The morning Inbox wonders if Spy Racoon or Klonoa might get a comeback, as one reader admits theyre really looking forward to Resident Evil 2.
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My first Metroidvania
With Castlevania constantly being in the news lately, and Metroid presumably going to be big next year, I feel like I should really give the whole Metroidvania thing a try. But I dont think Ive actually played any of them before, probably because most of them seem to be indie games.
What would everyone recommend? Dead Cells and Hollow Knight seem to be the most highly rated of recent games, but is there one or the other thats best to start with? Id prefer to play a Castlevania or Metroid but they all seem quite old (plus, I dont have a Nintendo console at the moment).
Ive decided not to get Fallout 76 so I need to play something else for the next month or so and I figure I should broaden my horizons a bit and try something new.
Gaff
GC: The only problem with Dead Cells and Hollow Knight is theyre quite hard. Guacamelee 1 or 2, or Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night might be better games to start with.
Next in line
Count me as someone else that was surprised Sony is making a full remake for MediEvil, but if it pleases its fans (both of them!) then its all good. Thing is, if it and Spyro are a success you just know that publishers are going to go on a rampage bringing back every 90s kids franchise they can get their hands on. But… there arent many others?
Ape Escape has been discussed already but Sony also has Spy Racoon, which always been an also-ran. Beyond that theres drek like Gex and Croc. Pandemonium was okay, but I dont see how you update that for today without it being something completely different. Klonoa was too obscure I think, so that only really leaves Rayman? And thats kind of already had its comeback chance.
Anything else Im missing? Tomba, anyone?
Bertie
Us vs. them
Whatevers going on with this Diablo game I do think it is, unfortunately, a good example of just how entitled and unreasonable gamers can get. As far as I can see the game doesnt interfere with anything fans like and can be ignored without affecting anything. But because its something they dont want its being shouted down as if Blizzard has personally spat I their face.
As has been said by others we see this same sort of attitude with many games, and indeed many subjects across the Internet. It isnt just Diablo. Although I will admit they do seem particularly zealous, with their gatekeeping of the franchise and instance that nobody but PC gamers should get to play it.
Youd think gaming being so socially unacceptable for so long would create a kind of camaraderie amongst gamers but instead theres just this massive us vs. them attitude against whoever happens to cross them. Its not a good look.
Tank
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Saving up
I hate to agree with the pessimism about this years final tally of great games, but I have to admit its less than I hoped for. I have a very bad feeling about Fallout 76 and I dont see Battlefield V and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate being anything but more of the same. Hitman 2 really, even though thats the one Im looking forward to the most.
Its spring Im really looking forward to though, to the point where Im thinking of just not spending any more this year and saving up for them. I am so hyped for Resident Evil 2 I feel like a school kid again, but Im also really looking forward to Kingdom Hearts III, Anthem, Metro Exodus, Devil May Cry 5, and Sekiro. What a line-up! Better than the whole of this year really and thats just the first three months. Which doesnt include Shenmue III in August!
So yeah, Im happy with Red Dead Redemption II for now and just waiting for 2019 to ring in the new games.
Dookie
Steep Hill
With all the talk of the P.T. demo lately (I never had it, so cant check if it still works) I cant help but wonder if Konami will ever make another Silent Hill game. I hate to say it but I think the chances are very slim. Castlevania seems to be the focus at the moment and I assume well see another Metal Gear at some point, even if its just a remake. That puts Silent Hill in third place from a company that still doesnt seem that interested in even making games anymore.
I kind of wish someone else would just buy the licence from them. Especially as Im sure bean counters have decided that survival horror doesnt sell anymore (not that I can argue with them too much on that account).
If nothing else Id kill for a Silent Hill 2 remake to the same quality as Shadow Of The Colossus. That game to me is pretty much perfect except for how its aged in terms of graphics. Something new is always better but in this case Ill settle for the old reborn.
Bosko
Dark horse contender
While were speaking of game of the year awards I hope Astro Bot doesnt get forgotten. If people are complaining there arent that many contenders I can say it certainly is to me. I realise its audience is much smaller than any other game because of the hardware but I dont think that should change anything.
In my opinion it is definitely the best game of the year and definitely much more inventive and interesting than Red Dead Redemption II. God Of War has a greater claim, in my book, but the combat is still pretty ordinary and got dull towards the end. By comparison Astro Bot just left me wanting more, more, more!
Murrays Mint
Third invasion
I wish Firaxis would get on and announce XCOM 3. I like to think they were teasing something when they had that extra DLC for the PC the other day but of course nothing happened. I love those games like you wouldnt believe, and that is saying a lot from someone that didnt use to play anything other than action and sports games.
I remember there were some rumours of annoucement around E3 but havent heard anything since. I know these games dont do much on consoles but as I understand they are successful on PC so I hope thats enough to save it. I want more XCOM!
Bronski
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On the Throne
I just thought Id throw my hat into the Red Dead Redemption II debate.
Number one was an important game for me. I found myself loading it up, walking to the nearest bar and playing poker for two hours because it was more enjoyable then the main game.
The game taught me that I am a strategy fan at heart. As good as it looks I dont think I will be buying it.
On this point Id just like to raise again how good a game Nuclear Throne is, one that I am still drawn to playing.
This has SNES level graphics, although the pixel art and design is incredible (I recent bought the limited addition 120 Years of Vlambeer and Friends pack with all the concept art), but it has two basic game mechanics that outdo almost any other games I can think of.
Firstly, the gun mechanic. There are six or so basic weapon types with differing ammo, each with many iterations, and some of the most powerful weapons you only see once in years of playing. Ive been playing for years and still find new guns appearing. So there is a basic stock of many, many guns that leaves you coming back for the fun of firing for only a short time, some of which youll just fire once and may never see again! Such is the joy of their destructive powers.
Add to this an upgrade system that make these weapons devilishly more effective (homing bolts on a super splinter gun is a favourite) and suddenly you have a set of upgrade mods that can change the way these initial guns work to even more enjoyable levels. And there is an element of chance on whether you get the right upgrades you need. To get the best combinations you have to play the later levels and be knowledgeable about how to upgrade all weapon types because you never get the same set each try.
Add to this a range of characters who change the way you play, and can in fact further utilise weapons in different ways, and you now have a double layer modification of the same basic set of many, many guns, some of which you only see once! To those who know the game, has anyone ever played Steriods with a super splinter gun, a heavy cross bow, and homing bolts? I have not… And there it is. I can imagine gun set-ups Ill probably never get to play but play just in case I get to do so for 10 to 15 minutes… ever.
Take this core gameplay, and add in the second not insignificant ingredient: the levels are randomly-generated so you never play the same game twice. I think it becomes understandable why I still play this game despite having reached the throne with one of the hardest characters, Melting. The gameplay is alive with so much possibility. Each time you play you are searching for the chance to play a dream gun set for five minutes in a level arrangement that you have never played before.
For me it beats walking around a fixed environment, designed to the last graphical standard, with basically the same single gun, and on the back of horse. A gun that is not great to use and is a nightmare to use on the back of a horse. Ingenuity in gameplay, please. Use the power of the latest consoles for something other than just rendering.
Matt Kirk
Inbox also-rans
Regarding the controls in Red Dead Redemption II, How do they compare with the first game, are they worse? Is the shooting even more simplistic or is it that they havent moved on?
Anon
GC: Its a little better, but we dont think anyone plays Rockstar games for the gameplay mechanics.
I dont know about favourite character (okay, I do, its Arthur) but I really am getting sick of Dutch. I dont know why everyone follows him considering nothing he does ever works. His voice is getting on my nerves too.
Pluto
This weeks Hot Topic
The subject for this weekends Inbox was suggested by reader gaz be rotten and asks what do you want from the next generation consoles?
It looks increasingly inevitable that the PlayStation 5 and the successor to the Xbox One will at least be announced next year, so what are you hoping theyll be? How much of an improvement do you want and expect from the graphics and are there any features, such as motion controls, VR, or streaming that you think will – or should – become a new standard?
What kind of games do you want to see on the new consoles and what new features do you hope theyll include? What would a new console have to have for you to consider getting it and do you think the next generation is coming too early or about right?
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The small print
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