March 29th 2024.
Do you think it would be best for Sony to just stick with one model? This was the question raised on the Friday letters page as readers pondered the future of GAME stores on the high street. Among the discussions, one reader shared their enjoyment of Vanillaware's Unicorn Overlord. If you want to join in on the conversations, feel free to email us at the provided email address.
But with all the news and commentary coming out of GDC about the PS5 Pro and Xbox, it's hard not to feel discouraged. As someone who only owns a PlayStation 5, I couldn't care less about what Microsoft does. But I can tell you that I have no intention of buying a PS5 Pro, no matter the price. It's not just about the cost, but also the fact that its mere existence will influence developers to create games with it in mind. Soon enough, we'll have games that don't run properly on a "standard" PlayStation 5. We've seen this happen with the PS4 Pro, and it's likely to happen again with the PS5 Pro, even though its benefits are said to be minimal.
In my opinion, Sony should do the sensible thing and scrap the PS5 Pro altogether. They should have done the same with the PlayStation VR2, which they let die on the vine. But they probably won't, and they shouldn't be surprised when they face backlash and lose the trust and respect they once had.
Moving on to other topics, I couldn't help but notice the lack of creativity in the upcoming Marvel Rivals game. While it seems like a competently made video game, it's clear that it was only greenlit because someone said, "Make a Marvel version of Overwatch, no questions asked." If this were a Mega Drive game, it would probably be a generic 2D platformer, similar to a dozen others released at the same time. While licensed games have improved in terms of quality, it's disappointing to see that some things haven't changed.
But at least it's not a clone of Suicide Squad, right? Although, it seems like Spider-Man will always be the only good superhero game.
I have to admit, I don't see a problem with the microtransactions in Dragon's Dogma 2. EA has been doing this since the Xbox 360 era, and the world didn't end then. While I don't particularly like it, it's ultimately just a way for people to progress more quickly by spending money. If that's what it takes for Capcom to afford making the game, then I'm willing to put up with it. Plus, it might even mean more high-level pawns for me to use, so it's not all bad.
Speaking of long waits, how is it possible that we still haven't even gotten a hint about Mass Effect 5? I know Andromeda was a disappointment, but was that a reason to give up on the entire franchise? Mass Effect 2 is still one of the best games I've ever played, and I would love to see what the trilogy could achieve in the new generation. Even the remastered trilogy was more enjoyable than many new games. I hope EA doesn't cancel the new game before it's finished, but unfortunately, I have little faith in their track record. The only positive is that they own the franchise and have expressed interest in focusing on it.
Moving away from games, it's sad to see that GameStop in the US is struggling financially. It makes me wonder how long it will be until the same happens to GAME. While I can't say I have any affection for the store, it would be a shame to see video games disappear from the high street. The blame can't be placed on anyone in particular, except for the millions of gamers who preferred digital purchases over physical copies. The truth is, visiting a GAME store is not an enjoyable experience. They often look run-down, and there are always suspicious people hanging around. I'm sure GameStop is the same in the US, so we're not missing out on much. But it does mean more job losses and one less option for buying games.
On a more positive note, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a fantastic game. In fact, I have a hard time imagining it won't be my game of the year. Of course, that's partly due to the lack of other major releases this year. But regardless, it's an exceptional game that surpassed my expectations. Square Enix has truly outdone themselves, especially considering their recent track record. The game's variety and sense of humor are what sets it apart from the rest. I enjoyed it more than Final Fantasy 16, which I struggled to finish. It's a shame that the game isn't selling as well as it should, but it's not entirely surprising. Playing Final Fantasy 7 today is a different experience than it was back when it first released. The graphics are outdated, and the dialogue is poorly translated. Plus, for newer or casual gamers, it's a title they've only heard of, rather than experienced themselves. It's not like Resident Evil 4, a game that most people have played in some form. This may be a contributing factor to the remake's lackluster sales. But that doesn't diminish its quality in any way.
In conclusion, it's clear that the gaming industry is constantly evolving, and not always for the better. But as long as there are passionate gamers who continue to support and share their opinions, there's hope for a brighter future. So keep emailing us your thoughts at the provided address, and let's continue these discussions.
Have you ever wondered if Sony should just stick to one model? The recent letters page on Friday had an interesting discussion about the fate of GAME stores on the high street. Meanwhile, one reader shared their excitement for Vanillaware’s Unicorn Overlord. If you want to share your thoughts on these topics, feel free to email us at the provided address.
But let’s shift our focus to the recent news and commentary surrounding the PS5 Pro and Xbox at the GDC. As a PlayStation 5 owner, I couldn’t help but feel discouraged by the talk of a PS5 Pro in the works. Sure, I may not have an Xbox Series X/S, but as a gamer, I can’t help but feel uneasy about the potential consequences of a new model. And to be honest, I have no intention of purchasing a PS5 Pro, no matter the price.
You would think that would be the end of it, but unfortunately, the existence of a new model will inevitably lead to developers creating games with it in mind. And before we know it, we’ll be faced with games that don’t run properly on the “standard” PlayStation 5. We’ve seen this happen before with the PS4 Pro, and it’s likely to happen again with the PS5 Pro, despite its minor improvements. In my opinion, Sony should just scrap the idea altogether. They should have done the same with the PlayStation VR2, which they ended up abandoning anyway. It’s decisions like these that make it hard to trust and respect the company as much as we used to.
Moving on to other news, the Marvel Rivals game looks decent, but it’s hard to ignore the lack of originality in its use of the license. It’s as if someone in a suit said, “Make a Marvel version of Overwatch, no questions asked.” And while I’m sure it will do well, it’s disappointing to see such a lack of creativity. It’s a reminder that licensed games have come a long way in terms of quality, but in some ways, things haven’t changed much.
Speaking of disappointing decisions, I can’t help but feel indifferent towards the microtransactions in Dragon’s Dogma 2. Sure, I don’t like them, but at the end of the day, it’s just a way for people to progress in the game more quickly. And if that means Capcom can afford to make the game in the first place, then I can tolerate it. Plus, it might even mean more high-level pawns for me to use, so it’s not all bad.
On a different note, it’s surprising to see how far away we are from even getting a hint about Mass Effect 5. I understand that Andromeda was not well-received, but does that mean we have to give up on the franchise altogether? I, like many others, still consider Mass Effect 2 to be one of the best games ever made. And I can only imagine the potential of the new generation for the series. However, with EA at the helm, I can’t help but worry that the game may never see the light of day. The only thing keeping my hopes up is the fact that EA owns the franchise, and they have expressed interest in focusing on it.
Moving away from gaming news, I can’t help but wonder how long it will be until GameStop’s financial troubles trickle down to GAME. I may not have any personal attachment to the store, but it would be a shame to see video games disappear from the high street. And while this issue may not be anyone’s fault in particular, it’s hard to ignore the fact that many gamers chose convenience over the experience of physically owning a game.
I must admit, visiting a GAME store is not a pleasant experience. They often look unkempt, and there are always sketchy individuals hanging around. I’m sure GameStop is no different in the US, so it’s not like we’re missing out on much. But the closure of these stores means job losses and one less option for purchasing games.
On a more positive note, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a fantastic game and is currently my top contender for game of the year. Of course, it helps that there aren’t many other big releases coming out this year. But regardless, Square Enix has truly outdone themselves with this remake. The variety and humor in the game make it stand out, and I enjoyed it more than Final Fantasy 16, which I struggled to finish. It’s a shame to see that it hasn’t sold as well as it could have, but it’s not entirely surprising.
After all, playing Final Fantasy 7 today may not be a pleasant experience for someone who has never played it before. The graphics may look outdated, and the translated dialogue may not be up to par. And unlike a game like Resident Evil 4, which many people have played before, Final Fantasy 7 is not a household name for younger or casual gamers. This, coupled with the fact that the remake is split into multiple parts, may make it less appealing to potential buyers. But regardless, it’s still an incredible game that deserves recognition.
In conclusion, while there have been some exciting developments in the gaming world, there have also been some questionable decisions. From the potential release of a new console model to the closure of physical game stores, it’s clear that the industry is constantly evolving. And while not every decision may be in the best interest of gamers, we can always hope for the best and continue to enjoy the games that we love.
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