Inbox: Discussing the potential top PS5 exclusive in 2024, excitement for Elden Ring, and praise for XDefiant.

Reader questions Fable reboot as Nintendo is compared to EA and Capcom on Wednesday letters page.

June 5th 2024.

Inbox: Discussing the potential top PS5 exclusive in 2024, excitement for Elden Ring, and praise for XDefiant.
Is Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth the best exclusive game on PlayStation 5? That's the question being asked on the Wednesday letters page, as readers compare Nintendo to EA and Capcom. One reader is also curious about the status of the Fable reboot. If you want to join in on the discussion, you can email us at the address provided.

When it comes to the recent State of Play event, I choose to look at the bright side and focus on the new Astro Bot game, which looks absolutely amazing. Sure, the rest of the event may not have been as impressive, but let's be real - how many truly great games do we get in a year? Not many. And this year, we've already seen two potential contenders for the title of best PlayStation 5 exclusive ever - Helldivers 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

But with that in mind, I can't help but wonder - which game truly deserves the title of best PlayStation 5 exclusive? The console has been around for four years now and sales are starting to slow down. For me, the other top contenders are Returnal, Demon's Souls, and Spider-Man 2. Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarok are also great games, but I personally wouldn't put them in the same tier as the others.

I'm tempted to choose Returnal, but I have to admit that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth might actually be the best exclusive on PlayStation 5. Sure, some might argue that it's a bit bloated, but I've loved every minute of it and the production values are through the roof. It truly feels like a next-gen game. I'm curious to hear what others think about this.

It's interesting to see the stark difference between Japanese and Western game publishers. While Nintendo is hiring 400 new employees and Capcom is giving everyone a 30% pay raise, Western companies seem to be struggling. It's hard to even believe that they're all in the same business. It's often said that Japanese companies prioritize long-term success, and I think that's especially true for Nintendo.

They've always been in it for the long haul and they plan accordingly. On the other hand, it seems like the people in charge of Western companies like Take-Two are more focused on short-term gains and their own personal profits. Of course, this won't stop me from buying GTA 6, but part of me does resent giving them my money.

I can't help but wonder what kind of impact a strong Xbox Games Showcase would have. Last year's event was generally well-received, but it didn't seem to change much in the grand scheme of things. However, this year they have some potentially huge announcements, like Call of Duty coming to Game Pass and new hardware. If they tease the next gen portable, even with just a single image, it could give Xbox the momentum they've been lacking. For once, they might even be ahead of PlayStation.

But what concerns me is the lack of news on Fable. The game has been in development for what feels like forever, and all we've seen is one trailer and no gameplay or release window. It's hard to tell if it'll be another Starfield-style disappointment or a true epic like Zelda. The silence is definitely worrying.

Moving on to a different topic, I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on XDefiant. Personally, I went into it with low expectations, but after a few games, I found myself really enjoying it. The skill levels are varied, the levels are cool, the loading and frame rates are smooth, the gunplay is good, and the classes are interesting. Plus, it's free! I haven't invested in any battle pass or skins yet, but if something catches my eye, I might consider it in the future.

Lastly, a friend asked me for recommendations on arcade or simulation racers on PlayStation 4. Off the top of my head, I suggested Horizon Chase Turbo 1 and 2, Art of Rally, and Onrush. I just remembered that Wreckfest is also a great game to add to the list. I got Onrush on sale through the digital store, but I recently found out that it's been delisted. However, you can still get it on disc for under ten pounds. If anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to email us and we can pass them along to my friend.

And finally, I can't help but marvel at how FromSoftware continues to excel in game design and DLC content. The upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree expansion looks absolutely stunning. It's shaping up to be the best release this month, and it's mind-blowing that it will be 40 hours long. That's twice the length of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and even longer than Sekiro and Resident Evil 3 combined. With over 10 bosses and 100 weapons, it's worth every penny of the £26 price tag. Although, I have to admit that I'm not sure if I'll have what it takes to beat it, as I'm still struggling with the first boss. But even if I don't make it, I'm still grateful for the incredible gaming experience that FromSoftware consistently delivers.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is being hailed as the best exclusive game on the PlayStation 5. In a recent letter to the editor, a reader compares Nintendo to EA and Capcom and expresses concerns about the Fable reboot.

Personally, I am taking a positive approach to the recent State of Play event and am excited about the new Astro Bot game. While it may not make up for the other lackluster announcements, it is rare to get multiple classic games in one year. In fact, I would argue that this year alone has already given us two potential contenders for the best PlayStation 5 exclusive ever: Helldivers 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

This leads me to question, what is truly the best PlayStation 5 exclusive now? As the console enters its fourth year and sales begin to slow down, I would say the other top contenders are Returnal, Demon's Souls, and Spider-Man 2. While Horizon Forbidden West and God Of War Ragnarök are also great, I don't think they quite reach the same level as the others.

Personally, I am leaning towards Returnal but I may be biased due to its recent release. Regardless, I believe Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth may be the ultimate winner. Its production value and next-gen feel are unparalleled, despite some criticism of its length. I am curious to hear others' opinions on this matter.

It's interesting to think about the differences between Western and Japanese game companies. I often wonder what the executives of Western publishers think when they see Nintendo hiring 400 new employees or Capcom giving everyone a 30% pay raise. It must seem crazy to them. Despite this, most Japanese companies are doing well and have not had to lay off employees, unlike their Western counterparts.

Nintendo and Capcom have very little in common with companies like EA and Take-Two. It's a common belief that Japanese companies focus on the long-term while Western companies are more concerned with immediate profits. This is especially evident in Nintendo's business strategy. They plan for the long-term and it has clearly paid off. On the other hand, I get the feeling that the people in charge of Take-Two and similar companies are only interested in increasing their own personal wealth. While I may still buy GTA 6, a part of me resents giving them my money.

I can't help but wonder what impact a successful Xbox Games Showcase would have. Last year's event was generally well-received but it didn't seem to change much, especially after Starfield was announced. This year, however, they have potential big announcements such as Call Of Duty on Game Pass and new hardware. If they were to tease a next-gen portable, it could be the momentum that Xbox desperately needs. For once, it could put Microsoft ahead of Sony, and if it does well, it would be PlayStation that has to catch up.

However, I am concerned that there has been no mention of Fable at the event. The game has been in development for what feels like forever and we've only seen one orchestrated trailer with no real gameplay or release date. We have no way of knowing if it will be a major disappointment like Starfield or an epic game like Zelda. The lack of news is certainly worrying.

I am interested to hear what others think about XDefiant. I initially had low expectations but after sticking with it, I am really enjoying the game. The skill levels are varied, there are cool levels, smooth loading and frame rates, and good gunplay. Plus, it's free to play! While I haven't invested in any battle pass or skins, I may consider it in the future if something catches my eye.

As for racing games on PlayStation 4, I would recommend Horizon Chase Turbo 1 and 2, Art Of Rally, Onrush, and Wreckfest. Unfortunately, Onrush has been delisted from the PSN Store but you can still find it on disc for a reasonable price.

I am constantly amazed by FromSoftware's ability to excel in game design and create incredible DLC content. The upcoming Shadow Of The Erdtree expansion for Elden Ring looks like it will be the best thing releasing this month. It is mind-blowing that it will be 40 hours long, twice the length of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and longer than Sekiro and Resident Evil 3 combined. With over 10 bosses and 100 weapons, it is well worth the £26 price tag. While I haven't made much progress in Elden Ring yet, I am excited to experience the full game and eventually tackle the Shadow Of The Erdtree expansion.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]

 0
 0