Jaxx420

@DarkCvrle66 it's coming to PS5 day and date. But Game Pass sweetens the deal on this one for me I think.

@Sifi one would hope. Just the timing is off for me. He's normally raving about playing the next big Game Pass release but said nothing about Hellblade at all from what I can see, which is odd.

Question on my mind is with everything going on will the Showcase be the next time we hear from Phil?

He's been oddly quiet.

@NEStalgia I agree but it's making them money and a lot of it so sadly likely that won't change anytime soon as much as I'd like it to.

@Banjo- yeah they did neglect Banjo and Kameo I enjoyed that one too.

Doesn't help perhaps a lot of the original devs at Rare have gone. But I'd like to see a new one too.

Unsure if MS have any Devs well versed in platforming on their books besides Rare though that could do it.

Toys for Bob did a great job with Crash 4. I am sure they could do the same with Banjo if MS were mindful to outsource it.

@BacklogBrad second this. Also think AI would be helpful in open world games with a lot of NPCs. The Witcher is a good example. They could use AI to make them seem more individual rather than copy and paste jobs.

@Tecinthehead the premise of the games does revolve around an interactive cinematic experience though.

I don't think gameplay was an afterthought just not as much part of the equation as the other elements of it.

@Banjo- Sorry didn't the catch the edit there mate.

Absolutely they nailed platforming in the good old days. Really enjoyed Jak and Daxter too. Then they diversified. While I personally loved Uncharted and TLOU I think there is enough demand for them to go back to their roots a bit. Maybe under the new Sony leadership they'll get a chance to. Time will tell.

Obviously not through Crash but Id enjoy a new Jak and Daxter.

As for Crash I think Toys for Bob would do well making a new one if they get chance to now they have gone indie. The logo on their website screams Crash to me though.

@Banjo- Maybe my phrasing was bad but I could see an argument brewing and seems to happen a lot (although more on other sites tbh)

I get it cinematic games aren't for everyone. But as cinematic games go you'll enjoy both Hellblades I think especially if you enjoyed The Walking Dead this nails atmosphere and has more interaction than you would get with Telltale games.

@NEStalgia the Naughty Dog comparison is absolutely spot on there.

I also sometimes think a games length can affect a reviewers view of it which is a little sad. Not every game needs to be a 20+ hour slog to be enjoyed.

@LoquaciousB you get it as a free rag on UK buses. Quality of the journalism is going to match that haha.

@Banjo- Noticed you mentioned just starting to play the first one for the first time.

Playing via Headset is key to the experience too. The game centres around Senua and hearing voices and seeing the world in her mind. From an audio side playing via Headset is the best way to experience what she is seeing and hearing.

I think Dolby is best for it but either way you'll have a blast and a better one playing with headphones.

Oh dear, same sugar different day here. You've got PS users slagging it off as it's an Xbox exclusive. And Xbox users calling them out for it and in the same retort then proceeding to slag off PS exclusives.

Wonders never cease.

On topic. I think the criticism toward the game for being short or lacking in the gameplay and combat is harsh imo. The first Hellblade was a narrative experience and focused more on cinematics, audio and a real spotlight on mental health and was praised for it. I've played the new one for 3 hours or so at the mo and it replicates all of that and betters it.

I don't think Hellblade was ever about the combat and puzzle side of things and was more about the experience so for me I think it nails it.

Really good move especially for those like me who only dip into them for the campaign then never play it again.

One does wonder if it's true whether the GP price will have to go up and how that will be received by those who don't care for COD at all though.

I mean, they still have some big games coming but a lot won't be viewing that June Showcase now with the same appreciation for Xbox being about the gamers as much as they did.

Faired far better when it was Electronics Boutique. But times were different then.

@Banjo- Same applies personally all as bad as each other. But this one created so much buzz if it's not what is circulating best thing would be to come out and shut any nonsense down.

They may still be deciding and finalising their move is probably the issue. But in a social media age the drama circulates so much quicker now.

It's also similar with Sony's lack of comms on first party and Nintendo not being forthcoming about future hardware plans. The biggest difference here is how much drama it has created in such a short space of time.

Agree with your original point there though. The issue isn't restricted to MS and shouldn't be.

@Banjo- Yeah been a load of drama over nothing. Can't help but think it could have been avoided if MS had shut it down from the get go rather than wait for a business update next week. Let it fester a bit too long.

They always said exclusives would be decided on a case by case basis. I don't get all the drama they are just following through on that.

Cross-gen again is a bit of a bummer. I think they could do so much more with it without that. Hopefully final year of it.

Probably has a marketing deal with Playstation. Sony buying Evo they will want marketing deals with all the major fighting game franchises now. This may be part of it.

Definitely wont be paying solely for timed exclusivity of a demo lol even they are not that stupid.

My guess is they have got the rights to the game and paid a pretty penny for it so they can decide where its distributed.

Makes sense and a clever move, MS can if they choose go to Sony and Nintendo and say how much are you willing to pay for a release or keep it Xbox only.

FTC are talking a lot of nonsense and should just give up at this point. Waste of time and resources.

At the same time I dont know how yet again another article related to the acquisition has triggered yet more plastic box tribalism and tit for tat. Is it not getting old yet?

It is a wild guess. But my guess is unless they have purchased the rights to use the license in games as Sony did with Spiderman. Then the decision on platforms lies with the license holder ie Disney and its TBC right now.

Similar how MLB the show has ended up on Xbox.

@OldGamer999 take the sales figures as a whole out of the equation. MS long term vision isnt about market share on hardware. Its about getting Game Pass on machines. Be it PC or other platforms.

Instead the more relevant metric here is of their total hardware sales how many were Series S. Which is around 74% I believe. I would be interested to see how many of those 74% use other platforms and got it as a second machine.

On that basis they definitely had the right idea.

@OldGamer999 the direction MS took was well intentioned though especially with economy issues. Allow gamers a more affordable way to tap into next gen experiences.

Us hardcores can talk about limitations but to the casual joe bloggs the Series S was a reach out to say come and play the best games and not have to drain the wallet.

MS had the right idea.

@Mephisto2869 If Larian can get the parity clause removed for Split Screen. GTA is that much of a money maker Rockstar will get it removed whenever they like.

As for how it would run 460p has got to be sarcasm surely? GTA V across multiple generations proved it was scalable. I would expect at least 1080p with some graphical sacrifices but nothing more. It was incredible that game came out on PS3/360 and still holds up today.

I get the Series S limitation issues but it wont be that bad lol.

@BeerIsAwesome second that.

While the regulators handled this whole saga about as badly as a chav on a night out. Their whole existence is to protect competition it isnt an "agenda against big tech" the point of their existence is to stop monopolies and who are most likely to try and gain a monopoly?....Big tech. And MS werent trying to pull this off to make gamers happy. Its to make money. And make it they will now.

But, ultimately ABK were looking to be bought out anyway and made the first move to be acquired. So the argument it was a monopoly move just fell flat on its backside.

Its essentially - if you want to play it alone. Its a fantastic game and you will have an absolute blast. If you want to play it with friends its a bit messy.

Some of the reviews knocking so much off just for a coop not working so well is a bit harsh. They have all acknowledged as a sonic game played alone its quality as always.

@AlexAtwell I do understand and know the concept. But I cant see MS going back and reviving a dead site. You seem heavily invested in it judging by previous comments. I have played on Royal Games before. Its unfortunate it shut down but it isnt coming back.

While I dont know what MS will and wont do, no one here outside of MS does. Can hazard a guess it will be what makes them money quickly and reviving Royal Games will not do that.

@JayJ I too would love to see a new Spyro but cant help but think dormant IPs will be an afterthought.

This buyout is all about the moneymakers ie mobile and CoD.

Look at Rare and how many dormant IPs they have that have barely been touched since they were acquired.

@AlexAtwell Your obsession with Royal Games is kinda unhealthy.

I would get used to reality. It aint coming back.

@BrilliantBill In his defence IGN posed the question about Series S to him rather than as a dev using a platform to moan about it. He had to answer it.

More a case of journos asking it on purpose to put the answer back out for clicks.

@Titntin Bobby Kotick wont be an employee for long. He will take his multi million payout and be gone within a few weeks to a couple of months, if that.

Kinda want it to go through just for all the drama to finally be over. Lol.

@Dan1283 its not holding them back. The architecture is similar to PC so its the same as having a low to mid spec PC vs buying a higher spec. Games are scaled and optimised for both.

@Sol4ris No need to apologise for the late reply! Thanks for the help. I have Lies of P installed so will see how I get on.

My Series X finally back from repair so finally dipping into Starfield this weekend. Slow start but sticking with it as its typical Bethesda and seen from other reviews it picks up later.

Dipping into a bit more of Crew Motorfest and finishing off The Expanse otherwise.

@Sol4ris I am one of those that found Souls/Elden Ring games too difficult for me. Maybe its my hand eye coordination lol. Not tried Sekiro or Lies of P either have bit less of a learning curve?. I like the aeshetic in Lies of P but not taken a punt yet just in case

Edit: @Kaloudz posing the same question to you too!

Is it a slow news day? I am not sure why anyone thought this would be any different tbh. Only some multiplayer games will stay multiplatform.

My Series X is in for repair this weekend, annoyingly so me continuing Starfield is on ice for a few days.

In the interim on the PS5 and The Crew Motorfest trial, dabbling in a little bit more Hogwarts Legacy trying to finally get it finished and dent the backlog with how busy October is looking for releases right now.

@GamingFan4Lyf I think the core issue is and I say this about PS5 also. A lot of marketing spin was thrown out there about this gen being able to offer 120fps options for many of their games and so far only a few indie games have offered that option.

FPS isnt the be all and end all but bottom line dont hype it if you dont plan to offer it.

@Kaloudz Ray Tracing isn't all that anyway in terms of the overall experience. S owners even with a 4k tv will still get a looker here.

@Kaloudz As others have said - lack of history. You will appear on the reports as things like lets say gas and electric bill payments are reported on there. But otherwise you have no debt repayment history to drive up the score.

But tbh - the number matters less than whats in the full credit file so dont worry. Small credit ie credit card lenders, loan lenders etc may go by the number. The important stuff like mortgage lenders would look at the full file and ignore the number so I wouldnt be concerned with it.

If you were just take a card out with a small limit. Buy the shopping from Asda every week (or Aldi, Lidl avoid M and S!) Pay it off the next morning eventually that number will creep up a bit.

@Maddie47 As you are in the UK this is more apt but here is another life hack - if they are for suckers better become a sucker if you want a mortgage!

Unfortunately Credit Scoring requires you spending beyond your means then paying it off to show you can manage spending beyond your means then paying it off.

Isn"t Captialism just beautiful.

@Kaloudz the comments I could only sum up as comedy gold lol

@Kaloudz Just read that review myself. Absolutely no punches pulled there eh? Lol.

@Tharsman Cant disagree with the base point. Sony fans have been rather vocal this week.

Im specifying it to Metacritic. Personal view I think its been a useless source for rating a games success for years. But review bombing has been rife there for a long time, long before this gen and across all platforms.

@Tharsman Never thought Id see you dropping the ponie bomb you dont normally engage in the tribal nonsense.

Yeah there will be some Sony fans doing it but I wouldnt generalise it that way. Seen Playstation titles get review bombed in the same way. Last of us 2 springs to mind.

More often than not its trolls who review bomb any game that had a lot of marketing hype just for fun.

@Cashews some of them are more value than others but i dont think any are justifying the sharp increases at all tbh.