Release

All posts tagged Release

Onimusha Reboot Won’t Be “Impossibly Difficult”.

Posted by Karl Weller on February 14, 2025
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New details have emerged in regards to Capcom’s long awaited, by me at least, Onimusha reboot. Announced at last year’s Game Awards, Onimusha will see a return to a series many, myself included, considered defunct. This subsequent announcement sets out to clarify the difficulty of this classic “hack n slash”. Now I had previously alluded to my reservations about the potential difficulty of the upcoming Onimusha reboot, especially considering that difficulty has become its own innate genre. One I’m not patient enough to appreciate. The overbearing arrogance of a community that insists that you must “Get Good!” in order to enjoy a game, has become a prevalent fallacy since the conception and subsequent popularity of this demanding genre. Now as a firmly established style, one that has inspired many challenge enthusiasts within the community, to implement their own restrictions to increase the difficulty further, I’m pleased games like “Elden Ring” and “Bloodborne” are encouraging such enthusiasm. But as someone who enjoyed the original Onimusha games, that presented their own inherent challenges, I would be disappointed if this follow up decided to adopt the “Souls like” combat.

Mercifully game producer Akihito Kadowaki and director Satoru Nihei have clarified that the ponderously titled “Way Of The Sword” will not be “impossibly difficult”, but rather focus on “thrilling sword fights”. This implies that the gameplay will be very reminiscent of the original series, with updated and dynamic action of a more contemporary hack n slash. Considering the prolonged absence of this series, with other franchises in Capcom’s expansive catalogue, like “Resident Evil” and the emergence of “Monster Hunter” dominating sales. It’s not surprising that Capcom would need to define the difficulty of a game that in today’s market could be confused with a “From Software” styled game. Particularly when you consider that many aren’t as well versed and let’s face, old as some of us are when it comes to this series.

Personally I’m excited for this. A lot more excited than I have been about a game for a shockingly long time. And with the added announcement of a remastered “Onimusha 2: Samurais Destiny” releasing on May 23rd, I think Capcom is perfectly poised to provide an Onimusha experience I haven’t enjoyed for over 20 years.

Could The Switch 2 Fail?

Posted by Karl Weller on January 15, 2025
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As the gaming industry braces for the imminent announcement of the Switch successor, the tentatively titled Switch 2. Nintendo fans continue to speculate on the specifications of the hybrid console, with some commentators determining that the rumoured power of the console achieving the equivalent of a PS4, as being a detriment to the console’s success. Now anyone suggesting that power and graphical superiority equates to success, retains little knowledge of Nintendo’s values and storied history. As a perennial Nintendo gamer since I was old enough to recollect such things, as well as a firm advocate for their strategy in focusing on software as opposed to hardware, I can only foresee the Switch 2 as being an overwhelmingly successful machine. One that may dictate the future of console gaming.

Of course much of this success will hinder on a number of variables. With the sales disappointment of the “Wii U” still a lingering concern for any potential hardware release, Nintendo will be keen to avoid a similar disaster that afflicted them after the monumental success of the “Wii”. So to begin with calling it the Switch 2 will avoid any potential confusion that inhibits the Wii U’s success. Affordability is always an incentive, particularly for those with families that may feel an upgrade isn’t a necessity. So it’s important that Nintendo compliments its new hardware with desirable software that will entice consumers to upgrade. Thankfully this is traditionally where Nintendo has been very astute. The Switch launched with the humble little title called “Zelda: Breath Of The Wild”, accompanied by the likes of “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe”, “Arms” and “Splatoon 2” soon after. And if rumors are to be believed, the Switch 2 could be looking to launch with an even more impressive catalogue. Though it will probably just be a new Mario Kart.

With all that being said, the innovation in graphics isn’t the impressive leap that it once was. I’d go so far as to say that graphics have plateaued over the decades. Everyone of age remembers the distinct graphical superiority when consoles went from 2-d to 3-d. The same could be said between the PS1 to the PS2. Those were true generational leaps. That simply isn’t the case now, or perhaps just not that important. And really, how much more polish do games like Mario and Animal Crossing really need? These kind of games would lose a certain sense of identity if they were graphically motivated or framerate focused. Not to mention expensive and time consuming to develop. Ultimately what will drive the Switch 2 ‘s success will be what has made Nintendo the industry stalwarts they are; games. And with new content in development, coupled with supposed backwards compatibility and a back catalogue that Nintendo is proud to utilize, there may be more than a few looking to upgrade, myself included.

Do Games Take Too Long To Release?

Posted by Karl Weller on October 24, 2024
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There was a time when a new release would be cause for excitement. Or at the very least, inspire an emotional response in the vicinity of something resembling anticipation. Perhaps it’s my age, the natural procurement of cynicism that develops over the years. But I find there is a seldom excuse to be euphoric about an industry that is either derivative or exploitive. Sure there are the occasional outliers that rouse some furtive joy, buried below the rigours of disillusionment. The thought of playing a new GTA does generate a beat or two through my ragged and darkened heart. But it’s evident from the current gaming climate that it’s an industry strangled by the pervasive tyranny of financial greed, the subsequent stagnation of creativity and the aggressively demanding needs of consumers. There are still great games being created by indie developers, keen to remind gamers of this once eclectic medium. But it’s the prestige triple A games that have suffered most.

There was a magical period in franchise gaming, when a new release was almost annual. Though consecutive releases such as “Assassin’s Creed” proved that this model was wholly unsustainable, there was an abundance of quality produced. Each subsequent release of “Ratchet & Clank” for instance was either as good, if not better than the preceding entry. You also have to consider that between 1997-2004 Rockstar released 5 mainline GTA games, as well as a litany of spin-offs scattered around them. Since then, a mere 20 years later, we’ve had 2 mainline entries in the series. With V, originally released back in 2013, having been upgraded twice since, has been rereleased across 3 separate generations! And though GTA VI has finally been announced, this isn’t likely to be released before 2026. 13 years after V! It’s been the same teenage years since the initial release of “Skyrim” and “NaughtyDog”, a once prolific game studio, has been reduced to remastering and now “remaking” their two “Last Of Us” titles.

Now there’s nothing inherently wrong with taking your time to perfect and fine tune your games. “A delayed game is eventually good, but a bad game is forever bad”. Though this famous quote attributed to Mario’s Miyamoto is now disputed, the point does still stand. I’m also not oblivious to the advancements in graphics that has certainly contributed to the escalation in time to create these complex games. But it’s clear that there is not only a paucity of ambition, but also far less emphasis on consistency. Of course it’s not viable for games that are so much more complex than they were two decades ago, to be released with the same frequency. But it would also be nice if we didn’t have to wait 20 years between Elder Scrolls games. Because at this rate, I might be dead before the Elder Scrolls VII is announced, let alone released!

Do you think games take too long to release? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers.

“The Winds Of Winter”: Is It Too Late?

Posted by Karl Weller on February 2, 2024
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Recently I’ve been thinking about “Game Of Thrones”. Predominantly the series, but also the way that it exploded into the public consciousness like gratuitous bukake, before pulling out prematurely just before the moment of climax. Thrusting uselessly. Flaccid. Spent. It was salacious, violent even shocking. Gaining noteriety for endangering character’s that in other successful television series would be protected by their eminence and popularity. Game Of Thrones fostered the anxiety that anything could happen. No character was safe. Each of their respective journeys in this violent world were treacherous and interesting. “Winter is coming” and so were 90% of the residents of Westoros. Look, there was a lot of sex, but the narrative was so much more complex than it’s surface level reputation would indicate. With witty dialogue that was both captivating and natural. Some of my favourite moments from the show were of Tyrian Lannister pontificating, while consuming vast quantities of wine. Of course much of the shows success can be derived from the novels GOT is adapted from.

So it’s difficult even after such a long period of mourning, not to ruminate a conclusion that could have been directly adapted from George R R Martins original source material. Rather than lament the resulting ending, that may only resemble the show in a vaguely superficial way. Of course all of this conjecture is specious, considering that this may have been George’s broad surmise for his conclusion to the books. Characters may not occupy the same exact locations as there on screen depictions. Some may have been unceremoniously brutalized in an earlier season. But Bran “The Flake” still resides as King of the seven kingdoms. Yes I’m aware that he is no longer Bran, but the three eyed raven. And yes I realise that it is now 6 kingdoms, with the North having seceded. Because even Sansa Stark realised that becoming its own independent territory, makes more sense than being led by Bran. (It’s also worth noting, that phone auto-corrected “Sansa” to “Santa”. With the idea of a “Santa Stark”. Which made me chuckle). But that’s besides the point. What we want is a comparative distinction between the novels and the show. A observation we can’t yet make, because as of writing, he still hasn’t finished them!

After 12 years, which by the way is enough time to develop, film and screen the entirety of the adapted series! “The Winds Of Winter”, the penultimate novel in Martin’s bloated “ASOIAF” series, still hasn’t announced a release date let alone published this beleaguered manuscript! Over a decade! For the penultimate novel in a series! Not the last, but the second to last. From an author who has published several novella’s, reference books and compilations in that time. Written and produced movies and television shows. As well as contributing to the world building in a little game called “Elden Ring”. And that’s just the projects he has been working on since the release of “A Dance With Dragons”, which is still his latest release for his “Ice And Fire” series! George has really been dragging his heels, which perhaps is indicative of the challenge of completing such a mammoth and intricately woven narrative. But his nonchalance in releasing it creates a growing problem for George, concerning who is going to care? But when you consider his age, as well as the time it’s taking him to publish “TWOW”, it’s probably not going to matter anyway.

Running Out Of SteamDeck.

Posted by Karl Weller on December 16, 2021
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With Covids lingering malignancy still inflicting it’s pernicious influence on the world, the Steamdecks delay was sadly inevitable. As a consequence of this, my interminable enthusiasm for this device has been somewhat tempered. Not that I’m not still eager to own this intriguing handheld aberration to PC gaming, but more out spite of it’s beleaguered release. When a date is officially announced, even one as vague as the one solicited by Steam, you have a perceptible time scale to which to relate your anticipation. Even though I wasn’t fortunate to have secured a December 2021 reservation, knowing that this product was available gives the device a tangible actuality, rather than just a series of specifications and ambiguous images with no substance.

I’ve stated in a previous post concerning my incongruous attraction to obtaining this device, considering my dearth of familiarity with PC gaming. Detailing that it’s keen console influence is what has attracted me to another division of gaming that I would otherwise have dismissed. To the extent that I did present my interest by reserving a unit, and have since steadily accumulated a modest catalogue of Steam games to a library I can’t access at present. Purchasing titles that boast a significant reduction, during the regular Steam sales of course. Some familiar. Most cheap, but no less intriguing. But it’s these scattered moment’s of commerce that have kept me engaged with a device I’m likely not going to see for a year!

Having made the reservation back in July, a couple of day’s after the active Steam user’s were granted initial dibs, the December release seemed imminent. With the delay and no clarification on a specific or even broad schedule for a release, it’s difficult to sustain that initial enthusiasm that seemed so resolute. Like I said, I’m still excited. And no doubt that discharged ardour will slowly replenish as we get closer to an eventual release. But for the moment all I can do is be patient and pragmatic, by building a Steam library that will make all my reservations and lingering exasperation seem foolish in hindsight.