This December is unusually busy! Games coming out include The Callisto Protocol, Need for Speed Unbound, Marvel's Midnight Suns, and more. We pick the most interesting December games, from AAA to indie, so you can make sense of everything coming out.
TNS: "We're shining a light on a bunch of "bad" games that may've been left wanting when it comes to their critical or audience reception."
Good list I've had similar reactions to some games even ones on the list like the order and Callisto
Also I recently grabbed forspoken for, 5 dollars at a eb games Clarence sale and I am actually enjoying it more than I thought I would
Sometimes you just need to give critically panned games a chance
Oh gosh, good shout on Forspoken! Genuinely forgot about that one, and haven't got around to playing it. It's on my to-buy-in-a-sale list!
Knack was great ! Had a blast with the first one. Haven’t tried the second one though due to backlog
The Fight: Lights Out was also a game i enjoyed very much and highly detailed with great motion control when you understand how they work, which is what pushed people away from this game..
Both The Order and Calisto were harshly treated in my view. I am not saying they are perfect, but the were both really solid games. I personally really liked them despite acknowledging their flaws and coincidentally, got the platinum trophy for both games.
Evil West is another really fun game that's worth checking out for sure.
Forspoken was great. Never really understood all the criticism. 2nd best traversal in a game after Spiderman
Yeah gameplay wise I get huge infamous vibes with its combat starting out as low level eventually becoming a unstoppable power spewing killing machine with a wide variety of powers infamous is one of my favourite franchises obviously it's not the same but I love the combat of it so far.
I feel like we’re finally starting to see a sea change in how we treat our favorite games. Sure, we all acknowledge that a game can suck and we can still enjoy it. Hopefully this results in meaningful review scores. Personally, I find a lot of bad games are better if you blast through them on the easiest difficulty. Callisto protocol on the image is a good example of this.
I really liked Calisto, harshly treated for sure and I don't necessarily think it needs to be played on easy to enjoy it. It's not perfect, but it's not the car crash the media portrayed it as either.
I have said it before, but part of the issue is that there is a mind share going on in games coverage, with all the main outfits being personal friends and talking too each other. As such, there is a risk that everyone ends up sharing in the same opinion rather than thinking from themselves. I reckon that's why some games get a universal bashing when consumers actually like the game and equally, games get great reviews across the board and the game doesnt land with consumers.
Actually, I started liking FO76 after the wastelanders DLC ... it has been my guilty pleasure
other games I can think of Order 1886, Driveclub, Resident Evil 6 (only the Leon part), Alpha Protocol (pretty unique, needs a remake), XIII Remake (after patches), Medal of Honor 2010, Medal of Honor Warfighter, Homefront The Revolution, Enemy Front, Legendary The Box, Faces of War, Conflict: Vietnam, Conflict: Global Storm & Codename: Panzers – Cold War
Driveclub was genuinely a good game with a poor launch. Alpha Protocol is superb, just a few archaic design choices for the time.
I want past games with interesting setups/mechanics but having some flaws (due to crunch or budget) to be remade so that the gaming community can appreciate and enjoy them as was envisioned and intended by the developers. In contrast to a successful game being remade again just with prettier coat of paint.
Alpha Protocol tops that and I'll include FO:NV as well as an exception (it is popular but features were cut due to limited dev time). And also Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines I, Singularity, KOTOR II and maybe Daikatana.
There might be others which I can't recall atm.
I loved Enemy Front. I pre ordered it months prior and remember calling the store to check if it came out that day. The guy never heard of it but confirmed my copy was ready to pick up. Game was simple and basic in a good way. Didn’t have any tacked on extras. A simple mission and objectives in each level. Kind of reminded me of the first Crysis in a way
I loved The Order, ridiculous graphics for it's time and a very interesting setting, it was linear but not as bad as people say. Similar thing with Callisto Protocol, i admit that i played it a long time after release so maybe issues were fixed by then, but it was a fantastic Dead Space-like horror game with some of the best graphics i've seen in my life.
Yup, I am afraid to say I waited on Calisto and picked it up for around 30 quid. Once I played it on felt really badly for the devs because the game was really decent.
Need For Speed Unbound is set to be removed from the PS Plus Extra/Premium game catalog alongside other games in August 2024.
Been meaning to play Trials of Mana. At least they give us a month's notice. I think I'll start it today.
Yea, I've held back bc I wanted to play through the OG JP (translated version) on Mana Collection first.
That's fine, I'll just jump into this one. I played Secret of Mana back in the day, so I'm sure I'll appreciate it. :)
Atleast I think Heat was on essential, and that's a better game than Unbound imo. Very similar games, just think the overall gamedesign makes more sense in Heat.
Agreed! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so :)
I tried hard to love Unbound (I paid full price, so I wanted my monies worth), but it just didnt do it for me....
I’m from Southwest Florida and the thing I loved about Heat was it really reminded me of my hometown (which I know it was more on the opposite end of the state, but it still hit me with nostalgia). I actually enjoyed the game, but I felt the cops were a little crazy. Like they will rubber band you and are just terminator levels of relentless.
Paying for your games to play only for them to get removed? Good job people lol. At least some of those games on PC can be kept forever. As the old saying goes if buying isn't owning pirating isn't stealing.
PS Blog:
Tackle deadly creatures, wield the legendary Buster Sword, carve out a kingdom to call your own and much more with July’s Game Catalog lineup!
Remnant II, Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord and many more games will be available from July 16 for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members.
We’re also announcing new classic and PS VR2 game offerings coming to PlayStation Plus Premium.
This is a really solid month.
Pathfinder: WoTR is one of my favorite games it's got a D&D base with some of the best character creation of any game. And the multiple Mythic Paths offer meaningful changes to the way the game plays out and enhance character creation it's very cool.
I recommend the tactical mode for combat.
Nice, had Crisis Core in my wishlist (was waiting for a great sale since I have a huge backlog), this saves me that.
Some very cool games..
i only have Crisis Core it is a nice game but not memorable.. if you go for platinum remember to follow a guide cause everything is missable and the side missions are only unlocked by doing some stupid tasks.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog
- Remnant II – Standard Edition | PS5
- Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion | PS4, PS5
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord | PS4, PS5
- The Jackbox Party Pack 9 | PS4, PS5
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous | PS4, PS5
- No More Heroes 3 | PS4, PS5
- Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Complete Edition | PS4
- Deadcraft | PS4
- Steep* | PS4
PlayStation Premium | PS VR2 & Classics
- Job Simulator | PS VR2
- Summoner | PS4, PS5
- Ratchet and Clank Size Matters | PS4, PS5
- Jeanne d’Arc | PS4, PS5
Jeanne d'Arc w updated visual fidelity and trophies is pretty huge for me! It was one of my favorite PSP games, and an extremely good tactical jrpg w great story. I really look forward to Crisis Core also, since I played that back on the PSP as well.
Liking the monthly PSVR2 adds in general, although I already played this one on the OG PSVR. Luckily still catching up with the days of play freebies
Was thinking about the game recently, been wanting to retry it, so I'm pretty excited. Though I remember liking the sequel more.
Also very interested in Jeanne D'arc.
Oh, I didn't know they rerelased Crisis Core. How is it compatible with this new canon we have going on right now? Is it at all?
Goggle search says no changes. Makes sense as the remakes aren't on switch and Xbox while the CC remaster is on there. Still just a prequel to OG7.
FF VII reunion and maybe callisto protocol
Callisto Protocol , Blacktail, High on Life, Choo-Choo Charles, Need for Speed Unbound for me ...
and maybe Midnight Suns but its 75 hrs long!
Callisto Protocol 100% for me.
Waiting for the reviews of FF 7 reunion and Callisto Protocol.
Picking up my pre-ordered copy of Calisto Protocol this Friday & 11 days later Crisis Core:Reunion.