pip_muzz

@AdamNovice Very good point. There could easily be a clause in the contract for Sony to purchase the company at a later date, or at least have first option with the investment they're giving.

Sounds good, can't help but feel Sony should go the whole hog and then acquire the studio outright.
If it's a mega hit, they run the risk of the company being gobbled up by EA, Microsoft, T2 etc... If Sony bought Kojima productions outright, there'd be a lot less acquisition rumours/concerns going around.

Apparently the game has no split screen or couch co op. Utterly missing one of the main attractions of the previous Dark Alliance games.
Easy skip for me without that.

GoW 2 was potentially the peak of the series for me. 3 was also fantastic.
The combat was at its best and the puzzles/platforming of the games added more meat to the gameplay.
Probably in the minority here that thinks GoW2018 is a tad overrated (though agree the franchise needed a refresh after the stale Ascension). Hoping the new Ragnarok game can keep the cool new setting, but have puzzles that remind me of Hera's gardens and platforming that's more involving than following a O button prompt.

Lovely news story! It's always nice to see video games make a jump to the real world in raising awareness and knowledge.

Its well worth remembering that these statistics take into account PC games as well. So with storefronts like Steam, Epic, GOG taking the lions share of PC Sales it definitely skews the data somewhat.
Would much prefer to see the data on Console Physical & Digital sales with the PC ones excluded. This data may even include mobile gaming for all we know. It doesn't give a clear picture.

Not good... Unless you're working for Mediatonic of course. Devolver Digital are one of the most "hands off" publishers in the business so always sad to see an Indie end up in the corporate hands. I don't see Epic ruining Fall Guys, but it's sad in a way that an Indie Developers ultimate goal is to be acquired by "one of the big boys"

One of my 2019 games of the year. Plays like a side on perspective Hotline Miami. Complete with synth, difficulty, quick restarts and satisfying gameplay. A must play.

It's staggering that it's possible at some point by the end of the year between Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony it will be Sony that has the lowest number of Japanese studios (with 0)
Totally get it's not put out great content since the PS3 days, but the PS1-PS3 days were where I thought Sony had the edge.
I'm not really interested in the cinematic western oriented third person action game template Sony is pushing so hard these days.

Edit: Totally forgot about Polyphony Digital. Lord above Sony can't let them be the next one's to go

Why no Inti Creates or Artplay for Castlevania?!?! They literally both developed the Bloodstained spiritual successor with Igarashi and everything?!?! Surely that's the most logical choice.

I hope it's a case of Sony building up to a truly memorable break of silence when they say something next.
I certainly agree that Sony does seem to feel rather distant as of late, but on the other hand if they have nothing of importance to say what can they do.
Still a strange 12 months ahead for all console companies, so I'm giving Sony the benefit of doubt for the time being.
We have this discussion again in 2022 then something clearly is amiss.

It's not been announced for PS consoles yet but Axiom Verge 2 is a game I can't wait for.
Also excited for Playdead's new game and Swery's The Good Life.
Not sure if it's Indy enough, but Oddworld:Soulstorm is another game I can't wait for.
Edit: If Humanity is Indy, then Oddworld must be as well

Positive new ideas from yourselves have been the mini reviews. That's worked out really well for smaller titles that would normally be missed out.
I am not so interested on overall sales figures which seem to jeer up the fanboy crowd but I wouldn't want to have them go just because I am not keen on them.
As an idea, maybe when a reviewer reviews a title there's a short article/paragraph where we know what sort of games the reviewer enjoys.
Games are very subjective and so knowing what games/genres the reviewer enjoys would significantly increase the credibility I would give each review.
Just my two pence. Overall I love this site along with Nintendo Life and the resurrected Pure Xbox. I think these sites straddle the line between genuine fan and game journalism very well.

The end result will be that I just won't own every Sony exclusive on PS5.
I enjoy trying to get every exclusive on consoles to make the console price milage work, but at £70 I'll just be much much more selective. Considering I enjoyed the last Ratchet and Clank on PS4 but played it once and not really again since, I can't justify £70 for that. Until the inflated UK prices at least are comparable to the American market, I also feel we're essentially paying a £/€ tax which can Oomph right off.

Just finished this on my Xbox. It's ok....not as good as their previous game Furi. The gameplay is a little simplistic and repetitive. The story is sweet and the atmosphere is nice but I was somewhat disappointed once it was all over. 6/10 from me. Soundtrack is amazing I should say.

I'll be picking this one up tomorrow once it comes out. Sounds like it's exactly what I hoped it would be. First new game of 2021 here I come

A bit unrelated but can anyone here tell me how the loading is like for Demon's Souls on PS5? Bloodborne and Sekiro's loading times soured the game for me somewhat. If the loading is quick I'd definitely give the Demons Souls remake a try.
Back on topic fast loading is always good. Especially with difficult games. Roguelites tend to be tricky so this is good here.

@RaZieLDaNtE Yes. I never played the OG on Xbox much but owned both Black and Sigma. Black was just better, despite the graphical improvements on Sigma the Black version just felt "tighter" gameplay wise. Likewise with Gaiden 2 and Sigma 2.
Stay safe too and here's to a Ninja Gaiden 4 one day.

@LiterallyDoNotCare It's a definite exaggeration I'll confess. But the point of Sony's sales figures not conflating with the actual home ownership of PS5's stands. Earlier today Push Square posted an article about scalpers cleaning out a stock of PS5's from game. These are technically sales according to Sony but not in the hands of gamers. That's my point. It's not 4 million in scalpers hands but it is a significant number.

@Hyperluminal 5 million PS5's sold worldwide with 4 million in the hands of scalpers. Sony's sale figures are simply stock sold to retailers, it doesn't necessarily mean 5 million households have PS5's.

@funkyplasma No I wouldn't pre order even if I received a PS5 overnight, as even after having a PS5 I still wouldn't pay £70 for it. The double impact of a PS5 shortage and a very aggressive pricing strategy by Sony is why I don't think this will sell well. If I had a PS5 and it was £40 then yes, I'd buy it a day after release. (I never pre order)

Oooph. Can't get ahold of a PS5 due to scalpers and the link to Amazon with £70 at the end means I predict this game won't even make it into the top 5 for the month. Will be lucky to make top 10. Shame, I really like Housemarque and Resogun especially.

@Shigurui I forgot the name of the Wii U game he did a few years back but that wasn't meant to be that great.
I still think Ninja Gaiden 1/Black/Sigma is one the best action games ever made.
A tad too many projectile based enemies in Gaiden 2 but I loved the violence factor in that one.

Edit: Itagaki is his name. Thanks, I forgot that.

Considering I wasn't keen on Ninja Gaiden 3 I'm not too fussed. The original director of Gaiden 1+2 is however founding a new studio. So hopefully he can do a similar style game to Gaiden 1+2, just with an original IP.

I was hoping to get one of the new consoles in the spring/summer, but unless the stores and manufacturers actually work together to combat this, Christmas 2021 will still be scalper central. An appalling state of affairs

What I'd give, anything at all, to have a Zombie Elephant back in games again! Fantastic PS2 memories

Of course it's a hiring spree. Having recently finished a game and burnt out their staff a significant amount will have left the company so they need to "replenish their stock"
ND make good games but their company management is a joke. Been insider knowledge for years now that they don't treat their staff all that well

Would have voted Nioh had it been there. Went with Last Guardian. I enjoyed God of War but still personally think 2+3 are better games overall.

That's great. Top notch work IO! Particularly happy to see the older games get the same optimisation treatment too. Wish all developers cared about their previous works as much as IO.

I'm still hoping by the time the PS5 is widely available again that a slimmer/smaller model is announced. Genuinely weighing up delaying my purchase of the console for a year or so in order to get a smaller one that won't take up quite so much space for the rest of my life.

@playstation1995 Nioh 2! Yes, that was excellent. A shame it's been ignored from the best of year lists similar to how the original was as well. My favourite PS exclusive of the year that one.

This whole article just makes me want to try out the new controller even more. This really looks like the game changer this coming gen which could be a staple for years to come. Now if only I could get my hands on one....

@get2sammyb Shenmue 1-2 and Gun are also games I replay every couple of years as well. Shenmue is like a second home in video game form, Gun despite having a small open world I can't help but ride around and ranch cattle...
Are you sure you aren't actually me and also replay Tony Hawk's Undergroud 1+2 repeatedly as well?!?!

I imagine most will suck. Uncharted movie included. Last of Us series will be good however since they have Druckman writing the series.
Personally I've felt he's better suited to TV/Film as opposed to games anyhow. I expect I'll enjoy the series more than the game.

Think your opening caveat is the biggest point. You're playing on a PS5. With the shortages of both PS5 and Series X the vast majority are playing on the inferior hardware and it shows. The hardcore PC crowd also seem to be having a blast with this game, but as it stands this is a ****show of epic proportions by CDPR and they deserve every bit of criticism that comes their way.

Sad times. Given I'm less keen on the cinematic focus of the more recent first party efforts, I hope improved Japan sales spur a reason to make games for that market as well.

Watched the trailer on the Indie Direct on Tuesday. This looks a very fun platformer. Even though it's not made by Yacht Club Games it still has the same look, feel and vibe. Can't wait.

@RobN That'll be why. I live in the UK. It's not always easy but certainly doable over here.

@RobN Disagree entirely. To claim a refund with a physical copy is simple. Consumers just need to stand their ground when the cashier tries to push them away. A quick mention of consumer rights and a refurral to the ombudsman always works.
So regarding digital it should be the same. People's lack of consumer rights knowledge shouldn't dictate digital rights policy.

Despite all this kafuffle, if it's one thing I can't blame CDPR for its the refund process. GoG, Steam and even Xbox have simple refund procedures. By all means (rightly) criticise CDPR for releasing a mess of a game, but the refund anger should be placed directly at Sony's doorstep.

Wow. I know gaming storefronts tend to be arsey about refunds but come on Sony?! Maybe they're taking a hard stance now so they can prevent refunds on their own £70 games when the time comes...

100% agree. I'd love to give Returnal a play, but it's the type of game I'd have been on the fence about buying at launch even with the old £50 price tag. At £70 there's no chance I'm buying it.
For reference, the only game on PS5 I'd currently pay £70 is Cyberpunk 2077, and that won't even be that much as I can buy the PS4 version and get the upgrade patch.
I think Sony have lost the plot a little with the price increase, specifically here in the UK from £50 up to £70. I'd love to see the UK sales figures for Demons Souls now the launch week is behind us.

Been interested in this since it was originally just the Abe's Exoddus remake. Now it sounds like a much more ambitious and genuinely new Oddworld game. Very keen for this.

I've given up on receiving a new console before summer next year.
It's so bad I don't even want to order one for fear of this happening to me as well.
When I'm not buying a product because of this fear, it's clear something clearly needs to be done. A disgraceful state of affairs.

Sounded good until the writer of Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom was involved. The writing/story and overall film was not good at all.
That said, I don't want a movie adaptation of my favourite games anyway. As long as we only see video games in comparison to movies we're just going to get more story/cinema focussed games at the expense of innovative gameplay (though people's love for Naughty Dog shows I'm in the minority here)

Sadly the days of high quality first party Japanese sony games seem to be gone. GT7 will be an exception, but the old PS1 + PS2 days were filled with high quality Sony exclusives.
The move to heavily marketed third party deals such as FF7 and the like comes across as lame in my view. The moving of the Sony gaming division headquarters to America is obviously a big factor in this.
Unfortunately I am less keen on the cinematic first games the western audiences are so focused on. God of War 18 good as it was still didn't feel as gamey as the 3rd one to me. Last of Us is fine but all people focus on are graphics, story, characters... I always felt the Japanese studios put a gameplay focus first and foremost on their games and that's what I feel is missing, even during the PS4 years sadly.

Unfortunately again showing the case that BioWare's only resemblance to the company that made KOTOR and ME is purely in name only

Strange... With MS buying up so many studios I'd have thought Sony would try to hold onto all they currently have. Will be interesting to find out what's actually happened here.

Considering this never got a UK release and Saga Frontier 2 was one of my PS1 fav RPG's this is an early Christmas present as far as I'm concerned. Who needs the PS5!? Saga Frontier!!!!

I know what you mean with very good PS store deals. I find ironically the older games get discounted better on the PS store, however it's still definitely cheaper to buy new games from stores.
My worry is the day the consoles go digital only is the day the sales stop and we're hit with the £70 price tag for every game no exception.