Being a gamer is a double edged sword. From time to time, a title comes along that absolutely changes your life (or takes over it at least) with an incredible story, and amazing new gameplay dynamic or innovation, or is otherwise badass to the point that addiction is a certainty. But how often is that, really? More often than not, youre forced to content yourself with sub-par games that you yourself know youre only playing to fill the space in between those games that actually warrant your attention. Yet still, you play on, you beat sub-par game after sub-par game until finally youre GTA comes out, your Portal 2 or your Skyrim, and so you get your fill of excellence and begin again. It must be difficult developing and publishing video games, especially today, when it must seem like everything has been done, every idea has been had and incorporated. And should you falter or fall, well be on you, slating your best efforts online without even a moments thought to the people whove undoubtedly lost their jobs over the failure. Over my years of being a ridiculously far gone gaming addict, Ive had my fair share of thoughts on the state of gaming, and seeing as WhatCulture have been kind enough to supply me with a platform, I thought Id compile a list of golden rules that all video games should follow (but unfortunately, a high percentage dont). Call it arrogance, call it naiveté, call it what you will; its totally happening. So, lets get right into it shall we?
10. 5 Hour Games Are Not Worth £39.99
When Halo: ODST came out it was met with the usual hype and fan anticipation and it sold moderately well at full price. However, while I was working at CEX (a second hand game store, for American readers) copies came flooding in only days after its release, not because the game was
terrible but because it was tiny, offering only a 4 5 hour campaign. I didnt buy it myself as a result, but if you did it must have felt like paying for an all you can eat buffet only to discover that all they're serving is candy floss. Alright, so multiplayer might be the focus in a Halo game, but still, multiplayer is a secondary feature. If it has a campaign at all, at least put a bit of effort in, am I right? This is a sin committed by too many modern games and its quite simply not on. Its bad capitalism, the kind that takes your money anyway, even though morally it knows it shouldnt. If a game has a AAA pricetag then we expect it to contain at least a ten hour campaign, as well as feature other avenues of play, like side-quests or multiplayer. Otherwise, why dont I just spend a fraction of the price on a Blu-Ray?
Offenders: Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach, Star Wars: Force Unleashed II