July 8th 2024.
Maybe we will never reach the level of the PS9, but that doesn't mean we can't dream. In a recent Monday letters page, one reader expressed frustration at the 9/10 rating given to Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree, while also asking about the impact of games like Tomba. If you want to join in on the discussion, you can email us at email.
Speaking of games, I've had my PlayStation 5 for almost three years now and the only exclusives I've played are Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and the Astro Bot game. Other games just haven't caught my interest. Well, except for the PlayStation VR2 titles. But I can't be the only one, right? The PlayStation 4 seems like the sweet spot for games, with a good balance of quality and variety. Personally, I don't see a reason to buy a PlayStation 5 and I probably won't be interested in a PlayStation 6 either. Based on my own experience, I have a feeling that the next generation of consoles might not be as successful as the current one.
But perhaps we've reached a tipping point. Many others seem to share my thoughts.
But let's keep things positive. I agree with the former Skyrim developer who believes that modern open-world games, and games in general, are becoming too formulaic and lacking in artistic control. With so many people working on a game, it's easy for that sense of creativity to get lost. This is where Japanese developers excel, with smaller teams and a more hands-on approach. Sure, their graphics might not be top-notch, but the end result is often more fulfilling.
But let's not forget about the smaller indie teams. While they may not be able to create a massive open-world game, they can still produce impressive results. Just take a look at No Man's Sky, created by a small group of people and still managing to be successful.
Speaking of hidden gems, I'm excited for the recently-announced Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for the Switch. It's interesting to note that it was already released in HD for the Nvidia Shield in 2019, but only in China. Are there any other secret Nintendo ports that we don't know about? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
And let's not forget about the Wii U. I agree with reader James that the next Nintendo console doesn't necessarily need a huge power boost. Nintendo's games are known for their unique art style, and they don't need photorealistic graphics to be successful. Instead, I believe their next move should be lightweight augmented specs, similar to the Wii U gamepad's second screen.
But enough about the future, let's focus on the present. This year may not have been the best for gaming, but next year will surely make up for it with the highly anticipated release of GTA 6. I have a feeling it will be out around October, with the next Call of Duty game following in December. It's going to be a big year for gaming, and I can't wait to see what it has in store.
And for fans of Beyond Good & Evil, the recently released remaster will soon be available for pre-order in physical form from Limited Run Games. And while we're on the topic of Limited Run Games, I'm considering picking up a physical copy of Tomba! Special Edition. I've never played the games before, but I've heard good things. Plus, it's a more affordable option than the original PlayStation versions, which are quite expensive nowadays.
So, while we may never reach the level of the PS9, we can still have fun dreaming and enjoying the current and upcoming games. And who knows, maybe the future will surprise us with even more amazing technology. But for now, let's just enjoy the journey. Don't forget to email us your thoughts at email.
Perhaps we'll never reach the point of having a PS9, but it's always fun to speculate about what the future of gaming may hold. Recently, there was some frustration expressed in the Monday letters page about the game Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree only receiving a score of 9/10. One reader even brought up the topic of the legacy of the game Tomba.
If you want to join in on these discussions, you can email us at email. However, there is a limit on how much we can predict or discuss about future games and consoles.
Speaking of consoles, I've had my PlayStation 5 for almost three years now and have only played two exclusives: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and the Astro Bot game. Other titles have not piqued my interest. I've also dabbled in some PlayStation VR2 games. I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way. The PlayStation 4 seems to have been the sweet spot for many gamers, with its variety of sophisticated games released at a steady pace. Personally, I see no reason to purchase a PlayStation 5 and I may not have the urge to buy a PlayStation 6 in the future. In my experience, the next generation may not be as successful as the previous one.
It's clear that we have reached a tipping point.
On a different note, I agree with the ex-Skyrim developer's opinion on modern open world games. It seems as though many games nowadays are made according to a checklist and with input from various committees, which can result in a lack of artistic control. This is especially true for Western developers, as Japanese developers like Nintendo and FromSoftware tend to have smaller teams. This can be seen in the credits for their games. Although the graphics may not be top-notch, there are many other positives to having smaller teams.
While it may not be possible to create a large open world game with a small indie team, we have seen the success of games like No Man's Sky, which was created by a small group of people. The end result is often a better and more profitable game. This is something to keep in mind for future game developments.
Moving on to some secret ports, I'm looking forward to the recently-announced Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for the Switch. Interestingly, this game was already released in HD with traditional controls for the Nvidia Shield back in 2019. Other Wii games that were released include Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy 1, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and Punch-Out!! Could we possibly see more ports in the future? Only time will tell.
Speaking of the future, I agree with reader James that the next iteration of the Switch should focus on more than just increased power. Nintendo games don't necessarily need photorealism, as they excel in artistic flair through professional animation and art abstraction. In the past, features like the screen pointer, twin screens, 3D, and colour-coded pronged controllers have worked well for Nintendo. However, I believe their next move should be towards lightweight augmented reality.
Full VR may not be accepted by the mass market, but some form of partial VR for tasks such as inventory or maps could be a great addition. Looking back, the second screen on the Wii U gamepad was underutilised. Perhaps a similar design could be implemented in the future.
Waiting for new Nintendo hardware is like waiting for a highly-anticipated film or book. We know it will be a product designed with skill, love, and 200% effort.
As for the rest of this year, I agree with Harvey that it has not been a bad year for games. However, this time next year, everyone will be anticipating the release of the highly-anticipated GTA 6. I predict that it will be released in October, followed by the next Call of Duty in December. This will give each game enough time to shine and not affect sales. Next year is shaping up to be a huge year for gaming, with GTA 6 leading the pack.
For fans of Beyond Good & Evil, like myself, the recently released remaster will be available to pre-order on physical this Friday from Limited Run Games. I'll be picking up the PlayStation 5 version, but it's also available on Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC in standard and collector's editions.
On a final note, I recently completed Beacon Pines on PC and it was an enjoyable experience. It's been a long time since I've played the original Tomba games, but I remember them being interesting for their non-linear gameplay. They may be worth checking out, especially since they are quite expensive on PS1. Just remember that when you order from Limited Run Games, you may have to wait for the game to be manufactured and sent to you after the pre-order window closes.
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