The morning Inbox has some tips for getting cheap PSVR games, as one reader worries about Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite’s backdrops.
To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk
Racing story
I want to address your criticism of Mario Kart’s single-player (or lack thereof). I don’t think this is a valid criticism of a de facto multiplayer-only game. Nobody bemoaned the lack of multiplayer in Metroid Prime, because this is a fundamentally solo experience. Why then are games allowed to be single-player only but not multiplayer-only? During the technological stone age (i.e. before broadband Internet) gamers who lacked gaming friends may have had a valid complaint, but not now. If you can afford a games console then you can afford an Internet connection.
A real single-player Mario Kart mode would be just as derivative and silly as multiplayer Resident Evil 4. Bowser has kidnapped the Princess and Mario has to win a race to rescue her? Toad appears at the finish line announcing the Princess is in another Grand Prix?
Actually, a story mode might be quite amusing, but I would prefer to __play it split screen or online. Which demonstrates no matter how much effort the developers put into a hypothetical single-player mode, multiplayer will always be far better. Because Mario Kart is a fundamentally multiplayer-only game.
Phil Phil
GC: It’s not necessary, we agree, but there’s not need to argue against it. Also, there are plenty of multiplayer-only games that are not criticised for being so.
Beating Zelda
RE: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe first impressions. I’ve only just dipped into the easy 50cc, unlocking the first four gold cups with three stars, but I can already tell it’s shaping up to be a very addictive game. It’ll probably very quickly surpass the 100+ hours I’ve spent on Zelda.
Here are five things I’ve learnt or noticed so far.
1. There’s no limit to how high-pitched Charles Martinet can be when it comes voicing Mario… that start screen sounds like he’s being strangled!
2. Is simple black and white icons and text going to be Nintendo’s signature loading screen style for the Switch?
3. Rainbow Road has far more barriers than normal. Do they get taken away on the higher cc modes?
4. I still haven’t quite figured out the timing of the boost start yet.
5. The twisty camera angles make me angle my head to follow along even if I’m on a packed train with fellow commuters.
ttfp saylow (gamertag)
Now playing: Zelda Breath Of The Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Gears Of War 4
PS: Could you or a helpful reader please provide the name for that Facebook group? After skipping the Wii U, I’ve felt I missed out a lot on the community banter and tournaments.
GC: We think it’s this page. As for Rainbow Road, there’s like three other versions of it in the game. We’re sure you’re find one you like.
Prêt à jouer
I was working split shifts all weekend, with only short breaks in between my shifts. That’s when it really hit me how accessible the Nintendo Switch is. It’s so quick and snappy to either walk over and pick up my Pro Controller if I want to __play on the TV or pick it up out of the dock if I want to play it handheld. It instantly turns on and boots up a game in less than a minute. Currently I am playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, having picked it up on Friday.
It got me thinking about my mobile phone. It’s always there ready to go, whenever I want to use it for something. The Switch does the same for gaming and it’s fantastic for having a busy adult lifestyle, whether you have a few hours or 10 minutes it’s ready to go whenever I am. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are pretty fast at booting up but I just find the Switch so much easier to jump on whenever I want.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is fantastic. I missed it on the Wii U. Loving it, it looks great on the Switch whether playing on the TV or in handheld and plays beautifully at 60fps. I picked up a pack of two official steering wheel attachments for my Joy-Cons so me, my daughter, and my boy played three players with me using my Pro Controller. We had an absolute blast and my daughter is disabled, but the Smart Steering stopped her from falling off the track; auto accelerate and motion controls also makes it easy for her to play and have fun with us.
Great feature of the Switch release, as normal controls, or even just having to accelerate and brake, her reaction speeds are not fast enough. But with the game doing that for her, all she has to do is turn the wheel left and right so it makes it very accessible to her. Whilst she might not have a shot at winning she can have fun in the middle of the pack at 50cc, whilst me and my boy do battle for first place! Last race was a doozy, he was first and I green-shelled him on the last corner and snatched victory!
Big Angry Dad82 (gamertag)
Switch Friend Code: SW-0935-4027-5314
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Shop around
I’m a huge fan of PlayStation VR, and an old Descent player. In fact, I used to love the full movement in 3D space in Descent on my trusty old 486 DX2 66 PC with a massive 8MB of RAM! I was pretty good at it too. StarBlood Arena looks like its spiritual sequel, so I wanted to buy it.
However, its price was putting me off – as you rightly indicated in your review. I found that it is cheapest online, but still £28. Then I found that various eBay sellers are selling the US version for £17 delivered! The PlayStation 4 is not region-locked for games, so I snapped a sealed new one up for £16.99 delivered.
The point being that gamers, and PlayStation VR gamers in particular, should always check out prices for US versions just in case there is a huge price difference.
KhalsaBlade (gamertag /NN ID)/Akali (PSN ID)/Blade (Steam ID)
True legend
Not exactly a particularly noteworthy topic of late, but can we all just take a minute to appreciate just how amazing Rayman Legends truly is? It really didn’t get nowhere near as much acclaim as it deserved, certainly commercially and critically, to an extent. In my opinion, it’s the greatest 2D platformer since Super Mario World, and I’d put it up there with the Galaxy games as being the pinnacle of post-N64 platformers.
The music is incredible, as is the level design and gameplay. More than anything though, it’s just so much fun. It’s one of those games that you just can’t help playing with a big, stupid grin on your face. I wish more people bought it as now we’re never likely to see a sequel. Anyone reading this who hasn’t played it, please do!
Gary
GC: It is getting re-released on Switch though.
Unfolding pleasure
Have just finished Tearaway Unfolded, free with PlayStation Plus in March.
I have to say this was not my typical kind of game at all, and I found the controls quite atrocious at times, along with some other frustrations. However, I played it to completion, as I continually found myself quite blown away by the amount of originality and creativity in this game. A fantastic example of the unique qualities of interaction which only the media of gaming can provide.
It was great fun using the companion app to introduce photos of my kids into the game, and the paper world and its associated puzzle-solving was amazing. Figuratively and quite literally, art.
And I hear the original PS Vita version was better!
ameisa (PSN ID)
Shocking claim
Thank god Bethesda chose to release a demo of Identikit First-Person Game 73 (most people can refer to it as Prey if they like).
They’ve just saved me £50. Been there, done it bought the T-shirt which has worn out from over wearing and constant washing.
Yawn.
I assume Arkane Studios decided to slap a BioShock/sci-fi coat of paint on Dishonored and call it a day, it’s so very 2007 has anyone told them it’s 2017?
Phil Spearpoint
GC: Regardless of whether the game’s any good or not, suggesting that slow-paced action role-players like Dishonored are commonplace seems a rather odd thing to do. What were the other 72, according to you?
Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here
The basics
Great to finally see some news and gameplay for Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite. Really enjoyed your interview with Mike Evans and Peter ‘Combofiend’ Rosas and have to say it’s looking good so far, in my opinion. Although I have noticed a few nags from people about the character roster so far, as most of the announced ones are from previous Marvel Vs. Capcom games, which is a bit harsh really. I’m sure more new characters will be announced during the summer (E3, Comic-Con, etc.) I’m also delighted that they are bringing back a control scheme similar to Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.
I have to say that with Chris Redfield confirmed that really slims the chance of Leon S. Kennedy making the cut. Any hints about that from the devs?
The only issues I have so far is the in-game HUD and the bland stages, but I am watching via YouTube videos and the game is still in development. So hopefully that will change by the time it launches. Did they look that noticeably bad during live gameplay GC?
Anon
GC: They were a bit boring to be honest, but like the characters the backdrops were just the obvious ones that would have to be in the game anyway and aren’t worth making a fuss about on their own. We’re sure there’s much more exciting announcements to come, although we got no hint of Leon.
Inbox also-rans
You’ll be pleased to hear that de Blob is now on PC.
Thomas
GC: Better late than never, we guess.
Have you seen anything of Hover: Revolt Of Gamers? It’s on early access on PC. Looks like a Jet Set Radio future clone. It’s also coming to consoles, which is great. It looks interesting.
bigdaddy watt
GC: The trailer certainly looks promising.
This week’s Hot Topic
The subject for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader Steiner, who asks how much money do you spend on gaming a month?
Do you have a specific budget that you stick to, or some other kind of system to make sure you don’t spend too much at once? What do you do when multiple games come out at the same time? And do you try and have money in reserve for the launch of new consoles and other hardware?
What percentage of your games do you buy for full price and how much do you take advantage of sales? Do you resell your games or buy second-hand, and how are your habits changing as digital downloads become more prominent?
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk
The small print
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