Replayability

On 09/20/2017 at 02:57 PM by Super Step

is more important than how much content exists in a game. Period.

Anyway, I finished Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and had mixed feelings. Basically, all the bad feelings are toward the game's gun combat. It's not terrible, but there's SO DAMN MUCH OF IT and cover shooting isn't exactly the freshest feeling gameplay in the world. And this is coming from someone who can not stop playing the first couple levels of Sonic Mania.

I didn't realize the twist at the end of the story was going to kinda foreshadow Naughty Dog's work on The Last of Us, particularly the generator level. That was kind of unique, and a nice break from the tedious "here are some boxes; fire occassionally" gameplay everywhere else, but meh.

I guess I went in expecting Tomb Raider 2013 and, unlike everyone else, was actually disappointed by the lack of QTE set-pieces. Bummer. Also, I didn't realize setting the game to Easy for one section means you only complete the game on Easy, even if you have it Normal all other times. I suppose that makes sense, but screw you, "Chapter 11: Trapped." Also, screw you too, sudden one-shot deaths at the end of the game.

I started playing Uncharted 2 again though, and I think I'll like this a lot better. So far, I'm about 4 chapters in and have only had a couple gunfights. That's what I like to see. I'd rather these just be puzzle-platformers with some light gunplay. The gunplay in Ratchet and Clank is fun though, so I may pop that in again.

I don't think I'll restart Until Dawn until my best friend can come over and play. He's a horror fan, so I think he'd like it.

In real, adult life, I have a lot of grading to do on papers (BLECH) and have a viral infection that requires some nasty medicine called Lidocaine to swish around my mouth. It's supposed to make my throat feel less sore, and it has a little, but damn. I'm one of the strange people who actually likes the taste of cough medicine, but this is something else entirely.

Anyway, I'd rather play a 10-hour game 6 times than a 60-hour game once. I prefer my gaming experiences fast and beatable, not disjointed and daunting. That's just me though.

Machocruz

09/20/2017 at 05:45 PM

Ok, well I'm not going to waste my time with Uncharted 1 then. I thought the platforming aspect would be more prominent, but doesn't sound that way. This series just isn't for me. I remember old Tomb Raider and the 3D Prince of Persia games. They had a sense of danger and thrill when it came to that. Like balancing on a tight rope, sometimes literally. Especially Tomb Raider sometimes you felt like Evel Knievel on legs with some of the traversal sequences they set up. I don't think I once missed a jump in U2, or felt any sense of fear of height and falling. It felt entirely trivial and pointless to have that stuff in there. And there is really nothing on the market that fills the void of those games now. What, Assassin's Creed? More automated and can't fail movement.

Casey Curran Staff Writer

09/20/2017 at 06:24 PM

Try Styx Shards of Darkness. It's probably the best take on this kind of platforming even if it's not really like old school TR or PoP, but the platforming is still much more intense in how it works with the stealth. It also happens to be the closest thing out there to a new Thief game.

09/20/2017 at 07:46 PM

Yes I've seen some promo shots of Styx clinging to high structures which did recall Tomb Raider, PoP, etc. in my mind. Thanks for the reminder

Super Step Contributing Writer

09/21/2017 at 02:21 PM

I forget if it's that one or another Styx game I had on PS+. I remember it being decent, but I got stuck at some part somewhat early on.

09/22/2017 at 10:33 PM

It was definitely Master of Shadows since SoD is from this year. And improves on it in basically every way. Another game that would fit your most improved sequel list.

I did love Sands of TIme, although the rewind feature saved my ass more than once.

KnightDriver

09/20/2017 at 09:02 PM

My friend Mark and I played Uncharted 1 as a rental when it came out. We both liked the endless gunplay. That's sort of our thing.

Endings though. Yea. Uncharted 2 really pissed me off that way because I played it on the default difficulty and then refused to lower it in the last levels where I couldn't progress anymore. Frickin' unfair. Great cinematic game experience though. One of the best.

I really like nice 10 to 15 hour games that I can replay for achievements. I like to finish the story of a game in a weekend. If it's over 20 hours, there's no way I can do it.

09/21/2017 at 02:20 PM

I get bored with cover shooters quick. I get impatient with stealth gameplay as well. I want to like JRPGs, but the random encounters annoy me and I never really know what's the best attack/defense strategy. RTS doesn't really appeal to me.

I'm finnicky.

09/21/2017 at 11:20 PM

Stealth infuriates me. I couldn't finish the second half of that brilliant Batman Arkham Asylum because the stealth parts slowed the gameplay down so much.

Cary Woodham

09/21/2017 at 12:23 AM

Yeah a lot of today's games are way too bloated. I'm surprised I actually beat Breath of the Wild.

09/21/2017 at 12:58 PM

That looks fun, but I prefer the linear 3D Zelda games. I actually tend to enjoy having a clear beginning and end. I don't really understand the whole "sandbox" thing.

09/21/2017 at 01:40 PM

I really liked Breath of the Wild, but it wasn't really a Zelda game. It was another game cleverly disguised as a Zelda game.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

09/21/2017 at 11:13 AM

yeah games might be bloated. But some people like that, I guess. I think the cost of games of $60, makes some people kind of hesitant (like me) so the developers compensate with bloat. Replayability is a plus. My favorite games I replay over and over, but some of them are short, and some of them are bloated as well, so it's a finicky thing.

09/21/2017 at 01:01 PM

I guess the problem is moreso the bloat is not fun. I love Yakuzao 0 and you could argue the mini-games bloat it, but they're actually fun. Plus, the side quest stories are actually funny and engaging.

When I say bloated, I mean "collect 70 oodles on your way from point A to B 50 times." At that point, I'd personally rather pay the $60 for the 10 or 15 hours the developers gave a shit about than subject myself to more of that nonsense. I think how limited my time is (or should be; been sick lately and kinda lazy) factors in as well.

09/21/2017 at 01:18 PM

yeah there's definitely a place for streamlined games.

PixlBit