Comments 2,366

Re: Octopath Traveler 1 Receives PS5, PS4 Age Ratings Ahead of SGF Show

GamingFan4Lyf

@Rmg0731 If Microsoft is paying the money and Square Enix is accepting the risk, I don't see the problem.

Their "loss" is subscribers gain. 🤷‍♂️

I still don't get why so many people are so bitter about Game Pass. If you don't have an Xbox (or PC) and have zero interest in it, then stop worrying about what deals Microsoft makes and Publishers/Developers accept. Microsoft isn't holding a gun to anyone's head to put their games on Game Pass.

If you feel it's killing the industry, then push for publishers/developers to just not accept the risk of lost sales due to Game Pass. Don't blame Microsoft for it - all it's doing is making an offer.

If it really was such a huge detriment, Game Pass would have dead by now due to total lack of game support. So whatever money Microsoft offers is more than acceptable for bean counters at the receiving end to make up for it as games are still showing up on the service.

On topic: Octopath Traveler was a fantastic game so I hope the PlayStation-only crowd will get to enjoy it - I have it on Switch as well as Octopath Traveler 2 (though, I have yet to dive into the it).

Re: Preview: Elden Ring Promises a DLC Masterclass in Shadow of the Erdtree

GamingFan4Lyf

@zebric21 I am sure there is a bundle that includes both the DLC and base game (if not available now, it will probably come at release), but they are separate purchases.

It does have a 60fps option, but VRR is ideal as it doesn't lock to 60 (unless you play the PS4 version via backwards compatibility at the expense of image quality). I think it mostly sticks in the 50 - 60 range, so not terrible frame drops - especially after all the patches it's had over time.

There is an RT Mode, but it is kind of pointless. It uses RT Shadows and unless you absolutely care that every piece of grass has shadows applied, it's not worth the performance cost.

Re: The Latest State of Play Was Completely Leaked, and It's a Growing Problem with YouTube

GamingFan4Lyf

Sounds like either misguided Google employees who may be a little too enthusiastic about games or some very disgruntled [expletive] who are about to be out of jobs if they are caught.

Either way, good on you for keeping things under wraps. I guess there are still people out there who still want us to have nice things (even if we weren't necessarily excited about the nice things that were presented).

Re: Latest State of Play Is One of the Worst-Received PS5 Shows Yet

GamingFan4Lyf

For me, I just skipped a lot of it.

I watched the Concorde cinematic because it was entertaining and skipped the gameplay portion.

I skipped the Gacha games.
I skipped the GaaS games.
I skipped the dress up game.
I skipped the PSVR2 games.

I watched the Blade of Antara with great interest and then found it's another GaaS, so that killed my interest.

I don't even know what to think of Where Winds Meet as it just looked like a boss rush Souls-like. I think I ended up skipping through that because I got bored watching it.

I skipped through Dynasty Warriors because I don't like the series.

I skipped Monster Hunter because I don't like the series.

So, in the end, only Silent Hill 2 and Astro Bot were worth my time - thank goodness I watched this after it already aired so I could just skip through the parts that didn't interest me.

While I certainly wasn't expecting Ghost of Tsushima 2, Bloodborne 2 (or a Remake), Elden Ring 2, or anything completely out there, I was expecting less GaaS.

I guess one positive is that I will have plenty of time before Fall to clear my backlog without much distraction (well, unless Nintendo and/or Microsoft pull out some bombshell Summer Releases).

EDIT: Oh wait, I just remembered that Shadow of the Erdtree drops in June...I have some serious catching up to do before then!

Re: Big New PS5, PC Shooter Concord Has an Uphill Battle Ahead of It

GamingFan4Lyf

I thought the cinematic was entertaining.

But, since we already knew it was going to be a GaaS, my interest stopped there.

It's as if Sony (as a publisher) saw what Overwatch did and wanted to copy its original success - pointless (albeit entertaining) character cinematics and all!

I feel like the most successful GaaS titles are games that don't try to copy the success of another but form their own identity that resonated with players. Being considered a "clone" of something successful isn't a great start.

Time will tell. Maybe this will be good competition for Overwatch in the end.

It's definitely a gamble.

Re: Tweaked Puzzles, Better Combat, and Updated Enemies in Silent Hill 2 PS5

GamingFan4Lyf

Can't wait! Already pre-ordered.

The only "complaint" (though more like an observation) I had with the 13 minutes gameplay was James complete lack of reaction to seeing the monster for "seemingly" the first time.

In the original version, James panicked and grabbed the first thing he could find. In the remake he didn't panic at all and just grabbed that wooden plank like a hardened killer ready for action.

Re: Astro Bot Raises the Bar for Sony's PS Studios Intros on PS5

GamingFan4Lyf

It's so sad that Sony's "charm" has been reduced to a single studio.

When Sony decided to take the approach that every game needs to be a "Hollywood production", I think it lost the whole "games are supposed to be fun" mentality (not saying Sony games are bad, I just play them because I am vested in the story, not necessarily because it's "fun").

There is a reason why, if a Nintendo game and a Sony game release at the same time, I choose the Nintendo game to play first, and the Sony game gets put on the backburner: because of these kinds of charming gestures that remind me that it's okay to be a kid sometimes.

If a small thing like an intro sequence makes me smile and the rest of the game follow suit, that's the game I want to play over and over again.

Re: PS5 Platformer Astro Bot Will Have 80 Action-Packed Levels

GamingFan4Lyf

This game just looks like so much fun!

If I have any "complaint" is that all the boss battles look to be very similar to the T-Rex battle at the end of Atro's Playroom.

But, really, it's all about the levels when it comes to these kinds of games (even the best Mario games have the lamest boss battles except for the final battle with Bowser and Nintendo never ceases to amaze me in the originality department with its games).

I would have it pre-ordered it on Amazon, but couldn't find a listing, yet.

Re: PC Players Are Fuming Until Dawn, God of War Ragnarok Appear to Require PSN Logins

GamingFan4Lyf

@knowles2 With Ghost of Tsushima, only the online portion has the requirement where the single player portion is optional.

That's how it should be.

Most publishers don't have an account requirement for offline games. There may be an option to login for those who want to, but it can be overly ignored.

I am happy Ghost of Tsushima resonated - it's a masterpiece - but PC gamers don't care about Sony. They care about a great game. And if the Sony business aspect of things start getting in the way of enjoying those games, PC gamers will tell Sony to [expletive] off.

Re: PC Players Are Fuming Until Dawn, God of War Ragnarok Appear to Require PSN Logins

GamingFan4Lyf

I just don't understand why it needs to be a requirement for offline experiences. I can understand optional for those who want to use Sony's overlay for Trophies and stuff, but it should still just be optional.

The online portion totally makes sense - use Sony servers, login to Sony services.

Sony is making a big mistake here. It's easy to sit here and say "suck it up" but Sony ventured into the PC space as part of a financial strategy. If that financial strategy isn't paying off because it's thumbing its nose at the customer's it's trying to appeal to, a different strategy may be necessary that won't be as pleasant as porting games to a wider market.

Re: Poll: What Did You Think of Sony's State of Play for May 2024?

GamingFan4Lyf

Just "Okay" from me.

I already pre-ordered Silent Hill 2 after seeing this and will definitely get Astro Bot, but I pretty much skipped most of the presentation as the vast majority of games didn't hold my interest.

I thought the Concord cinematic video was fun, but I checked out after that as I don't like multiplayer games and things weren't much better after that except for the 2 games I already mentioned.

Re: Sony Invites Public to Play Insane, Massive PS5 Pinball Machine

GamingFan4Lyf

@Grumblevolcano Maybe it's a bit of both? I actually had no idea Microsoft went all out on marketing Halo Infinite.

I just feel that if Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft setup booths in a row, Nintendo and Sony would have elaborate set pieces and experiences while Microsoft would have a sign made of recycled cardboard with an Xbox logo printed on it using sustainable ink (if that's even a thing) and an arrow pointing to a single Series S demo station as to not consume too much power.

Re: Sony Invites Public to Play Insane, Massive PS5 Pinball Machine

GamingFan4Lyf

@OldGamer999 I am starting to wonder if Microsoft's PR is "stifled" by the companies pledge to be carbon negative by 2030 - as PR Stunts are practically Marketing 101 at this point.

I have noticed that I never see any physical marketing from Microsoft - it's all online ads on social media and streaming services.

This kind of stuff, while awesome, generates waste. Since Microsoft is trying to reduce the waste it produces, the amount of physical marketing materials is removed/reduced all together.

It's the only thing (other than incompetence) that I can think of to explain why Microsoft advertising is severely lacking these days as I highly doubt a multi-trillion-dollar corporation would hire a bunch of idiots in the marketing department.

Re: Xbox Games Are Selling Gangbusters on PS5

GamingFan4Lyf

@DennisReynolds Oh.

I absolutely don't mind buying games I really want...unless I can get them for free - why drain my wallet if someone else is handing them out?!

I am not one of those "wait for Game Pass" people, but if the game is something I am interested in and it's available on Game Pass, I am taking advantage of it - I'd be stupid not to.

Re: Xbox Games Are Selling Gangbusters on PS5

GamingFan4Lyf

@Flaming_Kaiser Microsoft claims it is profitable, but I honestly don't care if it is or isn't.

I am smart enough to take advantage of something that is saving me money at the expense of a multi-trillion-dollar corporation while I can! 👍

Re: Xbox Games Are Selling Gangbusters on PS5

GamingFan4Lyf

@HonestHick The only thing I can think is that gamers have the same mentality as sports fans where all they want is their team to dominate every other team and be champions.

I love video games so much no matter who makes them!

In my world, there is plenty of room for Stellar Blade AND Super Mario Wonder AND Hellblade 2 AND God of War: Ragnarok AND The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom AND Halo.

To dismiss even one of those because of the plastic box that delivers them means missing out on a new experience, a new story told, or simply just another take on a specific genre.

Re: Xbox Games Are Selling Gangbusters on PS5

GamingFan4Lyf

@HonestHick Sony would lose a ton of good will if it tried to block a PC from playing its games simply because it says "Xbox" on the shell.

Microsoft makes Surface devices that can also play games and those aren't blocked, so why should a PC with an Xbox logo be any different?

Plus, I highly doubt Valve would go for it - they might tell Sony to [expletive] off. It's one thing to block games from countries where PSN TOS would need to be broken to viably play a game where it's not supported, but to block PC hardware simply because Sony doesn't like that it has Xbox on the plastic would be a slippery slope.

That would open the door for AMD-sponsored games to be allowed to be blocked on PCs with Intel and/or Nvidia GPU and vice-versa. PC gamers don't play that console-wars garbage! They just want to play great games no matter who makes them!

Re: AI Helps Push Forward 'Boundaries of Storytelling', Says Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann

GamingFan4Lyf

@Shepherd_Tallon I am of the opposite side here. I don't want to have conversations with NPCs. Give me a handcrafted experience to enjoy - don't make me generate my own fun.

I play games to have stories told and to escape reality, not live in a different one.

I will say it's a neat novelty, but to design an entire RPG with that level of interactivity seems more daunting than fun. Then again, I already find Bethesda-style RPGs as daunting, so I am probably not the target audience there. 👍

Re: Intense PS4 Fighter Samurai Shodown Finally Has Rollback Netcode, Almost Five Years Later

GamingFan4Lyf

I find it interesting that this has a Series X|S version that supports 120Hz, but there is no PS5 version to do the same.

You would think that a PS5 version would have been a high priority over a Series X|S version.

Perhaps it's just a matter of how Microsoft handles cross-gen upgrades over Sony where even games that are "native" Series X|S can still just be X1 code running with enhancements whereas Sony requires a whole process for releasing a PS5 native version that SNK didn't want to deal with for so little return on investment.

Re: The Next Naughty Dog Game Its 'Most Thrilling Yet', Says Neil Druckmann

GamingFan4Lyf

"redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming"

Statements like these always make me a little nervous. While I am not someone to shies away from experimentation in gaming, sometimes this leads to alienating the core audience.

Kojima makes the similar kinds of statements and I don't think Death Stranding has been held in the same regard as Metal Gear series.

Re: Soapbox: Once a PS4 Console Exclusive, PS5 Players Are Missing a Visual Stunner in Hellblade 2

GamingFan4Lyf

@DennisReynolds Hopefully once games start using Unreal 5.4, there will be more wiggle room for 30/60fps modes on consoles without seriously compromising the experience to reaching higher framerates.

DF did an analysis of UE 5.4 and found that lower-end hardware had a significant performance boost thanks to the multi-threaded rendering pipeline that was added (and a few other performance enhancing improvements).

I am guessing any game targeting UE 5.4 are years off, though.

Re: Soapbox: Once a PS4 Console Exclusive, PS5 Players Are Missing a Visual Stunner in Hellblade 2

GamingFan4Lyf

@trev666 I agree! I really enjoyed it. It was like Gears of War but with werewolves.

The only thing disappointing with The Order: 1886 was that it was only in Stereo.

Graphically, it was a fantastic showpiece for what the PS4 could do!

It was a shame a sequel never saw the light of day because I really enjoyed the game world and story - and they were clearly trying to setup a franchise with it (felt like an origin story to something bigger).

Re: Soapbox: Once a PS4 Console Exclusive, PS5 Players Are Missing a Visual Stunner in Hellblade 2

GamingFan4Lyf

The game is jaw-droppingly beautiful, and I feel like the binaural audio is even more effective than the first game. The lack of visible pop-in thanks to nanite and the use of lumen (at least on Series X) is incredibly welcome as well.

People have been harping on the look of the water, but I thought it looked pretty good especially when you consider that there is actual fluid simulation being applied - I am guessing it's using Niagra.

It's probably better to call it an experience more than a game - though I do find the slower and more "primal" combat to be incredibly intense and satisfying.

Still, it is odd to see this article here. It's like a review for a game that isn't on PlayStation...but...not an official review because the game is not on PlayStation.