Jim Ryan also said in that interview "When we've dabbled with backwards compatibility, I can say it is one of those features that is much requested, but not actually used much." that's basically calling it overrated.
It's just that Sony said multiple times that they think Backwards Compatibility is overrated and almost nobody wants it and from what I am seeing these last 2 years (and in the beginning of last gen), I do feel that Sony is a stubborn company (not like Nintendo is, but still).
What Sony learned last gen is people love Backwards Compatibility, so long as it doesn't cost anything. What Nintendo learned this gen is unshackling themselves from past hardware decisions can massively increase their sales. What Microsoft did this gen was hammer on backwards compatibility in an attempt to compensate for a floundering first party. I don't think any of that can tell us conclusively anything about what will happen in the future.
So in anticipation of their full playthrough of Metal Gear Solid during Easy Livin' I thought it might finally be time to jump into the MGS series. I've had the PC version of 1 since I was a kid and own 4 on PS3 because of a friend, but I never actually played any of them. After I found there was an easy way to play 1 on modern PCs, I decided it was indeed time to play my first Metal Gear Solid game, which I beat yesterday.
I found the gameplay to be pretty rough, especially by today's standards, but everything else: story, characters, voice acting, music... incredible. I was taken aback right from the start when those intro credits started rolling. It really felt far ahead of its time in many aspects, I can see why it's so loved and made it into the HoG. I went back and watched Damiani's pitch for it, which I had definitely watched previously, and realized it's actually super spoiler heavy! Guess I was lucky I didn't retain any of what he was saying. My knowledge of the series as a whole is pretty limited. I have no idea what 2 and 3 are about and only a general sense about 4 and 5. Most of what I know is just random things picked up by watching the Allies. The character names though, a lot of those have been ingrained in me after years of hearing them (Gray Fox, Ocelot, Liquid, Otacon, Psycho Mantis, Big Boss), so it was actually super exciting every time one of them showed up. It's nice to finally have characters to go with the names. End spoilers
I ended up getting Otacon's ending as I was curious what would happen if I gave up during torture and had no idea the game even had multiple endings. I liked Otacon's better but maybe that's becasue it's what I had in my playthrough, I read Meryl's is canon though.
After I beat it, I bought the HD versions of 2 and 3 on PS3 and Ground Zeroes/V on PC. I'm already a couple hours into 2, and again, seeing stuff I've heard of before is really cool (first mention of la li lu le lo, playing as Raiden). Gonna try to finish at least through 4 by the time Easy Livin' comes around. Excited to go on this journey. Wish me luck!
This is really cool, love seeing new people get into/talk about MGS. I actually just finished replaying MGS1 earlier today, definitely still one of the greats. Keep us updated with your thoughts on the rest once you finish them (if that's not considered too off topic for others).
If you're in a Metal Gear state of mind and want to hear some more MGS talk, I just listened to a pretty good podcast that played through MGS 1. It's called Old Game Plus. Their most recent 6 episodes are all about MGS, two of the three hosts had never played it before, it was really interesting hearing their impressions at various check in points throughout the game.
This is great! One thing I always wish there was more of for EZA was specific short highlights from their content like this in a simple and digestible way like an animated short. It makes it so much easier to show to friends to give them an idea of what EZA content is like. MBMBAM hooked me through animated clips alone so it's great to see this for these segments too, nicely done!
This is great! One thing I always wish there was more of for EZA was specific short highlights from their content like this in a simple and digestible way like an animated short. It makes it so much easier to show to friends to give them an idea of what EZA content is like. MBMBAM hooked me through animated clips alone so it's great to see this for these segments too, nicely done!
When did they say it was over-rated? I don't remember them saying that once, let alone multiple times. All I remember is that dumb Jim Ryan interview last year where he said something like "why would anyone play those old, ugly games?"
Regardless, you need to remember they're a business and they'll always downplay their weaknesses. The most obvious Sony example was when the PS3 launched with the Sixaxis and they called rumble a "last gen feature" because they were in the middle of a legal battle and couldn't include it. Then almost as soon as they settled, they released the Dual Shock 3. If you want another example, take a look at what Microsoft says whenever they're asked why they lock F2P games behind the XBL Gold paywall on Xbox when they're free on PS4 and Switch.
I don't remember who said it exactly, I read about it some time (probably when Microsoft released their BC program) or I saw a youtube news video on it. I agree that they just downplay their weakness. But they included BC in PS2 and PS3 (although they removed some of them afterwards). I understand how making PS3 games BC is a problem, but why they don't included a PS1/PS2 emulator in PS4 is beyond me (I mean, it's there, but they don't really use it, only for those couple of PS4 games).
We will see. I didn't know you could play F2P games without paywall on PS actually, that's nice from them (and how it should be).
What Sony learned last gen is people love Backwards Compatibility, so long as it doesn't cost anything. What Nintendo learned this gen is unshackling themselves from past hardware decisions can massively increase their sales. What Microsoft did this gen was hammer on backwards compatibility in an attempt to compensate for a floundering first party. I don't think any of that can tell us conclusively anything about what will happen in the future.
Sure, I understand. The thing they all have in common is that they were leading the whole console gen (or as far as Xbox 360 goes, they were in front in the beginning excluding the Wii) and they were starting to feel like nothing could hurt them and people would do anything they produced.
PS2 is still the best selling console ever, but they made a way too expensive PS3 and made weird comments that people should take extra jobs to buy it.
Xbox 360 did really well and then they did their whole always online thing with Xbox One with Don Mattrick reacting that if people want a console that can work without online, they should keep playing on Xbox 360.
Not sure what Nintendo can learn from the failure of Wii U except that they need games on their system, they at least turned it around beautifully with the Switch (at least for the first year).
I was (still am somewhat) afraid something similar will happen again because of how much PS4 is ahead of the competition this gen (and Microsoft and Sony probably still don't see Nintendo as a competitor, but as a console to have next to theirs).
But we will see, patterns like this can be easily broken and I do believe that Sony isn't a stupid company as they usually did their best to listen to their consumers. It's just that it doesn't show that they do so the last couple of years. I personally don't usually play multiplayer games, but it's inexcusable that they don't do cross-platform gameplay. I am sure it's a reaction to Microsoft who didn't want to do it last gen when they were in front (when Sony did do want to), but it's different times and there just is no excuse any more to not include it (I understand it from a business perspective, but you take way too much damage to your brand this way).
I am still skeptical, but it's probably something way too off-topic here and it's still 1 or 2 years away, so we will see. I hope all of them have wonderful next gen consoles as I will probably still buy both PS5 and Xonx One Two (or whatever) for the exclusives (Xbox just for Forza, but yeah I love that series).
Excellent Frame Trap, but Kyle's deal about what's the hook with FE:TH, was weird. It's clearly there, it's the formations and making it look more of a war and there are explorable areas, although that was in Echoes, but most didn't play that. And considering how popular recent FE characters are, they are definitely going to want you to care about the unit leaders.
I love re-watching the first hour of the 9 hour marathon equipment stream because it's such a joy to see 8 people slowly realize just how loved they are by their community in such a short time.
Also, I really wish we could get those L&R shirts in a different color. I hate white shirts and would love to get one but not in white.
Well that's not the point I'm making. Spoiler Mode is an exclusive show too, so they could do it for older games as well. It's disappointing that so far it's been 2 for movies and 2 for games, and even before that there were more for movies.
Edit: Also they are a primarly games channel, at least so far. Like we even had EZAnime, that was pretty much a spoiler mode and it's scrapped now.
Well that's not the point I'm making. Spoiler Mode is an exclusive show too, so they could do it for older games as well. It's disappointing that so far it's been 2 for movies and 2 for games, and even before that there were more for movies.
Jones said that they are trying to do another one this month. The movie ones are supposed to be bonus ones, they just couldn't get another one done that first month.
Jones said that they are trying to do another one this month. The movie ones are supposed to be bonus ones, they just couldn't get another one done that first month.
Yeah, it was said before the Avengers one, but I thought I mis-heard when a game one didn't emerge. But Jones on CoJ said he was hosting the ant-man one and there was another in the works for the month.
Jones said that they are trying to do another one this month. The movie ones are supposed to be bonus ones, they just couldn't get another one done that first month.
Cool, I must have missed that then. I'm not sure if I will be able to beat octopath this month but it seems like a great game to do a spoiler mode for.
Love that they were able to get a Spoiler Mode up for Ant-Man the weekend of release.
Thought it was slightly better than the first, which was great. Couple little issues here and there but the third act was just as ridiculously crazy and entertaining as the original.
I won't even touch that game until it's like 20$. My excitement took a huge nosedive when I learned about the soundtrack. And I think more allies will get through Spidey than will even play DQ.
I won't even touch that game until it's like 20$. My excitement took a huge nosedive when I learned about the soundtrack. And I think more allies will get through Spidey than will even play DQ.
Honestly, same here - the soundtrack seemed so obnoxious to me and not...good. Real curious to see reactions to that element come review time. (Presumably Huber reviewing?)
For people that have PC as an option Orchestral OST is probably going to be modded in fairly fast for DQ11.
I would acknowledge that it's a bit of a bummer same as having no voices when I played it but honestly it's still the best JRPG of this gen and both did little to really tarnish what is an amazingly complete experience evoking a sweet nostalgia of more easy going times taking you on an amazingly well rounded journey of ups and down for me.
In the end I can't say I'm all that invested into speaking it up too much beyond just saying it would be a bit of a shame(maybe) to see it not succeed in the west given that I think it's probably the only AAA JRPG left that came out as a complete experience(no DLC and I would have bought some if they sold something cause I wanted more but at the same time I'm super satisfied).
The one disclaimer I would give is if one doesn't like DQ8 they probably won't like DQ11. I think DQ8 is pretty good indicator of the type of JRPG DQ11 is.
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Curious how the review duties for Yakuza Kiwami 2, Octopath, DQ11 are going to shake out. This seems like a very turbulent year again considering EZA reaching new heights being tied to new duties.
Also looking at the release schedule banner saga 3 is also this month :-o
Hope Easy Living also brings us new about the retro.
For people that have PC as an option Orchestral OST is probably going to be modded in fairly fast for DQ11.
I would acknowledge that it's a bit of a bummer same as having no voices when I played it but honestly it's still the best JRPG of this gen and both did little to really tarnish what is an amazingly complete experience evoking a sweet nostalgia of more easy going times taking you on an amazingly well rounded journey of ups and down for me.
In the end I can't say I'm all that invested into speaking it up too much beyond just saying it would be a bit of a shame(maybe) to see it not succeed in the west given that I think it's probably the only AAA JRPG left that came out as a complete experience(no DLC and I would have bought some if they sold something cause I wanted more but at the same time I'm super satisfied).
The one disclaimer I would give is if one doesn't like DQ8 they probably won't like DQ11. I think DQ8 is pretty good indicator of the type of JRPG DQ11 is.
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Curious how the review duties for Yakuza Kiwami 2, Octopath, DQ11 are going to shake out. This seems like a very turbulent year again considering EZA reaching new heights being tied to new duties.
Also looking at the release schedule banner saga 3 is also this month :-o
Hope Easy Living also brings us new about the retro.
Hmm. I know people are probably sick of hearing complaints about the music but it truly has put me off. But bootleg fan implementation doesn't sound ideal either.
Hmm. I know people are probably sick of hearing complaints about the music but it truly has put me off. But bootleg fan implementation doesn't sound ideal either.
It's fair criticism but as long as Sugiyama the composer is heading the music there isn't much to be done. Afaik he is the one who has final say if any given version of the game has what type of soundtrack. Like the JP version of DQ8 3ds had orchestrated soundtrack while the US version didn't.
