Are game passes worth it?

playstation vs xbox

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital gaming, “subscription fatigue” has transitioned from a buzzword to a financial reality. For years, services like Xbox Game Pass and Playstation Plus were hailed as the “best deal in gaming,” offering a massive library for the price of a few coffees. However, recent shifts in pricing strategy have forced gamers to reach for their calculators, asking a difficult question: Is it actually cheaper to just buy the game?

The Rising Cost of “Unlimited”

Microsoft’s recent overhaul of its subscription tiers has served as a wake-up call for many. As of late 2025, the flagship Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier has climbed to a staggering £22.99 per month in the UK. While the service justifies this with the inclusion of perks like Ubisoft+ Classics, and Day-One access to massive titles, the annual cost now sits at roughly £275.

To put that into perspective, consider the current market for new AAA releases. Major 2025 titles like Battlefield 6 or Monster Hunter Wilds typically retail between £60 and £90.

The “Break-Even” Point

Gaming is a time-intensive hobby. Unlike a 2-hour movie on Netflix, a modern epic often requires 40 to 100+ hours to complete. For a casual gamer who plays a few hours a week, finishing a single major title can easily take three to four months.

Purchase MethodTotal Cost (3 Months)Ownership
Game Pass Ultimate£68.97Revoked if you stop paying
Buying a New Game£64.99 (Avg)Yours forever (Digital/Physical)

As shown above, if it takes you just three months to finish a game, you have already spent more on the subscription than the game is worth. If you spend six months dipping in and out of a massive RPG like The Outer Worlds 2 or Starfield, you have effectively paid for the game twice over—yet you still don’t own it.

The Loss of Permanent Value

The core issue is that a subscription is a “rental” that never ends. When you buy a game outright, especially a physical copy, it retains value. You can play it five years from now without an active subscription, or you can trade it in to subsidize your next purchase. With a Game Pass, that £22.99 is a sunk cost every single month; the moment you stop paying, your entire library vanishes.

The Value of Sales

Sales are a great time to get a title you always wanted. Is it worth getting the game on sale instead of paying the subscription? A great example is that Microsoft Xbox is pushing the Ultimate subscription to play Plants vs Zombies GW2. It is currently on sale for £3.74 from EA. Why pay £22.99 to rent a game when you can just pay £3.74 to have it permanently?

The “Demo” Defense

Despite the diminishing financial returns, Game Passes do retain one undeniable advantage: The Discovery Factor. It is incredibly easy to “test drive” a dozen new indie games or experimental titles to see if they click before committing to a purchase. In an era where £70 is a high-risk investment for a game you might dislike, the pass acts as the world’s largest demo disc.

Summary

While the “buffet” model works for those who play several different games every week, the recent price hikes have made it a luxury rather than a bargain. For the intentional gamer who focuses on one or two big titles at a time, the math is clear. Buying the game is no longer just about ownership. It’s the smarter financial move.

Retro is in style and the ZX Spectrum is back.

Introducing the ZX Spectrum reborn as an emulator that will transport you back to the golden age of gaming. Get ready to dive into a world where pixels hold poetic power and gameplay is filled with whimsical charm.

I will unleash my inner gamer and rediscover classic titles that will ignite your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat. The ZX Spectrum emulator is my ticket to reliving the magic of retro gaming while enjoying modern convenience.

Why settle for ordinary when you can experience the extraordinary with a touch of poetic flair? Expect to be astounded with some ZX Spectrum emulator streams.

Let the gaming adventures begin!

Pokémon or Mario or Mother 3: Which Games Reign Supreme?

In the vast realm of gaming legends, a few icons stand towering above the rest: the electrifying charm of Pokémon, the timeless leaps of Mario, and the soul-stirring odyssey of Mother 3. But here’s the burning question that has ignited countless debates and fueled fiery forums: among these giants, which reigns supreme? It’s a clash of nostalgia, strategy, and passion—a debate as heated as a Charizard’s flame!

Gotta Catch ‘Em All: The Pokémon Phenomenon

  • The Adventure: Embark on a quest across various regions, hunting for beasties of all sizes and temperaments.
  • The Collection: Over 800 creatures to catch, train, and evolve—it’s like a digital safari where no Simba is left behind!
  • The Battle: Engage in tactical turn-based combat that requires wit sharper than a Scyther’s claw. For those who think battling animals is acceptable.

The Pokémon series, the ultimate adventure in creature collecting and gym-conquering, gives players a sense of purpose as epic as Homer’s tales—just with fewer togas and way more Poké Balls. From the nostalgia-packed Red and Blue to the turbocharged Sword and Shield, this franchise evolves faster than an Eevee at an all-you-can-eat candy buffet. It’s a wild mix of biology class on steroids and strategy that’ll make your head spin—kind of like trying to figure out how the Poké Mart stays in business when you keep spending all your cash on revives.

It’s-a Me, Mario: The Jumps That Defined Generations

  • The Platforming: Precision jumps, timed runs, and the occasional slide down a flagpole—Mario has done it all.
  • The Worlds: From lava-laden castles to underwater escapades, the Mushroom Kingdom never hesitates to diversify your real estate portfolio.
  • The Characters: A mustachioed hero, an eternally captive princess, and a villain who really just needs a hug.

In Mario,’ simplicity waltzes with sophistication. Can jumping on a Goomba’s head be likened to a ballet? Perhaps in a world where tutus are made of fire-flowers and pirouettes are scored by Koji Kondo’s melodic genius. There’s a narrative here, running deeper than most realize—you’re not just saving a princess; you’re preserving the sanctity of the jump. And, boy, is that jump versatile! It’s not just moving upwards; it’s an expression of joy, a defiance of gravity, and a way to crush your enemies. Literally.

Mother 3: The Emotional Odyssey You Probably Never Played

  • The Story: A tale so touching, it could make a Venusaur weep.
  • The Gameplay: It’s turn-based combat with a rhythm—dance your way through battles like no one’s watching (except they are).
  • The Impact: It’s got the emotional heft of a War and Peace novel, packed into a Game Boy Advance cartridge.

Mother 3 is the dark horse, the underdog, the sequel to the revered EarthBound that many have heard of but few have played. Its absence in Western markets is a travesty likened to depriving the world of peanut butter (or jelly) in the PB&J sandwich of gaming. For those who’ve ventured into its quirky, heart-wrenching world, each sprite-filled corner holds a narrative nuance, a joke, a tear—it’s storytelling at its finest, wrapped in a pixelated package.

Unraveling the Tapestry of Gaming Greatness

When sifting through the glories of these games, contemplating which among them deserves the coveted crown of “the best,” we must turn inward, to our gaming souls. Is it the spirit of adventure, the satisfaction of collection, the joy of a well-timed leap, or the catharsis of an immersive story that stirs the pixels of your heart?

  • Pokémon is the best if you fancy yourself an aspiring zoologist with a penchant for non-Newtonian physics applied to magical creatures.
  • Mario stands tall if your idea of a good time includes defying the laws of physics one hop, skip, and jump at a time.
  • Mother 3 will capture your essence if the narrative depth and emotional resonance echo louder in your ears than the sound of a Goomba’s squish.

And So, We Dance—at a Crossroads

Why, then, if these games are to be held in comparison, do we flirt with the impossible? Choosing the “best” is an endeavour laced with subjective leanings and preferential biases. Yet, there’s beauty in the exercise—the beauty of engaging in a dialectical analysis of fun. It’s like comparing apples, warp pipes, and emotionally charged sprites. They’re all delicious, depending on your dietary needs.

Engage With the Debate but with a Grain of Salt… and a Mushroom

Indeed, we might never crown a definitive victor in the battle of Pokémon, Mario, or Mother 3 since the best game, much like beauty, is in the controller of the beholder. Therefore, dear gamers, while the debate rages on like a flame war under a YouTube video, remember this:

In the grand level design of life, whether you’re tossing Poké Balls, stomping on Goombas, or shedding a solitary tear for a fallen Lucas, gaming is the true winner. So are you, blessed with a treasure trove of interactive experiences that transcend the mundane flicks and clicks of ordinary existence.

Now, if you’ve stumbled upon the meaning of life within this assembly of wit and words, congratulations. If not, worry not—for there’s always another game to play, another level to beat, and another story to live.

So go forth, intrepid player, and may your battles be merry, your jumps high, and your quests forever quixotic.

TorvaFacts Bot

I have been recently making new bots. One of which is TorvaFacts (https://twitch.tv/torvafacts). Which is a simple bot written entirely in C# .NET 5.0.

This bot simply posts facts retrieved from different sources on the internet. There is no guarrantee that these facts are correct. But some of them are fun to read.

This is a work in progress. Please feel free to offer comments and suggestions.

Commands currently supported are:

  • !joinme – TorvaFacts joins your chat to listen and replace words
  • !leaveme – TorvaFacts leaves your chat.
  • !setchattimeoutmin – Sets the minimum timeout before each fact is posted. (e.g. !setchattimeoutmin 5)
  • !setchatlines5min– Sets how many lines must be posted in chat in the previous 5 minutes before a fact is posted. (e.g. !setchatlines5min 7)

GorgeousTorva Bot

I have been recently making new bots. One of which is GorgeousTorva (https://twitch.tv/gorgeoustorva). Which is a simple bot written entirely in C# .NET 5.0. Based on an idea from buttsbot

This bot replaces words in your chat with the word Gorgeous and other similar words. This can lead to hilarious conversations. And ignores posts made by some of the most well known bots. If you have a bot to add, please let me know.

This is a work in progress. Please feel free to offer comments and suggestions.

Commands currently supported are:

  • !joinme – GorgeousTorva joins your chat to listen and replace words
  • !leaveme – GorgeousTorva leaves your chat.
  • !setlines – Sets the amount of lines that must be passed for a channel before words are replaced. (e.g. !setlines 5)
  • !setwordrate – Affects how many words are replaced. (e.g. !setwordrate 7)

Destiny 2 – Offering Small Gift To Divilian Mists Cat

The steps shown in the video are outlined below. It is actually quite simple once you see the visual clues.

1) Start from this location

Divilian Mists map showing start location for guide.


2) Head toward the cliffs

Cliff edge to drop down


3) Find the ledges and drop down

Ledges on cliff face
Dropping down to first ledge


4) Keep dropping down

Dropping down to last ledge before entering cave


5) Find the cave and enter

Cave entrance


6) Find the cat and offer the small gift

Cat waiting for your offering

TorvaFirmus
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