Every single next-gen game looks the fucking same.

[Femto]

That and a few other reasons have led me to believe that the video game industry is spiraling towards it's own demise, especially in creativity.

Discuss.

[Daedelus]

I felt that way when Devil May Cry 3 was announced, or as I call it 'That Dark Guy Might Weep 3'. The sequels are really getting annoying. Someone, PLEASE, kill the Rainbow Six series. It's getting really old.

A lot of the next-gen games look similar right now, I think, because we're still in the 'show off this console' phase, especially with the PS3. They want to do eye-candy, and typically you use certain kinds of games for that. I can say that Xbox, PS2 and GC (OK, maybe not GC) all looked the same at first yet we know today that they're very different systems with their own merits and own great games.

On the flip side, it's nice to see the continuation of old franchises, vis a vie New SMB, upcoming Yoshi's Island and Kirby for the DS. Have I mentioned how much fun New SMB is?

[Femto]

I was talking about aesthetics mostly.

If you look at Oblivion or Gears of War or MGS4, they all use the same shading style, textures types, effects, etc, etc, etc. The only differences lie in the character designs or settings.

PS: DMC3 has the best gameplay from the three games.

Switching weapons mid-combo = Bliss.

[BasouKazuma]

I think you are noticing similar styles because those types of games are trying to create more realistic looking atmospheres.

There will still be a variety of games with unique styles and whatnot. Right now, everyone is trying to create highly detailed games to show off the power of Nextgen systems.

That's what i think, though we'll have to wait and see what actually ends up happening.

[Ayanami]

I was talking about aesthetics mostly.

If you look at Oblivion or Gears of War or MGS4, they all use the same shading style, textures types, effects, etc, etc, etc. The only differences lie in the character designs or settings.

I agree. Graphics just don't wow me any more. I am far more interested in the game play elements of the Wii instead of how many polygons MS and Sony can push.

I think the main reason that graphics don't wow me is because of the boring repetitive styles. What ever happened to games like Panzer Dragoon, Rez, and Nights that had their own artistic takes on gaming. Oh yeah, they all died with Sega.

[Femto]

I am far more interested in the game play elements of the Wii instead of how many polygons MS and Sony can push.

Werd.

A year ago, I thought Nintendo was trying too hard to be innovative (and they probably are) but now I can see that they are the only ones that are truly focusing on making good games.

This year's E3 won me over completely.

I've been called a Nintendo fanboy a few times already.

[Daedelus]

What ever happened to games like Panzer Dragoon, Rez, and Nights that had their own artistic takes on gaming. Oh yeah, they all died with Sega.

Okami.

[Ayanami]

One game, woot. You can't deny the fact with games going main stream the more bland FPS and action games that come out. But as ya do.

But Okami does look sweet. Can't argue with that. I just wish a lot of the great Sega teams didn't just up and disappear when Sega was going bat shit loco. "More shit Sonic games! Yar!"

That being said... has anyone heard any thing about what happened to Smile Bit or Overworks? Did they get picked up by some one else or did some key team members find a home some where?

[Daedelus]

Hey, at least it's something still.

Smilebit is apparently working on 'Virtua Striker 4 Ver. 2006'. Take it for what you will.

Overworks comes up with bubkis. It seriously looks like Noriyoshi Ooba fell off the face of the earth.

[Ayanami]

Oh yeah, Smilebit is doing sports games for Sega. That makes me very sad. I guess Sega is pretty much giving them the shit end of things. They are an amazing little team. They made Panzer Dragoon Orta for those who don't know. Gun Valkrye as well.

Oh well, at least Sega is still doing proper in the arcades with Limbergh. After Burner II looks sooooooooooo sweet. And pretty.

[halfnhalf]

Oh well, at least Sega is still doing proper in the arcades with Limbergh. After Burner II looks sooooooooooo sweet. And pretty.

Too bad state wise arcades are pretty much dead.


damn i would soo be down to go arcade gaming right now. I dare someone to challenge me to Virtua On, if i could find an arcade with that game still...

[Ayanami]

I went to an arcade while at Cedar Point not too long ago and they still had two full on Virtual On cabinets. I did not get a chance to play them though.

There are a few decent arcades around here you just have to find them. Not much in fighters and shooters, but Oakland mall does have a delux House of the Dead 4 cabinet that runs on limbergh. I have not had the chance to play it yet though.

[The Fallen]

I dont think ive ever gotten excited about a game just because of how nice the graphics looked. But I have been very surprised by games that i thought i wouldnt like because the graphics seemed funny at first ( Wind Waker, Mark of Kri...). The point is, good graphics are awesome, but mean nothing if the game is crap (anything ever released exclusively for xbox).


*notice i said exclusively, because there are good games on Xbox, just none that arent better on PC or one of the other consoles.

[Fatal_CobraX]

Modified GCN was used at E3, not Wii.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ ... or_wii.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ ... 0018in.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ ... 0007dl.jpg

Nor the PS3 was used.
http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ps3/game/n ... ionId=1006
Just thought I'd share this with you all.

[Khan]

I’ll just stick with Spore and my PC for now (to feed my god complex). I’m getting some bad vibes from the next generation as a whole.

[Daedelus]

Modified GCN was used at E3, not Wii.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ ... or_wii.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ ... 0018in.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ ... 0007dl.jpg

Nor the PS3 was used.
http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ps3/game/n ... ionId=1006
Just thought I'd share this with you all.

That doesn't really prove that a GCN was used to drive the whole thing. I somehow doubt they adapted a GCN to drive the Wii controller.

As to the PS3 thing... I'm not really surprised they didn't have any production units at the show. It's just one of those things.

[Buzkashi]

damn i would soo be down to go arcade gaming right now. I dare someone to challenge me to Virtua On, if i could find an arcade with that game still...

The Nickel City right next to my house has it. Meh I think I could give you a good challange. I remember back in the day, just chilling in that seat all day only been using a couple of nickels cause I owned the competition.

[halfnhalf]

damn i would soo be down to go arcade gaming right now. I dare someone to challenge me to Virtua On, if i could find an arcade with that game still...

The Nickel City right next to my house has it. Meh I think I could give you a good challange. I remember back in the day, just chilling in that seat all day only been using a couple of nickels cause I owned the competition.

and to think we are less than an hour or so from each other...

[Ayanami]

I dont think ive ever gotten excited about a game just because of how nice the graphics looked. But I have been very surprised by games that i thought i wouldnt like because the graphics seemed funny at first ( Wind Waker, Mark of Kri...). The point is, good graphics are awesome, but mean nothing if the game is crap (anything ever released exclusively for xbox).


*notice i said exclusively, because there are good games on Xbox, just none that arent better on PC or one of the other consoles.

What about Panzer Dragoon Orta, Ninja Gaidan, Jet Set Radio Future, Jade Empire or Psychonauts?

[LordMune]

*notice i said exclusively, because there are good games on Xbox, just none that arent better on PC or one of the other consoles.

What about Panzer Dragoon Orta, Ninja Gaidan, Jet Set Radio Future, Jade Empire or Psychonauts?

Halo: Combat Evolved?

[Ayanami]

The Fallen is not fond of Halo. So I excluded it.

[Femto]

Psychonauts is not an X-Box exclusive.

Ninja Gaiden is one of the best games this generation.

That is all.

[Ayanami]

Psychonauts is not an X-Box exclusive.

I was waiting for some one to say that.

The Fallen said all the good games on Xbox are better on PC or other consoles. Psychonauts sucks on PS2, so the Xbox version is the better game.

And Ninja Gaiden is the pwnage.

[Daedelus]

Halo: Combat Evolved?

Yet Another: FPS!

I play FPS, I like them. I have a dislike for console FPS to begin with, the control is just too wonky compared to WASD + mouse. If I try and ignore the controls, I really don't see how Halo stood out at all. I played the PC and liked it better due to controls, but got bored with it fast.

[Femto]

I haven't played Halo but this guy I know (who has great opinions about damn near everything) summed it up like this:

It does some great things from a gameplay standpoint, but it's a pretty average FPS all things considered.