Team Talk | What was the highlight from the PlayStation State of Play?

14/8/2020

The latest State of Play was a rather toned-down affair. Sony had previously confirmed that it was, once again, all about the games, with no news on the upcoming console, but were those games enough?

by Chris Brand

@SuperCrisco

by Team PTC

@pass_controller

Chris

Sony appeared to put their best foot forward, opening with Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, but the indie showing was equally intriguing.

Braid is one of the better games from the previous generation and, even though it still holds up today, a revised edition is very welcome indeed. Whilst developer commentary is usually something I'd shy away from, Braid's story, and how it's told, resonated with me strongly enough that I'll likely use this particular feature for the first (and possibly only) time.

The Pedestrian is another bite-sized puzzler which piqued my interest more than some of the big budget releases. Or it would have done, had I opted to join Team Blue over Team Green all those years ago. It's a decision I regret more and more with each passing PlayStation title, especially those fancy VR ones like HITMAN 3.

Though virtual reality hasn't exactly set the world on fire, it's still a relatively new technology and it seems we are seeing more proper games that have incorporated VR as an option (such as Resident Evil 7), as opposed to "experiences" which are often little more than glorified tech demos.

Ol' Big Face returns for a walloping.

Liam

Sony’s latest State of Play was the first time I’d seen Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time in action, and I have to say it impressed me. I’m not the biggest platformer fan out there, but the lovely art-style and slick gameplay certainly has me tempted (I especially liked the gameplay changing new game+ modes). Even though it might not be a day-one purchase, the footage has got me thinking about going back and exploring a series I’ve yet to fully appreciate.

Other highlights included The Pathless. As a big fan of Abzu, I’m definitely interested in Giant Squid’s next project. The fluid traversal system, in which you hit targets with a bow to keep up momentum, looks like it’ll be incredibly satisfying, and, like Abzu, I like the whole wordless mystique surrounding the game’s setting (not to mention the adorable eagle companion and big boss battles).

I wasn’t so sure about HITMAN 3 and it’s virtual murder (a bit too grim for me), but the inclusion of VR news (and Vader Immortal) in the stream was welcome, although my last lingering hopes for a potential PS VR 2 reveal ahead of the PS5’s winter launch seem a bit fruitless at this point.

Oh, how we've missed the dulcet tones of Aku Aku.

Sam

Sony managed expectations going into its latest State of Play, though it was still somewhat underwhelming. By no means bad, but just okay.

HITMAN VR is intriguing, though since getting the supremely convenient Oculus Quest I struggle to muster much enthusiasm for PlayStation VR. Same issue with Vader Immortal, which has been available on Quest for quite some time.

When it comes to games you play on the telly, indies won the day. Braid: Anniversary Edition is the perfect reason to experience or revisit one of the inaugural indie darlings; Spelunky 2 looks like it’ll be a faithful continuation of the punishingly moreish original; meanwhile, The Pedestrian is one of those ingenious-yet-simple concepts that make you wonder “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Most of the show was dedicated to PS4, though Sony did throw us a bone with some PS5 gameplay. The Pathless looks lovely, and I appreciate the lack of a map to encourage spontaneous exploration. We finally have an idea of what Bugsnax will be outside of an internet meme as well, which might be something akin to Slime Rancher? Maybe? It wasn’t immediately clear what Hood: Outlaws & Legends is either, though it at least looks more entertaining than fellow next-gen brawler Godfall.

We're hoping for Slime Rancher meets Red Dead Redemption 2.

James

While the return of Crash Bandicoot seemed inevitable after he returned last year in remastered form, a title I don’t know, but have heard a fair amount about, is Braid, and that commentary track seems interesting.

Really it was the in-game, PS5 footage from The Pathless which really demanded attention by showing off a more deliberate art style, though admittedly one that is very possible on current gen, with the gameplay shown giving off a real Breath of the Wild vibe. The climactic boss battle with one of the cursed spirits in particular had a great sense of scale to it as well.

The Star Wars VR title Vader Immortal gives an impression similar to the one Star Wars Kinect did a fair while ago, which leaves me extremely sceptical. HITMAN 3 on the other hand offers a neat spin on the tried-and-tested franchise with its first-person VR perspective.

The Pokémon Snap-inspired Bugsnax is looking just as quirky as it did on first impression, though not as Pokémon derivative as TemTem. The Pedestrian fares better with its slightly overdressed puzzling and a final highlight for me was the snippet of Control’s latest expansion, which is almost enough to claw me back in...almost.