Games Have Been Underwhelming This Generation

This generation of gaming has, in my mind started to stagnate. To clarify, this generation started with the release of the Wii U in 2012 and the PS4 and Xbox One the next year. Innovation and creativity have traditionally been a huge factor in game development. Considering gaming’s roots as a nearly dead industry in the 80s, developers had no choice but to innovate in order to draw a crowd. Now that gaming has gotten to the point that it rivals even the film industry, it feels like it’s started to let some of that success go to its head. Now, there’s entirely too much focus on gaming’s past, leading to a regression in new content in favor of older games. There’s also a safety net of successful franchises that developers don’t want to stray too far from.

[chrisx]

You must not own a Ps4 because the games there have been overwhelmingly amazing. Sit down

[DanteVFenris666]

Let's not be a fanboy.

But I believe gaming is a lot better than the previous generation. It's seems to finally be less about graphics as now their pushing those to their limits and more about gameplay.

While last generation would sacrifice everything in order to have a shinier coat

[Imalwaysright]

?? Current gen games are last gen games with shinier coats and the only AAA game that truly introduced a next gen mechanic is Shadow of Mordor with its awesome nemesis system.

Last gen pushed gaming forward much more than the current gen.

[Krysis]

Telling chrisx not to be a fanboy is like telling the sun it can't rise today.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

The number of highly rated games from this gen just about matches the number of highly rated games from last gen. With Nintendo and Sony leading the way, the number of highly rated games will surpass the number of highly rated games from last gen, EASILY.

[OB1Biker]

What I know is there ve been great games and the best is still to come. No need to get dragged into the gaming sites manipulative negativity and nostalgia.

[agent4532]

Gameplay wise I disagree because it has been about visual fidelity especially considering the framerate/resolution debate. Today's games have very little content unless the gamer is willing to pay for DLC and microtransanctions. There have been good games but not very innovative games. Games that bring new gameplay ideas like using ragdoll physics to dodge bullets or do some crazy martial arts acrobatics. Using tres fx so the bad guy grabs the character to prevent the player from escaping. Able to shoot from ladders in every game not just Uncharted. Bring a true knife combat the current one sucks similar to what we see in movies or go realistic about it......

[The 10th Rider]

@IGiveHugs2NakedWomen,

"The number of highly rated games from this gen just about matches the number of highly rated games from last gen."

Complete bulls***. Discounting remasters/rereleases . . .

Number of PS4 games 90 or above: 8

Number of Xbox One games 90 or above: 6

Number of Wii U games 90 or above: 5

Number of PS3 games 90 or above: 43

Number of Xbox 360 games 90 or above: 47

Number of Wii games 90 or above: 12

We're 4 years into this generation and the numbers aren't even close. You completely made up your statement without even bothering to check if there was anything to back it up.

[RommyReigns]

'Let's not be a fanboy. '

This article was written by a fanboy with a clickbait title, therefore it deserves to be critiqued by people on here regardless of if you accept the critique or not.

[DemoIishor]

I fail to see how pointing out the presence of good games on a console warrants the label of fanboy.

[sonarus]

I own a PS4 and a ton of games. I have probably owned or played all the big releases with exception of few like rise of tomb raider, new ghost recon etc.

From my point of view this generation has also been weak. No good horror titles. Resident evil 4 was the last good horror resident evil but I was ok going all action with coop addition. But at least I could count on dead space to scratch my horror itch. This gen NOTHING comes even a little close to this but maybe I have missed some titles

Last generation was all about first person shooters. I grew so tired of shooters and I suspect a lot of others too. This generation it's all open world games. Metal gear solid probably my favorite game series all time went open world. Mgs5 is not bad but the lack of strong story narrative really made me dislike it more than I would like to. Gameplay is great but open world is not needed.

Still no gran tourism release and no drive club is not the same

This generation I just haven't been blown away by a single game. Ps2 mgs God of war gran tourism those were mind blowing games for me. PS3 : uncharted dead space last of us (freaking incredible) mgs4 also incredible.

This gen only game to blow my mind... witcher. I don't expect lAst of us to disappoint tho

[Princess_Pilfer]

I love how this immediately turns into a fanboy war being started by people who clearly didn't read the article. They aren't making a statement on the quality of the games themselves.

I don't even agree with the article, the AAA industry (by virtue of the multiple millions of dollars on the line) has basically never been the innovative place, in general they wait for some small to mid sized studio to do something that turns out to work well, then they copy it. (Or they just copy whoever is the most popular at the time hoping to gain the same success, like the flood of modern military shooters after Modern Warfare and the flood of open world games after Skyrim.)

In my view, complaining that the AAA industry isn't innovating *this gen* is like complaining that it's hot in Saudi Arabia this year. If you want innovative games, you'd best do 2 things: Get a PC (they typically come out on PC first because of the lower barrier to entry for developers) and stop looking for them with major publishers.Ubisoft and Devolver Digital do some stuff some times, but mostly you're looking at self published or small-mid sized publishers whos buisness model involves a lot of risky but comparatively cheap games.

[BlackTar187]

How is what he said fanboy?

This article reads like this guy doesn't own a ps4 or switch

[Princess_Pilfer]

Because the author *clearly* references *multiple* PS4 exclusive games and explains why (granted not at any great length) despite being good they aren't especially innovative.

Which a fanboy immediately turned into "my system is so awesome and has all the best and most innovative stuff and you're just jelous because your system doesn't," because they didn't actually read the article.

And, spoiler, neither did you. If you did, I wouldn't need to explain this.

[BlackTar187]

Rofl You're so full of it.

[DemoIishor]

I hate how people say "I love how/when" when they want to smugly mock or condemn something they clearly do not love. It sounds pretentious and arrogant.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

I mean you don't really need to read the article to know this guy is wrong.

1. Games this year in particular have been spectacular IMO

2. If they are discussing innovations, they need to state WHAT. Simply put, anyone expecting games to fundamentally change just due to a slightly better processor and graphics card with some ram sprinkled is just dumb.

That aside, they should be stating in their title, games aren't innovative enough this gen. Going by the title clearly this is clickbait the the writer should consider getting a new job, I hear buzzfeed would love them.

[Princess_Pilfer]

@Kenshin_BATT0USAI

Yeah, you do. Click bait it may be, but if you don't read it then you don't understand the context that argument is being put in, as illustrated by the idiot fanboys/girls who are just commenting on the headline and *completely* missing the point.

Further, underwhelming has *literally* no connection to quality. It has everything to do with expectations and desires not matching up with what one actually gets. If one expects new and innovative, amazing games can still be underwhelming.

@BrutalPanda
I don';t care. I'm only "pretentious and arrogant" because I'm correct and literally anybody who read the damn article would know exactly why. If people don't want to be talked down to, they can start by attacking the actual idea being presented and not an inane strawman they got by not actually bothering to see what idea was being presented.

[Sam Fisher]

Man, this generation felt like a continuation of last gen. Most games are sequels wether exclusive content or multiplat. There really is a handful of this gen games that are truly new. Where as last gen was every other week was a new ip completely left to right, all companies had like 3 new ips

[DarXyde]

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss sequels. It really depends on what it offers. For example, Metal Gear Solid V. We can complain about the story at length; it was simply a weak entry in terms of narrative. The gameplay however was vastly different from previous entries. Vastly. I would say it was a pretty considerable innovation for the series. Even Resident Evil 7 really shook up the formula. Gravity Rush 2 is pretty similar to the original but I also feel like it fleshed out and seriously improved the last game's mechanics beautifully.

New IPs are awesome, but people seem to be complacent. Honestly, I think developers are afraid to try new things if their last project didn't do well enough to offer a buffer for experimentation. See how Capcom depends on their established franchises? Financially, they're a mess. They can't afford to try something new. We did see some great be IPs like Horizon and Bloodborne. We saw some that have potential but need to be revisited with a fine tooth comb. Overall, I think when we see a new IP pop up and see sales performance, it either encourages or discourages other developers to try something new. Ni Oh would be an example of a good one. Sunset Overdrive, despite being a great game, didn't really pull in the numbers and is an example of how it can go badly.

[Elda]

Absolutely!

[Father__Merrin]

im happy with my ps4, seems the only people who moan are those that dont own one,

[Sam Fisher]

Nope, i have a p4 and wish for all companies to prosper with new ips

[PurpHerbison]

There is definitely lots of games, although most aren't for me. But my wants are obscure I guess.

[PhoenixUp]

You keep telling yourself that while I'll continue enjoying more 8th gen titles

[mcstorm]

Tbh I agree. We have had some very good games this gen but not many new ips it's all the same. For me horizon has been the best new IP this gen and forza horizon 3 has been the best racer this gen but it's not really a new IP.

Look back at last gen and you had gears, UC, splatoon (ok classed as this gen maybe) Alan wake, last of us just to name a few what have we seen this gen it's not much. Even 3rd partys are yoy games with cod, bf, AC, fifa ect and the top 10 charts are more or less the same yoy to. We have also seen more remastered games this gen than others to. Seems the way the industry is going because of the type of gamers we now have as we seem to have all the iPhone and Samsung galaxy owners doing the same with gaming so to speak.

[mcstorm]

hvaguy haha I'm not really fussed but I do believe gamers on this site are quite new as what I have said is true. Look at the new ips this gen esp AAA there are not to many compared to last gen.

[Mangaman27]

Are you sure about this?

[TheRacingX]

I dont think the writer is saying there are NO new and innovative games, they are just far and few between , compared to PS1/2 days when you could find yourself backlogged with 10+ great games....I agree that this has become a remix, remaster and reboot generation....along with yearly sequelitis of the same game with a new coat of paint....Gaming grew and flourished because of new IP risks, but now, if you dont sell 5+ Million your first week youre a failure and dead in the water....DLC and microtransactions are a whole other curse on the industry , but thats another debate.

[The 10th Rider]

Even compared to last gen we really haven't seen nearly as many new AAA series this gen. Most of the best games have been sequels or remasters. Compare that to last gen, which saw the birth of series such as Mass Effect, Bioshock, The Last of Us, Uncharted, Batman's Arkham series, LittleBigPlanet, Minecraft, Gears of War, Xenoblade, Dark Souls, Bayonetta, Crysis, Dragon Age, Dead Space, Borderlands, Assassin's Creed, Dishonored, Injustice . . . Nowadays we just see more and more of the same.

This gen we've had Horizon, Overwatch, Titanfall, Rocket League, Shadow of Mordor, Destiny, Nioh, and Splatoon. (You can count Bloodbourne if you want, I didn't because it's akin to a Dark Souls spinoff instead of a new series).

Not only do AAA games now take longer to come out, they also have less innovation and take fewer risks. Indies are really the only area of gaming seeing significant innovation, but they are typically much smaller in scale.

Game budgets are getting so big that publishers are less willing to take risks. Also development teams are larger and there's a lot less room for an individual to bring up a suggestion and have it taken seriously.

[agent4532]

Is not just the size of the team but also the location of the team members. If my marketing team is in US but the game designer of the game is in Japan that makes it difficult to make the game.

[yellowgerbil]

We have less games because games take far longer. 1 to 2 year dev times have now turned into 3 to 5 year times. So it is only logical that yield has been halved

[vongruetz]

It does seem a bit underwhelming to me as well. Last gen introduced (or popularized) HD graphics, big open worlds, digital game distribution, and online play. That allowed for new gaming experiences that weren't possible on the previous generation. Meanwhile this current gen offers... what? Aside from prettier pictures and smoother play, what is different? Some have said Shadow of Mordor's "Nemesis system" but that seems like a stretch to me. No Man's Sky is probably the most innovative game I've seen in years from a tech persepective, even if the game fell flat to a lot of people. I wonder what a company like Ubisoft could do with the NMS tech and build a big budget game with 1000 people working on it.

[The 10th Rider]

I think the nemesis system is a great example of areas developers could be innovating this gen. Of course the power this gen can be used for better graphics, but it can also be used to push a lot of behind the scenes processes: The nemesis system in Shadows of Mordor, destruction in Battlefield, the physics in Breath of the Wild, etc . . . Unfortunately we're not seeing many developers take that route, even though there's room for a lot of innovation, particularly in open world games. (Imagine some of the systems they could implement into GTA or Elder Scrolls).

[_LarZen_]

Nonsense. It's amazing across all platforms.

[King_Lothric]

Looks like the author doesn't own a PS4 because then he would know about the amazing games and exclusives on the Playstation side.

It is not ok to be unsatisfied with the library of an specific console and then pretend the problem is on each and every other console.

[Krysis]

Hey before you run in and go full fanboy read the article first and you will save your self embarrassing comments. He didn't say good or great games were not there, we all know Sony has put out some amazing games, he's saying there's not much innovation happening, from anyone.

[Sam Fisher]

Innovation is the key to the article, not about ps4, xbox or switch. Keep that fan shit out please. Read the article, might do some good

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

What innovations are they expecting? Frankly it's kinda dumb to consider given that there are THREE VR headsets in the market right now. That's a pretty big change in of itself.

[FullmetalRoyale]

Like most recent generations, the START is always slow going. Wolfenstein, Bloodborne, UC4, Rocket League, Life is Strange, The Witcher 3. These are all games people are going to remember this generation for. That's forgetting some, and ignoring the ones that haven't released yet.

[Jakens]

The upcoming games alone speak highly of quality and risk and vision.

[andrewsquall]

You forgot Horizon Zero Dawn and Persona 5. Something all the games have in common though? All playable on PS4.

[FullmetalRoyale]

I never beat Horizon, and I'm still working on Persona, which is why I didn't include them.
Yeah they're all playable on PS4. That's why I got a PS4.

[Asuka]

Generation of remasters, remakes, and early access. We definitely have standout games like The Witcher 3, Horizon ZD, Nier Automata, Persona 5, Bloodborne, UC4, and etc. But like mentioned above the quality games are few and far between with remasters, remakes, and early access titles having more prevalence. I swear every few months there is a new early access survival title that is buggy as hell or another BR clone/mod lol

[The 10th Rider]

It's not necessarily the quality of games that's the issue, although I do agree that there's fewer great games released (likely because they simply take longer to develop). The real issue is that publishers largely aren't nearly as willing to innovate or take risks. As a result a lot of AAA games are just the same things over and over with a few improvements here and there.

[Asuka]

I agree and yeah i like the way you phrased it. Not necessarily quality games, but the issue of playing it safe instead of taking risk by innovating.

[andibandit]

You list some excellent games, but half of them didn't innovate anything.

[Asuka]

Yeah your right. The only real standouts imo are Nier and Persona 5. The others are really good games, but more or less the same with a different coat of paint.

[Chaos_Order]

I wouldn't say underwhelming, but last gen was so absolutely amazing and saw some great new IPs that hit their stride, that in comparison this gen is a bit behind. Overall last gen had more out-of-the-blue surprise masterpieces and this gen I've had more disappointments. But I think the best is yet to come.

[Kabaneri]

The only "masterpieces" so far IMO have been Bloodborne, The Witcher 3, and BoTW.

[Asuka]

Really liked all 3 of those games. Personally i would add Nier Automata and Persona 5. Persona 5 because its Persona and i love it. Nier Automata because it was such a surprise title for many.

Currently playing BotW and i cannot put it down. My Switch is everywhere with me

[Shadowlee]

Bb and TW3 or even BOTW didnt really bring anything new to the table. Otherwise theres a long list imo

[Imalwaysright]

With Persona 5, that list would be perfect for me.

[Relientk77]

Maybe for you, enjoying PS4 with non-stop games especially this year

[Tetsujin]

Gaming went stagnant when companies started thinking with their pockets first. I hate how some of the fans actually argue in favor of DLC, expansions, and Season Passes for various reasons, instead of arguing in complete experiences. I'm glad the whole Season Pass phase is starting to die down, at the same time I'm concerned about the next thing coming out that will rip off customers even more.

As far as the whole reboot/remaster debate, I see it as an opportunity with todays tech instead of being limited back then; which again some would argue that's not the case with how good some of the games were.

You want really good games? Hire actual gamers, not college kids who want to join just for the money.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

I couldn't disagree more.

1. Companies always thought about money first. These aren't not for profit corporations.
2. If you want to think of all DLC as content that was stripped from the main game, fine, but clearly that isn't the case every time. Again, theses aren't charities, of course if they can sell more content they would.
3. I actually agree with the remastering argument, this provides a good opportunity to actually see the creator's intent.
4. Exactly how many gamers know how to program? Or are good world builders, or are good at making assets? As someone. Given some of the horrendously misinformed comments people make about game deving I'm convinced 99% of gamers know nothing of how to make a game.

[Tetsujin]

@Kenshin

"If you want to think of all DLC as content that was stripped from the main game, fine, but clearly that isn't the case every time."

It is the case when every time they announce Season Pass and/or Expansions before initial release. When a non-mmo game is already told there's expansions for it, there's the proof already the game is getting some of its content cut just to have those extra sales later. There's also the moments of companies using Season Passes and DLC just as a way to maximize profits by over hyping their franchises. Destiny being a big example of this; followed by the yearly release of CoD. I'm also not referring to cosmetics or unimportant trash; I'm referring to story missions, characters, and those types of things.

"Exactly how many gamers know how to program?"

Quite a bit actually. The problem is the majority or programmers lack confidence to get started, and/or was told unless they work for a major corp. first they won't get anywhere. My animation teach worked for the gaming industry for 20+ years (stopped due to lack of family time), and he provided enough insight to know where to start, and what to look for. From what I learned, scope and design is the problem with those entering the gaming industry, not programming.

[InKnight7s]

At very first yeah even uncharted 4 one of best games this gen didnt give much but with all these games Nier, Horizon, Persona, KH2.8 they really push gameplay range and developed it even more. But come on games like Zelda didnt give anything different from ps2 dark cloud 2 yet people love it like M.Jackson, so far some people this is not an issue for them.

[andrewsquall]

Games Have Been Underwhelming This Generation............ if you DON'T primarily game on PS4.

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

I agree. The last must play game I've played was TLOU and that is a last gen game. Nothing this gen has made me as excited say a Gears of War 1 or God of War 3. For me honestly this gen hasn't been all that great. To much focus on power, resolution, and frame rates. These are things PC guys usually focus on not console gamers and because of that focus on fun games is becoming secondary. There have been some great games this gen but nothing that stands out above last gen...

[PiNkFaIrYbOi]

It was even stated that there would be less AAA titles released before this generation started. Making games is becoming to expensive really, so developers and publishers have to be careful on what they make and release. Can't take as many chances as they use to and stuff.

[Shadowlee]

This gen probably hasnt brought as much innovation as last but it certainly has brought great things to the table. Ori best platformer in years, horizon, shadow of mordor, halo 5s mp.

[Kingthrash360]

Add
Uncharted 4
Persona 5
Zelda
Forza h3
Gravity rush 2
The last gurdian
Bloodborne
Neir
Nioh
Rocket league
Over watch
Bf1
Have all been great games and must owns if you are into the genre.

[Shadowlee]

You can add even more but im not gonna list every great game. When everything has been done, innovation wears off and you can only take a formula and improve it.

[BlakHavoc]

I think this gen we've really seen the shift in focus to MP focused games like Destiny, OW, The Division, BF, etc. Also this gen seems to be all about who can provide "true" 4k, so in a way I agree with the author. A lot of good games but only a handful of classics that'll go down as all time greats.

[frostypants]

Wat?! No.

Witcher 3, Horizon Zero Dawn, Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3, Rocket League...and on and on...this gen has been superb. This dude is stretching hard to knock down what are clearly amazing games in his reddit post...I mean, "article".

Better than last gen when every other game was seemingly an FPS. And even on that front this gen has been very good.

[Liqu1d]

Doesn't sound like the author doesn't really like gaming that much. Every game doesn't have to be innovative or bring something new to the table, The Last of Us, The Witcher 3, Doom, Horizon, Bloodborne and more did nothing innovative and that's fine because they were fantastic games. Since when has having great games to play underwhelming? There wasn't anymore innovation last gen.

[agent4532]

If you look just into consoles I may agree somewhat but to me the author does not understand the word innovation. Overwatch has very little content and is just team fortress 2. On the other hand Among the Sleep is the first survival horror game to let you play as a 2 year old and the story is told through gameplay.

[Elda]

Not true at all! I've been enjoying a slew of games this gen especially exclusives on the PS4 including some multi-plats.Persona 5 is definitely worth it's money 130 hrs in & still haven't finished the main story yet.

[CrimsonWing69]

I have to agree if we're comparing games from SNES to the PS2 era. There's still good stuff to play this gen but devs aren't able to take the risks or come up with really unique games because they won't be hit and make a profit over dev cost.

I miss things like Parasite Eve just as an example. It's really not a title or concept you would see in a game nowadays.