Many of us have fond, fond memories with video games. We all have our favorites, our nostalgic gems. The ones we love to play over and over without a second thought. But with the newer 'so-so' generation of games one starts to wonder, is it still the same? Some say that this is our fault, that we have somehow become jaded. But is it exclusively our fault?
Is it even our fault at all?
Or does the fault perhaps really lie with what we are being given?
This is a list I have come up with of 10 reasons why games aren't what they use to be. This is my personal opinion, but I'm sure you will agree with at least one or two of them. They range from minor annoyances, to more over-arching problems with video games today. I hope that someone with the power might read this list and takes some notes. Thanks.
10. No Pitfalls
- Remember back in the day when the simple things brought you so much joy? This was truly one of them. You mostly saw this happen in beat-em'-up games, but it was always enjoyable whenever it came up. A simple upper cut and your foe goes flying off the edge of a building into an abyss-like drop. There was something about how one punch could send an enemy into such torment that was amazingly enjoyable. On top of using pitfalls to your advantage, they also where fundamental obstacles. Time your jump just right or else your not going to make it; it was very exciting. But now pitfalls are few and far between. In the few games where they are still present, you have to go looking for them. They are not put in your path to challenge you or to help you at all. And sore is the disappointment when you finally do find a cliff or depth, but it sadly is blocked by an invisible wall.
9. No Bots
- Multiplayer is a core focus of most games today, but sadly I only mean ONLINE multiplayer. Offline multiplayer use to be one of my personal favorite things to do. You could pickup any game that had it and instantly play. I understand that online connectivity is a big forum that must be explored, but I don't understand why it has to cancel out the solo, bot-filled multiplayer. It's little things like this that make video games, a former solo experience that use to relax me, into a nerve-shorted anxiety fest. Online is all about the competition, rarely the fun. No offline multiplayer is like saying, "Hey, do you love the freedom and fun of multiplayer modes? Well, your going to have to fight for it."
8. No Cheats
- Many people do not like the idea of cheats in games, I know, but hear me out. I play video games to have fun. I understand that others like to challenge themselves, and I totally respect that. What erks me is that there's no longer even the option to whip on god-mode and go to town. Instead, those fun glitches and gaps have been filled by achievements and trophies. And downloadable updates don't help either. When someone finds a error in the programming to help me finally enjoy the game the way I want to, I don't want to be forced to chose between that or my online connection. Cheats should be there as an option; use them if you like them, or don't if you don't. Forcing me to play a certain way isn't very fun.
7. Too Expensive
- Games have always been a bit pricey, but not quite like this. Not only are the games a heftier ordeal, but the accessories are too. And there are tons more of them then in the past. Wireless routers, headsets, power supplies, texting tools, ontop of the usual items like controllers and memory cards. Also, if you really want to get the max out of your games, you have to upgrade your entire entertainment system. A new HD TV, surround sound, and all the cables running in between. But wait, that's not all! Games even now have the audacity to tempt us with downloadable content. And we almost have to buy it too. Well, I mean as long as you want to play the new map or mission that all your friends are playing.
6. Too Many Sequels
- It's nice to have games you love come back again and again. But not when they're going downhill, and especially not when you didn't even like them to begin with! We see ads for blockbuster-level games all the time nowadays. The hype, the pre-orders, the talk talk talk. All for games that were, "Eh, it's alright," straight out of the gate. It's sad to see an old ****c be over-milked and die slowly, but it's even worse to see some punk upstart get all the limelight.
5. Fragile Systems
- Probably the most openly frustrating thing about the newer are their cheaply made consoles. You'll be strolling along, maybe even actually looking forward to doing something in a newer game, and then BUZZZZ... the system crashes. And it's even worse if your game is destroyed in the process. Back in the day, we'd blow on our cartridge a little or dab some rubbing alcohol on it and presto! Good as new. But all the newer console problems require you to either: have an extensive electronics knowledge and the tools to try and fix it yourself, or have the money, time, and patience to send it back to the manufacturer. The most annoying part about it is that all these problems could have been easily fixed... long ago... in the DESIGN PHASE!
4. Lack of Variety
- This one is pretty self-explainitory. Everything nowadays is either a shooter, racing game, music simulator, or sports game. So, 3/4ths of those I could just go do in real life! And the shooters offer no variety either. The same M.O. everytime: 1. Enter area. 2. Find cover. 3. Kill enemies. 4. Repeat. If you don't believe me or disagree, let's take a quick look at the names of some of the main characters in these games and see if you detect any mad-lib-like rhythms or repititions: Marcus Fenix, John MacTavish, Nathan Drake, Nathan Hale (not the historical revolutionary), Jet Brody, Tyson Rios & Elliot Salem, Shane Carpenter, Commander Sheperd, Private Preston Marlowe, Private Nichols/Sergeant Doyle/Lieutenant Robichaud/Corporal Woycheck, Master Chief...
And half of them have shaved heads. I want to play video games, not cut cookies.
3. Mass Marketing
- At the end of the day, the video game world is a business. But this business use to at least take care of it's investors. Now, it seems that game companies have favored novelty add-ons and cheap and easy games, in order to make quick bucks from clueless moms and grandmas, instead of staying loyal to the gamers who got them to where they are. Now, I'm all for family together-ness, but it's a bit rediculous when there are 15 random cheerleading games and only 1 new Mario game.
Novelty has won over inventiveness, and cheap & forgetable over polished & memorable.
2. Disconnection
- This is a hard one to explain, but a very present problem whenever I play games now. There is basically this weird feeling that I am not connected to what my character is doing. When my bullets hit a foe or my hammer hits a skull, the 'WHAM' lacks that connection and reward that older games had. It could be do to the overly smooth graphics and animations of games today, or it could oddly be from all the controllers now being wireless (and thus lacking that actual physical connection), but this disconnect is always looming around waiting to make the gaming experience rather lackluster. Make me feel like I AM my character, not just watching them.
1. No Replay Value
- This is absolutely the number one problem with games today. Now, it's true that not all older games had perfect replay value, but they at least tried to give you the bang for your buck. Games today crank-out one after another at rediculous prices only packing a single player, and if your lucky, a 'so-so' online mode. There were many games that gave you alot in generations past. Dynasty Warriors 4 is a good example. Unlockables, survival modes, offline multiplayer, online multiplayer, time challenges, map editors, easter eggs, etc, etc.
The most frustrating part about it is that our modern technology holds the possibility for games to have everything you could want and more, but yet we get stuck with only single player modes. And forgettable single player modes at that. How many times have you played through a game's single player campaign, put the game away, and wished you could get your money back because you just knew you would never play it again? One too many in my experience. It's true that sometimes a great single player can bring you coming back over and over, but to always count on that is a poor marketing strategy and just plain lazy. Don't skimp on our games just to save on production costs and hopefully make a good profit in the end. Now, it must be said that some of the very biggest games do luckily understand the following rule (and that might be WHY they are the biggest): Give people their money's worth and they WILL buy!