pip_muzz

It looked a dead cert at first, then the many probing investigations made it seem in doubt.
That said, after today's news I'm fairly sure it will go through. MS seem determined to take it through the respective courts if it's "unfairly" blocked so I think it's a matter of when not if.

And that's that. No way the deal won't go through now. And if Sony change course and find something else to cry about, it shows them as the whiners they really are.

@grumpypotato of course not. But you could perhaps word your opinions better in a way that doesn't make you come across as a crazed Redditor. Your explanation for not liking the pregnancy aspect of the game is much clearer and understandable when not using an incendiary term like "pregnancy simulator" when the game very clearly isn't that.

@grumpypotato well for one both reading and pregnancy aren't bad things.

@grumpypotato "too much reading" "pregnancy simulator" "impressionable teenage girls"
You sound like a wonderful human being.

Pretty good support in all fairness. Can't complain here.

@FraserG I'm just disappointed I have to wait for the next one already. Both TT Isle of Mann games are phenomenally underrated. 👍

Coming in May 2022.
Think you mean 2023, otherwise I'd be playing already. I absolutely loved the 2nd one, really improved the handling from the 1st. Absolutely amazing games.

@themightyant I actually think the likelihood is higher the deal won't go through. Microsoft are going to end up taking the brunt of regulator failures for Facebook's and Buena Vista's dominance and pushback. Compared to the 20th Century Fox buyout this is nothing but a drop in the water but for some reason gets more attention (entitled Sony gamers and their ubiquitousness being the reason).
I agree, this was an opportunistic move with MS looking to expand and Activision reeling from sexual harassment claims. The objective part of me (as an all console owner) can't help but feel MS is being made a scapegoat here for past regulator failings.

@themightyant yes and no. Whilst they may not spent all $60+billion again exactly, the intent that MS is willing to invest heavily in the Xbox ecosystem isn't going to go away.
As such, it can be assumed that they will not exactly walk away as if nothing happened should the deal fall through

I've just going to sit on the sidelines eating popcorn watching this one.
As a game pass subscriber, I win big if the deal goes through with lots of new games on Game Pass and the hope that dead brands like Tony Hawk's and Spyro can be resurrected.
On the other hand, if it doesn't, MS will just spend all that $60billion+ on what I'd consider much more interesting propositions and games than Activision Blizzard is in the first place.
It's win/win. Just very funny to see MS trying to play the plucky up-and-comer when this buyout would make them incredibly powerful, and funny to see Sony play hard-done-by when they have more 3rd party exclusive deals then ever and screw consumers over with high prices for the same games.
I'm going to need more popcorn 🍿😂

Would be hilarious if the deal is blocked, then MS just renegotiate with Activision a new CoD deal that means all CoD comes to game pass day 1 regardless of buy out. Then with the remaining $50billion they make GTA 6, Resident Evil 9 etc... Game pass day 1 or exclusive.
As a multi console owner, I think it'll end up worse off for Sony if the deal is blocked. As that $60+Billion dollars isn't going anywhere and will come back with a vengeance in ways that aren't as boringly predictable as CoD.

Genuinely a tough choice. Splinter Cell 1,3+4 were super. As were the Advanced Warfighter games.
I voted for Rainbow Six Vegas 1 (though 2 is equally good). Absolutely superb games which play miles better than most FPS' today. Not to mention split screen co-op ran without issue.

Just finished Plague Tale Requiem and it's only a 7-8/10 from me. Nowhere near as engaging as the first one. Simplified gameplay with a focus on combat and an increased narrative effort. It has some astounding moments but I really do wonder if people are wanting to play video games or interactive TV series/Films.

I don't really count Deathloop as a 2022 game, but it certainly is one of the very best I've played this year.
I'd so far put Pentiment at 1, Return to Monkey Island at 2 and the rather superb Two Point Campus at 3. (This is for Xbox of course).
I haven't got round to playing Elden Ring yet.

@Jaxx420 that'll teach me to skim read articles in future 😅 thanks for the clarification

Got to love how GameSpot gave this a 9 whilst giving Pentiment a 6 🤣🤣😂😂 Does anyone at that website even know what a video game is?!

Edit: Never mind, I've misread the website's name like a total plonker.

The remake will undoubtedly look prettier, but like far too many games these days it will inevitably contain overly signposted and focus tested "safe" gameplay.
I confidently predict that the original will still be harder, more demanding of the player and overall the better game (but hey, the new one looks so shiny!!!!)

It's amazing! And if Game Pass gives developers the opportunity to take more risks in what is currently such a risk averse industry, then fantastic for them.
Faaaaaaar too many remakes and "safe" games these days. Pentiment is genuinely my GOTY so far. Better than Bayonetta and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, better than God of War Ragnarok and better than Return to Monkey Island (which is my 2nd fav)
Pentiment is a genuine proper video game experience

Can't wait for this. I'll be playing this weekend!

One of the very few developers I'll buy Day 1 from. I'm absolutely loving it, the care that went into all the extra things as well as the games themselves is phenomenal.

That looks surprisingly decent.

I'll definitely give this a go. Heard it was mostly a clusterdisaster at launch, but happy to try it for myself when it arrives to Game Pass.

Quick Resume. Genuinely changes how I play games. Switching between them so quickly (and as someone who games a hell of a lot) has been a revelation for me and not something I will be able to easily live without in the future.

Somerville and Pentiment next week mean that's my gaming sorted for the rest of the month. Can't wait for this but I'm going in with tempered expectations. I don't think it'll be the next Inside, but if it's even half as good as that game it'll be worth a play.

Also one of the two new maps, Argyle, has been removed due to issues and glitches with it. I cannot fathom how this company is allowed to operate as is with the valuable Halo IP it has.

The quest for pixel perfect graphics is the problem. Who cares if the frame rate dips during split screen at moments. So long as it's functional who cares?!?! The fear of an online backlash for something not 100% should not be the cause to cancel something that is genuinely a "Halo cornerstone"
That and just drop it for the OG Xbox One too... I mean seriously, this company is just useless.

Awesome little game. Ska Studios would then go on to make The Dishwasher games, Charlie Murder and Salt & Sanctuary. A top little indie dev that makes great games.

It does look an absolute high quality game. Looking forward to it as well. I won't buy at launch (£70 still taking the mick), but I'll be playing it for sure. As a long term GoW fan I felt GoW18 was overrated for sure, but this one looks to genuinely deliver on its hype and potential.

I don't have a clue. I genuinely feel that some games receive a "Sonic Tax" as it's not the disaster 3d series that some people say it is. That said the gameplay I've seen ahead of this so far isn't inspiring confidence either. I'm at a loss.

It is a super game! He's not wrong!

@AverageGamer Having seen what's happened with Rare and 343i under MS' banner, as much as I love my Xbox, there's a genuine question mark over their ability to manage studios.

Quite alarming honestly that another Microsoft led studio has to draft in outside help once again. Then again, I'd love a new Fable but were Playground Games really the best fit in the first place? Microsoft should never have closed Lionhead Studios either.

I can't wait for this. The sheer number of campaigns in the definitive edition will keep my playing it all year.

Damn. Played it already and the "load last checkpoint" system would have improved my playing experience massively. It's no joke I would routinely kill my character off just to get reset back in a better position... This type of improvement could easily bring the game up from a 6/7 to an 8/9 in my view.
A nice reminder to avoid games at launch due to their problems, even if they're on game pass day 1.

Excellent. I was worried that the lack of news meant this may have fallen by the wayside. One more game to make November jam packed.

WRC, Atari collection, Evil West, Sonic, Pentiment. November is a hell of a decent month!

Well that's the first half of 2023 gone. With the definitive edition of the game coming, then that's more campaigns than one could ever need.
A shame MS didn't get this out this year to plug the 1st party release drought but better late than never. Can't wait.

Sorry to be the party pooper, but please no. Enough with the remakes. Make a new Tomb Raider game in the old style by all means but don't remake the 1st game again. Seriously, do people so just want to play the same game and story on repeat till the end of time?!

@FraserG Absolutely great idea. Even if the games aren't 100% spot on, it definitely gives us gamers more time to take a look and prioritise stuff that may be leaving the service.
Saves me having to Google each and every title myself. Here's hoping this is a regular feature 👍

The Amnesia games and Soma are all excellent. Frictional Games are a top developer. I recommend starting with Amnesia:The Dark Descent but Soma is a good starting point too.

Yawn. How about actually following through on the things you've previously planned before making up some new ones!

@Chaudy no sour grapes. Layers of Fear 1 was very solid and Observer had some very solid moments too. Definitely agree that The Medium was VERY underwhelming however.

@Dr_Luigi I just meant more from a horror perspective. Full console exclusives I understand, but the timed ones always seem like a waste of money for everyone who owns more than one console. I think my point is I get annoyed when any timed console exclusive is announced. Xbox and Sony alike. Doubly so when they all come to PC these days at launch anyway.

It's fine. Xbox got Scorn first exclusive, Sony had Silent Hill 2. It's not like the exclusive game is Silent Hill Townfall, which is the more interesting game anyway (and more importantly, not another ruddy remake).
It's also on PC too for those who really want to play it and don't have a PS5. 12 months is a blink in gaming anyway.

This information just helps MS' case for the acquisition. It's hard for Sony to shout "unfair" when there are so many deals they've done with Activision in the past with CoD. Still hoping we get CoD 2 onwards on game pass at some point, and if I'm really dreaming a backwards compatible version of CoD1 classic.

@Titntin you say you used to work for Bullfrog. Even if I disagree with you, I'll always read what you post. Bullfrog games were the bomb back in the day! 👍

@somnambulance Couldn't agree more. Obviously I've yet to play the new Plague Tale, but the mid tier reviews criticising the "safe gameplay" is very hypocritical when Naughty Dog haven't innovated with gameplay for coming onto two decades yet get 10/10 across the board.

It sounds like the game doesn't attempt to hold your hand at all when playing. Of course that's going to be divisive, so many gamers today have been brought up with "Press X for the game to play itself".

Great review. Looking forward to starting this tonight after work. The Cronenberg/Giger/Barker mash up couldn't be more perfect. Definitely happy to hear it doesn't sound like the game holds your hand too much either 👍