May 10th 2024.
Hey there, fellow gamers! I know we've all been discussing the recent news and developments in the gaming world, but let's take a break from all the serious talk and indulge in some enjoyable and pointless speculation about Nintendo. So, the big question on everyone's mind is: will Metroid Prime 4 be released this year? Personally, I think it's a strong possibility. But let's not forget about the other games that Nintendo has in store for us.
I'm sure you've all seen the angry letters page about the closure of Tango Gameworks, and I can't help but join in on the discussion. On a more positive note, another reader has shared their admiration for Stellar Blade, a game that has certainly impressed me as well. If you want to share your thoughts on these topics, be sure to email us!
Now, let's move on to something more lighthearted. I'm still reeling from the disappointment of Xbox and their recent actions. I was even considering getting an Xbox Series S as a Game Pass machine, but now I've changed my mind. Instead, let's talk about Nintendo speculation! We recently found out that the Switch 2 won't be released this year, so that leaves Nintendo with six months to fill with new releases. What do you think they have in store for us? Personally, I'm hoping for Xenoblade Chronicles X and Zelda Wii U remasters. And maybe a little surprise release, like a new Kirby game. Oh, and let's not forget the possibility of a 3DS remaster, maybe Kid Icarus: Uprising?
But the big question for me is whether or not Metroid Prime 4 will be released this year. Some say that Nintendo will release it as soon as it's ready, while others believe it will be held back for the Switch 2 launch. My personal theory is that Nintendo wants to make a bigger impact with Metroid Prime 4, so they'll wait to release it until they have a larger audience with the Switch 2.
Speaking of Metroid Prime 4, I have a feeling that it will be Nintendo's big Christmas game. And maybe they'll even release an enhanced version for the Switch 2 launch, with a small fee for those who already own the original. Of course, I could be completely wrong about all of this, but it's fun to speculate.
Moving on to a different topic, I recently came across an interesting theory about why Xbox has been closing down studios. Some believe that Microsoft has set targets for Game Pass and console sales, and when they haven't met those targets, they have to make budget cuts. This could explain the recent closure of Tango Gameworks, as they had just released a game and were not in the middle of developing a new one. As for where Xbox goes from here, it's anyone's guess.
Let's not forget about Nintendo and their success in the gaming industry. They may not have suffered the same turmoil as Sony and Microsoft, and some believe it's because they stick to traditional methods of making and selling games. While they have dabbled in live service games and have a subscription service, they remain focused on creating quality games. Microsoft and Sony, on the other hand, seem to be constantly looking for something new, instead of focusing on the games themselves.
On a more positive note, I recently finished playing Stellar Blade and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story may not have been the most compelling, but the combat system was top-notch. And I have to give a shoutout to the game for reintroducing a sense of vertigo that is often lacking in games nowadays. It's refreshing to have a game where every action isn't performed flawlessly, adding to the tension and excitement.
I also wanted to mention a few upcoming physical releases that caught my eye. Animal Well, a highly-rated indie game, will soon be available to pre-order on Limited Run Games for PlayStation 5 and Switch. And they also have some other interesting titles available, like Rogue Legacy 2 and The Lara Croft Collection for Switch. As someone who has played and enjoyed the isometric Lara Croft games, I highly recommend giving them a try.
Finally, I want to touch on the current state of the gaming industry. With the rising costs of games and consoles, as well as the recent actions of Microsoft and Sony, it's easy to feel disheartened. But let's not forget about Nintendo and their little console that could, the Switch. It may not have the most powerful hardware, but it continues to deliver quality games at an affordable price. I, for one, am grateful for Nintendo and their dedication to making great games. Let's not lose hope in the gaming industry just yet.
Hey there! Can we talk about something more enjoyable and meaningless for a moment? I'm so over talking about Xbox and their questionable decisions. Can we shift our focus to some exciting Nintendo speculation? Recently, it's been confirmed that the Switch 2 won't be coming out this year, so that leaves us with six months to fill with new game releases. So far, we only know about a cheap NES Remix variant, but what else could Nintendo have up their sleeves?
Personally, I don't think they'll be scraping the bottom of the barrel for game releases. Maybe we'll see some remasters like Xenoblade Chronicles X and Zelda Wii U. And of course, we can't forget about the possibility of a new Kirby game or a 3DS remaster, like Kid Icarus: Uprising. But the big question on everyone's mind is: will Metroid Prime 4 be released this year? It all depends on whether Nintendo wants to release it as soon as it's ready or hold off for the Switch 2 launch.
My gut feeling is that Nintendo knows Metroid isn't a big enough draw to make an impact at launch, so they'll want to wait until the franchise has a bigger following. But who knows, I could be completely wrong. Maybe Metroid Prime 4 will be their big holiday game, with an enhanced version for the Switch 2 launch that costs a little extra for those who already own the original. But let's be real, I'm probably going to be proven wrong on all accounts.
Moving on to a completely different topic, I was surprised and a bit disappointed to hear that Xbox was closing four studios, including Tango Gameworks. But I think there's a simple reason for this that Microsoft will never publicly admit. When Game Pass and this new console generation started, there were probably some targets that needed to be met. But we know that Game Pass hasn't been hitting those targets, and the fact that the Switch is still outselling them probably didn't help either.
So, I'm guessing that their budget has taken a major hit, and closing studios is the only way for them to meet their goals. It's unfortunate timing for studios like Tango and Arkane Austin, who have just finished shipping games and are now being forced to close. It's a tough decision, but it's better than cancelling a game that was already in development.
I can't help but wonder where Xbox goes from here. Their strategy of releasing more games, pushing Game Pass, and offering a cheaper console seemed like a good plan, but it doesn't seem to be making much of an impact. Starfield was highly anticipated, yet it didn't seem to move the needle at all. In fact, I can't think of a single game in the past 10 years that would make me buy a whole new console, other than Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
It's interesting to see Xbox games being released on PlayStation and doing well, but it also highlights the fact that they were good games to begin with. Sea of Thieves, a six-year-old game that didn't have much of an impact on Xbox sales, is still one of the top games on PlayStation. It's crazy to think about, and it makes me wonder how well it would have done if it had been released on PlayStation from the beginning.
Maybe multiplatform really is the only answer for Xbox now. It's clear that games sell consoles, but Starfield didn't seem to do the trick. Imagine if they had released a game of similar quality to Skyrim as an Xbox exclusive last year. Things might have turned out differently.
Speaking of consoles, it seems like Nintendo has been able to avoid all the turmoil and studio closures that Sony and Microsoft are facing. Could it be because they've stuck to the traditional ways of making and selling games? They don't seem to be as focused on live service games and subscriptions like the other two companies. They just sell games as they are, either physically or digitally, at a reasonable price.
Of course, I don't have any insider knowledge, so I could be oversimplifying things. But I imagine it goes something like this: "Studio A sold X number of games, bringing in Y amount of revenue and profit. That means we can allocate a budget of Z for their next title and expect a good return." Meanwhile, with subscription services involved, how do Sony and Microsoft decide how to divide the revenue among different studios? Do they base it on the number of downloads or the amount of time players spend on a game? It must be a nightmare to budget for that, especially with all those people taking advantage of conversion schemes and getting months of Game Pass for free.
On a brighter note, I recently finished Stellar Blade and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. The story was a bit fluffy, but that's to be expected. The combat system was great, and I found myself getting a little vertigo while playing. In a lot of games, your character's movements are so precise that there's no sense of danger, but in Stellar Blade, it's not always easy to land on a ledge or jump over a gap. It reminded me of FromSoftware games or even The Last Guardian, where the protagonist's movements are a bit hyperactive, making it more challenging to navigate.
All in all, it's one of the better PlayStation 5 exclusives out there. And while the gaming landscape may feel a bit unenjoyable at the moment, it's nice to have a game like Stellar Blade to escape to. And let's not forget about the little console that could, the Nintendo Switch. It's been a savior in these difficult times, offering great games at an affordable price. Let's hope the golden age of gaming isn't over just yet.
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