Started playing Star Wars Outlaws. I absolutely love it, such a great living breathing world to explore, highly recommend it if you've been considering it.
Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun!
I would not have seen a situation where Sony would have brought these dev houses in house and made their games exclusive. This was never that type of deal and was always likely to leave Fromsoft operating independently, even if Sony owned the parent company. At least that's confirmation now.
@awp69 I might be a bit confused here. Its was on PSN 2020 and is still free if you have remained subbed. I just downloaded and played a bit recently so I thought it was still free. My bad - its not a current offering unless you added back when it was free. The same is true for battlefield one which was on PSN in 2022. Still free if you added it then and have remained subbed, but that's not the same I know.
Apologies for the confusion, free to me doesn't necessarily mean free to everyone. Thanks for pointing out the mistake @awp69.
The current availability for GPU is the best way to get these for free then, in case you haven't had them before, and adds even more value to GP, as if there wasn't enough value!
Games with heavy MTX need to be given away once they are not selling any longer. If that's good for those who can avoid MTX then bring it on!
Worth noting they are also free on PSN if that's your prefered platform....
Seeing as how the game in current form makes me seriously motion sick, yeah I'd be up for trying third person.
I was enjoying playing 1st person mind you, until I got sick from it for 6 days!
Choice is a good thing.
@PROPS You can do this right now on the playstation eco system, it's not a unique proposition .Surprisingly ps streaming is actually better than Xbox streaming at the moment, and that blows my mind as it shouldn't be that way.... I much prefer to game at home though, but we all have options and that's good...
It was only the Xbox division I liked. I'm gutted it no longer calls any shots. I have worked for them in the past and they were committed to a lot more in the business than simply the bottom line, people who were passionate about games. I have owned every Xbox since they entered the business. Looks like the Series X is the last one for me, as there will be no benefit in having one in future wether they release a new one or not.
Microsoft will continue to earn increasing revenue from COD and Candy Crush alone that will satisfy the shareholders, and I hope many of the fantastic teams they bought will continue to make great games. But I mourn the Xbox team. They didn't always get it right, but they cared about gaming more than profit. They were also essential to maintaining competition, which is good for all platforms. I often felt pursuing the ABK buyout would be the death of what was good about Xbox gaming. Sadly, for me, that's becoming the truth of it.
@themightyant Cheers mate. I tried all of them except wide-screen (which just removes the areas under the bars and doesn't change fov). By the time I tried them I was already messed up though so Im not sure if any were effective. 6 days before I could play a game again, so I'm reluctant to risk it! Maybe in the new year...
This list perfectly demonstrates that there is a wealth of great games this year no matter your platform. Good times 😀
I just don't understand some of the viewpoints in here. It was expressed very recently by Phil that nothing is off the table when it comes to porting games to other systems. Some posts appear to have missed that news... While some might continue to have their needs met by GP, there are many people who prefer to own their games. As Forza 4 disappears forever this week, it's a timely reminder that you cannot count on GP to always deliver even first party titles. If you genuinely want to play a title for years to come, you need to buy it (as I just did, despite owning it on steam already).
Great article. I've always said that Forza 4 is the pinnacle of the Horizon series, though the others are all good. Some of the course designs on this game are the best in the series, particularly on the fortune island dlc which has some really excellent courses to race and enjoy. It's a little less brash and over exuberant than no 5, and thats is more to my tastes.
Unfortunately Indiana Jones left me with severe motion sickness. After a session on Monday and then trying again on Tuesday, I've been too ill to play anything else all week. I'm hugely disappointed as I was really enjoying it... I should finally be OK to play again tomorrow and hope to start Star Wars Outlaws, which I expect I shall enjoy. I finished Veilguard last weekend and really enjoyed it.
Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun.
Only just finished watching it all through. I thought this was an excellent show, some deserving winners of awards and lots of excellent titles to look forwards to for next year.
So many highlights its hard to pick out one or two titles, but seeing them start on Okami 2 made me unexpectedly well up - I must really want a new one! I need more info on Intergalactic, but what I saw I liked a lot. Crimson Desert continues to look fantastic.
Though Hellblade 2 is not my kind of game, it's clearly a work of passion and it was nice to see it pick up awards for performance and audio design. Ninja Theory deserved recognition of their craft.
With Astrobot being my pick for this year, it was great to see it land it's much deserved award. Respect to them for citing nintendo's early games as part of their inspiration.
Isn't it silly how they leave the game broken on so many levels, but add a new island with no reason to drive it? Some teams are just asking to be laid off....this has been such a massive disappointment.
Enjoying this. It was giving me a big headache as I was running around with the map open all the time just to see the objective marker, and I'm suceptable to to motion sickness. Just discovered you can set the objectives marker to always be on, so I'd recommended this to anyone who had a similar issue to me and doesn't mind the marker being displayed. As the mission quest and health bar are already displayed I find it doesn't break immersion for me and I've also turned on camera stabilisation under accessibility options to help too. If you are a player who can VR with no sickness I'm sure you won't need either of these, but it's great the options are there.
The engine is good but not perfect, with shadow maps changing to low Res versions a little too close in some areas and some highlight flickering spoiling some scenes a little, but overall it looks strong. One mechanic I hate is that you always drop what you are holding if you use something, like a key to open a door. I hope they change that in an update. The writing seems really strong and acted well, it's surprising how good Indy's voice is! The atmosphere and pace seem excellent and the music is perfect. Really strong release, machine games deserve a lot of love for this one...
@Millionski People don't like being lied to. If you sell a subscription model based on 'day 1 release' but continually don't release on day 1 people have a right to complain about it. But other than that this game is a huge success, most people are enjoying it and it received critical praise. If people are talking about studio closures based on this fine release, I've not seen it and they are clearly idiots. I'm a multi platform gamer, but I notice the malaise of which you speak, and this sites sister push square is just as full of it. People just seem to enjoying moaning almost about anything and it's a shame as it does suck some of the joy from this pastime. I'm gradually learning to accept it and try not to let it spoil my continued enthusiasm, but I do agree, it's a bit frustrating.
Hope I enjoy it, I've resubbed to GP after more than a year away, just to try it. It's day 4 today, everyone except the worse sycophants know this!
I'll wait till my wife finishes work till we both look at it, I have to put up some Xmas decorations anyway 😀
Approaching end game of veilguard after 150 hours playtime. I have so many other titles to play, but my head has been turned by indy to the point where I'm about to buy 3 months GP (£22 cheapest I've found) just to play it. Looking forward to trying it. I probably shouldn't admit this in public, but I want to try a bit of Infinity Nikki too...
Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun!
@Jenkinss I don't actually remember any puzzles at all, just a fun action RPG romp I enjoyed. I don't understand why, but many people jumped on a hate bandwagon for the game, and seeing as how I can sense the barely contained hatred and bile in your comments, it's quite clear you are one of them. You can disparage all you like, it says far more about your intellect than my games list would say about mine...
This review and article shows clearly that people who love games can play the same game and come away with very different experiences, which should not be a surprise as it reflects the human condition. Those that try and tribalise based on their particular likes are pathetic.
Irrespective of this particular review (which is a fine review), I'm pretty convinced I will love this game, and I'm signing up to gp again at £22 for three months primarily to play this.
It's certainly one of the better engines we have seen on series X, with some impressive ray traced ambient occlusion and some nice high res assets running at a flawless 60hz for once. Mix that with some good voice acting and what I believe will be an authentic story and I'm not prepared to wait till it's available on the alternate platform. I have personal and professional curiousity
Spoken like person who's not played it. I was a little skeptical going in as so many people jumped on the hate bandwagon for veilguard, but it's actually pretty good and an easy 8/10. I'm 60.
Experience is showing that 'young adults' are people who judge without experience and rely on what other people tell them. I don't have a lot of time for any of those sites, and certainly wouldn't quote their scores to prove anything, but in this particular case, they are correct, I'm 150 hours in and enjoying every second. I seem to align with PJ here on Pure, so his assessment persuaded me I'd probably like despite the hate.
Thanks for an honest opinion and well written review.
Whilst it seems like many more outlets thought higher of it, understanding your concerns is helpful in building a picture, and I respect this sites ability to tell it how you see it and not dilute your viewpoints to appease the 'conspiracy warriors'.
Congrats to machine games for landing a solid release, no matter who I reference I'm not hearing about bugs and issues and that's a big relief for any big launch these days!
Nice win for GP to try it free there, I'm pleased so many will get to try and enjoy it.
I'm not sure I'd get good value out of this for full price, so I'll hang on and maybe check it out in future, but I'm relieved one of the big ms hitters this year is proving to be a hit.
@gollumb82 I wish your evaluation of PC was not so true, but that's my experience exactly and what I don't game on my expensive PC. Console gaming is miles better to me.
I tried, but there's no soul or passion in this game. Someone used the word sterile and I think it's appropriate. Motorsport 4 is still a superior game imo. However, some people love the game, so I'm glad for them even if that view baffles me.
@ParsnipHero Good luck with that mate, it makes sense, but with windows OS and multiple launchers, I've never managed to enjoy a console like experience via PC and my expensive GPU never gets to play games as a result.
I rarely buy a game on Xbox as it's not my primary system, but I've bought FH 4 today despite owning it through steam as I want the chance to play it on a console and I'm keeping the series X in case it has anything I can't play elsewhere in the future.
Still working my through Dragon Age Veilguard and thoroughly enjoying it. Seen about 10 minutes of what some people might complain of as 'woke' conversation in the over 120 hours I've played so far. It's a really fun game.
I had been playing Avatar and still need to finish it, but the recent update has added an annoying shimmer which has stopped me playing it. If you were to believe the ps5 pro haters it's the pro patch to blame, but my wife is also playing it in the same room on an og ps5 and has exactly the same issues. It's a bad patch.
I've also just bought the star wars outlaws game. I was going to wait till it was cheaper, but ps rewards have reinstated taking PSN credit as a reward and I had £15 available from that and I got the usual %14 credit discount buying it elsewhere. Together with the current %25 sale discount, it was cheap enough for me to jump in. Since the last big update it looks great and runs 60hz with no dips, huzzah.
Following the recent previews I'm excited for both Indy and Avowed on the series x!
Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun 😊
@Medic_alert Respect mate. I too strive to do better, though I live in a consumer society. I also live next to the sea and am horrified by what we have done to it already. I try as much as possible to consume local foods from local producers and pay extra to try and ensure better conditions for livestock etc. I decided a long time ago that whatever I can consume via digital distribution, I will do. Side benefit was I got 1/3 of my living space back which had been stuffed with media, the vast bulk of which I never touched! I'm not a proponent of streaming, but I am of digital distribution. I try my best to not preach, my choices are my own.
@themightyant The usual defence everyone jumps too which doesn't withstand any scrutiny at all.
This is not streaming video on demand and trying to look at network centres designed to stream data on demand is a complete fallacy for this purpose. It's a single download. Guess what? - When you buy a physical version, you will also have to download the game the moment you stick the plastic in the slot. Digital uses the same data resource as buying physical, but without the plastic, printing and shipping involved with buying a disc.
That you might save a few quid is no excuse in my eyes for creating further ecological harm. With DRM, your discs will be useless lumps of landfill in 25 years anyway....
Streaming is an ecological nightmare that I don't support at all unless its to try a product, but thats a completely different argument to digital code distribution. Deep down, I'm sure you recognise this.
The irony of complaining about a protected storefront taking %30 whilst operating their own protected storefront taking %30 is not lost on me, and is typical of the double standards exhibited by all major corps these days. Of course they can sell and promote their offerings via the web as all mobiles have a web browser, but that's not what they want. They want to use the reach and features of the Play Store that google has built to target many more customers. They simply don't want to pay for the privilege.
All these corps are as bad as each other, slimy eels that tie each other in knots trying to scam as much profit as they can. Cant feel sorry for any of them.
@Friendly Never said otherwise mate, I truly feel for them. But an unfinished game is an unfinished game and should not be launched to people at full price for any reason. In this case the representation of them working in a war zone is far from the truth, but I don't doubt it would take a toll on your MH to have friends family and colleagues in such a desperate situation and my heart truly sympathises and wishes to support them in their plight. But that doesn't excuse launching a game so broken. That would have been good reason to take more time and deliver what can no doubt be a brilliant game in a good state where everyone can admire their achievement despite adversity.
@Fiendish-Beaver
I wonder if it's an age thing? As a 60 plus myself I find I am completely in understanding of what you say - if someone tells me a game is about 50 hours for a completist run it will often take me 120, so my rule of thumb is to double what everyone else says and then add a bit more!
I like to think its because us older guys know how to savour our experiences 🤣
As for the game, I'm really hoping that this is the classic that Xbox deserves. It looks fantastic in the previews, I like the concentration on exploration and puzzles and I'm glad they have not concentrated on the 1st person action, as that's the only bit I have concerns over. Not long to wait now...
Just good high quality games. For me, titles I can't play anywhere else or I will play them somewhere else. I've pretty much kept the series X for Avowed at this point, but Fable is another to look forward too, and maybe South of Midnight. My Series X hasn't been booted since September last year when I let my GP sub expire, but I'd genuinely like to have reason to change that.
@Friendly Developed in Prague Europe since the start of the war. I have huge sympathy for what any Ukrainian is going through, but the vast bulk of the company were in safe environment in the Czech Republic while developing this and the game doesn't deserve a free pass for any reason. I hope it becomes the game they intended it to be, but it seems like it was released a little too soon and could have done with another 3 or 4 months of dev time at least.
I've been looking forward to this one for a while and it's one of the reasons I've kept my series X. I really hope this one comes through and offers Xbox players a fantastic experience you can't enjoy anywhere else. Trying not to buy into the hype, but I am excited to see this one for myself..
I do remember the 360 with a lot of fondness, but I must confess mine went some time ago so I'm afraid it's been some time since I used one. I'm a little over run with new titles to play so I simply don't go retro very often now and if I do, then it's really old stuff like arcade games from my youth. Untill this year I left a PS2 and PS3 connected , mainly for guitar hero, but they were unplugged and put back to storage in the summer. I do miss a lot of great 360 games, but I suspect they are better memories than experiences these days...
@Raffles Thanks for the heads up on playnite. I have a decent PC (i9 9900k, evga ftw3 ultra 3090, 64meg ram etc etc) but I never use it to game as using windows and half a dozen store fronts is not the same experience as a decent console, so I barely ever game on it. Maybe play nite might help the user experience for me... I hope so!
Good to see Microsoft finally getting it together for some streaming at last. I wander if the timing is prompted by PS announcing you can now stream 150 titles if you own them to the PS portal? You have to be subbed to top tier of PS plus too, so nobody gives this functionality for free, but I am often offered the option to stream an owned game on a ps5 rather than install it. 1080p streaming is still not my chosen way to play of course, but I often use streaming while deciding if a service game is worth the download and the experience is surprisingly good. I'd like to see MS increase the rate and quality of its roll out, as with their tech muscle they should be the streaming pack leaders..
@OldGamer999 Watch Skillups video and tell me 'thats a bash show', it's properly documented for anyone to see and he clearly wishes to like the game. ..and I get it, you got a new TV congrats. You don't need to shoehorn that into everything you write. Almost all of us committed gamers have top end TVs playing in 4k 120hz etc, you are not part of an exclusive club. I hope you continue to enjoy the game.
@OldGamer999 So every single other reviewer who's had plenty of time to play it is somehow wrong because it was smooth for you for 40 minutes?
I have not played it and can't give a personal assesment. But I've read the reviews and watched Skillups video which seems to agree with many others and shows a game which has a host of issues well beyond simple frame rates. If you wish to pretend the game is problem free, that's your perogative, but the broken systems and balancing demonstrated in Skillups video are unlikely to have been fixed in the day 1 patch.
I do hope that many issues have been addressed though. It's not my sort of game, so it's not for personal reasons that I really want the game to succeed. The Team deserve all the goodwill and success they can get from this, and I wouldn't begrudge them any of it.
Much as I have a lot of sympathy for them all in Ukraine, suggesting it's a miracle that the game released is way wide of the mark when development moved to Prague quite some time ago. Pretending this was developed in a war zone is pretty silly when it factually was developed in the Czech Republic.
It's yet another game that seems released far too early with low quality standards, which is a shame as apparently there's a good game in there amoung the glitches, poor ai and story issues. I think it's worth waiting till early next year unless you must play it now.
@themightyant No one wants common sense in here mate. Your facts about who votes and how diverse the range of votes is might interfere with someone's self entitled grievance!
I do appreciate you trying though, but this is an audience who cares not for facts..
Sony already have a 15% interest in fromsoft. The companies portfolio of anime and media align with Songs own properties so the buyout makes sense and funding would not necessarily come from PS and instead be spread across some divisions. If this goes ahead, I think it's likely the software arm making souls games will remain operating independently despite a Sony controlling interest. It's extremely unlikely that it will become a playstation studio, and I suspect it will continue to make multiplatform releases. But hey, never say never right?
Still playing Dragon Age veilguard and enjoying it a lot. Been difficult to see the 'wokeness' that offended people so much, and though the writting is variable, it's decent enough in places and mainly serves its purpose. I had thought it was a 7 game, but as I continue through it it's becoming an 8 for me. Also looking to jump back into Crew Motor Fest as there's a whole new island to explore and I really enjoyed it.
What ever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun!
If they charge $600 for the old Series X tech with no disc drive and 2tb ssd, imagine what they would charge for an improved version. Of course they wouldn't make one, it's unlikely they would get many sales....
Whilst everyone has been expecting this, its still likely to be dissapointing to many. I understand those that are dissapointed, im very much into playing games locally on my own hardware, running the best they can and owning titles over renting. Whilst my series x isnt going anywhere for now, it seems unlikely that that the future microsoft envisage is one that will appeal to me.. I guess with Microsoft games coming everywhere, and PS likely to stick to the traditional model, I can still play games like I want to. But rather than seeing this as a huge expansion of xbox, I cant help but see this as another nail in the coffin of xbox, the only division of MS I liked and one I believe gaming needs. I dont have any hate for PS at all, but I fear what this means for xbox.
@NEStalgia lol. He'd just put a credit card behind the bar while the team attempted to drink it dry. He had pretty much shuffled off once EA bought Bullfrog, so I didnt see much of him as I came in for Dungeon Keeper 2, but he genuinely had his heart in the right place back then..
Comments 2,094
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 21-22)
Started playing Star Wars Outlaws. I absolutely love it, such a great living breathing world to explore, highly recommend it if you've been considering it.
Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun!
Re: Preview: Fallout 76's Game-Changing 'Ghoul' Update Is Positively Glowing
If that's your tagline Craig, then take a bow sir!
Re: Sony's New $320M 'Alliance' Has Left Xbox Fans Breathing A Sigh Of Relief
I would not have seen a situation where Sony would have brought these dev houses in house and made their games exclusive. This was never that type of deal and was always likely to leave Fromsoft operating independently, even if Sony owned the parent company.
At least that's confirmation now.
Re: EA Unveils Second 'Free' Game For Xbox Members To Claim This Week
@awp69 I might be a bit confused here.
Its was on PSN 2020 and is still free if you have remained subbed.
I just downloaded and played a bit recently so I thought it was still free. My bad - its not a current offering unless you added back when it was free.
The same is true for battlefield one which was on PSN in 2022. Still free if you added it then and have remained subbed, but that's not the same I know.
Apologies for the confusion, free to me doesn't necessarily mean free to everyone. Thanks for pointing out the mistake @awp69.
The current availability for GPU is the best way to get these for free then, in case you haven't had them before, and adds even more value to GP, as if there wasn't enough value!
Re: EA Unveils Second 'Free' Game For Xbox Members To Claim This Week
Games with heavy MTX need to be given away once they are not selling any longer. If that's good for those who can avoid MTX then bring it on!
Worth noting they are also free on PSN if that's your prefered platform....
Re: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle 'Glitch' Shows How The Game Would Look In Third-Person
Seeing as how the game in current form makes me seriously motion sick, yeah I'd be up for trying third person.
I was enjoying playing 1st person mind you, until I got sick from it for 6 days!
Choice is a good thing.
Re: Microsoft CEO: 'We Are Redefining What It Means To Be An Xbox Fan'
@PROPS You can do this right now on the playstation eco system, it's not a unique proposition .Surprisingly ps streaming is actually better than Xbox streaming at the moment, and that blows my mind as it shouldn't be that way....
I much prefer to game at home though, but we all have options and that's good...
Re: Microsoft CEO: 'We Are Redefining What It Means To Be An Xbox Fan'
It was only the Xbox division I liked. I'm gutted it no longer calls any shots. I have worked for them in the past and they were committed to a lot more in the business than simply the bottom line, people who were passionate about games.
I have owned every Xbox since they entered the business. Looks like the Series X is the last one for me, as there will be no benefit in having one in future wether they release a new one or not.
Microsoft will continue to earn increasing revenue from COD and Candy Crush alone that will satisfy the shareholders, and I hope many of the fantastic teams they bought will continue to make great games. But I mourn the Xbox team. They didn't always get it right, but they cared about gaming more than profit.
They were also essential to maintaining competition, which is good for all platforms.
I often felt pursuing the ABK buyout would be the death of what was good about Xbox gaming. Sadly, for me, that's becoming the truth of it.
Re: Here Are The Top 10 Xbox Games Of 2024 According To Metacritic
@themightyant Cheers mate. I tried all of them except wide-screen (which just removes the areas under the bars and doesn't change fov). By the time I tried them I was already messed up though so Im not sure if any were effective. 6 days before I could play a game again, so I'm reluctant to risk it! Maybe in the new year...
This list perfectly demonstrates that there is a wealth of great games this year no matter your platform. Good times 😀
Re: Here Are The Top 10 Xbox Games Of 2024 According To Metacritic
@themightyant What I experienced was great! Rather hoping for an anti sickness patch 🤣
Re: Yes, The Outer Worlds 2 Is Another Xbox-Developed Game Heading To PS5
I just don't understand some of the viewpoints in here.
It was expressed very recently by Phil that nothing is off the table when it comes to porting games to other systems. Some posts appear to have missed that news...
While some might continue to have their needs met by GP, there are many people who prefer to own their games. As Forza 4 disappears forever this week, it's a timely reminder that you cannot count on GP to always deliver even first party titles. If you genuinely want to play a title for years to come, you need to buy it (as I just did, despite owning it on steam already).
Re: Soapbox: Paying Tribute To The Best Map In Forza Horizon History
Great article. I've always said that Forza 4 is the pinnacle of the Horizon series, though the others are all good. Some of the course designs on this game are the best in the series, particularly on the fortune island dlc which has some really excellent courses to race and enjoy.
It's a little less brash and over exuberant than no 5, and thats is more to my tastes.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 14-15)
Unfortunately Indiana Jones left me with severe motion sickness.
After a session on Monday and then trying again on Tuesday, I've been too ill to play anything else all week. I'm hugely disappointed as I was really enjoying it...
I should finally be OK to play again tomorrow and hope to start Star Wars Outlaws, which I expect I shall enjoy. I finished Veilguard last weekend and really enjoyed it.
Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun.
Re: Poll: How Would You Grade The Game Awards 2024?
Only just finished watching it all through. I thought this was an excellent show, some deserving winners of awards and lots of excellent titles to look forwards to for next year.
So many highlights its hard to pick out one or two titles, but seeing them start on Okami 2 made me unexpectedly well up - I must really want a new one! I need more info on Intergalactic, but what I saw I liked a lot. Crimson Desert continues to look fantastic.
Though Hellblade 2 is not my kind of game, it's clearly a work of passion and it was nice to see it pick up awards for performance and audio design. Ninja Theory deserved recognition of their craft.
With Astrobot being my pick for this year, it was great to see it land it's much deserved award. Respect to them for citing nintendo's early games as part of their inspiration.
Re: Hands On: Ibiza Returns To Test Drive Unlimited, But Solar Crown Spoils The Party
Isn't it silly how they leave the game broken on so many levels, but add a new island with no reason to drive it? Some teams are just asking to be laid off....this has been such a massive disappointment.
Re: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Is Now Available On Xbox Game Pass (December 9)
Enjoying this.
It was giving me a big headache as I was running around with the map open all the time just to see the objective marker, and I'm suceptable to to motion sickness.
Just discovered you can set the objectives marker to always be on, so I'd recommended this to anyone who had a similar issue to me and doesn't mind the marker being displayed. As the mission quest and health bar are already displayed I find it doesn't break immersion for me and I've also turned on camera stabilisation under accessibility options to help too.
If you are a player who can VR with no sickness I'm sure you won't need either of these, but it's great the options are there.
The engine is good but not perfect, with shadow maps changing to low Res versions a little too close in some areas and some highlight flickering spoiling some scenes a little, but overall it looks strong.
One mechanic I hate is that you always drop what you are holding if you use something, like a key to open a door. I hope they change that in an update.
The writing seems really strong and acted well, it's surprising how good Indy's voice is! The atmosphere and pace seem excellent and the music is perfect. Really strong release, machine games deserve a lot of love for this one...
Re: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Is Now Available On Xbox Game Pass (December 9)
@Millionski People don't like being lied to. If you sell a subscription model based on 'day 1 release' but continually don't release on day 1 people have a right to complain about it.
But other than that this game is a huge success, most people are enjoying it and it received critical praise. If people are talking about studio closures based on this fine release, I've not seen it and they are clearly idiots.
I'm a multi platform gamer, but I notice the malaise of which you speak, and this sites sister push square is just as full of it. People just seem to enjoying moaning almost about anything and it's a shame as it does suck some of the joy from this pastime. I'm gradually learning to accept it and try not to let it spoil my continued enthusiasm, but I do agree, it's a bit frustrating.
Re: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Is Now Available On Xbox Game Pass (December 9)
Hope I enjoy it, I've resubbed to GP after more than a year away, just to try it. It's day 4 today, everyone except the worse sycophants know this!
I'll wait till my wife finishes work till we both look at it, I have to put up some Xmas decorations anyway 😀
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 7-8)
Approaching end game of veilguard after 150 hours playtime.
I have so many other titles to play, but my head has been turned by indy to the point where I'm about to buy 3 months GP (£22 cheapest I've found) just to play it. Looking forward to trying it.
I probably shouldn't admit this in public, but I want to try a bit of Infinity Nikki too...
Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun!
Re: Review: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle (Xbox) - A MachineGames Misfire
@Jenkinss I don't actually remember any puzzles at all, just a fun action RPG romp I enjoyed.
I don't understand why, but many people jumped on a hate bandwagon for the game, and seeing as how I can sense the barely contained hatred and bile in your comments, it's quite clear you are one of them.
You can disparage all you like, it says far more about your intellect than my games list would say about mine...
This review and article shows clearly that people who love games can play the same game and come away with very different experiences, which should not be a surprise as it reflects the human condition. Those that try and tribalise based on their particular likes are pathetic.
Re: Review: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle (Xbox) - A MachineGames Misfire
Irrespective of this particular review (which is a fine review), I'm pretty convinced I will love this game, and I'm signing up to gp again at £22 for three months primarily to play this.
It's certainly one of the better engines we have seen on series X, with some impressive ray traced ambient occlusion and some nice high res assets running at a flawless 60hz for once. Mix that with some good voice acting and what I believe will be an authentic story and I'm not prepared to wait till it's available on the alternate platform. I have personal and professional curiousity
Re: Review: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle (Xbox) - A MachineGames Misfire
@Banjo - https://www.pushsquare.com/features/round-up-indiana-jones-reviews-are-live-mostly-very-strong
Their coverage is very even handed for this multi platform title.
Re: Review: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle (Xbox) - A MachineGames Misfire
@Jenkinss
Spoken like person who's not played it. I was a little skeptical going in as so many people jumped on the hate bandwagon for veilguard, but it's actually pretty good and an easy 8/10. I'm 60.
Experience is showing that 'young adults' are people who judge without experience and rely on what other people tell them. I don't have a lot of time for any of those sites, and certainly wouldn't quote their scores to prove anything, but in this particular case, they are correct, I'm 150 hours in and enjoying every second. I seem to align with PJ here on Pure, so his assessment persuaded me I'd probably like despite the hate.
Re: Review: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle (Xbox) - A MachineGames Misfire
Thanks for an honest opinion and well written review.
Whilst it seems like many more outlets thought higher of it, understanding your concerns is helpful in building a picture, and I respect this sites ability to tell it how you see it and not dilute your viewpoints to appease the 'conspiracy warriors'.
Congrats to machine games for landing a solid release, no matter who I reference I'm not hearing about bugs and issues and that's a big relief for any big launch these days!
Nice win for GP to try it free there, I'm pleased so many will get to try and enjoy it.
I'm not sure I'd get good value out of this for full price, so I'll hang on and maybe check it out in future, but I'm relieved one of the big ms hitters this year is proving to be a hit.
Re: Ex-PlayStation Boss Questions Why Sony Would Put PS5 Games On Xbox
@gollumb82 I wish your evaluation of PC was not so true, but that's my experience exactly and what I don't game on my expensive PC. Console gaming is miles better to me.
Re: Talking Point: A Year Later, What Do You Think Of Forza Motorsport?
I tried, but there's no soul or passion in this game. Someone used the word sterile and I think it's appropriate. Motorsport 4 is still a superior game imo.
However, some people love the game, so I'm glad for them even if that view baffles me.
Re: Eight Games Will Leave Xbox Game Pass In Early December 2024
@ParsnipHero Good luck with that mate, it makes sense, but with windows OS and multiple launchers, I've never managed to enjoy a console like experience via PC and my expensive GPU never gets to play games as a result.
I rarely buy a game on Xbox as it's not my primary system, but I've bought FH 4 today despite owning it through steam as I want the chance to play it on a console and I'm keeping the series X in case it has anything I can't play elsewhere in the future.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 30 - December 1)
Still working my through Dragon Age Veilguard and thoroughly enjoying it. Seen about 10 minutes of what some people might complain of as 'woke' conversation in the over 120 hours I've played so far. It's a really fun game.
I had been playing Avatar and still need to finish it, but the recent update has added an annoying shimmer which has stopped me playing it. If you were to believe the ps5 pro haters it's the pro patch to blame, but my wife is also playing it in the same room on an og ps5 and has exactly the same issues. It's a bad patch.
I've also just bought the star wars outlaws game. I was going to wait till it was cheaper, but ps rewards have reinstated taking PSN credit as a reward and I had £15 available from that and I got the usual %14 credit discount buying it elsewhere. Together with the current %25 sale discount, it was cheap enough for me to jump in. Since the last big update it looks great and runs 60hz with no dips, huzzah.
Following the recent previews I'm excited for both Indy and Avowed on the series x!
Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun 😊
Re: Xbox Fans Plead With Microsoft: 'Don't Forget About Us Physical Gamers'
@Medic_alert Respect mate. I too strive to do better, though I live in a consumer society. I also live next to the sea and am horrified by what we have done to it already. I try as much as possible to consume local foods from local producers and pay extra to try and ensure better conditions for livestock etc.
I decided a long time ago that whatever I can consume via digital distribution, I will do. Side benefit was I got 1/3 of my living space back which had been stuffed with media, the vast bulk of which I never touched! I'm not a proponent of streaming, but I am of digital distribution. I try my best to not preach, my choices are my own.
Re: Xbox Fans Plead With Microsoft: 'Don't Forget About Us Physical Gamers'
@themightyant The usual defence everyone jumps too which doesn't withstand any scrutiny at all.
This is not streaming video on demand and trying to look at network centres designed to stream data on demand is a complete fallacy for this purpose. It's a single download. Guess what? - When you buy a physical version, you will also have to download the game the moment you stick the plastic in the slot. Digital uses the same data resource as buying physical, but without the plastic, printing and shipping involved with buying a disc.
That you might save a few quid is no excuse in my eyes for creating further ecological harm. With DRM, your discs will be useless lumps of landfill in 25 years anyway....
Streaming is an ecological nightmare that I don't support at all unless its to try a product, but thats a completely different argument to digital code distribution. Deep down, I'm sure you recognise this.
Re: Xbox Fans Plead With Microsoft: 'Don't Forget About Us Physical Gamers'
@Medic_alert "It's about time we stopped making all this pointless plastic and shipping it around the world anyway."
Been saying this for years. Nice to hear someone else recognise the truth of it.
Re: Xbox Delays Major New Features For Android, Google Responds In Frustration
The irony of complaining about a protected storefront taking %30 whilst operating their own protected storefront taking %30 is not lost on me, and is typical of the double standards exhibited by all major corps these days.
Of course they can sell and promote their offerings via the web as all mobiles have a web browser, but that's not what they want. They want to use the reach and features of the Play Store that google has built to target many more customers. They simply don't want to pay for the privilege.
All these corps are as bad as each other, slimy eels that tie each other in knots trying to scam as much profit as they can. Cant feel sorry for any of them.
Re: Rumour: Forza Horizon 5 'Will Arrive' On PS5, Despite A Delay From Xbox
I hope it's not true.
If it is, I'd have to buy it for the third time for my wife, who can't stand Xbox controllers...
Re: Review: Stalker 2 (Xbox) - GSC Game World's Long-Awaited Sequel Is A Mess
@Friendly Never said otherwise mate, I truly feel for them.
But an unfinished game is an unfinished game and should not be launched to people at full price for any reason.
In this case the representation of them working in a war zone is far from the truth, but I don't doubt it would take a toll on your MH to have friends family and colleagues in such a desperate situation and my heart truly sympathises and wishes to support them in their plight.
But that doesn't excuse launching a game so broken. That would have been good reason to take more time and deliver what can no doubt be a brilliant game in a good state where everyone can admire their achievement despite adversity.
Re: Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Has 'By Far' MachineGames Longest Runtime On Xbox
@Fiendish-Beaver
I wonder if it's an age thing? As a 60 plus myself I find I am completely in understanding of what you say - if someone tells me a game is about 50 hours for a completist run it will often take me 120, so my rule of thumb is to double what everyone else says and then add a bit more!
I like to think its because us older guys know how to savour our experiences 🤣
As for the game, I'm really hoping that this is the classic that Xbox deserves. It looks fantastic in the previews, I like the concentration on exploration and puzzles and I'm glad they have not concentrated on the 1st person action, as that's the only bit I have concerns over. Not long to wait now...
Re: Talking Point: What Do You Want To See From Xbox In 2025?
Just good high quality games. For me, titles I can't play anywhere else or I will play them somewhere else.
I've pretty much kept the series X for Avowed at this point, but Fable is another to look forward too, and maybe South of Midnight.
My Series X hasn't been booted since September last year when I let my GP sub expire, but I'd genuinely like to have reason to change that.
Re: Random: Xbox Employee Causes A Stir With Lighthearted PS5 Pro Joke On Twitter
Just being on twitter is offensive...
Re: Review: Stalker 2 (Xbox) - GSC Game World's Long-Awaited Sequel Is A Mess
@Friendly Developed in Prague Europe since the start of the war.
I have huge sympathy for what any Ukrainian is going through, but the vast bulk of the company were in safe environment in the Czech Republic while developing this and the game doesn't deserve a free pass for any reason.
I hope it becomes the game they intended it to be, but it seems like it was released a little too soon and could have done with another 3 or 4 months of dev time at least.
Re: Roundup: Avowed's Latest Previews Are In, And It's Already Being Touted As 'One Of 2025's Best Games'
I've been looking forward to this one for a while and it's one of the reasons I've kept my series X. I really hope this one comes through and offers Xbox players a fantastic experience you can't enjoy anywhere else. Trying not to buy into the hype, but I am excited to see this one for myself..
Re: It Might Be Old, But The Xbox 360 Is Still An Amazing Console In 2024
I do remember the 360 with a lot of fondness, but I must confess mine went some time ago so I'm afraid it's been some time since I used one.
I'm a little over run with new titles to play so I simply don't go retro very often now and if I do, then it's really old stuff like arcade games from my youth. Untill this year I left a PS2 and PS3 connected , mainly for guitar hero, but they were unplugged and put back to storage in the summer.
I do miss a lot of great 360 games, but I suspect they are better memories than experiences these days...
Re: Xbox Introduces 'Stream Your Own Game' Feature With 50 Titles Supported At Launch
@Raffles Thanks for the heads up on playnite. I have a decent PC (i9 9900k, evga ftw3 ultra 3090, 64meg ram etc etc) but I never use it to game as using windows and half a dozen store fronts is not the same experience as a decent console, so I barely ever game on it. Maybe play nite might help the user experience for me... I hope so!
Good to see Microsoft finally getting it together for some streaming at last. I wander if the timing is prompted by PS announcing you can now stream 150 titles if you own them to the PS portal? You have to be subbed to top tier of PS plus too, so nobody gives this functionality for free, but I am often offered the option to stream an owned game on a ps5 rather than install it.
1080p streaming is still not my chosen way to play of course, but I often use streaming while deciding if a service game is worth the download and the experience is surprisingly good.
I'd like to see MS increase the rate and quality of its roll out, as with their tech muscle they should be the streaming pack leaders..
Re: Stalker 2 Review Roundup: Here's What The Critics Think So Far
@OldGamer999 Watch Skillups video and tell me 'thats a bash show', it's properly documented for anyone to see and he clearly wishes to like the game.
..and I get it, you got a new TV congrats. You don't need to shoehorn that into everything you write. Almost all of us committed gamers have top end TVs playing in 4k 120hz etc, you are not part of an exclusive club.
I hope you continue to enjoy the game.
Re: Stalker 2 Review Roundup: Here's What The Critics Think So Far
@OldGamer999 So every single other reviewer who's had plenty of time to play it is somehow wrong because it was smooth for you for 40 minutes?
I have not played it and can't give a personal assesment. But I've read the reviews and watched Skillups video which seems to agree with many others and shows a game which has a host of issues well beyond simple frame rates. If you wish to pretend the game is problem free, that's your perogative, but the broken systems and balancing demonstrated in Skillups video are unlikely to have been fixed in the day 1 patch.
I do hope that many issues have been addressed though. It's not my sort of game, so it's not for personal reasons that I really want the game to succeed. The Team deserve all the goodwill and success they can get from this, and I wouldn't begrudge them any of it.
Re: Stalker 2 Review Roundup: Here's What The Critics Think So Far
Much as I have a lot of sympathy for them all in Ukraine, suggesting it's a miracle that the game released is way wide of the mark when development moved to Prague quite some time ago. Pretending this was developed in a war zone is pretty silly when it factually was developed in the Czech Republic.
It's yet another game that seems released far too early with low quality standards, which is a shame as apparently there's a good game in there amoung the glitches, poor ai and story issues.
I think it's worth waiting till early next year unless you must play it now.
Re: Xbox Fails To Make GOTY List, But Still Gets 11 Nominations For The Game Awards 2024
@themightyant No one wants common sense in here mate. Your facts about who votes and how diverse the range of votes is might interfere with someone's self entitled grievance!
I do appreciate you trying though, but this is an audience who cares not for facts..
Re: Sony's Next Acquisition Could Have A Big Impact On Future Xbox Releases
Sony already have a 15% interest in fromsoft. The companies portfolio of anime and media align with Songs own properties so the buyout makes sense and funding would not necessarily come from PS and instead be spread across some divisions.
If this goes ahead, I think it's likely the software arm making souls games will remain operating independently despite a Sony controlling interest. It's extremely unlikely that it will become a playstation studio, and I suspect it will continue to make multiplatform releases.
But hey, never say never right?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 16-17)
Still playing Dragon Age veilguard and enjoying it a lot. Been difficult to see the 'wokeness' that offended people so much, and though the writting is variable, it's decent enough in places and mainly serves its purpose. I had thought it was a 7 game, but as I continue through it it's becoming an 8 for me.
Also looking to jump back into Crew Motor Fest as there's a whole new island to explore and I really enjoyed it.
What ever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun!
Re: Xbox Boss Provides Multiple Reasons Why A 'PS5 Pro' Competitor Isn't Necessary
If they charge $600 for the old Series X tech with no disc drive and 2tb ssd, imagine what they would charge for an improved version. Of course they wouldn't make one, it's unlikely they would get many sales....
Re: Reaction: Like It Or Not, Xbox Has Gone Full Throttle On Multiplatform
Whilst everyone has been expecting this, its still likely to be dissapointing to many.
I understand those that are dissapointed, im very much into playing games locally on my own hardware, running the best they can and owning titles over renting. Whilst my series x isnt going anywhere for now, it seems unlikely that that the future microsoft envisage is one that will appeal to me..
I guess with Microsoft games coming everywhere, and PS likely to stick to the traditional model, I can still play games like I want to. But rather than seeing this as a huge expansion of xbox, I cant help but see this as another nail in the coffin of xbox, the only division of MS I liked and one I believe gaming needs. I dont have any hate for PS at all, but I fear what this means for xbox.
Re: Xbox's Phil Spencer Confirms Handheld Plans, But Don't Expect One Anytime Soon
@NEStalgia lol.
He'd just put a credit card behind the bar while the team attempted to drink it dry. He had pretty much shuffled off once EA bought Bullfrog, so I didnt see much of him as I came in for Dungeon Keeper 2, but he genuinely had his heart in the right place back then..