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Listen to Wu-Tang and watch Kung-Fu
Just because a game isn't original doesn't mean its not good and vice versa.
What I do hate is when reviews like this tend to give crappy reviews, begrudgingly agree that the game is good, then 2/5 it for some stupid asinine reason.
You've really got to be wary of these sites which give scores out of 5 as well.
I mean yes, a game which is original gets plus points from me and one that isn't wont get those points, but if its good you wouldn't dock it points either.
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Tell me to get back to rewriting this site so it's not horrible on mobile
The first Uncharted was the most derivative game I ever played but it was also close to perfect. I take superior execution over innovation ever single time.
I'll go with the consesus here and agree with that a lack of originality can be overlooked if the execution is good. I'll point to Dragon Quest VIII as my example. There wasn't really a single innovative idea in the game, but it was put together so well with a good story, interesting characters, great art design, and good music that you had to love it.
I'll make an exception here, in that there are some genres that have just been beaten down so badly with the same gameplay that even with the most polished execution the game can still end up just being bad. Just look at the most recent on-rail shooters for the Wii. Probably some of the best looking games ever made, but its hard to want to play them.
aspro said:The first Uncharted was the most derivative game I ever played but it was also close to perfect. I take superior execution over innovation ever single time.
But that's like eating the same delicious burger every day.
Eventually, even after a few months of daily scoffing you got to try some other cuisines to see what's good. Sure you may have many off tasting dishes, but you may discover a new taste sensation.
Yeah I don't think that lack of originality should affect a game's review. If it's a good game then it's a good game.
I think originality should count for something. If a game is very derivative, to a point you can actually see things happening kilometres (not using the imperial system) away it will simple be not as fun. But on the other hand, just because it is new, does not make it fun.
I say a 'perfect' game is ground breaking and polished. For example Ocarina of Time. It was polished to an insane degree and it was very innovative. So there are games that can do both and the highest score should be reserved for those.
So in short a derivative game should never get a perfect score. A innovative game that is not fun and polished should never get a perfect score either. Only the special few should get a perfect score.
gamingeek said:aspro said:The first Uncharted was the most derivative game I ever played but it was also close to perfect. I take superior execution over innovation ever single time.
But that's like eating the same delicious burger every day.
Eventually, even after a few months of daily scoffing you got to try some other cuisines to see what's good. Sure you may have many off tasting dishes, but you may discover a new taste sensation.
Superior execution is so rarely seen that it is an innovation though. I mean, there were probably 50-70 FPS games that came out last year, probably less than 5 were "Excellent" I'd buy those 5 over The Conduit* which had innovative controls.
*Disclaimer, I actually did but The Conduit, but did not buy Halo ODST or CODMW2.
I really don't like the way some editors review games like this. Although originality is important, is it really that big of a deal to determine the final review score, especially if the game is good?
Check out what Richard Roeper said in his review of Avatar saying:
Fill-in Darksiders for Avatar and you can say this:
It's just not Darksiders. I can think about many games that got docked off some points because the editor expected the Citizen Kane of video games. JRPGs have this rap sometimes. We all know that most JRPGs feel like recycled remakes of the past, it's still no reason to botch a score to a otherwise good game just because it lacks originality. Like Nostalgia or Sands of Destruction for the DS. These games are solid, well-made, and high quality JRPGs for the DS. But some reviews have butchered it just because it did nothing new. Since when was niche JRPGs reviewed for the masses? If it's good for the fanbase it's made for, shouldn't it be reviewed with fans in mind?
Anyway, what do you guys think?
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Now Playing: Golden Sun Dark Dawn, God of War Ghost of Sparta, and DKC Returns