Your video game hot take(s) thread

[BrawlMan]

I'll take an "outdated" game like Evil West over 98% of the AAA stuff that comes out now. GGman is entitled to his own opinion, but that doesn't excuse him acting like a dick about it at the beginning of his Calisto Protocol review. The good news is that most reviewers and gamers like or enjoy this game. So Evil West did something right. The only other reviewer I know that dislikes this game, is Dreamcast Guy, and he ain't even close to trustworthy.

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[Worgen]

I'll take an "outdated" game like Evil West over 98% of the AAA stuff that comes out now.

What games do you consider aaa? I mean there is obviously stuff like COD, but when you say you are over 98% of the, what games would those be that were released on the last year?

 

[BrawlMan]

I mean there is obviously stuff like COD, but when you say you are over 98% of the, what games would those be that were released on the last year?

The past 5 years, I am already seeing Evil West being better than most of what generation 8 had to offer and now. Yeah, I know "not all AAA", but that still doesn't excuse the dickery and screwing customers over with the DLC/Season Passes/manipulative loot-skinner box FOMO manipulations bullshit. Here's a game that is just a game. It's not another generic sandbox open-world. It's not Fortnite/PUBG nor a fucking clone of that shit (I know there are good clones out there, but that's beside the point). It's not torture and misery porn acting like it's "art" and the game's creator thinks his creation is immune to criticism. It's not a "Strand Type" game. It's not another game that take notes verbatim from Arkham or AC combat. Nor do I have to be constantly online and plug-in into the Internet to get my moneys worth. Nor is it a game with constant bugs and glitches, where the publisher would rather the fans fix their broken ass game for them, and not pay the fans a thing.

Here we have a game that is a straight up non-cover arcade style 3rd person shooter with light brawling elements. A game that is allowed to be a game. Other than 1 pre-order skin you get for buying the game new, there are still some nice unlockable skins for your character. Even it's not much. They ain't charging you an extra dime for it. This is why I've been having more with AA and indie games, than a majority of AAA games combined. The only AAA devs and publishers I bother with are some of the different developers under Sony, Platinum, Nintendo, Tango Games, Capcom, SNK, Sega (depending on the game. They just outsource to other developers who actually care about their old franchises) and some times Bandai Namco. Capcom finally got their act together staring 2017-8 and remembered to embrace their roots on what made them great in the first place. For nearly a decade, they were the "bad guys". What helps now is that they got new blood that understands their audience and just tries to make fun games. I still have issues here and there with Capcom, but overall, a great turnaround. Platinum I need not to say any more. Babylon's Fall aside, and two games under Activision, they delivered on making awesome action games. Isn't nice to have games where you get cool bonus modes, extra characters, costumes, and all that to extend actual replay value and not be charged for it? Remember when that used to be thing and actual high standard? You get what you actually paid for and not charged extra down the line or never gets the thing at all.

 

[Worgen]

The past 5 years, I am already seeing Evil West being better than most of what generation 8 had to offer and now. Yeah, I know "not all AAA", but that still doesn't excuse the dickery and screwing customers over with the DLC/Season Passes/manipulative loot-skinner box FOMO manipulations bullshit. Here's a game that is just a game. It's not another generic sandbox open-world. It's not Fortnite/PUBG nor a fucking clone of that shit (I know there are good clones out there, but that's beside the point). It's not torture and misery porn acting like it's "art" and the game's creator thinks his creation is immune to criticism. It's not a "Strand Type" game. It's not another game that take notes verbatim from Arkham or AC combat. Nor do I have to be constantly online and plug-in into the Internet to get my moneys worth. Nor is it a game with constant bugs and glitches, where the publisher would rather the fans fix their broken ass game for them, and not pay the fans a thing.

That doesn't answer the question of what games you consider aaa unless you literally mean COD and ubisoft releases.

 

[BrawlMan]

That doesn't answer the question of what games you consider aaa unless you literally mean COD and ubisoft releases.

I just did with my hints inside of the take-thats. Not my fault if you can't read the devil in the details. But yes, people like EA, Ubisoft, and Activision count. Sqaure Enix and WB Games are on my shit list too. The only thing worth caring about from them is FFXVI for me. NFT shit loving mother-fuckers. Plus, I gave you examples of AAA companies I still enjoy or at the very least tolerate.

 

[Worgen]

I just did with my hints inside of the take-thats. Not my fault if you can't read the devil in the details. But yes, people like EA, Ubisoft, and Activision count. Sqaure Enix and WB Games are on my shit list too. The only thing worth caring about from them is FFXVI for me. NFT shit loving mother-fuckers. Plus, I gave you examples of AAA companies I still enjoy or at the very least tolerate.

The biggest problem with your answer is that you said you can't stand 98% of them, but by the companies you list, it really just sounds like you can't stand like 40% of them if even that.

 

[BrawlMan]

The biggest problem with your answer is that you said you can't stand 98% of them, but by the companies you list, it really just sounds like you can't stand like 40% of them if even that.

Regardless (and it sure as fuck ain't 40%), most of them I can't stand, or they don't do anything interesting for me. There is reason why I gravitate towards AA and indie. If they have something that interests you, go for it. I am not stopping nor judging you. Most of what they do is either boring, trying to gouge the consumer's wallet in many sick and underhanded ways, release buggy or broken games on arrival (Bethesda is not the only one to do this), or is the same fucking slop over and over. Like I said before: at least companies like Capcom, Sony, Nintendo, Platinum, Tango Games, and Namco still try. FromSoftware are cool people too, but I have no interests in their Souls style games. Koei-Tecmo has got it right in certain cases (and other places not so much. See Samurai Warriors 5), but their games don't interest me. My taste and trust go towards smaller developers/publishers and the Indie crowd. Most of them just want to make good or fun games. They're not immune to criticism either, and some of them have their own demons, but most bother to put out a decent or good product without screwing the consumer over and treating them like thundering dumb asses. If my explanation still does not satisfy you, too bad. I am not hear please you nor give you what you want to hear.

I will leave you with this. Seraphim17 and I have a similar mindset, but we have our disagreements too. Usually over minor stuff, but I like and respect the man. Been subscribed to him since 2013. I do recommend if you like tackling the hardest difficulties in your games. Do note that he only covers what he likes. Here's the playlist.

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[Worgen]

They're not immune to criticism either and some of them have their own demons, but most bother to put out a decent or good product without screwing the consumer over or treating them like thundering dumb asses. If my explanation still does not satisfy you, too bad. I am not hear please you nor give you what you want to hear.

If I take the most charitable reading of your statement then to me it sounds like you are saying "I can't define AAA but I know it when I see it"

Meant to link you this in another thread but since we are talking here, have at it.

 

[BrawlMan]

If I take the most charitable reading of your statement then to me it sounds like you are saying "I can't define AAA but I know it when I see it"

AAA games are usually big budget, but not always, and have grand spectacles, good to great gameplay (though not always either) and (supposedly) high quality and standards. AAA used to actually mean something back in the old era, but by late 7th generation, that became less the case and so on towards 8th and now. I have no trouble defining it. I know what they used to be and what pathetic states most are now.

Meant to link you this in another thread but since we are talking here, have at it.

1. I played Mystic Warriors. Wonderful game and neat twist before ending depending on who you did or didn't pick.
2. Never played nor heard of DynnGear. Looks interesting.
3. I already have Super Cyborg on Steam and Switch. It and Blazing Chrome are the best modern Contra games ever made.
4. Demon Front I played once. I will have to re-download on MAME at some point.
5. Never heard of JJ Squawkers.
6. Biomechanical looks like the jank kind of fun, but I am not interested.
7. I played that in arcades before! You can usually never go wrong with Data East.
8. Cool
9. I played this on MAME several times. It was done by IREM. Same team that did Undercover Cops, and went on to do Metal Slug.

 

[BrawlMan]

@Worgen, here's one for you.

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[Worgen]

AAA games are usually big budget, but not always, and have grand spectacles, good to great gameplay (though not always either) and (supposedly) high quality and standards. AAA used to actually mean something back in the old era, but by late 7th generation, that became less the case and so on towards 8th and now. I have no trouble defining it. I know what they used to be and what pathetic states most are now.

I don't know about the second part, but we have pretty much the same definition. Which is why its so annoying you won't name any games that you feel fall under that label. Keep in mind, I only really pay attention to PC gaming and PC gaming on steam. So its not uncommon for AAA games like FF7reduxrevengence to come out a year later or to seemingly never come out on pc before being randomly announced like the Uncharted Collection, both of which I would certainly consider AAA and pretty damn good AAA too. I would agree that a lot of what nintendo releases is AAA and they have a much higher output then someone like EA or Activision, both of which seem to only release a few games a year anymore (cod and maybe a blizzard thing for activision and a sports game and maybe battlefield for EA), but those companie's releases are dwarfed by the other companies you listed as AAA.

1. I played Mystic Warriors. Wonderful game and neat twist before ending depending on who you did or didn't pick.
2. Never played nor heard of DynnGear. Looks interesting.
3. I already have Super Cyborg on Steam and Switch. It and Blazing Chrome are the best modern Contra games ever made.
4. Demon Front I played once. I will have to re-download on MAME at some point.
5. Never heard of JJ Squawkers.
6. Biomechanical looks like the jank kind of fun, but I am not interested.
7. I played that in arcades before! You can usually never go wrong with Data East.
8. Cool
9. I played this on MAME several times. It was done by IREM. Same team that did Undercover Cops, and went on to do Metal Slug.

You should also check out one of the other big vides this guy put out.

@Worgen, here's one for you.

Thats pretty cute.

 

[BrawlMan]

don't know about the second part, but we have pretty much the same definition. Which is why its so annoying you won't name any games that you feel fall under that label.

After seeing my other hot takes and posts I thought you would have figured out, but that was a misunderstanding and communication error on my part. If we're going by standard definition of falling under the AAA label, here's a list. And by AAA, I mean what these games have are of what was the standard or better back then. Regardless, if these games fall under AAA, AA, or Indie category. Because these smaller high qualities games have more polish and thought to them than most "official, exclusive over jacked price AAA games". No particular order and just throwing out whatever comes to mind right now.

• All of the DMC games, except 2 and the vanilla version of DmC.
• Nearly everything by Platinum. The only exceptions are Babylon's Fall and Mutants in Manhattan.
• Streets of Rage 4
• Almost anything by Grasshopper Studios. Though you couldn't get me to play Lollipop Chainsaw again. Nothing against the characters and setting, but the gameplay is too shallow for me. They even jumped in the Souls style and Battle Royale genre, and got success from both of them. Still not my thing, but I am glad they got a constant source of income.
• Evil Within 2
• Oneechanbara Z2: Chaos.
• Guardian Heroes and Code of Princess.
• Ninja Saviors
• Shredder's Revenge
• Samurai Showdown (2019)
• Street Fighter VI - I know the game is not out yet, but with all of the single player content Capcom is adding to this game, this will keep me playing when not doing the multiplayer. A Konquest/Shemue-Yakuza style mode is what's needed for lots of fighters nowawadays to keep causals hooked. Midway/NetherRealm got it right and perfected it. They had their own stumbles back in the Deception days, but had the right idea. Give these game replay value and more than the Survival, Time Attack, Online, etc. Namco, bring back Tekken Force.

I can on all night with my personal list.

 

[Worgen]

After seeing my other hot takes and posts I thought you would have figured out, but that was a misunderstanding and communication error on my part. If we're going by standard definition of falling under the AAA label, here's a list. And by AAA, I mean what these games have are of what was the standard or better back then. Regardless, if these games fall under AAA, AA, or Indie category. Because these smaller high qualities games have more polish and thought to them than most "official, exclusive over jacked price AAA games". No particular order and just throwing out whatever comes to mind right now.

You've put a lot of effort into describing a dog by describing everything that a dog isn't, instead of pointing to the dog sitting over there, licking its butt.

 

[BrawlMan]

You've put a lot of effort into describing a dog by describing everything that a dog isn't, instead of pointing to the dog sitting over there, licking its butt.

You asked; I answered. Take it or leave it.

 

[Worgen]

You asked; I answered. Take it or leave it.

Yes, you gave me what you consider to be an answer and what I consider to be obfuscation.

Here is what I consider AAA.

COD
Nintendo tentpole IPs, Mario, Zelda
I suppose assassins creed
Battlefield
maybe ea sports games
grand turismo
Halo (mainly starting with 3 and beyond)
Devil May Cry 5
Pretty much anything Naughty Dog makes, Uncharted, Last of Us
God of War 2018?
Doom 3-eternal
Resident Evil 5-villiage
Red Dead Redemption 1/2
Final Fantasy 10 and beyond
I guess Crisis (it has AAA looks but kinda feels more like AA to me, at least for the first one)
Witcher 3
Death Stranding
Overwatch
GTA 4/5

That is just off the top of my head, I know there are more out there.

 

[BrawlMan]

Yes, you gave me what you consider to be an answer and what I consider to be obfuscation.

Here is what I consider AAA.

COD
Nintendo tentpole IPs, Mario, Zelda
I suppose assassins creed
Battlefield
maybe ea sports games
grand turismo
Halo (mainly starting with 3 and beyond)
Devil May Cry 5
Pretty much anything Naughty Dog makes, Uncharted, Last of Us
God of War 2018?
Doom 3-eternal
Resident Evil 5-villiage
Red Dead Redemption 1/2
Final Fantasy 10 and beyond
I guess Crisis (it has AAA looks but kinda feels more like AA to me, at least for the first one)
Witcher 3
Death Stranding
Overwatch
GTA 4/5

That is just off the top of my head, I know there are more out there.

No. I did go straight to the point in the last post. I can give you more examples if you want, but this is a pointless back and forth. I'll give you another example, Bulletstorm and the Crysis trilogy. Those are good AAA games. And my stance is still the same as I mentioned before. Most of the AAA games that come out today aren't worth the 70 plus bucks they are printed on in the story. You don't like my answer to you on that. Moving on.

I do appreciate the game list you gave me from the two videos.

 

[BrawlMan]

We need a House of the Dead 6 pronto. Hop to it Sega! If none of you are going to do it internally, then I don't mind you outsourcing again. The House of the Dead 1 remake wasn't all that bad and just needed a few updates. It had some nice life of quality bonuses and extra modes too, so I can't fault it for that.

Speaking of remake, I know Capcom is more than likely never going to do it, but I wouldn't mind them remaking Resident Evil 5. And of course we need a total overhaul from what happened in the last game could work. I get why they wouldn't want to do a remake. Capcom wants to distance themselves from that game as far as possible. If they ever did a remake, they should have it be single player and you can select either character or play certain characters at certain chapters.

This one is less of a hot take and more of a take-that. We are in a world where God of War 5, DMC 5, and Bayonetta 3 exsists. Not to mention many other stylish action games of high caliber that are either on Steam, digital stores, or even have physical copies. Suck it haters, naysayers, downplayers!

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

Hooray for puzzle bosses!

I'm playing Darksiders 2 and all the fights are just smash attack and dodge away, so, you know, it's fine, whatever.
But then boss fights come and there's this one where you gotta shove a rock at it to make it vulnerable, and another where you gotta toss 'splody bombs at it first, and it just makes the whole thing more interesting.

Reminds me of how much fun I found the Demons Souls remake bosses which had "puzzle bosses" that so many FromSoftware fans derided as a shameful legacy of the Souls series' rough start, and how miserable I found Elden Ring bosses which didn't have any of that and is beloved. That's why it's a hot take- boss fights don't have to be this SKILL CHALLENGE, they can be an interesting opportunity to explore the environment, theming, and gameplay twists.

 

[BrawlMan]

Hooray for puzzle bosses!

I have no problem with a puzzle boss either. I think the only reason puzzle bosses get so much negativity from core gamers, is because of how either simplified they became during the seventh generation, a wall boss, or because a game in question is "copying/stealing from Zelda". The idea of a puzzle boss has been around even before Zelda became a thing. What happened is that just not only pertains to psychotic Dark Souls fans, but roots itself in the stylish action genre with DMC and Ninja Gaiden. Most of those games rarely ever had a puzzle boss. They had puzzles in them of course, but those became less the further you get inside either franchise, to being outright removed in their latest installments. Snobbery comes from the bad parts of either fandom.

These games are more known for being skill-based than puzzle-based. I like a challenge in such a skill every now and then. I don't mind a puzzle boss as long as it's done well or not too obscure and frustrating on what to do. Ragnarök has some good puzzle bosses or bosses with puzzle like elements I enjoyed.

 

[Xprimentyl]

Hooray for puzzle bosses!

I'm playing Darksiders 2 and all the fights are just smash attack and dodge away, so, you know, it's fine, whatever.
But then boss fights come and there's this one where you gotta shove a rock at it to make it vulnerable, and another where you gotta toss 'splody bombs at it first, and it just makes the whole thing more interesting.

Reminds me of how much fun I found the Demons Souls remake bosses which had "puzzle bosses" that so many FromSoftware fans derided as a shameful legacy of the Souls series' rough start, and how miserable I found Elden Ring bosses which didn't have any of that and is beloved. That's why it's a hot take- boss fights don't have to be this SKILL CHALLENGE, they can be an interesting opportunity to explore the environment, theming, and gameplay twists.

Tangential anecdote, I recently finished Somerville, and despite its extremely simply controls (you can jump and use one of two powers to affect the environment,) it managed to really convolute a lot of its puzzles with wonky implementation. I won't spoil it, but the game has several possible endings depending on how you handle the final puzzle, but the game never really suggests any other options on how to handle it. Even when you know what to do for the other endings (and by "know," I mean look up YouTube videos,) you still don't know what you've done.

OT, I think puzzle bosses are fine, but it really depends on the type of game they're executed in. I mean, zooming out, ALL bosses are puzzles when you think about it, but sometimes more overt implementations can feel out of place. One example I can think of is the Bed of Chaos in Dark Souls. Every other boss up until that point is basically a skill test, then BoC pops up and asks you to "figure out" what to do, and oh, let's toss in a massive dose of luck in a game notorious for punishing a lack of skill and intuition. Granted, it's not a difficult puzzle if you're at all observant, but it's really out of touch with the flavor of the overall game. Pretty much a universally hated boss.