July 10th 2024.
In the latest letters page, one reader asks why there aren't many big budget Metroidvania games, while another talks about the free-to-play games, The First Descendant and Zenless Zone Zero. They mention how The First Descendant has a negative buzz, but Zenless Zone Zero, a spin-off of Genshin Impact, seems to be receiving praise. They ask for recommendations from other readers for free-to-play games that are enjoyable and not constantly trying to get players to spend money.
They discuss the double-edged sword of free-to-play games, as they often bombard players with microtransactions and rely on the small percentage of "whales" who spend a lot of money. They hope for at least one game that doesn't rip off its players. In response to another reader's request, GC confirms that they will review The First Descendant.
In another letter, a reader mentions the recent Xbox sales results in the US, which show a decline compared to the Xbox One. They suggest that Xbox may have to focus on being a multiformat platform, and question why upcoming games like Indiana Jones and Avowed are exclusive to Xbox. They believe that these games could do better if they were released on multiple platforms.
The topic of microtransactions is brought up again in a letter discussing EA's changes to battle passes in Apex Legends. The reader finds it "disgusting" and believes it shows the games industry's focus on short-term profits rather than long-term plans. They also express their dislike for the idea of a BioShock remake, as they believe the series needs to move away from the setting of Rapture.
Another reader shares their thoughts on the recent announcement that Game Pass is now available on the Amazon Fire Stick. They hope this means there won't be a new console from Xbox, as it is unnecessary with the availability of Game Pass on other devices. They mention wanting to try out games on Game Pass, including Indiana Jones, and are considering buying a Fire Stick.
Lastly, a reader expresses their dislike for Rapture and their hopes that the upcoming BioShock game will not focus on it. They mention a leaked idea for the game that they find more promising, and hope that the game will not shoehorn in Rapture for nostalgia's sake. They also mention their plans to try out Game Pass on the Amazon Fire Stick.
In the Wednesday letters page, a reader raises a valid question about the lack of big budget Metroidvanias, while another reader shares their thoughts on Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. To join in on the discussions, readers are encouraged to email their comments.
Recently, there have been two high profile free-to-play games released: The First Descendant and Zenless Zone Zero. While The First Descendant has received some negative attention, Zenless Zone Zero is another spin-off from Genshin Impact, a game that has been praised by many but has yet to be played by the reader.
Curious about other readers' recommendations, the reader asks for suggestions on the best free-to-play games that not only have a great gameplay experience but also do not constantly pressure players to spend money. With the current state of the economy, the reader, like many others, is looking for a game that is suitable for their budget.
However, the concept of free-to-play games can be a double-edged sword. Often, these games bombard players with microtransactions, relying on the small percentage of players who spend a large amount of money on the game. The reader wonders if there is a game out there that can balance microtransactions in a fair manner.
In a separate letter, another reader expresses their disappointment in the latest sales results from the US, which show that Xbox is struggling even in its strongest market. The reader believes that the company will have to focus on being multi-format in order to survive, citing Indiana Jones and Avowed as potential games that could have been successful on other platforms.
The issue of companies prioritizing short-term profits over a long-term plan is also brought up in regards to the recent changes to battle passes in Apex Legends. The reader sees this as a common trend in the gaming industry, where companies are willing to sacrifice a game's longevity for immediate profit.
Switching gears, another reader shares their thoughts on the potential BioShock remake. While they are against the idea, their reasoning differs from others. They suggest that the series needs to move away from Rapture and explore new settings. They fear that the remake may be used as a way to reintroduce Rapture into the series, despite the leak about the game being inspired by The Time Machine.
Lastly, a reader contemplates purchasing an Amazon Fire stick now that Game Pass is available on it. They see no need for a new console from Xbox if all they are concerned about is Game Pass. With their area now having 8GB broadband, they feel confident that they can enjoy a variety of games on the Fire stick and only subscribe to Game Pass when a new game is released.
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