Fiendish-Beaver

Gears is going back to its roots, and we couldn't be happier about it.

Not so sure about that, @Kezelpaso! Personally, I would have been a lot happier had they finished the current trilogy before moving on to an origins story, and leaving us hanging about what happens after Gears 5. I mean, what if they never return to it? Worse still, what if they decide to do so in 10 years time, and I'm dead by then (I'll be 72 in 10 years, so that is an entirely possible scenario)...! 😂

Out of curiosity, @FraserG, does releasing this game now on the Xbox, with all the changes therein, open it up to being considered for Game of the Year, or does that only count for when it is first released, regardless of the platform...?

I'm holding out for the Complete Package containing all 3 games, @Coletrain. I know I will have to wait a while, but I have a shocking memory and rather than play the game, then have to play it again just before the second game comes out, and then have to play them both yet again to refresh my memory in time for the third game, I'll play them all in one hit once the third game comes out. As an added bonus, that is also likely to be the cheapest way to get all 3 games (and if you were so minded, you could even wait until the Complete Package went on sale too...!)...

When I think of AAA games, @jesse_dylan, I do consider budget, but I actually think, for me, it relates to the size of the game in particular. In other words, a game that has a large map, with a lot to do, multiple side-quests, etc. I usually expect something to look decent too. That said, I also think of it in terms of production values, so even though a game like Doom: The Dark Ages does not have those side-quests, or a huge map, it does have high production value.

Personally, my go to is AAA games, with AA as my bare minimum. I don't ever play those smaller, cheaper, faster, uglier games, of which there are already far, far more being made than there are AAA games...

Glad you enjoyed it, @ILuvGames. It's worth going through it again on New Game Plus as well, if you haven't already. You can then up the difficulty to the highest level too, and whilst the thought of that end boss might seem a bit daunting on the hardest difficulty, I actually found that I beat him more easily the second time. You may not be more powerful when you face him for the second time, but, if like me, you died a lot to him the first time round, you will have your strategy down, which makes life easier. Fantastic game, has to be said...

That's kind of what I was getting at, @TheGameThrifter. I think Microsoft are basically done with this generation. They are moving on, and tinkering with Cloud and the PC side of things in the hope of persuading us to move with them.

I'm not suggesting I'm happy about it at all. Indeed, I know there are still improvements that could be made, and that I would like to be made, but I just get the feeling that I can want as much as I like, because it will count for naught. Microsoft are no longer interested. They're not interested in improving the Series consoles any further, and in fact, I don't think they're interested in selling any more Series consoles either. They have simply moved on to other things and expect us to do the same...

That's a shame. I think I played Sands of Time when it first released, though it is such a long time ago now that I cannot recall whether I finished it. I was actually looking forward to the remake as an excuse to play it, so I am actually gutted that they have done away with it.

Honestly, I know people were up in arms about the art direction for the game, but surely it would have been better to have that version than none at all...?

I think it is possible that Microsoft believe they have pretty much done all they can when it comes to the Series consoles, @FraserG. After all, they are now 5 years old. It's either that or it is an indication as to the direction of travel for Xbox; Cloud and PCs being the future of Xbox.

At the most extreme end of the spectrum is that it is an indication that Microsoft are preparing to leave consoles behind, though I don't think that is the case. Much more likely that they are happy with where the Series consoles are at, and are investing time and resources in areas that they can grow, or are growing...

Yes, I know, @themightyant. I like to try and inject some common-sense or some rationale into the conversations, and honestly, I don't mind the back and forth. It keeps things interesting...!

I have said a number of times, on various articles, that I will be buying the PS6, @Coletrain. I have no qualms about saying it. I am 100% confident that I will buy it. What I use it for, is the question I am wrestling with.

I am almost 100% certain that I will buy the PCBox, purely because I am so heavily invested in the Xbox. I have over 1600 digital games in library, which is a hefty amount of games to leave behind (not that I'd do that really, because I would retain my Series X even if I decided to jump ship completely to the PS6).

My problem, and hence my dilemma, is that I already own a gaming PC, albeit it is about 6 years old now, and whilst I have updated the memory and the graphics card, it could do with further updating really, which is the problem with PCs, they need updating at fairly regular intervals and it's not cheap. So do I actually need what amounts to another PC? If it does cost £1000 or more, would I be better to put that money towards upgrading my PC, or do I want to have whatever it is that Microsoft give us, which may be better in the grand scheme of things, and which is also a bespoke device for which developers can design the games?

Knowing myself, I will probably opt for the PCBox, because I like to have the latest tech, but also, my know how when it comes to PCs is limited, and so having someone else make my PC for me is probably the better option, so the PCBox will likely be the direction that I take.

Regardless, I'm really hoping to hear more about it soon as the suspense is killing me...!

So cross-platform gaming, cloud gaming, and Xbox Play Anywhere are real topics

I have never once denied that these are not beneficial for Xbox, @fatpunkslim. It would be like having a Satnav built into your car, it's a great addition if you need it, but if you only ever drive to the same location all the time, it's entirely unnecessary. However, for those that want it, great!

So is it a benefit to Xbox? Yes! However, if someone walks into a shop in order to buy a console, and they have no interest in Cloud gaming, nor do they own or intend to own a handheld, then these additions are entirely superfluous. That is the boat I am in, and indeed, I believe my boat is particularly crowded as ownership of handhelds is niche, and the number of people using Cloud, whilst growing, is still not yet to the same extent as those that simply game on a single console. Even for someone like myself who owns a Switch, a Series X, a PS5, and a capable gaming PC, it does not mean that people are buying games on one platform with a view to playing it on others. Indeed, speaking personally, I only buy games on my PS5 that I am unable to play anywhere else (I don't count my PC in that because I have not gamed on it since 2023, nor my Switch, which I have not used since 2022). In other words, I use my PS5 for exclusives, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that, so ownership of more than one console does not equate to people wanting Play Anywhere...

I meant that if people are clinging to idea that Xbox will continue to have exclusives or even timed exclusives, they will be disappointed, @Sol4ris.

I entirely agree with you, when it comes to having games on more platforms, being available to and bought by more people, the approach Microsoft are taking makes sense, as this will feed back into the making of further games.

Whether the same will hold true for Xbox hardware sales maybe another matter altogether though...

Do you have any sources to say that people are not leaving Game Pass, @fatpunkslim? No. What I am basing my thoughts on is reading these forums, which I can only assume you don't! If you take the time to read everyone's thoughts, you will see a common theme of people either quitting Game Pass, not renewing their subscriptions, or at the very least downgrading to Premium or Essential. I'm not making it up. Read it for yourself.

Now, can we extrapolate that any say everyone is doing the same? No, and I would not suggest otherwise. However, it is probably a very good indication, and if the results on these forums is what is happening elsewhere, then Game Pass is probably in significant trouble.

So development for the PS5 alwyas began too late ? For three years ?

You'll have to explain that one to me as I don't understand what you are getting at.

You'll also going to have to help me out when it comes to my hyping up the PS5, because I really cannot see where I have done that. I don't understand how it does not get through to you; I spent just over £440 on PS5 games last year, and that included the Collector's Edition of Death Stranding 2 which cost £200, and also the Collector's Edition of Ghost of Yotei, which cost £220. I played just 2 games on my PS5 last year, GoY and Days Gone: Remastered, which cost me £10. Conversely, I played loads of games on my Xbox. I spent over £1100 on 37 games for my Xbox. I play my Xbox daily. I don't know how much clearer I can be about this!

Lastly, I'm sure you are cracking a joke when you speak about the PS5 Pro being over-priced because regardless of some of its short-comings, it is fundamentally a better console than the Series X, and yet both cost pretty much the same. I do not own one, and I do not want one, just to be clear. However, it makes no sense whatsoever to suggest that it is over-priced when it is a better console than the Series X, unless you also suggest that the Series X is over-priced too. If you think about it in the most basic of ways, if someone is looking at getting into gaming, buying their first console, and they are presented with both the PS5 Pro and the alternative of the Series X, most people would opt for the PS5 Pro because it is the better console. Sometimes, my old mucker, it helps to be just a little objective...

It's as I said, though, @Coletrain, if you only want to game on a console, are not interested in PC (or the PCBox), nor a handheld, then the question needs to be asked where is the incentive to buy on the Xbox, bearing in mind that you will effectively be forcing yourself to remain on a Series console because Microsoft likely won't be making another console, but rather what basically amounts to a PC.

It is a question I keep asking myself; am I right to keep buying games on my Xbox. I do it on an almost weekly basis even though I'm not sure I should be. It truly is a dilemma...

Anyone who reads this and cannot see that the next Halo, Gears of War and Forza (which is only not releasing on the PS5 day and date because development for the PS5 began too late) will not be simultaneous releases on both the Xbox and on the PlayStation are in for a great deal of disappointment.

I think the issue is that with many seemingly either abandoning Game Pass, or perhaps unhappy with paying a premium price for the PCBox (or not liking that direction), may just see PlayStation as the place to game in the future. After all, if you are going to be buying these games rather than playing them on Game Pass, and you don't have either a PC or handheld, where is the incentive to buy them on Xbox...?

My hope is that they do a better job with the performance than they did with Oblivion. The quality of the game is already present, it's just the visuals and performance, in the main, that needs updating.

I'm hoping that they have not learned taken the lesson from Oblivion selling so well that performance does not matter, because ultimately, if they nail the performance too, then these games will sell even better. Problem is, I think Bethesda, urged on by Microsoft leadership, will just want to kick the games out the door, and to Hell with performance because they think we are chumps and will buy it anyway, and they are probably right. Sad but true...

I think it highly likely that it will come to Xbox Game Pass too, @jesse_dylan. There is an awful lot of commonality between the games on the Sony and Microsoft services. When a game appears on one service, there is a high probability that it will arrive on the other one at some point, usually in short order. The only obvious exceptions are first-party games...

Time to play everything you want is a real problem, @RentedPanda. I have a huge backlog of games that I have bought and not yet played. I am trying to cut back, but with so many good games coming out, so many good offers, and so little time, I find I buy and just add to my library of games, and the backlog just continues to grow. The one good thing is, that if I suddenly ran out of money tomorrow, I have a lifetime of games that I own but have not yet played, so in that regard, I'm good...!

I absolutely loved Cronos: The new Dawn, @ILuvGames. I thought it was truly fantastic. Difficult in parts, but never dull, and a real sense of achievement as you progress. I unlocked the full 1000g, and loved every minute of it. Really hope we see a sequel...

It was Zelda Breath of the Wild, @RentedPanda, which I really enjoyed. I do own the sequel too, but just never got round to playing it...

I can see your thinking, @BAMozzy. None of it makes any difference to me because my gaming PC, my Series X, and my PS5 are all hooked up to my television in my front room, and as I don't leave home at all for weeks, or sometimes months(!) at a time, I have no need for a handheld at all, plus if I really needed to game on the go (or was in hospital, which is the more likely scenario) I do own a Switch, albeit I have owned for about 3 years and only ever played one game on, but even then it was hooked up to my front room television.

What I will say, is that I don't enjoy gaming on a PC, and much prefer the console experience, but as you can see from the above, I have no need of a handheld, so even though it would actually be cheaper for me to game on my PC, I only ever buy my games on the Xbox (unless they are a Sony exclusive, but that is another matter entirely)...

Thank you, @FraserG. I think it is certainly something that people should begin to think about because with the advent of the PCBox, Steam may well be their go to Store front once they realise how much cheaper it is that the Xbox Store (just how Microsoft are going to navigate this issue is going to be fascinating to watch unfold).

In the same vein, I'd argue that people who already know that they are going to buy the PCBox should create an Epic Store account and claim the free game they provide each week. I mean, by the time the PCBox releases next year, they would have around 80 or more games all ready to go on the Epic Store alone, and whilst most are not great, they do also include some really decent games every now and again. After all, you can create an account now, even if you don't have a PC, so it seems foolhardy, to me, to not be doing it because who doesn't like free...? 😉

When it comes to buying games on either Steam or on the Xbox, I have seen reports suggesting that Microsoft hope to keep people within their ecosystem by rewarding people with points for earning achievements, which would only be possible, of course if people buy their games in the Xbox Store, and this would obviously be an advantage for Xbox over a Steam version, but only if Microsoft are much, much more generous with their points to gift card conversion rates because firstly, how often do we earn all the achievements in a game, and secondly games are often £10 or more cheaper at launch on the Steam Store than they are on the Xbox. Thus for earning achievements to convert to £10 they would have to be worth around 12 Microsoft points per achievement point, and as I said, you would have to earn every achievement in order to get back that £10 you could have saved had you bought the game on Steam. I mean, I like the idea of earning money from unlocking achievements, but I think most people will take the easy route of saving money, and just buy their games on Steam where the savings are guaranteed, whereas, of course, unlocking all the achievements in a given game are not.

Basically, I remain unconvinced over the advantages of Play Anywhere over a Steam purchase, which I think is going to prove an enormous dilemma for Microsoft come the release of the PCBox...

Thank you, @FraserG. Still a little unsure what the advantage is over a Steam purchase though. I mean, I can see an advantage if you own an Xbox, the Xbox ROG Ally and a gaming PC, but if you own just an Xbox and a Xbox ROG Ally I don't see what advantage that offers you over a gaming PC and the Steam Deck, particularly as games are most times cheaper than on the Xbox, and also there are far, far more titles that are Steam Deck verified over those that are Play Anywhere titles.

I am just curious as to whether there is a distinct advantage that Xbox has in this regard because if the next Xbox is indeed basically a PC, then if you are in the market for an Xbox handheld combo, then would it not be better to buy your games more cheaply on Steam, and then have the Steam Deck?

I am just genuinely curious as to which way people would be best to go. Which one would be the best option?

I'm confused by this, what is the difference between the capabilities of Play Anywhere, and buying it on Steam and playing it either on a gaming PC or on their handheld? Surely both offer the same portability?

Is there some advantage that Xbox offers over buying it on Steam, which is often cheaper too...?

Typical that I own the 3 biggest games to enter the service:

• Death Stranding: Directors Cut
• Space Marine 2
• Talos Principle 2

Having played all of them, I have no hesitation in recommending each of them.

What is good in particular is that each of them is coming to Premium Game Pass, which, bearing in mind that it is half the price of Ultimate, is increasingly looking like the tier to have...

Some things you get right, and others you don't, @Foxx_64740! This is one that I would concede that did indeed not age well.

What I will say is that there are 3 particularly big inclusions on that list for January;

• Death Stranding: Directors Cut (albeit we have already had that on PC Game Pass), and, unsurprisingly, it is already on PS Plus since 2022.
• Space Marine 2 (as the demo has been on PS Plus since December I would suggest that it will likely hit the service in full very soon, probably next month, but getting it first on Game Pass is definitely a win for Xbox)
• Talos Principle 2 - definitely a win for Xbox Game Pass.

The most unfortunate thing for me though is that I already own all 3 of these games, so from a personal perspective, it means nothing to me.

Funny enough, I do not own Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, but unfortunately, I don't have PS Plus either. So basically, there's nothing for me all round...

Pitchforks and torches at the ready, @Markatron84... 😂

I think it depends on when they choose to release the game as to whether it lands this year, @OldGamer999. I think if it is definitely coming this year, and Playground Game have confidence in the game, then they will announce its release for June. However, if they announce the game as releasing within the last 3 months of the year, then I think it means there is still a lot of work to be done on the game, and thus it will likely slip into the first 3 months on 2027.

Personally, I am very excited for the game, but I also want Microsoft to release a game that scores 9s and 10s everywhere including on places like Push Square, who always mark Xbox made games down by at least a point. Unfortunately, we know that Microsoft never seem capable of releasing a game that scores greater than an 8, which whilst good, means they rarely get spoken of in terms of Game of the Year, and also means they are often played and promptly forgotten, or worse still, not played and forgotten. What I am ultimately getting at, is if the game needs to be delayed into 2027 in order to score those 9s and 10s, then I am more than happy for them to do so.

I think one of the big questions I have, and which maybe answered in the Developer Direct, is when will the game release on the PlayStation, and how long, or short, will the exclusivity period be (assuming there is one)...

And not a chicken in sight anywhere! What are we supposed to do, kick a sheep...? 😂

I cannot imagine being so talented as to draw, paint or design such wonderful images. Love the contrasting pictures. Really looking forward to watching on Thursday to see what is shown, hopefully with a release date too. Very excited...

Appreciate that, @FraserG. Thank you...

That's not quite right, @RiverGenie:

Obviously both services are getting Resident Evil Village this month, but the following have never been on Game Pass:

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead
Darkest Dungeon 2

I would suggest that each of those games is a very good addition, particularly when you add Resident Evil Village into the mix too.

Each of the games that Game Pass has already had, that are now entering PS Plus Extra are on, or already have been on Game Pass, are games that are somewhat smaller in nature. Ultimately, I would suggest that it is a very strong month of PlayStation...

Have to say that I think that PlayStation PS Plus Extra is getting far better additions to the service this month than we are seeing on Xbox Game Pass. And for those not in the know, PS Plus Extra is the equivalent of Game Pass Premium, and both services cost exactly the same.

This is a list of what PS Plus Extra is getting:

Resident Evil Village
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead
Darkest Dungeon 2
The Exit 8
Art of Rally
A Little to the Left

I know that MIO: Memories In Orbit is a day one release, but it is a £14.39 game if bought (and then owned!), and hardly seems to justify the price of Game Pass Ultimate...

Personally, I very much enjoyed Resident Evil: Village, back when it first released. The addition of Werewolves and Vampires might seem a little odd in terms of the world of Resident Evil, but I still enjoyed battling them, and thus I have no hesitation in recommending it...

I always think you should include a 'NONE OF THEM' option, @Kezelpaso & @FraserG, because that way you get a more accurate reflection of how those games entering Game Pass are going to be received. You will still get a guide as to which game will be played the most, but you cannot determine whether they are popular additions without having that 'NONE OF THEM' them option. Just a thought...

Thank you, @kanedase7en. I did see the trailer about a month or so ago, and thought it looked pretty neat. Almost certainly a AA game, but I am hopeful for it as I did enjoy The Ascent, albeit that No Law looks like a different type of game. I think it is definitely one to keep an eye on though...

Despite owning this game from when it first came out, I never got round to playing it. Indeed, I also bought Far Cry 6 upon release and never played that either. It's a terrible habit...

Looks as if it could have been pretty interesting. Sci-Fi is my favourite genre, so gutted we didn't get to see the finalised version...

That makes more sense to me, @FraserG. Thank you...

I read the entire article, and found your thoughts well documented and interesting, @FraserG, and this is despite the gact that I have no interest in owning a handheld because I am at home pretty much all the time. I would go so far as to say that if I were in the marked for a handheld, you would have sold me on this one!

That said, I do find one thing you say somewhat odd; surely if you are going to limit those games you buy to just those that are Play Anywhere, you are going to rule out some games that are truly worth of your time? It seems a little arbitrary to me, and would mean you would potentially miss out on some really good games. I mean, you do own n Xbox console, so is it really worth missing out on a game just because it is not Play Anywhere...?

Cool, thank you, @Cherip-the-Ripper...

Ahh, got you, @fatpunkslim. I was actually thinking about the possibility that you were a game tester, as I imagine that the game has gone through that process.

I haven't played the first game yet. I do want to, I just cannot find the time to play everything I was, which is pretty ridiculous when you consider that I am retired...

I actually have quite a few of these on disc myself:

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
Batman: Arkham Origins
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Battlefield: Bad Company
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Battlefield 3
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Condemned: Criminal Origins
Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut
Dirt 3
Dirt: Showdown
Driver: San Francisco
Enchanted Arms
F.E.A.R.
F.E.A.R. Files
Forza Horizon
Fuel
Grid 2
Grid Autosport
Left 4 Dead
Left 4 Dead 2
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
Operation Flashpoint: Red River
The Orange Box
Overlord
Overlord II
Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Pure
R.U.S.E.
Silent Hill: Downpour
Spec Ops: The Line
Syndicate
Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

I actually have 2 or 3 copies of some of these, plus many of them are still sealed. Sometimes being a compulsive shopper, and a hoarder can be an advantage... 😉😂

Have you played it, @fatpunkslim? In some sort of early access, I assume. Does it follow on from the first game, as in do you need to have played the first game to understand and enjoy the second...?

Steelrising is a game I very much enjoyed. A slightly more forgiving souls-like, that I highly recommend, and which is a steal at that price...

I am certainly interested, @jesse_dylan, and I am by no means saying the game looks bad. Indeed, I am hoping that the year that has passed since the video I watched was uploaded has seen some added polish that will elevate the game still further.

I would also add that I have looked at Battle Brothers on many occasion with an eye on buying it, but the art style puts me off each time.

Menace looks much more like I would enjoy it, and the art style is much more appealing to me too...

You do not need to have played through any of the earlier games to enjoy Veilguard, @Coletrain, and I say that because the only other game that I played through was the previous one, and I have pretty much zero recollection of the game (other than the fact that I enjoyed the game very much)...

I really enjoyed Dragon Age: Veilguard, @Scrubchub & @Coletrain. It most certainly was nowhere near as bad as many suggested, and most likely those who said it was bad had probably not even played it. The elements in the game that a few seemed to be outraged by did not even have to be played as you could simply ignore that character, or their game arc. Personally, I played through that story arc, and found it to be touching and thought-provoking. It seems to me that some people are either too insecure, too bigoted or are simply too immature to understand that part of the game. People should try the game, which as a whole is very enjoyable, rather than be swayed by the loud voices and opinions of others...

Thank you, @FraserG, and also for not mentioning that I misspelt 'asterisks'...! 😂

Have to say, the asterisk at the end of the word had me scanning the page up and down trying to find what it referred too... 🤣

I just watched some gameplay for Menace from about a year ago, @ILuvGames, and it looks okay, not necessarily great though. Obviously a lot may have changed in the past year, so it is definitely one that I will keep an eye on once it is released...