/og/ - Other Games

The PS2 is the only console I've ever owned, so it's naturally grown quite dear to my heart. I would spend hours on the few games that I had trying to complete absolutely everything the game had to offer, and then replaying them all over again. I'm not quite sure how I had the will for it, since I normally get tired of repetitive games very quickly nowadays.

My favourite was the Ape Escape series, and though the first game was the best one imo, most of my time playing was spent on the third installment, since I didn't have a PS1 memory card. It's a pretty simple game, it's not particularly hard, there's no grand narrative nor do the characters have tear-jerking moments of development, but it's got its special charm, possibly even because of how easy it is to just pick up and play. The music was also pretty fucking good (by the same artist that worked on the first game!), especially compared to AE2. The graphics weren't anything advanced, but the visuals still look lively and pleasant simply by using well-crafted colour palettes and design in general.

Speaking of the visuals, it's really kind of pathetic how today you basically only have AAA shit that pours all of its resources into making sure that one blade of grass sparkles just right, while on the other hand the indie scene follows the retro pixel trend (though that might have started to change lately). I'd like to see a huge-ass detailed open-world game that doesn't use """retro""" graphics with as much care as possible put into the actual core gameplay mechanics, AI, story etc., which I think would be doable by some bigger company if only they didn't squander all of their time and resources on making it the next visual masterpiece. At least my shitty poorfag computer would be able to run it then. But I suppose that wouldn't sell.

>>5230
Could somebody please explain to me what's wrong with, "retro graphics". I've been hearing this sentiment a lot lately and i'd like to know where people are coming from.
>I'd like to see a huge-ass detailed open-world game that doesn't use """retro""" graphics with as much care as possible put into the actual core gameplay mechanics, AI, story etc.
Never played it, but doesn't that describe Breath of the Wild?

>>5231
Not who your replying to, but I think the reason people have a problem with retro graphics is mainly overabundance. It's like a fad, so it annoys people. It can also sometimes be an excuse for graphics which are just plain bad (not actually retro, but people who never played retro games can be fooled).

>Never played it, but doesn't that describe Breath of the Wild?
No. It's a pretty good game, but there are many aspects which they clearly didn't put much effort into. The visuals for example are copy-pasted so much that it seems like it's still in beta and they haven't finished designing each area yet, same with some of the enemies.

>>5232
I was thinking that maybe i'd eventually make a game. Nobody has said how people that aren't just trend chasers can avoid the trappings of bad retro graphics

>>5233
Not the anon you're replying to (or the other one that started the discussion about "retro graphics").

I think what they both mean is about games using pixel graphics trying to play it as "retro-ish", but that are anything but retro. Take Undertale for example, granted, the graphics are certainly pixel but they're mostly lazy and tasteless. Cailling it retro is an insult to any artist from before 2K. Then there's the counterpart, really nice and well done pixel art that however doesn't look "retro" at all. I call this "neo pixel art".

For reference, I'll post a few files. These 4 are legit retro art.

>>5234
Some more so you see what I mean

These are "new pixel art". You normally see this crap associated with "vaporwave", save some exceptions.

>>5237
Also, so I don't derail the thread so much: What I miss from the PS2 era is that most games where completely experimental. There were much standards and developers just had to make games from 0 without previous conceptions like "ah, I want this game to be a FPS with survival gameplay like X, Y and that other game Z".

>>5238
During the PS1's time people were mostly testing the waters. By the PS3 people got too comfortable with its profitability and started the nose dive torwards mediocrity. I think all companies/mediums have that interesting middle phase were they're a lot more willing to try new things.
I liked Shadow of the Colossus.

>>5231
The other guy in the thread pretty much explained it for me.
Shitty pixel graphics are an easy way for lazy developers that can't do art to excuse their games for looking awful and dull.
It was endearing the first few times and yes, there are games that pull it off really well, but as more people jump onto the bandwagon it gets stale really quite soon. You'll start seeing games with little thought or effort put into their visual design, the kind that doesn't gain anything from the retro art style (or neo pixel art, as anon called it) at all, that never really had any reason for using it.

Not that I expect all indie developers to be some Renaissance masters of all arts, but at least don't advertise "retro graphics" as your main selling point.

Sly 2. I beat this game about five times when I was a kid. 1 and 3 are also really good, never played 4 but it looks awful unfortunately.

>>5233
It's not good to be a trend chaser, but it's not good to not do something you wanted to do just because it's trendy at the moment either. Especially since this (I assume from your wording) will be your first game, just do whatever you want. Just don't expect it to be popular if you put it online.

>>5229
never really played much ps2 games but i spent a ton of time on xbox and gamecube games i can assure you that they were just as much experimental as well. there was a lot more passion for the craft that still exists today, but you won't see it from a major company due to the financial risks that implies. i feel like with better graphics came higher budgets, so companies started focusing on that and realism than actual gameplay, environment and unique art styles. even companies like capcom, known for their unique style have started embracing realism more and more (mostly based on decisions inspired by kenji inafune's massive ignorance and embrace of western AAA industry). it's the reason why so many of their games switched to 3D and tried more realistic styles (which i guarantee is why games like SFV look the way they do, and they only got realism right imo so far with DMC5). there are still games that look charming, but a lot of them are done by indie/doujin companies rather than major league companies. i think companies are slowly starting to realize not many people care about the realism/graphics side of games as much as they did, but it's going to be a while before we see games that are as stacked with content and care as they were in that generation of AAA gaming.

>>5268
Inafune's a westaboo cunt. People like him are so obsessed with emulating us that they ignore our obvious faults and actively harm their own culture's output.

>>5229
>What are your favourite games from this era?
Ico
Shadow of the Colossus
Metal Gear Solid 3
Kingdom Hearts 1

SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGpqcsU4IKA
Tactical team shooter for the PS2

Champions of Norrath, an EverQuest spin-off. Really great ARPG in the style of Dark Alliance. Multiple classes with very different abilities, such as the Cleric who can summon an ice hammer to follow enemies around or the Shadowknight that spreads poison / disease. The story has 5 acts and takes you to a huge variety of locations (forest, underground lava area, tropical islands, underwater, frozen tundra, etc) and it has a lot of cool boss fights / villains.

>>5229
Really nice to see somebody else liking the game ICO. I remember only playing the demo from a PS demo disc and I couldn't forget it, eventually played the actual game myself for the first time in 2020. not sure if I'm misremembering the demo but I vaguely recall being able to play two player and actually controlling Yorda.

>What are some of your favorite games from this era?
Dewprism (US: Threads of Fate): underrated PS1 gem, low-poly comfy game. Technically released in 1999 (JP) but wasn't out in the US until 2000.
Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure: a Falcom action rpg with drills, powerups and outfits. Fun art style too

>>6426
i liked threads of fate but it was too easy, makes sense because it was developed as a children's game. the visuals were very, very nice though.

Drakengard is such a terrible game, but yet is one of my favorites, the atmosphere and music are just amazing.