There's a difference between "relaxing" and "easy", I think. I get a theraputic sort of "zen" relaxation from balls-hard rhythm games, games that are objectively not easy to play. I'm really damn good at the Tony Hawk and SSX games and I find going through a simple run of career mode in something like THPS 1+2 is very relaxing - it takes only around an hour for me to complete every Goal in each stage per character.
I think relaxing essentially means you're able to just sit back and enjoy something with minimal frustration - even if the game itself is hard or you're pushing your skills. Final Fantasy 7 Remake was my first ever Final Fantasy game, I intentionally played it on an easy difficulty, and I've never felt so relaxed and just happy to be playing a video game in a long time - combat that felt theraputic to hit things in, and a world that genuinely feels like it's come to life. So many different experiences can be "relaxing", it's a much more subjective thing than actual easy-to-hard - I think we can all agree that Ninja Gaiden 1 on NES is ridiculously hard, but some people probably find it very relaxing.
The three most notable changes I remember are that Yakuza 5's "stat boost" system you got from eating was also in the original Ishin, and the intro is just gone. This was a recent change to the entire series with I think Yakuza 6 because the intros just blatantly spoiled the in-game story before you'd even pressed "new game". A fair few faces/likenesses are also changed - characters who couldn't have been in the game when it released due to it being earlier than their actual debut aren't in the original, whereas in the remake we have some newer fan-favourites like the Lieutenants from Yakuza 0 and Joongi Han from Yakuza 6.
The ACTUAL most notable change, however, and I think you'll agree with me is the greatest crime ever committed, is that they greatly increased the amount of fog covering Kiryu and Ryuji's lower regions during their naked brawl in the bathhouse. THE GREATEST QTE IN THE HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES [Kiryu straight up smacks Ryuji's ass before using that grip to throw him. This is a real video game] is completely hidden due to this.
Aside from that, uh... minor balancing? Gun style may be a bit better in the original? But frankly it was already really strong in my opinion in the remake, so if they nerfed it, it couldn't have been much. Every other change is just objectively better QoL stuff - knockdowns no longer last for 56 centuries, weapon seals are not permanently locked to the weapon you're using them on, etc.
Gotta love how quickly things have changed from "this isn't happening!" to "this won't negatively effect you!" to "okay it will!" to "it's actually good!" in record time
Comments 54
Re: 24 Percent Of Gen Z Brits Own A Classic Gaming System, While 74 Percent Say Retro Is "More Relaxing"
There's a difference between "relaxing" and "easy", I think. I get a theraputic sort of "zen" relaxation from balls-hard rhythm games, games that are objectively not easy to play. I'm really damn good at the Tony Hawk and SSX games and I find going through a simple run of career mode in something like THPS 1+2 is very relaxing - it takes only around an hour for me to complete every Goal in each stage per character.
I think relaxing essentially means you're able to just sit back and enjoy something with minimal frustration - even if the game itself is hard or you're pushing your skills. Final Fantasy 7 Remake was my first ever Final Fantasy game, I intentionally played it on an easy difficulty, and I've never felt so relaxed and just happy to be playing a video game in a long time - combat that felt theraputic to hit things in, and a world that genuinely feels like it's come to life. So many different experiences can be "relaxing", it's a much more subjective thing than actual easy-to-hard - I think we can all agree that Ninja Gaiden 1 on NES is ridiculously hard, but some people probably find it very relaxing.
Re: The PS3 Version Of 'Like A Dragon: Ishin!' Is Now Playable In English
The three most notable changes I remember are that Yakuza 5's "stat boost" system you got from eating was also in the original Ishin, and the intro is just gone. This was a recent change to the entire series with I think Yakuza 6 because the intros just blatantly spoiled the in-game story before you'd even pressed "new game". A fair few faces/likenesses are also changed - characters who couldn't have been in the game when it released due to it being earlier than their actual debut aren't in the original, whereas in the remake we have some newer fan-favourites like the Lieutenants from Yakuza 0 and Joongi Han from Yakuza 6.
The ACTUAL most notable change, however, and I think you'll agree with me is the greatest crime ever committed, is that they greatly increased the amount of fog covering Kiryu and Ryuji's lower regions during their naked brawl in the bathhouse. THE GREATEST QTE IN THE HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES [Kiryu straight up smacks Ryuji's ass before using that grip to throw him. This is a real video game] is completely hidden due to this.
Aside from that, uh... minor balancing? Gun style may be a bit better in the original? But frankly it was already really strong in my opinion in the remake, so if they nerfed it, it couldn't have been much. Every other change is just objectively better QoL stuff - knockdowns no longer last for 56 centuries, weapon seals are not permanently locked to the weapon you're using them on, etc.
Re: Your Next Retro Emulation Handheld Could Cost You 35% More Than Usual
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Re: Trump's Tariffs Have "Changed Everything" For Makers Of Essential Retro Gaming Gear
Gotta love how quickly things have changed from "this isn't happening!" to "this won't negatively effect you!" to "okay it will!" to "it's actually good!" in record time