I can't say I disagree :D :P. Of course there are other devs as good as them, but ND are just brilliant.
How many devs can churn out a cIassic, with a 96 meta score, over 150 GOTY awards (including Interactive Science & DICE), all in a time frame of 18 months? Though, that isn't the only accolade for them, Crash Bandicoot & Jak and Daxter are are legendary IP's IMO.
Indeed. People can definetely argue; about how Blizzard, Bioware, Valve are all better developers. Fair do's to them, but ND is also exceptional and I'm assuming it won't be long before they join the ranks of the best of the best(they are already in many peoples minds).
[QUOTE="mr-sheep"]Naughty Dog can't even sniff the coat tails of Valve. Valve undisputed #1. Personally, I believe Valve isn't as good as they used to be. If this were 2003/4 I'd agree. Mind you, the quote does say "console developer" and Valve isn't known well to be a console dev. They haven't really created a new IP or a new engine in a long time. They've been making sequels to games / concepts they've acquired from other companies and modders. The biggest and best thing they've brought to gaming recently, IMO, is Steam.
[QUOTE="mr-sheep"]Naughty Dog can't even sniff the coat tails of Valve. Valve undisputed #1. Note the comment said 'console' developer, not developer outright. Valve have been pretty poor with consoles, the PS3 especially.
Nintendo. [QUOTE="Ninja-Hippo"][QUOTE="mr-sheep"]Naughty Dog can't even sniff the coat tails of Valve. Valve undisputed #1. Note the comment said 'console' developer, not developer outright. Valve have been pretty poor with consoles, the PS3 especially. This is one argument where I just don't get the point of singling out consoles.
[QUOTE="SaltyMeatballs"]Nintendo. [QUOTE="Ninja-Hippo"][QUOTE="mr-sheep"]Naughty Dog can't even sniff the coat tails of Valve. Valve undisputed #1. Note the comment said 'console' developer, not developer outright. Valve have been pretty poor with consoles, the PS3 especially. This is one argument where I just don't get the point of singling out consoles. Well PC developers have much more power to work with. Console developers have to work with what they've got, so to compare them to other developers like Crytek doesn't seem fair as they have vastly more powerful platforms to develop games for.
I think they need to make Uncharted 3 as good as or better then Uncharted 2 for this to be really well warranted. I have high hopes for Uncharted 3 though.
I think they need to make Uncharted 3 as good as or better then Uncharted 2 for this to be really well warranted. I have high hopes for Uncharted 3 though.
zarshack
If ND match or succeed U2, then that would be crazy. I know they're striving to do so. Competition with other Sony devs doesn't hurt either!
I dunno, they're good, but aside from UC2, I found all their other games to be...just ok. Good but not outstanding. Time will tell if they can keep improving, or if UC2 was a one off.
Naughty Dog seem to have magic powers or something. :P They manage to make their games look incredible and it seems more or less effortless. Even the biggest, most renowned developers putting their all into a new game can't manage to compete with the production values that Naughty Dog put into their games.
I think they need to make Uncharted 3 as good as or better then Uncharted 2 for this to be really well warranted. I have high hopes for Uncharted 3 though.
Episode_Eve
If ND match or succeed U2, then that would be crazy. I know they're striving to do so. Competition with other Sony devs doesn't hurt either!Honestly i will be gob smacked if they do manage it, when i finished playing through Uncharted 2 the first time i was thinking "wow, how are they going to make the next game as good as this".
They're fantastic developers, no doubt. I just have trouble calling them the best developers. Matter of fact I have trouble calling any developer the absolute best. There's just too many factors to take into consideration.
Though if you want to be less complicated, then go ahead.
Heh, this thread came at a good time. I recently bought Uncharted 1 + 2, and since I loved the Crash Bandicoot and Jak series, my love for Naughty Dog is returning. I can't say I disagree, I think they are the best console developers out there since on the PS1, the Crash Bandicoot series was my favourite series, on the PS2 the Jak and Daxter series was my favourite and the way in which I'm enjoying the Uncharted series at the moment, it could end up being my favourite series too. However, Nintendo are also amazing developers. I would have always said Nintendo were the better developers but Uncharted 2 has made me unsure. It's definitely between those two.
I would have to strongly disagree with this. The best Crash game was just above average at best imo. U2 was a brilliant game but its the only stand out game on the list. Everyone is entitled to their opinion though. I just dont think they have the same range as some other dev's, noteably Nintendo and a few others.
I would have to strongly disagree with this. The best Crash game was just above average at best imo. U2 was a brilliant game but its the only stand out game on the list. Everyone is entitled to their opinion though. I just dont think they have the same range as some other dev's, noteably Nintendo and a few others.
iano-87
When you compare them to Nintendo (who I think are just as good, if not better) which team do you refer to? EAD? I love EAD and they are about 3-400 employees stronger than ND. The Zelda team within EAD (Software Group #4) alone is probably big as ND :P.
Hmm, not sure I could pick just one developer to being the best, but ND are definitely top, along with Bungie and Rockstar imo.
Anjunaddict
Rockstar especially since they're multiplat devs! Now Rockstar San Diego have a cIassic title under their belt that can match any game Rocstar North has made :D. Two studios essentially under one name.
inorder to be the best, they have to beat Retro studios, right?
well then the theory is false
Half-Way
Man, I can't wait to see what they're working on now! A few of their key members have left this gen though. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed with Prime 3 (Prime 1 is my favorite game of last gen). They've been absent for a while...MP Trilogy doesn't count :x!
inorder to be the best, they have to beat Retro studios, right?
well then the theory is false
Episode_Eve
Man, I can't wait to see what they're working on now! A few of their key members have left this gen though. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed with Prime 3 (Prime 1 is my favorite game of last gen). They've been absent for a while...MP Collection doesn't count :x!
im really excited for their new game though, even more then Metroid Other M
metroid without them just dosent feel right anymore :/ , but since M:OM is a side scroller apparently, it will be like the old metroids, and im all for that :D
They're up there, but I don't think they're the best. They sure can make a gorgeous looking linear game though, which is probably what everyone loves them for. It takes a lot more skill to develop a world though, which is why I think Bioware is the best. They always nail the atmosphere, the story, the characters and dialogue, the graphics, the gameplay, the customization, the music - they're games are long, highly replayable and very dynamic. That takes a lot more time and consideration than making a set piece filled linear adventure. If we're talking console exclusive devs though, then I'd say ND and Naughty Dog tie for it.
inorder to be the best, they have to beat Retro studios, right?
well then the theory is false
Half-Way
Man, I can't wait to see what they're working on now! A few of their key members have left this gen though. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed with Prime 3 (Prime 1 is my favorite game of last gen). They've been absent for a while...MP Collection doesn't count :x!
im really excited for their new game though, even more then Metroid Other M
metroid without them just dosent feel right anymore :/ , but since M:OM is a side scroller apparently, it will be like the old metroids, and im all for that :D
they might work without retro ;)
Going into this gen I wanted them to restart development on Raven Blade. I thought that looked dope. It was a rumor or report that they were making a Mario Football (American). How sick would that be? But I'm sure their new project is going to amaze us :).
They are up there, that's for sure, but I still think Nintendo has them beat. I say that and I'm not really into their stuff, but it's hard to argue against timeless game design. The graphics, characters and story of Uncharted and Uncharted 2 were great, but the gameplay was pretty average. In fact some areas of Uncharted 2's game design was downright embarrassing. For instance the last boss battles of both games were atrocious and the shooting mechanics are.....not that great.
This is further proof that some game developers just don't get it. They want to hide bad gameplay design behind a wall of pretty shiny stuff. It's kind of sad that it works.
This is further proof that some game developers just don't get it. They want to hide bad gameplay design behind a wall of pretty shiny stuff. It's kind of sad that it works.heretrix
And it always will. Window dressing is powerful stuff and Insomniacs recent comments on how they are giving up on steady 60 fps gameplay to pretty up their games so they sell more and review better proves just that.
They are up there, that's for sure, but I still think Nintendo has them beat. I say that and I'm not really into their stuff, but it's hard to argue against timeless game design. The graphics, characters and story of Uncharted and Uncharted 2 were great, but the gameplay was pretty average. In fact some areas of Uncharted 2's game design was downright embarrassing. For instance the last boss battles of both games were atrocious and the shooting mechanics are.....not that great.
This is further proof that some game developers just don't get it. They want to hide bad gameplay design behind a wall of pretty shiny stuff. It's kind of sad that it works.
heretrix
Well, you are entitled to your opinion regarding the shooting mechnics / response of Uncharted 2 & and other elements such as platforming or cover. I think it's the best a 3rd-person action-adventure has to offer (platforming in ACII is undoubtedly more fine-tuned IMO). The final boss wasn't the best of it's kind I agree, but it was fun. I think you are def. in the small minority though... It's not a game of "bad gameplay design behind a wall of pretty shiny stuff". The industry and a the majority of Uncharted 2 players would agree with me on this I believe.
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As for Nintendo, which studio within the company do you feel is the best? I ask because comparing Nintendo to ND is like comparing Sony to Retro Studios! I think it's between Nintendo EAD (Entertainment Analysis & Design) Software Group # 4 -> who makes Zelda and Software Group Tokyo -> who makes Super Mario Galaxy.
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