Jimmer-jammer

Though it’s always desirable, my need for 60fps generally depends on the type of game for me. Dragon’s Dogma 2 looks fantastic either way.

I’ll be watching this one for sure. Looks incredible.

I’ll take the sword, I’m a simple man. Team Ninja knows a good combat system. This is looking great.

Going through the Yuffie DLC currently. I’m very excited to play this, just not quite sure when I will yet. Hope everyone’s having fun!

I really enjoyed the first one. Excited to see the old world!

@gbanas92 Thanks for that! Yeah, it’s one of my favourite games, so I guess I was hoping to read about all the love and care that was poured into this. Instead, it’s sounding a little sterile. I’ll likely pick it up eventually but not at full price. I appreciate the honest review!

@UltimateOtaku91 I think the choice of words here is important. Co-op does in fact provide an alternate way to play, which is a neat option, but the nature of the gameplay automatically means that co-op undermines what makes the game unique (its dual stick multi protagonist controls). Further, the review explains that nothing has been added or adjusted to make co-op anything more than just an alternate way to play.

This was an essential buy for me but I’m a little wary now. I didn’t even realize they were including a co-op mode so that’s a non issue for me but the apparent technical problems are pretty disappointing. The original is still great so, I don’t know, might just reluctantly give this one a pass.

I’m playing through Sifu right now. It’s so awesome. Be ready to bring your A game though. Still trying to beat Kuroki without aging out. She’s the real deal!

@Bentleyma Everything I’ve read is pointing toward that, yes. It’d be nice to have some proper clarity though!

@Kienda It may also be worth noting, especially if you’re looking to platinum the game, that Final Fantasy (hard) mode is unlocked after completing the game and is a platinum requirement. I’m not sure how the DLC works as I haven’t played through it yet (I’m waiting for the second instalment to release) but it might be worth playing through it now and then doing a complete run in Final Fantasy mode. Personally, FF mode felt like a much better balance than my first run and really allows the combat system to shine. It’s a real shame it has to be unlocked.

Hope Cloud likes giving back massages. Tifa’s gonna need a lot of ‘em.

I wasn’t able to get into 13 Sentinels as I’d hoped but this medieval fantasy setting and a system somewhat resembling FFXII’s gambit system has me incredibly intrigued. Think I’ll give the demo a spin. Can’t deny that art style!

Beyond narrative implications, it’s cool that the bond system will directly affect gameplay as well, potentially creating either a synergy or an incongruence between play style and ideology. Love what I’m seeing, though I share some of the trepidation here that a reskinned Nioh would be a disappointment. I’d be as happy as the next Nioh fan for Nioh with a wing suit but I am ultimately hoping for more from this. Mostly, I’d like to see how the open world ties everything together as that’s the big unknown for me based on the developer’s output.

Interestingly, the criticisms raised in the Push Square review seem to be pretty universal across the board. The final score boils down to how much these issues grate on a personal level. By all accounts, it sounds like a great game.

Sounds like a win some/lose some situation. Thankfully, my biggest gripes with Remake seem to have been addressed. Really looking forward to playing this at some point but I’m not feeling compelled to jump at it. Nostalgia is a very minor factor for me here. Thanks for the informative review!

Elden Ring remains one of the best games I’ve ever played. Based on this incredible trailer, it looks to be getting even better. June can’t come soon enough!

Trying really hard to ignore all of the amazing new releases and move through my backlog by trying really hard to keep my age down in Sifu.

@render This is exactly what the messaging is! I see no other way to take it. Doesn’t matter how it gets dressed up, at the macro level it’s the most corporate mindset imaginable.

I had my issues with Alan Wake II but I’m glad to hear it appears to be selling well for Remedy. It needs to, as it was their most expensive game to date and was funded by Epic. Whatever gets Control 2 out the door is a big win in my book.

Yeah, that really was strange. Can’t shake the feeling that this was initially meant to be something different than what it ended up being. Probably the most bizarre bit to me is when Mr. Spencer went off about how much Xbox has grown and how important growth is to then point out how the industry has not grown, basically painting out the fact that they have been buying up the industry, confirming that’s their strategy going forward while creating the picture that they’re the industry’s saving grace, even referencing layoffs. Weird.

Seems totally believable to me, probably in a more, “Let’s test the waters for a potential release with all likelihood pointing to not” kind of way. It’s much more believable to me that the director’s comments are less the direct cause of this all and more one shining example of precisely why Sony would choose not to release the game in Korea in the first place.

She looks badass, as Lara should.

Corporatism at its most insultingly garish. To think, there’s people actually upset with Sony for independently forging partnerships with studios to release new I.P. instead of gobbling them and their groups up while also giving their first party teams apt time to develop their projects.

This is very unfortunate. Probably the best move for the time being. In shining a light on this, perhaps some level heads can use this situation to forge a mutual path forward. Human history is full of atrocities committed by controversial figures. No country, culture, creed or race is immune. It is so important to study, discuss and represent history in all of its ugly and human truth.

The attached article is a pretty good read. More than anything, it confirms yet again that there’s no easy fix for the issues in the industry and no one thing to point to. As usual, reality is complicated.

This wasn’t really on my radar but I’ll definitely be checking it out now, after a couple patches. Thanks for the detailed review!

@__jamiie Yep! Buy market share and have deep enough pockets to set the pace. Whatever happens, it’ll be interesting to see where things go in the coming week.

@Sakai Thanks for the link! I’ve spoken too strongly by referring to Xbox as a liability. The fact remains, based on my understanding of the article, Microsoft paid out of pocket $440 million in losses for $7.1 billion in revenue per quarter after their $69 billion acquisition meaning at the current revenue level, their looking at about 3-4 years before they recoup the purchase price in revenue, not profit, on that deal alone. A disturbing trend of their gsming division buying their revenue with a $440 million dollar loss. That doesn’t translate to money in shareholders pockets outside of mere capital appreciation. That’s not paying the piper.

Edit: adjusted a calculation!

@Jey887 😂 Fair enough! The reality is though, folks who value money value every cent. Capital appreciation eventually disappears if future cash flows don’t materialize. On the balance sheet, a liability is a liability regardless of what lipstick it wears, and with the money that’s recently been spent, I suspect the Xbox brand is becoming a mighty big one if they don’t start generating some offsetting cash flow. To stick with the metaphor, the piper has already been stealing the townspeople’s children (shuttered studios and layoffs), so the writing’s on the wall.

All I can say concerning this whole situation is that you don’t throw around $69 billion without having to, in one way or another, pay the piper.

Looks to be shaping up nicely! Great accompanying blog post as well. Can not wait.

There are a number of Xbox exclusives I’d love play so of course I’d welcome them on PlayStation with no strings attached but I’m not convinced of that yet. Just waiting to see how this all shakes out before I know how I feel about it all.

Downloading it right now! I was going to hold off on this one as I work through my backlog but if the demo sways me, well, ya know.

This is sitting near the top of my backlog. Might be time to go for it!

So glad to hear this!

Honestly, I was hoping for a little more depth from the showing but still, the game looks great. Can’t wait!

Kojima’s been working to meld the two mediums since MGS. He says himself this will be a culmination of his life’s work. It looks to have a ridiculous amount of support, from every conceivable angle. Yeah, I’m excited.

If that’s not an excellent State of Play, I don’t know what is.

I really enjoyed Steelrising. Found it to be an interesting mix between a soulslike and an RPG. Well worth a try for free!

Well deserved! These remakes have been great. Just wrapped up Separate Ways and thought it was a fantastic addition to an already amazing game.

A proper look at Rise of the Ronin would leave me personally more than satisfied. I’d be excited to see more from Death Stranding 2 and Silent Hill 2. Dream scenario would give us a peek at whatever Santa Monica Studio has been cooking up in God of War’s shadow.

The mixup is totally understandable…if you’re three sheets to the wind.

Perfect! I’ve had my eye on this after reading the very well written review on this very site so I’ve got no excuse to not give it a go now.

Hoping some Lies of P can help take the sting out from freezing my (insert body part here) off.

I’m hoping Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn finally releases this year. Sword of the Sea has huge potential as do Pacific Drive and Harold Halibut.

@Th3solution Yeah, it’s one of my favourites! To the point where I’ll shamelessly re-buy it 😂

Have a lot I’d like to buy but of course some decisions are going to have to be made. Oddly enough, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is pretty high up on my list, followed by Rise of the Ronin. After that it’s not a matter of if but when I’ll get to the likes of Dragons Dogma, Final Fantasy, Prince of Persia…

“Upgrading it levels up your Livability meter, which improves Ichiban's health on the island…” This is cool. I appreciate when games mechanically tie their side content to their main content like this. Hope it works well. I might attempt to get into this franchise one day.

Looks so awesome!