Latest news with #Firewatch
Metro
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Games Inbox: Is EA Sports FC 26 going to be a flop?
The Monday letters page asks for recommendations for games similar to Firewatch, as one reader asks if the PS5 is still worth getting. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@ A new challenger I've been playing Rematch quite a bit and I agree with your review. You can tell it's new, because of the lack of features, but I do think it has a chance of becoming something special. Even right now it is a rival to EA Sports FC, and I've found myself playing it more. Although you could say that's simply because it's new. However, knowing that EA Sports FC 25 sold so badly that EA ended up cutting hundreds of jobs, I wonder if Rematch is going to make things even harder for EA Sports FC 26. Could it even be a genuine flop, compared to how much it cost to make and what the series (or rather FIFA) usually does? In my opinion, EA Sports FC is not a good game and it doesn't deserve to be hyper successful just because it's got all the official rights. If it wasn't for that people wouldn't be interested at all. Once again, we see that competition is good, especially as EA has never done the non-professional side of football well – the whole jumpers for goalposts bit. Camphor Old news Interesting to hear that the rumours about Resident Evil Requiem being open world weren't wrong, they were just old. I think that probably happens more than we realise, where people are told outdated information and there's no way for them to know. I can imagine publishers even allowing the information to get out there, so they can judge whether people are into the idea or not. Apparently fans weren't keen on open world, so that got axed. However, I think that means that nothing about the game actually leaked in the end. I certainly don't remember anything about it staring the daughter of someone from Outbreak, so well done to Capcom for keeping the secret until now. Lenticular Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. GC: The fact that the open world had been dropped did leak before the reveal. But you're right that no information about the new version of the game made it out, with insiders still suggesting the main character was going to be Leon S. Kennedy. A good run My last run of games (mostly for around £20 via PS Plus/Extra) has been RoboCop: Rogue City, Jusant, Cocoon, Dying Light 2, Dave The Diver, Blue Prince, Balatro, and now Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. All pretty varied, and all excellent. Cheers for the reviews, which have pointed me towards a couple that I wouldn't have otherwise picked up. Let's hope the good games keep on coming. Matt (he_who_runs_away – PSN ID) GC: Thank you. That is a good line-up of games. Email your comments to: gamecentral@ Further watching Recently, I returned to Firewatch, after a while on my Xbox, as it was my go-to relaxing game to play on occasion. The more I thought about the story the more it made sense. It's kind of sad in a way. The story builds up to something but in the end it just shows two middle-aged people trying to escape their reality and yearning for some mystery and excitement in their lives, out of the events that unfold in the game. My brother who, is only a retro gamer as he hates modern games, is addicted to Firewatch. He's replayed it dozens of times. It's the only game released in the last 10 years he will play. It's a shame Campo Santo was bought by Valve and has gone silent. I hate the way that happens in the game industry, when small indie developers get swallowed up and their output grinds to a halt. I'm wondering what other games on Xbox are similar? I have looked at Return To Grace and The Invincible but don't know what else is there. Could you recommend? Icelticghost GC: Campo Santo were meant to be making something called In the Valley Of Gods but it got put on indefinite hold. As for other recommendations, perhaps What Remains Of Edith Finch, Oxenfree, Kentucky Route Zero, or the original Life Is Strange? Original hardware The reason why I've still got an Xbox 360 is I like playing classic older games and not having to search if a game is backwards compatible. I also have an Xbox One X and an Xbox Series X. Next gen consoles have come on leaps and bounds, as future consoles will continue to do so but I have a backwards compatibility library that I like to dip into now and again. Steve (ImDagger211 – gamertag) GC: Do you find there are many that aren't backwards compatible? That's one of the Xbox's best features. Favourite franchise In celebration of numerous lauded and acclaimed gaming franchises, that have resonated with various gamers across the globe. I'd like to list my 10 all-time favourite video game franchises 10. Resident Evil – a horror monolith. It has been reinvented numerous times, been lauded, been criticised, and yet it continues to flourish. As one of the longest running franchises of all time it is truly a testament to Capcom's continuing vision. I expect this to continue with Resident Evil Requiem. 9. Metal Gear Solid – a revolutionary stealth and cinematic odyssey; the brainchild of Hideo Kojima continues to be rightfully celebrated (the fifth game is a disappointment, however) 8. Mass Effect – storied characters, consequential choices, and an intergalactic voyage make this science fiction trilogy a masterstroke in space opera storytelling, but Andromeda is a disappointment. 7. Uncharted – Nathan Drake is one of my favourite characters. Naughty Dog's masterful blend of platformer, set pieces, and vibrant action lend well to a fantastic franchise 6. God Of War – cinematically electrifying and brutally splendours. The transition of Kratos from a vengeful warrior to a hardened father is told through a myriad of excellent titles. 5. Persona – Atlus' Japanese role-playing flagship is host to some of the greatest role-playing games, to date. I eagerly await the sixth instalment 4. Grand Theft Auto – a franchise that I grew up with as a child. It continues to evolve with each title and when the highly anticipated sixth game releases in 2026 I can only imagine the hours I will spend in Leonida. 3. Dark Souls/Soulsborne – it was a toss-up between Souls and Elder Scrolls, but whilst Bethesda take steps backward, FromSoftware continues to flourish. From Demon's Souls to Elden Ring it truly is a marvellous franchise and one I will continue to love dearly. 2. The Legend Of Zelda – truly magical and fantastically beautiful, Zelda is truly and unequivocally one of a kind. It's Nintendo's greatest triumph and I yearn to one day experience the majesty that is Ocarina Of Time. Zelda will forever remain special to me. 1. Final Fantasy – what else could it truly be but the greatest Japanese role-playing franchise ever made. A series of excellently crafted titles. Several examples of musical elegance. The foundations laid for turn-based gameplay. Several memorable characters, such as Cloud Strife, Sephiroth, and Sin. Revolutionising pixel graphics. A franchise that continues to evolve, even after 38 years. It is Final Fantasy and it is my favourite franchise. The only blight, however, is Final Fantasy 16. That will never deter me though. I always will remain an admirer of Square Enix's grandeur collection. Thank you for reading. Shahzaib Sadiq Mixed messages After a load more layoffs by Microsoft are said to be on the way, I wonder how the judge that allowed the buyout to go ahead feels? I mean, in their eyes Call Of Duty wasn't that much of a big game, and she couldn't see a problem with the deal going ahead. Well, now she should see thousands laid off for no reason other than to bring profits up. I must be honest; whoever allowed the deal to go ahead they made a fantastic decision to allow the deal to go through. David GC: That last sentence doesn't seem to match the rest of what you were saying. Late to the party I currently own a PS4 Pro, which my wife bought me for a gift back when it was released. I also have an Xbox Series X (which funny enough she also bought me for my 50th birthday) and I use the Xbox nearly every day, if I have the time, but the PlayStation 4 not so much. My problem is that despite being very, very late to the party I'm thinking about getting a PlayStation 5. Not sure why all of a sudden. Right now, I have a fear of missing out, but I can't shake the notion from my tired old head! Does anyone think this is a good thing to do? Should I invest in the more expensive Pro version again or do I wait it out and go for the PlayStation 6? I know I'm old, but I've always enjoyed my gaming since way, way back in the days of the Atari 2600. Honestly, can someone help? If you think it's a bad idea, I'll definitely listen to your opinion. I guess I just need to hear someone say it! My poor wife doesn't care if I do or not, I guess she just goes along with my fads! Thanks in advance. LilleyJnr GC: When buying hardware, the simple question should always be: what games do you want to play on it? If it's a long list, then it may be a good idea for you. Inbox also-rans I own three different copies of GTA 5 too. There's no shame in it. It not only gets better each time but also cheaper! Banko Open world bicycle adventure game Wheel World looks interesting. It's out on the 23rd of July, any plans to review it? Simundo GC: Perhaps, but it's a bit early to say right now. Email your comments to: gamecentral@ More Trending The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers' letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader's Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don't forget to follow us on Twitter. MORE: Games Inbox: Is AI going to ruin video games? MORE: Games Inbox: Has the Nintendo Switch 2 been a disappointment? MORE: Games Inbox: Will the PS6 be the most powerful console ever?
Los Angeles Times
28-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Los Angeles Times
L.A. Affairs: Our home survived the Palisades fire. Our love almost did not
I've been thinking a lot lately about a quote widely attributed to Tennessee Williams: 'We live in a perpetually burning building, and what we must save from it, all the time, is love.' When the Palisades fire broke out in January, forcing my teenage daughter and me to evacuate from our quaint canyon home while my husband was at work on the other side of town, I did my best to gather our most essential items before heading for safety. Drenched in a cold and sudden sweat, I grabbed our family's passports, a baby album, my vintage Levi's — tossing them all into a large silver suitcase. As my girl and I crawled out of Santa Monica, inching our way through a clogged artery of cars, I felt as though I were in a dream: Neighbors lined the streets, loading up the trunks of their cars while a massive plume of black smoke hunted us in our rearview mirror. Between chatting nervously with my daughter and navigating the roads, it occurred to me that I'd forgotten my grandmother's brass heart-shaped locket. I'd forgotten the framed photo of my husband and me from our honeymoon to Maui decades earlier. While my daughter tried to calm our two panting pups in the back seat, I worried: What else had I forgotten to save? No one knew at the time that what began as a local wildfire would quickly come to decimate our city; a beloved small town within the larger landscape of L.A. And I had no idea that my own life — specifically my marriage and the little family we'd created — was itself about to be scorched. When you choose to live in Los Angeles, you do so with the understanding that, at some point, you may be required to brace yourself for all manner of natural disasters. Earthquakes are the one that have always scared me the most. As a little girl living with my mother in Ohio as my father resided in L.A., I used to pray at bedtime that he'd make it through the night. When, at 18, I finally made my way out West for good, I began reciting the same prayer for myself. Fires weren't so much on my radar, but as it happens, they have the ability to shift the earth beneath one's feet just as drastically. After days of uncertainty, staring at the Firewatch app as miles of hillside and countless numbers of homes were reduced to ash, we let out a collective sigh as we learned that our house remained standing. And yet with the entire contents of our home ravaged by toxic soot and smoke, we, along with thousands of others, were displaced, forced to find temporary housing. Five weeks passed in a fever-dream of Airbnbs and air mattresses until, finally, we were able to secure a short-term lease on a place of our own. It was a minor miracle in the current L.A. market of limited availability and price gouging. Standing in the barren living room of an unfurnished Hollywood rental, my husband and I should have collapsed in relief. Instead, we did what any exhausted couple of 20-plus years might do: We fought. 'I need a break,' he said, jaw clenched. 'What do you mean?' I shot back. But after months of couples therapy, I knew exactly what he meant. He needed a break from us, or, rather, from me. Our dogs barked incessantly. I dropped my head into my hands and squeezed hard — a futile attempt to contain the chaos in my brain. Tears forced their way through closed lids, streaming hot down my cheeks. As a little girl growing up in the '80s, one of my favorite movies was 'Firestarter,' starring an 8-year-old Drew Barrymore. When enraged or overwhelmed, Barrymore's character would start fires with her mind. I remember fearing back then that I, too, might have this power, so profound was my pain. Now, despite decades of my own inner work, despite years of actively trying to not be ruled by the wounds of my past, I couldn't help but to detonate at the threat of my husband leaving me. But having a child means that even during times of disaster, natural or self-made, we must carry on. As the days passed, I attempted to blend our old life with our new one by scattering our few family photos around the apartment, helping my daughter navigate a new bus route, dealing with insurance adjusters. Yet as my husband grew increasingly more distant, I sank into a state of despair. Loss suddenly seemed everywhere. Beyond the many dear friends who lost their homes in the Palisades and Altadena fires, beyond the decimation to our once gorgeous coastline between Santa Monica and Malibu, I thought of my daughter who would soon be off to college, of my ailing father, of my marriage. Unable to eat or sleep, I sought out help. I met with my trusted longtime therapist, emailed my spiritual teacher, road-tripped down to Orange County to visit my best friend. I also met with a grief therapist with whom I'd worked a decade earlier. 'You have some very real, very major things happening. But this isn't just about now. What does this feeling remind you of, Evan?' she asked, her voice soft and supportive as she leaned in toward the screen separating us. Suddenly I was no longer idling in my parked car, phone propped up on my steering wheel. I was 9 years old again, unaccompanied on an airplane somewhere above the continental U.S., being hurled between two contentiously divorced parents. As I talked through my present-day experience, I began to understand exactly what had happened between my husband and me on the day of our move; why I had lashed out so fiercely. Famed psychologist Richard Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems therapy, posits that our minds are made up of different sub-personalities much like a family system. He labels some of these parts our exiles — the wounded selves that hold our deepest pain. When my husband questioned our marriage, my exiles, my most fragile, fearful parts felt wildly threatened. That is when my firefighters — our most reactive, protective parts (and no, the irony is not lost on me) — stormed in to shield them unfortunately in the only way they knew how: through rage. They weren't trying to destroy my marriage; they were just trying to keep me from once again experiencing the anguish of being launched into the world, alone and afraid. Every day for over a week, I knelt before a makeshift altar in my bedroom, anchored myself to my breath and performed a most Herculean feat: twice daily, hour-long meditations. Rather than resist my sadness, I allowed myself to feel it fully — even when this meant soaking my T-shirt in tears, even when it felt as though the tears would never stop. 'I can handle my life' became my new mantra. As I began to experience the sort of clarity and calm that only meditation can bring, I had a powerful insight: I recently trained to work as a doula, supporting women through labor, reminding them that the most unfathomable pain — in life as in birth — comes just before the new version of themselves can be born. I considered how, for days on end, I'd cried in the shower, doubled over in heartache. I can't survive this, I'd sobbed to my best friend. You will, she insisted. I pleaded to the universe to spare me of my suffering, to reverse time, to let me be anywhere but here. Just like birthing mamas do in the throes of labor. But as I was recently reminded, our agony isn't the end of the story. It's the threshold. And when once we emerge on the other side — and we always do no matter how unlikely our survival may seem — we emerge transformed. After eight interminable days, it struck me: My husband was suffering just as deeply as I was. Sitting across from him at a tiny, borrowed wooden table, I chose to tell him: 'I understand now. I hear you. I'm sorry.' Suddenly, he softened. My ability to empathize enabled him to see a door where once he'd believed none had existed. In the end, had I saved love? It's such an amorphous, ever-evolving entity; I'm not really sure. Though I certainly hope so. But what I do know now is that this fire hadn't come to destroy me; it came to show me what was indestructible. It came to show me that I could, indeed, handle my life. The author is a writer, yoga teacher and doula in L.A. She is at work on a memoir. She's on Instagram: @evanecooper L.A. Affairs chronicles the search for romantic love in all its glorious expressions in the L.A. area, and we want to hear your true story. We pay $400 for a published essay. Email LAAffairs@ You can find submission guidelines here. You can find past columns here.
