April 8th 2024.
It's common knowledge that Mario is the most iconic video game character of all time. His popularity has only grown over the years, making it difficult for anyone else to come close. However, this also reveals a lack of visually distinctive characters among more serious games. Many characters from Naughty Dog games are just ordinary people with no unique clothing, and adult games often use a first-person perspective, making it hard to see their appearance. In other cases, they lack a personality altogether.
The issue lies in how we define "iconic." While some may argue that characters like Agent 47 from Hitman are well-known, the average person on the street is more likely to recognize Mario or Sonic. It's not about popularity, but rather the lasting impact a character has on the gaming world.
Speaking of impact, I can't help but worry about what will happen to Rocksteady after the failure of Suicide Squad. The Monday letters page has also expressed concern, with one reader sharing their disappointment in Immortals Of Aveum. If you want to join in on the discussion, send an email to the provided address.
I'm currently playing Helldivers 2 and enjoying it, but it's making me question Sony's plan for live service games. They were ready to give up on the concept a few months ago, but now they have a massive hit on their hands. It's not even from one of their first party studios, which may push them to try even harder. I have nothing against live service games, but I do worry about the homogeneity it could bring to the industry. Xbox has a diverse lineup, but we're still unsure of Sony's plans. I hope we get some news next month, possibly from the new PlayStation boss, or else I may end up putting my console in the attic like Akira92.
It seems like Suicide Squad will be ending after its fifth season, which may last into next year. However, the developers have to work ahead of time, so they'll likely finish before the end of this year. This leaves me concerned about the future of Rocksteady. I checked the peak audience on Steam for Suicide Squad and it was only 838 today. That's a pathetic number, and I can only imagine it will decrease even further next year. I don't want to go on a rant about live service games, but I do wish publishers would only use experienced developers for them. Rocksteady was once one of the most talented developers in the world, but their lack of experience with live service games may have led to a decade-long flop. I fear for their future.
On a lighter note, I want to recommend Pepper Grinder. After reading a positive review on GC and seeing comments from other readers, I decided to give it a try. It's a clever and unique platformer with a lot of variety. The grappling hook and lava levels are my favorite, but the truck racing level in the snow is even better. The developer is relatively unknown, but they did an excellent job and I'll be on the lookout for their next game.
I recently downloaded Immortals Of Aveum, hoping to experience its fun combat. However, I was met with a disappointing first impression. The graphics are decent, but the character faces look strange and the voice acting is terrible. The game also starts with a mundane task of picking up vegetables, which is not what I expected from a first-person magic shooter. I would have preferred a glimpse of the badass character I would become. I usually appreciate the effort put into making a game, but not when it prevents me from skipping cutscenes that I find terrible. It made me bored and angry before I even got to play.
As a 31-year-old, I grew up during the golden age of video games with the Nintendo 64, Mega Drive, and PlayStation 1 at my fingertips. These games are now considered cult classics and are being remade or remastered. However, I can't help but feel that the current state of gaming is focused on making money rather than creating something unique. The battle royale market is a prime example of this, and it worries me as a mental health professional. These games often rely on colorful graphics, pointless updates, and addictive gameplay that can have negative effects on young and vulnerable players. I long for the days when games reflected human experiences and provided a mirror into another world. Games like The Last Of Us, God Of War, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth still capture my interest, but the majority of games seem empty and predatory, designed to make money rather than provide a meaningful experience.
In a way, maybe it's just a natural part of getting older and realigning our values and priorities. But regardless, the quality of games today seems to be lacking. The most rewarding game I've played in the last 10 years was a small development game called Firewatch. It didn't have a big budget, but it had everything that makes a great game: peaceful aesthetics, lovely music, and a gripping story. That, and games like Life Is Strange, focus on what truly captures the interest of gamers. As I approach my 40s, I haven't put my PlayStation in the attic yet, but I'm starting to understand why some people do.
It's a well-known fact that Mario is the most iconic video game character of all time. In fact, he's more popular now than ever before, leaving all other characters far behind. But it's interesting to note that many of the more serious characters in video games lack a distinctive visual appearance. Most of them are just ordinary people, wearing ordinary clothes. And with the rise of first-person perspective games and characters without personalities, it's becoming even harder to stand out in the gaming world.
But the real question is, what makes a character truly iconic? Is it just popularity, or is there something more to it? Perhaps it's not just about being well-known, but also about being easy to recognize and remember. After all, how many people on the street would be able to identify Agent 47 over Mario or Sonic?
This brings us to the topic of Sony's plan for live service games. While many are enjoying Helldivers 2, there are concerns about its impact on Sony's future plans. Will they continue to focus on this genre, or will they diversify their lineup? Only time will tell. But with the success of Helldivers 2, it's clear that even seemingly ordinary games can become massive hits.
Speaking of live service games, it's important to note the role of experienced developers in creating them. While there's nothing wrong with the genre itself, it's essential for publishers to choose skilled and knowledgeable developers to work on these games. Take Rocksteady, for example, once considered one of the most talented developers in the world. But with their recent flop, Suicide Squad, it's clear that they were not well-equipped to handle the live service game market. Let's hope other publishers learn from this and invest in experienced developers for their future projects.
Moving on to another topic, there's been a lot of buzz around Pepper Grinder, a game highly recommended by readers and critics alike. And for good reason – it's a clever and unique platformer with stunning graphics and gameplay. For those who haven't played Drill Dozer, this game is a must-try.
But not every game receives such praise. Immortals Of Aveum, for example, has faced criticism for its lackluster first impressions. Many players were disappointed by the weird faces and poor voice acting, and the slow start didn't help matters. As a mental health professional, one reader even expressed concern for the younger generation getting addicted to these types of games, which focus more on flashy graphics and addictive gameplay rather than originality and substance.
It's true that the gaming industry has changed significantly over the years, with more focus on profit rather than creating unique and meaningful experiences. As we get older, our values and priorities shift, and we may find ourselves less interested in the latest video game releases. But that doesn't mean there aren't still great games out there. Titles like The Last Of Us, God Of War, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake continue to draw in players with their gripping stories and immersive gameplay.
But amidst the sea of big budget games, it's important not to overlook smaller, independent titles like Firewatch and Life Is Strange. These games may not have the same flashy graphics or massive marketing budgets, but they offer something more valuable – a meaningful and thought-provoking experience.
In the end, it's up to each individual to decide what type of games they enjoy and what they want from the industry. As for the PlayStation in the attic, well, that's a personal decision that may vary from person to person. But one thing is for sure – the gaming world will continue to evolve, and it's up to us to embrace the changes and enjoy the journey.
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