@Millionski start with Final Fantasy 7 remake. Imo it is superior to FF16. Final Fantasy is a series of games which are not linked by number. You can start at any number 6,9,16 it doesn't matter. At their core they are JRPGs of varying mechanics. Some games in the series have a more expanded universe than others. To throw a spanner in the works Final Fantasy 11 and 14 are massive multiplayer online games.
I would advise on playing FF7 remake first, you can then pickup rebirth if it's your cup of tea and continue the adventure. My favourites are FF8 and FF10 but that comes down personal preference. Some people love FF6, FF9 and even some lunatics swear by FF13. But they are crazy.
@Jenkinss what's ironic is your profile pic is the master system. With games progress mostly measured in high scores. Meaning is derived from the value you place into the activity. If achievement hunting is your bag, then good for you. If it's not, then it doesn't matter. No one's being killed keeping a score tally going.
@Zenszulu I went through a period of padding my score deliberately with easy wins in between the harder 1000gs (such as elden ring, the contra collection, Halls of Torment and Gundam battle alliance). It was fun in of itself attempting to push through the 500k barrier. But yeah, I'm over that now and having fun with the better developed games from bigger publishers, without the pings.
One thing I will say. Your typical retail release games usually have the worst achievements. And what I mean by that are timed or 1 life completions. Back in the day, perfecting a good game was an honourable pursuit in the late hours after school or work. With the amount of choice these days outside of the most ardent of fans or the developers themselves, who wants to run the same game multiples of times to hopefully get the last 50g? I understand why they are there, but ultimately frustrate rather than engage the player.
For an older gamer this all sucks and I would argue (and strongly) that most gamers over 40 will be miffed by this news. And most gamers over 40 are the majority of the customers present day and date with a new £1000+ console release. If we have held off on PC gaming, it's due to the ease of use and owning our games, if all these platforms going forward are generic game playing boxes, then what makes PlayStation or Xbox a better option over Steam, Gog or even dare I say the epic game store?
The recent news from Playstation and Xbox is all bad. For me I may buy a next gen console, but it will the most reluctant console purchase I will ever make.
I would also argue that gaming is a lot different to movies or music. You rarely watch movies multiple times so there isn't a point in owning a swathe of blurays. Music has evolved so going out to a gig or concert and listening over Spotify or YouTube is the business, far superseding CD sales.
Gaming is different, you can spend weeks, months or sometimes years finishing a game and you often get an itch to replay it (Halo and the Mass Effect Trilogy for me). That alone makes owning games more valuable and imo the reason so many people are reluctant to let it go.
After a bunch of digital games I owned went missing from my owned games tab, the only way I can get to them is through the store - finding the game on the store - then installing. I can't remember all of them and it got on my nerves so much I decided to go back to physical only. And do you know what?
It's so much better. I can play it, put it on a shelf and then sell it further down the line. The convenience of digital is a ruse when they can delete your purchases because of 'reasons'. I guarantee anyone on here, if you look at your owned library is missing games.
@XeroSum You make a good point and maybe that was MS original plan. It just didn't quite turn out the way they intended.
People weren't spending more money as was widely reported. Everyone here was getting free Xbox gamepass ultimate and / or earning £10+ of vouchers each month. It was unsustainable in an environment were no one buys games or pays for subscriptions.
It did drive engagement. Something that generous actually led to people using multiple accounts and basically running their own individual bot farms.
Although retail vouchers are similar in principle, they are usually restricted to no stacking of vouchers / incentives. With MS rewards for ten minutes clicking random stuff and running it religiously you could stack hundreds of pounds worth of vouchers. I've never seen a rewards program so easily blagged with so little concentration needed. Typing in sequential numbers for searches, clicking any answer in quizzes etc.
Where the service is at right now is more sustainable with less scope for bad actors to misuse the system. (Gutted it's less rewarding but still glad it exists).
@EdgarTheBug individual profile building and engagement metrics.
MS Rewards is significantly worse now. I drop in every 3/4 days, and click a bunch of mini tasks for circa 250-300 points. A voucher every few months. Better than nothing I suppose. But a far cry from the monthly £10 vouchers which was honestly unsustainable for any business.
I'm currently running through the castlevania collection having only briefly played some of the earlier games. Wow they are great actually, once you are over the kind of unfair difficulty and understand how to play, it can be a blast.
I've been off game pass for a good while. High on life was a blast so yeah, the sequel and all the new additions are nudging me towards a renewal.
I wonder if all the reviewers (with a limited sense of humour) will dismiss the second game as quickly as the first. It was gorgeous to look at, fun to play and had some excellent set pieces. Bring on part 2.
@TrollOfWar yeah it's a tough sell, games have come a long way and going back to the 80s and early 90s is jarring. That said there's enough good stuff on the system now, to upsell the household on a vsr, especially after this year with the neo geo and Taito collections.
@TrollOfWar collection 1 is down on everything just in case there is a second.
Great work getting a super pocket. I'm knee deep in the Alpha home arcade machine ATM, and have just bought nother 3 carts off funstock. I will be upto 54 carts!
@ThatFilbo Disagree. I once had a trophy not pop when I had completed all the criteria is Ghost of Tsushima. That stopped a plat trophy.
The same happened more recently in The Skywalker saga on Xbox and I lost 30 points.
Plats or Points. It's personal preference. There is no better or worse. But when a milestone misfire happens. It's significantly preferable on the Xbox.
I cancelled earlier in the year when the writing was already on the wall. I bought both Halls of Torment and Ball X Pit for less than a month of ultimate, and I own them....
Until they get delisted or some other MS nonsense.
@Fiendish-Beaver "Why would you pay someone for something that can be easily, accurately and more quickly be done by AI?"
Because AI isn't accurate. In my opinion it's more like when automation came into factories, you still need mechanics and line workers to keep the factory running. But there's a huge difference between a factory making the same product again and again compared to a game on the scale of GTA6.
I acquired Halls of Torment outside of Game Pass for £9.99, which included some additional downloadable content. It resembles Vampire Survivors, but necessitates a slightly higher degree of strategic contemplation. The chance of death should you not concentrate is higher. Give it a go people.
Watching Microsoft throw Xbox owners under the bus whilst proclaiming everything is an X-Box has got to be some of the most anti consumer bs ever conceived. I'm glad all their first party games are being developed for other platforms, as we can all play them on our Xbox of choice, most likely a PS6 when it releases.
@TimelessJubilee the games must have come on leaps and bounds. The umbral mechanic can be annoying, but it's also used really well in places, secret areas and what not. I never played the earlier versions of the game but I'm having a decent time with the game ATM. The whole world is linked, getting lost is kind of part of the games appeal and trying to find the next save points whilst down on health. the map is compact so you do start learning where to go.
I dont co-op, I only play games solo. I'm not finding it easy honestly. And I've 1000g elden ring, the contra collection and trials rising. Up to a giant fire bloke boss and his second stage is brutal (for my build at least).
I think without the huge walkbacks on death, the game would be easy. I can't find any of seeds which grant a checkpoint. Maybe that's why it's harder for me than most. But I'm playing what's in front of me rather than reading tips and hints etc.
Fighting games have taken the mick out of gamers for too long. I'm a big fan of 1v1 fighters but you stop caring about the bucket jangling of dlc, season passes and theme tunes and just play the base game. Its never as fun as the full experience so you lose interest in the franchise. People are finally clicking on with game prices going north. Buying dlc is a self defeating goal as base parts of the initial release are kept back.
@Banjo- I really don’t know, my friend. Even though they occupy entirely different realms of gaming, Indiana Jones showcased an elegant tapestry of interconnected systems that harmonized beautifully. In stark contrast, Starfield felt like a jumbled mess, with its myriad components haphazardly cobbled together into a puzzling experience that left me feeling unsatisfied. My enthusiasm waned dramatically when I touched down on a planet that had a lone, pathetic farm—aside from the usual trio of random locations found scattered across every other planet—which struck me as utterly ludicrous. I mean, in a universe like that, you would practically be begging to be ambushed by space pirates! It’s hard to believe how poorly they set the stage for adventure in a galaxy that should be teeming with life and peril!
I poured about five hours into Starfield, eagerly hoping to be swept away by its vast possibilities, but it soon dawned on me that it was a fruitless endeavor. While the game boasts a multitude of systems, the sheer complexity left me lost and bewildered, scrambling to figure out my objectives. At one point, I found myself aboard my spaceship with six strangers milling about, and to my utter confusion, I couldn't even recognize two of them. It was both chaotic and frustrating, a far cry from the adventure I had envisioned.
@Lup you play it after everyone who pays the additional money. It's not that hard to see.
It's not the absolute worst thing in the world. But it's still scummy. Gamepass subscribers get the game 'day 4' rather than Phil Spencers 'day 1' promise.
I wrote quite a lot on this perk when starfield opened the floodgates, and now multiple games are doing it. It can and probably will get worse in the future.
@FatGuyInLilCoat @AlwaysPlaying Brotato crew stand up! Amazing game, great shout. Great achievement list too.
I also enjoyed Tekken 8 which is now a paltry £20 to buy physical. No love for that almost anywhere and it's a solid edition to the series.
Tetris Forever, is a weird one. I wholeheartedly recommend the game for the documentary and the two special versions of Tetris on the collection. But it feels incomplete, with key versions of the game missing. Still I would recommend buying if it goes on sale.
@Fishmasterflex96 with all the major backlogs we all have going on. It's understandable if it hasn't been played by the gamers here. I loved Tekken and was gifted it by the wife on valentine's day (she's amazing) and it's easily in the top 10. Like a Dragon is a strange one for me. I was huge advocate for Yakuza zero and played Kiwami 1 and 2, more recently 6 and Ishin. I am so burned out on the game loop and although I know it's updated and fresh, with turn based combat. I'm happy to let it slide.
@PJOReilly Amazing write up. Your take on Indy is spot on. Is there any way you could convince the team to redo the game review for the site?
@Rodimusprime13 sorry bro. You aren't even fact checking what you are writing. The Xbox 360 launched a year before the PS3.
The instant game collection (igc for short) was rotated games on a monthly basis. They are one and the same.
However you did get this right;
'the thing was that all the claimed games were considered owned on the x360, so even after you didn't have a active gold membership any games claimed with gold could still be played.'
@Rodimusprime13 'True ps+ was available first but it didn't initially offer anything and only after xbox gold was offering free games did Sony offer the same thing.'
That statement is false. Sony launched the Instant game collection, an upgrade for ps plus in 2012. Games with Gold launched in 2013. I actually wrote that before you posted in comment number 28.
@__jamiie you can play all of their previous games with Rare Replay. And as someone with a significant amount of the extremely rare achievements from the collection. Their own games don't hold up. You can also see why, with a team of talented developers willing to fulfil multiple roles, as is documented within the collection. How they churned out a significant variety of games in the late 80s and early 90s. The had a professional pipeline with decent and well rounded staff. Arguably the best port team in the business.
Their home computer output was great, varied, even novel at times. But I don't think any of them play particularly well once you peel back the curtain. They feel slap dash, lacking the polish of big studios at the time. The games are usually superficially deep with ridiculous peaks in difficulty.
The End of the Snes era and throughout the N64 era, was better. However N64 owners have rose tinted spectacles.
Even their lauded games such as Goldeneye (1997) quickly became overshadowed when Medal of Honour and Unreal Tournament (1999) launched. It looked generations behind in comparison. The recent rerelease hype died faster than a May fly. It's obviously a classic but has aged badly.
This also applies to almost every other franchise they worked on. Once Xbox bought them they released Grabbed by the ghoulies, Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero which all underperformed and let's be honest, all suck.
Viva Pinata was so leftfield it continually dodged anyone's radar. With that series of games Kinect sports duty followed and they did as well as expected.
They attempted to bring back Battletoads and Killer Instinct but their own IP is weak. Better scrolling beat em ups and one v one fighters existed even then.
So that is why. A prolific port team and platform game specialist with a disciplined payroll were bought to develop their own IP, which have all failed. They still have the minerals to make games. But without the big IP, such as James Bond or Donkey Kong their cozy design philosophy and wafer thin game mechanics struggle to carry a new protagonist or concept. Their once ground breaking cgi in-game graphics and arcade boards have been eclipsed, replaced by industry wide game engines and standardised controls.
Sea of Thieves was actually the best game they could have done after all that. Maybe it's been too long, they really needed a big IP to shine.
@Markatron84 @eduscxbox @GeeEssEff Games with Gold launched in late 2013 to compete with Sony's Instant game collection which launched as an upgraded playstation plus in 2012. If we are talking about subscription services with games included.
Xbox live was launched in 2002 for £50 a year. In the box you got a headset and launched with voice chat and friends lists.
Playstation Network launched in November 2006 and was free. The first iteration of playstation plus which was a paid upgrade in 2010, included access to Beta testing and demos and was again £50 per year. But rarely offered full games.
Xbox had the overwhelming upper hand with the online architecture, Sony's Instant game collection initially at least, had significantly better games as a bonus.
PS Now (arguably the precursor to Gamepass and similar sub services) was ok. But the streaming of PS3 games was weak, unplayable at times. The library was full of bargain bin and failed retail games. It's why it didn't work out imo.
Gamepass works due to the focus on quality games.
Also due to the article. Sega launched one of the very first online networks. Called the Sega Channel for the Megadrive / Genesis. Mindbogglingly forward thinking for the time. It came too soon.
The developers have smashed it. Everything works and secrets galore.
After playing it, the 6/10 review score seems ridiculous honestly. Bug free, the graphics are fantastic. The writing, direction and acting is top tier. The gameplay is fun. Twanging guitars over fascists can't possibly get old.
I think one of the reasons people moan about low scores is they bring the average score down. And in a world were the bang average Mario Galaxy and Zelda BOTW are sat at the top of metacritic. As hardly any reviewers voiced very obvious disapproval, where as better games get castigated, it doesn't sit right.
No voice acting in BOTW - pass Nonesensical worlds wrapped in a nothing story in Mario - Pass
Thousands of man hours poured into accuracy, atmosphere and intricacy for Indiana Jones - We need more guns!!!!
@GeeEssEff same. I was considering buying additional controllers for the game, so glad I didn't and held off. Complete joke for an important release. Microsoft haven't got a clue when I'm it comes to their big in house games. Every recent game has glaring issues.
And hardly any single player AAA games (which most of us here on this site are fans of) as the market has completely changed. It's all games as a service, designed for the lowest common denominator. Which Is mobile at worst and steam deck at best.
@jesse_dylan Mario 64 was 30fps. Zelda OOT is well known to have a paltry 20fps. They were also designed around those limitations. (Button inputs register as if the game was running at 60fps, it's why they are popular with speedrunning.)
Most modern games target 60-120 then scale back if it's proving difficult. That's in contrast to old Nintendo, squeezing everything out of that days hardware.
@90sGamer I've seen this kind of behaviour on pushsquare, nintendo life and here.
What exactly do you want from Gamepass? It houses 400 games to accommodate everyone's tastes. With 3 sim style games an RTS and a sports game this month, I kind of understand. I dont have the time to master sim games and just never got on with any RTS games. But Crash, Mafia, Doom 1+2 and loads of other games have just entered on GP, so play them instead, if the genres are not for you.
Otherwise it's really entitled. Aim your ire at paid early access, lootboxes and unfinished games and I will be right behind you. Having hundreds of pounds worth of NEW games joining the service, is a positive.
@DeanyBabyy the collision detection make it even more difficult than the original games. The original Crash used square hit boxes - the remake has pill shaped hit boxes, so you slip off ledges and miss enemies. It's soooo annoying 😑
This is actually a really tough question to answer. If I had to only play 3 games, finite games with a beginning, middle and end would ultimately become tiresome, even if they are as legendary as Mass Effect or Final Fantasy. You would have maybe 2 months of excitement tops. Replaying them every year or so. So it would have to be;
The Master Chief collection (I wish bots were a thing). Cities Skylines Minecraft
You get a certain level of agency and customisation to alter the games mechanics, so they could last some time.
@OldGamer999 Civics are great! Great pick. I'm in a 2 litre GR sport corolla. I'm due an upgrade early next year and was tempted to get an R Line next.
@OldGamer999 I work in used cars and these recent sub services are a nightmare. We used to be able to list cars festures 99% accurately. It's now a toss up for certain car makers as the services can and have been switched off.
Whilst everyone can. Find a cheapish 12 month code online. I've just bought 12 months for £100. Don't sit on your hands.
It's all nonsense. MS have continuously pushed the boundaries of customers good will. Payed early access, price increases and now taking day one games away. They are on the cusp of crossing the red line of price versus value. And the moniker 'best deal in gaming' doesn't hold much water.
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Re: Two Final Fantasy Remakes Discounted To Their Lowest Prices Ever On Xbox
@Millionski start with Final Fantasy 7 remake. Imo it is superior to FF16. Final Fantasy is a series of games which are not linked by number. You can start at any number 6,9,16 it doesn't matter. At their core they are JRPGs of varying mechanics. Some games in the series have a more expanded universe than others. To throw a spanner in the works Final Fantasy 11 and 14 are massive multiplayer online games.
I would advise on playing FF7 remake first, you can then pickup rebirth if it's your cup of tea and continue the adventure. My favourites are FF8 and FF10 but that comes down personal preference. Some people love FF6, FF9 and even some lunatics swear by FF13. But they are crazy.
Re: 300+ Xbox Games Have Injected 300,000G Worth Of Easy Achievements
@Jenkinss what's ironic is your profile pic is the master system. With games progress mostly measured in high scores.
Meaning is derived from the value you place into the activity. If achievement hunting is your bag, then good for you. If it's not, then it doesn't matter. No one's being killed keeping a score tally going.
@Zenszulu I went through a period of padding my score deliberately with easy wins in between the harder 1000gs (such as elden ring, the contra collection, Halls of Torment and Gundam battle alliance). It was fun in of itself attempting to push through the 500k barrier. But yeah, I'm over that now and having fun with the better developed games from bigger publishers, without the pings.
One thing I will say. Your typical retail release games usually have the worst achievements. And what I mean by that are timed or 1 life completions. Back in the day, perfecting a good game was an honourable pursuit in the late hours after school or work. With the amount of choice these days outside of the most ardent of fans or the developers themselves, who wants to run the same game multiples of times to hopefully get the last 50g? I understand why they are there, but ultimately frustrate rather than engage the player.
Re: As PlayStation Announces The End Of Disc-Based Releases, Will Xbox Follow Suit?
@Banjo- thanks bro, I will give them a shout.
For an older gamer this all sucks and I would argue (and strongly) that most gamers over 40 will be miffed by this news. And most gamers over 40 are the majority of the customers present day and date with a new £1000+ console release. If we have held off on PC gaming, it's due to the ease of use and owning our games, if all these platforms going forward are generic game playing boxes, then what makes PlayStation or Xbox a better option over Steam, Gog or even dare I say the epic game store?
The recent news from Playstation and Xbox is all bad. For me I may buy a next gen console, but it will the most reluctant console purchase I will ever make.
I would also argue that gaming is a lot different to movies or music. You rarely watch movies multiple times so there isn't a point in owning a swathe of blurays. Music has evolved so going out to a gig or concert and listening over Spotify or YouTube is the business, far superseding CD sales.
Gaming is different, you can spend weeks, months or sometimes years finishing a game and you often get an itch to replay it (Halo and the Mass Effect Trilogy for me). That alone makes owning games more valuable and imo the reason so many people are reluctant to let it go.
Re: As PlayStation Announces The End Of Disc-Based Releases, Will Xbox Follow Suit?
After a bunch of digital games I owned went missing from my owned games tab, the only way I can get to them is through the store - finding the game on the store - then installing. I can't remember all of them and it got on my nerves so much I decided to go back to physical only. And do you know what?
It's so much better. I can play it, put it on a shelf and then sell it further down the line. The convenience of digital is a ruse when they can delete your purchases because of 'reasons'. I guarantee anyone on here, if you look at your owned library is missing games.
Re: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Drops To 'Lowest Xbox Price Ever' In New Square Enix Sale
@Scrubchub Remake is the better game and has the better characters and story. And at that price you won't be disappointed. Sorry FF16 fans.
Re: Microsoft Rewards Quietly Increases Its Prices For Xbox Gift Cards
@XeroSum You make a good point and maybe that was MS original plan. It just didn't quite turn out the way they intended.
People weren't spending more money as was widely reported. Everyone here was getting free Xbox gamepass ultimate and / or earning £10+ of vouchers each month. It was unsustainable in an environment were no one buys games or pays for subscriptions.
It did drive engagement. Something that generous actually led to people using multiple accounts and basically running their own individual bot farms.
Although retail vouchers are similar in principle, they are usually restricted to no stacking of vouchers / incentives. With MS rewards for ten minutes clicking random stuff and running it religiously you could stack hundreds of pounds worth of vouchers. I've never seen a rewards program so easily blagged with so little concentration needed. Typing in sequential numbers for searches, clicking any answer in quizzes etc.
Where the service is at right now is more sustainable with less scope for bad actors to misuse the system. (Gutted it's less rewarding but still glad it exists).
Re: Microsoft Rewards Quietly Increases Its Prices For Xbox Gift Cards
@EdgarTheBug individual profile building and engagement metrics.
MS Rewards is significantly worse now. I drop in every 3/4 days, and click a bunch of mini tasks for circa 250-300 points. A voucher every few months. Better than nothing I suppose. But a far cry from the monthly £10 vouchers which was honestly unsustainable for any business.
Re: Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Confirmed For Xbox, And Konami Says It Marks A New 'Beginning'
I'm currently running through the castlevania collection having only briefly played some of the earlier games. Wow they are great actually, once you are over the kind of unfair difficulty and understand how to play, it can be a blast.
Re: These 10 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass, Including Three Major Additions (February 5-17)
I've been off game pass for a good while. High on life was a blast so yeah, the sequel and all the new additions are nudging me towards a renewal.
I wonder if all the reviewers (with a limited sense of humour) will dismiss the second game as quickly as the first. It was gorgeous to look at, fun to play and had some excellent set pieces. Bring on part 2.
Re: Xbox Has Begun Licensing Old Games For Physical Cartridges, And More Are Coming In 2026
@TrollOfWar yeah it's a tough sell, games have come a long way and going back to the 80s and early 90s is jarring. That said there's enough good stuff on the system now, to upsell the household on a vsr, especially after this year with the neo geo and Taito collections.
Re: Xbox Has Begun Licensing Old Games For Physical Cartridges, And More Are Coming In 2026
@TrollOfWar collection 1 is down on everything just in case there is a second.
Great work getting a super pocket. I'm knee deep in the Alpha home arcade machine ATM, and have just bought nother 3 carts off funstock. I will be upto 54 carts!
Looking forward to Taito 3 and Turrican next.
Re: Xbox Console Sales 'The Worst On Record' In 2025 As Microsoft Shifts Focus (UK)
@Gabrie the same things you have written (about consoles dying) have been written about for 30+ years.
They make great Christmas and birthday presents. Consoles aren't going anywhere. When Xbox gives up the space, another company will step in.
Re: Three Casual Xbox Games Arrived For 'Free' Over Christmas, Easy Achievements On Offer
@ThatFilbo Disagree. I once had a trophy not pop when I had completed all the criteria is Ghost of Tsushima. That stopped a plat trophy.
The same happened more recently in The Skywalker saga on Xbox and I lost 30 points.
Plats or Points. It's personal preference. There is no better or worse. But when a milestone misfire happens. It's significantly preferable on the Xbox.
Re: Poll: Now That The Dust Has Settled, Which Xbox Game Pass Tier Are You Subscribed To?
I cancelled earlier in the year when the writing was already on the wall. I bought both Halls of Torment and Ball X Pit for less than a month of ultimate, and I own them....
Until they get delisted or some other MS nonsense.
Re: Take-Two Boss Says GTA Couldn't Be Made With AI Because 'There's No Creativity In That Model'
@Fiendish-Beaver "Why would you pay someone for something that can be easily, accurately and more quickly be done by AI?"
Because AI isn't accurate. In my opinion it's more like when automation came into factories, you still need mechanics and line workers to keep the factory running. But there's a huge difference between a factory making the same product again and again compared to a game on the scale of GTA6.
Re: Poll: Which Was Your Favourite Xbox Game Pass Title From October 2025?
I acquired Halls of Torment outside of Game Pass for £9.99, which included some additional downloadable content. It resembles Vampire Survivors, but necessitates a slightly higher degree of strategic contemplation. The chance of death should you not concentrate is higher. Give it a go people.
Re: Talking Point: How Do You Feel About Halo: Campaign Evolved Launching Day One On PS5?
Watching Microsoft throw Xbox owners under the bus whilst proclaiming everything is an X-Box has got to be some of the most anti consumer bs ever conceived. I'm glad all their first party games are being developed for other platforms, as we can all play them on our Xbox of choice, most likely a PS6 when it releases.
Re: The Best Xbox Soulslike Games NOT Made By FromSoftware
@TimelessJubilee the games must have come on leaps and bounds. The umbral mechanic can be annoying, but it's also used really well in places, secret areas and what not. I never played the earlier versions of the game but I'm having a decent time with the game ATM. The whole world is linked, getting lost is kind of part of the games appeal and trying to find the next save points whilst down on health. the map is compact so you do start learning where to go.
I dont co-op, I only play games solo. I'm not finding it easy honestly. And I've 1000g elden ring, the contra collection and trials rising. Up to a giant fire bloke boss and his second stage is brutal (for my build at least).
I think without the huge walkbacks on death, the game would be easy. I can't find any of seeds which grant a checkpoint. Maybe that's why it's harder for me than most. But I'm playing what's in front of me rather than reading tips and hints etc.
Re: Mortal Kombat 1 Fans Disappointed As Definitive Edition Launches On Xbox
Fighting games have taken the mick out of gamers for too long. I'm a big fan of 1v1 fighters but you stop caring about the bucket jangling of dlc, season passes and theme tunes and just play the base game. Its never as fun as the full experience so you lose interest in the franchise. People are finally clicking on with game prices going north. Buying dlc is a self defeating goal as base parts of the initial release are kept back.
Re: Starfield Has Possibly The Best Single-Player Narrative Of All Time, Says God Of War Director
@Banjo- I really don’t know, my friend. Even though they occupy entirely different realms of gaming, Indiana Jones showcased an elegant tapestry of interconnected systems that harmonized beautifully. In stark contrast, Starfield felt like a jumbled mess, with its myriad components haphazardly cobbled together into a puzzling experience that left me feeling unsatisfied. My enthusiasm waned dramatically when I touched down on a planet that had a lone, pathetic farm—aside from the usual trio of random locations found scattered across every other planet—which struck me as utterly ludicrous. I mean, in a universe like that, you would practically be begging to be ambushed by space pirates! It’s hard to believe how poorly they set the stage for adventure in a galaxy that should be teeming with life and peril!
Re: Starfield Has Possibly The Best Single-Player Narrative Of All Time, Says God Of War Director
I poured about five hours into Starfield, eagerly hoping to be swept away by its vast possibilities, but it soon dawned on me that it was a fruitless endeavor. While the game boasts a multitude of systems, the sheer complexity left me lost and bewildered, scrambling to figure out my objectives. At one point, I found myself aboard my spaceship with six strangers milling about, and to my utter confusion, I couldn't even recognize two of them. It was both chaotic and frustrating, a far cry from the adventure I had envisioned.
Re: Xbox Offering Special 'Upgrade' Deal For Early Access & DOOM Content In THPS 3+4
@Lup you play it after everyone who pays the additional money. It's not that hard to see.
It's not the absolute worst thing in the world. But it's still scummy. Gamepass subscribers get the game 'day 4' rather than Phil Spencers 'day 1' promise.
I wrote quite a lot on this perk when starfield opened the floodgates, and now multiple games are doing it. It can and probably will get worse in the future.
Re: Xbox Praised For Putting 'Lots Of Effort' Into Store Curation Compared To Sony & Nintendo
@Decimateh we got a one star review on Google from someone who couldn't find us, as they put the wrong postcode in.
Like, it's on all of our adverts and website. We are on an A-Road with our own slip road.
Strangely it kind of helped, as other reviews since have commented on that review in our defence.
Re: Award-Winning $3.99 Game 'The Exit 8' Has Just Shadow Dropped On Xbox
Why is everyone watching solution videos without buying the game? It's like buying wiper blades for a BMX bike.
Re: Talking Point: Which Xbox Games Deserved More Love In 2024?
@FatGuyInLilCoat @AlwaysPlaying Brotato crew stand up! Amazing game, great shout. Great achievement list too.
I also enjoyed Tekken 8 which is now a paltry £20 to buy physical. No love for that almost anywhere and it's a solid edition to the series.
Tetris Forever, is a weird one. I wholeheartedly recommend the game for the documentary and the two special versions of Tetris on the collection. But it feels incomplete, with key versions of the game missing. Still I would recommend buying if it goes on sale.
Re: Poll: How Many Xbox Games Have You Actually Bought In 2024?
Looking at my year in review I played 212 games and only 39 by Gamepass. I'm propping up the average purchase numbers for the likes of @redd214
Happy Christmas you filthy animals 💝🥳🎉
Re: Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2024
@Fishmasterflex96 with all the major backlogs we all have going on. It's understandable if it hasn't been played by the gamers here. I loved Tekken and was gifted it by the wife on valentine's day (she's amazing) and it's easily in the top 10. Like a Dragon is a strange one for me. I was huge advocate for Yakuza zero and played Kiwami 1 and 2, more recently 6 and Ishin. I am so burned out on the game loop and although I know it's updated and fresh, with turn based combat. I'm happy to let it slide.
@PJOReilly Amazing write up. Your take on Indy is spot on. Is there any way you could convince the team to redo the game review for the site?
Re: SEGA Is Reportedly Considering Its Own Gaming Subscription Service
@Rodimusprime13 sorry bro. You aren't even fact checking what you are writing. The Xbox 360 launched a year before the PS3.
The instant game collection (igc for short) was rotated games on a monthly basis. They are one and the same.
However you did get this right;
'the thing was that all the claimed games were considered owned on the x360, so even after you didn't have a active gold membership any games claimed with gold could still be played.'
Which was fantastic!
Re: SEGA Is Reportedly Considering Its Own Gaming Subscription Service
@Rodimusprime13 'True ps+ was available first but it didn't initially offer anything and only after xbox gold was offering free games did Sony offer the same thing.'
That statement is false. Sony launched the Instant game collection, an upgrade for ps plus in 2012. Games with Gold launched in 2013. I actually wrote that before you posted in comment number 28.
Re: Xbox Game Studios: All Microsoft First-Party Developers & What They're Working On
@__jamiie you can play all of their previous games with Rare Replay. And as someone with a significant amount of the extremely rare achievements from the collection. Their own games don't hold up. You can also see why, with a team of talented developers willing to fulfil multiple roles, as is documented within the collection. How they churned out a significant variety of games in the late 80s and early 90s. The had a professional pipeline with decent and well rounded staff. Arguably the best port team in the business.
Their home computer output was great, varied, even novel at times. But I don't think any of them play particularly well once you peel back the curtain. They feel slap dash, lacking the polish of big studios at the time. The games are usually superficially deep with ridiculous peaks in difficulty.
The End of the Snes era and throughout the N64 era, was better. However N64 owners have rose tinted spectacles.
Even their lauded games such as Goldeneye (1997) quickly became overshadowed when Medal of Honour and Unreal Tournament (1999) launched. It looked generations behind in comparison. The recent rerelease hype died faster than a May fly. It's obviously a classic but has aged badly.
This also applies to almost every other franchise they worked on. Once Xbox bought them they released Grabbed by the ghoulies, Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero which all underperformed and let's be honest, all suck.
Viva Pinata was so leftfield it continually dodged anyone's radar. With that series of games Kinect sports duty followed and they did as well as expected.
They attempted to bring back Battletoads and Killer Instinct but their own IP is weak. Better scrolling beat em ups and one v one fighters existed even then.
So that is why. A prolific port team and platform game specialist with a disciplined payroll were bought to develop their own IP, which have all failed. They still have the minerals to make games. But without the big IP, such as James Bond or Donkey Kong their cozy design philosophy and wafer thin game mechanics struggle to carry a new protagonist or concept. Their once ground breaking cgi in-game graphics and arcade boards have been eclipsed, replaced by industry wide game engines and standardised controls.
Sea of Thieves was actually the best game they could have done after all that. Maybe it's been too long, they really needed a big IP to shine.
Re: SEGA Is Reportedly Considering Its Own Gaming Subscription Service
@Markatron84 @eduscxbox @GeeEssEff Games with Gold launched in late 2013 to compete with Sony's Instant game collection which launched as an upgraded playstation plus in 2012. If we are talking about subscription services with games included.
Xbox live was launched in 2002 for £50 a year. In the box you got a headset and launched with voice chat and friends lists.
Playstation Network launched in November 2006 and was free. The first iteration of playstation plus which was a paid upgrade in 2010, included access to Beta testing and demos and was again £50 per year. But rarely offered full games.
Xbox had the overwhelming upper hand with the online architecture, Sony's Instant game collection initially at least, had significantly better games as a bonus.
PS Now (arguably the precursor to Gamepass and similar sub services) was ok. But the streaming of PS3 games was weak, unplayable at times. The library was full of bargain bin and failed retail games. It's why it didn't work out imo.
Gamepass works due to the focus on quality games.
Also due to the article. Sega launched one of the very first online networks. Called the Sega Channel for the Megadrive / Genesis. Mindbogglingly forward thinking for the time. It came too soon.
Happy Christmas 🎄
Re: YouTuber Breaks Down Xbox's 'Almost Perfect' New Ad Campaign
The reason Xbox and Playstation have sold less consoles this generation is the console prices haven't reduced. In fact they went up.
No one wants a digital only console in the lower working classes as they tend to own fewer games and use CEX etc.
So rather than an Xbox or PS, they get gifted a switch, cheap mobile or tablet.
In that respect you can understand the strategy. But it all falls down as the experience is rubbish.
Re: Xbox User Insists Some Owned Games Are Being Hidden From Players' Libraries
I'm missing two games. One was an anti grav racer I bought about 18 months ago. It's completely disappeared.
Re: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Is Now Available On Xbox Game Pass (December 9)
Incredible game.
The developers have smashed it. Everything works and secrets galore.
After playing it, the 6/10 review score seems ridiculous honestly. Bug free, the graphics are fantastic. The writing, direction and acting is top tier. The gameplay is fun. Twanging guitars over fascists can't possibly get old.
Re: Review: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle (Xbox) - A MachineGames Misfire
I think one of the reasons people moan about low scores is they bring the average score down. And in a world were the bang average Mario Galaxy and Zelda BOTW are sat at the top of metacritic. As hardly any reviewers voiced very obvious disapproval, where as better games get castigated, it doesn't sit right.
No voice acting in BOTW - pass
Nonesensical worlds wrapped in a nothing story in Mario - Pass
Thousands of man hours poured into accuracy, atmosphere and intricacy for Indiana Jones - We need more guns!!!!
Re: It's That Time Again! Your Xbox 'Year In Review' 2024 Is Now Available
Total time
1,334h
Games played
200
Preferred platform
Console
Achievements earned
+3,663
Gamerscore earned
+194,047
Busiest month
August
I may have gone a tad overboard this year.
Re: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Rolls Out Xbox Series X|S Update After Bumpy Takeoff
@GeeEssEff same. I was considering buying additional controllers for the game, so glad I didn't and held off. Complete joke for an important release. Microsoft haven't got a clue when I'm it comes to their big in house games. Every recent game has glaring issues.
Re: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Is Shaping Up To Be An Xbox GOTY Contender
@Xbox_Dashboard if the game is offline, you miss the real world weather and data. The game also uses Bing maps to make the immediate area.
Normally I would agree that an offline mode is a must. In MSFS 2024, it wouldn't work.
Re: Rumour: Microsoft To Launch Next-Gen With Series X Successor & Handheld Xbox
Big, better, more power.....
And hardly any single player AAA games (which most of us here on this site are fans of) as the market has completely changed. It's all games as a service, designed for the lowest common denominator. Which Is mobile at worst and steam deck at best.
Re: Xbox Shares Roadmap For Various Upcoming 'Day One' Game Pass Titles
@jesse_dylan Mario 64 was 30fps. Zelda OOT is well known to have a paltry 20fps. They were also designed around those limitations. (Button inputs register as if the game was running at 60fps, it's why they are popular with speedrunning.)
Most modern games target 60-120 then scale back if it's proving difficult. That's in contrast to old Nintendo, squeezing everything out of that days hardware.
Re: These Five Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (September 3-17)
@90sGamer I've seen this kind of behaviour on pushsquare, nintendo life and here.
What exactly do you want from Gamepass? It houses 400 games to accommodate everyone's tastes. With 3 sim style games an RTS and a sports game this month, I kind of understand. I dont have the time to master sim games and just never got on with any RTS games. But Crash, Mafia, Doom 1+2 and loads of other games have just entered on GP, so play them instead, if the genres are not for you.
Otherwise it's really entitled. Aim your ire at paid early access, lootboxes and unfinished games and I will be right behind you. Having hundreds of pounds worth of NEW games joining the service, is a positive.
Re: Pure Xbox Game Club September 2024: Mafia & Banjo-Tooie
Yeah I play inverted like Yousef. It really hampers the experience when your camera control is all over the place.
I've never played banjo tooie, bit of an odd choice with all the games around. How about a bit of Forza 4 before it bites the dust?
Re: Poll: What Do You Think Of Crash Bandicoot On Xbox Game Pass?
@DeanyBabyy the collision detection make it even more difficult than the original games. The original Crash used square hit boxes - the remake has pill shaped hit boxes, so you slip off ledges and miss enemies. It's soooo annoying 😑
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Buying In The Xbox Summer Sale This Year?
@HelsonR thanks Helson. Great game though.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Buying In The Xbox Summer Sale This Year?
I picked up the hidden gem Samurai Shodown. The 2020 revamp.
What a fantastic fighter. It was only £8 in the sale. I may be wrong but that's the lowest I've ever seen it. Can't stop thinking about it!
Re: Talking Point: If You Had To Limit Yourself To Three Xbox Games, What Would They Be?
This is actually a really tough question to answer. If I had to only play 3 games, finite games with a beginning, middle and end would ultimately become tiresome, even if they are as legendary as Mass Effect or Final Fantasy. You would have maybe 2 months of excitement tops. Replaying them every year or so. So it would have to be;
The Master Chief collection (I wish bots were a thing).
Cities Skylines
Minecraft
You get a certain level of agency and customisation to alter the games mechanics, so they could last some time.
Re: Talking Point: Two Months On, Did Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Live Up To The Hype?
Now I've found out it's only 6 hours long, I will start it tomorrow!
Re: Reaction: Microsoft's Constant Tweaking Of Xbox Game Pass Is Becoming Exhausting
@OldGamer999 Civics are great! Great pick. I'm in a 2 litre GR sport corolla. I'm due an upgrade early next year and was tempted to get an R Line next.
Re: Reaction: Microsoft's Constant Tweaking Of Xbox Game Pass Is Becoming Exhausting
@OldGamer999 I work in used cars and these recent sub services are a nightmare. We used to be able to list cars festures 99% accurately. It's now a toss up for certain car makers as the services can and have been switched off.
Re: Reaction: Microsoft's Constant Tweaking Of Xbox Game Pass Is Becoming Exhausting
Whilst everyone can. Find a cheapish 12 month code online. I've just bought 12 months for £100. Don't sit on your hands.
It's all nonsense. MS have continuously pushed the boundaries of customers good will. Payed early access, price increases and now taking day one games away. They are on the cusp of crossing the red line of price versus value. And the moniker 'best deal in gaming' doesn't hold much water.