The Thursday Inbox discusses Mass Effect Legendary Edition and RPG randomness, as one reader asks after Little Nightmares 2 DLC.
To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Dust magnet
I don’t want this to turn into an anti-PlayStation 5 letter, as I’m generally happy with my purchase, but I have to admit I can’t remember the last time I turned it on (except for today, but I’ll explain that in a minute). I know some people seem to think it’s not an issue, but the lack of new games has really sapped my enthusiasm for gaming in general and the only thing I’ve played recently is Monster Hunter Rise on the Switch, which I’m slowly getting into.
I’m sure it’d be the same on the Xbox Series X too, if I had one. Worse really, as once I thought of writing in with this email I booted up the PlayStation 5 to have a go on Astro’s Playroom for a bit and really enjoyed it – even though I beat it months ago. It’s a great game, only made a little bittersweet by the way Sony has treated Japan Studio.
Under normal circumstances I’d wish that companies waited at least an extra year before releasing consoles, to get a good backlog of games ready, but it’s pointless saying that when the coronavirus has messed up all the plans. But even if it might have been better in other circumstances the fact is the first year or two of this new gen is going to be as boring and pointless as usual. I don’t know why I fall for it every time…
Tottispurs
Random factor
Got to say, I’m really impressed by the job BioWare are doing on Mass Effect. I know there are some fans that would rather the second two games be more like the first but that was never going to happen and, to be honest, anything that gets rid of the random factor in games is good in my books. I can’t stand the idea of virtual dice rolls in games and I really don’t understand why they are kept.
I understand that it’s a hangover from tabletop role-playing games but why would you want to keep that element when a video game can simulate everything realistically? Apart from purposefully retro games I just hate it and that’s what puts me off a lot of Japanese games, as they seem to love the idea more than most.
I want my progress in a game to be determined by my skill alone. I can improve my chances by level grinding but beyond that I don’t want to end up losing just because I was unlucky.
Taser
Justify yourself
I’m not sure I understand the people who are constantly complaining at letters criticising the PlayStation 5 and Sony’s more recent actions. I may not agree with them all but I’ve not seen any in the Inbox that are obviously some loony fanboy (although I’m sure GC filters those out) and most of the points are valid.
The PlayStation 3 store close down was hilariously bad timing, that not only showed how out of touch Sony was with the current conversation but suggests they’re not interested in anything Microsoft is currently doing in terms of backwards compatibility or games preservation.
The lack of communication is also worrying. Sure, the coronavirus makes things unpredictable but they’ve never said a single thing about stock availability/scalpers or made any attempt to justify the price rise in games. Microsoft’s blogs and execs may be cheesy and shifty-looking but at least they talk to fans and try to justify what they’re doing.
Domino
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Not so tasty
I was a bit surprised by the price of the new Oddworld game as I was going to get it day one, or in the first month, but when I looked at the price of it on the PlayStation Store it is £45, which was more than I was
expecting.
The reason I was surprised is because I bought Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty day one on PlayStation 4 digital copy and it was £17.99 so I was expecting Soulstorm to be £20 to £30 roughly. I don’t have PS Plus unfortunately.
Andrew J.
PS: 3 Out Of 10 Season 2 is free on PC from 4pm on Epic Store today. Season 1 is free also.
Just completed: Little Nightmares 2 (Xbox One X) – is there going to be any Story DLC for it like there was for the first game?
GC: New ‘N’ Tasty was a straight remake and fairly short. Soulstorm is, more or less, a brand new game and around twice as long. As for Little Nightmares 2, dataminers have found possible references to DLC but the only one at the moment is the short Nome’s Attic you get with the Deluxe Bundle.
Out of the zone
So The Witness was going free on the PlayStation Store so I thought I’d give it a go. I don’t like these type of games and this game has not changed my mind. I’m not ashamed to say I used a guide pretty much all the way through and I literally have no idea what the game is about or why I’m on this island completing these puzzles. The videos make no sense and I’m just so confused!
Anyway, I gave it a bash. Now off the Google to see if anyone understands what the hell is going on!
Chris
GC: If it helps we didn’t like it as much as most reviewers, even if we did enjoy it more than you. We would’ve advised not using a guide though, except for when occasionally getting stuck later on. Taking your time to muddle through yourself helps to get your head thinking along the same lines as the developer.
Policy change
I wrote in a couple of years ago to state that there was an issue with PS Plus games. Basically while subscribed you cannot purchase any game obtained via PS Plus outright to own.
On the Xbox side of things, players had the option to buy the game outright if they wished, but Sony’s system never allowed this. Once it was tied to a PS Plus sub it was impossible to play and purchase the game even outside of a PS Plus subscription
I was told it was a non-issue (a very myopic point of view when others have voiced this issue, particularly on Reddit) and that PS Plus games could be purchased outright once a PS Plus membership had lapsed but this was blatantly not true.
However, a Google search this evening showed this story from Screen Rant. Finally now PlayStation owners can purchase any game they want to, even if it was obtained via a PS Plus subscription. This change in policy has come just in time, as I’ve read on several comment boards about people wanting to purchase the games they have previously obtained via a PS Plus sub, specifically in light of the PSP/PlayStation 3/PS Vita store closures, especially those games only available digitally.
It’s good to see Sony finally drop these senseless restrictions and implement this highly requested feature.
SatansTherapist (Twitter)
Sony pass
Hullo GC! Hope you’re all well. I have a quick question, which you may already have answered before (sorry if so).
Do you think that Sony has the infrastructure and pockets deep enough to match Microsoft’s Game Pass or do you see it simply as an attitude they hold that keeps them from competing with Microsoft in this way?
I Young
GC: A company the size of Sony can easily get the money if they need it but, as you imply, we don’t think they really believe in the Game Pass model yet. If it continues to drive Xbox sales, and if Sony stumble at all with their first person releases, then we imagine they’ll try to create their own equivalent. But unless forced into it we suspect they’ll try to avoid it for as long as possible.
Gamers Rise up
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else give their verdict on Monster Hunter Rise yet but I for one am loving it! The beginning is a little bewildering, as you get to grips with the endless array of items, weapons, armour, and equipment but when things eventually click the game really does soar. The monster designs are just fantastic and each of their attack patterns offer a unique challenge.
My tip to any new (or existing for that matter) players is to try as many weapons as possible. It really makes such a difference. I’ve tried half of the 14 you can select and each one offers a delightful change of gameplay. I’m currently using the lance, which has a magnificent charge move allowing you to play some very amusing games of chicken against the various towering beasts.
Although the single-player is great, it’s in multiplayer where the game truly shines. There’s a brilliant sense of camaraderie, even with random strangers, as you work together to bring down your quarry. Just out of curiosity, has the series always been based around four players? It seems the perfect number but it would be interesting to see a special eight-player hunt for instance. I can only imagine the chaos!
Ryan O’D
GC: Monster Hunter started off as a Phantasy Star Online clone, so it’s always been based around four-players. There are some Japanese-only MMOs though, so we’re not sure if you could get more with them.
Inbox also-rans
Amusing to see a gamer moaning about a game wasting his or her time. All hobbies are about wasting time. True, some are more useful than others but gaming is the ultimate time waster and I love it.
Bobwallett
Not sure if anyone can help or has faced this issue. With the recent Switch update, one of our cheap unbranded controllers has stopped working. I also have a Switch Pro Controller and that seems fine. Tried scouring the net for info but haven’t found anything. Any help will be much appreciated.
Alek Kazam
GC: We hate to say it but you get what you pay for with third party controllers, we’d never recommend cheap ones unless you intend to treat them as throwaway extras.
This week’s Hot Topic
The subject for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader Paulie, who asks what is your favourite first or third person shooter?
FPS games used to be the dominant genre up until recently but have begun to fall out of favour, especially with the rise of third person equivalents. Games like Call Of Duty and Battlefield are still very popular but what’s your favourite and why?
Which do you prefer out of first and third person views? And do you play the games primarily for their single-player content or their multiplayer? Which upcoming games are you most looking forward to and how do you see the future of the genre?
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
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 and content.
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.
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