Dylan LawrenceWhen Game Series Go Bad
May 13th 2009 04:13
We’ve all seen it, or at least heard of it. A popular game series that makes a new game and it it’s nothing like what you wanted. It could be something as simple as a small spin-off game, though this is usually just a blemish on a series. Though this can also be a plus for some series. A good example of this is Final Fantasy Tactics (Crystal Chronicles is a blemish if you want my opinion.) It took the Final Fantasy world and made a great turn based tactical game.
Now, we know spin-offs can be great, but it depends on how far they go. As well as being blemishes, as I’ve pointed out above, they can also be disfiguring marks of a time-honored game gone rogue. A good example of this is Halo Wars. It brought up the word Halo, which to the gaming world conjures up images of shooting aliens with cool, futuristic, weaponry.
Gamers were sorely disappointed by this release. I’ll provide a little counterbalance to lighten the mood so you’re all happy before I make the mood depressing. Crysis is a first person shooter that’s computer exclusive. (A bit like Halo, but more mature and better graphics.) Before the release of Crysis 2, which is slated for a 2010 release, they released Crysis: Warhead. This was a story that went hand in hand with Crysis. It also highlighted some of the new features that were planned for Crysis 2.
So, we’ve seen some examples of good game spin-offs and bad game spin-offs. Today I’ll be talking about bad examples, because they are what we all know and love. I’ll start with Halo 3: ODST or Recon. The game returns to Halo’s FPS style, but not as Master Chief. You play as an Orbital Strike soldier in the time between Halo 1 and Halo 2. You get a few new weapons, but lose your armor. The game could be good, but they’ve now left Master Chief for so long, the series may well be over.
Next will be a sequel that was too good to be true. Duke Nukem Forever. It’s likely never happening. The game was promised 10 years ago. Last I’ve read, in early 2008 the head game creator said they were working on it. A recurring joke is that when it comes out, it’ll be like playing Nintedo 64 all over again. In reality, it’s undergone what I believe is 6 graphics overhauls, at some point why didn’t they just finish? Duke Nukem now lives in our memories and in recreation games, like the ones coming to the DS.
Game spin-offs can be great ways to enjoy your game in a totally different way. But, they’re filled with pitfalls. There have been successes and fails, and the consequences can be grave. A good spin-off can revive an old series and make it like new. A bad one can ruin a series and end its syndication. So, it’s a gamble that happens often in the gaming world, many times to gamers’ dismay.
Now, we know spin-offs can be great, but it depends on how far they go. As well as being blemishes, as I’ve pointed out above, they can also be disfiguring marks of a time-honored game gone rogue. A good example of this is Halo Wars. It brought up the word Halo, which to the gaming world conjures up images of shooting aliens with cool, futuristic, weaponry.
Gamers were sorely disappointed by this release. I’ll provide a little counterbalance to lighten the mood so you’re all happy before I make the mood depressing. Crysis is a first person shooter that’s computer exclusive. (A bit like Halo, but more mature and better graphics.) Before the release of Crysis 2, which is slated for a 2010 release, they released Crysis: Warhead. This was a story that went hand in hand with Crysis. It also highlighted some of the new features that were planned for Crysis 2.
So, we’ve seen some examples of good game spin-offs and bad game spin-offs. Today I’ll be talking about bad examples, because they are what we all know and love. I’ll start with Halo 3: ODST or Recon. The game returns to Halo’s FPS style, but not as Master Chief. You play as an Orbital Strike soldier in the time between Halo 1 and Halo 2. You get a few new weapons, but lose your armor. The game could be good, but they’ve now left Master Chief for so long, the series may well be over.
Next will be a sequel that was too good to be true. Duke Nukem Forever. It’s likely never happening. The game was promised 10 years ago. Last I’ve read, in early 2008 the head game creator said they were working on it. A recurring joke is that when it comes out, it’ll be like playing Nintedo 64 all over again. In reality, it’s undergone what I believe is 6 graphics overhauls, at some point why didn’t they just finish? Duke Nukem now lives in our memories and in recreation games, like the ones coming to the DS.
Game spin-offs can be great ways to enjoy your game in a totally different way. But, they’re filled with pitfalls. There have been successes and fails, and the consequences can be grave. A good spin-off can revive an old series and make it like new. A bad one can ruin a series and end its syndication. So, it’s a gamble that happens often in the gaming world, many times to gamers’ dismay.
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