BY JOHN SANTINA: I’m about to show my age a bit here: I first started playing Pokemon games way back with Pokemon Blue. Few video game worlds and characters are as vivid in my mind as the 2D sprites from the Pokemon game that started the phenomenon.
Pokemon Blue and Red are still charming games to look at, with or without nostalgia. The sprites of the different Pokemon managed to convey not just their different physical appearances, but also what the temperaments would be when they finally appeared in the TV series.
Recent Pokemon games have brought full 3D graphics, sure, but they just haven’t captured the magic that my imagination conjured up when looking at those original 2D sprites.
Fortunately, DeviantArt artist Cortoony has managed to capture what made the first generation Pokemon sprites so special while turning them into 3D sprites. Check these out.
Sarah from Marooners’ Rock shares her hands-on impressions of the upcoming remake. With beautiful HD-2D visuals and classic turn-based gameplay, this revival lands October 30, 2025 on PS5, PC, and Switch 2.
The Xbox Game Pass subscription service has been on a generational roll these last few months, and there really doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
Oblivion Remake
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Doom: The Dark Ages
Metaphor: ReFantazio
All of those in just 40 days!
I´m not gonna even mention the upcoming day one games for the rest of the year, because its not even fun anymore.
Gamepass is simply the best thing that happened to gamers!
Even more now with games costing $80+ while economy is in the toilet.
I know some people disagree with you simply because of your username and what you have said in the past but here you are absolutely right there is zero doubt that game pass is the best service available especially with the game prices going up
Microsoft owns the most Studios they own the most IP's so they are the biggest publisher in gaming
So why aren't GamePass subs growing at any rate worth mentioning? Why do they need Playstation to keep their whole gaming division afloat?
edit: Yes, GamePass is a great deal, a really great deal. That is for sure.
Neutralgamer.
Well said, MS got their ass whooped into a working strategy lol. MS will continue to make consoles for the foreseeable future, but they are now capitalizing on what has always been their forte, Software, and platform integrations.
It's kind of similar to Nintendo in that regard, the Wii U did poorly, and made Nintendo rethink the whole console stance, and lean all the way into where the dominated, Handhelds, they consolidated their console and handheld departments and are now stronger than ever.
I never said GP was growing. It's a good service for those who have signed up
But that's the thing right. If something is so great, then why isn't everyone jumping on board? The vast majority of gamers do not want to subscribe, and it looks like they'll never subscribe for any meaningful length of time. It's just not going to happen. That's clear now I think. Still the best deal in gaming, for those who like it though. Can't deny that.
2/4 are above average games. 1 being way above average. The rest are $20 dollar throwaways and that's if you feel you have to play them. No subservice is worth the rental price.
OpenCritic and Metacritic
Oblivion Remake - 82
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - 92
Doom: The Dark Ages - 85
Metaphor: ReFantazio - 93
What game did you say that's average?
Scores are given for marketing purposes. There are only 2 games on that list that are actually above average.
Why do people ask questions when they actually are making statements?
Anas
First of all you are objectively wrong according to gamer reviews and media reviews. And 2nd of the all GP is an amazing service if you have the time to play and try different games. It would have been a great service when we were in school. It's great for families on a budget since they can pay one price and their kids can play all sorts of games
As far as for hardcore gamers I signed up years ago and my subscription is ending this year, I will not renew because for me personally it's not worth it since I don't play as many games and I like to buy the games I play. For some weird reason even when I rented from blockbuster (yes I am that old 😁) or gamefly in the back of my mind was always I need to finish it and try something else
We can't deny that MS has the most Studios and IP's under their belt and they have the resources to use them too. Whether that's sequels or remasters like we just got. I think fact is Xbox fans over hype the GP and Playstation fans downplay it. Somewhere in tbe middle is the sweet point
@Neutral
Game reviewers are an arm of the marketing team.
Renting is always bad for the customer.
Doom is an average game. Oblivion is a below average game.
Anast, you're flailing here. I would opt out before going further. All of the games are good games, some are just better. Even Doom TDA is over 4.5/5 on PSN store.
Edit: In fact...
Oblivion Remake - 4.66
Clair Obscur - 4.9
Doom TDA - 4.76
Metaphor - 4.74
That's from Sony gamers.
The past few months of xbox game pass have been very good. But how many subpar months were there leading up to this? And how many great games will they have in the future? Game prices are super expensive now but so is xbox game pass and pricing wise, I just don't have the time to play enough games for xbox game pass to be worth it. If they ever release the family and friends package, then maybe.
You're really reaching here, all of those are good games, I'd happily play any of those for hours, Oblivion might not be that appealing to me, and the new Doom game might be the weaker of the recent DOOM games... But they're still top tier games.
Never seen anyone who purposely owns themselves with each and every comment you make. Pretty incredible if you ask me.
Scores are given because they're good games. Oblivion is 9.3/10 on PS store and very positive on steam. That isnt a below average game in the slightest. Nothing to do with marketing
Good Lord my guy. I know you dont even believe some of the stuff you type. Instead of reading a comment and getting tight.... Take a deep breath and exit the comment section. You're better than this.
Starting from November of last year to now has been incredible if you're on PC GamePass and a COD player. Seems like all the studios are delivering in the same time frame. I'll keep on for the rest of the year and then take a break for a year or so and let the studios catch up.
Definitely worth it if you’re a day one purchaser of games, and like to zip through them one after the other. I don’t have that much time these days to spend playing games so I will usually wait until they are on sale for 40% or more. I also don’t play through them quickly hence the reason for my huge backlog.
I agree but none of these games are exclusives. But I agree with games costing over 80 dollars aren't good for Sony and Nintendo fans
You do love embarrassing yourself, no? Yeah yeah reviews are for marketing purposes just like for Sony’s blockbusters or that doesn’t count?! Just stop it!
I think if you take what you play and unless you exclusively play games from the service if you buy what you want from the catalogue you're likely saving money over the course of the year.
After being subbed to gp ultimate for three years I cancelled my service because the value wasn't there I wasn't using it and the only reason i didn't cancel earlier was because i stack it
If you exclusively play games from the service then yeah it'll work out cheaper but my preference will always be buy to own physical if possible
The fact that your comment got that many down votes is wild. Say what you want about Microsoft (they waited to long to start making good first party games, the series s was a mess, they abandoned exclusives just when they started making good ones, etc), but to deny the quality of the game pass catalog is just silly and it really highlights the toxicity of fanboyism.
It's funny they used the red ring of death for the thumbnail. People don't think this stuff through.
I'll disagree that this service is worth it. I don't play games as quickly as I used to, so I can still buy games when I want to play them and on a sale and come out on top. Steam also allows me to share my game library with my family. That is worth more in my opinion.
So pick your preference at this point, but I'm still making my way through my game library, and the fact that I can play PS5 games on Steam and Microsoft games on steam and share those games is super cool.
Game pass users can also share with family…..what are you even talking about ?
its not xboxs hot streak, its that we've had good games come out lately and ms gave them money to have their hames on the service.
meanwhile, they've been selling like hotcakes on the other platforms.
And?
Does the notion that the games are available elsewhere diminish the value of Game Pass offering?
no absolutely not, but you know i never said that.
but there are reasons as to why they're on gamepass, lets also not forget that
Sarah previewed Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster at PAX East 2025 on the Nintendo Switch 2—here’s what stood out during her hands-on demo!
