New Gaming Systems

Author: Nick

  • Playstation’s Next Console; PS5, a Teaser

    Playstation’s Next Console; PS5, a Teaser

    Playstation have already started work on their next console, the PS5; though it’s going to be quite a few years away from being finalised.

    It has been rumoured that the new console will aim towards bringing games consoles forward to an new disc-less era, and won’t have a disc drive; games will have to be downloaded via the PlayStation Store. Though they may still include an option to plug in an external drive for backwards compatibility with games on the older PS3 and PS4 consoles.

    When the PS3 was released they opted for a whole new design that involved using materials that cost more, which ultimately resulted in an increase in the price. They went back to the outdated square blocky design with the PS4 but gave it a glossy finish on the top to keep it fresh, but still in-line with their iconic PS2 like design. There were rumours that they would change the design with the PS5 and follow a similar sleek design like the much loved PS3, but with cheaper materials; sorry to disappoint fans, but this is just a rumour and PlayStation will be sticking to their outdated blocky design, just with a smaller profile.

    The price for this console is expected to be around £430, and estimated to be released sometime in 2018; be on the look out for updates.

  • Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition

    Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition

    Here we go. I have not always been the biggest fan of CRPGs over the years – the combat, specifically the real time with pause aspects, never quite sat well with me. Then Divinity: Original Sin happened. The game might not have the heavy story and in depth lore of something like Planescape: Torment or the Baldur’s Gate series – but it is extremely light hearted, gorgeous and with glorious music to tie the whole thing together. It also has the best combat of any CRPG I have ever played.

    I played the game through with a friend before the “Enhanced Edition” was announced. A free upgrade to everyone who owned the first game. I was so excited, but I have not had much chance to play it since the launch – though I am looking to rectify that soon. The best has just got better – and I cannot wait to dive in properly.

  • The Wonderful 101

    The Wonderful 101

    Another Platinum game. Another commercial failure. Sometimes you despair of the world we live in. Platinum are a Japanese developer that make some of the best loved games we have ever seen. Their roots in Clover Studios (responsible for God Hand, Okami and Viewtiful Joe) are clear – but since then they have made Bayonetta, Vanquish and the inexplicably Wii U exclusive, The Wonderful 101.

    When you are a small developer – one who has struggled previously to make a commercial splash (but obviously still doing ok to remain open) I cannot fathom the decision to make a game exclusively for one of the poorest performing consoles in two decades. The money from Nintendo must have been good to make the deal possible, I am sure, but the Xbox One, Playstation 4 and even PC would have been a perfect fit for another Platinum title.

  • Free weekends on Steam

    steamI am a big fan of a number of innovations and measures that Steam have taken over the years with regards to PC gaming. One of the more recent changes, though, is the inclusion of free weekends for a number of games. What happens is between Friday and Monday you can test out a game, usually a fairly prominent one, for free and, if you like it, you can buy it at a reduced price. The game is already installed so there will not be any additional downloads and you can pick up exactly where you left off.
    This weekend the game is Saint’s Row 4; from the popular Saint’s Row franchise. The open world nonsense is taken to a whole new level where you play as the President of the United States while defending the country against an alien invasion. And you have superpowers. No, really.

  • Time and money: Gaming’s bane

    gamerGaming is a fantastic hobby. The worlds you see, the friends you make and the fun you have are all almost unparalleled by any other. Where gaming can fall down, as with many other of the hobbies we take on, is that it can cost a large amount of money and take up a massive amount of time. The difference between gaming and many other forms of enjoyment is that if you purchase a game for, say, $60 you feel obliged to spend a certain amount of time with it; something uncommon to other hobbies.

     

    And at what stage do you call it a day? Did you enjoy the game? Did you enjoy it enough for $60? Do you return it? Trade it in? Or stick with your purchase until you feel you’ve had enough fun? It’s a problem exclusive to games and isn’t going away any time soon; there are simply too many games.