The gaming industry has reached a point where most games today are cross-gen. This means that a player can join and play with people on different gaming consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and even mobile devices in some cases. In the past few years, this cross play experience has been pitched as one of the major selling points of most online multiplayer games. However, with respect to Aragami, a widely recognized stealth action franchise developed by Lince Works, the cross play issue has raised more questions than answers from its users.
In this review, we intend to focus on the cross platform gaming in Aragami: how it works; its advantages and disadvantages and effects on the game’s multiplayer experience as a whole. The present cross-play in the game shall be discussed alongside its history, limitations, and ways of improvement.
1. What is Aragami?
Before moving to the cross platform features, it is necessary to make clear oneself, what exactly is Aragami, for those who do not know the game. Aragami is a stealth action video game that was released back in 2016. The events of the game occur in a fictional universe, where the players control the vengeful spirit called Aragami, which is called to free a girl named Yamiko from captivity. The primary emphasis on the game is that it is a stealth game, where players progress through the levels, harnessing the ability to control shadows, avoiding enemies, and assassinating them.
One of the most distinguishing elements of Aragami is the reliance on level structures that are not linear or fixed. This allows players to take multiple approaches towards the completion of set targets. The game also has a mode where two players can assist each, in order to complete the game.
2. Background of Cross-Platform Play in Aragami
When Aragami was first released, players couldn’t expect more than all of their friends to play on the same console since it was not designed with cross-platform play in mind, especially for most independent games. The game was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC with no cross-play compatibility. But the appetites saw by Lince Works in the growing demand for cross-play made them start investigating the possibilities of integrating it in their future updates.
2018 brought about the Nightfall expansion pack, together with it the developing team noted intentions to introduce cross-play support to the game. This was an encouraging advancement for players who wished to invite their friends for play across different platforms.
3. Levels of Cross-Platform Play in Aragami At Present Time
Jumping right onto the current day, Aragami yes, allows cross-platforming, but only to a certain extent. Practically, users can engage in cross-play with limited coverage of the platforms though. Here is any limits regarding cross-play in the paragraph ‘Aragami’:
PC and PlayStation: Cross-platform multiplayer is possible for both PC and PlayStation 4 players. This means that a player on Steam/GOG may play coop with a user on the PlayStation 4.
PC and Xbox: Cross-play ability has been extended to PC and Xbox as well. a player on a PC through Steam or other means will be able to link up and help an Xbox One user accomplish a task.
PlayStation and Xbox: As for cross-play between Playstation and Xbox, it’s still a no-go as of the present time. This is a reality for many games since Xbox and PlayStation consoles from Microsoft and Sony have always hated cross-play between their devices. Though it’s very possible that this will not last forever, since deals to enable cross-play are more frequent nowadays.
Nintendo Switch: Another aspect of Aragami which faces constraints at present is the ability to play with other Nintendo Switch players. Though the game was later made available on Switch, players using this console are unfortunately unable to compete directly with others on various consoles in the game, making them separate from the entire community of Aragami players on other consoles.
Cross-Platform Progress and Save Data
Player-driven interest also includes the idea of transferring a user’s progress and save data across devices. At present, such a provision does not exist in case of Aragami and players cannot move their save files to a different system. Thus, a player who plays for example, on the Playstation 4, most unfortunately cannot continue the game on an Xbox One or PC and vice versa. Such factor may in some way discourage gamers who own different gaming platforms from enjoying the game through the different consoles because they will have to start the game afresh if they change the console.
4. How Cross-Platform Play Enhances Multiplayer Attributes of Gameplay in Aragami
The concept of cross-play feature is an important enhancement in Aragami especially because the game is focused on cooperative multiplayer. The ability to play with friends regardless of the console type encourages more multiplayer aspects of the game, hence targeting more players from various communities.
A. Increased Player Base
One of the most significant advantages of cross-platform play is the expanding of the number of players who can be reached in that gameplay. In this case, there is no way to have games such as Aragami where players on different platforms cannot meet. This is of great advantage in particular for games of the indie variety such as this one that do not boast player bases the size of those associated with triple-A titles. Cross-play helps ensure that players are able to find partners for cooperative missions with less difficulty.
B. Enhanced Matchmaking
When there is a larger pool of players to consider, matchmaking becomes smoother and quicker too. In a lot of games the absence of crossplay means that gamers risk long times in getting matched into a game especially if the game is old and the number of players on each console is low. Aragami’s cross-play helps mitigate this issue as different players from different consoles are mixed up thus reducing the time people take looking for a match and also increasing the chances that a player will find someone to play cooperatively with.
C. Building a Larger Base of Players
Cross-play is also a mechanism for achieving inclusion in the players of Aragami. Players are not bound to the device anymore, and, thus, they are able to develop bonds devoid of the system in use. This feature is important in ensuring that the community boundaries are healthy and active where players can give out their ideas, experience, and tips irrespective of the platform that they prefer.
5. Advantages and Challenges of Cross-Platform Play in Aragami
Nevertheless, while this addition of cross-platform play is a positive change, it has its challenges as well. In Aragami, the cross-generation mode is offered, however, more can be done in this regard.
A. Console Limitations
As previously stated, Aragami currently does not enable cross-play of players on a Play Station and Xbox, which is one of the most popular gaming platforms. Cross-play between PC and each console is available, yet cross-play that works directly between these consoles is not available, preventing the option from being utilized at its best. With almost every game, the trend of cross-play is embraced, this is clearly a disadvantage to gamers who have both systems or have friends residing on the different consoles.
B. The Inability to Progress Cross-Platform
Save file transfer restrictions on platforms is one other downside of the cross-play feature that Aragami has. For gamers starting the game on one console with a view of changing to another later on can be so annoying due to the absence of a cross-platform progression. This also means that players who spend time and work hard knowing so many hours playing the game to unlock particular skills, attires, among other things on one platform will not be able to do the same on other platforms after knowing those skills.
C. Failure to Include Nintendo Switch
In addition, it is unfortunate that Aragami can play cross-play but does not support Nintendo Switch. Many players, especially those who love playing mobile games, have enjoyed the Switch version of Aragami. Unfortunately, because of the lack of cross-play feature, those who own the Switch version of the game stand a risk of being restricted to a lesser player community, making it difficult to look for co-op partners or enjoy the game’s full multiplayer features.
D. Technical Limitations
While it is possible to play games on different platforms, there are sometimes limitations of technical nature introduced. System stability, inter-platform performance, latency and server availability are some examples of factors that complicate issues. It has been reported by players that performance drops are experienced when playing cross-platform multiplayer despite the fact that Aragami works well collectively in almost all the available systems. Location of players with poor connection minimal hindered cross playing. Also, cross-platforms performance as affected by hardware specifications could create an imbalance in the gameplay as high-end PCs may sustain gameplay better than consoles.
6. Prospective Improvements for Cross-Platform Play in Aragami
It is however commendable that given the present scope of this game, it is already advancing towards the inclusion of cross play among the players. There is however room for greater enhancement in the near future.
A. Expanding cross – play for all consoles.
One of the most awaited modifications will be enlarging the cross play to cover the majority of game consoles namely the PlayStation, Xbox and opening up the cross adoption policy to the Nintendo Switch . With the growing trend of most games having full crossplay among all major console versions, it can be very likely that even Aragami can come out with an update or a new version with this enhancement. This will even make it better in terms of multiplayer offering within the game where virtually all friends in any system can come together and play without any barriers.
B. Cross Play Save Virtual system Add-On.
Another area for potential growth is the introduction of cross platform progression. This functionality has been incorporated in many games, especially those that are multiplayer focused, via cloud saving systems so that a player can easily boot up their game on another gadget without losing any progress. If ever this will be adapted by Aragami, the players will be able to take full advantage of the game on different platforms without the need to start all over again in terms of advancing the game. This would be particularly attractive to a player who has a variety of systems or to one who wants to play the game on console and on a PC.
C. Extended technical optimization.
Then as the cross play feature matures, there’s an opportunity to optimize the technical components for better playing experience on different gaming platforms. There is also room for improvements with regular updates and restrictions that would enhance Aragami stability, connection quality and performance among the systems. These enhancements will not only make the cross play enjoying, but they will also lessen the chances of cross play having technicalities that can hinder the gaming experience.
7. Cross-Platform Play in Aragami 2
Aragami 2, like any other game released, has provoked issues regarding the ability to play with friends from different gaming platforms. The new sequel brings along new features in the gameplay, more extensive scope, and enhanced experience of the cooperative gameplay. All these put more weight on the need for cross-platform functionality in the game. This is how cross-platform play in Aragami 2 was incorporated, and its influence on the gaming experience.
8. Aragami 2 Cross-Platform Play: Improvements and Hopes
As the second installment was announced, one of the most exciting questions within the fandom revolved around the pursuit of full crossplay, more so after the half-baked approach in the previous title. Given the rising demands of the players and the growing trend of cross-play integration in the gaming industry, it was unsurprising that many believed Aragami 2 would shatter the limitations on cross-platform engagement that had been present in the preceding title.
A. Complete Cross-Play: Consoles and PC
In contrast to the previous game, Aragami 2 has moved even closer to providing full cross-play functionality. The developers at Lince Works have made it their business to allow multiplayer gaming on the PC (Steam, Epic Games), Xbox, and Sony Playstations. This is a big improvement as opposed to original Aragami, where PlayStation and Xbox players were cut off from each other.
Post mortem analysis structural & systemic integration. Besides cross platform co-op missions, more systems can now be accessed for easier players’ connectivity to friends. Such improvement also helps to create a sense of one player community, which was not the case in the first version. Because the game revolves predominantly around multiplayer cooperative gameplay, this feature is certainly a positive improvement to the gameplay experience, since it is relatively simple to get people to join you for a game.
B. Nintendo Switch Support Still Non-existent
Regrettably, these enhancements have not up to this point changed the fact that there is no cross-play featuring Nintendo Switch for players of Aragami 2. Like its former version, the one available on switch is a separate entity as far as mp goes and there is no way for players to play with other consoles. People buy switch consoles because they want a portable gaming console and while that is a positive aspect, the absence of cross-play as regards between players who own switch and players of other platforms serves to enhance the restraining of the fan base on this console.
Whether Lince Works will remedy this situation with new patches or expansions remains unknown. For the time-being however, within infrastructure of Aragami 2, the Switch remains an island, cut-off from the cross-play phenomena.
C. Enhanced Matchmaking and Co-Op Systems
The most evident advantage that players can take from the cross-play aspect in Aragami 2 is the quick matchmaking system. It is now very much possible to cope with the lack of partners for cooperative missions thanks to availing more players from other platforms which in this case would be all four of them. When playing as the original Aragami, gamers sometimes had to wait for considerable periods when queuing for match, especially when the title became old and less players were active on various systems. With regard to the previously mentioned issue, the improvement of the crossplay option in Aragami 2 has helped to deal with this, meaning that the lobbies are filled up much faster and the overall gameplay is improved.
Besides, instead of the one addition to the original co-op mechanic, Aragami 2 includes a comprehensive co-op mechanism with three players. There was a high risk of overcomplicating team strategies and thus spoiling the game. Fortunately, that risk does not arise when playing with friends on different consoles, which adds enjoyment to the gameplay even more. The cooperative gameplay enhancements along with the crossplay features goes a long way in improving the multiplayer aspect of the game.
9. Technical Challenges and Solutions in Aragami 2 Cross-Play
Cross-play has emerged as one of the key elements in the gameplay of Aragami 2, but it has not come without its own set of challenges. There is the natural issue of player experience across all systems, which is quite difficult for games that allow cross-platform play. This is how Aragami 2 manages some of the technical issues that come with cross-play.
A. Performance Parity
One of the biggest technical challenges in cross-platform play is ensuring performance parity between different platforms. Aragami 2 is available on both current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and older systems set to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Furthermore, the game also features on high-configuration gaming PCs, which are able to run the game on higher frame rates and resolution.
It is quite a tall order to try and ensure consistency of gaming experience across these different platforms, and there have been a few instances of performance variation across the platforms. For instance, at times, players using older consoles may have to put up with some extended loading times and/or reduced graphical experiences than what is possible with newer consoles. Nonetheless, Lince Works has gone above and beyond these differences in order to allow cross-play to function as much as possible without any distracting interruptions. Most of these problems have been resolved thanks to the consistent release of patches and updates, but there are still some slight variations in performance.
B. Connectivity and Lag Issues
Another challenge with cross-play is connectivity and mostly in cases where players from different regions or with different internet speeds come together to play. Although the cross-play feature of Aragami 2 has been generally positive, there have been occasional complaints over lag and connection dropouts during co-op play sessions, especially in places with poor and unstable internet coverage.
To address this problem, Lince Works has introduced several optimizations, such as improved matchmaking systems for regional players and lag reduction on the server side, aimed at increasing the stability of the network. Although these connection difficulties have not been completely removed, their occurrence is infrequent and does not seem to have ruined the generic cross-play aspect.
C. Ensuring Cross-Play is Relevant in the Years to Come
Realizing the limitations that come with cross-playing feature, Lince Works still proves to be dedicated in enabling future cross-platform gaming in Aragami 2. The studio has been occasionally updating the patches geared towards improvement of the ailing performance of all the platforms, with particular focus on the cross-play mode. Such patches are meant to correct the known problems of technology affording a seamless gaming experience devoid of any lags irrespective of the platform the players opt to use.
In addition, linearity of platforms and their content is no longer the patronage of the game-oriented organizations: there are tendencies indicating that such principle will be adopted to a greater degree in the near future thanks to availability of cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming.
10. The Community’s Reception to Clash of Clans’ Cross-Platform Play Feature
Most of the players enjoyed the cross-platform play feature in Aragami 2. Supporters of the franchise have complimented Lince Works on acting on the lessons from the previous game and including an improved and wider cross-play in the second entry of the franchise.
A. Commendable Remarks on Accessibility
The ability that cross-platform play brings in being one of the notable aspects. Several players have voiced their excitement about playing games with other players even when they are using different gaming systems and pointed out that the practice makes it much easier to plan for and conduct any gaming sessions. This has been of a great concern to players who do not own the same console or gaming system as their peers.
B. A Small Disapprobation of Certain Platforms Being Excluded
Despite the overwhelming positive reception, some concerns have been raise with regard to certain platforms being omitted from from cross-play in particular Nintendo Switch. Players who had the game on Nintendo Switch have expressed their dissatisfaction with being excluded from the extensive cross-play feature that allows them to play and socialize with friends on other systems.
Yet even that criticism has been quite tame, considering all the positive opinion that has been expressed regarding the enhanced cross-play features between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
11. Cross-Platform Play in the Larger Perspective of the Legacy of Aragami
The cross-play features of Aragami and Aragami 2 allow for every player to enjoy gaming without worrying about the limitations of the consoles. With the advancement of technology and gaming over the years, more players tend to demand the ability to play with others who may use different systems and game developers are accommodating this need.
A. Indie Games and Cross-Play
Incorporating cross-platform play in an indie title like Aragami is quite a feat. The majority of large triple-A studios have the means, technical skills and infrastructure to build intricate systems that allow for cross-play. For indie devs such as Lince Works though, it is always going to be a struggle to deliver elaborate features like this one. Lince Works has been able to tackle a lot of these problems and has been able to deliver a cross play experience comparable to those of bigger titles.
B. The Future of Cross-Play in Stealth-Action Games
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12. Conclusion: Cross-platform Play and Its Significance in Aragami
Lastly, I would like to point out the importance of the cross-platform play option in Aragami and Aragami 2, changes the nature of multiplayer gaming to a great extent, since players are able to enjoy the game on different platforms together. Nonetheless, even with some restrictions, especially the fact that Nintendo Switch is not included and there is no cross-progression, the cross-play system represents a great advancement for the franchise.
The gamers’ participation in earlier versions of the game will also improve and extend the shelf life of the game due to the increased multiplayer base. With the acceptance of cross-platform capabilities being the new norm in the gaming industry, we have seen acceptability on the importance cross-platform play for even within the dioies of designers whose games tend to be more single player driven such as in the case of Aragami.
It will be worth waiting to see the approach that the firm Lince Works will take in relation to cross-platform play enhancement in new updates and possible sequels. For the time being though, action-stealth game enthusiasts will be able to appreciate the cross-play opportunities presented in Aragami 2 since they do not have to worry about the platform dependency when inviting their friends to play.