I loved the original games on c64 and atari800. I could never get into any of the reboots, remakes and restarts that used hi-def graphics. I think there is something lost when going away from repeating tiles and into polygons. Would love to see a remake using beautiful modern pixel art instead

Thanks! Would have missed it otherwise.

It’s corporate. Even if he were to retire or be laid off tomorrow, today the messaging will be “sky is clear, onward”.

It was nice to have some degree of hope for nearly a year. So I guess, thanks for at least giving it a serious attempt Ross.

I never used game pass, sorry. Only makes sense they have been hiking it for a while.

Of course it is. First of many. The price will keep rising, since currently Microsoft is losing money on it. The number of games will decrease, the price will keep going up, the users will cancel, rinse and repeat.

It truly is Netflix for gaming.

I keep wanting to love Hades but keep bouncing off it. It has all characteristics of what is want - great art, good story, solid voice acting… I think I am not into the combat mechanics though. Diablo, at least I would enjoy until I finished all the story and quests…

Blue Prince is an awesome game, but it confirmed for me that I can’t stand roguelikes. Any game that’s based on repetitive loop where you do the same thing over and over for small progress is just not my jam. That includes multiplayer grindathons, MMOs and roguelikes/lites.

I guess as I got older, time became more and more of a previous commodity and feeling like I’m not moving forward in an experience kills it for me.

Nothing against the game. Just not for me.

About Atomic Heart - a Russian game from a developer tied to Gazprom and Putin’s oligarch buddies.

This shit should be embargoed, not celebrated.

This game (and the box spinoff) amaze me in just how well Russian propaganda machine is tuned into an average American gamer. Show them some ass, give them a definitely anti-woke attitude and they will sing praises defending it forever. Meanwhile under the surface the games are all like “see, Soviet Russia is/was actually kinda cool, amirite?”

Oh yes, I got all preachy and forgot to actually comment on your content :)

CRUNCHY!

The game looks like a blast, but seeing how Bethesda treated Mick Gordon who did music for the previous two, their general behavior and the fact the whole thing is owned by Microsoft… I just can’t in good conscience give them any money or time/attention.

Pay to win what? Is there a game yet?

Done it and reshared a lot back when the campaign started. Can’t believe the “gamerzzz” are so freaking lazy to reach the needed goal. The campaign makes it such an easy step be step process…

Didn’t they just have the news recently on how buying Activision Blizzard did not move the needle on Game Pass subscriptions?

Yea, if I recall correctly, the Yuzu team was sharing roms of latest Nintendo releases internally and Nintendo was able to prove it. At least Jeff Gerstman podcast suggested something to that accord when reporting on it.

Of course the companies pin the graphics as a culprit. Otherwise they would have to admit the mismanagement is the reason they burn through millions of dollars. Mismanagement brings with it another aspect the author did not mention: stress and burnout. Either working too hard, or spinning wheels doing nothing is pure poison to a creative person. Constant direction changes, lack of clear communication, never knowing whether you did well or are on the verge of being laid off - all these make people work harder but output less/worse quality assets.

It’s how all big tech companies work.

This was my top 5 of 2023 for sure. Wonderful experience. Certainly my favorite of the “learn a language” type games.

This was brutal to watch in an already grim reality of 2025, but an important one. This is not just a remote, 3rd world problem (as if that was an excuse) - this is how our AAA games are made.

The game looks OK, that quote though: pure gold

So glad Xbox players will be finally able to enjoy it! It took a while!

News news news, it may also be using a game controller to translate user input into character actions.

Here’s one face I wish I could block. Searching any video game topic on YouTube always pops his drama filled mug in the results.

It’s a pity SONY didn’t have any games to announce alongside the new console. There is nothing or there I feel like I need more power to play, and I already completed games they demoed, sometimes years ago.

Truly, a lineup worthy of all these Billions of dollars spent in acquisitions and thousands of lives fucked with layoffs.

It always looked good, just played poorly.

I totally expect this will be the last title before it gets closed.

Thanks! …and bummer. I’m not a fan of this iteration. Liked the crazy, almost photoreal style of earlier ones. The minimalist to-the-point aesthetic of 2020 one feels too utilitarian to me.

I don’t get it. Is it a new graphics update for the original game or for 1/3 of the original trilogy? Is it a new timesheet for current trackmania? Is it a new title?

I loved the original dessert, it was easily my favorite of the first environments.

Feels to me like some folks just want to give due warning to help others from throwing money away. I don’t think most are being negative for negativity’s sake - but I may just be too optimistic about the state of the discourse.

Consider installing Chiaki or Chiaki4Deck on your SD. It allows you to stream PS4/5 games on your own network!

Three is a hard quality jump after Kiwami 2, but I still enjoy the story. Moved from main PC to Steam Deck for this one and it feels right at home.

Perhaps I need to get in control of my FOMO and enjoy older games first instead of… Chasing the dragon (badum-tsss)

Sounds like we are in precisely the same boat. I found 3 is a great match for Steam Deck, and feels right at home on that small screen (and runs great).

Oh is it time already? I’m not ready!!! After playing Like A Dragon as my first Yakuza game, I decided to play originals first, before Infinite. Finished 0, 1 and 2 and currently just started Yakuza 3…

I’ve seen somewhere that due to some storylines, it’s preferable to have played original Kiryu saga first, so as much as I want to jump in, it will have to wait

Took me forever to internalize the title and realize this indeed has nothing to do with Bioware.

Yakuza 2 on Steam Deck, after completing (not 100%) Y0 and Y1. Planning to keep playing them in order, until Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth comes out.

I’m new to the series, and loving it. Can’t wait to get back home (traveling now) and move from Deck to my PC, high resolution and maxed quality.

I use Epic launcher for all my Unreal work, so I have it installed and open it daily. Still, I can’t be bothered to turn on the games store and redeem free games - while willingly paying for new ones on Steam. The UX is just that bad.

(I assume some people may find value in it, all I’m saying is: it is not for me)

THAT’s a long list? I have more unplayed titles INSTALLED than this whole spreadsheet. I once attempted to create a system to organize my backlog but just gave up due to volume. I think I may have a game hoarding problem.

Naturally. Rockstar likes to resell their titles no less than Bethesda. They will sell it to you on PS5 and series x/s, then again on PS6 and whatever Xbox will be around. Then probably Nintendo platform, finally PC.

This way they maximize the amount of times some people will buy the same game, each time with minimal quality upgrade.

Same as their previous titles. It’s not that they didn’t learn. They have the numbers and know very well what they’re doing.

Would have never guessed.