Comments 750

Re: Xbox Feels It Made a Mistake Skipping PS5 with Hellblade 2, It's Claimed

jgrangervikings1

I’m interested in giving the second one a try. That said, I tried running the first one through my external hard drive on the PS5 and started out with a warning saying that running this game through the PS5 may cause problems…and that’s exactly what happened…it glitched out after about a half hour. Does anyone know if it got patched to fix the glitchy problems? Maybe I just need to go back and try it again and it could work? Or, I suppose I could always just run the game through the PS4, but my PS4 is so old and laggy now…seems to take forever to start things up and get ‘em going—and it’s not just because it’s a PS4. I need to defrag it or something.

Anyway, I did enjoy what I played of the first one and I’d like to see more of the first and, of course, the second. Bring it to PS5, Microsoft! I dare ya!

Re: Dave the Diver Dredges Up an Impressive 5 Million Copies Sold

jgrangervikings1

How do the PS+ download numbers play into the stat of 5 million sold? Supposedly there are about 6.1 million PS+ Essential users, so for every PS+ download of the game, is it considered “1” copy sold?

Three million pc owners, maybe 50K Switch players (the game just released there in October), perhaps 500K people who bought the game through PS store, and then that’d mean that about 1.45M people who downloaded the game through PS+? Sounds about right.

It’s a fun game, it’s true. I played it for a couple hours, and I’ll come back to it again at some point. I’m still grinding away at Two Point Campus, specifically to get a teacher skilled at level 10. I’m getting really close—got ‘em to level 9 last night! Then I gotta get more students to drop out to get that trophy…and then I can be done! Just a couple more hours should do it. 😅

Re: PS Plus Essential Games for November 2024 Announced

jgrangervikings1

Ghostwire: Tokyo is listed on Epic Game Store as a free weekly giveaway starting in a few days, so if you have a PC that’s capable of playing it…there ya go…no PS+ needed!

As many probably remember, Ghostwire: Tokyo was already available at one point for PS+, but I’m glad they’re bringing it back as a permanent “keep it” game for those with a current subscription. I didn’t get to play it much before it was gone, so I’ll put more time into it when it returns.

Hot Wheels 2? Ok. Fine. I thought the first one was decent and fun in short bursts. I was hoping they’d do a better job of reintroducing us to all of the old Hot Wheels cars that they produced throughout the 1970s and 1980s and so on…and letting us play with all of ‘em in the game, but they didn’t do that. C’est la vie. I guess I can be disappointed with what we didn’t get, or I can evaluate what we did get…and on those merits, the first one was fine, though I wasn’t as high on it as Push Square’s score. Anyway, that was the first HW game, not the second one. I’ll give the second one a try!

As for these online “figure out which one of us the bad guy is” games, whatever. Never got into them. When I did try a couple of ‘em, players would just randomly kill me for no reason, so it just seemed like a waste of time. Maybe I’ll give it a try, but hard drive space is low, so I probably won’t. As it is, I don’t have enough room now to download the updated version of Walkabout Mini Golf. 🫤

Re: Xbox Fans Really Want a Port of PS5, PC Hit Helldivers 2

jgrangervikings1

I’ll never forget the first time I fired up a PS5 game and it said “Microsoft Corporation” in the opening credits. I was afraid my PS5 would self-destruct. But, to my amazement, the PS5 still works.

So, with that said, at the end of the day, it’s quite ok that Sony games can be experienced—and adored—on an Xbox by a whole slew of drooling, malnourished gamers with the same love of console gaming that us PS5ers have. And, what better, more appropriate game is there to showcase on an Xbox than Sony’s juggernaut shooter where a team of heroes dive through hell and back to save the planet from big, nasty bugs?! 🐛 🪳 🐞 We’re doing God’s work here.

Welcome aboard, new recruits. And don’t forget to grab your AR-201L on your way in.

Re: Interview: Falcom President Talks All Things Trails, Daybreak 2, and Kai in Our Biggest Interview Ever

jgrangervikings1

Awesome interview. I’m glad that PushSquare was able to do the interview, because it’s really clear that you guys are big fans of Falcom’s games, and you were able to go into deeper depth with the questions you asked. They weren’t just basic, skim-the-surface questions that anyone could have asked. Impressive!

That said, I wish you guys had asked a question about the upcoming Tokyo Xanadu game. Really enjoyed TX ex+ on PS4, and want to know more about the sequel.

Also, the dude is right to want to play as Rean Schwarzer in a fighting game. Who wouldn’t?! He rocks!

Re: Retro Collection Tetris Forever Fast Drops onto PS5, PS4 in November

jgrangervikings1

Geez, which Tetris game should one play first? What’s the best? Which is worst? I s’pose the answer depends if you’re a fan of old school blocky graphics or 4K blocky graphics.

I’m sure there are different play modes and mini-games worth trying, but in the end it’s still Tetris. And that’s just fine…but 15 versions of the same game? I dunno. I thought it was a neat idea until I bought the Contra Anniversary Collection and started playing Contra…and then Contra…and then Contra…and then… … … CONTRA. Boy oh boy! That excitement waned after about 20 minutes, and I stopped playing after an hour. (There were different Contra games to play in that collection, though, so it had that going for it.)

Long story short on this Tetris compilation, if the price comes down to under $10, ok, I’ll bite! Until then, I’ve got Tetris Effect for PS4 and PSVR, Tetris on PS3, Tetris Ultimate on Vita, and both Nintendo’s Tetris and Tengen’s Tetris on the NES. I think I have a Tetris game on the Dreamcast, too, but even if I do, I’d rather spend my time on that machine with Wetrix+. It’s highly underrated.

Ok, now I’m off to play Columns III on my Sega Genesis…or, wait, should I play Columns on Sega CD since the music is better and the graphics are crisper? But those load times—dang! The horror! The horror! 😋

Re: Tech Experts Reckon PS5 Pro Could Help Pave the Way to PS6

jgrangervikings1

@LogicStrikesAgain You’re getting it right. Yes, the monthly fee would probably need to be increased to $30 or $40 per month, but everything seems to be a monthly payment nowadays—from cable to internet to phone to car payment to house payment to insurance costs to credit card payments. It’d just be one more monthly payment.

Re: Tech Experts Reckon PS5 Pro Could Help Pave the Way to PS6

jgrangervikings1

I have a tough time understanding why the video game business isn’t more like the mobile phone industry. The phones are basically free from many providers…as long as you have a subscription to their service. That’s kind of what we have now with PS+, but we still have to pay full price for the system.

Re: The Plucky Squire (PS5) - Joyful, Inventive Adventure on Every Page of PS Plus Gem

jgrangervikings1

@hypnotoad Aha! I have theories on why The Plucky Squire was released around the same time as Astrobot.

——Perhaps Devolver released the game now specifically to provide a less expensive alternative to Astrobot? Not everyone has $70 in disposable income just lying around, but $30? It’s more doable for most folks on a budget.

——Or perhaps TPS was released now so players who’ve just finished Astrobot and want more of it can immediately segue into The Plucky Squire for even more fun?

——Or maybe Devolver’s marketing team hoped the likely success of Sony’s new flagship game (Astrobot) would bring about a resurgence to family-friendly, cartooney platforming games, and they (Devolver) wanted to be at the forefront of that popular gaming movement, so they decided now was the right time to release The Plucky Squire.

——Or maybe Devolver had the PS+ deal worked out with Sony for September 2024 quite awhile back and they were required to release TPS now to fulfill their contractual obligation to Sony?

——Or maybe Devolver’s marketing department is just dumb and history will show they should’ve waited a month or two to release The Plucky Squire.

——Or maybe Devolver wanted to wait to release TPS, but they’re financially hurting and needed to release the game as soon as possible to pay the bills, keep the lights on, and avoid laying off employees.

Re: Sony Execs Seem to Think the Company Doesn't Have Enough Original IP

jgrangervikings1

I haven’t read any of the comments yet, but I felt compelled to share my thoughts to get this out: When Sony has had opportunities to build and grow the love for their IP, they’ve undercut themselves and have failed. Case in point: Sony PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. It brought the IP together in a fun, frenetic way, but it didn’t sell as well as they wanted it to, so they shuttered the studio and moved on. For many, PS All-Stars was an opportunity to get to know some of the faces of PS that I didn’t have any history with—like Toro, like the dude from Medieval, like Sweet Tooth, and Heihachi. Now, because of that Battle Royale game, I got to know the characters and it grew my interest in their IPs, and I’ve since gone on to buy a couple of Tekken games, a Twisted Metal game, and a Medieval game. I never would’ve bought any of those games if not for Battle Royale.

Silly Sony.

Re: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (PS5) - Grimdark Shooter Is an Instant Co-Op Classic

jgrangervikings1

I’ve only been waiting for a sequel to the Space Marines PS3 game since, oh, about 2011 or 2012. I’m glad to read that this game delivers! I’ll definitely be checking it out…probably when the price comes down a tick. The thought of paying $70 for a new game when I’ve got such a backlog and there are so many good games out there with regular sales that bring their prices way, way down…. Man oh man, I DO want this, but I can wait. Or can’t I? Eeek!

Re: Sony to Establish Brand New PS Studios Team for PS5 Sci-Fi Action Game

jgrangervikings1

Bungie stretches and contracts—that’s what a Bungie does. It’s their destiny. It stinks that they laid off so many employees only to create a new studio. One would think the employees could’ve been re-purposed/re-assigned without upending and impacting their personal lives. Companies don’t live to support their employees, though. They live and thrive through creativity, production, profit and efficiency. Efficiency often brings about cuts. Companies often take the position that there’s no need for 3 employees if 1 can be assigned and required to do all 3 functions. 🙁

Re: PS Plus Extra Loses Five More PS5, PS4 Games in August

jgrangervikings1

NBA2K24. Ha. Lemme tell ya a story.

Every night after work I’d log onto my PS5 and see my buddy playing NBA2K24. He was addicted! For months I thought to myself, hey, this game must really be awesome and I should save up for it, but $70 for a game that’ll be outdated in a couple of months? Hmm.

Anyway, lo and behold, 2K24 becomes a PS+ game. I go to download it, but, D’OH! I need more space on my hard drive. So I delete a game here, a game there, another game here…try installing…nope, still need more room. I delete another game, and another, and another…until there were only 9 or 10 still on my hard drive. I still had Balatro, a couple of VR2 games, Robocop, Diablo IV, and a couple of other triple A games I had been meaning to play.

FINALLY, my PS5 is ready for the NBA2K24 download! I’m psyched! So I download it, and I play it. Ok. Cool. Pretty good game, fun game, but I grow tired of it pretty quickly. Timberwolves finally have a good team to play with, so that’s good. (The Antman cometh!) But, ya know, it’s just like all the other basketball games of the past, and I’ve been there and done that, and I missed playing my other games. So, after about a week, I delete 2K24 off my system and re-download the games I had deleted. Back up to 79 games on my PS5 hard drive.

After all this time, I finally see my buddy in person, and I get a chance to talk to him about why he plays so much NBA2K24. Why is it always on? Why is it so much better than previous years’ games? What is it about 2K24 that’s so awesome? Is he really THAT addicted to 2K24?!

His response?
“Dude, I can’t play any of my other games. I had to delete them all to make room for 2K24.”
🤣🤣🤣

Re: Talking Point: What's Your PS5 Game of the Year for 2024 So Far?

jgrangervikings1

Only 9% for Helldivers? I’m surprised that’s not way higher. My vote, however, goes to Balatro. I’m 280 hours in and, not only have I failed to beat all the decks yet, I’m not even close. I still have five challenges to beat, too. It’s to the point now, though, that I can only play a game or two at a time before shuttin’ ‘er down, because what’s remaining is so damn hard, and it gets a bit infuriating.

Re: PS Plus Essential Games for July 2024 Announced

jgrangervikings1

Borderlands 3 released how many years ago? And the much newer game, Tiny Tina’s Wonderland, was given via PS+ quite a while back now. Don’t get me wrong, Borderlands 3 is a great game—if you haven’t already gotten it within the last 3 years or so.

Among Us? Ok, whatever. Fine. Probably won’t play it, but that’s fine. It got some name recognition when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez streamed a few games with her friends. They had a good time. Then I tried it and everyone kept killing me, just for fun. Tsk tsk tsk.

NHL 2K24. Why were they selling this for $100? Holy cow. Or should I say, “what the puck?!” Still, last NHL 2K hockey game I owned was on PS4–2K15 maybe? I’m ready for an update. Hockey games can be fun. (For a fun hockey game, I recommend Super Blood Hockey. It’s like NES Hockey—with the skinny guy, the medium guy, and the big, fat guy—and it’s only, like $10 or $15.)

Overall, the month is underwhelming, but I’ll check out the hockey game. I hope it’s not 137 GB like the NBA game is, though. I want more than 3 video games installed on my PS5! (Okay, slight exaggeration…but only slightly.) I give the month a C- grade because of the age of Borderlands 3, but if you like looter shooters and still haven’t played Borderlands 3 yet, it’s a B+. The quality is good, but the timeliness isn’t.

Re: PS Plus Extra, Premium Lose 6 Games in Next Month's Update

jgrangervikings1

IF YOU HAVEN’T PLAYED DYSMANTLE YET, THIS IS YOUR WARNING! Do it…NOW! That game, DYSMANTLE, is pure awesomeness, and it’s not an understatement. It’s the best game you never knew you needed, but now you have no excuse. Now you know it’s great, because I just told you.

Highest recommendation given from me, a random guy at trophy level 494.
👍👍👍👍👍 out of 👍👍👍👍👍

Re: PlayStation Studios: All Sony First-Party Developers and What They're Working On

jgrangervikings1

If I had to rank the top five Sony developers in terms of what I’ve seen in terms of fun, graphically and/or technologically impressive games along with potential for future awesomeness:

1. Naughty Dog. It’s been the juggernaut, top dog, tour de force studio that Microsoft’s always dreamt of having, and it’s what Rare should’ve/would’ve been if MS hadn’t wasted Rare’s time with avatars and Kinect experiences.

2. Insomniac. Ratchet and Clank. Spiderman. Spyro. Yeah, Insomniac rules. Here’s hoping for a Feral Rights sequel/remake for PSVR 2, done with the size, scope, and budget a true AAA game should have! Make the system seller VR2 truly needs and deserves. Put our faith back into VR, Sony (or send the job over to MediaMolecule because they’re known for their innovative tech-based PlayStation games.

3. Santa Monica Studios. God of War. Boom!

4. Sucker Punch. InFAMOUS 2 was so, so good! After years of trying different open world games, InFAMOUS 2 was the first one that I truly sunk my teeth into. It was my personal gateway to an entirely new gaming world. And the ability within that game to create and design your own missions? Revolutionary! SP took a slight step back with InFAMOUS: Second Son and First Light, but their work in creating Sly Cooper keeps them at #3.

4. Housemarque. Fantastic action games. In an alternate universe where arcades still exist, Housemarque would be #1 and it wouldn’t even be close.

5. Guerrilla Games. Killzone. Horizon. Awesome-sauce.

As an aside, I love ClapHanz for the fantastic Hot Shots Golf games (which includes the VR game, too!). It’s a pity Sony didn’t pony up the bucks to buy the studio. I’d have loved to see more Hot Shots entries in golf and other sports—tennis, baseball, football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, fencing, curling, hockey, tee-ball, tag, axe throwing, log cutting, fencing, corn detasseling—heck, it doesn’t matter what sports are represented. If it’s done by ClapHanz, it’s good.

Re: The Next, Next, Next Trails Game Gets a September Release Date in Japan as the West Continues to Wait

jgrangervikings1

Like the first commenter, nessionett, I’m on Cold Steel IV.

These games were the absolute PERFECT ones to play during the pandemic: Each game requires bucketfuls of hours to get through, and it helps immensely to keep playing ‘em once you’ve started so that all the details and nuances of the storyline stay fresh in your mind.

The only reason I stopped playing Cold Steel IV? The company I worked for laid me off for nearly a year during pandemic times. And then they brought me back for two months to print Xmas cards…and then laid me off for good when Xmas card season ended. It’s an amazing thing, ya know?! The fancy wedding invitation market totally went kaput, because, crazily enough (😋), brides and grooms didn’t want a bazillion people all gathered closely together at a wedding reception in the middle of a pandemic. Brides and grooms either postponed their event indefinitely or they got married at more intimate venues and had much smaller wedding receptions, which led to smaller orders. Unfortunately, unemployment pay in the US only lasts so long before it runs out, and the bills? They still need to be paid, pandemic or no pandemic. So, when I got a new job = less time = stopped on IV. 😕

At some point I’ll get going again on the series. Cold Steel IV is still installed…it’s waiting to be played! And, so, long story short, I’m ok with the new games taking a while (a year…or two…or three) to be ported to the US as I’m not ready for ‘em anyway.

Re: Yes, the Next Madden on PS5, PS4 Is Called Madden NFL 25 Again

jgrangervikings1

I can’t wait! From what I hear, Adrian Peterson’s on the cover, and it’s only $42.63 for a refurbished PS4 version on Amazon.com. How is it refurbished if it hasn’t yet released? I don’t know, but if it’s on Amazon, it must be right. Those guys are funny—they say it’s been available since August of 2013. Pfft…jokers! I hear it looks and plays just like the old Madden 13 but with 30 new moves, and it’s even gonna include 2013-2014 NFL rosters because, you know, retro is HOT these days! My sources say there’s PS3 version, too, with—get this!—a cover featuring Barry Sanders. Woah!

Re: Sony Increasingly Focused on PS5 Playtime Alongside Hardware Sales

jgrangervikings1

Re: “ Have you noticed your PS5 playtime increase at all lately?”

Depends on what you mean by playtime. Ultimately, yes, because I’m playing Balatro when I’m not working, eating, or sleeping. 184 hours into that damn game, and I’m still not anywhere near done. Grr!

My nephew, on the other hand, always seems to have his PS5 on, but he’s using it for non-game related things, like YouTube, Netflix, Tubi, or one of the other apps. Is that time considered “playtime”?

Re: Hundreds of Huge PS5, PS4 Games Discounted for the Weekend

jgrangervikings1

Saw The Cure in concert last summer in Detroit—great show! Traffic stunk, so we got there late, but that’s ok, boys don’t cry. 😉

I’d love to see a sale where it’s just one game for sale from each video game company that produces games for PS5, and the catch is that the sale price is required to be less than what that game has ever been sold for in the PSN store. I’d call it the “Best of the Best for the Best” sale. It’d totally be the best sale ever! 😀

And, Sony marketing dept., if you decide to use my sale idea, as compensation I merely ask for $20 in store credit—a pittance for my insight. And, ideally, use my Timberwolves avatar somewhere on the splash banner. 😎

Go Wolves!!! 🐺

Re: Alien: Rogue Incursion Confirmed for PSVR2, Out This Year

jgrangervikings1

Survios is one of my favorite VR game creators. Battlewake for PSVR is fantastic, and if there were a bigger pool of VR users, the online mode to that game would be huge. And then there’s the Creed game for VR and The Walking Dead Onslaught game. These guys and gals at Survios are good! I think this Aliens game is gonna be good…can’t wait to see more!!

Re: PSVR2 Hit C-Smash VRS Gets Squashed Flat with New Dimension Update on PS5

jgrangervikings1

So, without the VR, yer sayin’ the game will be just like it was back on the Dreamcast. Oh, boy!

I had a bit of fun with this back on Dreamcast and then again recently with PS VR2. It’s fun. I need a bigger playing room to play it in, though. And it’s nowhere near as fun as Racket Fury. But, a non-VR mode for Cosmic Smash…err, C-Smash, is a good thing, as it likely means I’ll boot it up when I’m in a lazy, sit-on-my-butt gaming mood.

Re: Random: That Sure Looks Like Ellie from The Last of Us in Mobile Game Doomsday: Last Survivors

jgrangervikings1

Lemme get this straight:
—A mobile zombie apocalypse game features a pre-teen girl with a hat?
—And then there’s a good-lookin’ blonde donning a black v-neck, jean shorts and black leggings?
—Plus, there’s a cute red head fireballer gal sporting a crimson cheerleader outfit?

OMG! I think I recognized one of those zombies from Dead Rising 4, too! WWFWT? (What would Frank West think?!)

Oh, the humanity!

Re: Mini Review: New Star GP (PS4) - Refreshingly Modern Retro F1 Racing

jgrangervikings1

This game is only a PS4 release? Hmm.

Hey, couch multiplayer for 4 people is nice! As much as I’d love for the game to have online multiplayer, the reality is that the online scene for an indie game like this would probably be dead after a couple of weeks anyway. There are just too many games on the market nowadays. I have about 80 people on my friend list, and even when a popular game releases, like Helldivers 2, for example, there are only a couple of ‘em playing it.

Another thought: Considering the EA F1 game just released on PS+, I’m curious to know whether increased exposure to that game will get people excited for New Star GP…or if it’ll totally kill off the number of people buying New Star GP. Inquiring minds want to know!! 😋