March 1st 2024.
Could Helldivers 2 be the best game of 2024? That's the question being posed by one reader on the Friday letters page. Another reader suggests that Square Enix should not remake Final Fantasy 6, but instead come up with a new Assassin's Creed game.
I, for one, am thoroughly enjoying watching the mech footage for Helldivers 2. It's a clever way to introduce new features, having the developers showcase it to a select group of people. I must admit, I had never heard of the first Helldivers game, but after seeing all the positive feedback and reviews, I took a chance on the sequel and I have not been disappointed.
While it may not be the most original or complex game, it's fun and it achieves what it sets out to do perfectly. That's all I ask for in a game. The one unique aspect, keeping friendly fire on at all times, adds a whole new level of gameplay. And because everything is designed with that in mind, rather than being overwhelmed with too many options, it feels very focused.
From what I can gather, Arrowhead, the developers of Helldivers 2, are an indie team and the game does not seem to have had a huge budget. I haven't played Palworld, but I know it's also developed by an indie team. Perhaps live service games on that scale are the way to make a profit, even if they don't remain popular for long.
But I believe the same can be said for single-player games as well. Helldivers 2 may not have the most impressive graphics, and it could probably have been done on the PlayStation 4, but to me, it's the game of the year and I wouldn't be surprised if it stays that way.
Moving on to a different topic, I am a huge fan of Final Fantasy 6. To me, it will always be the best game in the series. It has the most well-developed characters, the most intriguing setting, and easily the best villain. So when Square Enix announced they were considering a remake, I was excited. But then they said it would take 20 years to make it in the same style as Final Fantasy 7 Remake. And honestly, I'm okay with them not bothering.
I don't want Square Enix to go bankrupt just to make one game, and I certainly don't want the veterans of the series to spend their last years remaking something they did 30 years ago. We need to move forward and explore new ideas, instead of constantly revisiting the past. And let's not forget the ridiculously long development times and budgets for these games. We need to take a step back in terms of both in order to allow developers the freedom to experiment and not be restricted by what will sell.
Speaking of the state of the gaming industry, it's becoming quite a sad joke. I am fully expecting hundreds of people to be laid off at Take-Two soon, and unfortunately, that may include Rockstar Games. It's disheartening to see such a successful company making sacrifices just to impress their investors. I agree with the reader who said they feel guilty about supporting some of these publishers. And while boycotting them may seem like the answer, it's not a feasible option as we would only be left with indie games.
I feel particularly bad for the developers who were working on the now-cancelled Star Wars game. I can only imagine how devastating it must be to have their dream project taken away from them. All that time and effort wasted, and now they may be out of a job. And let's not forget that EA already laid off 6% of their staff last year. What will happen next year?
On a lighter note, I recently discovered that PowerSlave: Exhumed was available for Xbox. I went to check it out on the Store, but decided to purchase it at a later date. However, as I was about to hit the cancel button, my controller glitched and accidentally purchased the game. Thankfully, I was able to get a refund from Microsoft. But now, the Xbox store still shows that I own the game. I do plan on buying it again, but how can I do so if it says that I already own it? I have tried contacting Microsoft, but with no success. Perhaps buying a different game of the same value would ease my conscience?
Lastly, I'd like to mention a game that has become my latest obsession: Balatro. It's a poker game, but with a twist. You have to use jokers and other buffs to adjust your deck and beat score targets. Every third round, there is a boss battle with special conditions. I've had some amazing runs, only to be halted by a difficult boss stipulation. But I've also managed to achieve amazing scores thanks to unexpected jokers. It's a wonderful game for the Switch, and I highly recommend it.
Is Helldivers 2 the Best Game of 2024?
Could Helldivers 2 potentially be the best game of 2024? This question has been raised on the Friday letters page, where one reader suggests that rather than Square Enix remaking Final Fantasy 6, they should focus on a new Assassin's Creed game. But let's take a moment to discuss the current game of the year so far.
First, let's talk about Helldivers 2. The recent mech footage has been exciting and a clever way to tease new features. As someone who took a chance on the sequel after hearing all the positive feedback and reviews, I can confidently say that I have loved every second of it. While it may not be the most original or complex game, it accomplishes what it sets out to do perfectly. The permanent friendly fire feature adds a unique twist to the gameplay and the game's focus on this aspect makes it feel well-crafted and cohesive.
It's worth mentioning that Arrowhead, the developers behind Helldivers, are essentially an indie developer. This game doesn't feel like it had a huge budget, but it doesn't need it. The graphics may not be groundbreaking, but that doesn't matter when the overall experience is so enjoyable. In my opinion, Helldivers 2 could easily be a game of the year contender and may even stay at the top spot.
Now, let's discuss the idea of remaking Final Fantasy 6. While it may have been an exciting prospect at first, the fact that it would take 20 years to complete in the same style as Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a bit disheartening. Personally, I don't want to see Square Enix overextend themselves and risk bankruptcy just to appease investors. We need to focus on moving forward and allowing developers to have the time and resources to experiment and create new experiences.
On a similar note, the recent news of Take-Two potentially laying off a large number of employees, including those at Rockstar Games, is disheartening. It's concerning to see the games industry become more focused on profits and pleasing investors rather than the well-being of their employees. As consumers, we may feel guilty about supporting these companies, but it's difficult to avoid them completely.
In other news, PowerSlave: Exhumed recently became available on Xbox, and while I intended to purchase it at a later date, a controller glitch led to an accidental purchase. Thankfully, Microsoft provided a quick refund, but now the game still shows as owned on the store. It's a dilemma of wanting to support the developers, but not wanting to play the game without paying for it. Perhaps buying a different game of the same value could clear my conscience.
Lastly, I want to bring attention to Balatro, a new poker game for the Switch. While it may not have been on our radar before, it has received great reviews and has been a time sink for many players. It's a game that compels you to get others to play as well, making it a must-try for any Switch owner.
In conclusion, while Helldivers 2 may have the potential to be the best game of 2024, there are still many exciting games to look forward to in the coming years. Let's continue to support developers who prioritize their employees and create unique and enjoyable experiences for gamers.
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