April 3rd 2024.
Farewell to Handhelds
As we bid adieu to the 3DS, I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness knowing that it will be the last dedicated handheld from Nintendo. While I understand the company's decision to focus on the Switch, I personally can't help but feel a sense of loss. Handheld games were created with a different approach than console games, and they offered a unique experience that can no longer be replicated. Games like Fire Emblem, Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, and Professor Layton wouldn't have existed without the 3DS. It may not have as many classics as its predecessor, but it still holds a special place in my heart and I will miss the concept of a console that fits in the palm of my hand.
Before Its Time
I can't help but roll my eyes at the news of Xbox's plan to use more AI in their customer support. As someone who has struggled to get ahold of a real person for assistance, the thought of relying even more on AI is disheartening. While I do believe that AI has its potential and will likely improve in the future, it is not yet ready to handle complex tasks. Games companies have a habit of introducing new technology before it's fully developed, and it often leads to disappointment and frustration. Sometimes it's better to wait until something is properly functioning before implementing it.
Bad Omens
I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I have serious doubts about the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake. The dialogue snippets from the age rating listing are cringe-worthy, and I struggle to imagine the game being any good. The combat trailer doesn't inspire much confidence either, and the lack of gameplay footage is a major red flag. With the game possibly being released in the next month or two, it's concerning that we haven't seen more of it. And with the track record of previous Silent Hill projects, I can't help but have low expectations.
Show and Tell
I recently finished playing Princess Peach: Showtime! and wanted to give it a shout out. After completing the challenging Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown, I was looking for a more laid-back game and Showtime delivered just that. It may not be very challenging, but finding all the stars in each level proved to be a fun task. The bosses were a highlight for me, as they offered a bit more of a challenge and were enjoyable to defeat. And the music was also a standout aspect of the game. Overall, I had a great time playing Showtime and would recommend it as a breezy and visually appealing game, especially for kids.
Conditional Help
I'm not holding my breath for guaranteed 60fps on the PS5 Pro, as the bottleneck will most likely be the CPU rather than the GPU. Digital Foundry has already mentioned the issue of a base game on the PS5 struggling to maintain 60fps and likely being limited to 30fps due to the CPU bottleneck. And with the Pro version only having a 10% increase in CPU clocks, it may not make much of a difference. However, in games where the GPU is the bottleneck, a Pro version could potentially improve performance.
Coming Soon
Despite the current state of the world, I'm excited for some upcoming releases in both the gaming and non-gaming world. Vassal State, a book that explores how Britain has become heavily influenced by corporate America, is set to release on the 11th and I'm planning to pick it up from WHSmith. The Stellar Blade demo was also quite enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to its release despite the controversy surrounding it. The Fallout TV show is another highly anticipated release for me, and I'm glad that they will be dropping all episodes at once. And let's not forget about Harold Halibut, an indie game that has caught my eye and is set to release on the 16th. Lastly, I'm thrilled to hear that Balatro has sold over a million copies and that Hollow Knight: Silksong has a wishlist page on the Xbox and PSN store. Maybe we'll finally get to play it soon.
As I perused the Tuesday letters page, I came across an interesting idea proposed by a reader. They suggested a collaboration between Nintendo and Rockstar, while also expressing their delight at the success of Dragon's Dogma 2. I couldn't help but feel intrigued by this idea. If you have any thoughts on this, feel free to email us at the provided address and join in on the discussion.
On a more somber note, I was saddened to learn that the 3DS will be going offline for good next week. It's likely the last dedicated handheld console from Nintendo, and while I understand the business decision to focus on the Switch, I can't help but feel a tinge of regret. Handheld games were crafted differently from their console counterparts, and their absence leaves a void. Games like Fire Emblem, Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Professor Layton, Ace Attorney, Theatrhythm, BoxBoy, Pushmo, and 2D Kirby games wouldn't have existed without the handheld platform. While the 3DS may not have as many classics as the DS, it's still a fantastic console with a plethora of unique games. I will not only miss the console itself, but also the concept of a handheld gaming experience.
Moving on to another topic, I couldn't help but chuckle at the news of Xbox's latest move. Their customer support has always been notoriously bad, with many complaints about the difficulty of reaching a real person. And now, their solution is to incorporate even more AI? I can already imagine being denied a refund by a robot or being told my subscription has expired when it hasn't. While I do believe AI has potential, it's not quite ready yet. Games companies always seem to introduce new technology before it's fully developed, resulting in sour opinions even when it eventually works properly in the future. Perhaps it's not being a luddite to suggest waiting until things are properly functioning.
Speaking of skepticism, I can't help but have reservations about the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake. The bits of dialogue from the age rating listing are cringe-worthy, and the combat trailer doesn't inspire much confidence either. It's concerning that we've seen so little of the game, despite multiple age rating listings suggesting it will be released in the next month or two. And why the shadow drop? With all the different Silent Hill projects in the works, it's disheartening that we have yet to see a successful one.
On a lighter note, I recently finished playing Princess Peach: Showtime! over the weekend and wanted to give it a shout out. After completing the challenging Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, I was in the mood for a more relaxed game. Showtime delivered just that. While it may not offer much of a challenge, I did find it tricky to collect all the stars in each level, except for the opening floors. I was intrigued to learn that this game was developed by the same team behind the recent Yoshi games, which I enjoyed more than most. While I may have had higher expectations, I still had a fun time playing Showtime. The bosses were a standout, offering some challenge, and the music was fantastic. Overall, it's a great game for those looking for a breezy and visually appealing experience, although the cake decorating levels can be frustrating.
Moving on to gaming news, I'm excited for some upcoming releases amidst the chaos of the world. I have my eye on Vassal State by Angus Hanton, a book about how Britain sold itself to corporate America, set to be released on the 11th. Instead of ordering from Amazon, I plan on purchasing it from WHSmith, but then wondered who actually owns WHSmith. In terms of games, I had a blast playing the Stellar Blade demo and will consider purchasing it if it receives positive reviews. The Fallout TV show is also set to premiere on Amazon Prime, coinciding with the release of the aforementioned book. I have high hopes for the show, especially since all episodes will be available at once. Harold Halibut, an indie game I've been following, is also set to release on the 16th. And exciting news for fans of Balatro, the game has sold over a million copies! Additionally, Hollow Knight: Silksong has a wishlist page on Xbox and PSN stores, giving hope for its release in the near future. There's certainly a lot to look forward to amidst the chaos, and I can't wait to see what else is in store.
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