Godfall is promising near-instant loading times to get fans back into the game as soon as possible after they die. The upcoming action game is releasing as a PS5 launch title, and will also be available on PC. It will feature flashy, grandiose combat and powerful magical armor based on Brandon Sanderson's acclaimed Stormlight Archive books.
As release draws ever closer, the developers have been sharing more and more details about Godfall. While the combat looks delightful, and the characters' magic armor will surely shine on the next-gen hardware of PS5, not everything that's been coming about the game is positive. Early this month, it was revealed that Godfall will not be playable offline, even in single player. Always-online games like Godfall have fared poorly in the past, due to network issues ruining the experience even for players who aren't taking advantage of the network. Fans are left hoping that the new game will utilize its servers better than its forebears.
Fortunately, there's still plenty about the game that does look promising. A recent post on the PlayStation Blog illuminates some of the ways the developers are using the PlayStation 5 to improve the feeling of the game. The post mentioned that Godfall has programmed the PS5's distinct haptic feedback to feel different depending on which weapon the player is holding in the game, which should make for an added level of immersion. But the biggest takeaway from this post is definitely the use of the PlayStation 5's quick load times to reduce frustration following in-game death. The post included footage showing a player dying in Godfall. After choosing to restart from a checkpoint, the player character was back in the game in only a second, as if no time had passed at all. The developer stated that this decision was made because the game is expected to be very difficult, and the intention is for death to feel less like a punishment and more like a learning experience.
Speedy loading times are a huge selling point for both the PlayStation 5 and its competitor, the Xbox Series X. As the consoles get closer to their release next month, more and more demonstrations are being held to show off how fast video games load in on the new hardware, and it's definitely impressive. Loading times have been the bane of video game fans for years, and if the next-gen consoles really do herald the end of them, many fans will surely breathe a sigh of relief.
Godfall looks like a very enticing next-gen title, one that fans will likely enjoy diving into when the PlayStation 5 hits shelves. The combat is shaping up to be a compelling power fantasy, and with such a quick turnaround after death, players can look forward to spending more of their playtime on the battlefield and less of it watching a progress bar. It's a very good sign.
Source: PlayStation Blog