The Word 'Masterpiece' Has Lost All Meaning In Modern Gaming

The Gamer:

We are obsessed with replicating film and patting ourselves on the back, praising predictable ideas and throwing aside innovation in fear of potential change. This is where the definition of a masterpiece becomes so warped, filled with the same selection of games that penetrate the mainstream again and again because that’s what we’ve come to settle for.

[masterfox]

atm imo only Playstation Exclusives can actually receive such honor in calling them Masterpieces(PS games are really damn Stunning!), not sure all of them but most of them that's for sure, also why they put Requiem in the article title pic?, that game is an unoptimized mess, and boring looking game too, it seems some website is looking for attention, well I ain't clicking your nonsense website boi! :D

[Software_Lover]

Huh? Have you even played Requiem?

[Rimeskeem]

Requiem was good but I don't think it was a masterpiece. A lot of the aspects of the game clashed a bit for me. I wanted to listen to the soundtrack and explore more but there was so much dialogue and the exploration was rather pointless.

The biggest difference between Requiem and games like God of War and Elden Ring is the presentation of the game imo. Everything about God of War and Elden Ring felt polished and the experience was exactly what it was supposed to be. Requiem felt like it had the ingredients to make a masterpiece but failed to mix the ideas as well as the other games.

[Father__Merrin]

Requiem is a dog mess of a game artiscally it's nice but the way the title is made it's wasting resources. Ie you have huge huge draw distances which are total overkill akin to Arma reforger it's just running well

[frostypants]

The problem is a lot of games these days rely too heavily on narrative, and it gets to the point that narratives that would be b-grade schlock in film or television get called masterpieces only because relative to other game narratives, they're well done. Meanwhile, actual gameplay often suffers, or at least isn't all that innovative...but people are blind to it because narrative narrative narrative. "This game has mature themes and therefore is IMPORTANT!"...never mind how cringe and meatheaded it actually is. It's lazy thinking and it lets hackish devs off the hook, with critics falling all over themselves to heap praise on them because even the critics forgot the "game" in "video game". Too many game developers want to be film writers/producers...they'r e just not good enough to be successful in that industry.

This doesn't mean all such games lack great gameplay. See: the Horizon Zero Dawn/Forbidden West. Sure they were narrative-heavy...but the gameplay is amazing and like nothing else.

[gangsta_red]

Absolutely agree, tropes and cliches that would have anyone roll their eyes to the back of their heads in movies are now deep and profound when they're in video games.

I found in a few games that the gameplay is dragged out longer than it should be in order to pad out a story with over dramatic scenes, unnecessary dialogue and other wanna be narratives found in movies.

[Crows90]

Absolutely false. This is why there is a divide in the tlou2 story. If it was as you say then everyone would agree regarding the story in that game. But just like in movies you may like one that someone else doesn't, some people hated the story and others loved it.

If the narrative isn't good then it wouldn't be enjoyed. Ryse son of Rome had the typical gladiator story...and that story was good regardless of if it was told before. Tropes and cliches are not bad....they're in the best movies out there.

[babadivad]

I bought Forbidden West at launch and still haven't touched it yet.

[n1kki6]

Exactly this

[isarai]

What's with all these articles trying to downplay and guilt trip everything regarding Playstation 1st party games lately?

[SeTTriP]

The same reason why ps exclusives that should be scored higher are not (horizon forbidden west is the lastest) because they charn out to many hits while the competition is lacking .
If the media tell the objective truth then m$ would be in a pr nightmare 24/7 it's a way to keep the competition in play even though m$ isn't even in the same league as ps.

[goldwyncq]

The main image is Plague Tale and you're crying about PS exclusives getting called out here?

[isarai]

And what are the other two? 🤔

[Ra3v3r]

Did you read the article cos there's a lot more mentioned than just PS 1st party? It's unfortunate that it's mainly some parts of the PS community that do over use it but I see it everywhere right now and the word is losing all meaning.

[Rocosaurus]

Pentiment = masterpiece

[shinoff2183]

Not quite. I think it has gotten hyped up because it's slim pickings to be honest. Yes I know what your thinking im definitely more into ps. I do play on Xbox one and have gamepass. I've owned every Xbox since the og and in fact I owned the og Xbox before I had a ps2. Truth is pentiment just isn't that good and from obsidian(which I've liked about all their games) I expected better.

I also go by the same name across ps Xbox and nintendo

[Rocosaurus]

It is seriously a fantastic game. One that subverts expectations. A 2d game set in 16th century Bavaria about the daily struggles of German monks snd peasents sounds boring as shit. But it is not, and i couldn't put it down after the first hour. I have also probably never felt as much as fuckup in a game as towards the end of chapter 2.

[Kekewei]

The story is great, I agree. but other than that, it's just a plain point & click game, the puzzles are even a little boring...

[shinoff2183]

Superlink520

I think more of the issue I had was it being called a masterpiece and I swear every review I seen most coming from Xbox type sites giving it a 10 or 9 out of 10. I just don't see it. I van respect opinions to a point but I still feel about it being hyped up due to slim pickings. I can't ever remember a point and click game getting 10s and the master piece label.

[Crows90]

For you. User score is where you can see if it's actually a masterpiece. Not sure what the score is.

[jambola]

lol
thegamer trying to make commentary on quality
sure

[SullysCigar]

Next up: Tweaktown.con "how to avoid clickbaiting"

Then: Screenrant "how to form a well-respected opinion"

Honestly, these 3 sites are quickly flushing N4G quality levels down the toilet.

[lellkay]

they called their page "the gamer" looool

[goldwyncq]

"Try not to let glowing reviews and overblown marketing campaigns dictate your feelings towards a game and how much it means to you, but make that determination yourself and don’t be afraid to fall outside the box or make observations that actively protest the status quo."

The author says while trying to arbitrarily define what a Masterpiece should be like just earlier in the very same article.

[GamingSinceForever]

What a hypocritical piece.

You tell people what isn’t a masterpiece only to state what you think is a masterpiece (most of which I disagreed with).

End of the day it is a matter of personal opinion and taste. There is no one size fits all in this.

[BrainSyphoned]

In your site's case "journalist"&&qu ot;gamer" have no meaning.

[lonewolf10]

"Masterpieces are meant to be significantly personal pieces of media "

Yes, personal and may not match your/others perception, not sure on the purpose of this article tbh.

[ManMarmalade]

The definition of masterpiece in gaming has gotten very lost. While I do like a good RPG, for me, nothing beats a good diamond in the rough or misunderstood games. One of those recently being Scorn, while my favourite game of all time is Legend of Dragoon. I've recently started up another file on Chrono Trigger and am enjoying another playthrough on that (i've lost count). My point being, it's all up to the player to decide if they like something or not. Gaming journalism has gotten so oversaturated that i just don't even click on review sites anymore.

[shinoff2183]

Sometimes I feel like some reviewers give good reviews for free sh or potentially free sh. At other times I feel some give bad reviews to get clicks. Ugggh

[ManMarmalade]

My point lol

[StalinSupremacy]

Ugh, so many of you dipshits completely missed the point the article was making;
'masterpiece' is a term that gets thrown around game articles a lot because mediocrity is the norm.
They're saying make your own mind up, don't just go along with the click-for-advertisement crowd & decide for yourself what a 'masterpiece' means.
You People are so fucking dense.

[GamingSinceForever]

Mediocrity is an opinion not a fact goofy. All if this is an opinion.

[CrimsonWing69]

Who gets to decide what a "masterpiece" is?

What's a mediocre game what was called a "masterpiece", as of recently?

[ManMarmalade]

Our existence lol

[jambola]

nobody here seems to say anything different
people are making their own minds up, including what you consider to be "mediocrity" that's just your opinion

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Seems like we read different articles because this guy seems to define what a masterpiece is and already scratched three games off the list. He's the typical 'Don't let others affect your mind, but let me tell you how to think.'

[Rimeskeem]

1. I guarantee you that calling people "dipshits" and "dense" is a horrible way of making an argument.
2. Naming yourself after an infamous war criminal is also a horrible way of making arguments online.
3. If you only said, "'masterpiece' is a term that gets thrown around game articles a lot because mediocrity is the norm. They're saying make your own mind up, don't just go along with the click-for-advertisement crowd & decide for yourself what a 'masterpiece' means." I probably would have agreed with you but the also just makes this article even more pointless given the irony it bestows on itself.

[lellkay]

"alot of people think said game is a masterpiece and i dont wah wah... you people are dense"

Leave bro loool

[dhammalama]

Summarizing for those who don't want to click through:
"blah blah blah, blah bla, blah"

[hotnickles]

Most words have lost their meaning thanks to the type of people who use them.

[Petebloodyonion]

The definition of a masterpiece will vary between persons, reviewers, etc.

For me, the definition of a masterpiece in a videogame is when a game gets so good on a platform that it becomes the reference or it can't be perfected on that console.

The best example of this would be GOD of War Ragnarok that for me is a masterpiece on PS4 but far from one on PS5.
And the why is simple: How could I ask for more of the PS4 with GOW? and as a PS4 title, it's probably close to what perfection could be on that system.
But as great as the title is far from what could be achieved on a PS5.

Now regarding the nominations for the VGA, I'll say this again, the show isn't about praising innovation, highlighting incredible achievements, ideas, etc.
It's about pleasing the fans in the hopes that more tunes in next year and creating more money via sponsors, etc.

And if you want proof of what I'm saying well just remember that the NHL hockey league had a great idea for replacing Olympic participation. They held a world cup tournament in 2016 (various leagues) and made the brackets with high hopes of a USA vs CANADA final
Well, the USA didn't make it to the semi-final and the American market lost interest in the tournament resulting in the tournament being forever Postponed.

Now just picture how ppl would react if a COD, an EA, or a Ubisoft game would win.

[0hMyGandhi]

People use hyperbole in describing games they admire. And that's wrong.
There, that's the article for you.

[garos82]

agreed

[Rimeskeem]

I think there is a difference between calling something a "masterpiece", and "flawless". Masterpiece is subjective while flawless is more objective imo.

[HeliosHex]

"there’s only three or so games in the past generation I’d even consider deserving of the term. For those interested, those titles are Nier: Automata, Firewatch, and Hades."

Lol a whole article about how masterpiece has lost all meaning due to coat tail riding of games like GOW, elden ring etc and the name drops three games that have done the same.
A masterpiece is subjective for sure but in the end it is such because it makes the player feel things and envelopes you. The more people feel the same the more it is solidified as a true masterpiece in gaming.

The godfather is considered a cinema masterpiece though it rides the coat tails of previous mobster movies it elevated the genre by story and actors alone. Many may not agree it is a masterpiece but most do and so a masterpiece it is. So the same applies to the field of games. Like it or not once a game is blessed with the masterpiece title by important people in the industry it will be considered so forever.

Even if you feel a game like hades is deserving of the title and no one else does.
It being a masterpiece to you is no less important.

[lellkay]

"there’s only three or so games in the past generation I’d even consider deserving of the term. For those interested, those titles are Nier: Automata, Firewatch, and Hades."

I don't think any of these games are masterpieces. I enjoyed them all in varying amounts, but I'm not gonna write an article crying about this guys opinion.

[lellkay]

translation:
- I don't like when playstation games get rated highly.
- I don't like it when games with a focus on story get rated highly,
- I don't like it when franchises that i grew up with have nostalgia goggles for dont do well :(

[rlow1]

As a medium, video games have a much harder time of producing masterpieces. You have to coordinate with many more people than you do in other mediums. Like film, most of the games on this article had other studios working on parts of them. It takes a lot of time to produce something good.

The author of the article is correct about the rinse and repeat of video games. How many sequels do we need? Instead of trying something new, we get the next same thing with prettier graphics and evolution on game mechanics. Movies are very guilty of this as well, but money speaks.

Which leads me to another point working against the masterpiece in video games. Accessibility, for anyone to be able to create. Video games (including movies) face the challenge of money and more people to create something truly special, compared to books, painting, crafts, art and music.

With books, paintings, crafts and art. You could be homeless and produce a masterpiece all by yourself. You don’t need high startup costs to bring your creative vision to life. But as we all know the same can’t be said with video games and film. Not only are the startup costs much higher but especially for video games you need people with different disciplines. At least with film you can use your phone create something by yourself.

Of course that doesn’t stop the individual from making something special. I remember Braid and that was a brilliant game made by and individual. But to truly make a masterpiece you need a lot more money and people to bring it together which influences the outcome for better or worse.

My last point is technology and game engines. These tools are ever evolving and affects how much you’re able to innovate. Much different than picking up a paint brush and some paint to create a masterpiece. Tech and engines have limitations, or the developer never uses them fully because of costs and complexity. Mass Effect 3 is a good example of a game that was let down by complexity, time and costs. It wasn’t able to deliver on the promise of an ending that was unique to your characters story . Until the complexity of developing a game comes down which affects the costs and would allow developers take greater risks. It’s going to be the same rinse and repeat that we have now.