What makes a good game great?
Is it the story line, is it the freedom that it gives to you? Or is it simply the Aesthetics of it.
While some people might say that a truly good games needs to have all of the above stated things, I would have to disagree. Take Saints Row 2 for example. It is not a graphically impressive game, nor does it have an intriguing story line. Not its hook is the gameplay and its sandbox nature. How many other games let you run around wearing a mankini?
Then you have the Halo Trilogy, in which although the game are very pretty and colourful, its hook is the immense world or universe in which the game is situated in. In fact it is this universe that has allowed the fan base to actually contribute to it, via novels. Or allow other game developers to ride on this universes coat tails, while stitching more onto the sleeves, Halo Wars, for one.
Then there are the games that excel in the multiplayer arena, COD4:Modern Warfare is a prime example of this, its graphics aren't very pretty, its campaign is fairly shallow, it is completely linear. Then there is the multiplayer. The multiplayer is hectic and completely inthrawling. But then look at COD5:WaW, it followed nearly the exact same formula, but flopped in my books. Sure there was Nazi zombies, and the campaign could be played Co-Op. But these were mere distractions, the multiplayer fell flat on its face, there just wasn't the same amount of flow that I had expected, this I will give to it, is partly because of the bolt action rifles, and limited choice for automatic weapons. It just simply wasn't fluid enough, and the Nazi zombies certainly wasn't enough to hold my attention.
Yet you can have another game which excels in the multiplayer arena, yet is a completely different game. Halo 3's multiplayer has kept me returning time, and time again, as it simply doesn't get stale. Most of the levels are varied, all are colourful and vibrant, and all play differently.
So why is it when a game for fills several of the criteria for a good/awesome game, but because it is lacking in only one other aspect it isn't as impressive as it could have been. My example for this type would be GTA:IV. It is pretty in parts, its multiplayer works, the story line in it is impressive, as it makes you actually feel something towards the characters. Yet it wasn't as impressive as previous titles. Why? Simply because it wasn't open enough, sure you could drive by an intire street, then blow up a fuel station, but compared to GTA:SA this was naught but child's play. Where were the decapitations? Where were the cheats that gave the civilians rocket launchers, and shots of speed?
Then there are the one trick pony(OTP) games, a prime example of this is BF:BC. While it was an awesome game, that balanced everything nicely, it didn't quite deliver on its promises. You couldn't completely reduce the battlefield to rubble, you could come close, but there was always going to be those dammed roofs and wall supports. But this didn't mean that it wasn't an incredibly fun game to play.
Another example of the OTP games would have to be the Red Faction series. These people invented environmental destruction, the first game, in the first level (with cheats of course). You could say fuck you to the enemies and the premade level and tunnel quite happily for a rather long time. Hopefully in Red Faction: Guerrilla, you will be able to do similar things, but with buildings.
In short for you people don't like walls of text.
In the aftermath of Microsoft’s price adjustments, the top-line Xbox will cost you $729.99 in the United States. That’s $30 more than the PS5 Pro’s $699.99.
Microsoft last raised their prices in 2023. Should we have blamed the serving POTUS back then too, or its just corporate greed this time too?
No these companies are price gouging and if the tariffs never kick in, they’ll still keep them high.
What’s disgusting about MS move is they’re charging more for a five year old console. At least Sony did a mid gen refresh.
The whole video game industry is turning to shit, too much greed and mass layoffs. I don't have much hope for the future of gaming.
They are charging this to spread the impact out. Given that Xboxs main user base is in the US it's not surprising they have had to increase the cost in the US vs Sony who has not had to alter the US price much as only a percentage of their fan base exists in the US as they are the only console in town next to the switch for most of the world
If the US alone absorbed the price would be far higher it's absolutely a knee jerk reaction globally.
Sony doing a mid gen refresh really doesn't matter as they have also increased the cost of the base model at least in my region the cost has risen from $750 at launch to $829
Switch 2 pricing took the cost into consideration I imagine the cost would have been $100 less had the looming threat of tarrifs and the poor Japanese yen been a factor
But at the end of the day it is what it is and we should just be thankful that we already own the systems we want assuming here you do as most hardcore gamers will have a console if they intended on getting one by now.
It's the next gen systems I'm worried about
I remember the alt account trying to make fun of the Pro last week saying it's the most expensive console in history (it wasn't). And now MS decide to actually have the most expensive one in history that's just a base Xbox model 😂
Same deal with the switch 2 it's sad that people get so emotional over priced of plastic and feel these companies owe them
Windows Central: “Embark Studios' ARC Raiders is the extraction shooter I've been waiting for. Here's why it's better than Bungie's upcoming Marathon.”
This is silly. I think both games are amazing. Both games can be very successful at the same time and I hope they are.
I hate articles like this. “My opinion is all that matters. Click my stuff”. Both games will have their audiences. Some ppl like rock. Some ppl like rap. Not everyone is the same.
So we can we can see into the future now? I’m sure ARC is fine, me personally? Far more interested in Marathon. Between known Bungie’s solid gameplay and world building to the aesthetics and concept, I’m all in on Marathon.
I played the Technical Test 2 earlier today and had a blast. I got thrown in an instance, saw a guy walking up some stairs, started shooting at him and watched him run for his life. It was funny until I got killed by some random drones. They're both different games and will have their space. Only the gameplay loop will tell.
Why do gamers/gamejournalist do this? We need to stop with all this doom article game shit.
windowscentral wouldn't have wrote this "piece" if Bungie was still owned by Microsoft.
And yes, I'm implying exactly what anyone reading this comment thinks.
The Illuminate made quite a mess in the previous Major Order and it's up to Helldivers 2 players to clean it and reclaim important sites.
Pretty much the only thing it needs is great gameplay. Nailing perfect graphics won't keep me coming back, nor a brilliant story if the game sucks (I'll read an online transcript). Not everyone agrees on great games either, it's a very subjective thing, much in the way any of the arts are (movies, tv, music, paintings, sculptures etc.). I didn't think Killzone 2 was great, for instance, yet saying that on N4G results in an electronic form of ritualistic sacrifice.
Graphics are cool and all, but if the game is generic, I could care less. I like fun gameplay, fun times with my friends and a seemless online experience. I love that I can have parties with my friends that are playing different games. It is so nice that I don't have to worry about what they are doing. I also don't like this new trend where you can level up your fps. I like a fps where everyone is on an equal playing field.
You seem to have a very console oriented mindset in your blog. Mainly a 360 one but thats besides the point...
A good game can come in any form. Tetris is a good example of a game that doesn't need to be flashy to be good. however the dividing line between good and great is a long gap. Graphics, Innovation, Replay and originality are all key to this. God of War for example had all of these in abundance. Before QTE's were popular at all it started them and made them amazing. It looked and still looks great. I played each one probably 5 times each on different difficulties in many modes. Damned if the story wasn't great and an original take on Greek Gods.
You use Halo as an example of a good game. While it may be good your missing the point of why it is good. The universe honestly isn't all that original. Star Trek, Dune, Star Wars, Starship troopers... I could go on with the generic sci fi stories that are en mas these days but I wont. What Halo did right was make FPS controls work great for consoles. That is why it is so revered and remembered. many gamers first got into it because you had control... You could all play and the balance was great. Also due to it's controls many gamers started the LAN party where they would get a bunch of TV's, Cases of beer and Xbox's in one room and play all damn night while the women did their thing. That is why it is so remembered. As an FPS it is really no better then UT, COD or Crysis for that matter. All had something to offer the other didn't while halo offers you the ability to watch vids of how you got pwoned and put boxes in levels... Epic and Valves engines allow you to create entire worlds... However this is all done on PC. Heck look at Far Cry 2's creation engine.
What it is that makes a game Great is a precise balance that keeps you coming back. This is all on the individual. I do believe halo to be a good game. Too me it is not great. it does not deserve the hype. I mean I hate the story. Dead Space had an incredible world/ story imo. comics, Videos and tons of things to "Curtail" as you put it. As well as an on rails shooter and a (Crosses fingers) Sequel. It had an engine that offered you something not seen before. I have played it a couple times through. not everyone will like this game and it's story isn't really original(Event Horizon) but it is presented in a way that I have never experienced in a game before. Halos story IMO is just as generic as resistances story or gears story....
Every game has value to someone. Sims, Wii play and Leisure suit larry are all enjoyed by someone. I feel you can't put definition on a game in a way that says 'because of A,B and C thing game is great" Because while one may hate super mario galaxy another will think it's the most amazing game every. I do feel like knowing where games come from help though. I personally played halo for about 3 days then returned it... Same with Mass Effect.... I just don't like them. I didn't like MGS4 or Resistance 2 but I appreciate what each game is going for. Some may be "Better" as a relative term, then others but overall you can't give definition to what makes a game good/great/mediocre/crap. Many gamers would say "It's on the Wii hence it's crap" I like mad world, Zelda, Metal Slug, Mario galaxy what wii ware has to offer to name a few...
Overall I just hope you see what my point is and mainly that being
A. Why halo is where it is today (and it's not the story. for you maybe but not in general. If the controls were crap and it had no LAN it would in no way be where it is today)
B. A great game requires more then gameplay otherwise everyone would still be playing Dr. mario and Metroid...
C. You can't tell people what to like or what makes a good game.