I kinda agree Bethesda has killed innovation there strategy has been the same since Arena or Daggerfall. Make some big world. Hope people get lost in them collecting higher items and shit that they don't even really need to complete a mediocre short, pretty easy, campaign.
RPG's need more I havent really been into any since FF7 and I did like Fallout 3 even if it was more of the same, I think I just like Fallouts.
There are a handful of gaming moments that have stayed with me, burned into my memory. Mostly things that were unexpected, or where I see the bar being raised for the medium., or where things come together in a way that is particularly surprising or beautiful. Stepping out of the drop pod in the second mission of Halo was one such moment. I've never forgotten that feeling. I've had it a few times this generation.
Skyrim has had three such moments so far, including one today. And they're all different: one was an incredible dungeon with an unexpectedly awesome payoff. One took place when I got my horse early in the game, and rode from Solitude to Riften (diagonally across the map). That ride is burned in my brain and I think it will be there forever. One took place just now. I'm a pretty jaded, cynical gamer and I'm just gobsmacked by what Skyrim is pulling off. It's definitely a Bethesda game, and the sequel to Oblivion, but the iteration they've done across the board is remarkable.
In some ways the evolution from Oblivion to Skyrim reminds me of the kind of evolutions Halo went through. I remember in an interview or podcast somewhere some Bungie folks observing how they tend to get things right the second time around, with the Scarab in Halo 2 vs. Halo 3 being an example. Skyrim does that kind of evolution across the entire game.
Playing Reach feels a bit like going from Skyrim back to Oblivion. Systems devolved. Things that worked perfectly were broken. Design principles were altered for no perceivable reason and even less benefit. Yet, it was still a hugely enjoyable game. But lately I've been sitting down with the intent to go play it, but I can't get myself to. I think a big part of me is holding out for Halo 4, hoping that the series will return to form. When you see one of your favorite developers make this kind of leap forward, its exhilarating and it's so great to be along for the ride. When another takes such a steep step backward, it's a little heartbreaking.
This is a longwinded way of saying, I haven't played much Halo lately because I'm sucked into a game that is much more successful at realizing its potential than Reach does. I love games that fill me with a sense of possibilities; Reach didn't do that, and Skyrim does.
You will. You will. Just a year and we will be happy again! Believe!
I wan to believe. I'm ready to believe.