Digital Foundry Direct 42: News, Docs, and Classics

Horizon Forbidden West and Console Aesthetics

Horizon Forbidden West PS4 Impressions

• The panel reviews the recently released PlayStation 4 screenshots for Horizon Forbidden West, noting that it appears to be a highly competent cross-gen release, similar to the quality seen in other high-tier cross-gen titles.
• While the game lacks some of the hero lighting and specific shadow-mapping techniques seen in the PS5 version, the technical quality remains impressive at this stage of the hardware's lifecycle.

PlayStation 5 Customizable Side Plates

• The hosts discuss the new array of color options for PS5 side plates, agreeing that offering first-party customization is a positive move for consumers who previously had to purchase a new unit to change the console's appearance.

The History of Xbox Documentary

• The team reflects on the 6-part Xbox documentary, praising its candid look into the company's early struggles, the Red Ring of Death crisis, and the transition from a small project to a major platform holder.
• The panel highlights their respect for the producers' willingness to bring back former executives like Don Mattrick to address past failures, although they criticized the documentary's inclusion of lower-quality, upscaled gameplay footage.

Retro Gaming and Delisted Classics

System Shock Remake

• Excitement is high for the System Shock remake, with the hosts noting that the team at Night Dive is effectively modernizing a classic experience and making its complex interface more accessible for today's players.

Remembering Psygnosis

• Following the passing of Ian Hetherington, the co-founder of Psygnosis, the team shares their personal history with the publisher, citing its massive contribution to the success of the original PlayStation with titles like Wipeout and Lemmings.

The Fate of Classics

• The discussion moves to the importance of preservation, focusing on PC games that are currently missing from digital storefronts. The hosts express frustration over corporate abandonment of titles like Battlefield 1942 and the legacy of the LithTech engine.

Future Prospects: Splinter Cell Remake

• Ubisoft's announcement of a Splinter Cell remake using the Snowdrop engine is met with cautious optimism. The panel hopes the developers will focus on opening up linear environments rather than turning the series into an open-world title.

"I think what we're going to run into here... just walking around the city... is no longer enough. You actually need something interesting there to do to make it compelling."