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I’d like to take you on a journey if I may.
Similar to those old ‘B-Movies’ where an Indiana Jones style character would lead a team of scientists on a journey to a long lost civilisation and discover stop motion animated dinosaurs and camp adventure, this journey takes you to the ‘Valley of the Lost Game Genres’.
On this journey we will see many a forgotten game genre, and ask why such a genre doesn’t exist today.
1. The Scrolling beat ‘em up.
Many years ago, gamers like myself revelled in the ability to take on gang after gang of street punk, without the risk of actual physical damage. The concept was simple, and the execution was fun and addictive as you fought against the scum of society.
‘Renegade’ on the Spectrum was one of the first scrolling beat ‘em ups I ever played, but when the sequel, Target Renegade came along, it introduced my brother and I to the wonders of the simultaneous 2-player scrolling beat ‘em up. We had already enjoyed 2-player co-op Space Invaders some years previous, but Target Renegade and later Double Dragon probably strengthened our brotherly bond, as for the first time we were fighting on a team in one of our favourite game genres.
Many people talk about Streets of Rage, though I never had a Sega Master System/ Megadrive, it did look a great game that is also many peoples best example of the genre.
Similar to the Sonic & Mario debate, in the realms of the 2D scrolling beat ‘em up; you’re either a Final Fight person or a Streets of Rage person. I am definitely a Final Fight person.
Final Fight has always held a special place in my gaming affections; it was one of the first SNES games I saw, and I still remember buying the American version from a local video shop. It was a tough game, but when completed it was one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming because you knew you hard worked your fingers to the bone to finish it.
It was only recently that Final Fight arrived on the GBA and for the first time, my brother and I could enter back into Metro City to fight crime together in the 2-player mode. It was a great gaming experience.
So what did happen to the scrolling beat ‘em up?
In trying to milk the franchise, some weaker Final Fight sequels appeared, but Street Fighter 2 was probably the final nail in the coffin. It was so successful that games companies focused their attentions one that style of beat ‘em up instead. Street Fighter style games are still some of the most successful genres in all of video games with Tekken 4, Virtua Fighter 4, Dead or Alive 3, Capcom Vs SNK etc all looking good.
As time went on, gamers wanted either something a bit more cerebral or fast paced fighting like SF2, meaning that the rather monotonous scrolling beat ‘em up was confined to the pages of gaming history.
Games like Fighting Force, Dynamite Cop, Zombie Revenge and The Bouncer failed to capture the ‘old skool’ essence of the genre, and it has sadly lost its status as a classic game genre because of all these poor titles.
2. The Point & Click Adventure.
Mention the words ‘Point’ and ‘Click’ and I will say two words: BROKEN SWORD.
What an absolute classic.
Although not the first point & click game (p & c), it does still represent the pinnacle of the genre, though Monkey Island fans by agree to differ. Fiendish puzzles, oddball characters, great music, plot, atmosphere, graphic novel graphics and a generous dose of humour all combine perfectly to make Broken Sword one of my all time favourites.
Plus there was an equally good sequel.
So why are there no good p & c games today?
3D graphics are one of the reasons that p & c games are not around any more.
The latest Broken Sword game is meant to be a 3D game, and in my humble opinion, and I’d bet the opinion of every other Broken Sword lover, 3D will not be as good as 2D, and having had the “pleasure” of playing a demo of In Cold Blood, Revolution Software’s foray into 3D adventure games the future’s not too rosy.
Having seen some of the early production pictures, I don’t want George and Nico to be like super heroes and be involved in combat, I want them to be the same old characters, and the style of game to be the same as in previous instalments.
3D adventures can be good; Grim Fandango and the latest Monkey Island were excellent, but as a nostalgic gamer, I’d definitely prefer Broken Sword 3 to be a 2D p & c.
The longest Journey, not great but my brother enjoyed it and Mystery of the Druids are the most recent examples, not too bad but not in the same league as Broken Sword and Monkey Island.
P & c games are simple in essence, think of a good plot, characters and locations then write the script and think of the puzzles and you’re there, it’s just that too many developers are quick to embrace 3D these days, when 2D would suffice.
With Broken Sword 3 on the horizon, there is still some hope that this genre won’t be extinct.
3. The 2D platform shoot ‘em up.
Super Probotector / Contra are a fine example of this genre. Similar to the scrolling beat ‘em up, the 2-player simultaneous gameplay of Probotector was a delight.
Yet again though, it was 3D that ruined this simple structure. Other 3D Contra games and Expendable were nowhere near as good as the older games, and they didn’t add anything fresh to the genre.
Megaman games are still being released on the PSOne but are not as good as the older ones.
I guess that this is another fairly monotonous genre that is too hard to re-invent.
Probotector on GBA with 2-player link up?? Pleeaase. Or a new version on GC, PS2 and Xbox that retains the 2D gameplay, but jazzes it up with amazing visuals.
4. The isometric game.
Snake, Rattle & Roll on the NES is a great example. Made by Rare, it again had a simple concept. You control a little snake and must eat ‘Nibbly Pibblys’ in order to get a longer tail, and at the end of each level there were scales. If you weighed enough from eating food, the door would open. Add to that toilet seats and giant feet as enemies, and you had a classic game, that could also be played 2-player simultaneously. A GBA version would be welcome.
Knightlore (also made by Rare, then known as Ultimate Play the Game), Head Over Heals and Marble Madness are other examples.
But yet again, it was 3D that ended the life of isometric games.
Super Monkey Ball looks great and is similar in essence to Marble Madness, but with a 3D edge, but I do miss the isometric games.
5. The 2D RPG.
Although 2D rpgs are alive and kicking on the GBA, courtesy of the brilliant Golden Sun, it would be nice to see some on the bigger consoles.
Imagine: multi player gameplay similar to Secret of Mana, an epic quest, amazing 2D visuals with 3D characters and monsters.
But alas, 3D rpgs are what’s wanted on the next-gen systems nowadays, so the only place for 2D versions are on the GBA.
Is it me just being nostalgic about old game genres, or will some of these make a come-back one day?
In the end, even though these genres have mostly been forgotten about, we can still play them on older systems or the GBA if we wish, so all is not lost, but it would be nice if developers could try to ignore the lure of 3D and make some of these older 2D genres with a little hint of flashy 3D.
Similar to those old ‘B-Movies’ where an Indiana Jones style character would lead a team of scientists on a journey to a long lost civilisation and discover stop motion animated dinosaurs and camp adventure, this journey takes you to the ‘Valley of the Lost Game Genres’.
On this journey we will see many a forgotten game genre, and ask why such a genre doesn’t exist today.
1. The Scrolling beat ‘em up.
Many years ago, gamers like myself revelled in the ability to take on gang after gang of street punk, without the risk of actual physical damage. The concept was simple, and the execution was fun and addictive as you fought against the scum of society.
‘Renegade’ on the Spectrum was one of the first scrolling beat ‘em ups I ever played, but when the sequel, Target Renegade came along, it introduced my brother and I to the wonders of the simultaneous 2-player scrolling beat ‘em up. We had already enjoyed 2-player co-op Space Invaders some years previous, but Target Renegade and later Double Dragon probably strengthened our brotherly bond, as for the first time we were fighting on a team in one of our favourite game genres.
Many people talk about Streets of Rage, though I never had a Sega Master System/ Megadrive, it did look a great game that is also many peoples best example of the genre.
Similar to the Sonic & Mario debate, in the realms of the 2D scrolling beat ‘em up; you’re either a Final Fight person or a Streets of Rage person. I am definitely a Final Fight person.
Final Fight has always held a special place in my gaming affections; it was one of the first SNES games I saw, and I still remember buying the American version from a local video shop. It was a tough game, but when completed it was one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming because you knew you hard worked your fingers to the bone to finish it.
It was only recently that Final Fight arrived on the GBA and for the first time, my brother and I could enter back into Metro City to fight crime together in the 2-player mode. It was a great gaming experience.
So what did happen to the scrolling beat ‘em up?
In trying to milk the franchise, some weaker Final Fight sequels appeared, but Street Fighter 2 was probably the final nail in the coffin. It was so successful that games companies focused their attentions one that style of beat ‘em up instead. Street Fighter style games are still some of the most successful genres in all of video games with Tekken 4, Virtua Fighter 4, Dead or Alive 3, Capcom Vs SNK etc all looking good.
As time went on, gamers wanted either something a bit more cerebral or fast paced fighting like SF2, meaning that the rather monotonous scrolling beat ‘em up was confined to the pages of gaming history.
Games like Fighting Force, Dynamite Cop, Zombie Revenge and The Bouncer failed to capture the ‘old skool’ essence of the genre, and it has sadly lost its status as a classic game genre because of all these poor titles.
2. The Point & Click Adventure.
Mention the words ‘Point’ and ‘Click’ and I will say two words: BROKEN SWORD.
What an absolute classic.
Although not the first point & click game (p & c), it does still represent the pinnacle of the genre, though Monkey Island fans by agree to differ. Fiendish puzzles, oddball characters, great music, plot, atmosphere, graphic novel graphics and a generous dose of humour all combine perfectly to make Broken Sword one of my all time favourites.
Plus there was an equally good sequel.
So why are there no good p & c games today?
3D graphics are one of the reasons that p & c games are not around any more.
The latest Broken Sword game is meant to be a 3D game, and in my humble opinion, and I’d bet the opinion of every other Broken Sword lover, 3D will not be as good as 2D, and having had the “pleasure” of playing a demo of In Cold Blood, Revolution Software’s foray into 3D adventure games the future’s not too rosy.
Having seen some of the early production pictures, I don’t want George and Nico to be like super heroes and be involved in combat, I want them to be the same old characters, and the style of game to be the same as in previous instalments.
3D adventures can be good; Grim Fandango and the latest Monkey Island were excellent, but as a nostalgic gamer, I’d definitely prefer Broken Sword 3 to be a 2D p & c.
The longest Journey, not great but my brother enjoyed it and Mystery of the Druids are the most recent examples, not too bad but not in the same league as Broken Sword and Monkey Island.
P & c games are simple in essence, think of a good plot, characters and locations then write the script and think of the puzzles and you’re there, it’s just that too many developers are quick to embrace 3D these days, when 2D would suffice.
With Broken Sword 3 on the horizon, there is still some hope that this genre won’t be extinct.
3. The 2D platform shoot ‘em up.
Super Probotector / Contra are a fine example of this genre. Similar to the scrolling beat ‘em up, the 2-player simultaneous gameplay of Probotector was a delight.
Yet again though, it was 3D that ruined this simple structure. Other 3D Contra games and Expendable were nowhere near as good as the older games, and they didn’t add anything fresh to the genre.
Megaman games are still being released on the PSOne but are not as good as the older ones.
I guess that this is another fairly monotonous genre that is too hard to re-invent.
Probotector on GBA with 2-player link up?? Pleeaase. Or a new version on GC, PS2 and Xbox that retains the 2D gameplay, but jazzes it up with amazing visuals.
4. The isometric game.
Snake, Rattle & Roll on the NES is a great example. Made by Rare, it again had a simple concept. You control a little snake and must eat ‘Nibbly Pibblys’ in order to get a longer tail, and at the end of each level there were scales. If you weighed enough from eating food, the door would open. Add to that toilet seats and giant feet as enemies, and you had a classic game, that could also be played 2-player simultaneously. A GBA version would be welcome.
Knightlore (also made by Rare, then known as Ultimate Play the Game), Head Over Heals and Marble Madness are other examples.
But yet again, it was 3D that ended the life of isometric games.
Super Monkey Ball looks great and is similar in essence to Marble Madness, but with a 3D edge, but I do miss the isometric games.
5. The 2D RPG.
Although 2D rpgs are alive and kicking on the GBA, courtesy of the brilliant Golden Sun, it would be nice to see some on the bigger consoles.
Imagine: multi player gameplay similar to Secret of Mana, an epic quest, amazing 2D visuals with 3D characters and monsters.
But alas, 3D rpgs are what’s wanted on the next-gen systems nowadays, so the only place for 2D versions are on the GBA.
Is it me just being nostalgic about old game genres, or will some of these make a come-back one day?
In the end, even though these genres have mostly been forgotten about, we can still play them on older systems or the GBA if we wish, so all is not lost, but it would be nice if developers could try to ignore the lure of 3D and make some of these older 2D genres with a little hint of flashy 3D.
Although the point & click genre may not have been totally forgotten, it's just a shame that more decent ones aren't being made anymore. We do have the classics like Monkey Island, Broken Sword etc, but we want some new 2D classics to get our cerebral juices flowing.
I only hope that Broken Sword 3 isn't a let-down, and it does its forefathers justice.
I only hope that Broken Sword 3 isn't a let-down, and it does its forefathers justice.
Broken Sword was a true classic. I can't wait for Broken Sword 3.
I also greatly enjoyed Riven. I know it was just a load of photographs put together, but that game had some of the best and most intelligent puzzles I've encountered in a game.
I also greatly enjoyed Riven. I know it was just a load of photographs put together, but that game had some of the best and most intelligent puzzles I've encountered in a game.
How appropriate. You fight like a cow.
Well, as far as point-and-click graphic adventures go "Monkey Island" still exists - "Escape From Monkey Island," the fourth installment in the series was released last year although the point-and-click nature has now metamorphosed into a full 3D landscape. The essential nature of the gameplay remains unchanged, however, as does the riotous humour.
Taking Monkey Island 4 as a starting point you could argue that the point-and-click adventure game genre basically still exists through games such as "Little Big Adventure" (1&2). This did feature some limited hand-to-hand combat but was basically the same kind of thing. The biggest-selling game of all time "Myst" (why? why?) has spawned several sequels, one fairly recently I believe.
Other fairly recent Lucasarts games include "Grim Fandango". The ancient-but-still-classic "Day Of The Tentacle" and "Sam & Max: Hit The Road" have just been re-relased as a double-pack on PC-CD and have sold quite well.
Of course the main weakness of this genre was that the game lacked replay value. After completing them, the only thing that could bring you back to them was, in the case of the Lucasarts' games, the humour. Games that didn't have that just sat and gathered dust.
Point-and-click games are very scarce now perhaps largely because the authors turned to churning out point-and-click Full Motion Video games when CD-ROMs first came out around 1993/4. Remember the God-awful "Voyeur" on the Mega CD? No? Good. How about "7th Guest", "11th Hour", "Phantasmagoria" and "The Pandora Directive" on the PC? All spread across more CDs than you could comfortably hold in one hand, basically requiring you to point, click, and watch poorly-acted FMV sequences for several hours.
If the horror of FMV went some way towards killing point-and-click adventure games, surely their inherent linearity must have dealt the second stab. Games have progressed, or at least are progressing, beyond a simple one-dimensional storyline and are sprouting alternative paths, endings, even whole missions. Take the ridiculously good "Deus Ex" for example.
The point-and-click genre as we knew it barely exists today, but the narrative-centred structure which defined that genre clearly remains in such games as "Deus Ex," "Half Life," and "Metal Gear Solid." Like many of the simple genres of earlier computer gaming years it has merged with others to form more sophisticated, challenging games. But there's still nothing funnier than insult based sword fighting.
Well, as far as point-and-click graphic adventures go "Monkey Island" still exists - "Escape From Monkey Island," the fourth installment in the series was released last year although the point-and-click nature has now metamorphosed into a full 3D landscape. The essential nature of the gameplay remains unchanged, however, as does the riotous humour.
Taking Monkey Island 4 as a starting point you could argue that the point-and-click adventure game genre basically still exists through games such as "Little Big Adventure" (1&2). This did feature some limited hand-to-hand combat but was basically the same kind of thing. The biggest-selling game of all time "Myst" (why? why?) has spawned several sequels, one fairly recently I believe.
Other fairly recent Lucasarts games include "Grim Fandango". The ancient-but-still-classic "Day Of The Tentacle" and "Sam & Max: Hit The Road" have just been re-relased as a double-pack on PC-CD and have sold quite well.
Of course the main weakness of this genre was that the game lacked replay value. After completing them, the only thing that could bring you back to them was, in the case of the Lucasarts' games, the humour. Games that didn't have that just sat and gathered dust.
Point-and-click games are very scarce now perhaps largely because the authors turned to churning out point-and-click Full Motion Video games when CD-ROMs first came out around 1993/4. Remember the God-awful "Voyeur" on the Mega CD? No? Good. How about "7th Guest", "11th Hour", "Phantasmagoria" and "The Pandora Directive" on the PC? All spread across more CDs than you could comfortably hold in one hand, basically requiring you to point, click, and watch poorly-acted FMV sequences for several hours.
If the horror of FMV went some way towards killing point-and-click adventure games, surely their inherent linearity must have dealt the second stab. Games have progressed, or at least are progressing, beyond a simple one-dimensional storyline and are sprouting alternative paths, endings, even whole missions. Take the ridiculously good "Deus Ex" for example.
The point-and-click genre as we knew it barely exists today, but the narrative-centred structure which defined that genre clearly remains in such games as "Deus Ex," "Half Life," and "Metal Gear Solid." Like many of the simple genres of earlier computer gaming years it has merged with others to form more sophisticated, challenging games. But there's still nothing funnier than insult based sword fighting.
Streets of Rage - possibly the greatest side-scrolling beat-'em-up ever! And there will apparently several classic Sega MegaDrive games coming to the X-box - I hope this is one of them! :D
The last isometric game I can remember is Mario RPG. But it never left Japan and therefore we never played it (without an emulator). :(
And no, the 2D RPG's haven't been forgotten, look at the RPG's on the GBA, and what else is to come on it!
Also, FFIX has been re-released, on the PSX! In a 2D top-down view, with a free FFX demo.
But yes, some of those genres seem to be no more, but I wouldn't say they'll ever be forgtten! They're 'dead' of anything. Good post too. :)
The last isometric game I can remember is Mario RPG. But it never left Japan and therefore we never played it (without an emulator). :(
And no, the 2D RPG's haven't been forgotten, look at the RPG's on the GBA, and what else is to come on it!
Also, FFIX has been re-released, on the PSX! In a 2D top-down view, with a free FFX demo.
But yes, some of those genres seem to be no more, but I wouldn't say they'll ever be forgtten! They're 'dead' of anything. Good post too. :)
I’d like to take you on a journey if I may.
Similar to those old ‘B-Movies’ where an Indiana Jones style character would lead a team of scientists on a journey to a long lost civilisation and discover stop motion animated dinosaurs and camp adventure, this journey takes you to the ‘Valley of the Lost Game Genres’.
On this journey we will see many a forgotten game genre, and ask why such a genre doesn’t exist today.
1. The Scrolling beat ‘em up.
Many years ago, gamers like myself revelled in the ability to take on gang after gang of street punk, without the risk of actual physical damage. The concept was simple, and the execution was fun and addictive as you fought against the scum of society.
‘Renegade’ on the Spectrum was one of the first scrolling beat ‘em ups I ever played, but when the sequel, Target Renegade came along, it introduced my brother and I to the wonders of the simultaneous 2-player scrolling beat ‘em up. We had already enjoyed 2-player co-op Space Invaders some years previous, but Target Renegade and later Double Dragon probably strengthened our brotherly bond, as for the first time we were fighting on a team in one of our favourite game genres.
Many people talk about Streets of Rage, though I never had a Sega Master System/ Megadrive, it did look a great game that is also many peoples best example of the genre.
Similar to the Sonic & Mario debate, in the realms of the 2D scrolling beat ‘em up; you’re either a Final Fight person or a Streets of Rage person. I am definitely a Final Fight person.
Final Fight has always held a special place in my gaming affections; it was one of the first SNES games I saw, and I still remember buying the American version from a local video shop. It was a tough game, but when completed it was one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming because you knew you hard worked your fingers to the bone to finish it.
It was only recently that Final Fight arrived on the GBA and for the first time, my brother and I could enter back into Metro City to fight crime together in the 2-player mode. It was a great gaming experience.
So what did happen to the scrolling beat ‘em up?
In trying to milk the franchise, some weaker Final Fight sequels appeared, but Street Fighter 2 was probably the final nail in the coffin. It was so successful that games companies focused their attentions one that style of beat ‘em up instead. Street Fighter style games are still some of the most successful genres in all of video games with Tekken 4, Virtua Fighter 4, Dead or Alive 3, Capcom Vs SNK etc all looking good.
As time went on, gamers wanted either something a bit more cerebral or fast paced fighting like SF2, meaning that the rather monotonous scrolling beat ‘em up was confined to the pages of gaming history.
Games like Fighting Force, Dynamite Cop, Zombie Revenge and The Bouncer failed to capture the ‘old skool’ essence of the genre, and it has sadly lost its status as a classic game genre because of all these poor titles.
2. The Point & Click Adventure.
Mention the words ‘Point’ and ‘Click’ and I will say two words: BROKEN SWORD.
What an absolute classic.
Although not the first point & click game (p & c), it does still represent the pinnacle of the genre, though Monkey Island fans by agree to differ. Fiendish puzzles, oddball characters, great music, plot, atmosphere, graphic novel graphics and a generous dose of humour all combine perfectly to make Broken Sword one of my all time favourites.
Plus there was an equally good sequel.
So why are there no good p & c games today?
3D graphics are one of the reasons that p & c games are not around any more.
The latest Broken Sword game is meant to be a 3D game, and in my humble opinion, and I’d bet the opinion of every other Broken Sword lover, 3D will not be as good as 2D, and having had the “pleasure” of playing a demo of In Cold Blood, Revolution Software’s foray into 3D adventure games the future’s not too rosy.
Having seen some of the early production pictures, I don’t want George and Nico to be like super heroes and be involved in combat, I want them to be the same old characters, and the style of game to be the same as in previous instalments.
3D adventures can be good; Grim Fandango and the latest Monkey Island were excellent, but as a nostalgic gamer, I’d definitely prefer Broken Sword 3 to be a 2D p & c.
The longest Journey, not great but my brother enjoyed it and Mystery of the Druids are the most recent examples, not too bad but not in the same league as Broken Sword and Monkey Island.
P & c games are simple in essence, think of a good plot, characters and locations then write the script and think of the puzzles and you’re there, it’s just that too many developers are quick to embrace 3D these days, when 2D would suffice.
With Broken Sword 3 on the horizon, there is still some hope that this genre won’t be extinct.
3. The 2D platform shoot ‘em up.
Super Probotector / Contra are a fine example of this genre. Similar to the scrolling beat ‘em up, the 2-player simultaneous gameplay of Probotector was a delight.
Yet again though, it was 3D that ruined this simple structure. Other 3D Contra games and Expendable were nowhere near as good as the older games, and they didn’t add anything fresh to the genre.
Megaman games are still being released on the PSOne but are not as good as the older ones.
I guess that this is another fairly monotonous genre that is too hard to re-invent.
Probotector on GBA with 2-player link up?? Pleeaase. Or a new version on GC, PS2 and Xbox that retains the 2D gameplay, but jazzes it up with amazing visuals.
4. The isometric game.
Snake, Rattle & Roll on the NES is a great example. Made by Rare, it again had a simple concept. You control a little snake and must eat ‘Nibbly Pibblys’ in order to get a longer tail, and at the end of each level there were scales. If you weighed enough from eating food, the door would open. Add to that toilet seats and giant feet as enemies, and you had a classic game, that could also be played 2-player simultaneously. A GBA version would be welcome.
Knightlore (also made by Rare, then known as Ultimate Play the Game), Head Over Heals and Marble Madness are other examples.
But yet again, it was 3D that ended the life of isometric games.
Super Monkey Ball looks great and is similar in essence to Marble Madness, but with a 3D edge, but I do miss the isometric games.
5. The 2D RPG.
Although 2D rpgs are alive and kicking on the GBA, courtesy of the brilliant Golden Sun, it would be nice to see some on the bigger consoles.
Imagine: multi player gameplay similar to Secret of Mana, an epic quest, amazing 2D visuals with 3D characters and monsters.
But alas, 3D rpgs are what’s wanted on the next-gen systems nowadays, so the only place for 2D versions are on the GBA.
Is it me just being nostalgic about old game genres, or will some of these make a come-back one day?
In the end, even though these genres have mostly been forgotten about, we can still play them on older systems or the GBA if we wish, so all is not lost, but it would be nice if developers could try to ignore the lure of 3D and make some of these older 2D genres with a little hint of flashy 3D.
Similar to those old ‘B-Movies’ where an Indiana Jones style character would lead a team of scientists on a journey to a long lost civilisation and discover stop motion animated dinosaurs and camp adventure, this journey takes you to the ‘Valley of the Lost Game Genres’.
On this journey we will see many a forgotten game genre, and ask why such a genre doesn’t exist today.
1. The Scrolling beat ‘em up.
Many years ago, gamers like myself revelled in the ability to take on gang after gang of street punk, without the risk of actual physical damage. The concept was simple, and the execution was fun and addictive as you fought against the scum of society.
‘Renegade’ on the Spectrum was one of the first scrolling beat ‘em ups I ever played, but when the sequel, Target Renegade came along, it introduced my brother and I to the wonders of the simultaneous 2-player scrolling beat ‘em up. We had already enjoyed 2-player co-op Space Invaders some years previous, but Target Renegade and later Double Dragon probably strengthened our brotherly bond, as for the first time we were fighting on a team in one of our favourite game genres.
Many people talk about Streets of Rage, though I never had a Sega Master System/ Megadrive, it did look a great game that is also many peoples best example of the genre.
Similar to the Sonic & Mario debate, in the realms of the 2D scrolling beat ‘em up; you’re either a Final Fight person or a Streets of Rage person. I am definitely a Final Fight person.
Final Fight has always held a special place in my gaming affections; it was one of the first SNES games I saw, and I still remember buying the American version from a local video shop. It was a tough game, but when completed it was one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming because you knew you hard worked your fingers to the bone to finish it.
It was only recently that Final Fight arrived on the GBA and for the first time, my brother and I could enter back into Metro City to fight crime together in the 2-player mode. It was a great gaming experience.
So what did happen to the scrolling beat ‘em up?
In trying to milk the franchise, some weaker Final Fight sequels appeared, but Street Fighter 2 was probably the final nail in the coffin. It was so successful that games companies focused their attentions one that style of beat ‘em up instead. Street Fighter style games are still some of the most successful genres in all of video games with Tekken 4, Virtua Fighter 4, Dead or Alive 3, Capcom Vs SNK etc all looking good.
As time went on, gamers wanted either something a bit more cerebral or fast paced fighting like SF2, meaning that the rather monotonous scrolling beat ‘em up was confined to the pages of gaming history.
Games like Fighting Force, Dynamite Cop, Zombie Revenge and The Bouncer failed to capture the ‘old skool’ essence of the genre, and it has sadly lost its status as a classic game genre because of all these poor titles.
2. The Point & Click Adventure.
Mention the words ‘Point’ and ‘Click’ and I will say two words: BROKEN SWORD.
What an absolute classic.
Although not the first point & click game (p & c), it does still represent the pinnacle of the genre, though Monkey Island fans by agree to differ. Fiendish puzzles, oddball characters, great music, plot, atmosphere, graphic novel graphics and a generous dose of humour all combine perfectly to make Broken Sword one of my all time favourites.
Plus there was an equally good sequel.
So why are there no good p & c games today?
3D graphics are one of the reasons that p & c games are not around any more.
The latest Broken Sword game is meant to be a 3D game, and in my humble opinion, and I’d bet the opinion of every other Broken Sword lover, 3D will not be as good as 2D, and having had the “pleasure” of playing a demo of In Cold Blood, Revolution Software’s foray into 3D adventure games the future’s not too rosy.
Having seen some of the early production pictures, I don’t want George and Nico to be like super heroes and be involved in combat, I want them to be the same old characters, and the style of game to be the same as in previous instalments.
3D adventures can be good; Grim Fandango and the latest Monkey Island were excellent, but as a nostalgic gamer, I’d definitely prefer Broken Sword 3 to be a 2D p & c.
The longest Journey, not great but my brother enjoyed it and Mystery of the Druids are the most recent examples, not too bad but not in the same league as Broken Sword and Monkey Island.
P & c games are simple in essence, think of a good plot, characters and locations then write the script and think of the puzzles and you’re there, it’s just that too many developers are quick to embrace 3D these days, when 2D would suffice.
With Broken Sword 3 on the horizon, there is still some hope that this genre won’t be extinct.
3. The 2D platform shoot ‘em up.
Super Probotector / Contra are a fine example of this genre. Similar to the scrolling beat ‘em up, the 2-player simultaneous gameplay of Probotector was a delight.
Yet again though, it was 3D that ruined this simple structure. Other 3D Contra games and Expendable were nowhere near as good as the older games, and they didn’t add anything fresh to the genre.
Megaman games are still being released on the PSOne but are not as good as the older ones.
I guess that this is another fairly monotonous genre that is too hard to re-invent.
Probotector on GBA with 2-player link up?? Pleeaase. Or a new version on GC, PS2 and Xbox that retains the 2D gameplay, but jazzes it up with amazing visuals.
4. The isometric game.
Snake, Rattle & Roll on the NES is a great example. Made by Rare, it again had a simple concept. You control a little snake and must eat ‘Nibbly Pibblys’ in order to get a longer tail, and at the end of each level there were scales. If you weighed enough from eating food, the door would open. Add to that toilet seats and giant feet as enemies, and you had a classic game, that could also be played 2-player simultaneously. A GBA version would be welcome.
Knightlore (also made by Rare, then known as Ultimate Play the Game), Head Over Heals and Marble Madness are other examples.
But yet again, it was 3D that ended the life of isometric games.
Super Monkey Ball looks great and is similar in essence to Marble Madness, but with a 3D edge, but I do miss the isometric games.
5. The 2D RPG.
Although 2D rpgs are alive and kicking on the GBA, courtesy of the brilliant Golden Sun, it would be nice to see some on the bigger consoles.
Imagine: multi player gameplay similar to Secret of Mana, an epic quest, amazing 2D visuals with 3D characters and monsters.
But alas, 3D rpgs are what’s wanted on the next-gen systems nowadays, so the only place for 2D versions are on the GBA.
Is it me just being nostalgic about old game genres, or will some of these make a come-back one day?
In the end, even though these genres have mostly been forgotten about, we can still play them on older systems or the GBA if we wish, so all is not lost, but it would be nice if developers could try to ignore the lure of 3D and make some of these older 2D genres with a little hint of flashy 3D.