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When you become aware that a franchise you love is mostly just shit
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Masked Devil
Member
Silent Hill
Breath of Fire
Megaman X
Breath of Fire
Megaman X
I realized while playing this that the last few Zelda games (TP, SS, PH, ST) have all been massive fetch-quests with cookie-cutter dungeon designs.
I think literally every puzzle in the DS games was a matter of putting the correct square, circle, or triangle shape into the correct square, circle, or triangle hole. Lots of backtracking to boring, square dungeons that are only differentiated by wall textures. The items are used in the most ham-handed, "HEY YOU HAVE TO USE THIS TO GET TO THE NEXT ROOM" fashion.
TP was the last mainline console Zelda I enjoyed, but it still had the problem of presenting a compelling world and objective, then throwing a huge pile of bullshit in your path to prolong you getting there (I'm looking at you, light bugs). When I got to Skyward Sword and realized that it was essentially Light Bugs: The Game, I never even bothered finishing it and what I assume is an extremely bloated 30-hour adventure. Props to Nintendo for trying to incorporate dungeon puzzles into the overworld, but when your puzzles are a million iterations of "take object here, hit switch, backtrack to beginning and take other path," I lose interest.
GungHo
Single-handedly caused Exxon-Mobil to sue FOX, start World War 3
The writing and characterization weren't my only problems with III. The gameplay just wasn't fun. You couldn't run along rooftops the same way you could before. The tree jumping paths were ridiculous and never got you to where you needed to be. Firearms were an "I WIN" button. The puzzles were no longer challenging. I liked some of the changes to combat, especially being able to counter two guys simultaneously, but they otherwise simpllified it too much and just made it a game of Simon. I enjoyed the privateer missions a lot, but even they had very little variety at the end of the day.
Princess Carl
Member
Halo Reach was the start of the decline, and Halo 4 was the nail in the coffin.
I'll never forget you Halo 2, even with the modders and standbyers, you were head and shoulders above the rest of the series.
I'll never forget you Halo 2, even with the modders and standbyers, you were head and shoulders above the rest of the series.
Sonic's fine for the moment, they just need to stop with the Episodes of Sonic 4.
I've seen it here more than anywhere else, although to me they are in my top 10 favorite games of all time, camera issues aside.
I've seen it here more than anywhere else, although to me they are in my top 10 favorite games of all time, camera issues aside.
@lead based paint
completely agree, halo 2 was the pinnacle of that franchises mp, 3 was good, reach average and 4 doesnt even feel like halo anymore compared to 2
most of my gaming group don't even pay for live anymore and we switched to pc because the only reason we had it was for halo, it only took 3 weeks of halo 4 for about 9 people to quit
completely agree, halo 2 was the pinnacle of that franchises mp, 3 was good, reach average and 4 doesnt even feel like halo anymore compared to 2
most of my gaming group don't even pay for live anymore and we switched to pc because the only reason we had it was for halo, it only took 3 weeks of halo 4 for about 9 people to quit
I liked LittleBigPlanet. Then when my PS3 died and took my save with it, I got a new PS3 and started going through LBP again to collect prize bubbles and costumes and stuff.
That's when I realized that I had been sucked in by the narration and graphics. I was willing to overlook the horrible floaty platforming the first time, but apparently not the second time. I tried LBP2, too, and it was just as bad. So LBP is a series of awful platformers that I apparently liked one time.
Bee tee doublyew, Zelda is still one of the greatest series' in gaming and if you get annoyed that there are quests and puzzles between you and your goal, you should probably stay away from any good video game.
That's when I realized that I had been sucked in by the narration and graphics. I was willing to overlook the horrible floaty platforming the first time, but apparently not the second time. I tried LBP2, too, and it was just as bad. So LBP is a series of awful platformers that I apparently liked one time.
Bee tee doublyew, Zelda is still one of the greatest series' in gaming and if you get annoyed that there are quests and puzzles between you and your goal, you should probably stay away from any good video game.
Yup. lol
I still remember being blown away the first time I saw this. Doesn't get much more Dreamcast than that.
I just nostalgia'd in my pants. I might switch my Dreamcast on today, goddamn.
The igavanians hit me like this in a real bad way, to the point where I even started to doubt the quality of the First and Best, SotN. I guess Order of Ecclasia is supposed to be good but, man, I dunno... it became clear how formulaic the games were, even though they switched around and tried new mechanics. In fact, in some ways the adjustment of central mechanics probably contributed to the decline in quality, because it meant they had to center their games less around level design and more around combat with enemies and their systems of progression. That became boring to me -- part of the appeal of the games is exploration, and if your level design sucks, your exploration is fucking boring.
Plus it had been like 5+ years or something since we had a real sonic game by the time SA1 came out.
I remember SA1 and 2's release and the critical reception was a bit easy on the games because I think there was this assumption that the games would get better. Remember that in the late 90s, a lot of 2d franchises were trying to make the transition to 3d, and many of them failed, some spectacularly. So ones that weren't complete and total garbage tended to get a bit of a pass, even if they were more mediocre than good.
Plus it had been like 5+ years or something since we had a real sonic game by the time SA1 came out.
It's not that there are quests between me and my goal, it's that the quests are nowhere near as compelling or enjoyable as the overall narrative. I want to restore the Master Sword and save the land from the Imprisoned, not collect musical tadpoles or help a robot find 5 missing pieces of a key.
It's a combination of many factors (horrible trading interface (really, one of the worst I've ever seen), bugs, a protagonist who just wasn't as interesting as his enemies, Zelig-ish level design (Connor was in every significant Revolutionary War battle/event ever!), and some of the worst game writing it's ever been my misfortune to sit through). Just wait until you get the ending and post back - it's an insult to the game's players and characters alike.
Gunstar Ikari
Unconfirmed Member
I think that it's a bit unfair to say that the Sonic series is "mostly just shit." Everything on a console between Heroes and '06 was terrible, and Sonic Adventure 1 has aged horribly, but the rest of the Sonic platformers are flawed at worst.
Except Sonic CD. That game feels like it was designed by a 12-year-old.
THERE IT IS
Plus they worked as plattformers between the akward period where the Dreamcast was more of a bridge between 5th and 6th Gen consoles. When Sonic Adventure 2 came out the same year as Banjo Tooie, it was pretty cool. But when half a year later Sly, Ratchet and Jak came out? Nope.
Muffdraul
Member
This is me too. I tolerated the filler of Brotherhood and Revelations because I "knew" they were just Ubi milking their cashcow whilst they toiled away at AC3, which would be even better than AC2. (That's saying a lot coming from me.) But ironically, I ended up thinking that AC3 was easily the least polished and weakest game in the series, and I disliked most of its game play changes. The fact that they thought that was a good direction to go in caused me to lose all faith in the future of the franchise. Although the news that Patrice Desilets is returning gives me a little hope.
I would never say it's "mostly shit" though. I still think everything before AC3 was great. Even the Ezio filler. Even AC1.
Valkyria
Banned
I got your back.
itzknickknac
Member
Dam guys. I almost bought AC3. I've only played AC1 (a short period of it and honestly got bored), I've seen a friend play AC2 every now and then and looked much better, haven't seen anything of Brotherhood and Revelations, and now I'm here thinking maybe I'll buy AC3. Should I go ahead and buy and find out for myself it's shit or should I just not?
Okay, you're going to need to explain those screenshots. I can understand hating Megaman X7, but X1-4 are legitimately great games and 5 and 6 have redeeming features.Breath of Fire
Megaman X
I can understand how playing Breath of Fire Dragon Quarter makes all of the previous games in the franchise look poorer in comparison to how Dragon Quarter is one of the greatest RPGs ever made, but they are not bad. Sure, Breath of Fire 2 has some serious pacing issues, but they never really drop below "average" in quality.
I guess Silent Hill
Silent Hill
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 4
Origins
Homecoming
Shattered Memories
Downpour
Book of Memories
Out of all of those games, the majority I would consider OK to bad. The first three games were amazing to me, 4 was interesting, and then only Shattered Memories was good after that. So that makes it a pretty even ratio of poor to good. So maybe it isn't "mostly shit", but I don't see it getting better any time soon.
Silent Hill
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 4
Origins
Homecoming
Shattered Memories
Downpour
Book of Memories
Out of all of those games, the majority I would consider OK to bad. The first three games were amazing to me, 4 was interesting, and then only Shattered Memories was good after that. So that makes it a pretty even ratio of poor to good. So maybe it isn't "mostly shit", but I don't see it getting better any time soon.
just go away.
Muffdraul
Member
If you haven't played the previous ACs to death, then there's probably a much better chance you'll like AC3. AC2 wasn't all that different from AC1, and then Brotherhood and Revelations pretty much played the same as AC2, but with things added. With AC3 it was like "OK, let's start over from scratch and rebuild all of the primary game play mechanisms." Sometimes I'm into that. In AC3's case I hated it. I never experienced any "game breaking" bugs, just lots and lots of little glitches. Stupid things like map markers not being in the correct location, interaction indicators appearing where there's nothing to interact with. It just seemed so sloppy.
NaughtyCalibur
Member
Resident Evil. 6 was pure shit.
Silent Hill. Downpour especially felt like an indie fan game most of the time.
Final Fantasy. Just give me another FFTA because the main games have sucked for nearly a decade.
Star Ocean. Hasn't had fun gameplay since The Second Story and the twist in 3 was the worst thing I've ever experienced in a story.
Sim City. [parameter:string].
Silent Hill. Downpour especially felt like an indie fan game most of the time.
Final Fantasy. Just give me another FFTA because the main games have sucked for nearly a decade.
Star Ocean. Hasn't had fun gameplay since The Second Story and the twist in 3 was the worst thing I've ever experienced in a story.
Sim City. [parameter:string].
LorDjidane
Member
Play 2 and Brotherhood.
Have you played Colors? Because I would not only say it is the best Sonic game, but the only good one as well.
NaughtyCalibur
Member
I seem to have misunderstood the thread because I'm an idiot.
All of the above games I mentioned were at one point genuinely good. I guess if I had to think of games I used to like that now I realize are shit overall I'd have to go with...
Pokemon -- slowest RPG I've ever played that makes Dragon Quest feel like an action RPG in comparison.
Monster Rancher -- Glorified DigiPets with no purpose other than to abuse creatures so they can win you money in battle only to eventually die of old age after a few years. Rinse repeat forever.
All of the above games I mentioned were at one point genuinely good. I guess if I had to think of games I used to like that now I realize are shit overall I'd have to go with...
Pokemon -- slowest RPG I've ever played that makes Dragon Quest feel like an action RPG in comparison.
Monster Rancher -- Glorified DigiPets with no purpose other than to abuse creatures so they can win you money in battle only to eventually die of old age after a few years. Rinse repeat forever.
chickdigger802
Banned
not sure if it counts as a franchise, but I really do dig enter the matrix and path of neo. Both really broken and look like psx launch games, but being to access a terminal is cool, and original film footage is nice... combat was pretty fun too.
Valkyria
Banned
Not at all, Generations is way better, Colors is reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally slow.
Princess Carl
Member
Glad to see other people appreciate the multiplayer perfection that Halo 2 was. I don't think well ever see a collection of maps and gametypes as good as Halo 2's.
Gunstar Ikari
Unconfirmed Member
I'm not a big fan of Colors due to the fact that most of the game relies on 2D sections, which I feel are the weakest aspects of modern 3D Sonic level design. It's still a good game, though.
Jawmuncher
Member
Even with the glitches I agree Halo 2 was just perfect is just about every other way.
Nestunt
Member
Princess Carl
Member
I knew it was the beginning of the end when I was holding the flag during sudden death in Halo 3.... and the game ended. And then since then every objective gametype has been butchered beyond recognition.
Jawmuncher
Member
Yeah it's never been the same and probably never will.
Yup. lol
I still remember being blown away the first time I saw this. Doesn't get much more Dreamcast than that.
Completely agree
Loved that game so much at that time and trying to get speed runs to post online
Sonic Adventure 2 however made me want to rip my heart out, those unskippable treasure hunt levels
So glad Werehog / Colours were the start of return to form and loved Generations
PAULINK
I microwave steaks.
For me I'd have to say Sonic, Pokemon, and Guitar Hero.
I don't know what it is that makes me continue to play the sonic games, because I am constantly disappointed by each offering ever since SA2. And I'm one of those people who hated generations (besides it's awesome music). The only redeeming factor I see from the sonic games are it's handheld counterparts which it's hard to find something to dislike about.
Ever since gen 3 of pokemon, i've had my doubts but I absolutely loved emerald. Gen 4 and gen 5 essentially made me realize that I am now forcing myself to play through these games. I just don't see what's fun about them anymore. It's probably because I hate most of the new pokemon designs.
Guitar hero was great up until 3 (when neversoft picked up development). They really ruined it with the soundtracks, aesthetics, and overall charting. Too many god damn sequels in such a short time, I no longer wanted to keep up.
I don't know what it is that makes me continue to play the sonic games, because I am constantly disappointed by each offering ever since SA2. And I'm one of those people who hated generations (besides it's awesome music). The only redeeming factor I see from the sonic games are it's handheld counterparts which it's hard to find something to dislike about.
Ever since gen 3 of pokemon, i've had my doubts but I absolutely loved emerald. Gen 4 and gen 5 essentially made me realize that I am now forcing myself to play through these games. I just don't see what's fun about them anymore. It's probably because I hate most of the new pokemon designs.
Guitar hero was great up until 3 (when neversoft picked up development). They really ruined it with the soundtracks, aesthetics, and overall charting. Too many god damn sequels in such a short time, I no longer wanted to keep up.
This thread got me thinking about the Mana/Seiken Densetsu series so I checked out the Wikipedia page because I hadn't heard of any new games in the series for quite a while now.
Woah, so the latest game is called Circle of Mana? And it came out just last month?? Sounds interesting! Lemme see if they have a trailer or gameplay footage up on YouTube...
Then I found this, http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ5XBnFZAN8
This... THIS is the moment I found out a series I loved was mostly just shit.
Woah, so the latest game is called Circle of Mana? And it came out just last month?? Sounds interesting! Lemme see if they have a trailer or gameplay footage up on YouTube...
Then I found this, http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ5XBnFZAN8
This... THIS is the moment I found out a series I loved was mostly just shit.
HalfBakedProphet
Member
Came into the thread to see if someone would say Zelda with a straight face. Wasn't disappointed! The PH and ST were below average but trying to justify posting Zelda in this thread is idiotic.
Assassins Creed is still enjoyable but I'm skipping out on Black Flag. II and Brotherhood were magical. 3 had some cool ideas but it didn't really feel cohesive.
Assassins Creed is still enjoyable but I'm skipping out on Black Flag. II and Brotherhood were magical. 3 had some cool ideas but it didn't really feel cohesive.
Playing Generations, I thought SEGA had finally figured out how to make good Sonic games again, and I was pleased. But then I got to the final boss. I don't think I've ever played anything as frustrating as that last section. What the fuck were they thinking? It retroactively soured me on the rest of the game and served as proof that whatever good they did with it was merely by accident.
Goddammit, SEGA. You almost had it!
Goddammit, SEGA. You almost had it!
Takamura-San
Member
Yup. lol
I still remember being blown away the first time I saw this. Doesn't get much more Dreamcast than that.
The sad thing is that's where the game peaked... in the first 10 - 15 mins.
Have you tried them? It may be nostalgia, but I remember Mean Bean Machine and Sonic Spinball being pretty great. I probably put more hours into them (thanks to SEGA Channel) than any of the other Sonic games.
EDIT:
For me it was the NIS franchise, somewhere around the middle of Phantom Brave. Or maybe when I couldn't play more than 20 minutes of Disgaea 3 without cringing.
I'm in the same boat with Sonic. Always loved him. I think Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 were good for my age group at the time. Certainly not games deserving of actual high merit and review scores, but great games for kids.
After that it went extremely downhill, starting with Sonic Heroes imo. But as of Sonic Unleashed it has bounced back (again, imo). Unleashed was a fantastic game. Great soundtrack, great character design (best depiction of humans in a Sonic universe ever), great voice acting, great graphics, and solid gameplay--yes, in both day and night sequences. People hated on the werehog because it was there, not because it was bad. The platforming and action elements were all solid. It was a high quality game and I was pretty happy with it. Getting the Platinum trophy and speed running the levels was a blast.
Colors and Generations are two great steps forward as well, and I'm actually really excited for whatever the next game may be.
Zelda had a bit of a misstep with the (imo) beautiful, but horribly easy and lacking some series staples: Skyward Sword. I don't think it's anything they can't bounce back from. They hopefully shouldn't have to spend 5 years making a game focused around a controller this time around, and can concentrate solely on making a great game instead.
After that it went extremely downhill, starting with Sonic Heroes imo. But as of Sonic Unleashed it has bounced back (again, imo). Unleashed was a fantastic game. Great soundtrack, great character design (best depiction of humans in a Sonic universe ever), great voice acting, great graphics, and solid gameplay--yes, in both day and night sequences. People hated on the werehog because it was there, not because it was bad. The platforming and action elements were all solid. It was a high quality game and I was pretty happy with it. Getting the Platinum trophy and speed running the levels was a blast.
Colors and Generations are two great steps forward as well, and I'm actually really excited for whatever the next game may be.
Zelda had a bit of a misstep with the (imo) beautiful, but horribly easy and lacking some series staples: Skyward Sword. I don't think it's anything they can't bounce back from. They hopefully shouldn't have to spend 5 years making a game focused around a controller this time around, and can concentrate solely on making a great game instead.