@Kidfunkadelic83 If it was pointless they wouldn’t have made it, lol. It simplifies their manufacturing a likely will increase their profits not having to stock two different machines. It’s a smart business decision.
Hey look an action RPG FF game that respects the series’ past while developing modern systems and pushing the series forward. Everything done wrong in FF16 looks to have been done right here. FF16 looks like a lazy afterthought in comparison. I’m sure it’ll have its flaws, and I could really do without quest marker hell. But this should be the template for future FF games.
FF elements and aesthetics that are not just window dressing. Deep gameplay mechanics. A variety of activities and mini games. Exploration that is rewarding. Playable party members. Chocobos that aren’t just glorified cars that grant access to new areas and help find items. I’m sure there’s more because the team making this game seems to get it.
They’re justifying this price increase by saying they’ll be adding higher quality content and extra value to the service. But they don’t say what that’ll be. That’s my problem with this. If they were to state, “We’ll be adding this, this, and this,” along with announcing the price increase then I might be able to get behind the reasoning. Like if first party games or more 3rd party were included day one. Or they finally launch PS3 emulation and included that consoles back catalog for download. But as it stand their attitude is “just trust us.”
Oh look, an RPG that respects its fanbase and history while simultaneously creating a topnotch, quality game with deep mechanics that improve on past iterations. Wild idea.
@Ravix You’re the one getting worked up bleeping out swear words. I’m accurately describing your argument as unimaginative. That’s simply what is happening.
There are plenty of story-based ways to work in jousting, or racing perhaps, into the game world that would be cohesive with what is present.
Here’s something I thought of in 2 seconds: after Phoenix gate, Ambrosia is captured and enslaved by an underground ring of jousters who brutalize their animals for sport. Clive hears about this ring and sets out to break it up. Upon finding an underground match, Clive notices a particularly spirited Chocobo who is mounted by a cruel rider, and Clive challenges the rider to a duel for ownership of the spirited Chocobo. After winning the duel, that Chocobo turns out to be none other than Ambrosia. Clive and Ambrosia then together decide to search out other underground matches to free chocobos from their enslavement by winning duels. Maybe evening freeing Ambrosia’s children.
Yes, there are some things you can pick apart in this scenario. Underground racing might work better. But it fits the themes and tone of the game, i.e. slavery and brutality. It gets around your complaint of needing different nations present. And it is a legitimate activity that desperate people might engage in during rough times. It would also add an element of much need culture and activity that the game world lacks in FF16. Occasional duels would not distract from the main quest any more than the boring side quests that have zero gameplay value that take up probably 20 hours of game time. Furthermore, it would give Ambrosia more moments to shine and give opportunity to develop her as a character.
Thought of that in two seconds. Im sure that the developers over at SE with all there resources could mesh it even better with the existing game if they cared at all about making a game that actually resembled FF beyond story and aesthetics.
When you critique me for hyper fixating and saying there’s no point in talking to me but then continue to write multiple paragraphs it kind of reminds of something . . . Oh, yeah, a pot calling a kettle black.
Regardless, my overarching point was never to fixate on Chocobos. I was using them as just ONE example of shallow gameplay mechanics and how the developers have stripped away actual gameplay mechanics that were consistent with past FF, and all that is left is story and aesthetics. This goes well beyond Chocobos.
@Ravix I'm sorry if you were offended by my "lacking imagination" comment. But you said, "If it had bolted on random mini games, it would not fit the tone." And this is categorically incorrect. A jousting Chocobo would absolutely fit the tone. And if the game developers can justify fitting dozens of boring side quests with no gameplay elements, then surely a jousting Chocobo mini game could be included instead. And much like prior FF games, at some point the joisting mini game can be incorporated into a main quest to make it relevant and not random, thus not bolted on. Much like some of the mini games in FF7 play a role in narrative moments and the main quest.
You said, "it isn't supposed to be an in depth rpg where choices and trivial stats mean something and where there's loads of side stuff that you can ignore the main story for hours and hours"
Except there ARE loads of side stuff that are trivial and distracts from the main quest for hours and hours and can be completely ignored. They are the DOZENS of side quests that are largely irrelevant and have little to no gameplay value.
You say things that are completely false, justify poor game design decisions, and then use no imagination in coming up with very obvious ways to improve those design decisions.
So, yeah, "lacking in imagination" is an appropriate turn of phrase here.
Your excuse that it wouldn't work because they're at war is lazy. The 1939 Olympics took place during WWII, and Nazi Germany attended. Trust me, people find time for sports in times of war. That you can't seem to fathom this, again, shows a lack of imagination.
@Ravix It's funny that you mention the karate kicking with your chocobo. That's actually an interesting gameplay mechanic. But it's not useful in any way in combat. Had they actually incorporate chocobos in a meaningful way into combat guess what that would have done? It would have added depth to the gameplay experience. But instead it's a useless combat mechanic that gets old fast because it has very little utility beyond chuckles. It's kind of like petting Torgal. It's vapid and shallow because it doesn't enrich the actual gameplay. It's just an animation.
@Ravix Dude, you lack imagination. They could have had Chocobo jousting. It would have fit the GOT inspiration and the tone of the game, and it would have been consistent with past games giving chocobos more function. It took me 5 seconds to think of that. FF16 could have cut out a 10th of the boring side quests that are just people jabbering and included some other interesting gamplay mechanic and it wouldn't have distracted from the core experience anymore than dropping 10 side quests that have zero gameplay just before the end boss. It would have added to the world building. Can't believe some people like boring jabbering and running back and forth between quest markers instead of actual gameplay.
@KaijuKaiser Please clarify best selling FF. Are you talking about FFXIV? FFX? Or FF7? And I'm talking mainline games.
FFXIV: You can have a Chocobo riding companion, breed, and race.
FFX: Sales numbers often include the sequel, so uncertain if it's the bestselling. For FFX you get racing. If you want to include the sequel you also get breeding, and certain chocobos give access to secrets.
FF7: Breeding, access to secret areas, racing.
FF13: It did have Chocobos and they allow you to detect secret items.
These are all additional gameplay elements besides just transport! And they gave depth the the gameplay and lent to the series' identity. And it is the shallow Chocobo elements of FF16 that contribute to FF16 lacking the FF identity from a gameplay perspective. Not a story perspective.
@Ravix I would argue there is actually very little love for Chocobos in this game, because in every game that included them in past entries, the Chocobos were elements that enriched the gameplay and introduced amusing tasks. They were more than just story. This game does not love them as a quirky gameplay element. It doesn't give the player anything more to do with them other than ride them. They're a glorified car. That's it. That's not love. That's fan service.
@Ravix I'm not talking about love for Chocobos. I'm talking about gameplay. Game mechanics. All FF16 has is story and aesthetic elements that reference prior FF games. My gripe is with the gameplay mechanics of FF16. The gameplay mechanics of Chocobos and other aspects of the game. That is why it is not a FF game, in my opinion. A game's identity rests around both story AND gameplay. FF had core gameplay elements beyond just turn-based combats. Not everything changed every game. And when it did change, it iterative and built on what came before. That's what I'm pointing out. FF16 has virtually no gameplay elements that resemble FF. Chocobos have no depth. There are no elemental weaknesses or status effects. No armor or weapon attributes. No playable party members. No mini games. And, yes, no turn-based combat. I was using Chocobos as just one illustration of one of the many other gameplay elements, besides turn-based combat, that had become staples of the series and gave it an identity from a gameplay perspective. Not a story or aesthetic perspective. Story is not gameplay or gameplay mechanics. The only thing FF about FF16 is window dressing! It's all a facade!
@NEStalgia Yeah, I've played a bit of Fantasian and really loved some of the gameplay mechanics, such as the dimengeon and the different trajectories for attacks, which were fresh ways to iterate on turn based mechanics.
It does seem strange to me that a guy who went on to make his own studio to create turn-based games more reminiscent of original FF, and yet FF16 is the ultimate FF game, according to him. Just really doesn't make sense to me. Which is why reading some wordplay and humor into his statement doesn't seem farfetched at all.
@KaijuKaiser Please tell me a mainline FF game (aside from the first which doesn't have them) where Chocobos have been less utilized. Starting with 2, they were mainly used as transport, but they served the dual function of allowing you to skip randomized encounters, which played a huge strategic role in navigating the map when low on potions and getting out of areas when under leveled. They served a gameplay mechanic in this way. In FF16, you can already run from every encounter in the open areas, so the only role Chocobos play is just transport. Absolutely nothing else.
So, yeah, the first game didn't have Chocobos, but it was the first game, and it had all the elements that contributed to the FF identity, many of which, including status effects and elemental weaknesses, were carried forward through every entry, until FF16.
@NEStalgia Sakaguchi is just riffing off the bad guys name, Ultima. Thus, he's calling it the "Ultimate" FF. He chose the word on purpose, which seems to indicate he's tiptoeing around or just acting as a marketing agent.
@KaijuKaiser The only things reminiscent in FF16 of past entries are story and aesthetic elements and a progression toward live combat. Nothing else remains as far as gameplay is concerned. For example, Chocobos are glorified cars. They used to give access to other parts of the map or involve other gameplay elements, such as breeding, racing, digging, etc. Actual gameplay mechanics. Just like everything in FF16, Chocobos were dumbed down to be nothing more than a transport skin.
Almost every gameplay aspect element has been handled in this manner or omitted. This goes beyond the combat system.
One definition of ultimate is essentially “last in a series or process”. So in other words the series is dead. So he very well could just be being diplomatic in his world choice. The boss is Ultima. So just like people made fun of Strangers of Paradise saying Chaos all the time. Here we have the the creator referencing Ultima describing the game as ultimate and kind of making fun of it. I think FF16 sucks so this is just me twisting the meaning to suit my purposes, lol.
Some people will want the pro model. Some people won't want the pro model.
A pro model will make load times even fast. It will be able to simultaneously handle 60 fps, 4k, raytracing better, and draw distances will be improved. It'll have more storage. There is a market for this.
If you're not in that market move on. The existence of a pro model doesn't effect you.
I've got mixed feelings about Kena. Loved the art style and at first glance the world building. But the more I played the more it felt kind of dull. The combat was mostly just fine. Not bad, not great. The story felt generic. I like fun gameplay with an interesting story that meshes well with gameplay and comes as a reward for beating difficult parts. And while the gameplay was rewarding in of itself, the story wasn't rewarding enough for me to want to push much farther once the gameplay had lost some its appeal. I see gameplay and story as a symbiotic relationship where they propel, elevate and enhance the other. Sort of a beautiful upward spiral as they dance with each other. With Kena that dance felt like it was just missing a step or two to make it extra special.
Clive is such a boring character. His entire character arch happens in the first quarter of the game and it’s honestly not that interesting. So he accepts Ifrit and for the attack on his brother, which is honestly not really Clive’s fault anyway because he’s possessed by an Eikon. It’s like Jean Gray being possessed by the Phoenix. It’s not her fault she was possessed by a near god that highly influenced her behavior. So His guilt rings kind of hollow, and it’s ultimately undo by subsequent revelations. After that he’s just a do gooder. Cloud has PTSD and has to come to terms with fighting his hero and carrying on after the death of a friend at the hands of said hero, as well as coming to terms with the fact that he’s invented his memories to deal with his trauma. This unfolds throughout the entire game and it all sticks and is not undone by subsequent story beats.
If you like boring do gooder chads who have little character development and scream “Joshua!” a lot like it’s the pinnacle of drama then Clive’s your guy. Cloud’s story is deeper, better paced, and more impactful.
@nessisonett I have been championing the idea of designing a modern game in the Amano style for ages and I’m so pumped to hear others suggest it. It’s literally part of FF’s DNA and inspired the original sprite designs. It’s there for the taking and it would look gorgeous and unique. Can’t wrap my head around why they wouldn’t do it.
@KaijuKaiser It's probably not clear but I'm exaggerating only to drive home my opinion that I think that Clive is actually quite shallow compared to past titles that had whole casts of interesting characters. Zidane, Vivi, Garnet, and Steiner especially all have more interesting central dilemma's that drive home the theme of fate (duty) versus free will and had deeper emotional impact with much tighter writing and focus. These character's also all have quirks and more anchoring character traits that make them stand out as individuals moreso than Clive who comes off as a quite one-dimensional do gooder. Aside for having an aggro hard on for screaming "Joshua!" as much as possible and lamenting killing him and wanting to destroy some crystals because some guy he met for a couple days convinced him to—I can't think much else that stands out about him. Like, he was depressed a little while and had to come to terms with maybe killing his brother. But he agreed to destroying the mother crystals pretty quickly and didn't seem to struggle with much else. I mean, I guess he found out he was a vessel but, again, that's not central to who he is as a person. Zidane was a selfish thief. Steiner was a knight obsessed with duty. Vivi was a mage who lacked confidence. Garnet was a princess trying to shed the obligations of royalty. Those are all interesting and anchoring central character traits that are interesting. FF9 is probably the FF I've played the most and I played it most recently last winter.
*Edit: What makes these anchoring character traits interesting, is that each one of them has to overcome the character trait I mentioned to help save the world. It gave each character internal conflict. And Clive, honestly, doesn't really have much internal conflict that is inherent to his personality, which makes him kind of dull.
@Nepp67 you don’t seem to understand what through and through means. Chocobos were introduced in FF2. Summons were introduced in FF3. Not through and through. Status effects and elemental weaknesses have been a mainstay of the series from the get-go. That’s through and through. Not present in FF16. The only thing through and through about FF16 is window dressing.
@Nepp67 I never said it came down to just turn based mechanics. Here are a bunch of other mechanics and game design elements left to the wayside that could have been still incorporated: status effects, elemental weaknesses, sword and armor effects, multiple party members, jobs (thief, white wizard, black wizard, etc.), limit breaks that are actually limit breaks not Spartan Rage, literally any kind of puzzle that the player has to work out, secret mega bosses, mini games. Do I need to go on? I’m not saying that all past games had these and I’m not saying this game needs all these. But I am saying that the inclusion of an assortment of these builds a game design language over time that has evolved by bringing forward more than what is left behind and by staying true to roots moreso than moving on to new mechanics. FF16 does away with this philosophy. It does away with the vast majority of mechanics and game design elements, aside from mostly non-gameplay elements, that were through lines in the series.
Yakuza 8 has many other game design elements that carry over that allows the series to hold onto a sense of identity beyond window dressing. The mini games are a HUGE part of that series, as is the map location and level design, and they help anchor Like A Dragon in that identity from a game design perspective.
But furthermore, the newer Yakuza games are ditching the numbering convention in part for exactly this reason.
@Nepp67 Well, yeah, it is a FF game because it’s called FF. I was discussing the historical fact about how past entries brought forward past mechanics and iterated on that formula. This was an established trend that anchored the games as a series in a gameplay style that evolved. FF16 did away with that trend, losing much of what anchored the series as an anthology that iterated. And what’s left of FF is, as I’ve said, largely just window dressing, story and aesthetics. That can be responsible for losing some core fans that recognize this large departure and lead to somewhat lackluster sales numbers. That’s my point. I’m enjoying the mediocre game for what it is, an outstanding production with quite good combat but a lot of dull dialog, quests, level design and FF story and aesthetics placed on top of derivative ARPG mechanics. Doesn’t suck to be me. Lots of other good games to play.
@Nepp67 I said slapped a FF skin on top of DMC mechanics. Mechanics being the important word there. Stories about crystals are not mechanics. Stories are not gameplay. Fighting as giant kaiju is a new mechanic. If you read my comments you'd understand that a large part of my gripe is that FF16 does not honor past mechanics. It ditches just about everything. Summons skins on kaiju boss battles is not honoring past mechanics. So, yes, more window dressing. I'm sorry, but riding on a chocobo just ain't enough FF to get it done.
@DennisReynolds When FF16 was first announced with the medieval setting, I was really hoping it was a return to form similar to FF9, where they heavily drew on the roots of its predecessors to inform its design, while adding wrinkles here and there. It did everything a FF should do after a somewhat divisive FF8. Hopefully some day we can get another game in that vein, again, with a modern AAA presentation, but leaving aside the worst trappings of modern gaming, i.e. quest markers, taking quality of life to the extreme by effectively dumbing down mechanics and having the game practically play itself, over reliance on cinematics, etc. The cinematics of FF7 felt like a reward for finishing difficult parts of the game. Now everything is a cinematic. Make cinematics feel special again!
@KaijuKaiser This game isn't an experimentation. It's a near complete departure aside from window dressing. Each previous game brought forth elements from past games. The only gameplay aspects that even vaguely resemble anything in previous FF games are but a whisper, and it was done to attract the lowest common denominator to reach a wider market. I guess we still have treasure chests and limit breaks (essentially aping GOW Spartan Rage). They essentially slapped a FF skin and story on top of DMC mechanics. That's basically it. That's not experimentation. That's just copying another game. The job system was experimentation. The ATB system was experimentation. The gambit system was experimentation. These systems were experimentations on top of core gameplay and did not entirely do away with everything that came before. They iterated, refined, built upon, and at times diverged, but not so drastically. The gameplay roots of the series were always there. FF16 could have easily added elemental weaknesses, status effects, optional explorable areas with mega bosses, switchable playable party members, etc. There's a laundry list of FF gameplay mechanics and design that could have been brought forward and adapted into this game that would have only added much needed depth. There was no attempt to do this, or at least any attempt was abandoned in favor of chasing a different demographic that doesn't really seem to have garnered them much greater success than past entries.
@KaijuKaiser FF games have a long history of puzzles or mazes or having to work out clues dropped by NPCs. It made the games engaging outside of combat. This game is a run to marker, fight, repeat simulator. Dumbed down. Little sense of achievement.
I’m playing right now and a little meh about it. Just did some stuff for Martha that was boring. Side quests are like talk to person about something boring, run 10 seconds, fight easy monster and/or talk to someone about something boring, run 10 seconds back to first person and talk more about boring stuff, get unrelated reward. Everything is marked on the map. There’s no sense of achievement in finding or doing anything that isn’t combat related. Could we please go back to the days where you actually had to go around and talk to NPCs to find the one you’re looking for? Not just run to green marker. Not everything needs to be served on a platter.
The fighting is quite good but since nothing else in the game really engages the mind from a gameplay perspective, it makes it seem like FF16 is a one trick pony. And for that reason, even though the fighting is good it can get a little stale. If exploring was more rewarding it would break up the combat. If the equipment had interesting attributes that encouraged building your character and strategizing it would break up the combat. If there were interesting locations to find around the maps that would break up the combat. Those things are what made turn-based combat tolerable. The same is kind of true for real-time action.
The only thing that’s there to break up the combat is the storytelling. Which is good. But it’s not gameplay. Storytelling should complement the gameplay not overshadow it. And here the storytelling replaced any effort put into exploration, character building, puzzles, etc.
Everything feels so dumbed down and overly streamlined. The spectacle is great, but I don’t feel like I’m taking part in it because there’s very little that I’m actually having to use my brain for in the game.
This does nothing to alleviate concerns over the long-term impact (past 10 years) that this will have on the industry. This is just more lip service to distract short sighted people.
@HonestHick Microsoft has already proven that they’re willing to operate at a lose with GamePass in an attempt to dominate the market. They’re achieving that in the streaming-as-a service sphere. Which is the goal. If they’re willing to operate at a loss with GamePass, there’s no reason to assume they wouldn’t be willing to do the same with COD to cut out the rest of the market when the opportunity is ripe.
Using the “but they got away with it and thus so should someone else” is a bad faith argument. If you had greater awareness you’d know concerns have been made over Disney’s acquisitions. Just because the FTC didn’t cause a stink about it doesn’t mean there isn’t an argument there for concerns.
And let’s be real. Disney’s buyout of LucasFilm was in the neighborhood of 6 billion, and 4 billion for Marvel. Microsoft’s buyout of ABK? 68 billion.
Not even in the same conversation really in terms of scale.
The Disney / Fox merger was the big one, and it did indeed attract regulatory attention, and Fox had to shed certain sports assists. Was it enough? Debatable. But don’t act like these things aren’t being looked at.
@HonestHick there’s a whole lot more at play there than just Starfield. Let’s be honest. And the difference between buying a whole studio and all the related properties verses timed exclusivity is a massive chasm. Timed exclusivity deals are sustainable. A trend of consolidation of the industry on this scaled when paired with the ABK is not.
Refusing to to take into account 10 years from now is seriously mindbogglingly short sighted. “La La La la.” That’s what you’re doing with your fingers in your ears. Cool position to hold.
Your point about downloading everything to our TV as opposed to console is exactly the crux of the issue. If everything is GamePass and streaming directly to screens then Microsoft controls everything, and you have to go to game pass to get it because all of the IP has been bought up.
You don’t see the movie/tv streaming companies sharing properties all that often, do you?
That’s what Microsoft wants—to be the Netflix of gaming with loftier goals. And when they have the option to pull all their IP from other platforms because they see it as an advantage to dominate the industry then they will.
It seems incredibly short-sighted for a court to be like, "Welp, they said they'd share COD for ten years . . ."
Everybody knows the winds can change quickly from one generation to the next.
@HonestHick It's fair that you can establish a pattern of behavior. Starfield was supposed to be on PS5. Microsoft bought Zenimax and now Starfield is exclusive to Xbox.
After the 10-year obligation is up, Microsoft will be incentivized to do whatever it wants with COD, whatever that may be, like for example if they want to take a hostile posture toward the industry, and smoother their rivals despite losing sales by removing COD from other platforms.
@nocdaes FF7 was simply a more successful game than FF6, but not necessarily better. It is what put the series in the cultural zeitgeist with the launch of the PS1 due to the massive marketing push and the new partnership between Sony and Square. So FF7 is just more well known and likely more played. And it's a beloved because it was groundbreaking for its time due the combination of its design, cut scenes and mature storytelling.
FF6 is from an older console generation and it was the culmination and perfection of the the core elements of the early FF titles. But it was still more of a niche genre compared to the cultural splash that FF7 made. But for those who played FF6 when it was released it was an instant classic and considered to be the better game by many of those who know the ins and outs, ups and downs of the early series and the games that followed.
Basically FF7, while great, partly owes its success to the PS1 launch, while FF6 was a late generation release for the Super Nintendo and was largely loved by the diehards moreso on its own merits.
@CRASH64 the way you phrased it—as your opinion that games can’t be spoiled—came across as if you were applying it generally to other people’s experiences, as well, not just your own. So in other words, it’s impossible to spoil a game for you in your opinion.
@CRASH64 when you already know what the end boss fight is going to be in advance due to a spoiler then it can be immersion breaking and diminish the gameplay experience because you don’t get the “holy cow this is incredible” while playing in sequence for the first time. You’re anticipating it the whole time, so it’s less thrilling when the moment occurrence, and you’d otherwise be surprised.
Attempting to shove LGBTQ people back in the closet using coercive methods to remove them from media and society at large is absolutely hostility felt by them.
Consenting LGBTQ people harm nobody. They make choices about their own bodies. Religions do not provide sufficient evidence as to how LGBTQ harm anyone. Thus there is nothing immoral about being LGBTQ. Suggesting that LGBTQ is immoral based on an absence of evidence that it harms anyone is absolutely irrational.
Hostility + Irrationality = Hatred.
Sexuality is not a belief system and comparing the two is not an valid analogy.
@AtlanteanMan Thank you for clearly stating that the reason why people are reviewing bombing the game is not because sexuality is present but because gay sexuality is present.
Now all you have to do is give up your stubbornness and admit that nobody would be review bombing this game if Aloy had expressed her sexuality as being straight.
Then we can confirm your double standard hypocrisy.
Expressions of straight sexuality is okay. But expressions of gay sexuality apparently are not.
That's bigotry. And bigotry hiding under the guise of morality should always be called out.
Disguising bigotry as morality is what is truly immoral here in this situation.
@AtlanteanMan Also comparing sexuality with a political leaning (MAGA) is absolutely ludicrous. Being LGBTQ is not comparable to a political party or political ideas. Sexuality is part of the essence of a person's being. Being gay is not political. It's reality for many people. Existing is not political. It's tone deaf to compare someone's waking reality to political ideas. Bigots make sexuality political by opposing sexualities they don't want to exist. Otherwise, it would be a non-issue. Non-political. You can't make something political until you make an issue of it.
@AtlanteanMan You just wrote a wall of text completely dodging the point I was making.
Games with lots of straight sexuality do not get review bombed for having straight sexuality in them—regardless if there is a segment of gamers that don't want sex in their games.
If a character in a game that previously had not expressed their sexuality suddenly expresses their sexuality as being straight they would not be review bombed.
It's being review bombed because she's gay. Not because sexuality is present.
And if Aloy had boned Varl there would have been zero review bombing. A small number of people may not have like it, but it would not have been review bombed like it has been.
Yes, selective outrage.
There is not a large contingent of gamers review bombing games for having straight sex or expressions of straight sexuality in them.
There's only a large contingent of fans review bombing games that have gay sex or expressions of gay sexuality in them.
Comments 374
Re: Is It Surprising that PlayStation Fans Don't Really Care About the PS5 Slim?
@Kidfunkadelic83 If it was pointless they wouldn’t have made it, lol. It simplifies their manufacturing a likely will increase their profits not having to stock two different machines. It’s a smart business decision.
Re: 8 PS Plus Extra Games for October Leaked Early
Pumped for Disco Elysium. Been on my wishlist for ages!
Re: Final Fantasy 7's Coolest Companions Won't Be Playable in PS5's Rebirth
It only make sense that they would trickle out playable characters over the course of the trilogy so that each game feels fresh.
Re: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Gets Over 30 Minutes of Open Area PS5 Gameplay
Hey look an action RPG FF game that respects the series’ past while developing modern systems and pushing the series forward. Everything done wrong in FF16 looks to have been done right here. FF16 looks like a lazy afterthought in comparison. I’m sure it’ll have its flaws, and I could really do without quest marker hell. But this should be the template for future FF games.
FF elements and aesthetics that are not just window dressing. Deep gameplay mechanics. A variety of activities and mini games. Exploration that is rewarding. Playable party members. Chocobos that aren’t just glorified cars that grant access to new areas and help find items. I’m sure there’s more because the team making this game seems to get it.
Re: PS5, PS4 Owners Are Understandably Irate with PS Plus Price Hike
They’re justifying this price increase by saying they’ll be adding higher quality content and extra value to the service. But they don’t say what that’ll be. That’s my problem with this. If they were to state, “We’ll be adding this, this, and this,” along with announcing the price increase then I might be able to get behind the reasoning. Like if first party games or more 3rd party were included day one. Or they finally launch PS3 emulation and included that consoles back catalog for download. But as it stand their attitude is “just trust us.”
Re: Round Up: Baldur's Gate 3 Reviews Rate It as One of the Best RPGs Ever Made
Oh look, an RPG that respects its fanbase and history while simultaneously creating a topnotch, quality game with deep mechanics that improve on past iterations. Wild idea.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@Ravix You’re the one getting worked up bleeping out swear words. I’m accurately describing your argument as unimaginative. That’s simply what is happening.
There are plenty of story-based ways to work in jousting, or racing perhaps, into the game world that would be cohesive with what is present.
Here’s something I thought of in 2 seconds: after Phoenix gate, Ambrosia is captured and enslaved by an underground ring of jousters who brutalize their animals for sport. Clive hears about this ring and sets out to break it up. Upon finding an underground match, Clive notices a particularly spirited Chocobo who is mounted by a cruel rider, and Clive challenges the rider to a duel for ownership of the spirited Chocobo. After winning the duel, that Chocobo turns out to be none other than Ambrosia. Clive and Ambrosia then together decide to search out other underground matches to free chocobos from their enslavement by winning duels. Maybe evening freeing Ambrosia’s children.
Yes, there are some things you can pick apart in this scenario. Underground racing might work better. But it fits the themes and tone of the game, i.e. slavery and brutality. It gets around your complaint of needing different nations present. And it is a legitimate activity that desperate people might engage in during rough times. It would also add an element of much need culture and activity that the game world lacks in FF16. Occasional duels would not distract from the main quest any more than the boring side quests that have zero gameplay value that take up probably 20 hours of game time. Furthermore, it would give Ambrosia more moments to shine and give opportunity to develop her as a character.
Thought of that in two seconds. Im sure that the developers over at SE with all there resources could mesh it even better with the existing game if they cared at all about making a game that actually resembled FF beyond story and aesthetics.
When you critique me for hyper fixating and saying there’s no point in talking to me but then continue to write multiple paragraphs it kind of reminds of something . . . Oh, yeah, a pot calling a kettle black.
Regardless, my overarching point was never to fixate on Chocobos. I was using them as just ONE example of shallow gameplay mechanics and how the developers have stripped away actual gameplay mechanics that were consistent with past FF, and all that is left is story and aesthetics. This goes well beyond Chocobos.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@Ravix I'm sorry if you were offended by my "lacking imagination" comment. But you said, "If it had bolted on random mini games, it would not fit the tone." And this is categorically incorrect. A jousting Chocobo would absolutely fit the tone. And if the game developers can justify fitting dozens of boring side quests with no gameplay elements, then surely a jousting Chocobo mini game could be included instead. And much like prior FF games, at some point the joisting mini game can be incorporated into a main quest to make it relevant and not random, thus not bolted on. Much like some of the mini games in FF7 play a role in narrative moments and the main quest.
You said, "it isn't supposed to be an in depth rpg where choices and trivial stats mean something and where there's loads of side stuff that you can ignore the main story for hours and hours"
Except there ARE loads of side stuff that are trivial and distracts from the main quest for hours and hours and can be completely ignored. They are the DOZENS of side quests that are largely irrelevant and have little to no gameplay value.
You say things that are completely false, justify poor game design decisions, and then use no imagination in coming up with very obvious ways to improve those design decisions.
So, yeah, "lacking in imagination" is an appropriate turn of phrase here.
Your excuse that it wouldn't work because they're at war is lazy. The 1939 Olympics took place during WWII, and Nazi Germany attended. Trust me, people find time for sports in times of war. That you can't seem to fathom this, again, shows a lack of imagination.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@Ravix It's funny that you mention the karate kicking with your chocobo. That's actually an interesting gameplay mechanic. But it's not useful in any way in combat. Had they actually incorporate chocobos in a meaningful way into combat guess what that would have done? It would have added depth to the gameplay experience. But instead it's a useless combat mechanic that gets old fast because it has very little utility beyond chuckles. It's kind of like petting Torgal. It's vapid and shallow because it doesn't enrich the actual gameplay. It's just an animation.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@Ravix Dude, you lack imagination. They could have had Chocobo jousting. It would have fit the GOT inspiration and the tone of the game, and it would have been consistent with past games giving chocobos more function. It took me 5 seconds to think of that. FF16 could have cut out a 10th of the boring side quests that are just people jabbering and included some other interesting gamplay mechanic and it wouldn't have distracted from the core experience anymore than dropping 10 side quests that have zero gameplay just before the end boss. It would have added to the world building. Can't believe some people like boring jabbering and running back and forth between quest markers instead of actual gameplay.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@KaijuKaiser Please clarify best selling FF. Are you talking about FFXIV? FFX? Or FF7? And I'm talking mainline games.
FFXIV: You can have a Chocobo riding companion, breed, and race.
FFX: Sales numbers often include the sequel, so uncertain if it's the bestselling. For FFX you get racing. If you want to include the sequel you also get breeding, and certain chocobos give access to secrets.
FF7: Breeding, access to secret areas, racing.
FF13: It did have Chocobos and they allow you to detect secret items.
These are all additional gameplay elements besides just transport! And they gave depth the the gameplay and lent to the series' identity. And it is the shallow Chocobo elements of FF16 that contribute to FF16 lacking the FF identity from a gameplay perspective. Not a story perspective.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@Ravix I would argue there is actually very little love for Chocobos in this game, because in every game that included them in past entries, the Chocobos were elements that enriched the gameplay and introduced amusing tasks. They were more than just story. This game does not love them as a quirky gameplay element. It doesn't give the player anything more to do with them other than ride them. They're a glorified car. That's it. That's not love. That's fan service.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@Ravix I'm not talking about love for Chocobos. I'm talking about gameplay. Game mechanics. All FF16 has is story and aesthetic elements that reference prior FF games. My gripe is with the gameplay mechanics of FF16. The gameplay mechanics of Chocobos and other aspects of the game. That is why it is not a FF game, in my opinion. A game's identity rests around both story AND gameplay. FF had core gameplay elements beyond just turn-based combats. Not everything changed every game. And when it did change, it iterative and built on what came before. That's what I'm pointing out. FF16 has virtually no gameplay elements that resemble FF. Chocobos have no depth. There are no elemental weaknesses or status effects. No armor or weapon attributes. No playable party members. No mini games. And, yes, no turn-based combat. I was using Chocobos as just one illustration of one of the many other gameplay elements, besides turn-based combat, that had become staples of the series and gave it an identity from a gameplay perspective. Not a story or aesthetic perspective. Story is not gameplay or gameplay mechanics. The only thing FF about FF16 is window dressing! It's all a facade!
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@NEStalgia Yeah, I've played a bit of Fantasian and really loved some of the gameplay mechanics, such as the dimengeon and the different trajectories for attacks, which were fresh ways to iterate on turn based mechanics.
It does seem strange to me that a guy who went on to make his own studio to create turn-based games more reminiscent of original FF, and yet FF16 is the ultimate FF game, according to him. Just really doesn't make sense to me. Which is why reading some wordplay and humor into his statement doesn't seem farfetched at all.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@KaijuKaiser Please tell me a mainline FF game (aside from the first which doesn't have them) where Chocobos have been less utilized. Starting with 2, they were mainly used as transport, but they served the dual function of allowing you to skip randomized encounters, which played a huge strategic role in navigating the map when low on potions and getting out of areas when under leveled. They served a gameplay mechanic in this way. In FF16, you can already run from every encounter in the open areas, so the only role Chocobos play is just transport. Absolutely nothing else.
So, yeah, the first game didn't have Chocobos, but it was the first game, and it had all the elements that contributed to the FF identity, many of which, including status effects and elemental weaknesses, were carried forward through every entry, until FF16.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@NEStalgia Sakaguchi is just riffing off the bad guys name, Ultima. Thus, he's calling it the "Ultimate" FF. He chose the word on purpose, which seems to indicate he's tiptoeing around or just acting as a marketing agent.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
@KaijuKaiser The only things reminiscent in FF16 of past entries are story and aesthetic elements and a progression toward live combat. Nothing else remains as far as gameplay is concerned. For example, Chocobos are glorified cars. They used to give access to other parts of the map or involve other gameplay elements, such as breeding, racing, digging, etc. Actual gameplay mechanics. Just like everything in FF16, Chocobos were dumbed down to be nothing more than a transport skin.
Almost every gameplay aspect element has been handled in this manner or omitted. This goes beyond the combat system.
Re: Final Fantasy Creator Believes Latest Instalment Is Ultimate Entry in Franchise
One definition of ultimate is essentially “last in a series or process”. So in other words the series is dead. So he very well could just be being diplomatic in his world choice. The boss is Ultima. So just like people made fun of Strangers of Paradise saying Chaos all the time. Here we have the the creator referencing Ultima describing the game as ultimate and kind of making fun of it. I think FF16 sucks so this is just me twisting the meaning to suit my purposes, lol.
Re: Mid-Generation Upgrades Like PS5 Pro 'Aren't All That Meaningful', Says Take-Two CEO
Some people will want the pro model. Some people won't want the pro model.
A pro model will make load times even fast. It will be able to simultaneously handle 60 fps, 4k, raytracing better, and draw distances will be improved. It'll have more storage. There is a market for this.
If you're not in that market move on. The existence of a pro model doesn't effect you.
Re: Stunning PS5, PS4 Indie Kena: Bridge of Spirits Took a Month to Make Back Its Budget
I've got mixed feelings about Kena. Loved the art style and at first glance the world building. But the more I played the more it felt kind of dull. The combat was mostly just fine. Not bad, not great. The story felt generic. I like fun gameplay with an interesting story that meshes well with gameplay and comes as a reward for beating difficult parts. And while the gameplay was rewarding in of itself, the story wasn't rewarding enough for me to want to push much farther once the gameplay had lost some its appeal. I see gameplay and story as a symbiotic relationship where they propel, elevate and enhance the other. Sort of a beautiful upward spiral as they dance with each other. With Kena that dance felt like it was just missing a step or two to make it extra special.
Re: Fans Vote Clive the Second Best Final Fantasy Protagonist
Clive is such a boring character. His entire character arch happens in the first quarter of the game and it’s honestly not that interesting. So he accepts Ifrit and for the attack on his brother, which is honestly not really Clive’s fault anyway because he’s possessed by an Eikon. It’s like Jean Gray being possessed by the Phoenix. It’s not her fault she was possessed by a near god that highly influenced her behavior. So His guilt rings kind of hollow, and it’s ultimately undo by subsequent revelations. After that he’s just a do gooder. Cloud has PTSD and has to come to terms with fighting his hero and carrying on after the death of a friend at the hands of said hero, as well as coming to terms with the fact that he’s invented his memories to deal with his trauma. This unfolds throughout the entire game and it all sticks and is not undone by subsequent story beats.
If you like boring do gooder chads who have little character development and scream “Joshua!” a lot like it’s the pinnacle of drama then Clive’s your guy. Cloud’s story is deeper, better paced, and more impactful.
Re: The Fantasy 6 Remake Talk Has Started Again
@nessisonett I have been championing the idea of designing a modern game in the Amano style for ages and I’m so pumped to hear others suggest it. It’s literally part of FF’s DNA and inspired the original sprite designs. It’s there for the taking and it would look gorgeous and unique. Can’t wrap my head around why they wouldn’t do it.
Re: The Fantasy 6 Remake Talk Has Started Again
@Voltan if FF7R can translate the Hell House boss then there should be no problem translating Ultros.
Re: Poll: Who's the Best Final Fantasy Protagonist?
@Corc11 Not silly at all. Read my next comment above with further elaboration.
Re: Poll: Who's the Best Final Fantasy Protagonist?
@KaijuKaiser It's probably not clear but I'm exaggerating only to drive home my opinion that I think that Clive is actually quite shallow compared to past titles that had whole casts of interesting characters. Zidane, Vivi, Garnet, and Steiner especially all have more interesting central dilemma's that drive home the theme of fate (duty) versus free will and had deeper emotional impact with much tighter writing and focus. These character's also all have quirks and more anchoring character traits that make them stand out as individuals moreso than Clive who comes off as a quite one-dimensional do gooder. Aside for having an aggro hard on for screaming "Joshua!" as much as possible and lamenting killing him and wanting to destroy some crystals because some guy he met for a couple days convinced him to—I can't think much else that stands out about him. Like, he was depressed a little while and had to come to terms with maybe killing his brother. But he agreed to destroying the mother crystals pretty quickly and didn't seem to struggle with much else. I mean, I guess he found out he was a vessel but, again, that's not central to who he is as a person. Zidane was a selfish thief. Steiner was a knight obsessed with duty. Vivi was a mage who lacked confidence. Garnet was a princess trying to shed the obligations of royalty. Those are all interesting and anchoring central character traits that are interesting. FF9 is probably the FF I've played the most and I played it most recently last winter.
*Edit: What makes these anchoring character traits interesting, is that each one of them has to overcome the character trait I mentioned to help save the world. It gave each character internal conflict. And Clive, honestly, doesn't really have much internal conflict that is inherent to his personality, which makes him kind of dull.
Re: Poll: Who's the Best Final Fantasy Protagonist?
Every single character in FF9 is more interesting and has better character development than Clive.
Re: UK Sales Charts: Final Fantasy 16 Sales Way Down, Out of the Top 10
@Nepp67 you don’t seem to understand what through and through means. Chocobos were introduced in FF2. Summons were introduced in FF3. Not through and through. Status effects and elemental weaknesses have been a mainstay of the series from the get-go. That’s through and through. Not present in FF16. The only thing through and through about FF16 is window dressing.
Re: UK Sales Charts: Final Fantasy 16 Sales Way Down, Out of the Top 10
@Nepp67 I never said it came down to just turn based mechanics. Here are a bunch of other mechanics and game design elements left to the wayside that could have been still incorporated: status effects, elemental weaknesses, sword and armor effects, multiple party members, jobs (thief, white wizard, black wizard, etc.), limit breaks that are actually limit breaks not Spartan Rage, literally any kind of puzzle that the player has to work out, secret mega bosses, mini games. Do I need to go on? I’m not saying that all past games had these and I’m not saying this game needs all these. But I am saying that the inclusion of an assortment of these builds a game design language over time that has evolved by bringing forward more than what is left behind and by staying true to roots moreso than moving on to new mechanics. FF16 does away with this philosophy. It does away with the vast majority of mechanics and game design elements, aside from mostly non-gameplay elements, that were through lines in the series.
Yakuza 8 has many other game design elements that carry over that allows the series to hold onto a sense of identity beyond window dressing. The mini games are a HUGE part of that series, as is the map location and level design, and they help anchor Like A Dragon in that identity from a game design perspective.
But furthermore, the newer Yakuza games are ditching the numbering convention in part for exactly this reason.
Re: UK Sales Charts: Final Fantasy 16 Sales Way Down, Out of the Top 10
@Nepp67 Well, yeah, it is a FF game because it’s called FF. I was discussing the historical fact about how past entries brought forward past mechanics and iterated on that formula. This was an established trend that anchored the games as a series in a gameplay style that evolved. FF16 did away with that trend, losing much of what anchored the series as an anthology that iterated. And what’s left of FF is, as I’ve said, largely just window dressing, story and aesthetics. That can be responsible for losing some core fans that recognize this large departure and lead to somewhat lackluster sales numbers. That’s my point. I’m enjoying the mediocre game for what it is, an outstanding production with quite good combat but a lot of dull dialog, quests, level design and FF story and aesthetics placed on top of derivative ARPG mechanics. Doesn’t suck to be me. Lots of other good games to play.
Re: UK Sales Charts: Final Fantasy 16 Sales Way Down, Out of the Top 10
@Nepp67 I said slapped a FF skin on top of DMC mechanics. Mechanics being the important word there. Stories about crystals are not mechanics. Stories are not gameplay. Fighting as giant kaiju is a new mechanic. If you read my comments you'd understand that a large part of my gripe is that FF16 does not honor past mechanics. It ditches just about everything. Summons skins on kaiju boss battles is not honoring past mechanics. So, yes, more window dressing. I'm sorry, but riding on a chocobo just ain't enough FF to get it done.
Re: UK Sales Charts: Final Fantasy 16 Sales Way Down, Out of the Top 10
@DennisReynolds When FF16 was first announced with the medieval setting, I was really hoping it was a return to form similar to FF9, where they heavily drew on the roots of its predecessors to inform its design, while adding wrinkles here and there. It did everything a FF should do after a somewhat divisive FF8. Hopefully some day we can get another game in that vein, again, with a modern AAA presentation, but leaving aside the worst trappings of modern gaming, i.e. quest markers, taking quality of life to the extreme by effectively dumbing down mechanics and having the game practically play itself, over reliance on cinematics, etc. The cinematics of FF7 felt like a reward for finishing difficult parts of the game. Now everything is a cinematic. Make cinematics feel special again!
Re: UK Sales Charts: Final Fantasy 16 Sales Way Down, Out of the Top 10
@KaijuKaiser This game isn't an experimentation. It's a near complete departure aside from window dressing. Each previous game brought forth elements from past games. The only gameplay aspects that even vaguely resemble anything in previous FF games are but a whisper, and it was done to attract the lowest common denominator to reach a wider market. I guess we still have treasure chests and limit breaks (essentially aping GOW Spartan Rage). They essentially slapped a FF skin and story on top of DMC mechanics. That's basically it. That's not experimentation. That's just copying another game. The job system was experimentation. The ATB system was experimentation. The gambit system was experimentation. These systems were experimentations on top of core gameplay and did not entirely do away with everything that came before. They iterated, refined, built upon, and at times diverged, but not so drastically. The gameplay roots of the series were always there. FF16 could have easily added elemental weaknesses, status effects, optional explorable areas with mega bosses, switchable playable party members, etc. There's a laundry list of FF gameplay mechanics and design that could have been brought forward and adapted into this game that would have only added much needed depth. There was no attempt to do this, or at least any attempt was abandoned in favor of chasing a different demographic that doesn't really seem to have garnered them much greater success than past entries.
Re: UK Sales Charts: Final Fantasy 16 Sales Way Down, Out of the Top 10
@KaijuKaiser FF games have a long history of puzzles or mazes or having to work out clues dropped by NPCs. It made the games engaging outside of combat. This game is a run to marker, fight, repeat simulator. Dumbed down. Little sense of achievement.
Re: UK Sales Charts: Final Fantasy 16 Sales Way Down, Out of the Top 10
I’m playing right now and a little meh about it. Just did some stuff for Martha that was boring. Side quests are like talk to person about something boring, run 10 seconds, fight easy monster and/or talk to someone about something boring, run 10 seconds back to first person and talk more about boring stuff, get unrelated reward. Everything is marked on the map. There’s no sense of achievement in finding or doing anything that isn’t combat related. Could we please go back to the days where you actually had to go around and talk to NPCs to find the one you’re looking for? Not just run to green marker. Not everything needs to be served on a platter.
The fighting is quite good but since nothing else in the game really engages the mind from a gameplay perspective, it makes it seem like FF16 is a one trick pony. And for that reason, even though the fighting is good it can get a little stale. If exploring was more rewarding it would break up the combat. If the equipment had interesting attributes that encouraged building your character and strategizing it would break up the combat. If there were interesting locations to find around the maps that would break up the combat. Those things are what made turn-based combat tolerable. The same is kind of true for real-time action.
The only thing that’s there to break up the combat is the storytelling. Which is good. But it’s not gameplay. Storytelling should complement the gameplay not overshadow it. And here the storytelling replaced any effort put into exploration, character building, puzzles, etc.
Everything feels so dumbed down and overly streamlined. The spectacle is great, but I don’t feel like I’m taking part in it because there’s very little that I’m actually having to use my brain for in the game.
Re: Sony and Microsoft Sign a 'Binding Agreement' to Keep Call of Duty on PlayStation
@Tharsman Through Dec. 31st 2027. Lol.
Re: Sony and Microsoft Sign a 'Binding Agreement' to Keep Call of Duty on PlayStation
This does nothing to alleviate concerns over the long-term impact (past 10 years) that this will have on the industry. This is just more lip service to distract short sighted people.
Re: Microsoft Beats US Regulator FTC in Activision Blizzard Buyout Battle
@HonestHick Microsoft has already proven that they’re willing to operate at a lose with GamePass in an attempt to dominate the market. They’re achieving that in the streaming-as-a service sphere. Which is the goal. If they’re willing to operate at a loss with GamePass, there’s no reason to assume they wouldn’t be willing to do the same with COD to cut out the rest of the market when the opportunity is ripe.
Using the “but they got away with it and thus so should someone else” is a bad faith argument. If you had greater awareness you’d know concerns have been made over Disney’s acquisitions. Just because the FTC didn’t cause a stink about it doesn’t mean there isn’t an argument there for concerns.
And let’s be real. Disney’s buyout of LucasFilm was in the neighborhood of 6 billion, and 4 billion for Marvel. Microsoft’s buyout of ABK? 68 billion.
Not even in the same conversation really in terms of scale.
The Disney / Fox merger was the big one, and it did indeed attract regulatory attention, and Fox had to shed certain sports assists. Was it enough? Debatable. But don’t act like these things aren’t being looked at.
Re: Microsoft Beats US Regulator FTC in Activision Blizzard Buyout Battle
@HonestHick there’s a whole lot more at play there than just Starfield. Let’s be honest. And the difference between buying a whole studio and all the related properties verses timed exclusivity is a massive chasm. Timed exclusivity deals are sustainable. A trend of consolidation of the industry on this scaled when paired with the ABK is not.
Refusing to to take into account 10 years from now is seriously mindbogglingly short sighted. “La La La la.” That’s what you’re doing with your fingers in your ears. Cool position to hold.
Your point about downloading everything to our TV as opposed to console is exactly the crux of the issue. If everything is GamePass and streaming directly to screens then Microsoft controls everything, and you have to go to game pass to get it because all of the IP has been bought up.
You don’t see the movie/tv streaming companies sharing properties all that often, do you?
That’s what Microsoft wants—to be the Netflix of gaming with loftier goals. And when they have the option to pull all their IP from other platforms because they see it as an advantage to dominate the industry then they will.
Re: Microsoft Beats US Regulator FTC in Activision Blizzard Buyout Battle
It seems incredibly short-sighted for a court to be like, "Welp, they said they'd share COD for ten years . . ."
Everybody knows the winds can change quickly from one generation to the next.
@HonestHick It's fair that you can establish a pattern of behavior. Starfield was supposed to be on PS5. Microsoft bought Zenimax and now Starfield is exclusive to Xbox.
After the 10-year obligation is up, Microsoft will be incentivized to do whatever it wants with COD, whatever that may be, like for example if they want to take a hostile posture toward the industry, and smoother their rivals despite losing sales by removing COD from other platforms.
That's kind of been their MO.
Re: Final Fantasy 16 Is the Seventh Best Final Fantasy Game According to Fans
@nocdaes FF7 was simply a more successful game than FF6, but not necessarily better. It is what put the series in the cultural zeitgeist with the launch of the PS1 due to the massive marketing push and the new partnership between Sony and Square. So FF7 is just more well known and likely more played. And it's a beloved because it was groundbreaking for its time due the combination of its design, cut scenes and mature storytelling.
FF6 is from an older console generation and it was the culmination and perfection of the the core elements of the early FF titles. But it was still more of a niche genre compared to the cultural splash that FF7 made. But for those who played FF6 when it was released it was an instant classic and considered to be the better game by many of those who know the ins and outs, ups and downs of the early series and the games that followed.
Basically FF7, while great, partly owes its success to the PS1 launch, while FF6 was a late generation release for the Super Nintendo and was largely loved by the diehards moreso on its own merits.
Re: Square Enix Devs Pester Director Yoshinori Kitase About Remaking Final Fantasy 6 Constantly
FF6 is right up there with Chrono Trigger as among my favorite games of my childhood if not all time. I would be so down for a remake.
Re: Random: Talented Pixel Artist Recreates Chrono Trigger's Leene Square in Glorious HD-2D
I’d love to replay Chrono Trigger in this style. Possibly my favorite game of all time.
Re: Final Fantasy 16 Dev Pleads for Cooperation As PS5 Game Leaks
@CRASH64 the way you phrased it—as your opinion that games can’t be spoiled—came across as if you were applying it generally to other people’s experiences, as well, not just your own. So in other words, it’s impossible to spoil a game for you in your opinion.
Re: Final Fantasy 16 Dev Pleads for Cooperation As PS5 Game Leaks
@CRASH64 when you already know what the end boss fight is going to be in advance due to a spoiler then it can be immersion breaking and diminish the gameplay experience because you don’t get the “holy cow this is incredible” while playing in sequence for the first time. You’re anticipating it the whole time, so it’s less thrilling when the moment occurrence, and you’d otherwise be surprised.
Re: 28 PS Plus Extra, Premium Games Confirmed for Big June Update
I’m here for TMNT!
Re: $70 Games Could Be Hurting PS5, PS4 Sales, But There's More to the Story
Why are people still using sales numbers from the pandemic years as reference points and attempting to draw conclusions. Stop!
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?
@AtlanteanMan
Attempting to shove LGBTQ people back in the closet using coercive methods to remove them from media and society at large is absolutely hostility felt by them.
Consenting LGBTQ people harm nobody. They make choices about their own bodies. Religions do not provide sufficient evidence as to how LGBTQ harm anyone. Thus there is nothing immoral about being LGBTQ. Suggesting that LGBTQ is immoral based on an absence of evidence that it harms anyone is absolutely irrational.
Hostility + Irrationality = Hatred.
Sexuality is not a belief system and comparing the two is not an valid analogy.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?
@AtlanteanMan Thank you for clearly stating that the reason why people are reviewing bombing the game is not because sexuality is present but because gay sexuality is present.
Now all you have to do is give up your stubbornness and admit that nobody would be review bombing this game if Aloy had expressed her sexuality as being straight.
Then we can confirm your double standard hypocrisy.
Expressions of straight sexuality is okay. But expressions of gay sexuality apparently are not.
That's bigotry. And bigotry hiding under the guise of morality should always be called out.
Disguising bigotry as morality is what is truly immoral here in this situation.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?
@AtlanteanMan Also comparing sexuality with a political leaning (MAGA) is absolutely ludicrous. Being LGBTQ is not comparable to a political party or political ideas. Sexuality is part of the essence of a person's being. Being gay is not political. It's reality for many people. Existing is not political. It's tone deaf to compare someone's waking reality to political ideas. Bigots make sexuality political by opposing sexualities they don't want to exist. Otherwise, it would be a non-issue. Non-political. You can't make something political until you make an issue of it.
Offensive comparison.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?
@AtlanteanMan You just wrote a wall of text completely dodging the point I was making.
Games with lots of straight sexuality do not get review bombed for having straight sexuality in them—regardless if there is a segment of gamers that don't want sex in their games.
If a character in a game that previously had not expressed their sexuality suddenly expresses their sexuality as being straight they would not be review bombed.
It's being review bombed because she's gay. Not because sexuality is present.
And if Aloy had boned Varl there would have been zero review bombing. A small number of people may not have like it, but it would not have been review bombed like it has been.
Yes, selective outrage.
There is not a large contingent of gamers review bombing games for having straight sex or expressions of straight sexuality in them.
There's only a large contingent of fans review bombing games that have gay sex or expressions of gay sexuality in them.