I don't "get" TLOU

Jedi2016 said:
Maybe you can help me out here, GAF. Maybe not.

Long story short, I don't like The Last of Us. I'm probably not alone, but I also realize that this is undoubtedly an unpopular opinion here, so we tend to stay quiet, those of us who think this way.

That's not to say I hate it, or that I think it's a bad game. Far from it. It's drop-dead gorgeous, of course (I'm a bit of a graphics whore, so that doesn't hurt). The story so far (I think I'm about a third of the way through) is interesting, if somewhat predictable at this stage.

But I just can't find myself getting engaged by the gameplay, and I can't quite put my finger on why. Gameplay is solid, course, as expected from ND. It's not the stealth element, as I can play the hell out of games like MGS.

Whatever it was, I just found myself unable to get "into" the game like I usually can with most games. I felt like I was struggling to just get to the next part, and I kept wondering where this amazing game was that everyone kept talking about.

Does it get better? Does it change up later, or is it going to be more of this for another eight hours? Because I'm not sure I can slog my way through it if that's the case. People talk about how great the ending is, and I've done a good job of not spoiling it for myself, so I could still experience that if I can just get to it.

Help me, GAF! Help me understand why everyone is pissing themselves over TLOU coming to PS4. Help me give a shit enough to maybe pick it up and go through it a second time. Because as it is right now, I couldn't care less about the Remastered Edition, and I may not even finish the PS3 edition.
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Way to go nuclear. You might as well admit you like biting the heads off puppies while you're at it.

Seriously though, it could be you're just not playing it at the right time in your life or maybe the genre just isnt your cup of tea. Even the best games/movies/all other consumer products have their critics and detractors, and thats ok. Everyone doesnt need to love it. Judging by the general opinion on the game its about as close to being a sure-fire "great experience" as possible, but its no guarantee. Maybe set it down and come back to it in a few months to see if you like it better at that point. No reason to force it if you're not having fun right now. This worked for me when it came to Demons Souls...I tried playing it about a year ago and hated it after a two hour first play. Set it down, picked it up a couple weeks ago and ended up loving it. I just wasnt in the right frame of mind last year.
 
valkyre said:
Ok scratch the bad thing, why is it a QTE? Because of the camera angle? The player will do the exact same thing even if the camera angle was not there...
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It's been a while so I don't remember.. but is there a button prompt once grabbed? If yes, then it's a QTE, if no then it's not.

valkyre said:
If you notice though, my general point in my post is that, when a game has received a certain amount of considerable praise, both from the media and the public, then even if you dont like it, which is perfectly fine, you just cant ignore the fact that for the majority it is a great game and because it has received accolades, therefore it cant be all that overrated and such.

Hence my example with LBP where I said that, even though i dont like the game at all, i cannot call it overrated, just because it doesnt appeal to me. Obviously the game is good. But not for me.

In any case, as I already said, in a previous post to another member, I may have gone a bit overboard expecting people to post more formally than they had to. Perhaps its because of the whole "i'm in GAF!!" thing lolz :D
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Yes, but as I mentioned before I was stating that a collection of subjective opinions is still subjective. It is useful to aggregate them in order to get a clearer overall picture, but it is by no means objective. Otherwise those claims of "game of the year/generation", "best console graphics", and "amazing emotional story" that you earlier said were equally exaggerated, would actually be much closer to being objective due to the number of people that agree. This causes a catch 22 situation where a newly formed opinion can be stated as if it's objective when positive (because it fits the majority), but can't be if negative (because it's in the minority). This then means that any initial consensus remains forever.

It's also not actually possible to claim something is overrated without acknowledging the opinions of others. The whole idea of claiming something is overrated, is to proclaim that you disagree with the majority opinion on how it is being rated. If somebody claims ET on the Atari to be the best game ever made, you're most likely to think that they're overrating it (and I'd agree). To claim a game itself is overrated is simply to extrapolate that view to the general consensus about that game. It's simply an opinion, and a rather harmless one.
 
Synth said:
It's been a while so I don't remember.. but is there a button prompt once grabbed? If yes, then it's a QTE, if no then it's not.
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There is a button prompt but nothing would have changed if the camera stayed in 3rd person and you were grabbed by an enemy. You still would have to press a button to evade the attack. I dont think that "if there is a button prompt" then it automatically is a QTE.

Because if it is so, then is the entirety of MGSV GZ a QTE? The game prompts you to push a button whenever you are close to something you can hold, climb, grab, open etc. Is that QTE as well?

Because there is no difference at all with what happens when an enemy grabs you in TLOU, except that the camera angle changes, which is a very very very good thing, and it provides tension, is immersive and makes you feel that you are playing a quality game.

In almost every single game out there the action button is always displayed when the player is about to interract with said object/action. Is that QTE as well? I respectfully disagree.

Other than the camera angle, nothing else changes in this specific thing we are discussing. Games prompt you to press buttons all the time during gameplay. That doesnt make it a QTE.
 
Different tastes for different people. I do find it more than ironic that the TC creates this topic as TLoU has some heat again with the newly announced PS4 port.
 
I didnt like it either....found it too stressful on top of a pretty average post apocalyptic story, it just wasnt fun.....

Honestly I put it to watching a 15hr 'The Road' its a great film/book....but being in that universe for so long is a bit draining
 
valkyre said:
There is a button prompt but nothing would have changed if the camera stayed in 3rd person and you were grabbed by an enemy. You still would have to press a button to evade the attack. I dont think that "if there is a button prompt" then it automatically is a QTE.

Because if it is so, then is the entirety of MGSV GZ a QTE? The game prompts you to push a button whenever you are close to something you can hold, climb, grab, open etc. Is that QTE as well?

Because there is no difference at all with what happens when an enemy grabs you in TLOU, except that the camera angle changes, which is a very very very good thing, and it provides tension, is immersive and makes you feel that you are playing a quality game.

In almost every single game out there the action button is always displayed when the player is about to interract with said object/action. Is that QTE as well? I respectfully disagree.

Other than the camera angle, nothing else changes in this specific thing we are discussing. Games prompt you to press buttons all the time during gameplay. That doesnt make it a QTE.
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I guess Dark Souls has QTE's too according to that ridiculous definition.

I do... because it's not in your moveset at all other times.
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Bro its called a situational move and nearly every game has it. Press X to interact with NPC, climb ladder,move block etc.
 
valkyre said:
There is a button prompt but nothing would have changed if the camera stayed in 3rd person and you were grabbed by an enemy. You still would have to press a button to evade the attack. I dont think that "if there is a button prompt" then it automatically is a QTE.

Because if it is so, then is the entirety of MGSV GZ a QTE? The game prompts you to push a button whenever you are close to something you can hold, climb, grab, open etc. Is that QTE as well?

Because there is no difference at all with what happens when an enemy grabs you in TLOU, except that the camera angle changes, which is a very very very good thing, and it provides tension, is immersive and makes you feel that you are playing a quality game.

In almost every single game out there the action button is always displayed when the player is about to interract with said object/action. Is that QTE as well? I respectfully disagree.

Other than the camera angle, nothing else changes in this specific thing we are discussing. Games prompt you to press buttons all the time during gameplay. That doesnt make it a QTE.
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A QTE is when the games give you a prompt in the event of a specific situation occurring, with a limited time window to correctly react to it. If failing to press the correct button (or sequence of buttons) leads to punishment, or succeeding leads to a reward, then it's a QTE. This is mechanic has a hard and fast definition, so there shouldn't really be much debate around it.

The Metal Gear Solid examples aren't QTE's because they are both not time limited, and of no consequence if you don't press it. Camera angles have nothing to do with it.

If you still disagree, I would be interested to hear what you believe defines something as being a QTE or not.

Psycho_Mantis said:
Bro its called a situational move and nearly every game has it. Press X to interact with NPC, climb ladder,move block etc.
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Ok then. Tell me what a QTE is. Your previous definition was something that was not part of your general moveset. The kick in RE4 fits this description, as it only activates for a limited window under a specific context. You don't have a kick button. It's a QTE.
 
I sort of agree OP, I found the setting and story to be top notch and engaging, but the gameplay let it down for me. I just didn't find the firefights fun at all.

The story/setting got me through to the end though, but I wouldn't pick it up again.
 
Yeah I feel you OP.

I got the game on sale, played up till the part you meet the main girl person and never touched it again.

It's not that I disliked it or anything, just nothing about it grabbed me, I feel little to no motivation to keep playing.
 
I'm in the same boat, I didn't like it at all for the first quarter to a third of the way through and wondered why it got the glowing reviews, it does get better after that though. I liked the game overall but I would only give it a 7/10 tops.

I loved the story, settings and graphics, hated the controls, they seemed too clunky and a detriment to the gameplay.

There was just something about it that didn't seem fluid and felt like a chore to do things that would be easier to do in real life, and it shouldn't be like that, it should be the opposite.

It was kinda like how the old Resident Evils felt to play, sluggish and tank like, obviously not as bad as that though.

I think it might have been because of the other games I was playing at the time like Batman and Dragon's Dogma that made me feel like I was fully in control and a bad ass, and that might have made TLOU seem worse to me than it actually was.

I'm glad I finished it and I'd definitely recommend it, I don't think I could go through it twice though unless the PS4 version has tighter, more improved controls.
 
I'm having similar thoughts as the op. I loved the intro, but it's gone a bit downhill from there and I'm not seeing where all the praise is coming from personally. I'll keep playing through it, as I want to see the end, but so far, I'd say it's a 7/10 experience. Not bad, but not great.
 
Synth said:
A QTE is when the games give you a prompt in the event of a specific situation occurring, with a limited time window to correctly react to it. If failing to press the correct button (or sequence of buttons) leads to punishment, or succeeding leads to a reward, then it's a QTE. This is mechanic has a hard and fast definition, so there shouldn't really be much debate around it.

The Metal Gear Solid examples aren't QTE's because they are both not time limited, and of no consequence if you don't press it. Camera angles have nothing to do with it.

If you still disagree, I would be interested to hear what you believe defines something as being a QTE or not.



Ok then. Tell me what a QTE is. Your previous definition was something that was not part of your general moveset. The kick in RE4 fits this description, as it only activates for a limited window under a specific context. You don't have a kick button. It's a QTE.
Click to expand...

Something like the boulder scene in RE4 or the Leon vs Krauser fight is a QTE.
 
Synth said:
A QTE is when the games give you a prompt in the event of a specific situation occurring, with a limited time window to correctly react to it. If failing to press the correct button (or sequence of buttons) leads to punishment, or succeeding leads to a reward, then it's a QTE. This is mechanic has a hard and fast definition, so there shouldn't really be much debate around it.

The Metal Gear Solid examples aren't QTE's because they are both not time limited, and of no consequence if you don't press it. Camera angles have nothing to do with it.

If you still disagree, I would be interested to hear what you believe defines something as being a QTE or not.
Click to expand...

Ι do not agree and no, not all Metal Gear Solid examples are "pick up this" or "open this", there are also situations were you have to press button on screen button, and if you dont, you fail. An example is when Snake is being chocked and you are prompted to move the analog left-right to evade, if you dont do it in time, you fail and you can die. If you walk over a mine you will have a button prompt to disable said mine, if you do not press the button on time you walk over the mine and you fail and you die.

And it is not just Metal Gear but a whole lot of games that prompt you to press a button while gameplay, and if you fail to do so you die...

I think it is wrong to compare the QTEs of say, God of War and put them in the same category with what we are talking about here in TLOU, which is normal and fluid gameplay that wouldnt be any different whatosoever wether there was a button prompt or not.

Like if you jump a crevice without a button prompt its ok gameplay, but if there is a button prompt that asks you to press it the exact same way you would even if it wasnt there, then that is a QTE? In both cases if you dont press the button in a timely matter, you fall and you die. You mean that if one of those cases has a button prompt then it qualifies as a QTE? I disagree.
 
I could play the game again, and again, and again. So fun, great story, a twisted twist. Multiplayer is outstanding and addictive. It's my favorite game of all time (gaming since pre-NES).

To each their own.
 
Psycho_Mantis said:
Something like the boulder scene in RE4 or the Leon vs Krauser fight is a QTE.
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Those are also QTE's. They are not the only example of QTE's though. Notice how the examples you gave still fit my definition. What is your definition, rather than simply an example?
 
It would be a great change if some could figure out that not every game is for them, and that's ok.

As a recent example I am in love with Lego Hobbit even though I bought it to play with my daughter, but I know that not everyone will enjoy it. Same could be said for many other games that I like, or don't like.
 
valkyre said:
Ι do not agree and no, not all Metal Gear Solid examples are "pick up this" or "open this", there are also situations were you have to press button on screen button, and if you dont, you fail. An example is when Snake is being chocked and you are prompted to move the analog left-right to evade, if you dont do it in time, you fail and you can die.

And it is not just Metal Gear but a whole lot of games that prompt you to press a button while gameplay, and if you fail to do so you die...

I think it is wrong to compare the QTEs of say, God of War and put them in the same category with what we are talking about here in TLOU, which is normal and fluid gameplay that wouldnt be any different whatosoever wether there was a button prompt or not.

Like if you jump a crevice without a button prompt its ok gameplay, but if there is a button prompt that asks you to press it the exact same way you would even if it wasnt there, then that is a QTE? In both cases if you dont press the button in a timely matter, you fall and you die. You mean that if one of those cases has a button prompt then it qualifies as a QTE? I disagree.
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This is a QTE. They can be placed both in cutscenes and in gameplay, it doesn't prevent them from being QTE's. Can you give me a definition for a QTE? Or would it just be exactly the same as mine, with the added clause of "is in a cutscene"?

Many games have QTE's and not all implementation of it are bad (which seems to be the problem people have with the term). In the example you gave, if that jump required the event to be triggered before you could press it, then yes it's a QTE. If you can jump around freely then it isn't, because it's not context-sensitive or based on an event.
 
Synth said:
Those are also QTE's. They are not the only example of QTE's though. Notice how the examples you gave still fit my definition. What is your definition, rather than simply an example?
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I just told you. Press a button to perform an action that is not in the move set.

This is not to be confused with situational moves such as pick this up, open this, escape etc which are used numerous times in the game.

QTE's are often unique actions to that event. You don't continuously repeat the action throughout the game.
 
Synth said:
This is a QTE. They can be placed both in cutscenes and in gameplay, it doesn't prevent them from being QTE's. Can you give me a definition for a QTE? Or would it just be exactly the same as mine, with the added clause of "is in a cutscene"?

Many games have QTE's and not all implementation of it are bad (which seems to be the problem people have with the term). In the example you gave, if you couldn't activate that jump required the event to be triggered before you could press it, then yes it's a QTE. If you can jump around freely then it isn't, because it's not context-sensitive or based on an event.
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I am free to choose when i want to go and make that jump. Nobody tells me and I dont have limited time to do it. It is not any different from the case I described without the button prompt. You make it sound as if I take a game that has no button prompts when you jump and I simply add a button on your screen, that this suddenly makes it a QTE.

Your definition is flawed. I am not here to define what a QTE is, i dont even care about doing this, what I do know though is that your definition is flawed, as evidenced by both the examples of Metal gear, as well as a more generic one like the aforementioned jump. In truth there are countless examples out there. And as you said with the Metal Gear choke thing there are "exceptions" to the rules, so while you are in "gameplay" you can have QTEs and then you can have "QTEs" that are actually gameplay.

But I can live with disagreeing with your definition of what a QTE is :)
 
Synth said:
A QTE is when the games give you a prompt in the event of a specific situation occurring, with a limited time window to correctly react to it. If failing to press the correct button (or sequence of buttons) leads to punishment, or succeeding leads to a reward, then it's a QTE. This is mechanic has a hard and fast definition, so there shouldn't really be much debate around it.
Click to expand...
So basically fighting games are just a set of QTEs? Tekken's parrying system where if you don't press the right button at the right time you get punished by being hit, is a QTE? Your definition is flawed.
 
Gasp.

Some games you will like, some games you won't, no matter what other people say. I have played the Souls games, they were enjoyable yet frustrating, but I don't understand the worship, it just happens. Don't force yourself through it :)

With regards to TLOU specifically, I really loved the setting, atmosphere, story and believable characters. The gameplay itself wasn't *amazing*, more... servicable.
 
As much in all as it get's lots of GOTY awards the game is pretty typical as far as mechanics are concerned, even some what jerky with weird animations especially if you try to do something like walk where you want to or turn around in a circle during one of those walking talking faux-cutscenes that seem to be extremely popular for no reason in modern games.

Also some people don't find overly violent apocalyptic zombie settings appealing. I know! Crazy people. It's like they don't even watch Walking Dead or care about War Z!
 
Its a good solid title with a predictable and slightly cliche/mundane but cinematic story and solid but tedious gameplay. Its graphically good for a PS3 title and it's refreshing to have something with a decent level of polish.
 
I don't 'get' these threads. Why do you need to figure out why you don't like something? Theres plenty of things that are popular that I'm not into. Its normal. I mean You've given it a fair go and You've explained exactly why you did'nt like it in your OP anyway. The gameplay did'nt engage you. Thats a pretty good reason.
 
Psycho_Mantis said:
I just told you. Press a button to perform an action that is not in the move set.

This is not to be confused with situational moves such as pick this up, open this, escape etc which are used numerous times in the game.

QTE's are often unique actions to that event. You don't continuously repeat the action throughout the game.
Click to expand...

What makes the kick a QTE and not "pick this up, open this" and such is that the prompt does not reward or punish you for executing or failing to execute within a given time window. You walk up to a door and "A : Open" pops up. You decide instead that you're hungry, go off to the shops, make dinner, come back and still can just open the door, then it's not a QTE. It flashes up an "A : Open", you don't care because you're hungry, and so the door locks shut preventing you from going through it? QTE.

The kick fit the description, the door opening doesn't. The number of times it's used is irrelevant. If they had more boulders in RE5, it'd stop being a QTE? How about Excite QTE from the game that coined the term?

exciteqte3.jpg

You can do that all day, and it'll never stop being a QTE.

valkyre said:
I am free to choose when i want to go and make that jump. Nobody tells me and I dont have limited time to do it. It is not any different from the case I described without the button prompt. You make it sound as if I take a game that has no button prompts when you jump and I simply add a button on your screen, that this suddenly makes it a QTE.

Your definition is flawed. I am not here to define what a QTE is, i dont even care about doing this, what I do know though is that your definition is flawed, as evidenced by both the examples of Metal gear, as well as a more generic one like the aforementioned jump. In truth there are countless examples out there. And as you said with the Metal Gear choke thing there are "exceptions" to the rules, so while you are in "gameplay" you can have QTEs and then you can have "QTEs" that are actually gameplay.

But I can live with disagreeing with your definition of what a QTE is :)
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If you're free to do it whenever you like, and you don't have limited time to do it, then it's not a QTE, button prompt or not.

Also, this isn't my definition of a QTE. It's the definition of a QTE.

Here's a Wiki link: Quick Time Event
... and from the citations, here's a link to GamesRadar's Top 7 Least Irritating Quick Time Events. Notice number 7; Stealth Kills. These are very comparable in context to struggle in TLoU and MGSV. The only difference is that the player is rewarded for succeeding, rather than punished for failing.
 
Holdit.gif


The opening ten minutes weren't enough to get you interested? It was excellently done, and i'm not talking about (early-game spoiler)
Sarah getting killed
.
 
The Spoony Hou said:
I don't get why the OP feel he needs to "get" the game, unless he regrets spending the money to buy it.

Dude, you've heard this already, but stop trying to find the greatness in the game. I'm sure you have also seem lots of opinions on the game, so I don't think anyone can explain the game better for you. Play it if you can, don't play if it's too much of a chore.
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This. If you don't like it don't play it, simple as that.
 
Steiner_Zi said:
So basically fighting games are just a set of QTEs? Tekken's parrying system where if you don't press the right button at the right time you get punished by being hit, is a QTE? Your definition is flawed.
Click to expand...

The parry isn't context-sensitive because you can attempt it freely. It's not a result of any event, and there is no prompt. This example doesn't even come close to my definition. Did you even read it?
 
I love the game (even placed it in my top 5 games of last year I think) but I think it's overrated as hell. It's got a great balance between story and gameplay, something that's very rare, but I feel the gameplay in and by itself isn't that great, it's the story and characters that make the game seem more than it is. The story just hits the right notes a lot of the time and I think it's mostly that aspect that sticks in people's minds, not so much the ganeplay or actual game design.

I'm personally of the opinion that a good story can enhance the game, but it's a bonus. Gameplay mechanics and level-design should always be the main focus. Story is just flavor. There are obvious exclusions of course, like point 'n click adventures, but even then there should always be well thought-out game-design and puzzles, otherwise you end up like Telltale's "games". TloU is a great game though, but it's no classic.
 
TloU is a good game. Not great like RE4, but good nonetheless. A major step up from the Uncharted series.

I can understand why someone would not like it. I almost stopped playing it myself at some point.
 
Holy shit how is this thread 11 pages

Breaking news: not every person likes every game. Some people think OoT is overrated too. I personally think TLoU is one of the best gaming experiences every created, but if you don't enjoy the gameplay then you certainly won't share my opinion
 
Synth said:
What makes the kick a QTE and not "pick this up, open this" and such is that the prompt does not reward or punish you for executing or failing to execute within a given time window. You walk up to a door and "A : Open" pops up. You decide instead that you're hungry, go off to the shops, make dinner, come back and still can just open the door, then it's not a QTE. It flashes up an "A : Open", you don't care because you're hungry, and so the door locks shut preventing you from going through it? QTE.

The kick fit the description, the door opening doesn't. The number of times it's used is irrelevant. If they had more boulders in RE5, it'd stop being a QTE? How about Excite QTE from the game that coined the term?

exciteqte3.jpg

You can do that all day, and it'll never stop being a QTE.



If you're free to do it whenever you like, and you don't have limited time to do it, then it's not a QTE, button prompt or not.

Also, this isn't my definition of a QTE. It's the definition of a QTE.

Here's a Wiki link: Quick Time Event
... and from the citations, here's a link to GamesRadar's Top 7 Least Irritating Quick Time Events. Notice number 7; Stealth Kills. These are very comparable in context to struggle in TLoU and MGSV. The only difference is that the player is rewarded for succeeding, rather than punished for failing.
Click to expand...
Then wiki's definition is flawed. And i dont think that's a first either...

Also the reference in the link has absolutely nothing to do with how TLOU plays. And the player is rewarded for succeeding, and again you basically admitted yourself (via the jump discussion), each case is to be judged based on the context. Definitions dont cover everything and while you may have gameplay that is actually QTE , you can also have QTE that is actually gameplay.

In no way whatsoever is what happens in the TLOU, out of the players control and frankly i dont see how they could have made it better when an enemy grabs you and you have to struggle. It is inmersive it is in your control and it is perfectly appropriate imho with the tone of the game. It is not the same as a qte in GOW where you have to watch to press the correct buttons which you dont know each time. TLOU uses one button and it is the action button in the button config, you dont press L1 or some other irrelevant button you press the exact same button that you would have anyway. You actually have to try to fail that particular thing.
 
I liked the story, characters, and setting, but I didn't particularly enjoy the actual game part of TLoU. It was good in some places, but I got tired of clearing enemies after a point.

Why Bioshock:Infinite got shit for their enemy encounters and TLoU doesn't is weird to me. Yea you can stealth through it and set up traps and stuff, but they don't change all that much. It seemed to me the most effective way to deal with clickers is to just throw a molotov and wait for them to burn themselves.


Also fuck the stupid floating pallets sections.
 
wizard said:
If you're a graphics whore in no way is this game beautiful.
Click to expand...

You do realize "graphics" is such a vague term that encompasses many things right? Technically speaking, I'm sure the graphics whore would laugh at the AA and framerate at parts, but the world and character design is absolutely phenomenal, and I've seen many "graphics whores" admit that. It has nothing to do with the hardware of the console it's on.
 
Naughty Dog has more crazy fans on this board than anywhere else.

They could release a total piece of shit and it would still be heralded as the second coming of video games around here.
 
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