ThunderPeel2001

It's back!

The problem isn't really that the author thought Spore looked boring, but rather that s/he made no attempt to explain why, and instead just resorted to pathetic childish insults. Any journalist who posts: "Will Wright is a genius at making games I don't want to play" and think they are making some sort of interesting point that the rest of us are interested in, should have their fingers repeatedly broken so they can't type anymore (or at least until their ego is deflated). What makes it all the more worse (as if it wasn't already far below any basic journalistic standards), is that Will Wright is the creator of some of the most popular games ever made... meaning that most of the people reading his comments do want to play his games... meaning that above quote is even less interesting/relevant/news worthy (if that's possible) to his/her readers than it would have been if it was about, well... just about anyone else! It's interesting to see the "vocal minority" bash Will Wright, though!

If you don't have a job, who are your co-workers...? Well, I think a flash of titties is definitely worth a PS2. I'd do it. Admittedly I'm a guy, but they're still nipples! Heck, even Screech from 'Saved by the Bell' isn't above selling sex videos of himself for quick cash! Compared to him you're saintly!

Yes, it appears to be true this time! http://www.gotfuturama.com/ Here it is, on frickin' Reuters no less, if you don't believe me! http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=televisionNews&storyID=2006-06-23T033638Z_01_N22173912_RTRIDST_0_TELEVISION-FUTURAMA-DC.XML Crikey!

Whoops!

You know, I actually, for a smidgen of a second, believed there might be something of worth in this thread. Instead it's filled with a bunch of school children. If this was post 9/11 would you all be making the same stupid comments, or is it just because it's occuring in a non-English speaking nation that you don't care?

I think it comes down to how "ingrained" the game is in your memory. If you played it over and over (and over) like I did, then it's a lot harder to forget. In fact it might be impossible without an unfortunate blow to the head. I know SMI so well I could probably recite most of it from heart, even though I haven't played through a MI game in years. I've not played MI2 in a long long time though, but there was a time where I'd happily sit and play through the entire game in one go. CMI is great fun when you can't remember how to solve the puzzles, which is great because I've only played it all the way through a few times, so I don't remember everything. Really? I too, believe that SMI is a better game, but I haven't played through MI2 in quite a while... Is it really a better game? I really enjoy SMI's "completeness" (it feels like a more cohesive story) and its sincerity. I think MI2 was a little bit too cynical for its own good... (it seems to reflect a team that's been pushed up against it because of the success of their previous game). But I haven't played it in a long time, maybe I'm wrong!

I finally got around to downloading the demo of the venerated game Darwinia. I've so many things about it "re-inventing core gameplay", taking gaming back to its source with a brilliant blend of creativity and intelligence. So installed and was ready to experience something new....... only to discover it's just C&C with fake "retro" graphics!!! Did I miss something here?! I thought this was the gaming moment of the millennium! I hate PC magazines!

While I think the presentation was pretty nice (I really dig the look), it's certainly not enough to make me buy, or even enjoy, a game. I'm long past being impressed by graphics... I think! At least I can't remember recently forcing myself to play an average game because it looked good (Another World when I was younger, yes, and probably plenty others too!) The fact that it has 'old skool' gameplay doesn't entice me one bit, either. What's the point? I still pick up and play 'old skool' games for next to nothing, so it seems pointless to 'redo' an old style of game with little or no innovation. I still play Manic Miner from time to time, but that doesn't mean I was to spend £20 on playing a revamp with slightly better graphics. Saying all that, though, I think SiN may have hit the nail squarely on the head. Thanks for that, SiN! I think you pointed out all of the possible addictive and interesting aspects of the game that were probably not immediately apparent from the demo (especially to someone who believed the hype - doh!). I appreciate that this game is perhaps a little deeper, a bit more involving and perhaps better crafted than I first noticed. In fact, I'm quite interested in playing it now...! I DID pick up on something while I played the first time, and it was the only interesting thing from the demo, but the whole idea and, yes, presentation was pretty neat. What I'm talking about is the idea of a unique computer simulation "living" in your machine. It's a tad "Little Computer People" or whatever, but it was quite nicely done. If I wasn't so let down with its apparently generic gameplay I might have taken more notice. With my expectations adjusted accordingly I think I might take a peek at this 'old skool', but (apparently) expertly crafted, game. Thanks for that, SiN, Miffy495 and DoReMi! I hate hype so much, but there's times when you can't ignore it, and somehow Darwinia's got to me. It's funny because if I'd found Darwinia of my own accord, I probably would have been enamored with this uniquely presented little indie game, instead of being let down with the gameplay! Damned PC magazines!

Thanks for the info, glad it's not just me. I hate hype. How could you have possibly gleaned that I was let down by it's production values?!?

It sounds like KOTOR to me.

Me too.

"Are you perchance Geroge Lucas?" is a running joke throughout all of Descartes' work.

Thanks for the info, Kolzig. Shame that Sensible went bankrupt whilst creating what could have possibly been their best game: Sex N' Drugs N' Rock N' Roll

Is this really developed by Sensible?! I'd love to think they're back!!

Tomb Raider was definitely the first truly successful 3D action based exploration game.

I think if any major developer (besides EA) made Table Tennis it still would have been somewhat "shocking". The reason for this is that game developers don't tend to make small little "fun" games anymore. It's got very little to do with diversity, really. I'm sorry, did I miss something? They're ARE known for violent games, wasn't this the initial reason for this bloggers post?! That people generally associate them with their 'violent'/criminal based (ie. generally more sucessful) games?? Gee, let's examine the evidence: They have seven (count 'em!) GTA games, Manhunt, The Warriors, State of Emergency, Max Payne (I and II) and er, Midnight Club. The rest of their stuff isn't as well known... so YES, they ARE known for their violent/criminal games. Heck, even in their other racing games (The Italian Job and Smuggler's Run) you play criminals!

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I agree, the architecture is pretty damned good, it's the people that let it down. (How long does it take to make someone who looks remotely human on the character generation screen?! ) That, and the mid-sentence accent/voice changes. Still, it's nothing that ruins the game.

Credentials... They don't seem that great to me... but I've never played these games so maybe I shouldn't judge!

Yep: The voice acting SUCKS! Character's voices often change mid-conversation! Plus: Everyone's ugly in Oblivion! I mean REALLY ugly.

Bah! Even the mighty Shatner can't compete with the Hypotoad!

Am I the only one who disliked Thorn's new voice? She sounds about 12!

Sorry, I DID mean "Heart of the Alien", but what I recall is that Chahi wasn't all that involved with it and wasn't a fan of what they did with Another World. I'll try and find a reference. I remember being put off by the change in graphics though, the lack of vectors made everything seem sluggish and not as smooth in comparison with Another World. Found a reference: http://eboredom.20m.com/features/interviews/chahi.html I guess that's what I was thinking of.

Well spotted! I've never noticed that before!! I thought it was a flag or something. One thing that's a shame about this new version: The menus you have to navigate before you're allowed to play! The original game just "started". You were "there", and it kind of took you by surprise (back in the early 90's anyway). Something else I've just realised: Nearly ALL the graphics were vector... including 99% of the backgrounds!!! WOW! Pretty impressive! (Just play it in HIRES without "enhanced backgrounds" turned on to see for yourself.) Oddly, even in this new version, FSAA doesn't seem work at all As a side note: Heart of Darkness (the SegaCD only "sequel") was not designed by Eric Chahi and did not feature vector graphics... as it took too long to make them. I haven't played it, but I hear it's exceptionally difficult. I've just remembered: One of Idle Thumb's first ever articles was a review of Another World, too: http://www.idlethumbs.net/display.php?id=13 Some valid comments!