The Wednesday letters page has a mixed response to Metroid Prime 4, as one reader calls for a new back to basics Star Fox game.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently preparing articles to run over the Christmas and New Year break, so if you’ve been thinking of writing a Reader’s Feature now would be the perfect time to send it in. It can be on any subject you want, as long as it’s a minimum of 500 words long.
Unlikely reveals
So it’s The Game Awards coming up and we’re already drowning in leaks, most of which seem to be true, because, as usual, nobody in the games industry can keep a secret properly.
I hope we haven’t had all the best stuff spoiled but it made me think of what I’d want to be announced, whether or not it was very likely. I would definitely be up for Half-Life 3, but that seems to be one of the few rumours that hasn’t panned out yet, so we’ll have to see.
Other than that, I’d like to see Bloodborne 2, Bioshock 4, and Bully 2. Sadly, I don’t think there’s any chance of that last one and I have no idea what’s going on with Bloodborne, other than nothing very slowly. There is apparently a new Bioshock underway, but we haven’t seen anything of it, so I’m not confident. If we get a tease on Friday though I’ll be over the moon.
Gorf
No surprises
As much as I’m getting excited about The Game Awards, because this does seem like a good year, it’s a shame that so much of it already seems to have leaked out. I’m not sure there’s going to be any major surprises now, especially as they’ve confirmed Tomb Raider is going to be there.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
The only question now is whether that statue’s going to be Altered Beast or Divinity: Original Sin 3. But considering how different those two options are I’m not even sure what to root for.
One day publishers will get good at keeping secrets but I’m not holding my breath, especially as they can’t ever seem to stop online shops from spilling the beans early. Capcom’s just had both of its surprises for Resident Evil Requiem spoiled and that’s a real shame – even if I’m happy with the details of what they are.
Focus
On the buses
I have to say I’m gutted if the secret Total War game isn’t Star Wars. I know it might still happen eventually but I was really starting to look forward to that. I wonder if Sega will begin to think their teasing was a bit of a backfire in the end. Because everyone started thinking it was going to be a Star Wars game and now it’s going to be Warhammer 40,000, which I know I’m much less interested in.
I also don’t see how that is coming out at the same time as Dawn Of War 4. I know Games Workshop like to hand out their game licences like candy but this seems especially unfair on both companies. Who knew 40K real-time strategy games had so much in common with buses?
Clanker
Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Try before you buy
Regarding Skate Story, I’ve read some moments are timed and it is a pet hate of mine to be on a timer unless it’s a rally game.
Also, how quick do my reactions have to be to link tricks together in Skate Story? I was shocked by my diminishing reaction speeds when it came to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 remake a few years ago. My fingers just wouldn’t move fast enough to the point where I had to abandon the game. And my short term memory is absolutely shocking when it comes to remembering pulling off different tricks after each other especially if it has to be in a specific order.
Whilst I just love the idea of this game I have to consider if I could actually complete it and remembering tricks is very difficult for me as my short term memory is absolutely shocking, so it would be a big bonus if the moves are actually shown on the screen.
Charlie H
GC: There’s a free demo on Steam, if you can try that.
Do a barrel roll
Does anyone want a new Star Fox game as much as me?
The last few games sucked because they made it too complicated.
Imagine an on-the-rails Star Fox game with amazing graphics and stunning set pieces with ships that take up the entire screen using the power of Switch 2. Basically Freespace 2 (showing my age) with furry animals.
I’d even take a remake of the original.
I’d buy a Switch 2 in a heartbeat.
Rangersingh (PSN ID)
GC: We love both franchises, but Freespace 2 was the very opposite of on-the-rails.
Number reader
The way I read your reviews for video games seems a bit unusual. I nearly always scroll straight to the bottom of the review to check the actual score, if it’s above 7/10 I will consider getting it. If not, I won’t.
Although it seems a bit strange, I don’t want to know anything beforehand about how the game plays, or the characters you will meet or stages you will see or strategies, etc. Because I find that this spoils the game for me, the same way I avoid trailers for movies because they often spoil the movie by showing too much about it. I don’t read the review on purpose because I want the game to be a complete surprise.
If it’s a game that I don’t know anything about, and reading the review won’t spoil any aspect of the game, then I will read through it, but that’s few and far between. The last review I read from start to finish was your review of Microsoft Flight Simulator the other day, because to be honest there is not much you can really spoil about that type of game. But anything else and I don’t bother, is this weird?
notoriouschucky (PSN ID)
GC: We’d say that’s unusual, but not necessarily strange. We hope you go back and read them after you’ve played the games though.
Pressing mute
RE: Can’t mute Metroid Prime 4 non-player characters. There’s a speech volume slider in the audio menu. I just played up to Myles with it set to zero and didn’t hear a peep out of him, I’m hoping that applies to all characters and all dialogue. That’s how I’ll play it.
You can also turn their subtitles off too but as Myles and co. are so integrated into the game probably keep them. But from what I’ve seen they aren’t the game’s biggest issues.
Graphics and music are lovely so far though.
Simundo
GC: You could also close your eyes when they’re onscreen.
Not bad
Having finished Metroid Prime 4 now, my overall takeaway is mostly positive. Definitely not a series peak but not a disaster either.
Presentationally, the game’s sublime, with great sound and music and probably the best graphics in a Nintendo game ever, at least on a technical level (I played on Switch 2, but I hear it’s no slouch on Switch 1 either).
The amount of times I stopped just to take a quick screenshot of a new area or vista is rivalled only by Luigi’s Mansion 3, and after finishing I browsed through them in awe of some of the visuals on display.
The whole thing feels very undercooked though, and is clearly an unfinished game that was very competently and convincingly fashioned into a pseudo-open world game to meet a deadline.
I can understand why Nintendo chose this course, as a big delay would mean the Switch 1 would be very old hat by 2027/8 and they kind of had to get it out the door.
The game’s equivalent of dungeons feel like they’re missing a layer of depth, with far too much focus on ‘psychic abilities’; basically non-puzzles that require Samus to manipulate something purple, instead of using her abilities to navigate an interesting environment.
I really enjoyed the game but had the same thought throughout; if Retro get another crack at the series, free from the development nightmares, we’ll probably never find out about (go look at its credits, they hired about a dozen support studios), they could make a truly classic Metroid.
I don’t know if that’s a compliment or a criticism, but what’s here is a solid and fun addition to one of my favourite franchises.
ANON
GC: We’d agree with all of that. We also noted how many support studios there were. It was a lot for any game, but we’ve never seen anything close to that in a Nintendo title.
Inbox also-rans
I’m all for Capcom bringing back old school franchises but they still haven’t got round to the ones I actually want. Where is Ghosts ‘N Goblins and Bionic Commando?!
Lent
I love how Leon S. Kennedy is looking like he’s pushing 40 in the new game but he’s still got his trademark floppy hair. That’s commitment!
Plannar
Email 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 via email or our Submit Stuff page, 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.