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Nobody Wants Concord As It Falls Below Top 700 Wishlisted Steam Games

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  • Concord has received a lot of criticism after an underwhelming response from both betas.
  • The hero shooter might not sell too well at release since it cannot be found high on the Steam wishlist page.
  • The game is currently standing at #789 on the list, less than a month before its release.

Concord has faced a pretty bad reception from the fans. The closed and open betas have been quite underwhelming, hinting that the game won’t perform well on release. The hero shooter has even been review-bombed a month before its release.

While one could be optimistic and hope for the best, the game’s Steam wishlists show another nightmare in the making. Not many people seem interested in the launch, with the title nowhere near the top 700 wishlisted Steam games.

Why it matters: A major AAA title with PlayStation’s backing should not be performing this poorly, making the situation quite surprising for everyone.

Concord Wishlist On Steam
Concord Is Not Being Wishlisted By Anyone On Steam | Image Source: SteamDB

Concord is currently ranked #789 on the Steam Wishlist page, and this is extremely concerning for a AAA game. Even games that aren’t announced and don’t have a release window have more wishlists than this upcoming AAA hero shooter.

On top of that, Sony is falling behind the competition, which makes the situation even worse. As a direct rival to Concord, Marvel Rivals is sitting at the 14th position on the list, which is admirable considering the negativity and dismissals Marvel Rivals faced after its reveal.

The top 5 positions are occupied by Black Myth: Wukong, Hollow Knight Silksong, Frostpunk 2, Stalker 2, and Monster Hunter Wilds, respectively. In comparison, Concord is doing extremely poorly since it is set to release on the 23rd of August.

 

There isn’t even a month before the game is released, and it is currently not in a good spot.

Even the open beta, which was free, didn’t attract more than 2.3K players. On the other hand, Marvel Rivals attracted over 52K players with a closed beta, which required players to share their email for a chance at receiving a code.

The difference is obvious at this point. If only Sony hadn’t used the generic theme, made the characters more appealing, and hadn’t added the $40 price tag, things might have been different.

Still, those looking forward to the game should be glad to know that it won’t include a battle pass on release. This is one of the positives in this scenario.

PlayStation To Host Showcase In September For PS5 Pro, Says Analyst

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  • An analyst says PlayStation will almost certainly host a showcase in 2024.
  • He states that the gaming giant needs to reveal its games to shareholders and announce the PS5 Pro.
  • The analyst also believes that the brand’s 30th anniversary is one major reason a showcase will be hosted in September.

Millions across the globe are awaiting the PlayStation Showcase. While the gaming giant has shown no signs of hosting another event after its latest State of Play, fans continue to speculate about a showcase in late 2024.

Joining the discussion, an analyst has offered his two cents on the subject. He believes such an event is practically inevitable this year, and there are ten reasons why.

Why it matters: The gaming giant previously developed a reputation for hosting impressive events. However, it has disappointed fans recently, leading to expectations for a redemption in 2024.

PlayStation State of Play
PlayStation’s Last State of Play Failed To Hit The Mark

William Aguilar says he is confident a big PlayStation Showcase is coming up this year.

The analyst mentions obvious reasons, like Sony’s gaming brand approaching its 30th anniversary this year and the reported arrival of the PS5 Pro. These already make a strong case for the next showcase.

However, he also points to less obvious reasons, including PlayStation’s commitment to shareholders. The gaming giant needs to unveil its lineup for next year. By a similar point in 2023, most of the exclusives for 2024 had already been revealed.

Excluding games like Death Stranding 2, this is no longer the case anymore, so more announcements must be made. Moreover, William Aguilar argues that the new leadership of Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino would want to make an impression with this event.

PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro Has Been In The News Cycle For Nearly A Full Year

While the analyst makes compelling arguments, he also states that sources have already informed him about the showcase. As such, fans might be in for a treat soon, with PlayStation unveiling more details.

Recently, Xbox hosted an incredible showcase that led to requests for PlayStation’s answer to the event. With the gaming giant’s 30th anniversary upon us, this major September event might just measure up to everything Xbox showed.

It is also important to note that this isn’t the first time an insider or analyst has pointed to a showcase for September.

Capcom Finds Nintendo Switch Too Weak For Monster Hunter Wilds

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  • Monster Hunter Wilds will not be available on Nintendo Switch due to the console’s hardware limitations.
  • Capcom is focusing on utilizing the power of PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC to fully realize the game’s potential.
  • The game is expected to be one of the largest in the series.

Monster Hunter Wilds was one of the most exciting reveals at the 2023 Game Awards. However, the excitement has been tempered by the announcement that the game will not be released on the Nintendo Switch due to the console’s hardware limitations.

The game is set to launch in 2025, which coincides with the potential Switch 2 launch. Therefore, Monster Hunter Wilds may eventually launch on the Switch 2.

Why it matters: Capcom’s choice not to release Monster Hunter Wilds on the Switch indicates that the console is getting old.

Monster Hunter Wilds Won't Release on Nintendo Switch
Monster Hunter Wilds features Seikrets, feathered mounts capable of gliding and hopping across crags.

Capcom stated in a Q&A summary from their 45th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders that they think only the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC can fully showcase all features of the new game.

The platforms capable of realizing that concept [portraying the game’s world] are PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

-Capcom

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to be one of the largest games in the series, with a world more than double the size of any before it. The game’s environments evolve over time, and it is designed for powerful platforms like PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Capcom decided not to include the Nintendo Switch due to the game’s technical demands. While the Switch is popular and versatile, it lacks the hardware capabilities required for the detailed environments and advanced AI of Monster Hunter Wilds.

Instead, Capcom is concentrating on harnessing the advanced features of next-gen consoles and high-end PCs to portray the game’s world.

The Nintendo Switch isn’t in the current plans, but there are speculations about Monster Hunter Wilds possibly coming to Nintendo’s next console. Switch 2 is rumored to offer PS4-Pro-like performance, so it will likely handle the game with some tweaks.

Capcom plans to share more detailed information as development continues. This will help fans better understand what they can expect from the upcoming release.

Monster Hunter is one of Capcom’s most successful franchises.

Monster Hunter: World sold over 23 million copies. Following this success, the upcoming title appears poised to inject fresh energy into the franchise, building on the success of Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise.

Colorful Unveils CVN Z790D5 ARK FROZEN Motherboard For Intel CPUs

[Press Release] Capcom’s latest motherboard, the CVN Z790D5 ARK FROZEN, supports three generations of Intel CPUs. In addition to compatibility with 12th, 13th, and 14th-gen Intel chips, it also packs four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots and DDR5 memory support.

Drawing inspiration from classic CVN-class battleships, this motherboard is defined by its titanium grey finish. A 14+1+1 digital power phase design and impressive VRMs also enable support for high-end chips like Intel Core i9 CPUs.

Colorful CVN Z790D5 ARK FROZEN
Image via Colorful

Other features include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support.

Also included is a single PCIe 5.0 X16 slot that offers backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 devices. To make the motherboard more compelling, Colorful offers an 8-layer PCB that supports high-speed memory.

DDR5-7800MHz RAM is no problem for the CVN Z790D5 ARK FROZEN. Meanwhile, it supports a maximum memory capacity of 192GB when using 48GB memory modules.

All in all, Colorful provides the complete package here. The IO support is similarly extensive, ranging from USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports to four USB 2.0 ports. The front USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports can also offer 30W PD fast charging.

To learn more about Colorful and its many PC products, use this link to visit the company’s official website.

AMD Ryzen 9000 Debut Pushed Back By Few Weeks Amid Quality Concerns

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  • AMD has announced a delay for its Ryzen 9000 CPUs, originally scheduled for July 31.
  • It identified a packaging test and validation system issue, leading to a shortage of review samples needed for benchmarking before launch.
  • Despite the setback, AMD emphasized that the production process and the CPUs are not flawed.

AMD has announced a delay in releasing its Ryzen 9000 CPUs, which were scheduled to go out on July 31. The launch dates have also been split: on August 15, the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9900X will go on sale.

Why it matters: Many PC gamers were getting ready for this launch. The delay, while very short, means that they can no longer have new PCs up and running in August immediately.

 

The Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X will go on sale a week earlier, on August 8. This week, concerns about review sample availability were raised because there were no samples for reviewers, and the launch was only one week away.

To allow reviewers adequate time to benchmark, they are often distributed a few weeks before launch. AMD responded to inquiries by saying that a packaging test and validation system issue was discovered during their ongoing validation of the initial production material.

This could have resulted in a small percentage of Ryzen 9000 CPUs not matching their quality standards. The samples that have been dispatched to its channel partners are currently being replaced.

Nevertheless, there won’t be enough samples for a July 31st launch.

AMD hasn’t gone into detail about the problems just yet, but it has emphasized that neither the production process nor the CPUs themselves were problematic. That being said, AMD deserves praise for taking this action.

Although these situations happen, it’s best to address problems as soon as they arise, even if it means waiting a few more weeks for reviews and retail availability.

Capcom To Hire More Female Managers Amid Diversity Focus

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  • Capcom has recently discussed its focus on increasing diversity in the company.
  • It intends to hire a greater percentage of female managers, aiming to increase the number of female managers to 15%.
  • The publisher is also considering working with non-Japanese directors in the future.

Capcom is one of the most successful game development and publishing companies. It has been going up the charts since Resident Evil 2 Remake. Last year, the developer did the unthinkable with the Resident Evil 4 Remake and set a high bar for remakes.

Capcom is also considering stepping away from the $70 price tag for games and has no plans to discontinue physical media despite major profits from digital releases. Moreover, like other studios, it seems diversity will be a focus for the publisher in the future.

Why it matters: Capcom has become a fan-favourite studio, so many are concerned about its focus on diversity.

Capcom Featured Image
Capcom Is One Of The Industry’s Biggest Studios Today

Capcom has recently revealed that it has an internal quota to increase the percentage of female managers at the company. Moreover, the company is considering hiring non-Japanese directors, which has become a major concern among the fans.

During the recent 45th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, a shareholder asked the company about the promised quota. The shareholder noticed that a female candidate for external director has been submitted, but all of the internal directors are male. To this, the company replied:

while our internal directors are currently all male, in addition to women, going forward we will also consider non-Japanese directors.

-Capcom

Capcom concluded the answer by saying that currently, 13.6% of the core talent consists of females, so it is aiming to bring the percentage of female managers up to 15%.

As such, the company still aims to reach more women going forward.

 

Capcom tried to justify the diversity focus by saying that it selects directors who can oversee the company’s management and offer advice. Many other aspects like history, insight, experience, skills, and characteristics are considered when hiring a director.

Capcom previously made it clear that it wants to be committed to the ESG. The company believes a healthy relationship with the shareholders will improve its business value. 

Fans might not like the idea of non-Japanese female managers since that could lead to clashing ideologies. However, the company has to meet the internal quota since it has shown commitment to the ESG for a long time.

Phantom Blade Zero Features Seamless Non-Linear Map Instead of Open-World

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  • Phantom Blade Zero doesn’t feature an open-world map like Elden Ring.
  • It opts for a non-linear and seamless map with interconnected areas.
  • Phantom Blade also doesn’t match the difficulty level of traditional Souls-like games.

Phantom Blade Zero is one of the most anticipated games that have been revealed in recent years. Despite moving away from various trends in the genre, it borrows many elements from Souls-like, mixing action games and Souls-likes.

Like most older titles in the latter genre, Phantom Blade Zero will feature a non-linear seamless map.

Why it matters: Many expected most Souls-like games to follow the Elden Ring path and opt for an open world after its success. However, Phantom Blade Zero is set to take the more conventional route.

In an interview with GamesRadar, the game director discussed in detail what makes Phantom Blade unique. It skips a huge open world but offers a seamless, interconnected map.

You move around and explore in a seamless map, it’s just not a huge open-world map. But every region is connected together seamlessly.

– Phantom Blade Director

So, instead of going all out with an open world and endless exploration, it is more like what older Dark Souls games used to offer. The map will have distinct regions that will be interconnected.

However, not all of the areas will be available to you at the start. Certain areas will require keys that can be obtained through missions to unlock them. There will also be multiple paths you can go through.

Furthermore, the director revealed that all areas of the map are full of things to explore. They will be divided between minor enemies, major bosses, and different collectables.

Phantom Blade Zero FT
Phantom Blade Zero Has Received Several Demos This Year

Previously, it was also confirmed that Phantom Blade isn’t exactly a Souls-like. It’s much easier and is considered an action RPG for a more accessible experience that appeals to the masses.

Also, from what we’ve seen so far, the title looks stunning. It features great visuals and gameplay, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be a hit if it launches in a completely polished state.

The Assassin’s Creed Shadows Controversy Is Quite Grim

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  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows continues to be surrounded by controversies amid claims of false narratives and LGBTQ relationships.
  • The developer is also accused of stealing Zoro’s katana art from One Piece. 
  • Ubisoft’s latest response has done little to address the actual controversy and seems like a desperate move.

We’ve seen controversial games like Stellar Blade recently, but nothing comes close to Assassin’s Creed Shadows. There’s something to talk about nearly every day when it comes to this game.

The Japanese fandom already review bombed the trailer on YouTube, but things have continued to go south since then. Even the Japanese government has had to step in. However, this is far from the end of this controversy.

Why it matters: Ubisoft prides itself on mostly accurate depictions of historical events and traditions. However, it seems to have dropped the ball on this occasion.

The Whole Yasuke Controversy

Assassin's Creed Shadows Yasuke
The Whole Controversy Started With Yasuke Since His Origin Was Confusing

You must already know by now that Yasuke is the reason everything started. His being black is really not the reason, as that would end up being racial discrimination. It goes way deeper.

Looking at many sources and facts, I am almost certain that Yasuke wasn’t a proper samurai, and even Ubisoft seems to agree that this subject is up for debate. I don’t remember reading much about Yasuke, the legendary black samurai, before Ubisoft featured him in its upcoming game.

I could be ignorant, but why was Wikipedia edited so many times after Ubisoft announced that he would be in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? There are tons of revisions on Wikipedia, which show that the information is being altered.

Now, Yasuke has been revealed to be involved in LGBTQ relationships. Will Wikipedia be edited once again to mention that the legendary black samurai was actually part of the LGBTQ community? Ubisoft can’t keep getting away with this.

The Japanese fandom is furious since they, as well as historians, have claimed this narrative to be a fraud. So, the people of Japan bowing to Yasuke whenever he walks by is considered rude and disrespectful by the fandom.

Ubisoft Hiding Behind Thomas Lockley

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Thomas Lockely Is Said To Have Made The Whole Story Up About Yasuke | Image Credits: Tech4Gamers

Thomas Lockley is the one behind a historical non-fiction book about Yasuke. Ubisoft has clearly mentioned that his and Matt Lewis’ work influenced the character in revealing the history.

He also showed up in a Spotify podcast with Ubisoft, but this is where things get interesting. Evidence has recently been spotted that suggests he made up facts about Yasuke from his imagination, including his status as a true samurai.

Following these accusations, Yu Hiryama, another Japanese historian, backed Lockley’s claims and said that Yasuke was indeed a samurai. However, these claims were quickly refuted by another professor.

As such, it’s clear that Yasuke wasn’t necessarily a samurai. It seems like Ubisoft picked him for this backlash on purpose. I don’t see how the studio didn’t see this coming.

Japanese people are more careful about their culture and traditions than anybody else, making this an obvious outcome.

Ubisoft Is Also Being Accused Of Stealing

Zoro's Katana
Ubisoft Has Been Accused of Stealing Zoro’s Katana From One Piece

Now, things couldn’t get any worse than they already are, right? They already have. Ubisoft is being accused of stealing the design of Zoro’s katana from One Piece. I am a huge fan of this anime, so I was quick to notice the uncanny similarities in the design.

The historical inaccuracies in a game are one thing, but stealing a design is something entirely different and is wrong on another level. For reference, I am talking about Sandai Kitetsu, the cursed sword wielded by Zoro.

The design is too similar for me to ignore. Not only that, but the developer has also copied the writings on the two stands, which makes it even worse. There was another controversy about stolen imagery in Assssin’s Creed Shadows.

Now, here come the double standards. Ubisoft apologized and called for a revision. However, when a customer uses something without rights, it is called piracy, right?

There have been cases where people have been put in jail, and there have been many settlements. I am not justifying their actions, but why does the billion-dollar company get a free pass?

Nevertheless, Ubisoft still expects the title to end up as one of its best-sellers, and it very well may. If there’s one positive thing to come out of this controversy, it’s the fact that this game has received unprecedented attention from the public.

The team also offered an official statement on the situation recently. It admitted that Yasuke’s status as a samurai is not agreed upon universally and then defended his inclusion by saying that Assassin’s Creed games don’t depict historical facts. However, this statement contradicts another claim Ubisoft made about this game before.

Max Payne Franchise Is Now 23 Years Old But Remains A Classic

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  • Max Payne was first released on July 23, 2001.
  • It marked a new revolution in third-person shooter games and made the bullet time mechanic popular.
  • The game is set to return soon with a high-quality remake from Remedy.

The Max Payne franchise is one of gaming’s most celebrated. Renowned for its incredible noire style, memorable characters, and revolutionary third-person gameplay, this IP is still remembered fondly despite being away from the industry for many years.

Currently, Remedy is working on reviving the series with two remakes packaged as one game. With a massive budget, these projects are certainly promising. As Sam Lake continues to work on the remakes, he also noted that the IP is now 23 years old.

Why it matters: The series has stood the test of time. Many fans are still fond of the original game despite its age and technical limitations.

James McCaffery Alex Casey Max Payne
Alan Wake 2 Shows What Max Payne Could Look Like If Sam Lake Is Used As The Model Again

Remedy launched the original Max Payne on July 23, 2001. The game quickly became popular as a solid third-person shooter, but one element stood out above the rest.

Max Payne was among the first games to introduce bullet time, and it certainly popularized this mechanic. Inspired by the Matrix films, Max could enter a state of slow motion and take out his enemies with extreme precision and unparalleled style.

This mechanic, while simple on paper, made the gameplay more engaging and satisfying. Elsewhere, the game excelled in departments like visuals and storytelling. The voice acting was also incredible, thanks to James McCaffrey’s excellent performance as Max.

Reminiscing about the game, Sam Lake’s recent tweet reflected on the voice actor’s death, stating that he was an integral part of all past games. It’s certainly hard to imagine how the franchise would have turned out without his voice in the leading role.

Max Payne Remake Rockstar Remedy
The Original Max Payne Is Currently Being Revamped By Remedy

Following its successful launch, Max Payne quickly sold 4 million units. The game was originally released for the PC, but Remedy was quick to port it to platforms like the PS2, Xbox, and Mac OS X.

As said earlier, Remedy is moving ahead with high-quality remakes.

These projects should prove to be a celebration of the IP’s legacy and everything it stands for. If the recently launched Alan Wake 2 is anything to go by, the remakes will be every bit as incredible as fans expect.

Concord Confirmed To Be Skipping Battle Pass System

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  • Concord will abandon the battle pass system to focus on fulfilling content from day one.
  • The game will launch with 12 maps and introduce a single-player training mode.
  • It will also feature 16 free-gunner variants at release.

The latest news around Concord has been nothing short of disheartening. Following a disappointing closed beta, the game failed to attract many players during the open beta.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Marvel Rivals, a similar Overwatch-inspired title, saw more than 20x as many players during its latest beta. However, Firewalk has finally shared some encouraging information on Concord.

Why it matters: Battle passes are so popular that every major live-service game has one today. Even the likes of Tekken have introduced battle passes, though they can often lead to frustration from players.

Concord Battle Pass
Concord Is One Of The Few Live Service Games To Skip A Battle Pass

Following the beta, the team took to Twitter and thanked fans for participating. It also revealed various bits of information on the live-service first-person shooter, stating that Concord won’t feature a battle pass.

Considering how many people dislike battle passes, this reveal has been received quite well. The developer states that this decision was made to ensure the hero shooter offers a robust experience from day one.

Elsewhere, the studio states that the game will launch with 12 maps and hundreds of customization items. A single-player training mode has also been confirmed, though a free-for-all mode will not be available at launch.

Moreover, Concord will feature 16 different free-gunner variants.

Concord
Concord Has Even Faced Review Bombings On PlayStation

Things have not been looking great for PlayStation’s latest live-service project so far. Many have even begun expecting the gaming giant’s biggest flop, but it remains to be seen how things will turn out.

Despite the setbacks, it’s abundantly clear that Firewalk has put a lot of care into Concord. Even if the game disappoints, the studio might choose to stick with it and ensure it gets the audience it deserves.

Why I Found Ghost of Tsushima Underwhelming After Playing It On PC

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  • Ghost of Tsushima is praised too much by the fandom.
  • The game has a mediocre story with a bland open world, which makes it pretty boring.
  • The only thing I found enjoyable in this game was the combat system due to the many stances and impactful animations.

Ghost of Tsushima is one of those games that almost every person praises. When a game is praised this much, people often tend to believe those opinions and mix up theirs with them. This is a natural phenomenon: if a massive community hates a game, you might never play it.

I have heard from so many people and seen so many threads online about how great Ghost of Tsushima is. Even Shinji Mikami had great words to say about it. However, when I finally played the PC Port, the game felt pretty underwhelming to me, and I found it overpraised.

Why it matters: Ghost of Tsushima has been released on PC after nearly 4 years, and thousands of people have tried it this year.

Mediocre Story And Bland Open World

Ghost of Tsushima Open World
Ghost of Tsushima Has A Gorgeous Open World, But It is Extremely Bland | Image Credits: Tech4Gamers

This game receives so much praise for its story, as it is heartwarming and emotional. However, to me, it didn’t really feel that great. Often, such types of generic stories are criticized, but Sucker Punch somehow got a pass.

I am not saying I didn’t enjoy the story—I actually did—as it was good enough to make me end the game. However, it was nowhere near as impactful as the fandom described it to be. 

Many might have enjoyed the story, and I did, too, but that doesn’t mean it has top-tier writing. If you want to witness the best storytelling, you should look toward games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Alan Wake 2.

While the story was mediocre for me, the open world wasn’t any better. I agree that it is one of the most gorgeous open worlds in the industry, but that’s about all the world has going for it.

This is the signature Ubisoft open world that everyone criticizes. The map is filled with checklist-style objectives, there are countless Mongol camps to take down, and the side quests in this world are very surface-level.

In my opinion, the open world felt completely flat, with the unique guiding wind system being one of the only few saving graces. It was enjoyable to ride my horse and take in the sights, but this open world lacked the substance that I wanted.

The Combat Is Solid, But The Stealth Is Bad

Carried By Gameplay
The Gameplay Is Still Fun | Image Credits: Tech4Gamers

I have to admit that Ghost of Tsushima has a pretty solid combat system. This is coming from someone who has put hundreds of hours into Sekiro. I enjoyed the game solely on the basis of the combat.

Of course, it doesn’t have the best combat in gaming history, but it was pretty decent. Switching between different stances to deal with the many enemies was enjoyable, wielding the terrifying Ghost Stance felt exhilarating, and the stand-off made the beginning of each fight cinematic.

I only wish the fights were a little more difficult, as I was just rapidly going through the game, even at the hardest difficulty. While the combat was great, stealth gameplay left a lot to be desired.

For a title that places a lot of emphasis on its character relying on stealth and hiding in the shadows, Ghost of Tsushima does little to make the stealth segments stand out. These are bogged down by very basic gameplay and often terrible AI.

It seems like Sucker Punch lifted the stealth right out of Assassin’s Creed, making it the most disappointing part of the combat.

Experience Ruined Due To Unrealistic Standard

Thanks to The Unrealistic Expectations Set Up By Fans, My Experience Was Ruined | Image Credits: Tech4Gamers

I would agree that the combat is fun and can make for an entertaining playthrough. So, the game is fun overall and can be enjoyable for almost every single person. However, I don’t understand the hype surrounding it.

If you have enjoyed a game, then give it a score based on your satisfaction level. If you only liked the combat and not the story, then why would you give it a solid 10? This would be an unrealistic standard that other people would inevitably follow.

Hence, I found myself impacted by the fandom’s praise for Ghost of Tsushima, even when certain elements were clearly weaker than they were made out to be.

If you haven’t played this PlayStation first-party title, I still recommend trying it. Be warned, however, that your expectations might be a bit too unrealistic. Ghost of Tsushima is very similar to an Assassin’s Creed title with a Japanese spin on everything.

Evo 2024 Was An Unforgettable Esports Event

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  • Evo 2024 broke records with over 10,000 participants, making it the largest esports event ever in terms of unique competitors.
  • Punk finally won at Evo, Arslan Ash won his fifth Evo title, and SonicFox won another Mortal Kombat title.
  • The event featured unexpected announcements like Lucy from Edgerunners joining Guilty Gear Strive and Heihachi’s return in Tekken 8.

Evo 2024 is now over, but it gave us many moments and memories to cherish. The event took place at the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center from July 19-21. For me, it’s one of the most memorable editions of the Evolution Championship Series (Evo).

The event broke records and had many thrilling moments and game announcements. The vibe at Evo 2024 was electric, with fans, players, and commentators all adding to a truly memorable experience.

Why it matters: The combination of historic victories, exciting new reveals, and a diverse game lineup made this year’s Evo a standout event that will be remembered for years to come.

Punk’s Redemption Arc & Arslan Ash’s Dominance

Arslan Ash and Punk Evo 2024
Arslan Ash and Punk with their Evo 2024 trophies.

It finally happened. Punk finally won an Evo championship, a major trophy he’s been searching for since 2017. He has faced many challenges along the way, but his determination paid off this year.

The Street Fighter 6 finale was absolutely electrifying as the crowd continued to root for Punk. He was playing out of his mind the whole tournament and really popped off against Big Bird in the grand finals.

The Evo 2024 win not only reaffirmed Punk’s position as a top-tier player but also added a heartwarming comeback story to his career, and everybody loved that. On the other hand, Arslan Ash showed us once again that he’s the true King of Tekken.

He proved again that you can’t write him off at the biggest stage. Arslan Ash won his fifth Evo title. This victory was extra special as it was his first championship in Tekken 8. Arslan’s journey from Pakistani arcades to the global stage has been truly inspiring.

His ability to adapt to Tekken 8’s new mechanics, especially the aggressive Heat System, is actually bonkers. This win really cements Arslan Ash’s position as the greatest Tekken player of all time.

Previously, he was part of the Gamers8 Nations Cup, where team Pakistan secured the top spot. I also have to appreciate Sonicfox for winning his 7th Evo title. It’s ridiculous how the guy has won an Evo title in every Mortal Kombat game in the last decade.

Moreover, his wins in Dragon Ball FighterZ and Skullgirls cement his legacy as one of the FGC’s greatest.

Record-Breaking Participation

Evo 2024 made history with the highest number of competitors ever seen in an esports event, pulling in over 10,000 players.

This turnout represents the rise of esports and the FGC, in particular. Thousands of participants and spectators from around the world gathered in Las Vegas. The venue was bustling with passionate fans, creating a powerful atmosphere.

This year’s tournament included 16,231 entries across various games, marking the first time such an event crossed the 10,000 competitors milestone. Street Fighter 6 alone attracted a whopping 7,083 participants, highlighting its huge popularity and competitive appeal. The highly popular Tekken 8 wasn’t too far behind either.

This year’s Evo raised the bar for attendee experiences. It took place in a bigger venue over three days, offering a free-play arcade, cosplay contests, a vibrant art gallery, and the largest Artist Alley in Evo’s history.

The new Arena Finals Experience made it easier for fans to enjoy all main-stage finals with just one badge, making the event more accessible and enjoyable overall.

Exciting Announcements

Evo 2024 Lucy and Heihachi Announcement
Lucy is joining Guilty Gear Strive, and Heihachi is returning to Tekken 8.

Evo 2024 wasn’t only about the competition—it also featured exciting game announcements. One unexpected reveal was Lucy from Cyberpunk Edgerunners joining Guilty Gear Strive as a guest character.

This is a crossover I was certainly not expecting, but it’s a welcome surprise, and I don’t mind it all. It’ll be interesting to see what moves Lucy gets in the game. Furthermore, the news of Heihachi’s comeback in Tekken 8 this August was a bit confusing, but I suppose this is Bandai Namco’s attempt to bring the veteran players back.

Besides the game announcements, it was refreshing to see a wide variety of fighting games at Evo 2024. This year’s tournament featured titles such as Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.

Street Fighter 3 was the major throwback game, which came back on the main stage after a 15-year break.

Evo 2024 went beyond games and competitions to showcase its vibrant community and culture. The Legends Lounge provided opportunities for fans to meet iconic players, join Beat-a-Pro challenges, and watch exhibition matches.

In-person watch parties and community showcases brought fans together. Food guides and events throughout Las Vegas were an awesome experience, ensuring Evo 2024 was a well-rounded and unforgettable event for everyone who attended.