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Favorite games ever: FF6, Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, Mario World, Metal Gear Solid, All Zelda games, Street Fighter 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Street Fighter III: Third Strike, Half-Life series (L4D, TF2, CS included)

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Innovation: A Gift or a Curse?
AlucardX24 \| 12:27 PM on 02.24.2008	13 comments

For the past six or so months, I've been waiting for Mistwalker's epic Lost Odyssey to be released. After playing Blue Dragon, I was very disappointed. I expected Blue Dragon to be the must have RPG for the 360. Being skeptical, I waited for reviews of Lost Odyssey in order to form a more rounded opinion.

I couldn't have made a worse decision.

When I read the IGN, GameSpot, and 1up reviews of Lost Odyssey, I began to notice a trend. What's happening to game journalism? It seems that when Spore was announced, and Portal came out, a magic spell was cast on the entire gaming press, making them innovation whores. Lost Odyssey was receiving mediocre grades because it's traditional, regardless of it's well written story.

Lost Odyssey is a fine game, and doesn't take risks for a good reason. Most JRPGs in the past few years that have tried to take risk were fun, but forgettable, with the exception of Final Fantasy XII, which is a change for the series but not 100% innovative. People need to understand that JRPGs are traditional by default, and that's what gave the genre it's name. The genre is heavily story based, and it keeps their gameplay intact for hardcore fans.

GameSpot, IGN and 1up, Final Fantasy VII was a great game in your opinion, wasn't it? You flourished it with near perfect grades, even though every RPG from eras before it shared the same gameplay. What happened now? Portal changed your life, and mine too, but it's unnecessary to make every game different. That will only dry out ideas, and curse the industry for the rest of its days.

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12 comments | showing # 1 to 12

phamtq

I agree. I wonder what those reviewers expect in terms of innovation. Is it one of those, "I'll know it when I see it." kind of things? For me, as long as an RPG has a strong story, I'll probably pick it up. I don't think game play mechanics are that a big of a deal unless it's something that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

Aaron Mxy Yost

I haven't read any of the reviews, but I have also noticed a distrubing trend lately of gamers who seemed obsessed with the idea of innovation, especially in established franchises. Games are criticized for not being different for the sake of being different. If a game's formula works, there's no need to introduce drastic changes. I really enjoy games that bring new concepts to the industry, but I don't expect that with everything. Most of the time I enjoy the genres and gameplay I'm already familar with.

wardrox

Innovation should add to a games review score, lack of innovation shouldn't detract from it.

Gameboi

I never got the innovation argument either. If a game is good, it stands on its own merit. Innovation is cool when it adds to the experience, but I hardly consider it necessary.

B-Radicate

I completely agree. Sadly, I find myself being tricked by the innovation illusion when I look at games.

I'm considering buying Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 but when I look at the current videos it looks EXACTLY the same as the first Vegas. Including the graphics (sub-par at this point in the 360's life cycle, imo). However, Vegas was one of my favorite shooters EVER. My roommate and I played it up until The Orange Box came out. We both loved it, even the shitty co-op (which has apparently been revised in the new installment).

So, what am I to do? Accept the fact there's another game in a series I inherently adore that may simply be "more of the same" or pass and possibly forgo playing another thrilling FPS experience (that may or may not actually be able to tear me away from CoD4)? Does it matter? SHOULD it matter?

It's odd I love CoD4 so much because it's CLEARLY less innovative than even the original Vegas was. The lack of a cover system is abysmal, but it's still tons of fun based almost purely on the intense story, dynamic online play, and riveting graphics. None of those said aspects are innovative, either. Odd.

power-glove

Some the innovation argument comes for the sports game genre. There is only so much that a developer can change in a game when you are making games that are released every year.

Mizruko

Innovation seems to be the popular buzz word atm but really , halo, C0D, guitar hero some of last years biggest sellers all repeat titles with only a graphics tweak to set them apart from the predecessor.

Perverted

Innovation is great, it gave birth to new and interesting games that we must all love(see Portal)! But you can't say a great is not great just because it's not trying to shove something new and shiny in your face(see Wii Shovelware).
LO is a really decent game(from what I've seen) the only fault I could throw at it is I prefer RTC in my RPGs and strangely I hated FF7....

braulio09

same thing happened to dmc4 :(

AlucardX24

yes, i forgot to mention dmc4. i played the demo and it was a blast, wasn't sure why they complained about it. now they're making a big fuss about how japanese games are losing their touch.

[url=http://www.uncov.com/assets/2007/9/16/picard-facepalm.jpeg[/img][/url]

AlucardX24

damn comments not showing my pictures.

Debeo Laurus

Dude three cheers to this post! I'm with you 100% on this, in fact I just got done talking commenting about the new mega man coming out. Just because a game isn't revolutionary doesn't mean that its not a fantastic game. In fact I am just about finished with Lost Odyssey and I was fully into the game which I find hard to do most nowdays. So heres to you chap, I am right along with you when it comes to this subject!

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