Comments 1,338

Re: TV Show Review: The Last Of Us (HBO) Season 2 Episode 7 - Great Game Makes for Okay TV

EfYI

@TheKurgan

First off, Bella Ramsey can really act and she ought to be beloved alone for her role in GoT. People wrote her off way before the show even started, and that affects the reception.

Side note: Why don't you take a hike with the judging of other people? You must be wevy big and wevy strong to curse at people online🤓

It is so boring and lame to hear the thought police roll in and police people's honest thoughts and reactions.

Re: TV Show Review: The Last Of Us (HBO) Season 2 Episode 7 - Great Game Makes for Okay TV

EfYI

@KilloWertz

I kept letting Abby die throughout the entire game. I hated playing as that traitor. Just the fact that she goes through with her assassination after she's saved by the target is absolutely despicable.

Interestingly, she has SO MANY different death animations. I let her die in almost every scene and every situation. I played her like the indie game Baby Steps😂

Re: TV Show Review: The Last Of Us (HBO) Season 2 Episode 7 - Great Game Makes for Okay TV

EfYI

@get2sammyb

Nah, most people severely disliked Abby. Obviously there's enough people to cover all sorts of viewpoints. But many wanted Ellie to kill off the terrible excuse of a character. Which spoiler alert (seriously, stop reading right now)

never happens as she stupidly stays her hand, and even worse doesn't put a bullet right in the center of the cross.

The viewpoint that Ellie shouldn't take off on the first revenge trip is as new as this episode.... like... Ellie is, in game, a sneaky and meticulous murder machine. She learned to trek from the best people possible. People who'd smuggle anything under the noses of city guards armed to the teeth.

If anything, Abby's decade long grudge on Joel is baffling. So, your murderous father was shut down in trying to operate a little girl to death and you don't let that go? Instead you are able to assemble a team of nobodies willing to trek across states to kill someone after scouting for him for years?

But yeah okay, Ellie shouldn't go. I guess that position was vacant.

Re: Poll: Do You Care About the Death of PlayStation Stars?

EfYI

If they just remove digital collectibles then a loyalty system is kind of a no-brainer.

With GamePass basically being free due to a combination of stacking, loyalty schemes, subscription cancelling and discounts, and the fact that it simply has more new games and all of the games from Xbox Studios, Playstation can't afford to piss their customers in the mouth anymore. They ***** up with live servicing. They butchered their own creative studios, and smashed the walled-off garden to let Xbox waltz in and capture the audience. Why shouldn't we just stream GamePass from a TV and let Sony fail themselves to death. So reward your customers, Sony. It ain't that hard.

Re: PS5, PC Live Service Fairgames Is a 'Super Clunky' Cross Between Fortnite and The Division

EfYI

Even though Jim Ryan is ultimately the one in charge, people who know much better than me are pointing at Hermen Hulst as the incompetent man who couldn't discern a death trap from a gold mine. It got me googling and this article is absolutely proof of Hermen Hulst needs to find new employment elsewhere. He was totally duped by Raymond's charm as well. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/jade-raymond-and-hermen-hulst-on-why-sony-is-buying-haven

Re: PS5, PC Live Service Fairgames Is a 'Super Clunky' Cross Between Fortnite and The Division

EfYI

@rjejr

Yeah, I was just having a laugh being absurd. Didn't try and sell the podcast itself, at least not very well. But for listeners it might have some hidden subtext. Listen. They are good at talking. Sacred Symbols is free, so no paywall. But if you want to listen to an entire exposay that Colin does on the side, you have to pay 2-5 dollars at Pa(y)treon.

Also, I am old enough to call anyone a toddler with SOME confidence😂

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 582

EfYI

Reading the ENORMOUS level of appreciation for Expedition 33 week after week and how it belongs in people's all time top 3 is otherworldly and strange. Congrats to all the gamers and the developers.

Am replaying Dying Light 2 and enjoying that to a degree that KCD II is happy to hold Techland's beer.

I found a little secret and as an original backer of the game it is fun to find a developer's room complete with a Thank You-letter and secret weapon.

In KCD 2, I am still rambling around the large city and marveling at the sights. I am in no rush, as this is basically my game of the generation.

Re: PS5, PC Live Service Fairgames Is a 'Super Clunky' Cross Between Fortnite and The Division

EfYI

@rjejr

It is a gated community with insider-access to the people that excite or shock the gaming world. It also has free-to-listen podcasts on every console and retro stuff. And a checks notes a discord channel if for some reason you're a little toddler that still uses that.

It features the legendary Dustin Firman (Yes, THAT Dustin Firman) and Chris (Oh-my-God-You've-been-Raygunned) Maldonado and a third guy, can't remember if he has a name even.

That's like... at least 13 good reasons, but hey... whose counting?

Re: PS5, PC Live Service Fairgames Is a 'Super Clunky' Cross Between Fortnite and The Division

EfYI

Jim Ryan must have really believed in Jade Raymond and Haven.

Before Jimbo set fail, sorry sail, to the strategy of Live Service-games, a studio had to prove their pedigree by releasing a few games before getting taken on by Sony. And we know that many studios were closed to give way to studios like Haven to be funded by Sony.

She had carefully orchestrated her image and career. It has resulted in her being handed the keys to several kingdoms which she in turn has managed. Truly, she couldn't have done it without gaming media outlets giving her 10-13 years of perfect media coverage, and having been in the biggest corporations working as a developer no less in her early days.

In my country, we have a fairy tale (her story is a fairy tale) about an emperor who wanted only the finest of things and a live a life of luxury for all to see the power, status and benevolence of himself, the emperor. So, one day a merchant offered him to create the finest silk robes that the world had ever seen. Only, the merchant didn't really create the robes, but rather convinced the emperor and, in turn, his subjects that the robes were so fine and elegant that the naked eye couldn't discern it. And so, on one parade an innocent boy cried out, "my lord, he is naked".

Re: Star Wars Battlefront 2 Massively on the Up as Fans Return in Droves

EfYI

The good thing about modern gaming is that 7/10 games from say 2017-2021 have been updated for many years, often with DLC, and modern consoles have caught up in terms of technical prowess making the game's effectively better and bigger.

Dying Light 2 is another example of a game that I enjoy even more on my second playthrough. There's almost too much content which can dilute the overall quality and difficulty, but speed running around the city on a Pro is just plain fun as it should be!

Re: PlayStation Stars Rewards Program Shutting Down, Sony Confirms

EfYI

I am hopeful that they will make a smart, consumer-friendly alternative. What I'd like is a more simplified reward system that gives you a little cash back for purchasing digital games. Also, they should keep some form of reward for playing certain games or doing certain activities. The rest can be cut.

But as a realist, I have to say they showed their hand in removing the option to cash out a 1000 point for a small amount of store credit. It came back, but that was probably because of someone or something forcing their hand to uphold their promises.

They had hoped that people would spend points on these digital products, presumably.

Re: Returnal Dev Commits to 'Premium' PS5 Experiences as Sony Continues Live Service Push

EfYI

I had fun with Returnal. Or rather, Returnal had fun with me. I couldn't get past the first boss for the life of me. I wasn't really progressing. And then I went to a monolith in the start of the game and pressed on the button to host other players.

As you might imagine, this is where it gets interesting. My level was 11 or something - a player that had 99 joined me. A speedrunning GOD that defied the rules of the game. He took me, without dying once, ALL the way to a level where you jump these moving platforms and battle a thingamajig. All the way through I would be downed against bosses, and he would absolutely melt them and sometimes revive me only for me to be shut down by the game absolutely unfairly like it would cheat to kill me. Occasionally, he would quip: "I might die, the game doesn't like it when you progress this fast".

I have never seen anything like it - and I've raided aplenty in the old Destiny of yore.

Re: Another 6 PS Plus Extra Games Leave the Service in June

EfYI

Yeah - these summer months are going to bleed the service until those dreary autumn and winter months. There's a certain ebb and flow to PS Plus. We had some good months and now comes a smaller drought where you could hit up that 'ole log of yours.

I already have 100 hours in My GOTY KCD II but when I got to Kuttenberg, I creamed my pants and just fell off the game again because of me wanting to try every game possible to see how it looks and performs on the strongest console in the universe (have it echo when reading with your inner voice).

The latest is Dying Light 2. Many thought it was soooo bad when it launched, myself included. I finished it without any enjoyment, but now after several years and 1.5 console generations it is an entirely altered beast. Still some problems with the way combat handles where I think it is too basic, but everything is padded out. And the lift in visuals make it a great experience that feels fresh. Don't count out Polish companies. Give it time. I shelled out way too much I thought but now everyone are reaping the benefits of them being funded by those who believed their marketing.

Re: Poll: 10 Years Later, What Are Your Thoughts on The Witcher 3?

EfYI

For me a clear 10/10 awesome experience that belongs somewhere up high in my top 10 games ever. Maybe it even takes 1st place. That game had everything! The DLC is also some of the best DLC ever!

I'm surprised that so many are finding the combat the object of criticism. Makes me fear that CDPR might dumb down combat to cater to the lowest denominators out there. Don't do that, CDPR!

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 581

EfYI

Started experiencing KCD II on the Pro.

Good people of Earth, the Pro upgrade is SO worth it. That world is even more fully realised and more beautiful with a little more graphical prowess under the hood. It is so peaceful to stroll through the woods and lands of this game - minus the bitter battles and funny exchanges that always pop up during your travels. I came by a hunter's lodge which also doubled as a smokehouse and the smoke was coming out of the windows of that house and it was hard to describe how awesome the game looks from the perspective of heat and smoke particles alone. I have missed my GOTY. I know Expedition 33 is good, but even though I've yet to try it there can be no one else but KCD!

Re: Helldivers 2 Dev Breaks Away from PlayStation, Next Game Will Be Self-Funded

EfYI

They're already at 2. They might evolve on it for years to come, but that only verifies my take. That the next project will be done and then they'll do a third entry. Or not. Sony will only care right now about ample support of the second as it is a hard-earned live service success. They ain't getting many of those.... MAYBE Marathon, but that is it.

Re: PS Plus Premium Members Stunned at Dramatic Decline in Quality

EfYI

Honestly, as someone who lived through all PlayStations and the game's on offer, I have little reason to play games I already played or skipped/didn't know about. Especially with the quality and quantity of games coming out today.

You pay a couple of bucks for Premium and you get movies and extended demos on top of a always available, slightly rotating library that's on top of the generous amount of games in Extra, not to mention the great games on essential which everyone should have a decent built up library. I've actually never subbed to premium, and have been critical in the past, but I now consider it to be an amazing subscription service across all tiers.

Game Pass is unsustainably stupid. It is a free service, if you are doing it right. I have no idea about Nintendo's offerings as I have zero interest in their eco system and games.

Re: Reaction: Game Key PS5 Discs Are a Disgrace, and Sony Should Put a Stop to Them

EfYI

This gen, I have been purely digital "to save" money on the console I bought at launch. Also, it saves space and makes it so that I don't scratch a bluray or otherwise destroy it.

There aren't many physical stores with physical products in my country. So, you'd have to go online to buy.

I know that buying the game in physical form enables you to sell it and regain some of the cost, or buy a used game, but the reality where I live is that the market is waning and has almost disappeared. Or that I have simply slumped into digital-only to such a degree that I am now oblivious to the inner workings of the physical market of the country I live in.

I am at the mercy of a guaranteed online presence. Sony HAS to honour the preservation of my library, or I will be 'bankrupt' as a gamer.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 580

EfYI

Just got a PS5 Pro which made my TV perform better, but I now think of selling my TV for half the cost of an LG C3/4 and then getting the OLED-experience. Selling your stuff before it is ancient and then upgrading your own experience is such a financial life hack.

So, my first week with the Pro is all about finishing up my Hogwarts Legacy-playthrough before my subscription runs out - it becomes gorgeous on the Pro but not fully optimized.

Also, I have tried Last of Us pt. 1 and Returnal. And then .... it is back to KCD2!

Re: Talking Point: What Do You Think of the PS5 Pro, Six Months Later?

EfYI

@Discol76

Remember I come from a different market - I am constantly converting currencies to explain somewhat my situation. If Playstation raises the price of the console in my country, I could get even more. I am in no rush, I have a 'for sale'-sign and maybe someone will eventually bite, otherwise I lower the price incrementally.

Re: Talking Point: What Do You Think of the PS5 Pro, Six Months Later?

EfYI

Thanks for the article and video. It's only been six months? Wild.

I went from hyped about the possibility to laughing off the console as not for me to suddenly last week picking it up in a spur of the moment to now just itching to join the conversation.

The price: I still think it is overpriced, but I am going to sell my PS5 on the used market, and I got the PS5 Pro with an absolute insane discount. Easily the lowest pricepoint I have seen ever for that thing. So, the base PS5 digital edition retail price is £429.99 and I want at least £329.99 for my PS5, so that I'll end up with a PS5 Pro (and overall bill for this generation) for £200. When I sell it, I might even profit overall as I can sell the pro for more than I gave.

About my TV: I found out my budget TV could do 120 Hz and HDR, where I thought it was locked to 60 Hz. Sadly, it is not OLED, VRR, but at the third of the price I can live with it. Until I trade it in trying to roughly get what I paid for it (heavily discounted) to buy an LG C3/4 at a hefty discount as well.

Performance: I think the Pro is worth it, but I don't think a regular gamer need to feel like they NEED it. I bought the Pro to enjoy a bit of extra juice and because I saw an insane deal I had to take. Now, I am free of FOMO and are experiencing the best that console gaming can offer.

Re: Xbox Is Stepping Up Its Backwards Compatibility Efforts Again, to the Envy of PS5 Fans

EfYI

@twitchtvpat

Yeah, even having something like PS Plus is detrimental to purchasing games right from the get go. The price deters too. Like, I still need to get Spider-Man 2! I am sure it is a great game, and after playing GOW: Ragnarok on the subscription service I am absolutely BLOWN away.

It is a little surprising that XBOX is selling so much on Playstation, whilst Sony is secretly annoyed with the numbers for GOW, Spidey and Horizon.

Re: Xbox Is Stepping Up Its Backwards Compatibility Efforts Again, to the Envy of PS5 Fans

EfYI

You guys are fussing over old games that aren't as exciting as new games.

If you look at Premium there's so many games you won't ever see your family and friends again should you choose to play. Like any subscription service they're cycling through materials, so you won't have the entire history of gaming for free.99. Why should you?

Flow TV made movies and series exciting to watch. Giving the gamer everything, all at once kills the novelty.

Re: PS5's Share of Active US Players Is Slowly Beginning to Pummel Xbox

EfYI

With GamePass you can sign up play your games and then CANCEL YOUR SUB AND GET YOUR MONEY BACK as confirmed by Sacred Symbols and their XBOX podcast (with Mr. Matty Plays, I think, only listened to their most recent podcast).

M$ is bankrolling their players for 4-5 years, this entire generation. If you are an XBOX-gamer and you paid more than 100 dollars this gen for your games, you're literally a filantropist for poor, trillion dollar Micro$oft.

So, there ought to be some daily users. But it says a lot about the experience on PS Plus when you literally can't pay most people to go and play GP/XBOX.

Re: Days Gone Remastered PS5 Amplifies the Horror Compared to Its PS4 Predecessor

EfYI

In context, nobody's zooming in on a quarter of the screen in pause mode to enjoy the game.

I like that they updated the game, and as I got my hands on an extremely cheap PS5 Pro and had the PS store credits for the upgrade, I chose to buy. As they have little else to do, I'll wait for a patch from Bend or two before I actually start up the game to see their work. I would imagine that their new game mode is an okay experience and I might start the campaign just to cry over the fact that a new game was denied by evil, evil Sony Playstation.

Re: GTA 6 Trailer 2 Is Finally Here, PS5 Graphics Are Jaw-Dropping

EfYI

@HonestHick

I think you are the only one arguing that the discussion isn't over😂 Microsoft admitted who won a long time ago. The sales ratio alone declared a clear winner. Xbox Series X is obsolete and not being restocked. Xbox Games are now playstation games. But you are still out there, weighing your words.

Re: Talking Point: What Should Ghost of Yotei's Biggest PS5 Improvements Be?

EfYI

A more dynamic world ties into the sense that side activities could be more fun, unique and avoid the Ubisoft formula of extreme repetition. That would make the story more interesting, and so it is the more varied combat that is more a separate item to wish for. I believe that Sucker Punch can deliver like God of War: Ragnarok was a revolution that built on the original reboot.

I am still interested in pitching Assassin's Creed against Ghost of Yotei, which is ultimately going to be the superior game and why? I can't afford both experiences (time constraints and money is actually an object).

Re: GTA 6 Trailer 2 Is Finally Here, PS5 Graphics Are Jaw-Dropping

EfYI

Fantastic treat to have a new trailer drop on the same day I pick up my new PS5 Pro.

GTA V was so amazing when you changed characters and followed their different stories. I wonder how GTA VI will try and top that having a Bonnie & Clyde, Romeo and Juliet-kind of vibe?

Maybe there's a third protagonist, someone crazy and unpredictable. Funny, too. I feel like the game NEEDS something more to compete with last game's trio than what's alluded to in the trailer.

Re: Xbox Buyout Won't Stop Sony Bundling PS5 with Call of Duty

EfYI

I will soon play my Sony Xbox Pro that I just picked up. What a weird world.

Xbox is migrating to Playstation pretending to be Playstation. Imagine you are Japan and you have been to war with America, and America declares that it lost. Then, all of a sudden all American citizens starts moving to Japan. Their American children that were cheering them on now are like: Invite us in, Japan! Jamarican will be their new identity. And they'll be cheering Japan on. It is almost creepy. They' in our house, and camping in our garden!!😅🤣