Your Wednesday Roundup
Your Wednesday Roundup
Catching you up on your favorite consoles.
Olympus, collabs, and updates on the console giants.
Read time: 9 minutes
Quick Tidbits
Here are small and developing stories you should keep your eye on.
PS5 faceplate seller cancels all orders: one of the exciting things about the upcoming PS5 is the ability to remove and exchange faceplates. It’s something that companies have been starting to take advantage of, as they have started to create and sell custom faceplates, skins, and wraps. But it looks like one company will not be able to take advantage of this cool feature, at least not the way they want to. A website called PlateStation5 was recently asked to rebrand, stop sales of custom faceplates, and cancel all pre-orders regarding their custom faceplates. This comes after Sony claimed trademark infringement regarding the PlateStation5 faceplates. If the business did not change their brand and cancel their orders, the site would end up in court. Now known as CustomizeMyPlates, they still offer ways to customize a PS5 appearance, but it will now only be possible through skins and wraps. But even with these changes, there are still some sweet designs to choose from, so I highly recommend checking them out, especially if you enjoy customizing your console’s look and feel.
Olympus: a new season of Apex Legends is upon us, and it looks like the game is taking players to a brand new map. Called Olympus, the map is a floating city that provides a completely different visual than what players have grown accustomed to in Kings Canyon and World’s Edge. Unlike the previous two maps, Olympus has a primarily urban feel and is much denser, which can lead to some interesting engagements. Alongside that, Olympus offers greater options for verticality, which is in part due to the new legend — Horizon. Other than that, smaller buffs and nerfs have been applied to current legends and the gun selection, which should change the way players fight. So, why exactly am I highlighting this game specifically? Since the introduction of battle royales such as PUBG and Fornite, other BRs have been working hard to provide something new. Apex Legends has and continues to do exactly that, as they’ve set the blueprint for BR longevity. Along with providing players with unique maps that change the ways of engagement, the game also boasts the most diverse roster in video game history. Chances are that today’s gamers will be able to find a legend that accurately portrays them, their personality, and even their background. Apex Legends continues to pave the way for proper game longevity and representation, and other game devs would be wise to follow in their footsteps.
Potential for pre-order collections: Europe is planning to go through a second national lockdown after the country was hit with a massive wave of COVID-19 cases that nearly overwhelmed their hospitals and medical staff. This comes at a poor time for console gaming fans, as the lockdown comes a week before the release of the PS5 and the Xbox Series consoles, and it’s left many of them worried about whether or not they’ll be able to bring their pre-ordered console home. Fortunately, retailers have announced various ways to “collect” their new next-gen console. Some stores have shared delivery options, while others have discussed specific pick-up times. But although people who have pre-ordered will be able to get their consoles, the same cannot be said for those that didn’t, as no strategies have been shared on how to buy a next-gen console on the day of launch. Due to lockdown, it’s unlikely stores will be open to allow in-store purchases, especially in a people-driving situation that is a next-gen launch. Personally, it’s best that these stores avoid in-store purchases, especially for the duration of the lockdown. Although it sucks for people that expected to get a PS5 or Xbox Series console on the day of launch, it would suck even more if they were to contract COVID-19. Video games are great, but they can definitely wait if that means seeing a downward trend in COVID cases. Good luck to all of my UK readers. I hope y’all stay safe.
Console Updates
The current major console manufacturers are Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. This list may change as new competition arises but, for now, these three reign supreme.
Sony
The next round of free PS Plus games are available on the PlayStation Store, and they are some good ones.
The first (and likely most notable) title is Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, which was released back in 2017 by WB Games and Monolith Productions. The game was a sequel to the award-winning and surprise hit that was Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, which was released back in 2014 by the same studio and publisher. Although the game didn’t receive the same praise and accolades as its predecessor, Shadow of War is still a fine title, especially when you get past the beginning of the game, which has been described as “grindy.”
The next title is Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition, which was released back in 2017 and was one of the most highly rated games of that year (and of this current generation). This title will provide the base game and the four expansion packs that have come out since the game’s initial release. A 2D side-scrolling adventure game, the game boasts some phenomenal platforming features and has a great fighting system, along with a riveting story. Although this game was a little more under the radar than other games released that year (Resident Evil 7, Destiny 2, and Horizon Zero Dawn were all released that year), it’s still a fun title and a great palate cleanser if you’re playing some more intense titles.
One thing to remember: these games are free and stay free as long as you maintain your PS Plus account. The moment you close your account, you’ll lose access to these games. And for those that are moving on to the PS5 next week, you will still have access to this game, but you may need to re-download it to your new console.
Quick Thoughts
Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition really intrigues me here, and it’s something I’ll have to download and try soon. I’ve grown to love side-scrolling adventure games, especially with the release of Cuphead back in 2017 (what a year for gaming).
As for Shadow of War?
Eh.
I played it for a week back in 2018 and, to be honest, I wasn’t really enthused by it. Maybe I’ll give it another crack since I have all this extra time, but I don’t know if it will hold my attention.
Microsoft
The purchase of Bethesda Studios has opened up a potential partnership that many hoped for but didn’t think would be real:
Master Chief and Doom Guy.
The Xbox team has teased at a potential team-up of the two iconic video game characters after posting fan art on the official Halo account.
It’s cool that the Halo team decided to post this fan art (which is incredibly well done), but it’s also interesting to see some acknowledgment of this theory.
And believe it or not, this could actually be possible. Both characters have shown an ability to travel through dimensions, with Doom Guy already traveling to three separate dimensions. As for Master Chief, he’s already been showcased in fighting games and has fallen through some dimensional rifts himself (i.e. the end of Halo 3).
It would be a cool collab that could lead to some interesting outcomes. We’ve already seen collabs in other mediums, with the most notable one being “Freddy vs. Jason,” so this is currently within the realm of possibility
Quick Thoughts
Yes, please! Inject this type of content into my veins.
I’d love to see a Master Chief and Doom Guy crossover, especially if they can retain some of the gruesomeness of Doom. Both chracters are pretty similar in that they don’t say much (although Master Chief has talked a lot more as of recently), so it would be hilarious to see them try and interact with each other.
Can you imagine if Microsoft was able to lead with a type of game like this at time of launch of the Xbox Series console? Now that would’ve been an awesome launch title that would have had people lining up at the door.
Nintendo
If you own a Switch and you’re thinking about getting a controller for it, you may want to hold off if you’re also a future owner of a PS5. Reports have shown that the DualSense, the next controller coming with the PS5, is compatible with the current Nintendo Switch. This comes as both hilarious and frustrating, as the DualSense has shown to work with multiple consoles across generations (like the PS3), but it does not work with the most current generation — the PS4.
Twitter user BrokenGamezHDR was able to connect his DualSense controller to the Switch due to an adaptor called the 8BitDo. Along with navigating the menu, he was also able to play some Mario Kart. This was only further confirmed, as another user shared a video of himself playing Pokemon: Sword and Shield. Nothing has been confirmed in regards to if the Switch can experience haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, but the guess would be no, as many games don’t have programming to cater to this feature.
But before you jump online and buy yourself an adaptor, a word of caution — there is significant input lag between the controller and games. Although this isn’t a big deal when it comes to solo RPGs, it is a big deal for multiplayer titles like Mario Kart and Super Smash, both of which require crisp and precise responses.
Quick Thoughts
Although it’s cool that the DualSense is functional with the Nintendo Switch, I just don’t see it as a viable option, especially if there is significant input lag.
Gamers, especially those playing reflex intensive games like shooters, fighting games, and racing games, rely on quick and response input. Without it, whoever they’re competing against will have a significant time to evade and respond.
And even with solo games like Animal Crossing and Breath of The Wild, the significant input lag could really impact the gaming experience in a negative manner. It just doesn’t seem like a problem worth dealing with, especially since the Switch already comes with a two Joy-Con controllers.
With that said, I’m sure some people will try and attempt this, so let me know if you’re one of those people! I’d love to get your thoughts on the experience.
Mario + Amazon
Credit: Amazon/Nintendo
If you purchased something from Amazon that requires a box, don’t be surprised if you see a Super Mario-themed box at your doorstep.
In an on-going celebration of Mario’s 35th anniversary, Nintendo has partnered with Amazon to send out specially designed boxes paying tribute to the long-time video game character. The partnership, which lasts through November, will also allow people to complete specific tasks that can enter them into the Super Mario Sweepstakes. The details of the sweepstakes are still unknown, but it’s worth keeping your eye on, as I’m sure there will be some awesome things to win.
It is important to note that these boxes will be sent out randomly and that purchasing a Nintendo product does not increase your chances of getting a box. So theoretically, you could purchase a huge box of Dramamine (a motion-sickness medicine) and end up with a Mario-themed box, while someone that ordered a Nintendo Switch is greeted with a plain brown box.
It’s a cool initiative that will bring some attention to the long-time gaming giant and its beloved character, and I really hope I get one of these boxes.
Nothing would be cooler than seeing this box after Black Friday shopping.