this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2024
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Patient Gamers

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Are there games that you tried but just couldn't get into because they feel outdated? Games that, in theory, you would enjoy, but don't because the controls, graphics, writing, or mechanics just don't feel good anymore. Games that, compared to today, just don't hold up to your standards.

I recently tried playing Heroes of Might and Magic III, and I realized that a lot of the invisible language used through game design from that era, I do not understand. There are many things that the game didn't explain, and I assume they were just understood by players. Not only that, but I imagine there was a lot of crossover between video games and board games back then, so maybe that language was used as well. I ended up downloading a manual and putting it on my second screen and I get it and played it, but it just wasn't for me.

I also dropped Mirror's Edge, but this time it was because of the graphics. It looks and feels great, but the graphics give me a headache. There is way too much bloom, and for some reason, there are some parts that look like the imaginary lens has been covered in Vaseline. This didn't bother me before, but my eyes are not used to it anymore.

There are also games like the first two Tony Hawk Pro Skater games that I can't fully get into because they're missing mechanics from the later games. The levels and controls feel great, but they don't feel complete without those mechanics. It keeps me from enjoying the games as much as the others.

Please share yours!

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[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 37 points 11 months ago (5 children)

When Witcher 3 was winning all those awards, I wanted to give the original game a go.

Don't. I imagine it's nothing like Witcher 3. It aged terribly poorly.

[–] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 15 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I bought a bundle with all the 3 witcher games and tried both 1 and 2. I could jot even get through the tutorial in 1 and could jot beat the first boss of 2. Each game controls completely differently from one another.

[–] Ashtear@lemm.ee 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That Kayran fight is one of the most unfortunate things about Witcher 2. It's far too difficult a fight for a first boss, and almost all of that chapter is a drag to boot. The game is so much better after that point.

[–] Lesrid@lemm.ee 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

My favorite moment in that game is a serious case of understatement in dialogue prompt. You have an option to help one of two diametrically opposed people and if you choose "Help person A" you draw your sword on person B. If you choose "Help person B" you immediately throat punch person A.

[–] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Similar to how "push dijkstra aside" leads to Geralt breaking his ankle in a really violent matter.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, Witcher 2 felt like something completely new when I started it up right after finishing the first game.

I imagine going from 2 to 3 will feel the same.

[–] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Not so much to be honest. The 3rd one is just way more open world and the combat is so much smoother and more responsive.

[–] howrar@lemmy.ca 12 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

I remember playing the first game and getting stuck on the tutorial because I was mashing the left click button trying to swing my sword only to have Geralt hip thrust at the enemies.

But once you figure out how to swing the sword, the game's actually pretty fun. One thing I particularly liked is that there's an investigative storyline where you actually have to go and investigate and figure out the answer with the clues provided, and you can fail. I went into it thinking it would be like most modern games where you only get obviously correct or incorrect dialog options and angered everyone in the process.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago

It did have some positive traits, but the gameplay just didn't do it for me at all.

I did make it through the whole game, so I feel like I can hold that opinion, haha

[–] metaballism@slrpnk.net 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

People didn't like its mechanics even back when it launched. Personally, it's still somehow my favorite even tho objectively it's less fun to play and less polished than the other two. Something about its story and the atmosphere makes it more unique and genuine.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago

It does have a great story!

[–] PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

The typical advice for people looking to get into the Witcher games is to watch a cutscene compilation of the first game, then start with the second. Don’t bother with too many side quests in the second; Just make it through the story so you know the broad strokes and major decisions. Then take that save to the Witcher 3, and just play that one from now on.

Because going backwards is so incredibly difficult; Each game adds a ton of quality of life improvements, so going back to older games feels horribly sluggish and clunky.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

Yeah, I actually enjoyed the plot. But the gameplay kept getting in the way of that...lol

[–] ChaoticEntropy@feddit.uk 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Yeah, I don't know how unpopular the opinion is, but the original Witcher didn't strike me as a particularly good game. It was a... fine... I guess game, but with mature elements and tone that other games in the genre lacked. I slogged through it in preparation of playing Witcher 3.