The Tuesday letters page wonders if Horizon Online will be Sony’s last live service title, as more readers reminisce about old video game mags.
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The speculation of Zelda
As a reader suggested recently, for me the excitement is not so much what the Nintendo Switch 2 will look like but what its games will be, as we currently have no idea. It’s not like the Wii or Wii U where we had games from the previous formats (both Zelda titles, by coincidence) that we knew were going to appear on the new one. This time we know absolutely nothing. Not only that but we have little idea of exactly how capable the Switch 2 is going to be, when it comes to graphics.
I was interested though, in a comment GC made about Nintendo always having a new Mario and Zelda out each year, even if it was just a spin-off or remaster. I’ve never realised it before, but I guess that is usually true. So… what will next year’s Zelda game be?
There are so many different Mario spin-offs, that you could get away with just about anything but if they’ve already had a Zelda spin-off this year and a new mainline game is impossible this soon then it surely has to be a remaster or remake next year?
There’s already been rumours (well, not rumours – I think it was just fan speculation) of a Breath Of The Wild remaster for the Switch 2 launch but I’m not sure how impressive that would really be. Personally, what I would like to see is the much asked for remake of Ocarina Of Time.
That’s something Nintendo could’ve been working on for years in secret and a great way to show off the power of the Switch 2, without drawing attention to the fact that it’s not that big a jump – as it might be if they went with Breath Of The Wild.
Gordo
GC: It doesn’t seem to be an absolute rule, but generally speaking Nintendo like to have at least one Mario and Zelda related title out each year. That’s certainly been the case this year.
Shattered schedule
So I see you haven’t reviewed Starfield: Shattered Space yet, did Bethesda not send you review code again? It wouldn’t surprise me, but it is disappointing.
I must say, I am very surprised that Starfield hasn’t been announced for the PlayStation 5 yet. Microsoft seem to be holding it back like it’s the crown jewels of Xbox, but that’s hardly its reputation. It’s amusing that in the same breath that Phil Spencer said Starfield would not be coming to PlayStation he also said that Indiana Jones wouldn’t be either, and we all know how that turned out.
Like you said, we don’t need some insider source to tell us that Xbox is a mess and their multiformat policy is completely random. They need to set up rules and timetables for when things are going to appear because all this uncertainty is doing is putting people off from buying an Xbox and sticking with PlayStation, under the assumption the games will turn up there sooner or later.
I certainly would be shocked if Starfield was not on PlayStation 5 by the end of next year, and probably a lot sooner.
Focus
GC: You don’t tend to get sent DLC early for any game, from any company. We’re not aware that anyone has had a chance to review Shattered Space yet; it’ll certainly be a few days before ours is ready.
Available now
As of Sunday evening, the PS5 Pro is still not sold out on Sony’s website. I now lament waiting in that damn queue for an hour. It isn’t a good sign for Sony, which is indicative of the ridiculous price. In the UK it’s 1:1 with the US price (£699/$699). However, I noticed the 30th anniversary PS5 Pro isn’t (£960/$1000). I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a price cut within six months.
I remember when the OG Xbox launched at £299. There was a price cut to £199 only a month later. Early adopters were given a Duke controller and a few games as compensation. Sony are all too aware of the backlash against the PS5 Pro price.
We are getting scalped in the UK. At a bare minimum, £50 should be shaved off the PS5 Pro price. I stupidly assumed PS5 Pro would cost £599. I can’t be the only one to rewind the PS5 Pro live stream to double check the price.
Si
GC: The standard PS5 Pro isn’t being produced in limited numbers, only the 30th Anniversary edition is.
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Get while the getting is good
I have a different take to Dave regarding your PS5 Pro.
Basically, it’s going to be worth next to nothing in few years’ time, as even though it’s a special edition, unless it’s unopened and pristine condition you won’t get much extra for it in reality.
Take that money and run dude.
That’s a whole lot of extra money in your pocket and you can always go buy a standard edition with the money you make and still bank the rest and buy any games you will want.
You can’t really enjoy a limited edition, they’re for putting away as an investment for later on.
How much extra enjoyment from staring at a grey PS5 Pro rather than a white one?!
Kiran
Trusted trio
I enjoyed reading the weekend feature about games magazines. There were three – Super Play, Edge, and GamesTM (along with Digitiser) – that I really looked forward to every month and read pretty much cover to cover.
I do miss elements of the old days when I could read a review of the Japanese version of a game in Super Play and then start looking forward to the PAL release.
I too found that Edge lost its way some time ago, but the first decade or so was very good.
I also thought that GamesTM was very special, I was hugely disappointed when it came to an end.
I have kept all my collections of these magazines from issue one. I just can’t bring myself to part with them.
You are now my only source of reliable and informative gaming news and reviews. Please keep up the good work, I’m not sure how I would get on without you.
Ed
GC: Thank you very much.
Positive memories
I enjoyed reading the Truth Soul’s Reader’s Feature about video game magazines. One of the most prominent aspects of Crash magazine for me was the cover art of Oliver Frey. The Crash Smash was also a valuable indicator of quality, with regards to their gaming reviews.
I think I remember that Computer And Video Games had code listings in it, so if you made the effort to type in pages of code you could be rewarded with a game if you typed in the listing correctly.
In the days of the PlayStation 2, PSM2 magazine was my publication of choice due to its quality reviews and well written content. I never thought much of Edge magazine, if memory serves they didn’t think much of Grand Theft Auto 3, but their design work was always so cool and has often led me to buy the magazine despite that fact that I didn’t really enjoy reading it afterwards.
Great to see such a positive and interesting Reader’s Feature.
msv858 (Twitter)
Start saving
I’ve seen some people questioning why others are holding up Nintendo as a potential saviour of the industry but the absolute shambles that is Sony and Microsoft make that very obvious to me. Xbox are just throwing everything they can at the wall at this point, while Sony’s live service plans seem to be in tatters.
Of course, we don’t know for sure because they won’t say anything, but it sounds to me like the Horizon online game is probably going to be the last attempt, with maybe Fairgame$ as well, if that hasn’t already been cancelled.
And who is excited about the idea of a live service Horizon game? Yeah, thought so. Can’t wait to have to pay for every arrow and weapon with microtransactions in that one. Who needs gameplay when you can just spend money?
Toro
The old ways
In regards to Sting’s retro games aging gracefully, the polygon 3D visuals of early PlayStation consoles definitely are of a time but the art and gameplay in some side-on platformers are still playable and enjoyable in this day and age.
3D polygons were a breakthrough technology, but over time their age just shows far too much and, more importantly, the control and fun you get out of it is definitely affected. Just look at Indie games and how top-down action adventure games, and complicated games like Terraria, are still very popular.
From a developer’s point of view, I can see the attraction for artistic design and expression, and I feel the Metroidvania style was the key reason for this and especially Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night on the PS1.
A modern 2D game is about developing your character and this means collecting, mining, managing your environment, and creating the tools and equipment to do this for your base or abode, etc. It’s the same with top-down action adventures which now require managing your resources like Stardew Valley.
I can’t actually see the above styles going out of favour anytime soon, as we have Soulsborne style 2D platformers and sci-fi bullet hell shooters, which require quick reflexes and accuracy which gamers love to master. The sky is the limit with these, and I feel they will only get more amazing as interesting artwork and gameplay ideas are experimented with.
Also, a quick nod to GC viewer Dan, about the awesome choices in reading matter, with the Commonwealth Saga by Peter F. Hamilton. The following books, set a few centuries and more into the further future are the Void Trilogy books (comprised of The Dreaming Void, The Temporal Void, and The Evolutionary Void), which further explore the high technology as mankind and alien races journey into the unknown, with very strong characters, which I have followed for years – absolute genius.
So if a game based in Peter F. Hamilton’s universe is on the cards then count me in for sure. Always ready for a decent Mass Effect type of game. There is definitely no limit in ideas and I’m always pleasantly surprised when a special new game is introduced into my life.
Alucard
Inbox also-rans
So did the Switch 2 get announced today? If it didn’t let’s hope for tomorrow, eh? (Don’t most Nintendo Directs happen on a Thursday?)
Wotan
Glad to see the announcement of Ghost Of Yōtei. I hope the later setting means it will be less like Assassin’s Creed like the original. I feel that was the only reason they set it so early in history, so they could have lots of cannon fodder enemies, otherwise it was quite restrictive.
Powerman
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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 via email or our Submit Stuff page, 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.
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