SplooshDmg

@Fenbops As it stands right now, Redfall is up for whatever the game equivalent of the Golden Raspberry award is. If something else comes along in 2023 and threatens to take that Razzie away from Arkane, then God help us all.

@UltimateOtaku91 Redfall is sitting at 31% on Steam, and of course that is only reviews from people that actually bought this mess. I think PC reviewers tend to be a lot more critical of things like performance issues. TLOU1 being prime example. A commendable 88 on Meta for PS5 and an outstandingly bad 57 on Meta for the PC version. PC reviewers typically aren't shy to start slashing points off for avoidable performance issues, that console reviewers tend to maybe just ignore. Looking at you, Jedi: Survivor.

I have to disregard the fact that it's on Game Pass. I think that just absolutely distorts the fact that you can walk in a store and buy a copy on a shelf for $70. I think this is bar none, the absolute worst video game ever sold at $70. I don't care if it's more accessible via a subscription, I want great games. I don't think many of us would have given this game the time of day were it not on Game Pass.

@themightyant The melt build is exactly what I'm going to do. I don't have the geo daddy, so I'll probably have to substitute with Diona, but my Bennett and Xiangling are both 90 already. Ugh. I'm just now getting my Ayaka team up to snuff, and now I have to start building a Ganyu team. This game, man... It knows how to keep you coming back.

@themightyant Yeah, I would absolutely love an updated version of Morrowind. Heck, I'd like to see another Bethesda team go back and remake games like Arena/Daggerfall/FO1/FO2 into the modern Bethesda style. I kinda figured there's a solid blueprint there already, so it doesn't seem like Todd or other key personel would really need to be super involved.

HOLY MACKERAL! I just pulled Ganyu! WOOOOO!

@themightyant Yup, it's true. I remember being mind blown when I fired up Fallout New Vegas on an XSX. My first reaction was, "I JUST WALKED OUT THE DOOR AND IT WAS LIKE.. INSTANT!" 🤯

@FatalBubbles Nah, no way. BAMozzy can give NES a run for his money. Plus, Dezzy on a bad news day. I think he types as many words as NES, it's just broken up between forty seven different posts about inventory levels.

@Sebatrox Yup. It's the biggest flaw with competing services like Luna. On Luna you can buy a DLC for a game on the service, but then the game can leave the service and you have no way beyond that to access the game, because there is no Luna platform other than cloud. You can't outright buy it and continue to play anywhere. So you own DLC for a game that is now just unavailable. Everything about that is the wrong way to do it, but as it stands, if someone only wanted to be a cloud player in the Xbox eco, it's just like that. So, hopefully MS gets that sorted out sooner than later.

@NEStalgia I read all that, but in focusing in on the fact that yes... Redfall is every bit as bad as Haze. It's almost unbelievably bad. I genuinely don't understand how anyone can fire that game up and see even one redeeming quality.

@NEStalgia I mean, it's not Nvidia's fault AMD is miles behind. Personally, I don't really see the issue. The RTX 4070 is brutal performance and most seem to think the price tag really isn't too big an ask. I paid too much for my 3080ti and I like it so much I'd do it again.

Yeah, if they're sticking to Tegra, then BC seems a lot more likely. But obviously if they stick to Tegra, then no DLSS. Unless Nvidia can just Frankenstein something together. Either way, the Switch 2 will surely be awesome.

I have PS+ and really, I don't use it. I tried Kena, but it just seemed like if Pixar and Naughty Dog made a game together, and that's gross to me. I didn't last long with that one. But yeah, what good are day one games when they're all freaking broken?

I played a few hours of Redfall... Woo wee... Where do I start? It's like... Haze bad. It might be worse than Haze. I'm really having to dig deep to try and think of what shooter I think is genuinely worse.

@NEStalgia No, everyone that bought AMD willingly made a terrible decision. If the Switch 2 gets DLSS, I will do freaking cartwheels in the yard. You have no idea how bad I want to live in a world where Nintendo has DLSS.

I definitely think game dev is just borked. I've kinda wondered about how consoles are more balanced now and the issues that's translated to with PC. It used to be console GPU just carried the whole show. That translated easy to PC. Slap a monster GPU in and go. Now devs are having to try and balance all of these things out and actually use ALL of the hardware, and it seems like they aren't very good at it. I kid you not, the memory management system for TLOU1 on PC was ported straight over from the PS5. It was reserving these obnoxious portions of the CPU and VRAM for stuff other than the game, and it just tanked performance. It'll get fixed eventually, but it's still frustrating that it was in such awful shape. It's just a case of good devs making obviously stupid decisions, and just scratching your head asking, "How? Why? Make it make sense."

Slightly different note, I think PS+ has an edge over Game Pass now. Game Pass gets borked games day one, and PS+ is cheaper and filled with patched older games. At this rate, I don't want day one games. Lol

@Sebatrox MS confirmed at one of the showcases a little while back that they are 100% working on bringing select titles from people's library to xcloud. Obviously, this is probably a massive undertaking, but it seems like the goal in the years ahead is set to allow people to stream games that aren't available just through Game Pass.

@NEStalgia My 3080ti combined with DLSS will be fine for a good long while. My CPU might mayyyybe need an upgrade sooner or later, but I'm not going for 4K omega ray tracing here. Path tracing is so far the only thing that has made my GPU sweat and demand me to stop, but I can def run it at lower res/fps. I'd say borked software makes it sweat, but that isn't true, the software is borked because it isn't using the hardware to the max, so the problem is it isn't doing anything at all. I'll probably just build a whole new PC when this console gen truly comes to a close. I really can't imagine I'd need to prior to that. Might need 16gb more RAM, but the jury is still out. I actually close tabs.

I just think if we're seeing this many problems already, they're only going to get worse, and I think multiplatform games are where we're really going to see struggles. But really, I think the PS5 really just might be built better for higher FPS, since a lot of the design is truly around taking loads off the CPU. I think we've seen it a lot now, and it seems like it's more than just a trend. I don't care if the PS5 has a lower resolution in performance mode than the XSX, the goal of the mode is performance, and it seems like it really does have an edge there.

@NEStalgia Eh, I'm not entirely sure. I mean, I think you're right that OLED's and whatnot are particularly shoddy at 30fps, but even Digital Foundry is saying to go ahead and strap in, because 30fps will be back by the time this is over. The hardware requirements for PC are making enormous jumps now, and what's in these consoles aren't as future proof as I think we think they are. I really just think Ralizah is right on this one, which is why I sank the money into the PC to begin with.

@Ralizah @NEStalgia I think the cracks in 60fps are starting to show. A lot of games performance modes are not successfully achieving a solid 60fps now. It's more just an unlocked framerate than a locked 60. I think getting into heavier games this gen, there's going to have to be some really good CPU optimizations to keep these things coming and given the state AAA games are currently shipping in, I have a hard time being optimistic.

Good. Freaking. God.
This took way too long.

@Ralizah If they can pull it off, then holy crap, what a performance. How this studio went from Disney Infinity and Cars 3 to this pretty spectacular open world game across so many platforms is honestly extremely impressive. They have really, really shown up some considerably more prestigious industry veterans with this game.

@JONOFTHEJONS He didn't confirm or deny anything, he basically just said we will find out at the Starfield deep dive. Which basically says, "We don't know yet. The engineers are working overtime, though."

@Ralizah I seriously bought this 3080ti because I said like two years ago, I wouldn't be shocked if Starfield was 30fps on consoles. It appears the prophecy is coming true.

@NEStalgia Honestly, I don't think you're entirely wrong, but I also think you are ignoring MS's other faults, like the inability to market basically anything that can't just sell itself like Windows and Office. Redfall was a shot at trying to take a good dev with a track record of weak sales and make something with some broader market appeal. However, it seems to be the same situation as putting Crystal Dynamics on The Avengers. Arkane basically got sent out to die the same way Bethesda did with FO76, because they probably had no idea what they were doing from the get-go. The entire plan was probably cursed from day one.

Why did MS used to make/secure games with huge market appeal? Why did Gears fall off? Why did Halo nosedive off a cliff? Why did MS ultimately shut down Lion Head? Those events are purely in the lap of Xbox. They have consistently underperformed on basically every franchise except Forza. So, no, I absolutely think this is a broader market mentality, because the mismanagement of things like Fable, Halo and in particular the Gears multiplayer modes is no secret, and those three franchises were pivotal in the success of the 360. Microsoft is their own worst enemy and has been for a long time.

Load times seem pretty rough, but all in all, I'm kinda surprised this looks as good as it does. Props to them for taking the extra time to ship it in what appears to be good shape for the respective platform. I'm beyond curious how they manage the Switch version. It seems like it would truly have to be a Witcher 3 kind of sorcery.

@Sakai I personally do think Xbox delivers a lot of quality games, however, the issue with Redfall isn't the game itself. The issue is Microsoft's behavior surrounding the game. Showing PCs running 60fps then delaying the 60fps mode for consoles, raising game prices then releasing the game in miserable shape. It's a trust issue. It's not that people don't think MS are capable of delivering quality games, because they absolutely can. What Microsoft truly needs to regain from players far and wide is trust, and this did a superb amount of damage in front.

@Fenbops I mean, I'm being somewhat nice when I say it looked 'okay'. Like, I never expected it to be awesome, but I was also pretty surprised by what we actually got. Lol
And yeah, ACG might have that policy, I'm honestly not sure.

@mousieone Luckily for your, there's a body shop in Mexico. Take advantage of the conversion rate!

@mousieone Now you're getting it! The insurance adjuster will never find you! :3

@mousieone Luckily you're headed for Mexico! You just gotta put the senor in senorita!

@NEStalgia Okay, what if at the June showcase, Phil announces that he is retiring and is excited to introduce you to the new head of Xbox... He calmly asks the audience if their body is ready... Then Reggie takes the stage. Would that be better?

@NEStalgia That was the potato's joke, or maybe he was being serious. I'm not sure. Bill Gates was a dirt bag, but maybe what we need is a dirt bag. Now Bill just pretends like he isn't a dirt bag. I'm not sure if that's as effective in practice as coming by it honest, like Bobby.

@NEStalgia I mean, apparently back in the day, Bill Gates was absolutely brutal. I kinda miss 90s Microsoft.

@mousieone Okay, what you do is this... You grow a mustache and change your name... Then move across the Mexican border. Then kick back and play video games.

@Fenbops Oh, without a doubt. This video had to be a paid promotion. I think Colt Eastwood has gotten raked over the coals pretty bad too. Probably for taking some cash to promote it on Twitter. But really, I mean, in a lot of the previews game did look somewhere between okay and maybe decent. Nothing beat SkillUp's review about the IGN guy, though. "We all need to apologize to that person at IGN, making fun of him for being bad at that game. When in reality, the game is actually just terrible." Lolol

@NEStalgia I hope Persona 6 is an iPad exclusive, because Atlus hasn't made any bewildering decisions lately. We're long overdue.

@mousieone So, you use the rock to smash the hard place, then kick back and play video games.

@grumpypotato You won the internet today. I genuinely laughed at this. 😂

@Ralizah Yup, that is actually exactly what I tell myself. I pay some money and I'm not buying time that is burning up, I'm just paying a little to get the full experience and build my teams faster. Which is fine, because they drop tons of new content all the time. I really don't care to pay them for the work. I'm basically a single player only as well, which partly why Genshin appeals to me as much as it does. I've played over 500 hours and never co-op'd even once. Lol. I get to just do my quests, collect my loot, and enjoy the silence of the realm. I truly, truly love it.

@mousieone The lower spec one is supposedly $599. I think the extra hundred for the higher one seems like a no brainer, though. If the leaked price is accurate, anyway.

@Ralizah Genshin is a weird beast. I pay the $5 a month for the whole Blessing of Welkin Moon thing and get the 90 primo gems each day. Then I'll do the battle pass every 6 weeks or so. By the time I get my cheap credit from Gamestop, I pay like $70 a year out of pocket, and I'm good with that. I've never ever bought currency outright just to feed into the slots. I do however have quite a few desirable banner characters. I think with as much time and enjoyment as I get out of it, it's worth more than what I ultimately pay them. Not really any different to me than paying for an FFXIV sub or something.

@NEStalgia @mousieone I'd probably be down with an Ally for $700. I mean, that's only $150 more than a PSVR2.

@Ralizah Honestly, the PS5 is a pretty take it or leave it thing for me. I mostly just play Genshin Impact on it because I get cheap PS credit at Gamestop every month and that takes a little bit of the sting out of that microtransaction hell I'm so super absorbed in. I did buy Atelier Ryza 3 for PS5 because I had a $50 Best Buy reward that wasn't good for digital content. So, it was PS5 or Switch, and that's what I rolled with. I don't really need one, I'm just dumb and buy stuff.

@Ralizah I have my PC, Switch and PS5 all hooked up to the same TV at an enormous desk. So, really the PC is in some weird console-PC hybrid state where I can just hit the HDMI switch and I've shuffled from the PC to the PS5 with ease. So, it's convenient and of course that RTX3080ti is brutal. I end up using the for at least something basically every day, but I really do play all of them. It just kind of depends what I want to play at the moment.

Metroid Dread... chef's kiss

@mousieone I personally love PC. There's def some issues with things like UE on PC right now, but the weeb games are mostly fine, arguably the best place to play most of them. I'm not sold on the SteamDeck. It's nice, but I think the ASUS ROG Ally is going to clobber it.

@mousieone I mean, I can't really say I love Sony's 1st party either, but they basically have all the 3rd party support I could need or want. I'm on PC a lot, so sometimes a physical PS5 copy is nice over a digital Steam copy, or a PC port is maybe totally borked. I just like it more for extra options. More options are always good. I do love Ratchet and Clank, though, and Knack II BABY!

@NEStalgia I got a PS5. That means it could happen to anyone. It could even be @mousieone.

@mousieone Oh, absolutely. No corp has a spotless record. There's this really fine line between making money and serving the customer. The corp exists to serve the customer, and we give them the money because we like the product. Pokemon really is a perfect example of just too big to fail, and why it's ultimately awful for the end consumer. Where the product has gone mostly to hell, but the customer just keeps coming back. It's bizarre. All that though, Xbox just has a major problem with trust from the community. This just was not what they needed. They built so much back over the last few years, and I hate to say it, but I think it's all gone again.

@Tharsman I really think Hi-Fi Rush should have been heavily marketed, and Redfall probably should have just been released as an early access game like Grounded. Let players get in and see what they like, what they don't like, and just grow it into a proper 1.0 release. Nothing about the idea of Redfall is really bad to me. It's a solid take on an open world shooter. However, it just feels undercooked and misguided. So, things I think actual player feedback could have maybe pushed in the right direction.

@Sebatrox Yeah, I'm not against the idea of Redfall. When I say concept, I literally mean the thing in its entirety. GaaS was part of its concept when it was pitched for creation. Had this game started day one as some creepy single player Arkane game with vampires overrunning a town, and you're just trying to escape or stop it, I think it had every shot at being awesome, because Arkane Austin is known for awesome.

I really think this was a case where the idea was pitched, the pre-acquisition Bethesda gave it the greenlight, then people came in later and started trying to yank some stuff out. There's just things you can't really un-do once you're too far in, which is my sentiments of maybe it really just should have been canned. I really have no ilk with you, nor am I bothered that you're enjoying it. But I do think the industry on the whole is due a reckoning. Too many products are shipping that really just aren't serving the customer particularly well.

@mousieone I honestly don't think we're disputing that. If anything, the point of our discussion here is that Pokemon is like, the absolute highest peak possible. Pokemon is so huge and successful, no one has any reason to care whatsoever. It's not a situation that would work out for many other franchises.

@Ralizah I really think that's it. The entire franchise is so hinged around things like anime and cards being released. Those games are completely intertwined with that. So, I do think that's a huge issue is that TPC truly is three major products all being released in tandem, and slowing down the game cycle also slows down the anime and card cycle. Which really just isn't giving Game Freak the amount of time that's truly needed.

@Ralizah Oh, absolutely. Pokemon is 100% too big to fail. I've been meaning to pick-up Arceus, but I got Violet for morbid curiosity. It was okay, I think the 70's on Metacritic actually reflect its quality. The game itself isn't awful, but the experience itself is still rough.

But like you said, it sold like wild. Why improve if you don't need to? It's pretty disappointing and kinda hard to figure out who exactly to point fingers at, because everyone in that joint venture is just raking in money, good decisions or not.

@Ralizah I think you're spot on, but also like Mousie said, it always reflects on Nintendo because they are partially responsible and out in front of it since it's their exclusive game. Really though, Pokemon is a weird beast, and nothing about the Pokemon situation is even close to what this situation with Microsoft is. Pokemon as a franchise is a titanic and wildly successful problem. I played Violet and the game itself is pretty competent, but yeesh, Game Freak has got to get a handle on 3D games sooner or later.

@Sebatrox If FO76 is the bar of a good success story, then I have to strongly question your judgement. I platinumed FO76 and I'd tell you that even after Wastelanders, it was still a far cry from a great game and it's a huge stain on Bethesda's reputation. It took years from launch to get it into what would even now be considered okay shape.

In no reality should Pokemon or Jedi have been canceled, because that makes no sense. Again you are looking at this through a myopic view and laser focusing on "ALL BUGGY GAMES SHOULD BE CANCELED". No, games that were bad in the concept stage should be cancelled. Rockstar COULD have cancelled the GTA Trilogy and not a single tear would have been shed, because the game was always an irrelevant cash grab. Either way, we're both spinning our wheels here. There's no point to any of this.