Ralizah

Really hope they detail the improvements to the base game soon.

@Rob3008 Honestly, it should run amazingly on anything that's not a Switch.

Will be buying this a third time for my Steam Deck <3

It is not, in fact, wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon as long as you're respectful and don't pressure them into accepting.

@Czar_Khastik Definitely add Gal*Gun: Double Peace to your family time fun list.

Fantastic, ambitious game, but with a lot of room for improvement, so I'm particularly enthused to see what Atlus is changing.

She very clearly looks like a woman in this artwork. She's just not sexualized with large breasts.

That said, insinuating that people unhappy with the change are incels who've never felt the touch of a woman is a, frankly, incredibly lazy retort.

I think we all knew it would get to this point eventually. They'll eventually be releasing games day one on PC. Until then, the gaps between releases will continue to shrink over time.

I'm all for it. No reason to buy a PS5, since I already have a decent PC and a Steam Deck to play these games on. And, thankfully, I'll be able to play their online games without being charged an exorbitant extra yearly charge.

@Enriesto PS2 was my preferred platform as well. Mostly because everything that wasn't Resident Evil seemed to be hitting it first, or exclusively. The console had the biggest games, and also an endless library of somewhat less high-end games that were nevertheless fantastic. As a horror and JRPG gamer, PS2 was the place to be.

Although GameCube was necessary for me because of stuff like REmake, Eternal Darkness, etc. I bought it late into the gen used for a fraction of the MSRP because, as nostalgic as people are for it, it wasn't a particularly successful platform. A big reason why they shifted directions so completely with the Wii!

My favorite consoles have always been Japanese-focused in terms of their libraries. I don't think it's a coincidence that I've fallen out of love with Sony as they've shifted gears toward focusing almost entirely on AAA Western output internally and de-prioritizing connections with Japanese IPs outside of ones that are increasingly becoming Westernized in their design.

@Enriesto I feel you. I know a lot of the older Sony properties have their fans, and many of them sold decently enough back in the day. Just, as someone who was huge into PS1 and PS2 back in the day, Sony's own releases were very much of occasional interest and not much else outside of the ones I mentioned, and that attitude was reflected in everyone I spoke to who owned a PS2. Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, etc. were good enough, but just one among many on their respective platforms.

Granted, this is all anecdotal. I'm only speaking from my perspective in that regard.

Yeah, partially lapsed. Lapsing more as we head further into the PS5 generation, frankly. I feel like they sacrificed a substantial fraction of their identity as a brand over the last several years, symbolized most potently by the dissolution of their Japan Studio and the transformation of their first-party output into an endless conga of samey action-adventure-cinematic titles.

Nintendo has slowly been filling the hole that Sony has been leaving in the last decade or so.

@XboxistheBestBox Sony's walled-off gardens, fashioned by strong marketing and aggressive exclusivity pushes, have made them the kings of the home console industry for decades now. They have a particular business specialty, and they do it well.

Sony is pushing into the PC space slowly because the expectation is that it won't hurt sales on the home console front to a significant enough degree that it isn't offset by the additional revenue gained from the venture.

They've made some very questionable moves with the brand this generation, but they're not braindead enough to totally devalue their own hardware (and new game sales, for that matter) and resultant space in the massive home console market like Microsoft has.

Microsoft's apparent push into total multiplatform support is both because they've utterly failed to maintain momentum in the home console market, and also because the company itself is gigantic and can afford to float a more nebulous 10-year-plan that'll be a loser in the short run.

The Xbox brand itself is very much of secondary importance to Microsoft now, so yes, they're not worth investing in.

@XboxistheBestBox Well, no, even if that did happen (which would go against Sony's aggressive console exclusivity tactics that have kept them the kings of the home console space since the mid-90s, so I don't think it's even a possibility barring seismic changes in management), it would just degrade the value of Sony's hardware and services even more. Dramatically more, frankly.

Microsoft will do this because they're banking on the long-term value proposition being an investment in services and software over simply cornering the home console market, whereas cornering the home console market, frankly, is the only thing between the Playstation brand and extinction.

@Enriesto I actually have mentioned, as a partially lapsed Sony fan, that Nintendo Switch feels like a PS1/PS2-tier system for me: full of diverse, high-quality releases that hit pretty much all genres, and with a predominant focus on Japanese-developed games. You don't get that with Sony anymore, IMO.

I don't disagree that Sony's output used to be significantly more diverse than it is now, or that there was value in that. It's actually a big part of why PS5 doesn't appeal to me. Just, for the most part, my understanding has been that the 'legendary' games on Sony's older systems tended to be exclusive third-party ones, with a variety of decent-to-good first-party releases adding some flavor to the lineup. Whereas, yes, people traditionally bought Nintendo home consoles for first-party games.

@Ken_Kaniff Playstation's brand awareness is powerful, and even Microsoft's most aggressive push to dislodge them from the top of the home console industry with the 360 ultimately failed to shift the tides in any sort of permanent way. If anything, they keep falling off harder over the years with successive consoles. And it's not like they're Nintendo, which managed to make up for dwindling home console sales with explosive handheld console sales.

I'm not terribly worried about Sony's output long-term: I think the current lack of first-party titles we're seeing is the result of their partially aborted push into the live service sector. Bad for headlines this gen, but I think Sony will bounce back from it.

And anyway, if Microsoft's games all start going to Playstation, there's still no incentive to buy an Xbox outside of having access to GamePass, which itself, as you admit, has sort of stalled in terms of subs.

@Enriesto Correct. I'm not saying the first-party games were all bad (God of War and especially Gran Turismo performed well), but the games most remember that console for were its mostly exclusive third-party stuff: Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, GTA, Kingdom Hearts, Silent Hill, etc.

@Ken_Kaniff @XboxistheBestBox Sony at least has the sense to keep their games off rival console platforms. Both companies are weakening the long-term value of their console brands relative to Nintendo, for sure, but Microsoft is speedrunning the process, and Sony also has a better reputation for high-quality releases (versus tentpoles like Halo Infinite and Starfield eventually becoming disliked/disappointed).

@Ken_Kaniff To be fair, the PS4 sold well for years with barely any decent exclusives. As I recall, even Sony execs were confused by how well it was doing.

People are going to want to play "next-gen" games, and Sony is still doing better delivering high-quality exclusives for its system than Microsoft is. What's that saying? "You don't need to be faster than the bear that's chasing you. You just need to be faster than the guy next to you."

Disappointing, for sure, especially so late in the generation, and considering their first-party game on PS5 has already been fairly weak (lots of remasters and cross-gen releases, but only a few next-gen releases). Thank goodness for the strong slate of third-party titles hitting the system in 2024, huh? If they were gonna remain exclusive, it'd honestly be reminiscent of the PS1/PS2 era (because, let's be honest: those systems aren't primarily remembered or loved for their exclusive first-party titles lol)

@get2sammyb

"Nintendo by comparison is able to put out pretty low-budget software by contrast (not a criticism) and sell double the number of units."

I really, really wish Sony would trend more toward the Nintendo model of doing business. You have a few really expensive games that take 5+ years to make, but the majority of their output is, honestly, probably AA in terms of budget, but it allows them to have a sometimes astonishing level of output. As you mention, it doesn't hurt game sales at all, and many of these games are also extremely well-received. And even the ones that aren't are still usually good enough to satisfy the player base, since a lot of them hit game genres that don't fit into the 'third person-cinematic-action adventure-with crafting' model that Sony is so fond of.

I also love how Nintendo has contracted third-parties over the years to make good use of their IPs. Titles like Advance Wars 1 + 2, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Metroid Dread, Pokemon Snap 2, the various Nintendo-themed Warriors games, etc. are all primarily or totally designed by third-parties, but include Nintendo IP and can be marketed like first-party titles as well.

Sony definitely can have its big budget blockbusters, of course. Especially if it controls budgets better going forward. Hopefully at least some of these are original titles like in the PS4 era, and not simply modern franchise sequels.

The Switch port of HL is definitely doing work. Over half of these sales were on that platform.

Persona is bigger after the success of P5.

Also, it launched simultaneously on multiple platforms.

I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

Japanese games are what keep me invested in this hobby tbh. I'd have ducked out years ago if I was reliant on Western AAA experiences to entertain me.

I guess I just don't get the point. Sony's games go to PC and often run well on Steam Deck. And I think we're past the point where they'll develop full platform exclusives for a portable hardware line.

I'm not opposed to the idea, but as a Steam Deck owner, me I'll need a reason to buy in.

Stellar Blade looks... stellar! Really hoping they gets a PC release sooner than later.

PS5 is looking pretty stacked so far in early 2024.

She's a very physical fighter and an iconic character from one of the greatest RPGs ever made, which makes her a good match. Not sure I like this insinuation that people only want her in because they find her hot.

@CutchuSlow Not uncommon at all for militaries to try and appeal to young men using the imagery and culture of video games. It's deeply gross, but probably undeniably effective.

I don't see the issue. It's all random cosmetic stuff that doesn't belong in P3 anyway.

Of course, people who are ACTUALLY bothered by it would do well not to buy the game at launch. Put your money where your mouth is.

@GamingFan4Lyf Well, of course. We're talking about game design. Atlus opted to make their most technically ambitious title an exclusive to a fairly weak platform. It strikes me as an odd choice. And while I enjoyed SMT V, it did suffer for it in terms of performance and image quality.

Why not design a smaller, less demanding title for the handheld and put the bigger game with huge environments and demons wandering around on the map on a platform that can actually handle it well?

Instead, the stuff targeting power platforms all looks like it could run on a PS3 with very few downgrades.

@GamingFan4Lyf I do think it's funny that the one game Atlus made with more ambitious environmental design (SMT V) was released on the weakest platform on the market.

@AFCC I'm sure it's like the original. "Open" areas that are linearly arranged to allow for proper story progression.

I loved the original, but a Final Fantasy game needs towns and exploration and dungeons and so on.

Oh my goodness, this looks fantastic.

Kinda weird how much more excited I am for these remakes of an old PS1 game than new numbered entries lol.

@Savage_Joe Probably just PC, as with the previous game. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes SE to actually cobble together a proper port, though. Even if the exclusivity period ends in May, the functional exclusivity period might well be decently longer.

@rjejr lol

People see a dark-skinned protag, become angry, probably don't fully consciously understand why, and then invent narratives to explain that feeling.

But yeah, I feel like most of the chatter about Sargon's appearance has calmed down since the game itself looks fire.

@Triumph741 I guarantee you plenty of conventionally attractive women experience misogynistic attitudes and comments on social media lol

What a handsome fellow.

Can't wait to see how faithfully this season is adapted lol!

@Aria_Kharabi "It's not racist. People just think he looks too black."

Sorry, you're not winning me over here. I get annoyance when established characters are race-swapped (although nobody seemed to care when it was Nick Fury lol), but the suggestion here is literally that Sargon's features aren't light/European enough.

This game even seems to run at 60fps at native res on Switch. Probably visually downgraded a bit, but still.

I really hope people got the kneejerk racist backlash out of their systems and buy and appreciate this for the remarkable product it appears to be.

The sheer number of legal battles and decisions that are going to result from the wider adoption of AI in the creative arts is going to be staggering.

Anyway, like it or not, this mass adoption is coming. The best way to mitigate the damage/industry disturbance it'll cause is to work with it, which, I'm guessing, is the mindset behind this deal.

That's pretty game-changing. Has nothing on Switch Pro battery life estimates, of course, but compared to the current one, it's a gigantic upgrade. Realistically, unless you forget to plug up your controller, one shouldn't be running out of juice anymore.

@Robocod I envy women without a sense of shame. Imagine getting dumb simps to pay for your bath water and undergarments!

Wow. Fantastic piece! This is the sort of actual gaming journalism I love seeing on here.

Still need to actually play Devotion. Detention was pretty remarkable in terms of its setting, imagery, and themes, though.

Good work, Sammy!

@riceNpea tbh I think the campaign against HL only helped it sales-wise. Controversy sells.

One of many strategic issues from people who didn't want the game to sell well.

@riceNpea Eh, disagree.

Said beloved property was only clearing 5 - 10 million lifetime per entry prior to BotW.

Harry Potter is a much bigger brand than Zelda.

Most of all, TotK is an exclusive to one platform, whereas HL is on pretty much everything, and enjoyed a second launch period with the last-gen and Switch ports.

Also, it has been discounted heavily near the end of the year, whereas TotK hasn't really enjoyed this treatment AFAIK unless you count vouchers.

I grabbed the game + Iceborne for my Steam Deck.

Never played before (MH only feels right to me on portable systems), so I'm excited to go online and push through it along with everyone else before the new one drops.

Expecting the scariest thing about Silent Hill 2 remake to be the PC performance.

@Flaming_Kaiser

1) I think people making the personal moral decision to not buy a game for... whatever reason is perfectly fine. Just like when the weebs get riled up about an anime boob game getting censored and boycott it. Voting with your wallet is always a valid choice. I didn't buy the game, either.

2) That said, you'd not be giving your money to bad people. You're giving your money to people who made a game based off an IP created by a person you think is bad. It'd be like saying people who bought Minecraft were supporting hate because Notch was getting a slice of the pie as well.

I guess you're indirectly supporting Rowling if you buy it, but you're also indirectly supporting a lot of far more terrible people any time you buy anything from a major corporation.

You're free to not buy the game and feel good about it, of course, as it's your money.

3) Isn't Sterling using they/them pronouns now?

4) I find the notion that buying an entertainment product makes someone not a 'trans ally' to be quite a toxic attitude, and it does an amazing job of making people less sympathetic to ACTUAL problems affecting trans people. Like homelessness and lack of social support systems. Discrimination in employment. A sky-high suicide rate. etc.

People are gonna buy a big-budget Harry Potter game. If trans activists and progressives choose to paint those who do as non-allies, then they're effectively doing the work of bigots for them by pushing people away from supporting trans causes. It's absurd.

@naruball Same reason a lot of men, and especially younger guys, are falling in with Andrew Tate/manosphere types and being exposed to normalized misogyny and hard-right rhetoric in the process.

The left could still obviously oppose legislation that targets social minorities, but avoid the culture war stuff, and instead shift focus to having a dialogue with ordinary people, and cultural fascists would be left with very little room to expand their hold on the culture.

@nessisonett A few things.

1) The woman has had more money than God forever. She's the biggest author of all time. Whatever paltry royalties she gains from the sales of this game aren't going to be funding anything that couldn't already be funded 1000x over without causing her even a moment of discomfort or inconvenience.

2) Buying a video game associated with someone you don't like is not the equivalent of funding a hate group lol. This sort of rhetoric is unserious, and when you associate it with trans rights, it makes trans rights look unserious as well.

3) You know what's preferable? NOT deliberately making an enemy of the most powerful woman in your country by attacking her relentlessly for a few questionable comments she made and turning her into a symbol for every right-wing activist in the country. Which started in 2019, as I recall. Which, not coincidentally, lines up well with your observation that support for trans rights have taken a dip over there recently. It's like y'all shot one of your own feet, screamed about the pain, and are now getting frustrated with people telling you to not shoot the other foot as well.

@nessisonett As if an atmosphere of anti-trans hate ISN'T a gigantic problem in the States?

I'm being snide because this accomplished literally nothing good, and it should have been obvious that this would be the outcome. Your (royal you, obviously) purity test made trans people look hysterical and weak as a social bloc, and made the inevitable success of this game into a cultural success for the right.

JK Rowling wasn't even associated with the game beyond them using her IP as the base, afaik!

If you want trans and gay rights to be taken seriously, you want to expand the tent, so to speak, to more people who only vaguely care about those issues, not do stuff like this to alienate everyone but those willing to show "solidarity."

That approach makes all of us more of a target when opportunistic fascists take advantage of it. Both for legislation making our lives harder to lead and people looking to hurt us. And being dragged behind the back of a pickup truck is NOT on my bucket list.

Boycott is going well, I see.

Respect for the controversial #5 pick lol

I'm playing Prodeus right now and it's such a blast. Dusk is absolutely in my future, although my new one really should be DOOM Eternal. I've owned it for years now...

I could see them killing her, but then pulling some BS to revive her. The last game teased a massive subversion of this scene.

lmao that roadmap. Insomniac is such a great studio, but my suspicions were correct: it's just ENDLESS Marvel stuff from now on.

Thanks for the shout!

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Persona 3 Reload
Rise of the Ronin
Decapolice

Would be my picks. If Sony managed to pick up the slack on the first-party front, it'd be a good year for PS5.

Metaphor: ReFantazio, Monster Hunter Wilds, Rise of the Ronin, and those SEGA classic game revivals all looked incredibly dope.

Weirdly enough, though, I'm most excited for World of Goo 2. I've wanted a sequel for years now!

This legitimately looks pretty dope. Early 2024 is stacked on PS5.