@ingie It's just so satisfying and relaxing haha. But by that same token, I can get why someone would not like it, or even just look at it and not wanna play it at all haha. I expected to play it for about 15 minutes....right before I played it for about 30 hours haha
@LazyLombax I think I ended up trying them briefly but then leaving them off the one time I booted up the game haha. I should try it again with them on. I only disable the adaptive triggers for online games usually
@Ar_az It's on my list, but I haven't gotten around to it yet! Playing or listening to the soundtrack for that matter!
@Kraven Actually, for what it's worth (and in case this helps anyone), this is NOT a staff vote one, so it's not a collective bout of insanity or anything, strictly a solo mission!
@Amnesiac Hmmmmmmmm, I dunno about that opinion! It's not quite toxic enough! But yeah, my stuff sure does tend to attract those kinds of comments! My Game of the Year articles every year must be a feast for you! bahahah
@clvr Yes! A HROT port right now please! I gotta play that one too. As for DUSK top 5 shooter, I don't think I can argue against it haha. It's such an incredible game!
@EfYI Not to worry, I didn't see the original form, so I'm a-okay haha.
It's basically PS1 vibes visually haha. That pixelated look, but everything's just way more elaborate and cavernous thanks to all the new processing power. Funnily enough they just "remastered" the game not too long ago with some more modern looking textures as a fun little throw-in, though I'm not sure if it's a part of the PS4 version, I should look
@Hyena_socks Big time agreed! very much under the radar, but the writing was just so good! I loved it!
@Ralizah It seems like more than just #5 haha. I swear I get attacked on my personal list ever year for something, and I had a feeling that was gonna be a problem for some. But hey, it's not their list! Another one playing Prodeus! I really need to get started on that haha. DOOM Eternal is also fantastic, you won't go wrong with either haha.
@playstation1995 100% agreed!
@Drago201 Honestly same haha, Even while reviewing I was unsure what to expect, but by the time credits rolled, I loved it!
@zhoont Bigtime same! Alan Wake 1 was one of my favorite games basically immediately upon playing it, and I've spent the last, what, 13 years(?!?) waiting and hoping for a proper sequel, it had been so long, that I wanted to give up, but with how publicly enamored with the property the team at Remedy was (especially Sam Lake!) I never really gave up hope. And look what happened!
@Northern_munkey Well I never saw the original comment, so no offense taken! I absolutely adore Power Wash sim haha. I find it super gratifying and super relaxing to play. I booted it up originally as a joke, cuz I had just finished trying Lawn Mowing sim on gamepass for about 10 minutes, and I expected more of the same. And then I played nothing else for the next 2 weeks haha. And THEN when it was released on PS5, I played it AGAIN all the way through. And if PSVR2 ever gets the VR version, I think I'll probably do it a 3rd time haha.
@ErrantRob I'm so backed up on my boomer shooters, I love the genre so much. Cultic, Turbo Overkill, HROT, Wrath: Aeon of Ruin, Maximum Action on Steam and then Prodeus and Boltgun on PS5. That'll keep me busy for a while!
@Mostik Hahaha, I actually have the inverse! I've had Prodeus installed on my PS5 for ages now and I just haven't started it! I should really do that haha.
@Stevemalkpus I did my part, it was my #1 on the staff vote too!
@EnragedGibbon I've always wanted to see Dream Pop crop up in there too haha. Some Beach House, Alvvays, hell Julee Cruise even! It'd be a little more lowkey, but Synth Riders is like the only game where I feel like that'd be a good fit.
Yeah, it's one major flaw in not having PCVR haha. It kinda sucks
@WavesOfActivity Hard agree! Back in the day, I had enough friends who wanted to play regularly that we could field a full lineup on the ice some nights. But now? It's just me and one poor other friend of mine and that's about it haha. And given the state of them, I find it hard to so much as broach the subject of trying out NHL again, I don't wanna do that to them haha
@tomassi It's not that change is inherently the problem. The problem is the matter of making the RIGHT changes. Like the checking as I mentioned is just dreadful. So it magnifies how unnecessary the change felt as the prior system already worked pretty well. Whereas the new control scheme while it takes some adjustment, I would consider a good change even though the skill stick system is pretty excellent as it is.
@Arnna I can't imagine it's higher haha. gotta be the lowest on the totem pole right? Hockey's the only sport I'm personally into/obsessed with, but it usually tends to bring up the rear in popularity haha
@REALAIS Yeah I kinda like that haha. It feels a lot more like what sustained pressure looks like in real hockey, especially the cascade of errors that can come from it. It could do with some slider adjustments to tweak how strong it is, but with how many other issues I had with this year, that was a bright spot for me!
@somnambulance not in active development that whole time, but yeah I think the initial announce was like 2011? 2012? Got re-announced last year or the year before, but it's just been right back to radio silence again since then haha. I could see that being a similar kind of letdown just by nature of how long I've been anticipating it! Hopefully in the next decade it does in fact come out haha
@somnambulance That's the exact same fear I have about Routine when (well, IF) it comes out if you're familiar with that one! Been following that game for what feels like nearly as long as I'd been following Scorn haha. Hopefully a different result on that one!
@The_Pixel_King The gameplay is a bit much to get through haha, it's...not the best. Some of the absolute best art I've ever seen in a game though! Just look up a gallery of screenshots if you don't wanna play it haha
@matekomlosi It's definitely a verrrrrry different kind of horror that's for sure haha. Leans more into the body horror/ biomechanical grotesquery of Giger's work, as opposed to the more "traditional" let's call it, horror.
@JayJ I tend to agree! Either that or go in the complete opposite direction and reduce the amount of traditional gameplay even further!
@Reptilio I would have much preferred if they just completely sidestepped combat haha. I think it would have worked a lot better as more of a pure walking sim, with some of the puzzle stuff intact.
@Loamy ALL the art is incredible! if you like the box art, buckle up haha
@Loamy Definitely agree that the setting is criminally under-utilized. That was the biggest reason I was excited for this honestly, and it's definitely the best part! There just isn't enough of it
@tameshiyaku Oh, Dustborn I wasn't even thinking about, I figured you meant a game that had come out already!
Read Only Memories was really good! That one I did play. Coffee Talk is pretty good too (Haven't played the 2nd one yet though) even if it's basically a Va-11 Hall-A knockoff haha. Red Strings Club is another one on my radar, I haven't played it yet, but I intend to!
@KAIRU But flipside, if it's something you wouldn't get on with, forcing yourself to play won't help either! If you find one that you're interested in, you'll know! Basically, it's just a matter of finding a visual novel type game that has an art style you like enough to try it out. That's partially where Va-11 Hall-A was definitely the one that sealed that for me!
@KAIRU I've played my share of them at this point, but only a couple have ever really stuck with me or been properly great. I would group this amongst those for sure. Va-11 Hall-A definitely as well. Beyond that though, it gets hard to think of examples haha
@Johnnycide BACK IN MY DAY THEY HAD NORMAL HUMAN SKIN, WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE
@FullMetalWesker Oh it absolutely disappeared for a while haha. Originally it was supposed to launch in 2021 I believe?
@Nyne11Tyme It works, I just don't particularly think it's executed as well as it could be. Percentage-wise, it's not a ton of the game where you're doing the rhythm stuff anyway. Primarily all about the visual novel elements.
@Jackpaza0508 @Kidfried I do what I can!
@Jaz007 Well, because it's not a negative. At worst, the anthropomorphized dinosaurs are a little distracting in the beginning, but as the characters start to do their thing, it's pretty much immaterial. At that point, they're just characters. Great ones at that!
@render Being a visual novel, with relatively little by way of camera movement, you're probably in the clear haha
@PixelDragon It's okay, it didn't read as vitriolic, it's just not one I was content with letting go by haha. I probably could have phrased it more strongly in the "pros" list though. In the body of the article I do call the price "impressively low" so it's a little more positive there at least!
And honestly, it's fine to leave the comment haha, it opened up a dialogue! So I don't personally have an issue with it staying.
@PixelDragon The Steam upgrade being free, awesome as it is, has no bearing on the PS5 review. Free PC upgrades are always incredibly welcome of course.
And that's why it's listed as a "pro"! Because it's a good price worth bringing up!
Suggesting I consciously wanted to dock it just because "it's old" would be morally reprehensible. I wouldn't be okay with myself if I had some agenda like that when I wrote any sort of review, Quake or not. AND retro shooters (and boomer shooters in general) are basically my favorite corner of gaming haha. Half the games I play in my free time these days fall under that category, you should see my Steam Deck list of installed games!
@JB_Whiting Definitely familiar with Quake. Been playing the series since the first one was considered "new" haha. And like I mentioned, more or less constantly playing a retro/boomer shooter of some sort basically at any point I'm gaming!
@Northern_munkey A Nightdive helmed remaster of Deus Ex sounds perfect! They seem to be the master of updating and re-invigorating life into titles (especially shooters it seems) from this era
@Olskeezy If you've never played it, please don't be scared away! You'd be doing a disservice to yourself (assuming you're interested in shooters of course.) That being said (and this might rile up even more people), I'd recommend starting with the updated PS5 version of Quake 1, I preferred that one haha
@themcnoisy To be fair to Goldeneye (or I guess to be more fair to Quake II) far more work has gone into this Quake II update than the Goldeneye one received haha. Goldeneye is more cool to revisit as a neat antiquity. Quake II plays on par (more or less) with contemporary "boomer shooters" I would say.
Ahhhh the OG Unreal! good times!
@Kidfried @Kanji-Tatsumi Noooo, stop defending me! I belong in a sanitarium for really liking this remaster, and liking the remaster of Quake 1 even more!
@JB_Whiting mentioned in the review, the hit detection is more a nuisance rather than a widespread systemic problem. Just seems like something that warrants mentioning considering the title in question happens to be a Quake game haha.
@KaijuKaiser $29.99 /£24.99 which is honestly a little steep, once it dips a bit, definitely worth it I'd say!
@Ken_Kaniff I've had a soft spot for these dating back to when I was a kid! If you love this, in addition to checking this game, I recommend Venineth, which is maybe the coolest marble game I've ever played.
@WaveBoy Gah, that whole demo is so cool. One of my earliest ever VR experiences (played Thumper and Fated: The Silent Oath at PAX East shortly before VR dropped, that was my first experience, but the shark demo was close behind!)
Right there with you about the ocean haha. I BIGTIME have thalassaphobia, and sharks I both love and am terrified by haha. VR worlds in general I quite liked and it' such a good package for showing non-gamers the tech! My mom screamed at the shark demo and tried ripping the headset off too haha
I've wanted a good tech demo or game to show PSVR2 off as well! My grandfather was asking about it actually haha, but there's just nothing I could put in front of him that he'd really have the feel for. The closest is probably Puzzling Places? but that's more because of the low stakes than anything. Requires a lot of item manipulation and awareness of your controllers and such. Those are the kind of experiences you would normally want to launch alongside the peripheral.
I don't disagree with any of those suggested improvements for the headset, but it's such a vast improvement over PSVR1 that I can stomach how it currently is. What I can't stomach is the almost complete absence of first party software outside of what, GT7 and Horizon? Synapse they marketed like a 1st party title, so let's include that too. But still, that's pretty underwhelming. Maybe as the sale numbers continue to improve they'll start sharing details on games that are (hopefully) in development. Because as it stands, there's a TON of incredible stuff to play on the headset, but almost all of it you can play on any headset.
An Astro Bot sequel seems like a no-brainer, even a remaster is acceptable though haha. Totally agreed on Half-Life: Alyx, I want it so much, but I'm skeptical of it ever happening. I've also desperately wanted a VR version of Alien: Isolation as well. And the original Outlast. A whole bunch of horror games haha
@Art_Vandelay I feel like I've seen a couple of trailers like that, but definitely not a ton. It'd be a lot more compelling at selling games to users who love the peripheral but are on the fence about individual games, but like you said, not super helpful, and bringing in those who are skeptical of VR or simply don't have it.
@Art_Vandelay I completely agree! Once you start playing VR games regularly, it's a lot easier to look at a trailer for a VR game, and be able to tell what the appeal and allure would be. But it's not a perfect way to experience, and for those that don't play VR at all, trailers usually look incredibly underwhelming, especially when held up alongside trailers for traditional gaming
@WaveBoy I would kill for a port of that Ocean Descent experience from VR Worlds! THat was always the very first thing I would use to show friends and family VR. Especially family who don't play any games. My grandfather was absolutely smitten with that demo, thought it was incredible, and he still has a tough time with Smart TV remotes haha
@Hoodie718 Tracking is very much not a problem now! I didn't a single tracking problem my whole time with the game. Not even a hiccup in fact!
As for room scale, yeah it won't start without messing around with your playspace parameters but it's a non-issue with telep[orting movement. I was worried at first as well, as I have a pretty cramped play space, but you can play the game wholly stationary and it won't be an issue one bit!
@StylesT Insofar as all rhythm gmases that use a note chart are similar to each other. But Beat Saber is a much more aggressive title that focuses on drum rhythms differently, so there's a lot more DNB/Dubstep kindsa music.
Synth Riders instead emphasizes synthwave, cyberpunk, and electro-swing. The game overall is a bit more "chill" but on higher difficulties, you'll still absolutely break a sweat! Synth Riders more than any of the other PSVR music games I've played so far is better at approximating actual dance moves too! Feels more like you're actually dancing while you play
@Fritz167 there's so much great synthwave in this game honestly. I've loved Staarcadian for years so seeing them on the list the first time I booted up the game was exciting! Lots of The Midnight and Scandroid too. I do wish there were more Gunship though!
@Voltan @ORO_ERICIUS It was free to coincide with the launch of PSVR2 sadly BUT I also think that's the best one haha. Definitely recommended @AdamNovice !
@HotGoomba I definitely hope so! The actual core gameplay is so fun, I'd gladly play more of it!
@NEStalgia Yeah, they're both very much games worth checking out! I might have had more issues with one than the other, but both are incredible fun! Even if Light Brigade outdoes itself haha
@Discol76 It very much is! Yeah, a 7 is in no way shape or form a bad thing haha
@NEStalgia I think they're both doing great stuff, but as an overall package, I'm definitely giving the edge to Light Brigade! More complete experience, and more unique gameplay encounters, but on the other hand Synapse does a fair number of things just as well, BUT it has its kinesis which is so good too!
@Wormwood23 If you liked Fracked, I think you'll still get a decent amount out of this! nDreams definitely seem like they're more comfortable working in the VR space than a lot of devs, so the games got a lot of strengths even as it currently is!
@thefourfoldroot1 @naruball @guitarpete987 @Dange @HotGoomba re: the game being too short. Normally I completely agree! I'd honestly prefer a VR game to be shorter, but so long as the game still feels complete. In this particular instance, it's a negative because it feels like the game launched missing half the levels it's supposed to have. It's brilliant fun still, but it just feels like a whole chunk of the game simply isn't there!
@Scottyy Yeah, some light puzzling, but in the absolute broadest sense, a walking sim!
@Bez87 As long as Anshar lends a hand with the Silent Hill remake, then....maybe haha.
@Danloaded Probably gonna be disappointed. Layers of Fear you make the argument as being Bloober's "scariest" game, but you could still be more effectively scared in other titles more if none of their other stuff really did it for you.
@Loamy Yeah I had my share of gripes with LoF2 back when it launched as well! It's still definitely weaker than what came before it in this version, but it's better than it was at least haha
@Ralizah I'd say that's worth it! Either that or the VR version! Wouldn't mind that getting brought over to PSVR2 come to think of it haha
@PegasusActual93 Yes and no. Layer of Fear 2 is still noticeably weaker than the first game, but this whole unification of the series that this remake is shooting for helps a bit. The whole package plays better now, but the sloggy bits are still overlong. So the answer is...sort of...hahaha.
@Bunchesopuppies Yeah, the Yar stuff made me especially happy to see haha. A definite standout!
@Amnesiac Love that era's look! That Lego set of the 2600 was so fun to make too!
@ztpayne7 It wouldn't hurt to have played the others for some of the context, but the game is good at filling you in as you go even if you didn't already know the information. I'd say you could jump right in with this one!
@thefourfoldroot1 $29.99 I believe, and no news that I've heard about the PSVR2 ports of the other 2. I'm pretty sure there was supposed to have been news by now. Maybe they were just waiting for the newest one to drop
Comments 1,489
Re: Game of the Year: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@ingie It's just so satisfying and relaxing haha. But by that same token, I can get why someone would not like it, or even just look at it and not wanna play it at all haha. I expected to play it for about 15 minutes....right before I played it for about 30 hours haha
@LazyLombax I think I ended up trying them briefly but then leaving them off the one time I booted up the game haha. I should try it again with them on. I only disable the adaptive triggers for online games usually
Re: Game of the Year: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@clvr You as well!
Re: Game of the Year: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@clvr I had hoped to, but no dice
Re: Game of the Year: Top 10 PS5, PS4 Soundtracks of 2023
@Ar_az It's on my list, but I haven't gotten around to it yet! Playing or listening to the soundtrack for that matter!
@Kraven Actually, for what it's worth (and in case this helps anyone), this is NOT a staff vote one, so it's not a collective bout of insanity or anything, strictly a solo mission!
@Amnesiac Hmmmmmmmm, I dunno about that opinion! It's not quite toxic enough! But yeah, my stuff sure does tend to attract those kinds of comments! My Game of the Year articles every year must be a feast for you! bahahah
Re: Game of the Year: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@clvr That's what I thought, but I couldn't remember for sure if I had just overlooked the option in the menu, or if it wasn't there to begin with!
Re: Game of the Year 2023: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@clvr Yes! A HROT port right now please! I gotta play that one too. As for DUSK top 5 shooter, I don't think I can argue against it haha. It's such an incredible game!
Re: Game of the Year 2023: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@LazyLombax Ah-hah! Someone else playing Prodeus! That's 3 just in these comments alone! I really need to start it
Re: Game of the Year 2023: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@LazyLombax I'll call that a "mission accomplished" !!! The game is unbelievable!
Re: Game of the Year 2023: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@EfYI Not to worry, I didn't see the original form, so I'm a-okay haha.
It's basically PS1 vibes visually haha. That pixelated look, but everything's just way more elaborate and cavernous thanks to all the new processing power. Funnily enough they just "remastered" the game not too long ago with some more modern looking textures as a fun little throw-in, though I'm not sure if it's a part of the PS4 version, I should look
Re: Game of the Year 2023: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@Hyena_socks Big time agreed! very much under the radar, but the writing was just so good! I loved it!
@Ralizah It seems like more than just #5 haha. I swear I get attacked on my personal list ever year for something, and I had a feeling that was gonna be a problem for some. But hey, it's not their list! Another one playing Prodeus! I really need to get started on that haha. DOOM Eternal is also fantastic, you won't go wrong with either haha.
@playstation1995 100% agreed!
@Drago201 Honestly same haha, Even while reviewing I was unsure what to expect, but by the time credits rolled, I loved it!
@zhoont Bigtime same! Alan Wake 1 was one of my favorite games basically immediately upon playing it, and I've spent the last, what, 13 years(?!?) waiting and hoping for a proper sequel, it had been so long, that I wanted to give up, but with how publicly enamored with the property the team at Remedy was (especially Sam Lake!) I never really gave up hope. And look what happened!
Re: Game of the Year 2023: Graham's Top 5 PS5, PS4 Games of 2023
@Northern_munkey Well I never saw the original comment, so no offense taken! I absolutely adore Power Wash sim haha. I find it super gratifying and super relaxing to play. I booted it up originally as a joke, cuz I had just finished trying Lawn Mowing sim on gamepass for about 10 minutes, and I expected more of the same. And then I played nothing else for the next 2 weeks haha. And THEN when it was released on PS5, I played it AGAIN all the way through. And if PSVR2 ever gets the VR version, I think I'll probably do it a 3rd time haha.
@ErrantRob I'm so backed up on my boomer shooters, I love the genre so much. Cultic, Turbo Overkill, HROT, Wrath: Aeon of Ruin, Maximum Action on Steam and then Prodeus and Boltgun on PS5. That'll keep me busy for a while!
@Mostik Hahaha, I actually have the inverse! I've had Prodeus installed on my PS5 for ages now and I just haven't started it! I should really do that haha.
@Stevemalkpus I did my part, it was my #1 on the staff vote too!
Re: Synth Riders Spooky Update Adds Yet More Free Content
@Fishnpeas Hey, at least there's no wrong answer between the 2! Both incredible games
Re: Synth Riders Spooky Update Adds Yet More Free Content
@Burntbreadman A Halloween pack especially sounds incredible! I'd certainly get it haha
If console rhythm games were able to have custom songs though. Ugh, what I wouldn't give for that!
Re: Synth Riders Spooky Update Adds Yet More Free Content
@EnragedGibbon I've always wanted to see Dream Pop crop up in there too haha. Some Beach House, Alvvays, hell Julee Cruise even! It'd be a little more lowkey, but Synth Riders is like the only game where I feel like that'd be a good fit.
Yeah, it's one major flaw in not having PCVR haha. It kinda sucks
Re: Mini Review: Tennis On-Court (PSVR2) - Solid Gameplay Surrounded by Technical Issues
@BetaRabbit64 It might (hopefully) be less broken by then!
@Mikey856 @ztpayne7 Definitely hopefully!
Re: NHL 24 (PS5) - One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
@WavesOfActivity Hard agree! Back in the day, I had enough friends who wanted to play regularly that we could field a full lineup on the ice some nights. But now? It's just me and one poor other friend of mine and that's about it haha. And given the state of them, I find it hard to so much as broach the subject of trying out NHL again, I don't wanna do that to them haha
@tomassi It's not that change is inherently the problem. The problem is the matter of making the RIGHT changes. Like the checking as I mentioned is just dreadful. So it magnifies how unnecessary the change felt as the prior system already worked pretty well. Whereas the new control scheme while it takes some adjustment, I would consider a good change even though the skill stick system is pretty excellent as it is.
@Arnna I can't imagine it's higher haha. gotta be the lowest on the totem pole right? Hockey's the only sport I'm personally into/obsessed with, but it usually tends to bring up the rear in popularity haha
@REALAIS Yeah I kinda like that haha. It feels a lot more like what sustained pressure looks like in real hockey, especially the cascade of errors that can come from it. It could do with some slider adjustments to tweak how strong it is, but with how many other issues I had with this year, that was a bright spot for me!
Re: Mini Review: Scorn (PS5) - A Brilliantly Disgusting Puzzler with Gameplay Woes
@somnambulance not in active development that whole time, but yeah I think the initial announce was like 2011? 2012? Got re-announced last year or the year before, but it's just been right back to radio silence again since then haha. I could see that being a similar kind of letdown just by nature of how long I've been anticipating it! Hopefully in the next decade it does in fact come out haha
Re: Mini Review: Scorn (PS5) - A Brilliantly Disgusting Puzzler with Gameplay Woes
@somnambulance That's the exact same fear I have about Routine when (well, IF) it comes out if you're familiar with that one! Been following that game for what feels like nearly as long as I'd been following Scorn haha. Hopefully a different result on that one!
@The_Pixel_King The gameplay is a bit much to get through haha, it's...not the best. Some of the absolute best art I've ever seen in a game though! Just look up a gallery of screenshots if you don't wanna play it haha
Re: Mini Review: Scorn (PS5) - A Brilliantly Disgusting Puzzler with Gameplay Woes
@matekomlosi It's definitely a verrrrrry different kind of horror that's for sure haha. Leans more into the body horror/ biomechanical grotesquery of Giger's work, as opposed to the more "traditional" let's call it, horror.
Re: Mini Review: Scorn (PS5) - A Brilliantly Disgusting Puzzler with Gameplay Woes
@JayJ I tend to agree! Either that or go in the complete opposite direction and reduce the amount of traditional gameplay even further!
@Reptilio I would have much preferred if they just completely sidestepped combat haha. I think it would have worked a lot better as more of a pure walking sim, with some of the puzzle stuff intact.
@Loamy ALL the art is incredible! if you like the box art, buckle up haha
Re: Mini Review: Ad Infinitum (PS5) - An Intriguing Horror Premise, Poorly Executed
@Loamy Definitely agree that the setting is criminally under-utilized. That was the biggest reason I was excited for this honestly, and it's definitely the best part! There just isn't enough of it
Re: Goodbye Volcano High (PS5) - Wonderfully Written, But Stumbles on the Rhythm
@tameshiyaku Oh, Dustborn I wasn't even thinking about, I figured you meant a game that had come out already!
Read Only Memories was really good! That one I did play. Coffee Talk is pretty good too (Haven't played the 2nd one yet though) even if it's basically a Va-11 Hall-A knockoff haha. Red Strings Club is another one on my radar, I haven't played it yet, but I intend to!
Re: Goodbye Volcano High (PS5) - Wonderfully Written, But Stumbles on the Rhythm
@tameshiyaku We Are OFK? It's got a similar kinda band setup to it, that's the first one that came to mind at least
Re: Goodbye Volcano High (PS5) - Wonderfully Written, But Stumbles on the Rhythm
@KAIRU But flipside, if it's something you wouldn't get on with, forcing yourself to play won't help either! If you find one that you're interested in, you'll know! Basically, it's just a matter of finding a visual novel type game that has an art style you like enough to try it out. That's partially where Va-11 Hall-A was definitely the one that sealed that for me!
Re: Goodbye Volcano High (PS5) - Wonderfully Written, But Stumbles on the Rhythm
@johncalmc Do itttttttt
@KAIRU I've played my share of them at this point, but only a couple have ever really stuck with me or been properly great. I would group this amongst those for sure. Va-11 Hall-A definitely as well. Beyond that though, it gets hard to think of examples haha
@Johnnycide BACK IN MY DAY THEY HAD NORMAL HUMAN SKIN, WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE
@FullMetalWesker Oh it absolutely disappeared for a while haha. Originally it was supposed to launch in 2021 I believe?
Re: Goodbye Volcano High (PS5) - Wonderfully Written, But Stumbles on the Rhythm
@Nyne11Tyme It works, I just don't particularly think it's executed as well as it could be. Percentage-wise, it's not a ton of the game where you're doing the rhythm stuff anyway. Primarily all about the visual novel elements.
@Jackpaza0508 @Kidfried I do what I can!
@Jaz007 Well, because it's not a negative. At worst, the anthropomorphized dinosaurs are a little distracting in the beginning, but as the characters start to do their thing, it's pretty much immaterial. At that point, they're just characters. Great ones at that!
@render Being a visual novel, with relatively little by way of camera movement, you're probably in the clear haha
Re: Mini Review: Quake II (PS5) - A Remastered Classic with Real Bang for Your Buck
@JB_Whiting No problemo!
Re: Mini Review: Quake II (PS5) - A Remastered Classic with Real Bang for Your Buck
@PixelDragon It's okay, it didn't read as vitriolic, it's just not one I was content with letting go by haha. I probably could have phrased it more strongly in the "pros" list though. In the body of the article I do call the price "impressively low" so it's a little more positive there at least!
And honestly, it's fine to leave the comment haha, it opened up a dialogue! So I don't personally have an issue with it staying.
Re: Mini Review: Quake II (PS5) - A Remastered Classic with Real Bang for Your Buck
@PixelDragon The Steam upgrade being free, awesome as it is, has no bearing on the PS5 review. Free PC upgrades are always incredibly welcome of course.
And that's why it's listed as a "pro"! Because it's a good price worth bringing up!
Suggesting I consciously wanted to dock it just because "it's old" would be morally reprehensible. I wouldn't be okay with myself if I had some agenda like that when I wrote any sort of review, Quake or not. AND retro shooters (and boomer shooters in general) are basically my favorite corner of gaming haha. Half the games I play in my free time these days fall under that category, you should see my Steam Deck list of installed games!
@JB_Whiting Definitely familiar with Quake. Been playing the series since the first one was considered "new" haha. And like I mentioned, more or less constantly playing a retro/boomer shooter of some sort basically at any point I'm gaming!
Re: Mini Review: Quake II (PS5) - A Remastered Classic with Real Bang for Your Buck
@Northern_munkey A Nightdive helmed remaster of Deus Ex sounds perfect! They seem to be the master of updating and re-invigorating life into titles (especially shooters it seems) from this era
@Olskeezy If you've never played it, please don't be scared away! You'd be doing a disservice to yourself (assuming you're interested in shooters of course.) That being said (and this might rile up even more people), I'd recommend starting with the updated PS5 version of Quake 1, I preferred that one haha
Re: Mini Review: Quake II (PS5) - A Remastered Classic with Real Bang for Your Buck
@themcnoisy To be fair to Goldeneye (or I guess to be more fair to Quake II) far more work has gone into this Quake II update than the Goldeneye one received haha. Goldeneye is more cool to revisit as a neat antiquity. Quake II plays on par (more or less) with contemporary "boomer shooters" I would say.
Ahhhh the OG Unreal! good times!
@Kidfried @Kanji-Tatsumi Noooo, stop defending me! I belong in a sanitarium for really liking this remaster, and liking the remaster of Quake 1 even more!
@JB_Whiting mentioned in the review, the hit detection is more a nuisance rather than a widespread systemic problem. Just seems like something that warrants mentioning considering the title in question happens to be a Quake game haha.
Re: Mini Review: Marble It Up! Ultra (PS5) - Colourful Arcade Game Is a Marble Blast
@Ken_Kaniff Sadly no I bought it on Steam when I played it. I think it might also be on itch.io? No PlayStation as far as I know though
Re: Mini Review: Marble It Up! Ultra (PS5) - Colourful Arcade Game Is a Marble Blast
@KaijuKaiser $29.99 /£24.99 which is honestly a little steep, once it dips a bit, definitely worth it I'd say!
@Ken_Kaniff I've had a soft spot for these dating back to when I was a kid! If you love this, in addition to checking this game, I recommend Venineth, which is maybe the coolest marble game I've ever played.
Re: Mini Review: The Room VR: A Dark Matter (PSVR2) - Exquisite VR Escape Room Beckons You to the Past
@WaveBoy Gah, that whole demo is so cool. One of my earliest ever VR experiences (played Thumper and Fated: The Silent Oath at PAX East shortly before VR dropped, that was my first experience, but the shark demo was close behind!)
Right there with you about the ocean haha. I BIGTIME have thalassaphobia, and sharks I both love and am terrified by haha. VR worlds in general I quite liked and it' such a good package for showing non-gamers the tech! My mom screamed at the shark demo and tried ripping the headset off too haha
I've wanted a good tech demo or game to show PSVR2 off as well! My grandfather was asking about it actually haha, but there's just nothing I could put in front of him that he'd really have the feel for. The closest is probably Puzzling Places? but that's more because of the low stakes than anything. Requires a lot of item manipulation and awareness of your controllers and such. Those are the kind of experiences you would normally want to launch alongside the peripheral.
I don't disagree with any of those suggested improvements for the headset, but it's such a vast improvement over PSVR1 that I can stomach how it currently is. What I can't stomach is the almost complete absence of first party software outside of what, GT7 and Horizon? Synapse they marketed like a 1st party title, so let's include that too. But still, that's pretty underwhelming. Maybe as the sale numbers continue to improve they'll start sharing details on games that are (hopefully) in development. Because as it stands, there's a TON of incredible stuff to play on the headset, but almost all of it you can play on any headset.
An Astro Bot sequel seems like a no-brainer, even a remaster is acceptable though haha. Totally agreed on Half-Life: Alyx, I want it so much, but I'm skeptical of it ever happening. I've also desperately wanted a VR version of Alien: Isolation as well. And the original Outlast. A whole bunch of horror games haha
Re: Mini Review: The Room VR: A Dark Matter (PSVR2) - Exquisite VR Escape Room Beckons You to the Past
@Art_Vandelay I feel like I've seen a couple of trailers like that, but definitely not a ton. It'd be a lot more compelling at selling games to users who love the peripheral but are on the fence about individual games, but like you said, not super helpful, and bringing in those who are skeptical of VR or simply don't have it.
Re: Mini Review: The Room VR: A Dark Matter (PSVR2) - Exquisite VR Escape Room Beckons You to the Past
@Art_Vandelay I completely agree! Once you start playing VR games regularly, it's a lot easier to look at a trailer for a VR game, and be able to tell what the appeal and allure would be. But it's not a perfect way to experience, and for those that don't play VR at all, trailers usually look incredibly underwhelming, especially when held up alongside trailers for traditional gaming
Re: Mini Review: The Room VR: A Dark Matter (PSVR2) - Exquisite VR Escape Room Beckons You to the Past
@WaveBoy I would kill for a port of that Ocean Descent experience from VR Worlds! THat was always the very first thing I would use to show friends and family VR. Especially family who don't play any games. My grandfather was absolutely smitten with that demo, thought it was incredible, and he still has a tough time with Smart TV remotes haha
@Hoodie718 Tracking is very much not a problem now! I didn't a single tracking problem my whole time with the game. Not even a hiccup in fact!
As for room scale, yeah it won't start without messing around with your playspace parameters but it's a non-issue with telep[orting movement. I was worried at first as well, as I have a pretty cramped play space, but you can play the game wholly stationary and it won't be an issue one bit!
Re: Mini Review: Synapse (PSVR2) - Some Incredible Gameplay But Not Enough Content
@Wormwood23 Happy to be of service!
Re: Synth Riders Celebrates 5th Anniversary With New DLC
@StylesT Insofar as all rhythm gmases that use a note chart are similar to each other. But Beat Saber is a much more aggressive title that focuses on drum rhythms differently, so there's a lot more DNB/Dubstep kindsa music.
Synth Riders instead emphasizes synthwave, cyberpunk, and electro-swing. The game overall is a bit more "chill" but on higher difficulties, you'll still absolutely break a sweat! Synth Riders more than any of the other PSVR music games I've played so far is better at approximating actual dance moves too! Feels more like you're actually dancing while you play
Re: Synth Riders Celebrates 5th Anniversary With New DLC
@Fritz167 there's so much great synthwave in this game honestly. I've loved Staarcadian for years so seeing them on the list the first time I booted up the game was exciting! Lots of The Midnight and Scandroid too. I do wish there were more Gunship though!
Re: Synth Riders Celebrates 5th Anniversary With New DLC
@Voltan @ORO_ERICIUS It was free to coincide with the launch of PSVR2 sadly BUT I also think that's the best one haha. Definitely recommended @AdamNovice !
Re: Mini Review: Gylt (PS5) - Ex-Google Stadia Exclusive Is Serviceable Survival Horror
@Enuo Rock solid, I had no issues. No crashes, no frame drops, nothing!
Re: Mini Review: Synapse (PSVR2) – Some Incredible Gameplay But Not Enough Content
@HotGoomba I definitely hope so! The actual core gameplay is so fun, I'd gladly play more of it!
@NEStalgia Yeah, they're both very much games worth checking out! I might have had more issues with one than the other, but both are incredible fun! Even if Light Brigade outdoes itself haha
Re: Mini Review: Synapse (PSVR2) – Some Incredible Gameplay But Not Enough Content
@Discol76 It very much is! Yeah, a 7 is in no way shape or form a bad thing haha
@NEStalgia I think they're both doing great stuff, but as an overall package, I'm definitely giving the edge to Light Brigade! More complete experience, and more unique gameplay encounters, but on the other hand Synapse does a fair number of things just as well, BUT it has its kinesis which is so good too!
Re: Mini Review: Synapse (PSVR2) – Some Incredible Gameplay But Not Enough Content
@Wormwood23 If you liked Fracked, I think you'll still get a decent amount out of this! nDreams definitely seem like they're more comfortable working in the VR space than a lot of devs, so the games got a lot of strengths even as it currently is!
@thefourfoldroot1 @naruball @guitarpete987 @Dange @HotGoomba re: the game being too short. Normally I completely agree! I'd honestly prefer a VR game to be shorter, but so long as the game still feels complete. In this particular instance, it's a negative because it feels like the game launched missing half the levels it's supposed to have. It's brilliant fun still, but it just feels like a whole chunk of the game simply isn't there!
Re: Mini Review: Pixel Ripped 1978 (PSVR2) - Atari Adds Impressively to Newest Nostalgic Treat
@ztpayne7 Ill take what I can get haha. Definitely not a bad thing to have all 3 of them playable in the same place. Even if it takes a bit!
Re: Layers of Fear (PS5) - A Collection That Brilliantly Reframes the Series
@Scottyy Yeah, some light puzzling, but in the absolute broadest sense, a walking sim!
@Bez87 As long as Anshar lends a hand with the Silent Hill remake, then....maybe haha.
@Danloaded Probably gonna be disappointed. Layers of Fear you make the argument as being Bloober's "scariest" game, but you could still be more effectively scared in other titles more if none of their other stuff really did it for you.
Re: Layers of Fear (PS5) - A Collection That Brilliantly Reframes the Series
@Loamy Yeah I had my share of gripes with LoF2 back when it launched as well! It's still definitely weaker than what came before it in this version, but it's better than it was at least haha
@Ralizah I'd say that's worth it! Either that or the VR version! Wouldn't mind that getting brought over to PSVR2 come to think of it haha
@PegasusActual93 Yes and no. Layer of Fear 2 is still noticeably weaker than the first game, but this whole unification of the series that this remake is shooting for helps a bit. The whole package plays better now, but the sloggy bits are still overlong. So the answer is...sort of...hahaha.
Re: Mini Review: Pixel Ripped 1978 (PSVR2) - Atari Adds Impressively to Newest Nostalgic Treat
@Hamst88 @ztpayne7 At long last some fresh info! No release date on that new trailer today for 1995 sadly Still inching closer though!
Re: Mini Review: Pixel Ripped 1978 (PSVR2) - Atari Adds Impressively to Newest Nostalgic Treat
@Bunchesopuppies Yeah, the Yar stuff made me especially happy to see haha. A definite standout!
@Amnesiac Love that era's look! That Lego set of the 2600 was so fun to make too!
@ztpayne7 It wouldn't hurt to have played the others for some of the context, but the game is good at filling you in as you go even if you didn't already know the information. I'd say you could jump right in with this one!
@thefourfoldroot1 $29.99 I believe, and no news that I've heard about the PSVR2 ports of the other 2. I'm pretty sure there was supposed to have been news by now. Maybe they were just waiting for the newest one to drop