The Friday Inbox discusses the PS5’s early lead against the Xbox Series X, as one reader is glad to enjoy Fortnite with his son.
To join in with the discussions yourself email [email protected]
Increased anticipation
Like everyone I was disappointed by the new delay for Cyberpunk 2077 and like most, but not all, people I didn’t show this displeasure by issuing death threats to the people that make it. But I have begun to wonder whether there’s any way the game could possibly live up to the hype after all this time.
For a start it always bothered me that the game had very few hands-on previews, despite how long it was in development. I think a couple of the big American sites played it and that was it. That makes me very worried about the gameplay, especially the first person shooting which has always been a concern as CD Projekt has no experience in that area.
It also reminds me of No Man’s Sky, which had hardly any proper previews and was also a real disappointment at launch. I’m also worried about the game being too try-hard in terms of the dialogue. Everything I’ve seen so far everyone just seems to be terrible people. I know this is a dystopia but a little variation, by having someone that wasn’t a complete a-hole, would be nice.
I just feel CD Projekt has got everyone into a bad mood against them and even if there’s small problems with the game they’ll be highly magnified. If there’s actual serious issues then things could go very bad indeed.
Oscar Bravo
Lockdown woes
I know it’s a perfect first world problem, and I’ll be feeling mild disappointment not abject rage if it happens, but I’m becoming increasingly convinced we’re going back into a full lockdown just before the new consoles launch.
I thought I was being clever going in and buying from a real live shop but now I’m thinking I may have been better with a popular online retailer.
Stay safe everyone.
DarKerR (gamertag)/DarKerR-UK (PSN ID)
Serious or silly
What I like about Fortnite is that it gives you the opportunity to play in the way that you want to. My 11-year-old son made me play Arena mode tonight and I was dreadful at it but watching him play was a joy as he plays it to be good at the game.
I’m pretty rubbish but have racked up a load of Victory Royales in standard solos (probably mostly against bots) because I think I play games in the more traditional way, in as much as I want to beat the game. If that involves me spending 10 minutes hiding and then getting a jammy win that’s fine with me but it definitely wouldn’t be his cup of tea and I like the fact you can get something out of it whether you like playing for style or grinding out a win.
It can be serious or silly and any game that allows me to make Wolverine dance to Never Gonna Give You Up must be good.
Anon
E-mail your comments to: [email protected]
Too many stinkers
Just to put my two cents in regarding the value for money debate on the opposing subscription battle between Sony and Microsoft, I believe that Microsoft do offer a better overall product.
As someone who has been with PS Now for quite some time now I wouldn’t stop subscribing to the service any time soon but the improvement needed in the next generation (if they pursue this model) is substantial.
The main quibble is the performance of the streaming of PlayStation 3 games, especially when you cannot download them as an option. I have the fastest connection you can get with BT in my area but the amount of stuttering during gameplay and occasional drop-outs can be very frustrating.
Of course, that is not an issue with the PlayStation 2 or 4 games, as you can download those, but for someone who wants to dip in and out of an older game and not take up unnecessary storage I was hoping streaming would be a viable alternative.
The selection of games is plentiful, but as many people have pointed out, Game Pass has the greater quality. There is way too many stinkers on PS Now to wholeheartedly recommend it and the main problem is the older games do not get changed or added to at all, it has just become an extension to PS Plus, with the added caveat you only have the better and newer games for a limited period of time.
I can’t comment to much on Game Pass as I don’t own a Microsoft console at present but I would be very surprised if the interface is worse than what Now offers. It is slow and cumbersome and has not really been altered since the start.
As I said though, I wouldn’t get rid of it now because it still offers decent value, especially when they had a good handful of new PlayStation 4 games every month. However, if was to have both consoles I know what service I would choose.
baby machine-5 (PSN ID)
Successful Quest
So I’ve picked up an Oculus Quest 2 and after having it for a couple of weeks I have to say I’m really impressed.
Graphically, games on the Quest look poor on things like YouTube, they really don’t give anyone a clear understanding of just how immersive the experience can be.
Played Vader Immortal (Episode I), Red Matter (completed it), Echo VR, and Population: One, all of which feel absolutely amazing!
I know Population: One is relatively light in content (one map, albeit a large one) but I was wondering if you plan reviewing it and giving your opinions?
My personal view is that I’m having some of the most fun ever in an online game, the mechanics for shooting, climbing, and flying just works.
Also, a shoutout to the vast majority of players being really good to chat and play with. I’ve discussed the US election, insomnia, and other topics while loading up, which I never really expected. Seems the Oculus community is generally really friendly.
Birdmanrob69
Soulful advice
RE: Johnny five stars’ Demon’s Souls email. He gave good advice and insight into how to approach it. I played it all those years ago on PlayStation 3. My first Souls game after reading GC’s review and to say it was a challenge would be an understatement. However, the atmosphere generated compelled this average-at-best gamer to muddle through because when you get it right you instantly forget the frustration you just went through.
I’d add when you do die (and you will) you can run past the enemies from the last bonfire to get to the boss gate or wherever your souls are. Discretion is the better part of valour in this beast.
I haven’t pre-ordered a PlayStation 5 but if anyone has who fancies Demon’s Souls I wouldn’t pre-order it. There’ll be many copies available on eBay a few hours after release. ‘Buy it now for £40, I want it gone.’
Chevy_Malibu (PSN ID)
Games Inbox: Cyberpunk 2077 hype worries, PS5 slim release date, and Oculus Quest 2 love
Nintendo cloud
So… is the Nintendo cloud streaming stuff the same thing that Microsoft, Google, etc. are trying to do?
Because streaming games becoming a Switch thing before they all get their services mainstream would be quite something. And without all the grandstanding of the Americans too.
Very Nintendo and all that.
FoximusPrime81 (gamertag/NN ID/Twitter)
Currently playing: Deadly Premonition Origins (NS) as a palate cleanser after completing The Witcher 3.
GC: It’s the same concept, but different technology; Control is using a Taiwanese company called Ubitus. How much Nintendo will encourage other games is unclear but there’s already rumours that Resident Evil 7 is coming to Switch, after already being available in Japan.
Slim fast
How likely does GameCentral think it is that we’ll have a PlayStation 5 slim in the future? That box is just huge. Am I right in thinking the PlayStation 4 slim came out quite early in this generation’s lifespan?
Also, is it possible to use the PlayStation 5 with the wings detached? Asking because I want to know how easy it’ll be to carry in a suitcase.
Owen Pile (NongWen – PSN ID)
GC: The fan being so big will probably complicate things but we’d imagine there’ll be one at some point, maybe not as early as the PlayStation 4 one though. The PlayStation 5 does work without the wings but we’re not sure if that affects the cooling – it seems like it would.
Angry alternative
It beggars belief that anyone would issue a death threat to any game developer, it’s ugly, it’s been going on for years (sport seems to have had many issues with such rubbish over the years), and it’s as unacceptable now as it has ever been.
People are working incredibly hard, and in the case of CD Projekt we know they have pulled their developers into the crunch to finish Cyberpunk and I personally would rather have a fantastic game, which is bug free and they can be proud of, when it is ready, rather than a mess rushed out to meet a deadline.
Games like E.T. in the distant past, right up to No Man’s Sky in the present, ably demonstrate that the people making software need the right time and space to develop the best product. E.T. of course ended up in landfill, as it couldn’t be fixed.
The idiots who believe they are just letting off steam, or being keyboard warriors, need to seriously look at themselves in the mirror. If they think they can do better, then get out there and do it. Don’t vent your mock fury and expect any sympathy.
Just think, if they were Nintendo fans, they’d have to very quickly get used to delay and disappointment, and sending Shigeru Miyamoto threats would achieve nothing except the probable wrath of their legal department, and perhaps a visit from some Nintendo ninjas! The upside of the waits is that, generally, Nintendo make the finest games known to man that regularly feature on the top lists of games ever made.
The old proverb, good things come to those who wait, springs to mind. It’s not always true, but it’s better than the angry alternative.
ZiPPi
Talkin’ ‘bout Argos
I was just wondering, I’m struggling to get a PlayStation 5 and am resigned to picking one up after Christmas unless I am very lucky! (I can only get one from Argos as I get 10% discount, roughly equivalent to a second ‘free’ controller) .
So my question is, can I add the PS Plus PlayStation 5 version of Bugsnax to my game library or am I going to miss out and have to pay full price, should the GameCentral review warrant a purchase?
Geoff
GC: The offer is good to January 4, so are you able to get hold of one before then?
Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here
Numbers game
Search agency Rise at Seven posted an interesting map on the demand for both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S here, based on Google search data and online market share.
Suffice to say, the PlayStation 5 is well in front and ‘won’ 148-13 out of 161 countries. I was surprised to see the PlayStation 5 ahead in the USA (56.98% vs 43.02%), which might seem mildly embarrassing for Microsoft in their own territory – and I say that having pre-ordered the Xbox Series X myself.
It was a similar victory in the UK with the PlayStation 5 gaining a 57.28% share vs. the Xbox Series X/S’s 42.72%. Japan made me laugh: PlayStation with a 98.94% share. I will let you work out the Xbox Series X/S’s share there, as that one isn’t too difficult!
The article also comments on the units sold in the current generation, stating that 113.7 million PlayStation 4s have been sold, compared to 48.38m Xbox Ones. The spread in the USA is 37.5 million PlayStation 4s and 31.39 million Xbox Ones, 54.44% vs. 45.56%. I would comment on the Switch, but it isn’t mentioned in the article.
Based on these figures alone, it might look as though Sony have even gained market share with the next generation.
NatorDom
GC: It certainly is going to be a very interesting generation, especially as the US and UK percentages wouldn’t take much to flip and they’re two of the biggest markets in the world.
Inbox also-rans
To all those having the Joy-Con drift issue why not try peeling back the little rubbers and squirt some WD-40 down there, then rotate the sticks for 20 seconds. Cures all known drifts. As for Nintendo customer service, lousy at best.
Anon
I was wondering if you were planning to review Mad Rat Dead? It seems like one of the more intriguing games out this year, and wholly original rhythm action titles don’t seem to come often from established developers these days. I read that the director of Yomawari worked on this, I’m hoping it’s something special like that game was.
James
GC: It does seem interesting but our review list is the longest it’s ever been at the moment, with two new consoles coming out in the same week.
With the launch of the PlayStation 5 just around the corner, I wondered what use there would be in keeping my PlayStation 4? Given there is near full backwards compatibility I could only see the PlayStation 4 being used as a streaming box to preserve the life of the new console. Perhaps it’s best to just trade in whilst it still has some value?
Will
This week’s Hot Topic
Since it’s Halloween this week the topic for this weekend’s Inbox asks what is your favourite horror game of all time?
Although they’re not as common as they used to be horror games are still being made today, but which is your favourite and which do you think is the scariest – whether that’s the same game or not.
The next gen already has a number of horror games announced – including Resident Evil Village, The Medium, and Scorn – so what are you hoping for from them and the genre in general on the new consoles?
E-mail your comments to: [email protected]
The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
Follow Metro Gaming on Twitter and email us at [email protected]
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
Source: Read Full Article