So. Some time in 2009 I was bitching about how I don't enjoy video games of the current generation. Well, I am starting to be of the opinion that this is the last Generation I want to be a part of.
Now, Video Games are a big part of my life, so this is a big decision. They have been my main hobby since I was about 5 or 6. But this hasn't been an easy decision for me to make. But why? A few things.
Download Content
I have no problem with DLC if it's expansion packs, like what Bethesda puts out or what Rockstar puts out. That's not a problem. Nor are 'extras', things that would not have been included if the game had been released circa 2004, such as Dynasty Warriors 7's retro maps.
What I do have problems with? Features that would have been in the game if it were released circa 2004. Capcom's costume packs. Bandai Namco/Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3 characters.
It's crap. I'm sorry, but it is. DLC shouldn't be a barrier for those without an appropriate internet connection or one with an excessively small usage amount. DLC should not be anything people would really want when they think of the game. DLC should not be a cheap to make, but expensive to buy, tie in.
It's becoming worse and worse with packing in DLC. Really? That's how you combat piracy?
Online Passes
I won't be experiencing this till next month, but while I see the point, it's nickle and diming. You have to buy the game, new as soon as possible, so you get a code that can be activated to play multiplayer online.
This is to combat used sales. Now, why is this something I don't agree with? You have to pay to get to play online if you buy it later or second hand.
The sad thing is, it's so easy to combat and they won't do it as it involves telling sellers of used games where to get off.
Don't sell to stores who sell preowned games unless they agree to the following: Games cannot be accepted as a trade in until 6 months after release. Lower prices on new games at 10+ months.
That will give the game an adequate amount of time to sell new.
I know Nintendo and Ubisoft? are they the makers of CoD? don't think their games should ever go down, but price is a barrier. That's why some times PreOwned, or in the cases of Oceana and Europe, importing from the UK, is a choice. Some times you wait because you are unsure of the game and don't want to make a big purchase. Not every game is 'Day 1 Buy Now'.
But should I be surprised? Nintendo have always been delusional.
A Sea of Nothing Appealing - Everything I Like Is Dead
Uh, I don't like FPS. I don't care all that much for Western RPGs. I don't care much for Adventure games. I like HacknSlash, JRPG and some platformers. I don't like all sandboxes, but I like a decent amount. I like some action games.
HacknSlash are now derided as button mashy, cheesy crap. Everyone dwells on that. I don't think it's particularly true, bump Dynasty Warriors up to Normal or Hard and you'll rely on Juggling and Combos. Sad thing is, these games are fun. No one seems to have fun with them, can't fathom why. But because of this, peoples interest wain, so does sales and now we are down to subtitled games. This is sad. I haven't been a fan of the series very line, only since I bought Dynasty Warriors Gundam with my PS3, but I don't want to see them go so soon after discovering them. I don't know about other people, but I do not look forward to subtitled games. I believe in these types of games, audible dialog is needed. I don't know if I'll even buy Warriors Orochi without English dialog.
JRPGs are dead on consoles. Again, derided, but this time it's menu based combat and anime looks. But Japan themselves also think things have to change. I don't get why. People who didn't like it the way it was aren't likely going to like it no matter what you do to it.
They have become nothing like what I loved about them. Strategy JRPGs, such as Disgaea and Jeanne D'Arc, have filled their spot. Everything is trying to appeal to the west, at the cost of the people who liked them originally.
As far as Pokemon goes, it's so damn distilled, psudoreligious and needlessly and overly complex, I don't want it anymore.
Action games really depend on the franchise, for me it's Metal Gear Solid and it's finished. Short of remaking Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake, everything is filler esc spin offs.
Devil May Cry died as of DmC. I refuse to buy another game from Ninja Theory.
As for sandboxes, I don't know. I really loved Bully, Red Dead Redemption and the first two Saints Rows, but 3 wasn't bad, but it wasn't high caliber, I don't like GTA. I found inFAMOUS 2 to be a dull bore that I never finished. First wasn't bad. Is it weird to say I'm happy with just Bully, RDR and the first two Saints Rows?
As for Platformers, I only really liked Sonic a lot, and short of SEGA and Sonic Team putting there hands up and saying fine, we'll keep Old Sonic, I don't think I'd bother with another Sonic game. I did like Generations, don't get me wrong, but the franchise hasn't been the same since Adventure.
I do like Ratchet and Clank, but they seem... finished. I mean, does the world really need a 9th console Ratchet game? No, not really. Neither do it.
Yeah, I've mostly been replaying games these days. Buying is becoming rare and very preplanned.
Consoles Aren't Made Well
RRoD, YLoD, Disc Drive Failures, you know the stories. It wouldn't be that bad if; 1) The PS3/360 wasn't so expensive back when the 360 overheated so easily. 2) The PS3 wasn't a complete pain in the ass. I'm sorry, Sony, you backwards, arrogant asses, the PS3 does have an overheating problem. It's not wear and tear, it's that the machine is badly made. But that's not the problem, it's the following.
The Hard Drive is tied to the Motherboard. If the HDD is put in another machine, it wipes it. Only the PS3, specifically the original one it was bonded with, can read the data on the HDD. Trophies can only be transfered via The Internet and bonded saves can only be transfered when you have two consoles and an Ethernet cable. The PS3 cannot be fixed, only temporarily revived to get things off of it.
3) The Wii's bonded saves can only be retrieved via hacking. There was no account system on the Wii, it will be introduced soon for the 3DS and Wii-U, but it was not around during the Wii's era, which meant that one needed to call Nintendo to retrieve Virtual Console games.
This is coupled with Nintendo's lack of support of the USB wifi dongle. It only works properly with Windows XP, something not supported for how many years now? Yeah. Too little, to late.
That's about it. I'm sick of crap. I don't have much I like and spend a lot on crap I regret. The consoles are a pain. I don't like the direction gaming is going. I probably will get a PS4 later, but post revision and I won't be buying much. I don't see the point in spending big bucks on it anymore. What for? A kick in the pants? No.
-Some Gamer Dude
