Is Cyberpunk 2077 better than The Witcher 3? This is the question that has sparked a heated debate among gamers. The Wednesday letters page featured passionate arguments, with some arguing that digital games are cheaper than physical copies.
Readers also praised Count Binface's stance on Shenmue 4. Games Inbox, a collection of our readers' letters, comments, and opinions, has been buzzing with discussions about this topic. Many have been eagerly anticipating a new Witcher game, but it seems like it will be a slow crawl towards its release.
Some were hoping for a new DLC this year, but it looks like it won't be until 2027. And even then, we may have to wait until 2029 for The Witcher 4. But as frustrating as the wait may be, it's clear that the developers are taking their time to ensure the game is of the highest quality.
After the success of Cyberpunk 2077, they have the luxury of not rushing their next project. Personally, I never got into Cyberpunk as much as I did with The Witcher. I prefer fantasy over sci-fi, so it was difficult for me to compare the two.
I'm curious to hear what other readers think, but in my opinion, The Witcher 3 has a better story and characters. In Cyberpunk, everyone seemed to be awful, and I had a hard time connecting with them. The combat may not have been great in The Witcher, but I don't think it's much better in Cyberpunk, even with its first-person perspective.
Maybe the new DLC for The Witcher 3 will finally settle the debate. In other news, a reader shared their experience playing the Mega Drive version of Sonic 2 on their Nintendo Switch. They compared it to Super Mario World on the SNES and found that while the game may have been a hit back in the day, it lacks the depth and longevity of Super Mario World.
Still, they both stand as excellent games that have aged well. Another reader brought up the crazy world of Counter-Strike's skin economy. It's mind-boggling to think that there are businesses thriving solely on people trading skins.
Counter-Strike truly is a unicorn in the gaming world, with a market cap in the billions and numerous marketplaces for players to trade. It's like the Pokémon of in-game skin collecting. Moving on to another game, Splatoon Raiders, there is a noticeable divide between US and UK reviewers.
While IGN gave it a 9, The Guardian's review was as low as 2 out of 5. One reader who hasn't played the game yet finds it hard to believe that it can receive such a high score if it's just the same old stuff we've seen before. They also express concern about the direction of the franchise, with Splatoon 3 already feeling like a letdown and the prospect of a seven-year gap until Splatoon 4.
In the midst of all this gaming discussion, a Valve developer's recent comment about digital games stirred up some controversy. While some may agree with their statement about it being too late to complain now, others argue that we have sleepwalked into this future without realizing it. Physical copies have become a thing of the past, and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
But amidst all these debates and discussions, there is one positive note. England's finest MP-to-be has joined the campaign for Shenmue 4, even if it's just a cameo. This shows the dedication and creativity of Shenmue fans, who have continued to advocate for the series even after years of waiting.
It's a reminder that sometimes, our persistence pays off. People may laugh at Count Binface’s attempt at making his own game, but I think that he would make a great addition to the next Shenmue game. After all, he has more of a chance of getting on the ballot papers than most people do of winning a prize in the capsule toy machines in Shenmue 3!
I do agree with the point about physical versus digital games, though. While I have no issue with digital games – I have a lot of them – I do love physical games, especially collector’s editions. In fact, I would say that a lot of people buy collector’s editions for the physical items, not the digital ones.
I know that is the case for me. Digital games should be cheaper than physical games, but they are not. I am sure that the manufacturers have been saying that the price of the game is the same, but that is not true.
A physical copy has to pay for the disc, the case, the artwork, the instruction manual, the delivery, the storage, the shop… Yes, you can buy digital games cheaper online, but that is because they do not have to pay for any of those things, apart from storage, obviously. I do not know why people are surprised that the price of digital games is going up. In fact, I am surprised that it has taken so long.
The manufacturers are on a good wicket with digital games. They do not have to pay for anything and they can charge what they like. I am sure that this is the real reason that they want to get rid of physical games.
There has been a lot of debate lately about the future of gaming, and the recent release of Cyberpunk 2077 has only added fuel to the fire. Many are wondering if this new sci-fi game can live up to the standards set by the beloved fantasy game, The Witcher 3. As a fan of both genres, I've been eagerly awaiting news of a new Witcher game.
Unfortunately, it seems like we still have a few years to go until we can get our hands on The Witcher 4. But with the success of Cyberpunk 2077, it's clear that CD Projekt Red can afford to take their time and deliver a quality game. Personally, I found Cyberpunk to be a bit lacking in comparison to The Witcher 3, but I know others who prefer the sci-fi genre and absolutely love it.
Speaking of old favorites, I recently revisited Sonic 2 on my Nintendo Switch and couldn't help but compare it to Super Mario World. While Sonic may have been the cool, trendy choice for many gamers back in the day, it's clear that Super Mario World has stood the test of time with its depth and playability. But perhaps the craziest thing in gaming right now is the economy surrounding Counter-Strike skins.
I had no idea that there were businesses thriving solely off of skin trading, and the sheer number of marketplaces dedicated to it is mind-boggling. It just goes to show the unique and dedicated following that Counter-Strike has. Switching gears, I was disappointed to see the divide between US and UK reviewers over the new Splatoon Raiders game.
As someone who hasn't played it yet, I can't really comment on its quality, but it's clear that opinions are mixed. To me, it seems like a missed opportunity to not include a story or any new ideas, especially after the success and originality of the first Splatoon game. But on the topic of missed opportunities, I have to agree with that Valve developer who recently spoke out about the shift towards digital games.
While I personally prefer physical copies, it's clear that most gamers have already made the switch to digital. It's a shame that we've lost the experience of browsing physical games in stores and the ability to resell them, but ultimately it was our own choices that led to this. Finally, I have to give a shoutout to Count Binface for his demand for a Shenmue 4.
Whether it's just a cameo or a full game, I'm all for it. And his point about the price of digital games being the same as physical games is spot on. While digital games should technically be cheaper due to not having to cover the cost of materials and delivery, it seems like manufacturers are taking advantage of their control over the market.
It's a shame, but it's the reality of the gaming world today.