Sacred Symbols, Episode 61: Assuming Control
Added 2019-08-27 16:01:01 +0000 UTCEvery once in a while, a game comes along that you think is one thing, but ends up being something entirely different. (This is especially true for those of us who do our best to avoid preview coverage for titles we're excited about.) Sometimes, this is a good thing. Other times, it isn't. With Remedy's newest game Control -- the dev's first adventure on a PlayStation platform in 16 years -- it's a little bit of both. Frenetic to play and puzzling to understanding, Control has all the makings of an MGS-like political thriller with a supernatural twist, and there's a lot to say about it. Then: We discuss GameStop's most recent round of layoffs, Final Fantasy VIII Remaster's imminent release date, Persona's big sales milestone, and much more, back-loading our fresh-out-of-the-oven episode with listener inquiries. Where's Mafia 4? Can Sony make a portable PS4 on the cheap? Could mandatory demos increase game sales? Do Shrek and Han Solo have the same stylist? Turns out, it's more complicated than you think. (Not really.)
Timestamps:
0:00:17 - Intro.
0:03:55 - See you at PAX this weekend! (Only kidding.)
0:05:19 - New merch is available, SS+ rolls on, Dreams Let's Play incoming.
0:10:07 - Our Titanfall 2 Let's Play has inspired the audience.
0:11:49 - PSA! Sony is randomly sending out free codes for Astrobot.
0:12:20 - Is this "dev kit PS5" that's making the rounds real?
0:14:36 - A couple of corrections from last week's show.
0:15:31 - Do Shrek and Han Solo share a stylist?
0:16:23 - What do we get on our Five Guys burger?
0:19:59 - What have we been playing?
0:30:47 - GameStop lays off 100+ more people.
0:33:33 - Final Fantasy VIII Remastered has a release date.
0:36:03 - SEGA has revealed the Yakuza Remastered Collection.
0:37:36 - PS4's Spider-Man is getting a Game of the Year edition.
0:38:50 - The Persona franchise reaches a big sales milestone.
0:40:39 - The Uncharted movie loses yet another director.
0:42:36 - Battlefield V’s 5v5 competitive mode has been cancelled.
0:43:40 - Mortal Kombat 11's full DLC character slate has been revealed.
0:44:47 - Minor game announcements and release date information.
0:46:16 - This week's new releases for PS4, PS Vita, and PSVR.
0:58:35 - Could Sony and Disney’s falling out hurt PlayStation's inevitable Spider-Man 2?
1:05:08 - Is a cheap, portable PS4 possible to build?
1:09:53 - Why has there been a drought of survival horror games?
1:14:27 - Why don’t more games have fleshed-out demos?
1:19:02 - Are publishers starting to gobble up every last remaining indie dev?
1:21:18 - Do DLC Trophies screw up Trophies for us, too?
1:22:58 - When will we see Mafia 4?
1:24:30 - Are we on the precipice of variable game pricing?
Comments
We're recording it on Monday! We're excited to talk about it, too.
Colin Moriarty
2019-09-06 00:35:46 +0000 UTCI can’t wait for the Control spoilercast. Within the first few days of its release, I finished the game, got the platinum, and ordered the season pass. Few games have captivated me the way this one has. The story is so weird and bonkers and refreshing. Chris was right in that most of the other games whose stories I loved (i.e., God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, the Last of Us, etc.) were fairly straightforward. But Control has me reading and thinking about each and every collectible. And there were many moments that were both so fucking disturbing and hilarious at the same time that made my neurons fire in a way that no other game has. The only thing I found annoying was the checkpoint system, but since I’ve finished the game I hardly think about that aspect. Same with the performance issues. Also, I can’t wait to hear more of what Chris in particular has to say on the spoilercast since he seemed really into Control. The last game I played was Days Gone (also loved it and got the platinum), and he didn’t really contribute much to the discussion on that one since, as I recall, he never really got hooked by it.
MostlyCharlie
2019-09-02 19:20:06 +0000 UTCWell, good to know you're out there, in that case.
Colin Moriarty
2019-09-01 00:45:33 +0000 UTCThat's kinda the double-entendre I was striving for. =)
Colin Moriarty
2019-09-01 00:44:51 +0000 UTCI think you should try it again. =)
Colin Moriarty
2019-09-01 00:44:38 +0000 UTCI actually only read the print magazine of Game Informer, I don't even bother with their website. It's kind of the last paper magazine that I actually read.
Kaz Redclaw
2019-08-31 11:03:02 +0000 UTCYou should read Schrier's piece on what happened to H13 after Mafia III. Doesn't even sound like Mafia 4's in development anymore: https://kotaku.com/how-the-makers-of-mafia-iii-lost-their-way-1825242177
Your Boi Nicky V
2019-08-31 09:20:34 +0000 UTCEveryone has a price.
Devon McCarty
2019-08-30 22:58:19 +0000 UTCThanks dude Colin for reading my question ! Haha. As for Mafia 3 , I thought the DLC was better than the main game.
Brent
2019-08-29 04:35:43 +0000 UTCBungie will never be purchased
Erk-Prime
2019-08-28 23:20:25 +0000 UTCEvery time I see this title, I can't help but hear Harbinger's voice from Mass Effect 2 say, " assuming direct control". As always, great episode Colin!
Matthew Clem
2019-08-28 22:57:18 +0000 UTCThank you. You too.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-28 20:05:20 +0000 UTCMost excellent. Enjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-28 20:05:15 +0000 UTCIt's so strange to have a perpetual deal in place like that.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-28 20:05:07 +0000 UTCThey both wear vests, I guess?
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-28 20:04:48 +0000 UTCWe certainly did. What's ironic is that those games were released during a time when the visuals (etc.) couldn't do the genre justice. Now look at what games can do!
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-28 20:04:34 +0000 UTCThe congratulations towards Remedy are weird, BUT! Would Sony really tell its studios what its next move was? The bigger klaxon to me was Remedy apparently sending a letter to Guerrilla thanking them "for all the help." That's a little more weird. Why would a first party help a third party who's putting their game on other platforms? We shall see... but playing the game reinforced in my mind that Sony doesn't need Remedy.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-28 20:04:00 +0000 UTCYou better be careful.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-28 20:02:45 +0000 UTCSorry that you had troubles, but glad we could be there for you!
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-28 20:02:38 +0000 UTCHave a beautiful day, Colin.
Watch Ergo Proxy
2019-08-28 18:46:10 +0000 UTCYou good bro?
Watch Ergo Proxy
2019-08-28 18:40:38 +0000 UTCDuring your 5 Guys segment I had no choice but to search for the nearest one while on my 4 hour drive. Luckily the nearest one was 6 mins away. 5 guys owes you my purchase and some compensation.
Nathan Favreau
2019-08-28 17:33:01 +0000 UTCChris is right about Spider-Man rights. Different derivatives of the character owned by different companies. Just like The Witcher and several other properties that span different mediums. And yes, they have to make one every 5 years and change (there’s month mark in there) or it reverts and considering Sony has no real other tentpole franchise, they NEED Spider Man. While agree with Sony for once on that argument, Sony gets in their own way a lot of the time. Only reason they didn’t fuck up Spider-Verse was because when they tried to mettle and get in the filmmakers way, it was too late and they had to let it out the way it was, which ended up just fine haha
DB Cooper
2019-08-28 14:43:40 +0000 UTCThat Han Solo/Shrek thing is a stretch. “We’re keeping it real, I might die.” Quality Sacred Symbols merch. Tom Holland makes sense as younger Drake. I am also in Miami. Don’t know where I’d move to though. Maybe I’ll start Rapture.
NeO JD
2019-08-28 12:46:39 +0000 UTCI’ve listened to this episode 4 times today...
Adam Barnes
2019-08-28 10:36:57 +0000 UTCI was wondering the same thing and then I heard them talk about it. Going to the shops this weekend to pick it up. Yeah, I’m one of those who still buys physical copies 🤓
Adam Barnes
2019-08-28 10:31:32 +0000 UTCAbout horror games, we definitely used to have more. Especially in the PS2 generation. After the success of Resident Evil and Silent Hill, there was a new horror game coming out seemingly every couple weeks. Fatal Frames, Extermination, Clock Tower 3, Haunting Grounds, Siren, Cold Fear, Run Like Hell. There were tons of these things. Many of them not very good, but still, for a horror fan like myself, it was awesome. We definitely don't get as many these days. I dare say, aside from sandbox style GTA clones, Survival Horror was the hot genre of the 2000s.
Nate McKinney
2019-08-28 02:48:37 +0000 UTCSeems more and more likely that Sony has bought Remedy...just odd that most of the Sony first parties have reached out to Remedy to congratulate them on Twitter. If this is true I would be extremely happy, I have not played a Remedy game since Max Payne and I got to say I have been loving Control so far. Seeing what Remedy could do with Sony's backing would be amazing to see.
Luke
2019-08-28 02:26:24 +0000 UTCIs control worth sixty bucks.
There’s No I in LLC
2019-08-28 02:26:10 +0000 UTCGlad I didn't submit the Mashed Potatoes, Irish Guacamole thing. I thought about it, but I figured after the bologna hotdog pancake question, Colin might ban me. From everything; Twitter, Patreon, Facebook, all of it.
Nate McKinney
2019-08-28 01:37:06 +0000 UTCListened to this episode partially while on the side of the highway, waiting for roadside assistance. Thanks for keeping me company.
David Graham
2019-08-27 22:59:10 +0000 UTCIt's interesting! But I can't help but wonder if it couldn't have been stronger. I'll save it for the spoilercast.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:48:03 +0000 UTCI don't even know what that means.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:47:17 +0000 UTC=)
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:47:10 +0000 UTCInterestingly, Judgment's sales have been strong enough to convince SEGA to maybe do a sequel. I wonder if the demo had anything to do with that?!
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:47:05 +0000 UTCDemos are good!
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:46:46 +0000 UTCYeah, Sony has no reason to relinquish anything, and people busting balls really don't understand business very well!
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:46:36 +0000 UTCNice. Thanks for the recommendations.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:46:14 +0000 UTCHas it appeared yet? The RSS feed is getting fucked up lately, and I don't have any idea why.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:46:06 +0000 UTCNo, not you KENNETH.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:45:44 +0000 UTCThank you so much. <3
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:45:21 +0000 UTCYes. Let's.
Colin Moriarty
2019-08-27 22:45:11 +0000 UTCNever mind! Just heard it
Jeremy Miller
2019-08-27 22:41:21 +0000 UTCI have to jump on board the christopher laser beam train on this one. It's pretty overrated. I couldnt even finish season 5.
Eugene Lanzoni
2019-08-27 22:15:20 +0000 UTCI'm currently playing control and wow what a great surprise, I was expecting something very different.
Landan Reich
2019-08-27 22:09:36 +0000 UTCHaven't had a chance to listen yet but I'm really loving the content lately! Just curious, have you thought about dedicating SS+ episode to a full review of control?
Jeremy Miller
2019-08-27 22:06:32 +0000 UTCColin, I’m concerned about your triglycerides.
Forrest Hunter
2019-08-27 21:44:55 +0000 UTC"You cannot stop us, Shepard."
Max Stahl
2019-08-27 21:26:09 +0000 UTCI browse the store now and again for demos but as said they don't appear often. I've been playing the Judgement Demo (yakuza spin off) and I've got to say I'm definitely considering buying it. I've had at least 4 hours out of it so far. Definitely worth a look guys. Ps you guys had me in tears with the goofy impressions.
Jase Lingard
2019-08-27 21:22:34 +0000 UTCI haven't been paying much attention on the PS store, but as far as the Switch goes, Square Enix has been releasing almost everything with a demo that you can use your save file for in the actual release. It's pretty cool for me as it keeps me from wasting money on games I may not enjoy, or wasting time replaying on the ones I do. :)
Jason Stafford
2019-08-27 19:44:40 +0000 UTCI completely agree about the Sony and Marvel Spider-man comment you made Colin. All I was seeing was everyone slamming on Sony and I thought the deal was ludicrous. I understand that Marvel was going to put forth plenty of money to produce future movies but there is no way, at least in the current social favor, that future Spider-man movies do not make above and beyond their production costs. I wouldn't split all that potential revenue for the benefit of sharing costs and "guidance" on the movies from Kevin Feige. Would be a very poor business decision.
Barrett Boswell
2019-08-27 18:01:17 +0000 UTCI like to hear that you’ve been exploring horror after the Rosemary’s Baby Knockback. Since you’ve seen The Witch and Hereditary and enjoyed both, here’s some unsolicited horror recommendations from someone who sees too many movies: The Blackcoat’s Daughter was also distributed by A24 and feels like a companion to both of those movies. Set in modern day and explores possession in a boarding school. Mandy: Stars Nicholas Cage and it’s a drug-fueled exploration of grief. It’s one of his best movies. The Autopsy of Jane Doe: A coroner and his son examine a body with no apparent cause of death. Feels like a companion to The Witch.
Jimmy Champane
2019-08-27 17:28:43 +0000 UTCAnybody else not seeing this on RSS feed yet?
Ben Williams
2019-08-27 17:08:15 +0000 UTCSacred symbols a “folding light sabers are stupid” podcast sponsored by Five Guys burgers and fries. Haha also when you said your collectibles were going to Kenneth I was like “I have a tiny nyc apartment that’s not coming here!” And then you said Ohio and I was like oh..
Kenneth Oms
2019-08-27 16:59:24 +0000 UTCIt needs to be said, The Wire is one of the best shows ever made.
2019-08-27 16:17:32 +0000 UTCYour ad reads are one of the best things on the internet.. I double dip and listen to the paid and free version of Sacred Symbols just to hear what you say lol.
Craig Carter
2019-08-27 16:15:37 +0000 UTCLet’s get this party started
Adam Thiry
2019-08-27 16:12:11 +0000 UTC
