Steve Esposito Uncategorized

Opinion : Sony’s Digital Frontier Needs Updating

[This article was originally posted over at Seasoned Gaming on 11/23/2020. Please visit the site and leave a comment on the article if you wish.]

It is no surprise that we are swiftly spiraling into the digital age. With cloud gaming on the rise thanks to many companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon; it is clear that our future will eventually transform. Our experiences continue to stand on the hard-disk foundation, which means that even though we are looking at the turning point ahead, we cannot forgo our current situation. Fortunately, we have seen many companies starting to adhere to the necessities of our future, and most companies have changed their policies in accordance.

…well… except Sony.

Continue reading “Opinion : Sony’s Digital Frontier Needs Updating” →
Steve Esposito Uncategorized

Belonging

[Despite this not being about video games as a whole, what I am experiencing in this piece of self reflection could be something important for others to read as they tread through a space of insecurity. It’s okay. We are all human living in a time of uncertainty. It is okay to be anxious as I am.]

I have always found myself on the precipice of epiphanies. I’m always torn on subject matters because I tend to split myself onto multiple sides. Perhaps my biggest struggle that has been brought to light is the innermost feeling of unsatisfactory work. Besides that, it’s the struggle of coming to the realization that even though I am valued, I am still resting on the outskirts of the club. Even though I am along for the ride, I feel more like the wheel than a spoke, but I only feel like this as the reality could say otherwise.

Continue reading “Belonging” →
Steve Esposito Uncategorized

The $10 Conundrum: Why Price Hikes Mean More Than an Up Front Increase

[As per usual, I have written this article on Seasonedgaming.com. You can visit the site at that link to view what others have been writing, and if you wish to view this article directly, please do so here. Thank you.]

Recently it has been revealed that NBA 2K21 will be upping the price by $10 for the next-gen iteration. This specific game is going from the industry standard price of $60 to $70 and that doesn’t include state and/or federal taxes. Nor does it include foreign sales prices. The reaction to this price hike has been seen as nothing but negative. Despite this being seen as a bad precedent, it is so far the only game that has been announced at this increased price. It doesn’t mean every game from here on out would be priced the same.  But on the other hand this is the game industry which is infamous for normalizing loot boxes and intense crunch periods at big name studios.

Continue reading “The $10 Conundrum: Why Price Hikes Mean More Than an Up Front Increase” →
Steve Esposito Uncategorized

Latest Destiny Articles

So I have written about two articles discussing recent events in Destiny 2.

The first one here is about the weekend event where The Almighty explored in a blaze of glory. It was a rather important event in accordance to both the lore and concept. It was a great thing to see but I have some reservations about it. You can see that one here.

But due to this being a 2 for 1 special, I am going to include my second article here about the start of the Season of the Arrivals and my first impressions of the start of said season. I do have to catch up on some elements but it’s so far a really strong start to a season that will follow to the next major expansion. You can read that one here.

Steve Esposito Uncategorized

Contribution to Seasoned Gaming

I have a new article written but you will notice that it is not here. It is located here:

https://seasonedgaming.com/2020/05/22/this-modern-love-the-relationship-between-developers-and-fans/

There you will find my latest piece of the relationship between developers and the fans. It was a rather hard piece to write because it’s such a big topic and there are so many examples you can pull from.

But it’s a piece I am proud of. The next one is going to be a little laid back. I wanted to come out strong with this one.

Steve Esposito gaming, Uncategorized, Video Games

Half-ass Completionist

hqdefault

A couple of days ago I thought it would be fun to do something I have never done before, because these days all I have is time.  I decided it was time to fully explore the expansive universe that is Kingdom Hearts.  I played the main Kingdom Hearts games when they initially came out; 1,2, and 3.  But the ones in between I missed out on.  Getting the full experience is something I figured I could dedicate time to now. Plus the ending to the third one was lukewarm to me but incredibly awesome to die hard fans who purchased several devices and endured many years of exposition.  So why not give it the old college try? Much like college I discovered something about myself and gained some additional pounds. 

Continue reading “Half-ass Completionist” →
Steve Esposito gaming, Uncategorized, Video Games

World of Console-Craft

og_image

It’s been yet another year that I sit back and I gaze upon the internet and see yet again the rumors of the past rear their heads, and the incredible outrage that immediately follows it.  I feel like I can open a lot of stories with this line.  Whenever it comes to bringing PC games to console, a particular crowd seems to become more unruly than usual.  Come to think of it, the same goes for when console games get poor PC ports, or when Epic Games seems to strike an exclusivity deal.  But then there are stories that shouldn’t raise an eyebrow and have no bearing on the community as a whole.  Yet, condemnation still occurs.  Blizzard adding controller support to an otherwise PC exclusive game opens the floodgates for scrutiny, and this begs the question: Will World of Warcraft be on consoles?  Is it even possible?  

Continue reading “World of Console-Craft” →

Steve Esposito gaming, Uncategorized, Video Games

Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Spoiler Edition

 

SPOILERS

Alright, put the kids to bed, turn off your cell phone unless you are reading this on your cell phone then please keep reading.  Let’s get just cut into the meat of Final Fantasy 7 Remake. There is a ton to discuss and I have a lot of thoughts about many aspects of this game.  I previously reviewed the game and went over some of the more superficial aspects without spoiling the plot. I recognize that there are people who have yet to experience the original title and I felt it was necessary to split this into a two part review for the sake of those who wish to be surprised.  Even as someone who played the original many times over, I am left pleasantly surprised, and eager for more.

(EDIT 4/29/2020 – I have slept on the game more.  I have had conversations with many people about the game and I have come to understand more of it.  It took a while to really let it sink in, but I figured with new information comes new aspects, and I will be changing this piece with my new perspectives.)

Note: Before I go any further I will state that there are plotline spoilers in this article.  I specifically left this whole three pages out of the original review so I didn’t spoil anything for people who haven’t played the original game.  If you have completed the game, and it seems possible that you did by now, then please read on.  If you do not care about certain elements, then read on.  If you are not buying this game out of sheer resentment of Square for not releasing a full game; then you might want to turn back.  Or read on.  Either way, consider yourself warned.

Continue reading “Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Spoiler Edition” →

Steve Esposito gaming, Uncategorized, Video Games

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Spoiler Free Review

 

KN7BzAENC64SwYv4jGWXEc

When I was young and didn’t feel like going to school, I did what every kid would do: try very hard to convince my parents I was sick.  After spending a lot of time putting on the most lackluster performance of someone being sick, I finally convinced them to let me stay home.  I spend the better part of the day laying in bed, playing Final Fantasy VII. When kids worried about their test scores and what Nathan was going to do during lunch, I pondered the events that would transpire after I left Cosmo Canyon.  Ah, to look back on the problems I had when I was young.

Final Fantasy VII was the first game that impacted me on an emotional level.  It was the first game that made me think about what a story consisted of. It introduced me to the concept of storyline twists, what villains were made of, and what it took to become a hero.  It showed me that people change and evolve, and perhaps people that didn’t care about others could become attentive and strong leaders. The game taught me about loss, how to cope, and how to move on.  

I know that I was not the only person to have similar experiences with this game.  Final Fantasy VII became a staple in video game culture to the likings of Legend of Zelda and Mario.  Cloud Strife, with his giant buster sword became an icon, and so did his counterpart: Sephiroth. Seeing an eventual remake of this game was a no-brainer.  But what time is the right time?

Continue reading “Final Fantasy 7 Remake Spoiler Free Review” →

Steve Esposito gaming, Uncategorized, Video Games

World of Warcraft and the Sorcerer’s Stone

og_image

If you know me then you should know about my greatest addiction to one of the most popular games out there: World of Warcraft.  It’s not crack exactly, but damn near close to it. I am such a devout follower of the game to a point where it has become a part of my personality.  I own stickers, shirts, constantly ask for beta keys to expansions on Twitter. I even appeared on the Playable Characters Podcast as one of the Stormwind Auctioneers.  My history with the game is long and somewhat stressful.   Continue reading “World of Warcraft and the Sorcerer’s Stone” →