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In some ways, consoles are like drinks. They can often be exciting to start with, and give you a refreshed feeling. You also hope that they will last a fair amount of time, but in the end, you always end up buying another one. However, on part of gaming that is certainly not like drinking is the idea of mixing. Mixing your drinks really isn`t recommended, but I do suggest you mix your genres.
First of all, what`s wrong with using all the same genre? Firstly, there`s the most obvious problem, and that is that the style of game can get boring. If all you have is football games, then its quite likely that the same thing will happen in the game irrespective of which one you actual put in the machine. The same applies to racing games and many other genres - you put Burnout, followed by Ridge Racer, followed by Gran Turismo into your machine, and whilst there is a visible difference, its the same basic thing.
Fortunately this problem is not too great because of the fact that each of these games has a unique "feel" with its own tracks, its own cars, its own rules, and most importantly, its own style of handling. Similarly, the differences in gameplay between games such as Pro Evolution Soccer and the FIFA series also lead to a feeling of variety.
However, the main problem I have with games of similar genres is the fact that one particular game from a certain genre will get into your head and stop you from effectively playing any other game that has the same style. As what I`ve just said probably doesn`t make sense, here are a few examples:
1) Extreme Sports/Tricks games - I am a big fan of the SSX games. After a time, I had become acclimatised to the controls, the setup and the way the snowboarders moved. As you get used to this kind of game, tricks become a reflex, and you always know exactly how many revolutions you can do in the air and still land feet first. A few months later, I began playing Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3. After many weeks playing this game, I had managed to attain a similar feel of control, knowing when to stop a manual, grind or rotation. The buttons pushed felt more natural than going to sleep at night.
The problem arose when I decided to return to SSX Tricky. Why doesn`t triangle work for grinds? Why can`t I do triple kickflips in the air? Why can`t I revert from a jump? I had about as much skill down the slopes as Winnie the Pooh on crack. My brain was completely possessed by the Tony Hawk gameplay, and it wasn`t until about four hours later that I was actually able to make a reasonable score again.
2) Driving - Probably the worst culprit, and the one that actually inspired this post. As a Gran Turismo addict, I had spent hundreds of hours with the game, and grown to love it. Months later, the arrival of Wipeout Fusion had changed me a little. My driving had altered to acclimatise to the new style of racing. For a start, air brakes were in use, rather than traditional brakes. On top of that, the handling is "slidey" as opposed to "grippy". Anyway, after about three hours on Zone Mode alternating with a friend, we decided to have a go on Gran Turismo 3...
Why don`t my airbrakes work? Why is this car so grippy around corners? Why can`t I shoot that car in front with something? Its the same problem again... Wipeout had fused itself into my brain, and was determined to stop me playing Gran Turismo 3. Again, it took several hours before I could say I was racing as well as I used to.
There are further examples such as the FPS range, where transferring from TimeSplitters to Fur Fighters can be a nightmare, but you see what I mean.
The point is, by playing games of a similar (or same) genre, your brain just can`t hack it... unless you`re a goldfish and have completely forgotten the previous controls anyway... but then holding the controller wouldn`t be that easy anyway. (I`m currently taking bets on Joytech being the first to create an underwater control pad... though the dual shock will be questionable).
So, don`t mix your drinks, but do mix your genres. Our brains seem quite capable of making the jump from racing in Wipeout to pulling tricks in Tony Hawks. If you have variety there, our brains are able to distinguish between them, and allow us to process all the information we need, and control the game as we wish. After all, have you ever asked yourself why you can`t do a misty flip on Gran Turismo 3?
First of all, what`s wrong with using all the same genre? Firstly, there`s the most obvious problem, and that is that the style of game can get boring. If all you have is football games, then its quite likely that the same thing will happen in the game irrespective of which one you actual put in the machine. The same applies to racing games and many other genres - you put Burnout, followed by Ridge Racer, followed by Gran Turismo into your machine, and whilst there is a visible difference, its the same basic thing.
Fortunately this problem is not too great because of the fact that each of these games has a unique "feel" with its own tracks, its own cars, its own rules, and most importantly, its own style of handling. Similarly, the differences in gameplay between games such as Pro Evolution Soccer and the FIFA series also lead to a feeling of variety.
However, the main problem I have with games of similar genres is the fact that one particular game from a certain genre will get into your head and stop you from effectively playing any other game that has the same style. As what I`ve just said probably doesn`t make sense, here are a few examples:
1) Extreme Sports/Tricks games - I am a big fan of the SSX games. After a time, I had become acclimatised to the controls, the setup and the way the snowboarders moved. As you get used to this kind of game, tricks become a reflex, and you always know exactly how many revolutions you can do in the air and still land feet first. A few months later, I began playing Tony Hawk`s Pro Skater 3. After many weeks playing this game, I had managed to attain a similar feel of control, knowing when to stop a manual, grind or rotation. The buttons pushed felt more natural than going to sleep at night.
The problem arose when I decided to return to SSX Tricky. Why doesn`t triangle work for grinds? Why can`t I do triple kickflips in the air? Why can`t I revert from a jump? I had about as much skill down the slopes as Winnie the Pooh on crack. My brain was completely possessed by the Tony Hawk gameplay, and it wasn`t until about four hours later that I was actually able to make a reasonable score again.
2) Driving - Probably the worst culprit, and the one that actually inspired this post. As a Gran Turismo addict, I had spent hundreds of hours with the game, and grown to love it. Months later, the arrival of Wipeout Fusion had changed me a little. My driving had altered to acclimatise to the new style of racing. For a start, air brakes were in use, rather than traditional brakes. On top of that, the handling is "slidey" as opposed to "grippy". Anyway, after about three hours on Zone Mode alternating with a friend, we decided to have a go on Gran Turismo 3...
Why don`t my airbrakes work? Why is this car so grippy around corners? Why can`t I shoot that car in front with something? Its the same problem again... Wipeout had fused itself into my brain, and was determined to stop me playing Gran Turismo 3. Again, it took several hours before I could say I was racing as well as I used to.
There are further examples such as the FPS range, where transferring from TimeSplitters to Fur Fighters can be a nightmare, but you see what I mean.
The point is, by playing games of a similar (or same) genre, your brain just can`t hack it... unless you`re a goldfish and have completely forgotten the previous controls anyway... but then holding the controller wouldn`t be that easy anyway. (I`m currently taking bets on Joytech being the first to create an underwater control pad... though the dual shock will be questionable).
So, don`t mix your drinks, but do mix your genres. Our brains seem quite capable of making the jump from racing in Wipeout to pulling tricks in Tony Hawks. If you have variety there, our brains are able to distinguish between them, and allow us to process all the information we need, and control the game as we wish. After all, have you ever asked yourself why you can`t do a misty flip on Gran Turismo 3?
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Imagine - a misty flip in a car - whoa!
Sometimes on GTA3, I forget I can get out of the car. I think I`m playing GT3 (though the poor graphics should be a give away) and its often too late before I realise I can jump out (for example the car has exploded).
Just went back to playing NBA Street after not playing it for 2 months. Didnt forget a single ting. Probably due to the contrals being pritty simple mind...And I dont play any other basketball games...
I have found that in GT3 I love to knock the other cars off the road...Going round a bend smashing the car on the outside bang in the centre...quality. Gotta be GTA3 effects kicking in.
I have found that in GT3 I love to knock the other cars off the road...Going round a bend smashing the car on the outside bang in the centre...quality. Gotta be GTA3 effects kicking in.
The camera on Herdy Gerdy is another example. Compare it to Jak and Daxter... and you have a lot of confusion as they spin in opposite directions.
Actually... add moto gp into the racing lot! That was always responsible for a lot of crashes when you aren`t used to the handling differences between GT3 and Moto GP.
Another good example FM! I found that with the differences between FF7 and FF8. After weeks of constant FF8, the return to 7 was almost impossible.
As you say, the more Wipeout the better :-)
As you say, the more Wipeout the better :-)
Thats an important point Ortega! Developers often use similar control style for their games... so if you were a Crash Bandicoot player, then Jak and Daxter comes naturally. However, if, like you, you began as a Banjo player (could make a joke here about musical instruments and games, but won`t) you might find it harder to change to Naughty Dog`s style.
S'funny you should mention this ssxpro because I've just started playing FFVI again, and getting used to the controls after having played FFIX is a bit of a nightmare. I keep trying to skip a character and putting them on 'defend' instead, trying to run about with the analogue stick is impossible and I have to go back to blistering my thumb on the joypad again, but every 10 seconds or so I keep finding my thumb creeping back to the analogue stick again.
I'll take your advice and go play Wipeout Fusion for a bit then come back to FFVI later :)
I'll take your advice and go play Wipeout Fusion for a bit then come back to FFVI later :)
Hmmmmm, gaming overload maybe....
I just stick to one game from one genre. Or stick to the same developer. For example, on the N64 it was very easy to pick up and play DK64, Conkers BFD, and Banjo Tooiee after playing the original Banjo game becasue the controls were very similar and the engine is basically the same. After playing these 4 games it has become standard for me...I mention this becasue of what happened when I played Jak & Daxter. I just didnt like the change, could be quite a good control system, but i didnt like it becasue of what I have been used to.
Pro Evolution soccer is the only football game i play. If you have the best, why settle for second best? When I go back to play FIFA it just doesnt work. I understand the thing you are saying about controls, I just get annoyed becasue of the difference. Things like the shoot button being the tackle button in the other game. Its just too hard to adapt, especially when you have mastered a game.
I just stick to one game from one genre. Or stick to the same developer. For example, on the N64 it was very easy to pick up and play DK64, Conkers BFD, and Banjo Tooiee after playing the original Banjo game becasue the controls were very similar and the engine is basically the same. After playing these 4 games it has become standard for me...I mention this becasue of what happened when I played Jak & Daxter. I just didnt like the change, could be quite a good control system, but i didnt like it becasue of what I have been used to.
Pro Evolution soccer is the only football game i play. If you have the best, why settle for second best? When I go back to play FIFA it just doesnt work. I understand the thing you are saying about controls, I just get annoyed becasue of the difference. Things like the shoot button being the tackle button in the other game. Its just too hard to adapt, especially when you have mastered a game.
Best mix of genres? Shenmue, without a doubt
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