Comments 2,625

Re: Review: Batman: Return to Arkham (PS4)

JaxonH

Wow, a 7/10 seems harsh.

This is definitely a 9/10 to me. I mean, both of these games are two of the greatest of the seventh generation. And not one but 2 games included on disc? Better looking than the original releases and with all included DLC?

Shoot... this is an absolute must have for any gamer.

Re: UK Retailer GAME Wants to Charge You to Demo PlayStation VR

JaxonH

@TequilaUK
That sounds fair then. Sony's paying the salary, Sony's charging for it, and Sony is allowing the fee to apply to a purchase.

I see no issue with this.

@rjejr
And you fail to mention the most exciting part of your entire day???

Go on! Tell us about your VR experience. I believe your exact words were "this is the real deal" 😉

Re: Review: EVE: Gunjack (PS4)

JaxonH

This was one of the first games I tried. Wanted to ease my way into the more complex VR titles.

It will probably seem boring now that I'm playing the deep experiences but it was great to start off with.

Re: PS4 Exclusive Days Gone Looks Insane on PS4 Pro

JaxonH

@get2sammyb
I heard several Wii U ports of AAA games were done by like 4 people though. And that wasn't an easy system to port to either.

One person can be a lot, especially if it's like a six-month job for that one person. Just sayin. There's not really much incentive these developers have to go upgrade the backlog.

Re: Video: What Does the Nintendo Switch Mean for PlayStation?

JaxonH

Well, some people are out and about a lot, more than others. Kids going to school, to college, even going to work, or friends houses, etc. There's a huge mobile market, and playing games like Zelda and Skyrim on the go is infinitely more appealing than playing small indies and bite sized games, even moreso than handheld games (which are essentially scaled down console games).

And even not leaving the house, just playing in the kitchen, or bedroom, or bathroom, or playing while sitting on your porch... who wouldn't have any interest in doing so if they had the option to.

I think Sony's pretty much got the console market in a headlock, well, between them and MS, and Nintendo has the handheld market in a headlock. But there's still a small portion of the console market that Nintendo has managed to hold onto, and I think this is their way of at least maintaining that portion of the market and not conceding it completely, while combining it with their mobile market to carve out their own sustainable hundred million sales target platform. They may have had to combine their mobile and handheld markets into one but it's a cutthroat market and it's something they just needed to do, so I'm glad to see them do it.

I really think this draws the lines so to speak. There's not enough room in the home console market for three major competitors offering the exact same thing. Nintendo has been beaten in that respect. They know they need to offer something different, something the other two can't and don't offer, and this is the manifestation of that.

And in the end it's only good for us gamers because it gives us a new product to consider. A new experience to enjoy alongside our traditional muscle console. Nobody would want to buy Switch if it was just a PS4/X1 clone, with the exact same games and experiences PS4 and Xbox One gamer's already have access to. Nothin new. Nothing different. Just a clone of what you already own.

Re: Reaction: Nintendo Switch Knocks the Final Nail in PS Vita's Coffin

JaxonH

@AFCC
They're marketing it as a console first and foremost, that doubles as a portable system to play console games on the go. They're not advertising it as a handheld that docks to TV. I mean, really it could be either or. All about how you look at it. In the end I really don't think that labels matter much. No matter how you spin it or market it, it is what it is. It's a system that gives us console quality games on the TV just like a normal console, but that can be played portably. Nothing has been confirmed for is far as Pokémon, but The Pokemon Company has said they'll be supporting the system so... take that for what it's worth.

@3Above
Probably not, since it's not being advertised as a home-based 4K system, unlike Scorpio and Pro. Switch is being advertised as a hybrid system, and no way could they make an affordable hybrid that powers 4K (and a disc drive would be bad for portable anyways). It's just a different focus offering a different experience. Which is good, I think. We've got 2 platforms that kind of focus on doing the same things. Nice to have a 3rd that offers us something a little different.

And I don't play my Vita out of the house either really. I do occasionally take my 3DS with me to work. But mostly it's at home play. But although we may not play games on the go a lot that doesn't mean that there's not millions of other gamers who don't play on the go. But even for people like us at least it'll hook up to the TV so we can get a nice HD console experience from it, rather than having to play a tiny handheld even though we're at home.

Re: Reaction: Nintendo Switch Knocks the Final Nail in PS Vita's Coffin

JaxonH

Exciting times to be a gamer. Not only have I been completely blown away by PSVR, here comes Nintendo with the most appealing console I've seen since the SNES. It feels like it's been a good 10 years since Nintendo has actually had a legitimate console in the ring with Sony and MS. Switch looks like they've nailed it. They beefed up the power enough that it's still delivering console quality graphics despite being 100% portable. That is a feat in and of itself. Finally- Monster Hunter in HD! Console Fire Emblem, and Metroid!

I think Vita could still linger a while in Japan. Switch doesn't drop til March, and Vita will still have some games in the pipeline for a year afterwards. So it could stick around til mid 2018 I think. Which is cool because I bought one and want to see as many games for it as possible

@get2sammyb
"had a pretty clear identity to me: console games on the go. The market wasn't interested"

I'm not sure if I buy that. I think there's a huge demand for console quality games on the go- Vita just wasn't appealing. For one, most of its console quality games were not true console quality. And even those were very few in number. Assassins Creed Liberation... compare the graphics and all around quality to say, the main line entries on consoles. Ya.

And even Uncharted Golden Abyss. Compare the graphics and overall fun-factor with say, Uncharted 4. See what I'm getting at? True console quality games were never really there. Not really.

Add to that the fact there was only one set of shoulder buttons and no clickable analogs, which are all but necessary for console games nowadays, and you have a recipe for disaster. Where games have to start implementing taps certain areas on the touchscreen and on the rear touchpad to substitute buttons...

And of course this is to make no mention of the Vita's ridiculously priced memory cards which basically cost half as much as the hardware itself...

I think there is a huge demand for console quality games on the go. People want console games that can be played portably (even more so when they can also be played on the TV). They just didn't want the Vita. It's the same thing with Wii U. It's not that people didn't want Nintendo exclusives or to experience dual screen gaming or off TV play, they just didn't want to do it for the price of a Wii U. But a lot of those same people will probably buy a Switch. And I imagine a good deal of people looking for true portable console quality games will also.

Re: Review: Harmonix Music VR (PS4)

JaxonH

Ya I expected so much more from Harmonix. We got a Harmonix and Miku game, and neither of them are actual rhythm games. Thumper kind of is, and it's really awesome, but it's more visual cue than rhythm.

I did like the easel mode though, that was cool.

Re: Store Update: 18th October 2016 (North America)

JaxonH

Got Return to Arkham yesterday cause I've never played Asylum, and played about half an hour before PSVR enticed me back into the visor.

You guys said you're working on that Wayward Sky review, but I hope Hustle Kings VR and SportsBar also see reviews.

And that Luge in VR worlds... Oh my goodness that's the most immersive experience I've ever had. Laid back my recliner so my body was lying exactly as it was showing in VR, and I swear my brain thought I was actually street luging. So intense, so amazing. And that SportsBall in VR Worlds is crazy addictive also. Love it. But DriveClub, just wowanted. That game is a masterpiece. Crazy how I used to knock it (in ignorance) based on poor observation on my part. I really need to hone in my judgement skills.

Re: Review: Here They Lie (PS4)

JaxonH

I can tell horror is gonna be way oversaturated in VR. The RE7 demo was mind blowing but so totally not for me. And neither is this. Was hoping is was more "creepy scary" than all out horror. If Sammy can't even take it then I definitely am not interested.

And I keep hearing motion sickness, motion sickness. 2 days of slight dizziness in high motion games and it was gone, permanently. Now I'm racing in DriveClub in the first person view (head to the wind baby!) and crashing into walls at 160mph without a hitch. Sure, it's a little mentally jarring to crash head first at fatal speeds and find yourself still safely sitting in your recliner, but tbh it's kinda fun.

@sinalefa
I played VR for like 8 hours straight Saturday and at least 4 more Sunday. It's not really tiresome. The visor for PSVR is so comfy- they did such a great job with it. I lean back in my recliner and lean my head back too. Sometimes I'll lean forward, but for most games you can just chill. Only games with the move (like Arkham VR) did I really need to sit forward. I refuse to stand for any though. And it hasn't been needed tbh. Sitting works just fine.

I imagine most games are shorter because of the lesser install base. Arcade like games have likely been prominent (like the 80's has been rebooted and we're starting all over agin, only this time in VR) because they're cheaper to make and excellent fit for the system. Other titles like this, I think it's just that not many are fully committing to full releases. Or they have to increase budget for the VR production values and thus cut back length. Or maybe a combination of all the above.

Re: Review: EVE: Valkyrie (PS4)

JaxonH

The dizziness soon goes away. It really does.

All these games with motion threw me for a loop the first day, and even the second, but by day 3 I was dogfighting and barrel rolling on all 3 axes... and it becomes a total blast.

MP not for me, but I still got the game, just to experience flying in space.

Re: Review: The Assembly (PS4)

JaxonH

I wanna see a review for Wayward Sky. The demo intrigued me but I'm still not sure.

Also, Loading Human. I want a good story driven VR experience. Can't wait for Robinson The Journey, Farpoint and Psychonauts. And I'm also super stoked for that F-Zero/Wipeout like futuristic racer Radial G. Which actually has cylindrical tube tracks just like F-Zero! Oh, and Trackmania Turbo, Moto Racer 4 (possibly) and definitely Ace Combat 7! Resident Evil 7 demo was amazing but I hated how demonic it was. I don't mind scary or zombies but the game has just gone all out evil (which, contrary to its name has never been like this before).

Re: Video: Another Brick Through the Wall in SuperHyperCube on PS4

JaxonH

@Furtin
Ok I could see the shape of the holes there. Ya it looks like great VR fun. It's just that... $30. That's steep for an arcade "play til you die" experience.

Then again, with the low install base of VR, I imagine we're going to be paying a premium for our VR games. Otherwise there won't be enough incentive for developers. And you know what? I'm ok with that, if it means getting games.

Like, let's say they can get a 1.5 mil install base in the next 6 months. That's roughly 4% of the PS4 install base. So they'll sell 1/25 as much. Which means games could simply have their lengths shortened to account for the lower revenues, like Arkham VR selling for $20 is a perfect example. High AAA production values, and for $20 you get a nice 1 hour campaign with lots of extras. Or Battlezone selling for $60. It's not a $60 normal game, but for VR it feels like a $60 game. Know what I mean?

I still think HyperCube is way overpriced, but I may buy it anyways. I want all the VR I can get my hands on, and a good VR game is almost priceless to me at this point.

Re: Video: The Playroom VR's Robots Rescue Deserves Its Own Game

JaxonH

I was saying this in the forums yesterday- Robot Rescue deserves its own game. Only issue I had was not being able to move/strafemy perspective. I could move the robot and look around, but I was always "facing" the same direction. If they allowed the right analog to turn 360 degrees that would have really perfected the experience.

@Napples
He's made some questionable decisions (Star Fox Zero control scheme), but he's also made some of the absolute best games and best control schemes I've ever experienced.

Pikmin 3- not only is it one of the best games I've ever played, but the control scheme towers over anything else I've ever played. You give me Pikmin 3 in VR? With that same motion control scheme used on Wii U? Oh my goodness. It would be game of the century.

Re: Video: Another Brick Through the Wall in SuperHyperCube on PS4

JaxonH

@get2sammyb
Ya, it's just that in all the videos, I can't even see the hole it's so far away in the distance. Maybe it's closer in VR than it seems in the videos, but every time I watch game play I see ppl shooting the blocks at hyper speed toward the hole, and it looked like a tiny black speck of a pixel to me. I'm like, how did you see that as a shape already?

Re: Review: Thumper (PS4)

JaxonH

@sinalefa
Well Miku does button prompts too. And I found with Amplitude you need to play on the easy setting until you get good enough to do the harder settings. I was complete lost on normal and hard modes at first. On the easy setting it's identical to Miku in every way, aside from the 4 foot turqoise ponytails, and strategy of switching tracks to find the easiest routes through (or hardest to get best score)

Re: Review: Thumper (PS4)

JaxonH

@sinalefa
The controls were simple though- just move left and right to switch tracks, and time your button presses with the rhythm.

The music was OK, but the game play was so incredible it didn't matter. I never cared for the Japanese lyrics and pop of Miku. Like snappy percussion beats where the rhythm is well defined.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 139

JaxonH

PSVR
Battlezone
DriveClub VR
Eve Valkyrie
RIGS
Batman Arkham VR
Rise of the Tomb Raider
PS VR Worlds
PSVR Demo Disc
Rez Infinite
Eve Gunjack
Thumper
Tumble
Hatsune Miku VR Future Live

PS4
Dragon Quest Builders
Rise of the Tomb Raider

X1
Gears of War 4
Lost Odyssey (360 BC)

Wii U
Paper Mario Color Splash

3DS
Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D (fan translation)

Vita
[nothing]

Re: Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood Will Skip the PlayStation 3

JaxonH

I hate the sub fee. I never know when I'll wanna play, and just don't want to worry about it. They should provide a one time cost, with a commitment to maintain servers for X amount of time, and those who choose to pay get a "pass" forever until that guaranteed date, and beyond if they continue to maintain it.

Basically a buy once and done model. I'd do it then.

Re: Review: Thumper (PS4)

JaxonH

@glassmusic
I started having tracking issues, then googled it and realized sleep mode causes a glitch somehow that screws up tracking. Try a full power down, power on reset and see if that helps. It solved my issues.

@sinalefa
How you didn't like Amplitute, as the biggest rhythm game fan I know, is beyond me.

Re: Poll: What Are Your Thoughts on PlayStation VR So Far?

JaxonH

@Wazeddie22
Well, the wow factor of putting that visor on the first time definitely won't be matched. You do kind of acclimate to it after so much time in the visor.

Which is why it's imperative PSVR be supported with games that don't rely too heavily on wow factor alone. DriveClub and Battlezone and Rez are good examples of games that are just good in their own right.

But I did try some different types of games from the demo disc, and there were some promising ideas in there. Makes me want a Fire Emblem-type game where you're viewing miniature characters on the grid like a chessboard, then zoom in for the battle animations. Basically how they did it in Fire Emblem Fates on 3DS... but in virtual reality. Oh my gosh that would be incredible.

Re: PlayStation VR Can Be Used with Wii U, Xbox One, PC

JaxonH

I see what Sammy meant with the low res display.

I think we just need a console with more power to truly get the proper VR experience. Maybe the PRO is the answer, or next gen at worst, but ya if they can sort the low res and get VR to look close to PS4 on TV, we'll be in virtual paradise,

Re: Poll: What Are Your Thoughts on PlayStation VR So Far?

JaxonH

@Wazeddie22
"don't have the money to throw away on something that may just be another gimmick like the Wii and Kinect"

Kinect was definitely a gimmick, but the Wii was a solid console with a legitimate new way to play that, in some cases, provided superior experiences than other consoles (graphics aside) and definitely as opposed to traditional controls. There was a lot of garbage on Wii, but that doesn't negate its incredible library which was by no means a gimmicks.

Likewise I wouldn't call PSVR a gimmick. It's different, yes, and that different experience definitely serves as a selling point, but it's a legitimate platform with real games that entertain.

I'm not saying that makes it worth it- that's a choice you'll have to make. And there's no guarantee it has a long term future (though I am hopeful). But what's there... it's solid.

Re: Opinion: Which PlayStation VR Launch Games Should You Buy?

JaxonH

@ToddlerNaruto
Man I'm neck deep in this VR launch. Got so many good games to play. Had to put aside my Lost Odyssey, Paper Mario Color Splash and Dragon Quest VII playthroughs, and I was deep into all those games.

Building up to the best games. So far I tried PSVR Worlds (despite panning I actually think it's pretty good, London Heist is best but Deep Sea Diving is great to show parents or ppl who don't know about games, and Scavengers Odyssey is a definite sleeper hit), also played Thumper which is like Amplitude in VR kinda, it's great, and Tumble is a perfect match. Basically Art of Balance but in VR. It's so cool. These games don't sound that appealing reading reviews or even watching game play, but playing them is totally different. They become these amazing experiences you could never even imagine.

Which is what I suspected. The best VR games will include many that didn't look appealing in a 2D trailer.

Re: Video: Getting Uncomfortably Close to Schoolgirls in Summer Lesson on PS4

JaxonH

@rjejr

Rjejr, listen to me. Go ahead and take a seat. Grab a drink and a cigarette if you smoke.

VR is utterly, utterly utterly utterly, utterly amazing. It's amazing! I'm 32 years old. In my entire life, I've never been so wowed. Never. I kept screaming out loud "this is so amazing, this is so amazing!" over and over and over again.

And that was while I was still in the main menu!

I can confidently say that anyone who experiences what I just experienced, is going to rush out and buy PSVR. Tonight. It's just that amazing. I can't even find the words to express how awesome it is.

Re: Talking Point: What's Your PlayStation VR Launch Experience Been Like?

JaxonH

@thedevilsjester
"occasionally tried to set the (physical) controllers down on the (virtual) desk because I was tricked into thinking it was actually there"

Lol I almost did the same thing! Kept having to tell my brain, "no, do not set down the gun, just push the button. Toward the end there though I was gunning like James Bond, always keeping a clip ready in my left hand

Re: Talking Point: What's Your PlayStation VR Launch Experience Been Like?

JaxonH

@get2sammyb
I just played London Heist. It was my first experience.

Oh.... my goodness..... it's utterly amazing beyond my wildest expectations!

I kept screaming out and laughing, "this is amazing!" over and over and over again. And that was while I was still in the main menu!!!

I haven't been awed like this since... well, ever. My entire life. This is the most awesome thing I've ever experienced. Words simply can't describe it. At the end during that climax... I thought I was really there. Got a tad dizzy with all those explosions and fast speed but it wasn't too bad, and quickly subsided. I'll tough it out til I'm used to it,

Re: Review: Rise of the Tomb Raider (PS4)

JaxonH

@Napples
Exactly. U4 definitely has story and cinematic presentation on lock. But RotTR isn't that far behind, and excels where it counts most- the gameplay.

I mean, I still think Uncharted is an excellent game. Its just, not quite as good as this. But this is one of the best games of this generation so it was a pretty high bar to hit.

Re: Sony Forecasting 'Hundreds of Thousands' of PlayStation VR Sales

JaxonH

Oh wow, I was thinking VR would be in millions not hundred thousands.

This doesn't bode well for the future of VR, at least this generation. A game would have to sell to every single owner to even hit, let's say, 500,000 sales.

I mean I'm glad to hear it's doing comparatively well, but I wonder is comparatively well good enough?

Re: Review: Rise of the Tomb Raider (PS4)

JaxonH

Score it as you will, but this game is better than Uncharted 4 all day long imo...

I'd give it a 9, bare minimum. And especially this version with all the DLC? This in encroaching on that 10/10 territory. Not quite, but dang close.

Re: Opinion: Which PlayStation VR Launch Games Should You Buy?

JaxonH

PHYSICAL
Arkham VR
DriveClub VR
Battlezone VR
R.I.G.S.
Eve Valkyrie
Hustle Kings VR (UK import)

DIGITAL
Gunjack
Thumper
Rez Infinite
Hatsune Miku VR
Tumble

VR ADD-ONS/SUPPORT
Super Stardust VR
Volume

INCLUDED MISSIONS
Rise of the Tomb Raider

FUTURE RELEASE PREORDERS
Farpoint
Robinson The Journey

Re: Review: Job Simulator (PS4)

JaxonH

Eh, not really my style. This seems to just play off the wow factor of being in VR.

I'm more looking for games that offer as much quality gaming as if it weren't in VR, except that it's in VR.

Re: Hands On: Does PlayStation VR Really Have Tracking Issues?

JaxonH

I wouldn't say I've been worried, but I do have concerns.

I've heard that if you bend down to pick something up (which apparently a number of VR games have you do do for various reasons like pick a key off the floor) the tracking gets lost because you're too low to the ground. Saw a vid where the hands just disappeared and flickered and ya, it was a messy glitch.

Also don't really plan on spinning around or anything (sitting in my chair- that's the meat of my planned itinerary), but if I do need to turn I'm concerned the tracking will get lost then as well.

Guess we'll just have to see how it all pans out.