We Need To Talk About Video Games...
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- čas přidán 18. 02. 2024
- Recently I've not been enjoying Video Games...
Are Video Games not fun anymore or is there a bigger issue?
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I feel like I'm nearly 40, and games just feel empty.
Agree, most games do now. Indy companies seem to be killing it though. Really hoping they knock ffvii rebirth out of the park. The demo was amazing.
Robocop rogue city was an absolute blast and it filled that 80s atmosphere void for me. The dystopian 80s were so very nicely made in that game, definitely worthy of checking it out.
Heard Banishers Ghost of Eden isn't bad either, but didn't get to play it yet.
Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader is an absolute cRPG blast, sadly still with bugs even after 1.0 release.
My issue is not about having no games to play, my issue is that I need to wait until the game is in final cut state - e.g. no bugs left, all content added which is not possible in modern age gaming - it wouldn't be an issue if the patches would be rolled out in a 2-3 months after release, but sadly lots of new games (such as those I mentioned) gets new patches throughout the whole year...which is insane.
It's also reason for me why I don't want to play Baldur's Gate 3 yet until all features are there/it's completely stable without framerate fluctuations.
@@Brisco_County_JrWell there are some triple A out there like Final fantasy XVI that still have the ability to communicate emotions and whose characters feel real and their struggles are sympathetic from the big cast to random dude characters. Other games I've played recently like the Judgement/Lost Judgement(Yakuza side saga, with Yagami the detective lawyer) and the A Plague Tale(Amicia and Hugo are lovely siblings surving the historical Black death) series had that charm of characters that just pull you into the narrative.
Personally I am far from Roxy's disenchantment with "recent" video games, who knows perphaps I was just lucky of purchasing the right products that fit perfectly with my tastes.
But completely get how certain games like the Assasins Creed series(Nowadays they are desperate to recreate the success they had with the magical ACIV, with Skull and Bones being a poor imitation a project just started to give some employment to Singaporeans due to an accord with the dictatorship) or anything created by Ubisoft can give off such feeling of hollowness of a extremely artificial product just made to collect money and little else, same with mostly everything Activision Blizzard or EA those games are depressing hiding behind a fake environment of joy and excitement only just to be online casinos or cash cows. Cannot imagine how depressed or just plain sad I would be if my game library consisted only on their jewels.
Preach! .. i've been falling out of love with games for a while now.. and it actually depresses me honestly.. I used to love trying new games and now i'm just so bored.
Mate I feel the same way, Kingdom come deliverance revived my interest in modern gaming and also the metro series of games and the stalker series of games. But I agree we have very good game dev skills these days but new releases just seem empty and dead.
@@leesaunders1930they aren’t releasing enough or releasing close enough. I feel the same exact way
I've been playing older games
@timelesstalesbeauty5394 you get half a game, then gotta pay for the expansions
I audibly said "Yes!" When you said so many of these games don't have a soul. I find myself at times playing a game..only to stop and ask myself why I'm even playing it
as long as there's an indie market, there's still hope of finding gems
I'm 44, gaming since 1983 and still do and I agree, finding a game that gets me genuinely excited these days is tough and, at least for me, it's because a game comes out and the first thing I say is "That was done X years ago in game Y" :-/
It's why I have a big fondness for indie over AAA now.
I've been gaming as long as you and honestly feel the same. I've actually gone back to the "old school" games
You're definitely not the only one. I wonder if it's the evolution of games that's affecting our enjoyment, or if it's simply a natural shift in our interests as we age. Perhaps it's a mix of both.
totally agree... Not much good coming anymore... I built a retro pc and put up my old ps2 and have just been playing those for around a year now
i got a steam deck and 512 sd card full of retro games, the battery life shocked me playing well over 8 hours compared to 1 hour 30 with modern games on it, and i actually like it better for the retro games.
My friends and I have this discussion every few months!! Games now have no soul you are so right!!!
im 55 and gameing to what it was now is such a shame
And that's why I started playing game I've missed as a teenager (because they were too expensive, because of my poor PC setup, etc.). So I've played entire Gothic series, the whole Half-Life series (including blue shift and opposing force), I play a lot of AoE, Heroes 3, Halo, etc. Last modern game I've really enjoyed was Witcher 3.
I am just about to reboot witcher 3. I just finished replaying ghost of thushima.
For me Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is the best strategy game created! It is insane that it still holds up so well and is one of the very few games i would not get tired of! Classic!
It's just like all the netflix and such, you scroll through wondering if it's worth my time and you end up on youtube instead as you scrolled for so long that you now only have 10min before bedtime 🤣
I play BG3 at the moment and I really like it, and before that it was Cyberpunk.
I feel the same! I don't have as much time to play these days, so I haven't felt the decline as hard as I'm slowly playing older titles, but each year there are less and less games I actually want to try. I basically just replay games that I haven't touched for a while. It's a shame and I am unsure if this is just how gaming is now, but I still find enjoyment in the older titles. It goes without saying though that your videos are always great whatever game you cover!
I got to that point, once you realize most games are pretty much the same, but what you need my dear friend is a break from games and do other things you enjoy, make some videos of where you live, go take a hike and make a video of it we will enjoy them just the same for we follow you for who you are not the video games you play,
Once you take a break you will play videogames again and will enjoy it just as before you're just burnout a bit
It's also good to have a rotation of good old games you enjoy.
Exactly. I still remember his trip to that castle. Loved that clip:)
@Sexybiscuit I agree 100% it’s been a long time since a game has truly excited me.
But there are a few things I’ve done lately that has helped me. I’ve played a few indie games. Sea of Stars is amazing, I’ve been enjoying a few “cozy” games too. Maybe try a few of them out. Stardew Valley, Graveyard keeper, while the irons hot,
Some other content ideas could be trying a run a KCD with a handicap.
I agree 100% the industry has gone from creation and the fight to be looked at as a real art form, now it is acknowledged as a art form they are only interested in share holders, also a lot of the AA studios have now been bought by the AAA studios so what was once the intresting section of the industry is almost gone.
I can relate. I've had a PS5 for about 15 months and have barely touched it. Meanwhile, my modified OG Xbox and 360 have both been getting their share of playtime. I miss the days when day one patches and such weren't the norm, and it's been fun to revisit games from the past that I love (like the Transformers Cybertron games) or just try stuff that I never got to play growing up.
Loved this! Never stop making content. ❤
Ive been playing a lot of older games lately. Replaying Arkham Knight, AC Black Flag, Halo 2 remaster and The Warriors. Other than Ghost of Tsushima directors cut, its seemed pointless buying a PS5
Totally agree with you! I was thinking it was me but im glad you feel the same. I just pas 40 and i feel mezelf playing game just to get the feeling that i like it, but most games just don’t get me anymore. KDC is sure an exception. Looking forward voor part 2
Do you find it kinda crazy that right around the same time you posted this video, I was having this exact conversation with friends at work??! Cuz I do! 😂😂 I find myself playing Total War games a lot these days but always the older titles, and the last game I REALLY got into was kingdom come deliverance. Aside from that it’s just been “ooh this looks kinda interesting” and then I find myself getting bored with newer games before I even finish a full playthrough and it’s really sad!! Love your channel though and appreciate the time you take to bring us good wholesome fun (plus a contagious laughter!)
I totally agree. I don't play video games as much than I used to because I rarely find games that are fun to play. I love KCD because it feels like the delevopers really were passioned about making that game and the game takes a lot of risks. I think that KCD writing and gameplay are much more interesting than other similar types of games. I am also waiting for KCD2 because I am sure that it will be as great as KCD1.
I feel like the most interesting games nowdays are made by smaller game studios. I want to recommend an indie game that made me feel like a kid playing video games again. That game is called Outer Wilds (not being confused with the Outer Worlds). It is a space exploration mystery game. The game feels like being an archaeologist in space and exploring the secrets of the universe. I highly recommend it if it sounds interesting.
A note on the Skull and Bones boarding thing, many people seem to forget that Black Flag was a singleplayer game. When you boarded everything around you stopped. Skull and bones is multiplayer, when you board ships will continue to shoot. You'd keep getting sunk if it was anything more than a cutscene. They're two wholly different games. Black Flag is still around for those that don't like it.
Soulless sums it up for me yea... I feel it affects some genres more than others, but single player shooters are almost gone completely, and looter shooters don't appeal to me much other than as brainless time sinks. Strategy games seems less affected, though the last few total wars I've not even bought, and I've played them since medieval 1. So I mostly play smaller games, like Aliens Dark Descent, Jagged Alliance 3, Warno and such.
Two games I do look forward to are Space marine 2 and Hellblade 2, but they're both probably pretty short games.
Some games that are newish but inspired by older games I can recommend are the System Shock remake, Jagged Alliance 3 and Hairbrained Schemes Battletech, all really solid games.
Kingdon Come gave me the same vibes as I got from oblivion back in the day.
The magic of video games is still alive and well, but it's not front and center like it used to be.
I've found that I've had to go out of my comfort zone to discover new games more recently, but there are real gems out there for sure.
I'd recomend Spirit farer for something with some real soul to it, that game so badly needs an animated series and I got a very real emotional responce out of it that is rare these days.
I think the biggest issue with games is that we are trying to recapture something from our childhood that honestly just can't easily be replicated now, we've grown past that.
A big realisation that I came to now too long ago was that I wasn't seeking the gameplay, I was trying to recapture the magic of being a kid, sitting with my brothers playing timesplitters and Phantasy Star Online (offline), on the couch with not a care in the world.
New games can't replicate that regardless of their quality as it's ultimately not the game we're seeking, it's the good times with friends and family that most of us just grew distant from.
We keep buying new games hoping that they will scratch that itch but the truth is that they can't and they won't, because they fundamentally are not able to, they don't mean the same thing now that they meant back then .
Kids now will same the same thing about Fortnight when they are 30+
But I have discovered a new found love of reminiscing about old games with the people I play games with now, we all have awesome stories to tell about the stuff we loved to play when we were younger and it really brings us together as we play newer games now.
That last bit was hard to convey properly but I think it makes sense 😁
Gaming is still great and I will always love it, but like everything it evolves over time as we evolve as people, we just have to embrace it.
And thats pretty awesome 😃
Love stopping by to hear your thoughts as always, I always found you to be a very uplifting source on content over on the CZcamss ^^
What...? Actually I'm quite hungry
I been like same for last 1 year, only few games what catches my eyes. Escape from Tarkov and Baldur's Gate 3! But sometimes i play old games like Skyrim AE and Fake poker xD
I’m 55 and really enjoyed Kingdom Come Deliverance. I watched you play it many times. I have gotten away from gaming but I hope to played KCD 2 when it comes out but not sure what computer to use as my gaming laptop is very old now.
Watching you play Kingdom Come Deliverance is what helped me decide to get it.
Straight up 100% agree with you. Like a while ago now i sold all modern gaming equipment x2 xbox ones x2 ps4s and all the games. and went way more hard on the ps1, ps2, og xbox an xbox 360 collection and its soo much better i can actually play these games for hours like i use to and much more replay ability along with modded consoles to have access to trainers an play any region games an even games that i just cant find a physical copy of its soo much fun even finding those games you never got to try back then an finding out they were great games
I am the same Roxy. I remember getting hyped for GTA SA to 4. Now GTA 6 Is coming out and I'm like Meh. I last "new game" I saw from start to finish was RDR 2. And I was so disappointed. I wanted this "Run in a gang game" what I got was another lone wolf game, with a predictable storyline and predictable characters. And esp from rockstar who were the underdogs of pushing the envelope and crossing the line.
They had Manhunts 1&2, The Warriors and GTA SA. But now they are just generic.
I cant remember the last time a game "made me feel". And its my livelihood.
Anyway. Just reminding you you can use my Scottish accent for free if you want to go back to that PS1 game you played a month back (I cant remember its name) im not tooooo far from the Trowbridge area.
Hope you feel better soon.
I recently realised that one of the components that I have been missing while gaming is a sense of community.. I used to play with a group. Arma 2 with the dayz mod.. or CSGO or anything really. The group made it fun. Now I have many other things to do in life and don't have the time to commit to a group of any kind so I end up just scrolling through a steam library, play some overwatch or rocket league... and that's it really. Sometimes I launch a game and after 5 minutes I stop cuz I can't be bothered.
Maybe it's an idea to get a group together in discord? Maybe some multiplayer medieval dynasty or something as sily as prop hunt (garry's mod)
Haz one pint mug of coffee and double pack of bourbons .... is dunking ... and waiting.
Played my first on-screen video game in 1967/68 at a seaside arcade in the northeast - have played them ever since.
So true, Realy miss the vibe ive got in the early days of gaming. also true its all about graphics and not the depth. Its not just games its movies too. feel like its more about quantity then quality for sure
Coming from the ZX Spectrum early 80's generation, I've said that the "Gameplay over Grafix" appears to be the minority now & has been for many, many years. Agreed Rox, well said.
I've been into my retro scene for years with many retro systems (about 50 at last count).
I've also been playing video games basically daily since the early/mid 90's and Bladur's Gate 3 was the first time in a few years where I was actually excited, not just for the release of a game, to actually keep starting it up and playing it and the last game to really surprise me in a good way was Disco Elysium. I think part if it is just me growing away from games, but there is also a significant issue with too many games outside the indie scene just being incredibly derivative and trend-chasing.
BG3 looks so good. I tempted to buy it outright but awaiting a sale. Disco Elysium got me back into gaming after taking a break for a few years.
It's because we've been doing the same grind for 40 years. We are the "chosen one" who has to start from LVL 1 and bonk thousands of enemies to reach the end credits and wonder where the last 175 hours of our life went.
Games like KCD and Hitman are awesome because they rely on the player actually learning the maps and increasing their own ability to achieve a goal, rather than killing thousands of enemies just to get more health points.
They don't waste your time as a player because as you get better at the game, you unlock skills or equipment that actually makes previously difficult tasks easier, like in KCD how if you pick xx number of herbs now all of a sudden each picking now picks up 2-3x herbs, saving you tons of time. The grind is "worth it." Hitman, you unlock poisons and new tools like lockpicks, letting you replay areas different and opens up the amount of options you have.
yea i agree probably my favorite games recently have been amazing stories like rdr/rdr2, mass effect trilogy, kingdom come and kojima games and yes i put kingdom come in with those games.
You're not alone on this, started in film for me. Now it's happening in gaming. Only thing keeping me in is the community. Mostly star citizen
Same, it's all gone to crap.
I'm 44. I remember playing games via screaming tape deck on an Amstrad cpc464. My first personal gaming system was an Atari 520 STe (upgraded to a staggering 1mb ram!). Been a PC gamer all my life and I've owned a few consoles too (Dreamcast, Wii, PSP, slim PS2, Switch, xbox 360, XB1x, XB series X). Point is....I've been gaming since the early 80s and I've played a lot of stuff on a lot of platforms....and Roxy, I'm there with ya....I'm going back more often than not to older games these days as I find that companies are just rushing out hopeful cash cows that lack all originality or soul. COD has gone down the toilet lately and when I played the beta of Skull and Bones, I was left scratching my head asking just WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUDGE were Ubisoft on when they thought that anyone would consider this pile of worm ridden filth worthy of a BASE price of £69.99???? Gaming is not what it used to be.....I know that sounds cheesy and clichéd.....but its sadly true 😢
I subbed to you because of KCD. A game which is truly inspired. I didn't know much about it when I bought it, and the first couple of times I played it, I found it frustratingly difficult and nearly gave up and stopped playing it......but I am SO glad I persisted. It played like one of those old adventure game books I read as a kid. Couldn't stop playing it. I got so hooked and invested in the story and characters that I was genuinely sad when I has completed it, because I knew that I would never have that feeling again of the first time playthrough and awe and wonder at all the unknown possibilities of being immersed in the game world.
Assassins Creed 2 and Brotherhood are another 2 games that bring me fond memories of first playing them. Oh what a soundtrack! The voice acting and quirky missions made the Ezio story arc so much fun and memorable.
Can we please go back to the good old days of disk swapping Monkey Island 2 (please insert disk 2 to continue....) 😢😊
I have played only three games in the last 5 years. Kingdom Come: Deliverence, Detroit: Become Human, and Baldur's Gate 3. I have become exceedingly selective... and even more patient...
Kingdom Come, Div Sin 2, Wasteland 3 and Baldurs Gate III have been the most inspiring games of recent years. The element of humour, great voice acting and actual tactical thinking required make them really fun. Have you tried BGIII, it’s a masterpiece!
Thanks for your wise words. I agree with you. What happened to creativity. Not only in gaming but also in movies. The genre were i still find great storytelling is through books. And regarding retro games. Tribal wars in their earlier years. Before it turned into pay to win.
Except for kcd, the games I have enjoyed in recent years are; ghost of tsushima, ac odyssey and hogwarts legacy. I own baldurs gate, horizon forbidden west, hellblade and god of war 4 to play at some point. But not in a hurry:)
Yes, so many games feel soulless now. It’s why I love KCD. All the bugs don’t really bother me (I’m fact they are charming in a way) because the game has heart and soul and it takes the player seriously (no constant handholding). The games you listed were all great. Love Mafia as well. One of the big problems with modern AAA games is that they are so expensive to make and that is why no one is taking risks anymore with them. They feel soulless. KCD felt like an older game to me and I loved that. I’ve said that many times before. I love it when games don’t spell everything out for the player. It immerses you and keeps the game world / universe mysterious. I’m not playing much right now either.
I feel this alot, been getting burnt out on gaming. Most of the recent good AAA games have just been ports of older games from the ps3 era. Dead space, resident evil 4, Demons souls. Even Baulders Gate 3, despite being new, was a complete throwback and love letter to old crpgs. Feels like the days of old devs making fun games is dying. At least in the triple a scene. Still some amazing indie devs out there. Outer wilds, Disco Elysium, Pathologic 2, Fear and Hunger termina and of course Kingdom Come while not being new, are recent and good examples of super well made games that helped me love gaming again. It's like friends, would rather have a few amazing games then waste time with games that don't care about you or respect your time.
I think the heart and love is there among the devs and creative boards. But the big aaa companies are so dependent on the hiearchy. The bosses who finance them. That is why we see more freedom and soul in the indiegenre today
Facts, Roxy. Nowadays I just find myself waiting for that next new fun game because every game right now is either half finished or unfun.
I'm playing indies only. Currently having a blast with Dave the Diver. Next up is Dredge, Helldivers 2 and Enshrouded. Play indie games!!
I totally agree. I used to love video games, playing til 5 in the morning and getting sad when a game ended. Now I rarely finish games because they lose their appeal after the first few hours 😢 I'am enjoying the new like a dragon game because that makes grinding levels fun. It's the most fun game I've played in many months 😊
I recently got an Xbox series X and a high end custom PC and mostly end up playing games from the 2000s-2010s. Having a blast with the Arkham Trilogy now.
Same, I got a top end gaming computer and play older games on it 😆
@@chriskelly509 I'm tempted to play Mount and Blade Warband again since I can't remember the last time I had so much fun with a game 😂
I feel like I'm playing older games lately.
Scarface
Godfather
Just cause 2
Vice city
Dead rising
Tenkaichi 3
Driver parallel lines
I feel like something is wrong with modern games.
I've been playing Wither 3 again, but otherwise I mostly do flightsim (MSFS).
Not only is the industry stagnating. But as you get older you tend to get less interested. Once I hit about 32 or my interest really kind of took a nosedive.
i don't know if i'm the only person who felt this way about KCD, but you could literally FEEL yourself leveling up and getting stronger and better at the game the more you played it, which imo you don't get that feeling in games that much anymore, if at all, and that's one of the things that made me love KCD as much as I do.
57 this Summer and gaming since 18. Good games are very few and far between - of late, Cyberpunk on PC. Star Citizen is coming along - but 10 years and probably the same to come yet. Subnautica was amazing. Even Mechwarrior Mercenaries, clunky, but if you're into the genre, its amazing.
I’m almost 40 years old and played PC games since 1992, I think maybe we aren’t the core market for games anymore. This doesn’t mean that nobody is making games for us, but maybe there are just a select few. I’m looking forward for Manor Lords for example, and I’ve enjoyed Bladurs Gate 3 a lot. I think playing less, giving time off between games is very useful. Perhaps finding a day in which within a busy schedule you can play longer without feeling tired, like Friday evening and weekends. I’m not sure about anything of what I said, just thinking out loud.
True, i am at the point to have more intrest to know when Kenshi 2 will come out BEFORE than Fallout 5, i will be more excited when Starsector will reach ver1.0 than knowing about Starfield new expasion..i also think that game like Fear & Hungher, Rimworld are some of the best game ever made..ill also try Dwarf Fortess instead of wasting other money on Ubisoft quadruple A experience.
I've just turned 50 and have been playing games all my life. I too have a lot of burnout, especially with AAA games, but I can still enjoy many indie and Japanese games. Ones that have clicked with me in the last year have been: War Mongrels, Rain Code on Switch, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Wylde Flowers, Dragon Quest Treasures and Monsters. Things like Sony AAA exclusives leave me cold these days and are too overfamiliar and self serious in many ways. My PS5 is my main console BTW!
Roxy you should try some telltale games. The wolf among us in particular is really good.
I think you would enjoy it and it would also make good content perhaps.
Same here, the only game that really made me feel like a kid again, discovering a new world with new rules was dark souls 3 which i played two years ago
I can partially relate to this, in my eyes the videogame world is stagnating. When I was younger there were constant breakthroughs in the videogame world, the switch from 2d to 3d, having our first family computer, 3d graphics going to HD. But nowadays when games can achieve photorealism, there isn't much to look out for. Virtual reality isn't really kicking off that much, sure AI is interesting, but the real growth and excitement is kind of over for me. For example, when you witnessed the switch from ps2 to ps3, that was quite something, but ps4 to ps5 just isn't really a big change. I'm now looking at "retro" consoles that I missed when I was younger, and realise that there are a ton of interesting games behind us that people have never even seen of heard of waiting to be discovered. Yet a lot of younger gamers who grew up in the HD age only look for the new games with the "best graphics" and formulas that have been used over and over, because there isn't much change anymore. I can't imagine syill being interested in, let's say, GTA 18.
Im 39,been playing video games since I was 5. Games have gotten worse... they just seem half done and unfinished... i havnt been enjoying the new games. Last new game i liked was Red Dead 2. In the past 7-8 years ive purchased only like 3 new games. Others are just games from the past that i still like and play. KCD is my favorite game that has been released in the past few years and it had its issues as well.... sad times. Skull and bones could have been great...
I completely agree with you.
Yes. I completely agree
Have to agree, been a in a gaming rut for a year or so, even given my PS5 to my nephew cos it was just sat in a box. Nothing new coming out seems to appeal.Your not alone no!
A lack of creativity, less talent in the industry, too much obvious corporate interference.
In my 20s i played everything almost like crazy. Never missed out on anything bad or good. As i did get older i did change. More grey etc. but also gaming, i ended up seeing good things in games that like when they came out i wouldnt even consider. Now i play them. So i never played PS2 games only for example, and now rediscovering games i never played and im excited again. Playing old games like if they new, cause forme they are. From new games only few excites me, but many dont.
Example just playing Dragon Quest Builders. 10 years back or when it was released even 2016 i think, i wouldnt touch it by a longpole. Now i enjoy it. Just has its charm.
So i think what u need when u like not excited about games anymore, and if u still like want to game, u search for games that like has something extra that u find interesting amazing even.
Then ull never get bored or never stop enjoying games. The point is maybe as u grow tastes mutate and u start to find games that u would not consider before ever playing and u start to enjoy again.
That remake of mafia was awesome they kept the essence with new stuff just so it wont change the core and its still as great as playing for the first time back the original came out.
You ever played zwei 2? I finished recently and it was a sweet gem on pc full with chars with cute dialogues
This is why I just play the old and good ones, replay the old favourites.
I feel exactly the same way I hardly play videos game anymore and the only games I do play are from the early 2000s the worst part is i am only 17 and already finding myself falling out of love with video games.
I feel the exact same way and it's so sad to see that games are just to make money i play games Less and less now a day's I just get bored trying to play
Games arent gamey anymore. They're made with different motivation now. What made a game different and more interesting 20 years ago was partially its graphics but mostly the effort that was put into new ideas and styles to set it appart. Now the motivation is addictive gameplay loops with integrated microtransactions that have people fully conscious of the dopamine release cycle thats being exploited, but thats whats available so thats what they play. It's the same reason why movies and shows of today seem so different than the early 00's and before and I think its partially responsible for all the negativity and dog-piling that happens online now
Also, for a good "gamey" game to play i suggest the Destroy All Human remakes. They're super faithful and remind me of how much is different today.
Helldivers is a great example of a goofy fun game, I'm hoping its popularity will lead to more of those kinds of games.
I'm 53. I've been playing PC games since PET computers and the Apple IIc. I never got into consoles because I want to be in control of the game and the hardware. There are plenty of compelling games out there. The ones that have held my interest were always the ones that allowed for personal creativity and modding. Is the real issue that you're realizing there's more to life than games and phones?
you're not the only one bizcut... I've increasingly been going back to old games... I used to look forward to the next release, the next chapter (F3, to FNV, to F4) but it just seems to be the same ol' scholck these days. I never pre-order anymore, I wait to see / hear if the story is rubbish - I don't care what ppls persuasions are, has nothing to do with me, but I don't need it shoveled at me in all my entertainment. I too miss the sense of 'wonder' of exploring a new world, learning some new mechanics without being spoon fed or having to look things up online just to make the 'game' playable... no... I seem to be rotating between KCD, Fallout 4 and RDR2... focusing on one till ive forgotten the gist of the other, trying new things / places perhaps I didn't spend time in prior, then going back to the next afresh. I enjoy it but I do miss the 'new game' feeling, but have no interest in spending $$ on rubbish.
I really really love some good graphics, they blow my mind, but there has to be solid gameplay behind it or it just feels flat. At the end of the they a game is meant to be played, that should be the focus. Anything else comes afterwards
Very occasionally a game will come out that creates excitement. But as a general rule most now seem to be garbage. It's a shame but recently I have been finding some joy in CEX raids. I've picked up some cheap games that I missed during my younger years and even if they aren't amazing they usually end up being some sort of fun.
I'm thinking of digging out the Atari ST and playing the old floppy games they were always good fun
I wasn't gonna comment, but wow am I feeling this too. Are my expectations too high for games? Am I just losing interest in my old hobbies as I have less time to enjoy then because of adult responsibilities?
I think one of the biggest problems with todays videogames is that many of them are tied to satisfying shareholders. Thats why a select few developers who aren't beholden to shareholders put out some of the best games of recent years. The Outer Wilds (yes, WILDS not Worlds) is one which springs to mind. I adore that game and it quickly became one of my all time favourites.
I think this is why we are seeing, particularly in the indie space, a resurgence in pixel games, or even in AAA with the new Zelda games, where the art style isn’t the best looking, but it’s unique and timeless. The $ and time required for “realistic” graphics has grown exponentially over time and some companies are straying away from this.
Further, a lot of new games don’t even look *that* good. They have high resolution textures and such, but as you pointed out, they have no soul!! I believe that since it’s release in 2018, no game has been more beautiful than RDR2. We’ve gone through a whole new generation of consoles and nothing can beat it. It isn’t just because of the pretty textures, but all the details. Something seemingly as simple as animating characters to walk up every single step of a staircase like a normal human being would is realistic, but also really adds to the beauty.
Rockstar may not have had to gamble with the financials on releasing RDR2, but like KCD, they created a world that feels real, where the people and creatures in it act normally.
Exactly how i feel. I have a PS5 and i have like 2 actual PS5 games. I don't know if were still feeling the effects of covid but nothing this gen has really interested me. I find myself just replaying playstation 4 games again
I realized the other day that early access games just don't interest me anymore. I just played Baulders Gate 3 and it made me love video games again.
I concur. I've been playing games since the NES in the early 80's. Games lack soul. I got my kids a NIntendo Switch for Christmas, and those games have been a breath of fresh air. Tears of the Kingdom is a beautiful game and it's fun exploring and building things. The newer Mario games are being enjoyed by my kids, and they've already beaten two of them. Having MGS 1-3 available is kinda cool. Kirby is cute as always and my daughter and I like that one alot.
On my PC, I find myself playing Mafia 1DE and 3 DE right now, AC4 black flag is gorgeous on PC still, Skyrim is a classic but I haven't played it in about 5 months. I'm probably about due for a Mass Effect playthrough soon. My problem is just too many games to choose from. Steam library of over 600, nes, n64, snes, gamecube, ps2, x360. the list goes on and on.
Tried Starfield, and that was a huuuuuuggge letdown. Talk about no soul. You are right, though. Kingdom Come was probably the last PC game where I was immersed in the world and loving every minute of it. My only qualm was the pacing of the quests. It's hard to take your time building skills when the way the quests are given is with a sense of urgency. I still haven't beaten it. But I've restarted countless times for that "perfect" playthrough, if there is such a thing.
I don't own any current gen systems aside from the switch, so I'm missing out on all the current AAA titles. My PC is built from 2006 and still chugging along, but I'm not able to play the newest titles based on CPU instructions, even though it's a capable system on some newer titles.
It gives me the opportunity to go through my backlog on Steam.
Lately though, I find myself on X and watching more CZcams than playing games. I'd like to think that I'm not to old to game, it's just the games are been there done that, I dunno.
I agree completely! Lately I have been going back to early 2000's pc games and am shocked by how good they still are. No one lives Forever 1 & 2, Hidden and Dangerous 2, F.E.A.R, Max Payne 2. Somehow these games seem to outshine todays games by a mile, I even prefer the graphics back then, had more charm and creativity
I've had the same issue for the last 6 months. Nothing I play is giving me enjoyment. I don't think it's the games though, I think it's me. I know for a fact there are loads of (indie) games that should be made for me but I just have spells of falling out of love with gaming. I agree with you though, i find most big budget games sole destroying.
Sadly, it’s kinda true. I have to dig really deep to find some hidden gems that I love. Like valheim or medieval dynasty. No AAA game has captivated me recently though.
A sabbatical from gaming could potentially be a good way to get back your first love for gaming.
This vid is a very fitting response:-
10 Older Games With Better Features Than Modern Games
(its a gameranx vid on youtube)
I play the odd new game but my list is primarily older games
Im the same, i only seem to play games properly when im having a drink these days
Did you ever get around to playing Hedon yet?
I'm on pins and needles to see what you think!
I really enjoy Skull & Bones... but you are right about the lack of soul.
It needs to be known that a lot of video game development is outsourced to programmers in Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. The same programmers that make mobile games. Cutscenes in place of immersive gameplay are all they know how to program, it fits todays mobile gameplay standard.
Greed has absolutely everything to do with it. Studios like Ubisoft shift from homegrown developers to programming sweat shops based on their predicted net value of said game. They have studios around the world, varying degrees of experience, varying degrees of production costs.
It's all very corporate and results in higher profit margins for their company and lower overall end user experience.
Who am I?
I work in the engine manufacturing industry and this is exactly how my company generates international revenue in the 10's of billions annually. It's the same business model.
Lots of people feel the same way. Just play something you like instead of whats new and hot.
I replay older games like gta 4, days gone or the last of us for example.
I played over two thousand hours of Breath Of The Wild before finding out about Kingdom Come: Deliverance. After Finishing that game Tears of The Kingdom came about and I played that about 800 hours... Then it was time for a computer upgrade and I finally could really play Red Dead Redemption 2. So here we are after 400 hours of RDR2 I'm kind of burnt out, to be honest! :/
Baldur's Gate 3!
Yeah, I know you've played it a bit on the channel but that the turn-based combat is not your thing. But it's pretty much all you're asking for otherwise I think...
I play very few games. I don't have time to play many different games. So I am very picky with what I play. BG3 gets my time right now.
I haven't needed to buy the last gen console... as Elden Ring is good for the Xbone. Otherwise BG3 is the only game of note in the last 2 years for me.
I agree with you about graphics... for good gameplay etc. I am always happy to turn to strategy where there's still a number of interesting options. But also the classic games don't date so badly
I've had similar feelings about games in recent years and I came to realise that I only got that feeling because I continued to follow the same developers and franchises that I used to like growing up assuming that they would maintain their quality forever.
Bioware, Bungie, Bethesda, and Ubisoft have not been safe bets since the xbox 360 era and nowadays other mid size to larger western devs seem to be following the example set by the modern releases of those AAA studios. The result is a very homogenised few games dominating the previously industry defining genres like shooters and open world RPGs.
Hate to say it but ever since I moved onto Japanese games for big budget and only purchasing finished products for western indies I've not been disappointed.
Had never played a flying game in my life and within a year Ace Combat became one of my all-time favourite series after picking it at random.
Particularly if you're a Steam user who somehow ends up with a ton of unplayed games in your library that you don't feel motivated to play after buying for dirt cheap years ago, I'd suggest just launching one at random even if you really don't feel like it, worst case you'll uninstall after a few hours and best case you'll find a new favourite, I got into the Yakuza series, Dragon's Dogma, and Dishonored that way.
Something else to mention, I adore KCD for the reason that it has game mechanics that you can't find anywhere else in the industry, if you appreciate the game for the same reason I'd recommend giving Death Stranding a shot, there's not a single game that plays like it, requires you to have your hands on the controller wide awake 100% of the time. Even with a fairly weak plot the gameplay is one of a kind.
I have had this feeling for a long time, But maybe it's just me getting old. I used to love gaming and ps2 was the last device I really properly utilised for most time playing on. 360 and ps3 for me my time was mostly spent on Assassin's Creed Multiplayer from brotherhood to black flag where it was the last one that had it.
Other games I played here and there but nothing else since has really had my time invested in.
There are probably many greats that I may have missed out on but gaming just does not feel the same to me anymore.
I don't even know why I botherd getting myself a series X as I don't really play it and have no intention of getting a ps5 as I hardly spent much time on the ps4.
But maybe for me I have had my time playing and it's no longer an outlet that suits me any more.
Other things as you mentioned about micro transactions is another factor.
Destiny 2 was the last game I invested my time in and the last DLC I bought was the one that brought in Europa.
It's an old game now and still have to pay new game prices for new content and its not any different from how it was at launch to be honest.
The same old tiresome grind with not much to really brag about reward wise from it.
Couldn't agree more. I'm 34 and struggle to want to play many if any new games. Only game that's really after catching me is Baldurs Gate 3. Such a refreshing experience. AAA games are just awful tbh. Recently played Dragons Dogma for the first time and wow, what a great gaming experience! Graphics have taken over and gameplay second. Empty experiences.
KCD was incredible! Wish i could play it for the first time again.
In real-life this is where I’d ask “do you want me to listen or help find a solution?”
But in CZcams comments, I jump to “HEY YOU SHOULD TRY THESE GAMES AND SEE IF THAT HELPS”
Apart from The Witcher 3, the big budget game that gripped me the most and I had the most fun with was Red Dead Redemption 2. It at least gives me faith that there can be bug stuff that has a soul.
But more importantly, if you want soul. If you want quirk. If you want everything that video games should be (including janky love it or hate it space combat) - I cannot recommend playing Star Control 2 enough. It takes a little reading to mitigate feeling a little lost from a strategy standpoint, but feeling lost and in awe of the massive environment and all the creatures you get to meet… that’s where it’s at.
I hope something clicks and you start finding joy in video games soon. But also, I hope you don’t worry too much about not having joy in them. It’s up and down and things will work out. I promise.
Well damn ain't your video a coincidence. I just started playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance again. xD But anyway yeah the big studios and publishers are kinda done in my opinion. The only remaining hope is the indie scene where from time to time you can find a gem or two.
Fun fact: 2023 was the 2nd best year for gaming ever as measured by aggrigate review scores. See meta crtiic for example. And yet, I totally agree with you.
I think you've now reached the age (around 30) when you have to deal with the harsh realisation "You're no longer the demographic" . . .
Just have to savour the modern gems even more my friend :)
Trust me you’re farrr from the only one finding this. I think ultimately it’s driven by triple A developers being completely adverse to risk, desperate to get games out as fast as possible, and attempting to make every game profitable for as long as possible after release, rather than just having the goal of making games fun… in fact I’d even say w live service games they tend to limit the amount of fun specifically to encourage u to spend more. I think the switch to multiplayer games, as well as increased focus on graphics and fidelity, have both also meant that those rare gems like Witcher 3 etc are fewer and further between w every gen of console.