long as the enemies on the snow level are now giving me a proper beating today haha.
What an outstanding game to show off what the PS5 can do… Is there a game that makes better use of the DualSense and 3D audio than Returnal? I can’t think of one, at least not out of the games I’ve played (Ghostwire Tokyo is a noteworthy mention).
Anyway, I’ve got Kinitsugami and Nobody Wants To Die both downloaded waiting to be played. But I’m worried if I put Returnal on hold again my reflexes will slow down and I’ll never be able to finish the game. 😅 Not a bad problem to have, mind you. Happy gaming everyone!
Re: Nobody Wants to Die (PS5) - Film Noir Meets Cyberpunk in This Stylish Detective Thriller
As a fan of Altered Carbon (Season 1) and Blade Runner this game really appeals to me, and when I saw the price and rating for mature content it became an instant buy haha. I wish there were more games like this on consoles. If Still Wakes The Deep launched at the same price point it also would have been a day one purchase for me. Oh well, I have a huge backlog so no rush on that one!
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess?
As a big fan of Japanese art and mythology this game has piqued my interest ever since it was announced. However, I was pretty disappointed when I found out that it is a strategy RPG/tower defence game as I tend to avoid that genre (generally don’t have the patience nor time to learn the deeper mechanics found in such games).
Boy am I glad they released a demo for this game as it totally won me over! The novelty of the maiden being a moving target across the map, together with the hack and slack segments, really appealed to me. The art style in the environments and menus inspired by ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) are absolutely gorgeous, and are complemented by an understated soundtrack and cool sfx. The foreboding sound that plays as the sun begins to set matches the atmosphere so well!
Before I knew it I was hooked on the demo and getting into a real rhythm with the day-night cycle. Any game that absorbs me like that and allows me to experience the “flow” state deserves a purchase.
That being said, I can appreciate if people will wait for a sale on this one. Fortunately I have a Japanese PSN account as well as an Australian one because the price discrepancy is ridiculous (5,000¥ vs AUD $74.95!). Considering the current exchange rate I basically saved AUD $25 up front by purchasing the game on my Japanese account.
If they release a physical copy or special limited edition I will happily double dip to support this game. Can’t wait to get stuck into it later this weekend!
Re: Preview: Ignore The Haters, Concord Is a Good PS5 Shooter We Can't Wait to Play More Of
I went in with an open mind but left sorely disappointed. There was a well-polished cutscene but no onboarding to learn the basic controls, mechanics, and different player types. Matchmaking was also nonexistent, as the opposing team in the games I played were ranked far higher, leading to inevitable one-sided victories. Not fun, and certainly not something I would pay for to experience again.
Re: PS Stars 'Returning Soon' in Regional Rollout
My Japanese account is now back up on the mobile app, with points added for purchases made while the system was down.
Re: Rumour: Sony's Still Working on PS3 Emulation for PS5
@nomither6 DriftSense haha I love it! The triggers busted on my first DualSense within 10 days of buying my PS5 and the left stick on the warranty replacement DualSense started drifting last week. Fortunately there is a sale on DualSense controllers at the moment so I bought another replacement yesterday. Not happy that I’m out of pocket though. I’ve never had a problem with any of my PS3 or PS4 DualShock controllers.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 533
Recently finished Vampyr via backwards compatibility on the PS5. I made it through the game without turning or killing any of the main NPCs despite being tempted more than once! Looking forward to doing another play through sometime in the future where I’ll focus on maxing out supernatural abilities and being a ruthless cold-blooded killer haha.
The game could have really benefited from a fast-travel system but overall a solid AA title. I was impressed and pleasantly surprised by the range of political and social issues interwoven into the game without any of it feeling forced or jarring. The letters and collectibles discovered along the way also did a great job to flesh out the story, too. Wish there were more games like this that remind me of the late PS3-early PS4 era. It was also great to see developer Dontnod team up with composer Olivier Deriviere again as I loved what they did with Remember Me a decade ago. The final track on the Vampyr soundtrack, What We Could Have Become, is hauntingly beautiful.
Now I’m back to Rocket League until I figure out which next single-player game to start... Happy weekend everyone!
Re: PS5 Exclusive Rise of the Ronin Is Koei Tecmo's Best-Selling Game
This is great news and well deserved. Ronin is by far my favourite game on the PS5. The way it recreates famous places, buildings, and figures from the Bakumatsu period in Japanese history is absolutely brilliant! The variety of weapons and fighting styles in this game is also incredible and actually spoiled my experience with Stellar Blade somewhat because it made the latter’s combat feel so dull and limited in comparison.
Unfortunately I feel a lot Ronin’s charm and finer details (such as the regional dialects spoken by the huge cast of characters in the game) will be under appreciated or go completely unnoticed by the players unless they’re Japanese or have a keen interest in Japan. Indeed, since watching the preview for the new Assassin’s Creed my respect for Team Ninja and what they achieved with Ronin has only grown.
Re: PS5 Needs to Do a Better Job of Alerting You to the Things Going on in Your Games
@get2sammyb Sony’s communication in general leaves a lot to be desired these days. PlayStation Stars has been down for days now and we’ve received no notification to say it’s being fixed or thanking us for being patient while it’s being updated. It doesn’t take much effort but would certainly be appreciated by the community. Really disappointing how much PlayStation takes its fanbase for granted these days.
Re: Until Dawn Looks Scarily Good in PS5 Gameplay Trailer, Arrives in Fall 2024
In my opinion Sony is just doing what they did with Last of Us Part I - updating one of their games to release on PC but making sure there is a PS5 version to placate their core audience.