If you've been around on Steam for long enough, you realize that there is a certain brand of game called "Walking Simulator" These games include such titles as Proteus, The Graveyard and Ultraworld. Are any of these actually good? Followup question: Do you think this is an actual genre or is it just a flagrant abuse of Steam's tag feature.?
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So these "Walking Simulators" on Steam...
- Thread starter Alphahawk
- Start date
shiftplusone
Member
Proteus is cool as hell
People use the term walking simulator to be assholes
People use the term walking simulator to be assholes
Mauricio_Magus
Banned
Does The Stanley Parable count? If it does then check out that one.
jediyoshi
Member
The fact that you've lumped those three games together would suggest not.
Ironically the first game I've seen that attached to was DayZ
TimeEffect
Member
These games could be big when VR hits.
Walking Simulators for park games, tourism, etc.
Walking Simulators for park games, tourism, etc.
FriedConsole
Banned
These type of games are not my thing. I am not against them but I don't want to play them. It saves me some time and possibly a uninformed purchase when the game gets tagged like this.
FaintDeftone
Junior Member
I played Proteus on the Vita when it was a PS+ title. It seemed cool at first but after about 20min I had no desire to keep playing.
TheCowboyPoet
Member
Proteus is fantastic, it's a game everyone should play.
Man Called Aerodynamics
Member
Proteus is awesome.
I think of "Walking Simulator" as more of a joke than anything. If someone is actually using it as an insult/dismissal... well, their loss I guess.
I think of "Walking Simulator" as more of a joke than anything. If someone is actually using it as an insult/dismissal... well, their loss I guess.
EuricaeriS
Member
I didn't like Proteus, but then I loved Dear Esther...
Whatever man. They're cheap enough, so just try one of them out.
Whatever man. They're cheap enough, so just try one of them out.
TouchMyBox
Member
dave is ok
aztek is ok
Gone Home is probably worth five bucks if you see it on sale.
Are "they" or are "you"?
shiftplusone
Member
I get it, they're not my games either really outside a few. but the term is typically used as a dismissal. Like "bullshit waifu JRPG"
you might get a sense about what that means but it doesn't mean the guy saying it isn't being a dick about it
But I like walking simulators.
It's usually used in the context of "not a real fucking game, just some hipster walking simulator"
which is a real shit attitude
Neuromancer
Member
Dear Esther is excellent and very poignent. I've played it three times through and every time I get something new out of it. Proteus is also pretty neat.
Exactly how I was. Went around, saw nothing too interesting, fell asleep, never touched again
Acidote
Member
I'm asking for a Shenmue port but certainly not that way. I didn't like the game back in the day but I want to check out if I missed something. I was 14 when the game released.
Lumination
'enry 'ollins
When I think walking simulator, I think a VR gallery of different environments (in nature, otherworldly, etc.) to walk through. I'd buy that.
"Walking Simulator" is normally used as a insult against games. Of course quite a few games that get this tag are good like Gone Home, Proteus, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and The Stanley Parable which all have really unique elements.
I don't think that it could be used as a genre title due to how it is often used to mock certain games.
I don't think that it could be used as a genre title due to how it is often used to mock certain games.
I'd like to think that the vast majority of people will use Steam refunds responsibly. Sure there are a few bad apples, but I doubt that the vast majority of people are going to use it as a makeshift rental service.
I didn't think this would be a Skyrim thread but I was tempted to post about it.
p.s. Steam tags and by extension the automated game recommendation framework are a source of constant hilarity to be honest. Both intentional and unintentional.
matrixman92
Member
really hate the name these have been given, because its mostly become a joke. A lot of these games I find to be really fucking good. I think they deserve a better name. what that is, idk too lazy to come up with a new one.
MrNyarlathotep
Banned
It's a troll tag for a somewhat niche / emergent sub-genre
After games like Dear Esther, Gone Home, and the Stanley Parable, tagging something as a walking simulator is more likely to increase my interest than lower it.
If assholes indeed came up with that term as pejorative, it kinda backfired hardcore.
I can sympathize with this, but I'm not sure how to convey this information. The purpose is to inform the reader that the game is minimally interactive, with very little to do but walk around and let the story unfold.
I'm fine with coming up with a different label, but I feel almost all of them are going to seem disparaging.I feel like "minimal interactivity" would do, but maybe that's insulting too.
SerTapTap
Member
I'm conflicted, I more often than not really do appreciate these games though "walking simulator" is mostly used derogatorily.
If you've ever wanted to explore, really just explore, not fight, that's what they're for, love Proteus for that.
Apparently the spoken "story" changes randomly so that might be why, I only played it once but that's what I heard.
If you've ever wanted to explore, really just explore, not fight, that's what they're for, love Proteus for that.
Apparently the spoken "story" changes randomly so that might be why, I only played it once but that's what I heard.
maquiladora
Member
I really fucking hate that term.
dave is ok
aztek is ok
Lets call them WASDs
Spring-Loaded
Member
I guess it's a troll tag. I don't know what else to call it, and "walking simulator" has already stuck. May as well stick with it.
I like what I've played of this genre and don't personally consider the name derogatory. If someone has a more appropriate name, I'll gladly use it though.
Fordfx2
Member
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is pretty good too.
Check it out. http://store.steampowered.com/app/258520/
Check it out. http://store.steampowered.com/app/258520/
Zomba13
Member
Proteus is weird and interesting and looks really unique.
Dear Esther is boring but pretty and the story is partially randomised which makes it hard to actually interpret what exactly is going on as what you are told might be different to what your friend is told for no reason other than to make the story seem deep and ambiguous.
The Stanley Parable is hilarious and very clever with a lot of replayability.
Gone Home is something I haven't played but I remember losing interest when the devs said something like "there is no ghost" because it seemed like a creepy kind of game but there is nothing to it. The story is supposed to be good though but I've not played it.
Dear Esther is boring but pretty and the story is partially randomised which makes it hard to actually interpret what exactly is going on as what you are told might be different to what your friend is told for no reason other than to make the story seem deep and ambiguous.
The Stanley Parable is hilarious and very clever with a lot of replayability.
Gone Home is something I haven't played but I remember losing interest when the devs said something like "there is no ghost" because it seemed like a creepy kind of game but there is nothing to it. The story is supposed to be good though but I've not played it.
Rats Off To Ya
Banned
The term conjures up images of angry Gators in my mind.
As someone who doesn't like these games (but has no interest in belittling those who do), I feel the same.
I have no problem avoiding this term if people find it insulting, but I need to know what else to call them instead.
I like it!
dave is ok
aztek is ok
How much interactivity does it take to escape the 'walking simulator' label?
Is P.T. a walking simulator?
Is P.T. a walking simulator?