Playstation 4 Games Catch-All

At one time you had to have PS+ for auto updates but I don't think so anymore.

My enjoyment hierarchy is roughly:

Good characters > Good writing > Enjoyable stealth > Ridiculous gigantic mechanisms that improbably seem to still work after a thousand years of disuse

And orthogonal to that is the fact that I think pretty much every game can be improved if I have the option to avoid combat altogether and just sneak ninja-like through the level without anyone ever realizing I was there. So the Uncharted games have a special place in my heart - even the ones I'd prefer never to play again, like 3 - and the Tomb Raider games are on average mostly-enjoyable ways to pass the time with parts I have to slog through.

I've never gotten the "Nathan Drake is a mass murderer" canard, though, at least in comparison to pretty much every other similar game. I'll try my hardest to sneak through a level without engaging combat in both the Uncharted and Tomb Raider games, but inevitably I kill a googleplex of NPCs in both. At least in the more recent Uncharted games you can pretend you're "knocking out" guards, rather than choking them to death; Lara Croft sneaks up behind people in her way and "puts them to sleep" with her ax.

Valmorian wrote:

Weird, I loved the new Tomb Raider and couldn't be more bored with the Uncharted games. Mostly becuase of how awful the combat in them is.

Count me as one on that camp, as well. Tomb Raider, the modern take, great. Uncharted? Meh. Played two of them. Can't really say what it is that's bad, for me, but I know I don't dig the bullet sponge-iness, or the general balance, or the humor/narrative. I know I'm in the minority as far as the franchise goes, clearly, but that's just how I see it.

The uncharted games have improved immeasurably as they’ve gone on just through the tech used as much as anything (although I understand the people who loved the first three and felt Uncharted 4 betrayed the tone and narrative of the first three games.) Lost Legacy is phenomenal. In the end it comes down to which game or characters speak to you. I enjoyed the first of the modern Tomb Raiders but I connect more with Nathan and the gang.

Baron Of Hell wrote:

So I always leave my ps4 in rest mod. As I understand it this should allow the system to auto update but that isn't happening. The system doesn't update until I turn it back on and try to do something that requires the update. I have the option to do updates in rest mode checked.

Any ideas on what the problem is?

Seems like it downloads updates but doesn't apply them. I'm thinking maybe that's because it generally needs to restart the system to do so, and that could quit whatever you had running?

I think there's been some discussions in the past about it, and it just seems like the PS4 is consistently inconsistent about when and why it downloads, much less installs, updates.

beanman101283 wrote:

I think there's been some discussions in the past about it, and it just seems like the PS4 is consistently inconsistent about when and why it downloads, much less installs, updates.

Mine is consistent about not installing, but downloads are hit or miss. The PS4 seems to get into a weird state after numerous rest modes.

My memory is auto-installing updates is part of PS+ membership.

Anyone ever use a USB splitter into a PS4? I see some conflicting info on it. I want to leave VR plugged in, my external drive, and this new external fan. Some of the splitters say that you can use them and they work on PS4, though at least one mentioned needing to use a splitter with external power in order for it to work with PS4.

Any luck?

Just a guess but It probably depends on how much power is being pulled by the devices you are putting in it.

I suggest if you get a PS4 usb hub, get a powered one. I have issues with my Astro MixAmp 4 TR with the mic input periodically disappearing and the reappearing immediately. At first I thought it might be a bad audio cable, but I read online that it seems to be a common problem and that a powered hub can solve it. Definitely get a powered hub if you plan on plugging in a USB HDD, as they pretty much require nearly the full 950 ma that a single USB 3 port can provide. Sharing that plug with other devices would cause problems. A powered hub would provide dedicated power to each USB port.

PlayStation Plus Monthly Games - February 2020

Bioshock collection, Sims 4 and Fireweall Zero

Oh nice. I wasn’t going to buy it but I’ll give Bioshock a bit of a whirl for old times sake.

Not bad as far as monthly plus offerings go. Not great, but not bad.

Dang it, I just bought the Bioshock collection. I mean, it was like a fiver or something, but still.

I heard firewall is really good VR game

I do like that they are including a VR game, but dammit, I just bought Firewall!

I almost bought sims and Bioshock 2 weeks ago and went with some switch games instead. Good call it seems.

Keen to try out the Bioshock sequels and the Sims. Happy days!

Do they only include games from major publishers these days? It seems like a while since there was an indie title.

They seem to be focusing on AAA games at the moment.

I wonder if you'll be able to jump straight into the Bioshock Infinite DLC. The main game didn't land for me but I'd like to revisit rapture I the DLC.

Higgledy wrote:

They seem to be focusing on AAA games at the moment.

My suspicion is they're trying to pump up the perceived value in preparation for the launch of the PS5; I suspect that will be a time when people are most likely to re-evaluate whether it's worth continuing their existing subscription or starting a new one.

I wonder if you'll be able to jump straight into the Bioshock Infinite DLC. The main game didn't land for me but I'd like to revisit rapture I the DLC.

I haven't played it, but my understanding is it's definitely separate story-wise (albeit using elements from both the first game and Infinite), so I don't see why it would be locked behind completing the main game.

Evan E wrote:
Higgledy wrote:

They seem to be focusing on AAA games at the moment.

My suspicion is they're trying to pump up the perceived value in preparation for the launch of the PS5; I suspect that will be a time when people are most likely to re-evaluate whether it's worth continuing their existing subscription or starting a new one.

I wonder if you'll be able to jump straight into the Bioshock Infinite DLC. The main game didn't land for me but I'd like to revisit rapture I the DLC.

I haven't played it, but my understanding is it's definitely separate story-wise (albeit using elements from both the first game and Infinite), so I don't see why it would be locked behind completing the main game.

You mean you don't want to devastate whole living areas then go back and pick up coins and bullets one by one for an hour all while thinking this story is interesting but I am a monster.

Sony shifted their focus in PS+ freebies to more prestige titles when they dropped PS3 and Vita support, apparently because buyers weren't happy with all the indies and AA games. The indies were mostly there to give something for the Vita, anyway.

But they still do them. Goat Simulator was last month, Outlast 2 was in November, Horizon Chase Turbo was in July, What Remains of Edith Finch and Overcooked were both in May, and The Witness was in March.

Evan E wrote:

I've never gotten the "Nathan Drake is a mass murderer" canard, though, at least in comparison to pretty much every other similar game.

Sorry to backtrack, but I had to share an essay that speaks to this. Wish the guy updated...ever:

Dreams short campaign 'Arts Dream', hitting 11th February (early access players) with the official release on the 14th February. This looks original, off the cuff & delightful. Its 2-3 hours long, with a variety of different game styles & mechanics. I really hope this shows a fraction of the huge potential of Dreams.

So, it - Dreams - is a game creation toolset. It's Mario Maker, or LittleBigPlanet, with a broader scope. I'd only ever glanced at it in passing. It makes more sense now.

I am super excited about Dreams. Super. Excited.

Mario_Alba wrote:

I am super excited about Dreams. Super. Excited.

I'm intrigued per the ease of access and the learning curve. Transporting ideas to realisation is the struggle for those of us who can think wondrous, ponder creative, and often, yet procrastinate on the nuts and bolts skills required to make those ideas happen. (Programming. Drawing. Writing. Musicianship.) Dreams could most certainly be ace. As a content consumer. As a content creator.

It may become a purchase. Out of nowhere.

We'll have to share our amazing creations when they're ready !

RnRClown wrote:
Mario_Alba wrote:

I am super excited about Dreams. Super. Excited.

I'm intrigued per the ease of access and the learning curve. Transporting ideas to realisation is the struggle for those of us who can think wondrous, ponder creative, and often, yet procrastinate on the nuts and bolts skills required to make those ideas happen. (Programming. Drawing. Writing. Musicianship.) Dreams could most certainly be ace. As a content consumer. As a content creator.

It may become a purchase. Out of nowhere.

I'd honestly love to have a go at making a concept, be it a simple platformer or maybe even something stealth based. Like you say though how easy is it to use the tools to create something? I have absolutely no doubt that the stuff the community will create in the next couple of years will be amazing, possibly even warranting a separate release.

If some of the best artists, designers etc of the community then collaborate we could have some special projects in Dreams.

I've seen potential in a couple of games. One in particular see's you looking for orbs around a Mario Galaxy style planet in first person. They are hidden underwater, on top of a house, in a nearby forest etc You actually got a couple of upgrades to help like a torch for the darker areas of the planet. It was visually superb & actually pretty engaging searching this well designed 360° space. This was way back at the start too.

My big criticism was always that characters moved that same weird looking, almost weightless way. There was someone that then had a recreation of Mario 64 & they had the control so on point it was ridiculous. Even down to the triple jump, the tightness, the animation & sound Mario makes everytime he jumps. It was at that point that I realised these tools were pretty damn good.

Media Molecule are the little off beat, quirky, creative, original studio within Sony that deserve success. They have poured 7+ years into this, I think releasing on PC would be a massive help. Dreams would explode with that user base.