Games that will define this generation

[Electro UK]

So we're juuuuust about starting to see this current generation come to an end, and a recent discussion with Soapy got me thinking; what are the games that will define this generation? Not necessarily your most favorite or the highest reviewed, but the ones that have had/will have had most of an impact.

For example, looking back to last gen I see Halo, Shadow of the Colossus, Devil May Cry, Grand Theft Auto III, God of War and a few others. My fav game of last gen (and all time) is MGS3 but that's too audience splitting to be a truly generation-defining game. Same for MGS4 this gen.

Anyway, here's a few of my picks:

Gears of War - Though it didn't invent it. Gears' cover system has been one of if not the most copied feature in this generation. Almost all third person shooters have it. Not to mention is was the first real AAA game of this gen and set the bar for other devs.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - My favorite game of the generation interestingly falls into that Gears copycat category, but also adds so much more. Uncharted is remembered for its cinematic gameplay; a fantastic story mixed with Hollywood set-pieces and heart-in-your-mouth moments. Every third person game since has seemingly tried to include a "Nathan Drake" moment of its own, and most sequels like Dead Space 2 and inFamous 2 have openly admitted to take the U2 formula to improve their games.

Red Dead Redemption - RDR sadly didn't capture my heart like most, but there's no better example of an open-world game this generation. It's a stunning achievement and probably the best way of showing the leap from last gen to this. A huge landscape that packed as much detail as a linear-game like Uncharted and hundreds of hours to invest in different mini-games and multiplayer.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - This was, for me, the game that proved how much presentation mattered in a game. The atmosphere of a huge battle to the wastes of Cheynoble played a huge part in making this the most intense single player FPS I've ever played. Thinking outside the box with objective types and story/characters made it all the more memorable. Its sales and multiple sequels (all of which have greatly disappointed, imo) only confirm that this is probably the defining game of the generation.

Portal - The. Cake. Is. A. Lie. Need I say more? Everyone was expecting Portal to be something special with it's clever puzzler/shooter approach that would cause you to feel a little sick at times, but then Valve had to go and re-write the book on character development and story exploration again. GLADoS, cake and cubes; Portal raised the bar in more ways than just gameplay.

BioShock - Another game that pulled of story incredibly well. BioShock brought atmosphere and setting to all knew places with Rapture, one of the most incredible places you can ever visit. Every step, every corner can reveal something new and shocking either to eyes or ears. Gameplay, for me, wasn't all there, but its hard to deny this one hasn't been a huge influence on a tonne of games going forward.

Any other thoughts?

 

[MadVillainy]

That list basically sums it up for me, except for Portal but that's just because I never played it and dont know anything about it

 

[hippie_hunter]

Pretty much the list that you put down. Although I would also put Final Fantasy XIII on the list. Not because it's great or anything, but because it represents the decline of the Japanese companies in terms of innovation and relevance in favor of the Western companies like Activision and Electronic Arts.

 

[dodgers2213]

the 2000's: Marked by generic first person shooters

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

You left off the Mass Effect series, but especially ME2.

I'd argue it was one of the first vg's to really blend in the modern trend towards mature and cinematic storytelling while still managing to maintain the sense of interactivity and actually still being a fully realized game that makes the medium distinctly unique.

 

[Soapy]

Call of Duty 4, Portal, Gears of War, Uncharted 2, and Final Fantasy XIII (good call on that one by the way, hh) for reasons already mentioned. And I guess I'll add a few more.

Geometry Wars single-handedly justified the downloadable market on consoles. It was fun, addictive, and only $5. Many people, with no hint of irony, have said that it was the Xbox 360's best launch game, and I would probably have to agree with them.

With its simple, intuitive controls and friendly "all are welcome" approach, Wii Sports sold the world on Nintendo's innovative console with a dumb name. It allowed millions upon millions of people who have never played video games before to dip their toe in the water and see what all the fuss is about.

You could argue that it started with Morrowind and Kotor last generation, but I think it was Oblivion this generation that really pushed western RPGs to the forefront on consoles.

While you can't see any obvious influence just yet, if all goes well with Mass Effect 3, then I would say the Mass Effect trilogy could possibly become the most influential thing to come out of this generation.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

While you can't see any obvious influence just yet, if all goes well with Mass Effect 3, then I would say the Mass Effect trilogy could possibly become the most influential thing to come out of this generation.

Jeff Gerstman from Giant Bomb said as much, something like 'we wouldn't realize until a few years down the line how important Mass Effect 2 was.'

I think it will definitely lead some to reconsider what is and isn't possible with video game sequels/franchises.

 

[MadVillainy]

Im not trying to be sh**ty, but why do people think Mass Effect will be so influential? I like them, but I still dont see what will be so influential from them

 

[Franklin Richards]

Didn't KOTOR pave the way for all things Mass Effect? Seem like ME was just following the map KOTOR drew up.

 

[Fenrir]

Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed. I'm too lazy to explain why right now but I'm sure the reasons are plenty and obvious.

 

[Spider-Vader]

Gears of War
Call of Duty 4
Uncharted 2
Mass Effect
Assassin's Creed 2
Red Dead Redemption
Portal
Left 4 Dead
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Halo 3

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Minecraft - Man making millions without making a multi-million dollar produced game or requiring big name publisher, just a good idea. Not even out of beta from what I heard.

Modern Warfare - Popular, like Halo put more emphasis on multiplayer. Love it or hate it, it has a massive ripple effect. Also promoted the idea of selling maps for extortionate prices.

World Of Warcraft - Like Call Of Duty, popular. Changed how MMO's were done, Ripple effect.

Generally speaking, wii games - Extended video games about of 13 year old boys who play Halo all day. Fitness is turned into a game. Learning is turned into a game. Anyone from the age of 70 to 6 can play them.

Rockband - Similar to the above, opened video games to a wider audience to people who don't even play games.

Crysis - Technical marvel. A game designed for hardware that doesn't exist 4 years it's still to be topped.

Angry Birds - Incredibly popular game (as well as good a) game. Will lead to more focus on app games/mobile

Farmville - Similar to above, socail gaming.

Team Fortress 2 - innovate business model. Entire games evolved similar to an MMO. Much of the content itself created and funded directly by the community. Also Used single player like narrative to a completive multiplayer game. this carried over later to Left4dead/Portal 2. As well as other games like Borderlands, Brink and Monday Night Combat. Also, the best team game around imo (which is actually fact).

I wouldn't list Bioshock. I don't think it's that good game. I thought Bioshock 2 was alot better.
Mass Effect (less so with 2) was about as fun as scrubbing your own arse with a cheese-grater.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Im not trying to be sh**ty, but why do people think Mass Effect will be so influential? I like them, but I still dont see what will be so influential from them

The thing is that a lot of games are upping the production quality and scope of their story modes. Things like Red Dead and Uncharted for example but ultimately those cinematic sequences are still mimicking film. The player is a viewer rather than an active participant. That's not to knock those games, that's just the way its always been.

Mass Effect is the first game to come along to present those same production values while still maintaining the game part. Furthermore, the concept of sequel continuity is one that I think is extremely exciting going forward.

Imagine if we got to play an active role in the decisions and actions of Nathan Drake or decided just how far John Marston was really willing to go to protect his family. Mass Effect's shown you can do that while still maintaining a slick but coherent story and without having to be a hardcore RPG.

And that's not even delving into the whole taking the character you've shaped across three different games with a continuity that you had an active role in forming. Just the other day I read the Witcher 2 had an import feature, it something I think we will see more and more of down the line.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Mass Effect is the first game to come along to present those same production values while still maintaining the game part. Furthermore, the concept of sequel continuity is one that I think is extremely exciting going forward.

Imagine if we got to play an active role in the decisions and actions of Nathan Drake or decided just how far John Marston was really willing to go to protect his family. Mass Effect's shown you can do that while still maintaining a slick but coherent story.

And that's not even delving into the whole taking the character you've shaped across three different games with a continuity that you had an active role in forming.

What about Halflife 2? The story-telling is primarily done through audio and in-game scripted sequences. Mass Effect has quite a few "take you out of the game" sequences including cut-scenes. Or evem Call Of Duty? Linear as hell and uninteractive but even since the first game it's been cinematic.

[YT]MxMix7QB81g[/YT]

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

What about Halflife 2? The story-telling is primarily done through audio and in-game scripted sequences. Mass Effect has quite a few "take you out of the game" sequences including cut-scenes. Or evem Call Of Duty? Linear as hell and uninteractive but even since the first game it's been cinematic.

[YT]MxMix7QB81g[/YT]

That's why I emphasized the interactive part.

Even HL2, you have no say in the story. You stand there while things simply happen around you.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

That's why I emphasized the interactive part.

Even HL2, you have no say in the story. You stand there while things simply happen around you.

I don't see how that takes away the game part or makes it less cinematic.
The scripted sequences are for the most part interactive. They use triggers and the NPC's react dyamatically realtime while telling the story. Some can be interupted. As far as i'm aware, that's interactivity and doesn't actually need to story to change. When I get the story-telling in Mass Effect, most of the time I am just standing picking a line of text.

I'd actually make the argument that outside of making RPG decisions, Mass Effect is a incredibly sterile and soulless game devoid of interactivity.

See annoying video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aThCbxLCRdA&feature=channel_video_title

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvwsvklSFMs&feature=channel_video_title

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Jesus man you were a much better poster when you were Kez. Do you have to be so stubborn about giving any ground?

I'm not going to argue about whether or not you like something. Objectively speaking though, HL2 and Call of Duty are still very much operate in a tightly scripted and controlled manner. You are not an active participant and furthermore they are not part of the trend towards more cinematic storytelling which is what I was posting about.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

I'm not going to argue about whether or not you like something. Objectively speaking though, HL2 and Call of Duty are still very much operate in a tightly scripted and controlled manner. You are not an active participant and furthermore they are not part of the trend towards more cinematic storytelling which is what I was posting about.

At deciding the outcome of the story, yes. Dicating the story doesn't make it more cinematic by default though. A game can be cinematic with the player driving the story without the need to actually alter the story using different methods and (arguably) better once than selecting lines of text. Such as invisible triggers designed into ther game levels. When you move, the AI makes eye contact. When you shoot an enemy about to start a scripted event, you have changed the outcome. When you set an alarm off causing story-related propaganda being shouted out a speaking to stop. When you are simply tapping the a key to listen to citizens you are triggering a response of specifically designed story-telling without cutting into a front shot of the player asking for twi' lek finger time.

furthermore they are not part of the trend towards more cinematic storytelling which is what I was posting about.

While Mass Effect may have raised the bar for cinmatic story-telling for RPG's as a specific genre, I would say Modern Warfare is probably the most cinematic game on the market. I wouldn't include Metal Gear Solid as outside of radio messaging, it's mostly cut-scene. The writing and voice acting isn't of the same quility either. Some parts like the young spikey haired child son fellow of robot leonardo dicaprio laying in bed talking even more bollocks than this post are just awful. Not even soap opera level.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

The original poster had the best list. Those are easily and clearly the most influential games this generation.

I also think we are going to be seeing a lot more of the motion scan technology used in LA Noire going forward.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

While Mass Effect may have raised the bar for cinmatic story-telling for RPG's as a specific genre, I would say Modern Warfare is probably the most cinematic game on the market. I wouldn't include Metal Gear Solid as outside of radio messaging, it's mostly cut-scene. The writing and voice acting isn't of the same quility either. Some parts like the young spikey haired child son fellow of robot leonardo dicaprio laying in bed talking even more bollocks than this post are just awful. Not even soap opera level.

No, the Uncharted series is far more cinematic than Call of Duty. Uncharted blends story telling and gameplay into a far more cohesive experience.

 

[SouLeSS]

Games that actually define the generation and not games that you simply like or are super popular;

World of Warcraft.
Mirrors Edge
Heavy Rain
MW/TF2
Oblivion.

Then theres the "influential" games like Dragon Age II or MvC3 - you know - games with day 1 DLC on top of the 60$ box.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Games that actually define the generation and not games that you simply like or are super popular;

World of Warcraft.
Mirrors Edge
Heavy Rain
MW/TF2
Oblivion.

Then theres the "influential" games like Dragon Age II or MvC3 - you know - games with day 1 DLC on top of the 60$ box.

Other than coming out and flopping, how will Mirrors Edge define this gen? What other games have taken that approach? Brink?

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

At deciding the outcome of the story, yes. Dicating the story doesn't make it more cinematic by default though. A game can be cinematic with the player driving the story without the need to actually alter the story using different methods and (arguably) better once than selecting lines of text. Such as invisible triggers designed into ther game levels. When you move, the AI makes eye contact. When you shoot an enemy about to start a scripted event, you have changed the outcome. When you set an alarm off causing story-related propaganda being shouted out a speaking to stop. When you are simply tapping the a key to listen to citizens you are triggering a response of specifically designed story-telling without cutting into a front shot of the player asking for twi' lek finger time.





While Mass Effect may have raised the bar for cinmatic story-telling for RPG's as a specific genre, I would say Modern Warfare is probably the most cinematic game on the market. I wouldn't include Metal Gear Solid as outside of radio messaging, it's mostly cut-scene. The writing and voice acting isn't of the same quility either. Some parts like the young spikey haired child son fellow of robot leonardo dicaprio laying in bed talking even more bollocks than this post are just awful. Not even soap opera level.

I never said that ME2 is the most cinematic game out there.

I did assert that ME2 taps into the cinematic method of storytelling that we're seeing increasingly in games without simply being a film that's been inserted into a video game, which is what a lot of developers do - and that's not to say that they don't do it well but I think video games as a medium are capable of more than that.

Another thing is I think what you describe in the first paragraph is great. But very few games do that today in any significant manner that's still connected to the narrative/story/cutscenes/whatever. ME2 has taken some strides not just by allowing the player to select how Shepard responds and why but with their experiments with the Paragon/Renegade interrupts that I see as early steps towards just what I think you're describing, continuing to keep the player active while not just being a quick time event and diverging from the traditional pick a option RPG styled response. Bioware's made some comments that they're going to evolving these systems even further and I think that's very exciting depending on where they take that.

Aside from all of that is the import system which I think has potentially huge implications for the future of other video game franchises and how developers handle player choice and control down the line.

No, the Uncharted series is far more cinematic than Call of Duty. Uncharted blends story telling and gameplay into a far more cohesive experience.

As much as I think Uncharted is better than Call of Duty, I don't necessarily agree with this.

Its very much game/cutscene/game/cutscene and the two are firmly segregated from one another as in most games. Not saying Call of Duty is any better of course.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

As much as I think Uncharted is better than Call of Duty, I don't necessarily agree with this.

Its very much game/cutscene/game/cutscene and the two are firmly segregated from one another as in most games. Not saying Call of Duty is any better of course.

I see what you mean, but there is a lot of characterization during the actual gameplay. Almost the entirety of Drakes character is fleshed out through his comments/actions while the game is being played.

I also think some of the sets are done so well you think they should be a cut scene but end up being actual gameplay. The collapsing building in AT comes to mind.

 

[SouLeSS]

Other than coming out and flopping, how will Mirrors Edge define this gen? What other games have taken that approach? Brink?

Most open and expansive world of the game type. The lighting on it was unlike anything seen. It's basically the platforming game this generation. That or LBP.

Just because something was a "commercial failure" doesn't mean that it won't be a game that defines the gen. Deus Ex barely passed 1 million copies, and it's still regarded as one of the most defining games in gaming history.