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The Tuesday Letters page wonders why there are so few Zelda clones on Xbox and PlayStation, as one reader hopes Xbox won’t get into VR.
To participate in the discussions yourself, send an e-mail gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Covid recovery
PlayStation doesn’t release enough games is one thing, but I wouldn’t feel so bad about it if they just explained why. You never see interviews these days, so we never know what they’re thinking or planning. Do they have a ton that have been delayed because of the pandemic or have new ones just not started because of it? Why are other companies now recovering from Covid, but not Sony?
How do you announce 12 live service games in three years and get through the first half of the first year without revealing even one of them? Or assure existing fans that this will just be a sideline and they will continue to release proper single-player games as well. I mean they will, right? LAW?!
It’s the wall of silence that’s so frustrating and even though they’ve got a big summer show planned, will they shut up once it’s over? I don’t understand what Sony is doing right now. From a literal business perspective, this seems to make no sense.
BBovril
weird world
Very interesting article about Sony software sales being far worse than hardware and getting into trouble with analysts, and presumably investors, for not releasing enough games. If I had money on Sony and saw their current release schedule, I’d be afraid my money would be wasted as well. Especially with all that live service nonsense.
Sony knows nobody wants it, but they’re going ahead anyway, because they think it’s a source of revenue. But it seems a terrible risk. As GC points out, most live service games crash and burn in a short time, it’s literally throw everything on the wall and see what sticks. It’s the opposite of the prestige gaming genre that Sony has become known for so far.
This means that the plan for now, as their hardware sales skyrocket, is to do the absolute opposite of what has gotten them so far. Sony’s only problem at the moment is that it’s not announcing or releasing new games. We know they’re on their way, so hurry up and stop being silly.
Mickey
Stage publication
So I saw a leaked review, where the guy got the embargo time wrong, and he said Redfall was the worst game of the year. If true, or even close, then Microsoft’s nightmare will never end. Bad sales, no Activision Blizzard, and now their most expensive developer to date is churning out duds. If Starfield turns out bad, I really don’t know if the game’s fandom will be able to handle it.
PlayStation fans will go crazy with trolling and Xbox fans will go hyper defensive, and we’ll never get peace and quiet again.
I really feel like Xbox is at a turning point. If something else is really wrong, like Starfield, then I can really see Microsoft pulling the plug. Not immediately or drastically or anything, but slowly losing interest, like Google, and just exploiting their streaming technology or something. At this point, Microsoft needs to prove that the world needs Xbox and it’s not doing it right now.
Dolan
CG: It’s not the worst game of the year, but it’s not great either. Here is our opinion.
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Who to blame
I’m really enjoying Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, more than I anticipated. I play it in quality mode as there is currently no VRR support. I’m fine with 30fps, though I’m hoping Respawn adds a balanced 40fps mode – similar to Hogwarts Legacy. I feel like it’s a good compromise. The presentation and combat are a big step up from the previous game.
Too bad the PC port is riddled with problems. Lazy developers are the usual accusation, but I can’t imagine any game maker intending to come up with an inferior product. Gamers complain about Xbox Series S support, so I imagine having to support a lot of setups on PC is no easy task. Not that I’m excusing the game being broken for some PC gamers. This is a worrying trend, so hopefully the issues will be addressed as a priority.
Maybe some sort of beta test could be offered to players before launch? I would much rather have a game delayed than have a game at launch with a host of hotfixes in the works. Thanks to GC for pointing out some end game bugs. I will do my best not to get killed in the area indicated by GC.
Anonymous
CG: They are never lazy developers; they are almost always myopic and impatient editors.
Unbeatable value
I think people underestimate the value of Nintendo games. Sure, the graphics might be on par with Xbox and PlayStation, but I guess Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom is at least as great as the last one and with 20% off pre-ordersfor a game that only costs £59.99 in the first place, that’s a lot.
If it’s like Breath Of The Wild, I’ll probably be playing it for most of the rest of the year and can’t think of anything else I could spend £60 on and get this kind of value for money. Video games are just awesome, aren’t they?
Cobalt41
Zelda Substitute
Since I don’t have a Nintendo Switch, I’m starting to have a little trouble playing Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom, but the closest thing I can think of as a substitute is Elden Ring. I’ve already beaten it twice and don’t really fancy a third try with the DLC. It’s a shame they don’t announce a date for it because I’m not even sure it’s coming out this year at this rate.
Even then, it’s not that similar to Zelda and it’s surprising how few alternatives there are. Genshin Impact and Immortals Fenyx Rising are sort of the closest but I can’t say I particularly like either. And then things like Ghost Of Tsushima and Horizon Forbidden West are just direct-action role-playing, not really looking like Zelda.
I don’t know why Sony never tried to create an alternative, but I’m particularly surprised that Microsoft never did. If they had any sense, that’s what they’d do with the Fable remake. Although who knows if the people who created Forza Horizon would really be up to it.
Lasdon
Fear of Nintendo
Even if Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom leaked early NOW? What is going on? Nintendo is going to hate this, more than any other company, and I imagine they’re going to go nuts when they find out who’s to blame. In this case, I support them. I’m tired of avoiding spoilers for two weeks before every new game release.
If I was selling physical copies, the last thing I would want to do is let the copies sell out sooner, because the publishers’ retribution is going to be severe. Or at least that’s what I would have thought. I’m a little surprised it hasn’t happened yet.
Lunar
The favourite
So, right now, is Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom the clear favorite to be the best game of the year? I really don’t see Final Fantasy 16 beating even though it’s good, which means the only other two heavy hitters we know of are Starfield and Spider-Man 2. Unless it’s drastically different from the first one, I really don’t see Spider-Man 2 being a competitor but Starfield… theoretically it could be.
I know Bethesda has become a bit of a laughingstock for its bugs and bad dialogue, but they make great open worlds and Starfield seems like a pretty interesting new IP and really isn’t like anything else yet, even though some bits, like lock picking, are straight out of Fallout and Skyrim.
But really, it’s going to be Zelda, isn’t it? Given the universally good previews, I really can’t see it being anything else. I expect there will be a lot of complaints about the performance issues, but I really don’t see that making any difference in the court of public opinion. If Pokémon Scarlet and Violet can be massive hits despite all the bugs, then Zelda certainly can with just a slightly iffy frame rate.
course
Inbox also works
Maybe Xbox was interested in making a VR headset when these patents have been filed but I can’t believe PlayStation VR2 hasn’t put them off for good by now. It’s just a complete waste of everyone’s time and money.
Scooter
I didn’t know Sega was American. The more you learn.
pablo
CG: Additionally, Taito was founded by a Jewish Ukrainian fleeing the war in Russia.
The hot topic of the week
This weekend’s inbox topic was suggested by reader Cabal, who asks how often do you buy a video game as soon as it’s released?
Are you still buying games that interest you from day one or are you still waiting for them to be cheaper or for bugs to be fixed? If you take it on a case-by-case basis, what influences your decision the most and do things like pre-order bonuses make a difference?
Price is an obvious reason not to buy a game right away, but what’s turned you off and how have you made your recent decisions, including upcoming games like Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
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The fine print
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MORE : Games inbox: Xbox beating PS5 this generation, Call Of Duty on Switch 2 and GTA 4 love
MORE : Hot topic of the weekend: Do you always play a video game to the end?
MORE : Games Inbox: Tears Of The Kingdom for BOTW haters, Nintendo Switch 2 hopefuls, and CMA precision
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