Sony has made me a purist/story-driven Gamer

[OmniCloud]

After looking back on my PS3 collection, and my recent disappointment in "big" games, I think I'm slowly beginning to not like the majority of titles that release. First example, since I got my PS3, the games that I have really spent time with are the following.

VF5, Resistance, Super Stardust, Motorstorm, Pixel Junk Monsters, Calling All Cars, flOw, Uncharted, Blast Factor, and Warhawk.

After Resistance, I went online mabye 3 times, but once I finished the story, I felt I was done with the game. So I really don't want to include that or Motorstorm, since I probably didn't spend over 10 hours playing either of those game in total. The games that I've spent the most time with, cost no more than $10! Besides Uncharted, my number one PS3 game is pixel!

On top of these analysis, I've found critically acclaimed and fan-hyped games like Assassin's Creed and CoD4 to be quite, boring. AC after 3 hours was pretty terrible, especially when you realize how whack the story is. COD4 single player made me question why I bought the game, but even online felt "empty". Almost like a bad nostalgia. It didn't feel new or innovative, just shooting things with realistic graphics and awesome sound effects. Now, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, it's fast paced and when you get into, it can be fun. At the same time, I had to urge to not learn the controls and upgrade my skills level to a point where I didn't suck anymore.

Why? Why do I feel like I've been playing the same thing since Golden eye on N64? For me, Warhawk has done something incredible, and that's made a fun, pick up and play multiplayer game that doesn't feel like something else. That's why I bought it and recommend it. Cod4 just feels like a PC game I'm playing on my console, and I really don't see the awesome factor.

I would definitely say, Pixel Junk Monsters is a better buy than CoD4/Resistance/Assassins and other big games. Without an interesting story, I feel me completing the game is someone, pointless. And while games like Gears of War, Pixel, Warhawk didn't exactly have cool stories (Warhawk didn't have anything) the competitive multiplayer modes and unique gameplay felt different and new, enough to warrant a purchase IMO at least.

So what is a gamer that fines Super Stardust and Calling all Cars more enjoyable than Motorstorm and DMC4? Gta4 is one of the biggest game that will come out this year, however, if the story is sub-par, the game itself will be as well. If I don't feel a reason to progress through a game, then the gameplay must be the reason.

With titles like COd4 or Assassin's Creed, titles that I think try to define that reason through gameplay, are lacking in innovation IMO.

Xbox Live has done more harm than good, and developers have forgotten just how much fun 4 friends on a couch can be. Golden eye, Timesplitters, Pixel, Twisted Metal, Smash Brothers, Street Fighter, etc... I can't think of any recent game that I've had a better time with being competitive.

I hope true gaming doesn't get loss in all this online hoopla. I still think that video-games are forms of art. IMO--the online realm barely helps that thesis. And only paints the "teenage brat with a head-set on" in the minds of many. Hopefully more pure games will come through, and it's good that Sony has a broad selection of titles.

I just hope, people will keep the support up, for the games that truly matter. Even DMC4 left a bad taste in my mouth--and that's pure gameplay!

Where's the truly fun or truly inspiring games man? I hope titles like MGS4 and Team Ico can rekindle the flame. I fear online competitive games, are really taking too big of a role in this gen's lineup.

[Z]

I like jelly

[Jay Gee]

The DMC games have never been story driven. They've always been pure action. The gameplay for it (DMC4) is what counts, and it excels in that greatly.

[masteratt]

To be fair there hasn't been good story in games for a long while.

It's 100% about the delivery.
Someone said that no story can be original since there is always a set template that it follows (it kinda HAS TO if it wants to be a story) and that person was right.

For me, next-gen wise, best story delivery [best all around story package near the end of the post] WAS in Call Of Duty 4.
Alright it wasn't very original at first look "middle east has nukes, shoot them!" but some points in the story, the story is delivered with great intensity and with some original idea, like :
[spoiler]When the US Marine slowly dies from the nuke, you are there with him. Fading away.

And [at the beginning]:
When you see the President's execution through his point of view
Those two moments I thought especially were pretty inspired.

Uncharted I found pretty dull, very predictable, run of the mill story with bad and uninspiring delivery.
It was basically all the adventure themes you'll expect put together with next to nothing original [much like the gameplay ¬_¬].

Truly inspiring games will come when devs stop thinking too much about the tech and start thinking about the games.
MGS4 will obviously be the first great story driven game and being Sony, I'm sure they'll release hella lot more.
With story driven chapter games like Eight Days and with cinematic experiences like Getaway on the way.

I was surprised to see you haven't mentioned Heavenly Sword, give that a go if you haven't and you want a good story driven game.
At the moment Heavenly Sword tops the chart in case of story, story delivery, script, acting etc...Everything.
It's an awesome package.

I think Sony is taking notes of Wii's mini games success thus why we see so many of those types of games on PSN and I think Sony has done exceptionally well in terms of PSN originality and delivering simple fun games through it.

It's just the big budget games they are having trouble with at the moment.

And I agree with the Xbox Live point.
Every game must now have a multiplayer online, it must have weapons, it must have online upgradable items etc.
Every game tries to go deep and in depth, they just bog you down with boredom and instead of it being a fun game, it starts becoming a full time job where you start mindlessly playing just to up your XP and earn some weapons.

The only game that integrated that kind of online mode well is CoD4 since the game itself online I think is the best shooter though I do agree it's abit mroe on the hardcore side of gaming (which is fine by me, having been playing Counter Strike for years).

Overall, as you would expect, I like most where Sony is going.
PSN to deliver simple innovative games, Blu-Ray products to deliver expanded story driven games.

[Xclusion]

I think Gta4 / MGS4 will be good for you.

[jaxmkii]

i think GTA has runn its course. how many books, movies, TVshows and games can get to its 6th sequel without getting stale

[jaxmkii]

After looking back on my PS3 collection, and my recent disappointment in "big" games, I think I'm slowly beginning to not like the majority of titles that release.

After Resistance, I went online mabye 3 times, but once I finished the story, I felt I was done with the game.

On top of these analysis, I've found critically acclaimed and fan-hyped games like Assassin's Creed and CoD4 to be quite, boring. AC after 3 hours was pretty terrible,

Why? Why do I feel like I've been playing the same thing since Golden eye on N64? For me, Warhawk has done something incredible, and that's made a fun, pick up and play Cod4 just feels like a PC game I'm playing on my console, and I really don't see the awesome factor.

Gta4 is one of the biggest game that will come out this year, however, if the story is sub-par, the game itself will be as well.

Xbox Live has done more harm than good, and developers have forgotten just how much fun 4 friends on a couch can be.

I hope true gaming doesn't get loss in all this online hoopla. I still think that video-games are forms of art. IMO--the online realm barely helps that thesis. And only paints the "teenage brat with a head-set on" in the minds of many. Hopefully more pure games will come through, and it's good that Sony has a broad selection of titles.

Where's the truly fun or truly inspiring games man? I fear online competitive games, are really taking too big of a role in this gen's lineup.
*truth condensed for shipment*

[OmniCloud]

Tks Jax;) lol...

I think I may give Cod4 simple player a run and see what's it's all about. Heavenly Sword was like Uncharted in that it was a cliche story, but it was presented extremely well.

Uncharted voice acting and end plot twist was awesome, and barely there hud and 'back against the wall' system felt fresh to me to, at least in a single player plot-driven game.

Heavenly Sword's gameplay (while it got better and better) just didn't feel like it was ever a "complete" system, but yeah, the story was awesome;) I beat it on Hell mode;)

Yeah, and I'm also on the negative side of GTa4. I'm skeptical about it's story, like Jax said, how many urban stories can be told with this series without feeling like stagnant?

Maybe, try a love story or something Rockstar?

[masteratt]

This time it's about immigrants.
How an outside sees the West society and how easy it is to get involved in crime to make your way in life.

It is no longer a story of "from rag to riches", it is now "from rag to better rags".

Sure it's urban in it's setting (i guess, though you have the whole of New York) but the theme is hugely overhauled.
Plus it's a fucking awesome game :p

Each to his own but I think GTA4 should satisfy story diggers.

[OmniCloud]

we'll see....

[Sephiroth_VII]

If you want a good story, get a PSP and Crisis Core.

[Nameless]

Omni, the real issue is the perceived value of Multiplayer over Single player titles. I have to admit if a game has a great MP component you are guaranteed to get your money worth in hours of gameplay. The key word is great MP component, because some games have a tacked on MP component just to say the games has multiplayer. I think many PS3 players have rented SP titles like Heavenly Sword, Uncharted & R&C as a result sales can suffer.

*I'm glad the UK fans made Uncharted go platinum, because it would have be a damn shame if that game did not sell a million copies...*

I think developers need to step up and offer some unique story driven MP titles so we get the best of both worlds. The Agency is the only title I think trying to fill this void. Multiplayer is here to stay let's just hope developers go beyond just creating MP titles that require simple war themes, because they know the titles will sell.

In 2007 I would say COD4 was the best MP shooter, Uncharted was the best adventure title & Orange Box had the best story driven title with Half Life.

I would like to see a greater variety in game genres on both consoles, but right now I would say the PS3 is doing a better job of creating variety, but we really need to see some RPGs & more action adventure titles. Personally I think the PS3 is set for shooters with COD4, Haze, Socom Confrontation & Killzone.

[Domination]

After looking back on my PS3 collection, and my recent disappointment in "big" games, I think I'm slowly beginning to not like the majority of titles that release. First example, since I got my PS3, the games that I have really spent time with are the following.

VF5, Resistance, Super Stardust, Motorstorm, Pixel Junk Monsters, Calling All Cars, flOw, Uncharted, Blast Factor, and Warhawk.

After Resistance, I went online mabye 3 times, but once I finished the story, I felt I was done with the game. So I really don't want to include that or Motorstorm, since I probably didn't spend over 10 hours playing either of those game in total. The games that I've spent the most time with, cost no more than $10! Besides Uncharted, my number one PS3 game is pixel!

On top of these analysis, I've found critically acclaimed and fan-hyped games like Assassin's Creed and CoD4 to be quite, boring. AC after 3 hours was pretty terrible, especially when you realize how whack the story is. COD4 single player made me question why I bought the game, but even online felt "empty". Almost like a bad nostalgia. It didn't feel new or innovative, just shooting things with realistic graphics and awesome sound effects. Now, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, it's fast paced and when you get into, it can be fun. At the same time, I had to urge to not learn the controls and upgrade my skills level to a point where I didn't suck anymore.

Why? Why do I feel like I've been playing the same thing since Golden eye on N64? For me, Warhawk has done something incredible, and that's made a fun, pick up and play multiplayer game that doesn't feel like something else. That's why I bought it and recommend it. Cod4 just feels like a PC game I'm playing on my console, and I really don't see the awesome factor.

I would definitely say, Pixel Junk Monsters is a better buy than CoD4/Resistance/Assassins and other big games. Without an interesting story, I feel me completing the game is someone, pointless. And while games like Gears of War, Pixel, Warhawk didn't exactly have cool stories (Warhawk didn't have anything) the competitive multiplayer modes and unique gameplay felt different and new, enough to warrant a purchase IMO at least.

So what is a gamer that fines Super Stardust and Calling all Cars more enjoyable than Motorstorm and DMC4? Gta4 is one of the biggest game that will come out this year, however, if the story is sub-par, the game itself will be as well. If I don't feel a reason to progress through a game, then the gameplay must be the reason.

With titles like COd4 or Assassin's Creed, titles that I think try to define that reason through gameplay, are lacking in innovation IMO.

Xbox Live has done more harm than good, and developers have forgotten just how much fun 4 friends on a couch can be. Golden eye, Timesplitters, Pixel, Twisted Metal, Smash Brothers, Street Fighter, etc... I can't think of any recent game that I've had a better time with being competitive.

I hope true gaming doesn't get loss in all this online hoopla. I still think that video-games are forms of art. IMO--the online realm barely helps that thesis. And only paints the "teenage brat with a head-set on" in the minds of many. Hopefully more pure games will come through, and it's good that Sony has a broad selection of titles.

I just hope, people will keep the support up, for the games that truly matter. Even DMC4 left a bad taste in my mouth--and that's pure gameplay!

Where's the truly fun or truly inspiring games man? I hope titles like MGS4 and Team Ico can rekindle the flame. I fear online competitive games, are really taking too big of a role in this gen's lineup.


You're not the only one.

[Jay Gee]

*I'm glad the UK fans made Uncharted go platinum, because it would have be a damn shame if that game did not sell a million copies...*
QFT UK pulled through for Uncharted bigtime. Here's hoping the sequel gets more love in the US.

[dnpmakkah]

I enjoyed the stories in Heavenly Sword and Uncharted. I've also continued to play and enjoy my time with Warhawk. These three games have been the most memorable for me this year.

[ddaryl]

I am definitely missing great storyline driven games.

I don't think all games need a story to be great, but to be engrossed into a story where you just have to keep playing to see what happens, or a story that isn't tired and cliche, are far a few between.

[AC!D]

The best story based games i enjoyed last year were COD4, Mass Effect, God of War 2, Bioshock, Half Life and Portal just because it had such a damn cute ending :) Stories are subjective though so i guess you just have to look for the kind of stories you enjoy in games.

[OmniCloud]

I think developers need to step up and offer some unique story driven MP titles so we get the best of both worlds. The Agency is the only title I think trying to fill this void. Multiplayer is here to stay let's just hope developers go beyond just creating MP titles that require simple war themes, because they know the titles will sell.Indeed, I mean say if COd4 wasn't just in a war setting, and actually had a new type of story to it, I think I would've been much more drawn to the game. I would have been inclined to finish the SP campaign, therefore, making my skills already adequate enough to be a serious competitor online. With this setup, online would seem like the natural next step after completing the game, where as with Cod4--it's more like the main course.

But I digress--there's a lot of good stuff I'm looking forward to this year.

[Coded-Dude]

My favortie stories from games I've played this year(or late last year):

MGS:PO
FFVII:CC (in progress)
GoW2
RaCF:ToD (ending was a bit odd)