Sonic '06 - Objectively Better Than Portal

[Dustin Bell]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqx2Bt5bnKE

Sorry had to do that
From what i see Sonic 06 was a rather linear jumping game where the physics didn't work quite right. and it didnt have the same level of humor as portal.

Portal was a solid cheap streamlined game that was based around a clever mechanic that unquestionably worked.

 

[CplDustov]

In the interests of transparency I haven't played StH 06 but there are points I would like to refute.

Portal is not a first person shooter. It's puerile to take the elements of a genre and mistake them for the genre itself. Also, assuming it was, being in a genre that is oversaturated doesn't make your game any better or worse than it would otherwise be. just more or less appreciated for standing out from the crowd.

The artistic use of colour is not something I'll get into too much. But minimalist or more restricted colour pallets don't automatically make for worse experiences. Viva piñata make good use of extensive colours but it would jar and be out of place in something like some parts of star wars Ep IV. Note that the good guys have a small range of natural, earth colours while the bad guys are quite literally black and white. not to say other colours don't exist there but in terms of general aesthetic.

level design- again you assume that linear is bad. If that were the case then all books are the worst form of entertainment ever. All the points you made about portal's level design are true. However, these are all design elements that contribute to what the game is trying to do.
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb trees you will of course think it's an inferior creature. I don't remember who said this, I didn't invent it but it seemed apt.

I can't really comment on challenge. If you feel more challenging games are a good (subjective) indication of objectively good games then I'd say I agree but then that's just our opinion.

Depth.. Ok fine... did you ever try the challenge modes? The minimum of portals or steps taken really pushes the mechanics past what you would normally think possible

Length- Portal didn't cost 60 dollars so if were using the dollars in to time out mechanic

Sonic 06 $60 http://www.joystiq.com/game/sonic-the-hedgehog
Portal: I'm having trouble finding data but http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/15/half-life-2-orange-box-release-date-set
Orange box $60. Even if you already had HL2 and Ep1 thats TF2 Portal and Ep 2 at $20 dollars each (less if you didn't)

Regardless of price, portal is indeed short. No filler, it arrives, sets out what it wants to do and leaves. I can't speak for StH so I'll stop there.

Investment: Beating portal. fine. mastering it is a different story. see the challenge modes.

 

[Megahedron]

I agree 100%. The problem is, a lot of people have a problem with not judging games scientifically. We let things like which game caused us to burn our memory card because deleting the save file would require plugging it back in and that would give it another chance to infect the console... get in the way of making an objective judgement. Unless someone invents a "funometer" to measure how much we enjoy games, the only way to really determine whether a game is good is with numbers, such as level count, length, and the oft neglected total instances of necrophilia. Once we start focusing on things we can measure, like time spent enjoying multiple replays of the same level, we'll be able to create a formula for the perfect game.

Bravo, good sir, for showing us the light. We'd better get on ebay and swipe up all available copies of this gem before the prices skyrocket.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Ah, I see what you did there OP. Bravo.

 

[Sleepy Sol]

The ability of some people on The Escapist to not realize the joke at times is amazing. I wouldn't even call the OP trolling.

It's just a jab at common complaints thrown at games today. Whether you find it funny or not is up to you, I guess, but I got a few chuckles out of it.

 

[dessertmonkeyjk]

At a second glance, I understand the deeper meaning that the OP wishes to convey. A lesson that should be considered for everyone. Something that should be remembered every time you play a new game.

It could be worse.

...

I still don't get it.

 

[lacktheknack]

Edit: I thought trolling was a big forum no-no. Apparently OP didn't get the memo.

You're mixing up "trolling" with "satire". Demonstrating a point in an unexpected and potentially offensive way is not trolling, talking shit just to make people mad is.

 

[lacktheknack]

In the interests of transparency I haven't played StH 06 but there are points I would like to refute.

Portal is not a first person shooter. It's puerile to take the elements of a genre and mistake them for the genre itself. Also, assuming it was, being in a genre that is oversaturated doesn't make your game any better or worse than it would otherwise be. just more or less appreciated for standing out from the crowd.

The artistic use of colour is not something I'll get into too much. But minimalist or more restricted colour pallets don't automatically make for worse experiences. Viva piñata make good use of extensive colours but it would jar and be out of place in something like some parts of star wars Ep IV. Note that the good guys have a small range of natural, earth colours while the bad guys are quite literally black and white. not to say other colours don't exist there but in terms of general aesthetic.

level design- again you assume that linear is bad. If that were the case then all books are the worst form of entertainment ever. All the points you made about portal's level design are true. However, these are all design elements that contribute to what the game is trying to do.
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb trees you will of course think it's an inferior creature. I don't remember who said this, I didn't invent it but it seemed apt.

I can't really comment on challenge. If you feel more challenging games are a good (subjective) indication of objectively good games then I'd say I agree but then that's just our opinion.

Depth.. Ok fine... did you ever try the challenge modes? The minimum of portals or steps taken really pushes the mechanics past what you would normally think possible

Length- Portal didn't cost 60 dollars so if were using the dollars in to time out mechanic

Sonic 06 $60 http://www.joystiq.com/game/sonic-the-hedgehog
Portal: I'm having trouble finding data but http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/15/half-life-2-orange-box-release-date-set
Orange box $60. Even if you already had HL2 and Ep1 thats TF2 Portal and Ep 2 at $20 dollars each (less if you didn't)

Regardless of price, portal is indeed short. No filler, it arrives, sets out what it wants to do and leaves. I can't speak for StH so I'll stop there.

Investment: Beating portal. fine. mastering it is a different story. see the challenge modes.

An impressive refutation, signifying nothing.

The average internet denizen's reading comprehension is circling the drain at this point. ;__;

 

[xshadowscreamx]

am i really reading a thread about sonic '06' being better then portal?

 

[bafrali]

um op this the valvies HQ here, you aren't make them think any different.

Though that said I like anyone who isn't a valve zombie fanboy. Cheers!

I am gonna assume that you deliberately missed the joke behind the OP for your inflammatory comment. Was it worth it sir?

 

[lapan]

Hell, it was what almost kept me from playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which had Sonic the Hedgehog appearing in the same game as Solid Snake!

Mario and Samus apeared in the same game and nobody complained. The whole point of smash brothers is crossing over genres that have nothing to do with each other. That said, Snakes super smash during which he takes no risk at all and kills everyone up to 2 times is pretty op.

But seriously, if you don't believe me, just watch Game Grumps playing Sonic 06.

Do it. Go now. I'll wait.

I tried to watch Game Grumps' Dark Souls/Demon Souls videos, but i couldnt stand them pretending to be bad and singing badly for half the video.

 

[Beautiful End]

But seriously, if you don't believe me, just watch Game Grumps playing Sonic 06.

Do it. Go now. I'll wait.

I tried to watch Game Grumps' Dark Souls/Demon Souls videos, but i couldnt stand them pretending to be bad and singing badly for half the video.

Yeah, I admit they can get pretty annoying when they start singing or acting like retards, especially Jon.
However, i gotta admit too that Sonic 06 is my favorite game Grumps series (?), especially the latest episodes. At some points, they are genuinely grumpy and you can see how broken the game is.

That's the only series of them I've watched as of lately.

 

[OniaPL]

What the hell is wrong with you people? How come so many of you are taking this seriously? Is it really that hard to see what his point is?

 

[scotth266]

This just in: people massively miss the joke. More news at 11.

Great thread.

 

[Andy of Comix Inc]

Someone has taken some inspiration from Jim Sterling's Blatantly Better series, methinks.

 

[repeating integers]

Holy fuck. Some of you people really are fantastically determined to miss the joke, aren't you?

I can't believe it was unintentional. Nobody could miss so obvious, so excellent a joke as the OP by accident. You guys are doing it on purpose, because you find self-important rage addictive.

 

[Unsilenced]

10/10, would be trolled again.

Somewhat distressing to see so many people agree though. Poe's law, I guess.


Also, what is it with people patting themselves on the back for not liking a popular game? I mean it's fine that you don't like Portal, there are perfectly valid reasons not to, but to hear the way some people talk about their disdain for it you'd think they'd won a medal.

"Achievement Unlocked: 100pg. Didn't like something popular."

 

[Orks da best]

um op this the valvies HQ here, you aren't make them think any different.

Though that said I like anyone who isn't a valve zombie fanboy. Cheers!

I am gonna assume that you deliberately missed the joke behind the OP for your inflammatory comment. Was it worth it sir?

Hey its a joke from be a brave man, or woman, most people here get a bit touchy when it comes to valve.

 

[bafrali]

um op this the valvies HQ here, you aren't make them think any different.

Though that said I like anyone who isn't a valve zombie fanboy. Cheers!

I am gonna assume that you deliberately missed the joke behind the OP for your inflammatory comment. Was it worth it sir?

Hey its a joke from be a brave man, or woman, most people here get a bit touchy when it comes to valve.

Probably because some people will latch onto any opportunity to berate them and their fans. Like you said people get touchy when Valve gets mentioned around here so It becomes really hard to distinguish between a light-hearted joke and passive-agressive bickering.

 

[Fappy]

What the hell is wrong with you people? How come so many of you are taking this seriously? Is it really that hard to see what his point is?

You should go back and read the comment section of the "MlP Fans" Critical Miss comic. Oh boy, talk about critically missing the joke.

Zing?