Soulless Games

[mid]

I don't think I've ever laughed in a GTA game (except the first time I heard the "****ed on crack" lyric)

That's positively sensible compared to the classic "The menfolk found their women scary, because they were so big and hairy" and so on, from the country and western song off the first game.

[gingerj]

If you find video games to be boring, to have lost their appeal, then the problem is entirely yours.

Not really i think its the fact, that most dev co's are rubbish. With little investment in story lines/character development. In fact with game industry insiders claiming that "Games are NOT about stories; they should be about gameplay." a great quote from that Paul Rose guy.

Viewtiful Joe 2 has just been released, coming up are Killer 7, Resident Evil 4, Animal Crossing DS, Touch! Made in Wario, Wanda and the Collosus. And many others.

You have no idea what killer 7 is going to be like, all you've seen are some trailers and screen shots so you can't even bring this into the equation, as with wanda. AC? erm thats ANOTHER re-hash. Resi 4 is looking appealing and i can't comment on vj 2 as i haven't played it.

[Darwock]

I laugh at GTA:SA regularly. Just one there at the weekend

"That **** was tight!"
"Tight? That **** was ****!"

Besides, it's got Ice T in it, how could it not be funny

[gingerj]

Besides, it's got Ice T in it, how could it not be funny

Please tell me your laughing at him not with him

[Darwock]

No, with him. Any man who can't appreciate the genius of Ice T obviously doesn't have the brainpower to understand his humour

[Ady]

Soulless games are a pan-generational phenomena imo. They've always existed and always will.

The best game i've played this generation is Animal Crossing, it's the only game I've played with a bit of soul, charactor and charm.

Not bad for a 'rehash', eh?

[Paul3704]

Animal Crossing a rehash?

I know it was released on the N64 in Japan, but was very text heavy and therefore not really suitable for the majority of western gamers.

How do you mean a rehash?

[Crispin]

As in it's an exact port, along with Doshin and Animal Leader for a failed hardware add-on for the N64 that was only released in Japan, and operated under a subscription service. That is why it was never released over here.

[Paul3704]

It's not really what i'd consider a rehash in the terms of Mario Tennis or Mario Kart, but i see your point.

It's a good idea, changed a little, and brought to the masses. I can't imagine many people over this side of the world played in its original form, but there you go.

It's still a game with soul as far as i'm concerned.

[Crispin]

I think Super Mario Sunshine has soul myself. It's an intangible feeling you get. I think soul shines through whenever you see something that has been made by someone who loves what they do with a passion. You can make something as pretty as possible, but if it lacks that layer of love which leads to the dedication needed to make sure it's right, it's not as fun to play. It might be competent, but it won't keep you playing for as long.

Also, soul shines through whenever you see the vision of one person, pretty much untouched, a rarity in today's world. Which is why I love Pikmin and Wario Ware so much.

Same for Vice City. The missions are crap, but someone had a vision. And that vision was bombing around on a PCJ 6000 screaming along to Gold and other great tunes. The vision was "do the **** what you like. We're not going to stop you"

[anephric]

No, with him. Any man who can't appreciate the genius of Ice T obviously doesn't have the brainpower to understand his humour

Damn str8.

Bring me the head of Charlton Heston on a stick.

[Ady]

Animal Crossing a rehash?

I know it was released on the N64 in Japan, but was very text heavy and therefore not really suitable for the majority of western gamers.

How do you mean a rehash?

Your words, not mine

[Paul3704]

That was more about how tired I am with Nintendo reusing their IP to death, and i still am, make no mistake.

I'm still bored with the later software Nintendo developed stuff on the whole, a copule of exceptions aside. I've not been on my Gamecube for what seems like ages, there's just nothing on it that interests me at the moment.

Animal Crossing is a game i consider 'new' but, for the sake of pedants, I see what you mean. In that post I considered it a great game, I still do.

I don't know if you're making a point, an observation, or just having a bit of a whinge.

[Pikman]

I can't remember the last time I found a cutscene interesting, or didn't try to skip it to get to the "game". A game doesn't need a "story" to have "soul" (if it did you wouldn't be in here - take it to the bridge).

Agreed, cutscenes are boring and only detract from the overall game.

[Paul3704]

yeah but some are good. I liked the intro to halo, when all the jeeps are in the barracks and the soldiers are all getting in formation. really set the scene. Halo 2's were absolute wank by comparisson