Comments on: They Just Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 18:31:00 +0000

Ok. Finished GTA3, moved onto Vice City.

It is MUCH better.

Still, I haven't found a Chrono Trigger equivalent yet.

By: Jim Tourville

Jim Tourville — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 04:35:00 +0000

Yeah, I was thinking just a low maintenance, possibly even blogspot, site. You're already sort of doing it with some of your posts, and I see things that I want to share with people around the internet but I don't really have an outlet on my other blog.

It doesn't even need to be comprehensive, just sort of a "Hey look at the stuff that interests us" sort of site which is essentially what most blogs are I suppose.

Anyway, just an idea for now, and something I could work on more when I return home. I've been pondering getting my own host and developing my own blog so it could be a good excercise in that.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:01:00 +0000

The Madden Argument (I think that has a nice ring to it) applies to MANY games. It could be a good way to sell a $50 game over and over again (I hate EA for getting exclusive NFL rights...bastards), but I suppose you could also see it as evolution. The changes are gradual and progress doesn't fully hit us until we look at "The Big Picture!" I appreciate GTA for what it is and I understand that everyone has their own tastes. GTA is fun to play, but it's also in my opinion the most overrated game ever.

It's like the videogame equivalent of U2.

And while Doom 3 and Jedi Academy are at the top of my Game Q, it doesn't necessarily mean that I want to play them the most. Actually, the ones I want to play the most are Gamecube games. I've been eyeing that auction you showed me. I think I might pounce.

I don't know if I play enough games anymore to really offer much for a brand new site, but I'll get back to you on that. I like the idea. I haven't seen sites that combine tech and gaming, which you think would go hand in hand.

Then again, there's G4TV. Ugh.

By: Jim Tourville

Jim Tourville — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:28:00 +0000

I see you chose Doom 3 and Jedi Academy at the top of your list and I’d argue your GTA theory against them.

”A new version comes out and it’s basically the same game, just that some graphical updates have been made and there are a few new features.”

But the point I was trying to make was that it’s all about personal preference. Just because you don’t like a certain style doesn’t necessarily make it an unplayable rehash. I don’t think there’s any gaming utopia or dystopia on the horizon. It sways slightly from the center in both directions depending on your own taste.

Metroid is a great game for the cube. I couldn’t get into Wind Waker when I first tried it but I may have another go at it when I get the Nintendo Revolution. I think it was smart that they’re going with backwards compatibility and offering up games from their old library. Nintendo always seemed to be hurt by the few games they release at launch, and always gets a bad rap for not having enough games. In reality I don’t see why any casual gamer would need more than they offer.

I’ve enjoyed this post, I was thinking it may be worth making a combined gaming/tech blog between the both of us. Sort of like http://thegamechair.com, for reviews and maybe penny arcade type commentary/banter. What do you think?

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 00:06:00 +0000

I dunno Jim. That’s just my own opinion about GTA. If it works for you and others, great. To me, it feels kind of stale. GTA is almost like Madden now. A new version comes out and it’s basically the same game, just that some graphical updates have been made and there are a few new features.
You have a point about the choice one would make today. Although, ask yourself what the last truly great game you played was. If it’s from this generation, let us know because maybe we missed out.
I got a Gamefly account this week, after canceling my Netflix. Right now I’ve got Doom 3 and Jedi Academy headed towards me. Other notable titles on there right now include Conker, Fable, Jade Empire, Psychonauts, and alot of stuff with “Tom Clancy” in front of it. I also put some Gamecube games on there as I’m considering buying a used one on Ebay. I have much more excitement over playing the new Metroids and Zeldas than I do San Andreas.

By: Jim Tourville

Jim Tourville — Tue, 12 Jul 2005 20:13:00 +0000

Enjoyed the article but I'd have to totally disagree with you about Grand Theft Auto. I don't play it for the violence I play it because it is open ended and against your judgement I think it offers a great sense of accomplishing game goals.

If it's not open ended then I don't know what would be. With the Sim games they're a sandbox but there is such a lack of direction that it's easy to grow tired with them after a short period of time. For me there's a huge value I place on a balance between linear and non-linear and I think GTA does a great job of managing that.

It's hard not to be tainted with nostalgia and longing for the good old days. I still have a blast playing my old games but if I were to show up today with no prior knowledge of gaming I think it's far fetched that I or the majority of people for that matter would choose SNES games.

It may just be that you're looking in the wrong genres like you suggested. Maybe a dose of Japanese RPGs and simple puzzle games is what you need. Or if you're still longing for the SNES days why not jump on a GBA or gamecube with GBA player. Essentially most GBA games are like primed SNES games.

By: Chris Roslund

Chris Roslund — Sun, 10 Jul 2005 20:06:00 +0000

To try and defend some of the recent games, God of War was an absolutely fantastic game. Great play, great soundtrack, just great.