Thank you for the focus on RTS. I loved StarCraft back in the day, not sure though I want to replay it, but glad they are giving it a new coat of paint to help it a bit.
Now, I did play StarCraft II and while I "sorta" enjoyed it I felt Blizzard was more interested in eSports since, honestly, I felt overwhelmed by so many choices per unit and trying to hit the right key at the right moment in the heat of battle... ugh.
I'm 58 and for me the game was too fast. I know sacrilege... But I also played Deserts of Kharak (DoK) and I loved it, why?
For me, the focus of DoK was on a story, not an RTS game designed for online competition. The graphics were beautiful and had scope. I admit there were times I'd just track my little drone over the dunes zooming in and out. I used to do the same in Homeworld (space) just watching my ships... :-)
In StarCraft scope would seem wasted since it's really a sports game. While there were some frantic battles in DoK I never felt overwhelmed with too many choices, and there were some nice quiet (slower) moments before a desperate battle. Finally, DoK was telling an epic tale but in a quieter way. I was caught up in it. StarCraft tried to do the same but was loud and brash. Honestly I was getting confused. Not helped that the story was split over 3 games and separated by a few years. But yes, the cut scenes were nice in an action movie sorta way. But so overwrought.
Maybe this is one reason I'm enjoying the turn-based games a bit more. Civilization and X-COM. I get a chance to appreciate what I'm building and the fight that comes with saving my forces...
Again, just the opinions of one RTS loving oldster. ;-)
Love reading everyone's comments here. My two observations:
Portal - Yes! While some say it had one gimmick, it was the presentation that sold it. The characters and voice acting were fantastic. Something even as simple as a gun turret had me laughing with, "oh sorry, are you there?" After it failed to kill you.
This game was a perfect example of how story and characters are so important.
Myst - I did enjoy this game when it came out. It was very zen like to me. Something I could enjoy quietly. No rush, no pressure.
I know the game magazines at the time not even getting it. They said it was a slideshow. No characters. Etc... But I recall that game being one my sister, a non-gamer, buying and loving. She loved the puzzles and pace. It was a great puzzle game, but also one to pull non-gamers in.
As some others pointed out, the graphics were fantastic for the time and helped push games on the DVD format.
As to lack of characters and story, it did have those. Playing this game was to me like reading a book. My mind built up a lot of it as I found the in-game books, and exposed more of the story.
@youfeelthis: Would be interesting to actually poll the younger set to see if they noticed the "CGIness" of him. And if they did, did it bother them? Would probably need to show them the option of how it would work with a stand-in actor.
It was helped in that I think he mostly played off of Vader, scenes were dark, short snippets, etc...
"He's dead he's dead holy shit this is witchcraft!" -- Okay, you got me laughing on this comment of yours. :-)
On this whole "let's CGI the old or dead." Originally when I saw Rogue One the scene was so short with Princess Leia that I was okay with it. Interesting experiment...
As to recreating Grand Moff Tarkin. The CGI was very noticeable to me. It only worked in a way because the character of Tarkin was very stiff and unemotional. But if "emoting" had been required... I think it would have really failed.
I think CGI is great for the aliens. But in seeing the actress and actors that were the stand-ins, honestly they should have given them the roles. Let them act! I would have been fine with it and I think most people would to. (I could be wrong about that of course.)
Microsoft was way too aggressive in pushing everyone to Windows 10. Turned off many. Though how many were mad enough to go buy Apple computers... I don't know. Probably so small that in the end Microsoft wins again. :-(
While "our love" is truly pure and genuine, Dan went the route to appeal to desire and greed. Smart man that Dan, he's going places. Watch your back... ;-)
At the end of your video I scanned the shelf behind you wondering if you would just set a game code there to be found. None. But what I did notice and I don't know if this was mentioned before...
There is a figurine right next to where you upper left arm is. It looked like a Jess action figure if you were wearing glasses. Her hair color even matches yours.
@musicman65000: Thank you for your reply. Currently I'm working through the original trilogy (playing ME2) and I'm enjoying this installment very much.
I've been reading of the issues with ME:A and while I do want to play it, like you I'll wait for a price drop. To be fair I do that with many games as I try to save money. I hope by the time I get to it that they have had a chance to deal with game-related issues like graphics, game-play, etc...
On the choices available. Thanks for your honesty. While I'm straight, I never did understand why some would care about it especially since they can avoid those paths easily.
There is no answer of course. I'm glad that society is changing this way. Others won't like it. For now, you can still enjoy this game. Though as the change continues and gay relationships are built into main characters of games you won't. That will of course be your choice whether you support and buy those games. I respect your choice on that.
But I won't deny that I'm also a bit sad if gamers, whatever their beliefs, feel pushed away from a game by something they can't avoid. Though I guess that is a little bit of what life is like now anyways.
Well, I hope you do get ME:A for a good price and that the game-related issues are fixed for all of us.
Louis' comments