So with some of the recent rumblings about third party exclusivity and such, I thought it would be a good idea to raise the general morale (and maybe upset the fanboys in the process...not that I'm doing that intentionally).
Right, so, with the recent announcement of Street Fighter V as a PlayStation 4 console exclusive, gamers are more or less losing their minds in both good ways and bad. On one hand, PlayStation gamers are considering this a huge win and an awesome move on Sony's part. People are even going as far as calling it "just retaliation" for Microsoft's move on Rise of a Tomb Raider, which apparently STILL isn't a fair move on Microsoft's part because, as we've all heard, "PlayStation made Tomb Raider what it is". I don't deny that it has strong roots on Sony's platforms, so let's just keep that in mind for now. On the other hand, gamers are angry in Capcom's choice of platforms and people are bitter about it not coming to XBOX One. Accordingly, this was treated as an unjust move on Sony's part as Rise of a Tomb Raider is a timed exclusive while Street Fighter V can only be played on PlayStation 4 or PC.
As Billy Mays would say, "BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!" It turns out that Microsoft is publishing Rise of a Tomb Raider! In other words, Sony has stolen a third party exclusive and so has Microsoft which might sting more since Tomb Raider is considered a "historically PlayStation thing". Either way, Sony and Microsoft have locked down games no one would have expected to be exclusive.
...Or... did they?
Wording is very funny in an industry of exclusive deals and intellectual properties. There was hope for Rise of a Tomb Raider when they specifically said "Coming exclusively to XBOX in 2015". Left open to interpretation, it means "this game will come later for PlayStation 4, but first to XBOX One". Devious! But then Microsoft signed on as publisher.
Except that only means so much for both Sony and Microsoft.
To name a few, what do Bejeweled 2, Super Time Force, Ninja Gaiden 2, and PlanetSide 2 have in common? They were all published by platform holders and have multiplatform releases (PlanetSide 2 if you can't PC, that is--which you should).
What does publishing a game get you? Pretty much just the original version. Super Time Force? Published by Microsoft and re-releasing as Super Time Force Ultra, featuring Shuhei Yoshida of all people. Ninja Gaiden 2? Re-released as Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. I think it's fair to assume Crystal Dynamics will not miss an opportunity to re-release a more definitive version with DLC on the PlayStation 4. Heck, Microsoft also published Ryse and Crytek said they might bring Ryse to PS4. They didn't say they *would*, but the important thing here is that they didn't say they *couldn't*. Nice, right? Now about Street Fighter: we don't know who's publishing it, but I can't think of a canon Street Fighter that DIDN'T have numerous releases (SFII/Champion Edition/The New Challengers, SFIII/Second Impact/Third Strike, and Super/Ultra/SFIV/Arcade Edition). To be blunt, there's no effin' way that game is not being rebalanced for XBOX One under an extended name.
Do I believe these games are true exclusives? In the strictest sense of the word...yes, but only the original versions. Granted, Microsoft has had more of their published titles reach Sony than the other way around, but it's possible. Technically that means Bloodborne is possibly fair game, but given the relationship From and Sony have, I really can't see that happening. But Tomb Raider and Street Fighter V? Uh, yeah, I'll be counting the days on those. All I can say is that, if you have no interest in shelling out for either of these consoles when you already own one and both games interest you, I suggest patiently waiting. I really don't believe either of these are truly exclusives. Besides, if you hold out and this is true, you'll very likely be rewarded with a more complete version at the same price, less if you count the money you don't spend on another console.
So why does any of this matter? Well, if what I'm saying is true, you can't really believe in third-party exclusives anymore, can you? Granted, if it's a new IP, that's always fair game (sorry Sony fans, I don't think Sunset Overdrive is happening), but it's the pre-existing, established multiplatform games that get people in knots, and understandably so. Maybe this move is incentive to get the console you don't have. Maybe it's incentive to wait. Either way, since this generation is expected to be much shorter, expect a revised version of these games as multiplatform releases not too long after the originals launch. Now if the generation ends and you aren't throwing hadoukens on your XBOX One or completing secret tombs on your PlayStation 4, that's a cause for concern. Until then, cheer up and keep the faith, fellow gamers.
If you're among those who wanted to play Diablo 4 on PC but have been holding out for a Steam release, the wait is almost over following today's announcement.
I was initially interested in this as it looked externally closer to Diablo 2 than 3, but it does seem like the game is not a great single player action rpg I was hoping for. If you take all the press and whatnot hype out of it, is this really any good, for example compared to Diablo 2 or Grim Dawn? The latter has not been as addictive and interesting for me as Diablo 2, but maybe it will get better as I progress. I'm looking for a 100% single-player side of this.
I got the sorcerer to 82 and I thought it would be good similar to diablo 2 but the thing is it is boring. All the dungeons feel the same, the loot is uninteresting you find unique, you pick it up and you continue without looking at it because you know its probably bad and not very different from what you have. You never feel powerful unless you make The Build everyone is using on internet
ESTNN writes: "The Season 7 "Rise of Darkness" trailer for Overwatch 2 also gave us our first look at an anticipated Sombra rework."
"The London-based (the UK) indie games publisher Kepler Interactive and Belgrade-based (Serbia) indie games developer Ebb Software, are today super thrilled and proud to announce that their philosophical atmospheric horror game “Scorn”, is now available for the PS5 via PSN." - Jonas Ek, TGG.
Very lackluster game. Had high hopes for it, but it didn't cut it. Really only for people who appreciate the art of it all. It really doesn't deliver as the Myst title with obscene imagery it was trying to be.
The Xbox version's highest review score on Metacritic is an 80.
One review site gave the PC version a 10. One. Not some. One. That same site gave 100s to BG3, Starfield, Horizon Burning Shores, and FFXVI as well.
Which sites?
As Tacoboto said, only one is showing a 10 and that's for the PC version. I'd also question that publications credibility given they gave Starfield and a dlc a 10 as well.
I agree.
The opening puzzle was a little too vague because I missed something super obvious once I realized what it was. The few attempts at combat back at launch were very rough. It gave me one bout of motion sickness in a section of the game was was especially grey and linear.
But when puzzles felt not-too-obscure and you got out of the grey-on-grey corridors, the experience was unique at least.
I didn't have as much fun as something more whimsical and colorful as Call of the Sea, but it wasn't a waste of the 6-8 hours I put into it. A solid 6/10.
Fair enough. Even so, I had a real blast watching the world's most famous e-begger cry over this game though lol.
Imo, it's a very mixed bag of a game...To be fair though, I didn't walk into it with very high expections...
This game is great, but it's not for everyone. It doesn't hold your hand nor does it try to be accessible, combat is slow and you are always at a disadvantage so if you do engage you must make your shots count because the penalty for missing is often dying and that can reset a lot of your progress. Puzzles are in my opinion the best part, there are enough of them, they offer a good challenge and are also the best moment to appreciate the art style of the game.
The closest comparison that I can give would be with the original Echo Nights. And just like that game, I feel that you have to approach it with the mindset that it's not an action game and that you will get frustrated if you try to play it as one.
Do you remember old game "Bad Mojo"? That game wasn't for everyone either...This is the same kind of game in that aspect. Besides that, I agree with what you wrote.
Oh, Bad Mojo. Completely forgot about it and I definitely agree about it not being for everyone. If I recall correctly I couldn't stomach it for very long and I played it as sort of a challenge.
I agree, the game has stuck with me in all aspects of presentation: sound and visuals were on point.
Great blog! Really enjoyed reading it!
And...hopefully i will be throwing "HADUKENS" on the Xbox one too! lol
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I really hope you'll be throwing hadoukens on Xbox One as well and, if history is any indication, you will be doing that as I'll be completing secret tombs on PlayStation 4. I think this generation is all smoke and mirrors with exclusive claims to games like these.
Keep the faith!