[Rant] What's Wrong with Video Games These Days?

We often hear about games being gimmicky in the interest of appearing innovative. There is also a serious problem with nobody buying the truly amazing games out there, like say Eternal Darkness, Psychonauts, or Okami. The games that do sell and the ones that get the most advertising tend to get torn apart by the people who will tell you why the game was terrible, and will also tell you that they know how they could've made it.

So the one of the purposes of this thread is to discuss big name titles that were atrocious, and give details as to how it could have been done better. Perhaps a game was too brief, and focused too much on graphics, or some gimmick element that was supposed to be revolutionary, or maybe a game played itself too much and didn't really allow the player to become immersed in the game.

Apart from that (or rather, entirely close to that) there seems to be a problem with video gaming in general. I'm not the best source on the subject, as i only own a Wii, and don't have the money to buy many games, let along other current generation consoles. I hear lots of people talk about how the general level of quality in the industry has dipped, and that change needs to happen. What are these changes? Is there a blanket statement that covers the greater industry these days? Who's to blame?

A game that i was largely depressed with was Final Fantasy XII. I found myself unable to relate to any of the characters, and it seemed like SquareEnix was under the impression that people played MMO's because they liked the battle system. If they went to a more traditional battle system, and tried some new character archetypes i probably could have enjoyed the game alot more. Unfortunately, that won't happen, as Final Fantasy has become the flagship for RPGs these days, and seeing as how it sells like hotcakes why would anyone want to try and fix it? This brings me to my next observation.

Does gaming just have to be for the Hard Core? As time goes on, more and more companies are trying to cater to a wider audience, creating the casual gamer. I'm ok with that, but as soon as that flood gate is open, it gives developers an excuse to dumb down games to the lowest common denominators, and the games that actually have time and care put into them are too "uninviting" or "complex" for the lay gamer to approach. I guess this boils down to, then, were we better off when we were the social outcasts, with only the people who truly cared about gaming making the games as opposed to the corporate money makers at the top?

So my questions to you. Games you didn't like that you thought could have been better, and what needs to happen to enter a new golden age of gaming?

EDIT: Forgot to categorize the thread. If a mod wants to do that that's fine.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Denicalis

Okay, now explain to me how more people getting to play a game hurts its abilities. Explain to me how broadening a player base is a bad thing for the industry.

No, no. It's fine. I'll wait.

I think what he's getting at, and sort of what i was getting at, is that as soon as we try to cater to everyone, the industry tries to cater to everyone. This is the standard, cause it makes the most money. The bottom line has ruined the experience because all anyone ever wants anymore is a halo clone.

Quote:

Please explain to me how the wii has been the step forward in gaming. How useless gimmicks and no games whatsoever with any art, story or push to them is fantastic. Please explain how regressing is progression. And while you're at it, please tell me all about how swinging my arm would make for a greater experience, a greater depth, to a game.

Again. I'll wait.

Actually, i agree with what NovaX said. The Wii has lots of potential, but as soon as what i presented above is taken into account, nobody wants to buy a Wii intensive game because that's all they see it as, swinging their arms around, and there's no manly men shooting aliens and driving big cars. The Wii has a lot of potential, i just wish developers would use it. I personally would love more shooters using the motion sensitive controls. I hate having to aim with those shitty analogue sticks.

Quote:

Oh yeah. Not like Uncharted basically redefined the action-adventure genre, implementing itself in a pristine way never seen before. It's not like LBP has taken user created content to a new level, incorporated fun like no game in over a decade, and formed a userbase so strong it encompasses people from 4 to 80.

Man, it's not like the 360 has managed to bring players together on a console for online play in a fashion never before seen. It certainly isn't like any of that is true.

I agree with you here. This generation has done a lot for the industry, but it just seems to me that for every step forward the big names take, they take 1 or 2 steps back. Sure we have online play that is the best in gaming history, but story has taken so many hits lately in the interest of improving graphics, and appealing to the lowest common denominator.

It just seems to me that innovation today means innovation by brute force. Progress is making things faster, and look shinier, and maybe adding some tits. I praise the Wii for at least trying something different. Sure it's cocking things up pretty good, but at least they're trying.

There's nowhere I can't reach.