Games with less functional maps are all better than games with functional maps. Outward’s very design is built around having access to a map that doesnt show you where you are on it, nor any waypoints or goals. Thief and thief 2 used the abstract, sketched, and incomplete maps so well to orient but not handhold.
Neither of those games would be improved with the elimination of their maps because the maps are an integrated part of their respective game designs
I do like a map you can open up, but on screen gps ruins your awareness. Turning it off in reddead2 was a huge improvement. For a cowboy game with sim aspirations to elements of its design it really should have some orienteering as a hard mode option.
Xenogears looks and sounds great, its dealy serious and pulpy. It has 2d sprites in a 3d world which I will always love. This game loves a big camera move. You can just walk out of any minor conversation like a weirdo. it has many funiculars of various sizes. This is what i need for a good time on playstation.
I find it much more attractive than the reboot
I re-read my post explaining the first third of Xenogears lol this owns.
Nothing beats the barely functional Deadly Premonition map that keeps rotating its orientation while you’re not looking. Never has the experience of getting lost on a countryside drive felt so authentic… The fact it’s zoomed in to the point of unusability, just so they can hide that it is shaped like a dog, is the icing on the cake…
On reflection I’m not sure functional is the right word as such. I think what’s important is the “less functional” map must work in conjunction with the rest of the world and push your attention towards it. It is a tool used in relation to other elements (where is the landmark?, Is this map up to date?, Who made this map?) Rather than something you check for immediate and completely automatic navigation checks (I am on the correct predetermined path that has been worked out for me by the computer).
The absence of a map is simply leaving it up to the player to make a map either mental or on paper which brings you into even closer contact with the games elements.
can’t wait to complain to a normal person about a map in a game being too functional and have them be completely confused
even the ds remake of xenosaga 1 and 2 where it looks like xenogears, one of the greatest visual presentation styles, instead of like a ps2 jrpg, an era that was a complete visual downgrade for jrpgs, it’s just nothing but space hallways
That way lies only anger and sorrow.
There’s a reason I don’t talk games at work.
Oh how I wish
Any-road sorry for gearsing up the place.
Im into skin deep pretty …deep its getting more interesting. Im a little under whelmed anytime I clear out pirates with a gun. I feel like I need more traps or gadgets or something. Banana peel and gas explosion are getting a little eh. Blowing airlocks and defenestrations are pretty good. Pick-pocketing on moving opponents has been pretty fun. The small level based mission are great for regular interval play like right before bed, after dinner etc. its probably tone I keep wondering if things I’m seeing are hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy references.
yes but you had to look for that specific xenogears screenshot where every screenshot of xenosaga I+II looks identical to that one
I wanted a comparison between similar environments. And I+II screens are hard to come by in short order.
The starkest difference would have been the battle system shots with the explosion.gif ass effects in I+II.
I love how hilariously fucked up Xenosaga 1 looks. It’s very creepy and beautiful. Playstation 2 is the best.
got Skatebird for the Switch. It’s pretty much a clone of THPS2 but done low budget, with a little cheepy bird on a skateboard carving up everyday environments that are huge to the little bird, like a bathroom sink instead of a pool, and grinding off of light fixtures in a small apartment. There’s some story about cultivating the spirit of skate in people around you an that’s cute but kind of forgettable. Whole game is like that. It’s extremely NOT sticky. It feels good to set it down after you get something instead of being pushed to keep on with it. Very breezy, light and delightful so far.
There’s stuff I’m not good enough with yet, and I can just do other stuff. I get tired of “tiny hawk” puns after a while though
Did not enjoy what I played of this game, but it’s been a long time. Maybe they patched it but it had the honor of being the skateboarding game with the worst kinesthetics I ever felt. Didn’t feel good to do anything at all
I recall being left cold by its demo as well, but I got the full game in some bundle a while back and intend to try and give the full game a fair shake at some point.
I backed Skatebird on kickstarter, and it actually came out, which puts it ahead of about of the quarter of games I backed. On the other hand I played it for (well steam didn’t keep a record of it but let’s say half an hour) and the only impression it left on me was that I’d rather do something else.
IIRC the original premise was that the bird was supposed to be quite bad at skatebirding, and it was going to be somewhat closer to goat simulator. But then during development Tony Hawk 5 crashed and burned, so she saw a bird shaped hole that could be filled, and unfortunately it turns out its hard to make a good skateboarding game.
