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What do you think of the new PlayStation Plus? | Team Talk

2/4/2022

 
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This week saw PlayStation unveil it's long-awaited response to Game Pass, in the form of new tiers to PS Plus, which brings in the current PS Now service.

In a nutshell, there are now three tiers – Essential, Extra and Premium. The first is just what we have now, even without a price rise. Extra includes a downloadable back catalogue of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games.

Premium, as you'd expect, takes it a step further, adding another 340 games through streaming, mostly from PS3, but also including some from original PlayStation, PS2 and PSP.

We've got a few thoughts on the service, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments.

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by James Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

James

With PlayStation dismissive of backwards compatibility in the past, this feels like a real turnaround. There's no beating Game Pass at its own game, so it makes sense to do something a bit different, and at first glance it seems like Sony has a good plan here.

Streaming can work well, as Game Pass has shown, and while PlayStation Now has been a little shakier it already has its fans, and limiting the approach to older games means less strain on a wide array of network speed and reliability setups.

As for the tiers, the difference between each is only a few pounds, though the jump between Essential and Extra could be smaller to really push people into those higher level features.

For me, I expect I'll stick with Essential for now, as many of the 20 games available in the PS Plus Collection remain unplayed, and it's great that the option is there to explore far more in the future at a reasonable price.

In the wider context, hopefully this competition will help keep Microsoft pushing Game Pass forward and encourage both platform makers to give gamers the best deal possible.
Ratchet & Clank

Chris

At first glance, it seems Game Pass offers more bang for your buck, with all of Microsoft's first-party titles being made available to subscribers on day one, but with over 700 games in the PlayStation Plus catalogue right from the off (at least with the highest tier) it's still a very attractive prospect. Of course, not all of those games will appeal to everyone but since the comparisons to Microsoft's service are unavoidable, it's worth mentioning that Game Pass has its fair share of filler titles too and was far less expansive in its infancy.

I suspect Sony's decision not to include those first-party games will draw the ire of many, though it's understandable from a business perspective. Whilst Xbox boasts a lot of multiplayer titles (such as the likes of Gears 5, Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5), PlayStation tends to focus on the single-player epics. This means Microsoft can pull in more money as time goes on, whether it's via battle passes, multiplayer expansions or even loot boxes, whereas Sony don't have that constant trickle of funding.

It's probably safe to assume that newer games will eventually release on PlayStation Plus, so those who are patient can wait a little while longer without having to fork out extra. Given the choice between PS Plus and Game Pass, Xbox may just have the edge but I don't think we can take anything away from PlayStation.
Forza Horizon 5

Liam

I was walking down the street with a friend the other day when someone passed me carrying a PS5. I was so flabbergasted to see one in the wild that I genuinely did a double take and interrupted the conversation to point it out.

As you might have guessed, I’ve still yet to acquire a PlayStation 5, but I do plan on getting one eventually. When I do, I think I will sign up for the middle of the new PS Plus tiers. This one seems to be targeted towards players like me, who have missed out on some of the platform’s biggest exclusives over the last couple of generations.

There doesn’t seem to be much info about specific titles just yet, but I think it’s safe to assume PS4 exclusives such as Spider-Man and Horizon Zero Dawn will be included, which is great for me as I’ve yet to play them. Although I could probably find reasonably priced physical copies these days, £10.99 a month doesn’t seem too steep for access to a digital library of classics.

​However, the Premium package, at £13.49 a month, would be harder to justify, given that it doesn’t include day-one exclusive releases. But depending on the quality of the PS2 
titles (one of my favourite generations), I could still be tempted.
Spider-Man

What do you think of the new-look PS Plus? Let us know.
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What game got you into gaming? | Team Talk

24/3/2022

 
What's the game that got you into gaming?

With spring just around the corner, it's the time of year for beginning new things, which got us thinking back to where gaming started for us. (Plus, in James' case, the recently revealed Sonic 2 film poster brought his experience flooding back).

There we were, bright eyed and bushy tailed, blinking as we stepped into the light of what this hobby could be. So we thought we'd share our stories of what was the catalyst for this grandiose moment with you all.

What about you? What was that game that made you think "yes, this is something I could see myself doing a bit"?

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​by James Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

Sonic 2 | James

While not the first game I ever played – I think that honour goes to the original Prince of Persia from 1989 – it was the arrival of the home console in the MegaDrive 2 that really got me excited at the prospect of exploring these digital worlds.

Sonic was a character which was known even back then, and was really synonymous with Sega as a company, so I got the game along with Aladdin and Streets of Rage (as I've mentioned before), and settled into going fast, very fast.

The speed was one of the most gripping elements of the experience in fact, while Prince of Persia's platforming and exploration were new to me, this felt like a real shot in the arm, with the character moving too fast for the eye to follow at times.

The music too (particularly the as-yet unbeaten Chemical Plant Zone theme) made the experience gripping and added a sense of danger to running out of air in an underwater section, or signalling the arrival of an anxiety-inducing boss.

While the story wasn't much to write home about, it was enough to establish the world and the things which would go on to define the character all the way up to his current film days.
Sonic-2

Grand Theft Auto III | Chris

Though GTA III released in 2001 (and I already considered myself a gamer at this point) it was a title which changed the gaming landscape for good. Loading up for the first time left me in awe, it was a visual treat like no other. The massive (by early 2000's standards) 3D open world felt vibrant and alive in a way that no game had previously managed.

Even the smaller touches, like the satirical talk radio, add to the feeling that this world existed before I came along and will still exist when I'm gone. The best had been bettered, there's a new yardstick and nothing will be the same again.


GTA III not only reinvigorated my love of gaming but it was a taste of what was to come. I had been made aware of what could now be achieved and the possibilities seemed endless. It wasn't just the aesthetics; the variety of missions, the scope of the narrative and the gameplay itself were new to me, despite the many years of gaming I had clocked up.

Since then, the series has continued to grow and evolve but the biggest step was the almighty leap from 2D to 3D. GTA V​ deserves the (almost universally) perfect review scores, and I still jump into the online mode from time to time, yet it lacks that same feeling of wonder I got from discovering something special for the first time.
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Super Mario World | Liam

Like Chris, there’s multiple points in my gaming career that could be considered pivotal moments. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare got me into online multiplayer and into HD gaming in general (I’d been playing a Wii until that point). Perfect Dark was probably the first time I’d really got into a game’s story, setting and characters, while Ocarina of Time properly felt like a big adventure.

But I’m going to go with the earliest game I remember being into, which is Super Mario World. This game had already been out for several years before I got to play it sometime in the mid-90s but was an ever present in my household thereafter.

This was the first time a game had looked and felt like a premium product. It was like playing a living cartoon, with bright, bold visuals and a catchy, iconic soundtrack. I personally never got much further than the second island, but I remember a real sense of awe whenever one of my older brothers reached a new and previously unseen level.
​

I’m sure games would have continued to interest me had I not played Super Mario World, but it probably marked the point where I realised they fascinated me.
Super-Mario-World

What title got you into gaming?
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What were the highlights from Sony’s March State of Play? | Team Talk

11/3/2022

 
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PlayStation surprised us with a new State of Play this week, with a “special focus” on games coming from Japanese publishers. There were a flurry of new announcements and updates in the show’s 20-minute runtime.

Square Enix in particular showed off lots of games, giving Japanese gaming fans plenty to chew on. We’ve put our heads together to pick out our favourites. What was your highlight from the show?

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by James
Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection | Liam

I was a little underwhelmed by the most recent State of Play. Most of the games looked fine and well put together, but there wasn’t anything that really grabbed me.

Coop battles with dinosaurs sounds like a great concept, but the footage shared of Exoprimal left me a little cold. Rather than some tense scrap with a giant predator, the dinos seem to have been reduced to waves of cannon fodder, which seems a bit of a waste.
​

Trek to Yomi looks very stylish, and is one I’ll be keeping an eye on, but I think the main highlight was The Cowabunga Collection, mostly because it contains Turtles in Time. This was one of my favourite games on the SNES, so I’m looking forward to giving it another try with modern conveniences such as save points. Completing the original game in one sitting was a bit of an ask and I don’t think I’d have the patience to try it again!

It'd also be nice to check out some of the other Turtles games included, as there’s apparently a bunch I was unaware of. It could be nice to sample the franchise history ahead of the latest offering, Shredder’s Revenge, which is due out later this year.
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Returnal Ascension and Forspoken | James

With a Japanese focus, it wasn’t a surprise to see Square Enix crop up at this show, but the sheer number of titles the publisher is working on is impressive, even outside its usual wheelhouse.

Since I picked Forspoken as my most anticipated game this year, I was excited for an update, and we were treated to a short trailer, interestingly with “some camera angles adjusted for trailer use” – a disclaimer I haven’t noticed before.

It certainly shows off some more of the scale you’d expect from the Final Fantasy XV developer, and while it wasn’t a gameplay trailer, the traversal animations and magic effects are still looking very cool.

A few other things looked worthy of an interested eyebrow raise, such as the intrigue of zombie-game-with-dinosaurs-instead-of-zombies Exoprimal, but largely the genres touched on aren’t necessarily my bag.

To my surprise though, the most exciting bit of news was actually an update to an existing release - Returnal.

When Returnal first debuted it grabbed my attention immediately, but with its high difficulty I’ve been too timid to jump into the haunting sci-fi adventure. The State of Play brought news of co-op being added with the Ascension update, which could bring in me and others who’ve been wanting to try it out.
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What was your State of Play highlight?
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What were the highlights from the Winter 2022 Pokémon Presents? | Team Talk

3/3/2022

 
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While it isn’t a significant anniversary year, it’s hard to deny Pokémon is on a hot streak at the moment. From the hype surrounding new MOBA-style release Pokémon Unite last year and the continued reinvigoration of ​Pokémon Go with lots of regular updates, there’s been plenty to draw in all sorts of new players.

On top of that, we’ve seen an excellent remake in Pokémon Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond, and a fresh take on the formula altogether with Pokémon Legends Arceus. So what more could Game Freak and The Pokémon Company have in store for us?

The most recent Pokémon Presents presentation highlighted plenty of nuggets of newness bound for these games, and even new ones to look forward to. Once you’ve munched on the Rare Candy that is our highlights from the show, leave us your own in the comments.

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​by James Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

Alola comes to Pokémon Go | Chris

I am still yet to play a Pokémon game and know very little of the franchise (I blame the fact that the first Pokémon title released around the same time as Resident Evil and I only had room in my life for one obsession). This makes each new entry in the series more daunting than the last as more weird creatures, with more weird names, are added to what must surely be a gargantuan roster. Pair this with my firm dislike of mobile games and it's even stranger that I would choose Pokémon Go for this week's topic.
 
There wasn't a great deal of time devoted to the new season, Alola, though I suppose that doesn't matter much to a newcomer who would be experiencing everything with a fresh set of eyes. I assume there's been a slew of updates since the early days and this could be a good time to pull the trigger.

I still hear talk of
Pokémon Go on occasion and I was recently made aware of a nearby gym. Apparently, this is a good thing in game, unlike the real-world gyms which exist as a punishment for those of us who believe that cheese should be classed as one of your five-a-day. We might not be any healthier but we'd be happier.

 
I find the idea of Augmented Reality games exciting and I would like to achieve something from walking. Something better than worn out trainers and blistered feet. I can't imagine it would be something I'd get totally drawn in by, but it's different enough to pique my interest and could even be a stepping stone to diving in proper, some twenty-odd years into Pokémon's life.
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Alola there!

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s starters and world | James

Although the live-action reveal was a fun change of pace, it’s a little disappointing to step back to a more traditional Pokémon game format for Scarlet and Violet after the freedom of Arceus, the thought of having a few brand new pocket monsters to journey with is exciting.

A crop of brand new starters sees a new cat-inspired ‘mon, a duck wearing a hat as well as a tiny crocodile (or Spragitato, Quaxly and Fuecoco as the game refers to them), and they all look interesting. Giving tiny croc Fuecoco a fire type could lead to some interesting signature moves and who doesn’t find cats adorable?

The starters’ names and the aesthetic of the as-yet unnamed new region give a strong vibe of Spain. In particular, in one of the town’s you notice a tall building – marked with signature pokéball, naturally – which is reminiscent of Barcelona’s famous cathedral Sagrada Familia.

A different region is always interesting to explore, particularly one as colourful as this, and from the gameplay we’ve seen it looks as though the Wild Area introduced in Sword and Shield, or possibly the entire map outside cities, will show pokémon in the overworld.

Hopefully we’ll see Gamefeak continue to push the quality of life elements improved in the last few games, so that it feels like a significant step forward from the last traditional, non-remake release.
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The internet may have fallen for Fuecoco but we all know Spragitato is really the best of the three.

Arceus trainer battle update | Liam
​

The highlight for me was the Pokémon Legends Arceus update announcement, mostly because it has motivated me to get back into the game. After a few days of catching ‘mon every evening, my time in Hisui has dropped off over the past week but having seen what’s coming I’m ready to give it another go.

I’m mostly interested in the new Training Grounds battles that are being added, as trainer battles are something I’ve missed so far in Arceus. There’s been a few, and perhaps there’ll be more to come in the content I’ve yet to unlock, but so far the game feels like it’s lacking in traditional encounters so hopefully this update, which includes matches tailored to your chosen Pokémon, will scratch that itch.

Elsewhere, the show motivated me to try some of the other spin-off Pokémon games that are knocking around. I’ve previously dismissed most of them outright, but some of the titles, especially Pokémon Unite, look worth a try.

The real highlight, however, was probably the animatronic Pikachu lurking in the background behind The Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara like some sort of shadowy shareholder. Perhaps sentient Pokémon toys are the one’s really in charge? It would explain why there’s been so many games coming out lately.
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Great balls of electricity!

What was your Pokémon Presents highlight?
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Our Most Anticipated Games 2022: Overwatch 2 | Team Talk

3/2/2022

 
Overwatch 2 characters concept art

I'm rather disappointed in myself for picking Overwatch 2 as my most anticipated game of the year because it is, in my not-so-humble opinion, more of a full-price DLC. The new maps, modes and heroes will be playable across both titles, with all of your unlocked customisation options carrying over into the "sequel" should you choose to upgrade.

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​by
​Chris Brand

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​@SuperCrisco

The only real addition (that I'm aware of) is the inclusion of PvE co-op missions. However, that's exactly what I'm excited for. I love teaming up with a friend, or a few, in co-op shooters and ramping up the difficulty. Gears 5 is a prime example. Although I thoroughly enjoyed playing the campaign solo, I had to tear myself away from horde mode just to write our review.

​
Overwatch has dabbled with PvE content in seasonal events, such as the Halloween-exclusive Junkenstein's Revenge, and it works well. Yes, it's a simple mode without any frills that can quickly get stale but, mechanically, it's solid.
Our Most Anticipated Games 2022: Overwatch 2 | Team Talk - Dr Junkenstein
Overwatch 2 promises to keep things fresh by allowing players to modify their abilities, maybe trading a little bit of burst damage for more consistent DPS, or vice versa. The mission variety is what will make or break it for me. I'm hoping for both short and long missions, some adding to the overall narrative and others just there for intense, horde-like, firefights.

When it comes to PvP, there are significant changes being made. Overwatch will shake things up by transitioning from 6v6 battles to 5v5, with teams losing one of their tanks. This would make some of the "off tanks" a terrible choice in the current live game but, with a host of reworks in the pipeline, and not just for the tank class, I'm hopeful that players won't feel pressured to choose a barrier tank.

In fact, tanks may not be tanks at all; Blizzard have expressed a desire to switch the name of the class to brawler. Still, it's hard to see the benefit of forgoing a reliable Reinhardt in favour of a dive-bombing D.Va. Heroes are already getting slight tweaks and reworks (though, like most multiplayer games, this has been a constant ongoing process throughout
Overwatch's life), suggesting that the developers are going to drip feed changes until the sequel's release.

Our Most Anticipated Games 2022: Overwatch 2 | Team Talk - Orisa
I've read and heard nary a thing about the Overwatch Workshop, a tool for knocking together custom game modes. It's already being used in creative ways and could add endless longevity if it's expanded to allow for the easy creation of new missions, not unlike the track editor in the Trials series. It's not very intuitive, nor expansive, but imagination can push technology beyond its limits.

As Liam mentioned, Microsoft's recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard means that we can expect Overwatch 2 to be playable via Game Pass from day one. This not only saves money, but also saves me from having to persuade/bully my other half into purchasing the sequel. Playing with friends and loved ones is always more fun and I find that those closest to me are less likely to bitch and moan when I spend a little too long trying to sink a basket in the spawn room.
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Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Extraction | Taken For A Quickie

27/1/2022

 
Rainbow-Six-Extraction

We've got some thoughts on Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Extraction, the latest title from Ubisoft Montreal, in our review series Taken For A Quickie.

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by
​James Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

I remember this being called Quarantine, what happened?

The game was originally announced back in 2019 at E3, but later changed its name to Extraction in mid-2021 after a couple of delays. It was conceived as a spin-off to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege after a limited-time game mode based in Mexico struck a chord with players.

So, what's it all about anyway?

Rather than terrorists vs operators, Extraction sees you face of against various types of aliens, called Archeons, who have emerged in different areas of, you guessed it, New York, as a result of an agressive pathogen, which causes a grey crust of organic material over surfaces, slowing your moment and making you take more damage in certain areas.
Rainbow-Six-Extraction
​And what do you have to do?

Not entirely dissimilar from the dark zone in Tom Clancy's The Division 2, you're dispatched either alone or in groups of three to clear the alien infection in various ways.

It might be taking out enemies, or triggering some charges, or stopping seismic activity. If one of the team goes down and is absorbed by the infection they are MIA, and have to be retrieved in a future round, and in the meantime you lose access to that character.

Does going into a heavily dangerous area like that alone sound like a sensible idea?

No, not particularly, and in fact – other than the tutorial mission – generally we found the solo missions particularly lethal, since there are some objectives which require you to do multiple actions simultaneously, or in different places in quick succession.

A string of bad luck can quickly leave you with multiple operators injured or MIA.

How interesting are these operators then? Anyone we know?

Actually yes, since the game has DNA, all the way down to its engine, shared with Siege, the likes of Sledge, Doc and up to 16 others are all here to choose from.

Unfortunately, some of Team Rainbow's powers are a little less useful in this context. Sledge for example, still has his trusty hammer to smash through a wall or two, but because the element of surprise is so much more crucial here, being swing happy could cost you the objective.

Other elements like barricading walls and doorways also make an appearance, but the game doesn't seem to know what to do with them, since there seems to be relatively little cause to defend in the same way as you would in Siege against gun-wielding human opposition.
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Not a huge recommendation then?

The concept is certainly interesting, and there's been a fair amount of effort put into the staging of the missions, with full cutscenes and characters debating the approach the team should take, but these moments are few and far between, and aren't enough to sustain a cohesive narrative.

A team of only three leaves you quickly short-handed too, with some objectives having three parts in themselves, without enemies to worry about, and a quick bout of poison gas is enough to quickly take a teammate down to critical health.

There's little chance to revive or save allies either, meaning leaving without a full team is fairly common. At least the titular extraction areas are in each of the three sub-zones per level, so you can bail out with only a third of the stage completed if you need to.

Does it at least feel as good as Siege to play?

Everything behaves in the same way as Siege, and you can steadily unlock new tech items and guns to play with, but really this experience might have gone down better as an add-on to that game rather than trying to be a game in its own right.

If you're a serious fan, and particularly if you've got a good team at your side, then it's worth a try – especially if you have Game Pass – but we wouldn't recommend going in alone.
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Games of the Year 2021 | Team Talk

17/12/2021

 
Team-Talk-Game-of-the-Year-2021

While The Game Awards may have decided the Game of the Year is (the admittedly marvelous) It Takes Two, we all know picking the absolute best experience players have had this year can be a little less clear cut.

How do you judge it? The game you played the most? Enjoyed the most? Was disappointed by the least? We've been doing some soul-searching as a team to find our own answers to these very questions, and we think we've each come up with something we can stand behind.

So, without further ado, presenting Pass the Controller's official Games of the Year. What was your pick? Let us know in the comments.

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​by James Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart | James

There's something about platforming games. Ever since Banjo Tooie was one of my first games on N64 (that's right, I played them in the wrong order), I've had a soft spot for the genre and linked the discovery and wonder in-game with the excitement of exploring a new console itself.

This year I was lucky enough to get that joy multiple times, upgrading to both PS5 and Xbox Series S, but while Forza Horizon 5 hit at just the right time for the latter, my anticipation for the return of Ratchet and Clank was already piqued.

I played the 2016 remake, which Sony cleverly gave away free, while I waited, catching me up on a series I'd completely missed – having been out of the PlayStation loop since the PS1.

Once Rift Apart finally arrived, all the criticisms I'd read about the remake had been addressed, particularly characterisation which takes strides forwards due to some fabulous animation, and it provided a technical showcase for the PS5 with its rift-hopping antics.

The sense of amazement when the game transports you from one reality to another with the swing of a spanner can't be overstated.

The game informs me I've only got 43% of the way through, but every percent has been filled with fun, excitement and joy at exploring every aspect, and I can't wait to dive back in to play more.
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Halo Infinite | Chris

Although it's markedly different from every Halo to come before it, Infinite is the best the series has been since Reach.

The biggest drawback,
as James mentioned in our review, is the omission of co-op in the campaign. Halo is at its peak when you're playing on legendary difficulty with someone by your side, pushing forward inch by inch, scavenging the battlefield for any weapons that still have ammo. Without that, the campaign still provides a good mix of intrigue and action, with Master Chief having a much more prominent role than in Guardians, even though he shares it with that other star of the show; the grappling hook.


Whilst it has the potential to save one's life should you "heroically" drive a Razorback full of Marines off the side of the map because I wasn't paying attention, I tend to employ it more offensively. Unfortunately, the offended party is usually me. There's no feeling quite like pulling an explosive container towards your throwing hand and hurling it, with Spartan strength, at a very close, very indestructible, piece of level geometry. I am a bigger threat to myself, and any of the UNSC who are brave enough to tag along, than the Banished could ever hope to be.

The multiplayer aspect has failed to grab me, the battle pass system pushed me away, and the absence of Firefight leaves me with little desire to explore that side any further. The campaign and grappling hook are solid enough to make Infinite my number one choice, narrowly beating Forza Horizon 5 and my Back to the Future-themed Delorean.
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Resident Evil Village | Sam

I’m a fan of the Resident Evil series in all of its guises. Whether it’s an action entry or a traditional survival horror instalment, there’s no doubt that I’m coming along for the ride. Village confidently marries both of these identities and has fun doing so, helping its genuine scares to simultaneously be enjoyable and endearing.

RE Village, the eighth mainline entry in the franchise, features an ensemble cast of antagonists. These disparately kooky characters also operate in their own areas of the remote setting. As a result, the game feels like a Halloween theme park filled with enticing attractions you can’t help but get drawn in by.

Facing fears in a safe environment can be exciting to the point of amusement, which is a giddy feeling that Village often evokes. It helps that Capcom isn’t afraid to drop great gameplay features, locations and characters to move on before they lose lustre. Lady Dimitrescu plays a minor role, for example, though made a big enough impression for Maggie Robertson to win Best Performance at The Game Awards (2021).

While the structure and vibe are what really make Resident Evil Village stand out, of course, it wouldn’t be a GOTY contender without outstanding fundamentals. The gunplay and puzzles are absolutely on point, while the sense of continual character and arsenal progression makes for high replayability. It’s also worth recognising the RE Engine for achieving some near photorealistic visuals.
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Liam | Hell Let Loose
 
I first tried Hell Let Loose last year, back when the game was still in Early Access on PC before refunding it due to technical issues. Fast forward a year, and HLL was rumoured to be heading to XSX and PS5 sometime in the winter. Fortunately, these rumours turned out to be true and, even more fortunately, I was able to secure myself a Series X to play it on.

I’m glad I made the decision to refund on PC, as this is most definitely a game worth enjoying properly. While it’s not breaking any new ground visually, it’s a decent looking game which is better appreciated on a big screen (not to mention a stable framerate, which my poor laptop couldn’t deliver).

I enjoy a good tactical shooter, and HLL is one of the best. The combination of lethal weaponry and fragile players makes for some very intense shootouts. The lack of aim-assist and the high-recoil guns means success feels very much earned.

HLL has a big focus on co-op play and communication, and I’ve been surprised to find most players are happy to talk tactics during matches. It’s an even better experience with a few friends in tow and has firmly established itself as my go-to title for the weekly multiplayer get together.
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What's your 2021 Game of the Year? Let us know below.
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Who will win at The Game Awards 2021? | Team Talk

22/11/2021

 
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It’s awards season, and while every game released in these unusual times deserves extra praise, there’s still an opportunity for a chosen few to rise above the rest at The Game Awards 2021.

The actual ceremony takes place on 9 December, though we already know the nominees. We’ve each picked a couple of categories in order to predict their winners. What are your predictions? Let us know in the comments.

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by James Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

James

Innovation in Accessibility

  • Far Cry 6
  • Forza Horizon 5 
  • Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
  • The Vale: Shadow of the Crown

Most Anticipated Game

  • Elden Ring 
  • God of War Ragnarök
  • Horizon Forbidden West
  • Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
  • Starfield

Accessibility has arguably come on leaps and bounds in the past few years. While standards still aren’t anywhere near as high as they should be, we’ve seen more titles using text-to-speech prompts by default when you first load in. There are also far more customisation options than ever before in many AAA titles.

The nominees in this category include Far Cry 6, Forza Horizon 5, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and The Vale: The Shadow of the Crown.

The work Ubisoft Milan and Toronto put into Far Cry 6 has created an experience which contains “the most extensive set of options” so far and the results are impressive. Games Accessibility Specialist Stacey Jenkins has put together an excellent accessibility preview which covers it far more effectively than we could.

For Most Anticipated Game, FromSoftware’s Elden Ring stands apart from the rest of the pack (which includes God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Starfield) partly because it’s coming a lot sooner than the other options.

The recent Closed Network Test sparked a huge amount of conversation and excitement in just a few hours, which definitely points to Elden Ring snapping up this accolade.
Elden-Ring-Goat-Mount-Leaping-Chasm
Move over Epona, there's a new favourite mount in town.

Liam

Best Sim/Strategy

  • Age of Empires IV
  • Evil Genius 2: World Domination
  • Humankind
  • Inscryption
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator

Best Multiplayer

  • Back 4 Blood 
  • It Takes Two
  • Knockout City 
  • Monster Hunter Rise
  • New World
  • Valheim

Skipping over the fact that Deathloop seems to be up for almost every award going (I was half expecting to see it crop up in “Best Family Game”), I think there’s a decent variety of titles vying for the top prizes this year.

​For the Best Sim/Strategy title, I have to go for Microsoft Flight Simulator. I’d already played around with the game on PC but having it available on Xbox has been an even better experience. What I like best about it is it can be as challenging or as welcoming as you want it to be.

Personally, I enjoy the latter option. Picking up a pad and just cruising around distant (or even local) locations for 30 minutes or so has been a great way to unwind. Flying, it turns out, is surprisingly peaceful when it’s not sandwiched between hours of airport tedium.

As for Best Multiplayer, I would have liked to have seen Hell Let Loose get nominated. Yes, I know it’s been out since last year on PC but, like MS Flight Sim, technically it did come out this year for consoles. From the options available, however, I have to go with Back 4 Blood because it was pretty good with friends and had a surprisingly fun PvP mode.
Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-2020-Water-Sunset-Sea-Landing
Tranquillity. In plane form.

Sam

Game of the Year
​
​
  • Deathloop
  • It Takes Two
  • Metroid Dread
  • Psychonauts 2
  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
  • Resident Evil Village

Best Game Direction 
​
  • Deathloop
  • It Takes Two
  • Returnal
  • Psychonauts 2
  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

As a big fan of the Resident Evil franchise in all its guises, RE Village struck an excellent balance between old and new. It’s a unique blend of classic survival horror and modern action/adventure - each of its acts almost feel like separate games, though they also coexist and complement one another.

Arkane Studios’ titles are typically some of my favourites, including the divisive Prey. It came as a nasty surprise to learn that Deathloop isn’t for me, then; I kept playing in the hopes that it’d finally click, but then the credits rolled... Considering its level of recognition, however, I half expect it to clean up at The Game Awards.

In terms of Best Game Direction, Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios’ It Takes Two would be a worthy winner. Fares’ games so far all share a common thread - that innovation and cooperation are central to the experience. It Takes Two once again achieves that objective, building upon the foundations set by Brothers and A Way Out.

Elsewhere on the list, Deathloop and Returnal already feel like outdated roguelikes by comparison to the superior design of Supermassive Games’ Hades. Psychonauts 2 and Ratchet & Clank are both excellent, though just fall short of matching the directorial prowess displayed by Hazelight.
It-Takes-Two-Split-Screen-Multiplayer
Forget the lovely art style, it has split-screen multiplayer! That's worth an award all on its own.

What nominations would you like to see win? Let us know below or in the forums.
0 Comments

What’s your most memorable driving game adventure? | Team Talk

7/11/2021

 
Team-Talk-Driving-Memory

Forza Horizon 5​ puts gamers behind the virtual wheel and transports them to Mexico. That got us thinking about some other memorable driving adventures; whether it’s on the track or out in the wilderness, racing games give players an opportunity to visit familiar and exotic locations.

Where have you been? Where would you like to see the Horizon series go next? Let us know in the comments.

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by James Michael Parry

Picture

​@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

James | Prague, Forza Motorsport 5

Jumping into a new generation is always exciting, and with the release of the Xbox One came a very shiny and impressive look at Prague in Forza Motorsport 5. Having never been, but heard a lot about this picturesque city, it feels as though the folks at Turn 10 did a great job of bringing the city to life.

The famous Charles Bridge is present and correct, of course. You can drive over it at hundreds of miles an hour, scoffing at historical preservation, before flying through its archways (on a road similar to a modern flyover) and coming back into the city.

In the background as you speed along, St. Vitus Cathedral towers over the city on a hill as part of Prague Castle, and on a hairpin bend you’ll catch a glimpse of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn. No doubt those who are personally familiar with the city would be able to spot many more.

As a cherry on top of it all, the circuit itself is one of the most memorable and enjoyable in the game. It even proved popular enough to get an update in Forza Motorsport 7 a few years later.

While I haven’t been to Prague yet, FM5 definitely makes me keen to explore it in person one day.
Forza-5-Prague
Architecture such as this can only really be appreciated at 150 mph.

Liam | Britain, Forza Horizon 4
 
Forza Horizon 4 came along at a time when I was living in Amsterdam, and though I considered that city home, it was nice to be able to revisit Britain in video game form.

While the Lake District inspired vistas and streets of Edinburgh were well realised, I didn’t feel any emotional connection to them. However, much of the regular countryside you drive through in FH4, particularly in the southern areas of the map, looks remarkably like where I grew up in the south of England.

It was a joy to suddenly be able to tear around a landscape so reminiscent of my home. Basic items that I’d encountered many times over the years, such as barriers, road markings and signposts, were suddenly loaded with nostalgia. I even picked some of the more bog-standard vehicles to fully replicate my youth (my household was (and still is) sadly lacking in the supercar department).

​I’ve since moved back to England, so all those everyday road items once again seem just that, but it was nice to be able to view them through the lens of nostalgia, if only for a little while. Now, if Playground Games could set the next Horizon game in the Netherlands, that’d be great.
Forza-Horizon-4-Backflip
Yep, just like home.

Sam | Paradise City, Burnout Paradise

I’ve never really been into racing games. It’s one of those genres where I’m happy to let entries pass me by, even as they get rave reviews; driving is almost never a central hook, but rather a small component that can complement larger scale projects. One notable exception, however, is Criterion Games’ Burnout Paradise.

In discovering Paradise City I found a playground that was actually fun for my tastes. Speeding down busy roads at breakneck pace, jumping and smashing through billboards, wrecking competitors by ramming them into obstacles - all set to a classic rock soundtrack.

While Paradise City isn’t a real location, like London or Prague, it’s basically an amalgamation of iconic places in the United States. As a result, the game feels like a quintessential North American road trip and is a treat for fans of all things Americana.

Burnout Paradise Remastered makes the modern classic easily accessible, while also presenting the best rendition of Paradise City yet - it’s a win-win situation. Now, if only EA would greenlight a sequel instead of having Criterion helm the middling Need for Speed franchise.
Burnout-Paradise
It must be difficult building brand awareness in Paradise City with all the billboard destroying going on.

What's your favourite driving adventure?
0 Comments

What should you do first in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy? | Team Talk

27/10/2021

 
Picture

Rockstar recently silenced all the Grand Theft Auto remaster rumours in the only way they know how – by announcing GTA: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition. This collection of GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas modernises their gameplay and visuals for a new generation.

For some this will be a trip down memory lane, but for others, it’ll be their first foray into these three iconic cities. Either way, we’ve got a few ideas of what to do first in the upcoming GTA bundle.

What’s your pick? Let us know in the comments.
Picture

by James Michael Parry

Picture

@james_parry
​


Picture


​by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

Stand off at the stadium | James

The modern Grand Theft Auto formula established itself with GTA III. Jumping into 3D for the first time to explore Liberty City felt more immersive than ever before, and now we have an opportunity to explore that playground in higher definition.

For the ultimate GTA experience, the best place to go is on Staunton Island – which is the second of the game’s three islands you’ll unlock by following the story. Pick up all the weapons and ammo you can, particularly the rocket launcher, and head on over to the football stadium.

To the right of the large steps at the front of the stadium is a platform where you can make a final stand in relative safety, so go nuts. See how high you can get the wanted level before the cops realise how to get to you.

If it’s the very first time you boot up the game though, you could do far worse than heading to the car park outside 8 Ball’s place. Grab a banshee from the nearby showroom and take a drive to the south side of the island seeing how many jumps you can find. It’s a great introduction to the city – you won’t be disappointed.
The Stadium stand-off in Grand Theft Auto 3

Level up with an ambulance | Sam
​
The best way to start any game in the
GTA Trilogy remaster collection is to make yourself overpowered. It’s easy to forget that this trio of titles can be pretty challenging, what with everybody cheating back in the day. Who knows if the same cheats will work this time, but, even if they do, it’ll probably void earning achievements and trophies.


Hijack yourself an ambulance and activate the Paramedic mini-game to earn some quick cash and, more importantly, permanent boosts. Finishing all 12 levels in Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City nets players unlimited sprint stamina, while doing so in San Andreas grants a maximum health bonus.

With some money and a nice character upgrade in the bag, start exploring remote corners of the rich settings in search of Hidden Packages. For every 10 of these collectibles that players find, the game grants a respawning weapon or resource pick-up at manual save points. Being able to claim an unlimited number of health, armour and ammo pick-ups is easily worth the effort.

Doing this makes a big difference in itself, though a welcome side effect is learning the level layouts. No shortcuts or hidden Police Bribes will go unused during missions, making the game a magnitude more manageable.
Drive the ambulance to bank cash in GTA San Andreas

A tour of the local area | Liam

While James and Sam are right to champion some of the most appealing aspects of any GTA game – wreaking havoc, becoming a walking demigod, etc. – I’m putting forward a more peaceful suggestion.


I personally enjoy a good drive around in a new GTA game. Not the pavement mounting, pedestrian endangering rampages so closely associated with the series, but a more leisurely type of drive, one that takes in all the sights and sounds of a new landscape.

The best for this was San Andreas. I remember getting home from school, firing up the PS2 and just cruising around the edge of the map as I slowly took in the sights and different biomes, all while listening to some sweet tunes.

If I remember rightly, it took around 45 minutes to complete a single lap, and while it isn’t exactly the most thrilling way to play the game, it was an oddly enjoyable way to unwind at the end of the day.

​Of course, it wasn’t entirely without danger – sometimes you’d take a wrong turn and need to double back along the motorway (into oncoming traffic, naturally) and you’d also need to ‘locate’ your vehicle of choice (preferably a Sanchez dirt bike) without alerting the local constabulary.
GTA-San-Andreas-Bike-CJ

What do you always do first in GTA? Let us know.
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