Games, games, games

[danalwyn]

So I've been drowning my recent spate of depression in an overdose of console RPGs. At the time, this seemed like a good idea.

Unfortunately, I've discovered that I've finally reached the point where the flaws in a game stand out so much more clearly to me than the good parts. This isn't to say that I didn't like the games, but every time I do something, I now think about how it could have been done better, how I would have done it better, and I spend most of my time thinking about that. So far I've gone through Suikoden V, Knights of the Old Republic II, and Jade Empire, and even though those are all decent games, the number of flaws was on the verge of driving me to distraction. I'm constantly thinking "Well, this is cool, but it could be so much cooler if..."

Does anyone else who plays games have this problem, or have I managed to reach a level of personal enlightenment that would be better left alone?

Comments

[mergle.livejournal.com]

I do sometimes play the "it could be so much cooler if" game with RPGs, movies, or anime series (Fushigi Yuugi is probably the #1 candidate for this) But usually I don't play this game until after finishing the entire game/movie/series/what-have you. I guess that's not really consolation.

...I do have a friend who practically seeks out bugs in console RPGs. Perhaps the two of you should start a support group.

(Incidently, if you ever feel like sharing your gripes with Suikoden V, I'd be curious. I enjoyed the game a lot, but I recognize that my standards were lowered significantly by Suikoden IV...)

[danalwyn.livejournal.com]

I seem not to be able to shut this off...it's annoying.

I will list my gripes with Suikoden V. I did enjoy the game, but I kept getting the impression it could have been better. However, I'll do it in another post since it's a long list, and it needs a spoiler warning the size of my arm.

[lil-monk.livejournal.com]

IMHO: Your observations were always there and kept somewhat separate in perspective. However, recent events triggered frustrating dissatisfaction to become highly aggravating. As such, 'the colours are bleeding over'. That's not to say I don't have those thoughts with gaming, whether it's Diablo, TitanQuest, Forgotten realms series, etc. But when I find myself being hounded by that train of thought (which is rare), I figure it's non-gaming stuff. Or that I need something new (and maybe better/different) to play with. Or that I didn't like decisions made in the game, which I am merely participating within limitations set by others. The roots can be left alone but in the meantime, will manifest itself. Different forms but same base principles. YMMV.

I don't know what's the range you're into, so it's kinda hard to rec anything (plus my knowledge is limited to older games). Have you tried Heroes of Ardania?

[danalwyn.livejournal.com]

It sounds like something interesting. I'll look into it.

I've been warned about this effect when reading - if you try and learn how to write, you can end up seeing the flaws in everything you write, and start to deconstruct everyone else's writing automatically. Now I may have it for video games.

Of course, it could all just be mood, but I wonder. It's beginning to make me nervous.

[lil-monk.livejournal.com]

Well, if you haven't already gone through Vampire the Masquerade: Redemption, the entire Wing Commander series (which only die-hard fans could endure completely) or Hitman 1 and 2, those are great for concentration. Star Control 2 is always fun for mining, interplanetary conflict and spaceship collection... you have heard of SC, yes? Oldschool gaming stuff. I chickened out halfway during RE 2 XD
Mario Bros and Duckhunt were a good combi to relax to.

Well, sometimes ignorance is bliss. When it's not, it's how we regulate our switches, which isn't always possible. I reckon it's circumstances, mood and switches. And that sometimes, you gotta be a bit less harsh on self-analysis to give the neurons a break. Breathe, breathe... and um, I can distract via bonsai potatoes of cthulhu, german growling and pillow forts (http://lil-monk.livejournal.com/72726.html), somewhere in the comments.

Or if things must come to a head, I can teach one how to e-hug in sparkly letters! Or just sparkle! But for now, get a good rest, k?

[freezer818.livejournal.com]

Final Fantasy V is VERY good at avoiding that sort of thing. Things get boring? Reload an earlier save and change classes. INstant new battle.

Or, barring that, I just pop in a shooter or action game and blow shit up. Explosions = Pick-Me Ups!

[danalwyn.livejournal.com]

Suikoden usually tends to be good at that - just switch your party around, but it's not working for me now. It's not that things are boring, it's just that the imperfections stand out.

I need to indulge in some mindless slaying of footsoldiers.

[ithmarvin.livejournal.com]

I have this problem with TitanQuest - after warezing the expansion and loading it in, it appears to follow the same old process of maim, destroy, loot, sell, buy bigger axe, maim. It's dull as shit and reminds me why I drove to Roguelikes. But then an enemy randomly hurts me and I turn into TOR PUNCHFIST the warrior who UPPERCUTS ENEMIES INTO THE AIR and it looks fun to watch. I still can't ignore the underlying structure of the game - it's running to waypoints. It's boring, there's no structure. There has to be some beauty when serving this or it gets old real fast.

This is also a problem I have with modern FPSes, especially Doom 3 and it's vapid cliche haunted house setting. The main problem with that game is that it stopped being itself and tried to be other things, which made it terribly terribly boring.

[danalwyn.livejournal.com]

And the problem is, even when you try and ignore it and just indulge in the game, you just can't seem to forget the fact that the whole thing is horribly flawed.

What gets me the most is the games that could have been great, and then screwed it up in the execution. Even if they're still okay, I can't help but think continually about the fact that it could have been so much better.

[jocante.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that I do that sometimes, but not very often. It usually manifests as thinking, "you know, (game) REALLY needs this feature" suddenly.

For instance:

Romancing Saga 3 REALLY needs more interparty dialogue
Fire Emblem 4 REALLY needs an in-battle trade function
Vagrant Story's hero REALLY needs a character design that doesn't have that stupid antenna-hair and pants with holes over the ass

Then I spend some time thinking of a way to fix it, but it never really hurts my appreciation of the game (okay, maybe FE4, since the item trading system in castles is really clunky and a waste of G).