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[WrenchNinja]

Speaking for consoles, series from prior gens have worse installments apart from a few exceptions like Galaxy. Shooters dominate, death of middle budget game, start of online passes and dlc unlock codes, motion controls, account hacking, unnecessary addition of online play to games that didnt need them, etc.

Despite all that Ive probably played more games this generation than any other, maybe cause im older and can afford to buy more. So im not sure where I fall on this, ive enjoyed a lot in this gen but its also a generation where Ive gotten angry about a lot of things. Overall I still think its weaker generation than last.

 

[SparkTR]

In a way. Gaming has become so much more corporate-minded and methodical. Publishers know what sells and what doesn't sell so they don't deviant from 'safe' formulas too much. In contrast the growth of DD services like Steam and XBLA have allowed that creative slack to be picked up by smaller developers. I feel PC has had a pretty good generation, with consoles it's been a mixed bag for me, definitely not bad though.

 

[Woo-Fu]

Was an awesome generation, something---lots of something---for everybody. People with an overall disappointment probably need to pick a new hobby, maybe crochet or stamp collecting.

 

[Mr_Appleby]

And play what?

Falcom Games? Sure, pretty good.

Ports? Ok Yeah, classics are classics.

Square games? I guess Crisis Core is good, but not mainline FF game good.

What else? A bunch of middling c-grade rpgs? Nothing real close to the PS2 gen greats.

Monster Hunter. It's the sole reason I own one. (two).

 

[Zeal]

I hope motion controls join the graveyard of biggest fuckups and failures in gaming history.

 

[GoofsterStud]

What the hell is this bullshit? You are entitled to your own opinions and all but give people a little more credit. This list looks like it was put together by some who started from a conclusion and then tried to build an argument around it and ended up failing hard. I think there's an argument [read: accusation] you really want to make here that you're hoping some else will make sense of.

It's just my opinion. It's not factual at all.

Part of the problem is systems are more then ever like really bad PC's, and for the first time the PC games are being held back.

PC gaming has gone downhill to be console ports, and not the other way around. So PC wise things haven't progressed nearly as much with few exceptions: Crysis and Witcher 2. Many PC games from the PS2/Xbox error hold up way to well.

 

[Infernal Monkey]

Nah. I discovered a lot of import sites this generation. If I'd stuck with buying locally from the fucking horrible Australian market, then yeah, it probably would have been a gigantic let down.

 

[The Technomancer]

Yes and no. In some areas (Nintendo titles) it delivered fantastically. In general though, I feel that a lot of so-called "HD" didn't bother to start exploring mechanically and structurally what they can do with a "video game". RPGs in particular feel like they suffered, I can only think of one non-handheld RPG that I really feel pushed the genre forward theoretically (Alpha Protocol)

 

[squidyj]

I think we saw a lot of push in the story department this gen that wasn't necessarily there last gen so I don't think it's fair to say we lost in terms of story.

I hope motion controls join the graveyard of biggest fuckups and failures in gaming history.

Controller's days are numbered bro. There's only so much complexity you can squeeze out of an assortment of buttons and a pair of analogue sticks. To have better interaction with game worlds you need a more robust control system, end of story. Not saying the current motion controls aren't tacky and gimmicky and failing to provide accuracy and precision but tech like Kinect is going to be the future, full stop.

 

[mysteriousmage09]

This gen has been decent at best. Sure there are lots of good games that have released and are going to release in the near future but this gen is where a bunch of really stupid shit just full blown exploded.

Gone are the day of getting a few free maps in an fps for free, look out for 3 map map packs for $10+ dollars!

Gone are the days of unlocking characters in fighters, $5+ per extra character!

Make way for the mass amount of dlc for everything including portions of games that should be on the disc!

Make way for paying to unlock shit already on the disc!

Make way for online passes for everything!

Make way for gimmick controllers and 3D!

Make way for over 20 fps games per year with 90% being rehashes!

Make way for pre-order bonuses that rip gamers off if you do not go to fucking Gamestop! Power to the player guys!

Make way for games with an average length of 6 hours and no real reason to replay them!

Make way for the closure of dozens of studios!

Make way for the fall from glory for many studios!

The list goes on. The good things basically fall under the few good studios continuing to make good games, better graphics, online play becoming a big part of console gaming, and the return of the awesome 2D games as of late but there is so much bullshit that has gotten in the way this gen that it leaves a sour taste in your mouth when you think about it all. Hopefully this shit calms the hell down next get but who the hell knows. Last gen was better in every category except online play.

 

[Fracas]

What's wrong with CoD? Though the series has lost me with their latest entry, I understand why it's capable of selling the numbers it generates and is largely harmless to my enjoyment of other games.

It doesn't really ruin the generation for me, I just dislike that so many devs feel the need to imitate the CoD formula. The series seems to hold back the genre as a whole, because of little change in each iteration. I can see why people like it, though

 

[scytheavatar]

-No real revolutionary improvements in gameplay

Question: how much improvement do you think we can give to the gameplay of the current gen of games? Your typical FPS/JRPG/Fighting Game/Platform/etc?

 

[ScrabbleBanshee]

Video games in general were more interesting when I was a young and dumb kid of the 80s. Unfortunately the vast majority of games are still pandering to that 80's kid and I have unfortunately grown up.

Of course there are a bunch of notable exceptions in games that I really enjoyed being able to play this generation. I have pretty much ignored multiplayer my entire adult life and unfortunately multiplayer has been the industry darling making expansive deep single player offerings that one can digest at their own pace between diaper changes fewer than before.

 

[Pyrrhus]

The list goes on. The good things basically fall under the few good studios continuing to make good games, better graphics, online play becoming a big part of console gaming, and the return of the awesome 2D games as of late but there is so much bullshit that has gotten in the way this gen that it leaves a sour taste in your mouth when you think about it all. Hopefully this shit calms the hell down next get but who the hell knows. Last gen was better in every category except online play.

If I were a betting man, I wouldn't put money down on things getting better next gen on the business/control front. Remember the current rumor than the next Xbox is somehow going to lock out secondhand games?

Of course there are a bunch of notable exceptions in games that I really enjoyed being able to play this generation. I have pretty much ignored multiplayer my entire adult life and unfortunately multiplayer has been the industry darling making expansive deep single player offerings that one can digest at their own pace between diaper changes fewer than before.

Multiplayer is the industry darling because it's easy to turn into a revenue stream. Just keep releasing map packs and forcing people who play online with their friends to have pony up if they want to keep being able to socialize. I get sick of constantly feeling manipulated by publishers.

 

[Data West]

Gone are the days of unlocking characters in fighters, $5+ per extra character!

I've unlocked plenty of characters in fighters. More like, gone are the days of
not getting additional characters added at a later time.

 

[GoofsterStud]

Question: how much improvement do you think we can give to the gameplay of the current gen of games? Your typical FPS/JRPG/Fighting Game/Platform/etc?

Considering some old RPGs had better gameplay then current RPGs a lot.

I really wish more people played Panzer Dragoon Saga to understand.

Fighting Games...I am thinking a true transition to 3D akin to Power Stone. Could bring freshness into fighters if done right. Not that Power Stone was a bad game, Power Stone 2 was the party game of choice.

 

[dab0ne]

The past couple years I've actually had a problem playing games because there are too many good ones... never had that problem before. I'm sure it has something to do with studios being closed left and right. When all that is left are independent studios and triple A studios you tend to get games that are new IPs or incredibly high calibur. Games like Uncharted 3, Killzone 3, Batman AC, GTAIV, Assassins Creed, Resident Evil, God of War 3, and Metal Gear Solid 4 (just to name a few) aren't just good games they are good games for this generations of games which is saying quite a bit.

 

[Vrakanox]

Not as good as previous generations(SNES, PS1, PS2) but it hasn't been awful either.

 

[Punchpudding]

Prior to this generation, I was PC only and never owned a console. Preferred western RPGs, FPS, and adventure games. I liked the writing and storytelling style of games like Deus Ex, Half-life, or Planescape Torment and honestly didn't think the console games could match them.

This gen, gave Xbox360 a try early on-- got Bioshock, Mass Effect, Halo, Fallout 3, Oblivion, Fable 2, and indie games like Braid, Castle Crashers. Honestly pretty impressed. Let down? Nope.

 

[Derrick01]

Controller's days are numbered bro. There's only so much complexity you can squeeze out of an assortment of buttons and a pair of analogue sticks. To have better interaction with game worlds you need a more robust control system, end of story. Not saying the current motion controls aren't tacky and gimmicky and failing to provide accuracy and precision but tech like Kinect is going to be the future, full stop.

Yeah I'm sure everyone will grow to love moving their entire body around to do everything they can easily do now with buttons.

If motion controls are the future, it won't be something like Kinect.

 

[SparkTR]

It's just my opinion. It's not factual at all. No need what I have seen.

Part of the problem is systems are more then ever like really bad PC's, and for the first time the PC games are being held back.

PC gaming has gone downhill to be console ports, and not the other way around. So PC wise things haven't progressed nearly as much with few exceptions: Crysis and Witcher 2.

You're looking at things a bit narrowly. Yes PC hasn't been expanding much in the high-end area, but due to the endemic issue of high development costs and the success of DD it's been growing in other areas. Genres that were on a decline are making comebacks, the platform has more diversity than it did six years ago and developers are able to experiment without going bankrupt similar to how it was in the early 1990's.

 

[Baron Aloha]

Been gaming for 30 years. Definitely a let down. I'd go as far as to say it is the worst one.

 

[dab0ne]

Yeah I'm sure everyone will grow to love moving their entire body around to do everything they can easily do now with buttons.

If motion controls are the future, it won't be something like Kinect.

I agree. Kinect is like a cool way to navigate menus or surf the web but as a gaming interface I just don't like it. It works really well for specific types of games but certainly doesn't work at all with others.

 

[GoofsterStud]

If I were a betting man, I wouldn't put money down on things getting better next gen on the business/control front. Remember the current rumor than the next Xbox is somehow going to lock out secondhand games?

Does this mean I will not be able to play games I own on more then one console I own?

Yes, I am one of those people that has multiple entertainment centers. How will this work if I want to bring a game from the entertainment room (where the wife might have guests over playing Mario Party 900) and I want to play on the other system in the Den. How about when we take the collection of games to the summer home?

That's a scary thought, might be the first console I don't own to make a statement.

 

[Duxxy3]

I'll try to do my own list

-DLC
-Motion controls suck
-DRM more invasive than ever
-Online passes
-Shortened length of single player campaigns

All 3 consoles have been disappointments in their own ways.

Nintendo for not going at least 720p and forcing motion controls on classic franchises.

Sony for price mistake, hardware too hard to program for and and FPS unfriendly controller.

Microsoft for the awful hardware, kinect being shit, lack of exclusives and killing off all their in house teams.

 

[squidyj]

Yeah I'm sure everyone will grow to love moving their entire body around to do everything they can easily do now with buttons.

If motion controls are the future, it won't be something like Kinect.

Kinect doesn't have to be full body movement.

I agree. Kinect is like a cool way to navigate menus or surf the web but as a gaming interface I just don't like it. It works really well for specific types of games but certainly doesn't work at all with others.

I haven't seen a good application of Kinect's features and I think a hardware revision would open up some new opportunities for it's use. Using that kind of technology though I can think of some things to complement current controllers that would be very good for a core demographic.

 

[botty]

Definitely the most repetitive generation.

 

[SlickVic]

Personally disagree, for the simple fact that I've never run out of games to play this generation and have a built up a decently large backlog of current gen titles. Probably would be wise if I held off on buying next gen consoles until I clear that out (and with any luck, maybe that'll be around the time the 1st wave of price drops hit).

 

[GoofsterStud]

Botty, is that avatar Chibi Robo? I have that game and never opened it. >.>

 

[def sim]

It doesn't really ruin the generation for me, I just dislike that so many devs feel the need to imitate the CoD formula. The series seems to hold back the genre as a whole, because of little change in each iteration. I can see why people like it, though

I'm guessing the CoD formula in this instance would be the rewards system: points per kill for equipment unlocks. Though I think that's more of a beneficial addition to the genre than a bane.

The game itself is more akin to modern Quake deathmatch, which isn't very similar to other shooters out today.

 

[nincompoop]

Botty, is that avatar Chibi Robo? I have that game and never opened it. >.>

Open it and play it at once, fool! You'll instantly be given a lesson as to why last gen >>> this gen.

 

[a Master Ninja]

Does this mean I will not be able to play games I own on more then one console I own?

If such a system were implemented, I'd imagine it would be locked to your profile like XBL/PSN downloads.

 

[Comet]

Been one my most fulfilling generations ever. From Lost Odyssey, Bioshock, Red Dead Redemption, Uncharted series, Mass Effect, Fallout 3, Skyrim, etc, etc, there are so many games I was impressed with this generation.

 

[GodfatherX]

id put it about equal with last gen, which i liked less then the 32/64 bit gen, which i liked less then the 16 bit era...but nostalgia likely plays a huge role here

 

[Pyrrhus]

Does this mean I will not be able to play games I own on more then one console I own?

Well, it's a rumor so nobody knows. But if there were going to lock a game to the first console it's played in, then yeah, you'd be out of luck. I'm in the same boat. If this is true, I definitely won't buy the next XBox.

 

[seady]

I think this gen contributed way more than last gen.

The HD consoles really push the online front waaaay forward. Not just online play, but also microtranscation, DLC, demos, applications etc.

The Wii took an interesting turn with motion controls.

The handheld introduced the casual gaming scene, touch-screen gaming. Even the mobile phone brought us the cheap downloadable games.

Each systems also have their own unique operation system that is upgradable through internet - something that was not possible in the past.

 

[GoofsterStud]

If such a system were implemented, it would clearly be locked to your profile like XBL/PSN downloads.

Will I be able to add more then one system to my profile?

Sorry, this kind of scares me. I can't imagine buying two games for the kids. Gaming would get to expensive if we had to by 4 copies of everything. :-/

 

[boingball]

Well, I do hope, that there are still some good games coming out (Last Guardian, The Last of Us, Journey). And there were some great games this gen (Uncharted, Assassin's Creed, Batman, Read Dead Redemption). There were also quite a few experiments (Catherine, Heavy Rain (though the PS2 had Indigo Prophecy), L.A. Noire) even with the increased cost of development.

Though I have to say that the PS2 gave us the GTA series (GTA III was a revolution, GTA IV was kind of a let-down, still a great game, but they made it too serious, on the other hand this gen some other devs have managed to bring out capable open world games (Saint's Row, Just Cause) and there was the amazing RDR of course), SSX (I loved it, again, there is hope that we get another great one next month) and great RPGs (Dark Cloud 2, Dragon Quest VIII, this gen is about western RPGs, I do like Mass Effect but I can't stand the FP RPGs).

This gen is too much focused on shooters (I can understand why it makes business sense, since that is what the bro's are buying nowadays) and online (who needs a story, when you can have online multiplayer) for my taste. Not to mention motion controls invented by the PS2 (Eyetoy) and Wii in the last gen and now on all next-gen consoles (I assume the Wii U still will have waggle?).

On the other hand I love my PSP and the games for it and with PSN (sorry, SEN) and XBLA there are some good games in the $10 to $15 range, which allows to bring out games which do not sell anymore as $50 games (2D platformers, Shmups, ...).

Overall I am happy with this gen so far. I fear though that the next gen will even have less risk-taking due to increased development cost and more FPS, FP RPGs (with the success of Skyrim, clones are sure to follow) and motion control games. Hopefully the DD space will provide space for classic genres, and perhaps the portables are a haven for JPRGs. I do hope, that Insomniac are making another R&C game in the next generation, that could be at almost Pixar qulaity.

 

[okenny]

I agree. Kinect is like a cool way to navigate menus or surf the web but as a gaming interface I just don't like it. It works really well for specific types of games but certainly doesn't work at all with others.

I have this friend called Fruit Ninja Kinect and he would like to have a word with you

I'm not fond of wishing death on things their first time into the market. Kinect version 1 has very obvious limits that have even improved greatly due to software update alone and better implementation. Even if it's never accepted as a viable control option by the hardcore market, so many people have come to the product and left happy and that will only improve as it gets better. It's a natural interface that is as revolutionary as the mouse and if the gaming industry can't find a use for it (and they are) then the industry is as creatively bankrupt ans the OP seems to think it is.

 

[dab0ne]

You're looking at things a bit narrowly. Yes PC hasn't been expanding much in the high-end area, but due the endemic issue of high development costs and the success of DD it's been growing is other areas. Genres that were on a decline are making comebacks, the platform has more diversity than it did six years ago and developers are able to experiment without going bankrupt similar to how it was in the early 1990's.

I agree. I became a PC gamer in the past couple years (still cant use M&KB to save my life ) and since it's so much cheaper to get games, a good PC, and PC accessories; I think the PC is definitely sparking interests among consumers who never considered it before. If you are reading this and you don't game on PC you should consider getting a good PC for gaming. I have all three consoles and I do about 25% of my gaming on my PC. I can upgrade when it gets outdated for a fraction of the cost of a new console, games through steam allows me to play mulit-player for free, and when I use my laptop I can plug in an Xbox controller and chill on the couch with my feet reclined. I love my consoles but I love my PC too and if you've been on the fence about PC gaming I say go for it. You don't have to abandon consoles for PCs. All it will do is expand your horizons.

 

[DarkKyo]

Games are getting increasingly awesome in terms of scope and vision. I don't think this generation was a let-down. The industry learned a lot and games are only going to get more awesome as we move into the next gen.

 

[Nizz]

I don't really think this gen's been a let down. Things did seem sort of simpler in earlier gens. I don't mean games were easier then (in fact they were probably harder). Just seemed like a lighter tone to things in the old days. Things seemed to go dark and serious nowadays.

But some of my most favorite games arrived this gen. Games like Portal 2, God of War 3, Uncharted 2, COD4, Dead Space 1&2, Mirror's Edge, Prince of Persia 08 and so many more that I won't mention or else this post will be longer than it needs to.

This is also the first gen that I ever went online with. That opened up a whole new world to me (sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse). Mostly for the better, as playing online has given me countless hours of gaming. Nothing like playing against real people.

 

[Raonak]

best gaming generation i've had. I did only start in the PS1 generation, so theres that.

PS1 was really good.
PS2 generation i found weak. :/ I did miss out on a lot of games though. and I bought the console late.
This generation was awesome. consoles becoming more than just game machines, online gaming reaching the masses, digital distribution- demoes, DLC and patches.
Having blockbuster disk games co-exist with smaller PSN games. Plus, being able to play old games via the likes of PSN, virtual console, etc and even HD collections, which i really enjoy.

 

[Pimpbaa]

The games are as good as they've ever been. But the way publishers have been screwing us over is a let down. Higher game prices, DLC already on the disc, cut content to later sell as DLC, overpriced DLC (5 bucks for an extra charater in a fighting game), vendor specific pre-order bonuses, paying 15 bucks for a few maps, and all the other shit that I haven't listed. And on top of that, MS charging for a service that should be free.

 

[Auto_aim1]

It's been amazing if you play on all systems. There is just so much variety, innovation, excellence and mediocrity available if you know where to look. Then we have the online experience which really took off this gen. So I'd say this gen was a huge leap over the previous one. The problem is, we are exposed to so many games it feels sort of underwhelming.

 

[revolverjgw]

The DLC and pre-order stuff sucks, but I find it hard to complain much. I grew up in an era where you might pay 50 bucks for a cart with 40 minutes of content. Modern console retail games are much more content-rich, cheaper considering inflation, you can play the good ones online for years, plus you've got Live/PSN/indie games for a fraction of that price. Insane value today, sometimes I wonder how devs make money at all.

 

[Dueck]

The Wii's success was a major blow, IMO. It was a novelty system with mostly shovelware, yet it sold the best. It was like people were all saying "who needs a NY steak when you can have a McDonald's cheeseburger!" Nintendo put out some good stuff, and there were some gems like Deadly Creatures or Zack & Wiki, but it was pretty lame as systems go. Same for all the Move and Kinect stuff. They're toys.

The rise of digital distribution is something else I wasn't in favor of. While not a dominant format yet, I don't like it, and I HATE the fact you pay the same (or sometimes more) for the digital copies of retail games. They should subtract all manufacturing and middle-man related costs. It's not like they'll make any less from it.

Lastly, I hate all of the DLC exclusives. Either because MS goes around giving BJs or retailers somehow curry favor and end up with things you can't otherwise buy or download from the store. I know it's a business, but why would publishers willing say "screw you" to a certain demographic of their customers? If you throw somebody a freebie as a pre-order bonus, at least let others pay you extra to get it too (and I don't mean 3-6 months from now).

 

[Punchpudding]

Games are getting increasingly awesome in terms of scope and vision. I don't think this generation was a let-down. The industry learned a lot and games are only going to get more awesome as we move into the next gen.

Thinking about it, I'll remember this as the generation where the game industry became more like the movie industry (in both good and bad ways).

More people started gaming. Games got bigger and more expensive. The demand and expectation on artists and writers went way up (the scope and vision of modern games can exceed their hollywood counterparts). The stakes went up and bigger companies took fewer risks. Like independent movies, independent games popped up... Doesn't sound too farfetched to me.

 

[shintoki]

As a whole, I don't think you can argue it not being the best. The diversity and standard quality all rose. The downside to this is a very homogenized nature of core titles, the bread and butter of previous generations. The polish is better than before, but they ended up being just mediocre titles fading slowly from memory soon after.

The upside to this is the wonderful birth of Digital catalogs. While my heart still feels more passion towards the larger budget titles. A game like Outland would not have been able to exist anywhere last gen, but found a home on XBLA this gen. PC also experienced a massive rebirth. The middle man has been dying on consoles, but its found a home on PC.

Handhelds also experienced their strongest entries yet. DS was a fantastic system with fantastic support. People wonder where all the Japanese development went. The quality is still there on handhelds. And while the PSP is a terrible system, it delivered much more quality support than most would have ever anticipated.

So I do not believe this gen was a let down. I think if I stuck with my views on when I came into the generation it would have been.

 

[DSix]

If you have western tastes and were awaiting eagerly for PC devs to jump on consoles, you are happy.

If you love Japanese console games and prefer to keep your PC games on PC, absolute worst generation ever.

I'm the later unfortunately