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I'm sick and tired of people moaning and complaining of games nowadays. They aren't original, they say. They're all driving, or shooting, are other common remarks. But why the hell do the make these stupid, unfounded accusations when there are a wealth of beautys staring them in the face.
First of all, I have to comment on PC games. If you play console games, and are annoyed about the constant GT clones and Half Life wannabes, just spend a month focusing on PC games instead of console. Not only will you find that the popular (therefore most developed) genres are very different to that of consoles. Role-playing games and Real-Time Strategys are wide in abundance, and there are many classics, aged and new which I guarantee you'll get weeks of enjoyment out of. Then there are the first person shooters which are in fact very different to those on consoles. The main difference has to be the fact that almost all FPS have a very strong multiplayer focus as well as single player, and online gaming has to be something unrivalled by consoles. In fact, you might as well forget the similarities between console based shooters and those on the PC as soon as you know their genre, because they are two different species. Like trying to compare a pig with a guinea pig. PC games are completely different to console games, and despite the downers of perhaps having low specs and a gamer-hostile environment to be sitting in, for newbies they can be extremely fun and a refreshing break.
Online. That's something you hear about a lot in the console industry. And something only beta testers have ever experienced. Hailed as the best thing since sliced bread, not only has online console multiplayer failed to materialise, but all three major consoles haven't even scheduled release dates. So for those who are hankering for some online spankering (ermmm...) I advise going to your PC. The wealth of games, online-compatible, be it sport, strategy, shooter or role-play is immense. You wouldn't have expected it due to the fairly lacklustre mainstream coverage.
But for the moaning console gamers who won't see beyond their couch, there are still quite a few unknown gems which they either won't give a go because they're odd, or are just too stubborn. I mean, if you want something different, at least give something different a try. Lack of originality, to this kind of people, is just lack of evolution really. They don't want original games, they want new variations of the old games. Gran Turismo didn't invent driving games, it merely excelled in what it did. As did Half Life.
But what I'm talking about are the kooky (some would say) but mega-refreshing Japanese games. Beauts such as Mr. Moskeeto, Gitaroo Man, Incredible Crisis, Mad Maestro, to name a few, offer originality, suitably cheesey graphics and extremely fun gameplay. Bemani titles. Ignore the fairly mediocre coverage and reviews of these games, because they are fun. That is, they're fun if you value gameplay over graphics, because while they have very refreshing concepts, the graphics obviously aren't the main focus. But heck, its mainly hardcore gamers who complain about lack of originality, and being hardcore gamers they'd know how to get their priorities right.
And while I do have to agree that brilliant games aren't exactly in abundance in this time of the year, there are still many opportunities for those who want something new. Go on, see past the concrete genres unanimous among console games. Go for puzzle games. Go for PC. Go online. Because despite appearances, there are tonnes of fun things which you can do in the way of games which don't include carry a gun or stepping on the accelerator.
First of all, I have to comment on PC games. If you play console games, and are annoyed about the constant GT clones and Half Life wannabes, just spend a month focusing on PC games instead of console. Not only will you find that the popular (therefore most developed) genres are very different to that of consoles. Role-playing games and Real-Time Strategys are wide in abundance, and there are many classics, aged and new which I guarantee you'll get weeks of enjoyment out of. Then there are the first person shooters which are in fact very different to those on consoles. The main difference has to be the fact that almost all FPS have a very strong multiplayer focus as well as single player, and online gaming has to be something unrivalled by consoles. In fact, you might as well forget the similarities between console based shooters and those on the PC as soon as you know their genre, because they are two different species. Like trying to compare a pig with a guinea pig. PC games are completely different to console games, and despite the downers of perhaps having low specs and a gamer-hostile environment to be sitting in, for newbies they can be extremely fun and a refreshing break.
Online. That's something you hear about a lot in the console industry. And something only beta testers have ever experienced. Hailed as the best thing since sliced bread, not only has online console multiplayer failed to materialise, but all three major consoles haven't even scheduled release dates. So for those who are hankering for some online spankering (ermmm...) I advise going to your PC. The wealth of games, online-compatible, be it sport, strategy, shooter or role-play is immense. You wouldn't have expected it due to the fairly lacklustre mainstream coverage.
But for the moaning console gamers who won't see beyond their couch, there are still quite a few unknown gems which they either won't give a go because they're odd, or are just too stubborn. I mean, if you want something different, at least give something different a try. Lack of originality, to this kind of people, is just lack of evolution really. They don't want original games, they want new variations of the old games. Gran Turismo didn't invent driving games, it merely excelled in what it did. As did Half Life.
But what I'm talking about are the kooky (some would say) but mega-refreshing Japanese games. Beauts such as Mr. Moskeeto, Gitaroo Man, Incredible Crisis, Mad Maestro, to name a few, offer originality, suitably cheesey graphics and extremely fun gameplay. Bemani titles. Ignore the fairly mediocre coverage and reviews of these games, because they are fun. That is, they're fun if you value gameplay over graphics, because while they have very refreshing concepts, the graphics obviously aren't the main focus. But heck, its mainly hardcore gamers who complain about lack of originality, and being hardcore gamers they'd know how to get their priorities right.
And while I do have to agree that brilliant games aren't exactly in abundance in this time of the year, there are still many opportunities for those who want something new. Go on, see past the concrete genres unanimous among console games. Go for puzzle games. Go for PC. Go online. Because despite appearances, there are tonnes of fun things which you can do in the way of games which don't include carry a gun or stepping on the accelerator.
½pint wrote:
> Rez had its critics too, but that is quite popular, surprisingly.
Was it? Last time I checked, Jet Set Radio and Rez- two of the most original games of our time- did NOT get particuarly high sales. Pretty average in fact- I'm suprised Jet Set got a sequal!
The only original game to sell well in recent years is Super Monkey Ball.
Sonic
(Oddly enough, all those games are Sega titles.... hmmmm)
> Rez had its critics too, but that is quite popular, surprisingly.
Was it? Last time I checked, Jet Set Radio and Rez- two of the most original games of our time- did NOT get particuarly high sales. Pretty average in fact- I'm suprised Jet Set got a sequal!
The only original game to sell well in recent years is Super Monkey Ball.
Sonic
(Oddly enough, all those games are Sega titles.... hmmmm)
The thing with Rez and a lot of other games is that it's different! It's one of those games that you can instantly relate to and understand what you have to do. Soon enough, it'll become original, but just remember that games don't start off original, the production of the same kind of games makes it original.
For example, if a couple of games like Rez were made, Rez would then become original. So the solution for this is for the developers to think up other imaginative ideas for their products, of any genre. Jak and Daxter is a wicked Platformer, but one that surpasses others. It's got all the essentials that makes it roiginal, but a lot of extras too.
Anyway, originality isn't a problem because it's easier to connect with, but it is about time we saw something new in the industry.
For example, if a couple of games like Rez were made, Rez would then become original. So the solution for this is for the developers to think up other imaginative ideas for their products, of any genre. Jak and Daxter is a wicked Platformer, but one that surpasses others. It's got all the essentials that makes it roiginal, but a lot of extras too.
Anyway, originality isn't a problem because it's easier to connect with, but it is about time we saw something new in the industry.
Rez had its critics too, but that is quite popular, surprisingly.
Great post. It is a pity that companies insist that in todays day and age, originality=failure.
I find odd games very interesting and a joy to play.
Remember Tetris? One of the most successful games ever, because it was original.
We need more original games.
I find odd games very interesting and a joy to play.
Remember Tetris? One of the most successful games ever, because it was original.
We need more original games.
I'm sick and tired of people moaning and complaining of games nowadays. They aren't original, they say. They're all driving, or shooting, are other common remarks. But why the hell do the make these stupid, unfounded accusations when there are a wealth of beautys staring them in the face.
First of all, I have to comment on PC games. If you play console games, and are annoyed about the constant GT clones and Half Life wannabes, just spend a month focusing on PC games instead of console. Not only will you find that the popular (therefore most developed) genres are very different to that of consoles. Role-playing games and Real-Time Strategys are wide in abundance, and there are many classics, aged and new which I guarantee you'll get weeks of enjoyment out of. Then there are the first person shooters which are in fact very different to those on consoles. The main difference has to be the fact that almost all FPS have a very strong multiplayer focus as well as single player, and online gaming has to be something unrivalled by consoles. In fact, you might as well forget the similarities between console based shooters and those on the PC as soon as you know their genre, because they are two different species. Like trying to compare a pig with a guinea pig. PC games are completely different to console games, and despite the downers of perhaps having low specs and a gamer-hostile environment to be sitting in, for newbies they can be extremely fun and a refreshing break.
Online. That's something you hear about a lot in the console industry. And something only beta testers have ever experienced. Hailed as the best thing since sliced bread, not only has online console multiplayer failed to materialise, but all three major consoles haven't even scheduled release dates. So for those who are hankering for some online spankering (ermmm...) I advise going to your PC. The wealth of games, online-compatible, be it sport, strategy, shooter or role-play is immense. You wouldn't have expected it due to the fairly lacklustre mainstream coverage.
But for the moaning console gamers who won't see beyond their couch, there are still quite a few unknown gems which they either won't give a go because they're odd, or are just too stubborn. I mean, if you want something different, at least give something different a try. Lack of originality, to this kind of people, is just lack of evolution really. They don't want original games, they want new variations of the old games. Gran Turismo didn't invent driving games, it merely excelled in what it did. As did Half Life.
But what I'm talking about are the kooky (some would say) but mega-refreshing Japanese games. Beauts such as Mr. Moskeeto, Gitaroo Man, Incredible Crisis, Mad Maestro, to name a few, offer originality, suitably cheesey graphics and extremely fun gameplay. Bemani titles. Ignore the fairly mediocre coverage and reviews of these games, because they are fun. That is, they're fun if you value gameplay over graphics, because while they have very refreshing concepts, the graphics obviously aren't the main focus. But heck, its mainly hardcore gamers who complain about lack of originality, and being hardcore gamers they'd know how to get their priorities right.
And while I do have to agree that brilliant games aren't exactly in abundance in this time of the year, there are still many opportunities for those who want something new. Go on, see past the concrete genres unanimous among console games. Go for puzzle games. Go for PC. Go online. Because despite appearances, there are tonnes of fun things which you can do in the way of games which don't include carry a gun or stepping on the accelerator.
First of all, I have to comment on PC games. If you play console games, and are annoyed about the constant GT clones and Half Life wannabes, just spend a month focusing on PC games instead of console. Not only will you find that the popular (therefore most developed) genres are very different to that of consoles. Role-playing games and Real-Time Strategys are wide in abundance, and there are many classics, aged and new which I guarantee you'll get weeks of enjoyment out of. Then there are the first person shooters which are in fact very different to those on consoles. The main difference has to be the fact that almost all FPS have a very strong multiplayer focus as well as single player, and online gaming has to be something unrivalled by consoles. In fact, you might as well forget the similarities between console based shooters and those on the PC as soon as you know their genre, because they are two different species. Like trying to compare a pig with a guinea pig. PC games are completely different to console games, and despite the downers of perhaps having low specs and a gamer-hostile environment to be sitting in, for newbies they can be extremely fun and a refreshing break.
Online. That's something you hear about a lot in the console industry. And something only beta testers have ever experienced. Hailed as the best thing since sliced bread, not only has online console multiplayer failed to materialise, but all three major consoles haven't even scheduled release dates. So for those who are hankering for some online spankering (ermmm...) I advise going to your PC. The wealth of games, online-compatible, be it sport, strategy, shooter or role-play is immense. You wouldn't have expected it due to the fairly lacklustre mainstream coverage.
But for the moaning console gamers who won't see beyond their couch, there are still quite a few unknown gems which they either won't give a go because they're odd, or are just too stubborn. I mean, if you want something different, at least give something different a try. Lack of originality, to this kind of people, is just lack of evolution really. They don't want original games, they want new variations of the old games. Gran Turismo didn't invent driving games, it merely excelled in what it did. As did Half Life.
But what I'm talking about are the kooky (some would say) but mega-refreshing Japanese games. Beauts such as Mr. Moskeeto, Gitaroo Man, Incredible Crisis, Mad Maestro, to name a few, offer originality, suitably cheesey graphics and extremely fun gameplay. Bemani titles. Ignore the fairly mediocre coverage and reviews of these games, because they are fun. That is, they're fun if you value gameplay over graphics, because while they have very refreshing concepts, the graphics obviously aren't the main focus. But heck, its mainly hardcore gamers who complain about lack of originality, and being hardcore gamers they'd know how to get their priorities right.
And while I do have to agree that brilliant games aren't exactly in abundance in this time of the year, there are still many opportunities for those who want something new. Go on, see past the concrete genres unanimous among console games. Go for puzzle games. Go for PC. Go online. Because despite appearances, there are tonnes of fun things which you can do in the way of games which don't include carry a gun or stepping on the accelerator.