Downhill gaming?

[Mantha]

Well, I wish I could say it was known, but I'm too knew for that to be the case, but I am a fan of video-games, my preffered series are Hitman, Dynasty Warriors((and the games that are the same system)), and Medal of Honor. This is just the series, I have many other games that are stand-alones that I preffer, but today I ask you this, how many of you have played Dynasty Warriors 6? They added in several nice things, yes, but they took out, the wonderful story-lines, shrinking it to only 18-tales, when in the last game they had 40+ story-modes.

Do you think the games are beginning to go downhill by tossing in lovely graphics and adding in a worthless storyline? How this may affect you? Imagine, no more characters you fall in love with, no longer do they become memorable, such as the ever-lasting Final Fantasy VII characters, especially for us here, Tifa!

Aside from games with a story that awes for ages, who do we have, Master Chief? That guy from Gears of War? Coom protagonist man? I don't even know anymore! Where is it, the stories are THERE, but it's no longer able to draw one's full attention and make them WANT to find it all out of love, it's just, there. I hope this didn't seem too rantastic, I do want your opinions on the matter, though, and if you don't game, just tell me, knowing everything I can about this community is a major UP! :biggrin:

[davesmistress]

Thanks for the new thread....

[Mislead Prophet]

It is and has been going down hill for sometime.

To be frank, everyone doesn't care about story any longer... Proof. Halo. Halo alone is proof that people rather graphics than story.

Now, not to insult everyone out there who likes Halo, it's just my opinion, I hate it with a passion, and it stands for almost everything I hate in this world.

Games have lost their passion for difficult gaming, and just added in impossible odds, and see how much people can even try to surpass it. Example of that would be Devil May Cry, especially with its different modes and such.

I miss the good old days where it was just a point, click and boom. I miss where you actually had to know what you were doing, when how and to who. Strategy has been removed from most games now a days. Yes, there wasn't a load of it in all the old games, but it took some getting used to... Memorizing patterns and weak points, there was always different ways to do it. Now games are pitting you into worlds, you can only kill a beast or monster in one manner, and if you don't you might as well put down the controller.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love games, most games even. I make sure to play everything possible just to have a real say in it. I have played Halo, and still do from time to time. I play most rpgs, guitar hero/rock band, rts, shooters, and adventure... And, at times, its hard to quench my thirst for a good game any more... It is true, I'm older, and I expect the games to evolve to my expectations, which at times, isn't right... But at other times, its hard to imagine what gaming will be soon enough.

I do like how more and more games are becoming multiplayer oriented, like Resident Evil 5. I do like the graphics and the cinematics... But without a good storyline it does fall flat to me... Which is why I really was disappointed in Dynasty Warriors 6. I've been a big fan of the series, even with it's mindless and repetitive battle system. When it comes down to it, all games and their battle systems are repetitive, just matters what people prefer.

Now, I know people are trying to jazz it up, and make better games... I'm really looking forward to Too Human. Lost Odyssey and Dead Rising were both amazing games, and definitely new to curve of games... But, not only those, games like No More Heroes, and other bizarre and wacky games on the Wii. They obviously are not the most stunning in the graphic department, but the controls are, normally, really fun, and like Nintendo, the storylines are wonderful.

A few months ago, my friend looked up the entire past to Mortal Kombat. The storyline that everyone seems to by pass is simply amazing. It has so much... STORY, for lack of better words, and was always an amusing game... And even that has dwiddle down to boring games... The Next MK game will be releasing somewhat soon, and is named... Mortal Kombat vs DC... Because apparently, someone lost ideas, and still wanted to cash in on their games with big names...

I just think... If we started looking around more, for less known games, give the small guys a chance, we'll see some really fantastic games out... So, we can only hope for that.

[Mantha]

Mislead Prophet, I can truly look at your entire post and sit in awe, that response was near perfection, in my eyes, and so. I SALUTE YOU!*promptly does so*

You covered things I thought wouldn't even be discussed until later on, and I admire that, you took charge and made it all open to the readers of this thread in a single post.

[marquis14]

Several games I have stood in awe of, the storylines of ff7 and 8 I was completely drawn in by.
However in terms of gaming with my friends which is an all time favorite Gears of War drew me in very well. The co-op in that game was well done, good story plot, good background, and the game required more than your point and shoot.
Halo is a decent game that started off with a great plot, I didnt like 2, and am so so with 3.
Nowadays people prefer the polished games and better gameplay rather than story. Aka Mortal Kombat, how many glitches there were within that game that you could use with so so character to win. Not talking strat, just bugs within the game.
There are many games that come out monthly that promise a great story but fail in gameplay, or design. Its all about balance, great story, crappy gameplay fails. Great gameplay and design, lack of depth, fails.

[stupidnoobs]

Games are going downhill. I can totally agree. Most games dont even have a close to story line. Especially Games that are made from movies. Some of them Just stray away from the sheer plot and go off into another direction. *cough* First Hulk*cough*.

And just as mislead prophet states " When it comes down to it, all games and their battle systems are repetitive, just matters what people prefer." Perfect Example is "The Born Conspiracy" I won a copy of the game and played for 30 minutes before I Went to EBGames to trade it in. Fighting was so repetitive.

As far as I can tell, Gaming companies make the game look good in the previews and make you want to buy the game, but really all they are trying t do is cash in before everyone finds out its Shit.

Shame on them :nono:

[Mantha]

Oh my, yes indeed, I nearly had forgotten about that point*hangs head in shame*They indeed are doing that, I admit to you that I have picked up several games due to a lovely commercial, and been heavily dissappointed, DW6 is still my prime example, but also working in retail, I see many people blabbing about how "badass" the game looks, and I think, "ugh..." and just get them taken care of for that game, hoping they eventually mature into intelligent humans((usually these are people that I swear are barely managing a double-digit I.Q.))

Thank you for bringing up that point as well, in refference to the co-op modes in those games, the reason they are so good, in my opinion, is that more shooters are COUNTING on you having friends to play with, so you can at least derive joy by sharing the experience. But if you like them, I'll have to see about getting someone over for those ones, I have a 360 thankfully, so I can test the GoW theory there.*nods*I'll give you my full analysis on that one.

[IIA]

Let's not talk about movie-based games... they suck

With Soul Calibur 4 coming out, I've been wondering about how the story will work out as it is going to be the last one of the series. SC's had a pretty good storyline (as far as fighting games go, anyway)

And what happened to RPG's and fighting games? You barely see any new ones these days, drowned under the all the FPS thrash. Nothing against FPS, but goddammit try to release something else too!

[garrador]

The game industry has changed. You can either change with it or keep crying about it.

Yes Halo has brought a endless amount of horrible and boring FPS experience. It has essentially been the exact same game three times with monster sales. But that is what this industry is about. Monster sales.


Originality, creativity, and risk are three things that most business men will not take a chance on. Look at the sales of Beyond Good and Evil or Psychonauts. Great games with original ideas, great character development and a whole lot of bad sales. Now Halo, GTA, COD on the other hand have sold by the Millions. Not taking away from CoD4 because its a great game, but it is still generic shooter 908678568905.


Following this trend we do have to talk about the original cotnent games that do manage to break through, make some cash, and thus is milked for every fucking dime that it can be milked for as fast as possible. Guitar Hero and Katamari I am looking at you. Guitar Hero was a fantastic release, sure not entirely original with Guitar Freaks, but it brought music gaming to the front. Harmonix sold the franchise to Activision last year and have already had 2 Guitar Hero Console games, 1 game for the DS that Harmonix has all but scratched, another one now copying what Harmonix did already. Oh yeah we have another one already announced to come out next year with Metalica. Less then 2 years they will more then likely release 5 games based on the same title. That is a little too much.

TL:DR, the industry is not about making good games, its about making a lot of money really fast. You can either like the games that come out, or don't. But if you really think the age of FFVII was original and better, think again because they followed the same formula they follow now. Only a million and one JRPGs came out after that. The Only difference in gaming now is the person who used to bully you and beat you up for playing games, is now with his frat buddies, playing Halo.

[IIA]

The game industry has changed. You can either change with it or keep crying about it.

Now Halo, GTA, COD on the other hand have sold by the Millions.

Following this trend we do have to talk about the original cotnent games that do manage to break through, make some cash, and thus is milked for every fucking dime that it can be milked for as fast as possible. Guitar Hero and Katamari I am looking at you. Guitar Hero was a fantastic release, sure not entirely original with Guitar Freaks, but it brought music gaming to the front. Harmonix sold the franchise to Activision last year and have already had 2 Guitar Hero Console games, 1 game for the DS that Harmonix has all but scratched, another one now copying what Harmonix did already. Oh yeah we have another one already announced to come out next year with Metalica. Less then 2 years they will more then likely release 5 games based on the same title. That is a little too much.

TL:DR, the industry is not about making good games, its about making a lot of money really fast. You can either like the games that come out, or don't. But if you really think the age of FFVII was original and better, think again because they followed the same formula they follow now. Only a million and one JRPGs came out after that.

GTA, not original? It is the most original out off those series, each part getting bigger and adding new interesting stuff

Ahhh hell, the age of NES and SNES was the golden time of gaming. Games were original back then

And regardless of what you say, the game genres I like won't change just because of the greedy bastards behind them. I'm not such a pathetic creature that I'd let someone else decide what I like:bitch

[st3nroh4ever]

I agree with Iia, GTA is the one of most original games in the gaming industry. I also have to say COD is unique because it is like the only WW2 game to actually go modern in a sequal and still be an amazing game experience.

[garrador]

GTA, not original? It is the most original out off those series, each part getting bigger and adding new interesting stuff



How has Grand Theft Auto evolved? Yeah, when III came out it was original, the open world environments where amazing, the sandbox ability was fantastic and the game was fun. Now ask yourself how has it changed in five releases after III? They gutted everything they built on the PS2. "Realistic (aka worse)" car controls? Annoyingly having to take someone out on a date after every single mission? Playing a game inside a game or watching Tv inside of a game? Sub-par, barely next gen graphics? My twelve hours in Liberty city left me unimpressed, and I own III, VC, and SA.

COD4 is a great game. The only thing it brings though is modern weapons in a modern time. Absolutely great. That doesn't change the fact they are going to milk its name for every dime, and will cause a shit tone of crappy clones. But I think we can all agree, get rid of the invisible trip wires that cause enemies to spawn/stop spawning.

[Mantha]

I second the retort again GTA being unoriginal, the only reason it's lost it's own luster, is the groupings of games copying it's style to make a buck, but Rockstar's GTA series are still fantastic! ((I'm so glad I am not adding to the trouble of mods, and vow to keep my posts on track))

[blinghop]

I have recently started a career in the game industry and i can tell you for the most part it is not the industry itself giving up on amazing games, they are simply catering to the crowd that buys the games. If people would stop buying the shallow, vapid games as much, the focus would shift. Unfortunately, the majority of gamers do not have the attention span or desire for a compelling story. Now is the time of games with flashes, bangs, and pretty colors. Games that have a skip button so no one has to actually pay attention to the story.

The blame shouldn't be put on the companies however. Some still put out the games we love. The blame rests solely on the market base. It is sad, but true.

[onisnake]

it's sad that with bue-ray and hd, people care mroe about graphics then gameplay these days. lets take a look back at good ol nintendo. I know on my wii i have played super mario bros. 3 more then i have galaxy. Ninja gaiden 2 *the nintendo one* has seen mroe action then my blue dragon. Gameplay forced you to play the game, feel it, know it. Contra was a badass game, yet so simple. Nowadays the games are over simplified, or made to look good but suck *im looking at you DoABV2, you with your boobs with their own gravity* Looking good isn't enough, a game eneds to be good as well. Assasins creed imo was a marvelous game, great gameplay, original story, and very pretty looking. But soemtimes it's also the funders who ruin games, because if the developers dont do something they know is wrong, they get cut.

[dr-zox]

I think games are losing there classic edge, or maybe I'm just getting old and funny

although BIo shock and assasians creed and super smash bros brawl, are still quite good and Zelda TP and mario galaxy

...

Games are still good

[daeryn]

Kindof a longtime lurker, but this is an interesting topic... and one that strikes a chord with me as a longtime gamer.

First off I'd distinguish between console and PC games in that they somewhat serve different audiences, especially lately. I've seen the perception being cultivated that consoles are a 'lighter' form of gaming... or at least, not as involved as those on the PC. I dont entirely understand it, but there's some sort of distinction between having a dedicated system for it that hooks up to a TV, and doing it on your computer. It feels like consoles are trying to appeal to a wider customer base by distancing themselves from the quote-unquote 'gamers' - and as a consequence, the standards for gameplay are going down. The less enthused players want more instant gratification, flashier and fancier graphics... and if they dont get it, they don't buy game systems in the first place. Since the ultimate goal of game producers is to make money, theyre catering to those desires.

That said, it seems to be working on some levels - just look at the Wii and almost everything for it that has virtually no learning curve and lots of incremental 'victories' to keep players feeling good about themselves. Creativity - the sort that goes beyond cookie-cutter clones to create new game systems and challenging scenarios - isn't as common now as it used to be, partially because so many ideas have already been developed. Now, in the same breath that I say THAT... look to the player community. How many times does the open source modding community breathe new life into an engine that on its own might have been stagnant? The problem is that companies seem to be almost outsourcing the creativity to the public in that manner, and get away with releasing less developed products themselves.

At the end of the day, game companies want to make money. They are going to make what people want them to make, because that is what will sell. The decline is partially their fault for both losing the risk-taking sense that lead to previous innovations and greedily trying to slurp up revenue from 'non gamers' at the expense of their longtime playerbase, but it's also the fault of the players for being, sadlly enough, so easily amused.

I'll cut myself off here so that the rant doesnt go on; in brief, I agree that the decline is real, and am keeping an eye out for what few GOOD games manage to still claw their way to release.

-Daeryn

P.S. I think this got eaten somehow the first time; if it doubleposts, sorry!

[piernik]

yup I agree, there is nothing better than old games :)

[DSGPP]

One game I used to play until my eyes bled was armored core for playstation. It's like what you'd imagine gundum wing to be like except your never in outer space and your robot is incredibly customizable. I hope someday soon I gather the will to buy a playstation 3 so I can play the newest armored core online, it's been a fantasy of mine for so long to do that. If your getting bored with your games though I HIGHLY recommend you download zsnes and a zillion roms, it takes a little while to figure it out but once you do it's all very well worth it.

[dr-zox]

yup I agree, there is nothing better than old games :)

Sometimes I find if you can find games that are great but not hyped up and noone knows about them very much

such as beyond good and evil that was a great game

[timtom]

I can't discuss this because I haven't had a game system since super nintendo. I can't have them in the house or else all I do is play. Senior year of college was ridiculous (on my friends playstation 2).

[sheut]

I'm sorry, but there's no chance games are going to be as good as they once were... how can we top crazy stories like that which we see in the Zelda series, or one of my all time favorites, the Mother series. Character development is sorely lacking these days, just think back to Chrono Trigger. Now that was an epic game. your enemies became your allies to fight a greater evil... time travel... and some gorrdamn awesome characters. I don't know, I haven't played any games recently that have instilled the same mezmerizing feelings I had when I played the Snes rpgs. The prince of persia series has a pretty awesome story-line and consistent gameplay improvement... but the sands of time series is over so I'm a little scared to see what they do with there new game... which is apparently for the DS and not the wii. lame. ahem

I pray the industry doesn't bomb out on the die-hard fans of the story aspect, but it is already on a slippery slope... but hey, maybe someday a game will come and blow us all away. Here's hoping.

[sheut]

oh and as far as multiplayer games go... all hail smash brothers brawl. It's a damn shame they didn't put more effort into the online gaming experience though... should be able to find and choose how many random people you wanna play against without the rules being stuck on 2 minute battles.

[DSGPP]

I had another thought... some strive for story lines while others strive for game play, some strive for graphics while others strive for fun. It's all about perspective and personal appeal. The level of dedication and desire someone has towards whatever it is they are doing heavily determines what they do with anything or any idea. Really I think that a good mixture of all components is the key to a 'good' and successful title.
I played through mass effect recently, and although the story line was fairly entertaining and the options of what to say were slightly novel the game overall was a fair let down, I was done with it almost as soon as I was getting into it. Although I can appreciate the cost of voice acting, it seemed I was hearing the same dozen or so voice actors over and over. It became more than annoying. Ha I feel like this is turning into a review for one particular game. I still feel mass effect was a game that had all the pieces just not the right proportions of each one. : )

[xXxBLYNDS1DExXx]

Character development is sorely lacking these days, just think back to Chrono Trigger.

Look, I'm a fan of the gameplay and story of Chrono Trigger too, but saying that it's a benchmark for character development is just... off-base, especially if you examine the facts. The main character is a teenage boy who DOESN'T TALK. Hard to develop a truly genuine and engrossing background on Crono. Plus, you have a character who looks like a frog and the developers chose to name him..... Frog. And a robot whose name is Robo. They're good characters, but hardly well thought out.


It is certainly hard to find a truly epic game nowadays that has the perfect mix of storyline, gameplay, graphics, and replayability. As it's been said above me, developers of modern games cater to the modern gamers who are buying the products. But is there really perfection in the gaming world? A game that's going to bring together the hardcore multiplayer fps guys and the hardcore rpgamers, and everyone else in between? Certainly not.

In light of that, I have compiled a list of "modern" games and series that are great, in my opinion, and should be checked out. And bear in mind, this is coming from a guy who loves COD4, loves the FF series, loves Guitar Hero, and loves games in general. And if you want to dispute my list, feel free. I have my pros and cons which I can explain if so wished.

Mass Effect
Assassin's Creed
Prince of Persia series
Metal Gear series
Braid (XBL Arcade)
Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 (XBL Arcade)
Lost Odyssey
Bioshock (and any of the System Shock series)
Resident Evil series
Elder Scroll series (specifically Morrowind and Oblivion)
Rainbow Six series
Psychonauts
Dreamfall
Resistance: Fall of Man
Call of Duty series

[xXxBLYNDS1DExXx]

Ugh, forgot Battlefield: Bad Company.

[murph20]

I'll offer my takes on a few of the titles you provided, xXxBLYNDS1DExXx, and ones which I agree with. Maybe I can save you from having to dispute them ;-)

Mass Effect:

While it does get criticism for the lack of variation in the graphics of its environments, it makes up ten-fold in character development and storyline. Without going into the details of the story and potentially list "spoilers," I will say that the writers of Mass Effect had a clear, laid out plan for the storyline, characters, races, and history of the Mass Effect universe which is nicely compiled in a "Database" for users to refer to when the information is provided to them. While variation in the environments would be nice, it does not supercede the importance of developing great story.

BioShock:

The developers of BioShock did an amazing job of creating a very detailed (and I mean DETAILED) and dark setting for an underground "Utopia" in which the game was set. Many of the areas were unique in their own right of the other parts of the game.

Also, the means in which gamers could handle confrontations with the various, demented denizens of the game are vast. For example, if the enemy happens to be in a body of water, simply send an electric shock their way by zapping the water. Or, if there is a nearby heavy object, use telekinesis and fling it at 'em. The variety of approaches one can take are vast and increase replayability.

Likewise, the customization options to the gamers' weapon sets and special abilities allows gamers to choose what they believe to be the best choices. There is no one "best" way to beat the game ;-)

Finally, the musical scores (whether they be developed specifically for the game or from various popular vocalists from the area in which the game was set in) were on-target and welcome additions to the atmosphere. The game includes very appropriate popular hits from singers such as Bing Crosby, Billie Holliday, Noel Coward, Frank Sinatra, and Perry Como.

Psychonauts:

A very unappreciated game for the PS2. What struck me most about this game, as I am a psychology grad student, was the psychological concept of the game. The game's storyline was so unique in that Psychonauts had the ability to go inside people's mind in order to eliminate or suppress "bad, traumatic" memories. I will only provide one example of such a case. Raz's, the main character, Psychonaut Instructer goes by the name of Coach Oleander. He has an obvious background in the military. When you enter his mind as training, you enter a battleground which signifies what haunts Oleander. The Oleander "stage" is tailored to what was going on in Oleander's head.

Aside from the original and engrossing storyline, the game employs a very freelance approach. You get a lot of opportunities to explore the Psychonauts Camp and collect power-ups to make Raz more powerful.

On a side note, Steven Horowitz voiced Raz as well as Zim from Invaders Zim. Something Psychonauts and Invader Zim have in common: being well-received by viewers but not doing so good with gamers/viewers.

[Oscar_Wilde]

It's not Halo's fault. Halo was the first shooter to make console shooters easy. It had the right amount of auto aim, and took a certain amount of skill. It appeals to the competitive side in people, that's why it's done well.

Gaming has been going down hill because publishers have been sucking the creativity out of teams by consolidating and consolidating and consolidating.

But speaking to your overall point, I don't believe gaming is going downhill. It was for a few years there, but just on the horizon there are games that I Really think have potential.

... and with truly good games like Braid and Bionic Commando Rearmed doing really well, I'd make the argument that we're on an upswing at the moment. So there.

[sheut]

xXxBLYNDS1DExXx says: Look, I'm a fan of the gameplay and story of Chrono Trigger too, but saying that it's a benchmark for character development is just... off-base, especially if you examine the facts. The main character is a teenage boy who DOESN'T TALK. Hard to develop a truly genuine and engrossing background on Crono. Plus, you have a character who looks like a frog and the developers chose to name him..... Frog. And a robot whose name is Robo. They're good characters, but hardly well thought out.

I'm sorry, but you missed the most important character in that game when it comes to character development, magus and his entire family is pretty damn epic when it comes to background. I can understand where your coming from on a few characters, sure, but don't leave out the good ones. It really is only my opinion, and im sure more than just you disputes it, but i see it as one of the greatest character driven stories ever written for a console. Perhaps im just crazy though :laugh2: I mean it delves into the past histories of mutliple characters, the princess, glenn (frog as you so aptly named him... he allows chrono and the gang to call him whatever they like if i remember right, and they choose frog for obvious reasons.) Magus :engager:... and that's not to mention how characters become intwined in each others lives... i wont go into detail but jeez... the only reason chrono isn't as developed as he could be is because (or so i like to think) the developers wanted the player to relate to that character as much as possible (sorry gals, games are marketed towards males for some reason.)
Back to frog (glenn) for a moment... you even go and put the spirit of his mentor at rest as a side quest like come on....

Ok so to put a more... socially acceptable twist to my previous post. Chrono Trigger IN MY OPINION ;) {Incase you didn't catch on) IS a benchmark in character development.

[shinichi]

even zelda... the newest one has you a wolf for a crapload of the game which is quite irritating to say the least, and on top of that your doing nothing but playing hide and seek for a nice portion of the game as well, oh gosh i hated that game

ehem, i apologise for the sami ranting-ness in my response *regains composure* but you are correct to say the least about the quality of storylines in games, it seems that they just cant do both graphics and story, you need one of the other

[Mantha]

I wish that all the 'ooo, pretty graphics' games were MEANT to be mindless, then I could accept it, but most of these I've seen say, "riveting story!" or other lies on the back as adverts. Of course there are still gems out there being made, because there are still people dedicated to making a quality experience, but for the most part, people are in it because of the money. Hopefully the market get so flooded that the dams burst, and these 'game designers' are forced into other activities, while the last parts are those still dedicated to making those true pieces of enjoyment.

[supadupafly321]

Well, I wish I could say it was known, but I'm too knew for that to be the case, but I am a fan of video-games, my preffered series are Hitman, Dynasty Warriors((and the games that are the same system)), and Medal of Honor. This is just the series, I have many other games that are stand-alones that I preffer, but today I ask you this, how many of you have played Dynasty Warriors 6? They added in several nice things, yes, but they took out, the wonderful story-lines, shrinking it to only 18-tales, when in the last game they had 40+ story-modes.

Do you think the games are beginning to go downhill by tossing in lovely graphics and adding in a worthless storyline? How this may affect you? Imagine, no more characters you fall in love with, no longer do they become memorable, such as the ever-lasting Final Fantasy VII characters, especially for us here, Tifa!

Aside from games with a story that awes for ages, who do we have, Master Chief? That guy from Gears of War? Coom protagonist man? I don't even know anymore! Where is it, the stories are THERE, but it's no longer able to draw one's full attention and make them WANT to find it all out of love, it's just, there. I hope this didn't seem too rantastic, I do want your opinions on the matter, though, and if you don't game, just tell me, knowing everything I can about this community is a major UP! :biggrin:

Im a HUGE Dynasty warriors fan, i have DWs 2-5 (and the LXs to go with them). Yes DW6 was a bit disappointing, BUT not to fear. Koei did something that i wanted them to do for a long time. They combine the Dynasty warriors and Samurai warriors games into one (which i bought : D).
Its kinda hard to find, but well worth the money. Its called Warriors Orochi, and if you feel you can wait a bit. Theirs a Warriors Orochi 2 plan to release on sep. 23. I Highly recommend it to any DW or SW fans, seeing as its the best of both worlds in one.

[timmy502]

in response to the original post yeah im alright with the occasional artsy games but now there sacrificing story and playability

[fesknet]

I don't think that game are going down hill I still remember when playing nes games the only thing you got was manual how to play the game and no story at all.

In all and all there were probably 20 games that had any form of story on the nes console and most of them never made off shore off Japan.
And if you look at "angry video game nerd" at youtube then you will see how bad game's was before

p.s here is an link off angry video game nerd

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/20300.html?type=flv

[zer0]

Well the Metal Gear series (including Solid) have kept there storylines very well in my oppinion. Although I can't say much about 4, since i haven't beat'en it yet. Not to mention FF VI. Best FF game ever.

[hidden]

Well there are still a lot of good games coming out, certainly not less than the snes days. Its just that theres so much shovel ware coming out that the good ones get buried before anyone even sees its greatness.

Trust me i thought the gaming industry screwed up too. I went from playing runescape from 2002-2006 to playing WoW from 2006-2008. Then when i got fed up with the tedious grinding of it i turned to my 360. went to walmart only to find that games now cost 60 fucking dollars. And the majority of them are shit-WTF?! But with the help of my friends i have gotten to play some great games. Surprisingly the best one ive played yet was portal...simply amazing lol.

fyi: Final fantasy 12 was probably the best game ive played next to games like suikoden 2 and vagrant story.

[doh3rty]

i tink it is droping i had gr8 expectations for fallout after oblivion and i was greatly disapointed