Comments 490

Re: Feature: Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2021

Kienda

The Gunk for me.

It wasn’t ‘the best’, but I really enjoyed exploring that magical little world.

A great year for Xbox gaming though all round as this list shows and there are a few I’ll be playing throughout 2022.

Re: Xbox Creator Demands Action As Sexist Xbox Live Recording Goes Viral

Kienda

Why do people only call this out when “sexism” is the issue? They were being abusive idiots and that is the real problem - them being abusive - it shouldn’t matter who the victim was.

Heck, this same lady herself has been caught abusing others herself, even using sexist insults saying they have a “small ****” and a “virgin”. That’s just as bad, right?

Ultimately, this is a problem within the gaming community. All abuse should be stopped. Not just sexism and racism, but all abusive behaviour. But how can it be stopped?

This really only comes out in competitive gaming. You don’t get it so much on Guild Wars 2 or Final Fantasy 14 where everyone works together an helps each other. But games like Halo and Rocket League, where people can’t handle losingc they just go to insult whatever way they can to win an argument.

They don’t realise they have already lost as soon as they allow themselves to get angry.

Re: Talking Point: What's The First Game You'd Recommend Downloading On Xbox Game Pass?

Kienda

I think everyone is different and what works for one person won’t work for another. Which is why it is great there is such a good selection at our fingertips.

Games like Minecraft, Skyrim, Forza, Halo, Dragon Quest 11, Psychonauts, a few Final Fantasy games, Rare games, Xbox classics, some Dooms, Fallouts and Dragon Ages, the Battlefield games, Star Wars games, various FIFAs and other sports games from EA Play, plus so many more.

Having said that… Nier: Automata

Re: Roundup: Here's What The Critics Are Saying About The Gunk

Kienda

Wait! This is a short game?

That means I’m gonna actually finish it and not have it half finished in my backlog like all the others that just sit there for years as a constant reminder of my failure to complete games, eating away at my soul and stealing my happiness in the process?

No fair!

Re: Ten Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (December 16)

Kienda

Each one can have their own Mortal Kombat line attached to it.

Ben 10 - “A fate worse than death”
Broken Age - “Friendship”
Firewatch - “Toasty!”
Lake - “Flawless victory”
Mortal Kombat 11 - “MORTAL KOMBAAAAAT!”
Paw Patrol - “Animality”
Race with Ryan - “Finish him!”
Record of Lodoss War - “Test your might!”
The Gunk - “Get over here”
Transformers: Battegrounds - “Fight!”

Okay, I couldn’t think of anything appropriate for Lake or Ben 10.

Re: Hellblade 2 Dev Confirms There Were 'No Tricks' In The Gameplay Reveal

Kienda

@themightyant that’s a very good point. Because all Xbox exclusives and in-house games are going to also be released simultaneously on PC there will be a tendency for Microsoft to show off the best looking version on a monster PC instead of showing it on Xbox Series X.

My personal view would be that Microsoft should use the Series X as the benchmark and always use that to show off new games. All in-game footage should say ‘Xbox’ because that should be their key audience.

And let’s face is, most Xbox users have a Series S. And most PC gamers have a gaming rig that is less powerful than the Series consoles. So it is a good benchmark for them to present without ruining expectations.

This is one thing where PlayStation has a one up on Xbox. Because you know the final result will be what the console produces, and there aren’t different power options between PS5 models.

Re: Xbox Admits 'Big Missteps' With The Handling Of Lionhead Studios

Kienda

@Would_you_kindly people seem to hate the Multiplayer option of going free, but I personally know a few people who haven’t played Halo since the original Xbox that now play Halo Infinite multiplayer on PC because it was free for them to try out and they found they liked it.

I know the free to play model isn’t the best. But in order to get Halo played by more people it was a great strategy that I think will pay off and will be the model in the future.

Re: Roundup: Here's What The Critics Are Saying About Halo Infinite

Kienda

I think sequels are always hard to top previous entries, even in long running series like this. People often ‘sour’ and it is hard for them to forget past mistakes and see the new games at face value.

I’m expecting this to be a solid entry in the series and a step up from a few of the more recent games. And these reviews show that.

Re: Halo Infinite Team Is Listening To Constructive Feedback, But Admits Changes Will Take Time

Kienda

Xbox is doing so many good things for the industry, like Game Pass offering so many games at such good value and also their willingness to work with the other big companies, even releasing games on their consoles. As a result I think many gamers respect Xbox more nowadays.

It would be a real shame to throw some that good favour away on some overpriced cosmetics.

We want Xbox’s all embracing mindset to be represented in Halo, not see them mimicking the cash grabbing filth of EA, Activision and mobile game.

While the game is fantastic. Let’s hope they fix this, but yeah, give the team a chance to do it.

Re: Sonic's Xbox 360 Games Have Been 'Transformed' Thanks To FPS Boost

Kienda

@FraserG @JoakimZ @BlueOcean Thanks for all the info.

It’s a real shame they haven’t bumped up the resolution. The Xbox One could have played it at 60fps easily, so the Series consoles should have no problem with the resolution increase and 60 FPS.

I’m happy about other games though. Will be playing Sonic Unleashed to test it out.

Re: Another Nine Games Will Leave Xbox Game Pass Soon (November 30 - December 8)

Kienda

A lot of people saying that Halo is replacing Destiny 2, but for us non PVP folk, while Halo’s single player is a great experience, Destiny 2’s PVE oriented multiplayer has the longevity and progression that Halo doesn’t.

If you are wanting to play PVP I can see how it is a good trade. But I still am sad for the loss as the player base will drop on Destiny Xbox.

It’s exactly what happened when Monster Hunter World left Game Pass. The player base died overnight.

Re: Bethesda Reveals Upgrade Prices For Skyrim Anniversary Edition

Kienda

@SplooshDmg @BlueOcean I have no doubt that a new Banjo Kazoiee will be made at some point - and hopefully this gen.

Microsoft are not stupid. They know what they have in their pocket and have proven they are happy to make games from classic series with upcoming titles from the Fable and Perfect Dark franchises.

So I think it is only a matter of time, but they won’t put out a half baked version.

Personally, I think they could even make a remaster of the originals and it will sell like hot cakes. But that’s just me.

Re: Poll: Are You Buying GTA: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition?

Kienda

@TJ81 Personally I’m a big fan of remasters.

No one really can keep up with all the games released every generation. I’ve personally owned every console from Nintendo, SEGA, Sony and Microsoft and so I’ve always had too many games and not enough time. Nowadays the choice of games is even more unrealistic to keep up with.

It has meant that there are some real quality titles that I’ve wanted to play but haven’t gotten around to (even some I bought original copies of in preparation to play) that have now been remastered and I’ve experienced the best version of them and enjoyed them more because I wasn’t worried about blurry visuals and had quality of life improvements. So remasters are a good thing in my mind and have helped me personally enjoy games I might have never gotten around to.

Re: Trade-In: GAME Is Offering An Xbox Series S With FIFA 22 From £85

Kienda

@Dezzy70 personally I would have preferred a disc version of the Series S for £280.

I get what you are saying about parity, but for my two kids who have HD TVs and us being on a budget, selling their Xbox Ones for around £100 and upgrading for £150 each is a no brainier really. And Game Pass is such great value that allows both to enjoy the latest games on their own consoles without an issue of doubling up every purchase or taking turns with discs.

For me as an old man though, I still like physical and all non Game Pass games we own are physical, so the S wipes out that library. Also I want to play physical games from previous consoles so I’m holding out for the Series X and will enjoy it on our main TV which is 4K.

Re: These 13 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (September 15 - October 1)

Kienda

Yeah, anyone looking for a good JRPG should try out Astria Ascending. It has top tier talent behind it.

It is written by the guy who wrote Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy 7: Remake and the music is done by the composer for Final Fantasy XII and Vagrant Story to name but two of the talented bunch.

Also the world is vibrant and characters and animation are on point in my opinion. It is mainly going to appeal to turn based JRPG fans though.

Re: Xbox Is Giving Away This Limited Edition Shang-Chi Series X Console

Kienda

@Xiovanni it’s had great review scores so far and looks like a fun watch to me.

The negativity I heard seems to be due to past role the main actor played in Kim’s Convenience (and it did irk me a bit because I don’t think they had much to complain about).

Anyways, I’m look forward to the movie and have put my name in to try win this Xbox.

Re: Pick One: Which Of These Quake Games Is Your Favourite?

Kienda

Quake 2 on PC is one of my favourite games of all time.

It was my first real experience at competitive online play. I probably played 3,000+ hours on it, joined a ‘Clan’ and played in online tournaments. I remember for ages I was an HPB (high ping broadcaster) before paying a fortune for an ISDN connection and playing with a sub 100 ping. On tournament days I’d use my pay by the minute connection to grt a 30 ping and wracked up a big expense but it was worth it.

I mainly played CTF and Ra2 (Rocket Arena) and it is some of the best fun I have ever had gaming.

Ah, the memories.

Re: Halo's Voice Actors Were Nearly Recast On Two Separate Occasions

Kienda

Thank goodness for that!

Replacing voice actors people are used to is a big no, no in my mind. Studios don’t realise how jarring it is.

It’s like when TV shows make movie versions and replace the voices with celebrities (looking at you Captain Underpants) and it really sucks. Let the little guys get/keep the big roles! They helped make the franchise a success after all.

Re: Random: Uh-Oh, Halo Infinite's Destructible Fruit Has Become A Bit Of A Talking Point

Kienda

Okay, clearly a lot of people here are defending a franchise they love, and that’s all good, but let’s get real a second.

If this was final game quality stuff it would show a lack of polish that isn’t acceptable for Xbox’s flagship series.

The little things matter. People are saying you can’t compare it to a single player game. Then compare it to Overwatch. Every small item in that game has physics. You can smash arcade machines and send the stuffed animals flying everywhere. There are destructible signs and railings. You can shoot basketballs into hoops. Shoot gas canisters that release gas and fly around wildly. You can shoot portions of cactus off and bells that ring to your gunfire and much more. It’s these little things that make the world seem more real.

These fruit in Halo Infinite, however, explode like they are part of an N64 game.

Yes, the gameplay is all that matters in multiplayer. But these small things also count and it’s not too much to ask that fruit explodes realistically or has some physics to it. And yes we are allowed to criticise something like this.

Will it make the game bad if they don’t fix it? No. But it will show a lack of finesse in the small things for the biggest franchise of Xbox when compared to their competition.

Re: Random: After Their Entire Team Leaves, Halo Squad Comes Together To Let A Lone Player Win

Kienda

@Richnj I agree completely. I hate unfair fights.

I want to win a game by the finest of margins. Be tested to the best of my ability. Not steam roll every game. I think it’s a different mentality to those who give up easy or those who use hacks because they can’t handle losing or want that feeling of being a god.

Winning a Rocket League game 5-0 is boring. Winning it 0-1 when we are constantly saving/shooting is a massive rush.

Same with a Halo game. Winning by one kill when you’re playing your hardest is the best win.

Re: Random: Xbox Playfully Uses PlayStation And Nickelback To Advertise Game Pass

Kienda

It’s funny seeing the war of words in the Twitter replies. People there seem to have no idea how marketing works.

Xbox is appealing to gamers. There are millions of gamers that only have a PS4. Those gamers are a target audience for Microsoft as they have tablets/phones and a PS4 controller. Those gamers might think, “oh, I can sub for a few months and play the Halo Collection that I’ve wanted to play for years but haven’t had access to.” Microsoft then gets their money.

That’s how marketing works.