Well deserved...a great game with bold and memorable storytelling, as well as through-the-roof gameplay and production values. I probably prefer TLOU1’s story, but this was a great sequel.
I can't believe Xbox signed off on that Halo Infinite demo...it just seemed really bland and it is unforgivable that Xbox's jewel in the crown, Halo, could be presented with such dreadful graphics and...pop-in...where were the 12 Tflops? The "velocity architecture"? Apparently it wasn't even running on a Series X...like what?
Zero gameplay from any other game, whereas the PS5 reveal showed gameplay in about half the games revealed. Personally, it wasn't even close - the PS5 showcase was much better.
As many have said, this is all about Game Pass for MS and I think the rumoured Series S is going to be their main focus this gen. I think the Series X risks getting into trouble if MS does not give people reasons to buy it, especially if it is more expensive than the PS5 (it surely will be, or else there would be no need for a Series S?).
Well, let's not forget that in the PS3 days, online was free and PS Plus was only really about the monthly games and discounts. I still subscribed.
I do seem to recall a consistently higher level of included games (and more of them?) back then though. These days, I think bundling it with PS Now would be excellent.
Seems a bit classless to me - he should stick to talking about the strengths of his platform without taking digs at the competition, especially competition who gave his platform a good kicking this gen!
I'm very much a PES (over FIFA) man, but I personally thought that the 2020 edition was a step back for the franchise. For some reason Konami chose to listen to a vocal minority who complained about the demo, which, in my view, was sublime with a slower considered pace, meaningful physicality and a more targeted approach to making challenges.
Alas the full game returned to breakneck twitch pace and overpowered pressing, where you can double-X through the back of attacking players and take the ball.
I personally hope that Konami will be brave enough to follow through with the philosophy of the 2020 demo in the 2022 release.
@badbob001 That is an excellent point...it also applies to cross-gen games, which I believe they pretty much all will be for a couple of years.
How, apart from loading times, can you design a game that takes full advantage of the Series X SSD, while also portable to the One X, or the One? Without essentially designing two different games, I'm not sure you can do it.
Is it wrong that I love that Unreal 5 tech demo so much? After months of silence, Sony (ably assisted by Epic), in one fell swoop, seized back the next-gen initiative and sent PS5 hype levels into the stratosphere!
This was one of my absolute favourite moments in the game...took me a minute to realise what she was singing...my Danish-pop knowledge is a bit rusty...but wow!
Top notch production values, sublime and gripping gameplay and a powerful story told in a daring fashion, which, whatever your view on what was done, you will not forget.
I gave it a 9 because I thought the Abby section was much longer than it needed to be...then again if it was shorter would I have empathised with her by the end of the game?
Also the Ellie theatre fight had me squirming like nothing I’d ever played before! I did not want to hit her...I desperately wanted to switch back to controlling Ellie...I felt disgusted and was out of sync with my character...Abby wanted to smash Ellie’s face in...discombobulating.
In terms of vision, gameplay and technical prowess, those things are 10 out of 10.
@Mostik I've seen an estimate that the game probably cost at least $100m to make (Screenrant article...no idea how reliable they are)...so, based on that, Sony are probably already in the black on the game.
A review from someone who has not played through the game is totally meaningless. Period. Watching a stream or spoilers are counted in that. No offence to anyone intended.
Reviewing a game based on watching someone else playing the game is like reviewing a rollercoaster after watching a stream of someone riding it - meaningless. Games are interactive and meant to be experienced fully and first hand, in my view.
@Grindagger Hey as you say we'll find out soon enough! From the Cerny presentation IIRC, the 825GB PS5 internal SSD is a custom unit and not user upgradeable. There will be a slot for approved additional NVMe SSD storage which meets the minimum specs. I don't think there is a bay for external HDD/SATA SSD - those just connect up using USB as now.
HZD didn't grip me at the start...only when I got to the Proving mission did it really open up for me...and around that point I ignored the story and just messed around taking down robodinos and upgrading my gear. Then it clicked big time for me - played 72 hours and platinumed it.
Great graphics, great story to explain the world, Aloy became a memorable character, awesome combat for an open world game (compare to GTAV or the Witcher for e.g. HZD has them beat on combat).
Favourite things: First Thunderjaw battle...and the tearblast arrows, for me with the best sound effect in gaming...BAWEEEEB!
Yeah I would lose my mind if this is a launch game or even a year 1 game for the PS5!
@Grindagger Yes there'll also be a slot for off the shelf NVMe SSDs to expand storage...but...the ones on the market currently either not fast enough, or don't have enough layers of prioritizing data to be compatible with the PS5...as and when they become available (Cerny reckons around PS5 launch), Sony will give their stamp of approval for the SSDs to get.
External HDDs will still be compatible, but as mentioned above, for PS4 games only.
I think the SSD upgrades will be expensive initially, so we might have to manage our PS5 installs...probably pricing is resolved around the time of the PS5 Pro....
As someone else mentioned above, a dream announcement for me would be a PS5-SSD-powered-blisteringly-fast launch Wipeout...just imagine...next to zero chance of happening though.
Of the most realistic stuff that could be announced, HZD2 would probably be enough for me, but, yeah, I'd take GT7 too!
If the I/O focus pays off then...Cerny deserves all the accolades he can get.
Incredibly the PS5 is now the only next gen console that can do something beyond the current capabilities of high end PCs (the SSD and I/O)...quite a turnaround from the narrative a few weeks ago.
The Unreal 5 demo pretty much blew everyone's hype-o-meter into the stratosphere ahead of Thursday...I'm trying to stay calm!
Microsoft might have a huge balance sheet, but I can’t see them taking a massive loss on the Series X. Shareholders generally don’t like companies pouring a bunch of cash into loss-making enterprises. Also, Microsoft’s balance sheet did not become so strong in the first place by frittering its resources away! I think they will price aggressively, but only up to the point where they think they will turn a profit when taking game sales, Xbox Live and Game Pass into account. My guess is $450.
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Re: The Last of Us 2 Is Sony's Third Best-Seller in US History
Well deserved...a great game with bold and memorable storytelling, as well as through-the-roof gameplay and production values. I probably prefer TLOU1’s story, but this was a great sequel.
Re: Poll: Did PS5 or Xbox Series X Have the Better Next-Gen Showcase?
I can't believe Xbox signed off on that Halo Infinite demo...it just seemed really bland and it is unforgivable that Xbox's jewel in the crown, Halo, could be presented with such dreadful graphics and...pop-in...where were the 12 Tflops? The "velocity architecture"? Apparently it wasn't even running on a Series X...like what?
Zero gameplay from any other game, whereas the PS5 reveal showed gameplay in about half the games revealed. Personally, it wasn't even close - the PS5 showcase was much better.
As many have said, this is all about Game Pass for MS and I think the rumoured Series S is going to be their main focus this gen. I think the Series X risks getting into trouble if MS does not give people reasons to buy it, especially if it is more expensive than the PS5 (it surely will be, or else there would be no need for a Series S?).
Re: Poll: Would You Still Pay for PS Plus if Online Multiplayer Was Free Elsewhere?
Well, let's not forget that in the PS3 days, online was free and PS Plus was only really about the monthly games and discounts. I still subscribed.
I do seem to recall a consistently higher level of included games (and more of them?) back then though. These days, I think bundling it with PS Now would be excellent.
Re: Xbox Boss Takes More Shots at PS5 Exclusives Saying Fans Won't Be 'Forced' into Next-Gen
Seems a bit classless to me - he should stick to talking about the strengths of his platform without taking digs at the competition, especially competition who gave his platform a good kicking this gen!
Re: PES 2022 Focusing on PS5, PES 2021 Will Be a Season Update
I'm very much a PES (over FIFA) man, but I personally thought that the 2020 edition was a step back for the franchise. For some reason Konami chose to listen to a vocal minority who complained about the demo, which, in my view, was sublime with a slower considered pace, meaningful physicality and a more targeted approach to making challenges.
Alas the full game returned to breakneck twitch pace and overpowered pressing, where you can double-X through the back of attacking players and take the ball.
I personally hope that Konami will be brave enough to follow through with the philosophy of the 2020 demo in the 2022 release.
Edit: Changed 2021 to 2022. Doh!
Re: Naughty Dog Shares Emotional The Last of Us 2 Rehearsal Scene
@Ultima893 Urrrrggghhhhhhhhhh - shame on me! Apologies to all Norwegians, A-ha and their fans...if only I had said "Scandinavian".
Thank you for calling me out...well deserved!
Re: PS5 Is a 'Masterpiece of Systems Design', Says Epic Games
@badbob001 That is an excellent point...it also applies to cross-gen games, which I believe they pretty much all will be for a couple of years.
How, apart from loading times, can you design a game that takes full advantage of the Series X SSD, while also portable to the One X, or the One? Without essentially designing two different games, I'm not sure you can do it.
Re: PS5 Is a 'Masterpiece of Systems Design', Says Epic Games
Is it wrong that I love that Unreal 5 tech demo so much? After months of silence, Sony (ably assisted by Epic), in one fell swoop, seized back the next-gen initiative and sent PS5 hype levels into the stratosphere!
"Don't fail me now!"
Re: Naughty Dog Shares Emotional The Last of Us 2 Rehearsal Scene
This was one of my absolute favourite moments in the game...took me a minute to realise what she was singing...my Danish-pop knowledge is a bit rusty...but wow!
Re: Talking Point: The Last of Us 2 Spoilers Discussion
A bold and groundbreaking game.
Top notch production values, sublime and gripping gameplay and a powerful story told in a daring fashion, which, whatever your view on what was done, you will not forget.
I gave it a 9 because I thought the Abby section was much longer than it needed to be...then again if it was shorter would I have empathised with her by the end of the game?
Also the Ellie theatre fight had me squirming like nothing I’d ever played before! I did not want to hit her...I desperately wanted to switch back to controlling Ellie...I felt disgusted and was out of sync with my character...Abby wanted to smash Ellie’s face in...discombobulating.
In terms of vision, gameplay and technical prowess, those things are 10 out of 10.
Re: The Last of Us 2 Is the Fastest Selling PS4 Exclusive Ever, Over 4 Million Sold in Three Days
@Mostik I've seen an estimate that the game probably cost at least $100m to make (Screenrant article...no idea how reliable they are)...so, based on that, Sony are probably already in the black on the game.
Re: The Last of Us 2 Is the Fastest Selling PS4 Exclusive Ever, Over 4 Million Sold in Three Days
In Dog We Trust!
Fantastic, bold, groundbreaking game, well deserved.
Re: Of Course The Last of Us 2 Is Being Review Bombed
A review from someone who has not played through the game is totally meaningless. Period. Watching a stream or spoilers are counted in that. No offence to anyone intended.
Reviewing a game based on watching someone else playing the game is like reviewing a rollercoaster after watching a stream of someone riding it - meaningless. Games are interactive and meant to be experienced fully and first hand, in my view.
Re: PS5 Preorder Price Is $699 on Play-Asia, Has Fans Praying It's a Placeholder
I can only see myself paying above £500 for included beefed up SSD storage.
I honestly think £499/£449 for disc/discless versions will be the pricing...
Re: PS5 £599 Retail Listing Is an Error, Says Amazon UK
@Grindagger Hey as you say we'll find out soon enough! From the Cerny presentation IIRC, the 825GB PS5 internal SSD is a custom unit and not user upgradeable. There will be a slot for approved additional NVMe SSD storage which meets the minimum specs. I don't think there is a bay for external HDD/SATA SSD - those just connect up using USB as now.
I hope that helps!
Re: Horizon Zero Dawn Composer Tweets About PS5 Event, Fans Lose Their Minds
HZD didn't grip me at the start...only when I got to the Proving mission did it really open up for me...and around that point I ignored the story and just messed around taking down robodinos and upgrading my gear. Then it clicked big time for me - played 72 hours and platinumed it.
Great graphics, great story to explain the world, Aloy became a memorable character, awesome combat for an open world game (compare to GTAV or the Witcher for e.g. HZD has them beat on combat).
Favourite things: First Thunderjaw battle...and the tearblast arrows, for me with the best sound effect in gaming...BAWEEEEB!
Yeah I would lose my mind if this is a launch game or even a year 1 game for the PS5!
Re: PS5 £599 Retail Listing Is an Error, Says Amazon UK
@Grindagger Yes there'll also be a slot for off the shelf NVMe SSDs to expand storage...but...the ones on the market currently either not fast enough, or don't have enough layers of prioritizing data to be compatible with the PS5...as and when they become available (Cerny reckons around PS5 launch), Sony will give their stamp of approval for the SSDs to get.
External HDDs will still be compatible, but as mentioned above, for PS4 games only.
I think the SSD upgrades will be expensive initially, so we might have to manage our PS5 installs...probably pricing is resolved around the time of the PS5 Pro....
Re: Horizon Zero Dawn Composer Tweets About PS5 Event, Fans Lose Their Minds
If this and/or GT7 end up being launch games, Sony will have to double their initial production run...still 6 hours 40 mins or so to go...sigh...
Re: Feature: Predict Sony's PS5 Event with This Yes or No Quiz
Great survey, a couple of those made me chuckle! If they say "Knack", I'll think of Push Square!
Re: Feature: Our PS5 Reveal Event Predictions, Hopes, and Dreams
As someone else mentioned above, a dream announcement for me would be a PS5-SSD-powered-blisteringly-fast launch Wipeout...just imagine...next to zero chance of happening though.
Of the most realistic stuff that could be announced, HZD2 would probably be enough for me, but, yeah, I'd take GT7 too!
Re: Devs Still Raving Over PS5, Some Say It Has 'Better Architecture Than Any Console in History'
If the I/O focus pays off then...Cerny deserves all the accolades he can get.
Incredibly the PS5 is now the only next gen console that can do something beyond the current capabilities of high end PCs (the SSD and I/O)...quite a turnaround from the narrative a few weeks ago.
The Unreal 5 demo pretty much blew everyone's hype-o-meter into the stratosphere ahead of Thursday...I'm trying to stay calm!
Re: PS5 Event Confirmed, Over an Hour of PS5 Games Will Be Shown Next Week
@Octane My credit card is ready!
Re: PS5 Event Confirmed, Over an Hour of PS5 Games Will Be Shown Next Week
Get in! And at a reasonable time in the UK! Time to make sure snacks and drinks are at the ready!
For me if HZD2 is a launch title, the rest would be just be the icing on the cake!
I've watched the Unreal 5 demo about 20 times...so what am I going to do after 1 hour or more of gameplay?
Re: PS5's Price Could Be Undercut by Xbox Series X, Analysts Suggest
Microsoft might have a huge balance sheet, but I can’t see them taking a massive loss on the Series X. Shareholders generally don’t like companies pouring a bunch of cash into loss-making enterprises. Also, Microsoft’s balance sheet did not become so strong in the first place by frittering its resources away! I think they will price aggressively, but only up to the point where they think they will turn a profit when taking game sales, Xbox Live and Game Pass into account. My guess is $450.
Also, when has Michael Pachter ever been right?!
Re: Reaction: Sony Needs to Show Us a True, Next-Gen PS5 Exclusive After Lukewarm Inside Xbox
I think this article is spot on. I am hyper ready for PS5, PlayStation through and through, but Sony’s silent approach is bugging me.
Microsoft made their first Series X misstep yesterday though, so a well crafted counterpunch from Sony (hopefully soon!) could land well.
Maybe this is Sony’s version of console rope-a-dope...let the competition punch itself out, then start fighting!