somnambulance

If I get a chance to play it, absolutely Split Fiction with the wife. We keep putting playing Lost Records off too, just because there’s been a lot going on for us, but we may finally play that one too. We’ll have a good time with both of them when we get to them.

Outside that, I think I might finally put Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on the back burner. I’m struggling to get into it. Maybe it’ll be something for me at a later point. I mean, it took me half a decade to finally appreciate The Witcher 3, so it can happen.

If I play something solo, it’ll probably be something arcade-y We Heart Katamari or Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2 or Dig Dug.

And I’ll be keeping tabs on SXSW because Kojima. I can’t wait for Death Stranding 2. I’m at that point in my gaming life where I sort of know most things I buy will be a gamble if I like them, but there’s still a select few games that I can say, “When that comes out, I can basically guarantee it’ll probably be one of my favorite games I’ve ever played.” You know, that kid feeling of playing games. I get it with Mario, Zelda, (usually) Final Fantasy, (usually) Resident Evil, Remedy’s games now, you know? But, more than anything else, I feel that way for Kojima games. They just feel like they’re a different level of special. They’re games that feel like they talk directly to me, and I could not anticipate any game more.

I honestly hope it does well. I’m tired of the narrative around Ubisoft. Sure, they’ve made their mistakes, but they’re better than EA or Activision or Embracer, etc have been in the big picture. I’ve liked the last two AC games a lot and loved PoP, and I’d just honestly like to see Ubisoft have a home run. I preordered the game, as I usually do for AC, even with the highs and lows of the series.

They’re working on optimizing it for PS5 Pro and Switch 2 and hoping to salvage that launch with what they’re hoping is a Phantom Liberty tier DLC most likely. That’s what I’d guess.

Although I’d rather just have Elder Scrolls 6 and I’m hoping that feels like Elder Scrolls rather than Starfield.

That’s a nothing for me. Hopefully Atomfall is decent though. With South of Midnight, Atomfall, Clair Obscur, and Doom, I’ve got enough coming where theoretically I’m ok with the release slate.

@Nexozi Yeah, if the rumors are accurate, it sort of feels like Xbox is taking this generation as a loss and moving ahead from it. Certainly feels like they’re moving things around to bolster next year’s launch if that’s true. I suppose we’ll see Xbox’s vision soon enough if the rumors are accurate.

South of Midnight is honestly the best looking first party game to come to Xbox since Halo Infinite for me. I gave it a 9/10. I’m more excited for South of Midnight than I am for Doom and I’m really looking forward to Doom.

I’m hoping it plays a little bit like Kena, but with a better story.

That TechRadar snippet sounds like music to my ears.

@FraserG They absolutely are! There’s certainly surprises sometimes and this one’s a good surprise for me as I’d forgotten about the game! Hopefully we get some classic Castlevania-esque energy here.

Oh man, I totally had no idea Beyond the Ice Palace 2 had a release date. Definitely keeping my eye on that one.

Sort of surprising to me, but I think Xbox was wise to push Avowed back to the launch period it had, as it didn’t have much in the way of competition to keep it from hitting players. It was early enough that Monster Hunter didn’t hurt it and there was perhaps less overlap than expected with KCD2 players… and, yeah, there’s basically nothing else out there this year, so I do believe the “new games” crowd jumped on it whereas Indy released at an awkward timeframe and competed with a brand new Marvel Rivals. You could say it’s a different demographic, but is it? I know more people that were interested in Indy than Avowed for sure, but put it off because they were hooked on Rivals. Some even said that, even with the GP sub, they’re waiting for a PS release. I honestly think Indy’s going to be a bigger hit on PlayStation, whereas I don’t feel the same would be true for Avowed. Either way, happy to see success for the team. Personally, it hasn’t really struck a chord with me, but that’s ok. Not every game will. Happy others are finding an Xbox success.

The game is a a very pure 10/10. Best game in the roguelike genre, in my opinion. As someone that’s played it over a year now, I’d honestly say it’s one of my favorite games of all time.

I can’t use VR personally. I had an eye injury, so 3D films, VR, whatever in its current state does weird things to my eyes. I couldn’t even play my 3DS at launch way back when. It’s like my vision starts tearing or something at a certain point. At any rate, it does things it’s not supposed to do and I’ve only seen that happen at 3D movies and in VR. It takes longer to happen in VR though.

But besides that VR also makes me nauseous and gives me headaches and cold sweats too and that’s before the eye issues kick in. Flat media forever for me.

That said, if Half Life Alyx or Astro’s Rescue Mission aren’t the killer apps, I don’t think it’s going to happen as a gaming thing. I feel like VR is for non-gaming enthusiasts instead. I think VR is aiming for the wrong demographic.

I hope it’s Oblivion. THPS, Outer Worlds, Oblivion, and CoD is a decent line-up.

@Ricky-Spanish Just wait til you’re aiming for ante 12 and beyond!

I feel like I’m still waiting for the first game this year that hits for me. I dunno about anyone else. Maybe KCD2 or Avowed will eventually click, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Honestly, can’t wait for AC Shadows. I’m getting Split Fiction too, sure, but I have a feeling AC Shadows might be that first game this year that I really get absorbed into.

Yeah, yeah, I know, try harder in KCD2, but I’m an adult with kids and a wife and it’s hard to play a game that demands mandatory multi-hour sessions to get anywhere. AC may be chunky, but you can play it for a half hour and do something usually if you’re strapped for time.

Truly curious about Atomfall as well.

I’m in the 4% where I buy multiple games a month. The full report was fascinating and explains the doom and gloom us dedicated gamers have toward the industry right now. I can’t think of many businesses that cater to such a small demographic with such a low attach rate. We’re truly blessed that we get catered to at all at this point because most industries would’ve dropped our breed by now. I mean, jeez, Astro Bot has just a little better than a 1% attach rate for PS5 users and won GotY. I’m happy true games are still alive.

It’s so crazy how things are, but just ask yourself how many people just play CoD or Madden or Fortnite that you know and it’s probably much higher than people that you know that bought Celeste or Plague Tale or whatever.

@Ricky-Spanish It was my most played game last year, own it on three platforms. As of right now, it’s BY FAR my most played game this year. Only game I’ve got 100 hours in this year… Shoot, it’s the only game I’ve got over 20 hours in so far this year. It’s on Gamepass now, so why not try it, you know?

They can let it cook til it’s done. I’d rather have a triumphant return of a classic than an ok one that lets the series fizzle out. It’s why I don’t worry so much about Elder Scrolls 6. It’ll come when it’s ready. Besides, there’s some really big titles on the way.

That said, jeez am I ready for release dates for what IS releasing this year. It’s looking like I’ll be able to budget my time ok, but I just want to prep, you know? I don’t want to race through anything to play through anything else. Feels like the year is pacing perfectly, but then I’m just concerned for nine games releasing in September or whatever 2023 did, you know? 😛

@Fiendish-Beaver Jeez, i hope the Prime doesn’t launch in 2026. No way I’d buy it if it did. It really doesn’t feel like the Series has even touched its potential yet.

Bummer about Fable, but expected. Hopefully that means there’s something else to fill that spot that I’m interested in.

@Millionski I dunno. I think Wilds will be a good seller, but just have a feeling it may be overlooked by end of year…. Unless it’s on Switch 2 later in the year, giving it a second wind. KCD2 just had more passionate critical praise between the two from what I’ve read and seen, but I could be wrong, of course. I’m still trying to invest some time into KCD2 to see if i can “get it,” but I’m still not sure if it’s for me or not. Really fascinating game though.

I’m really curious how Split Fiction will turn out. I have this weird feeling that it might not top It Takes Two, but then again, I’m also ready to preorder it just because Joseph Fares made it and I’ve liked everything else he’s done. I’m aware my trepidation could just be because I just haven’t had that big hit game for me yet this year and last year just wasn’t a huge year of hits for me, so I’m jaded. Lol

@Millionski I get where a lot of people like Monster Hunter and all, but it’s not for me and I really don’t see Wilds competing against any of those titles, based on what people have said about it. Sure, it’s been positive feedback mostly, but it’s also been a sort of a “it’s more Monster Hunter” type of response.

I’m curious if Split Fiction will top It Takes Two. Even if it does, I’m not sure it’s on that tier either.

KCD2 may be on that tier though. For me, I’ve not yet made up my mind about the game, but whether I end up liking it a lot personally or not, I can acknowledge that it’s a masterpiece objectively. I could see it being a legitimate challenge to more established titles.

Nightreign may be a challenger too…

This year could end up being stacked. It still feels sort of 2024 right now to me, but we could have another 2023 by the time the year closes out.

I hope so, but competing against Death Stranding, Ghost of Yotei, Metroid Prime, GTA6, Fable, and Doom (all as of right now, of course) will be stiff competition. If it compares to that level of game, I’m down for it for sure.

Voted a C. It was an ok showcase and yeah a lot is coming to Gamepass, but… would I play any of these games if not for Gamepass? Maybe Moonlighter 2, maybe… I might change my tune once some of these launch though.

Honestly, the Annapurna showcase was a better line-up to me. I practically wanted to play everything that was shown there. To A T looks to be my most anticipated Gamepass title, outside maybe South of Midnight.

@Kaloudz Hope you’re ok, my friend. Sorry to hear that.

You know, the last maybe two weeks has been a weird time for me. I’ve not really played much of anything lately. Have been sort of off, personally.

I bought KCD2 and started it, but just haven’t played it much, and my friends have been wanting to play Marvel Rivals, but I’ve been falling asleep too early, so I’ve missed out. I’ve wanted to start Lost Records and Avowed too, but again, I’m falling asleep too early and haven’t done that. I suppose it could be any one of those games I play this weekend, but I’m hoping to hop onto that Sonic Crosswinds network test as well.

If none of those, I’ve played one game lately two days ago that felt nice to return to and that was We Heart Katamari. That’s a perfect game to knock a funk.

To A T and Silksong shadow drop please.

Halo LAN parties, of course. Ironically, I had Xbox Live for a while before owning any Xbox. I finally got a 360 when I bought Halo 4, but I played Halo with friends like 3-4 days a week for the whole 360 era, just went to a friend’s house to do it. I actually had a decent Xbox Arcade library from games I’d purchased and played on friends’ consoles when I got my own as well. Sort of funny to think I probably bought about 20 games on the console before owning one.

Am I reading this right that Gamepass isn’t delivering in 2025?

As someone that has dropped Gamepass in the past for a lack of new offerings, the service is finally starting to offer unique Day 1 content. Following Black Ops launching on the service, we’ve been getting a steady stream of games, both indie and AAA, including timed first party exclusive titles. Gamepass is potentially shifting to be the best iteration of itself in recent memory, honestly.

And yeah, PS+ getting Lost Records is a great get for that service, but Gamepass authentically has a solid line-up through May on the tentpole releases alone. I’m sure more indies will be announced at the ID Showcase in two weeks too. It’s taken a long while, but Xbox fans are finally seeing the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Nightreign when it works and a bit of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and Marvel Rivals if I’m feeling social.

I feel like KCD2 and Marvel Rivals may be my gaming ritual for the foreseeable future (even if I’ll briefly break that ritual up for Lost Records during the week next week).

What is going on with Replaced? This one and Silksong were both announced more than five years ago now, if I remember correctly. I’ll delete it from my 2025 spreadsheet. That’s a bummer. With Earthblade getting cancelled earlier in the year too, I really hope we get some indie heroes make it in there this year.

@PJOReilly If you just did a main quest story run, what do you reckon the length of the game would be?

Edit: never mind, you sort of answered in another post that went through while I was distracted at work doing work. Novel concept, right?

Loved Will of the Wisps. It’s probably a better game than Blind Forest, but the first game just had a bigger impact. Regardless, I’d argue that, at one point, the Ori games were the best Xbox exclusives to grace the ecosystem last generation… til they weren’t exclusives anymore. Man, I wish there’d be a chance for a third game, but it seems extremely unlikely.

For some reason, I’m expecting it to land either at 81 or 83. I’d love to see it critically top Indy though.

I have a feeling it will be handed many indirect comparisons to KCD2 that don’t necessarily compare the gameplay or anything beyond the scope and size of it being and RPG.

Alan Wake 2 is potentially my favorite game of the generation so far, so I’m so glad to hear that it made profit! I’ll buy practically anything Remedy signs their name to. In this era of gaming, it’s rare to have trust in a developer so deeply, but Remedy has earned it.

So happy to hear this preview period was a positive experience. I’m bought into this title perhaps more than anything else in the Gamepass docket this year because it looks like such a unique game in setting and feel.

I’d like it to be based in the Super Friends universe with a Scooby Doo crossover at some point in the game. I mean, I’m just being realistic to my personal taste in the franchise.

I am struggling with not purchasing it. I’m really curious, but not sure I’ll like it. So many people are calling it a masterpiece though…

I’m literally waiting for Avowed’s reviews and the potential State of Play to decide if I’ll purchase it now or wait. I’ve got store credit ready to burn and I just need to know what and when things are coming out to know how I’m spending that credit. I mean, realistically too, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is in a similar spot. I can’t preorder that one without knowing if Ghost of Yotei is going to launch on top of it.

I suspect I’ll probably have a decision when I’ll slate it in the year next weekend.

I will… wait for Day 1 for Avowed unless we find out it’s 95+ on OpenCritic. Lol.

So nothing next week for me, which means that I’ll be hoping and praying for a Sony State of Play, so I can decide how much longer I can wait before succumbing to the urge to buy Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. Basically a State of Play and Avowed’s reviews will make the decision for me on when I pull the trigger on that one since I’ll have a clean gaming slate again after this weekend, for sure.

I will be wrapping up the exquisite Momodora Moonlit Farewell. After that, only sweet heaven knows!

@FraserG I would imagine you probably already know the truth. 😉

At least I hope so! I like reading your team’s reviews!

@FraserG Y’know, with the review embargo being so out there, it’s such positive PR for Avowed in my opinion. I think we’re at a point where devs should hype up embargo’s rather than hide them if they want to hype their projects. Hope it’s out there because Obsidian is confident rather than because of leakers!

Yeah, I basically just want a solid campaign. I don’t need or want the multiplayer stuff. Save your money, Capcom. Invest that money in getting us Megaman Legends.

RE works so well because it’s a cinematic action game with tight gameplay. The only time multiplayer really hit for me with the series is RE5. If I didn’t play that one multiplayer and have someone to laugh through it with me, I’d have been far more disappointed in it than I was.

It’s ok to talk about Metal Gear Survive, you know?

@themightyant We are certainly getting more games at ID. I suspect we’ll get shadow drops. To A T, for instance, has been rated by ESRB. I expect that the ID showcase will be the brunt of February’s additions, so Xbox can focus on Avowed for most of the month and the indies can stack out the rest of the first half of the year.

@Decimateh might as well give it a go. It’s a unique game, and Two Crowns is a multiplayer title. I’ve owned it on Switch for ages and it’s an addictive title for me, certainly in my top 20 most played games in the lifetime of that console.

@Decimateh Kingdom Two Crowns is an essential indie title, if you’re looking for one. Absolutely fantastic indie strategy title.

I think that’s sort of a reactionary take to things, in my opinion. Say what you will, but 2024 wasn’t exactly brimming with games that the public was excited about purchasing. It was a down year last year for all platforms. I know many gamers that dropped into the single digits with the amount of games they purchased last year. And let’s be real… Xbox didn’t engage with providing strong games enough to have their fanbase invested this generation. If we want to see if this is truly the path forward, let’s see how things look when we’ve got Switch 2 out and likely exhuming physical game sales, as well as the cinematic first party Sony releases like Ghost and Intergalactic. It’s hard to argue that exclusivity is dead based on one game. More metrics are needed to quantify that claim and we’ll see whether this is true or not toward the end of this year. I’m guessing that analysts will be shocked when exclusives sell well this year.

@Kaloudz Obsidian was the same with marketing before Xbox, so I can’t blame Xbox on this one. This is an Obsidian thing, but they do so many other things so well that I’ll forgive them.

I wouldn’t say I’m excited, but I would say I’m interested and hopeful, and I’ll have cleared my backlog by the time it releases unless I pick up something else in the meantime. I’ll be curious which I play first on 2/18. This one or Lost Records. I’d say I’m more excited for Lost Records, personally.