PS5 Exclusive Saros Reportedly Selling Worse Than You'd Expect

[u/D3struct_oh]

https://kotaku.com/analyst-claims-sonys-latest-ps5-exclusive-saros-isnt-selling-great-either-2000695652?fbclid=IwdGRleARxcuZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeG-CkZ9KPtozDdUCRmNuvf27RXEmrsLfA73BVptvwWKP8A2MaGwiNVVMvH5A_aem_9pzQEWNCIDf-219jig3K0w

[u/Tall-Individual9776]

Returnal having a reputation for being difficult also doesn't help with mainstream appeal.

[u/BurnieTheBrony → u/Tall-Individual9776]

Skill issue

No, really. If you expect to beat it on your first try then that's silly. But as far as roguelites go its progression is similar to something like Hades or Binding of Isaac. I wouldn't say it took longer for me to get to the end credits of Returnal than either of those.

I think maybe it's just because people have different expectations for shooters? Like most 3rd person campaigns don't involve a lot of death, so people don't understand dying over and over is literally the point of the story and gameplay?

[u/Tall-Individual9776 → u/BurnieTheBrony]

Hey, No argument here, i didnt think it was particularly challenging, although I remember the last zone being tricky when I low rolled weapons/traits.

I'm just saying that mass appeal does typically not include a lot of difficulty, it's why many AAA games are more 'Experiences' that play out like a film more than a game.

And if someone plays a lot of those then yes they aren't going to be used to dying and dying as a central mechanic or narrative tool for games like Returnal or Sifu is risky because people associate dying with failure and failing feels bad.

I liked Selene and I'm expecting a baby so I'm passing on Saros for now but I'm avoiding spoilers and looking forward to an opportunity to play it, I've always enjoyed 2D bullet hells and Returnal was my first 3rd person Experience, it was amazing and Saros looks equally as fun!

[u/discordianofslack → u/BurnieTheBrony]

I play basically every roguelike and imo it’s harder than 95% of them. There’s no progression from run to run other than the weapon attribute and the items you get to actually get to the other areas.

[u/BurnieTheBrony → u/[deleted]]

You absolutely have progression as you unlock more weapons, abilities, etc. The abilities you unlock lead to more upgrades faster.

Again, it's Binding of Isaac but Next Gen graphics. I've never heard a BoI player complain they have to start over.

[u/discordianofslack → u/BurnieTheBrony]

There’s not really any abilities other than the sword that affect combat. The weapon upgrades are barely noticeable especially if you don’t get a weapon with the same stuff on the next run. It’s a hard game, and pretending it’s not is why it never got as many players as it could have.

Also a full run takes actual hours.

[u/BurnieTheBrony → u/discordianofslack]

the abilities you unlock lead to more upgrades faster

[u/discordianofslack → u/BurnieTheBrony]

Cool. If you don’t feel that at all on each run then it doesn’t matter.

[u/BurnieTheBrony → u/discordianofslack]

Yeah I mean I guess if you don't upgrade then you don't get upgrades.

That's why Binding of Isaac pisses me off so much, I don't go into any of the treasure rooms or shops and I get to the boss and I'm not stronger than last run? BS

[u/discordianofslack → u/BurnieTheBrony]

The upgrades are also super minimal and you could end up not getting a good version of that gun on the next run.

I think we agree in a way.

[u/TheFlaccidCarrot → u/BurnieTheBrony]

Is it silly? First Party Sony game that's a third person cinematic action game? One of the first exclusives so people bought it for lack of options? Cut to your average Joe/Jane going "I have to do ALL of that again?" and turning it off.

[u/BurnieTheBrony → u/TheFlaccidCarrot]

Yes it's silly to approach a game that literally advertises itself as "live, die, repeat: roguelike shooter" and expect never to Return in a game called Returnal