Julius

Game has gone gold! See you sometime next year, Granblue

Yikes. I know we've seen some of the Sujimon stuff in trailers, but reading through that it just sounds so much more involved, complex, and I imagine much longer than I thought it was going to be. So I think... ...I'm going to take this back. I'll get to this game next year, for sure - maybe in the summer? It has those vibes - and I can't wait to play it after loving LAD, but VII Rebirth takes priority, and the more we hear, the more I think I'm at risk of stressing myself out over finishing Infinite Wealth before Rebirth, which is stress I'll easily pass on. Means I get to pick it up a bit cheaper whenever I do, hopefully, and just play some other games in the meantime. I don't think I could do this and Rebirth back-to-back with how much I know I'll want to get out of both games going in without burning myself out, let alone the thought of Persona 3 Reload, Granblue, etc. - I might just try to do one of those a quarter to stay on top of the JRPG goodness next year, but no rush So pleaseeeeeeee can no-one else announce another massive, 70+ hour JRPG I'll want to play for the second half of 2024 (or I'll cut you); S-E, show us DQ XII already! But save it for 2025...pretty please?

It just hurts to read stuff like this

If I'm remembering right from the random Konami news drops, they're included in the Master Collection or bundled with MGS if you pick that up individually & I think I remember seeing H-o-T mentioning that he picked up the Collection somewhere

Considering I spent the entirety of NG with the first ones you end up with by default, I feel like this is (unfortunately) an understatement

Oh yeah, I've heard of them, just having not played them I didn't know if it was brought up because I sound insane, because of their plots being insane or...other things being insane That PMD link does make me more interested though, I'll be honest

Looks back at how Remake ended and me audibly going "Nomura wtf dude we left the rails in our dust about three hours ago, this isn't KH, chill tf out" Oh, I have full faith that we're going there just how wild it gets really depends on what Nojima has decided to do with the story, I remember reading somewhere that Nomura wanted a generally faithful remake and it was Nojima who just went off the rails – and looking at Nojima's work as a writer outside of the Remake project, while he's worked on titles revered like VIII and X back in the day, he's also been one of the main writers on: Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts 2, Chain of Memories, X-2, Crisis Core, The First Soldier, Stranger of Paradise (and Subspace Emissary with So, I'm pretty confident it's getting weird (and also sorry Nomura for assuming it was just down to you; as it turns out, your main writer is the main writer from KH, how did we not figure it'd get weird?!). I remember when Remake came out watching Maximillian Dood's reactions/theories and he seemed super unhinged when he went off the rails about the story back then, but I think in retrospect, he pretty much nailed it. As time has passed I think I've just generally settled on it getting weird. And I dig it I think it's a difficult one, because I don't even especially think it's a case of people looking at the original VII and older games and thinking they're unplayable – more than, well, look at everything else around today. Returning to a game that's 25+ years old now that was on the cutting edge of 3D at the time, and considering just how far games have come since then with how mechanics and QoL features have evolved...while I won't say that it's unfair to expect people to return to older games, I do think it's very difficult to do when your frame of reference before going back is the state of modern gaming. It's very different to something like returning to an old film, for example, because of the feedback and interactivity involved in games – VII makes sense being the way it is when you consider that it's an evolution of I - VI and a mostly successful transition to 3D, but is so, so different to what is out there today, that going back to early 3D games can feel genuinely jarring when it comes to their controls and perspectives. Again, I don't want to oversell going back to a PS1 game as being some massive woe-is-me undertaking, but it's like comparing the state of competitive sprinting and all of the strides it's made technologically and through our advanced understanding of biology and biomechanics to similar competitive events at the very first Olympics, thousands of years ago – and then perhaps like asking a modern day sprinter to drop all the specially designed gear, tracks, training, diet, etc., and race against the giants of that early sporting age. This isn't me at all disagreeing with you, by the way, because I hear your point on devs pivoting to what is popular – in fact, I think it's cyclical in that when I think of, say, a Metal Gear Solid remake, what comes to mind but a third-person, over-the-shoulder, mostly cover-based shooter? AAA studios and the general gaming audience are kind of just blindly feeding off the expectations of one another, it feels, and the popular options is often the same as the one as the safe option, unfortunately. I think the problem then becomes a case of S-E taking steps forward and back, leaning on what is popular or trying to align themselves with that several times over in the 25+ years (which is a looooooooong time in terms of video game history) since VII to bounce back from poor decisions or to please shareholders, etc. How many playing VII at launch on 1997 would've thought XVI would come out as late as 2023 and basically throw so much of what it means to be a JRPG out of the window? It's a weird one, and I don't think there's a right or wrong way to go about it – as someone who enjoyed Remake, I guess the natural thing for me want to do is to share that enjoyment and experience with friends, and that's where I think a more typical remake at some point down the line is going to make sense, because As someone who has gone back to a few games from that era for the first time, for me it comes from wanting to seek out new games and experiences to enjoy to form my own opinions on them and just gain a better understanding of what I enjoy, and I go in having opened myself up to the mindset of "this game is fairly old as far as video games go, let's get some context on games from the time and do away with my preconceived notions of what a game is now or what I thought a game was then, and take it as what it is – and then assess it through the lens of someone playing it today after the fact". But I don't think everyone can or wants to view games that way, or is open to going back to older games (which is okay, btw: play what you want to play) – and I can't blame them, to be honest, with just how many great games we're swamped with today, let alone everything else You'll need to explain this one for me as someone who hasn't played those games but also: yes, almost definitely

Yeah, speaking to my own personal experience lately of going from very little interest in retro game collecting when it comes to PS1/PS2 to "oh, actually, this would be neat and companies are stupidly not re-releasing everything they reasonably can, even just digitally?", it's absolutely that combination of nostalgia and supply/demand driving things up. There are some of the most critically acclaimed games of all-time stuck on older systems still – heck, despite the MGS Collection releasing this year (finally, Konami - get a grip you guys!) it still has managed to release in a pretty poor state as far as re-release packages go. More and more people can also get into retro collecting through more accessible means because there are lists upon lists of "must haves" and "hidden gems" on each system, but because of lists like those shining a light on virtually every game, there are definitely going to be those pumping prices up accordingly – even if it's not a fair reflection of the actual value of the game these days. This is one of many series I've dived into in my retro research recently, and while it makes sense somewhat for 2 from what I've read (the poor HD Collection on PS3 virtually making the original PS2 release the best way to play outside of emulation on PlayStation), what's even crazier is that the original Silent Hill is available digitally as a PS1 CLASSIC on Vita and PS3, and it has no bearing whatsoever on the resale price of the PS1 version of the game. Maybe it's a Konami mark-up because of uncertainty that all of their games for re-released on modern platforms, and because so many of their games from that era are so beloved – heck, Symphony of the Night goes for an even prettier penny, and that game is available as a PS1 Classic on Vita and PS3, and has the digital re-release on PS4 still available! It's just nuts. The unfortunate truth is that I think places like CeX also have a large part to play in this, with their truly ridiculous buy-in/sell-for % mark-ups almost becoming the bar for the price of a retro game – there's simply no strict valuing process before people post these games for sale, and so places like that become a reference point. On places like eBay there are certainly some reasonable people selling retro games open to negotiating (more often than not, I find these are the people more interested in the games than the potential of making money in the retro market), but I think we're getting to the point where - as you mention, with more people holding onto them and less copies of games really getting into resale circulation - we're so far removed that oftentimes these games going up now can be a case of someone digging out their old collection, realising the apparent worth of the games by looking at something like CeX, and pricing their games for resale at a similar value.

No idea what your % story completion is at now, but trust me...it almost definitely gets better. Sucks to read that you're at that stage with the game, though Is it going to be enough to change your overall opinion on the game? No idea, though I'd guess probably not based on your last few posts. But I think you've still probably got a really solid beat or two in the story to get to yet When this game flies it absolutely soars, and when it doesn't...yeah, it really does feel like wading through mud definite lessons to be learned going into whatever CBU III does next from this, but I'm confident they'll learn the right lessons based on how well they manage to consistently take and act on feedback with XIV

...sought? As for the topic, though (a fun one I really don't think about too much – thanks @Glen-i!), it really depends on the game for me. Small, friend-based leaderboards, as others have mentioned, are super cool for smaller and more casual modes in games (license tests in Gran Turismo, training stuff in FIFA, etc.) as a bit of added incentive to hone your skills in particular ways without feeling like you're grinding it out so much? Whereas being able to swap between that and a global leaderboard for something a bit more competitive (for example, the speed running courses I got addicted to for a hot minute in Astro's Playroom) is nice to have, too. Struggle to think of any situation where I'd want the global leaderboard to be front and centre as the default, though, unless it was for a particular mode or event where you needed to rank in the top however-many for some sort of reward, to gauge where you are and how you're doing?

I've had full on fever dreams about this since the trailer dropped, and my take is pretty firmly that... While I agree with you and @Hero-of-Time in that I appreciate S-E doing the unexpected with this project and making some very bold decisions along the way, I do think having a remake project basically end up being a sequel project is a really interesting choice. On the one hand, it's awesome to reward longtime fans, as well as for those like me who weren't even born at the time of original VII's release but don't mind going back and playing older games (heck, I even watched AC and it was WILD). So much of the Remake project so far has clearly come from a place of love on S-E's side. However, it also potentially limits the future reach of the project, at least commercially? I have friends I could probably convince to play a PS4/PS5 remake of a PS1 game, but good luck convincing them to play a not-so-great looking and fairly clunky-controlling PS1 game to then move onto this remake-quel. I think the overwhelming majority of modern players don't care to go back to a PS1 game, in all honesty. In fact, just recently I had a friend ask me to fill him in on the details of VII as he'd started playing Remake, and I essentially just had to say "you'll be fine for most of it as it introduces everything like it's a remake...until suddenly it's not;" he ended up just looking up a video or two to catch him up lore-wise, and while I wouldn't say that's the best way to handle it if you haven't the played the original before going into Remake, the further away we get from original VII, the more likely I think that's going to become the reality for new fans looking to experience this story – at which point, I've got to ask, are the continued re-releases of the original 1997 game aimed at new fans to have them step into this story, or for old fans to revisit a cherished favourite? Either way, I think even if Remake had been a 1:1 project encapsulating the entire journey in one game, that the original VII would be safe and continue to be released, purely because this is Square Enix ($$$), one of their biggest landmark titles, and so much of that original staff is still around today. It's not a Bluepoint situation, I don't think, where we'll likely never see the original Shadow of the Colossus and Demon's Souls versions released again with native versions on new platforms, because they've effectively been replaced by their remakes. With all this in mind, unless Ever Crisis gets the touch-ups and fixes it needs to be a new and definitive way to play the original story, I genuinely wouldn't be shocked if VII got another remake project in the next 25 years to basically deliver on the idea and promise of remaking VII closer to 1:1 (with the tech and consoles to allow for it) and nothing more, especially if that long rumoured IX remake does come to fruition. Or - I don't know why this came to mind, and this is a random stab in the dark - I feel like there's a bit of a cute and fun workaround to throw in here to have included a "remake" (or just a way to experience the PS1 game in a modernised way) in the Remake project: how awesome would it be if the final game in the trilogy ends and it unlocks a VII Remastered? Basically what mods can achieve on PC: new models, updated backgrounds, etc., for the original top-down game. Kind of like how completing Dragon Quest XI in Japan gave players a chance to download the original Dragon Quest for free (first time it was available on a PlayStation platform in any form, too, which makes it especially nuts!). Will it happen? No. But would it be awesome and an especially classy way to cap off the VII Remake trilogy? Sleep-deprived me certainly thinks so

I am so crying at the end of Rebirth, aren't I? Been listening to the No Promises to Keep performance at the TGAs earlier this month a whole lot, song hits like a freaking freight train to the ol' blood-pumper. Uematsu finally giving VII a vocal, FMV-worthy love track akin to what VIII and IX got is so awesome, and Loren Allred's voice is simply divine love how the lyrics play off of Hollow from Remake, too! Just over two months to go. Will be shocked if Rebirth doesn't end next year as my favourite OST of 2024!

Oh yeah, to be clear, I love the idea of the series leaning into character action, and think they pull off the fun and flashiness of it here super well. Just would be infinitely better and more interesting with your typical weaknesses/resistances/etc., I feel maybe next time? It's a poor excuse, but I genuinely think that they're utilising remasters and remakes of the old games to say they've filled that hole in a weird way (the PS1 ports, VIII Remastered, Pixel Remasters, etc.). That IX remake we've heard whispers about for years now, along with Tactics, will surely - right? RIGHT?! - be stepping in any moment now to give us some turn-based goodness, even if it is in the form of a return vs a wholly new experience. I think the 50th anniversary in 2037 or XX, whichever arrives first, will be our next best bet at a main series game having some turn-based component. Hell, then again, I wouldn't be shocked if they tried to utilise ATB/turn-based flourishes along with the character action combat once the VII Remake project is wrapped up. I think this feeds into the issue with lack of weaknesses/resistances – it would make total sense if these battles lasted longer if those mechanics were included as a way to clue you in to change things up, but instead? Just mash awesome-looking attacks some more I love that I can hear this track without even playing the video. The diversity of the music is simply absurd Random aside: @Hero-of-Time think you'd love to check out some of the interviews Ben Starr (Clive's mo-cap and VA) has given once you beat the game, if you haven't already! Dude's awesome. But also: his first and favourite game in the franchise is VIII, and he loves X, too

Demo dropping on PS4 and PS5 in Jan: Also had a lot of gameplay drop in different spots on YouTube over the last few weeks: Not long to go now!

Been great following along with your thoughts the last few days @Hero-of-Time and @drahkon, definitely share a lot of the opinions you hold when it comes to this game! The highs are insane; Soken and the OST are insane; the set pieces and some of the boss fights are genuinely insane (and push the PS5 harder than anything I can think of to date, in the sense that it's trying to do so much and push the system); the combat is fun and flashy, and just generally bonkers. Active Time Lore, I will scream from the rooftops for years to come, needs to be in any and every modern 50+ hour RPG, starting with the Yakuza games. On the other hand, the game lacks the levity and fun in the way FF games so uniquely position themselves as being, and the lack of mini-games I think really speaks to that. The combat as well just lacks any real depth, and it's shocking that weaknesses and strategy just aren't really a thing here, and that the elements of Eikons aren't leaned into? It lacks a whole lot of RPGness and yeah, the open world ain't great (or the crafting) Genuinely makes me wonder if this was done purposely with the VII Remake project also going on, though. Look no further than the change in chocobo designs between the two games and I think it speaks volumes about the approach and what is and isn't being allowed in XVI (and, generally, that's some lightheartedness) when you see what is being allowed and pushed for in VII Remake. I loved Ragnarök to pieces but this setpiece and some others in XVI had me going "OHHHHHHH, so this is what people were talking about in terms of remembering scale/epic fights in the GoW games?" Just blew everything else out of the water. That music is SSS tier, too. Soken is a god. Yeah, the overwhelming majority of XVI folks worked on/will work on XIV at some point or another – it's CBU III that handled XVI. Totally agree on the MMO filler stuff, and you can see the MMO QoL stuff blend in elsewhere too with the little symbols thrown all over the damn place What I find most exciting is the scenario writer for XVI is one of the earlier writers from XIV (after ARR), so not the person who was delivering the goods story-wise which got XIV so many accolades. Would be very curious to see how CBU III's next mainline entry would do given the staff of some of the later XIV stuff?

To colon or not to colon..? We'll go without for now

Thanks! I actually managed to nab one on eBay at a slight mark-up to save myself the wait a couple of weeks ago, been back and forth with a cold too much in order to set it up, mind you

It really was after seeing that Ben didn't turn up in any way for the 200th and final episode of Frame Trap (it sounds like Brad asked, at least?) with it instead just being the same old we've got used to, I think that I'm pretty happy to have that 400th podcast episode be my personal jumping off point Haven't been too well lately so have been revisiting old Hall of Greats wrapped up in a duvet on the sofa, and man, what great, great times the HoGs were (until Kyle disappeared, at least). Very, very heavily recommend checking them out for some classic EZA goodness

Got to plug the 400th episode of the main Easy Allies Podcast after the news of them winding down and the conversations we've had here: Kyle and Jones turning up for this one with Huber in the host seat and it serving as a bit of a farewell to Brad (on the main podcast, at least) really drove home so much of what we've said on here over the last few days, and I think it's one of the best podcast episodes they've had in a very, very long time (no doubt added to by some tiredness-induced hilarity) I'm also fairly sure this is the longest podcast episode to date, getting firmly into prime Frame Trap minutes territory here, and quite possibly the first to be over 3 hours long? Anyways, some great stuff in here, and Huber surprised me at points with just how great a host he was! Including the smoothest, pro move transition I think this podcast has ever witnessed Their reactions to the TGAs with Jones in tow is also easily one of their best reaction videos in the last 18 months: All feels like a great way to say "goodbye and farewell", by going out with some of their better content after the return of some of their best members Still praying for Ben to turn up in that final Frame Trap ep, certainly not expecting it, but I think it would be a great way to wrap things up. One final thought: very curious to see how they handle their GOTY/awards discussion next month, don't think I've seen or heard anything about it, but with Brad leaving and then being down to 5 members, then considering Damiani is in another state and Don doesn't really take part...it'd just be a discussion between Huber, Blood and Isla? Maybe Brad turns up for it considering the work he's done this year and wanting to rubber stamp that final GOTY discussion, but still, seems like it'll be a strange one (if it happens)

*in the Xbox E3 voice* STREAMING SERVICE EXCLUSIVE Exclusive to Disney+. Nothing screams Disney like Kojima and Death Stranding, huh? Can't wait to see a Stitch skin on BB

The SegaSammy press release seems keen to call these new titles, as does the pdf on the same page, which goes on to break down in shareholder speak what their plans are. The official site for the Next Level initiative also labels these as being new games. They do say words like "reimagining"/"reimagined" once or twice, but, I mean, I think that just applies whenever an old IP shows back up years removed (it's also probably my least favourite buzzword to use when doing so, I think it's very lazy in it's ambiguity ) If these were old games only being revised with new graphics, a few days removed from the show now, I think we almost certainly would've had someone make a breakdown video of certain shots being 1:1 and so on.

Just a quick FYI, the PS5 seems to be having a bunch of download errors at the moment. I'd just deleted BG3 to make space for GTA V (I really need to get around to cleaning out my captures...), so, guess that's not getting installed and now I'm a BG3 down EDIT: seems to be resolved, so time to load up and drive around an airport some

From what I'm reading, it sounds like the DLCs take place between the point of no return and the game's finale. There's also this Famitsu article which goes into each bit of DLC a bit: the first DLC is ~3 hours long, focused on battle content and new abilities and accessories; the second DLC is ~10 hours long and much more story-focused, with the new boss we saw in the trailer and new powers. The article also suggests that the PC version of XVI will bundle the main game and DLC. Reading through the Square Enix press release for the DLC, it mentions something which seems to imply something pretty big, so I'll stick this in a spoiler tag... I think I'm going to hold off until the second part of the DLC is released before once again taking up arms as Clive, what with Echoes of the Fallen being so short, meaning I'll be back for The Rising Tide in...spring?! The year of the JRPG continues to bloom (and it hasn't even started yet!)