Sometimes I feel like I'm in the minority here, but I don't care if a game does something new or different. I really only care about the story, the experience and if I enjoyed it or not.
Next Gen: So Far, So Boring
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 On 02/28/2013 at 01:45 AM by Casey Curran See More From This User » |
So the PS4 was revealed last week and I’m just posting my thoughts now. There was something that made me feel like it didn’t feel like a next gen reveal. I didn’t want to say it was the graphics, because we’re at the point where it’s a bit unreasonable to expect another huge leap. Still, there was something about them that turned me off until I thought, “Kind of funny how Destiny and Watch Dogs, the two which actually feel new are also on current gen systems.” Then it hit me: These games are the same old shit I’m playing now. Outside Knack look at what they announced. Killzone 4, another Infamous, game that looks a lot like Forza/Gran Turismo, a Capcom game that looks like Dragon’s Dogma 2, and Diablo 3. Translation: sequel, sequel, another driving sim, could go either way, and a game I already own.
Where’s the ambition in these new games? Last gen I kept seeing something new at every turn, I saw Uncharted, Mass Effect, Too Human, Gears of War, Uncharted, Resistance, Heavenly Sword, Lair, Lost Planet, hell, I’m having trouble remembering all these new games. Even though I had not owned an XBOX (my first console ever) for a year, I knew even though I’d have to wait, I was excited for what the next generation of systems would bring.
What the PS3/360/Wii reveals felt like
Even the games that were sequels to current gen games had something going for them to make them exciting. Halo 3 was the going to finish this big epic sci-fy trilogy, Ratchet and Clank were boasting visuals which made them look like something out of a Pixar movie, Final Fantasy’s next installment would be split into three completely different, yet somehow related games and Mario was going to space. They were familiar series, sure, but they were venturing into new territory that shook up the formula or felt like it was really moving to the next level.
Some of these were flops. It has to happen, but it kept gaming feeling so fresh for a while. The only games really bringing that kind of ambition now are Destiny and Watch Dogs, and I can play that on my PS3. The only PS4 exclusive that had real interesting ideas was Knack, which starred a main character with a very interesting new power that has a lot of gameplay potential. Infamous showed off a new conduit, but I didn’t see any evidence that his new powers won’t resemble regular weapons like rockets and grenades. Killzone had more colors, but no sign that it wouldn’t be more than just another Killzone.
Right now the only console I’m sold on is the Wii U. Wind Waker HD is the main reason, but The Wonderful 101 and Lego City at least show signs of an interesting new IP and an interesting new take on an existing one respectively. It could definitely use more new ideas and IPs, but it's a start. It makes me glad the system launched with Zombie U, at least the game had the balls to be different. And I’ll still play it when I get a Wii U because what it does different is something I want to try whether I like it or not. That’s the thing about taking a risk: Almost every time, it’s going to alienate some people. But there are others who may love it.
What the PS4 and Wii U's reveals felt like
I’m not going to start saying that gaming has left me or count me out of next gen. I’m just saying even though we’re getting quality software, game development is becoming boring. Games like Dead Space 3 and Fuse look like well-made games, but they’re taking no risks, they’re not doing anything that convinces me they’re going to be something really special. I want a next gen system to change that, where games like Destiny, The Last of Us, and Watch Dogs take all the buzz away from things like Call of Duty and Fuse.
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