Video Game Thread v. Series Xbox One X Series Switch S 5

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

So I booted up GTA5 SP today and actually ran into Trevor while playing Michael and found out for the first time that you could hang out and do activities with each character. After so many years I actually didn't know you could meet up like that. 

I've been playing GTA 5 on and off for 7 years, have been playing it the last few days, and never knew this. Wtf!

I'm excited to use the new PS5 controller.

I Never knew this because I never, ever, Met another Character. When I would go to their homes, they weren't there.

Never thought to try and get Two Characters to meet up by controlling them both, and hoping they'd stay where they are. 

That's what I did, I drove to Trevors place with Michael and parked outside and took control of Trevor and he happened to be in the trailer so i just walked outside and met up with Michael. Switched to Michael and when I got near Trevor he asked me to hang out and play dart.  I didn't actual plan to meet up with Trevor there because he's usually some other place, I guess I was lucky.

[XJDenton]

There's this classic meme that floats around reddit often

[snip]

Then there's this:

[Dublagent66]

The leap from FF IX to FF X was huge because of the PS2.  However, I played the first FF on Super Nintendo which was 30 years ago. 

[Phoenix87x]

There's this classic meme that floats around reddit often

And the same can be said about elder scrolls unfortunately. Releasing the same game continuously over a decade is very lame.

[Puppies_On_Acid]

There's this classic meme that floats around reddit often

And the same can be said about elder scrolls unfortunately. Releasing the same game continuously over a decade is very lame.

To be fair. Todd Howard is completely off his rocker these days. Same with Pete Hines. Bethesda needs a firm kick in the pants. I thought Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2 would be the motivation they needed to make something truly amazing again, but then we got Fallout 76..... And with Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 nowhere in sight....

[cramx3]

$$$ talks, those games were so big that they kept and continue to milk them.  It's up to us gamers to move on, but we keep buying and playing those games giving the companies less reason to develop a new game.

[ErHaO]

The only thing that is easy to find is the series S, it is basically available for preorder in almost every store, nobody seems to want it to the extent MS expected. Nor do I after I read up on it, too much compromises. Like, at 500gb you will for sure need extra storage and 1gb extra costs like 200 euros, at which point it makes no sense to not opt for the 1gb series X in my opinion. A cheap 1080p alternative sounds nice, but is comes with half the (expensive) storage, no discs, no One X (previous gen) upgrades for backward compatible titles, and seemingly compromises like no ray-tracing in several titles already.

I wish it was as easy to find in the UK, there doesn't seem to be stock of it anywhere here now. I sold my PS4 recently, as I thought it wouldn't be too tricky to get a Series S - if not for release, then maybe shortly after, but now I'm thinking I've messed up.

I decided to sell the PS4 now, as it had been making some unhealthy noises anyway, plus the S is cheap for a new console and game pass looks great value. I thought the price I'd get for it would drop quickly with the new consoles coming, that's why I decided not to wait any longer. So now I have no console to play on and who knows when I'll be able to get one! Can't even play PC games with game pass, as I discovered you can only do that with Windows 10. 

If you don't own any gaming device, it makes more sense, I agree.

But still, for 100 dollars more you have a full fledged PS5 (digital model) that will also play nearly all the PS4 stuff you might own.

Gamepass is nice though and has a promising future now that MS is investing more in their own content.

Still, there are already games not running even in full HD or without certain graphical features on the series S. I am personally curious how well the games are going to be optimised in a couple of years, when devs really push the consoles.

[ReaperKK]

There's this classic meme that floats around reddit often

And the same can be said about elder scrolls unfortunately. Releasing the same game continuously over a decade is very lame.

To be fair. Todd Howard is completely off his rocker these days. Same with Pete Hines. Bethesda needs a firm kick in the pants. I thought Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2 would be the motivation they needed to make something truly amazing again, but then we got Fallout 76..... And with Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 nowhere in sight....

Completely agree with you on the Todd Howard front. I really hope the MS acquisition gives them a kick they need.

[ErHaO]

There's this classic meme that floats around reddit often

And the same can be said about elder scrolls unfortunately. Releasing the same game continuously over a decade is very lame.

To be fair. Todd Howard is completely off his rocker these days. Same with Pete Hines. Bethesda needs a firm kick in the pants. I thought Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2 would be the motivation they needed to make something truly amazing again, but then we got Fallout 76..... And with Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 nowhere in sight....

Completely agree with you on the Todd Howard front. I really hope the MS acquisition gives them a kick they need.

They absolutely should. That was one of the positives for the upcoming acquisition. Unfortunately though, that does not seem to be the plan. I read some interviews regarding the plans with Bethesda and honestly it seems it is going to do fuck all beyond everything likely being Microsoft store/gamepass exclusive.

Todd Howard:

Bethesda is "giving up very little," adding: "[Microsoft is] very creator-driven, we're still going to get to be who we are. We're a subsidiary, but we're still running our games and pushing everything the way that we have.

Source: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-28-todd-howard-the-next-generation-is-about-access

Xbox boss Phil Spencer said something similar. As a subsidiary, Bethesda is expected to run itself.

[Puppies_On_Acid]

There's this classic meme that floats around reddit often

And the same can be said about elder scrolls unfortunately. Releasing the same game continuously over a decade is very lame.

To be fair. Todd Howard is completely off his rocker these days. Same with Pete Hines. Bethesda needs a firm kick in the pants. I thought Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2 would be the motivation they needed to make something truly amazing again, but then we got Fallout 76..... And with Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 nowhere in sight....

Completely agree with you on the Todd Howard front. I really hope the MS acquisition gives them a kick they need.

They absolutely should. That was one of the positives for the upcoming acquisition. Unfortunately though, that does not seem to be the plan. I read some interviews regarding the plans with Bethesda and honestly it seems it is going to do fuck all beyond everything likely being Microsoft store/gamepass exclusive.

Todd Howard:

Bethesda is "giving up very little," adding: "[Microsoft is] very creator-driven, we're still going to get to be who we are. We're a subsidiary, but we're still running our games and pushing everything the way that we have.

Source: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-28-todd-howard-the-next-generation-is-about-access

Xbox boss Phil Spencer said something similar. As a subsidiary, Bethesda is expected to run itself.

I also just read an article on Engadget about how Bethesda is only adding/revamping features in their Creation Engine (*cough* Netimmerse....*cough cough* Gamebryo). So no new engine. The only good thing to take away from that is we will still have the ability to mod the games to our hearts content. However, I expect every legacy issue that has been in their games since Morrowind to be present as well. And those legacy issues are not OK in this day and age of game development.

[Progmetty]

If there's still any survival horror fans here, I highly recommend a game called Visage, came out on PC and consoles a few days ago.
Remember P.T? I think this is what it would have felt like.
Easily the best thing since RE7, I may say it's even better.
I've been playing it in 30 minute increments then resorted to playing it with it's audio off and NPR on, to reduce the tension. Not proud of that 

[ReaperKK]

There's this classic meme that floats around reddit often

And the same can be said about elder scrolls unfortunately. Releasing the same game continuously over a decade is very lame.

To be fair. Todd Howard is completely off his rocker these days. Same with Pete Hines. Bethesda needs a firm kick in the pants. I thought Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2 would be the motivation they needed to make something truly amazing again, but then we got Fallout 76..... And with Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 nowhere in sight....

Completely agree with you on the Todd Howard front. I really hope the MS acquisition gives them a kick they need.

They absolutely should. That was one of the positives for the upcoming acquisition. Unfortunately though, that does not seem to be the plan. I read some interviews regarding the plans with Bethesda and honestly it seems it is going to do fuck all beyond everything likely being Microsoft store/gamepass exclusive.

Todd Howard:

Bethesda is "giving up very little," adding: "[Microsoft is] very creator-driven, we're still going to get to be who we are. We're a subsidiary, but we're still running our games and pushing everything the way that we have.

Source: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-28-todd-howard-the-next-generation-is-about-access

Xbox boss Phil Spencer said something similar. As a subsidiary, Bethesda is expected to run itself.

I also just read an article on Engadget about how Bethesda is only adding/revamping features in their Creation Engine (*cough* Netimmerse....*cough cough* Gamebryo). So no new engine. The only good thing to take away from that is we will still have the ability to mod the games to our hearts content. However, I expect every legacy issue that has been in their games since Morrowind to be present as well. And those legacy issues are not OK in this day and age of game development.

I've heard the same stories about MS being creator driven but they will also give you a kick in the ass if needed, see Chris Roberts and Freelancer.

[Dublagent66]

If there's still any survival horror fans here, I highly recommend a game called Visage, came out on PC and consoles a few days ago.
Remember P.T? I think this is what it would have felt like.
Easily the best thing since RE7, I may say it's even better.
I've been playing it in 30 minute increments then resorted to playing it with it's audio off and NPR on, to reduce the tension. Not proud of that 

Interesting.  Refresh my memory on what P.T. stands for? 

[XJDenton]

Playable Teaser: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.T._(video_game)

It was the proof of concept for Kojima's planned but ultimately cancelled Silent Hill game.

[Dublagent66]

Yeah, that took place and got removed before I even bought my PS4.  I had no idea it was out there.  I am a fan of the Silent Hill series.  Hopefully Hideo will change his mind and consider releasing it on the next-gens.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Portal Reloaded - Gameplay Trailer

I had to think for a sec how that worked, always cool seeing the mod community taking a game to the next level.

[ReaperKK]

Agreed, I haven't played Portal in years and this will give me a good excuse to.

[faizoff]

That Portal update looks fun as hell. I actually played Portal 2 earlier this year and it was still so much fun.
Anyone played the Alyx VR game? If yes what VR headset was used?

I finally have a PC powerful enough to play it but am loathe to get a VR set just for that one game and maybe a couple of other uses.

[ErHaO]

If there's still any survival horror fans here, I highly recommend a game called Visage, came out on PC and consoles a few days ago.
Remember P.T? I think this is what it would have felt like.
Easily the best thing since RE7, I may say it's even better.
I've been playing it in 30 minute increments then resorted to playing it with it's audio off and NPR on, to reduce the tension. Not proud of that 

My favourite first person survival-horror is Alien Isolation. Very tense game as well. I think the unconvential way the Alien hunts you down in non-scripted fashion frustrated a lot of reviewers, but to me escaping it and confronting it was an absolute thrill and I got the hang of it. It is much more of a stealth game than a lot of other surival horror games, but that makes sense given the context.  I don't think any of the Alien films are even remotely scary, but this game is tense as hell.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

If there's still any survival horror fans here, I highly recommend a game called Visage, came out on PC and consoles a few days ago.
Remember P.T? I think this is what it would have felt like.
Easily the best thing since RE7, I may say it's even better.
I've been playing it in 30 minute increments then resorted to playing it with it's audio off and NPR on, to reduce the tension. Not proud of that 

My favourite first person survival-horror is Alien Isolation. Very tense game as well. I think the unconvential way the Alien hunts you down in non-scripted fashion frustrated a lot of reviewers, but to me escaping it and confronting it was an absolute thrill and I got the hang of it. It is much more of a stealth game than a lot of other surival horror games, but that makes sense given the context.  I don't think any of the Alien films are even remotely scary, but this game is tense as hell.

It took me some good couple of months before I actually finished it. I had to take some pauses because how intense it was. 
One of my favourite gaming experiences playing that game. My butt still clenches when I think about the time I brutally discovered The Alien could crawl after you in the vents. 

[Phoenix87x]

If there's still any survival horror fans here, I highly recommend a game called Visage, came out on PC and consoles a few days ago.
Remember P.T? I think this is what it would have felt like.
Easily the best thing since RE7, I may say it's even better.
I've been playing it in 30 minute increments then resorted to playing it with it's audio off and NPR on, to reduce the tension. Not proud of that 

That looks awesome. Will check it out

[v_clortho]

That Portal update looks fun as hell. I actually played Portal 2 earlier this year and it was still so much fun.
Anyone played the Alyx VR game? If yes what VR headset was used?

I finally have a PC powerful enough to play it but am loathe to get a VR set just for that one game and maybe a couple of other uses.

If you get a VR make sure to get Beat Saber. Really fun game.

[Puppies_On_Acid]

Good god, what a cluster-fuck Ubisoft's subscription service is. I signed up for it again so I could play Watch Dogs Legion and Assassins Creed Valhalla on Wednesday. I got to play Wednesday and Thursday, but on Thursday evening it says my account has been suspended because my payment failed (mind you my credit card has already been charged). There is nothing wrong with my card. Their "support" suggests using a different payment method (among a long list of copy/pasted nonsense to try), so I try using Paypal. The payment goes through and I'm charged another 14.99, but now it says my subscription has been canceled and suspended. So now I've paid $30 and got 2 days of service....

Guess I'll be charging back my card and reporting the Paypal charge and never using Ubisoft again. Fuck those guys. How do you screw up a subscription service that bad. It almost feels like I'm being scammed at this point.

.....and that's my rant for the day....

[Ben_Jamin]

Good god, what a cluster-fuck Ubisoft's subscription service is. I signed up for it again so I could play Watch Dogs Legion and Assassins Creed Valhalla on Wednesday. I got to play Wednesday and Thursday, but on Thursday evening it says my account has been suspended because my payment failed (mind you my credit card has already been charged). There is nothing wrong with my card. Their "support" suggests using a different payment method (among a long list of copy/pasted nonsense to try), so I try using Paypal. The payment goes through and I'm charged another 14.99, but now it says my subscription has been canceled and suspended. So now I've paid $30 and got 2 days of service....

Guess I'll be charging back my card and reporting the Paypal charge and never using Ubisoft again. Fuck those guys. How do you screw up a subscription service that bad. It almost feels like I'm being scammed at this point.

.....and that's my rant for the day....

I would be looking into doing something about that. Because they're not providing you the service they promised when you paid for it. And suggesting to pay again, and you did, and it happened again. If it's not just you, but many people, and you all report this, there's a good possibility there will be an investigation on it.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

That sounds weird, I have to ask though: Subscription service as in paying a monthly fee?

[Puppies_On_Acid]

That sounds weird, I have to ask though: Subscription service as in paying a monthly fee?

It's a similar service to Xbox Game Pass.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

That sounds weird, I have to ask though: Subscription service as in paying a monthly fee?

It's a similar service to Xbox Game Pass.

Ok, i've never used a service like that for games. I guess it's more a console thing?

[Puppies_On_Acid]

That sounds weird, I have to ask though: Subscription service as in paying a monthly fee?

It's a similar service to Xbox Game Pass.

Ok, i've never used a service like that for games. I guess it's more a console thing?

No, Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+ are available on PC, just like EA Play and there are a few other ones out there. You just pay a monthly fee and can play as many games as are available on the service as you want. Granted Xbox game pass is the best of them.

[Polarbear]

https://youtu.be/HBtbf8ssBn0

Mass Effect trilogy remaster officially confirmed!

All story dlc included in the box!

[ReaperKK]

Pumped about this, I've been playing through ME for the first time and finished ME2 a month ago, figuring out where to buy and add the DLC has been a complete nightmare.

[Fiery Winds]

That Portal update looks fun as hell. I actually played Portal 2 earlier this year and it was still so much fun.
Anyone played the Alyx VR game? If yes what VR headset was used?

I finally have a PC powerful enough to play it but am loathe to get a VR set just for that one game and maybe a couple of other uses.

I did, and loved it. I've got the Valve Index with the new controllers and the only negative is that it makes other VR games pale in comparison.   At its current price, it's hard to recommend just for that game, but I would only play it with the tracking accuracy that the Index/Vive offer.

Regarding the GamePass discussion, if you haven't signed up (and even if you have*) DON'T BUY IT DIRECTLY. Load up your account with up to 36 months of gold first ($180 value), then sign up for GamePass Ultimate which will convert your gold to 36 months of Ultimate ($540 value).

IMPORTANT: When adding gold to your account, DO NOT ENABLE AUTO-RENEW. They will offer an additional month, but then you won't be able to add all 36 months (if using 3x 12 month codes)

Nobody knows if/when this day-for-day conversion rate will change, could be Tuesday to coincide with the launch and addition of EA Play, could be never.

*Current GamePass subscribers only get the dollar value converted when adding gold (4 months of ultimate per 12 month code). However, depending on how much time you have remaining, it may be economical to contact Microsoft to remove your sub completely (forfeiting your remaining time). Now you can load up on Gold and are again eligible for the 1:1 conversion rate. I just did precisely that process yesterday with no issues.

[ErHaO]

I did that Gold trick and recently actual Gamepass Ultimate codes where on sale here for 90 euros a year, so now I have gamepass until the end of 2023 (I have had it for a while now). If all goes well, I will have a series X tomorrow.

PS5 will follow eventually but a) it is impossible or very expensive to get and b) the launch games really do cost 80 euros (95 US dollars), so I am fine waiting for a bit.



And apparently Assassin's Creed Valhalla is pretty good, it is reviewing well. As usual though, I will likely wait for when the season pass is finished before buying. Even at launch price I think Ubisoft tends to offer good value, but I just prefer being able to do the extra content while I am into the game.

[axeman90210]

Yeah, I did that about a year ago. Extended my Gold out to November 2022 (which I would have stayed subscribed to anyway), and for $1 upgraded it to GamePass

[faizoff]

That Portal update looks fun as hell. I actually played Portal 2 earlier this year and it was still so much fun.
Anyone played the Alyx VR game? If yes what VR headset was used?

I finally have a PC powerful enough to play it but am loathe to get a VR set just for that one game and maybe a couple of other uses.

I did, and loved it. I've got the Valve Index with the new controllers and the only negative is that it makes other VR games pale in comparison.   At its current price, it's hard to recommend just for that game, but I would only play it with the tracking accuracy that the Index/Vive offer.

Thanks for the feedback, shame these VR sets with the whole tracking setup cost so much though it is understandable. Can't get one of those just yet, maybe next year.

If you get a VR make sure to get Beat Saber. Really fun game.

I did look at that and it was a lot of fun, probably get it next year depending on how much the VR sets go for.

[ErHaO]

https://youtu.be/HBtbf8ssBn0

Mass Effect trilogy remaster officially confirmed!

All story dlc included in the box!

Nice!

And it is confirmed Bioware is working on a new Mass Effect with a "veteran" team.

I think EA may be at the start of somewhat of a redemption tour and I hope it pays off. Many of their franchises crashed and burned and their lootbox businessmodels are becoming illegal in more and more countries.