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Back in the days, before we had hyper-realistic graphics and Digital surround sound integrated into our games, what were videogames like? Before Splinter Cell wowed players with it's shadow effects or before Resident Evil on the Gamecube stunned us with zombies so picture-perfect you could almost smell the rotted skin, what were games like? Take for example, my two favourite videogames of all time. Before you find out what they are, I shall just express that I am not an old-fashioned grandad who is stuck in the past - i have a PS2 and a Gamecube and massively enjoy games like Zelda, GTA, Pro Evo Soccer etc. But my two favourite games of all time? Pong, and Tetris.
What? Am I insane? I prefer those 2D black and white simple games over the epicness of Metal Gear Solid or the sheer realism of Full Spectrum warrior? Never!
No, it's true. Tetris, the classic game in which you assort falling shapes so they form lines at the bottom of the screen, a full line scoring points and fading away to allow more on-screen room; Pong, the simple game where you take control of a small rectangle and must return a 'ball' (white square on the screen) to your opposing rectangle with the aim being to get it past them and score points, kinda like tennis.
But why? Why prefer these simple, repetitive games over games of mass proportion and depth like Final Fantasy 10? One simple reason. They are fun.
It would seem the obvious reason to play a game, fun. And that is exactly what Pong and Tetris were. Simple games that were totally irrelevant to the world around them, that just allowed a means of quiet entertainment for a while, a kind of means of escapism of simple fun. And what makes them better than todays games? I have two examples to give, Final Fantasy X and Full Spectrum Warrior.
Technically Final Fantasy X isn't realistic as it's set in a fantasy world but the idea is that the world it creates is realistic so I think you can let me get away with it. Final Fantasy X, then, is not a game. It's an experience, in the same way a film is, and this comparison to films is highly relevant considering Final Fantasy X revolves 95% around its storyline and progressing in the tale.
But think back to the reasons I played Pong and Tetris - simple fun. Name one moment of FFX that is simple fun? Don't get it confused with engaging moments in the storyline, because whilst they do hold your attention they aren't fun , more... interesting. Some people might try and argue that the battles are fun - no, they aren't. Again, they hold the interest and require thought and deliver a feeling of satisfaction upon your success, but they aren't fun. Other people might argue that the mini-games are fun. Er, since when was Blitzball fun? I agree in the case of Final Fantasy 9 the cards game was simple, rewarding fun, so maybe there are exceptions to the rule.
Second example, Full Spectrum Warrior. It's so realistic you might actually convince yourself that you were once in the war and spend your retirement years lecturing uninteresed grandkids about it, but is it fun? Again, it's an engaging experience, but there's no element of fun.
But why is this such a bad thing? Sure, it's not all fun, but maybe it's just cool to immerse yourself in these worlds? True yeah, this is a solid point, in fact this counts for the same reason that people watch films or read books and in fact may help video-games become a respected franchise if they are on the same level as books and films. And I'm not saying I don't benefit either. One of my favourite game/experiences ever is ICO (PS2), and that game was totally an experience. There was no element of simple fun, but it delivered warmth and a storyline you really cared about. I also really love Final Fantasy 10, one of the games I used as an example against these type of games.
Well, the reason I bought it up is not because I haven't benefitted from the new style of 'games'/experiences, but just because I miss the old games. The last truly gamey game I bought was the wonderful Bishi Bashi Special, and I've had that since like 2000 so it's been 4 years cold turkey and I'm not so happy. There are examples of fun games that get released, the example that sprang to mind when i typed this was, strangely, Big Mutha Truckers, but these are all average titles that don't deliver the quick, simple fun of Pong.
The thing is, with Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Legend of Zelda, etc etc etc, you have to totally engage your brain into it, you have to concentrate on it, and when you get at that point it starts to affect you. You start to care about the game and the characters - I know I'm not the only one who was saddened by Aeris dying in Final Fantasy 7. And this is all wonderful, it's a beautiful thing, it's just with games like this getting all the sales and popularity, there's never any room for simple fun games, and I'm starting to think I may never see a simple, fun game be released ever again.
What? Am I insane? I prefer those 2D black and white simple games over the epicness of Metal Gear Solid or the sheer realism of Full Spectrum warrior? Never!
No, it's true. Tetris, the classic game in which you assort falling shapes so they form lines at the bottom of the screen, a full line scoring points and fading away to allow more on-screen room; Pong, the simple game where you take control of a small rectangle and must return a 'ball' (white square on the screen) to your opposing rectangle with the aim being to get it past them and score points, kinda like tennis.
But why? Why prefer these simple, repetitive games over games of mass proportion and depth like Final Fantasy 10? One simple reason. They are fun.
It would seem the obvious reason to play a game, fun. And that is exactly what Pong and Tetris were. Simple games that were totally irrelevant to the world around them, that just allowed a means of quiet entertainment for a while, a kind of means of escapism of simple fun. And what makes them better than todays games? I have two examples to give, Final Fantasy X and Full Spectrum Warrior.
Technically Final Fantasy X isn't realistic as it's set in a fantasy world but the idea is that the world it creates is realistic so I think you can let me get away with it. Final Fantasy X, then, is not a game. It's an experience, in the same way a film is, and this comparison to films is highly relevant considering Final Fantasy X revolves 95% around its storyline and progressing in the tale.
But think back to the reasons I played Pong and Tetris - simple fun. Name one moment of FFX that is simple fun? Don't get it confused with engaging moments in the storyline, because whilst they do hold your attention they aren't fun , more... interesting. Some people might try and argue that the battles are fun - no, they aren't. Again, they hold the interest and require thought and deliver a feeling of satisfaction upon your success, but they aren't fun. Other people might argue that the mini-games are fun. Er, since when was Blitzball fun? I agree in the case of Final Fantasy 9 the cards game was simple, rewarding fun, so maybe there are exceptions to the rule.
Second example, Full Spectrum Warrior. It's so realistic you might actually convince yourself that you were once in the war and spend your retirement years lecturing uninteresed grandkids about it, but is it fun? Again, it's an engaging experience, but there's no element of fun.
But why is this such a bad thing? Sure, it's not all fun, but maybe it's just cool to immerse yourself in these worlds? True yeah, this is a solid point, in fact this counts for the same reason that people watch films or read books and in fact may help video-games become a respected franchise if they are on the same level as books and films. And I'm not saying I don't benefit either. One of my favourite game/experiences ever is ICO (PS2), and that game was totally an experience. There was no element of simple fun, but it delivered warmth and a storyline you really cared about. I also really love Final Fantasy 10, one of the games I used as an example against these type of games.
Well, the reason I bought it up is not because I haven't benefitted from the new style of 'games'/experiences, but just because I miss the old games. The last truly gamey game I bought was the wonderful Bishi Bashi Special, and I've had that since like 2000 so it's been 4 years cold turkey and I'm not so happy. There are examples of fun games that get released, the example that sprang to mind when i typed this was, strangely, Big Mutha Truckers, but these are all average titles that don't deliver the quick, simple fun of Pong.
The thing is, with Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Legend of Zelda, etc etc etc, you have to totally engage your brain into it, you have to concentrate on it, and when you get at that point it starts to affect you. You start to care about the game and the characters - I know I'm not the only one who was saddened by Aeris dying in Final Fantasy 7. And this is all wonderful, it's a beautiful thing, it's just with games like this getting all the sales and popularity, there's never any room for simple fun games, and I'm starting to think I may never see a simple, fun game be released ever again.
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Lol hey gotta get Paper Mario 2 I actually read your review and it inspired me to consider getting Paper Mario 2 as my GAD instead of GTA San Andreas or Metal Gear 3.
Heh thanks, though I'd been on a bit of a drought before my Paper Mario 2 win, I blame it on my holiday breaking up my writing style.
;^p
;^p
Ashman wrote:
> Meh, whatever.
>
> Well done on the GAD, Asher.
Thanks, well done on the bundle of GADs you've won over the last god knows how long.
> Meh, whatever.
>
> Well done on the GAD, Asher.
Thanks, well done on the bundle of GADs you've won over the last god knows how long.
Yuri_Fan wrote:
> What genre are you into, Asher?
Anything that's cool to play really, don't have a particular favourite. You?
> What genre are you into, Asher?
Anything that's cool to play really, don't have a particular favourite. You?
Meh, whatever.
Well done on the GAD, Asher.
Well done on the GAD, Asher.
Ashman wrote:
> Yes...I just said that.
I didnt see it. We posted same minute, give me a break im on dial up.
> Yes...I just said that.
I didnt see it. We posted same minute, give me a break im on dial up.
Yes...I just said that.
And why did you quote the whole post yuri fan? ummmm
Hmmmm.
It really wasn't necessary to copy that entire post just to ask him what genre he liked, was it now?
Anyway, back to the point. On some levels I agree with you, Mr. Asher, a couple of my favourite games ever, whilst never being quite as simple as yours, have just offered a fun romp that you can enjoy for a long, long time. Transport Tycoon, being one. Once you've got to grips with the game, it really doesn't vary a great deal, but I love it all the same. Like you, I am also a huge fan of Tetris.
Championship Manager has also, in the past, been a game that occupied me for long periods. Its games that stick with me and never let go that I end up loving most, and whilst ither games are probably more fun to play in the short term, these "simpler" games seem to offer more longetivity to me.
It really wasn't necessary to copy that entire post just to ask him what genre he liked, was it now?
Anyway, back to the point. On some levels I agree with you, Mr. Asher, a couple of my favourite games ever, whilst never being quite as simple as yours, have just offered a fun romp that you can enjoy for a long, long time. Transport Tycoon, being one. Once you've got to grips with the game, it really doesn't vary a great deal, but I love it all the same. Like you, I am also a huge fan of Tetris.
Championship Manager has also, in the past, been a game that occupied me for long periods. Its games that stick with me and never let go that I end up loving most, and whilst ither games are probably more fun to play in the short term, these "simpler" games seem to offer more longetivity to me.
What genre are you into, Asher?
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