On the 12th of December, Wired posted their top 10 most disappointing games list. This list included Age of Conan, Spore (which deserves every bit of hate thrown at it) and Prince of Persia. Some of the titles listed are understandably disappointing, like Age of Conan which from what I have heard had a lot of problems for a ‘WoW-killer’.
Also, some games people just didn’t quite get like Mirror’s Edge (look out for that full review in the New Year) which has it’s polarising mechanics, like the combat. Prince of Persia is another wonderful example of people missing the point of the game. Yes it’s too easy, but its a staggeringly beautiful game that shows hours upon hours of intricacies woven into a game to make it moving art.
Its this kind of list that perpetuates the notion that gamers and critics only want games they know or meet their every expectation as an entertainment medium. People scream for new IP, then moan when it isn’t exactly what they wanted. Of course the game is going to have its flaws, but the brilliance of the execution in most of the game can make up for that.
All three of EA’s high profile new IP titles are on this list, which must be frustrating for EA as they have sunk a lot of time and effort into creating something completely new or a different take on an old idea. The combat in Mirrors Edge is horrid, but the free-running is exhilarating and that is the aspect to enjoy, while simply putting up with the combat to get back to the awesome part. While Spore failed dismally at doing what was promised, atleast it was a fresh idea on an old concept that did breath life into a dying genre. Yes, people (including myself) did moan about it, but at its core was an attempt at something different, surely that deserves some credit?
This post has gone onto a complete tangent, so its encouraged that the gamers try the new IP’s and see for themselves if they can get what was trying to be achieved. If a gamer’s expectation is not met, for example, then perhaps that specific expectation was ridiculous to begin with.
Source: Wired
Last Updated: December 30, 2008
Syph1n
December 30, 2008 at 10:18
Sorry dude dont agree with you here. Why should we take into account what they tried to do but couldnt do? If a game sucks it sucks. Played spore (ridiculously shallow). Played mirrors edge (to short and yet to long at same time, no variation,horrid combat and no sense of excitement)
If i brought out a movie with no picture and only bleeps and blops for sound (stupid example i know) would i get extra points for doing something different? NO! i would dragged into street and shot (rightfully so)
I will agree you on pop though. I think its awesome and really enjoying it between everything else.
Syph1n
December 30, 2008 at 10:21
At one time or another every type of game was a “New Ip” so there is no excuse for “new ip’s” to suck.
gazza
December 30, 2008 at 11:03
I guess at the end of the day its the complete experience of a game that makes or breaks it. I often wondered if bad sections of a game should be forgiven because of the good sections. But at the end of the day they shouldn’t unfortunately the combat in mirrors edge really mars the experience and at the end of the day you shouldnt have to say to yourself let me try and play this game in this sort of way and so on. So maybe the problem with alot of new ips is that they rely on “gimmicks” to capture the audience or that they do one part of a game really well but let slip on the others. Mirrors edge is dissapointing because if they had put the extra work into the combat that game could have been so much better. Yes no game is perfect but surely by now with so many itteretions of the various genres and so many games getting certain things right is it really to much to ask the developers learn from whats come before them and actually create a full experince.
Karl
December 30, 2008 at 17:36
For me, its a case of appreciating the effort of trying to do something new. Yes, with the case of Mirrors Edge, the combat was bad and it marred the experience. But the actual running and jumping bit was amazing as its the only game I can think of that incorporates proprio-perception. The biggest thing is this is coming from EA, once the most hated company for never using new IP and simply churning out sequels like an assembly line. Surely that deserves credit?
Syph1n
December 30, 2008 at 17:41
Credit to Ea yes. Not to mirrors edge. One awesome gimmick doesnt make up for a otherwise crappy game.
Strife Lives
December 30, 2008 at 18:04
EA is changing its ways is great,but the fact that the game was so short proves they just dipped their toes in,to test if gamers would take the bait,Then. . .they’ll milk the franchise.
Wolfy
January 5, 2009 at 14:11
why would anybody say prince of persia sucked i thought it was an awesome game. easy yes but awesome non the less. The voice acting was brilliant. the characters didnt feel fake or unrealistic either