The morning Inbox offers a retrospective of the PlayStation 3, as one reader offers some useful advice on getting into Overwatch.
To join in with the discussions yourself email [email protected]
Epic support
Does anyone else get the feeling that PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is dying? Poor old Microsoft don’t seem to be able to catch a break, but it seems the minute it appeared on Xbox is the point at which it peaked and started losing out to Fortnite. I know it was only a preview version but after being a confirmed PUBG fan I barely touch it in favour of Epic’s game.
Fortnite’s got quite a different style about it, but I think it shows the huge difference it makes when you have an experienced, professional team in charge of game instead of what is essentially a bunch of modders.
Epic put out constant patches and update, and are always switching things about and having limited time deals. The game runs well and is rarely down except when for scheduled repairs. If PUBG and Fortnite worked equally I’d probably prefer PUBG, but that is not what the situation is at the moment. I think if EA or Activision do make their own Battle Royale they’ll wipe the floor with a lot of these more amateur efforts.
Skyfaller
Fond farewell
I imagine there probably are some PS Vita owners upset that PS Plus is ending for them but as far as the PlayStation 3 is concerned I think it makes sense. The console was not exactly Sony’s finest hour but they pulled it back from being a complete failure (better than Microsoft are currently managing with the Xbox One) and it had some great games. But I don’t think they’re making any new ones anymore so PS Plus doesn’t really make sense for it. (Was FIFA 18 on PlayStation 3? That’s usually the last game to ever be on a console.)
I don’t think I was the only one that imagined that Sony had lost their way last gen and that Microsoft was only going to get bigger and better after Xbox 360, but it’s funny the way things turn out. And that’s without even taking into account Nintendo. It’s a funny old thing the games industry, and not nearly as predictable as some people pretend. So I take my hat off to the PlayStation 3 for making it this far.
Glamborn
GC: FIFA 18 was, yes. We’ll have to wait and see about 19.
Ghost of a chance
I wonder if Nintendo would ever consider doing any 3DS remasters for the Switch? I know that’s what the Pokémon game is rumoured to be. But I’m sure that would be considered a special case. Someone suggested Kid Icarus: Uprising a few weeks ago, but the one I’d really like to see is Luigi’s Mansion 2. The game is amazing and sorely underappreciated being only on the 3DS.
You’d have to do up the graphics but they were pretty amazing, probably the best on the system, and I think the gameplay is a really clever mix of exploration, puzzling, and action. There’s nothing else quite like it and what would be even better is a Luigi’s Mansion 3 made just for Switch. I don’t see why not, think I think the original was a hit, but there never even seems to be a hint about it.
BadElf
Try before you main
I’ve been playing catch-up with the Inbox so I missed Stanton’s letter about getting into Overwatch from last Tuesday evening (20 Feb).
This might be a bit late now, but as Overwatch has a one hero limit for most game modes I would advise anyone starting out to ignore Quick Play for a bit and head straight to the training area and pick through some of the different characters, experimenting until you find one or two you have a good feel for.
This is something I didn’t do when I first got the game at release, so I struggled a bit to understand how to use a lot of the characters. Case in point being Torbjörn. I didn’t know you could build up his turret so wrote him off as rubbish when my level one turrets kept getting destroyed very quickly. It wasn’t till I kept getting eliminated by someone else’s Torbjörn turret that I decided to look at the character again and practice with him in the training area. And now whenever a new character is released I spend some time practicing with them there first.
Also, you can often learn a lot from just watching how you were eliminated in the kill-cam, such as your opponent’s positioning, how they got the jump on you, etc.
PsillyPseudonym (PsillySeudonym – gamertag)
Sega error
I’ve Just read that the recently released Yakuza 6 demo has been pulled from the PlayStation store due to some players apparently being able to unlock the full game via the demo, hopefully this is only temporary for those interested and yet to download it.
I luckily managed to download it after I was reminded the other day by Redblack’s post to the Inbox (thanks for the reminder). I haven’t tried the demo myself but can’t imagine a regular user like myself would come across access to a full game via a demo, Sega haven’t said how it was done but my guess is that it was a hacker of some sort rather than something simple in the menus allowing access.
It really is a shame if someone has hacked this demo already, to the extent that nobody can now download the game to try it out. I doubt it will be down to a Sega error leaving the full game open in the demo in some way.
…
After writing the above I’ve since read that it appears to be down to Sega after all, players in North America have been able to continue the game after the trial ends but those of us in Europe and Australia haven’t.
I wonder, has this happened with any/many other games? I can’t say I have come across this happening before myself. Hope they get it sorted soon and they put the demo back up for the fans to enjoy.
R1CH5TER
GC: We remember it happening once or twice with magazine demo disks, we’re not sure about more recently.
Hell is other shooters
GC recently recommend Doom to a reader to try and I just wanted to second that notion.
Upon its release it absolutely went under the radar for me and it wasn’t until a year later I chanced across some videos on YouTube and thought it looked quite entertaining, I mentioned it to a friend and I was fortunate that he owned it so I could borrow it.
And what an absolute unexpected delight it really is! If you are after a story driven adventure you had better look elsewhere, but if you want to play as the ultimate demon-slaying Doom Guy then look no further!
It’s the incredible speed at which the game plays out, with your character zig-zagging between a variety of hell spawn on what must surely be rocket-powered skates! That’s not to say it’s unwieldy, the controls feel just right and there is a real sense of tension and much holding of breath on the players part, as you take down the last minions of hell in a ‘kill chamber’ desperate for the checkpoint to flash on screen for a moment’s respite.
I do agree with GC’s review that it could do with one or even two levels being axed as it does lose steam after everything has been revealed to the player in terms of weapons and enemy variety. Also, why make a game set on Mars that moves into Hell when both have the same colour palette of red? It does rob the game of a change of scenery.
Even two years after its release the online matches are still quite well populated with veterans and new players alike and I’ve found that side of it to be a lot of fun as well, I’ve found it to be surprisingly accessible despite my aging reflexes.
I do feel GC undersold it a bit upon its release and I’ve genuinely not met anyone who’s played it and had anything but great things to say about it. Given its sub £10 price (excluding the Switch version) I really can’t recommend it enough.
Animated Jak
GC: It’s one of the games that just never clicked with us. It felt too timid and constrained, a literal reboot in that all it did was reset the clock to 1993 and never offered anything new. We still recognise it as a good game – and it’s a steal at its current prices – but it’s not one we ever felt very passionate about.
Join the hunt
Having never played a Monster Hunter before, I was sceptical about Monster Hunter: World to say the least. But boy I’m glad I took the plunge. What a gem this game is!
Although daunting at first (didn’t have a clue where to start) I can’t put it down. Well over 100 hours in now and still loving every hunt. I recommend anyone who is debating whether to buy or not to go for it. I’m sure you won’t regret it.
Keep up the good work GC.
MR.B
Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here
Meet the experts
RE: Ranny2011 and Monster Hunter: World struggles. Don’t get disheartened – all players hit a wall, and usually several after that. Pink Rathian was also a common wall in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. She’s just a pain. The best advice I can offer is to use YouTube and watch other players fight the enemy you’re having a problem with. Learn the monster’s moveset, and ideally when you should counter hit or evade/block. The weapons are very balanced, but some are better against certain monsters. Alatreon was always best with a hammer for example. I recommend the following tutorials and players to watch and learn from:
Kiranico
This is your Monster Hunter: World bible. Essential and always updating. Keep your eyes open for ‘Athena’s Armor Set Search’ as well, that’s currently in the works. You basically plug in the skills you want and it will tell you what armour pieces you need. Also essential once it’s released. And yes, it is known as ‘ASS’!
Gaijin Hunter
A producer based in Japan, he offers in-depth weapon tutorials and info. He recently got hold of the Japan guides detailing the rare drops of monsters and whether you should carve or capture. Will tell you about mantles and all that other good stuff too.
Team Darkside
A crazy group of players who find ways of exploiting the Monster Hunter games with fun videos but also have immense skill. Recent videos include 100% paralyse and blast sets and Hadoken-ing a Teostra. As you do.
AkantoreX
Incredible player. A charge blade (CB) and hammer main in Monster Hunter: World.
Efenbaum
A bit of a legend in the community. Famous for kicking a Duramboros to death in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. A hammer main, but known for his outrageous, almost telepathic great sword videos. Always needs more practice…
Phemeto
Phenomenal gunner but bow main in Monster Hunter: World. Has already killed a Teostra and Kirin in less than two minutes each. Astonishing.
Mai LBG
Another amazing gunner.
Cantaperme
Twitch streamer. An insect glaive main in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, but a player of immense skill in most weapons. Switch axe videos for you too GC!
And to help you with Pink Rathian:
Akantor (charge blade – sword only) in 3’56
Canta, heavy bowgun in 2’14
If you tell me what weapon(s) you’re maining I’ll see what I can dig up for you. Keep practicing and frustration is part of playing Monster Hunter. I recommend having an easier, more relaxing second game on the go to switch to when it gets a bit much. You’ll be playing it for months, so take your time and when it stops being fun play something else and enjoy yourself until you get the itch again. Good luck and happy hunting!
SJC
GC: That is a very helpful list, well done.
Inbox also-rans
Good to know that almost everyone with a PlayStation 4 will now be able to play Bloodborne. Any put off by its reputation please give it a go. It really is that good! And everyone thinks it’s impossible for the first few hours.
Dallas
GTA Online already has a car-based Battle Royale mode, and it’s rubbish. Or maybe it’s just me. I never liked Twisted Metal or any of those vehicular action games that were inexplicable popular for a few years around about 2000.
Rust Rabbit
This week’s Hot Topic
The subject for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader Gannet, who asks what do you think is the most overrated video game?
You don’t have to think the game is actively bad, just not as good as its reputation suggests. But do try and describe exactly why it didn’t live up to your expectations and what it got wrong. Was it just a good game that was hyped up too much, or do you feel it has flaws that were brushed over in reviews?
Was the problem that you were expecting it to be one thing and it turned out to be something completely different? Or was there some other personal preference that meant you couldn’t enjoy it?
E-mail your comments to: [email protected]
The small print
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