Look people, I have been looking forward to Banjo-Threeie a long time. A long fucking time. Though some people despise them, "widget collecting" games just do it for me. It started with Super Mario 64, and when Banjo 1 and 2 came out, I was in Heaven. I will admit that DK64 was a little over the top, but I still wasn't burnt out on the genre. So for two console generations I have been waiting for Banjo-Threeie.
Today, I don't know if that wait will be worth it. Rare has put some new details on its
site, and while it may be good news for progressive gamers out there, doesn't sit well with a traditionalist such as myself. They start out the news with the statement that "Banjo won't be a shooter...but it also won't be a traditional platformer"
Fuck
FUCK
FUCK
Why penis why? I know the gaming world needs innovation, and I don't mind innovation, but do it with a new IP, not a legendary (though admittedly short) series.
Caving into peer pressure, Rare also says "We aren't in the business of crushing little boys' dreams so your multiplayer hopes will be answered." Now that might be great for people who bitched and moaned about Bioshock not having multiplayer, but let me tell you this. Not all games are meant to be played with a group of people. Sure, multiplayer can be fun, but not at the expense of a solid single-player mode.
I somewhat feel that if this game takes a new turn then the widget collecting genre will be all but dead. Don't do it Rare. Please.
Coonskin05's blog
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Uh, not really. Basically there's linear platforming and open platforming, the latter being the widget collecting one. Spyro is open(at least the ones that I played), Crash is linear, the early Marios were linear, taking the collecting turn with SM64. Banjo has always been open platforming and should remain as such.
Needless to say, it's possible for the "new Rare" to screw this up no matter what they do. If they release Banjo-Tooie again, the diehard fans will be satisfied, but there won't be any evolution in the series, and it could quickly go the way of fun series like Viewtiful Joe. Similarly, a radical departure would definitely alienate fans. Then again, who knows? Maybe the series needs a kick in the pants.
Whatever the result is, I just hope that the game is fun and true to the spirit of the first two games. That's what matters to me.
@Bronx: I think the definition of a platformer is a game in which you are pretty much 'free' to go anywhere you want. I suppose "widget-collecting" gives you a reason to move around. If they put a 'widget' on top of a mountain, you will want to get it.
That's not to say that I want linear progression in the next Banjo title, but I wouldn't fret too much if they nixed a large part of the collect-o-thon stuff from the previous games.
If they made it something akin to the 3-D Mario games, where collecting stuff was optional beyond the required stars, I think I could get behind that.
But still if you're heartbroken come over to this dark corner I've found for jilted Rare fans. You'll know me, I'll be the guy sobbing gently in the corner holding a picture frame with the killer instinct cover in it :P
And I totally agree about your multiplayer comment.