November 25th 2024.
Is it time for Sony to reconsider their plans? That's the question being raised on the Monday letters page, as readers discuss Square Enix's potential regret for creating the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy and speculate on the possibilities of Mario Kart 9. If you have thoughts on the matter, don't hesitate to share them by emailing us.
It may seem ridiculous to some, but it's becoming increasingly clear that Sony is moving forward with their plans for the PlayStation 6 sooner than expected. We may even get an official announcement before we know it. And with that comes the realization that they have already made decisions about what the console will be like.
Considering the underwhelming improvements and high price point of the PS5 Pro, it's not hard to imagine what the PlayStation 6 might look like. However, I hope it's not just another expensive plastic box that looks almost identical to the previous generation. If I were in charge, I would take inspiration from the Nintendo Switch and create a hybrid console that is a part of the PlayStation ecosystem. It may not be as powerful as the PS5, but with many games looking similar to the previous generation, I believe there is more to gain from a unique and versatile console.
There is some hope that this could be Sony's approach, especially with rumors of a handheld device. But will they be brave enough to take a step back and focus on innovation instead of raw power for the next generation? With the rising costs of game development and purchasing, it seems like the most sensible move.
Switching gears, let's talk about Nintendo and the challenges they may face with Mario Kart 9 on the rumored Switch 2. We may not know what their plans are, but it's safe to say that their creativity knows no bounds when it comes to selling their games. However, it's hard to see what else they could do with the series.
Some may suggest focusing on online play, but that doesn't seem like a very "Nintendo" thing to do. I'm eager to see their approach with this and their other franchises in the new generation. Many series have had their best entry on the Switch, but where do they go from there? It's hard to keep reinventing without running out of ideas or producing a flop. Only time will tell.
Moving on to a different topic, Square Enix's Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. It's clear that the company may regret this decision, as sales haven't been as great as they had hoped. Unfortunately, they are tied to PlayStation exclusivity, leaving them with limited options. It's a shame because both games have exceeded expectations and, in my opinion, the second game is the best of the year.
I am curious to see what lessons Square Enix will take away from this experience. Perhaps they will reconsider investing in remakes and wait until the first game is a success before planning a trilogy. As a fan, I would love to see a new game in a similar style, even if it's not Final Fantasy related. However, I am not sure how likely that is now.
If you're looking for a good deal during Black Friday, I highly recommend both games. They are far superior to Final Fantasy 16, in my opinion.
Lastly, I came across a video of MotoGP 23 on YouTube and was blown away by the graphics. It made me question the need for new consoles solely for better graphics and frame rates. Instead, I believe big companies and developers should focus on creating great games.
Before I wrap up, I want to mention the recent review of Irem games. Are they still around? They always seemed like a small but mighty company, but now it seems like we only hear about them every few years. I know they were responsible for the amazing graphics in R-Type and Metal Slug, and I always dreamt of a 3D version of R-Type. Alas, it seems like that may never happen. But I'm glad to hear that the company still exists and that their games are being remastered.
And finally, the Star Wars game Outlaws. As someone who's not a fan, it just felt like another open-world game from Ubisoft. However, I can see how Hogwarts Legacy would be a dream game for Harry Potter fans. But Outlaws doesn't seem to have that same appeal for anyone.
Is Sony in need of a new direction? That's the question that seems to be on everyone's mind these days. The latest letters page is filled with discussions about Square Enix and their potential regrets over the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, while another reader ponders the possibility of a Mario Kart 9. If you want to join in on the conversation, just shoot us an email at email.
But let's get back to the main topic - Sony. As crazy as it may seem to some, it looks like they're already moving forward with the PlayStation 6, much sooner than expected. And if that's the case, it means they've already made all the decisions about the new console. Given the lukewarm reception to the PS5 Pro and its high price tag, it's not hard to imagine what the PlayStation 6 might be like. But personally, I'm hoping for something different. I'd love to see Sony take a page out of Nintendo's book and go for a hybrid console. They could even dial back on the power, as most games on the PS5 don't look much different from the previous generation anyway. Plus, a powerful hybrid console that's part of the PlayStation ecosystem could bring so much more to the table than just another incremental upgrade.
There's some hope that this might be the direction Sony is heading in, with rumors of a handheld device in the works. But will Sony really have the courage to break away from tradition and shake things up for the next generation? With the rising costs of game development and purchasing, it seems like the smart move to me.
Now, let's shift our focus to Nintendo. The recent article discussing the challenges of creating Mario Kart 9 for the rumored Switch 2 got me thinking. While we may not know what Nintendo has up their sleeves, it's hard to come up with a new and exciting gimmick for the beloved franchise. The obvious route would be to focus more on online play, but that doesn't feel very "Nintendo." I'm curious to see what they come up with, not just for Mario Kart, but for their other franchises as well.
It's true that many series have had their best entries on the Switch, but where do you go from there? Most of these successes were due to a complete revamp of the formula. But how many times can you do that without running out of ideas or creating a flop? Only time will tell.
Speaking of disappointments, it seems like Square Enix may be regretting their decision to make the Final Fantasy 7 remake into a trilogy. The sales haven't been great, and they're locked into a PlayStation exclusivity deal. The first part sold less than expected, and I can only imagine the third will follow suit. It's a pity because I personally think both games are fantastic, with the remake being my favorite game of the year.
But what lessons will Square Enix take away from this experience? Maybe they'll think twice before investing in another remake or starting a trilogy without a guaranteed hit. As much as I would love to see a brand new game in a similar style, I'm not sure how likely that is now. For those of you looking for a great deal this Black Friday, I highly recommend giving both games a try. In my opinion, they're a hundred times better than Final Fantasy 16.
Let's switch gears and talk about games in general. While browsing YouTube, I came across a video for MotoGP 23, and the graphics were truly breathtaking. It got me thinking - do we really need new consoles just for better graphics and frame rates? I believe that the key is for big companies and developers to focus on creating great games rather than constantly chasing technological advancements.
And finally, let's take a moment to acknowledge Irem, the company behind R-Type and other classic games. I was surprised to learn that they're still around, although they no longer develop games themselves. Their latest release, R-Type Final 2, was handled by Granzella, a studio made up of former Irem employees. I've always dreamed of a 3D version of R-Type, but I think it's safe to say that's probably not happening now. Nevertheless, R-Type remains a timeless classic with its amazing graphics, and I never knew it had a connection to Metal Slug.
In conclusion, while some companies struggle to find their footing and deliver on fan expectations, others continue to thrive and surprise us with their innovations. Whether it's Sony's next move, Nintendo's approach to their beloved franchises, or Square Enix's lessons learned, one thing is for sure - we're always in for an exciting ride in the world of gaming. And remember, we always welcome your thoughts and opinions, so don't hesitate to email us at email. Let's keep the discussions going and focus on what really matters - making great games.
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