The Backlog Check-In Vol. 451: 8/22/26: Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 Edition

[jfissel]

Combolands (PC) – August 24
1666: Amsterdam (PC early access) – August 25
Aggelos 2 (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – August 27
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – August 25
Blood Dungeon (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – August 25
Box Knight (PC) – August 25
Once Human (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S) – August 25
Brigandine Abyss (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC) – August 26
AstroScaper (PC) – August 27
Kalanoro (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – August 27
Lou's Lagoon (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – August 27
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – August 27
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – August 27
Star Wars: Zero Company (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – August 27
The Immortal John Triptych (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – August 27
Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – August 28
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition (Switch 2) – August 28
Garden of Witches (PC) – August 28


Finished: Nothing

Now Playing: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Added to Backlog: Nothing

Current Backlog: 35 games

Got another party member in Expedition 33, went up a lot of levels, and can explore more areas now so I'm backtracking a little bit.

[canedaddy]

I was going to make this "BOYCOTT SONY WEEK EDITION!" but you beat me to it.

Looking forward to your thoughts after finishing Expedition 33.


Played recently: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

Finished: Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Added to backlog: nothing

Sackboy was a very good time. Loved the LBP charm and creativity and much of the platforming action, but didn't love the frustration of imprecise controls in areas with forced movement and ever-shifting camera angles. Tried the postgame area and said NOPE. I hope Sackboy's next appearance (if there is one) goes back to 2D or 2.5D.

Since it's BOYCOTT SONY WEEK, I'm playing Oracle of Seasons on the ol' 3DS. It is what it is.

[jfissel]

I was going to make this "BOYCOTT SONY WEEK EDITION!" but you beat me to it.

Fair enough. I have failed you.

[canedaddy]

Fair enough. I have failed you.

Ha, well I can't complain... I'm the only one here boycotting. (izzy and argyle spend all their time on other systems so that doesn't count, and crim isn't touching his PS5 because of school starting back up, not because he's joining cane in fighting the Man.)

[isthatallyougot]

Hey, I've been boycotting Sony since the end of the PS4, ha!

I may be essentially PC-only now, but I'm with all you guys who are anti-Sony and their shenanigans. They clearly, and like so many businesses, are bottom-line first rather than customer-focused. I realize that sounds illogical on the surface to some, but when businesses have enough resources, market share, and therefore power, they can dictate terms to the market rather than responding to it, at least to a degree. The (inevitable) consolidation of resources/influence is the Achilles heal of capitalism in my view.

But, in terms of general gaming, I don't see myself ever buying another console, and I've felt that way since the middle of the PS4 gen. I always bought Sony consoles on or near day 1, and I used to buy other machines as well. The real height of things was when I had PS2, Gamecube and Xbox - along with the handhelds.

I know many are afraid that things are moving towards cloud gaming, but I'll never abandon local hardware as a primary method of play. But, I'm a Linux-only, anti-establishment rebel at heart, and I know I don't represent the larger schools of fish that ultimately yoke us all to the lowest common denominator in terms of quality of life options.

[canedaddy]

Yeah. We're on a steep downward slope with that when it comes to the gaming space, and I'm getting off the ride. My plan:

• Buy used physical games whenever possible for anything I want to play.
• Buy digitally only in very special cases at a very low price.
• Never renew PS+.
• Never buy a PS6 or any other console that doesn't support physical games.
• Possibly buy a used or deeply discounted Xbox Series in a few years just to play the back catalog of exclusives. (There's a lot for me since I've never had any Xbox console.)
• Play and replay games in the backlog.

I've decided I'm skipping GTA 6 unless Rockstar reverses course and releases it on disc, and maybe not even then. My all-time favorite developer is releasing a new game in my all-time favorite series and setting, and they've managed to make it seem unappealing with the gross cash grabs and other garbage. What a world.

[isthatallyougot]

Yeah. We're on a steep downward slope with that when it comes to the gaming space, and I'm getting off the ride. My plan:

• Buy used physical games whenever possible for anything I want to play.
• Buy digitally only in very special cases at a very low price.
• Never renew PS+.
• Never buy a PS6 or any other console that doesn't support physical games.
• Possibly buy a used or deeply discounted Xbox Series in a few years just to play the back catalog of exclusives. (There's a lot for me since I've never had any Xbox console.)
• Play and replay games in the backlog.

I've decided I'm skipping GTA 6 unless Rockstar reverses course and releases it on disc, and maybe not even then. My all-time favorite developer is releasing a new game in my all-time favorite series and setting, and they've managed to make it seem unappealing with the gross cash grabs and other garbage. What a world.

Coming from you that is QUITE the statement! If the industry had its finger on the pulse of the "cane demographic" , they'd be shaken to their very foundations. You'd truly be the proverbial canary in the coal mine. I can see the scene playing out in the bowels of the most influential meetings: "Gentlemen, we've lost all hope. It's been a pleasure."

[canedaddy]

Ha, well I'm afraid I'm an extreme outlier, almost as much as you.