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[Dacvak]

First off, when I say creative, I mean something completely original that had never been done before. While I think Mario Galaxy has creative game design, it's still a 3D platformer. I'd even argue that Mario 64, while novel in its time, isn't a completely original idea. It'll obviously be easy to name games from the 80s that were inventing new gameplay concepts, but bonus points if you think of a game from 2000 onwards.


For my vote, I'd nominate Katamari Damacy.

As far as I know, the concept of rolling up a bunch of shit into a gigantic ball was a totally novel idea at the time. Furthermore, the control scheme felt completely original, as well (if not a bit frustrating at times). The wackiness of the visuals and uniqueness of the music is just the cherry on top of this weird, completely original game.

I remember buying this on a total whim for $20 the day it released, just based off the the cover art alone. That's right, the game launched at $20.

Aside from games in the early arcade era that were literally inventing brand new gameplay concepts on the regular, I can't think of another game (especially post-PS1) that had such originality.

Also, one of the greatest OSTs of all time.

 

[semiconscious]

this game blew my mind, like no game before or since...

 

[Ainem Enamas]

I simply want to say "Inside" here, which I just recently finished.

 

[Yoshichan]

Shenmue

 

[spons]

 

[Artistic]

Without thinking long and hard, Kameo.

 

[Rush2112]

I thought fatal frame was original. japanese survival horror and your only tool is a camera.

 

[Mister Wolf]

 

[Banjo64]

Got to be Minecraft surely?

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Shadow of the Colossus and Shemue 1 and 2 for their time were out of this world.

Especially also considering how far they pushed their respective hardware too.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Creativity disappeared after Majora's mask

 

[LordOfChaos]

You hike across a desolate, post-apocalyptic America delivering packages while haunted by invisible ghost monsters you can only see if you plug into a jar baby strapped to your chest, and when they attack, you fight them with grenades made from your own poop, pee, and blood. The rain ages you, your backpack has physics, your boots wear out, and every ladder, zipline, and bridge you build might show up in another player's world as you all quietly rebuild civilization together without ever meeting. Your enemies are nihilistic terrorists, your boss is the President's daughter, and your name is Sam Porter Bridges because yes, you literally bridge ports. Mads Mikkelsen shows up in dream-floods to cradle the baby. It's lonely, weird, genius, pretentious, kind of beautiful, and unlike anything else ever made — it's Death Stranding.

 

[Danjin44]

The Last Guardian, both it has most realistic animal animation and Trico's behavior.

 

[Plies]

Chrono Trigger

 

[mèx]

Absolutely crazy and out there. A timeless masterpiece.

 

[Arachnid]

Without getting into some extremely weird shovelware trash like Senior Caretaker Simulator or joke shit like Goat Simulator?

Death Stranding. What a weird fkn concept for a game.

 

[Rentahamster]

Katamari or Patapon.

 

[Acti]

Shadow of the Colossus hits hard for me.

 

[SILKYSMOOTH30FPS]

Demon's Souls. I don't recall ever seeing an invasion system in another game, unless the game was a super niche indie title that nobody has ever heard off of.

 

[diffusionx]

You hike across a desolate, post-apocalyptic America delivering packages while haunted by invisible ghost monsters you can only see if you plug into a jar baby strapped to your chest, and when they attack, you fight them with grenades made from your own poop, pee, and blood. The rain ages you, your backpack has physics, your boots wear out, and every ladder, zipline, and bridge you build might show up in another player's world as you all quietly rebuild civilization together without ever meeting. Your enemies are nihilistic terrorists, your boss is the President's daughter, and your name is Sam Porter Bridges because yes, you literally bridge ports. Mads Mikkelsen shows up in dream-floods to cradle the baby. It's lonely, weird, genius, pretentious, kind of beautiful, and unlike anything else ever made — it's Death Stranding.

Yea. I always liked Kojima but imo Death Stranding just proved he's a genius.