The evening Inbox tries to guess what the next DC open world game is, as one reader gives up on 60 hour long single-player games.
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Final page
Mags used to be a staple part of my gaming diet in the 80s, 90s, and beyond. From Crash, C&VG, Mean Machines, Super Play, Ace, Edge, and Games TM. The last two were the ones I read most recently, but I cancelled my subscription to Edge a few years back as although it was always one of the more serious reads, for me it started to take itself too seriously. I dont know whether it outgrew me or I outgrew it.
So it was sad, if inevitable to hear about todays news about Games TM. I felt it struck the right balance in its tone, and the coverage it gave to previews, reviews, news, and retro sections. But for me to complain about its demise would be hypocritical as I was one of the reasons why its been discontinued, as I no longer buy it. I suspect like many others reading this, virtually all of my gaming information now comes via the Internet.
Although I do like the sort of irony that some of the magazines that are still viable are retro ones, its sort of like coming full circle. A little like the increase in vinyl music over the last few years.
I wish all the staffers at Games TM, and GamesMaster all the best.
Finally, Ive always assumed that GC has had experience in the magazine industry, have I assumed incorrectly?
TheTruthSoul (PSN ID)
GC: No, weve written for Games TM in the past, and Edge. Its a sad day.
Beginning to end
Such a shame about Games TM. I have been a subscriber since issue 2, they only recently celebrated getting to 200 issues. I appreciate that the rise of review embargos has made printed reviews fairly redundant but I read it more for the in-depth articles, previews, and great retro section.
This might be the end of my time with printed game mags. I am not a big fan of Edge and find the layout of Retro Gamer a bit garish. I appreciate Retro Gamer is supposed to look like that, like a gaming mag from back in the day.
It is going to be odd not getting a monthly magazine I have got one pretty much every month since the Your Sinclair days.
ThePowerFeeling (PSN ID)
Super slow speed
Interesting titbit about the DC open world games. Id almost say it seems, considering the way it was revealed, like a fake but unless the guys an enormous troll I can only assume its true (and hes probably going to get in trouble with his bosses).
I suppose the boring inevitability is that it will be a Batman game, but if theres two in the works then surely they cant both be. Not that I have anything against Bats but it is way overlong since DC made use of its other characters in games. A Wonder Woman game should write itself (God Of War but through different eras of time) and while Superman is more difficult the pieces are already there (he has a sorely underappreciated rogues gallery – one of the best in comics).
Flash and Green Lantern also present problems Ill admit (how do you show super speed and how do you create anything your mind can think of in a video games?) but Green Arrow shouldve been a no-brainer years ago. Hawkgirl/man and Martian Manhunter are also pretty obvious – not to mention the hundreds of other characters that all have some variation of video game powers or abilities.
It should be so easy to make a superhero game, Spider-Man showed it kind of is, but companies are dragging their feet about it so much and I have no idea why. I wouldnt be surprised if the Rocksteady game wasnt even DC related.
Grackle
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Cheap realty
Unbelievable! Ive just gone online today to check the latest PlayStation VR prices and Argos have the starter bundle set for just £199 again and thats with a free game too! Unfortunately, one of the three games on offer include Astro Bot, but its currently out of stock everywhere. So Im going to contact Argos themselves later to see if they will honour the free game deal when Astro Bot comes back in stock.
Ive worked it out with the PlayStation VR, Resident Evil 7, and hopefully Astro Bot I can get them all for just £193 after using my 10% discount store card. Also, my local toy store Smyths have exactly the same deal as Argos, however they have seven copies of Astro Bot in stock today ready to pick up.
JAH
Rat race
Just wanted to chime in about single-player campaigns.
Im 38 and grew up on single-player games but I just cant stand to put in 60 to 70 hours for a single-player grind anymore.
The last game I completed was Oxenfree, a great short single-player experience.
Maybe its just me but these open world games feel more like a chore than fun for me. Go here pick up this and bring it back basically sums up all open world games to me.
DAN jmk (gamertag)
Expensive month
I must say I totally disagree with Preston regarding fighting games.
I have absolutely no interest in online multiplayer but have thoroughly enjoyed Injustice 1 and 2, Mortal Kombat X, Dragon Ball FighterZ and got my hands on a copy of SoulCalibur VI yesterday and enjoyed what Ive seen if it so far.
The lack of campaign in Call Of Duty means for the first time in years Im out and judging by its success I would expect Activision to continue down the multiplayer-only road, which for me is a non-starter.
But considering over the last few weeks Ive bought Spider-Man, Lego DC Super-Villains, SoulCalibur VI, and Red Dead Redemption II next week, the lack of COD for me this year has at least saved me 50 quid.
Shuggybarr
Death to Zombies
Completely agree with your review of Black Ops 4, its a great game and the only problem is how boring and pointless Zombies is. I know it must be popular because they keep making more not less of it, but I have never met anyone who enjoys it or thinks its anything less than boring and repetitive.
And the story?! What a lot of nonsense. Is it popular with kids or something? Whatevers going on I would have been very happy to jettison it completely and had a story campaign instead. I do expect well get one for the next game though. As far as I understand they didnt leave it out on purpose this time but because it was going badly and then they realised they could jump on the Battle Royale bandwagon. Dont blame em.
Polka
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Take your time
Normally I bemoan the announcement that a game is being delayed, but when I read on your pages that Days Gone has been delayed by a couple of months I welcomed it. When Days Gone was announced I was very excited for it; the idea of an open world game infested with undead hordes is one that appeals to me.
However, the more gameplay I saw the more worried I was getting, it did look promising but it also seemed to lack the polish Ive come to expect from Sonys big exclusives. The most recent gameplay I saw from a few weeks ago showcased clunky movement and combat, and middling shooting mechanics.
My hope is that the two delays will give the developers the extra time needed to make this a great game, but to be honest I get the feeling it is destined to be a mediocre game at best.
iLike Fat Ladys (gamertag)
Inbox also-rans
When will you be reviewing the Lego DC Super-Villains game, GC? Thought you might have done one by now.
Gasget
GC: Warner Bros. games almost always turn up late for review, itll have to be next week.
Sad news GamesMaster and Games TM magazines are closing down because neither are no longer profitable. A future Hot Topic could be what gaming magazines did you really look forward to buying and why.
stanley71
GC: Yes, well probably do that next week.
This weeks Hot Topic
The subject for this weekends Inbox was suggested by reader msv858, who asks where and how do you buy your video games?
With digital downloads becoming increasingly popular are the majority of your purchases digital or for physical discs and cartridges? If you still buy physically then where do you get them from and how do you make sure you get the best deal? Do you buy second-hand and how often do you resell?
For digital downloads how do you reconcile the high prices when not in a sale? Do you pre-order for either method and if all things are equal which do you prefer: physical or digital?
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The small print
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