The Monday letters page is upset that there’s never been a truly great The Lord of the Rings game, as one reader learns about the Max Payne remakes.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Earliest memory
I shed a tear of nostalgia when I heard they were bringing back Defender Of The Crown, then I shed a second tear of despair when I found out it was 40 years old. I thought it was early 90s, but 1986? Man, I’m old for remembering it the first time round – even if I was just a kid at the time.

I never owned it, but I do remember it being demoed in a shop a couple of times, so it’s an early memory of gaming. But that made me think what is the oldest game I’ve ever played? I don’t honestly know but I assume it must’ve been something in the arcades, as I don’t remember anyone having a console or computer back when I was a kid.

I’m pretty sure I played an original Space Invaders coin-op, which the internet informs me was made in 1978, but I doubt that was the first one. I’m not quite that old but I know I played one in the early 80s. I always liked OutRun, which apparently was also 1986, so maybe it was that.

Curious to know what other readers’ earliest memories of games are. And if anyone says something on Xbox 360 I’m going to start crying again.
Grackle

Secret plan
I’m getting really anxious waiting to hear about the next FromSoftware game. We still haven’t heard anything more about The Duskbloods, which is supposed to be out this year, let alone their next multiformat game. I’m sure this must be the longest we’ve ever gone without any news from them. Not even any leaks or rumours, as far as I know.

They must have a plan, because they’ve said no Elden Ring 2 and they keep stopping all these Bloodborne projects, but what are they doing instead?! I realise that none of this will matter the second they do announce something, but not knowing is driving me nuts.

I also realise that, in theory, I should be hoping they announce something new and in a different style but I have to admit I just want Elden Ring Part 2, no matter what they call it or what kind of setting it has.
Olang

Hardware preparations
I have to agree with the reader at the weekend, that it’s not that PCs have become better or more desirable, it’s that people are fed up with consoles and they’re being pushed away. Anyone thinking about buying a new console now, or preparing for the next generation, is much more likely to consider the PC now than they were at the same point last gen.

That’s not just a guess either. I know at least two friends that are in that exact position and if I hadn’t got my PlayStation 5 a couple of years ago, I’m sure I would be as well. I can’t imagine anything that would make me want to buy a PlayStation 6, unless it too played PC games. I don’t think there’s any rumours that say it will but at this point that must surely be a possibility.
Kranker

Remake ≠ remaster
I’ve got a bit of a niche question that hopefully someone out there in the GameCentral universe can answer.

I’m a massive fan of the original Secret Of Mana on the SNES, so much so that it is still the second best game I’ve ever played, in my own opinion, and I even went to the lengths of playing all the way through the sequel with all its Japanese text because I wanted more.

I’ve never played the remastered version on newer consoles, in fear that it might take the shine away for me. However, I would like to buy it.

Have any other gamers on here who played the original back in the day bought the newer version?
How did they find it?

Is it worth buying and jumping back in or should I just fire up the old game?

Many thanks in advance guys.
freeway 7

GC: Do you mean the 2018 remake? We’re afraid to say it wasn’t very good.

Minimum progress
I just read that Remedy are remaking Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2, in collaboration with Rockstar. From what I can see the project has been in full production for almost 18 months and could be released towards the end of this year. This is amazing news as the first Max Payne in particular was one of my favourite games.

Does GameCentral have any news on this, and have you seen any footage
Subzero Radio

GC: Nothing at all, we’re afraid; other than it is still in development. It was announced ages ago but nothing has ever been shown of it. We can only assume that GTA 6, and Remedy having multiple projects on the go at once, have slowed progress to a crawl.

Mistaken identity
Am I alone in having never heard of The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North at all? What a strange game to want to bring back, especially as it apparently wasn’t even any good. I thought it was what I have now learned is called The Third Age, which was kind of a Japanese role-player that I do remember, but apparently War In The North is something else.

All this does is underline how there’s never really been a great Lord of the Rings game. Those movie tie-in action games were okay, but I wouldn’t buy them again if they were remastered. Shadow Of Mordor was probably the best, overall, of the modern games but I still don’t think it was great.

Maybe Lord of the Rings doesn’t translate well to video games. You can do stuff if you lean into the movie interpretation of things but if you go back to the original text… it is not suitable for a video game tie-in. Not beyond the broad concepts that everything else in fantasy has been ripping off for so long.

Some kind of strategy game with graphic adventure aspects, when you interact with characters, would probably be the only way to even attempt it and somehow I can’t see anyone spending the money to make that.

Game Of Thrones might work better but it’s probably the same deal. Warner Bros. was probably pretty sensible not to try and make a console game of it before. Especially when even that Telltale Games attempt turned out to be a dud.
Focus

Not over yet
After around two years, I have finally gotten through my Switch backlog and with no new major releases for the hybrid, I think it’s safe to say I’m done with the Switch.

Next console please…
LeeDappa

GC: There’s lots of new Switch games still scheduled, including first party titles Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream and Rhythm Paradise Groove.

Different worlds
I’m not sure PlayStation or Nintendo need to be terribly worried by either the Steam Machine or the NeXbox Helix X. Making a more palatable, user-friendly PC for the living room is a solid idea on paper, but Valve’s offering appears to be underpowered (roughly on par with base PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X, with no word as far as I’m aware on whether it will be customised to enable use of FSR 4.0 upscaling).

And both machines will be more expensive than a PS5 Pro (which still exists and is getting a major upgrade soon). There’s also the issue that the PC and console userbase doesn’t overlap as much as some people seem to think, and while these machines are intending to streamline the PC experience that will still be too much for many console gamers.

If Microsoft subsidise the Xbox DNA I’d consider it, as my PC is getting old and some foolish multinationals have made building a PC super expensive. Otherwise, I think that and the Steam Machine will be the preserve of the hardcore few.
Magnumstache

Inbox also-rans
Shame 1348 Ex Voto isn’t any good but if the success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance is gong to lead to a bunch of historical knock-offs I would be absolutely fine with that. Hundred Years’ War next, please!
Pewter Parker

Anyone that says they hate microtransactions and don’t care about piracy are okay with me but when is Slay The Spire 2 coming to consoles? I don’t care if the PC is hot at the moment, I don’t want to use one to play games.
Henk

GC: They haven’t said but based on the last game it could be around two years away.

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s 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 follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Who will win out of PS6 vs. Project Helix?

MORE: Games Inbox: Is buying physical video games becoming more popular?

MORE: Games Inbox: Should Capcom remake Resident Evil 6?

Comments


Add as preferred source