This week, a Pokémon GO event accidentally reminded us of how much better the game used to be. Also, PSP tactical RPG classic Jeanne d’Arc hit PlayStation Plus and we just had to sing its praises. We also vented about how frustrating trying to become a PC gamer can be, and oohed and ahhed at the wonder of video game water. Join us, won’t you?
This weekend may have been deranged on previously unexplored levels, but it was also Go Fest in Pokémon GO, the annual event when the mobile game reminds its millions of players why they used to love playing. This year, as the app reaches new nadirs of money-grubbing banality, the event’s terrific execution had the unintended consequence of starkly highlighting where the game goes so wrong the rest of the time. - John Walker Read More
Everybody was right about Jeanne d’Arc. The 2006 PSP game from developer Level-5 has been on my radar for a while, thanks to its reputation as a solid tactical RPG with a semi-historical setting—yes, it’s about the 15th century saint Joan of Arc. Unfortunately, the game never found life outside of the PSP, making it hard for modern audiences to get their hands on. That all changed this month with the announcement that the game would be re-released as part of the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog on PS4 and PS5. I’ve only played Jeanne d’Arc’s opening hour, but I’m already hooked. - Willa Rowe Read More
Growing up, the sole PC I had access to was an ancient Dell that my dad used for work and softball scheduling, which could only really (barely) run The Sims 2. My parents were jocks and didn’t understand how anyone would pay thousands of dollars for a computer, so it wasn’t until I started my career in games journalism that I was able to test a powerful, impressive, glowing gaming PC—and even then, I’d only have them in my possession for a few months at most. PC gaming is growing faster than console gaming is, so I’ve become somewhat determined to evolve into a PC gamer (who will likely still use a controller because my little hands struggle with mouse and keyboard inputs), and my journey has been an arduous one. - Alyssa Mercante Read More
The reaction to Concord wasn’t great during Sony’s State of Play earlier this year. But after playing a few hours of the sci-fi FPS on PS5, I’m sold on Concord’s mix of hero-shooter action and tight Call of Duty-like gameplay. The only question is: Will people be willing to spend $40 for a multiplayer-only shooter in the year 2024? - Zack Zwiezen Read More
Last year, a growing trend saw AAA video game publishers offering early access to new games if you pre-ordered a pricey special edition version. I worried then that if some publishers were successful in locking games behind a ransom fee, many others would do the same in the future. And here we are, in 2024, and most upcoming games have multiple release dates now and it all sucks. - Zack Zwiezen Read More
As a New Yorker in my late twenties, it’s only a matter of time until I get into birding. Flock might be the thing that finally makes me take the plunge into the hobby. The new shepherding/creature collecting game from developer Hollow Ponds is full of color and life, inviting you to explore its vibrant world and sate your curiosity about the flora and fauna that abound. The word “cozy” gets thrown around a lot in games today, but Flock fits the bill thanks to simple mechanics that ease you into a meditative calm. Flock is about just vibing out, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need. - Willa Rowe Read More
