There’s not much of interest for me this go around, but I might check out Cat Quest 1 and 2 for a palate cleanser for meatier games I play. I might even check out Watch Dogs and go for the platinum. I really enjoyed my time with it when it first came out.
This is awesome news. I love my Portal, and I’ve been playing on it every day for several months. It’s a fantastic device, and I hope the sales show that people still want handheld games. I would love a Vita 2.
I’m playing Stellar Blade this weekend. My goal is to wrap up my first play-through and start NG+ to obtain the platinum trophy. This game continues to impress, and gets better the more you progress rather than become stagnant like a lot of action games. I’m currently in the fourth region and the meaningful side quests and exploration has transcended my thoughts on this game in a positive light.
I also picked up Crow Country due to all the high praise it’s receiving. I’ve jump (scared) my way into this game last night and it’s fantastic, particularly playing it on my PlayStation Portal. It has that classic Resident Evil feel, with a touch of Twin Peaks, X-Files, and strangely, a low-polygon Final Fantasy 7. Every year there is a game that comes along that is relatively obscure but ends up making a splash, and this game falls into that category.
I played the original SMTV version on my Switch and Ioved it, though it did feel like an incomplete story. Hopefully, this new iteration will expand the game in a more deeper level. I’m looking forward to replaying the game.
I’m strongly considering Dead Island 2 and its DLC. I played the game on my Series X when it first came out, but never touched the DLC despite loving the game. This will give me a perfect reason to replay the game on PlayStation and even get the platinum.
I’m sorry, but this just spells the absolute end of Microsoft in my opinion. They might release good exclusives in the future — Hellblade 2 and Avowed, although they probably won’t stay exclusive — but they have already ruined any kind of positive reputation that garnered. And it’s obvious Game Pass isn’t working exactly as they planned; it seemingly hit a peak. I don’t think it can be considered “the best value in gaming” anymore, even from a consumer standpoint. I don’t know, man, all of this is just distasteful.
I already commented, but I’d also like to add that I’m very pleased to read that you can change the control scheme to a more modern play style. I cannot do tank controls anymore. Having modern controls will only enhance my experience rather than frustrate me, so I’m looking forward to this.
Good for him for standing up for himself and his team. This is an incompetent move from Microsoft, and it has honestly ruined their reputation even more. And sure, some of the studios may have had their flaws in recent games, but they also have a strong history with creating memorable and great games.
I haven’t beaten the game yet, but I can definitely tell I’m going to do a NG+ run, and go for the platinum. I’m really enjoying this game, and some of the level design that opens up is really great.
Wow — this is shocking news, particularly with Tango Gameworks. Microsoft has unfortunately been nothing but a disaster this year, in my opinion, which is a shame because I thought 2022 was one of their best years. In fact, I spent more time on my Series X than PS5 and Switch combined.
This weekend I’m going out of state to visit family, but I’ll find time to play Stellar Blade. I have to say I’m impressed. To understand this is Shift Up’s console debut I can’t be too critical of some of the missteps along the way.
I’m only five hours in, but it’s been great. It has your typical sci-fi trappings, and actually reminds me of Ghost in the Shell and Horizon Zero Dawn in some aspects. One thing that I do enjoy is how the story unfolds. You have your quintessential story beats, but you’ll also get more character background when you rest at a campfire — this games version of From Software’s Dark Souls series — so it feels completely natural because it’s practically necessary.
Speaking of From Software, this game will obviously get compared to their genre(s). While this is fair, I think the difficulty and gameplay emulates Devil May Cry, Nier: Automata, Ninja Gaiden, and Sekiro. However, I love this PS2, early PS3-era style of linear action games, all the while keeping up with modern audiences.
The combat is the real star of the show. It’s not as floaty as its inspirations, but there is a certain weight and crunch to its action. You can feel every blow that hits an enemy, and when you perform a perfect dodge or parry it feels satisfying because it is so mechanically sound. There is also numerous move sets and abilities you can unlock that genuinely make a difference. In most combat oriented action games you can button mash your way through victory, but here you have to strategize.
My only earnest complaint would be the general movement. You will be doing a lot of platforming outside of combat and most of the time it feels stiff. It’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination — but it is serviceable and doesn’t have the same fluidity as the combat.
I may trepidations with traversal, but in adjacent to that is exploration which is handled very well. It’s always beneficial going off the beaten, albeit sequential path. You’ll either come across health or combat upgrades, or notes to expand the world building. In fact, there is a moment early on where you have to maneuver a crane to get across to a new section. I accidentally ran the crane into a wall and, to my surprise, it crumbled and revealed upgrades to my equipment. It’s this type of environmental story telling that draws me into its world.
Lastly, I’m really loving what these Korean studios are doing lately. They are getting more mainstream attention and rightfully so. Lies of P from Neowiz was my GOTY last year and Stellar Blade May launch itself into this category once it’s all said and done.
I also got the platinum trophy for I Am Setsuna a few days ago. This game might be one of my favorite (J)RPGs of the last decade. It’s exceptionally well paced and never outstays its welcome. Unlike most modern games, particularly in this genre, it’s not laborious.
Last week I critiqued the game for its leveling system and experience points not accumulating for members outside of your party, but this isn’t true at all. I was completely wrong. This automatically remedied by biggest complaint, which was misguided from the beginning.
Nonetheless, my criticism is few and far between. I Am Setsuna is one of those games that comes along at the right moment in (my) life, and creates an everlasting impression. This will be a title I’ll think fondly of for a long time.
I’m only five hours in, but it’s an easy 9 for me so far. It is so mechanically sound, and the combat has a certain crunch about it that is very satisfying. I also enjoy the exploration. Shift Up has done a great job with their first console game.
If I want to see anything from Xbox on PlayStation consoles, it would be the Gears and Halo series. Other than that, maybe Lost Odyssey or Blue Dragon, but I highly doubt that will ever happen, so I have no qualms playing those games on my Xbox.
I’m glad it’s getting the recognition it deserves! It’s a great game, and I’m glad I got the platinum trophy for it. That said, the game was too long and had a convoluted story, with too many characters to keep track of. I hope they can deliver a tighter experience next time. And we already know the combat will be top notch.
This weekend I intended to dedicate time to Stellar Blade, but after getting the platinum trophy for Rise of the Ronin last weekend, I was trying to find a game that wouldn’t be too long. This lead me to look through my backlog and settle for I Am Setsuna. I needed that cozy, comfortable (J)RPG. I’m currently 90% through and it’s pretty good, despite its handful of flaws.
The first thing that stood out is its minimalistic approach. This was refreshing. The game tells a linear, character driven story that is simple, but compelling. Every party member you acquire has their own unique personality and it’s fun seeing their bond development over time. I don’t think every RPG needs to be this sprawling adventure with a myriad of side quests and mini games. Don’t get me wrong — those things have their place, but it’s nice to have a game that knows what it wants to say and does it in their own fashion.
As I mentioned, there are flaws, or rather pros and cons to several of its mechanics. First of all is the combat. While it is your traditional turn based RPG, it has a sense of depth and customization to it that is fun to toy around with, from varying talisman and abilities you can equip, to team composition that can change the tide in fascinating ways.
Unfortunately, combat is unbalanced. The enemies can move around the battlefield yet you cannot. There isn’t a lot of enemy variety either, so you’ll generally encounter enemies that can self destruct and damage you once they do. And since you’re unable to move out of the way you can’t necessarily defend yourself.
Furthermore, the game does a poor job explaining how its combat systems work. It’s great there’s a lot of variety, but not having a solid foundation in its tutorial system and how things interact with each other can make things overwhelming.
Additionally, one thing that is bothersome is its archaic design in leveling up. You can only have three party members at a time (out of seven). The characters in the background don’t get experience points if they aren’t in combat, so there will always be characters under-leveled. What makes matters worse is that some characters become inactive due to story reasons, and thus there’s an imbalance to management.
As an aside: I’m grinding right now. There is something so trite but relaxing about the grind. All of my characters are at level 45. I’m going to get all party members to level 50 at minimum before doing end-game side quests and tackling the true final boss.
When it comes to the overall map, the environments and dungeon design is one dimensional throughout the entire journey, and very uninspired. Everything is snowy terrain with iced layer dungeons that don’t offer any real thought or puzzle challenges (there is a very charming secret location that actually talks about all of this, in a meta sort of way, and it’s amazing!).
There is also no map markers or quest logs, or if there is, I haven’t encountered it yet during my playthrough. You have to make a mental note where certain locations are at but this isn’t necessarily too hard since the game doesn’t boast numerous side quests, locations and NPCs, and the game provides a fun way to travel later in the game.
Ultimately, while I may be quite critical of the game, it does feature endearing characters and a strong narrative that overwrites its faults. Combat is great and flexible, albeit confusing. There may be a lack of inspiration in its overall game world, but I’m okay with the minimal approach. I’ll definitely be getting the platinum trophy for this one.
I have the game — in fact, I had it preordered and installed days ago. I planned on starting it this morning before I went to work, but I’m actually quite invested in I Am Setsuna, so that’s my focus for the moment.
I’ve worked seven straight days, but I’m taking this weekend and the subsequent Monday and Tuesday off to celebrate my birthday. I won’t be playing much due to family gatherings and what-have-you, but I did manage to platinum Rise of the Ronin yesterday.
I have to retract my statement from last week — I no longer think it’s Team Ninja’s best game (but it is a great game, nonetheless). The story is extremely convoluted, and the RPG elements, particularly with dialogue choices and story decision(s) have no true meaning. With that said, I did enjoy its open world and activities. Similarly to NiOh 2, the game is way too long. I wish there was a more tighter experience, but I think this trend is going to continue on if the ending to RoTN is any indication.
As of now, I’ll either take a break from gaming until Stellar Blade releases, or I will try Dave The Diver on my PS5. With the acclaim it has received over the last year, I’m tempted to give it a try because it seems cozy and the perfect game to unwind with on my PlayStation Portal. Plus, it’s something different and that’s something I need since I essentially played 200+ hours of third person action RPGs over the course of the last three games (Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Rebirth and RoTR).
I also finished the book series Shogun by James Clavell. A part of me feels empty now — the characters and world building were so well realized that it’s difficult to think these are fictional characters. I’ve grown attached to many of the interconnected stories within, and it’s hard to let them go. It’s such an incredible story, and might go down as my favorite book(s) of all time.
The first game was great, but I never finished it. The sequel sounds like it’s improving in every aspect. I’ll have to try and go back to the first game and complete it. The platinum trophy doesn’t seem to be too difficult either.
I’m glad this franchise, and particularly with XVI, has reached a younger and wider audience. It truly is a great game, and one of my favorites from last year. As an aside - I do hope future Final Fantasy titles will include a battle system akin to 7 Remake and Rebirth. That’s just a personal preference of mine, though — others might disagree.
This weekend I’m working on the platinum trophy for Rise of the Ronin. This could arguably be Team Ninja’s best game yet. And that’s saying a lot considering how incredible and influential the Ninja Gaiden series is — the original and Xbox version(s).
I will say this, however - I’m running into the same issue I had with NiOh 2, which is the game is too long. The fat could be trimmed in their (main) quest design. Currently, I’m 75% through Chapter Two and have 100%’ed each map, and unlocked the third region last night. My OCD brain can’t not do them all along with the open world collectibles. But dang-it, it has captivating combat and an addictive gameplay loop.
I’ve also been reading a lot more books lately. I’m in the process of finishing James Clavell’s Shogun series. Part II is absolutely incredible. After that lengthy adventure I’m going to dive into Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and the first of a horror trilogy, My Heart Is A Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones.
This might sound crazy, but that trailer gave me goosebumps. The music is sensational, and the Contra crossover is an amazing addition to an already incredible game. I really can’t wait to play this on my Portal even though I own it on the Switch, Xbox, and my phone.
I’m down for more 2D Prince of Persia adventures. I also personally like the art style. I am disappointed that it’s a rougelite, but it should provide tons of enjoyable hours. My only concern is the difficulty because these games are known for their tough platforming, and having that in a roguelite could get tiresome, but I guess we will have to wait and see how it’s balanced.
There isn’t much here that interests me. I’ll definitely download Dave The Diver and see what all the hype is about. MediEvil is also another game I’ll add to my list.
I’m really not sure what my favorite game is this year. I absolutely adored Prince of Persia The Lost Crown, and got the platinum. But I also love Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and put in 110 hours into it. Right now, I’m playing Rise of the Ronin and having an amazing time as well. I can’t make a definitive answer right now, but I’m curious to see how my answer evolves the more I think about it.
This weekend I’m playing Rise of the Ronin. I thought I was going to take a break from gaming since it took me 110 hours to finally beat Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but this game has its (demon) claws in me.
I want to preface that I think RoTR is a strong 7.5 game. It’s not as polished as prior Team Ninja games. The game can be janky, and the frame rate, even on performance mode, dips quite a bit. I’ve noticed on several occasions the game stutters even during cutscenes. And graphically, there’s much left to be desired. Perhaps the budget for this game wasn’t that much, but thankfully the strengths of this game outweighs its negatives.
As for the positives — it’s addicting as hell, to be honest. The open world has your typical tropes: clear bandit hideouts, find treasure chests, and various collectibles. It’s essentially a Ubisoft playground. But that’s okay. Not every new game has to reinvent the wheel because the game is just fun. The open world activities are also perfectly spaced out — nothing is ever too far away, so it manages to keep you actively engaged and gives you a since of accomplishment in continuous bursts.
The combat is also superb, which is Team Ninja’s bread and butter. Unlike their counterparts, the action is most slowed down. It requires patience and good timing. It may not be as fined tuned as From Software titles, particularly Sekiro, but it’s still Grade A stuff. In fact, it feels more like Ninja Gaiden than it does NiOh and Wu-Long. There’s also a plethora of weapons and combat variety that are all equally balanced and satisfying to use. Each weapon and its class have their own unique skill set and abilities.
With that said, I do have a gripe with its combat and weaponry. You can only equip two weapons — primary and secondary (I’m not talking about the guns, bows or shurikens) — and sometimes you’ll encounter enemies where the two weapons you have aren’t built to fight the enemy you’re facing. And the game usually has multiple enemies at once, and maybe one of your weapons work against one of those enemies, but nobody else. I typically brute force my way through them, but it’s a system that is somewhat misguided. I get the incentive — the game wants you to experiment with various weapon types, but it shouldn’t force you change your preference. This is eventually remedied by unlocking different stances for all weapon types, but it takes a while to achieve that.
In tangent with the combat is a skill tree, with four difference classes: strength, dexterity, charm, and intellect. I think this is one of the better skill trees in a game. The majority of abilities are actually beneficial and I find myself genuinely thinking about my decision when spending skill points. All of these things provide a healthy balance to suit your play style, so I enjoy the freedom of choice.
There is a lot more I would like to discuss, but this is already lengthy as is. At the end of the day, I don’t need a genre defining masterpiece. Sometimes, I just want to turn my brain off. I’m content with an unremarkable story and characters, albeit historical. I just want to mindlessly hack-and-slash people. And that’s what Rise of the Ronin does in spades. I’m having fun, and that’s what gaming is all about.
I haven’t played much this week due to work and family visiting from out of state. Unfortunately, I won’t have much time this weekend, either. If I manage to squeeze in some gaming sessions, I’ll be attempting to finish Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
I’m currently on the last chapter and it has been an evocative experience. I’ve put in roughly 105 hours into the game, with all side quests and world region activities completed. In a way, I’m excited to see the end of the journey, but sad as well, as I’ve grown even more attached to these characters than I did in the PS1 original version.
Once I finish Rebirth I plan on starting Rise of the Ronin. Everything I have read about this game seems to be exactly what I enjoy about Team Ninja games, but expanded upon in ways I’m thrilled to experience. I’ve also been reading James Clavell’s Shogun. I finished part one a few days ago — nearly 700 pages, and I’m a quarter of the way through part two — so my mindset is honed in on this era of history that should be a good time to delve into.
I knew Immortals would get there eventually, but I hope this provides the game a much needed audience. The game is surprisingly very good, and it deserves more attention.
This sounds incredible — and I’ve been waiting for this game for years. In fact, it’s one reason why I bought mine several years ago. I’m glad to see it have that PS3-era feel (possibly my favorite era in gaming) but with that modern touch that we are used to. Evil West did this recently, and I cannot recommend that game enough. I’m really looking forward to Stellar Blade, and what’s more is that it releases a couple of days after my birthday so that is stellar news.
This has been one of my most anticipated games in years. I’ll probably give the game demo a download — maybe I’ll get to it this weekend if I manage to beat Rebirth. I’m two chapters away. And then Rise of the Ronin is calling my name, and I should beat that by the time Stellar Blade releases.
I have it downloaded and ready to go. I am going to wait until I finish FF7 Rebirth, which I thought I was going to this weekend, but chapter 12 said no to those plans. The game opens up in a massive way. Hopefully, I’ll jump into it next week.
After several days off work, a break from gaming, and a relaxing vacation with my wife, I’m back to playing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. I didn’t think I’d have much to say since I’ve spoken about the game for the past two weeks, but alas, I do.
According to my PS5 clock, I have 80 hours logged into this game and I have no desire to slow down. I’m currently on chapter 11. Rebirth seems to hits its prime starting in chapter 9 and onward, from gameplay, map design, and story perspective. It’s as if there was a newfound confidence in the development where they discovered the perfect balance between juggling open world activities and the main story.
I’m absorbed in the characters and world. I’ve completed all possible tasks per each region. The best thing about these side quests and activities is that if you do them, such as finding the protorelics or play Queen’s Blood, you’ll obtain rich backstories that really expand on your party members. I’m compelled to invest my time because the game respects it. There are a plethora of intimate moments between all of your characters. It’s truly remarkable how much depth is in this game. And it never stops being mogical, ahem, I mean magical
That’s not to say there aren’t faults in the game — there certainly is. In later regions traversal can be infuriating because it forces you to use the chocobo to reach differing locations that are mandatory. It doesn’t feel organic. I appreciate how the game incorporates fresh ways to explore via chocobo, so there is always a new mechanic to keep you engaged.
The regions themselves are gorgeous and fun to explore, however. Each location feels genuinely distinct from one another, and this is strengthened by its exemplary soundtrack that feels compatible with the environment. It’s easily one of the best OSTs for a Final Fantasy game I’ve ever heard.
Another criticism I have is the bloat. There is an over abundance of activities and mini-games to do. Some of the content could be trimmed, but thankfully the majority of it is optional. But less is more. Later in the game when you get to explore the Nibelheim region, my feelings is that it has the perfect amount of content. The map isn’t too large and everything is condensed in a small package. With all that said, these flaws don’t diminish the genius of this game. I’d rather have too much of Final Fantasy 7 than not enough, and the bloat isn’t a mandatory component.
I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I’d like to discuss about this game—story, materia builds, combat, and the little nuances—but my write-up is already long enough so I’ll end it here for now. Perhaps I should start up my own website to have deeper discussions without a character limit. Nevertheless, I will say this: Rebirth is just that — a game favored by nostalgia, but can stand on its own as a brand new experience that, to me, outshines the original in many ways.
This is an awesome upcoming update. Maybe I’ll do a second playthrough once all the DLC releases, and get the platinum trophy. I just have to beat the game on Final Fantasy mode or whatever to get the trophy.
The overall reviews seem to be mixed — settling around a 7 to 7.5/10. From all the review sources I trust to read, anyway. I’m fine with that score. I don’t always need a “GOTY” conversation game. I’m looking forward to playing this soon!
This sounds absolutely incredible, and another adventure that’s going to sink hours out of my life. I really enjoy exploration in games, especially if it feels like I’m carving my own path and discovery. I can’t wait to get my hands on this.
Comments 989
Re: 13 New Games Joining PS Plus Extra, Premium Next Week
There’s not much of interest for me this go around, but I might check out Cat Quest 1 and 2 for a palate cleanser for meatier games I play. I might even check out Watch Dogs and go for the platinum. I really enjoyed my time with it when it first came out.
Re: PS Portal Still Going Strong, Demand in USA Exceeds Supply
This is awesome news. I love my Portal, and I’ve been playing on it every day for several months. It’s a fantastic device, and I hope the sales show that people still want handheld games. I would love a Vita 2.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 528
I’m playing Stellar Blade this weekend. My goal is to wrap up my first play-through and start NG+ to obtain the platinum trophy. This game continues to impress, and gets better the more you progress rather than become stagnant like a lot of action games. I’m currently in the fourth region and the meaningful side quests and exploration has transcended my thoughts on this game in a positive light.
I also picked up Crow Country due to all the high praise it’s receiving. I’ve jump (scared) my way into this game last night and it’s fantastic, particularly playing it on my PlayStation Portal. It has that classic Resident Evil feel, with a touch of Twin Peaks, X-Files, and strangely, a low-polygon Final Fantasy 7. Every year there is a game that comes along that is relatively obscure but ends up making a splash, and this game falls into that category.
Re: SMT 5: Vengeance Gets a Super Detailed 13 Minute Video on All Its New Stuff
I played the original SMTV version on my Switch and Ioved it, though it did feel like an incomplete story. Hopefully, this new iteration will expand the game in a more deeper level. I’m looking forward to replaying the game.
Re: Mini Review: Crow Country (PS5) - Brilliant Retro Horror Wears Its Influences on Its Sleeve
@gbanas92 How are the trophies, by the way? Is it a straight forward platinum, or does it take multiple playthroughs?
Re: Over 1,250 Massive PS5, PS4 Games Discounted Right Now
I’m strongly considering Dead Island 2 and its DLC. I played the game on my Series X when it first came out, but never touched the DLC despite loving the game. This will give me a perfect reason to replay the game on PlayStation and even get the platinum.
Re: Rumour: Hi-Fi Rush Dev Was Pitching Sequel Before Microsoft Closed It Down
I’m sorry, but this just spells the absolute end of Microsoft in my opinion. They might release good exclusives in the future — Hellblade 2 and Avowed, although they probably won’t stay exclusive — but they have already ruined any kind of positive reputation that garnered. And it’s obvious Game Pass isn’t working exactly as they planned; it seemingly hit a peak. I don’t think it can be considered “the best value in gaming” anymore, even from a consumer standpoint. I don’t know, man, all of this is just distasteful.
Re: Mini Review: Crow Country (PS5) - Brilliant Retro Horror Wears Its Influences on Its Sleeve
I already commented, but I’d also like to add that I’m very pleased to read that you can change the control scheme to a more modern play style. I cannot do tank controls anymore. Having modern controls will only enhance my experience rather than frustrate me, so I’m looking forward to this.
Re: Mini Review: Crow Country (PS5) - Brilliant Retro Horror Wears Its Influences on Its Sleeve
I’ve never heard of this game until now. Great review! I might look up some videos and maybe give it a purchase. It does sound pretty good.
Re: Arkane Lyon Director Calls Out Xbox Studio Closures: 'It's a F*cking Gut Stab'
Good for him for standing up for himself and his team. This is an incompetent move from Microsoft, and it has honestly ruined their reputation even more. And sure, some of the studios may have had their flaws in recent games, but they also have a strong history with creating memorable and great games.
Re: Hands On: Stellar Blade Does PS5 New Game + the Right Way
I haven’t beaten the game yet, but I can definitely tell I’m going to do a NG+ run, and go for the platinum. I’m really enjoying this game, and some of the level design that opens up is really great.
Re: Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, More Closed in Brutal Bethesda Restructure
Wow — this is shocking news, particularly with Tango Gameworks. Microsoft has unfortunately been nothing but a disaster this year, in my opinion, which is a shame because I thought 2022 was one of their best years. In fact, I spent more time on my Series X than PS5 and Switch combined.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 527
This weekend I’m going out of state to visit family, but I’ll find time to play Stellar Blade. I have to say I’m impressed. To understand this is Shift Up’s console debut I can’t be too critical of some of the missteps along the way.
I’m only five hours in, but it’s been great. It has your typical sci-fi trappings, and actually reminds me of Ghost in the Shell and Horizon Zero Dawn in some aspects. One thing that I do enjoy is how the story unfolds. You have your quintessential story beats, but you’ll also get more character background when you rest at a campfire — this games version of From Software’s Dark Souls series — so it feels completely natural because it’s practically necessary.
Speaking of From Software, this game will obviously get compared to their genre(s). While this is fair, I think the difficulty and gameplay emulates Devil May Cry, Nier: Automata, Ninja Gaiden, and Sekiro. However, I love this PS2, early PS3-era style of linear action games, all the while keeping up with modern audiences.
The combat is the real star of the show. It’s not as floaty as its inspirations, but there is a certain weight and crunch to its action. You can feel every blow that hits an enemy, and when you perform a perfect dodge or parry it feels satisfying because it is so mechanically sound. There is also numerous move sets and abilities you can unlock that genuinely make a difference. In most combat oriented action games you can button mash your way through victory, but here you have to strategize.
My only earnest complaint would be the general movement. You will be doing a lot of platforming outside of combat and most of the time it feels stiff. It’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination — but it is serviceable and doesn’t have the same fluidity as the combat.
I may trepidations with traversal, but in adjacent to that is exploration which is handled very well. It’s always beneficial going off the beaten, albeit sequential path. You’ll either come across health or combat upgrades, or notes to expand the world building. In fact, there is a moment early on where you have to maneuver a crane to get across to a new section. I accidentally ran the crane into a wall and, to my surprise, it crumbled and revealed upgrades to my equipment. It’s this type of environmental story telling that draws me into its world.
Lastly, I’m really loving what these Korean studios are doing lately. They are getting more mainstream attention and rightfully so. Lies of P from Neowiz was my GOTY last year and Stellar Blade May launch itself into this category once it’s all said and done.
I also got the platinum trophy for I Am Setsuna a few days ago. This game might be one of my favorite (J)RPGs of the last decade. It’s exceptionally well paced and never outstays its welcome. Unlike most modern games, particularly in this genre, it’s not laborious.
Last week I critiqued the game for its leveling system and experience points not accumulating for members outside of your party, but this isn’t true at all. I was completely wrong. This automatically remedied by biggest complaint, which was misguided from the beginning.
Nonetheless, my criticism is few and far between. I Am Setsuna is one of those games that comes along at the right moment in (my) life, and creates an everlasting impression. This will be a title I’ll think fondly of for a long time.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Stellar Blade?
I’m only five hours in, but it’s an easy 9 for me so far. It is so mechanically sound, and the combat has a certain crunch about it that is very satisfying. I also enjoy the exploration. Shift Up has done a great job with their first console game.
Re: PS Plus Essential Games for May 2024 Announced
This is a great lineup! I’ve been meaning to check out Ghostrunner for a while. And, if people haven’t tied it, Tunic is a phenomenal game.
Re: Earth Defense Force 6 Heads West on PS5, PS4 This July
This is certainly interesting. I wonder if the success of Helldivers 2 will push this game sales wise. I can see it playing a factor in some respects.
Re: Talking Point: What's Next for Xbox Games on PS5, PS4?
If I want to see anything from Xbox on PlayStation consoles, it would be the Gears and Halo series. Other than that, maybe Lost Odyssey or Blue Dragon, but I highly doubt that will ever happen, so I have no qualms playing those games on my Xbox.
Re: Rise of the Ronin PS5 Sales Beating the Nioh Series
I’m glad it’s getting the recognition it deserves! It’s a great game, and I’m glad I got the platinum trophy for it. That said, the game was too long and had a convoluted story, with too many characters to keep track of. I hope they can deliver a tighter experience next time. And we already know the combat will be top notch.
Re: Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 7 Inspire New Indie RPG Beyond Galaxyland
@danzoEX I agree — I’m not sure I understand the inspirations. But, if that’s what the developers say then so be it; I just don’t see it.
Re: Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 7 Inspire New Indie RPG Beyond Galaxyland
This looks pretty cool, and I love the premise and art style. I’d like to see more of the combat, but this is definitely going on my wishlist.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 526
This weekend I intended to dedicate time to Stellar Blade, but after getting the platinum trophy for Rise of the Ronin last weekend, I was trying to find a game that wouldn’t be too long. This lead me to look through my backlog and settle for I Am Setsuna. I needed that cozy, comfortable (J)RPG. I’m currently 90% through and it’s pretty good, despite its handful of flaws.
The first thing that stood out is its minimalistic approach. This was refreshing. The game tells a linear, character driven story that is simple, but compelling. Every party member you acquire has their own unique personality and it’s fun seeing their bond development over time. I don’t think every RPG needs to be this sprawling adventure with a myriad of side quests and mini games. Don’t get me wrong — those things have their place, but it’s nice to have a game that knows what it wants to say and does it in their own fashion.
As I mentioned, there are flaws, or rather pros and cons to several of its mechanics. First of all is the combat. While it is your traditional turn based RPG, it has a sense of depth and customization to it that is fun to toy around with, from varying talisman and abilities you can equip, to team composition that can change the tide in fascinating ways.
Unfortunately, combat is unbalanced. The enemies can move around the battlefield yet you cannot. There isn’t a lot of enemy variety either, so you’ll generally encounter enemies that can self destruct and damage you once they do. And since you’re unable to move out of the way you can’t necessarily defend yourself.
Furthermore, the game does a poor job explaining how its combat systems work. It’s great there’s a lot of variety, but not having a solid foundation in its tutorial system and how things interact with each other can make things overwhelming.
Additionally, one thing that is bothersome is its archaic design in leveling up. You can only have three party members at a time (out of seven). The characters in the background don’t get experience points if they aren’t in combat, so there will always be characters under-leveled. What makes matters worse is that some characters become inactive due to story reasons, and thus there’s an imbalance to management.
As an aside: I’m grinding right now. There is something so trite but relaxing about the grind. All of my characters are at level 45. I’m going to get all party members to level 50 at minimum before doing end-game side quests and tackling the true final boss.
When it comes to the overall map, the environments and dungeon design is one dimensional throughout the entire journey, and very uninspired. Everything is snowy terrain with iced layer dungeons that don’t offer any real thought or puzzle challenges (there is a very charming secret location that actually talks about all of this, in a meta sort of way, and it’s amazing!).
There is also no map markers or quest logs, or if there is, I haven’t encountered it yet during my playthrough. You have to make a mental note where certain locations are at but this isn’t necessarily too hard since the game doesn’t boast numerous side quests, locations and NPCs, and the game provides a fun way to travel later in the game.
Ultimately, while I may be quite critical of the game, it does feature endearing characters and a strong narrative that overwrites its faults. Combat is great and flexible, albeit confusing. There may be a lack of inspiration in its overall game world, but I’m okay with the minimal approach. I’ll definitely be getting the platinum trophy for this one.
Re: Future PS5 Game No Rest for the Wicked Opens to Positive Early Access Reviews
I can’t wait for this game. Everything about it looks fantastic. It’s definitely the perfect game to play on my Portal.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Stellar Blade?
I have the game — in fact, I had it preordered and installed days ago. I planned on starting it this morning before I went to work, but I’m actually quite invested in I Am Setsuna, so that’s my focus for the moment.
Re: Stellar Blade (PS5) - A Stellar PS5 Debut Destined to Become a Fan Favourite
This sounds great! I have the game preordered and ready to go. It’s wonderful to hear that the combat is always evolving.
How are the trophies? Can you get the platinum on a single playthrough, or does it take multiple?
Re: PS Plus Premium Adds Four New PS5, PS4 Game Trials
I might check out Trek to Yomi — I’ll download it at the very least.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 525
I’ve worked seven straight days, but I’m taking this weekend and the subsequent Monday and Tuesday off to celebrate my birthday. I won’t be playing much due to family gatherings and what-have-you, but I did manage to platinum Rise of the Ronin yesterday.
I have to retract my statement from last week — I no longer think it’s Team Ninja’s best game (but it is a great game, nonetheless). The story is extremely convoluted, and the RPG elements, particularly with dialogue choices and story decision(s) have no true meaning. With that said, I did enjoy its open world and activities. Similarly to NiOh 2, the game is way too long. I wish there was a more tighter experience, but I think this trend is going to continue on if the ending to RoTN is any indication.
As of now, I’ll either take a break from gaming until Stellar Blade releases, or I will try Dave The Diver on my PS5. With the acclaim it has received over the last year, I’m tempted to give it a try because it seems cozy and the perfect game to unwind with on my PlayStation Portal. Plus, it’s something different and that’s something I need since I essentially played 200+ hours of third person action RPGs over the course of the last three games (Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Rebirth and RoTR).
I also finished the book series Shogun by James Clavell. A part of me feels empty now — the characters and world building were so well realized that it’s difficult to think these are fictional characters. I’ve grown attached to many of the interconnected stories within, and it’s hard to let them go. It’s such an incredible story, and might go down as my favorite book(s) of all time.
Re: Preview: Tails of Iron 2 Adds Monster Hunting, Undead Bats in Scaled Up Sequel
The first game was great, but I never finished it. The sequel sounds like it’s improving in every aspect. I’ll have to try and go back to the first game and complete it. The platinum trophy doesn’t seem to be too difficult either.
Re: Dave the Diver (PS5) - PS Plus Gains an Inventive, Satisfying Adventure Overflowing with Ideas
@Fritz167 This game has a critical acclaim dating back from last year. You may find it boring, but that doesn’t mean the game is bad.
Re: Dave the Diver (PS5) - PS Plus Gains an Inventive, Satisfying Adventure Overflowing with Ideas
This game has been on my radar for a while. I’m glad it has finally come to PlayStation. It’s definitely a game I’ll be playing on my Portal.
Re: Final Fantasy 16 Successfully Expanded the Series to New, Younger Players, Says Square Enix
I’m glad this franchise, and particularly with XVI, has reached a younger and wider audience. It truly is a great game, and one of my favorites from last year. As an aside - I do hope future Final Fantasy titles will include a battle system akin to 7 Remake and Rebirth. That’s just a personal preference of mine, though — others might disagree.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 524
This weekend I’m working on the platinum trophy for Rise of the Ronin. This could arguably be Team Ninja’s best game yet. And that’s saying a lot considering how incredible and influential the Ninja Gaiden series is — the original and Xbox version(s).
I will say this, however - I’m running into the same issue I had with NiOh 2, which is the game is too long. The fat could be trimmed in their (main) quest design. Currently, I’m 75% through Chapter Two and have 100%’ed each map, and unlocked the third region last night. My OCD brain can’t not do them all along with the open world collectibles. But dang-it, it has captivating combat and an addictive gameplay loop.
I’ve also been reading a lot more books lately. I’m in the process of finishing James Clavell’s Shogun series. Part II is absolutely incredible. After that lengthy adventure I’m going to dive into Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and the first of a horror trilogy, My Heart Is A Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones.
Re: TV Show Review: Fallout - RPG Series Marks Another TV Triumph
I am shocked by how good this show is. I’m three episodes in and it captures the vibe perfectly.
Re: Vampire Survivors Contra Crossover DLC Will Come to PlayStation Later in the Summer
This might sound crazy, but that trailer gave me goosebumps. The music is sensational, and the Contra crossover is an amazing addition to an already incredible game. I really can’t wait to play this on my Portal even though I own it on the Switch, Xbox, and my phone.
Re: The Rogue Prince of Persia Is Real on PC, Coming to 'Other Platforms' Later
I’m down for more 2D Prince of Persia adventures. I also personally like the art style. I am disappointed that it’s a rougelite, but it should provide tons of enjoyable hours. My only concern is the difficulty because these games are known for their tough platforming, and having that in a roguelite could get tiresome, but I guess we will have to wait and see how it’s balanced.
Re: Beyond the Ice Palace Gets a Castlevania-Inspired Sequel 36 Years Later on PS5
Oh, man — this looks so good. The art, sound design, the music, combat, and setting seems incredible.
Re: Indie Smash Hit Vampire Survivors Is Finally Coming to PS5, PS4 This Summer
Good lord, it’s about time! I’ll be losing so many hours and sleep to this game. It’s such an addictive experience, and the epitome of “one more run”.
Re: 16 More Games Coming to PS Plus Extra, Premium in April
There isn’t much here that interests me. I’ll definitely download Dave The Diver and see what all the hype is about. MediEvil is also another game I’ll add to my list.
Re: Talking Point: What's Your Favourite PS5 Game of 2024 So Far?
I’m really not sure what my favorite game is this year. I absolutely adored Prince of Persia The Lost Crown, and got the platinum. But I also love Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and put in 110 hours into it. Right now, I’m playing Rise of the Ronin and having an amazing time as well. I can’t make a definitive answer right now, but I’m curious to see how my answer evolves the more I think about it.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 523
This weekend I’m playing Rise of the Ronin. I thought I was going to take a break from gaming since it took me 110 hours to finally beat Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but this game has its (demon) claws in me.
I want to preface that I think RoTR is a strong 7.5 game. It’s not as polished as prior Team Ninja games. The game can be janky, and the frame rate, even on performance mode, dips quite a bit. I’ve noticed on several occasions the game stutters even during cutscenes. And graphically, there’s much left to be desired. Perhaps the budget for this game wasn’t that much, but thankfully the strengths of this game outweighs its negatives.
As for the positives — it’s addicting as hell, to be honest. The open world has your typical tropes: clear bandit hideouts, find treasure chests, and various collectibles. It’s essentially a Ubisoft playground. But that’s okay. Not every new game has to reinvent the wheel because the game is just fun. The open world activities are also perfectly spaced out — nothing is ever too far away, so it manages to keep you actively engaged and gives you a since of accomplishment in continuous bursts.
The combat is also superb, which is Team Ninja’s bread and butter. Unlike their counterparts, the action is most slowed down. It requires patience and good timing. It may not be as fined tuned as From Software titles, particularly Sekiro, but it’s still Grade A stuff. In fact, it feels more like Ninja Gaiden than it does NiOh and Wu-Long. There’s also a plethora of weapons and combat variety that are all equally balanced and satisfying to use. Each weapon and its class have their own unique skill set and abilities.
With that said, I do have a gripe with its combat and weaponry. You can only equip two weapons — primary and secondary (I’m not talking about the guns, bows or shurikens) — and sometimes you’ll encounter enemies where the two weapons you have aren’t built to fight the enemy you’re facing. And the game usually has multiple enemies at once, and maybe one of your weapons work against one of those enemies, but nobody else. I typically brute force my way through them, but it’s a system that is somewhat misguided. I get the incentive — the game wants you to experiment with various weapon types, but it shouldn’t force you change your preference. This is eventually remedied by unlocking different stances for all weapon types, but it takes a while to achieve that.
In tangent with the combat is a skill tree, with four difference classes: strength, dexterity, charm, and intellect. I think this is one of the better skill trees in a game. The majority of abilities are actually beneficial and I find myself genuinely thinking about my decision when spending skill points. All of these things provide a healthy balance to suit your play style, so I enjoy the freedom of choice.
There is a lot more I would like to discuss, but this is already lengthy as is. At the end of the day, I don’t need a genre defining masterpiece. Sometimes, I just want to turn my brain off. I’m content with an unremarkable story and characters, albeit historical. I just want to mindlessly hack-and-slash people. And that’s what Rise of the Ronin does in spades. I’m having fun, and that’s what gaming is all about.
Re: Japan Sales Charts: Rise of the Ronin Has a Surprisingly Strong Second Week, Dragon's Dogma 2 Drops Off
Props to Rise of the Ronin. I’m currently playing it and it’s surprisingly great. I’d say it’s a strong 7.5. I’m having a blast with it.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 522
I haven’t played much this week due to work and family visiting from out of state. Unfortunately, I won’t have much time this weekend, either. If I manage to squeeze in some gaming sessions, I’ll be attempting to finish Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
I’m currently on the last chapter and it has been an evocative experience. I’ve put in roughly 105 hours into the game, with all side quests and world region activities completed. In a way, I’m excited to see the end of the journey, but sad as well, as I’ve grown even more attached to these characters than I did in the PS1 original version.
Once I finish Rebirth I plan on starting Rise of the Ronin. Everything I have read about this game seems to be exactly what I enjoy about Team Ninja games, but expanded upon in ways I’m thrilled to experience. I’ve also been reading James Clavell’s Shogun. I finished part one a few days ago — nearly 700 pages, and I’m a quarter of the way through part two — so my mindset is honed in on this era of history that should be a good time to delve into.
Re: PS Plus Essential Games for April 2024 Announced
I knew Immortals would get there eventually, but I hope this provides the game a much needed audience. The game is surprisingly very good, and it deserves more attention.
Re: Preview: Stellar Blade Is the PS5 Exclusive Enthusiasts Have Been Praying For
This sounds incredible — and I’ve been waiting for this game for years. In fact, it’s one reason why I bought mine several years ago. I’m glad to see it have that PS3-era feel (possibly my favorite era in gaming) but with that modern touch that we are used to. Evil West did this recently, and I cannot recommend that game enough. I’m really looking forward to Stellar Blade, and what’s more is that it releases a couple of days after my birthday so that is stellar news.
Re: Stellar Blade PS5 Demo Drops This Week, Progress Carries to the Full Game
This has been one of my most anticipated games in years. I’ll probably give the game demo a download — maybe I’ll get to it this weekend if I manage to beat Rebirth. I’m two chapters away. And then Rise of the Ronin is calling my name, and I should beat that by the time Stellar Blade releases.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Rise of the Ronin?
I have it downloaded and ready to go. I am going to wait until I finish FF7 Rebirth, which I thought I was going to this weekend, but chapter 12 said no to those plans. The game opens up in a massive way. Hopefully, I’ll jump into it next week.
Re: Cult Classic Shadows of the Damned Gets Hella Remastered for PS5, PS4
Awesome news. I remember playing this game religiously back in the day. I’d love to see more games of similar nature make a comeback.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 521
After several days off work, a break from gaming, and a relaxing vacation with my wife, I’m back to playing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. I didn’t think I’d have much to say since I’ve spoken about the game for the past two weeks, but alas, I do.
According to my PS5 clock, I have 80 hours logged into this game and I have no desire to slow down. I’m currently on chapter 11. Rebirth seems to hits its prime starting in chapter 9 and onward, from gameplay, map design, and story perspective. It’s as if there was a newfound confidence in the development where they discovered the perfect balance between juggling open world activities and the main story.
I’m absorbed in the characters and world. I’ve completed all possible tasks per each region. The best thing about these side quests and activities is that if you do them, such as finding the protorelics or play Queen’s Blood, you’ll obtain rich backstories that really expand on your party members. I’m compelled to invest my time because the game respects it. There are a plethora of intimate moments between all of your characters. It’s truly remarkable how much depth is in this game. And it never stops being mogical, ahem, I mean magical
That’s not to say there aren’t faults in the game — there certainly is. In later regions traversal can be infuriating because it forces you to use the chocobo to reach differing locations that are mandatory. It doesn’t feel organic. I appreciate how the game incorporates fresh ways to explore via chocobo, so there is always a new mechanic to keep you engaged.
The regions themselves are gorgeous and fun to explore, however. Each location feels genuinely distinct from one another, and this is strengthened by its exemplary soundtrack that feels compatible with the environment. It’s easily one of the best OSTs for a Final Fantasy game I’ve ever heard.
Another criticism I have is the bloat. There is an over abundance of activities and mini-games to do. Some of the content could be trimmed, but thankfully the majority of it is optional. But less is more. Later in the game when you get to explore the Nibelheim region, my feelings is that it has the perfect amount of content. The map isn’t too large and everything is condensed in a small package. With all that said, these flaws don’t diminish the genius of this game. I’d rather have too much of Final Fantasy 7 than not enough, and the bloat isn’t a mandatory component.
I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I’d like to discuss about this game—story, materia builds, combat, and the little nuances—but my write-up is already long enough so I’ll end it here for now. Perhaps I should start up my own website to have deeper discussions without a character limit. Nevertheless, I will say this: Rebirth is just that — a game favored by nostalgia, but can stand on its own as a brand new experience that, to me, outshines the original in many ways.
Re: Next Final Fantasy 16 Patch Makes Side Quests Quicker, Adds Ability Loadouts, and More
This is an awesome upcoming update. Maybe I’ll do a second playthrough once all the DLC releases, and get the platinum trophy. I just have to beat the game on Final Fantasy mode or whatever to get the trophy.
Re: Rise of the Ronin (PS5) - A Safe, Outdated Open World Game
The overall reviews seem to be mixed — settling around a 7 to 7.5/10. From all the review sources I trust to read, anyway. I’m fine with that score. I don’t always need a “GOTY” conversation game. I’m looking forward to playing this soon!
Re: Dragon's Dogma 2 (PS5) - This Could Be the Apex of RPG Adventuring
This sounds absolutely incredible, and another adventure that’s going to sink hours out of my life. I really enjoy exploration in games, especially if it feels like I’m carving my own path and discovery. I can’t wait to get my hands on this.