What legendary franchise has the best reputation for quality?

[QUOTE="HuhJustaBox"][QUOTE="di_sgt_barber"]

I would have to say that the closest thing to a flawless franchise would be the Metroid series simply because not one entry in the series has been less than AA, whereas even Half-Life had Blue Shift and Zelda had Link's Crossbow Training.

djsifer01

The Metal Gear Solid franchise. Every one was godly. As great as each one was, somehow Kojima found a way to make the next one even better. It is my favorite gaming series of all time. If I could only play one series, it would be MGS. I could play through those games hundreds of times.

It seems to me that alot of people are married to MS. The 360 is a powerfull system but not powerfull enough which will soon play out. Every were you go on the internet its always xbox this and xbox that there all out of ammo so you see things like that. 08 produced a GOTY for PS3 and there best games are not even released yet while 360 didnt even make the nommine list with there almighty GOW2 which turned out to be mighty mouse.

IMO Sony Computer Entertainment is top of the legendary list with titles like Grand Turismo 1-4, DMC 1-3, GOW 1&2 Ect. IMO GOW 1&2 are 2 of the best games to date. Why people are so high on MS is beyond me even there new i7 processer got PWNED by AMDs Phenom line. Opps quoted the wrong person oh well.

i dont even like the xbox but WTH are you talking about?

1: Xbox was vastly superior in terms of hardware compared to the ps2

2: The xbox360 has a better library overall

3: Geow2 was a great game

4: mgs4 as a goty is only gamespot's opinion fallout 3 deserved it more

5: i7 is an intel processor and it outperforms the phenom II by a large margin. what does MS have to do with that?

6: dont talk about stuff you dont have a clue

Half-Life has a downer called Episode One. Kind of like how Metal Gear Solid has that splinter called Sons of Liberty.FrozenLiquid

Half-Life has a downer called Episode One. Kind of like how Metal Gear Solid has that splinter called Sons of Liberty.FrozenLiquid

It was well designed, pushed a.i. companions forwards in shooters, and offered its own short compelling experience.

Its a great; for what it is, it does nearly everything right, however its the first failed episodic production experiment.

Thats it.

[QUOTE="FrozenLiquid"] Half-Life has a downer called Episode One. Kind of like how Metal Gear Solid has that splinter called Sons of Liberty.skrat_01

It was well designed, pushed a.i. companions forwards in shooters, and offered its own short compelling experience.

Its a great; for what it is, it does nearly everything right, however its the first failed episodic experiment.

Thats it.

A downer, as an episodic game - which is what it was designed to be - it isn't.

I wish Valve would have this stuff out at about 6 months per episode. Come on, EP1 took a couple of years to release, that's about as long as a much larger full game.

[QUOTE="skrat_01"]

[QUOTE="FrozenLiquid"] Half-Life has a downer called Episode One. Kind of like how Metal Gear Solid has that splinter called Sons of Liberty.aliblabla2007

It was well designed, pushed a.i. companions forwards in shooters, and offered its own short compelling experience.

Its a great; for what it is, it does nearly everything right, however its the first failed episodic experiment.

Thats it.

A downer, as an episodic game - which is what it was designed to be - it isn't.

I wish Valve would have this stuff out at about 6 months per episode. Come on, EP1 took a couple of years to release, that's about as long as a much larger full game.

None the less, id rather see a full sequal too.skrat_01

HL3? HL2 took 6 years, right? I can't imagine how long Half-Life 3 will take, if supposed-to-be 6-month episodes have a dev time quadrupling the planned estimates.

[QUOTE="skrat_01"]

None the less, id rather see a full sequal too.aliblabla2007

HL3? HL2 took 6 years, right? I can't imagine how long Half-Life 3 will take, if supposed-to-be 6-month episodes have a dev time quadrupling the planned estimates.

It will take ages, no doubt about that. Valve will think up a totally new world / setting, retool the design, and probably expand far outwards, and of course push some sort of innovative elements; that have to work all in conjunction. Its a massive task, and when you factor in how much Q&A Valve does, and design refinement, it will take many years for it to be released, after Episode 3. And of course in the meantime they would probably focus on other smaller productions too - for instance Left 4 Dead, Portal, Team Fortress 2 - and an example of a title to be released, in development; Counter Strike 2.skrat_01

Pretty much though I honestly would like Valve to be done with the episodic content ordeal and never bring it back after Ep. 3. I know it's a long wait for a full game but I still rather wait. Seeing how well HL2, TF2, L4D etc. turned out despite the really long developing process, I say waiting on Valve pays.

I'd like see them try to realise free new content like they do to TF2 and such to the main HL game instead of the episodic mess again, it gives you a better a value and it wouldn't feel like you are purchasing an overpriced expansion.

Super Mario. Not the spinoffs.

Other than that: Zelda, Warcraft, Metroid, MGS.

zelda!

All of the ones I've played are top quality.

GTA doesn't deserve to be on this list. The psone GTAs were fun, but were nothingspecial. I love GTA 3 and beyond, but have yet to play vice city stories and liberty city stories, and from what I have heard, they are mediocre.

Halo has quality gameplay, but IMO only halo 1 has a good story. I've just started playing metal gear solid 1, so I can't make an opinion on that franchise yet.

- Half LIfe Series

- Metal Gear Solid Series

- Zelda

- Diablo

- Wizardry

- NBA2k

Those are probably the most consistant imo.

[QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"]

RESPECT

di_sgt_barber

forgive, but don't forget.

[QUOTE="FrozenLiquid"] Half-Life has a downer called Episode One. Kind of like how Metal Gear Solid has that splinter called Sons of Liberty.AdrianWerner

As I said in my review for Episode One, "If only for Alyx". Alyx is the only reason any FPS veteran or Half Life aficiando should play Episode One. It's the best use of a sidekick in any game, ever.

It was well designed, pushed a.i. companions forwards in shooters, and offered its own short compelling experience.

Its a great; for what it is, it does nearly everything right, however its the first failed episodic production experiment.

Thats it.

A downer, as an episodic game - of high quality, which is what it was designed to be - it isn't.skrat_01

Yeah but it still drops the ball. It offers nothing that Half Life 2 didn't do (mostly better, more varied, and in a much more epic campaign), and it doesn't have any new gameplay experiences like Episode 2 does. To add insult to injury half of the game is set in level that you had done immediately before. As I said in my review, "If only for Alyx". She's about the only thing that makes it worthwhile to play through at least once.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a complex mo'fo'. Just because I diss a game in favour of another game doesn't mean I like it less than the other. In fact, in terms of what my favourite rankings would in the 'legendary' franchises I have posted in these few posts, it would be

Metal Gear Solid > Half Life > Warcraft.

In terms of what series hold consistent quality, I would think it's:

Warcraft > Metal Gear Solid > Half Life

Metal Gear Solid 2 is only ousted by both Blue Shift AND Episode One for unfortunately trying to pull a series down from lofty heights.

Warcraft easily, warcraft has 4 games reviewed here all AAA and WoW has 3 games reviewed here all AAA (I am not counting ports or any re release which happened several years later)naval

[QUOTE="naval"]Warcraft easily, warcraft has 4 games reviewed here all AAA and WoW has 3 games reviewed here all AAA (I am not counting ports or any re release which happened several years later)FrozenLiquid

GTA series, loved every one including the bird's eye view of part 1 and 2.
Halo series i guess, considering every one was AAA, but i hated Halo 2.
The Sonic series before they became 3D? ^.^
Faber_Fighter

Not Halo coz Halo 2 didn't have that Bungie level of polish that brings the quality up to par. And the Sonic series before it became 3D... lol... will give you that one :P

I would have to say that the closest thing to a flawless franchise would be the Metroid series simply because not one entry in the series has been less than AA, whereas even Half-Life had Blue Shift and Zelda had Link's Crossbow Training.

The Metal Gear Solid franchise. Every one was godly. As great as each one was, somehow Kojima found a way to make the next one even better. It is my favorite gaming series of all time. If I could only play one series, it would be MGS. I could play through those games hundreds of times.

[QUOTE="skrat_01"]It will take ages, no doubt about that. Valve will think up a totally new world / setting, retool the design, and probably expand far outwards, and of course push some sort of innovative elements; that have to work all in conjunction. Its a massive task, and when you factor in how much Q&A Valve does, and design refinement, it will take many years for it to be released, after Episode 3. And of course in the meantime they would probably focus on other smaller productions too - for instance Left 4 Dead, Portal, Team Fortress 2 - and an example of a title to be released, in development; Counter Strike 2.Dystopian-X

Pretty much though I honestly would like Valve to be done with the episodic content ordeal and never bring it back after Ep. 3. I know it's a long wait for a full game but I still rather wait. Seeing how well HL2, TF2, L4D etc. turned out despite the really long developing process, I say waiting on Valve pays.

I'd like see them try to realise free new content like they do to TF2 and such to the main HL game instead of the episodic mess again, it gives you a better a value and it wouldn't feel like you are purchasing an overpriced expansion.

Though I would not be surprised if Valve do end up doing what you suggested. Games like TF2 and L4D do / are due to get additional content, which expands the community and sells more copies, and as of recent you have Criterion's Burnout Paradise, which is also doing that, but with a much bigger emphasis on additional content.

As for the episodic format, well for the HL series it looks to be dropped from it after Episode 3. Doug Lombardi hinted there would be a community vote on steam or something to dictate if the episodic format will remain.

Still though, by the time HL3 or Episode 3 is even released, who knows what Valve might do in terms of content, distribution and DLC.

Yeah but it still drops the ball. It offers nothing that Half Life 2 didn't do (mostly better, more varied, and in a much more epic campaign), and it doesn't have any new gameplay experiences like Episode 2 does. To add insult to injury half of the game is set in level that you had done immediately before. As I said in my review, "If only for Alyx". She's about the only thing that makes it worthwhile to play through at least once.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a complex mo'fo'. Just because I diss a game in favour of another game doesn't mean I like it less than the other. In fact, in terms of what my favourite rankings would in the 'legendary' franchises I have posted in these few posts, it would be

Metal Gear Solid > Half Life > Warcraft.

In terms of what series hold consistent quality, I would think it's:

Warcraft > Metal Gear Solid > Half Life

Metal Gear Solid 2 is only ousted by both Blue Shift AND Episode One for unfortunately trying to pull a series down from lofty heights.

FrozenLiquid

While it refines elements as seen in HL2, its a great campaign in its own right. Well paced, well designed - with a much greater emphasis on interaction with an a.i. companion... much more so than HL2 did.

On that note, you are wrong; It is a different game-play experience. You are with Alyx through the entire game, and interact with her in a much more meaningful way, than in HL2. Half of it in the same level? - well its the same setting, its not as if you are repeating what you progressed... its the same use of the setting; the citadel and city 17. Its like saying that revisiting the Halo rings is re-use of the 'levels'. Its not, just a similar, memorable setting.

As I said its hardly a low point of the series at all. As a Episodic game its great, especially as a first. It delivers a great experience, and is a good step forwards for the series, as far as a small production, that was supposed to be churned out in a matter of 6 months. Its quality is still superb.

As for legendary franchises - agreed, as for quality I disagree. The Metal Gear series has had more ups and downs in my opinion, however it has been running for a much long time period; saying that as a fan of it. As far as quality goes its a large grey are, however I think Warcraft would inch out the others. Of course there are plenty of other legendary franchises, be it Final Fantasy, Zelda, Command and Conquer or the Mario series - which i'd say is the most legendary of them all. Bar the CDi titles and the Zelda series arguably has some of the best quality per amount of titles.

Here's my short list of highly acclaimed franchises

• Metal Gear Solid
• Mario
• Legend of Zelda
• Metroid Prime
• Gran Turismo
• Grand Theft Auto
• Resident Evil

As I said in my review for Episode One, "If only for Alyx". Alyx is the only reason any FPS veteran or Half Life aficiando should play Episode One. It's the best use of a sidekick in any game, ever.FrozenLiquid

In terms of Gamespot scoring, I'm pretty sure the best is GTA. The last 4 games in the series (main titles) have scored 9.6, 9.6, 9.6, 10 and I don't think there's a single other series that can equal that. z_gaming_master

GTA1 and GTA2 didn't even score A. Overall there are better franchises out there because of that.

Here's my short list of highly acclaimed franchises

• Metal Gear Solid
• Mario
• Legend of Zelda
• Metroid Prime
• Gran Turismo
• Grand Theft Auto
• Resident Evil

The reason why I don't say Halo because there's only been 3 titles in the series. I think this year will prove whether the magic rubs off on it's spinoffs. Lionheart08

[QUOTE="z_gaming_master"]In terms of Gamespot scoring, I'm pretty sure the best is GTA. The last 4 games in the series (main titles) have scored 9.6, 9.6, 9.6, 10 and I don't think there's a single other series that can equal that. _Pedro_

GTA1 and GTA2 didn't even score A. Overall there are better franchises out there because of that.

It depends really on if you view them as detractors. As far as AAA/AAAA goes GTA is top of the list, but if you mean overall average scoring then that would change. Then again, GTA has alot of titles so comparing say, 3 Halos to 6 GTAs seems a little unbalanced.

[QUOTE="_Pedro_"]

[QUOTE="z_gaming_master"]In terms of Gamespot scoring, I'm pretty sure the best is GTA. The last 4 games in the series (main titles) have scored 9.6, 9.6, 9.6, 10 and I don't think there's a single other series that can equal that. z_gaming_master

GTA1 and GTA2 didn't even score A. Overall there are better franchises out there because of that.

It depends really on if you view them as detractors. As far as AAA/AAAA goes GTA is top of the list, but if you mean overall average scoring then that would change. Then again, GTA has alot of titles so comparing say, 3 Halos to 6 GTAs seems a little unbalanced.

GTA series, loved every one including the bird's eye view of part 1 and 2.
Halo series i guess, considering every one was AAA, but i hated Halo 2.
The Sonic series before they became 3D? ^.^
Faber_Fighter

What? I thought the 3-D Sonic games were amazing. I mean, Sonic Adventure 2: BATTLE is the most favorited Sonic game available... and yes, even more than the 2-D's =P

[QUOTE="Faber_Fighter"]GTA series, loved every one including the bird's eye view of part 1 and 2.
Halo series i guess, considering every one was AAA, but i hated Halo 2.
The Sonic series before they became 3D? ^.^
Mattperd

What? I thought the 3-D Sonic games were amazing. I mean, Sonic Adventure 2: BATTLE is the most favorited Sonic game available... and yes, even more than the 2-D's =P

Yea I love sonic adnevture 1 and 2. I wonder how sega drop the ball after having a wining formual of a 3d sonic game.

[QUOTE="Iheartrpgsalot"]

Halo is probably the least tainted series that isn't super new that's been consistently awesome.

If y legendary we mean it was 95 or before, final fantasy, even if 12 sucked

di_sgt_barber

FF1?!? Seriously? A game that helped launch a genre is a headscratcher for you? What's next? Wolfenstien 3D/Doom? Dune 2? Any other historical stinkers you have for us?

Despite a few spinoffs and what not, the core FF games have been great throughout the years. That's even with constantly changing things around in the games dynamics to try new things and keep it fresh.

For a series that has been out for 20+ years, received many AA+ rankings, it really should be on anyone's list.

And do to everyone having different tastes, I don't think you can really say what one game fits the bill. Quality is subjective.

Ex: Some people loved Windwaker, I loathe it. Some people hated Zelda 2, I actually kind of enjoyed it. Don't really care for stealth games or driving games so that puts GT and MG out. And btw, you can't call Metal Gear Solid a franchise. Metal gear is the franchise, you have to include all the games from NES and beyond.

Warcraft? Other than counting expansions, it really only has 4 games to date(wait, wasn't there a terrible spinoff adventure game?), 3 RTS and 1 MMORPG.

Old School Starters:

Zelda

Mario

Warcraft

New School:

Gran Turismo

Metal Gear

Grand Theft Auto.

Halo.

Sorry if I left out any legendary PC franchises. Never played Wizardy.

Hunters may not have been below "AA" but it definitely was not "Metroid."

Quality is subjective... and I think Hunters is garbage.
foxhound_fox

But what cannot be denied in metroid is that every generation it enters, it innovates and sets the bar for its respective genre.

Metroid (nes) - introduces free roaming exploration and shooting with puzzles

Super Metroid (SNES) - Epitome of 2D gaming, sans maybe castlevania.

Metroid Fusion (GBA) - Portable gaming's savior for "metroid" type games

Metroid Prime (GC) - Atmospheric is an uderstatement. Still one of the most atmospheric games of last generation.

Metroid Prime Hunters (DS) - Best FPS multiplayer on the DS, STILL. Controls were near flawless, though it had a weak story, its value was indeniable.

Metroid Prime 3 (Wii) - Showed that IR can be used to an advantage in FP games. Though not perfect, again, it was a strong entry that can only lead to better things.

MGS has also had a near flawless experience. Though i don't think it innovates as much as metroid has/had.