Hey guys, it is Travis once again. One of the things I am really passionate about but haven’t shared much on this blog is video games. I thought with the dawning of a new generation of gaming beginning with the release of the Wii U at the end of this month, I would talk about some of my likes and dislikes from this current, outgoing generation. Now I know what you are thinking… this generation isn’t over and has some big releases still to come at the beginning of next year. (Most notable for me Bioshock Infinite and Grand Theft Auto V) While I hold the right to reevaluate any of my choices based on those releases to come, I feel confident enough to name my choices now with a clear conscience. So here we go… First, let’s discuss the basics:
What is this generation?
This generation of video game consoles, beginning with the release of the Xbox 360 in 2005
What is being considered for this list?
Games, companies, events, and trends that hit the video game industry in this time. Games and companies could be developed for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, PSP, Vita, DS, 3DS, or PC.
Is anything excluded?
MMORPGs are not included on this list. While I love MMOs (particularly WoW), I feel they are too different a genere and too dependent on the quality of players around a person to judge how good/bad they are.
What are you basing this list on?
Personal gaming experience from the past generation, plus the observations of the industry and other players that I have gathered during this time.
Are you claiming to be an expert?
Not at all. These are just the opinions of a gamer that has owned and played games on all of the listed systems during this generation. (Except the Vita… but there hasn’t been a big reason to own one yet)
Now, on to the list… Let’s start at the bottom..
*BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT*
EA and Capcom’s DLC Strategy
Like a lot of gamers, I love DLC. It is a great, cheap way to extend a game, give a game a breath of fresh air, or add a little more fun to an already great game. But some companies decided to take a great thing and make it something gamers dread.
The two major offenders are Electronic Arts (EA) and Capcom. Capcom became the leader in “on-disc” DLC. In other words, they began selling things that were already coded on the gamedisc as being a part of the game as paid DLC to use them. Characters and costumes that were meant to be in a given game were instead sold for a few extra dollars to customers that wanted the “complete” experience.
EA is the worst offender, however. The best example of their “crimes” come in the form of Mass Effect 3. In the highly-anticipated finale to the Mass Effect saga, EA chose to hold out sections to sell later as DLC. That isn’t the problem. Many companies will sell extra missions as expansions later on. However, EA held out sections that DRASTICALLY CHANGE THE STORY. Only after a large uproar from the Mass Effect fans did they choose to release an extended cut free of charge. (Obviously planning it for paid DLC later on) Yet, they are still selling DLC for expansions that add further depth and plot to the end of an epic saga.
Practices like these make any poorly received game pale in comparison.
Other contenders:
The PSN Outage
Kinect
Wii’s Lack of 3rd Party Support
Halo 3: ODST
*BIGGEST SURPRISE*
Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City
Games based on outside licenses have a tendency to be… not so good. (Look at most games based on a Disney franchise) Batman games…. even more so. That is why fans of the Caped Crusader were a little worried about seeing their beloved hero make his return to video games. We were even more worried when a rookie developer (Rocksteady) took the reins. Come to find out… we should have never been worried.
In Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, Rocksteady crafted not only two amazing Batman games, but just plain amazing games. Approachable even by people that were not fans of the Dark Knight coming, these two games shined with tight combat, spectacular voice acting, detailed graphics, and one of the best Batman stories told in years that weren’t directed by Christopher Nolan.
The biggest thing about these two games for me was the attention to detail. There were so many “wink, wink… nod, nod” moments for Batman fans to look for. Easter eggs and references everywhere made it a joyous experience.
Let’s not forget the side missions. Tired of following the main story? Go look for one of the hundreds of Riddler Trophies or Challenges hidden in the game. Don’t want to worry about swinging through the Asylum or Gotham at all? Just launch one of the Challenge modes that focuses up earning points for beating up bad guys or taking them out with stealth.
These two games went from being titles I didn’t know if I would buy them at all to titles I have had to purchase again so I could relive them one more time. Arkham City, as a matter of fact, is one of my contenders for best game this generation.
Other contenders:
Assassin’s Creed (Franchise)
Mass Effect (Franchise)
Playstation Plus
LittleBigPlanet (Franchise)
Playstation 3 (Console)
That is it for this time. Check back soon as I continue talking about the best and worst of this video game generation. Yet to come our Best Multiplayer, Best Story, Best Graphics, the Worst Game I Played, and more… including Best Console and Best Game. If you have any suggestions for categories or if you want to know more about why I consider something as a contender for a given category, please comment here or on FB. Until next time, this is….
I would have to agree that the worst part of the DLC debacle is when the DLC is already on the disk! We have already paid for the game and the contents of what is on that disk, it is outright robbery to make us pay for it again! I tend to avoid those games outright.
Biggest Surprise for me: The small downloadable game ‘Journey’. A short, beautiful game that I think has great ideas on how we interact with others and how we desire to reach goals. (Also Proff. Layton games.. which are my crack..)
Biggest Disappointment: The SquareEnix franchise. While I didn’t hate FFXIII, I never expected them to put so much focus into it with sequels and spin offs. I used to be a die-hard Square fan, but all I do now is shake my head like a disappointed-Dad at them. They’ve really alienated some of their fans I feel and aren’t the amazing RPG powerhouse they once were. Hopefully that will change in the future.
Both solid choices. I feel like a lot of people are highly disappointed with Square Enix this generation because of the 5000 FFXIII games and FFXIV both. I have also have heard a lot of good things about Journey, but have not tried it myself. I may have to do that in the future.
I think you would really enjoy ‘Journey’. While it will only take up an hour or so of your time, the visuals are breathtaking (esp. if you have a great HD Tv to play it on). The beauty of it is shown in the fact you can only communicate to others with sounds and symbols… yet I can’t tell you how many little emails on my PSN account I’ve gotten from people afterwords who have simply thanked me for being there with them to help them through the game or taught them something through our adventure or even how many times people helped me or were patient with me while I learned how to play the game. It always gives me a “there are good people out there ;_;” fluffiness inside.