finalstan

I don't care what year a game came out in but I do care which year I played it in. And this year due to covid meant that I had a lot more time for gaming. It sucked in many other ways but working from home meant, and still means, not having to commute, get ready in the morning etc., adding up to a lot of time saved. Can't remember a year when I would play and finish as many games as I did this year. I probably would've not been at all that interested in PS5 either, until some time into its lifespan and I think this holds true for other people, explaining in part the high demand.

Mine got missing, long story short, received a refund earlier today with a £10 on top (lol). I looked three times at your £150 to check if I saw right. I was already insulted by this but now I am insulted proper.

Elsewhere on Twitter, another guy from my area had a non-delivery and recorded the conversation with the delivery driver on his phone - he was the same delivery guy as mine. Somebody's got 'rich' very quickly.

Standard Amazon's procedures generally work but not in this case, so I think special circumstances should invoke special measures. I've said this before but priority for next orders should be the bare minimum. System built to support this functionality or not, just pull out a list of people affected and email them separately with a link 2 days before releasing the general stock to get their orders in. This will be very simple to achieve and uncontroversial.

This whole situation puts into perspective my other orders with Amazon in the past, which had gone missing. A friend works there and she told me that Amazon doesn't care about theft (she deals with this every single day, usually Apple products, surprise, surprise) as it barely registers in their bottom line. It's like a worst kept secret. I've always liked Amazon but now I feel that shopping there is like funding a gang. I guess I will reduce my custom with them and take it elsewhere.

@Ghoul_Manifesto @Ry-Simsta I've just spoken to Amazon. They basically cannot do anything until the end of the day as my console might still arrive today. I will call them tomorrow to discuss options. I just told them that I wished to flag my non-delivery as I know from Twitter that they formed a team to investigate these issues. It's a stat-driven organisation, I am sure they can check in 5 minutes how big of an issue this is. Turns out that delivery is their weak link and they need to work on it (drivers need cams on them or something). I find comments about trusting some drivers more than others absolutely staggering.

BTW, another friend posted on my FB that they are waiting for theirs, too, but it's running late... Told him not to hold his breath.

@Ry-Simsta Until you have it all plugged in and working, just assume you have nothing.

My PS5 order is still nowhere to be seen. Tracking stopped yesterday at out for delivery and that is that. It is not going to happen for me, is it? Amazon have a big issue on their hands, clearly their security is poor.

My PS5 didn't come in the end. The amazon app was showing updates all day and I spoke with the driver and he didn't have a box for me. Now I am waiting for an update to say that delivery is rescheduled, supposedly; the driver said that it was probably left at the warehouse. Why say it's out for delivery then? Something tells me I will not see this PS5 delivery through, will I?

The 'email me when available' option is BS. Haven't received an email when there was stock on Amazon yesterday and only got one because I was refreshing the page. In fact, I was and still am signed up everywhere possible and received 0 stock alerts. It probably works fine normally but not for PS5.

It's been a long day and my F5 key is all worn out but I was one of the lucky few who picked it up today after 1pm from Amazon UK. Delivery is tomorrow!

How about they design a product and set of instructions that is a-hole-proof? No? Better call people names? Alrighty then!

I think it's best to wait and see how the F2P model develops. At the moment it is scaled down by the sound of it, to get good reviews perhaps. What happens after that is anyone's guess and when you are hooked several hours in it is kinda too late to drop out.

Preorders for PS5 are going very well and people will need PS5 games to play on it. Beginnings of generations are always rough in that regard so MM will sell like hotcakes, whether we like it or not. Goodwill, however, is a limited resource and Sony has been straining it gently recently. I am super happy about what Microsoft is doing, it's all good for the consumer IF it helps keep the competitiveness alive. Sony will need to respond at some point but at this moment in time, they don't really have to.

PSVR is being held back by ageing technology. PS Move needs a complete revamp and soon. It works well for simple games like Beat Saber, but whenever there's movement required they falter (and even for BS they would benefit from being lighter). Less worried about cameras and cables, sitting still will still be the preferred way of playing in VR, although not having the latter would unlock potential for some more, cool tricks. I love VR, but it's hard to get excited when new, more complicated games seem like a chore to play.

The article needs to say it's for US addresses, pointless for anyone outside.

@UnlimitedSevens I laugh uncontrollably at the whispering ones, but the ones without voices, which are tappy, rubby and gently scratchy I do actually like. ASMR Bakery has the best ones imho.

I don't think this game sold all that well, did it? Hence re-releasing on PS5 and this move is just an extension of that - they need new sales to make a (bigger) profit.

Well done GoT, well deserved. It's been a while since I was this hooked on a game, time just melts away playing it. I got my copy recently so I guess I am contributing towards these numbers.

GoT on Sunday. Got it only on Tuesday so only played so much. I'm loving it a lot, I was wary of the open world tropes, I usually get bored of them pretty much without fail (looking at you HZD). But I love Japan, so the setting is really selling it for me, so I hope I will love the game enough to finish it. Sammy's comment about it getting better the more you play is encouraging.

Price I'm not that bothered. It could be high but then they could be creative selling it and offer a mobile phone-style plan for the console with ps plus thrown in. Haven't worked out the numbers but offer it for let's say £40/month on a 2 year contract. Stuff like that could be done.

I voted for... PSVR integration. Simply because I know the least about it.

"The game Project Athia (...), is an open-world style game in which users can freely move around the game world," - I thought this deserved a snark comment.

@Expa0 I am sure this will be available to buy, heck, non-backers might be able to get this sooner when it comes out if similar campaigns are anything to go by (Platinum).

Suikoden 2 was my first jRPG I've ever played, and I was blown away by it (and this became and stayed my favourite genre since). I've replayed it a few years ago and found the quality of the translation iffy, but still a game with plenty of heart and a great scope: political intrigue, magic, complex characters who develop and change over time, own castle, even cook-offs - so much great stuff that not many current games have. Only issue with it that I had was the obscurity of recruiting the 108 characters. If this game can make this aspect easier somehow so that you don't have to consult a guide that would be great (S2 had a detective who gave you hints but he didn't work fast enough, lol).

@Expa0 I read somewhere that Visa Electron can't be used on Kickstarter nor Paypal, funding options seem more limited, which will be an issue to some.

I've pledged physical. I want this on a Nintendo console (which is a hotly debated topic at the moment) but will be content with whatever I can get my hands on.

@Ashkorsair I had no doubt it would do it. The coverage this got in the media was enormous. The creators give confidence, and the game itself builds on the nostalgia of Suikoden series and the success of Octopath Traveller - it's a potent mix. I supported it. First kickstarter game ever for me.

@Robocod It's actually a good point, this game's success might encourage Konami to remaster the Suikoden series, or, god forbid, create a new one. This one is clearly trying to capture the magic of Suiko 2, the main characters look like Hero and Jowy. And I am all for it!

Spent 16 days in Japan last year travelling around (Tokyo, Hiroshima with Miyajima Island, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, Takayama, Kanazawa); honestly just go anywhere, you can't go wrong with Japan, the most amazing destination in the world. LOVED IT, want to come back to Tokyo for a longer stay and combine with South Korea next time. Go away Covid...

Kena, Ratchet and Project Athia, which is not on the list.

Surprised at the lukewarm comments, I think this looks really great, light, fun, with good combat. Sign me up.

@Shigurui Ah yes, you are right, forgot about that! And yet, something tells me there will be a difference in HDD sizes to differentiate the models even more (I guess I was trying to piece together the various rumours about two HDD sizes, one 800GB-something and the other one with 2TB - would make sense for the digital model to have the bigger drive to compensate for the lack of bluray, even if it will drive the price up).

I am, one of the more interesting for me personally. Scratches a different kind of itch, if that makes sense.

Really surprised by the comments that the digital version will be cheaper. It will most definitely be the more expensive one as it will require a bigger HDD right off the bat. And that does not come cheap.

Cynicism alert: I don't think legalities make much of a difference - it got out, it looks bad and it's a blemish - they now need the artist to say nice things. They went to her and said: 'look, you haven't got much of a case and we would fight you to death with our best lawyers but really, really don't want to as the PR for our game was already destroyed; you'd maybe able get this much but we'll give you [insert a bigger amount] if you show support. Deal?' Of course a deal was struck, and why wouldn't it be?

@theMEGAniggle Of course they matter, no one is saying that they don't. Can't imagine anyone here NOT supporting the movement.

We just believe that running the event would not take the spotlight away from anything. This is false... opposition. I guess Sony feared a backlash or [instert a cynical comment about something else being the reason for delay and current events being used as an excuse]. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter. It's a sweet candy being temporarily taken away from us but we're not children, we will be ok.

I visited UAE recently and am a member of said minority. It's a double-standard up in there; yes, I think the last imprisonment took place in 2012 but things appear to be a lot more relaxed now (not officially, of course, and it doesn't help the ban). I was really shocked to see same sex couples openly expressing their affection towards each other on the streets and cafes (I know that they were locals and not tourists; don't ask me how, lol).

Someone made a comment how the ban will make things worse. The thing is that to bring progress things need to see the light of day, and there needs to be a fight; little by little it does make a difference even if it takes years. The ban is a reminder to a lot of people of what is going on out there, which I will call 'petty', even if it deserves to be called something a lot worse.

Reminds me strongly of Astral Chain, just different colour palette and no chain, but telekinesis can take its place. I agree with @get2sammyb, doesn't look very good, choppy in places and rough around the edges but they have time. If combat is fun, I could be in.

All they need to do is do a presentation of someone playing an exclusive game on an actual PS5 unit (shown in its full glory), with the DualSense controller demonstrating how fast everything is loading and how seamless the experience is. This is the sell. It will be simple but it will blow everybody's minds.

I am soo glad I didn't buy this game and decided to just wait until it's all out in one piece, even if it will take a long time. It means not playing when everyone else is but at least they will connect the story and gameplay into a seamless experience (unless they don't) and not charge and arm and a leg for it (again, unless they don't). Happy to wait until it's all out and see, read the review then and so on. By that point, they will have ironed out all the issues, include gameplay mechanics from the beginning that will inevitably evolve over the course of the releases etc.

I worked on an IT project, not video game but complex enough - 'crunch' does not begin to describe what goes on when you are approaching the deadline, and the lead up to it isn't exactly a walk in the park. People are left broken, I've seen it many times while others thrive (albeit still exhausted and fragile, lol), you don't really know you are cut out to do this until you try. I wouldn't hold it against the studio to be working in this way, quality x complexity of the output demands it. It really does.

I believe that in this day and age some effort should be put into 'controlled leaks' or 'alternative endings' in the vein of what they did with GoT - deliberately spread untrue/incompatible 'spoilers' to confuse everyone. Ideally, none would happen but as soon as content leaves the studio it is vulnerable, whether we like it or not. You are giving away your precious work to someone, keeping your fingers crossed and hoping for the best. Yeah...

90% of leaks are controlled leaks anyway (in my opinion), everyone knows that this beast needs to feed.

Can't seem to be able to pre-order with a UK delivery...

Beat Saber for sure. Half an hour with songs on expert and I'm usually done for.

I can only add to the raving reviews, it has been one of the most phenomenal games of this generation; only one that managed to keep me grinning throughout the whole campaign like a child experiencing its first moment of wonder. Sequel MUST be guaranteed, they must know this is a sleeper hit (only affected by VR adoption). Can't think what they could come up with next. And yes, that underwater level is something else.

Haven't played a jRPG on PS4 in a while now, Switched to Nintendo for all the jRPG goodness but have been eating up everything I saw or heard about this game. It looks stupid good. Let's hope the combat is as deep as it is flashy and that there's a good story.

I was thinking about this game a few days ago wondering what had happened to it. Glad to hear all is well.

The real problem is our ever shorter attention spans. We could afford to wait as young gamers without distractions from our mobile phones, for example. These days, think about what you can do sitting and waiting on a 15-second loading screen? Tell me that you've never checked your phone then? Sony knows this. Getting distracted breaks immersion and that in turn reduces engagement. I think my attention span is more than ok in life in general, but when it comes to gaming if that doesn't hold my attention for long enough at a time I am a lost customer. For this reason open world games are generally not for me, add long loading times to them and bloated inventory management and I'm gone!

Pulled the trigger on Tetris Effect, finally.

PS5 will be backwards compatible - there, it will be released on PS5 by default. On a serious note, they can always release a patch later to take advantage of PS5s capabilties. Dev kits are out, I'd be surprised if they hadn't loooked into this already.

@3MonthBeef I went to a premiere, midnight showing of Matrix 2 to be amongst the first to see it as the hype was real. And to this day I am still traumatised by it.

As for DS, yeah, meh, whatever. These days I am reasonably good at keeping my expectations in check unless I am 100% sure it is validated. Then I am all aboard the hype train. Not so sure in this case, at all.

@DreamerAbe86 Yes, but they were existing IPs. Appreciate that the games made significant changes to the template, but it doesn't matter, players had an idea, or thought they did, about how the game would play. There was an aspect of familiarity to rest your expectations on. Not so much here. It is resting on Kojima's reputation alone and some teaser trailers, which obscure more than they reveal. It is getting tiresome, I know it's meant to be art and so on, but I'd like to know how this thing plays to know if I should care.

This looks really good. Couldn't care less if this is Iron Man or whoever else, the gameplay just looks fun. I will wait for reviews, though.

Wumpa Fruit also boost speed. It should actually become a priority to pick those up instead of crates at the beginning of the race, and stay topped up at all times.

@Porco When I saw gameplay videos I was wondering to myself: why aren't they drifting all the time!? (I am an old veteran of this game). From memory, drifting suffers from no slow-down but rewards you with boosts, but you obviously have to manage the fact that you don't drive in a straight line whilst doing that. The only time when you could/should not be drifting is before a jump and on speed pads.