Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – off to a good start (Picture: Sony)
The Tuesday letters page wishes there was a new Batman game to rival Spider-Man 2, as one reader extols the virtues of Sea Of Stars.
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Nice way to start
I think any gamer would agree Uncharted 2’s opening is one of the best in gaming, maybe even the best. This was certainly the case for me… until Spider-Man 2. The opening sequence against Sandman is just fantastic from start to finish. It gets you right back into the game world whilst being the most consistently entertaining 20 minutes or so I’ve played in a long time.
Along with everyone at the time, I was blown away by Baldur punching Kratos over the house and the fight that followed in God Of War. Insomniac take that moment and dial it way past 11. Slight spoilers ahead but Sandman grabbing Miles and throwing him halfway across the map, all presented as a one shot, was an unbelievable technical achievement, and just one bit of an incredible opening.
I’m only an hour or so past that but I’m slightly worried they won’t be able to top the opening.
Ronnie S.
Battle of the superheroes
I’ve tried to work out why because I don’t have any strong feelings about the character – I don’t love or hate him – and looking at his recent movies none of them were much bigger than any other MCU film other than No Way Home. That was always a one-off, so it’ll probably be back down to normal for the next one, but it looks like the new game is bigger than ever.
I think that, while the character is obviously popular, I think it’s because he has a unique way of getting around. It looks and feels differently, it seems like it’s skilled but it’s not really, and it’s quite versatile in the way you can chain things together as parts of combos. It’s a hard to thing to replicate without being a rip-off too, so it’s pretty much unique.
Although if I was Capcom, I’d get that Bionic Commando reboot off the ground as soon as possible!
Lonni
Twin obstacles
Although I’m looking forward to Spider-Man 3 already I do foresee two obvious problems. The first is the setting, which people were already getting tired of for this one. I guess if Spider-Man 3 was a PlayStation 6 game then maybe it would look appreciably better but I’m not even that could make much of a difference. I mean, the city looks like New York, nothing extra is really needed.
I’d much rather they set the third game elsewhere but if they do that it’s going to make the whole trilogy seem very uneven and weird. Plus it’d make it difficult to have MJ and the other side characters in it if they’re on the moon or the Quantum Realm or whatever.
The other problem is I don’t know where they go with the Green Goblin. They’ve obviously been building up to that but at the end of the day he’s just a guy on a glider, so there’s not much of an obvious gameplay hook there. He could make a new Sinister Six or whatever but they already basically did that in the first game.
I don’t really know what the answers are to either of these problems but I do know I wouldn’t want to be the person whose job it was to solve them.
Kaliban
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Trade-in value
Kind of confused by Terry Gold’s Reader’s Feature from the weekend. It is implied that Gold is aware that the world is heading towards an all-digital future, since it’s acknowledged most people have gotten rid of their DVDs/CDs because everyone is watching/listening via streaming, and yet it isn’t acknowledged that within 5-10 years it’s almost a given the same thing is going to happen with video games, with the upcoming Alan Wake 2 paving the way for this, as it’s one of the first high profile games to not get a physical release.
As such, I think Gold was maybe unaware that a lot of concern over the Spider-Man 2 cost isn’t just about the here and now, but also fear for the future. No physical release means no chance of trading it in after quickly completing it. Maybe at that point the sympathy will kick in. And also, just so there’s hopefully no hard feelings, I’d like to point out that I agree 100% that if you wait a while the price will drop, that will no doubt still be true as we enter into an all (or mostly) digital future.
Sunny
GC: Digital downloads and streaming are not the same thing. Alan Wake 2 isn’t available physically or via streaming. The inability to trade games in was one of the problems the reader specifically mentioned.
Sensible choice
Nintendo are getting so close to admitting the Switch 2 is real now. I can just imagine them biting their tongue and stopping themselves from saying the wrong thing in an interview. I think there’s got to be an announcement early next year. I’d even given an outside chance to The Game Awards, given how big that audience is.
I’m super excited for it. The outgoing Switch couldn’t have asked for a better final year and I’m hoping that means that the current run will continue on into the launch of the Switch 2. I do agree it’s hard to guess what the launch titles will be though, but I think the previous reader probably dismissed the idea of a 3D Mario, particularly a 3D Donkey Kong, a bit too quickly.
A brand new game would be great but I think you need a safe pair of hands as week and there’s nothing safer at the moment than Mario and DK.
Bob
Download now
Sea Of Stars Game of the Year? I received GameCentral’s weekly email this weekend, extolling the virtues of this year’s release schedule. Standouts were mentioned but to me there was a glaring omission and I wanted to give it some love. Sea Of Stars is one of the best Japanese role-playing games ever made and it isn’t even made in Japan. Sabotage studios are based in Quebec, Canada. Their previous release was a 2D homage to Ninja Gaiden.
It has everything you could ever want from a role-playing game. Beautiful graphics, compelling and unpredictable story, endearing characters, excellent gameplay, and epic music. SNES games never looked this good, the pixelated theme cannot detract from the virtuous fidelity of the landscapes and character models that pervade the game. The Nintendo cliche of a new idea every level is followed by this mammoth adventure. Puzzles, new characters, and places to visit keep the gameplay fresh throughout. Quality of life supplements to gameplay, in the shape of relics that eradicate any potential frustrations are greatly welcomed.
Puzzles are never too taxing and add variety. Like subsequent seasons of HBO’s genius series The Wire, the scope of the game widens to epic levels. I shan’t elaborate to avoid spoilers but just when you think you’ve seen all you can see, Jimmy Cricket pops up and says ‘…and there’s more…’ The music is some of the best you will hear on any medium. From the same guy who did Chrono Trigger no less! Those who like a tinkle of synth-driven music will be reet at hoom. How it morphs in different ways brings further uniqueness to the world of Sea Of Stars.
The boss battle music is as satisfyingly bombastic as you would want it to be in the heat of the battle. Another sign of greatness is the emotion provoked by certain events. A tremendous achievement considering there is no speech. One of the main themes of the game is the principle of collaboration. No character you control is all powerful. The fellowship of likeable characters all need each other to get anywhere.
If you think you’re not into Japanese role-playing games, give it a try anyway. The quality of the game may compel you to persevere. It’s likely that Sea Of Stars will be my game of the year and I will complete it to achieve the platinum trophy, ousting Final Fantasy 16 from the accolade in the process. Although I have enjoyed Super Mario Bros. Wonder this weekend, I have still been drawn back to the vibrant world of the Sea Of Stars.
It’s available on PS Plus and Game Pass, so what are you waiting for? Don’t be a doofus and get downloading!
George
GC: It’s certainly going to be in our Top 20, it’s a great game.
Online Gear
I was wondering if a reader could help, stupidly I have just bought the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 on Switch, thinking all the content would be on the cartridge, which it is not. On the front cover of the game box I have received it says ‘Internet Download Required’.
On the shop’s website, where I bought it from, the game cover does not have those words on but my physical version does. I am going to try to get a refund; if I was to get the PlayStation 5 version would a reader be able to tell me what content is actually on the disc?
I just want the main games – 1, 2, and 3 – to be on disc, anything else on disc is a bonus. Having gone through the process of the 3DS, Wii U, Wii, and PSP stores being closed down I want to get games on physical disc where I can.
Andrew J.
Currently playing: Super Mario Bros. Wonder
GC: We can’t help you about the disc, but if it helps, the way it’s been handled on the PlayStation 5 is a complete mess too.
More: Trending
Busy year
‘Tis a fine year for video games. Heading into the final months there’s still lots to release that pique my interest.
Teardown is a game I felt my six-year-old PC might not do justice to, with all the glorious destructible mayhem it looks to offer, so very happy to see a current gen console release next month. It’s a day one PS Plus Extra release too if you have that.
I’m interested to see how Alan Wake 2 turns out, even though bigger releases are overshadowing it. On the topical subject of game prices, it’s a digital release only that Remedy says has allowed them to release at £49.99, £45 if you buy discounted PSN vouchers on ShopTo or Xbox gift cards on CDKeys.
RoboCop: Rogue City has the potential to be a surprise hit. It just had a very warmly received PC demo and looks to capture the vibe of the original film. They even brought Peter Weller back to reprise his role. The devs, Teyon, last attempt at 80s sci-fi action tie-in, Terminator: Resistance, was a flop with critics but a bit of a hit with fans. Hopefully Rogue City will prove agreeable all round.
Having picked up a PlayStation VR2 and just really enjoyed the second season of Foundation on Apple TV I’m hoping Journey To Foundation gives me the chance to inhabit that world. To round the year off Super Mario RPG, as I’ve not played the original.
As for games I’ve played this year. Hi-Fi Rush, Metroid Prime Remastered, Resident Evil 4, Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village VR, Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, and next Super Mario Bros. Wonder will be what occupies me.
Added to the Wishlist/back catalogue is Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, Humanity, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Armored Core 6, and Chants Of Sennaar.
Phew.
Simundo
Inbox also-rans
The success of Spider-Man 2 only has me wondering again what the hell has happened to DC? Arkham Knight will be nine years old next year and Rocksteady still haven’t released a new game since. But when they do it’ll be… Suicide Squad?!
Bolan
You weren’t lying about the second level of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. What an absolutely amazing game. I’m not spoiling what happens but just make sure you find that Wonder Flower!
He><OR
This week’s Hot Topic
The subject for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader Hammeriron, who asks what is the scariest moment or enemy from a non-horror video game?
There’s plenty of survival horror games that are specifically designed to scare you but what’s the most frightening moment from a game that’s not primarily a horror title? Was the moment or enemy meant to to be scary and if not, why did you find it frightening?
What’s your earliest memory of finding something scary in a video game and was that intended by the developer?
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The small print
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MORE : Weekend Hot Topic: What is the best Nintendo game?
MORE : Games Inbox: The best Nintendo Switch game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder weekend, and Spider-Man 2
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The Tuesday letters page wishes there was a new Batman game to rival Spider-Man 2, as one reader extols the virtues of Sea Of Stars.
