Don't Go Down Memory Lane?

fieldsofclover writes "Gamers With Jobs is running a piece today about the darker side of gaming nostalgia. From the article: 'Here's an example. Konami's Castlevania had interesting monsters, catchy music, and a great gimmick: a guy with a whip. But if you went back and played it today, chances are you wouldn't bother playing past the second level. Why are the newest games in the series so drastically different from the original? The answer is because gamers demand more from their hobby now, and there's just not a lot of meat on those old bones. But when the fully 3D, story-driven sequel fails, they point at the original on its lofty pedestal and demand an experience that lives up to their memories. It's a double standard that's next to impossible to satisfy.' Are we shooting ourselves in the foot by staying obsessed with the old classics?"

Comments

It just goes to show

[Anonymous Coward]

You can lead a gift horse to water, but you can't shoot it in the foot.

Nothing beats today's games

[krell]

....where everything is a hi-res shade of brown, and the boss is always a giant bug.

Re:Nothing beats today's games

[Stormwatch]

Not anymore! With the power of the next generation, we can fight GIANT ENEMY CRABS!

Re:Nothing beats today's games

[Chris Burke]

Because a supervillain's ultimate weakness is always their arrogance. "Ha ha ha! There is no way a puny mortal like you could defeat me, even with all the nuke-blaster ammo in the world! Here, have a truck load! And I'll heal you to maximum health first! And I'll stand above pits of the only substance that can harm me, with levers that drop the floor into the substance! Ha ha ha-- What? Impossible!!!! I cannot be defea---"

Okay, so their ultimate weakness is that they are stupid.

Oregon Trail

[andrewman327]

If they made a 3D version of Oregon Trail using the Doom or Quake engine and the old storyline, I would buy it. I would expect significantly improved hunting. The ability to shoot in towns wouldn't hurt either.

Of course, I would not want interactive 3D dysentary.

Re:Oregon Trail

[krell]

"If they made a 3D version of Oregon Trail using the Doom or Quake engine and the old storyline, I would buy it. I would expect significantly improved hunting. The ability to shoot in towns wouldn't hurt either."

And, along the way, you pick up enough shoot 'n' strafe kills to be able to kill the giant bug boss you find at the end in the Portland level.

Re:Oregon Trail

[generic-man]

Computer: u pwned 2149 lbs of food but u can only take 200 lbs back to ur wagon
Bison: rofl noob

Re:Oregon Trail

[Sabaki]

I live not too far from the end of the Oregon Trail, and we're still trying to get enough rocket ammo to take on the giant bug boss.

Re:Oregon Trail

[markana]

You mean the giant Slug boss... this is Portland, after all...

Re:Oregon Trail

[imboboage0]

Rocket ammo? You don't have the BFG yet? It was in a secret cave along the north route.

Re:Developers not Consumers

[Lord Apolon]

Is that you, Cranky Kong?

Don't step in the management.

[krell]

"I have also wondered why the mega boss always leaves tons of ammo for weapons possible enemies might have sitting outside thier door"

You are so right. Whether the boss is a giant bug or one of those dragon-thingies they toss in every once in a while for variety, they are kind of dumb, and should be depicted with pointy hair.