Games you enjoyed in spite of the weak gameplay...

In most cases I consider gameplay >>>>> everything else. I'm the kind of guy that would rather play Ninja Gaiden Black for the rest of my days than sit through the God of War series.

But I was playing Journey the other day and I was really enjoying it. Then it got me thinking.

ICO and SotC where two of my favorites last gen, but realistically they weren't anything special in terms of gameplay mechanics.

So far Lost Odyssey has been my favorite jrpg this gen (I dont game on handhelds:P) and it easily has one of the most archaic, uninteresting battle systems around.

What say you System Wars? What games did so well in other aspects that you were able to overlook the meh gameplay?

Alpha Protocol

I wouldn't say King's Field really shines in the gameplay department, but I still enjoy the games.

catherinePressXtoJump

Doh! Thanks for reminding me that game exists. I wanted to check it out and forgot all about it lol.

I wouldn't say King's Field really shines in the gameplay department, but I still enjoy the games.

Yangire

Aren't the Souls games supposed to be spiritual successors to Kings Field? I never played it obviously, but I've heard something along those lines before I think.

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

I wouldn't say King's Field really shines in the gameplay department, but I still enjoy the games.

Wiimotefan

Aren't the Souls games supposed to be spiritual successors to Kings Field? I never played it obviously, but I've heard something along those lines before I think.

Yeah but they have quite a few differences, including gameplay. I personally prefer the style of King's Field/Shadow Tower over the Souls series, but I can't see From Software going back.

Vanquish, most of the marios, Zeldas pre TP, Uncharted 2, Dark Souls and Witcher 2

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

I wouldn't say King's Field really shines in the gameplay department, but I still enjoy the games.

Yangire

Aren't the Souls games supposed to be spiritual successors to Kings Field? I never played it obviously, but I've heard something along those lines before I think.

Yeah but they have quite a few differences, including gameplay. I personally prefer the style of King's Field/Shadow Tower over the Souls series, but I can't see From Software going back.

Oh cool. I'll try to check em out sometime. I've mostly been playing older games lately just trying to catch up on old gems that I missed.

The original Assassin's Creed and Uncharted 3.

Vanquish, most of the marios, Zeldas pre TP, Uncharted 2, Dark Souls and Witcher 2

GD1551

Uh, you just listed a bunch of games that at the very least have decent gameplay lol. Most of the Mario platformers are top notch and Vanquish is solid as a rock.

If you mean very simple gameplay then I'd agree.

[QUOTE="GD1551"]

Vanquish, most of the marios, Zeldas pre TP, Uncharted 2, Dark Souls and Witcher 2

Wiimotefan

Uh, you just listed a bunch of games that at the very least have decent gameplay lol. Most of the Mario platformers are top notch and Vanquish is solid as a rock.

If you mean very simple gameplay then I'd agree.

I mean simple.

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

[QUOTE="GD1551"]

Vanquish, most of the marios, Zeldas pre TP, Uncharted 2, Dark Souls and Witcher 2

GD1551

Uh, you just listed a bunch of games that at the very least have decent gameplay lol. Most of the Mario platformers are top notch and Vanquish is solid as a rock.

If you mean very simple gameplay then I'd agree.

I mean simple.

Oh gotcha. I guess depending on the gamer simple can = meh.

Oh gotcha. I guess depending on the gamer simple can = meh.

Wiimotefan

Other than the witcher 2 the gameplay didn't have me sticking around. I just beat the games and put them down, never to be picked up again. Maybe if vanquish had some kinda crazy MP or something I could have gotten lost in I might play it more, but really it was just an enjoyable ride. Dota 2 and Total War games are more my speed when it comes to strong gameplay. I feel as though gameplay that doesn't have enough depth or take enough individual skill just gets old too fast.

Almost every indie game on Steam.

The original Assassin's Creed and Uncharted 3.

UnrealLegend

Specs Ops The Line is the most recent one to pop into my head

MGS 1 and 3.

MGS1 being too simple. The PacMan analogy totally applies.

MGS3 being a bit sloppy with the controls, a bit unresponsive and a lot of the features were just tacked on and not fully realized. I LOVE MGS3, but I'm just being realistic.

And Tenchu. I used to love me some Tenchu, but that gameplay is garbage.

Alpha Protocol

lostrib

the darkness

Mass Effect comes to mind.

TW2 and Crysis, the gameplay isn't bad but they ain't nothin special. The graphics alone are certainly a good reason to have them.

dark souls skyrim xenoblade UC3 batman a cityCTR360

Skyrim and The Witcher 2

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

[QUOTE="GD1551"]

Vanquish, most of the marios, Zeldas pre TP, Uncharted 2, Dark Souls and Witcher 2

GD1551

Uh, you just listed a bunch of games that at the very least have decent gameplay lol. Most of the Mario platformers are top notch and Vanquish is solid as a rock.

If you mean very simple gameplay then I'd agree.

I mean simple.

[QUOTE="UnrealLegend"]

The original Assassin's Creed and Uncharted 3.

Sushiglutton

The poor transitioning is why I consider it to have overall weak gameplay. It felt so clunky and incomplete, at least in comparison to UC2.

[QUOTE="GD1551"]

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

Uh, you just listed a bunch of games that at the very least have decent gameplay lol. Most of the Mario platformers are top notch and Vanquish is solid as a rock.

If you mean very simple gameplay then I'd agree.

DragonfireXZ95

I mean simple.

I find the gameplay in many RPG's somewhat unsatisfying but yet it's my favourite genre. It's the story, character development, exploration and discovery that keeps me coming back I think. I've grinded my way through 60 odd hours of meh fighting on many occasion just to find out what happens next.

Halo and Heavy Rain, though for different reasons.

2 last gen gamesare all I can think of, Morrowind Elder Scrolls 3 and KOTOR...the excecuation of the gameplay wasn't polished but somehow, somehow I still very much enjoyed them, but that was last gen.

none of the weak gamplay garbage from this gen could make me enjoy them because they should have been improved but the gameplay stayed unpolished and weak.

With that said, I am surprised no one in here said Skyrim!!!!

2 last gen gamesare all I can think of, Morrowind Elder Scrolls 3 and KOTOR...the excecuation of the gameplay wasn't polished but somehow, somehow I still very much enjoyed them, but that was last gen.

none of the weak gamplay garbage from this gen could make me enjoy them because they should have been improved but the gameplay stayed unpolished and weak.

With that said, I am surprised no one in here said Skyrim!!!!

casharmy

one game whos gameplay is bollock is onechanbara that PoS can GTH gameplay wise. but i played and enjoyed

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="GD1551"]

I mean simple.

parkurtommo

I played them both and I love the Souls games. I just gathered he meant simple from the other games he listed. And relatively speaking, Dark Souls and TW2 could be considered simple.

Of course I don't believe simple gameplay alwaysequals weak gameplay, but I guess he does.

Does Dear Esther counts?

That game had "weak" gameplay,mostly non-existant,yet it managed to be an enjoyable experience while it lasted...

Other than that,well,can't think of any.Many great games have a few clumsy gaming mechanics here and there(like System Shock 2 being unbalanced for non-hacker classes),but a few clumsy gaming mechanics don't equal weak gameplay...

Does Dear Esther counts?

That game had "weak" gameplay,mostly non-existant,yet it managed to be an enjoyable experience while it lasted...

Rocker6

Yeah, definitely. The reason I made this topic is because I was playing Journey and if you don't know, that game is hardly a game, but I found it to be a cool experience anyways.

Turn-based RPGS can get REALLy redundant, especially when they're "grindy." That being said I still enjoyed a great amount of turn based RPGs, such as most of the FF series.

Also Shadow of the Colossus. Great story, phenominal soundtrack, a nice setting which was atmospheric, but damn, the gameplay was just so meh.

[QUOTE="Rocker6"]

Does Dear Esther counts?

That game had "weak" gameplay,mostly non-existant,yet it managed to be an enjoyable experience while it lasted...

Wiimotefan

Yeah, definitely. The reason I made this topic is because I was playing Journey and if you don't know, that game is hardly a game, but I found it to be a cool experience anyways.

Turn-based RPGS can get REALLy redundant, especially when they're "grindy." That being said I still enjoyed a great amount of turn based RPGs, such as most of the FF series.

Also Shadow of the Colossus. Great story, phenominal soundtrack, a nice setting which was atmospheric, but damn, the gameplay was just so meh.

DJ-Lafleur

Yeah I can agree to all of that.

I guess with turn based rpgs you have to look beyond just the combat though. That particular aspect does get redundant, but when you factor in all the skill management, buying, selling, upgrading, etc. the overall gameplay experience can be fun and addictive. But yeah, in terms of straight combat its usually only boss fights that deliver excitement.

[QUOTE="parkurtommo"][QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] Dark Souls and Witcher 2 have simple gameplay? Wut?Wiimotefan

I played them both and I love the Souls games. I just gathered he meant simple from the other games he listed. And relatively speaking, Dark Souls and TW2 could be considered simple.

Of course I don't believe simple gameplay alwaysequals weak gameplay, but I guess he does.

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

[QUOTE="Rocker6"]

Does Dear Esther counts?

That game had "weak" gameplay,mostly non-existant,yet it managed to be an enjoyable experience while it lasted...

parkurtommo

Yeah, definitely. The reason I made this topic is because I was playing Journey and if you don't know, that game is hardly a game, but I found it to be a cool experience anyways.

Its very bare bones imo. More-so than what you would typically expect from a game. Yes its interactive and yes there are objectives, but they seem to take a back seat in the overall experience.

I'll admit, saying hardly a game is an exaggeration on my part, but the gameplay is not at the forefront of what makes it appealing. At least that's how I see it. I only played for about an hour, maybe 2 hours max so maybe it changes? The only thing that kept me interested was the art styIe. There were some absolutely beautiful moments.

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

[QUOTE="parkurtommo"] lol, doesn't sound like they've played them.parkurtommo

I played them both and I love the Souls games. I just gathered he meant simple from the other games he listed. And relatively speaking, Dark Souls and TW2 could be considered simple.

Of course I don't believe simple gameplay alwaysequals weak gameplay, but I guess he does.

Take it easy bud. I said RELATIVELY SPEAKING. There are quite a few games out there that make the Souls games look like a shallow puddle. Even the way you just described it made it sound like just another rpg.

I'm not complaining at all. For its genre, Dark Souls is fairly complex imo.

But I can understand what the other guy was getting at.

• Golden Axe: Beast Rider
• Garshasp: The Monster Slayer

Impossible for me to enjoy a game with weak gameplay. Jebus213

[QUOTE="parkurtommo"][QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

Yeah, definitely. The reason I made this topic is because I was playing Journey and if you don't know, that game is hardly a game, but I found it to be a cool experience anyways.

Wiimotefan

Its very bare bones imo. More-so than what you would typically expect from a game. Yes its interactive and yes there are objectives, but they seem to take a back seat in the overall experience.

I'll admit, saying hardly a game is an exaggeration on my part, but the gameplay is not at the forefront of what makes it appealing. At least that's how I see it. I only played for about an hour, maybe 2 hours max so maybe it changes? The only thing that kept me interested was the art styIe. There were some absolutely beautiful moments.