The Monday letters page discusses Xbox’s view on exclusives as a ‘false narrative’, as one reader enjoys Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
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Assured success
The announcement of Sony getting ready for a PS5 Pro console has been greeted with initial negativity in the gaming community. However, there are also numerous positive comments from players who support Sony’s latest machine.
Here's why the PS5 Pro will be a success.
Why opt for a 4K TV when 1080p is sufficient? Because it’s better – just like the PS5 Pro. When Sony presents games running side by side, the enhanced resolution, ray-tracing effects, and smoothness will be clearly noticeable. And similarly to how most of us upgraded to a 4K screen, gamers will also aim to enhance how their game looks on such screens.
Regarding the comments about developers ‘neglecting’ the standard model. The Pro console is not a replacement. The PS4 Pro did not substitute the PlayStation 4, and developers continued to push that machine to its limits. The 55+ million install base of the standard PlayStation 5 ensures that it will remain the primary development platform. not So, to the disgruntled gamers out there: no one is compelling you to purchase a PS5 Pro and no one is taking anything away from you. In fact, a Pro console only signals that Sony will support this generation for a while longer, which means, if you already have a PlayStation 5, your investment is secure.
Corporate language
Morten
Just wanted to commend Purple Ranger on his outstanding
Reader’s Feature this weekend , addressing the issues facing Sony and Microsoft. It was very well written and effectively summarized the different issues facing both, as well as the hypocrisy and nonsense expressed by Phil Spencer.All this talk of exclusives being detrimental for the industry is clearly untrue, it’s only Microsoft who are unable to sell any. And the fact that this change of direction from Spencer clearly contradicts everything he was planning to do after they bought Bethesda, well it’s ridiculous really.
But, as Purple Ranger says, he’s trying to create this false narrative to justify Microsoft’s shortcomings. It would be really great if GC ever had the opportunity to interview Spencer (or anyone from Xbox) and present these points to them, but unfortunately, the only interviews they give anymore are the staged ones.
Spencer has progressed up the corporate ladder since the last time we spoke to him, so he’s much more cautious about interviews now.
Stephen
GC: Immediate excitement
RE: Galen. The Stellar Blade hype is palpable! I’ve been extremely excited since the Project EVE reveal trailer, with roaming beat ‘em-up/semi-open world God Of War style action games being two of my favorite genres.
I’m the type of person who goes into games/movies wanting to spoil as little as possible. A good trailer or short gameplay demo is usually enough for me to decide on a purchase. I’m currently playing Hi-Fi Rush, it was honestly the game I was most envious of Xbox players for, and it is fantastic. If only it had sold as well as it reviewed.
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noisecat
I decided that this weekend would be my final journey in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. I had reached Chapter 13 and thought it would be close to the end. After getting a warning that I couldn't return to the open world if I continued, I opened a nice bottle of cider to enjoy the final few hours. 150 hours and 97 bottles later, I finally reached the end credits.
It's fair to say the ending is overly complicated and at times I was completely confused by the decisions made by the writing team. I couldn't understand why they took something that didn't need any extra embellishment and made it excessively complicated. However, after sleeping on it (and recovering from the hangover), I feel that even though it's still a highly nonsensical way to end the second game of a trilogy, I couldn't help but compare the entire game to life itself.
There were highs, lows, fun, entertainment, confusion, humor, sadness, and mostly pointless yet ultimately worthwhile aspects. Transforming it into something polished and streamlined with a focus group feel would strip it of its unique personality.
Overall, I enjoyed it, except for the parts I didn't. I think I'll put that on my headstone.
Robot assistant
Wonk
I purchased an Xbox Series S for Christmas. Within three months, the controller is experiencing stick drift. Trying to reach Xbox support is very difficult. I have already attempted all the troubleshooting options, and the only remaining choice is to open it up, which could void the warranty.
To return it, I will have to wait up to two weeks for a replacement, and they won't send one until they receive mine. This means I would be wasting money on my Game Pass Ultimate, as I can't use it without a controller! Considering the size of the company, their service is unsatisfactory and should be highlighted. When my Amazon tablet broke, they sent me a new one before I returned the broken one, so I was not without one. Their service is excellent. Microsoft needs to provide a phone contact number. Virtual assistants are maddening.
Creator recommendation then In response to the reader asking for the best Mario Maker levels, I would highly recommend the
Benjamin
1 Year Mario Maker levels collection
This was a collection of levels specially made by people in the community to celebrate the 1 Year anniversary of the game. It was started by Kiavik, who made the amazing Super Mario Vs Mecha Bowzilla level (definitely download that one!)..
Kiavik handpicked creators from the community, each to make one level for the project. I was delighted to be asked to contribute to this project and I did so for 2YMM also. I believe it ran for five years in total.
All these levels went through rigorous playtesting before they were uploaded and the quality shows.
What’s more, if you get stuck on any of the (puzzle) levels there are many clear videos of the levels on YouTube.
There is also a link on the site to Super Discord Bros, Super Discord Bros 3, and New Super Discord Bros, which were separate projects where creators collaborated to create a full tradition game, each one in a different era of Mario.
Regards and yahoo!
Fatys Henrys
Physical pleasure
The House Of The Dead 2 is a fantastic game – it is perhaps the best lightgun game you can play at home. It’s a hassle to set up my Wii U to play it but it’s always well worth it.
There is an arcade in Cromer that has Time Crisis 4 – very old school with the pedals but such good fun. Happy to hear about any other good arcades with classic games.
I do miss the old arcades and you have to be a certain age to get the nostalgia!
30 years of pessimism
I always felt that the games industry was going to become stagnant, even from the early 90s.
Simon
Graphics are going to become so good that gamers are going to be asking, what else have you got?
While Microsoft and Sony are trying to reach the all-powerful top of the graphical pole.
Even though graphics sell well and it captivates gamers, it’s not the only thing about gaming. Case in point, take a look at Grand Theft Auto 6.
It looks amazing and gamers want to buy it already but does anyone really expect the gameplay to be any different from any previous instalments?
Is the gameplay perfect? Or just a life simulator that works on an aggressive scale?
Sure, it will sell and publishers will always follow the money, yet there is only so far graphics can carry you.
I fear we’ve reached it.
FIFA, Call Of Duty, and GTA couldn’t really get any better unless they change the gameplay, which for a publisher is too risky.
There is your stagnation.
Inbox also-rans
I’m looking for a solution to a problem I have with the PlayStation 5 controller’s L1 and R1 buttons. I’m left in crippling pain each time I use them. Any hacks or a recommendation for a decent third party controller with bumper buttons like the Switch Pro/Xbox controllers would be appreciated.
freeway 77
Is the problem because of an existing medical condition? Have you tried turning off the haptic feedback?
Hurrah! There’s going to be a Borderlands 4! Can’t wait for it to look identical to the first three and not do any of things we’ve all been waiting for since the first one.
David
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The small print
Cyril
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The Monday letters page describes Xbox’s attitude to exclusives as a ‘false narrative’, as one reader mostly enjoys Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. .
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our .
