Was this generation a let down?

I believe it was a let down. Although I think such a thing was inevitable. The cost of development is too high. The consumers expect quite a lot.

Big annoyances:
  • DLC practices by companies(Biggest offender the fighting genre)
  • Motion controls being pushed and utilized poorly.
  • Destruction of a lot of smaller dev studios and thus different possible IP's.
  • Heavy rise of anti-consumer DRM.
  • The lack of party/4player split screen titles.
  • The "online mode requirement"(games having multiplayer that didn't need it)
  • Unfinished games being released and patched multiple times over two weeks.

Great things that came out of this gen:
  • Rise of Indie Title Distribution(More so thanks to steam)
  • Digital Distribution increase in general.
  • HD rereleases.
  • Multiplatform game releases on the rise(Less exclusives).

Overall, I cannot understand how people enjoyed this generation more so than the last.

Maybe perhaps it was because they didn't own all three consoles? If you had a PS2, XBox, and Gamecube there were 100's of quality titles that were worth playing. The PS2 library was incredible on its own, but with the addition of the other two consoles there were more games than most knew what to do with. Not to mention the genre diversity was there. This generation if you are a heavy jrpg fan a lot of your gaming is done on handhelds.

I just can't fathom why anyone who actually played a significant amount of games last gen could say that this console generation was more enjoyable.
 
rvy said:
Next week, in game magazines, how to jack into the Matrix from your PS2.
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Hehe. Well, that was just in the very early days though. After the PS3 got released, people got to see for themself, so i'm not sure that i would say that this reflect much on the generation as a whole. But it was a part of it, that is true.
 
I played more games for more hours of a broader variety this generation than any other.

That said, it was a huge letdown. It went on way too long (graphics, artwork havent improved at all for two years). All of the novelty it offered didn't make it any more fun. All that set it apart was a handful of games with strong, epic watershed moments that were emotionally compelling. But I'd struggle to name any outside MGS4, Heavy Rain, and Uncharted that pulled that off.

Rating: TWO SEXY LADIES
 
I love this gen. Although there are games that are really expensive for early adopters, there are still many titles that quickly become available for under $20. The shear number of current gen games I picked up last year for $10 was so much that I had to stop buying games altogether.

I don't have time to 100% all my games, so DLC usually isn't an issue. When I like a game enough to get it's DLC, I just wait for a sale. As a frugal gamer, this gen has been by far the best.
 
I think most of this can be chalked up to the industry expanding to cater to a wider demographic. A lot of games are aimed at casual gamers (or non-gamers) as a result.
 
Anslon said:
I love this gen. Although there are games that are really expensive for early adopters, there are still many titles that quickly become available for under $20. The shear number of current gen games I picked up last year for $10 was so much that I had to stop buying games altogether.
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It's been like that since console games started coming on disc, though.
 
Handheld gaming has kicked so much ass that it more than makes up for any other shortcomings this gen.
I should memorialize my PSP with a plaque and a retirement luncheon at PF Changs for all it's done.
Not a let down in the least.
 
This console generation really helped resuscitate the PC and there were a ton of great Valve releases

So no, not disappointing at all
 
jRPGs have been disappointing. Or I guess, the lack of the Final Fantasy series in any recognizable/enjoyable form. If it counts, Demon's Souls sort of saved the day out of nowhere so at least we have something.

Western RPGs have grown a lot, but there's still a lot left to be desired. As beautiful and promising as Skyrim is, it still feels pretty lifeless once you actually start fighting monsters and talking to NPCs.


So, RPGs have been disappointing. Everything else, though, has been incredible. This gen saw a big focus on quality. We weren't moving from 2D to 3D, just much better looking 3D. I think this allowed some breathing room for a lot of genres to mature a great deal. There wasn't a dimensional transition, just a refinement of what was already going on.

I particularly like the way games are starting to "feel" different because of more advanced physics being applied. The way that Nathan Drake, or an Assassin from AC feels definitely adds a layer of immersion. Not to mention, there are so many more moving parts in games now.
 
I hate it when people complain about a lack of "gameplay innovation".

They brought us the Wii, Move, and Kinect this gen, and most people on this forum complain about that. They did bring some new things to the table, but it seems they've nearly exhausted those concepts already.

If you think someone is going to come along and totally change how Call of Duty plays, you're fooling yourself. New franchises are the only hope for innovation.
 
Oh good, I was wondering when this year's first "this generation wasn't as good as the PS2 era" rose-tinted glasses thread would arrive.

Unless you're exclusively a fan of JRPG's I don't see how this generation could be considered a let down at all (given how the OP details this generation with "RPG's used to be longer compared to now" and "multiple genres died", I'm assuming that could be the case :P). "Games didn't get better?" That's an incredibly objective thing to say, not a fact.
 
This generation was amazing.
Unless you were a fan of Japanese developers not named From or Nintendo or Capcom's fighting game division.
In which case it sucked ass.
 
- Charging to play online games

This is the worst precedent this generation. Multiplayer should be free! We already pay for our Internet service ($70/month myself) and we purchase the games new. Hopefully, in the used games market, the online passes are enough for Sony, and Steam never gets greedy.
 
It's hard not to be biased since I loved the 5th generation so much. It was just when I had the most fun playing videogames. But really, the indie scene pushes the generation into the top spot. Just think of all the great games we've seen from Steam and XBLA/PSN/WiiWare, not to mention it's never been easier to play older games. And while it has been disappointing to see some of my favorite JRPG series drop in quality (looking at you Paper Mario), I've come to appreciate shooters and strategy games a lot more.
 
hammster said:
Some pretty terrible practices seem to have come out/become more prominent during this generation.

But then, I look at the quantity (and quality) of the software from this generation and I have to forgive that.
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Yes, agreed.

My biggest peeve of this generation has actually been motion controls. Even in situations where it's supposedly been handled well (like Skyward Sword, for example), I just don't like it. The latest 360 dashboard was seriously compromised for the sake of Kinect accessibility. It's an awful, gimmicky trend that has not improved a single gaming experience for me.

If motion controls continue to be a major focus in the next generation, I'm moving to PC. Hopefully the miserable, high-profile failure of UDraw on 360 and PS3 has not gone unnoticed.
 
Hazelhurst said:
- Charging to play online games

This is the worst precedent this generation. Multiplayer should be free! We already pay for our Internet service ($70/month myself) and we purchase the games new. Hopefully, in the used games market, the online passes are enough for Sony, and Steam never gets greedy.
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We'll see how this pans out for MS next gen. Halo isn't the big game it was anymore and Xbox isn't the only multiplayer console. Now you have ps3, steam, and hopefully wii u. And the popular MP games are multiplatform.
 
Hazelhurst said:
- Charging to play online games

This is the worst precedent this generation. Multiplayer should be free! We already pay for our Internet service ($70/month myself) and we purchase the games new. Hopefully, in the used games market, the online passes are enough for Sony, and Steam never gets greedy.
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Don't worry about Steam. Gabe and company would never charge for online, it goes against fundamental PC gaming values. The one who tried to do that, MS, failed miserably to the point where it has just about killed GFWL. PC gamers don't put up with that bullshit.
 
nincompoop said:
Open it and play it at once, fool! You'll instantly be given a lesson as to why last gen >>> this gen.
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It's crazy to think that something like Chibi-Robo could've been released at retail and become a large enough success to become a franchise. Imagine if Chibi-Robo was released this generation, well it probably wouldn't have been made. The staff would've been working on Mario Sports Mix 2012 or some bullshit.
 
I think people forget, that the 'mascot platformers' has basically died out as well, save for Nintendo franchises. And that saddens me a great deal.

I'm not satisfied by this gen, there's a real lack of 'classics' but I won't complain as I used to do.
 
I really wonder how man of your are basing your judgement on.

I mean, isn't it the games that matters? I mean, how interesting (good gameplay + diversity?) they are? I cannot judge a generation on other criterias, what's the use? How does that change the game you played and enjoyed?

Let's say there's a generation A where I played 100 great games and then generation B where I played 200 great games. Let's say that a shitload of crap stuff also happened in generation B. No matter how many fucking Kinect bullshit, other gimmicks, DLC abuse, shady practices with certain games, and whatever other shit stuff that happened, if I had more fun in generation B then that generation wins.

So yeah, when I read posts about all the bullshit that is going on in the industry right now... I also care for all of that just like you and still I got to play more great games without any assle this gen than in any other. I don't exactly understand, buy no Kinect, buy no Move, simply don't buy your game X that is supporting shady pratice #32. Their existence doesn't matter if you still can play other great games no? My backlog is unbelievable right now, I am actually THANKFUL there's not more great games out there this gen.
 
This gen's a mixture of very good and very bad trends; the death of mid-tier projects is a tragedy but the massive growth in small/indie titles has been very positive.

The problem with this gen is you need a phalanx of different hardware to get the most from it.
 
It all depends on your tastes. It's been a great gen for me. Literally more games to play than I have time. Others may not be so lucky.

For an example, it's like me and the PSP. It's a good handheld, people love it, but I've owned one since launch and I never play it anymore, mostly because a lot of the games they release for it now don't appeal to me (JRPGS, MonHun, Patapon, etc.). That kind of stuff is the bread and butter of the system. Does that mean it was a bad system? Maybe for me personally, but not as a whole.
 
Other than Japan dying off and putting out the worst DLC, I'd say it's been wonderful.

XBLA/smaller games/indie bundles. Best new thing.
 
Kind of, PC and handheld gaming has been great. Console gaming I have a bit of a problem with.

-Multiplatform games everywhere. I know this means more sales for developers and in turn, more games but then what is the point of me owning multiple consoles now? In previous gens, I felt there was a valid reason to own multiple consoles as there were plenty of exclusives justifying owning them.

-Online passes. It's been said many times why these are horrible so I won't bother explaining this one.

-DLC/Loss of unlocks. Same as above but this is one I really hate. I never feel I'll own the complete game now because of DLC, then you have DLC for midnight launches, events, retailer exclusive ones, DLC on the games release day. It's all bull and the ones on store are expensive for what they are most of the time. This used to be called unlocking stuff before but now they can charge a couple of quid for it. Games series I liked are now cutting content and selling back as DLC (Disgaea for example). I love Monster Hunter and like many fans, want it for Vita but I wouldn't be surprised seeing shit like "Azure Ratholos & Pink Rathian set for £4.99/Hammer pack for £2.99/Hunter Rank 7 Quests for £9.99

-Games that look and control the same. How many highly praised games out there use L1 to aim, R1 to shoot, L2/R2 for grenade, left stick to sprint, right stick to melee etc. Games that control the same like others makes me feel like I've just done this all before.

-Online mode in general/Loss of split screen. Why do I need a publisher account and sign a contract just to play multiplayer. Why is there no split screen option now? Why are you losing focus on the single player so you can quickly tack on a multiplayer mode? I hate playing with random people I don't know, I like playing with friends in the same room. In most cases, online mode is the same no matter what game it is, deathmatch, capture the twat, zone control etc

-Developers wanting that COD crowd. I have no problem with Call of Duty or its fans, they both know what they want and do it. It's the other developers thinking they can get in on that and end up making games to try and appeal to them which end up being poor. It's even more sad when you have companies changing their already esatblished franchises for it.

-Games taking ages to start. You bought the game, well here is your day one patch, here is the publisher's cock, here is the developer's tits, here is the game engine's ass, no none of this is skippable.

-Meh Sequels within 2 years. I couldn't see an improvement in Gears 3/Uncharted 3 if it slapped me in the face. It was the same shit.

-Sequels that just won't end. Please give me a different cast of characters at the very least so it feels some what different than the last one.

-Remastered in HD. I just played these games a couple of years ago! I still own the original copy! Don't have too much of a problem with this one, I would just rather they made them on Vita/3DS instead, portable>slightly better textures in my opinion.

-Digital Distribution. I just don't think I'm still going to own the games I bought in years time.

-Motion controls. Wouldn't be so bad if they gave a controller only option. I hate swinging my arm from side to side, it ends up hurting me. One memory in particular was RE4 on the Wii. You had to run away from the boulder so you had to swing your arm side to side for the QTE. Shortly after, you fought the lake monster, if he hits you, you have to swim back to the boat. You do this by swinging your arm from side to side. I got hit like 3 times. Then after beating it, you get a QTE where you have to slice the rope, this was done by swinging the arm again. My wrist was hurting for the next few days. Gaming shouldn't be painful!

Enough bitching, there have been some fantastic things that came out of this gen:

InFAMOUS
Demons Souls
Left 4 Dead
Fallout New Vegas
Skyrim
Catherine
Just Cause 2
Bioshock
Darksiders
Portal
Indie games/XBLA/PSN in general

This gen has been ok, not as good as the previous ones (feel free to blast me for nostalgia). PC and the handhelds have been where it's at for me.
 
Lijik said:
Were you like asleep this generation?
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Exactly. Threads like these serve to expose people who just pay attention to what is being sold to them by large companies. There is nearly something for everyone and this gen is filled with loads of great under the radar titles.
 
On one hand we got the most constant stream of GREAT games this gen in the whole history of video gaming.

On the other a lot of favorite genres died down because of the marine/space marine fad.
 
Rad- said:
Many will probably disagree with me here but I found last gen already disappointing as far as JRPGs go. There was only one great JRPG for me last gen and that was FFXII.
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I actually found it disappointing too, mainly due to the death of the world map. Still significantly better than this gen though. We got 3 Suikoden games, 2 Grandia games (3 of Dreamcast counts), 1 large scale Dragon Quest game, 4 FFs, 3 Wild Arms, a billion Gust games, a few Shin Megami Tenseis, and a bunch of stuff on handhelds. On consoles this gen, we have.... the Atelier series.
 
Best generation ever.

- Graphics are GREATLY improved over last gen. Play KZ and then KZ 2 or 3. Play any Xbox game and play Gears of War. Moderatly improved, my ass...

- Always online and connected with friends.

- XBLA/PSN.

- XBLIG. Never has the gaming community ever been able to put games directly on the console and make money. This is insane and it's happening right now.

- Fun new ways to control games.

- Media streaming.

- Media streaming with voice command.

- Wireless controllers as standard.

- An even bigger diversity in games.

- A closer connection with developers than ever before.

- 1080p means that I can play games on my 60" and actually tell what's going on.

- Download games to HDD.

- Purchase retail games directly from the game console.

- Retail games drop price much quicker.

- Bonus content added later to give the gamer more of what they love/DLC.

- Larger HDD that actually serve a purpose.

- Chat across all games.

- Download games with the system off.

- Download games on the console and play them on my handheld.

- Many classics making a return in either a new or original form.

- Download free demos, killing the need to go out and buy a magazine for the disc.
 
This gen we saw the rise of Steam which has increased my gaming diversity muliple times over. So i'll say no. This has been a pretty great gen so far.
 
Postman said:
Died down... Not died completely

Jrpgs and complex rpgs/adventure. Games with bright colorful fun worlds and just the lack of things non military.
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I agree JRPGs took a serious hit. But it took a serious hit for me last gen already and I sort of grew out of them. Anyhow, that's ONE genre man. This kind of stuff happen every genre, I dunno what's special here. If you'd tell me like 5 genres that'd died we'd have a story. Is it possible that your gaming is composed majorly or exclusively of such RPGs?
 
Ranger X said:
I agree JRPGs took a serious hit. But it took a serious hit for me last gen already and I sort of grew out of them. Anyhow, that's ONE genre man. This kind of stuff happen every genre, I dunno what's special here. If you'd tell me like 5 genres that'd died we'd have a story.
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Survival Horror, fighting, Shmups, music, RTS.

Pretty much anything that isn't a Shooter, Sports game or Shooter pretending to be a WRPG died outside of indie development (though fighting is getting a nice revival).
 
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