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Which types of games are "played out"?

Chairman Yang

Chairman Yang

if he talks about books, you better damn well listen
There are a bunch of gametypes that I've been really bored with in the last few years. Their formulas have become too entrenched, and with each new iteration I have less and less fun. Which of these types of games (or subgenres) are you pretty much bored with? How should they be shaken up?

Here are some of my suggestions:

Traditional fighting games: Games like the latest Tekken or Virtua Fighter just don't grab me anymore. The fighting mechanics have remained too abstracted and disconnected from reality (with concepts like "juggling") and whatever additional depth each game brings is basically useless to me, since I haven't even come close to plumbing the depths of old fighting games like Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike or Soul Calibur. I'd like to see a developer take a "back to basics" approach and re-evaluate some of the fundamental assumptions of the genre.

Traditional RTSes: I've never been a huge fan of the subgenre (I don't even like Starcraft), but I did really enjoy a few. Unfortunately, newer RTSes seem to have hit a wall. Their mechanics and polish are solid, but there's still the same focus on micromanagement that turns me off. Fortunately, RTSes have been branching out a lot (the "epic historical simulation" style like in Europa Universalis 3 is one of my favourites), but unfortunately, there are still lots of promising directions that aren't being explored. What happened to the Myth style of gaming (which I'd refer to as real-time tactics)?

Western RPGs: I'm shocked to say that JRPGs have been exhibiting more creativity (both story- and gameplay-wise) and better execution than WRPGs lately. Mass Effect looks like it'll take at least as many steps back as it will forward--why put so much effort into facial expressions, for example, when the combat looks wholly inadequate? Even the much-vaunted Oblivion (which I really enjoyed for 20 hours or so) was a regression from Morrowind and Daggerfall in some ways.

So, what do you think?
 
JRPGs: Still more or less adventure games with combat and mini-games.

FPS games: Even though I love the genre to death, I have to admit there's not much new going on. Even something like Half Life 2 is basically Half Life 1 with goofy physics, and Half Life 1 was just Quake with a pretty good story and no levels. Riddick was the most refreshing FPS game in years.

Castlevania: Too specific? Anyway the last 4 has been basically interchangeable.

Adventure games: Are apparently making returning from their 5 year hiatus with nary a SINGLE gameplay innovation to speak of? I mean damn.
 
"What happened to the Myth style of gaming (which I'd refer to as real-time tactics)?"

Look into Ground Control I/II and World in Conflict coming out soon.
 
Japanese RPGs are getting way too stale for their own good. I don't think there has really been a huge change to the genre since it went three-dimensional ten years ago. There have been various tiny things added, but nothing that's really managed to shake the foundation.
 
GTA-style games.

Crackdown is the first one I actually purchased and while it was very enjoyable, it does get old fairly quick - and I haven't even been to the second and third islands. Blowing up cars and jumping around and stuff is good at first, but yeah.

Probably won't buy another GTA-style game for a long time (Godfather looks interesting since it has a bit of a story, but I still might steer clear).

Edit:
Wiitard said:
Go play Godfather Wii.
Click to expand...
Or not. :lol
 
WWII games, "thugged up" games, sandbox games which don't allow as much freedom as GTA (these might include some "thugged up" games), JRPGs. Even so, some games in these genres/subject matter get things right.
 
No types of games are "played out". Every kind of game has it's userbase and fans. Maybe you've grown tired of certain ones, but many others still like them.

Wiitard said:
Go play Godfather Wii.
Click to expand...

Oh please, it's the same average game every other system under the sun got.
 
Foil said:
Oh please, it's the same average game every other system under the sun got.
Click to expand...

I cannot blame you for thinking that. At the same time, it's hard to imagine playing this game and at least not seeing the possibilities of motion controls for GTA games. Seriously, this game should not be compared with the other versions - it's like taking "10 seconds of fun" out of Halo.
 
Wiitard said:
I cannot blame you for thinking that. At the same time, it's hard to imagine playing this game and at least not seeing the possibilities of motion controls for GTA games. Seriously, this game should not be compared with the other versions - it's like taking "10 mutues of fun" out of Halo.
Click to expand...
I wish there was a way to include .wav with this reply, so you guys could hear the massive groan I just let out while reading this.
 
Foil said:
No types of games are "played out".
Click to expand...

I beg to differ. It's like saying you'd drive the same car for the rest of your life just because it has comfortable seats. Over time, it wears down and needs repair. Hell, after a decade or so, the damned thing might even be nigh-inoperable. All genres are occasionally in need of a shake-up, as much as some people don't like to think so (being content with what's available). But the market demands it every once in a while.
 
Bildi said:
Godfather looks interesting since it has a bit of a story, but I still might steer clear.
Click to expand...

Nobody plays Wii in this town without paying respect to the Godfather! Do you have a family? Maybe I should be convincing them to buy this game with your life insurance money. Shoots Bildi in the knee.

shuri said:
I wish there was a way to include .wav with this reply, so you guys could hear the massive groan I just let out while reading this.
Click to expand...

Care to elaborate?
 
legendary_news.jpg

:lol
 
JRPGs. I adore them but how many goddamn times can they use the same basic, epic plots with the same bland storytelling elements and the same character types? This is arguably the genre most valued for story and character development and we're still getting "mysterious protagonist with amnesia" and "magical girl who holds the key to a great power".

I'm not asking for every game/series to be radical and unconventional--Dragon Quest can stay Dragon Quest forever and I'll be happy--but I can't remember the last time I got excited about a new JRPG IP. I just want a few innovative titles that will shake things up. Give me some RPGs that aren't about saving a world/civilization/country, or a few that aren't set in fantasy/scifi universes, and I'll be set.

Also, WW2-based games. There was a time when the idea of a WW2 FPS was fresh and innovative. Think about that shit for a second.
 
I would like a different take on the GTA formula myself. Like, an Oblivion set in modern times. Take quests from your boss at the office. Make sure you send enough faxes before the deadline. Take out the evil muggers on your way back to your apartment.
 
Amir0x said:
I would like a different take on the GTA formula myself. Like, an Oblivion set in modern times. Take quests from your boss at the office. Make sure you send enough faxes before the deadline. Take out the evil muggers on your way back to your apartment.
Click to expand...
Last night I thought of how great GTA would be if the missions were as open ended as morrowind or fallout.
 
WWII Fps. STOP flooding the genre with WWII fps. If you are going to make them, atleast look at something like HL2 and get it done right >:(
 
Amir0x said:
I would like a different take on the GTA formula myself. Like, an Oblivion set in modern times. Take quests from your boss at the office. Make sure you send enough faxes before the deadline. Take out the evil muggers on your way back to your apartment.
Click to expand...

I'd buy that game.
 
FPS, I can tolerate almost any type of game these days. But there are way to many FPS games now, especially with nothing being done to make them really unique.
 
WWII games. STOP ****ING MAKING THEM. Jesus, it's getting ridiculous. It's just a crutch for developers with no creativity.
 
Pimpbaa said:
WWII games. STOP ****ING MAKING THEM. Jesus, it's getting ridiculous. It's just a crutch for developers with no creativity.
Click to expand...

The worst part is that developers rarely even bother being creative WITHIN the WW2 shooter genre. You almost always play the Americans (and sometimes the other allies, but never unconventional sides like the Germans, Japanese, Chinese, or Indians), the gore level is toned down so far as to be very unrealistic, the mission design involves Rambo-like numbers (a few soldiers vs. hundreds of enemies), the atmosphere is almost always faux-Band of Brothers "patriotic" claptrap, etc.

And yet people seem to keep buying them.
 
Foil said:
No types of games are "played out". Every kind of game has it's userbase and fans. Maybe you've grown tired of certain ones, but many others still like them.



Oh please, it's the same average game every other system under the sun got.
Click to expand...

Strangle a bitch. For real.
 
I might have to say Castlevania, or Metroidvania, more specifically. I actually kinda struggled to complete Portrait of Ruin. It's not a bad game, I think i'm just sick of this formula that has barely changed for the last 5 games. It doesn't help that the level design is pretty creatively bankrupt in most of them too.

It's actually hard for me to say this, because I pretty much grew up with Castlevania, it's like an old friend to me. But if IGA doesn't try something else I may have to skip the next installment. I'm excited for the Rondo of Blood remake, though, so I don't count that.
 
Stories in Western RPGs. With the exception of a choice few, Western RPGs (almost moreso than JRPGs) seem to all be set in the same damn universe, with the same damn Tolkienesque universe. I love the Elder Scrolls universe, but DAMN. Shit gets tired.
 
JRPGs...I used to LOVE them as a kid but playing western games the past few years has change my perspective. I tried to give JRPGs a chance lately but it's too boring and cliche for me
 
muttyeah416 said:
but this is a new thing that happened maybe last generation
Click to expand...

Non-games were always around. The only difference this time is that Nintendo has somehow convinced actual gamers to buy them.
 
None yet really.

There are always variations that can be done & new ideas.

Even 2D maze game and 2D shmups have lots of room for innovation.
 
Amir0x said:
I would like a different take on the GTA formula myself. Like, an Oblivion set in modern times. Take quests from your boss at the office. Make sure you send enough faxes before the deadline. Take out the evil muggers on your way back to your apartment.
Click to expand...

Yes. Because I definitely don't get enough modern in my life. Can we make sure and include the overbearing mid-level management, the over-zealous lying snake (everyone has one in their office), the horrendous and backwards red tape, traffic jams, bad lunches, layoffs, training your managers, and if we're lucky, CASUAL FRIDAYS?


On topic:
I'm not convinced any genre is truly played out. The closest would be FPS, but they're coming up with new and exciting stuff in that genre every day, like Mass Effect for the 360.

Maybe 2D fighting? I dunno. Just throwin it out there.

Maybe board games? Is Cranium really an improvement over any of the other, better, more-focused games that it's based on?

I GOT IT. NFL games. I'm pretty certain they peaked twice. Once in 1993 (Tecmo Super Bowl) and the other in 2002 (Madden).
 
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