This kind of illustrates why backwards compatibility is important. Even if old games are not getting played all the time, it's cool to have them handy just in case for a stroll down memory lane. For instance, I never touch NBA jam on my own any more, but the last 2 times my friend came to visit, we logged 10+ hours over a weekend each time.
Here's the thing about Bayek: his facial expressions of various emotions were great. It was what carried the entire story. The main theme of the setting never changed from "Egyptians are oppressed", and the main story can be summed up as "kill x number of bad guys", but Bayek frowns, growls, side eyes, grins, and broods through every story point. At some point I removed the veil from his costume, because I needed to see his face to be engaged with the stories.
I was surprise how fast they discarded the other Mario scene: Cap-ture Bowser.
As much fun as the other moments discussed in the podcast were, they could have been in any Mario game. Only that one scene is a natural extension of this game's mechanics (Ben's comment "of course I'm going to do this" is a plus for me, not minus) and Mario's journey. It also successfully pays respect to old lore (controlling Bowser in 2D with Peach on his shoulder), while adding new extensions (Mario and Bowser are even more intertwined, and the scene showed Bowser's powers)
The biggest surprise about re7 is it was fully playable in vr and an amazing vr game. Giantbomb and other websites just don't seem to get vr and it's a bit annoying.
It's definitely on my radar, but being PSVR exclusive (that 2 million install base) for now didn't do the game any favors in terms of reception and momentum.
Splatoon had the benefit of being incredibly novel the first time around.
A small step up over the WiiU version isn't going to negate all the negatives that comes with the Nintendo online platform. Until Nintendo sorts that part out we are going to keep seeing their games "get shafted"
Ben's list is about what I expected, from his comments on podcasts and twitter. That Gerstmann fellow on the other hand, doesn't tip his hand. I wonder if Jeff will support Nier or stab it in the back like he did to Doom last year.
@crazybagman: He went from the shock of this not being a real AC game (mechanic-wise, and somewhat lacking in lore tie-in to other entries) at the beginning of December when the podcast was recorded, to having a lot more fun in the game in the following weeks (as seen from beastcasts). He even hinted that some parts of the recorded discussion now sounds silly, which I guess is about this game? We'll see if his initial negative opinions costs AC:O much in the GOTY rankings on day 5 though.
@mythdark: For the majority of the game, yes. But the ending assassination was still very much in line with the series. The target's oration was straight up templar (and natural enough in the historical context)
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