- Joined
- Sep 3, 2018
- Favourite title
- Shenmue
- Currently playing
- Strider (2014)
As I think we are all adults here, and given that Shenmuedojo is one the most civil forums on the internet I have ever seen, I think a topic like this one can be made with people being mature towards differing opinions. I know that there have been several threads have been made about this in the past, but it would be nice to have an updated version as our opinions on video games change with the ebb and flow of the times.
I hope with this thread that people will provide civil discourse and promote understanding between fellow gamers. Because knowing how polarized our world has become (with the Internet exacerbating the issue), I think having a shining example of the opposite can do wonders. With this preamble out the way, I will list some of my opinions on gaming culture and games in general.
I). THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT - While I understand that you need to make customers happy to turn a profit if you give fans too much power, they can be your downfall as well. You have to realize that it's the silent majority who will determine the success or failure of your business. Also, if you give fans too much power over your product, then it's not your product anymore.
As people's values change across the times, products and services change as well to meet those demands. The problem with this is when it comes to art, I am a firm believer that art should challenge the social orthodoxy, not reinforce it. This is why I detest censorship so much because it's a way to reinforce the prevailing beliefs of the day. You cannot, on one hand, promote independent thought and on the other silence those who do exercise said thoughts.
However, this is where I will turn a one-eighty and say that you listen to your consumers and not underestimate the power they possess when they organize in mass. This power can be used for either benevolent reasons or malevolent ones. For example, legitimate constructive criticism of your product can make it better. Or how sheer passion and determination can make dreams come true as Kickstarter can testify to.
That's why I think there needs to be a balance between listening to fans and doing your own thing. And there is a way to convey this to the general public without coming off as disingenuous. This way, everybody can be happy. Artists can create the art they want, fans will ravenously consume it if it's good, and businesses can pad their bottom line.
II). I ENJOY SHENMUE CHAPTER ONE: YOKOSUKA MORE THAN SHENMUE II - The main reason being that the game feels a little more detailed and 'realistic' than Shenmue II if that makes any sense. It told the entirety of Chapter One without skipping to other chapters, you could inspect more items than in Shenmue II and the combat felt a bit more grounded. This is not to say that Shenmue II is bad, but I enjoy the first game just a little more than the second one.
III). SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2006 IS MY FAVORITE 3D SONIC GAME - After seeing what modders have done with the game, I have come to see it more as wasted potential than just a bad game. If SEGA had not divided up their team midway through development and rush the game out for a Christmas release, then we would have attained a much better product.
I enjoyed the music, the Final Fantasy-Esque narrative, the character and enemy designs, the stages, and the gameplay (much more than the boost games). I know that a remake will probably never happen, but if it's done right this time, I will happily purchase it.
IV). METAL GEAR SOLID V IS MY SECOND FAVORITE GAME IN THE SERIES - While I believe the story was executed poorly (with Kojima telling not showing), I believe the story was solid overall. I will provide a link that elaborates as to why I believe this to be the case. Finally, I think the gameplay is the best in the entire series as you have unparalleled freedom in how you can conduct missions.
V). FINAL FANTASY XV HAS A GREAT STORY - Keep in mind that I am taking the entirety of the media made about Final Fantasy XV into account. In the end, it's a tragic tale of a fallen Messiah and his counterpart resigned to fate. The combat system is complex inspiring the likes of Lost Soul Aside, Lunafreya is one of my favorite female Final Fantasy characters, and this game features my favorite iteration of Gilgamesh and his theme.
VI). I ENJOY METROID OTHER M: While it's not my favorite game in the franchise (that would belong to the first Metroid Prime), the story did not bother me that much. I saw Samus's voice as being stoic rather than bland. While the gameplay was linear, I had fun with it overall, as it was not that different from other Metroid games.
VII). SONIC MANIA IS OVERRATED - While I don't think it's a bad game per se, I don't understand why this game is touted as the best Sonic the Hedgehog game since 3 & Kunckles. Its gameplay, for the most part, is just an updated version of the said game with the addition of a drop dash. It comes across to me as the "Sonic the Hedgehog Best Hits" collection if anything else. Especially considering that the majority of the stages are just rehashes of prior games. I still like the game, but I don't think it's the bee's knees either. Maybe people feel they have been deprived of a 'good' Sonic game for so long that they shower this one with interminable praise.
Keep in mind that these are just my opinions, what are some of yours?
I hope with this thread that people will provide civil discourse and promote understanding between fellow gamers. Because knowing how polarized our world has become (with the Internet exacerbating the issue), I think having a shining example of the opposite can do wonders. With this preamble out the way, I will list some of my opinions on gaming culture and games in general.
I). THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT - While I understand that you need to make customers happy to turn a profit if you give fans too much power, they can be your downfall as well. You have to realize that it's the silent majority who will determine the success or failure of your business. Also, if you give fans too much power over your product, then it's not your product anymore.
As people's values change across the times, products and services change as well to meet those demands. The problem with this is when it comes to art, I am a firm believer that art should challenge the social orthodoxy, not reinforce it. This is why I detest censorship so much because it's a way to reinforce the prevailing beliefs of the day. You cannot, on one hand, promote independent thought and on the other silence those who do exercise said thoughts.
However, this is where I will turn a one-eighty and say that you listen to your consumers and not underestimate the power they possess when they organize in mass. This power can be used for either benevolent reasons or malevolent ones. For example, legitimate constructive criticism of your product can make it better. Or how sheer passion and determination can make dreams come true as Kickstarter can testify to.
That's why I think there needs to be a balance between listening to fans and doing your own thing. And there is a way to convey this to the general public without coming off as disingenuous. This way, everybody can be happy. Artists can create the art they want, fans will ravenously consume it if it's good, and businesses can pad their bottom line.
II). I ENJOY SHENMUE CHAPTER ONE: YOKOSUKA MORE THAN SHENMUE II - The main reason being that the game feels a little more detailed and 'realistic' than Shenmue II if that makes any sense. It told the entirety of Chapter One without skipping to other chapters, you could inspect more items than in Shenmue II and the combat felt a bit more grounded. This is not to say that Shenmue II is bad, but I enjoy the first game just a little more than the second one.
III). SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2006 IS MY FAVORITE 3D SONIC GAME - After seeing what modders have done with the game, I have come to see it more as wasted potential than just a bad game. If SEGA had not divided up their team midway through development and rush the game out for a Christmas release, then we would have attained a much better product.
I enjoyed the music, the Final Fantasy-Esque narrative, the character and enemy designs, the stages, and the gameplay (much more than the boost games). I know that a remake will probably never happen, but if it's done right this time, I will happily purchase it.
IV). METAL GEAR SOLID V IS MY SECOND FAVORITE GAME IN THE SERIES - While I believe the story was executed poorly (with Kojima telling not showing), I believe the story was solid overall. I will provide a link that elaborates as to why I believe this to be the case. Finally, I think the gameplay is the best in the entire series as you have unparalleled freedom in how you can conduct missions.
V). FINAL FANTASY XV HAS A GREAT STORY - Keep in mind that I am taking the entirety of the media made about Final Fantasy XV into account. In the end, it's a tragic tale of a fallen Messiah and his counterpart resigned to fate. The combat system is complex inspiring the likes of Lost Soul Aside, Lunafreya is one of my favorite female Final Fantasy characters, and this game features my favorite iteration of Gilgamesh and his theme.
VI). I ENJOY METROID OTHER M: While it's not my favorite game in the franchise (that would belong to the first Metroid Prime), the story did not bother me that much. I saw Samus's voice as being stoic rather than bland. While the gameplay was linear, I had fun with it overall, as it was not that different from other Metroid games.
VII). SONIC MANIA IS OVERRATED - While I don't think it's a bad game per se, I don't understand why this game is touted as the best Sonic the Hedgehog game since 3 & Kunckles. Its gameplay, for the most part, is just an updated version of the said game with the addition of a drop dash. It comes across to me as the "Sonic the Hedgehog Best Hits" collection if anything else. Especially considering that the majority of the stages are just rehashes of prior games. I still like the game, but I don't think it's the bee's knees either. Maybe people feel they have been deprived of a 'good' Sonic game for so long that they shower this one with interminable praise.
Keep in mind that these are just my opinions, what are some of yours?
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