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Ben’s Week In Review: August 30

Typically, the great games don't really start to flow until October, but it looks like we might have three as of September 1. Hope you've got some free time on your hands. 😉

Well, if MGSV was anything less than amazing, we'd all be shocked, right?

The accolades have been pouring in over the past week. It started with a few perfect scores from major sources, and then escalated as more reviews lauded the game to high heaven. The game has actually maintained that super high Metacritic average even after 24 counted reviews, which is pretty damn impressive. Konami isn't afraid to say MGSV is a lock for Game of the Year and I'm starting to think it's true; no game in 2015 really has a legitimate shot to dethrone MGSV as the best of the best. I mean, Fallout 4 is bound to be incredible but I'm not sure it's capable of pulling down these kinds of scores, and only The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is close to that 94 (it holds a 92 average). Yeah, the new Metal Gear Solid is indeed the cream of the crop.

I think what surprises me is that for some reason, the hype didn't feel too outlandish for this entry. It's sizzling now but heading into the launch, I'm not sure enough gamers were even aware of its existence. Perhaps it's because MGS still only caters to the hardcore gamer and the casuals simply don't care (and have never cared)? I haven't seen any commercials for it yet, that's for sure. But an extremely well-reviewed title has a way of fueling general word-of-mouth, so…

A few fun, quirky, innovative games to keep an eye on

This week, we saw several new game announcements and while they're of the smaller variety, I think they're all worth following. Siralim is for those who remember the really old-school role-playing days, and are admitted stat whores. It looks like a fantastic throwback that blends old-fashioned appeal with more modern depth and really, it could be a nostalgic-laden blast. Then there's Thief Town which features an extremely simple premise, but one that might just captivate a roomful of people. This could be an excellent party game that will get everyone laughing and hey, local co-op should be supported, anyway. Lastly, I really like the ambitious This War of Mine: The Little Ones , which will task us with caring for both adults and children in a war-torn environment. The decisions we'll be forced to make should take on a whole new dynamic, given the situation and characters.

We shouldn't forget that there are lots of great games out there, and not all of them are super huge blockbusters. And it's that much easier to forget when massive games like MGSV and Mad Max are looming large on the horizon.

Personal gaming update

I really hope I have time to go through Until Dawn again because it's just such a great experience. I almost want to keep playing it instead of focusing all my attention on next week's two huge titles. As I said earlier, I think Supermassive's quality game is in danger of getting a bad rap , simply because of the way many perceive it. I saw two people laughing about it in GameStop the other day; they obviously hadn't played it but they'd "heard" that it was just a stupid teen slasher game that plays like a movie. This is the problem. Most who haven't played it believe this because they read the description somewhere and basically dismissed it out of hand, for the reasons I stated in my editorial. It's also too bad that Sony once again refuses to promote one of their first-party titles. Maybe if they promoted it more, they could clear up these misconceptions…?

At any rate, I'm sure I'll have plenty to do through September. It's actually good that nothing too pressing launches between September 2 and the middle of October; it gives me about six weeks to get things done. And no, I'm not reviewing The Taken King expansion for Destiny . My guess is it doesn't need a review; if you're a fan of the game, you're buying it. If you're not, you're not.

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Temjin001
Temjin001
8 years ago

I'm excited for MGSV and I'm really glad Kojima is going out with a bang.
I wish Hayter was still on the job though. He was Snake for essentially the whole way. They should've just kept him. I've also avoided reading any reviews. One. I don't care what others have to say before I've formed my own opinion about this one. Two. I was going to play this right away good or bad.
The scores just confirm that I'm getting something that lives up to Kojima.
This guy has managed to keep a franchise at the forefront of sales and critical reception for 3 console generations. That's unheard of by me.

PGU: been playing a variety of things. FFIV, Batman AK, Ratchet 2 and DOA5.

Jawknee
Jawknee
8 years ago

What I love about Kojima games is they're virtually bug free. I can't recall a single bug any of the games. Especially MGS4. I've completed that games 10 times. Never once in all those hours did I run into a bug or glitch.

Bio
Bio
8 years ago

PGU- I'm loooving my Vita. The hardware is insane for a handheld, the MGS HD Collection looks amazing, and playing Borderlands 2 on this is the fist time I've played an FPS with fumble sticks since Halo Reach. I am TERRIBLE, now, at fumble stick FPS. Game is still awesome, though. The Vita version obviously can't stack up to the PC version I spent 400 hours with, and is probably more in line with the inferior console versions, but it's still damn solid.


Last edited by Bio on 8/29/2015 10:21:14 PM

Temjin001
Temjin001
8 years ago

My Vita still gets plenty of play time. Sure, Sony's original vision of the handheld is dead but what it's become instead has plenty of value, keeping it a viable gaming companion. Not everything for a platform has to be an exclusive to be enjoyed. It still gets a stream of worthwhile gaming content.


Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/29/2015 10:36:52 PM

Bio
Bio
8 years ago

I agree. I haven't actually played anything on it yet that I haven't played before, but I'm loving that I can revisit some classic titles and indie greats like Limbo.

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
8 years ago

Im nit picking your comment because its a slow day on the interwebs. Vita version of Borderlands 2 isn't on par with the console version. But good try! 😉

Actually the Handsome Collection on PS4 is one of the best games I've played. Sure it's an upgraded version on a better console but it runs so good on the PS4. I'd argue it to rival that PC version. 😉

Again it's a slow day and I'm bored.

Bio
Bio
8 years ago

It's not. The PC version maxxed out is just insane. The first game that truly puts PhysX to work in a way that genuinely enhances the game's visuals.

Beamboom
Beamboom
8 years ago

He's talking about the same version you were originally talking about Bio, ergo the console version.
You claim the Vita version is in line with the console version, he's saying it's not, and then you drift off into a totally unrelated pc fanboy trip.


Last edited by Beamboom on 8/30/2015 2:43:09 PM

Bio
Bio
8 years ago

He said the PS4 version of the game rivals the PC version. Pointing out that it doesn't, and why, is a PC fanboy trip? LOL

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
8 years ago

Don't take my comment to seriously though. I said it was a slow day and I was just joking around.

However the PS4 version will match the PC version on its highest settings I am pretty certain of that. This is of course not accounting for PhysX which is an amazing sight. Aside from that and the view being more constricted on consoles it'll absolutely rival the PC version both running at native 1080p and 60fps.

Again don't take this too seriously. I'm not a PC gamer. I'm just discussing the fact that The Handsome Collection on PS4 shouldn't ever be discussed in the same sentence as the Vita version but absolutely should be when comparing it to PC. I have seen Borderlands use of PhysX and it's pretty cool. I think had the Handsome Collection been more than an upgrade we would have seen similiar environmental effects.


Last edited by bigrailer19 on 8/30/2015 4:46:18 PM

Bio
Bio
8 years ago

No worries, I don't take most discussions in comments sections seriously, just here to chat 🙂

The PhysX is a pretty big component of what makes the PC version so fun, though. I did forget that the handsome collection is one the new consoles, so I was referring to the PS3/360 versions in my initial statement. I'm sure the PS4 version looks much better than the Vita version.

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
8 years ago

I seen a video of BL2 running on PhysX and what impressed me most was the effects wind, gun fire, player interaction etc… had on and object. Most games even on consoles have some sort of interaction. But not games the size and scope of BL2. It's pretty cool seeing the aftermath in an area where a battle took place, rather than it look like not one bullet was fired.

InBlackestNight
InBlackestNight
8 years ago

It's sad that more people don't play Metal Gear. I teach high school, and when I talk about games, most of them don't even know what Metal Gear is. For me, it's the reason I bought a ps2, PS3, and ps4. There were new Metal Gear games coming and I wanted them. I really hope it gets game of the year. Msg4 was incredible and I still cannot fathom how IGN doesn't include it in the top 25 PS3 games of all time. MSG3 is top 5 period regardless of system or generation. I really hope it's as good as everyone says. My collectors edition will be here Tuesday regardless.

Jawknee
Jawknee
8 years ago

Me too. MGS was always a main motivator to buy Playstation consoles.

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
5 years ago

I seen a video of BL2 running on PhysX and what impressed me most was the effects wind, gun fire, player interaction etc… had on and object. Most games even on consoles have some sort of interaction. But not games the size and scope of BL2. It&#39s pretty cool seeing the aftermath in an area where a battle took place, rather than it look like not one bullet was fired.

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
5 years ago

Im nit picking your comment because its a slow day on the interwebs. Vita version of Borderlands 2 isn&#39t on par with the console version. But good try! 😉

Actually the Handsome Collection on PS4 is one of the best games I&#39ve played. Sure it&#39s an upgraded version on a better console but it runs so good on the PS4. I&#39d argue it to rival that PC version. 😉

Again it&#39s a slow day and I&#39m bored.

InBlackestNight
InBlackestNight
5 years ago

It&#39s sad that more people don&#39t play Metal Gear. I teach high school, and when I talk about games, most of them don&#39t even know what Metal Gear is. For me, it&#39s the reason I bought a ps2, PS3, and ps4. There were new Metal Gear games coming and I wanted them. I really hope it gets game of the year. Msg4 was incredible and I still cannot fathom how IGN doesn&#39t include it in the top 25 PS3 games of all time. MSG3 is top 5 period regardless of system or generation. I really hope it&#39s as good as everyone says. My collectors edition will be here Tuesday regardless.

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
5 years ago

Don&#39t take my comment to seriously though. I said it was a slow day and I was just joking around.

However the PS4 version will match the PC version on its highest settings I am pretty certain of that. This is of course not accounting for PhysX which is an amazing sight. Aside from that and the view being more constricted on consoles it&#39ll absolutely rival the PC version both running at native 1080p and 60fps.

Again don&#39t take this too seriously. I&#39m not a PC gamer. I&#39m just discussing the fact that The Handsome Collection on PS4 shouldn&#39t ever be discussed in the same sentence as the Vita version but absolutely should be when comparing it to PC. I have seen Borderlands use of PhysX and it&#39s pretty cool. I think had the Handsome Collection been more than an upgrade we would have seen similiar environmental effects.

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 8/30/2015 4:46:18 PM

Bio
Bio
5 years ago

It&#39s not. The PC version maxxed out is just insane. The first game that truly puts PhysX to work in a way that genuinely enhances the game&#39s visuals.

Bio
Bio
5 years ago

No worries, I don&#39t take most discussions in comments sections seriously, just here to chat 🙂

The PhysX is a pretty big component of what makes the PC version so fun, though. I did forget that the handsome collection is one the new consoles, so I was referring to the PS3/360 versions in my initial statement. I&#39m sure the PS4 version looks much better than the Vita version.

Temjin001
Temjin001
5 years ago

My Vita still gets plenty of play time. Sure, Sony&#39s original vision of the handheld is dead but what it&#39s become instead has plenty of value, keeping it a viable gaming companion. Not everything for a platform has to be an exclusive to be enjoyed. It still gets a stream of worthwhile gaming content.

Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/29/2015 10:36:52 PM

Jawknee
Jawknee
5 years ago

What I love about Kojima games is they&#39re virtually bug free. I can&#39t recall a single bug any of the games. Especially MGS4. I&#39ve completed that games 10 times. Never once in all those hours did I run into a bug or glitch.

Bio
Bio
5 years ago

He said the PS4 version of the game rivals the PC version. Pointing out that it doesn&#39t, and why, is a PC fanboy trip? LOL

Temjin001
Temjin001
5 years ago

I&#39m excited for MGSV and I&#39m really glad Kojima is going out with a bang.
I wish Hayter was still on the job though. He was Snake for essentially the whole way. They should&#39ve just kept him. I&#39ve also avoided reading any reviews. One. I don&#39t care what others have to say before I&#39ve formed my own opinion about this one. Two. I was going to play this right away good or bad.
The scores just confirm that I&#39m getting something that lives up to Kojima.
This guy has managed to keep a franchise at the forefront of sales and critical reception for 3 console generations. That&#39s unheard of by me.

PGU: been playing a variety of things. FFIV, Batman AK, Ratchet 2 and DOA5.

Beamboom
Beamboom
5 years ago

He&#39s talking about the same version you were originally talking about Bio, ergo the console version.
You claim the Vita version is in line with the console version, he&#39s saying it&#39s not, and then you drift off into a totally unrelated pc fanboy trip.

Last edited by Beamboom on 8/30/2015 2:43:09 PM

Bio
Bio
5 years ago

PGU- I&#39m loooving my Vita. The hardware is insane for a handheld, the MGS HD Collection looks amazing, and playing Borderlands 2 on this is the fist time I&#39ve played an FPS with fumble sticks since Halo Reach. I am TERRIBLE, now, at fumble stick FPS. Game is still awesome, though. The Vita version obviously can&#39t stack up to the PC version I spent 400 hours with, and is probably more in line with the inferior console versions, but it&#39s still damn solid.

Last edited by Bio on 8/29/2015 10:21:14 PM

Bio
Bio
5 years ago

I agree. I haven&#39t actually played anything on it yet that I haven&#39t played before, but I&#39m loving that I can revisit some classic titles and indie greats like Limbo.

Jawknee
Jawknee
5 years ago

Me too. MGS was always a main motivator to buy Playstation consoles.

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