Sacred Symbols, Episode 191: Forbidden Whispers (Video)

Just accidentally posted a single word (it had to be ‚die‘). Apologies if this game through. Immediately deleted it and still like your show a lot 💙

Daniel

Nice I will look forward to everyone talking about there thoughts on the movie. Thought I would mention it as you don’t normally get after credits clips unless it a MCU movie & didn’t want you to miss them.

Wayne Moss

Bummer. I discuss a similar issue I had on this week's episode, though I was able to fix mine.

Colin Moriarty

Indeed. I saw!

Colin Moriarty

Just a heads up if you go to see Uncharted this weekend there is a after movie clip & a after credit clip ( 1 before the credits roll & 1 after the credits roll)

Wayne Moss

I'm much further in the story probably compared to the last time you guys spoke about it on sacred symbols. But it's a main quest line in which you have to collect materials to make something, I don't really want to give any information away because I don't know what you consider a spoiler and I don't want to spoil anybody's experience. But pretty much the item that is supposed to drop is not dropping, and Aloy acts like she has everything when she really doesn't. So I can't craft what I'm supposed to craft.

Justin Schwab

I had a progression bug too; I figured out a way around it, it's a known issue. I wonder which you had?

Colin Moriarty

I would like to note that PlayStation support is probably the most frustrating thing to have to deal with after you purchase a game that is not working. For context I spent $200 on Horizon forbidden West, granted that was the collector's edition but still. I have a progression bug one that keeps me from playing my game, and not only have I sent it to PlayStation support and to Guerilla directly, in the most recent patch notes 1.06, there is no mention of a fix or that they are even aware of it. So my question is, has anybody else come across this type of corporate behavior? In my opinion, it is unacceptable.

Justin Schwab

Indeed, all around.

Colin Moriarty

I think with the "finishing reviews" is simple. 1. It's your job, 2. Review in progress is a thing 3. Not everybody plays a game day1 so there are plenty of people who look at reviews a week after being out. 4. Be transparent.

superbadisfunny .

It does though because time spent playing first party games is time not spent playing third party games. That gamepass revenue stays in microsofts pocket. Eitherway you'll have more insight into how gamepass works in the future. Looking forward to that day.

Jason Andraos

We will talk much more in the spoilercast.

Colin Moriarty

Not gonna read to avoid spoilers, but thanks for writing.

Colin Moriarty

He's been on the show. LOL.

Colin Moriarty

It's so good. I'm really loving it.

Colin Moriarty

Microsoft owns Call of Duty, it doesn't matter about time played on Gamepass.

Colin Moriarty

Jesus.

Colin Moriarty

Great podcast gents. Glad you're enjoying Horizon II. I think it's phenomenal, and the gameplay and story have gone to new heights. I do share the sentiment that Aloy's a bit hard to connect with in this game compared to the first one, at least for the first few hours. But down the line, it evens out and improves as certain plot threads get woven in, and her interactions with particular characters are emotional milestones. I do think it's fair to dislike how she comes across without it being seen as a gender thing; I feel the same way about male characters that are aloof and cutting with their words, even some of my favourite game characters. I thought Kratos in GoW3 was supremely unlikely for most of the game, and that's easily the worst part of what was a really fun experience. Granted, I do acknowledge that some people are using double standards, I just don't want to conflate every criticism with sexism by default. For comparison, Ellie in Last of Us II is 10x more annoyed, pissed off and straight up depressed but it was compelling, heart-breaking and darkly satisfying to play as her, getting revenge on all those people. So not everyone feels like 'she's female, why isn't she being nice'; some of us genuinely loved how Aloy was portrayed in the first game a bit more, but as I said it does improve later on in Forbidden West. I'm curious to know what you think about the overall game and story.

JusticeSoulTuna

While some criticisms of Aloy can absolutely be attributed to her sex I found her paragon of morality to be completely immersion breaking. After 70+ hours of Aloy in this game and 70 more the previous game I think she is one of the most egregiously one-dimension protagonists out of the modern slew of amazing Sony titles for reasons I can see are justifiable on the part of the developers, but for the most part I think this story is highly predictable and mostly incoherent and the character flaws she has are only exacerbated by how completely immature this story gets. Without entering into spoilers as best I can, the major crux of her character and this story is that the world contorts itself so much around Aloy as a character it’s as if the world couldn't plausibly exist without her presence at all times. No matter the circumstance you have solved pretty much each and every problem this world has faced in the past two decades both existential and seemingly benign, all without any moral struggle. You will notice as you pick up quest after quest that every NPC that has a problem you solve no matter the odds, no thought for the potential risks, what this would mean for the world you are trying to save if you were to fail, with a sometimes-insufferable moral grandstanding that wouldn’t make sense if there were actually some steaks. (Light Spoilers) Excellent gameplay, but an immature story that never challenged the protagonist on any moral or intellectual level, in fact Aloys hubris could have absolutely destroyed the whole planet considering Sylens much more intricate knowledge of the threat posed to the human race and yet the story culminates in Aloy becoming the hero despite her destroying his plans even though she has quite frankly been outwitted and intellectually inferior throughout the past two games. Aloy feels like shes been written, in the same way Rey from Star Was written. She never makes mistakes and has no hard choices to make. This is what makes characters like Kratos in GOW, Arthur in RDR2 even Jin Sakai & Joel great.

TooOld4Gaming is actually a really good shout for a ps vita chat, the dudes written books on the vita!

Cass Whelan

I'm still listening to the podcast, awesome as always. I have to agree with Colin, forbidden West is insane. The amount of details in an open world is unseen. And I really like the characters. They're so much more alive than in the first one. If you talk to a stranger (how little the side quest is), the motion capture is sublime. They're not standing there like a statue. No, they're laughing, looking around, making gestures,... Off course a game like the last of us part 2 or guardians have awesome motion capture, but they're not open world games. Soo, I'm not going to compare them. I think tlou2 still has the best motion capture ever. But forbidden West also has awesome cutscenes. And every time you interact with someone, it's top quality. And this while the game is sooo freaking huge. I'm really blown away. That said, I agree with Dustin about the performance mode. I only play in the performance mode, and I know what he means. It's true, but still, one of the best looking games, especially open world. Ps: Dumb question, can all of us patrions send our 25 best games of the PS4 to you guys, and if yess, how/where? Thx!

Big Boss Games

You guys are missing the many motivations to skip a COD. 1. Games on gamepass partially earn money based on hours played. You don't need a new COD every year to keep people playing it. 2. Playstation doesn't get COD which disassociates it from the brand. 3. Xbox reduces the number of games it has to invest in knowing that people will continue to play if they keep addings maps etc.

Jason Andraos

On the longevity of launch Vita 1000's, my battery started blipping down half of its battery life about 5 years after I bought it. I ended up buying a replacement battery online and fixed that issue. Also, about a year ago it fell off my desk and broke the screen, so I bought a blue faceplate LCD and replaced it. My system is really a major frankenvita now, with parts from 4 different systems...

Kaz Redclaw

Here's an idea. Give Colin 34%, then split the remaining 66% 3 ways. 22% each for the Audience, Dustin, and Chris.

Kaz Redclaw

Really curious to hear everyone’s thoughts on Elden Ring next week, it’s such an interesting and vast game where everyone’s journeys could go completely different routes. But I’m even more curious to hear Colin’s thoughts on Cyberpunk in its current state, because as a cultural touchstone for this industry, I feel like we could learn a lot from Cyberpunk’s release, its journey up to this point, and its actual gameplay, which sadly doesn’t get brought up often when people talk about it. It’s all around a very interesting product. Great show, guys!

Nygile Oliver

Justice for Dustin and Chris

Frank T

Another great episode in the books, great job as usual. It would be really cool to see Colin take the plunge into Elden Ring. Even if it never quite hits the point of resonance, It would be interesting to hear your analysis of the game and how it compares in open world game design vs comparable titles such as Ghost of Tsushima or Horizon. Looking forward to the ss+ episode on Elden Ring, take your time , cheers for the show guys.

Dan P

Just an idea, a SS+ discussing the impact of having score or not for a game review and the philosophy of those reviews, what should be the standard, late review vs embargo review, how should technical issues/bug affect that same review. I think there is something worth exploring there with opposing side. Outlet vs creator. Long review vs short review and how price affect it. How some company nay be treated differently. Ok enough rambling, this episode was awesome yet again!

TheSilverLabGuy

97

Aaron

What’s up guys! My main problem with people getting mad at David Jaffe for asking that question is that when a politician says “video games cause violence!” 99% of the industry shits on said politician by saying they do not and there are studies that show video games do not cause violence. So if everyone strongly agrees video games don’t cause violence, why do these people suddenly act as if they would cause violence if it’s a club with minorities that gets shot up in a video game. To me that’s a sign of hypocrisy and fake outrage. Very annoying. Love y’all!

Jeff Caseres

Hi Colin, I know this was only an aside at the start of the show but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Ukraine invasion with more consideration of next steps. I realise this doesn’t have significant impact on the US at the moment but if President Putin continues his attempts to reestablish the Soviet Block, and triggers the NATO domino, then this would directly involve the USA. Also, if sanctions remain in place, get expanded to the Swift system, and start impacting gas and oil supplies into Europe, then this could massively impact the European economy and ripple out to America (and the gaming industry). I realise this is more of a thought experiment at this point but it’d be great to get your thoughts from your study of history. Thanks to the whole LS crew for the shows!

NJ

If ur doing a Vita show then ya gotta get Gio on

Tony Colton

Horizon was great I platinumed it already I do wish there was less crafting, looting and micromanaging though and while I think Aloy is pretty cool I'd like the option to maybe inject some more humor into her personality with dialogue choices. Overall a great sequel and probably the most beautiful looking game I've played Guerillas art team is one of the best for sure

Walker Simmons

Damn, the first 17mins was so funny 😂

Miky Sh

Ubisoft will 100% be bought out, especially when this F2P future blows up in their face.

Brandon Soto

The Elden Ring reviews make sense to me. I assume the people reviewing it are already big souls fans and are on a current gen console or high end pc. Also performance is often overlooked for some reason unless it's atrocious just look at how well Skyrim reviewed when it released and that game was actually broken. Currently playing Elden Ring and so far I can definitely see why it's getting 9's across the board it's rare for a game to actually meet/exceed expectations but Miyazaki has done it hopefully they fix the pc port soon though

Walker Simmons

Dustin, just FYI monthly PS Plus is already $9.99, it's $60 yearly only.

My only complaint with Forbidden West, albeit a very minor one, is the climbing feels finicky and frustrating at times. Otherwise I mostly agree with everything you guys said. I’m hooked.

Samuel Mills

Gotta be honest I have the exact opposite issue with Horizon l. Aloy's change in personality was expected, but most of the side characters are almost insufferable. Kotallo is probably the best character in the game IMO. Gotta say I didn't really care for where the story went, especially at the end, but the side content and the gameplay itself was amazing.

Empty Symbol

Horizon looks beautiful in resolution mode but it's a stuttering mess to play, the performances mode is buttery smooth, but it's so blurry in many places, the low resolution is jarring. Combat and the Dualsense features are great though. Dustin putting on his feminism cape was strange. Alloy just has a boring voice, she has the same tone throughout, which is why she seems cold and dull. At least Kratos was bombastic and ruthless. But he has definitely been criticised for being one note with no personality in the past. The criticisms of her character are fair, asserting we're sexist for saying so, isn't fair. No one says this about Lara Croft, she's a fun, badass character, all iterations. As for Jeffes question, I'd slaughter a room full of NPC children for a platinum😂

Liam Mcnulty

Nearly 5 hours? I’m saving this bad boy for my Saturday mail round tomorrow.

Joshua Brown

Hey Colin, do you think the mass hype from reviewer's over Elden ring before the game came out contributed to it's increased metacritic score and also how does a game get a 97 when it's really bad on PC and Digital foundry said it's better to buy the PS4 version for a more locked Frame rate over its PS5 version

Zack Fair

That’s a BEEFY ‘sode and your boy is hungry!

Bobby Rigo

I agree, all roads run through Colin 😂 My man was the PlayStation dude at IGN. Bit self-aggrandizing, but I could see 33% of the vote for my dude Colin M.

Caleb Greer

YESSSSS, I love it when I see you guys go over 4 hours of content goodness on Sacred Symbols, can't wait to listen throughout the weekend 🙌

Echos93

We have issues.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for your support.

Colin Moriarty

Literally longer than The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Extended Edition) and I love it!

Joe

Four and a half hours? God, thank you for your frequent blessings.

Ember's Arcade