So I went back to some old games

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

RE4 on PS2 had 2 controller types, only switching whether you use R1 to shoot, or square. The RE4 HD version has right stick aiming, but that's only the latest HD version, that's available on PC, which I played with an XBOX controller. The PS3 HD version, released much earlier, didn't (I should know, it's installed on my PS3 right now).

Bloodrayne was a poor game, but it was pretty darn sensitive and accurate with KB&M. If it sucked with a controller though (and all other TPSs), I'll take your word for it because I rarely tried.

As I was saying to Dirty Hipsters earlier, I guess I can see how a major function (such as JUMP in a parkour-based game) would be much easier to adjust to, than a function you were using sparingly. So I guess it makes sense to use something very often assigned to the triggers/bumpers, and wouldn't take as long to rewire.

Also, on your topic of JRPG's, I've found that the strategy in games like Fire Emblem nicely add a bit more tension as map positioning, unit priority and weapon bias play into it much more when you have an entire field to take into account, rather than the typical friends left enemies right, lets take turns scenario.

Oh wow, I found a PDF of the RE4 controls for PS2 and I think you're right about the aiming. It doesn't say what Type II controls change though. I guess I just wasn't conditioned with 3rd-person shooters yet because aiming with the LS would've pissed me so fucking off. I recall just finding Bloodrayne really repetitive and over long.

Even as a young kid playing SNES I hated that standard JRPG combat. I then finally tried FFX like 10 years later (or whatever it was) and I'm like the gameplay hasn't changed since SNES? Hell, FFVI's combat was actually more involved. Then, I played FFXII since no random battles FINALLY!!! However, that game made me fully realize exactly why I hated the combat all these years. If a few if-then-else statements (gambits) can automate the battles, then why waste your time putting in common sense commands for 50+ hours? How is that fun or challenging? You can't make Fire Emblem play itself with a few if-then-else statements, it takes legit player input to win those battles. Xenosaga II was the only standard JRPG combat I liked, you really had to setup all your moves but then all the fans bitched about the combat being too slow and the next game went back to the boring old combat system.

 

[WoJ]

I think there is some truth to the OP's point, but mainly around controls and camera's. A year or so ago I went back to play FFXII and I found the camera in that game to be insufferable compared to a modern game with a 3rd person perspective. Playing Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 a year or two ago felt the same in terms of gameplay. I don't think that it's bad per sae. It just hadn't evolved as it is today. The best way I could describe it is that controls from that era don't feel as tight as they are today. I don't think that makes them bad, just less refined.

Level design in old games still feels great to me. Graphics are also great. I've been playing Persona 3 for a while now and I have zero issues with the graphics. In some ways the graphics of games from that era work better than the need to have EVERYTHING be ultra realistic.

My two cents.

 

[The Madman]

Of the PS2 era, I can think of a few that still stand out to me: Soul Calibur 2&3, Burnout 3: Takedown, and the Metal Slug games. I usually keep those around for whenever I've got friends over and we wanna play something vaguely nostalgic but still fun, plus they make for great time wasters as well for whenever I'm in the mood.

There are a couple others I play every now and then, but then I have a pretty good tolerance for old janky games so it's a bit harder to freely recommend them.

 

[Rabish Bini]

Of the PS2 era, I can think of a few that still stand out to me: Soul Calibur 2&3, Burnout 3: Takedown, and the Metal Slug games. I usually keep those around for whenever I've got friends over and we wanna play something vaguely nostalgic but still fun, plus they make for great time wasters as well for whenever I'm in the mood.

Ooh I forgot about Burnout 3! Great call there, really captured the arcade racer at it's most finest.

 

[sagitel]

Transport Tycoon Deluxe, fallout 1 and 2, Arcanum, Diablo 2, StarCraft 1, WarCraft3, Age of Empire 2, Quake 2, SimCity4k, Discworld 1 and 2, Robbo, Knights and Merchants, Settlers 3 and 4, DooM 2, Deus Ex, Heroes 3, Tzar, RBR etc.

i tried sooo hard to get into fallout 1 and 2 but the controls are just too archaic. i prefer the way new shadowrun games did it not the whole weird thing that was going on in the fallout games.

 

[sageoftruth]

It's not a Playstation game, but I recently tried Legand of Zelda: Majora's Mask for the first time. I was pretty impressed. It's interesting when a game makes you really get to know your surroundings, rather than just treating them as an arena.

My only gripe with it was that there were a number of unskippable cutscenes that I had to watch multiple times due to the time-loop aspect of the gameplay.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

What I dislike about shooters from the PS2 era is how "inverted" isn't inverted, ya know? It seemed like a lot of them defaulted to "up on the right-stick aims your gun down" and vice-versa. Another issue I have with the older games (specifically on the GC: games like Resi 4 and Metroid Prime) is how dark those games were. The "adjust brightness" option would take you to a static screen that you would use as a guide while you adjusted the brightness and gamma output on your TV itself. As for the games themselves though, I don't have too much with an issue playing those older games. I have a bit more trouble getting into N64/PSX games because of their graphics but games like Legend of Zelda (OoT & MM) and, Crash Bandicoot look fine to me. If there's one thing I dislike from those bygone days though it's early 3D platformers. I've tried on several occasions to get through Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario 64 but they just get really, really tedious for me...and Donkey Kong 64 is an outright nightmare what with it's 100% collection thing...I had a lot of fun playing Jetpack but all that really says about me is I could have had more fun downloading old ZX Spectrum games than what fun I tried having with DK64.

 

[Maximum Bert]

I must say that I dont really share the same problem as the OP. I dont think I can compare with FFVII since I have played it multiple times over the years (about 10 or 11 now) but it did allow me to see how it aged which was interesting but for me its still very playable (obv) same with all the other FF games yes even 1 (although wished I had missed 2 and 12).

Also still play Bubble Bobble on occasion I got it on GBA and it played horribly so thought I was remembering wrong as I loved that game as a kid but I also bought the release on PS4 and it plays exactly as I remember so I have just concluded the GBA one was a horrible port.

I dont think I have ever gone back to a game I thought/think is good and gone wow this feels so bad in comparison to modern games. Still got my PS2 and SNES setup and while the SNES doesnt get much play now due to the controllers finally dying the PS2 still sees a fair bit of action (GC and Xbox are packed away but still come out on occasion was actually playing on the GC two weeks ago).

I do remember going back to GOW 3 after playing Bayonetta and finding it unplayable due to the spongy controls. I felt it before but after Bayonetta it really highlighted how unresponsive that game is I had to reacclimatise by going from Bayonetta to Ninja Gaiden 2 then Devil May Cry 3 and finally GOW3 (was on a hack and slash binge).