The Tuesday letters page brings a wealth of reader opinions on upcoming games, including discussions about potential new characters for the next Super Smash Bros. title, the direction of Assassin's Creed Hexe, and hopes for future instalments in beloved franchises.
New Guests for Smash Bros.
Reader Astrocat speculates about the next Super Smash Bros. game, which seems like an obvious candidate for a Switch 2 Edition. They question what new characters could be added, noting the difficulty in finding fresh Nintendo faces. Suggestions include Ditto from Pokémon Pokopia or Diana from Pragmata, and given Capcom and Nintendo's close relationship, characters like Grace or Leon from Resident Evil might also fit, as Bayonetta already proves mature-rated characters can be included without gore.
Combo Breaker and Franchise Hopes
Grayling expresses surprise that Pragmata and Saros are closely matched in popularity, given GameCentral's love for Returnal. They praise Capcom's recent output and hope Onimusha succeeds, but worry that Monster Hunter might break the streak, as they cannot get into that franchise. They hope for another new IP after Onimusha.
Horror Sequel Concerns
Bobly discusses Assassin's Creed Hexe, questioning why possessing a witch's cat would break the series' rules when eagle vision is standard. They argue that after Valhalla and Shadows, the series needs a change from big open worlds, especially with the Black Flag remake coming. They worry that removing supernatural elements from a horror entry might undermine its effectiveness.
Low Risk Revival
Lewis looks forward to a new Star Fox game, intrigued by the possibility of a low-budget sequel. They note that Star Fox has fallen below Fire Emblem in prominence but could be rejuvenated with a smaller title, potentially paving the way for other dormant franchises like F-Zero or Metroid.
Comedy Threat in Spider-Man 3
Caskill believes Insomniac is building towards a new game announcement, likely at The Game Awards after Wolverine's release. They hope Spider-Man 3 embraces sillier villains like Paste Pot Pete, Big Wheel, and Walrus, allowing Spidey to be funny with less threatening foes.
No Passion at the Top
Focus reflects on Phil Spencer's legacy, arguing that a passion for video games might not be ideal for a CEO. They point out that heads of major companies like Capcom or Nintendo are not necessarily gamers, and that a leader who makes decisions based on facts rather than personal enthusiasm could be more effective. However, they caution that the new boss must still listen to experts.
Status Quo on Rumours
Waldo responds to a Reader's Feature about too many rumours in gaming news, suggesting that publishers likely tolerate leaks as free publicity. They note that Activision's quick legal action against Call of Duty leaks shows that companies could stop rumours if they wanted, but choose not to.
Second Surprise: Alien: Isolation 2
Xane expresses excitement about the announced Alien: Isolation 2, having forgotten about it. They wonder why the sequel is happening after 12 years, perhaps due to streaming popularity. They hope the game balances scares and pacing, avoiding the original's length issues, and question whether it will feature more action like Aliens or maintain the survival horror focus. They also hope for Sigourney Weaver's return and no elements from Prometheus.
Inbox Also-Rans
Gorf speculates that Double Fine employees might be updating their CVs, as Kiln seems unlikely to be a hit, and after Keeper, the studio could be a target for further Xbox cuts amid mass Microsoft layoffs.
Balrog asks about the naming convention for a potential Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sequel, wondering if Clair Obscur is the franchise name. GameCentral confirms that the developers have implied that idea, though it could change.
Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk
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. Follow us on Twitter.
