Tuesday’s letters page attempts to explain the age rating for Still Wakes The Deep, as a reader issues a warning about Elden Ring’s DLC.
To join the discussions yourself, email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Instant predictions
I’m glad to see that we finally got a date for the Nintendo Direct, although I’m not sure why it only had to be a day earlier. I seem to recall that the E3 versions were announced many weeks in advance. I agree with the logic that there should be something important in there after 40 minutes. Nintendo knows better than to bore people for so long with only small games. After all, they invented this whole format.
Metroid Prime 4 seems by far the most likely candidate and I think a release this year followed by a refreshed version for the Switch 2 makes perfect sense. What better way to prove the power of the new console when the game looks significantly better? So I think it will definitely be shown today, for a Christmas release.
It reminds me of a rumor from a few months ago that Metroid Prime 4 would be released this year, along with two Pokémon games. I can see that happening, or maybe this rumor about a top-down Zelda remaster or a new game? There’s no way Nintendo can go five years without a new Zelda game and they always let someone else do the remasters, so it could be ready by now.
Onibee
Oh mother
I’m not expecting any big announcements in tomorrow’s Nintendo Direct as Switch is in its twilight age, but a localized version of Mother 3, or perhaps a few Goemon games added to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription, would be enough to get me to get very excited.
I don’t think that will happen, but you never know.
John Atkinson
GC: Goemon isn’t impossible, but Mother 3 is several leagues below Hollow Knight Silksong in probability.
Beyond the ultimate
I bet what they’ll do with the next Super Smash Bros. that it will definitely be a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe port solution. They could add a few new characters, and maybe a new single-player mode, but I really don’t see what else they can do since Ultimate is pretty much perfect for what it’s trying to do.
In this age of multiplayer games that last forever, Super Smash Bros. should really just be a live service game, but I don’t know if Nintendo would do that. They’d probably think a new game would sell just as well, even if it was just an improved remaster. Maybe they’re right, but every year I wonder if that’s the way all sequels will turn out, even Nintendo’s.
Deckard
Just business
As a fan of the original Alone In The Dark, I bought the recent reboot and while there were some issues, overall I thought it was well done and a very authentic tribute to the first game. So I was very sad to hear that the developer has already closed down, another victim of the terrible Embrace Group.
And then we find out how much EA pays its executives to come up with the great idea of firing hundreds of developers. I know it’s not just gaming that’s behaving like this, it’s just business, but it’s really disgusting to hear about it. No wonder most developers who see even a hint of success start their own studio or go indie.
I used to think making games for a living would be the ultimate job, now it just seems like a nightmare. My condolences to all those affected.
Benson
Passive violence
Not that I’m a fan of ratings and censorship, but I think I can explain that Still Wakes The Deep only gets a rating of 16, despite using the c-world and being inspired by The Thing. I think swearing only has a minor impact on the age rating and is basically not punished for the violence at all.
You said there isn’t that much blood in it, which makes me think the reason otherwise innocuous games like Assassin’s Creed have an 18 is because you’re participating in the violence, you’re not just watching it. That seems kind of weird considering what movies are like, but I think it’s just a problem of people in power still not really understanding video games.
I have to admit, I’m surprised that multiple uses of the c-word didn’t get an automatic 18 rating. I’m not even sure GTA has used that word before. But yeah, I doubt they play/watch these things well, especially if it’s more of an indie title.
Statler
Second time
Just a heads up for anyone planning on purchasing the Elden Ring DLC to check their save files even if they beat Mogh the first time.
I re-downloaded the game this weekend to get the hang of it again and to make sure I had defeated the necessary boss (yes, according to my trophies), but what I didn’t realize was that I was working on a New Game+ started after I finished the game. first time, and as such it was right back to the beginning.
Now I have to play significant chunks of the game to get to the point where I can start the DLC, which almost certainly won’t be ready on release day. At least my character is stupidly over-leveled in the early parts, so I’m progressing faster than the first time.
TGN professor
GC: This is exactly the position we found ourselves in. The problem with New Game+ is that it disables all fast travel sites, and you have to beat Radahn and Morgott again if you choose the Consecrated Snowfield route. It didn’t take as long as we initially feared, but it still took a few hours of work. Also, don’t assume you’re too level for the DLC itself…
Unsolvable problem
I really don’t see the point in continuing Starfield with more DLC. The game is fundamentally not fun to play, with boring combat and space battles, an uninteresting plot, and forgettable characters. That’s not a good foundation for a game that Bethesda is talking about getting support for a decade or so.
I’d much rather they port all the assets over to The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5, but I think they’re too stubborn to admit that Starfield isn’t in the same league anywhere. I don’t see how they are going to solve these problems and I’m not sure they are too proud to even admit the problem exists.
Bowie
Episodic gaming
I hadn’t heard the rumor that Spider-Man 3 would be split into two parts before, but that’s an interesting way to address the issue of rising costs. My question is will each part be as long as Spider-Man 2 or half the length? If it gets shorter, the game will essentially be twice as expensive as the previous game, so the guy who wants to spend £150 for a new game essentially gets his wish.
If every part is the same as a regular game, I’d say this is a good way to save money and release games faster. Would it have made sense to split Elden Ring in half and sell it that way? Probably not, but something like Baldur’s Gate 3 could have easily been split into three and sold for a third of the main game.
You’d essentially get a paid demo of the full game, which seems like something that would appeal to publishers. It seems less wasteful for people who aren’t sure they want to pay more and means they waste less money on a game they never beat – because they can’t sell it because it’s digital.
It will probably be a less interesting cinematic style, parts 1 and 2, and Sony won’t bother using it as a way to change the way games are sold, but I think it could work that way.
Lester
Inbox is also running
Is it worth buying Super Smash Bros.? Ultimate if I’m only going to play it for the single player mode?
Lord Sinn
GC: That’s not an easy question to answer, but we’d say yes… if you like the majority of the characters and are a big Nintendo fan in general.
RE: The Inbox letter about a PS5 Pro. If it manages to make Gran Turismo 7/PlayStation VR2 even a little bit better than it already is, I’d buy one. It’s easily my biggest waste of time this past year.
RSW
Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic inboxes on weekends. Reader letters are used on a merit basis and can be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600 word Reader Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which, if used, will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to do so follow us on twitter.
MORE: Games Inbox: PS5 Pro purchase, Nintendo Direct date prediction and access to Elden Ring DLC
MORE: Games Inbox: Elden Ring DLC difficulty, Monster Hunter Wilds ethics and Life Is Strange powers
MORE: Games Inbox: Non-portable Switch 2, Astro’s Playroom update and Gotham Knights for £1
Sign up for all the exclusive gaming content and the latest releases before they hit the site.
Privacy Policy »
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.