Raffles

@Fiendish-Beaver The current rumours put the PS6 at about RTX 5080 level, which is the second best current Nvidia GPU. For perspective, it's about 3 times more powerful than the PS5 GPU.

It's a lot more powerful, and would undoubtedly be capable of better looking games or much better performance, however it is less than the jump from PS4 to PS5, which is close to a 6x performance jump. And admittedly, the better hardware/visuals get, the more we see a law of diminishing returns.

I agree with @JayJ I don't think a newer gen is needed right now. The current machines are extremely capable, the PS5 is capable of visuals like GT7 at 4k60, and the SeriesX stuff like FH4 at 4k60 or Microsoft Flight Sim. All incredible looking games.

I just wish more console devs would make 4k60 a target, rather than pushing lighting to levels that are slightly beyond the scope of the current hardware, resulting in hits to framerate/resolution.

The console itself is superb.

I loved it the day I got it, and still do. I wish it had more exclusives etc, but hey

The combination of its turbocharged back compatibility - playing some old classics at 4k60 - along with being completely silent and having Quick Resume, make it very unique.

I have a PS5 and a powerful gaming PC, and I still really like the SeriesX, great piece of hardware.

I echo the sentiments of the first few posts. The SeriesX hardware is brilliant, and it got off to such a great start, the hardware was exciting, GamePass was exciting. It's sad what's happened to MS and the Xbox brand.

I have a PS5 too, and I like it mainly for GT7 and AstroBot, but it feels like a toy compared to the SeriesX. The SeriesX is so well built, and completely silent.

I also have a much more powerful PC, but the SeriesX is still very appealing to me due to the convenience and Quick Resume. It's also powerful enough for almost everything.

The SeriesX is a great console and brilliant piece of engineering, I just wish it received the management and games it deserves.

@NEStalgia The GT Omega sounds pretty good, heavy or not I like the fact it's foldable, but also you can add a chair if you want to make it basically like a PlaySeat

Thanks for the info about the wheels too, it's basically what I imagined actually, about DD.

The power doesn't seem like the attractive part, but the response times. For example I'm still rocking a humble G29, and tbh at max strength I consider it has plenty of power, enough to give a convincing feeling of feedback. The issues are more the latency and crunchiness of the gears, and the noise

So yes I can imagine DD being great in the immediacy of the feedback, especially as you said, subtle quick effects.

Even though Fanatec and Moza seem like the go to DD wheels in the simracing community, I like the look of the Logitech DD more because of compatibility tbh.

@themightyant Tbh I don't think Forza Horizon 4 is arcade at all, arcade is Outrun 2, Ridge Racer, Burnout.

Physics wise they are both firmly simcade, it's just that one has 100% sim styling, and one has more arcade styling and vibe.

So I do otherwise agree with you, they're just very different experiences, and both equally good imo. I think FH4 and GT7 are the racing games of the generation, and two of the best driving games of all time.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 for sure.

It would be possible to run at 1440p60, just like Yakuza LAD, Yakuza 6, and Judgment.

@NEStalgia OK that's interesting about the GT Omega, that has caught my eye before. Looks more practical than the huge PlaySeat, even if it's in my office rather than living room.

I might have to get one

So how much of an upgrade do you find the Logitech Pro compared to the Thrustmaster T300?

@NEStalgia Haha, sounds like quite a slick setup you've got there, with the swivel monitor n' all

And ha, that's exactly what I used to have, a little pocket size keyboard, I think a Rii. I now use a Logitech KB400, almost full size with trackpad etc, and just keep it on the TV stand or sofa.

And wow, sounds like you really went for it with your rig A 4090 plus bundles of extra kit too.

What wheel do you have and what seat do you have it attached to? I might get one of those PlaySeats.

You know, I was going to say the same thing about not having to upgrade for years. Yes, top spec Nvidia cards are extortionate these days, but the top cards tend to have tonnes of horsepower and stand the test of time.

Even the 1080ti from 2017 is very close in performance to the SeriesX and PS5, and can still play modern games. Albeit without DLSS obviously.

And the 2080ti that came out in 2018? That's as good as a PS5 Pro, which is absolutely nuts. That has really stood the test of time. Partly thanks to its massive 600gb/s of memory bandwidth.

So yes though it's expensive, with your 4090 at least you don't need to think about upgrading for a good few years, with its 82 TFLOPS, 1 tb/s of memory bandwith, and 24gb VRAM

Very interesting what you said about VR injections though, even the immense horsepower of the 4090 is not quite enough in some cases.

It makes sense though if you think about it. As obviously they are not games optimised for VR. And the scene has to be rendered once per eye, at a high resolution, AND a high framerate. With games that are ported to VR, various cutbacks and optimisations are made to make them more viable for normal hardware. As you said, with mods you're just brute forcing it.

@NEStalgia Ah I see, the reason I asked is a lot of people seem to have this old fashioned view of PC gaming whereby you have to connect it to a monitor via VGA or something

I'm more of a big screen gamer myself, so as well as consoles, I've actually had a PC connected to my living room TV for about a decade, with wireless controller. And a wireless keyboard for navigating Windows. Works perfectly, especially with the help of Playnite fullscreen, which gives a basic console esque frontend to select games etc.

A lot of what you say is true, PC gaming is as complex as you want it to be. If you just install Steam, buy some games, and install Playnite (or even just Steam big picture mode) it's closer than ever to a console experience

What CPU/GPU do you have btw, and are you generally happy with performance?

@NEStalgia How are you finding PC gaming in general? Do you have yours hooked up to a TV like a console?

@Nic-Noc20th-C I agree, I think Forza Horizon 4 is better in every way - the handling, the map, the music, the events, everything.

@Medic_alert Oh I see, OK that's fair enough. I agree, they don't really offer anything new, compared to some of Nintendo's machines, or of course VR like you said which is REALLY different.

I do like both of them though, they're certainly much faster and more refined than any other recent consoles.

Incidentally, I know I said the Xbox is exceptionally well engineered, and it is, but what you said is true - it's a weird situation in that the PS5 often outperforms it, despite the SeriesX having every spec advatange. 20% more TFLOPS, 25% more memory bandwidth, and even a slightly faster CPU.

I'm still not sure why it is exactly, it has to be developers prioritising the PS5 or Sony having developed a more efficient graphics API.

@Medic_alert Weird. I know you're not alone, others have cited issues with quick resume too.

I got my SeriesX in October 2021 and it's worked perfectly for me in everything apart from Judgment. Even 360 games like Fight Night work perfectly. Judgment simply doesn't get added to quick resume btw, rather than being glitchy.

I'm not sure if it's got better, or if I've just been lucky with almost everything I've played being very quick resume compatible.

Regarding your OG comment - I see. I was actually going to mention, there's another big innovation I like about the SeriesX, that I can't believe I forgot - and that's FPS boost and resolution boost. Retroactively enhancing 360 games is incredible, stuff like Sonic Generations going from 720p30 to 4k60 is like an automatic remaster. But that is the very definition of refining what is already there

And again a reason I generally choose SeriesX over PS5 for multiplatform games. Sleeping Dogs for example, is only 30fps on PS5, but 60fps on the SeriesX.

Quick Resume in its own low key way, does provide a new experience for me though, and feels next gen, being able to seamless switch between games within seconds at the exact point you were in. That is unique, and something that is not possible on any other platform.

So what is it about the PS5 that you feel is a new experience, the haptic triggers or?

@Medic_alert I wasn't arguing the quietness was innovative exactly, that was more just an example of it being exceptionally well engineered, and the quietest powerful machine I've experienced.

But I do honestly think Quick Resume is a better innovation than anything else this gen, and therefore really underrated.

It's more low key and less flashy than say, the PS5's controller innovations, but ultimately it's something I appreciate much more, and really does make it more appealing than the other platforms to me.

For example if my girlfriend is nagging me to go to bed, I can switch the machine off, then pick up exactly where I was a few days later (within seconds), even playing other games in between. That is incredible imo, and in its own backgroundy way, feels more next gen than anything the PS5 or PC offer. It's worked perfectly for me on every game I've tried it on apart from Judgment just recently. Which is a bit annoying, as again it's the main reason I bought it on the SeriesX rather than PC or PS5

The PS5 noise is a weird one, it seems there is a fan lottery, and coil whine is very common. Mine came with a Foxconn fan, that sounded like a UFO with this horrible high pitched wharbling sound. Extremely distracting and noisy, so I had to spend another £40 to replace it with an NMB fan. Thankfully it's much better, but still not as quiet as the SeriesX.

My SeriesX is quieter than my Switch and Dreamcast for example, pretty nuts for a machine of its power.

@Darude84 100% agreed.

I love my SeriesX (and FH4, a lot), and wanted to love Forza Motorsport.

But man, though it has solid core physics and handling, everything else about it is so boring and ordinary and run of the mill. Nothing about it feels special or exciting or next gen. The progression and upgrade system is horrible too.

In fact, that was the game that prompted me to get a PS5 and GT7, and I wasn't disappointed.

I love GT7. In contrast, everything about it feels special and charming. There's so much to do, so many different modes and events, and a better variety of tracks. The visuals are great, the attention to detail is second to none, it's uniquely stylish and charming, and IMO the best Gran Turismo since GT1 by far.

@Medic_alert It might be on the conservative side, but it's exceptionally well engineered for a console, and the one innovation it does have is a big deal for me, and makes the SeriesX my #1 choice for multiplatforms, over a powerful PC and PS5.

It's extremely quiet, whisper quiet for starters, I can't even hear it unless I put my ear to the machine. In contrast, the PS5 sounded like a UFO until I replaced the fan, and even then the SeriesX is much quieter.

And the main thing is actually quick resume. It's unique, and innovative, and I find it very convenient to be able to switch between games and pick up exactly where I left off. Neither the PC or PS5 offer this, which is why the SeriesX is my go to machine.

Really strange this news has prompted comments saying they'll stop buying games on Xbox.

Why?

The SeriesX is a great machine, and this machine doesn't affect its ability to run games. It's still my preferred platform due to Quick Resume etc.

@themightyant

I love quick resume. One of my favourite things about the SeriesX, vs PC, PS5, or well, any other console.

It always surprised me when I'd hear people complain or not like it, as it's worked perfectly for me in almost every game I've tried, even old 360 games etc.

In fact it was a real surprise and annoyance recently when I realised Judgment didn't use Quick Resume.

@Cakefish 5 to 10 watts is a bit too power starved

The Steam Deck is 15w by default, and I think 25w is a reasonable cap for a powerful handheld, as long as it has a big enough battery, and good cooling.

Even the Rog Ally X can't quite match the SeriesS performance it's true, even at 25w+. But it's close enough that I would expect a new APU to come out within a year or two that can match/beat the SeriesS performance at 25w or less.

If Microsoft are eager to join the handheld market next year, yeah it's unlikely they'll produce something with SeriesS performance given the currently available tech, especially factoring in cost.

But I'd expect the SteamDeck 2 to have SeriesS beating performance in a couple of years perhaps.

@NEStalgia That was my first thought too, and removing a gem like Nights seems especially weird.

Then I thought maybe it does mean a remaster is coming. But obviously, remasters aren't always perfect, some key aspects are changed from the original, not necessarily for the better.

The originals should always be available.

It looks great but I really hope it's not soulslike at all, and much more Action RPG, like say, Dragon's Dogma.

@Reptilio Shenmue is pretty much the definition of an AAA game.

Also, almost every Yakuza ever mode is essentially an AAA title, just made more efficiently

@Kaloudz Haha, make no mistake, it's quite different to W3. W3 is the bigger more polished game, better story etc.

But I think DD is a lot of fun, from what I played it was quite immersive and addictive and the best combat in the genre imo.

@Kaloudz DD1 is good yes. FWIW it's not my genre of choice, but within the genre I think Dragon's Dogma is the best game I've played along with the Witcher 3. Witcher 3 seems to have a more solid story etc, but Dragon's Dogma has better combat and is just a pretty fun game.

@Kaloudz Ah I see what you mean. I didn't buy for a second it was for creative reasons in the realm of cinematic motion, ie "let's make our game 24fps like film"

But as far as maximising graphics over framerate for creative reasons because they're determined to create a certain look/style/scope? Then obviously that makes sense.

Such as some Playstation exclusives for example like GOW 2018 and The Last Guardian, they had to target 30fps to get the most out of the hardware to achieve a high end, cinematic look.

But in this case with DD2? I'm not seeing why it can't run at 60fps with more aggressive LODing, lower resolution etc, if the player doesn't mind a slight visual hit. It's not exactly groundbreaking visually, and the first game was so much more enjoyable at 60fps on PC.

@Kaloudz It's pretty much never for creative reasons

This game will run at 60fps or higher on PC, almost guaranteed.

Having said that, it is a bit disturbing they are listing 30fps even on the recommended specs, 4k30.

But capping at 30fps on PC seems to strictly be for legacy titles where the framerate was tied to the physics/logic. IE Shenmue, Okami etc.

The chances of this being better than Yakuza 0 are slim to none and slim just left town, but nevetheless I'm really pumped it got a 10. The more attention and sales the Yakuza series gets the better.

I've almost finished Yakuza 7, then I'll play Gaiden, then Infinite Wealth.

Yakuza 7 is brilliant just like almost all of Ryu Ga Gotoku's games, but still not a patch on Yakuza 0. Yakuza 0 is one of the best games I've ever played.

I just wish they still had realtime combat, I love the combat in Yakuza.

Same. Morrowind would be a close third in my most wanted remasters after Wave Race 64 and Mario 64

@LunarFlame17 I completely agree. I loved Morrowind even though RPGs aren't really my thing, especially more traditional fantasy style western RPGs like Morrowind.

But man, what a game, it was good enough that I find it extremely immersive and engrossing even though it's not my genre of choice.

Funnily enough after trying both Skyrim and Oblivion in recent years and not really liking either of them, I was wondering if it was just me who much prefers Morrowind

Despite the rudimentary graphics, Morrowind had a certain sincerity, depth, atmosphere and sense of immersion that is unmatched by any other RPG I've played.

@themightyant Yes, got to be honest, I found the mention of Sunset Overdrive a bit strange. A game like that was obviously never going to be a GOTY contender, not to mention the fact that it didn't review very well as you said.

FH2 on the other hand could have been nominated. It's an excellent game, and did review very well, and was considered to be groundbreaking for the open world driving genre.

@awp69 Oh I see, wow, how absolutely bizarre. Until now I had no idea it was released on the PS4

I only played it for the first time recently, and just assumed it was an Xbox/PC exclusive.

No mention of Titanfall 2? It's one of the absolute best shooters I've ever played. Incredible game, very spectacular campaign.

@DoctorJohnDisco Exactly. Weird flex isn't it? It always surprises me when people show stuff like this. "Look how filthy my home is and how uncared for my stuff is"

I've had mine for 2 years and it still looks like new. This guy must have not hoovered his place once in 3 years

I'd love to play Gaiden, but have to finish Like a Dragon first. Tbh should probably play Yakuza 4,5,6 before Like a Dragon to avoid spoilers. I thought it was a comple spinoff when I started it, had no idea it had anything to do with the main series.

@FraserG you should be ashamed of yourself, go and play Yakuza 0 right now

One of the best games ever made IMO.

I really enjoyed the demo, expected slightly better scores.

I guess in the current era we're in, gamers and critics alike are very demanding, with extremely high expectactions - games are expected to have everything, and a huge amount of variety. In contrast with say, Ridge Racer 1 and its 1 track

So maybe it's considered a bit basic and repetitive for a modern game.

Then again roguelikes such as Hades get 10/10 and that's about as repetitive as it gets

Some games get away with repetition far more than others it seems.

@Pimpernel Fair point actually, it's a lot of extra sales. I was more thinking of the "system seller" angle and making up market share Vs Playstation.

Microsoft probably knows what they're doing, surely more than me

However the deal does make me a bit concerned for Microsoft/Xbox. $70 billion seems they overpaid like crazy, for essentially Call of Duty, which doesn't seem as big a deal as it once was. And what's more, they had to agree to various concessions to even allow the deal to happen - ie keeping it multiplatform for 10 years. That's a long time.

If they were allowed to make it XBox exclusive immediately, perhaps it would go some way to bridging the gap to Sony and the PS5, which is outselling the Xboxes 2:1.

But now? I'm not sure how keeping it multiplatform is really going to do much to claw back the marketshare they had in the 360 era, or come close to making back that $70 billion.

i tHoUgHT iT wAs jUsT a mS eMpLoYeE tRoLLiNg

Superb, Forza and a new Yakuza in the same month ^_^

Visually this doesn't do it for me, but it's from the lead gameplay designer of Inside, then I must play it.

@ironcrow86 Well exactly, the moves in MK are fun in an OTT way, that's why I said it's great as a casual fighter. The cinematics are unmatched.

But as opposed to a technical fighter with bags of depth, it's more of a party game like Smash Bros, only ultra violent

@ZuneTattooGuy The MK character design is great. I love the look of the characters and some of their moves, especially finishing moves obviously.

But in terms of the mechanics, they are too similar. The variety of playstyles in Street Fighter is staggering - so many different normals, specials, supers, different forms of zoning and rushdown, all while being very balanced and having great matchups.

Also even though I like USF4 has the best roster by far, of any Street Fighter, I quite like some of the new characters in SF6. Certainly more than SF5. Manon, Kimberly, Jamie and JP are all good. As far as classic characters, DeeJay, Blanka, Honda are all superb in this game. Dhalsim is also pretty good. Design wise Ken is horrible, but gameplay wise he is incredible. The ultimate rushdown.

I like Street Fighter because of the gameplay, mechanics, and satisfaction of pulling off great sequences.

No other fighting game compares with the feeling of doing a string of parries in SF3 and then unleashing a Super, or in SF4 doing a cross up into jab jab CMK Superb, or with Balrog getting a jump in into crouching jab x 3, headbutt into Ultra.

The input requirements are high compared to other fighting games, including 1 frame links in SF4 and even stuff that's taken for granted like SRK > FADC > Ultra, it's hard to pull. But when you master Street Fighter the core gameplay has a level of satisfaction and engagement far beyond any other fighting game imo.

As far as 2d (2.5d) fighters go, Killer Instinct is the only one that comes close for me. That game is underrated, and I'd love to see a sequel.

@ZuneTattooGuy I'm no fan of eSports, but I'm talking about the Street Fighter tournament scene that predates eSports by 20 years, including the epic Daigo Vs JWong showdown in 3rd Strike etc.

There is a reason why Street Fighter is always the main event at evo - it's the best fighting game there is, on a technical/mechanical level.

@ZuneTattooGuy There's a reason why Street Fighter has always been the #1 fighter for competitive play, and tournaments. The core mechanics are the best. Precise, technical, generally well balanced, with some brilliant variety in characters and gameplay styles.

@ironcrow86 Only if you're an absolute casual and can't even do a fireball from the right side of the screen

Street Fighter has always been the best fighting game series since the original SF2, and still is.

@ZuneTattooGuy And yet as a fighting game, SF6 blows it out of the water.

@FenIsMightier Fair post. As a casual experience, especially single player, MK1 is probably a lot of fun. Looks really nice too, I love the visuals and character designs.

But as a fighting game? IMO nothing comes close to SF3, SF4 and SF6. They are as precise and technical as it gets, while still being extremely fun. The mechanics are amazing.

Better than SF6? The more thought or notion or idea is outright blasphemous

Nice. It's a good idea for console lovers, especially those of us who have fond memories of consoles since childhood etc

I should read more stuff on Time Extension, the few articles I've read there have been good and interesting.