General gaming discussion

Zero-Cool · 23-01-2026 09:33AM

Alright, that New Forza game looks **** class.

Penn · 23-01-2026 09:43AM

Have to admit I had zero interest or expectations for Fable (never played the previous ones), but that developer showcase of it has definitely got me interested. Still a bit iffy on some of the vibes and they probably focused too much on the city/population sim aspect of it compared to the combat, but even then it looks pretty fun and something you could easily get lost in for ages, and the bit of the combat they did show looks fun and varied.

Only concern about the city/population sim aspect is that I almost wish having to manage your relationships with the townsfolk was a bit more contextual rather than big icons popping up basically just saying "This person hates you because you're rich". Not that that's not a valid reason to hate someone of course, but it just means you can essentially ignore what they're saying or how they're acting because it's just spelled out for you at the side of the screen.

MikeRyan87 · 23-01-2026 09:45AM

I think Fable will get delayed to 2027.

Game looks great, performance does not.

Zero-Cool · 23-01-2026 10:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172232#Comment_124172232

Absolutely getting delayed into 27, otherwise would be an instant bid in the fantasy League.

Penn · 23-01-2026 10:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172268#Comment_124172268

Already picked by JimBurnley, and because JimBurnley picked it, it was also counterpicked.

I did think of counterpicking it myself just in case it did get delayed, but if the main thing they have to focus on between now and say October for release is just performance (especially given how long the game has already been in production), releasing this year wouldn't be out of the question either.

SuperBowserWorld · 23-01-2026 12:09PM

I think Playground games would be better off just showing gameplay trailer and release date, rather than giving us the whole cringe corporation marketeting spiel with the product team.

Which ruins the whole immersion and mystery that a video game should give you.

And it feels like they are apologizing for something they should not be apologizing for.

Bethesda have similar output.

Zero-Cool · 23-01-2026 12:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172290#Comment_124172290

Ah ok, then yeah it should have absolutely been counter picked 😂

JimBurnley · 23-01-2026 12:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172731#Comment_124172731

Course it should. Still amazed no-one counterpicked Wolverine for the clean sweep on my draft picks 😆

Potential-Monke · 23-01-2026 12:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172766#Comment_124172766

We have genuine trust in Insomniac. Something Microslop no longer has. And I didnt realise i was adding fuel to the JimBurnley fire by picking another one of yours! Apologies, but i don't trust Microslop to do anything right anymore.

Penn · 23-01-2026 01:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172766#Comment_124172766

A stopped clock is right twice a day!

Retr0gamer · 23-01-2026 02:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172766#Comment_124172766

Insomniac don't make amazing games but they are consistently high quality and almost guaranteed a 8/10 game from them.

One of the few companies that pace their open world games properly and make traversal part of the fun.

JimBurnley · 23-01-2026 02:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173161#Comment_124173161

I'm actually just playing Sunset Overdrive at the moment. Hard to believe its 12 years old, so much fun to play and v smooth for its age too. Reckon not being on PlayStation quite a few missed this gem

TitianGerm · 23-01-2026 02:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173174#Comment_124173174

It's their best game of that ilk for me.

Anois_ · 23-01-2026 02:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173174#Comment_124173174

Great game. I played it years ago. Really comes together once you learn the forward dash.

johnny_ultimate · 23-01-2026 02:55PM

Sunset Overdrive is a fun game let down by some of the most obnoxious, annoying writing this side of Borderlands.

MikeRyan87 · 23-01-2026 03:07PM

Was rumours of a Sunset Overdrive Remaster but doesnt seem to be happening.

Penn · 23-01-2026 03:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173255#Comment_124173255

Think I saw it pop up on Steam within the last few days for a good discount, so probably no remaster for the near future anyway.

recyclops · 23-01-2026 03:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173174#Comment_124173174

Absolutely find it strange how anyone who loves games can be sold on a single console for generation after generation ( I get cost being a massive factor) but bouncing between consoles, games and playing the best each console has to offer ( 4/ 5 years down the line at times) is one of the great joys of gaming as a hobbie.

Case in point replaying mario galaxy at the mo and hard to believe how good it still holds up from level design point of view nearly 20 years later, also how much its been copied.

Retr0gamer · 23-01-2026 03:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173369#Comment_124173369

If you can't afford it then I can understand it but yeah, so many good game and experiences to have yourself tethered to one console eco system.

Except PC. You have PC and you can emulate all the others.

Penn · 23-01-2026 04:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173369#Comment_124173369

There have definitely been times where I could afford getting another system for the games I miss out on there, but I also know I won't end up playing it enough to justify it. I got a Switch about 2 years ago and played Zelda Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey, and even though I knew there were other good games on the system, I just never felt the urge to go ahead with them and ended up trading the whole Switch in after it sat unused under the telly for a few months.

There are plenty of Xbox games that I've missed out on and sometimes felt tempted to pick up an Xbox, but I just knew I'd spend a fortune on it and aside from those few games, never play it again and mostly just stick to the PS. Even when I had both the PS3 and the 360, to me the 360 was just mostly for multiplayer games and the PS3 was for single-player games (which is what I'd mostly play anyway).

There are so many types of good games on the systems I do have that I don't get around to playing (or have sometimes bought and not then not played or barely played) that I can't justify getting another system for those few games that I'm interested in. Even now I'm interested in trying Octopath Traveller 0 even though I've never really played a game of that type before.

Each generation, the number of exclusives seem to get smaller and smaller to the point that there's no real need to jump from system to system each generation, and especially now with Xbox trying to get their games on everything. Then you have to add in digital libraries and friends lists.

Retr0gamer · 23-01-2026 04:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173446#Comment_124173446

I feel like the last two generations I'd have been perfectly happy with a switch and PC. There's. A handful truly exclusive PS4 games worth playing, stuff like 13 sentinels. And even that made it to switch. PS5 all I can think of is astrobot. Outside of Nintendo exclusives seem to be dead. Games cost too much to cut off a majority of your market.

Penn · 23-01-2026 04:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173475#Comment_124173475

Aye, even Sony seem to be moving towards possibly releasing more of their exclusives on PC earlier than they have been doing.

johnny_ultimate · 23-01-2026 04:29PM

For me a PS5 these days is more about 'machine that plays games on my TV' as opposed to an exclusive machine (though the odd exclusive - even time limited - helps). There's a lot of games that work best for me with a controller while sitting on the couch - playing Silent Hill F at the moment and that's a good example of one. Whereas I like to use my PC for either PC exclusives, games that aren't great with a controller, or the (increasingly rare) game that really sings on PC vs console. Obviously a Switch is another thing again, focus mainly on games that are Nintendo exclusives or that I'd like to have to hand while travelling.

Other than the good backwards compatibility, I'd struggle to see myself owning an Xbox in the future though, barring some big surprise. Microsoft really does seem to be settling into a strange middle group between console and PC that I just don't really see much point in anymore, especially since they've enshittified GamePass with the laughable subscription fees.

dulpit · 23-01-2026 04:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124173369#Comment_124173369

That's why I never understand when people are looking for more console exclusives. Exclusives suck for the consumer, it's much better to be able to play what you want on whichever device you have (which is why I went PC-exclusive a few months ago)

recyclops · 23-01-2026 04:41PM

Yeah I agree with pretty much all sentiment here, Exclusives and the exclusive model is so anti consumer and in this day and age the only real reason to be buying an Xbox or PS is because your tied to a digital library you cant get out of. Same model exists in phones to a lesser degree ( thats more storage, message and photo related).

As penn said even Sony who imo whole USP was their single player adult story exclusives have completely changed tact and the reason being is that they dont need to be funding these titles to get players to jump across.

MS really did miss that boat and even when their versions games like quantum break/ Alan Wake did come out they didnt bang that drum enough to get people to jump even though at the time they were bizarrely the most consumer friendly product out there thanks to gameshare.

Retr0gamer · 23-01-2026 04:46PM

I think Sony have changed an awful lot more than that. They are focusing on creating games that laser target a gamer demographic when previously they had used their development teams to plug gaps in console library. Basically having a Nintendo approach where they would try and create a very diverse library of games that appeal to a wide range of people and even bring in people that previously would not like games.

I feel that side of Sony has gradually disappeared as they transitioned from being run by people that had previously handled the Sony music division to a division that is solely focused on games.

Potential-Monke · 23-01-2026 05:13PM

Ah I think there is some reason for console exclusives. The sole dedication to one platform should ensure it runs perfectly on said platform. If they're developing for multiple then its not as focused and usually ends up with issues across each platform. For example, I doubt the 2 God of War games would have been as technically perfect if they were releasing on PS, Xbox and PC at the same time. Same with Insomniacs titles, and even Sucker Punch. If they had to dedicate more time to ensuring it works on different platforms, the games wouldn't have released in such a good state imo.

MS dropped the ball there, as their console exclusives were broken on release. I'm ok with timed releases, once the original is working perfect as it should be. If theres nothing to fix, then they can concentrate on making it work just as good on other consoles/pc.

SuperBowserWorld · 23-01-2026 05:18PM

Steam Machine is a good place for console gamers to migrate to "PC".

But where the hell is gaming going to go if prices keep going up thanks to tech bros and AI gobbling up everything ?

McFly85 · 23-01-2026 05:46PM

PS5 for new games, switch for Nintendo games, steam deck for cheap PC gaming/emulation is good for me.

I have a series X gathering dust since game pass went up in price, I reckon that will get sold with the switch for me to upgrade to the switch 2.

My worry is next gen really - the way RAM/SSD prices are going, and with the price of the PS5 pro, this seems like the first generation where both console offerings will break €1000. Usually get a PlayStation day 1 but will wait and see.

SuperBowserWorld · 23-01-2026 05:50PM

I think PS5 Pro will be popular this year if GTA6 and pisser 2.0 fulfill their promises, and Sony can keep the price static. I can see it being "PS6" for the next 4 years.

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