Various Games I Should Comment On
In no particular order...
I played Oblivion for about two hours and found nothing fun about it. I ran around a mostly empty field, chased a deer, found a random dungeon and killed everything in it for zero useable treasure. Finally I went to town and there seemed like a lot to do there, but at the 2 hour mark, I should have had a lot more fun already. The interface is not nearly as good as the World of Warcraft interface I used (mostly Discord Action Bars, but various other mods thrown in), and of course it couldn't possibly be as good. One game has a single, game designer-created UI while the other has an open system that lets anyone create almost anything.
All Oblivion did was make me want to play Warcraft again, since a few of my friends are on Ysera, the newest PvE server. They're looking to do at least 5-man content and to dominate the battlegrounds at 60. Anyone want to join? (horde)
Resident Evil 4 was the best game of last year. God of War was second best. Both were amazingly polished and well crafted. God of War had a good story, RE4 had good everything else.
Brain Age (DS) is awesome. I've had it for a month now because Nintendo's President Iwata gave it out to game developers at GDC. It's exactly what he was talking about last year when he said "games are only one planet of the software entertainment solar system." The entire game you just use the stylus (and occasionally the mic), with no buttons needed. It's not a "game" but it's entertaining and easy to get into.
Bleach (import DS) is incredibly good. It's a fighting game that's almost as good as Guilty Gear(!) and it's on the Nintendo DS! I'm totally blown away that such a good fighting game could be on the DS, but leave it to Treasure to pull that off.
Guilty Gear XX Slash (import PS2). This is the best designed fighting game, period, in my opinion. The GG series has always had soooo much variety in its characters that you can't even believe it. One character has inifine guard reversals, another can control two characters at once, another is the best version of Zangief ever, and so on. The two new characters in Slash are each weird and crazy each have 3 different modes: weak, good, too good. Each has totally different mechanics for going between those modes, and totally different trade-offs. No other game could have *that* much variety and still be a tournament-quality game. Arc Systems, you guys are on another level from everyone else.
Lost in Blue (DS). Seriously, screw that game. It is beatiful and peaceful looking. It has an interesting premise of being stuck on an island and trying to survive/escape. It has interesting use of the DS with digging up burried thing using the stylus to blowing on sparks with the mic to make a fire. It's as if someone wrote a game design for a calming, relaxing game, then gave that document to Itagaki at Tecmo to actually make the game. He must have said "I want the player to die over and over and over. Then die more. Die." Also, the screwy save system makes it so you are afraid to save because at any moment, you might be in an unwinnable situation already. I hope you like redoing the same parts of the game over and over. Being on a beatiful beach and having your character say "ugh...I'm dyyying" is eerie in a very bad way.
Guitar Hero is great and my girlfriend loves it.
Burnout on 360 is an A game trapped in a C wrapper, just like the previous Burnout. Also, it's way to similar to the previous Burnout (same tracks and most of the same features). But at least it's a racing game for people like me who don't even like driving. You can totally smash into everything and knock enemy cars off the road in order to get super-meter. Yay. Why can't I just pick a course, pick a mode, pick a car and go? Burnout 3 had this, and the last two have omitted this obvious, basic feature. Why does it autosave (and force me to wait and kick me out of the track selection menu) when I get a measly bronze medal on a new track? It wastes my time when I just want to restart the track to get a gold. There's a lot that's unpolished about the features, but underneath all that, I find it to be an excellent game.
Dead or Alive 4 (Xbox 360). This game is a lot better than people give it credit for. It's a reasonable fighting game with some interesting guessing games. Most of the time when you are in a combo, you have the ability to attemt to reverse out (meaning grab an incoming arm or leg). First there were Combo-Breakers in Killer Instinct (bad). Then there was the fixed version called Burst in Guilty Gear (great, you can only do it about once per round). DOA4 has an interesting new take in that you can "combo-breaker" during many, many combos, but if you guess wrong, you just let the enemy reset the combo and own you even more. Also, it has hands-down the best online play experiene of any fighting game. (And Gen Fu rocks.) I don't think it's nearly as good of a tournament game as GGXX, but it's still pretty good, and at least I can play anytime I want (online, there are plenty of opponents). Fighting game players should really buy this game to tell developers that good online play is vitally important.
Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition (PS2). DMC3 was another A game in a C wrapper. The Special Edition really addressed the issues of the last game by toning down the difficulty and implementing a non-retarded save system. You can play as Virgil as well as Dante now, too. If you like action games, it's worth playing.
Capcom Classics Collection Remix (PSP) just came out, by yours truly. It has good presentation and extras in the form of tips, art, music, and game histories. It also has the most configurable buttons ever: you can even turn the PSP sideways (for vertical-oriented games), set your buttons however you like, and even assign functions to various directions on the analog stick. Gamespot rightly called us out as the best networking on a PSP game collection, and best networking on a PSP game, period. Just like in an arcade, anyone can join in (from their PSP, ad-hoc) at anytime, and you don't have to reset your game or go to a staging room with them, or any of that bs that the other game collectiosn make you do. Oh, and this time around, all these games are perfect arcade emulations.
That's over 10 or 12 games I've mentioned. I'm tired even writing about them, much less playing them all!
--Sirlin
April 17th, 2006 at 10:22 am
Just curious, Sirlin: did you play Morrowind at all? I haven’t played Oblivion yet (my box is insufficiently 1337 and I have no 360), but I’ve heard good things about it from some of my friends, and we all enjoyed Morrowind quite a bit, but I understand that it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Granted, a poor UI can kill any game. I’ve heard the PC version has a mod already that improves that UI… penny-arcade linked it a little while ago.
April 17th, 2006 at 10:34 am
I only watched someone play Morrowind for about 10 minutes once. That person said, “Look, it’s an RPG that looks designed by white people.” I don’t know exactly what he meant, but it seemed right on, lol.
I’m not really saying that Oblivion has bad UI. It just isn’t great, like I’ve been used to with World of Warcraft. Several people have told me how great a game Oblivion is, but a 9.6 score from gamespot should have had a lot more exciting start, in my opinion. I had waaay more un in the first two hours of GTA, by comparison, and everyone claims this is GTA + D&D. If you liked Morrowind, you’ll probably love Oblivion, though.
–Sirlin
April 17th, 2006 at 10:45 am
a) Didn’t realise you were involved with Capcom Classics, but are not entirely surprised as it was the first “Classics Collection” from any publisher I’ve actually had an intention to buy. Nice work.
b) Finished your book the other day - very nicely focused, readable and compelling, and felt well worth the money even considering I’d read so much of the original content already on your site. Shame about the eye-watering cover though! 8-)
c) Coincidentally just finished Morrowind today - that’s a game that revels in not having to be in any way fair or balanced for multiplayer; the fun is in finding how many ways to truly break the game there are. Check out my (brief) thoughts on the endgame at:
http://amongthedust.blogspot.com/2006/04/on-completing-morrowind.html
April 18th, 2006 at 12:06 am
Heh, I have been playing Morrowind and Morrowing GOTY for the Xbox since it came out. Easily more than 120+ hours. Right now I have a 360 on order with Oblivion, and I cannot wait to play it. Depending on how long you played Morrowind for, the start I agree was pretty boring but it got SO much better once you could actually hit things :P. GTA was OK. To me it got old very fast, I just couldn’t get into it, same with WOW. My brother plays it religiously, but Ive only made it up to level 15 and that was it.
April 18th, 2006 at 1:42 am
Dude! Bleach on DS is good? I was gonna try it for the exact reason you mentioned… Treasure. Their shmups have so much variety it’s mind boggling. Seems like they could go really far making unique characters if they had a take at a bigger fighting game (hopefully not a franchise-although we’re all familiar with the little ‘vs’ series)
April 18th, 2006 at 3:03 am
I was thinking about importing Bleach, but I really hate the idea and concept of a game where I can’t fully understand everything, as one of my favorite aspects of a game is the story.
Speaking of Guilty Gear,I’m still awaiting it’s release for DS.Currently it’s coming out the 25th, I think. It is continuously being pushed back.
Oh, and Guitar Hero is freakin’ amazing. Texas Flood all the way!
April 18th, 2006 at 6:37 am
Curious to see why the omission of Shadow of Colossus - while I played the hell out of RE4 and God of War, I personally would be hard pressed to rate them higher than Shadow.
Also, I guess this one may not quite count given its still only really available in Japanese arcades, but what do you think about arcsysworks’ Fist of the North Star? I’m glad to see another 2D fighter franchise starting up, especially by a capable team. Plus, it implements Instant KOs in a manner that is actually usable for serious play (unlike the GG IKs).
April 18th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Yeah, what about Shadow of the Colossus? Also, surely the DS controls make Bleach frustrating to play no matter how good the game actually is technically.
April 19th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Wow, random props from The Sirlin(tm) on god of war - thanks! BTW, my psp cuddles up at night with Black Tiger from your collection.
Bleach is like ridiculously good, especially on the DS. My girlfriend has dominated our ds with Brain Training and Animal Crossing - but as soon as her Lite gets her I’ll get back to Bleach. Its like a portable Xmen Vs. Streetfighter - i just sit in training mode all day long trying to find new combos.
Re #7 - I saw some vids of fist of the north star, it looks like a poor man’s ggxx. I was talking to a friend in jpn and he laughed and said it’s like Xmen Vs. SF - one low short and you die. I have a feeling it’s not that good.
Back to gettng gow2 ready for e3!
–Derek
http://lowfierce.blogspot.com
April 19th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Sirlin, I highly value your opinion for some reason (I guess mainly due to your Playing to Win articles), but I’m not a console gamer. I only play PC and only FPS. I often wish you would do something really in-depth regarding the FPS genre (it wouldn’t have to be a PC version necessarily, since the premises would be the same).
Any chance of that? Do you like FPS? I believe you’ve said CS is your favorite, but I’ve not read much else from you on the subject. I feel there is nothing so pure as a 1v1 deathmatch in a fast-paced FPS game (like Quake), where two opponents are thrown into an arena like gladiators (but on equal terms). And for teamplay, a game like RTCW is simply genius, the way each class compliments the other and how strategy, communication and teamwork will win over individual skills. And of course CS is a great example of the two disciplines combined.
Any thoughts?
April 20th, 2006 at 3:45 am
Perhaps I’ve missed it, but considering you’re interest in serious competitive fighting games, have you ever gotten into Super Smash Bros. Melee?
April 20th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Sirlin wrote: I only watched someone play Morrowind for about 10 minutes once. That person said, “Look, it’s an RPG that looks designed by white people.” I don’t know exactly what he meant, but it seemed right on, lol.
That is so very true. White people have no style whatsoever… I should know. ;-)
I like the huge world of Oblivion, but so far (5 hours into the game) I’m not impressed with the…
• dialog - cheesy for the most part
• character leveling system - wait, I can’t use my block skill or I might accidentally level and not get the maximum attribute bonus
• texture quality of distant landscapes - extremely blurry
Just curious, are there any fighting games in the works (or that already exist) that are story driven and involve large environments? I love action adventures, but have become a bit bored with the typical platformer traits. Jade Empire was too simplistic in it’s combat engine to be categorized as a fighting game. I remember loving Bushido Blade to death because it felt like an adventure when you circled and chased down an opponent. It wasn’t all about standing face-to-face (as most fighters are).
I kind of wish Oblivion would require me to block low or high, left or right… or attack when the enemy creates an opening, but you just stand there with your shield drawn and the enemy swings right at your already existent block. That’s boring… but then again, RPGs are not about player skill. But what if one was?
April 22nd, 2006 at 5:00 am
You mean somewhat like Deus Ex?
April 23rd, 2006 at 11:27 am
I’ll second the “Oblivion has a not-so-great UI” in a heartbeat. It’s extremely aggravating to have to tab through absolutely everything available in your journal. Would’ve been much nicer if they had bound the various journal sections to different keys.
However, I think the game is wonderful aside from that. Sure, it’s a little on the cheesy side, and the levelling system is extremely annoying, but I find it to be a very immersive world. However, I think I approached it very differently from you Sirlin. After leaving the prison, I almost immediately went into town and began doing some quests for the townsfolk, then got initiated into the Thieve’s Guild and started with their missions. The world is, quite frankly, boring as sin until you get to higher levels and cooler creatures start to inhabit it. Quickly getting some different quests to do helped keep me busy until I levelled enough for it to really pick up.
Any news on GGXX Slash coming to America? Or anything about the PSP GGXX Judgement game? I’m really hoping they don’t screw with it and release something obnoxious like Isuka. Portable Guilty Gear would really make my day.
April 23rd, 2006 at 1:38 pm
Cody K. Powerstone 2 may fit what you are looking for. 4 player brawlfest, with multi tiered stages. There is a bit of story for you. Maybe not enough.
Coming out soon on the PSP as a 2 pack, or the dreamcast originally
May 4th, 2006 at 12:58 am
Ever play any of the Nintendo Wars series? (IE Famicom Wars, Super Famicom Wars, Gameboy Wars (1/2/Turbo, and 3 (note that 3 is the only one of those 4 that has major differences in gameplay from the others)), or Advance Wars (1, 2, and DS).)
Anyway, I’m wanting to see if you would write an article about stuff that’s situational. (IE anything that is too rarely useful, such as Olaf’s Blizzard CO Power and the terrain trio (Jake/John, Koal/Chakka, and Kindle/Candle) in Advance Wars DS.)
May 11th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
@Cody K.
Spike Out? Tobal No. 2 back in PS time maybe?
February 4th, 2007 at 11:38 am
I agree with your insight. My friend worked on Oblivion. I have to agree on the WoW interface thing. I tried a mod to add action bars to Oblivion but it’s a real hack job (maybe because there’s no good API hooks to make this functionality). You nailed it, every time I try to do a quest I just want to play WoW instead. Why play disconnected when you could feel like you are accomplishing something with/against 6mil+ players?
But, Oblivion has it’s great points. First, it’s a real indie studio type game. I gotta hand it to Bethesda for being recklessly aggressive. You talk about a game that makes you want to upgrade your computer, there it is. Games like that real push the boundaries. And not just because of simple hardware requirements. I looked at a mountain top in the distance from a river. I climbed the mountain and stood on a snowy cliff. I looked back at the river I came from. That’s pretty amazing even if the LOD and pea-soup effect is overwhelming.
Email me if you want to talk game design. A few groups in my area have fizzled out and aren’t meeting once a month anymore. I like talking architecture and throwing ideas around but at the same time not exhausting people because everyone has ‘ideas’. Ala hollywood, “look at my script!”. *sigh*
I talk like I’m kid hollywood/gameywood. I’m not.
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:21 pm
What is Oblivion? :)
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:24 am
Hey Sirlin, what do you like more, Slash or AC?