What Are Bad Games With Innovative Ideas?

TL;DR

Games like Anthem, For Spoken, and Resident Evil 6 are considered poor because of their execution but feature innovative ideas such as unique flying mechanics, an engaging magic combat system, and impressive combat dynamics. Despite their flaws, these games demonstrate that even bad titles can contain kernels of creative potential.

Transcript

(gentle music) - [Presebter] Some video games just don't quite come together. A bad game is a bad game, but we love video games here at Gameranx and to be honest, we strongly believe that sometimes a bad game can still have a teeny tiny kernel of value or something interesting, you know, at least one cool thing worth talking about. So here are some... Read More

Key Insights

• ✈️ Anthem: The flying mechanics in Anthem, despite the game's flaws, were the closest any game has come to capturing the feeling of being Iron Man.
• ✨ For Spoken: While the game has many issues, the combat system stands out as innovative and fun, with a fair amount of depth and satisfying visuals.
• 🔫 Redsteel: Despite receiving bad reviews, Redsteel stands out for its unique use of motion controls, such as shooting guns out of enemies' hands.
• 🧟 Never Dead: The game's central mechanic of being immortal and detaching body parts for puzzles is an interesting concept, although poorly executed.
• 💧 Hydrophobia: The water effects in Hydrophobia are impressive and ahead of its time, but the rest of the game falls short.
• 🚀 Dark Void: Dark Void's seamless transition between dogfighting and third-person shooting is a standout feature, overshadowed by other lackluster elements.
• 💥 Mind Jack: Mind Jack's unique mechanic of hacking and controlling enemies is a fun concept within an otherwise forgettable game.
• 🔗 Bionic Commando: The swinging mechanic in Bionic Commando is enjoyable and reminiscent of Spider-Man, but the rest of the game falls short with a weak story.
• 🥊 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand: While the game may be dumb and pointless, the inclusion of a "swear button" provides a hilarious and ironic experience for players.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the flying mechanics in Anthem differentiate it from other games?

The flying mechanics in Anthem were considered the game's best feature, providing an immersive and satisfying experience that made players feel like Iron Man. It was the closest any video game had come to replicating the feeling of flying in a big metal suit of armor.

Q: What was unique about the combat system in Resident Evil 6?

The combat system in Resident Evil 6 built upon the gameplay mechanics of its predecessors, Resident Evil 4 and 5, with added twists and improvements. It featured a quick shot button, dodge and roll mechanics, ground aiming, and the ability to chain together combos, making the game feel more like a character action game than a traditional Resident Evil title.

Q: What made the water effects in Hydrophobia impressive?

The water effects in Hydrophobia were considered next-gen due to their impressive physics simulation. Unlike heavily scripted or pre-made water effects found in other games, Hydrophobia's water effects were procedurally generated, offering realistic and dynamic interactions with the environment.

Q: How did the swinging mechanic in Bionic Commando make the game enjoyable?

The swinging mechanic in Bionic Commando allowed players to navigate the game's environments by grapple onto objects and swing around like Spider-Man. It provided a fun and thrilling experience, offering a unique and enjoyable gameplay element despite the game's shortcomings.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Anthem: While the game had many flaws, its flying mechanics were one of the best in any game, providing a satisfying and immersive experience.

• For Spoken: Despite its dull open world and awkward dialogue, the game's combat system, especially its magic system, offered depth and skill-based gameplay.

• Redsteel: The game may have received negative reviews, but its motion controls, including shooting enemies' guns out of their hands, showcased unique and ambitious gameplay mechanics.

• Resident Evil 6: Though criticized for its bloated design and mixed story, its combat system offered impressive gameplay mechanics that made the game feel closer to a character action game.

• Alone in the Dark: While the game was a mess overall, its DVD-style menu feature, allowing players to skip to any part of the story, could be implemented in more games, providing more control and freedom to players.

• Mind Jack: The game may have had weak shooting mechanics and an underwhelming story, but the ability to hack into and control enemies was a fun and unique mechanic.

• Hydrophobia: Despite its weak shooting mechanics and unresponsive platforming, its water effects, featuring impressive physics simulations, remain noteworthy and ahead of its time.

• Dark Void: While most of the game was forgettable, its seamless transition between dogfighting and third-person shooting while using a jet pack was a standout mechanic.

• Never Dead: The game's central mechanic, being immortal and losing body parts, offered interesting gameplay ideas, but poor implementation and tedious mechanics held it back.

• Bionic Commando: The game's grappling mechanic and swinging mechanics were highly enjoyable, but the short length, linear gameplay, and terrible story detracted from its potential.