May 22nd 2024.
Have you seen the latest trailer for Horizon Forbidden West? I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it - the graphics are absolutely stunning! It's hard to believe that a game made by only 80 people could have the best graphics of this generation. I mean, even Spider-Man 2, which was a strong contender, had over 3 times the amount of people working on it. Insomniac Games alone has 450 employees, and Ubisoft Montreal has over 4,000. I wonder how many people it takes to create their games - maybe we should count the credits to find out!
But even with such impressive visuals, I have to wonder if it's worth it if the game is too short or not very good. From what I've heard, it doesn't sound like my cup of tea. Unlike Spider-Man 2, it doesn't seem to have much interactivity, like destructible scenery or moving parts. Kudos to the team for their hard work, but it almost feels like a waste to create a game with such amazing graphics but not much else to offer. If it wasn't for Game Pass, I probably wouldn't even bother playing it.
Speaking of games without gameplay, let's talk about Hellblade 2. I know some people might enjoy the slow-paced, semi-interactive nature of the game, especially with its serious subject matter. But personally, I prefer a game with a solid gameplay loop, even when dealing with heavy themes. Just look at Returnal - it manages to have both a compelling story and engaging combat. With a running time of only five hours, it almost feels like Hellblade 2 would have been better off as a movie or TV series, especially with its impressive graphics.
I agree with the review's point about the development team's missed opportunity to incorporate more unique gameplay ideas. It's a shame, especially when you consider the potential of the talented team's skills.
Switching gears, let's talk about Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Now, that's a classic game. I can't wait for the remake, and I hope it does well. Maybe then we can finally convince Nintendo that they've been getting the franchise wrong for the past 20 years. Imagine a new Paper Mario game with proper role-playing elements and a weird, unique camera? It would be a dream come true. And based on the success of the Super Mario RPG remake, I don't see why Nintendo couldn't go all-in on the RPG elements for the next Paper Mario installment.
But on the topic of strange decisions, what's up with Nintendo buying that no-name developer? It's a head-scratcher for sure. I can't see why they would need ports or remasters, especially from a company that's not exactly known for their talent. Remember that awful Mortal Kombat 1 port? And now they want to own that company? Maybe they just felt sorry for them being owned by Embracer and thought, why not? But it doesn't really seem like something Nintendo would do.
I think the reason why other companies don't learn from Nintendo is that they have completely different mindsets. Nintendo is the strong, silent type - they just focus on their work and take their time to do it right. They don't cut corners or rush things. On the other hand, Microsoft can't stop bragging about how great they are and have no patience. Sony has learned a bit from Nintendo, especially when it comes to the importance of first-party games, but they still have their own issues. They want to prove they're better than Nintendo, so they often go off the rails with unique ideas like VR, only to realize it was a waste of time.
And speaking of Resident Evil, I have an idea for the 30th anniversary - a full reboot of the franchise. We're getting Resident Evil 9 soon, and there are rumors of a Resident Evil 1 remake. Those are pretty round numbers to end on, don't you think? Plus, I saw a rumor that Leon will be 48 in Resident Evil 9. That's a bit old for a special forces operative, don't you think? And his floppy hair is getting a bit ridiculous. So my idea is to remake Resident Evil 1 again, but this time, make it the first entry in a new reboot series. That way, everything can be planned out better and match up more cleanly. Then, they can create a new Resident Evil 2 that's completely different from the original. It could be like an alternate universe where Wesker gets the virus or the zombie outbreak is stopped. The possibilities are endless!
Have you seen the new Horizon Forbidden West trailer? People are saying it could have the best graphics we've ever seen. I'm not sure if it's true, but it's definitely impressive for a game made by only 80 people. It's crazy to think that even with a team of 450 people, Spider-Man 2 may not have the same level of graphics. I mean, Ubisoft Montreal has over 4,000 employees, so who knows how many people it takes to create their games? You could probably count them all in the credits if you wanted to.
But here's the thing, even if the graphics are amazing, what's the point if the game is super short and not very good? I mean, sure, it might be worth playing just to see the visuals, but it seems like a waste if there's not much else to it. Personally, I'd rather play a game like Spider-Man 2, which may not have the best graphics, but at least it's a full and engaging experience. Plus, it sounds like Hellblade 2 lacks interactivity, with no destructible scenery or moving parts. Kudos to the team for the impressive visuals, but it doesn't sound like much of a game.
Speaking of games without gameplay, let's talk about Hellblade. I know some people appreciate its slow pace and semi-interactive nature, especially since it deals with serious subject matter. But for me, I prefer a game with a solid gameplay loop, even if it's a serious game. Take Returnal, for example. It tackles themes of trauma, but it also has engaging combat and gameplay. It's possible to have both a serious story and fun gameplay. And with a short running time of only five hours, Hellblade may have been better off as a movie or TV series, especially with its impressive graphics.
Moving on to a different topic, I have to say I agree with the recent review of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. It's a classic game, and I've already pre-ordered the remake. But I hope it does well, because it's about time Nintendo realizes they've been getting the franchise wrong for the past 20 years. I would love to see a new Paper Mario on the Switch 2 with proper RPG elements and a unique art style. Why do all the characters have to look the same? And based on the success of the Super Mario RPG remake, I think it's safe to say that most Mario fans are open to more hardcore RPGs.
Now, let's talk about Nintendo's recent acquisition of Shiver Entertainment. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, isn't it? I mean, they're not exactly known for their quality and I'm not sure what Nintendo needs ports for. Unless they're planning to use them for remasters on the Switch 2? But even then, I'd rather have the original developers handle it. And let's not forget about that terrible Mortal Kombat 1 port. It seems like a strange move for Nintendo, who usually chooses their partnerships carefully.
I think the reason why Microsoft and other companies don't learn from Nintendo is because they have completely different mindsets. Nintendo is more reserved, focused on quality over speed, and doesn't boast about their accomplishments. But Microsoft is the opposite - always talking about how great they are and rushing to release things. And while Sony may have learned a thing or two, they still have a tendency to try and one-up Nintendo, which can lead to wasted efforts, like with VR.
Lastly, I have an idea for the 30th anniversary of Resident Evil. Instead of just remaking Resident Evil 1 again, why not reboot the whole franchise? We're getting Resident Evil 9 soon and there are rumors of another Resident Evil 1 remake. So why not start fresh and create a new, modern version of the first game? And then, each subsequent game in the reboot can be completely different and not just a remake. It could be like an alternate universe of events. I think it's a genius idea and would give the franchise a much-needed refresh.
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