So before TGS, I'm just going to talk about how these two consoles will play out in Japan. First of all, the PS4.
The PS4 is set for a February 22nd 2014 release date in Japan, with launch games including Yakuza Ishin and Dynasty Warriors 8:Extreme Legends, Earth Defense Force, Dream Club, a beta of Deep Down and Final Fantasy XIV as well as exclusives throughout 2014 such as Lily Bergamo from Grasshopper Manufacture, Guilty Gear Xrd: Sign and Natural Doctrine from Kadokawa Games. On top of that, Sony is going to be at TGS and will shed some light on the games that were less explained during the conference and most likely dropping some surprises for the PS4. Now I know Yoshida did say no more surprises left, but he does troll in a good way, so I think we'll see a surprise or two.
That right their spells PS4 domination in Japan. Yes, despite the 2014 release date. Now listen, as far as I know, the Holiday season isn't as big in Japan as the NA and Europe. The NA and Europe are the places were Sony have the most competition in home consoles, so it's a good decision to cover ground their first and then tend to Japan. And even so, it's just a few months later.
You also have to remember that the PS3 is still trotting out buckets of Japanese 3rd party exclusives right now. For Japanese games this year we've got:
Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix
One Piece Pirate Warriors 2
Tales of Symphonia Chronicles (Japanese release this fall and western release early 2014)
J-Stars Victory VS ( also on the VITA and might not get localised due to licensing issues)
As well as some localisations that have happened this year like Ni No Kuni and Tales of Xillia. Hell, Tales of Xillia 2 is getting localised next year. Not to mention that handhelds and mobiles are the main thing there, but consoles are still relevant. So yes, the PS4 will be doing well in Japan. Especially later in the life of the console, because I can guarantee that we'll be getting a lot of Japanese 3rd party exclusives. You should also note that games like Yakuza Ishin, Guilty Gear Xrd: Sign, Samurai Warriors 4, Monster Hunter Frontier G and a Kagero sequel are also coming to the PS3, so Sony doesn't have to go all out in Japan.
Now as for the Xbox One, it's not looking too good at all. On top of the XBO's terrible reveal, Japan did not like the 360 in the first place and seeing the PS4 already has a big lead ahead of the XBO in terms of Japanese exclusives (not a single one apart from Crimson Dragon), they really isn't a point in getting an XBO in Japan. That and the fact that's it's huge and that does not fly in Japan at all.
So the lineup MS is taking to TGS with is going to be:
FIFA 14
Kinect Sports Rivals
Crimson Dragon
Ryse
Forza 5
Max: The Curse of Brotherhood
Killer Instinct
And Titanfall
These eight games will all be playable at TGS. Now listen, this consists of literally no Japanese games apart from Crimson Dragon, which looks very underwhelming to me at least. What else do they have? Well FIFA 14. Really? Does Japan care about FIFA? Kinect Sports Rivals? It's a Kinect game. Ryse? Deep Down is gonna be playable. 'Nuff said. And Titanfall. I get that mechs are the thing over in Japan, but the FPS thing does not work at all for them. Also, isn't there a Gundam game coming out for the PS3?
I'd go and talk about the other games, but you guys will all be able to figure out why this lineup will get crushed by the PS4's. I have no doubt that MS will get Microsoft Japan's new IP out there, but will anyone really care? As it is, PS3 games like J-Stars Victory VS will have more attention than the XBO games at TGS. Just Saiyan.
I have seen reports on MS meeting with Japanese devs, but I don't think that's gonna work out at all. For the last decade, MS has been meeting Japanese devs and it hasn't worked out. The Japanese exclusives for the Xbox have all flopped. Miserably. Look at Tales of Vesperia. The game did so badly on the 360, that Namco Bandai had to release a PS3 version. So I don't think Japanese devs are gonna fall for MS' pay checks again and if they do it'll bite them back HARD. I really hope Japanese devs have realized working with M$ has not been good for them. Their moneyhats do nothing but give them an exclusive and make the company who developed it lose money. Look at Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy XV. I can guarantee you that they will sell TERRIBLY on the XBO, FF15 especially. Like I said, JRPGs didn't sell well on the 360, so with the XBO? Hah, don't even get me started. But, you know what, these games will run better on PS4 and SE have confirmed that they'll be making FF15 sequels and that the KH series will go on after KH3. So you know what I'm hoping for.
So yeah, I think the PS4 will do just fine in Japan and that MS most likely has another Xbox Japan flop on their hands.
Thanks for reading and look forward to the games at TGS! This blogs recommended music is: http://www.youtube.com/watc...
Hype Hype Hype!!!
"Digital board games can be tons of fun, especially when they're cooperative. That's what's in store for Beacon Patrol from Assemble Entertainment. Based on the real-life board game by Torben Ratzlaff, Beacon Patrol has players work together to explore a map and create a network of coastal paths, all by placing tiles. It's a lot like Carcassonne and Kingdomino, but set on the high seas. The upcoming Steam version will support 4-player local co-op, and there's a single-player demo right now," says Co-Optimus.
Mario Kart World is some of the most fun you’ll have this year that offers a deep experience with the Switch 2’s launch.
Few games among the Nintendo Switch 2 launch line-up can match Cyberpunk 2077 in putting the system through its paces. It's a staple of our PC benchmarking suite for good reason: the open world design is a solid stressor for any CPU, while its effects-heavy battles challenge GPU resources as well. This Switch 2 release has clearly been a big undertaking for developer CD Projekt Red too, who produced the port in-house with unique optimisations for Switch 2's ARM-based architecture. It's also remarkably the Ultimate Edition of the game, with both the core adventure and the more taxing Phantom Liberty expansion bundled in - an extra portion that proved too demanding to justify a last-gen console release, and was instead restricted to PS5 and Series X/S, and yet here it is running on Switch 2.
To cut to the chase, Switch 2 offers a truly viable way to enjoy Cyberpunk, either in a portable format or docked under a TV. However, CDPR has shot for the stars in its ambition to include Phantom Liberty as well, and it's here that Switch 2 hits some technical limits - with frame-rates struggling as we explore its newer Dog Town region. Still, that aside, there's a lot to admire in the game's engineering for Nintendo's new console overall, and how competitive it is in comparison with other consoles.
I am happy for CDPR. Their hard work paid off because the Switch 2 version are always in the top 5 Switch 2 launch game sales.
This may be one of the weakest launch lineups Nintendo has ever had, with Mario Kart being the only first party game, but Cyberpunk 2077 will definitely give you tremendous value for your money.
One tip I can give people who have never played the game is to first read books from the cyberpunk subgenre. This will allow you to appreciate the story much better. If you find yourself asking which life path is the best to take at the start of the game, in this case it is Corpo, Streetkid, and Nomad. You likely don't know enough about the genre, and certain things will fly right over your head. While it is not mandatory, the game will be 10 times better if you read or listen to some books first.
Some books I have enjoyed in that genre are:
Cyber Dreams by Plum Parrot,
Stray Cat Strut by RavensDagger
Tower of Somnus by Cale Plamann
Mist Runner by Nicholas Searcy
If you can only read or listen to 1 book, then I recommend Cyber Dreams by Plum Parrot. It is the closest thing to Cyberpunk 2077.
hahaha...what? are you serious right now? the Switch 2 is not a PC where you can just change the graphical settings to get to 60fps...Unless CDPR released a patch to make it run at 60fps, that is.
As of right now, it's stuck at 40fps at best and that too with DLSS from quite a low base res already. so yeah...it's not competitive.
DF are Nintendo's occasional bootlickers after that blatant Zelda games ad scandal.
Games like CP2077 are meant to be played on big console or powerful PC on a big screen.
Got to love how they're simp for full price purchase of 5-year-old game and still getting the worst version to play on.
Wow you guys don’t let up for a second trying to blame DF for anything you can pick out the sky at any given moment. It’s embarrassing dude.
It’s always DF are bootlickers for Nintendo today, Microsoft yesterday, Sony last week. Make your mind up people… pick a side and stick to it. Sounds so stupid when you’re trying to make a point that some company is biased but that no one can make their mind up who the company is biased towards any given day of the week.
Yep, the amount of hate they get is ridiculous. The funny thing is if you actually look at the comments on their early switch 2 videos people are slating them for not giving it enough praise and constantly comparing it to ps4.
"So yeah, I think the PS4 will do just fine in Japan and that MS most likely has another Xbox Japan flop on their hands."
Great blog filled with non bias and informative information. I especially like your rant at the end of how the Japanese should never work with MS again.
The best part though is your claim of some specific games running better on PS4. Exactly how will they run better on the PS4? What could it possibly do on the PS4 that it won't do on the Xbox One?
Japanese game devs have been slipping trying to keep up with western devs. It's a no brainer Xbox will fail in Japan because Japanese value different entertainment. Turn based RPG games on handheld devices crush everything else on the market over there.
i cant wait to play KH3 on my Xbox One, I enjoyed the first two on my ps2 but that shipped sailed a long time ago