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Games Inbox: God Of War: Ragnarök preview, Secret Wars: The Game, and more Psychonauts 2 love

Will we finally see the next God Of War next week? (pic: Sony)

The Friday Inbox is not happy about the lack of upgrade options for Horizon Forbidden West, as one reader recommends REPL4Y for PS4/5 remote play.

To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Showcasing Kratos
So it sounds like Sony is planning a major showcase next week, but will it feature God Of War: Ragnarök? That’s the big question. I’m going to say yes. Sony know they’re in a difficult spot with the Xbox having two major exclusives this Christmas (Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite) and them having none.

Sony has always had a lot of success promoting good looking games years before they come out, so I really don’t think they’ll miss this opportunity to show off God Of War, especially as it’s due out next year and it’s actually a bit odd it hasn’t been seen by now anyway.

The other question is will there be any other surprises? A new game announcement, perhaps? Maybe even something coming out this year? I could maybe see some sort of short Astro Bot game, similar to Astro’s Playroom, being announced. Maybe something Christmas themed to act as a stopover until next year’s big games are ready.

Or maybe we’ll finally get that Silent Hill/Metal Gear Solid remake announcement or Sony will make Call Of Duty: Vanguard a timed exclusives. All things are possible, even if some things are more likely than others!
Franky

Remote alternative
I would like to recommend the REPL4Y app as an alternative remote play application. It is available for Android on the Google Play store and also for PC. I have tested the Android version, utilising it with my Razer Kishi, in short it works very well.

I have also tested over a 5G signal and that too works well. Bear in mind that a wired connection is recommended for your connection to the PlayStation 4/5, I would recommend using a powerline adapter instead of a long Ethernet cable if your router is in another room. Most games can be played, although games that require the PlayStation 4 controller touchpad are problematic.
Sheel
PS: Civilization 6 Anthology is on discount on the PlayStation Store.

The lost scroll
Re: Vinny and The Elder Scrolls 6, there has already been an Elder Scrolls game set in Hammerfell, it’s called Redguard and as far as I know Bethesda don’t usually go back to previous areas. I’d be very happy with a game set in Elsweyr. I like the Khajiit, they have some very interesting history and lore. The Tale of Dro’Zira tells the story of a Senche Tiger who saved Wulfarth from Dumac at the first battle of Red Mountain.

I’d be very happy with a game about them, but ultimately it makes no difference to me where the game is set because I always play a dark elf, the lure of that powerful backstab and the sneak archery perks are too good to miss out on; plus the dark elves can do a little magic on the side.

Even if Elder Scrolls 6 turns out to be Xbox exclusive, by the time it eventually comes out the Xbox Series X will be easily available and probably cheaper than it is now.
Mitchell

GC: The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard wasn’t a numbered sequel or a role-playing game, but a third person action adventure.

E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Button mashin’
Interesting discussion point in yesterday’s Inbox about when to give up on games. As somebody with ADHD, a game has to have me hooked on the core gameplay loop fairly quickly or it’s an uphill struggle from there. One thing that immediately changes a game for me, from something I’m enjoying into something I have to persevere through to get to the enjoyment, is combat mechanics.

Notable examples include The Witcher 3, NieR:Automata, and God Of War, all of which seemed like games where you dodge a bit, press light attack a few times, the options outside of that seem mostly superfluous, and it feels a bit like it doesn’t matter what you do to fudge your way through fights.

On the other hand, an example of a game’s combat mechanics that had me hooked immediately was Hollow Knight, because there’s no muddling your way through even the first enemies, your attacks and movement have to be deliberate and precise, and the choice in how you set up your character impacts the gameplay in a meaningful way as it goes on.

I always feel guilty when I give up on critically acclaimed games like the above examples though, because I think I’m most probably doing them a disservice. NieR in particular I feel like I should give another go at some point.
Nathan

Correlation is not causation
Why is that people keep insisting that Sony have to follow suit and create their own version of Game Pass?

I have a PlayStation 5 and will not be bothered in the slightest if they don’t. I bought a PlayStation 5 to play shiny new PlayStation exclusives. I see no sense in releasing a new console with no new games to play on it, which is why I have no interest In Game Pass or Xbox for that matter.

I see it as a positive that there is distinction between the consoles.
Spoonman187 (PSN ID)

GC: Microsoft not having many exclusives yet has nothing to do with Game Pass?

Hanging out with friends
Playing through Psychonauts 2 and I have to say it’s fabulous so far. The conversation between Raz and Sam about pancakes drew genuine laughter (especially the eye rolling rabbit) and it’s just a joy to hang around with a bunch of likeable folk in a likeable, surreal world. Nothing yet to fully rival the Milkman’s frenzied conspiracies from the first game but there’s plenty of time.

Being a fan of the surreal has GC ever experienced the 1977 Japanese bizarre horror Hausu? Not sure I’ve seen anything quite like it and it’s remarkable to think it predates all of the classic 80s horrors.
Andee

GC: We have heard of it but not seen it; we really should remedy that.

Pass it on
I received an email from Curry’s offering me the chance to buy a PlayStation 5; however, I don’t need it (I forgot that I had even registered with them).

I am happy for you to pass this on to someone else who can use it. The code must be redeemed in-store. The code is valid until 7 September 2021. Apologies, I am unsure if the PlayStation 5 must be bought as part of a bundle or what packages Curry’s has to offer.

I hope this helpful to one of my fellow gamers.
Gavin Donaldson

GC: That’s very good of you. As usual we’ll pass it on to the first reader to send us a useable Inbox letter on a subject of their choice.

More: Gaming

Double dip tip
The difference in price between the PlayStation 4 and 5 version of Horizon Forbidden West is £10. Why can’t Sony, on first party games and certain third party developers, agree to charge a flat £10 upgrade cost for next gen upgrades and not lock them behind deluxe version that cost £20 more in Horizon’s case and £30 more in FIFA 22’s case? The advert for Fifa 22 even has the temerity to say the PlayStation 5 and Series X/S (it’s not part of Microsoft’s voluntary Smart Delivery program) upgrade is free because it comes with FIFA points, etc.

Microsoft are currently over delivering on value to gain support and long-term users/fans. I can’t remember which Microsoft exec’s interview I was reading but that was his words on Microsoft’s current strategy. So I don’t expect anyone else to be as generous and not have to pay for next gen upgrades. But Sony and EA are being exploitative by putting them behind costly deluxe/ultimate editions. The icing on the cake with Forbidden West is that photo mode only unlocks in the £80 digital deluxe version.

When complaining about these practices the term entitled gamer gets bandied about. But it’s not about expecting to get something for free but paying a fair price and not having to buy essentially the same game twice. It’s progress if console players (I believe it’s been a more established part of PC gaming for some time) don’t need to double dip but some publishers seem to want to get that double dip cash by other means.
Simundo

Inbox also-rans
Marvel’s Midnight Suns is looking really good, I’m definitely interested and glad that Marvel is encouraging such an unusual game from a niche developer. When they’re done I’d go for a Civilization scale game as well, maybe something involving Secret Wars or something with a lot of characters?
Retinal

I have a really bad feeling about eFootball. Why are Konami rushing it out just to come out a day earlier than FIFA 22? That’s going to make zero difference but the bad press they’ll get from having all those missing features at launch is going to stick with them for years.
Ester

This week’s Hot Topic
The subject for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader Ishi, who asks how much do you actually play video games at the moment?

Ignoring time spent reading about them, or watching other people play, how much time do you spend playing games yourself, on the average week? Do you have a set routine or period of the day you set aside for games or does it depend on whether something new has come out?

How regularly do you play and does it vary according to the time of year or other outside factor? How much has the amount of time you play varied over the years, as you’ve got older?

E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

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, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.


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