The Wednesday letters page would be find with Nintendo buying Capcom, as one reader recommends Shadow Gambit: Cursed Crew.
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Come back later
It’s an interesting quandary about the length of Spider-Man 2, that doesn’t have any easy answers. Although I’ll say straight away that the times on HowLongToBeat always seem much too short to me, by at least 25% to 50%. I don’t think it’s just me either, as I’ve spoken to many people that don’t find them accurate.
That aside, I personally think 15 hours is fine for a video game. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s the optimum time and that 30 hours is almost always approaching too long. The only longer games that work out are ones where the story isn’t important, like Zelda or Skyrim, but I found Red Dead Redemption 2, for example, unbearable at 60+ hours.
It’s a matter of taste, of course, but for me it’s not a question of Spider-Man 2 being too short but of it being too expensive. Except, if it was cheaper they wouldn’t be able to afford to have it looking so good. So it’s kind of a Catch-22. The solution? It’s actually pretty easy I think: wait six months till it actually is cheaper and buy it then.
Mongo
Priced out
I’m sorry, but there is no way I am paying £70 for a video game that lasts only 15 hours. Even if it does take me longer and there’s side quests and whatever. I’m not accusing Sony or Insomniac of being underhand but I really think I’m getting to the point where I’m being priced out of buying video games.
The hardware is expensive and yet barely lasts three or four years before it’s replaced and the games are not only getting more expensive but keep trying to tempt you into buying more expensive versions. And I hate to say I’m easily swayed by that sort of thing. I’m thinking of getting a PC and just sticking with indie games and mods.
NatureBoy
Nipped in the bud
I don’t know what’s going on with all these developers losing their jobs at the moment but it doesn’t paint a pretty picture, especially when Naughty Dog are telling people to keep it quiet and not paying them for getting rid of them early.
I’m going to assume that multiplayer game is dead now though. Even without this news why would they go so long without ever mentioning it again? I liked Factions mode but if this means the death of Sony’s weird live service game fetish then that’s very good news. Stamp it out now, before it becomes a problem.
Focus
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Corporate synergy
Interesting interview with Nintendo’s president. The important question, as I see it, is who does Nintendo think they vibe with enough to buy them? I’m sure there’s plenty of smaller developers, like maybe MercurySteam, but he was clearly hinting at larger purchases as well.
The only one I’d say is a close fit is Capcom, where I think there is a lot of mutual respect and synergy. I’d be perfectly happy with a merge/acquisition but we know from recently that they don’t want to be bought. Although I’m sure sufficient green will change their minds.
Would Square Enix be considered similar enough? I don’t really think so. I think Nintendo gets on well enough with them, but I don’t get the impression they make games the same way or conduct themselves similarly.
There is PlatinumGames but then we’re back to smaller developers, although with Hideki Kamiya having just left they’re suddenly not quite as appealing as they were. I’d prefer everyone stayed independent but if a Japanese company has to be bought I’d rather Nintendo was the one to do it.
Doshin
Workplace standards
I have got to agree with Starfield being disappointing. I have now uninstalled the game and cancelled my Game Pass sub. The game was OK but felt very repetitive and the main story line is rather ho-hum. My biggest complaint is being forced into deep and meaningful conversations with travelling buddies (don’t really want to refer to them as companions) when all I really wanted to do was move on to the next quest.
I don’t care much for flirting in the workplace. I’ve also encountered several bugs which could only be resolved using console commands, which is never a good thing. The last bug nearing the end of the main storyline was the final straw. So deeply underwhelmed.
Anon
Cursed review
Did your good selves ever get round to reviewing Shadow Gambit: Cursed Crew? I’ve just finished it and had a great time. I thought it was the very best that Mimimi have done so far and is seemingly the culmination of the things they’ve learned over Desperados 3 and… the other Shadow one with the equally unmemorable name.
I recall a criticism of your Desperados 3 review was the trial and error nature of the gameplay, and a reliance on reloading saves, but they have quite neatly woven that aspect of the game into the narrative this time round. It doesn’t change the fact that every time you stuff something up you reload, but it is a nice way of justifying it at least.
Each character is really distinct, with their own unique powers and style, with lots of optional content added onto the mostly good story, the usual badges and challenges to finish post credits; it’s a developer at the top of their game in my opinion and shows that sometimes sequels are a useful way to perfect a formula.
The stealth tactics genre is probably pretty niche but I hope it’s successful for them, they certainly deserve it.
Henshin Agogo
GC: We didn’t, no. But we will probably do another round-up in December, of games we missed during the course of the year, so we’re happy to take suggestions on that.
SwitchCube 64
Super Nintendo Switch is my vote for the successor to Switch. Conforming isn’t Nintendo’s thing, so because I don’t expect them to name their new console Switch 2, that means they probably will.
As long as it’s clearly the follow-up to Switch, they can’t go wrong. Maybe add ‘Entertainment’ so we can go back to calling a Nintendo console a SNES. Does GC have any ideas/preferences, or don’t you care enough?
Si
GC: We’d go with Switch U.
Saved by the mods
After playing Starfield for 80 odd hours and barely moving down the main story line (enough to get the game unlocked) I tire of all these negative and disappointing reviews.
Skyrim was a cult classic, true enough. Skyrim was released and rereleased again and again in a variety of formats and across multigenerational consoles – again, true.
But why?
Those who know look back at Oblivion, Morrowind, and Daggerfall and see the progression of the world, lore, narrative, and game mechanics, but those who don’t were initially captivated by a rich world full of quests, side quests, and dungeon delving… but for both groups, what kept people returning?
Why do I own this game in two different formats (Legendary and Special Edition, since upgraded to Anniversary Editon) on the PC? Why did my better half rebuy this game on the PlayStation 4 after getting it on the PlayStation 3?
The answer is simple: mods.
For me that is what kept me returning to Tamriel’s frozen north.
My game is now a survival centred approach to a fantasy hack and slash. Trek into the frozen cold without warm clothes… you die. Forget to eat or drink… you die.
Thats not forgetting the hundreds of new fully craftable weapons, armour, and accessories that have been added by mods. Or my natty tent and campfires, or my gaggle of companions who answer to my beck and call.
My Skyrim is no longer a Bethesda game, it has the bones and undertones of that frankly great game but it’s now a game I think it should have been.
Now Starfield… am I disappointed with it? No.
Do I think it’s a paradigm-shifting epic saga reaching out to touch a thousand worlds, altering this galaxy as we know it? No, not yet. Be patient.
This is Skyrim in space, the graphics are a big improvement but the quest mechanics are almost copy paste in how they feel and I’ve visited the same dungeon on three different planets. But I’m still enjoying myself because this is exactly what I expected.
I have a thousand worlds. I can build bases I can land ships at, I can customise my ships and walk around them as they orbit distant stars gazing out of port holes watching otherworldly planets.
I tire of reading negative reviews bemoaning the hype train vision of people’s wants and desires.
Bethesda have given us a new IP and at the moment, although its huge, it’s missing something to hook you properly but, friends and readers, I can afford to wait patiently as my starship traverses the vast distances between stars, shepherding its loyal crew as they discover exotic alien dinosaurs and weird space insect plants.
This is Skyrim in space, and I await the march of the mod creators.
Dan C
Inbox also-rans
So where do people keep getting all these copies of games early from? Is it just a mate at a games shop handing them out early? I thought they only got them the day before. More like to be an Amazon warehouse or something, I would think.
Airpops
Just to add to all the news of mass redundancies, Twitch has laid off 400 staff. 400! Something’s going on and it ain’t good.
Cross-Cross
This week’s Hot Topic
Believe it or not but the year is now three-quarters done and approaching the busiest period for new game releases. So, for this weekend’s Inbox we want to know what you think of 2023 so far and what you’re looking forward to from the rest of it.
Do include your favourite games that were released new this year, as well as whatever’s launching this autumn that you’re interested in (you can find our release schedule here, if that helps).
But also feel free to discuss the major news events of the year, from Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard to the departure of PlayStation boss Jim Ryan.
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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
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MORE : Games Inbox: Naming Nintendo’s next console, Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5, and Starfield loading screens
MORE : Weekend Hot Topic: Retro video games that are unplayable today
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