Resident EVII Has Reaffirmed My Investment In PSVR

Back in October, I spent 500 dollars on PlayStation 4's virtual reality headset, PSVR.  It was a gamble, I know.  Luckily, because of some horrible handling of my order on Amazon's part, I got almost 100 dollars of it back, so that helped soften the blow.  Still, it was a gamble, investing that amount of money on something that may or may not yield fruit.  My, oh my, what an apple this tree has made.

I did enjoy my virgin outing with the PSVR.  I played an amazing game called Thumper, and spent a good deal of time with demos.  I played through the disappointing Here They Lie, but marveled at some of the trickery they had near the end of the game, even if the game didn't make sense whatsoever.  I chuckled and yelled out of frustration at the incredibly short I Expect You to Die. I knew what it felt like to live in Jurassic Park as I delved into Crytek's world of Robinson: The Journey.  The PSVR has given me many unique experiences, and for the most part I've enjoyed them. But none so far have proved to me as impressive as a recent particular game: Resident EVII.

I've spent about about seven hours in the Baxter house so far, and there have been a lot of unnerving moments.  There have been several "HOLY SHIT" moments as well, jump scares that delivered their effects far more potently, because my brain is being tricked into believing they're real.  I haven't yet played the game in normal mode, because I simply don't want to.  Every new room I explore, every sound that I hear, every fight I partake in, I want to be there.  I want that depth, that perception, that extra layer of realism that isn't afforded on merely playing the game on a flat screen.

It comes at a cost, though.  REVII is a beautifully yet disgustingly detailed game and because of the loss of resolution in the headset, I lose a good deal of fidelity as a result.  Graphics whores will probably never get behind VR unless the tech is able to start displaying in 4K, and I'm sure that kind of power would only serve to make each VR session that much more special.  But special to me is being there, seeing the blood from a chainsaw splattering in my face, seeing the twisted face of Margeurite Baxter suddenly appear before me, almost feeling the fetid breath from a molded as it opens its toothy maw right in front me.  I'll gladly give up that resolution for feeling right there in each and every moment.

As for the game itself, I'm really enjoying it.  It didn't feel much like a Resident Evil game when I first started playing it, but as the game's progressing, there's a lot of Resident Evil-esque gameplay going on.  Puzzles and keys and even some boss fights have that authentic Resident Evil feel to it.  I just wish that the story would feel somehow connected to past Resident Evil games, but maybe there will be later developments that tie everything together.

I'm hoping this game does well.  I hope it does very well.  I hope that Sony and Capcom see a lot of people playing Resident EVII in VR, because I want more VR games that make excellent use of this tech to be released.  So far, it's just been mini games that were nothing more than tech demos, and little self contained games that were more experiences than they were games, but Resident EVII is the first substantial game that I've played that can also be experienced in its entirely with VR.  If we get more games of this caliber, then maybe we don't have another Move on our hands.  We'll finally have a VR system that will stick around for a few years.

If you have the means, I strongly urge you to get a PSVR and Resident EVII.  It really is something else.  For the longest time, I've been searching for a game that's truly terrifying, but I've played so many horror games that I started becoming immune to them.  REVII in VR is finally a game that makes me uneasy about turning on my game console again.  Great work, Capcom!

The Switch's Launch Line Up Is Fuck All

Seems like we have Reggie Fils-Aime doing more damage control. 

"Launch day is not the be-all and the end-all," Fils-Aime said. "It really is the steady pacing of content that continually reinforces for the people who bought into the platform why they made a smart choice, as well as what compels people who might be sitting on the sidelines to jump in."

True.  A system's library is never defined by the launch line up.  With that said, however, the Switch's line up is abysmal, even with The Legend of Zelda.  I know, some of you might be, "HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?! ZELDA IS WHAT SAVED THE LAUNCH LINE UP!" Yes, the fact that one game has to save the line up, which is nothing but a Wii U port, means that line up is abysmal.  You can't defend it.

As mentioned in GameSpot's article, the Wii U launched with 23 titles (as you'll see from the following list, that number is actually higher).  The Switch launches with... five (six if you include the digital Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+).  Aside from Zelda, they aren't even attractive games that will sell anyone on a system at launch.  We have 1-2-Switch which isn't very compelling at all, a weird mini-game compilation that doesn't even require you to look at the screen.  Then, we have Just Dance 2017 and Skylanders: Imaginators.  You can get those titles on just about every other console.  Lastly, we have Super Bomberman R, a game I just might be getting to have something else to play when I need a break from Zelda.  I honestly haven't seen a launch line up this bad since Nintendo 64. Now, that statement might confuse some of you as well, since it launched with Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64, two fantastic games, but that was ... it.  Let's take a look at the launch line ups from systems in the past, as far back as the fifth generation.

3DO

1.  Crash and Burn

Sega Saturn

1. Clockwork Knight
2. Dayton USA
3. Panzer Dragoon
4. Pebble Beach Golf Links
5. Virtua Fighter
6. Worldwide Soccer: Sega International Victory Edition

Sony Playstation

1. Battle Arena Toshinden
2. ESPn Extreme Games
3. Kileak: The DNA Imperative
4. NBA Jam Tournament Edition
5. Power Serve 3D Tennis
6. The Raiden Project
7. Rayman 
8. Ridge Racer
9. Streeth Fighter: The Movie
10. Total Eclipse Turbo

Nintendo 64

1. Pilotwings 64
2. Super Mario 64

Atari Jaguar

1. Cybermorph
2. Trevor McFur In the Crescent Galaxy

Dreamcast

1. AeroWings
2. AirFroce Delta
3. Blue Stinger
4. CART Flag to Flag
5. Expendable
6. The House of the Dead 2
7. Hydro Thunder
8. Monaco Grand Prix
9. Mortal Kombat Gold
10. NFL 2K
11. NFL Blitz 2000
12. Pen Pen Tricelon
13. Power Stone
14. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing
15. Sonic Adventure
16. Soulcalibur
17. TNN Motorsports Hardcore Heat
18. Tokyo Xtreme Racer
19. TrickStyle

Sony PlayStation 2

1. Armored Core 2
2. DOA2: Hardcore
3. Dynasty Warriors 2
4. ESPN International Track & Field
5. ESPN Winter X Games Snowboarding
6. Eternal Ring
7. Evergrace
8. FantaVision
9. Gungriffon Blaze 
10. Madden NFL 2001
11. Midnight Club: Street Racing
12. NHL 2001
13. Orphen: Scion of Sorcery
14. Q-Ball: Billiards Master
15. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
16. Ridge Racer V
17. Silent Scope
18. Smuggler's Run
19. SSX 
20. Street Fighter EX3
21. Summoner 
22. Swing Away Golf
23. Tekken Tag Tournament
24. TimeSplitters
25. Unreal Tournament
26. Wild Wild Racing
27. X-Squad

Nintendo GameCube

1. All-Star Baseball 2002
2. Batman Vengeance
3. Crazy Taxi
4. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2
5. Disney's Tarzan Untamed
6. Luigi's Mansion
7. Madden NFL 2002
8. NHL Hitz 20-02
9. Star Wars Rogue Squadron: Rogue Leader
10. Super Monkey Ball 
11. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
12. Wave Race: Blue Storm

Microsoft Xbox

1. 4x4 EVO 2
2. AirForce Delta Storm
3. Arctic Thunder
4. Cel Damage
5. Dark Summit
6. Dead or Alive 3
7. Fuzion Frenzy 
8. Halo: Combat Evolved
9. Mad Dash Racing
10. Madden NFL 2002
11. NASCAR Heat 2002
12. NASCAR Thunder 2002
13. NFL Fever 2002
14. NHL Hitz 20-02
15. Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee
16. Project Gotham Racing
17. Shrek
18. Test Drive Off-Road Wide Open
19. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2x
20. TransWorld Surf

Microsoft Xbox 360

1. Amped 3
2. Call of Duty 2
3. Condemned: Criminal Origins
4. FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup
5. GUN
6. Kameo: Elements of Power
7. Madden NFL 06
8. NBA 2K6
9. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
10. NHL 2K6
11. Perfect Dark Zero
12. Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie
13. Project Gotham Racing 3
14. Quake 4
15. Ridge Racer 6
16. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 6
17. Tony Hawk's American Wasteland

Sony PlayStation 3

1. Call of Duty 3
2. Genji: Days of the Blade
3. Madden NFL 07
4. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
5. Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
6. Need for Speed: Carbon
7. NBA 07
8. NBA 2K7
9. NHL 2K7
10. Resistance: Fall of Man
11. Ridge Racer 7
12. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
13. Tony Hawk's Project 8
14. Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom

Nintendo Wii

1. Avatar: The Last Airbender
2. Call of Duty 3
3. Cars
4. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
5. Excite Truck
6. The Grim Adventures of Billy $ Mandy
7. GT Pro Series
8. Happy Feet
9. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
10. Madden NFL 07
11. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
12. Monster 4x4: World Circuit 
13. Need for Speed: Carbon
14. Rampage: Total Destruction
15. Rayman Raving Rabbids
16. Red Steel
17. SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature From the Krusty Krab
18. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
19. Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
20. Trauma Center: Second Opinion
21. Wii Sports

Nintendo Wii U

1. Assassin's Creed III
2. Batman: Arkham City - Armored Edition
3. Ben 10: Omniverse
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
5. Chasing Aurora 
6. Darksiders II
7. Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
8. ESPN Sports Connection
9. FIFA Soccer 13
10. Funky Barn
11. Game Party Champions
12. Just Dance 4
13. Little Inferno
14. Madden NFL 13
15. Mass Effect 3: Special Edition
16. Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition
17. Nano Assault Neo
18. NBA 2K13
19. New Super Mario Bros. U
20. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge
21. Nintendo Land
22. Rabbids Land
23. Scribblenauts Unlimited
24. Sing Party
25. Skylanders: Giants
26. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
27. Tank! Tank! Tank!
28. Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition
29. Transformers: Prime - The Game
30. Trine 2: Director's Cut
31. Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper
32. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013
33. ZombiU

Sony PlayStation 4

1. Angry Birds Star Wars
2. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
3. Battlefield 4
4. Blacklight: Retribution
5. Call of Duty: Ghosts
6. Contrast
7. DC Universe Online
8. FIFA 14
9. Flower
10. Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition
11. Just Dance 2014
12. Killzone Shadow Fall
13. Knack
14. Lego Marvel Super Heros
15. Madden NFL 25
16. NBA 2K14
17. Need for Speed Rivals
18. Resogun
19. Skylanders: Swap Force
20. Sound Shapes
21. Super Motherload
22. The Playroom
23. Trine 2: Complete Story
24. Warframe

Microsoft Xbox One

1. Angry Birds Star Wars
2. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
3. Battlefield 4
4. Call of Duty: Ghosts
5. Crimson Dragon
6. Dead Rising 3
7. FIFA 14
8. Fighter Within
9. Forza Motorsport 5
10. Just Dance 2014
11. Killer Instinct 
12. Lego Marvel Super Heroes
13. LcocCycle
14. Madden NFL 25
15. NBA 2K14
16. Need for Speed Rivals
17. Powerstar Golf
18. Ryse: Son of Rome
19. Skylanders: Swap Force
20. Zoo Tycoon
21. Zumba Fitness: World Party

Nintendo Switch

1. 1-2-Switch
2. The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
3. Just Dance 2017
4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
5. Skylanders: Imaginators
6. Super Bomberman R

Ok, so there's a few things to point out.  One, this information was pulled from Wikipedia, so some of these titles might actually be wrong.  They're all US launch titles, by the way.  Some of these titles were also digital store releases, so if you take that into account, you have a sixth launch title for the Switch in the form of The Binding of Isaac. 

Now, these lists aren't really to debate quality, more as to illustrate quantity and variety of selection.  You can see that the 3DO had an absolute joke of a launch with just one title, and the Jaguar actually tied the N64 with only two titles.  It wasn't until Sony's PlayStation that we started seeing consoles (except the N64 and Jaguar) that we started seeing 10+ titles being released at launch as the average.  The Nintendo Wii U also looks to be the console with the greatest number of titles for a US launch.  Even with the following four month drought of the system, there was still  PLENTY of games to choose from to tide you over until the next release.

I could have just typed out the number of games each system had, but I decided to list them all out so as you're scrolling down reading the games, you come to a sudden and abrupt stop when you hit the Switch's list.  To see how so many consoles have released in the past with so many titles, and then to see the Switch's offering... it's insulting to say the least.  It's not the "be-all and end-all" for sure, but it certainly is fuck-all for launch.  

This suggests to me that Nintendo simply is not ready to release the system.  Now, I get what Reggie is saying about it being important to keep a steady stream of software releasing after the system's initial launch, but even then, I feel that Switch is failing in that department as well.  All I'm getting at launch is Zelda, and maybe Super Bomberman R, and then it's nothing until Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, only because I'm replacing it since I broke it on the Wii U (don't ask).  Then, maybe Splatoon 2, and nothing until Super Mario Odyssey.  I'm not even including Xenoblade 2, because I highly doubt that will make it this year.  

I think it would have been far better to have launched the Switch this holiday.  It would have allowed for games to be finished and included at launch to make the line up more impressive, and also allowed Nintendo to work on things they desperately need to work on, such as online infrastructure.  Hell, having a few more million units sitting in a warehouse would have made a worldwide launch easier and would have seen a far higher number of launch systems sold.  But I get why they did it.  Xbox's Scorpio will have been out, and they probably didn't want it released in its shadow.  

I've always bought lots of games (with the exception of Xbox and Xbox One) at launch, because I feel that's the best way to enjoy a new system.  Play a new game, take a break, play a new one, take a break, play a new one.  It's like an all-you-can-eat buffet.  You arrive hungry, and you get to try so many things.  With the Switch, I can't do that.  I'm stuck with an amazing slice of pizza, and amazing as that pizza is, I'll eventually get tired of it and want something else. 

The Nintendo Switch Is Whatever You Make It

So, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime had to come out today and explain what the Nintendo Switch is. 

"At its heart, [Switch is] a home console that you can take with you on the go."

Or, could it be that the Switch, at its heart, is a handheld that you can dock to your TV?  See, it depends on what you want it to be.  Because it's a hybrid, you can bend it both ways.  If you play it mostly at home, it's a console.  If you play it mostly on the go, it's a handheld.  I think Reggie's further causing confusion by trying to assign the Switch's identity.  It kind of defeats the purpose of being a hybrid when you're trying to tell people what it really is.

If someone put a gun to my head and told me to make a call, however, I see it more as a handheld that seamlessly docks to the TV.  Why? Because it's an extremely weak console in comparison to the PS4 and Xbox One, and barely a step above the Wii U. It kicks the crap out of anything in the handheld market, though.  This is why I see it more as a handheld than a console.  Reggie and Co., however, are trying to assert to console gamers that the Switch has their best interests in mind, but they also don't want to dissuade  3DS gamers into thinking that the Switch is the 3DS's successor.  I feel it is.

I feel it's the successor to both the Wii U and the 3DS.  It's the successor to the Wii U because, according to Reggie, it's a console at heart.  It's the successor to the 3DS because with all its power as a handheld, Nintendo has no need to make a new one.  What point is there to make a more powerful handheld when an undocked Switch serves that very purpose? Reggie states that they'll continue to have a console and handheld market because of different price points, but I don't believe that.  The price for Nintendo handhelds have been going up since the original Game Boy. The current iteration handheld, the Nintendo 3DS, is going upwards of 200 dollars, well over 300 dollars for out of print special editions.  People are willing to pay two to three hundred dollars for a 3DS... If you have 300 dollars, might as well buy a switch... Now you don't need to buy a Nintendo console, because you already have one.

This should be painfully obvious to anyone who doesn't need a corporate figurehead spelling it out for them. The future of Nintendo's console and handheld market will be merging into one. This is how Nintendo will operate from now on.  Their new market will be hybrid gaming, meaning that if you're a console gamer or a handheld gamer, whatever Nintendo game they release, they will have you covered with just one version.  The Switch facilitates that, and it's not what Reggie says that defines it; it's how you use it. Always at home? Switch is a console.  Always on the go? It's a handheld.  Do both? It's a hybrid.

It irks me that Nintendo is screwing up on the market front again.  They did this with the Wii U, trying to tell people what the damn thing actually was.  They're doing this right now with the Switch!  Tell your consumers it doesn't have to fit in a box!  It's whatever you want it to be.  I mean, hell, the bloody name of the machine is "Switch".  You can "switch" between whatever you want.  Please Reggie, do something you haven't done for your consumer base in a long while... give them some credit.

Nintendo Switch Presentation Thoughts

So Nintendo finally gave us a healthy dose of Nintendo Switch information in the form of a Nintendo Switch Presentation that aired earlier tonight.  I have to admit, it was very well presented.  I quite enjoyed the intro about how they explained that the Switch has borrowed "DNA" from all previous Nintendo products. What I didn't enjoy much was the lack of info on launch titles, but we'll get into that in a bit.

First, two bits of information if you haven't already heard.  We have a world wide release date of March 3rd.    We all pretty much knew it was coming in March, but I had no idea that it was coming that soon in March.  This doesn't even leave Nintendo two months to get through all the logistics of pre-ordering and shipping, world wide mind you.  This is serious crunch time for them.

Second, we have the price.  It will be 299.99 in the States.  Again, that didn't come as a big surprise, because all reports figured it would be somewhere around the Wii U's price.  Anything steeper would be putting it well over what the PS4 and Xbox One are going for right now, and that would just be a huge shot in the foot to Nintendo.  In fact, I'm leaning towards saying 300 is a bit too much as it is.

We also got a full break down on all the features of the Switch, including the Joy-Con.  Confirmed is touch screen controls.  That was pretty much a given, but the October trailer never hinted at it.  The main stars of the show were the Joy-Cons.  We got a detailed look at everything they could do.  We now know they have shoulder buttons, and there will be wrist straps that slide onto them, extending the grip of those buttons to make them more comfortable.  Accelerometers mean motion controls, and there will be an infrared port that's able to not only detect proximity of objects, but their shape as well.  That could make for some interesting applications.  What really interested me is the new "HD Rumble" they introduced.  Supposedly, you'll be able to detect more intricate rumbling for greater sensory feedback.

There's some great news, and some horrible news.  First, the great news.  Nintendo Switch will be region free.  Finally, a Nintendo system free of stupid region locking bullshit.  Now, the only thing holding back your enjoyment of importing Japanese games is your lack of understanding Japanese!  This is huge Nintendo!  Seems like you're finally learning....no, wait.  No you're not.  Apparently, it's too hard to keep making steps forward without taking steps backward.  So, the horrible news.  Near the end of 2017, Nintendo will begin charging for online services.

Now, they didn't go into detail about exactly what kind of services they'll be charging for, but I can only hope against hope that basic online play will be free.  If not, this has potential to hurt Nintendo severely.  Some people stuck with Nintendo when MS, and later Sony, began charging for their online play.  Will people cough up the dough to keep playing Splatoon 2?  Not if they don't improve how their games play, because Nintendo still doesn't understand basic online fundamentals like, match making and friend finding.

Now for the games... I'm just going to say I am a bit worried that more than half the time spent on their reveals were for games they could have waited to show off at E3.  I was waiting patiently to learn what launch titles would be available on day one, and although The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was confirmed as a launch title with an absolutely breathtaking trailer, the only other game confirmed for launch was.... a multiplayer mini-game called 1 2 Switch.  All it looks to be is a duel type game where you try to pull the controller out on someone before they do.  I'm sure that will be fun for about 1, 2 minutes...

ARMS looked to be an interesting title where you use your Joy-Cons as virtual boxing gloves.  The unique feature about this arcade boxing title is that the arms extend, like springs, so you can throw your punches literally across the ring.  Twisting your wrists allow you to curve your punches.  But honestly, I get the impression that this is nothing but a glorified Wii Boxing.  I can't see it being a substantial title.

There was also footage being shown for a Splatoon title.  Now, I saw a Splatoon game being played on the Switch in the October trailer, but I just assumed it was a port of the Wii U title, but it is in fact a full fledged sequel.  Looks like just about everything in the game will be brand new.  I'm a bit excited for it, but I only hope they make their single player campaign larger, because the original was fun.  Just wasn't long enough, and the online bored me.  I for sure will not be paying just to play Splatoon 2 online.

Everything else they showed off seems it was going to be well off into 2017.  We got a new Shin Megami Tensei, a new Fire Emblem, Xenoblade 2 (which looks FUCKING amazing) and a few other things.  There was a rapid fire teaser montage at the end that went by too quickly to really spot what was coming out, but I'm sure future Treehouses will go into detail about those.  Oh, there was the finally confirmed Skyrim, which should have just been confirmed by Bethesda back when we saw the game being played on the Switch... back in October.  There was a also a tease of Suda 51 saying a new Travis Touchdown game is in the works, but it has no title yet.  Come on... what else could it be other than No More Heroes 3?!  That announcement had me the most excited yet.  I simply love that series!

Then, we got a look at the new Mario.  It started off with a camera panning across a city and descending to street level where it stopped above a sewer lid.  I was thinking, "A new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game?"  Nope. Mario pops out!  It showed him running across this New York inspired city, and I was thinking, "OH MY GOD!  IT'S HAPPENING!  SUPER MARIO GRAND THEFT AUTO!"  Then the scenery changed. Rapidly.  Forest levels. Space levels.  Weird abstract art levels.  His hat also has a life of its own now.  This new Mario game Super Mario Odyssey looks weird and fantastic all in one.  And... it's not releasing until the holiday season.  Bad. Move. Nintendo.  You needed this at launch.

And this brings me to my closing.  Nintendo fell hard on their faces with this presentation.  Even though it was made well, it lacked critical information: launch titles.  So, all we know is that there's a mini game and Zelda.  Where is everything else? What other Nintendo games are going to be launch titles? Any third parties? I mean.. it can't JUST be those two? Can it? And what is the rest of the year going to look like? I know, it's too early for that information, but I am deeply concerned that we're going to see another four month game drought like we did with the Wii U.  Sure, we got Wii U and GC backwards compatibility, but that's through digital content only, pointless if you have the discs.  If you're going to buy a Switch just for Switch games, you're going to be royally screwed.