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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

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

27/10/2021

 
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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.
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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

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.
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What do you always do first in GTA? Let us know.
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Who should the final Smash Ultimate character have been? | Team Talk

14/10/2021

 
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At last, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is as ultimate as it can be, with the final new character having been announced.

It turns out Kingdom Hearts' Sora, the keyblade-wielding hero, was the missing ingredient, but is there a character who would have been even more fun?

We decided to come up with our own suggestions. Leave yours in the comments below.​
James Michael Parry
by James Michael Parry and Team PTC

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@james_parry
​@pass_controller

​Dante (Devil May Cry) | James

Dante
While Dante has, in a way, made an appearance in Smash Bros. Ultimate, courtesy of a Mii fighter costume, I feel as though this is doing the OG sword and pistols king a disservice. Imagine how easily Dante’s moveset would fit into the current roster - like Marth as a fellow swordfighter, but with a supernatural twist.

There are some Bayonetta similarities too, but all that means is that it’d be possible to balance the special and smash moves to avoid breaking the finely-tuned balance that makes the game one of the best party titles of all time. The fact that he’s done some brawling in the past, via Marvel v Capcom 3, can’t help but boost his fighter credentials as well.

Besides his signature Devil Sword, there’s also his guns Ebony and Ivory for a bit of crowd control, or just a few percentage points of damage to give you some thinking time, similar to how guns are used by Fox and Falco.

For final smash and special moves there’s a plethora of cool-looking supernatural effects to draw on, which always stand out particularly well in the generally upbeat and colourful world of Smash. Last but not least, you’ve got some quippy one-liners with real gravitas from the iconic voicework of Reuben Langdon to bring those taunts to life.​

Dante from Devil May Cry V with a very big sword

Joanna Dark (Perfect Dark) | Liam Andrews

Joanna Dark
Joanna Dark might be an Xbox associate these days, but she started out life on the N64, so I think it would have been only fitting to see her return to a Nintendo platform via Smash Bros. Ultimate.

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As a secret agent, she’s (presumably) well trained in hand-to-hand combat, so she wouldn’t look out of place battling against the game’s vast roster of rival characters. She’s also very proficient with weapons (that, we do know) and could have utilised a pair of Falcon 2 pistols for her ranged attack, or maybe even a SuperDragon assault rifle.

She would have a range of character skins to choose from as well, as there’s plenty of customisation options available. There’s the classic blue/grey Carrington Institute agent uniform, the Area 51 lab tech outfit, and you could even throw in the Perfect Dark Zero look for an alternative option.

As for a final smash, it would have to have featured Elvis, Joanna’s alien sidekick from the original game, perhaps abducting enemy players in a ship then launching them off the screen.

With a new Perfect Dark game currently in development for Xbox, Joanna Dark’s inclusion in Smash would have been a nice way to mark the series’ return to the fore.

Joanna Dark holds a gun in Perfect Dark Zero

Leon Scott Kennedy (Resident Evil) | SaM Sant

Leon S. Kennedy
Part of deciding who makes the Super Smash Bros. roster no doubt revolves around which characters have the biggest icon status within gaming. With that in mind, it’s a travesty that the Resident Evil franchise isn’t getting any proper representation. Specifically, everybody’s favourite floppy-haired cop: Leon S. Kennedy.

Leon is the star of several Resident Evil stories, both in and outside of games, but is most notably the playable protagonist of both RE2 and RE4. Most will agree that these are two all-time classics, more than punching his ticket to the Smash Bros. invitational.

In an even bigger injustice than Dante appearing as a Mii skin, Nintendo actually put Mr. Kennedy in Smash as part of a limited-time Resident Evil spirit event. Basically, it’s a throwaway inclusion - Leon isn’t actually playable or even available to battle against.

While Chris Redfield appears in Marvel vs. Capcom, Leon could make a more impactful fighting game debut. He’d sport his signature roundhouse kick and a variety of suplexes up close, then, in keeping with his survival horror roots, draw from a limited ammo pool to shoot opponents at range. By summoning The Merchant, Leon could replenish his ammunition and either switch out or upgrade his current weapon.

Leon Kennedy with a zombie in Resident Evil 2 remake
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What animation studio should try making games? | Team Talk

4/10/2021

 
Team-Talk-Animation-Studios

With the recent release of Kena: Bridge of Spirits marking the gaming debut for animation studio Ember Lab, we started to think about other crossovers from the world of animation we'd like to see.

There are plenty of transferable skills, in terms of both designing and creating the cinematics, but also the movement and emotion which bring characters to life in-game. There are plenty of game developers who already do a great job of this in their own right – Insomniac in particular spring to mind – but which film and TV animation studios might have something to offer?

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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

Bluezoo | James

While it's tempting to pick Aardman, the studio behind Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, in fact they have already done some significant video game work on the powerful World War I story 11:11, which I was particularly impressed with a few years ago.

Instead I've chosen a company who's seen success on the small screen in children's programming in both 2D and 3D animation styles. Bluezoo are behind shows like Big Tree City on Netflix and The Adventures of Paddington and Numberblocks, and could bring a fresh take to a well-known IP currently languishing at Microsoft.

My pitch is to bring back Banjo-Kazooie with a whole new visual style and presentation, and animations which really take these beloved characters to the next level. Imagine the emotion you could get across with more intricate animation, protecting the characters we loved as kids while bringing the game up to date for new players.

As for the developer to pair them with? Rather than dragging Rare back to already trodden ground, I would enlist Double Fine, fresh off Psychonaughts 2, to re-imagine this world and inject some clever narrative which can shine in both stunning cutscenes and clever in-game animation.
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Rough Draft | Liam

Like James, one of the studios I’d be tempted to pick, Studio Ghibli, have already dabbled in the world of video games with the excellent Ni No Kuni, so I’ve instead opted for Rough Draft Studios, best known for The Simpsons and Futurama.

It’s the latter I’m interested in today, however, as I think a game set within New New York and beyond would be an absolute blast. Yes, I’m aware a Futurama game already came out in 2003, but the 3D shooter/platformer wasn’t anything to do with Rough Draft, as far as I know.

What I’d like to see is something like the two most recent South Park titles, The Stick of Truth and The Fractured but Whole, which leant into the style of the original material instead of pairing them with an ill-fitting game genre.

A Rough Draft Futurama game would also stay true to the source material, that is to say it’d be a 2D affair very much in keeping with the established cartoon style, with perhaps the odd 3D ship battle thrown in. While this would limit gameplay mechanics (I think a point and click title would work best) it would basically be a playable episode of Futurama, which sounds great to me.
Futurama

Sony Pictures Imageworks | Sam

Having literally just beaten Kena: Bridge of Spirits before writing this, it’s safe to say that more animation studios should try their hands at game development; if Kena sets any kind of precedent, everyone could be in for a treat.

Sony Pictures Imageworks has a long filmography, the highlight of which is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. That film’s visual style is second to none, oozing style (though not without substance) from every single frame. Into the Spider-Verse is the top animated feature on Rotten Tomatoes, but could the studio produce a classic game too?

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales features a skin that mimics the art and animations of the film. Equipping it makes for a unique and somewhat hypnotic gameplay experience - unfortunately, however, it only affects the title character. Seeing these rules applied across an entire game would no doubt make for something special.

It wouldn’t necessarily need to be a Spider-Man game, either. As part of PlayStation manufacturer Sony, Sony Pictures Imageworks could receive access to a variety of recognisable brands. While the art style might not suit the likes of The Last of Us, it could vibe with numerous other projects. Anyone for a Jak and Daxter or Sly Cooper revival on PS5?
Spider-Man-Miles-Morales-Into-the-Spider-Verse-DLC

Which animation studio would you like to see make a game? Let us know below.
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What were the highlights from the Nintendo Direct? | Team Talk

25/9/2021

 
Team-Talk-Nintendo-Direct-September-2021

Despite a slightly antisocial start time in the UK (11pm), Nintendo has once again graced us with a Direct to share trailers and announcements about their upcoming releases.

This time though, the headline-grabbing news wasn’t about games at all. In fact, stealing the tweets and coverage was the voice casting news for the upcoming Super Mario-themed film, which will bring us Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi and Anya Taylor-Joy in 2022.

Of course, we’re dedicated to games first around here, so we’ve got a few thoroughly playable highlights from the show for you. What are yours? 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

Liam

Although I missed the Direct, waking up to all the reveals the next morning was quite enjoyable, with Kirby and the Forgotten Land probably the standout moment. It reminded me a bit of Super Mario Odyssey, which was loads of fun, so if it's anything as good as that we’ll be in for a good time.

I was glad to see other console generations coming to Switch Online, though the N64 launch list was a little underwhelming. I am looking forward to finally giving Majora’s Mask a try, however, and I was very happy to see WinBack included.

I played WinBack when I was younger and was impressed by its gameplay and story (I think you had to locate scattered crew members and try to work out who had betrayed you). In later years I forgot its name and assumed I would never come across it again, so news of it coming to Switch was a very welcome surprise.

​KOTOR coming to Switch was also welcome news, as I think it’ll be the easiest way to finally play what I know many consider (wrongly) to be the best Star Wars game (it’s the Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, in case you were wondering).
WinBack: Covert Operations

Sam

Like Liam, Kirby and the Forgotten Land was my September 2021 Nintendo Direct highlight. There was a time when the Switch first came out where it felt like Nintendo was going all out on rejuvenating it’s biggest franchises. After starting the generation with daring titles like Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey, however, Nintendo quickly settled back into its groove of playing things safe.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land recaptures that initial excitement. The franchise is going full 3D and already looks to have been lavished with far more care and attention than (the admittedly enjoyable) Kirby Star Allies. It’s the next big step for the franchise and I’m 100% here for it.

It was also great to see Platinum Games’ Bayonetta 3 in action several years after its announcement. This closed out the show in the right way, notably giving fans their first glimpse at the game’s enormous kaiju battles. Just when players think that the series can’t get any crazier, the Umbra Witch ups the ante all over again.

Additionally, Nintendo 64 games are finally coming to the Switch Online service - with a big caveat. Accessing them requires subscribing to a new higher tier, so, rather than adding (much needed) value for existing subscribers, Nintendo is putting the squeeze on its most dedicated customers.
Kirby-and-the-Forgotten-Land

James

While the addition of N64 has been long-begged for by fans, the inclusion of it as an “Expansion pack” (see what you did there Nintendo), rather than a free addition, (like Sam), I found it quite disappointing. Slipping Sega Genesis (or MegaDrive) games into Switch Online as well doesn’t quite tip the balance, despite the draw of playing Streets of Rage 2 for the umpteenth time.

Will Bayonetta 3 be the installment that finally gets me to try the series? Considering I own the original on the 360 at this very moment and still haven’t got to it two generations later, chances are slim. Still, the game looks great, in a rare example of Switch games really feeling like they show off some visual finesse.

Kirby is a character I’ve never had any run-ins with, outside Super Smash Bros. stages, so the potential for an expansive adventure is definitely appealing – given Breath of the Wild 2 still feels such a long way away.

In all there was a fair amount packed in, but not a lot of content which really seems to make the most of the Switch’s form factor. The shining light amongst it all is Splatoon 3, which I really hope gives a tasty singleplayer experience from the off, after it passed me by as DLC last time around.
Splatoon-3

What was your favourite part from the Direct? Let us know.
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What were the highlights from Sony’s PlayStation Showcase | Team Talk

13/9/2021

 
Sony-PlayStation-Showcase-2021

After Gamescom brought us the latest from Microsoft and some of the big third-party publishers, this week came Sony’s turn to give us a glimpse at what they’ve been up to with their PlayStation Showcase.

The hour-long event kicked off with a live-action spin on a traditional chess game, some off-beat content it feels like we haven’t really had since the likes of “Flute Guy” at 2018’s E3. Importantly, we heard from many of Playstation Studios’ fleet of first-party studios.

What was your highlight from the show? 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 | Forspoken and Knights of the Old Republic

Anything Star Wars-related is always going to pique my interest immediately, and having tried hard to play the original KOTOR many years after its release but struggled to get into it on PC, the prospect of jumping in on console is very appealing, though so far we’ve seen little more than a logo.

For Forspoken though, there’s a lot to see. There are familiar traversal elements reminiscent of Sunset Overdrive, and even ReCore, an expansive fantasy world and, most interestingly, a protagonist who doesn’t belong in this world, making her immediately more relatable to me – a gamer who still hasn’t played Skyrim, despite numerous re-releases.

A new IP also makes this a less intimidating entry point to the genre, free from the weight of lore and legacy of even something like the Demon’s Souls remake. The presence of Homer the cat (which we all deserve to be able to pet), is an added bonus, and we’ll hopefully discover he made it to the other world safe and sound.

We don’t know much yet, but this trailer alone is exciting and I’m looking forward to finding out more before March 2022.
Knights-of-the-Old-Republic-Remake

Liam | Tchia

While it was cool to see Wolverine getting his own game, the cinematic trailer didn’t really give away anything. I’m not averse to a good cinematic, but the lack of gameplay footage from the other big reveals - namely, Spider-Man 2 and Knights of the Old Republic Remake – was a bit disappointing.

One title that did give us a decent look at some gameplay was Tchia. I’m not sure how I missed the game’s initial reveal, but I’m glad I’ve finally caught up as it looks like a very interesting one.

The bright, colourful visuals look great, and the animal/object ‘soul jump’ ability, which sees you take control of the targeted creature or item, seems like a lot of fun. As a big fan of The Wind Waker, there was a lot to like in the trailer, with Tchia seemingly taking some inspiration from the former (the Deku leaf-like glider, possessing a seagull, etc.)

It was disappointing not to see a solid release date (for some of the other aforementioned titles, too) but at least it means I won’t have to try and get hold of a PS5 until they are (hopefully) more readily available.
Tchia

Sam | Licensed games

There was a time when licensed games wore a badge of dishonour, mostly being known for pulling the wool over consumers’ eyes. They’d sell themselves on recognizable characters, often to children, then deliver very little in terms of narrative and gameplay. Years of endless cash grabs gave the genre a bad name, but the September PlayStation Showcase did a lot to remedy that.

Licensed games have been steadily increasing in quality, to the point that they now comprise much of Sony’s PS5 exclusive games line-up. Marvel’s Wolverine, Spider-Man 2 and Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic were all highlights of the live stream. Players love these characters and universes, but, rather than approaching with caution, now feel comfortable expressing genuine excitement.

While it isn’t an exclusive, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy also debuted a new trailer. There is a risk of superhero fatigue creeping into gaming, as it already has for some with cinema, but it looks to be righting many of the wrongs perpetrated by Marvel’s Avengers. It would’ve been easy to make the game always online and crammed with microtransactions, though seemingly lessons have been learned.

Microsoft is following suit by bringing Machine Games’ Indiana Jones to Xbox consoles, while Nintendo has leveraged the Marvel Ultimate Alliance brand. With all platform holders using licenses as exclusive system sellers, the turnaround is quite pronounced.
Marvel's-Spider-Man-2

What was your PlayStation Showcase highlight?
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What were the highlights from Gamescom 2021? | Team Talk

31/8/2021

 
Team-Talk-Gamescom-2021

​It’s that time of the year again, when there’s a collective intake of breath as we await exciting announcements from the biggest gaming show on the planet. Though it is remote once again this year, Gamescom is still playing host to a plethora of new trailers and announcements.

Geoff Keighley hosted the Opening Night Live event this week, which featured a reboot of Saints Row, an extended look at the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign starring Laura Bailey as Polina Petrova, and the debut of Halo Infinite’s multiplayer. What was your highlight? 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 | Age of Empires IV

While it would be easy to lean on nostalgia alone for this long-awaited new installment in the legendary strategy franchise, Age of Empires IV developers Relic Entertainment are pushing the boat out on 28 October after 15 years since the third game.

Besides new pretty visuals, and they do look very pretty, the game boasts a brand new civilisation, as you follow the rise of the Russian empire along with 7 others at launch, with an emphasis on making them “more unique” according to Relic.

There’s also more of an emphasis on the history, not just in terms of the campaigns, which follow a longer-term approach to storytelling, but also through 5-minute educational vignettes which include demonstrations of different aspects of the history, such as the trebuchet.

The return to strategy on PC is something I’m particularly looking forward to, after dipping my toe in the water with the Definitive Edition of AoE 3 last year, so, if the team can deliver on their promise to not over-complicate the mechanics, this should be something special.
Age-of-Empires-IV

Liam | Forza Horizon 5

I have fond memories of
Forza Horizon 4, its party-like atmosphere and laid-back take on racing and stunts (the game’s Halo inspired showcase was a particular highlight).


Not only was the gameplay great but being set in the UK was an extra bonus for me, as I happened to be living in Europe at the time and it was nice to be able to cruise around familiar looking roads and countryside every now and then.


Forza Horizon 5
and its more exotic setting, however, could well be the perfect remedy to being stuck in old Blighty for the past 18 months or so. The gameplay shown off last week looked as exciting and over-the-top as I’ve come to expect from a Horizon game, and I’m looking forward to taking a virtual holiday and tearing around the gorgeous environments on offer.


It looks like there will be plenty of variety across the game’s map if the video was anything to go by, with tropical jungles, deserts, and even volcanoes all making an appearance. The big sandstorm set piece also looked pretty impressive, though hopefully they’re not an overly regular occurrence as I could see them getting a bit annoying if you’re just trying to get from A to B.

Forza-Horizon-5

Sam | Marvel’s Midnight Suns

I don’t think the line-up at this year’s Gamescom was up to much, likely as a continuing result of the pandemic. The Saints Row reboot looks to strike a balance between the series’ roots and eventual wacky direction, which works for me. Marvel’s Midnight Suns, however, works even better!

While XCOM and Gears Tactics are great, turn-based tactical games arguably shine brightest when combined with exploration and traditional RPG elements; two excellent examples being Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle and Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden. Throw a cast of iconic Marvel superheroes into the mix and Midnight Suns sounds like a recipe for success.

The game showcases a darker side of the Marvel universe, set in the underworld where the likes of Wolverine, Doctor Strange and Blade fight hordes of demonic forces. There’s also a bespoke central character called The Hunter, which players build into their very own hero. That in itself is an enticing prospect, despite the uninspired name.

What’s most exciting is Firaxis Games being at the helm. This studio is arguably king of the turn-based strategy genre, ruling over both the Civilisation and XCOM franchises. It’s hard to see how the project can go wrong, but then the same could have been said for Crystal Dynamics’ The Avengers…
Marvel's-Midnight-Suns

What was your favourite Gamescom 2021 reveal? Let us know below.
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What were the highlights from Pokémon Presents? | Team Talk

20/8/2021

 
Team-Talk-Pokémon-Presents

This week brought us another update from the Pokémon universe, the sort of news we tend to tiptoe into with crossed fingers, hoping that The Pokémon Company and Gamefreak have the courage to bring the franchise into the 21st century.

There were updates on the re-releases of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl (now Brilliant and Shining respectively) as well as the brand new installment – Pokémon Legends: Arceus. A few things stood out for us, but what was your highlight? 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 | Free roaming in Pokémon Arceus

While at this point I still feel Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a step in the right direction conceptually, which has the potential to be held back by fan expectations of the main series, I did enjoy the free-roaming aspect of what we saw in Arceus.

Exploring the more primitive towns, and possibly meeting the man whose idea of a good time seems to be staring at a water wheel, is all well and good, but exploring the wild areas with Rowlett (the best choice from the three starters available from scattered generations here) is the most exciting element.

Breath of the Wild was such a game-changer for the Zelda franchise, and Arceus could be that for Pokémon. Though the graphics still look a little 3DS for my taste, the danger of being taken down by a wild Pokémon while wandering around as a human is a nice touch.

There’s clearly cues from Pokémon Go’s quest structure on display here as well, such as seeing a particular move used by wild Pokémon multiple times, as well as a smattering of basic RPG elements, which should change things up a bit while keeping the game light and accessible.
Pokemon-Legends-Arceus
Very Breath of Wild.

Liam | Dangerous Pokémon

Arceus already looked good, thanks to it’s old-timey setting, but the latest trailer has me even more intrigued due to the reveal of dangerous Pokémon.

​We’re so used to seeing ‘mon and humans coexisting and working together peacefully, that it’s easy to forget they’re big, powerful creatures that can easily do a lot of damage to a puny human trainer if they wanted to (although I do remember Pikachu electrocuting Jessie and James quite often in the original TV series).

Arceus looks like it’ll hammer this point home via the encounters with the, glowing, red-eyed Pokémon shown off in the trailer – the Ursaring chasing the trainer is particularly intimidating; that’s one bear hug you want to avoid!

The idea that Arceus’ wild Pokémon can be a threat to your safety introduces a completely new sense of jeopardy that’s often been missing in the series and helps add to the whole frontier-lifestyle theme the game looks to be going for.

​The villager mentioning how “Pokémon are terrifying creatures!” in the trailer could also suggest that not everyone is a fan of them, which could make for interesting narrative conflicts with humans and Pokémon potentially clashing occasionally, or between those who seek out Pokémon and those who avoid them.
Pokemon-Legends-Arceus
Not so cute when you know they can attack back.

Sam | Arceus’ ambitious alterations

Pokémon Legends: Arceus was the clear highlight of the August Pokémon Direct. The mainline Pokémon series has been in need of a spruce up for a while, and, for the most part, Legends: Arceus looks to fit the bill.

This Gamefreak spinoff is akin to a modern action RPG, rather than relying on the rigid old format that the franchise has been leaning on. For all its success and acclaim, Pokémon hasn’t changed all that much in nearly two decades now. There being multiple versions of every game, each with minimal differences, further contributes to the problem.

Replacing the cursory Wild Area of Sword and Shield with a true open world; implementing seamless battles and (seemingly) eliminating random encounters; making wild Pokémon hazardous to players’ health - all are long overdue changes. In one fell swoop, these tweaks will simultaneously make the world of Arceus more immersive and the gameplay more engaging.

While it’s a step in the right direction, the question of whether it’s enough remains. Ultimately, most of the changes are minor when the series is in need of a Breath of the Wild-style overhaul. Pokémon is the highest grossing entertainment property in the world, yet its games still look (and often feel) like AA productions.
Pokemon-Legends-Arceus
It looks like battles with wild Pokémon might be more organic encounters.

What was your highlight from Pokémon Presents? Let us know.
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What are our first impressions of Back 4 Blood? | Team Talk

8/8/2021

 
Team-Talk-Back-4-Blood

We were lucky enough to join in with the Back 4 Blood open beta this weekend (thanks, WB Games) and thought we’d share a few first impressions of Left 4 Dead and Evolve creators Turtle Rock Studios’ latest title.

Did you jump into the not-quite-zombie-killing action? Let us know what you thought of the game in the comments.

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by James Michael Parry

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@pass_controller

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

James

I’ve gushed before on how much I enjoyed Left 4 Dead, and, possibly even more so, its sequel – though that was developed by Valve rather than Turtle Rock. The last similar experience was the serviceable Earthfall, but a spiritual successor from the original team naturally carries a bit more weight.

Trying to keep the L4D comparisons to a minimum, Back 4 Blood is a tidy first-person shooter from the off, though definitely leaning on the arcade side of the genre, rather than realism.

I did spot bullets do slightly less damage the further away the target, a nice bit of attention to detail until you realise it also applies to sniper rifles – already the most questionable weapon choice when facing a mindless horde.

The special infected don’t particularly stand out at first glance, and the enemies seem to be wearing one of a dozen outfits, depending on the area, so you’ll notice some repetition.

There’s more to say here, so I’ll bring you a fuller overview of the beta in the next few days, but in the meantime, is the game worth a look? If you’ve got Game Pass then it’s a no brainer (no pun intended), but if you were shelling out up front then it’s got more to prove.
Back-4-Blood
The boss-like enemies seen above stood out from the crowd (literally) but didn't appear very often.

Liam

My initial thoughts regarding Back 4 Blood's visuals were a bit mixed. There were times it could look quite decent, such as the way the flames of a Molotov reflected off a dummy target in the practice range, but other times it looked a bit ropey, like the dodgy jeep animation we were treated to upon completing the last available campaign mission.

The levels themselves could be really entertaining, but I thought the finale of the last mission – which saw you loading and firing an artillery gun while ridden attacked you - was a bit of a let-down, especially when compared to the much more exciting bridge showdown earlier in the campaign.

The gunplay was decent enough, though I couldn’t get on with the SMGs and assault rifles on offer, all of which felt a bit lightweight. I had a much more enjoyable time with shotguns which felt a lot more dangerous. I also thought the card system, which lets you activate more perks the further you progress into a level, was a very cool idea.

With friends, I can see B4B being a decent enough party game, but I’m not sure I would have rushed out to buy it day one after trying the beta. Thanks to Game Pass, however, I won’t have to.
Back-4-Blood
The guy on the right gets it.

Sam

Back 4 Blood mostly captures what made Left 4 Dead great, though some of its all-new elements fall flat. The card system takes a lot of managing, but most of the upgrades aren’t anything to write home about. It’s impossible to get excited about a small max health or ammo capacity boost, amongst similarly dull examples.

Weapon attachments are a nice addition, yet no restrictions on which guns they work with makes it possible to spoil the fun. B4B might signpost a scope as a significant upgrade, but after picking it up, the assault shotgun now has a massively mismatched sniper scope. 

If attachments were detachable there wouldn’t be a problem - but they aren’t. Additionally, it isn’t possible to transfer attachments between guns. This discourages experimentation and properly gearing up for the situation at hand. Transitioning between levels can change up the distance of encounters, better suited to a shotgun or a sniper, for example, though nobody wants to swap their upgraded assault rifle for something more bog standard.

The core gameplay loop is excellent, however, considering that's been in place for over a decade, any new twists on the old formula could use work. There’s still time between now and the final release in October, so here’s hoping that Turtle Rock really hears the beta feedback.
Back-4-Blood
You can find weapons and attachments outside of saferooms, but it's difficult to determine their viability while battling ridden.

What did you think of the Back 4 Blood beta? Let us know below.
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What were the highlights of EA Play 2021? | Team Talk

27/7/2021

 
Team-Talk

While most publishers stuck with E3 to put out their biggest annual updates, Electronic Arts pushed its EA Play event back to late July to avoid the competition. With four spotlights building hype towards the final showcase, we’ve heard about all sorts of games - but what stood out?

What was your personal highlight, from this or any of the EA events this year? 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 | Battlefield Portal

Some of my best multiplayer moments have been with the Battlefield franchise, and as we’d already had the game’s reveal last month, I wasn’t expecting more at the show. Then the mix-and-match Battlefield Portal mode appeared, immediately grabbing my attention.

Custom games often don’t get traction because, for example, they can involve players needing to download custom versions of maps before they can join in. What makes Portal different is that the games are all based on the standard maps, including a few we might recognise sprinkled in from earlier games, and the player just sets the rules, going as far as playing around with the logic engine which controls how the game works at a developer level.

Pitting futuristic weapons against WWII hardware, as we saw in the reveal, is one obvious place to go, but there’s a lot of ways the different options could be combined to create some really interesting gaming experiences.

The prospect of taking on these with a squad of friends is exciting, providing the other players follow the rules in the spirit they’re intended. The balancing of these modes might be difficult, but hopefully how it’s managed by the game will mean the best rise to the top.
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Sam | Lost in Random

Electronic Arts does a pretty stellar job of selecting which independent titles to publish under its EA Originals label. Lost in Random looks to continue that tradition, blending real-time platforming and combat with card-based upgrades and attacks.

It’s a dark, Tim Burton-esque fantasy in which everybody decides their future with a single roll of the dice. Not content to live a future dictated by random chance, protagonist Even and her companion Dicey (a literal dice) set out to dethrone the wicked monarchy.

Lost in Random is the kind of creative oddity we used to see in the mainstream just a few console generations ago. Now that the big players are more interested in converging on the same ideas to maximise profit, the game is a breath of fresh air and at the same time somewhat nostalgic.

On another nostalgic note, EA Play ended with the reveal of Dead Space - a remake of the 2008 original. Having replayed it last Halloween, I can’t help but think that a reboot or a sequel would’ve been better. It still holds up well, and, thanks to EA’s subscription service, it’s still widely available. Accounting for all that, it honestly seems a bit redundant.
Lost-in-Random

Liam | Battlefield Portal

​Like James, I’ve fond memories of the Battlefield franchise, so Battlefield Portal was an obvious highlight seeing as it mashes up some of the series’ best bits into one big playground. While the scope and potential of such a mode is certainly impressive, it would’ve been good to hear more about the game’s other modes, including the rumoured Escape from Tarkov-style match type.

I was already on board when it was just a straight up shooter, but Portal should add plenty of longevity and variety to what’s sure to be a superb game. Communities usually come up with some novel ideas whenever they're given the opportunity to do so by developers, and considering DICE and Ripple Effect have basically given players carte blanche (not to mention the size of the playerbase the game will attract), I’m expecting big things from this mode.

Elsewhere, I thought GRID Legends looked quite interesting. I enjoyed the 2019 GRID reboot, but it did feel like it was lacking some personality, even with its excellent nemesis system - the live action story mode this time around could potentially remedy that.
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What was your EA Play highlight?
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