September 27th 2024.
Is Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night the greatest game to ever grace the PlayStation 1? That's the question that has been buzzing around my head lately. With all the recent talk of expensive consoles and the revival of big-budget Sony games, my thoughts have been drawn back to the good old days. Perhaps it's because Astro Bot, a game reminiscent of classic PS1 titles, has been capturing my attention. Or maybe it's because beloved games from my youth like Dino Crisis and Legacy Of Kain are making a comeback through PS Plus. Whatever the reason, I can't help but wonder how these games have aged. Are they still as enjoyable as they were back then?
So I turn to you, fellow gamers: what do you think is the best PS1 game to play in this day and age? It's definitely not Ape Escape, as much as I loved it in Astro Bot. The camera and controls were a constant struggle, even in its heyday. And let's not forget about Metal Gear Solid and its notoriously finicky control scheme, or the poorly translated mess that is Final Fantasy 7. It's clear that not all PS1 games have stood the test of time.
But there are some that have managed to remain timeless, despite the limitations of the technology. Games like Tekken and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, with their simple yet addictive gameplay, are still just as fun to play now as they were back then. And then there are the 2D classics like Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night and Final Fantasy Tactics, which have proven to be enduring favorites among gamers.
Moving on to other gaming news, I found it interesting that Nintendo's new museum is what caught everyone's attention, rather than any updates on the upcoming Switch 2. But I have to say, I agree with Miyamoto-san's recent statements about AI. It's reassuring to hear that Nintendo has no interest in getting caught up in the race for the most advanced technology. We've seen where that has led the competition: exorbitant costs for games and consoles that boast features that are barely visible to the human eye.
I'm not saying that PlayStation and Xbox shouldn't strive for better graphics, but they need to show some restraint. And Nintendo has done just that with the Switch, which could have been just as powerful as the PlayStation 4 if they had raised the price to an unreasonable level. But they chose not to, and for that, I am grateful.
On a different note, I couldn't help but get excited about the possibility of a new wireless, wearable device from Nintendo. Could this be a modern version of StreetPass, the simple yet addictive feature that allowed us to interact with other players and their Miis? The thought of picking up virtual friends as I went about my day brought back fond memories. And who knows, maybe this new device will incorporate AR technology for even more immersive gameplay. Whatever it may be, I'm sure it will be something delightfully weird - in a good way.
Shifting gears to the world of science fiction, I have to admit that I've never been one to get hyped for a game before it's been reviewed. But I'm making an exception for Exodus, which not only boasts a team of developers who worked on Mass Effect and Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, but also features the voice talents of Matthew McConaughey. And as a fan of the genre, I am thrilled that they have brought in best-selling author Peter F. Hamilton as a creative consultant and writer for the game's universe. His latest novel, The Archimedes Engine, has already captured my attention with its intriguing plot and rich world-building. This only solidifies my belief that Exodus will be a game worth playing.
Switching gears once again, I just have to say that I am baffled by the recent frenzy over the PS5 Pro 30th anniversary edition. Sure, it's nice to have a special edition console, but paying thousands of dollars for a grey paint job? That's just madness. And even before the scalpers got involved, the price tag of £960 was outrageous. I mean, you could buy 14 full-priced games for that amount! As much as I love Sony, I can guarantee they don't love their fans enough to justify such an exorbitant price.
But let's not dwell on the negative. I recently picked up Frostpunk, a game I had never heard of until I read about its sequel in a GC review. And I have to say, I am completely hooked. It's not the type of game I usually play, but taking a chance on something different has paid off once again. I've been completely immersed in my quest to keep the people in my town warm and survive in this dystopian world. It's a refreshing change of pace while we wait for the bigger console companies to get their acts together.
In conclusion, I think we could all benefit from trying something new and different in our gaming habits. You never know what hidden gems you might discover. And who knows, maybe it'll help us pass the time until Sony and Microsoft sort themselves out. As always, I am eager to hear your thoughts and opinions on all things gaming. So email me at [insert email address here] and let's keep the conversation going.
Is Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night the greatest game on the PlayStation 1? This has been a hot topic recently, with discussions popping up all over the place. On the Friday letters page, one reader expressed their relief that Nintendo isn't diving into the world of artificial intelligence. Another reader hopes for the return of StreetPass on the rumored Switch 2. If you want to join in on these discussions, email us at the email address provided.
All this talk about expensive consoles and the return of big budget Sony games has got me reminiscing about the old days. Maybe it's because Astro Bot, a game that brings back memories of classic PS1 titles, has been on my mind. Or maybe it's because Dino Crisis and Legacy Of Kain, two of my all-time favorites, are making a comeback through PS Plus. However, I have a feeling that these games may not have aged well. So, I pose a question to you: Which PS1 game stands the test of time?
As much as I loved Ape Escape in Astro Bot, the camera and controls were less than stellar even back in the day. And let's not forget Metal Gear Solid, which was notorious for its finicky controls. And don't even get me started on the terrible translation in Final Fantasy 7. So, what holds up now? Perhaps the best choices are simple action games that don't rely on fancy graphics, like Tekken or Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Resident Evil 2 is also a great game, but the tank controls are very much a product of its time. Ironically, it may be the 2D games like Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night and Final Fantasy Tactics that have stood the test of time the best.
Moving on to Nintendo, it's interesting to see that their new museum is what's got them talking, rather than any news about the rumored Switch 2. I have to commend Miyamoto-san for his statements this week. I'm relieved to see that Nintendo is taking a clear stance on AI, as going all-in on it would be a risky move. Even Xbox hasn't fully embraced it yet, although I fear it's only a matter of time. I wholeheartedly agree with Miyamoto-san's thoughts on not getting caught up in the console wars and focusing on delivering a unique experience.
Now, I'm curious about this mysterious wireless, possibly wearable, device that Nintendo is working on. The time limit on its release makes me think it's something that will be available sooner rather than later. Could it possibly be a return of something like StreetPass? I have fond memories of collecting Miis wherever I went, and I can't help but wonder if this new device will offer a similar experience. While the Switch is capable of wireless interactions, perhaps this new gadget will bring something more intriguing, like augmented reality. Whatever it may be, I have a feeling it will be something we can't even imagine yet.
On a different note, I'm not one to get hyped for games before they've been reviewed. However, I'm making an exception for the upcoming Exodus game. Not only does it boast a development team with experience on Mass Effect and Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, but it also features the voice talents of Matthew McConaughey. And to top it off, bestselling author Peter F. Hamilton is lending his sci-fi writing skills to the project, with two novels set in the game's universe. I'm currently reading the first one, The Archimedes Engine, and it's up to Hamilton's usual high standards with its intricate plot and world-building. This gives me hope that the game's universe will be just as captivating, and hopefully, we'll get a better ending than the Mass Effect series.
Speaking of spending money, I can't believe the frenzy over the PS5 Pro 30th anniversary edition. Sure, I understand wanting to celebrate a brand's milestone, but shelling out £8,000 for a console painted grey? And even before the scalpers got involved, it was still priced at a whopping £960. That's enough money to buy 14 full-priced games or more. It's mind-boggling to me that someone would spend that much on a console to show their love for a corporate brand. Trust me, Sony doesn't love you as much as you love them.
In these uncertain times, it's nice to find joy in unexpected places. For me, that's been playing Frostpunk. I had never even heard of the game until reading a review of its sequel on here, but I took a chance and bought the original on sale for a mere £2. And let me tell you, it's been worth every penny. I'm completely engrossed in keeping the people in my town warm and strategizing my next move. This isn't typically the type of game I would play, but taking a chance on something different, like Crusader Kings 3, has paid off before. So, perhaps we could all benefit from trying something new while we wait for the big players in the gaming industry to sort themselves out.
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