|
|
Post by edmonddantes on Jan 22, 2019 10:13:47 GMT -5
Okay, so we all have seen "popular games you dislike" threads.
This is the exact opposite--games you actually liked, but for some reason they're often dissed by magazines/websites/the internet/your mom/etc.
And you're like, "why is this considered bad?"
Or worse, you think a game got flak for things not its fault. Either or.
Okay, to get the ball rolling...
I dunno if this is still common these days but way back when it seemed like people used to crap on Light Crusader quite a bit. Now, I myself was initially disappointed because I thought it was a sequel to Landstalker but then realized it was all in this one dungeon (the storyline is basically Diablo but not written by Blizzard and thus won't get stupid later. Also corny voice that says "destroy them all!"). However, as I got over it, I started actually enjoying Light Crusader and everything about it. And yes, I recall beating it without a walkthru, though at the time I had to look up what a "penumbra" was.
Another Genesis game that got unfair flack was Crusader of Centy (hmmm.... apparently being on the Genesis and having the word "Crusader" in the title is a formula for hate). But this was irritating because the reason I remember seeing for the hate was purebred Nintendo fanboyism. Essentially, every magazine or usenet post consisted of "this game is such a rip-off it ought to be called The Legend of Melda."
It's really irritating for two reasons. One: It's not a good complaint in the first place. Why is "being a rip-off" inherently a flaw? Two: Centy is very unique and actually not much like Zelda at all, except insofar as its a top-view action RPG starring a boy with a sword (in fact when pressed, I remember a usenet argument where this was really the only "similarity" one of its critics could present). Fortunately it seems like Centy's reputation has risen in the years since.
....
Other games:
Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures - For some reason gets a lot of hate, but I honestly think this game needs a sequel of some sort--the only thing I don't like is that Pac-Man's moods are specifically set to trigger at certain events rather than being gradual. If they were gradual/realistic instead of bipolar, it would be awesome. Also, I just love the "pac-speak" Pac-Man has in this game. It's a shame this was the only game of its kind (in this franchise, at least, but I've never seen anything quite like it. The closest would be the point-n-click adventure genre but here the deal isn't that you control Pac-MAn, but rather that you're his secret ally while Paccy has a life of his own. You can literally feel like he's your BFF).
Hydlide Okay, bear with me: I understand why people think this game is terrible. The thing is... if you remember it was originally a cheapo computer game from 1984 and not really meant to compete with Zelda, it's honestly not that bad. I actually find it kinda fun when I just want an RPG-like experience but without the massive time investment of a regular RPG (what the Happy Video Game Nerd used to call "the Mystic Quest argument.")
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Okay, I played the "Substance" version which may explain why I don't hate this game... but if you do hate it, YOU'RE WRONG. This really deserves a full essay.
And now its ya'lls turn. Any games you think should get more love?
|
|
|
|
Post by Weasel on Jan 22, 2019 10:39:21 GMT -5
There's a lot of complaints I hear about the control scheme in Oni for PS2. I've never really understood it; it makes plenty of sense to me, as it's really no different from something like Mirror's Edge.
|
|
|
|
Post by kingmike on Jan 22, 2019 10:51:57 GMT -5
Maybe if Hydlide has been released in America in 1986 like it was in Japan, people would have been more forgiving. (in Japan, it was released right after Zelda. But the difference being that Zelda was on FDS and cart tech hadn't advanced, so I'd imagine it was more accepted as limitations of "inferior" carts. That would take a year or so for cart hardware to surpass the disks.) But to release it in 1989 when now there's better games out to compete against? (such as of course, Zelda) It was probably a cheap game to print by that point though and required almost no localization which is maybe why they picked it. The first Dragon Quest was similarly rather dated by the time of its localization (despite improvements made in the process). But I'd still say Hydlide's mechanics are less tolerable than DQ. Why even have Attack/Defend options in Hydlide when using Attack pretty much just gets you killed?  (DQ only really having the problem that it's a very large percent grinding compared to actual progress.) |
|
|
|
Post by wyrdwad on Jan 22, 2019 11:27:43 GMT -5
To this day, I still don't understand what people have against Who Framed Roger Rabbit or Friday the 13th on the NES. Sure, the former is slow and the latter is a little clunky, but... both are really good and original! Roger Rabbit made me feel like an actual detective, questioning locals and searching buildings, and had a real sense of size and scale to it that made it fun to explore. And Friday the 13th was INCREDIBLY ahead of its time, and did a lot of really cool things that I found to be kind of brilliant at the time. Chief among them -- and one of the things the game gets a lot of flak for, but which I always thought was super-cool -- is its method of navigating the game map, which I felt was a brilliant way to handle navigating 3D space in a 2D platformer. It was easy for me to grasp the concept of one direction being clockwise and one direction being counterclockwise, and once you figured that out, getting from one cabin to another was a snap.
Those are two LJN-published games that I've always felt got a lot of crap from gamers simply because of the LJN connection -- when back in the day, I recall everyone I knew in school really enjoying them too, and I think Roger Rabbit even made it into the fan-voted Nintendo Power best-of list for the NES a few times.
-Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 22, 2019 12:44:24 GMT -5
To this day, I still don't understand what people have against Who Framed Roger Rabbit or Friday the 13th on the NES. Sure, the former is slow and the latter is a little clunky, but... both are really good and original! Roger Rabbit made me feel like an actual detective, questioning locals and searching buildings, and had a real sense of size and scale to it that made it fun to explore. And Friday the 13th was INCREDIBLY ahead of its time, and did a lot of really cool things that I found to be kind of brilliant at the time. Chief among them -- and one of the things the game gets a lot of flak for, but which I always thought was super-cool -- is its method of navigating the game map, which I felt was a brilliant way to handle navigating 3D space in a 2D platformer. It was easy for me to grasp the concept of one direction being clockwise and one direction being counterclockwise, and once you figured that out, getting from one cabin to another was a snap. Those are two LJN-published games that I've always felt got a lot of crap from gamers simply because of the LJN connection -- when back in the day, I recall everyone I knew in school really enjoying them too, and I think Roger Rabbit even made it into the fan-voted Nintendo Power best-of list for the NES a few times. -Tom I remember it getting flack for the vehicle controls. |
|
|
|
Post by spanky on Jan 22, 2019 13:26:20 GMT -5
Secret of Mana. Yeah it's a bit glitchy but it's not too hard to work around if you have a bit of patience. I think a lot of people jump into it thinking you're meant to play it like a Zelda game or something where you can just swing your weapon as fast as you want to when you're really supposed to take a slower paced and more strategic approach to the combat. I feel like the divide between those who like the game or not depends on whether you played it when it first came out or years later via emulation or Virtual Console.
Also, it's died down in recent years, but you used to see people who thought *all* the Sonic games sucked, not just the 3D ones. I dunno if it's an old wound from the 16-bit wars or whatever, but it's a sentiment I've never bought.
Pac-Man 2 rules. Such a neat little game.
|
|
|
|
Post by ommadawnyawn2 on Jan 22, 2019 13:40:33 GMT -5
Agreed on LC and Soleil.
For me well, a more general thing that sometimes bothers me online is how RPG and AA games are held in higher regard than linear action games simply for being non-linear and/or story focused, and how the latter are seen as mindless. Not that I don't like both approaches. At the same time, puzzle games aren't usually held in a high regard. I wouldn't have a problem with ranking something like Shinobi 3 or Lolo 2 about as high as a Zelda or FF game for example.
A little more specific is the lack of love for later games and third party alternatives for the NES; besides Mario I think they are often clearly better than the usual Zelda, Metroid, Ninja Gaiden, Castlevania (besides 3) etc. that are on the top lists.
I kinda do know why for both of these though, I just felt like whining about people having the wrong tastes I guess.
Games that should get some more love:
Fantasy Zone 2 & FZ2 DX - These are solid improvements on the prequel with excellent audiovisuals and a charmingly self serious and sort of introspective story.
S.T.U.N. Runner (ARC) - 3D Hover Car Racing which was impressive for 1989 and still holds up pretty well; just kinda surprised it's never really talked about when it seems like an influence on both F-Zero and Wipeout.
Populous 3 (PC) - Huge improvement over 1-2 I think, had an unusual setting and a mechanical approach which ended up more akin to modern RTS games.
Maze of Galious (MSX) - Maybe not outright love but this and some earlier games like Starquake, Citadel and Below the Root deserve more respect for shaping the platform adventure/metroidvania subgenre.
|
|
|
|
Post by wyrdwad on Jan 22, 2019 15:14:22 GMT -5
To this day, I still don't understand what people have against Who Framed Roger Rabbit or Friday the 13th on the NES. Sure, the former is slow and the latter is a little clunky, but... both are really good and original! Roger Rabbit made me feel like an actual detective, questioning locals and searching buildings, and had a real sense of size and scale to it that made it fun to explore. And Friday the 13th was INCREDIBLY ahead of its time, and did a lot of really cool things that I found to be kind of brilliant at the time. Chief among them -- and one of the things the game gets a lot of flak for, but which I always thought was super-cool -- is its method of navigating the game map, which I felt was a brilliant way to handle navigating 3D space in a 2D platformer. It was easy for me to grasp the concept of one direction being clockwise and one direction being counterclockwise, and once you figured that out, getting from one cabin to another was a snap. Those are two LJN-published games that I've always felt got a lot of crap from gamers simply because of the LJN connection -- when back in the day, I recall everyone I knew in school really enjoying them too, and I think Roger Rabbit even made it into the fan-voted Nintendo Power best-of list for the NES a few times. -Tom I remember it getting flack for the vehicle controls. Really? I've never heard that. What was wrong with them? Is it just because they're tank controls? Because... I kinda liked that! It was pretty novel at the time to have that much freedom of movement, rather than limiting the player to only 4 or 8 directions. -Tom |
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 22, 2019 16:39:48 GMT -5
I remember it getting flack for the vehicle controls. Really? I've never heard that. What was wrong with them? Is it just because they're tank controls? Because... I kinda liked that! It was pretty novel at the time to have that much freedom of movement, rather than limiting the player to only 4 or 8 directions. -Tom I think at least part of it was the vehicle handling. |
|
|
|
Post by mainpatr on Jan 22, 2019 16:58:11 GMT -5
I personally think that Devil May Cry 2 is a better starting point for newcomers to the series than the first or third games. Also, the game uses is basically a modified version of the Resident Evil 2 2 disc zapping system.
Oh, Whomp 'Em for the NES is just as good as any 8-bit Megaman game.
|
|
|
|
Post by toei on Jan 22, 2019 17:10:18 GMT -5
Yeah, Crusader of Centy is much more than just some Zelda clone. It's quite good. I remember the gameplay being much more "physical" than Zelda's, with platforming and fast-paced bits that sort of resemble obstacles courses. And Light Crusader was always good, too. I actually played it after Diablo, renting it at random while a friend was staying over, and we were convinced the game was basically Diablo's ancestor.
Lagoon on SNES is solid. It does have a short weapon, but it's not that hard to get used to. Ninja Crusaders on NES. I honestly enjoyed it a lot more than Ninja Gaiden. It felt fairer to me, despite killing you in one hit. Super Hydlide (this one is a bit of a cult favorite, though). I understand the hate - it's hideous, and a little hard to get into, plus the first Hydlide was widely hated in the West. It's actually really good, though.
|
|
|
|
Post by dsparil on Jan 22, 2019 17:11:32 GMT -5
Not to be argumentative, but I played some of Light Crusader a few weeks ago (not for the first time) and there's definitely reasons why people don't like it aside from being a total departure for Treasure. The audio and visual elements are really bland so it makes a bad first impression. I plan on playing through it again soonish, but it's not something I'm looking forward to doing. It does get points for having an auto map though.
With MGS2, I really don't get it either. I remember a lot of attention being put on how cutscene/codec heavy it is—the infamous corridor "scene" comes to mind—but those elements have aged well for the most part. I can't say I loved it right away, but I appreciated more on replays. I definitely like it more than MGS3 which I have never been able to complete possible because I only ever had semi-busted used controllers.
—
Fear Effect: Sedna - It isn't amazing or anything, but reviews were so bad. I still think it's a solid 7/10 game. It could have used more adventure elements though.
|
|
|
|
Post by ZenithianHero on Jan 22, 2019 17:22:40 GMT -5
I'll probably be the most defensive Sonic fan on this site, but I know when I think a game deserves praise and hate among the modern games. The one in question I do not know why gets so much hate in particular Sonic Riders which has 50s Meta score. I get there is a learning curve but the game has some clear effort put into it and more creative compared to most mascot racers even a couple Mario Karts. Its reception probably preventing from getting a remaster and I'm sad. I'm sure it would do very well today with a proper remaster release and online mode.
Silent Hill 4. Team Silent's last game and deserve more appreciation. The "room" portions of the game were the best parts, with elements of voyeur and paranoia consuming you as you progress the game. I'm not a horror junkie but I felt like I experienced something special about the genre for gaming once I completed the game.
Yokai Watch series. Well the original in particular when it came out here in the West. Got a hard time for being similar to Pokemon, but I like its theme and monster design a lot and does enough ideas differently. Its also a pretty 3DS series graphically.
|
|
|
|
Post by mainpatr on Jan 22, 2019 17:27:38 GMT -5
I'll probably be the most defensive Sonic fan on this site, but I know when I think a game deserves praise and hate among the modern games. The one in question I do not know why gets so much hate in particular Sonic Riders which has 50s Meta score. I get there is a learning curve but the game has some clear effort put into it and more creative compared to most mascot racers even a couple Mario Karts. Its reception probably preventing from getting a remaster and I'm sad. I'm sure it would do very well today with a proper remaster release and online mode. Silent Hill 4. Team Silent's last game and deserve more appreciation. The "room" portions of the game were the best parts, with elements of voyeur and paranoia consuming you as you progress the game. I'm not a horror junkie but I felt like I experienced something special about the genre for gaming once I completed the game. Yokai Watch series. Well the original in particular when it came out here in the West. Got a hard time for being similar to Pokemon, but I like its theme and monster design a lot and does enough ideas differently. Its also a pretty 3DS series graphically. What about Sonic Free riders for Kinect? That's the most divisive one of them all. |
|
|
|
Post by ZenithianHero on Jan 22, 2019 17:29:42 GMT -5
I'll probably be the most defensive Sonic fan on this site, but I know when I think a game deserves praise and hate among the modern games. The one in question I do not know why gets so much hate in particular Sonic Riders which has 50s Meta score. I get there is a learning curve but the game has some clear effort put into it and more creative compared to most mascot racers even a couple Mario Karts. Its reception probably preventing from getting a remaster and I'm sad. I'm sure it would do very well today with a proper remaster release and online mode. Silent Hill 4. Team Silent's last game and deserve more appreciation. The "room" portions of the game were the best parts, with elements of voyeur and paranoia consuming you as you progress the game. I'm not a horror junkie but I felt like I experienced something special about the genre for gaming once I completed the game. Yokai Watch series. Well the original in particular when it came out here in the West. Got a hard time for being similar to Pokemon, but I like its theme and monster design a lot and does enough ideas differently. Its also a pretty 3DS series graphically. What about Sonic Free riders for Kinect? That's the most divisive one of them all. I haven't played it. The original was best and Zero Gravity was worth playing too but Sonic fans seem to be in agreement Free Riders was a mistake to make it a Kinect game. EDIT: There are a few Sonic games I need to play for myself. I just bought Forces the other day. But I probably have no intention to play a Kinect game unless I find one super cheap at a Garage sale or something. |
|
