10 Things Video Games Shouldn't Have Abandoned

TL;DR

This content explores ten video game features that have been abandoned but should be reintroduced.

Transcript

(retro video game music) - It's 2023 and although we have seen an absolute ton of old school stuff returning, there's still a lot that's just gone and some of it really just shouldn't be. Hi, folks, it's Falcon and today on Gameranx, 10 things video games shouldn't have abandoned. Starting off with number 10, extreme sports mini games. Like where h... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎮 Extreme sports mini-games provided engaging diversity in gameplay and could enhance player investment in massive titles.
• 💨 Action hijacking mechanics make gameplay faster and more entertaining, fitting perfectly into action-oriented driving experiences.
• 😚 Modern platforming has lost its challenge, favoring automation over skill, impacting overall player satisfaction with exploration mechanics.
• 🧩 Puzzle dungeons were foundational to RPGs, offering players thoughtful challenges that fostered creativity and engagement.
• 😛 The decline of cheat codes and humorous fake-outs reduces unexpected, delightful moments in gaming narratives.
• 🤗 Smaller-scale open-world games allow for more concise and enjoyable experiences, appealing to players' time constraints.
• ❓ Historically, exclusive content varied by platform with a focus on creativity, fostering unique gaming experiences that are less common today.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does the presenter believe extreme sports mini-games should return?

The presenter believes that extreme sports mini-games added variety and fun to gameplay, breaking up repetitive tasks in larger games. Classic games like Final Fantasy VII and Spyro featured these mini-games, which provided a refreshing change, especially within vast AAA titles. Given the extensive time players often spend on these games, having additional activities could enhance enjoyment significantly.

Q: How does the notion of action hijacking enhance driving games?

Action hijacking, a mechanic where players can steal a vehicle in motion, adds a fast-paced thrill to driving games. Its absence is felt in modern titles, where the process can be cumbersome. The presenter highlights games like Sleeping Dogs and Just Cause, showcasing that action hijacking not only quickens vehicle swaps but also injects an entertaining and exaggerated sense of fun into the gameplay.

Q: What has changed about platforming in modern AAA games compared to earlier titles?

In modern AAA games, platforming mechanics have become overly simplistic and automated, detracting from the challenge that earlier games posed. Classic titles required precise timing and skill for basic jumps, creating a sense of tension and gratification. The presenter argues that players would appreciate a middle ground where platforming still offers some challenge, making exploration engaging rather than feeling like mere filler.

Q: What does the presenter miss about puzzle dungeons in RPGs?

The presenter reminisces about the intricate dungeon designs in classic RPGs, where puzzles were pivotal elements that enriched the experience. Modern RPGs have leaned toward linear paths focused on combat, with dungeons losing their exploratory nature. By highlighting contemporary exceptions, the presenter advocates for a return to more creative dungeon designs that require player ingenuity and exploration.

Q: Why does the lack of cheat codes and fake-out cheats matter?

Cheat codes are rare in today's gaming landscape, and the absence of intentional fake-out cheats takes away the element of surprise and humor that once existed. The presenter recalls how older games would include playful tricks that created memorable moments. This sense of experimentation and fun in gaming has diminished, and the presenter longs for a return to those amusing, unpredictable interactions.

Q: What are the benefits of small open-world games according to the analysis?

The creator suggests that smaller open-world games provide a more accessible and easily enjoyable experience compared to their sprawling counterparts. Games like Crackdown and Infamous exemplify this approach, allowing players to engage in a seamless yet less daunting world. The nostalgia for shorter playtimes and straightforward objectives in a smaller setting reflects a desire for diversity in game scale.

Q: How did the presence of exclusive content differ in past gaming eras?

The presenter reflects on how exclusive content for different platforms was once crafted uniquely for each console, providing distinct gaming experiences rather than just segments of what could have been a complete product. This has shifted towards more superficial exclusivity that feels manipulative, diluting the excitement of having something special. The hope is for a revival in the originality of platform-exclusive content.

Q: What makes airships a missed feature in modern RPGs?

Airships represented freedom and exploration in RPGs, allowing players to traverse vast worlds without hindrance. Modern titles, while offering fast travel and realism, lack the whimsical adventure associated with piloting an airship. The presenter desires more imaginative inclusion of this mechanic, emphasizing that it could reinvigorate travel experiences and connect players to the fantasy roots of the genre.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video highlights the top ten features left behind by modern video games, focusing on items that enhanced gameplay diversity and fun.

• Examples include extreme sports mini-games, action hijacking mechanics, and secret party members in RPGs, emphasizing their unique contributions to gaming experience.

• The analysis argues for the revival of these features, suggesting they could enrich contemporary gaming and appeal to nostalgia among players.