The Monday Inbox is worried that Game Pass is putting people off buying smaller games, as one reader recommends Assetto Corsa Competizione.
To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Jolly cooperator
Absolutely loving Elden Ring at the moment. The game world looks amazing and there’s so much to see and do it almost seems impossible. Like you said in your review, you can stumble on huge new dungeons without even knowing they’re there, with so many important things hidden out of the way it’s a great feeling to chance upon them and figure out how to get them.
If I had one complaint though it would be about the multiplayer, which is unnecessarily fiddly to deal with. Sometimes there’s a Summons Pool just where you need it, other times there’s not and I have no idea what the logic is supposed to be. Especially when sometimes they’re out in the middle of nowhere and I can’t imagine anyone needing them at that point.
I don’t know if the long wait to get people together is intentional to put you off from relying on it or not, but it’s annoying. Although the fact you can’t simply play in co-op the whole time makes me assume it is supposed to be like this. It is annoying though, I don’t even like the ghost effect which I wish they’d stop doing, and invasions are as aggravating as ever.
Then again, I guess it would get quickly annoying if you were exploring everywhere all the time with other people, because they wouldn’t want to stop when you do and so on. Maybe From do know what they’re doing after all!
Combi
From’s dogma
I just wanted to write in and say how fantastic Elden Rings is. Feels like a more polished version of Dragon’s Dogma to me and I just love the world and learning.
I would say it is challenging but in a good way. Each time you defeat an enemy, you feel a genuine rush!
I’ve beaten the Tree Sentinel and now one of the night warden things – which took me ages!
I still don’t know how to summon people to help you though, can anyone advise on this. The online guides are so confusing to me!?
Also, no one on my friends list plays Elden Rings. Anyone in the UK who plays, please add me if you’re interested in some courteous questing!
Tom (Nebutronical – gamertag)
GC: It is described confusingly, despite the fact that it’s actually quite simple. All you need is to find the nearest Matyr Effigy – a small crucifix style symbol that you’ll see dotted around the game world, especially close to major bosses. Activate it and then use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy, which you’ll be given the recipe for early on, and it will reveal gold-coloured symbols on the ground, which are players willing to join your game. Don’t select the red-coloured symbols though, that’s someone looking for a fight.
Gaming only
What an absolutely incredible start to the year. Horizon Forbidden West is excellent and I’ve just played my first couple of hours in Gran Turismo 7 and I am seriously impressed with that. The rumble, triggers, and headset combo is seriously impressive.
Add to that magnificence, I haven’t even started what is sure to be my favourite game of the lot: Elden Ring.
From a gaming perspective, what a time to be alive. I feel excited by what I am about to experience from these games, and while I won’t hold my breath on release dates the rest of 2022 looks exciting too. Outside of gaming… briefly checks the news… OK, let’s just leave it as a great time to be alive for gaming then.
Henshin Agogo
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
The art of crashing
The Inbox chat regarding car damage recently made me think of Wreckfest, which is a fine example of car damage in games. However, I can best that with the wonderful BeamNG.drive which is a staggering example of the artform that is damage modelling.
It’s a game, that’s not a game, in some ways. Regardless, I have spent plenty of hours setting up car crashes and then watching the carnage in slow motion after. The graphics are OK, even functional I might say, certainly not as nice as Wreckfest.
I paid about £6 for BeamNG.drive during a Steam sale, so it might come up again on deal.
r-s-w
Currently playing: Elden Ring, but I’m more aware than ever before of not having a PlayStation 5 yet, Gran Turismo 7 is the killer app for me.
GC: That looks good, but it may well have the worst name for a game we’ve ever come across. Putting it into the Google search bar makes it think you’re looking for a website and throws up an error. We’ve added a link to the Steam page.
Give it a pass
I loved the Martha Is Dead review and it seems like exactly the type of game I would get on well with. My problem is a similar one to the person who wrote in earlier this week, in that I now can’t bring myself to pay for a game like that because I know it will probably end up on Game Pass sooner rather than later. I’ve just been burned recently with Guardians Of The Galaxy and said to myself after that it’s probably not worth buying games on Xbox unless you know for sure they won’t turn up on Game Pass for at least the year after it’s been released.
Do you think this is going to be a problem for game companies moving forward? At the very least companies need to consider more the negative effects on a game’s viability when releasing games to soon on the platform (or just give up on traditional releases and go straight to it).
Chris
GC: It certainly is becoming a major issue, especially if Sony has their own Game Pass equivalent on the way.
Grump Turismo
Was seriously considering a purchase of Gran Turismo 7, but I’m not an online gamer and the always online element seems to disadvantage the people like me who just want a good racing sim that we can work through at our own pace, without being bugged by anyone else. If Polyphony Digital are worried about cheaters and scammers hijacking the save system, then just lock out the offline element from the servers.
Having said that, your article about the microtransactions and the insane price that you’ll pay to gain cars has also put the final nail into the coffin. Once again, the observation that you’re already paying for a full price game, and then getting gouged for what will be, undoubtedly, exclusive cars in the end doesn’t surprise me anymore. Especially as with most sport games of any kind, the revenue from microtransactions far exceeds the value of the boxed product if the developer/publisher catches the right fish. However, I’m not one of them, so, that’s another experience down the pan.
Talking about Sony though, and the weekend feature on the Steam Deck and how they should release a new handheld, that’s a battle they can’t win, and both they and Microsoft know it. The handheld market has been well and truly captured by Nintendo now, but the Steam Deck is a very different beast because of its capability to play PC games from your own Steam library and go beyond with different OS too. That’s a game that no one else wants to enter, particularly the console manufacturers, because of the risk of piracy.
They want their walled garden and an open system would give pirates and hackers a field day. So, much as we’d love to see that beautiful PS Vita design and OLED screen return, I can’t see it. Shame. As many have said before, competition is always a good thing that keeps your rivals on their toes and innovating.
ZiPPi
GC: They aren’t exclusive cars.
Worth the wait
I had to write in today to say thank you GC for your response to my previous letter regarding how I am struggling with Elden Ring. Unbelievably, the following day I managed to defeat Margit after levelling myself up enough to give me a chance. I summoned the co-operator (Rogier) and used a spirit summon which allowed me to inflict some damage to him and in all the chaos he dropped to his knees. The elation I felt was why I have been playing video games for 35 years.
I have to say after I played Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, I was waiting for someone to make a similar style game and it seems to me that FromSoftware are the perfect fit. It is a very difficult game but as long as you keep trying to make yourself stronger and improving your equipment, then you give yourself a chance. I must admit though, I have been using the wiki you previously recommended, mainly just to keep an eye on their map.
This map gives a very helpful guide as to what level you should ideally be to attempt each region, and for someone like me who hasn’t got all day to waste dying/burning/being poisoned and in general being treated in all manner of unpleasantness, while I go off in unplanned directions, just gives enough information to avoid said pitfalls. Would people consider this cheating? I do feel a bit guilty as it removes a little of that wonder of exploration, however the game is so punishingly difficult that having an idea of what level you need to be to progress is actually very helpful indeed.
So to help fellow reader Matc7884 who has also said he is stuck, please stick with it and follow my advice, you will get better. If you are clearly getting one shot killed then go and explore and try and get enough runes to level up a good few times. You’ll conquer it in the end.
Dj Kj
GC: Some hardliners may regard it as cheating but we’re willing to bet the major of players use wikis, it’s almost a standard part of the experience.
Final third
So it’s going to be a long while till we hear about Resident Evil 9, I’m guessing? Hopefully not too long because the ending of Village did seem to suggest they already have a plan already for the next game, which I guess is going to be the end of the current trilogy?
I’m not gonna lie, I would much rather have Resident Evil 9 next than a remake of Resident Evil 4. I feel Capcom’s remake concept has already gone off the rails with Resident Evil 3 and I don’t see how they remake 4 without changing it so much you lose all of what made it special.
Treplis
Real real driving simulator
The crown for most realistic racer has to be Assetto Corsa Competizione. I don’t know about Gran Turismo 7 but GT Sport is like an arcade racer in comparison.
Unfortunately, it requires a force feedback wheel to appreciate the levels they have gone to to simulate the feel of the GT cars in this series. However, you do feel you are driving a powerful car. There is a real sense of their weight and momentum.
Sadly playing with the gamepad does it no justice.
The recent PlayStation 5 update has really elevated this game. Driving games are bemoaned for offering nothing new but they don’t really need to. They create a sense of flow and the mastery of the tracks is a reward within itself.
Assetto Corsa Competizione is, for me, an extremely hard game and one at the moment I can only play on easy. I was ecstatic to start a new career and get pole position on the grid and place second on the first stint of my career.
To really appreciate this a force feedback wheel is a must. They can be bought for £100 onwards pre-owned.
Initially, I baulked at the price but now I am eyeing the GT DD Pro which costs more than a PlayStation 5. When you own a force feedback wheel racers don’t need to offer anything new. They create a connection to the game unlike any other controller. The immersion is incredible.
Assetto Corsa Competizione is probably the real real driving simulator. The most realistic sim on console, but, still a game.
Force feedback wheels do rattle and vibrate so they also require headphones or the magic can be broken. Also, the noise it makes annoys my wife so I have a watershed when I can play. The force can be dialled down though. You also need a sturdy area to mount the wheel so as well as cost there are a few hurdles.
Also, in defence of racers, each one offers something new.
With the force feedback wheels the feel of each game is totally different. I haven’t tried GRID Legends but the last GRID, although not a sim, had an excellent feel to the driving and the wheel remained quiet for this one, so less complaints from the wife.
For some reason it just played smoother.
Don’t get me started on Rally games with racing wheels.
For anyone who enjoys arcade racing cabinets I think a force feedback wheel is a must. Racing games are the main reason I will continue to own and buy a console.
I’ve been playing Assetto Corsa Competizione on and off for two years and it will take many more to master. This game gets very little recognition.
I have Gran Turismo 7 on download and am excited to try it tomorrow. With the controller and the wheel.
Long live the racer (arcade or sim)!
Vaughan (tiddleydwarf – PSN ID)
Inbox also-rans
Lots of the people complaining Wordle is too hard, seem to have an overly simple approach. If it might be PASTY, TASTY, HASTY, or NASTY trying them one by one may well run out of goes. But trying THINS or similar will get you it in two goes.
Randomiser
£160 for one car on Gran Turismo 7?! Thank god I didn’t want it. Companies are get so greedy nowadays. Players will be going mad about over those prices or it just won’t sell. Then Sony will lower prices, but it will be to late, the damage will be done and Gran Turismo 7 will fade into history as a bit of a flop.
David
GC: You can just play the game normally and unlock them that way. It’s not going to flop.
This week’s Hot Topic
The subject for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader Scooter, who asks what is your favourite video game universe?
Many video game franchises have been going for decades now and have crafted their own unique worlds and backstories but which do you most enjoy coming back to? It doesn’t have to be a game with any sequels, but which fictional world, or worlds, do you have the most fun in?
How much does the backstory and lore matter to you and what else would you like to see done in the same universe, in terms of new games and spin-offs?
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
The small print
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You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
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MORE : Games Inbox: Elden Ring progress, Gran Turismo 7 damage modelling, and beating Sekiro
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