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It doesn't take a genius to realise that the gaming industry is a constantly evolving business. We, as consumers, constantly look foward to the new, and therefore best (apparantly) games that are going to be released by developers. We can sit and wait for these games to come out and perhaps when they are released, we'll get the enjoyment and satisfaction we expected. As far as I'm concerned though, this 'foward compatabilty' that the industry operates by just dosn't cut it with me, I want backward compaibilty. I want to be able to go back to a game that I played and finished previously and enjoy it as much as I did the first time, maybe because I like the story, gameplay, graphics or maybe even the soundtrack. Either way, I'd appreciate some recipricated thought from developers so that they can think of their future games exsisting in the past. Let's look at what exactly, should make it worthwhile for us to go back to a game and see how succesful each department is at making a retro hit. Shown are the catogries and a mark out of 10. A good score means that the department is importent in making a brilliant retro game. Because these are my own opinions, some of you will disagree but then that's fair enough...
Gameplay: 8/10
Naturally, brilliant gameplay in any case is going to make you go back to an old game but it has to exsist in the first place when a game is orignally released for it to really come into effect (which is the biggest task for developers - making a brilliant game). Creating a prospect for the past though is very difficult as a particular games succses is entirely dependent on a customers taste in games. A FPS shooter fan won't enjoy playing a driving sim all too much, for example. Still, there are exceptions and if in the above example, that driving sim is Midtown Madness 2 (which appeals greatly to a vast auidince in my opinion) then the FPS fan would enjoy that trip down old skool lane.
Below are a few games, the first list are the games that you'd probably still enjoy now and the latter are games that you'll probably be replaying in 5 years time for that quality.
....Probably still going back to:
The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (SNES, 1992) - Top notch gameplay that continued a brillinat saga.
Suikoden (PS1, 1997) - A brilliant moment when you start your own army, still haven't found all 108 characters.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Final Fantasy X
GTA: Vice City (no doubt)
Graphics: 5/10
Graphics in a game are perhaps the biggest feature that constantly change. Why, a mere 10 years ago we were happy to sit infront of a portable TV playing games with 2D graphics and a few pretty colours. Meanwhile 3D polygons were just a dream. In that sense, if we were satisified back then, graphics don't matter too much to how a game will fare in it's cupboard ridden days just as long as your open minded enough to be able to look past a few pixels.
....Probably still going back to:
DOOM (PC, 1993) - I still remember gawping at the ability to look at a wall from different angles.
Starwing (SNES, 1993) - Hurrah for polygons!
....Playing 5 years from now:
Warcraft III
Medal Of Honor: Frontline
Multiplayer: 10/10
For me, a factor thats going to have me come back to a retro game is the ability to play it with friends. Whether its playing Solider Of Forture with the power weapons on and 4 other bots or a battling through a skirmish on Command & Conqueror, playing a multi-player game (inlcuding online games) appeals so much more then a single player experince. Especially since your practically guaranteed to never repeat the same game during a multi-player frolic.
....Probably still going back to:
Bomberman (SNES, 1994) - Bombs and Men, fun for the wrong reasons.
Syndicate Wars (PS1, 1996) - Zealots, Agents, Punks and Police battle it out in a huge cyber city. Brilliant.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Super Smash Brothers Melee
The Unreal Tournament games
Sound 1/10
Quite franly, going back to a game because you like the sound track is just a little bit silly. However, there are exceptions in game soundtracks especailly since some games today come with music from various artisits. In this sense, it's an ongoing test to see if we'd go back to a game for songs heard previously. Never the less, A good soundtrack should be present in-game and even though it's of little consiquence to what happens to the game in the past, a catchy jingle can still create a wave of gaming nostigia that we'd happily lap up.
....Probably still going back to:
Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985) - If you can't remember the song from the first level then you know nothing.
Mokey Island (PC, 1990) - Can't get enough of those pirate shantys.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Jet Set Radio Future
Frequency
Obviously, a game should seek to top each of the above qualitys to achieve that 'classic game' status but in most cases, games are let down by their linear gameplay or dull storyline meaning to reply a game would mean going back to something you know all too well. However, if the above requirements are met or at least matched then as far as I'm concered, that game will be allowed to enter the haloed gates of retro heaven. It's a big task for developers to make a game big in the present day, it's even bigger if they went to make it a classic....
Gameplay: 8/10
Naturally, brilliant gameplay in any case is going to make you go back to an old game but it has to exsist in the first place when a game is orignally released for it to really come into effect (which is the biggest task for developers - making a brilliant game). Creating a prospect for the past though is very difficult as a particular games succses is entirely dependent on a customers taste in games. A FPS shooter fan won't enjoy playing a driving sim all too much, for example. Still, there are exceptions and if in the above example, that driving sim is Midtown Madness 2 (which appeals greatly to a vast auidince in my opinion) then the FPS fan would enjoy that trip down old skool lane.
Below are a few games, the first list are the games that you'd probably still enjoy now and the latter are games that you'll probably be replaying in 5 years time for that quality.
....Probably still going back to:
The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (SNES, 1992) - Top notch gameplay that continued a brillinat saga.
Suikoden (PS1, 1997) - A brilliant moment when you start your own army, still haven't found all 108 characters.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Final Fantasy X
GTA: Vice City (no doubt)
Graphics: 5/10
Graphics in a game are perhaps the biggest feature that constantly change. Why, a mere 10 years ago we were happy to sit infront of a portable TV playing games with 2D graphics and a few pretty colours. Meanwhile 3D polygons were just a dream. In that sense, if we were satisified back then, graphics don't matter too much to how a game will fare in it's cupboard ridden days just as long as your open minded enough to be able to look past a few pixels.
....Probably still going back to:
DOOM (PC, 1993) - I still remember gawping at the ability to look at a wall from different angles.
Starwing (SNES, 1993) - Hurrah for polygons!
....Playing 5 years from now:
Warcraft III
Medal Of Honor: Frontline
Multiplayer: 10/10
For me, a factor thats going to have me come back to a retro game is the ability to play it with friends. Whether its playing Solider Of Forture with the power weapons on and 4 other bots or a battling through a skirmish on Command & Conqueror, playing a multi-player game (inlcuding online games) appeals so much more then a single player experince. Especially since your practically guaranteed to never repeat the same game during a multi-player frolic.
....Probably still going back to:
Bomberman (SNES, 1994) - Bombs and Men, fun for the wrong reasons.
Syndicate Wars (PS1, 1996) - Zealots, Agents, Punks and Police battle it out in a huge cyber city. Brilliant.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Super Smash Brothers Melee
The Unreal Tournament games
Sound 1/10
Quite franly, going back to a game because you like the sound track is just a little bit silly. However, there are exceptions in game soundtracks especailly since some games today come with music from various artisits. In this sense, it's an ongoing test to see if we'd go back to a game for songs heard previously. Never the less, A good soundtrack should be present in-game and even though it's of little consiquence to what happens to the game in the past, a catchy jingle can still create a wave of gaming nostigia that we'd happily lap up.
....Probably still going back to:
Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985) - If you can't remember the song from the first level then you know nothing.
Mokey Island (PC, 1990) - Can't get enough of those pirate shantys.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Jet Set Radio Future
Frequency
Obviously, a game should seek to top each of the above qualitys to achieve that 'classic game' status but in most cases, games are let down by their linear gameplay or dull storyline meaning to reply a game would mean going back to something you know all too well. However, if the above requirements are met or at least matched then as far as I'm concered, that game will be allowed to enter the haloed gates of retro heaven. It's a big task for developers to make a game big in the present day, it's even bigger if they went to make it a classic....
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It doesn't take a genius to realise that the gaming industry is a constantly evolving business. We, as consumers, constantly look foward to the new, and therefore best (apparantly) games that are going to be released by developers. We can sit and wait for these games to come out and perhaps when they are released, we'll get the enjoyment and satisfaction we expected. As far as I'm concerned though, this 'foward compatabilty' that the industry operates by just dosn't cut it with me, I want backward compaibilty. I want to be able to go back to a game that I played and finished previously and enjoy it as much as I did the first time, maybe because I like the story, gameplay, graphics or maybe even the soundtrack. Either way, I'd appreciate some recipricated thought from developers so that they can think of their future games exsisting in the past. Let's look at what exactly, should make it worthwhile for us to go back to a game and see how succesful each department is at making a retro hit. Shown are the catogries and a mark out of 10. A good score means that the department is importent in making a brilliant retro game. Because these are my own opinions, some of you will disagree but then that's fair enough...
Gameplay: 8/10
Naturally, brilliant gameplay in any case is going to make you go back to an old game but it has to exsist in the first place when a game is orignally released for it to really come into effect (which is the biggest task for developers - making a brilliant game). Creating a prospect for the past though is very difficult as a particular games succses is entirely dependent on a customers taste in games. A FPS shooter fan won't enjoy playing a driving sim all too much, for example. Still, there are exceptions and if in the above example, that driving sim is Midtown Madness 2 (which appeals greatly to a vast auidince in my opinion) then the FPS fan would enjoy that trip down old skool lane.
Below are a few games, the first list are the games that you'd probably still enjoy now and the latter are games that you'll probably be replaying in 5 years time for that quality.
....Probably still going back to:
The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (SNES, 1992) - Top notch gameplay that continued a brillinat saga.
Suikoden (PS1, 1997) - A brilliant moment when you start your own army, still haven't found all 108 characters.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Final Fantasy X
GTA: Vice City (no doubt)
Graphics: 5/10
Graphics in a game are perhaps the biggest feature that constantly change. Why, a mere 10 years ago we were happy to sit infront of a portable TV playing games with 2D graphics and a few pretty colours. Meanwhile 3D polygons were just a dream. In that sense, if we were satisified back then, graphics don't matter too much to how a game will fare in it's cupboard ridden days just as long as your open minded enough to be able to look past a few pixels.
....Probably still going back to:
DOOM (PC, 1993) - I still remember gawping at the ability to look at a wall from different angles.
Starwing (SNES, 1993) - Hurrah for polygons!
....Playing 5 years from now:
Warcraft III
Medal Of Honor: Frontline
Multiplayer: 10/10
For me, a factor thats going to have me come back to a retro game is the ability to play it with friends. Whether its playing Solider Of Forture with the power weapons on and 4 other bots or a battling through a skirmish on Command & Conqueror, playing a multi-player game (inlcuding online games) appeals so much more then a single player experince. Especially since your practically guaranteed to never repeat the same game during a multi-player frolic.
....Probably still going back to:
Bomberman (SNES, 1994) - Bombs and Men, fun for the wrong reasons.
Syndicate Wars (PS1, 1996) - Zealots, Agents, Punks and Police battle it out in a huge cyber city. Brilliant.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Super Smash Brothers Melee
The Unreal Tournament games
Sound 1/10
Quite franly, going back to a game because you like the sound track is just a little bit silly. However, there are exceptions in game soundtracks especailly since some games today come with music from various artisits. In this sense, it's an ongoing test to see if we'd go back to a game for songs heard previously. Never the less, A good soundtrack should be present in-game and even though it's of little consiquence to what happens to the game in the past, a catchy jingle can still create a wave of gaming nostigia that we'd happily lap up.
....Probably still going back to:
Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985) - If you can't remember the song from the first level then you know nothing.
Mokey Island (PC, 1990) - Can't get enough of those pirate shantys.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Jet Set Radio Future
Frequency
Obviously, a game should seek to top each of the above qualitys to achieve that 'classic game' status but in most cases, games are let down by their linear gameplay or dull storyline meaning to reply a game would mean going back to something you know all too well. However, if the above requirements are met or at least matched then as far as I'm concered, that game will be allowed to enter the haloed gates of retro heaven. It's a big task for developers to make a game big in the present day, it's even bigger if they went to make it a classic....
Gameplay: 8/10
Naturally, brilliant gameplay in any case is going to make you go back to an old game but it has to exsist in the first place when a game is orignally released for it to really come into effect (which is the biggest task for developers - making a brilliant game). Creating a prospect for the past though is very difficult as a particular games succses is entirely dependent on a customers taste in games. A FPS shooter fan won't enjoy playing a driving sim all too much, for example. Still, there are exceptions and if in the above example, that driving sim is Midtown Madness 2 (which appeals greatly to a vast auidince in my opinion) then the FPS fan would enjoy that trip down old skool lane.
Below are a few games, the first list are the games that you'd probably still enjoy now and the latter are games that you'll probably be replaying in 5 years time for that quality.
....Probably still going back to:
The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (SNES, 1992) - Top notch gameplay that continued a brillinat saga.
Suikoden (PS1, 1997) - A brilliant moment when you start your own army, still haven't found all 108 characters.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Final Fantasy X
GTA: Vice City (no doubt)
Graphics: 5/10
Graphics in a game are perhaps the biggest feature that constantly change. Why, a mere 10 years ago we were happy to sit infront of a portable TV playing games with 2D graphics and a few pretty colours. Meanwhile 3D polygons were just a dream. In that sense, if we were satisified back then, graphics don't matter too much to how a game will fare in it's cupboard ridden days just as long as your open minded enough to be able to look past a few pixels.
....Probably still going back to:
DOOM (PC, 1993) - I still remember gawping at the ability to look at a wall from different angles.
Starwing (SNES, 1993) - Hurrah for polygons!
....Playing 5 years from now:
Warcraft III
Medal Of Honor: Frontline
Multiplayer: 10/10
For me, a factor thats going to have me come back to a retro game is the ability to play it with friends. Whether its playing Solider Of Forture with the power weapons on and 4 other bots or a battling through a skirmish on Command & Conqueror, playing a multi-player game (inlcuding online games) appeals so much more then a single player experince. Especially since your practically guaranteed to never repeat the same game during a multi-player frolic.
....Probably still going back to:
Bomberman (SNES, 1994) - Bombs and Men, fun for the wrong reasons.
Syndicate Wars (PS1, 1996) - Zealots, Agents, Punks and Police battle it out in a huge cyber city. Brilliant.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Super Smash Brothers Melee
The Unreal Tournament games
Sound 1/10
Quite franly, going back to a game because you like the sound track is just a little bit silly. However, there are exceptions in game soundtracks especailly since some games today come with music from various artisits. In this sense, it's an ongoing test to see if we'd go back to a game for songs heard previously. Never the less, A good soundtrack should be present in-game and even though it's of little consiquence to what happens to the game in the past, a catchy jingle can still create a wave of gaming nostigia that we'd happily lap up.
....Probably still going back to:
Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985) - If you can't remember the song from the first level then you know nothing.
Mokey Island (PC, 1990) - Can't get enough of those pirate shantys.
....Playing 5 years from now:
Jet Set Radio Future
Frequency
Obviously, a game should seek to top each of the above qualitys to achieve that 'classic game' status but in most cases, games are let down by their linear gameplay or dull storyline meaning to reply a game would mean going back to something you know all too well. However, if the above requirements are met or at least matched then as far as I'm concered, that game will be allowed to enter the haloed gates of retro heaven. It's a big task for developers to make a game big in the present day, it's even bigger if they went to make it a classic....