Ben-DutkaThe PlayStation 4 is just over one month away. Doesn't seem possible, does it?
PlayStation as just a service…hmm…
The entire world wants to go digital, and anything physical will disappear in the wake of that ceaseless drive. Some like it; I hate it. But I think everyone can agree that it's basically inevitable where video games are concerned, as eventually, the primary method of delivery will indeed be digital. At that time, the "system wars" will likely be over and Sony and Microsoft may only have services, not game boxes. At least, that's what Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada said: The future will be a contest of services . The competition will continue, of course, and I have no doubt that gaming will keep pressing forward and breaking through wall after wall. It'll be very interesting to see.
But it will be sad to see the dedicated game consoles disappear. Some could argue that they've already disappeared, that consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One are basically home entertainment hubs, anyway. And I suppose they're right. However, there was always something special about a console that only played video games, wasn't there? And there was something special about a game box, and the game itself, right? Yes, I know, nobody gives a sh**; they just call it sentimental BS and really, it never meant anything in the first place. Progress is progress and digital is more convenient and basically the same thing.
All right. Guess I just have to accept that.
Thief is probably my most anticipated next-gen title
Being a stealth lover, I have to say that the Thief reboot may top my next-gen priority list. Did you check out that awesome gameplay ? I know a lot of old-school franchise fans have their reservations and I can understand that, but that really looks like the quintessential stealth adventure. I think the environment is a little too similar to Dishonored (kinda tired of the post-apocalyptic, plague-stricken motif) but otherwise, it looks very promising. I don't think it's true that stealth is dying; in fact, I think the fans of the niche genre have made their presence felt in the recent past. Dishonored , for instance, really did encourage a stealth approach, and Splinter Cell 's wonderful return to form with Blacklist was widely praised.
It's just that the faster, dumber games are more popular and get more attention. Well, so what? That's the way it is in all entertainment venues because that's all the masses want. Doesn't mean fans of other types of entertainment don't exist; they're simply perpetually in the minority. And I prefer that, as I'm currently wearing a shirt that has one of Twain's absolute best quotes- "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect."
Personal gaming update
I'm going to go through Beyond: Two Souls again, to see how significantly I can alter the outcome(s). I'm sticking by my review, but I must reemphasize that it's a great game in its own right. If you loved Heavy Rain , I can't imagine you not enjoying Beyond . It's just that Quantic Dream tried to stretch the boundaries of their gameplay mechanic; it works just fine, but the more activity imposed upon the player and the less you let him do, the more he'll find it disconcerting. But the story is great, most of the acting is amazing, the dialogue is good, the cinematography is excellent, the character modeling is fantastic, etc. It just isn't as cohesively impressive as Heavy Rain , that's all. I'm disappointed but I'm not totally let down. It's not like Duke Nukem Forever , for crying out loud.
The games just keep coming. I know I have to find a way to deliver a FIFA 14 review and I'm debating reviewing the new F1 game. I just don't think that many PSXE readers care much about Formula One racing but I'll review it if enough people really want me to…
