Claude

Jumping back and forth between replaying FFXII: The Zodiac Age on PS4 and FFXIII on PS3. They kinda balance each other out well with one being sprawling and the other on rails. I'm at King Raithwall's tomb in XII and Oerba in XIII. I beat the only mainline entry I hadn't last year (XV) and wanted to see the other recent entries after VIIR got delayed. I beat the original release of FFXII on the PS2 when it came out, and FFXIII shortly after its release.

I liked XII on release even though I thought it was really slow. Was the first FF where I didn't make sure to do all the side content on. The new job boards are great and I already planned it out so I hit all 12. Balthier is still awesome. Vaan isn't as bad as I remembered him. The speed up function is incredible and I'm motivated to always do the hunts when they come up and explore as a result. It also lets grinding fly by because I want to keep everyone around the same level. This one might require more planning than most FFs to get the most out of it, but I'm looking forward to seeing my party gradually grow.

XIII on the other hand left me mostly numb on release, but I really liked it when I replayed it last year. The combat system is probably my favorite of any RPG. It streamlines so many things, but the decision to do away with MP and tie up all attacks into the ATB instead is a particularly genius decision. The story exposition is poor and it seeps into so many aspects since its so focused on it, and the cast isn't the strongest (though not as dreadful as some might make out), but this is by far the best and most engaging FF for me from a gameplay perspective. I kept to Lightning/Hope/Fang on the last playthrough, but am really switching around different combinations now and it really shows the flexibility of the system. The OST is also incredible, second favorite from the series after the one for VIII.

I'd probably put FFXIII as my 3rd favorite FF behind VII and VI, and FFXII in the top 10. Definitely prefer both to XV.

Excellent soundtrack. Beyond music, just the use of sonics throughout. This whole game really paved the way for a certain style of approach (and Flower deserves a mention as a sort of prior prototype) and the OST was key.

Major L for NieR: Automata not making the top 10. Hope that Sony check helps you guys through Brexit. Don’t spend it all in one place.

The gameplay was kinda a means to an end I do agree, but it was a very very notable step up from the first game and especially the Drakengard titles. At the very least, I do believe that Platinum removed a significant barrier to entry for a lot of people. NieR is the very rare modern example of a cult classic leading to a successor that gave improvements where needed, but didn’t do so at the cost of vision, and the game was given a promotional push by SE as well rather than just being thrown out there in the aftermath of a Final Fantasy blitz like the first.

I personally prefer P3’s OST, but this is excellent as well. Definitely has its own flavor throughout.
Blooming Villain and the Casino themes are my favorites. I replayed P5 recently and while the flaws in the confidants and endgame were very noticeable this time around, the soundtrack and especially the art direction are timeless.

This is my GOTY, and as much as I liked DS, I was very glad to see this one win instead. And that it was the From title that finally won them that award.
Particularly, I love how it takes what people expect from the Souls games, reaches inside, and rips out most of the RPG elements to focus it even more on skill and reaction, and pushes you to play more aggressively. Simply stellar gameplay.

Did not expect to see DG crushing it so solidly. Might have to pick it up while it’s on sale after this.

Already preordered FFVIIR and taken the rest of that week off for it, so that’s solidly tops for me, but I’m excited for everything on this list, although I’m definitely not paying the launch price for the SD3 remake.

@LightingThor Yup. Sekiro is solidly my #1. My favorite From game as well.
Also voted for RE2 and DMC5. If we could vote for 5, I’d add TOW and DS as well. There’s some games I still need to get to as well. SWJ:FO, Judgement, and Bloodstained in particular.

NieR: Automata easily. Not because there weren't other truly excellent titles, but because it's that powerful for me. Transcendent.

@doctommaso Somewhat. Depends on when the demo drops, might need some assistance. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpJM2jtW0AAOxQJ.jpg

I am on vacation and my PS4 is across the ocean .

The original one has my favorite story of any video game I’ve played. But the game would honestly do really well from a remake rather than a remaster.

YES! YES! I was so hoping this would win. This year had a number of great titles, but this was my favorite. So much fun to learn. My favorite From game but it's just so different too.

I don’t know why people thought that Square Enix would ever agree to indefinite exclusivity to one platform. They’re not a part of Sony, or in need of financial assistance from them.

They say you never forget your first, and I have such good memories of FFVII which was what made me ask for a PlayStation when I saw the commercials. I was 8 years old and it just blew my mind. Today with long story campaigns in a lot of genres, and some RPGs essentially expecting you to put in over 60 hours (or 100 with the most recent Persona), it's a different world, but back then I was amazed that a single game could just do and give you so much. Along with playing Super Mario 64 before that, it’s probably my purest gaming experience.

The first PlayStation was my first. Got it for Final Fantasy VII in 1998. Favorite is probably the PS4 due to the library and QoL improvements over the previous generation, but I do have a fat PS3 with hardware PS2 bc, and that deserves a mention too, even with some design flaws regarding cooling and ventilation.

This is the best gen finish ever. I wasn’t planning on picking it up at launch, but it being right between FF and Cyberpunk is rather perfect.

This was my favorite RE game during the PS1 days, even though 2 was objectively superior. Definitely picking it up to complete the gap in my RE folder.

This, Mass Effect Trilogy, FFXIII Trilogy, and Demon’s Souls Remake were the big 4 older titles I was hoping to get 2020 releases.
One down, 3ish to go (DeS is nearing all but confirmed territory).

@Arnna Imagine a DeS remake with the 6th archstone accessible so you can visit that Land of the Giants From didn't have the opportunity to finish! That's my realistic hope for this.

I'm expecting this to be revealed at the same time the PS5 is properly unveiled early next year. I had a blast with Legend of Dragoon back in the day, but this still veers more towards Demon's Souls for me.

@BearsEatBeets I wouldn’t use XV as a benchmark for getting a feel of the series. The structure of FF games have you very focused on the core plot, and other parts open up as the game goes on. Some have side content as you progress, but generally the more notable side quests are in the latter parts. XV goes the other way and offers a lot of side content from the onset before pushing you fast through the plot at the end. It also very notably compartmentalizes its story into DLCs and other media. It’s the only one to do that. Others may have sequels, spinoffs, movies, novellas, etc., but the core plot is always presented in full in the main game. Plot exposition can be mixed sometimes, but it’s still not what XV pulled with the season pass.
If you pick any title from IV to XIII out of a hat, you’ll get a much better outline of how FF games are.

@Miles_Edgeworth
Every time a new set of screenshots come out, it feels like they reached into my childhood imagination and managed to improve it. SE has had some hiccups over the years, but I’m really rooting for them to pull this off. I played XV recently and though it’s really flawed, if we can get that level of interaction between the VII cast, the potential is astounding.

It reminds me of NieR. Quite strongly in fact. Still early, but the first encounter with the BTs was memorable.

I’m surprised the Sky games haven’t been ported to PS4 yet given how simple it is to run them.

I would get it. I’ve always been a bit surprised that it wasn’t ported early in this generation.

Picked up TOW, very fun title. Can see myself returning to it over and over with how malleable it is.

Wasn’t P5 confirmed as selling over 3 million more recently?

Great result either way, and LM3 is certainly no slouch as far as competition is concerned, hopefully this incentivizes Atlus to unveil the Western release date.

Cautiously optimistic. Sekiro is my GOTY unless Death Stranding manages to outdo it. Just a banger of a game that makes you push yourself to be engaged and on the offensive.

Absolutely trying Hollow Knight. Heard great things, but never laid hands on it myself.

I think it’s silly to wonder whether this will break into the mainstream market when the marketing is gigantic. They are selling it like a mainstream product. Now, whether it meets Sony’s internal expectations is another question. And yes, I do expect to see used copies going for under 20 fairly fast, a natural combination of a polarizing title and a big launch.

@Areus I LOVED Toomba back in the day. Would absolutely pick it up. Add the first Ape Escape there too. First game to require the DualShock controller, significant moment in Playstation history.

Not surprising that it’s a sequel given that P4 has two fighting games as sequels. Definitely interested.

Yes please! Out of all the upcoming titles, this is the one I really want to try a demo of. The combat is very cool to look at, but turn based styles can be hit or miss for me these days.

Already preordered and going in mostly blind. I took a look at the scores, but didn’t read the reviews. Expected the Metacritic score to be a tad higher, but it doesn’t bother me.

Saw this on reddit. So many feels. I have the MGS I-IV art collection and it’s fantastic through and through.

Did we already pass the amount of time between Mass Effect: Andromeda’s release and support drop? Or not yet?
Take this out back, put it out of its misery, and switch gears to the ME Trilogy & DA:O & II ports for PS4 & PS5.

The consistent critical praise and high scores of the Metal Gear series is really the only reason an average of 84 can be considered disappointing. It’s sorta like the last two single player Final Fantasy games being in the 80s, while most of the titles that preceded them are in the 90s.
Scores are the only thing I’m looking at. I already bit the bullet and took a risk in preordering it (RDR II and FFVIIIR are the only other recent games I’ve done it for), and am looking forward to experiencing it myself next week. The ‘one week later’ comments are going to be interesting.

@kyleforrester87 Good point. I know this title front to back several times over lol so my brain fritzed on that. How do we mark spoilers from mobile? I’m trying to edit my comment and I’m not seeing any option :/.

@ellsworth004 It was controlled by Reeve, who was one of the Shinra executives (Head of Urban Development or something like that). You first saw him when you went to the HQ to rescue Aeris, and then he only reappeared in person around the end of the second disc if I remember right.

@kyleforrester87 Yeah that’s an issue with bringing pre-PS2 era games into HD since some designs counted on a lack of detail and people imagining what it would actually look like. RE does have the benefit of being a horror franchise, so even if the sillier elements are dialed down, the additional serial does have an impact, even if it’s not the same thing. That’s why the more stylized approach based on the original character art is a better road for VIIR specifically because It gets to use the best of both worlds in a way.

While I do want to see Red XIII like everyone, the reveal I’m most excited for is Jenova. Her FMV design in the original game was really chilling. I want them to build on that aspect of the potential and essentially have her ready to be a secret boss in Bloodborne II. I do think we’ll see the Cait Sith doll at least in the remake, even if it won’t be in action. Or for all I know they could be enemies in the Shinra HQ lol.

I’m so glad they’ve kept just the right amount of camp in everything I’ve seen about this. When they showed the Eligor enemy in one of the trailers, I instantly flashed back to trying to steal the Striking Staff from it in every playthrough.

I’m definitely getting this eventually, though I’m hoping to hold out long enough for a sale since the first half of next year is crammed with titles. Went on a major Persona kick this Summer and played P3FES, P4G, and am halfway through replaying P5 right now gradually.
I really like Kasumi’s design, although given how Marie was handled, I won’t be surprised if her integration lacks the same finesse that most of the game has.

I already preordered this game a few weeks back, and have been able to steer clear of spoilers and have avoided almost everything for the past two months. This is extremely tempting, but I’ll still hold off. I’m personally fine with not having much info on the gameplay loop in advance. Unless the controls are truly and throughly busted, I don’t expect to have a negative reaction.

The cover reminds me of the Persona 5 one with the color scheme and positioning of the characters.
I want to try a demo of this. The gameplay is cool to look at, but I still have doubts as of right now.

Not before Nemesis rises again in HD

I personally would probably not use the option, but I think it’s a good idea in concept. There are risks, but it wouldn’t differ that much from a phone plan.

I preordered Death Stranding already, and am considering MediEvil as well.

It won’t be enough to get me to upgrade sooner since I still have a PS3 with this game, but there are definitely some who will. A stronger stable of exclusives is only a positive.

I can criticize, but I know I’ll get this for the fights. Although it’s still not a replacement for a proper modern remaster or remake of Persona 3.