The Official PS4 Thread

[purbeast0]

Have you played the last of us? To me, it adds intensity. I am walking into a room with some clickers and all of a sudden my flashlight flickers off. I think this is a great element added to the game.

Edit: Tweak beat me to it, but I agree with him on this point.

yes i've played it, and the fact that it has happened like maybe 4 times in 6-7 hours or so doesn't really add anything to it. especially since clickers are blind and the light doesn't phase them.

we'll agree to disagree - i'm simply not a fan of gimmicks lol.

 

[cmdrdredd]

yeah, because everything else about the game screams realism.

It is supposed to be somewhat realistic in the sense that you never have unlimited resources have to pick and choose what resources to use etc.

Its fine not to like it. I am just telling you what is is trying to simulate.

 

[gorcorps]

Have they changed the L2/R2 triggers at all? The way they curve away from you on the PS3 always struck me as awkward.

Yes, a little. They're not as trigger-like as the 360 controller but they're curved in that same direction, so the opposite of the ps3 controller.

 

[sze5003]

That's what that was for..hmm. I'm not far into the game so. But anyway that makes sense, tap the flashlight it stops the flicker. While it may be a gimmick, they found a use for the sixaxis somehow. It adds some realism because they could just have the flashlight go off when batteries run out. I've had flashlights I had to tap like that to stop the flicker.

 

[smackababy]

That's what that was for..hmm. I'm not far into the game so. But anyway that makes sense, tap the flashlight it stops the flicker. While it may be a gimmick, they found a use for the sixaxis somehow. It adds some realism because they could just have the flashlight go off when batteries run out. I've had flashlights I had to tap like that to stop the flicker.

But doesn't the flashlight last indefinitely besides the flicker? Why couldn't they just make you have to find batteries for it? Adding a silly gimmick like shaking the controller / tapping thing seems like avoiding a better gameplay alternate to use some "technology" instead.

 

[sze5003]

But doesn't the flashlight last indefinitely besides the flicker? Why couldn't they just make you have to find batteries for it? Adding a silly gimmick like shaking the controller / tapping thing seems like avoiding a better gameplay alternate to use some "technology" instead.

Have you played Alan wake. I freaking hated storing batteries for the flashlight. I dunno they could have made you find batteries but that's what every other game does too.

 

[Childs]

But doesn't the flashlight last indefinitely besides the flicker? Why couldn't they just make you have to find batteries for it? Adding a silly gimmick like shaking the controller / tapping thing seems like avoiding a better gameplay alternate to use some "technology" instead.

There shouldnt be any charged batteries to find. The game takes place 20 years after the infection started. I dont think even Duracell's will last that long.

 

[smackababy]

There shouldnt be any charged batteries to find. The game takes place 20 years after the infection started. I dont think even Duracell's will last that long.

Then there shouldn't be any flashlights. Problem solved.

 

[Anubis]

LED based induction charging flashlights are about as close to indestructable as you can get. should eaisily last that long

 

[KaOTiK]

Then there shouldn't be any flashlights. Problem solved.

 

[smackababy]

Oh I know right. I am so stupid for saying anything negative about The Last of Us. Even hinting that they included a gimmick simply for the sake of having a gimmick is going to damn to an eternity of Xbox Hell by Lord and Savior Sony.

 

[KaOTiK]

Oh I know right. I am so stupid for saying anything negative about The Last of Us. Even hinting that they included a gimmick simply for the sake of having a gimmick is going to damn to an eternity of Xbox Hell by Lord and Savior Sony.

 

[Childs]

Then there shouldn't be any flashlights. Problem solved.

But the flashlight he is using did exist in the timeframe of the game. You could replace the flashlight with a torch or lighter, but you will still need to replace the energy source. Using the sixaxis probably made more sense than retasking a button that could be used for something else. I'm surprised there is so much discussion on something so trivial.

 

[smackababy]

But the flashlight he is using did exist in the timeframe of the game. You could replace the flashlight with a torch or lighter, but you will still need to replace the energy source. Using the sixaxis probably made more sense than retasking a button that could be used for something else. I'm surprised there is so much discussion on something so trivial.

The idea is, they have a flashlight that has an operating energy source (that would be rather unrealistic) and they added a gimmick where you have to shake the controller. The issue is they decided to use a gimmick. The fact that people aren't labeling it as such, shows a lot of bias. Let's say MS did this with a new game they release, and rather than shake the controller, you have to wave your hands around and the Kinect picks it up. Thus, they are forcing a gimmick. People, especially those there, would be furious.

So, ND, uses a gimmick, that could have easily been something that added to the game (such as energy source management, which would fit in an type of game in that setting). Instead of doing that, they made a decision to force the six axis stuff.

 

[sze5003]

The idea is, they have a flashlight that has an operating energy source (that would be rather unrealistic) and they added a gimmick where you have to shake the controller. The issue is they decided to use a gimmick. The fact that people aren't labeling it as such, shows a lot of bias. Let's say MS did this with a new game they release, and rather than shake the controller, you have to wave your hands around and the Kinect picks it up. Thus, they are forcing a gimmick. People, especially those there, would be furious.

So, ND, uses a gimmick, that could have easily been something that added to the game (such as energy source management, which would fit in an type of game in that setting). Instead of doing that, they made a decision to force the six axis stuff.

What about Nintendo and their gimmicky stuff like blowing into the controller to blow dust of a map in Zelda? Lots of other games used gimmicky things it's not a big deal. What happens if you don't shake the controller? Does the flashlight go off completely and forever ?

 

[KaOTiK]

There are flashlights that you can purchase right this very moment that do not need batteries and build quality wise would last a very very long time. Someone makes mention that batteries wouldn't be around during the time the game takes place in and you respond with this:

Then there shouldn't be any flashlights. Problem solved.

Really? That was why I made the facepalm post.

Then you respond with:

Oh I know right. I am so stupid for saying anything negative about The Last of Us. Even hinting that they included a gimmick simply for the sake of having a gimmick is going to damn to an eternity of Xbox Hell by Lord and Savior Sony.

Seriously, are you mentally touched? At least then we can understand and excuse how you behave to a degree.

You've done this crap before bringing shit up that has nothing to do what was being discussed and then you just pretend it doesn't happen.

 

[Childs]

The idea is, they have a flashlight that has an operating energy source (that would be rather unrealistic) and they added a gimmick where you have to shake the controller. The issue is they decided to use a gimmick. The fact that people aren't labeling it as such, shows a lot of bias. Let's say MS did this with a new game they release, and rather than shake the controller, you have to wave your hands around and the Kinect picks it up. Thus, they are forcing a gimmick. People, especially those there, would be furious.

So, ND, uses a gimmick, that could have easily been something that added to the game (such as energy source management, which would fit in an type of game in that setting). Instead of doing that, they made a decision to force the six axis stuff.

But the sixaxis is in every PS3 controller. Its like saying using the square button is a gimmick. I suppose they could have made the player charge the battery like he would use a health kit, but I assume the primary intent of charging the flashlight was to build tension in dark areas, so it happens often. Shaking the controller seems better than going to a popup and selecting a recharge for something this repetitive. And the duration of the charge is consistent with the type of flashlight he is using, and shaking the controller is analogous to shaking this type of flashlight. It actually seems fairly well thought out.

Now, if we were talking about Uncharted and having to use sixaxis to arch grenades or balance across a log, I would be with you. This I dont have a problem with, but to each his own.

 

[smackababy]

But the sixaxis is in every PS3 controller. Its like saying using the square button is a gimmick. I suppose they could have made the player charge the battery like he would use a health kit, but I assume the primary intent of charging the flashlight was to build tension in dark areas, so it happens often. Shaking the controller seems better than going to a popup and selecting a recharge for something this repetitive. And the duration of the charge is consistent with the type of flashlight he is using, and shaking the controller is analogous to shaking this type of flashlight. It actually seems fairly well thought out.

Now, if we were talking about Uncharted and having to use sixaxis to arch grenades or balance across a log, I would be with you. This I dont have a problem with, but to each his own.

The induction flashligts we have need to be either shaken for lke 30 seconds to give 5 minutes of light, OR shaken ever 2-3 minutes for 10-15 seconds. I doubt you shake that long in the game, and if you do, it is a horrible mechanic. At least in Metro 2013, they gave you a charger you had to use every so often. Those requiring a crank work a lot longer, but I believe they don't use an ultracapacitor, they use a rechargable battery. Since those will eventually stop working, they wouldn't really be around.

The fact that the six axis is in every PS3 doesn't mean it negates the gimmickness of it. Every Xbox One comes with a Kinect 2, but if MS did something like this, the very forum would be ablaze with MS hate for using a gimmick.

The flashlight is either extremely unrealistic or extremely cumbersome for the player, either of which could have been easily resolved with some resource management or just making the flashlight always work. I understand the tension they are trying to build with the light flicker and such, and that isn't bad, but to force a gimmick to fix it is rather poor development. But I suppose that is just nitpicking at an otherwise great game.

 

[purbeast0]

But the sixaxis is in every PS3 controller. Its like saying using the square button is a gimmick. I suppose they could have made the player charge the battery like he would use a health kit, but I assume the primary intent of charging the flashlight was to build tension in dark areas, so it happens often. Shaking the controller seems better than going to a popup and selecting a recharge for something this repetitive. And the duration of the charge is consistent with the type of flashlight he is using, and shaking the controller is analogous to shaking this type of flashlight. It actually seems fairly well thought out.

Now, if we were talking about Uncharted and having to use sixaxis to arch grenades or balance across a log, I would be with you. This I dont have a problem with, but to each his own.

i didn't want to talk about this more but i will give it another response.

1. it didn't build tension in any dark areas or hasn't happened often. it's happened about 4 times in 8 or so hours, and it's always when i'm just scavenging. it isn't annoying or anything i just had no clue why the graphic to tip my controller was showing up. like i didn't even notice that my light had died at any of those 4 times.

2. if you wanna get technical about the types of flashlights, well the type of flashlight is mounted to his shirt or backpack strap, so it's not one that you would be holding in your hand and shake to get it going again.

i personally found it very gimmicky and it didn't add anything. it didn't take away like it did in uncharted 2 in those instances you mention, but it definitely did not add to the experience at all other than being a novelty. neat i guess but just pointless.

 

[sze5003]

I just think it fit in with the mood of the game and a normal thing of hey if I hit it, do something. No need to argue or say it's a gimmick really, why are people so picky. It's not like in heavenly sword where you had to rely on destroying the catapults with the six axis...that was horrible.

 

[purbeast0]

I just think it fit in with the mood of the game and a normal thing of hey if I hit it, do something. No need to argue or say it's a gimmick really, why are people so picky. It's not like in heavenly sword where you had to rely on destroying the catapults with the six axis...that was horrible.

if there is 1 thing i've learned since e3, it's that if you say anything about anything on sony platform that isn't 100% positive and dick sucking, then a huge deal will be made about it lol. this whole discussion came about because i mentioned that i didn't know what the icon on screen meant, then when i was told what it was, i said 'eh that is a lame gimmick not necessary' and the normal people are all up in arms now.

EDIT

AND BEFORE ANYONE CRIES I AM ONLY 1/4 SERIOUS!!!

 

[sze5003]

if there is 1 thing i've learned since e3, it's that if you say anything about anything on sony platform that isn't 100% positive and dick sucking, then a huge deal will be made about it lol. this whole discussion came about because i mentioned that i didn't know what the icon on screen meant, then when i was told what it was, i said 'eh that is a lame gimmick not necessary' and the normal people are all up in arms now.

I haven't even seen it happen to me. Also in the beginning what did the controller buttons appearing on the screen mean?

Like when left analog with an L appears or an R?

Maybe I just haven't been playing since I bought it because I didn't even realize the flashlight flicker.

 

[purbeast0]

I haven't even seen it happen to me. Also in the beginning what did the controller buttons appearing on the screen mean?

Like when left analog with an L appears or an R?

Maybe I just haven't been playing since I bought it because I didn't even realize the flashlight flicker.

that was just the tutorial telling you how to do things lol.

 

[sze5003]

I'm pretty sure I knew what to do in the beginning pressing the other buttons as the girl did nothing so when I saw those prompts I was like wtf does that do?

 

[Childs]

The induction flashligts we have need to be either shaken for lke 30 seconds to give 5 minutes of light, OR shaken ever 2-3 minutes for 10-15 seconds. I doubt you shake that long in the game, and if you do, it is a horrible mechanic. At least in Metro 2013, they gave you a charger you had to use every so often. Those requiring a crank work a lot longer, but I believe they don't use an ultracapacitor, they use a rechargable battery. Since those will eventually stop working, they wouldn't really be around.

Well, too much realism effects playability. Aside from ARMA fans, I dont think anyone wants a 1:1 ratio for real life and what you are doing in a game. What they have in TLOS is a reasonable facsimile of the real life equivalent, without taking away from playability. You get flicker, you see an icon telling to shake, and you shake for a sec then move on.

The fact that the six axis is in every PS3 doesn't mean it negates the gimmickness of it. Every Xbox One comes with a Kinect 2, but if MS did something like this, the very forum would be ablaze with MS hate for using a gimmick.

I would need to see the mechanic. I could see it used in a stealth game, where you motion like you are tossing a rock, and the camera picks up the angle and speed of the motion so that it determines where the AI will hear the sound. Its only a gimmick when you can do the same thing faster and more precisely using the controller. There are opportunities to integrate this kind of tech that would improve gameplay. But really, I have a hard time imagining what those opportunities would be aside from what I just listed. Maybe a lean mechanic? With the limited input options on a controller, using the camera systems for something makes sense. Its just a matter of finding what that is, and make it seamless. I dont think anyone would complain if the mechanic worked well, unless they are fanboys. No reason to waste too much time on those people.

The flashlight is either extremely unrealistic or extremely cumbersome for the player, either of which could have been easily resolved with some resource management or just making the flashlight always work. I understand the tension they are trying to build with the light flicker and such, and that isn't bad, but to force a gimmick to fix it is rather poor development. But I suppose that is just nitpicking at an otherwise great game.

haha, well, if this is the only thing to complain about then I think ND did a pretty good job with the game. They could have made the flashlight always on, and made the clickers somewhat sensitive to light within a certain radius. It would force the player to turn it off. But then they already have resource management as a big part of the game, so people would complain that the flashlight doesnt need batteries. The mechanic they chose seems like a good choice considering the other options, as it uses existing PS tech, integrates with the story, and its grounded in realism. I dont really see how it is either extremely unrealistic or extremely cumbersome. Having melee weapons like a pipe or bat break break after like 5 hits is unrealistic, but I never thought about the flashlight as it actually made sense.