Lessons from The PS3’s Rocky Start

Way back in 2006, Sony released the PlayStation 3 following the massive success of the PlayStation 2. But, in pursuit of making the PS3 a competent powerful machine, Sony made a few questionable choices to make their new system stand out from the crowd. Case in point the overly complicated system architecture and the infamous ‘Cell processor’. This made the PS3 a nightmare of a platform to develop for and the resulting inferior looking multiplatform games did not help the PS3 in its initial days. The PS3 was off to a rocky start and it seemed like Sony was losing the ‘Console wars’ and another console from Sony seemed out of the question. It was about at this point that Sony began work on the PS4.

In an interview with Digital Trends, Mark Cerny, the chief architect of the PS4 said that it was a six-year process to build the PS4. The first two of which were pretty much figuring out what the next console needs to be. And given the PS3’s tumultuous start, Cerny had a good idea of what he wanted from the PS4. He said that in 2008 and 2009 the team had visited around 30 development studios to know what they wanted from the console and how things can be made easy. It was this developer-focused approach that would pay great dividends later on in the PS4’s life cycle.

The Paradigm Shift

They say “Luck” is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. While Sony had been preparing for 6 years, the opportunity was handed to Sony, on a silver platter no less, by none other than their rival Microsoft. Sony unveiled the PS4 back in February 2013, showing off its x86 system architecture, and giving loads of other information. But not a lot in terms of the smaller but important stuff like used game policies and price were discussed. This was reserved for E3 that year. Microsoft took its turn to unveil the Xbox One in May that year. The event focused more on Xbox One’s every other capability and very less on games. This combined with questionable DRM policies meant that the event was a disaster.

But Microsoft had a shot at fixing the damage at E3 which was just a few weeks away. Then at E3, Xbox went first and to be fair, had a good showing of games. But, failure to address any of the concerns and uproar that stemmed from the reveal, combined with a mandatory Kinect attachment and a price of $499 left a sour taste in people’s mouth. Some of the top executives’ comments on this matter, later that day, did not help them either.

Needless to say, Sony had a field day in E3 2013. Much of the show comprised of Sony showing off upcoming console games and showing the console itself. Then came the Xbox bashing, highlighting that Sony’s new console does not have any of the DRM policies that Xbox One has, complete with a quirky on-the-nose tutorial on how to share used games. This was it. The PS4 was going to be more powerful than the Xbox One (at least at the time), It was cheaper, made life easy, and promised a lot of support for indie games. Anyone ready to invest in a next-gen console was more inclined towards the PS4. It was safe to say that Jack Tretton’s mic drop in the Game Trailers interview following the show was totally earned.

Games, More Games and Exclusive Games

To this day, Sony enjoys a 2:1 sales ratio over Xbox One with the PS4. While much can be attributed to the boost they got initially, it was the way Sony capitalized on the momentum that kept them going. While Sony learnt from the mistakes made with the PS3, they also knew what redeemed the older console as well. Their first- and second-party exclusive games.

This was a strategy that did not need changing. And in catering to that strategy Sony’s Worldwide studios delivered a glorious generation of games that upped the ante for console gaming (And one of the best E3 shows in the history of the event with their 2016 E3 presentation). And this was delivered with great consistency year on year. While Microsoft managed to contain most of the damage and the Xbox brand caught its stride thanks to fantastic services like the Xbox Game Pass, Sony’s line up of exclusive games helped the PS4 best it’s rival constantly. And in doing so became one of the best-selling consoles ever.

The Future

The PS4 may have been a dream run for Sony, but the future poses new and interesting challenges. Microsoft has pretty much embraced Sony’s strategy for exclusive games and has been feverishly expanding its suite of studios. Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, seems to be going all-in with the brands next console, doubling down on its Game Pass service by unifying it with PC and Xbox Live. This could be a problem for Sony if they do not counter them with something similar or something different that offers this sort of value to the consumer. Then there is the cloud gaming platform. Google seems to be diving headfirst with Stadia and rumours of Amazon joining the fray has been boiling up for some time now. What would all of this mean to Sony and how would they tackle these challenges to stay on top. It would be very interesting to see.

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Beastly Nature

This one is the most obvious and needs to be addressed off the gate. The next wave of consoles will no doubt be a significant improvement in specs over their current-gen counterparts. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us 2 have shown where the industry is heading in terms of cutting-edge graphics and these machines will be equipped with the power to run such graphics heavy games all the way into the next 6 -7 years. Of course, these boxes aren’t going to rival an RTX 2080 but we can expect to get the best bang for our buck in potential $400 we spend on them.

Physical Discs still a thing?

The death of physical game discs has been discussed since the PS3/X360 era. And the technology and internet services of today may finally make that happen. There are already rumours cooking up about a disc-less Xbox One, let alone a next-gen console. And the removal of a disc drive could potentially make the console cheaper, assuming the bigger hard disk requirement does not increase the cost. And if this model succeeds, chances are that this approach will seep into the next-gen consoles from both parties. Whether this will succeed, or the degree of success will also determine the availability of disc-based consoles. Personally, I love my game discs. I like my games to a have physical tangible form. It adds to the emotional attachment one may to a title like say God of War.

Streaming is the Future Present

Further, in the lines of disc-less consoles, subscription services like PS Now and Xbox game pass will be more prominent next generation. With both companies butting heads on offering the best value proposition things may come down to streaming services playing a major role in the success of either console. Sony may not tout the PS Now this generation due to its strong library of exclusive games driving their sales of the PS4. But Microsoft seems to have fixed the issue of exclusive games for next gen. So heading into a potentially even playfield in the next generation, Microsoft’s card of “Better value with subscription services” may be a make or break factor for both companies in the next round. Sony has already evolved its PS Now service mimicking Microsoft by adding the option to download games directly to the console. Chances are both will go the distance to check the depths of streaming services.

Cross Play Galore

With Microsoft, Nintendo, and Gamers being so vocal about crossplay, Sony will be following suit by offering crossplay for third-party multiplayer games on the next PlayStation. I mean they have to, right? This is another point that may seem super obvious but we have seen corporations make a bad decision based on statistics. However cross play seems like a no-brainer and it is something that I fully expect to see it in PS5, but then again, Sony!.

NextGen is All Gen

Backward Compatibility has been another weapon in Microsoft’s arsenal to make up for the lack of games this gen. Backward compatibility is one of the popular practices in the industry. The amount of success it brought to the Xbox one is a different topic altogether, but the appeal of Backward Compatibility is no doubt a force to be reckoned with. With the complicated architecture of the PS3 and therefore the way PS3s games were made, Sony had struggled in this department with the PS4. But recent rumours strongly hint at backward compatibility on the PS5. There was the one suggesting that the PS5 is very similar to the PS4 on how it works, and then another focusing on a patent Sony had made towards backward compatibility. These indicate that the PS5 could potentially play all of the PS4s libraries. As pointed out in my last article about 5 Reason Why Microsoft May Win Next Gen, if this happens Sony would have already won next gen. I hope this happens and, more importantly, not locked behind a paywall as PS4 games are too good to be ignored.

VR still a thing?

The last batch of rumours suggested better integration of PSVR on Sony’s next system. Whether we like it or not VR has been a novelty that has done better than the novelties of the past like Motion Control and 3D. And, if these rumours are true, Sony seems to be embracing VR more strongly next generation. Whether VR will become stronger or will next gen be the end of the VR run will be an interesting thing to see and experience through the life cycle of next-gen consoles.

Super Awesome Games. Or are they?

With every generation, the games we play get more and more advanced with more systems and gameplay nuances integrated within. Games have come from humble beginnings in the PS1 era like Crash Bandicoot, to awesome experiences like God of War 2 on the PS2, to complex story experiences like Mass Effect and Skyrim on the X360, to magnum opuses like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Red Dead Redemption 2 on the PS4. And this upward trajectory is only going to soar towards the sky next generation. If games like Ghost of Tsushima are any indication on where we are headed, then we gamers are in for a treat with our new machines. That said, questionable business practices like loot boxes and unfair implementation of microtransactions will still be an issue from big third party developers. New gaming trends may topple today’s trends like battle royale prompting these companies to apply new ways to make money. But, with every good comes the bad and it is up to us to choose what we want and what we encourage. So let’s be excited for the good and wonderful that is sure to come our way.

And there you have it. My trip to 2021 showed me these visions. How many of these will stand truly is something that time will answer. One thing is for sure though. There has never been a better time to be a Gamer. And you know it is true.

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The term “Next Generation of Consoles” has been dropped a couple of times this year at E3. Sony and Microsoft have been cooking up their respective consoles while we enjoy the current line up of games. And we are on the verge of the next round of the Console Wars. While Sony’s lead in the current gen race with the PS4 is commendable, more than a few signs point towards this mantle being taken over by Microsoft when it releases its next console codenamed Scarlett. Here are 5 reasons why Microsoft may lead during the next generation of consoles.

No.1 – Phil Spencer

Phil Spencer was made the captain of a sinking ship when he was named the head of all things Xbox, just after the disaster that was the unveiling of the Xbox One. In an age where public perception can decide the fate of a brand, Xbox had all the hate and negativity a company wouldn’t want at the time. And things looked like they were only going to go downhill from there. But Phil Spencer broke convention and reacted to what people were talking about Xbox. The ‘always-on’ internet policy was taken back, the Kinect was unbundled and eventually scrapped and, most of all, he admitted that the approach was a misstep and a bad business decision. All of these just to begin with. And through the course of Xbox One’s lifetime, Phil Spencer has resonated with the Xbox fan base, made numerous correct/good decisions and turned the tides for the brand, making it the beloved underdog it is today, despite the lack of games and other issues it has. A lot of what is to follow in this list are the doing of Phil Spencer and you will understand its importance as you read through. A gamer himself, this man is a magician, and his magic will certainly be cast on Xbox Scarlett.

No.2 – Investment on Games

Of all things Spencer did for the Xbox brand, perhaps the most important and consequently the most impactful factor that would help them next gen is the investment in creating a talented line up of in-house game studios. Taking a page out of Sony’s book, Phil acquired a number of studios under the Microsoft’s belt which will now be working exclusively on games for Xbox’s next console. This group includes renowned studios like Ninja Theory and in the word’s Tameem Antoniades, head of Ninja Theory, these studios have been given “Complete creative freedom” which means we can expect a truly diverse line up of games just like Sony has now.

No.3 – Xbox Game Pass

Xbox is still in a tough spot, thanks to its lack of games. And it tries to overcome this by offering something that no customer can resist. Value. Xbox’s robust subscription service ‘Xbox Game Pass’ serves as an answer to Sony’s ‘PlayStation Now’, and is far better than its competition. With a constantly changing library and access to Microsoft’s in-house games on day one, Xbox game pass offers tremendous value for money. This service has recently been expanded with the introduction of “Xbox All Access” which provides Xbox consoles in a subscription model. If this service transitions over to the next generation with the same decent pricing, Sony has a very tough hurdle ahead of them.

No.4 – Good PR

Sony may have the momentum in sales and games on its platform. But Xbox, as of today, enjoys more goodwill than it ever did since its inception. Once again, thanks to Phil Spencer the brand has been in the news frequently on a positive light. From its vocal support to crossplay, to its focus on tiny things like the release of the Elite Controller for “The 1% of gamers that want more from their Xbox”, to the release of the “Adaptive Controller” and the aforementioned Xbox game pass, Xbox seems to be on a hot streak of fan favouring moves. One of the main factors for Sony’s success this generation was the goodwill it had among the fans during the release of the PS4. And the misstep from Microsoft in the form of Xbox One’s launch only gained more goodwill for Sony. In the current climate though, things have changed. And Xbox is poised to benefit from similar goodwill – if it continues to build it-, thanks to the company’s efforts and our next and most crucial point in this list which is……..

No.5- Sony’s Blind Eye

Ten years ago, when the Xbox 360 ate the PS3 for breakfast, Sony was a company that was struggling to make ends meet as most of its electronics brands were losing the market. And the PS3’s turbulent launch didn’t help matters. Sony then turned their focus on what would save the Playstation Brand and focused on delivering great exclusive games, simultaneously while it gained footing with the OG PS3. The PS3 slim was then released with a price cut and Sony eventually gained momentum to stand head to head with its rival. Through the release of the PS4, Sony had mastered the skill of being a pro-consumer brand and made all the right choices. It’s exclusives still are the best and there is not a hint of a price cut for the PS4 which is a healthy sign of how it is doing. However, with all of this success over the last five years, Sony seems to have forgotten what got them here in the first place. They seem to have been making decisions like restricted crossplay, that is pro-business but not necessarily customer friendly. Add in all the goodwill Microsoft gets through its push for pro-consumer moves and Sony suddenly becomes the “Big Evil Corporation”. Interestingly enough Sony has been quiet for far too long letting the internet do the damage, until recently fixing the cross play debacle. Plus Microsoft seems to indicate that the next Xbox could launch as early as 2019, whereas Sony hints at a 2020 release for their console. Early release has always been a key factor for the success of each console in its generation and Sony appears to not mind Microsoft’s pace in this matter. Microsoft also recently announced X018, a PSX like event, presumably to show off more of its Scarlett Console. And to PlayStation fans’ dismay, Sony has cancelled PSX this year. This could not have come at a worse time for Sony, as fans (me included) were expecting PSX would be the place for amends for the lacklustre E3 showing this year. But that turns out to be far from what is about to transpire. It will be very interesting to see if Sony does some damage control (and manage to succeed in it), to get players on their side. But as it stands now, this approach from Sony is only helping Xbox as a brand.

In the end, it is us the gamers who make the decision. As a console’s lifetime shrinks every generation we would need to decide on what gives us the most for our investments. As I am in the Console Game testing profession, I can’t wait to see how both companies try to win us over in the months to come, for their next console. We may have to wait until E3 2019 for this to fully take shape. Until then all we can say is “Let the War begin”.

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One of the first games that I played on the PS2, the first Prince of Persia was also the most vibrant and prettiest of them all, aesthetically speaking.(I still can’t digest the dark and gothic, sequels that followed it.) With smooth controls and impressive graphics for its time, the game was definitely a looker. Add to it an intriguing story with a likeable protagonist and we had a winner. This game was a perfect representative of gaming during its time. Visiting this game back in its old form today still has its charm. However, if this game were to be updated from the ground up with today’s graphics, this would be one of the prettiest games out there. (Just look at the Menu screen of this game and you will understand what I am on about). This game has the pedigree to sell well, if remade with the same car given to SOTC, and may get Ubisoft to bring the Prince back from the dead. You never know.

Set in Antarctica, this game is all about immersive atmospheric horror. A follow up to a movie of the same name, this game puts you in control of a squad leader who must investigate a spaceship found in the region. This sounds clichéd, yes, but the game executes tension and despair to the player in spades. Not only must you look out for the ‘Thing’ in the game, but also keep your squad intact and keep them from panicking and keep their trust in you (yes it’s a game mechanic). Throw in excellent sound design and voice acting, and you have the “Dead Space 2” of 2002. This is one game which does not need the mechanics hampered, what so ever (except maybe for the shooting), and only needs a graphical overhaul to today’s standards so it’s excellent atmosphere is brought to life. And we will be in for one very “chilling” experience.

Ninjas, Demons, Feudal Japan, Time travel, Jean Reno. Put them all together and wrap it up in a 3rd person action adventure and you get the Onimusha Trilogy. Dating back to the early days of the PS2, this series was an essential and remains a classic to this day. From the gameplay to the visuals, these games set the template that many games follow even today. Any boy/man who holds his PS2 close to his heart will know what these games meant in the early 2000s. And they are the perfect candidate for a remake in an age when games like Nioh have triumphed. Just make Onimusha 3 with the same opening cutscene with current gen graphics, only this time, running in real-time and have that transition into gameplay seamlessly. Dream fulfilled.

When there were literally 1000s of games to choose from on the PS2, and many of them ripping off elements from each other, in came Darkwatch. A glorious mash-up of steampunk western horror FPS set in the 19th century, If that doesn’t sound awesome, I don’t know what will. You play as an outlaw, who is on a race against time to stop himself from turning into a vampire while battling demons from another realm. The game pits you against Vampire lord Lazarus, on top of a speeding train, then moving on to a horseback while fighting demons on Zombie horses (step aside Game of Thrones) using his trusty redeemer shotgun. All this within the first 20 minutes of the game. However, Darkwatch, simply put was the Titanfall 2 of 2005. Released amongst juggernauts like Shadow of the Colossus and God of War, this gem of a title did not hit the highs that it so deserved. Which is why a remake which captures its eerie environments and characters perfectly, with a tight shooting mechanic, will give us a game that is unlike any in the market right now. And it will be, to put it mildly, completely Bonkers.

Hideo Kojima may not make any MGS games anymore. And Death Stranding looks like it will be a launch title for the PS5 (There, I called it. You heard it from me first). But the legacy of MGS which was at its high point in MGS4 Guns of the Patriot still lives on. However, the no.1 choice for the remake will have to be the equally excellent MGS3 Snake Eater. This was a game that was way ahead of its time. From the tight gunplay and stealth mechanics to the lush vegetation in the Jungle, this game was the full package, polished to a mirror sheen. So one can only imagine, what we can get if all of the games codes are kept intact and given a graphical overhaul that is built from the ground up. You wouldn’t need Guns of the patriot, or Phantom Pain. The best MGS is right here. And it is a remake. Who would’ve thought?

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So how does it hold up?

In this review, we will go through every aspect of this game like graphics, gameplay, story and overall experience in detail. However, to understand the pedigree of what we are looking at here, we need to look at one more aspect of this game which is it’s…

… Legacy

When it comes to timeless classics in video games, very few games have the impact of Shadow of the Colossus. I remember when I first booted the original SOTC on my PS2, back in 2005. I went in completely blind, not knowing anything about this game. No reviews or spoilers back in the day. After the initial roadblock of trying to figure out the climbing mechanics, it was a moment of awe that only a few games could provide at the time.

Fast forward 12 years, the second colossus was released. I knew that this was a rare masterpiece that needed to be savoured. And I was not the only one sharing this sentiment. Almost anyone who has played this game had a soft spot for it, regardless of whether they had finished it once or, like in my case, at least a dozen times.

But games have come a long way since 2005. And the sheer variety of genres and the advancements in mechanics that we have experienced in these 2 console generations since PS2 is staggering, which is why I am left speechless when I see how well the PS4 version of this game holds up today.

Story

The main story of SOTC can be written in a few sentences. Man tries to save beloved Mono. Man is offered a chance to do so by slaying 16 colossus. Man does it. And then the ending. But there is so much more complexity in this simple story. You cannot help but fall in love with every character. From Agro, your trusty steed, to the wanderer, the protagonist and each of the 16 magnificent colossi. All of this only leads to an emotional gut punch every time you kill these colossi. And not to mention an ending that is both as much an absolute heartbreak, as it is beautiful.

Graphics

Part of SOTCs charm lies in how simple everything is, and the underlying complexity is all born in the player’s mind. It may have been due to the limitations of the PS2 that things were kept so simple, but Bluepoint games have used that simplicity along with the PS4’s graphical fidelity, delivered in spades. This game is one the best looking games for the PS4 right now. Everything in this game, from landscapes to the towering colossus themselves, have been redone from the ground up. And the result is phenomenal. There is a staggering attention to detail in every nook and cranny of this game. And these visuals play a vital role in the overall experience of this remake.

Gameplay

The core gameplay of SOTC involves riding through the landscapes of the cursed land on the back of your horse, looking for the next Colossi. You are left to figure out where to go with help of your sword which reflects beams of light towards the direction of the target. Once you do find the Colossi, you need to figure out how to take them down as each of them need different strategy and planning. This keeps the game fresh all the way until the end. Reminiscent of the game’s simple theme is your arsenal, which consists of just a sword, and a bow and arrow.

For all the praise this game commands, there is no denying that the controls were a little janky. Even back in the PS2 days, we have had games with much better controls than SOTC. While we cannot say that this has been fully resolved in the remake, there are some notable changes here. The button layout is mapped to appeal to today’s gamers, which can be set back to original settings if you please. Adding to this there are also collectables in the game now and some clever Easter eggs referencing Mr Ueda’s other games.

While the core game can be finished in about 10 hours, longevity is provided through other difficulty settings and quirky rewards. And a mirrored mode which, well, mirrors the game screen and it feels surprisingly fresh. Add to this a Photo mode which lets you take screenshots of the game, with various filters and tools. Honestly, I spent hours here and the end results are all amazing.

Overall

The original SOTC on the PS2 took players’ breath away and added to the notion that video games are indeed an art. It was timeless in its own right and did not need a remaster. But this remaster was still made and the result is a Masterpiece. Had the PS4 come out in 2005, this may have been Fumito Ueda’s original vision. We may never know, but as gamers, we can only thank the creators for making this happen. SOTC on the PS4 is not only an essential but a timeless classic which sets new standards for remakes.

Score 10/10

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