Thursday, December 20, 2007

Christmas

Can't believe xmas is just around the corner. Seems like no time since it was the summer...

Monday, December 10, 2007

Adventure Game's Natural Flaw

No matter how strong an adventure title is with regard to the main elements of video games. ie. Graphics, gameplay, etc. The lifespan of the game will invariably be fairly weak. The nature of the genre is the problem here. After playing through the game, solving all the puzzles, and unravelling the story line, there is no real reason to repeat the experience. With action adventure, this is not the case, as combat sequences can be enjoyed many times over.
However, traditional adventure games' sedate pace can become tedious on re-runs.
In a slightly bizarre way, I feel that they are their own worst enemy, as the genre itself is very opposing of the fuse between adventure and action adventure.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Shame About Adventure Gaming

I could write a great deal about the adventure genre, so I'll try and spread it out over a few posts, but the main point I want to talk about is the apparent decline in popularity of adventure games. Although it is very much not the same with films, there is a clear line between adventure games and action adventure games. The latter often involve combat sequences, violence and a certain amount of 'joypad skills'. Adventure titles are commonly mistaken for these...
A true adventure game typically consists of an intense story driven experience, simple character control with regard to gameplay, but many taxing puzzles and mental tests. They theoretically should not include playable combat, but some more modern examples do so, yet are still viewed within the genre scope of 'adventure', to the dislike of the purists.
Sadly, the genre has decreased in popularity considerably, and is effectively considered 'dead' these days. This may be partly due to the changes in the way gaming is viewed by the public, multiplayer gaming over the internet, and with even developing technology. These days gamers want to play more intense, competitive games. They like pyrotechnics and indeed gun fights, fantastical settings, violence, you name it! Few still like the subdued pace of adventure titles, the idea of a solitary gamer playing with no high score reward at the end of the game. The job title of pro gamer now exists, and there are many competitions of all shapes and sizes all over the world. Of course, adventure games will never find a place in any such event...

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