Is the increased power of the PS5 Pro worth the investment? The latest letters page is abuzz with questions about the quality of Code Violet, with one reader reflecting on the relatively short peak periods of popular games like Halo and Gears of War.
Our Games Inbox is a platform for our readers to share their thoughts, opinions, and comments. To join in on the discussions, simply send us an email at the provided address.
At the beginning of last year, I was planning to purchase a Switch 2, but I ended up having second thoughts. Part of my hesitation was due to the high cost of games, and also because I didn't see as much excitement surrounding the console as I had expected. As a result, I still have a significant amount of money saved for a new console, and I have yet to upgrade to a PlayStation 5.
While I could, and probably should, get the regular PS5, there's also the option of a PS5 Pro. Initially, I wasn't entirely clear on what sets it apart from the regular version, and even now, I don't feel like that question has been adequately answered. It seems to be marginally better in every aspect, but not significantly in any particular area.
The idea of having a consistent 60fps is appealing, but I'm interested to hear from readers who have purchased the PS5 Pro and whether or not they would recommend it. I would also love to hear from anyone who bought it and ended up regretting their decision.
In response to yesterday's reader's comment about Forza Horizon 6 being Xbox's biggest franchise, I have to agree. It's quite surprising, considering all the attention that was given to promoting Halo and Gears of War over the years. However, in the end, those games didn't have a lasting impact. They only held the top spot for less than a decade before quickly fading away.
I still remember when Halo was all the rage, but that only lasted for about eight years, from Halo 1 to 3. In my opinion, the series started losing momentum with titles like ODST and Reach, and it never quite recovered after Bungie left and we got Halo 4. Compared to other long-standing franchises like Zelda and Resident Evil, which are celebrating their 40th and 30th anniversaries this year, it's not much. While technically, Halo may also reach that milestone, I doubt it will ever regain its former glory, especially as its original fan base continues to age.
I'm one of those people who stopped playing Battlefield 6 after only a month. I was incredibly excited for its release, but I quickly moved on to Arc Raiders. I think people are finally starting to look for something new, and as great as Battlefield 6 is, it just doesn't offer that.
Personally, I don't think Call of Duty will ever fully recover from last year's installment. These games feel outdated now, and fans of online shooters are seeking more innovative options. Both franchises have been around for over two decades, and I don't see where else they can go from here. However, I would love to see a Battlefront 3, even though it's unlikely to happen.
Of course, other companies might misinterpret the success of Arc Raiders and assume that making extraction shooters is the way to go. But eventually, people will tire of that trend as well.
I'm starting to worry about Sega's plans to revamp their classic arcade and Mega Drive franchises. It's been years since we first heard about it, and all we've seen is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, which received positive reviews but didn't seem to sell well. While I would consider that a somewhat successful start, we haven't heard anything else from Sega since then.
There's a certain strategy to announcing a game well in advance of its release, but it only works if the developers have a clear idea of what the game will be. If they only had a vague concept in mind, as it seems with Sega, they should have waited longer before making any official announcements. If they did have a solid plan, then they're foolish for not sharing more details, because it seems like the entire project has been abandoned.
I couldn't agree more with the review of Code Violet. From the trailer, it doesn't look terrible, but as you pointed out, you can sense the lack of polish just from watching it. I have mixed feelings about the people who were able to create the game, but then again, they're charging almost full price for it, which seems absurd.
But at the same time, who are the people out there buying these games, at such a high cost, without reading reviews or even knowing what the game is about? I wish I had the financial freedom to make impulsive purchases like that and either enjoy the game for its flaws or laugh at how bad it is. But if people bought it and were genuinely surprised at how terrible it was, I can't say I have much sympathy for them.
I just finished reading GC's review of Code Violet, and I have to say, I'm shocked by the 1/10 score. I knew the game was bad, but I never imagined it would receive such a low score. When Quantum Error received mediocre reviews, I wondered why Sony would consider funding a game that turned out to be even worse.
I can't recall the last time I saw GC give a game such a low score. It's on the same level as titles like Big Rigs Racing, Superman 64, Ride to Hell: Retribution, and E.T. for Atari.
Is the PS5 Pro's extra power really worth it? This was the question posed by one of our readers on the Thursday letters page, as they expressed their confusion over how a game as terrible as Code Violet could even come into existence. Another reader chimed in, reflecting on the relatively short golden years of beloved gaming franchises like Halo and Gears of War.
Welcome to Games Inbox, where we feature a collection of our readers' thoughts, opinions, and comments. If you want to join the conversation, send us an email at the address provided. Now, let's dive into the latest gaming discussions!
At the beginning of last year, I was all set to purchase the highly anticipated Switch 2. However, I ultimately backed out due to the high game prices and lackluster buzz surrounding it. As a result, I still have a considerable amount of money set aside for a new console, and I haven't upgraded to the PlayStation 5 yet.
I could easily purchase one now, but I'm also considering the option of the PS5 Pro. When it was first released, I wasn't entirely clear on what it offered, and even now, that question hasn't been fully answered. It seems to be slightly better at everything, but not significantly in any particular aspect.
I do appreciate the idea of having 60fps as the standard, but I'm curious to hear from readers who would recommend it, especially those who bought it and didn't regret it. Do you think the extra cost is worth it?
As one of our readers pointed out, Forza Horizon 6 seems to be Xbox's biggest franchise now, which is quite surprising considering the years spent promoting Halo and Gears of War. But in the end, these beloved franchises didn't last as long as one might think. They were only at the top for about eight years, between Halo 1 and 3. By the time ODST and Reach were released, the series was already losing steam. And when Bungie left and we got 4, it was essentially the end.
It's interesting to see other franchises like Zelda and Resident Evil celebrating their 40th and 30th anniversaries this year, while Halo will technically reach that milestone as well. However, I doubt it will ever reach the same level of popularity it once had, especially as the fans who were around during its heyday get older.
I'm one of those players who stopped playing Battlefield 6. I was initially hyped for it, but after just a month, I moved on to Arc Raiders instead. I think many people are now looking for something new, and as good as Battlefield 6 is, it doesn't offer that. I don't see Call of Duty ever bouncing back from last year either. These franchises have been around for over two decades, and I don't think there's much more they can do to innovate. But I wouldn't mind a Battlefront 3, even though that's unlikely to happen.
Of course, other companies will see the success of Arc Raiders and think they should also make extraction shooters, until everyone gets tired of them as well.
I'm getting worried about Sega's plans to reboot their classic arcade and Mega Drive franchises. It's been years since we first heard about it, and all we've had so far is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, which received positive reviews but didn't seem to sell well. While this may have been a decent start, we haven't heard anything else from Sega since then.
There's a certain art to timing when announcing a game compared to when it will actually be released. Sometimes announcing a game well in advance can work, but only if it's mostly finalized. If Sega only had a vague idea of what they wanted to update, they should have waited a few years before making any announcements. If they did have a solid plan, they should have revealed more details, as the lack of information currently suggests that the entire project has been cancelled.
I really enjoyed the review of Code Violet, which, I must admit, didn't look that bad from the trailer. But as you rightly pointed out, the game's jankiness can be sensed just by looking at it. Part of me admires the developers for putting it together, but then I remember that they're charging a nearly full price for it, which seems absurd.
But then again, who is actually buying these games without reading reviews or knowing anything about them? I wish I had the money to waste on expensive impulse purchases or to laugh at the game's poor quality. However, if someone bought it and was surprised by how terrible it was, I don't have much sympathy.
I was taken aback by the 1/10 score given by GC's review of Code Violet. I knew the game was bad, but I never expected such a low rating. It's puzzling to see Sony bankrolling a game that is somehow even worse than Quantum Error, which received a lukewarm reception. I cannot recall the last time I saw GC give a game such a low score. It's on par with infamous disasters like Big Rigs Racing, Superman 64, and Ride To Hell: Retribution, and even E.T. for Atari.
Let's hope that Sega's classic franchises reboot doesn't end up like Code Violet. Until next time, happy gaming!
