LOL, it always baffles me when people get upset when some folks simply don't find a game very appealing. It's like they take it personally. Either a game looks like something you want to play or it doesn't. Same with anything else, as in not everyone is going to love what you think will be wonderful. Get over it, and if this game does it for you, then that's great.
Fuse (formally OverStrike) Re-Reveal (and Impressions), releasing Q1 2013
- Thread starter 8byte
- Start date
I can definitely understand that, but the biggest thing that separates Borderlands 2 for me isn't the art style, it's the personality (writing) and mechanics (LOOT!). It's fun to play, first and foremost. Art style is only complimentary to what is really important to me, and that's the fun. If a game isn't fun, what keeps me playing? I found Crysis to get boring after the first two hours, it simply didn't have great combat design, and the narrative was a bit bland. It was gorgeous, but that simply wasn't enough to keep me playing. I need more substance in the form of mechanics and narrative to keep me interested, not just a pretty aesthetic.
I mean, look at LBP. People adored the art style, they were head over heels with it when it was revealed. Then it turned out the platforming mechanics weren't actually that great (though not awful). There's definitely a case to be made there that the visuals and style didn't carry you through the whole "experience" (especially since it lacks a compelling narrative).
Or take Bioshock, for instance. Fantastic visuals and atmosphere, and really compelling narrative...until you reach the twist, and the game fleshes out with another hour or two of meaningless fetch quests and absurd plot that doesn't really push the narrative forward in a meaningful way.
There are a lot of examples of games that are otherwise good, but fall short in one area or another. I think it's best to simply play the game before you write it off and say you're not interested because it looks like "shit" (come on, this is serious hyperbole).
jstevenson
Sailor Stevenson
Thought these were some good quotes from Ted on IGN (who loved the game):
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/12/why-did-overstrike-become-fuse
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/12/why-did-overstrike-become-fuse
R
Retro_
Unconfirmed Member
Sounds cool based on the OP
Never played Resistance 2 Co-Op but people seem to have high praise for it. Curious what was so good about it though.
Looking forward to the trailer. With the giant robots kinda got this in my mind as 4 player Vanquish lol
4 Player local??
If so I'm sold
Never played Resistance 2 Co-Op but people seem to have high praise for it. Curious what was so good about it though.
Looking forward to the trailer. With the giant robots kinda got this in my mind as 4 player Vanquish lol
4 Player local??
If so I'm sold
Dick Justice
Banned
Most people don't like the change in art style, but it could prove effective if the game itself is humorous enough.
For example, I found Saints Row 2 funnier than Saints Row 3, because the humour was combined with a less cartoony art style, so you essentially had funny stuff happening in a grounded world. Maybe it'll be the case here?
For example, I found Saints Row 2 funnier than Saints Row 3, because the humour was combined with a less cartoony art style, so you essentially had funny stuff happening in a grounded world. Maybe it'll be the case here?
I believe it's only 2 player co-op, locally.
dragonelite
Member
What have we learned today? That you shouldn't release a trailer until you're ready to show the finalized design.
That looked like fun.
Now we have something that looks like COD shame.
Now i have to be see later to put down dough for it..
IntelliHeath
As in "Heathcliff"
Really hope that three of my friends are going to pick this game up so we can play 4 players coop online. I really hope so, if they bailed out then I still have all of you, GAF. Right?
Messofanego
Banned
They're going to have to do a lot of damage control about the art style all the way until the game comes out. No matter what their reasons, it looks visually boring.
Because the gameplay doesn't sound like anything to write home about, and Insomniac was most beloved to people when they had cartoony stylised looks to their games.
Aren't Insomniac tired of "mature and gritty" art styles? We all want them to go back to their stylised art direction as they did for the Ratchet games. The market is saturated with this current look.
Because the gameplay doesn't sound like anything to write home about, and Insomniac was most beloved to people when they had cartoony stylised looks to their games.
Aren't Insomniac tired of "mature and gritty" art styles? We all want them to go back to their stylised art direction as they did for the Ratchet games. The market is saturated with this current look.
You insulted people voicing their disappoint with the generic turn the art direction took. It's one thing to play the game and like it, but shouting down those that may even have valid criticisms...
R
Retro_
Unconfirmed Member
Haha looks like I'm not alone
I think it looks really stylized. and based on OP impressions the weapons sound really unique and versatile between the characters.(Can't wait to see the effects)
It's just not a cartoon anymore.
Gotta say I'm interested in the game more now than when it was though, since we actually have game play details and not a CG trailer
It'd be super fancy if these were alt costumes for the characters, then maybe the people who aren't fond of the new design would happy..What have we learned today? That you shouldn't release a trailer until you're ready to show the finalized design.
James, *hint hint*
I think jstevenson and 8byte are good to go, you still need another player though.
Juste kidding here guys ;-)
jstevenson
Sailor Stevenson
you'll always have me
Callibretto
Member
you know, I'll wait until some trailer that show a cutscene to see if I dig it or not, just a character design in a still picture can be misleading, Binary Domain characters also didn't look that good in screenshot, but the characters turns out to be really fun and full of personality in the final game. even Nathan Drake look like a very generic male protagonist in Uncharted until we got a sample of his personality in trailers.
I'm just wary about their intent to make a serious story, last time they make one is Resistance and it was a mess, and they never even end it properly with R3 feeling more like a side story than R2 sequel.
I'm just wary about their intent to make a serious story, last time they make one is Resistance and it was a mess, and they never even end it properly with R3 feeling more like a side story than R2 sequel.
R
Retro_
Unconfirmed Member
Bummer
Oh well that's more than most I guess.
but now the issue of what platform to get it for still exists, since 4 player is only possible online
That's not why I got the trip.
Yes, I am probably overzealous. However, can you deny that people have jumped to conclusions here? I'm just disappointed that the community is less interested in discussing the game, and more interested in discussing how it isn't the co-op TF2 they all hoped for (which, I think still would have garnered some criticism from people anyway). Hell, given how people hammered IG for similarties between R3 and HL2, I can't imagine that they would have been too nice when comparing OverStrike to TF2, lol.
Edit: You know, I apologize if I legitimately offended anyone with the "casual gamer" riff. That's just how I feel about a large portion of the gaming community. GAF is legitimately the only place to come to discuss games that isn't filled with pre-teens, and sometimes it gets stale when the majority of discussions are how bad a title is, how good / bad it looks visually, and how good / poorly it sold.
Phoenician_Viking
Banned
This has EA written all over it.
R
Retro_
Unconfirmed Member
So even though you're not interested in the gameplay, you're saying you'd buy it if it was still a cartoon?
Well there you have it publishers it's just that easy I guess!
Callibretto
Member
Bummer
Oh well that's more than most I guess.
but now the issue of what platform to get it for still exists, since 4 player is only possible online
2 player local co-op could be pretty cool, each player get to pick 2 character they can leap between. when my friend died, I'm not forced to go help him since he can leap to his other character and help himself, or when I had to help him, I can leap between my 2 character whoever is closest to my friend
Mature 'Gritty' Games by Insomniac: 5 (That's with Fuse)
'Fun' colourful games by Insomniac: 12 (That's with FFA)
If they're tired of one style I don't think it is the gritty games.
I think Fuse will be a must better shot at a more mature game from them. Learning from the mistakes made in the Resistance franchise and playing more towards their strengths.
fu3lfr3nzy
Member
I kept wondering what "Fuse" was since the name has been thrown around for the last month or so. I didnt realize it was Overstrike :/
The change of art direction makes me sad. It would be like if TF2 or Borderlands had a more "mature/realistic" art direction, I dont think I would've enjoyed them as much.
If the gameplay is decent then I guess its still something to look forward to
The change of art direction makes me sad. It would be like if TF2 or Borderlands had a more "mature/realistic" art direction, I dont think I would've enjoyed them as much.
If the gameplay is decent then I guess its still something to look forward to
in the bargain bin (jk)
IntelliHeath
As in "Heathcliff"
If they know what they are doing in the game, then I am alright with it.
Great!
That's why I'm frustrated with the direction where they went with Fuse. Before Fuse, all 4 of us were interested in the game, but now they changed it. I might lose all partners because new art direction was not appealing enough for them, and one of them said that they will wait and see if review is good or not. He would buy the game if the review would be very positive (like B+/8.0)
If they got it then great for me, but if they didn't get it then I still have people here.
keltickennedy
Member
What happened to the color and style Insomniac!?
Congratulations....the game now looks like every other desaturated uninspired shooter.
It's a shame.
It's all good. Basically the only thing most can comment on is the visuals so that's what I'm commenting on. When the trailer gets released or Geoff's show airs I can guarantee the focus will have shifted to how it looks in motion. Right now all I can say is from what I've seen I'm not too impressed and it sucks even more knowing what it used to be. I can understand their reasoning behind the shift to more realism, but I still think it could have been a fun game without having to make the art direction and violence more realistic.
For those interested, here are some things I think the game needs to work on (just so you can get the negative with the positive). Don't want everyone thinking all impressions are positive, after all.
Please do ask and I will elaborate more on any of these, in greater detail.
Fair enough, well spoken
- Sprinting is too stiff, you feel like a tank when running.
- Enemy reactions when shot were lacking.
- Dalton is a little boring at times.
- Dalton is the centerpiece of "Co-op".
- Vehicles looked "off" compared to everything else.
Please do ask and I will elaborate more on any of these, in greater detail.
Fair enough, well spoken
reddwarf42
Member
I agree with you on gameplay, but all we have to go on are screenshots and previews so of course the criticism will focus on the art style. Gameplay is always king, but part of a game standing out is how it looks. If you like this game, you should want it to stand out and be marketed well so that people buy.
This probably will be a day one purchase for me, BTW. That being said I stand with the people disappointed with the art style.
Show these screens to the common gamer. Tell them about the co-op and character-specific skills. Then ask them if the overall package looks like something they'd pick up over Gears, Call of Duty, Medal of Honor, ect... I guarantee most people wouldn't even remember this games name.
First impression is everything and they blew it.
Yeah because EA has so much control over Partner Program games. More like they decided to chase the realism market because that's where they think the money is for them. It's idiotic and they should have learned after the Resistance failure that they can be different if the entire package is solid.
First impression is everything and they blew it.
Yeah because EA has so much control over Partner Program games. More like they decided to chase the realism market because that's where they think the money is for them. It's idiotic and they should have learned after the Resistance failure that they can be different if the entire package is solid.
I guess Dalton is a support type character?For those interested, here are some things I think the game needs to work on (just so you can get the negative with the positive). Don't want everyone thinking all impressions are positive, after all.
- Sprinting is too stiff, you feel like a tank when running.
- Enemy reactions when shot were lacking.
- Dalton is a little boring at times.
- Dalton is the centerpiece of "Co-op".
- Vehicles looked "off" compared to everything else.
Please do ask and I will elaborate more on any of these, in greater detail.
Fair enough, well spoken
WrenchNinja
Member
Im still interested, just wish they kept the old designs.What have we learned today? That you shouldn't release a trailer until you're ready to show the finalized design.
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
The graphics look ace, but I'm not too thrilled about the 'mature, serious' story and look. I'll wait and see how it pans out. Hope there'll be a demo.
Well, you guy's won't have to wait long, though I don't anticipate a strong shift in tone from anyone here. Most people have made up their minds. It is what it is.
What happened to the color and style Insomniac!?
Congratulations....the game now looks like every other desaturated uninspired shooter.
It's a shame.
The other environments we were shown weren't desatruated. This one just happens to take place outside of an encampment, and there is a lab on the inside. Surely you don't expect bright pink flowers and crazy colors in this particular environment...do you?
Hey, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and a fair shake. It is just not doing it for me yet. But I have had flat initial impressions from games before, only to end up being impressed by later footage which sold me. I am open minded, so we shall see. Could end up being something like Binary Domain, which had generic looking characters (with great personalities) in what was a fun as hell overall game.
BruiserBear
Banned
If that's the case then they chose a terrible set of screenshots to release first. Why not offer screenshots that show the variety the game presents? Either way, it's their mistake.
Tylahedras
Banned
Still looks ok to me, may be a pick up. But yeah, I'm way less interested then I was before the style shift.
Callibretto
Member
just wondering, between Ratchet PS3 games and Resistance games, which one sold more?
it's really amusing in videogame industry we got so many 'mature' title and few kids games, while in movie industry, we have the problem of violent action movies avoiding R rating and go for PG13 instead so kid can watch it too.
He is, mostly. You'll tank around with your primary shield and protect your team mates as they use you for portable cover. He can also drop a temporary shield for people, which works wonders if you want to split up and flank enemies (specifically the big robot).
He's really great when it comes to close combat and support, but sometimes it just isn't as exciting as it could be. It's tons of fun in Fuse mode though, blowing guys to bits with the shield burst (think a giant sonic wave of bullets and air that rips enemies to pieces).
He's also the center of a lot of the shared XP stuff. For instance, I don't think there are anyways for Jacob to received shared XP, as all of his actions kill enemies, best I can tell. Same with Naya, actually. Izzy can get it if someone else destroys her crystallized enemies, and Dalton if you kill people through his shields.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
It is because the developer used to make exclusive games and are now multiplatform. I think the game looks awesome.