My how games have changed since my heyday

[NeoExdeath]

Which way is that?

In a way which Japanese developers can not keep up. In a way where games cost so much money that no one will take risks any more. We see Square Enix slapping the Final Fantasy name on just about anything so it sells better, but having no regard for quality. My favourite genre, JRPGs, now are awful. If I were to give out a list of my top 10 games of all, all but Donkey Kong Country 2 would be SNES and PS1 JRPGs. They got me into gaming, and they kept me into gaming for about 3 generations. That's not to say I don't like other genres. I love fighters. But what was once some content heavy games with many unlockables have turned into DLC-a-thons, no thanks. I loved survival horror, but my 2 favourite series, Resident Evil and Silent have transformed to a state which is insulting to older fans. I could go on. But I'll save you the rant.

I hate to be that guy. But I hate the way gaming has gone and seems to be going.

You just lookin' in the wrong places kiddo. A lot of high cost mainstream games and pretty much all the consoles are tunneling up their own arses head first that they'll vanish into a singularity within a few years... But check some pawn shops for older consoles and games and turn over some rocks on the internet. Gog.com, Vimm.com, we won't lose the classics and smaller games seem to come up as real gems compared to whatever EA belches out or whatever deals planet gaben puts on steam.

Oh trust me, I am what you could consider a retro game collector. Definitely not looking in the wrong places but not many game publisher seems to target me any more so there's only so much I can play before I ran out.

[Ayen]

I would still consider FF7 a bit of a childish game with a bit of an immature plot. Yes it's a good game but when 35 year old Barrett played the old, worn down by life character, you know it wasn't very realistic either. I believe Aeris was 22, Cloud 21, and Tifa was 20. The only difference is that instead of having junior high or highschool kids save the world they decided to have college kids save the world.

I'm failing to see what was immature about VII's plot, but it sounds like JRPGs aren't your forte and you need to expand and look into other genres if you're looking for more realistic games.

Though VII had some good character development its overall plot was pretty simplistic. Not a whole lot to it.

While that's a fair critique, I myself have pretty much summed it up as evil corporation pollutes the earth, save it, why does simple have to equate to immature? A simple plot isn't always a bad thing nor is a more complicated plot always a good thing. It's all in the execution.

[Jiro]

I think a lot of people against games today just need to take off their rose-tinted nostalgia goggles and realise that there are not only a lot of really innovative titles from indie developers, but also that a lot of genres have developed and progressed into something much more comprehensive than previously imagined.

Great advances in technology in the past five or so years has allowed access for smaller (or indie) teams to produce and get their game out there for a wider audience; as if it's the early 90's happening all over again! So you just need to look past the big powerhouses like EA that keep shoving the same high-budget-low-substance game in your face every year, and find that there are a lot of great games still being made to this day.

Please read this post again people. Rostum is so right. Indie studios are doing awesome things.

[Ayen]

Hell, I'll recommend some indie games now,

Dust: An Elysian Tail
Game Dev Tycoon
Spelunky

[Hollycat]

Imagine if you went back in time to the NES days with a copy of skyrim, showed it to everyone, and then announced: In twenty years, this is considered a crappy looking game. They'd probably lynch you.

[Botchmun]

Throw in Rogue Legacy and FTL for two more indy games to get your hopes up over.

[Vyk]

I'm having trouble thinking of JRPG indie games that might be of interest. Though Ubisoft is doing an indie-style love-letter to JRPGs called Child of Light that might be of interest. Every few years they give the green light to take a risk on something. Beyond Good and Evil and Rayman Origins. And if I remember correctly, the original Assassin's Creed was a risk. Now they're doing it with a JRPG inspired game with storybook graphics

But some games that were heavily inspired by NES games that are out or will be out that people griping may be interested in are Mighty No. 9, Volgarr The Viking, Chasm, Hyper Light Drifter, Valdis Story. There are dozens. And then there are the interesting ones that do their own thing. Like FTL, or Journey, or The Stanley Parable

I'm with Pike. I love my old school games, but these days there's always something new coming out that completely intrigues me. And once in a while, they live up to be everything you think they can be. And those are some magical experiences akin to enjoying the greatest games of old for the first time. We may not be getting good indie JRPG games. But experiences comparable to playing through Chrono Trigger for the first time do exist. Just dig around Steam or Desura, or keep eyes peeled on Humble Bundles and whatnot. You're not likely to break the bank gambling on them if you're patient enough to wait for a bundle or Steam sale

[Mirage]

Which way is that?

In a way which Japanese developers can not keep up. In a way where games cost so much money that no one will take risks any more. We see Square Enix slapping the Final Fantasy name on just about anything so it sells better, but having no regard for quality. My favourite genre, JRPGs, now are awful. If I were to give out a list of my top 10 games of all, all but Donkey Kong Country 2 would be SNES and PS1 JRPGs. They got me into gaming, and they kept me into gaming for about 3 generations. That's not to say I don't like other genres. I love fighters. But what was once some content heavy games with many unlockables have turned into DLC-a-thons, no thanks. I loved survival horror, but my 2 favourite series, Resident Evil and Silent have transformed to a state which is insulting to older fans. I could go on. But I'll save you the rant.

You worry too much.

Theres lots of games to look forwards to if you just look in the right places.