What games have actually been different in the last 5 years?
So, the people have spoken. It is clear that sports games are going to say the same forever, and talking about how Movie games suck sucks. My viewers want something different.
I am referring to the fact that this is the first article which has been selected by people who aren't me. And it won't be the last. But anyway, let's begin. Different Games. I've made a list of games I've played in the last 5 years that I thought weren't like any other. Not all of them are great, in fact I really don't like one of them. But that's not what I'm judging. These games have all changed it up a bit, which is a pretty risky move for a studio to make. Out of the 6 I've chosen, 4 are indie games. Make of that what you will. So in no particular order, here we go.
The Bridge (2013)
The Bridge is a mind-fuck. There are no two ways about it. I like to think of myself as a philosopher and the brain of my generation, but it found it very hard. I'm not a pro at puzzlers, but it certainly wasn't easy. The game is very obviously very M.C. Escher-esque (Try saying that five times fast) and I think it works very well. The basic mechanic is that you can move the small grey protagonist and tilt the world to reach a door. But more and more features are added, and for almost all of them you have no explanation as to how they work, so you have to use your noggin.
The black and white penciled art style, the impossible constructions, the interesting mechanics and the beautiful classical soundtrack make this a must play.
Minecraft (2009)
The black and white penciled art style, the impossible constructions, the interesting mechanics and the beautiful classical soundtrack make this a must play.
Minecraft (2009)
This game needs no introduction. It is insanely popular, and insanely simple. But the idea of a world where everything is made of blocks is revolutionary. Whilst the game has (in my opinion) almost ruined the YouTube gaming community, and becomes tiresome after a few hours, the game is limitless. It deserves a mention on any list like this. Not many games have been as influential as Minecraft. At least not in the last five years.
The Walking Dead (2012)
The Walking Dead (2012)
I said that the games in this list didn't have to be good. Well, this one is. If anyone hasn't played The Walking Dead, play it. It is one of the best games I have ever played. And, it is different. The game has almost no gameplay, but relies on choices from the player. It works very well, and makes you want to re-play the game over and over, to see how things would have been if you saved someone else. You make emotional bonds with characters, and when my favourite died (no more details will be given, I'll keep this spoiler-free) I got really annoyed. You play as Lee Everett, pictured above, and you must choose who you lie to, who knows the truth, who you side with, who you become enemies with, who gets food, who goes hungry, who lives, and who dies. The game is phenomenal, and whilst, unlike some, I didn't cry at the end, I really felt moved.
Borderlands (2009)
Borderlands (2009)
So, it only took 9 days for me to sing praise to a game I have previously slagged off. Whilst according to this article, I think Borderlands 2 is so much better than Borderlands, I still love the game. And with it's near infinite number of guns, cartooney art scheme, and humorous characters, the game is pretty out there. Each class (I've played them all now) is very usable, and the game is fun to play on your own or with friends. If, like me, you have the Game of the Year edition, or have bought all four DLCs, you will know how they set an example to other games how DLC should work. They have new areas, new characters, new bosses, and new levels to unlock.
Machinarium (2009)
Machinarium (2009)
This is possibly the most underrated game of all time. You play as the Josef, as small robot (pictured above) and set out on a fairly standard quest to save your girlfriend, beat some thugs, and save the city. But what really makes the game special is the beautiful world. It, like The Bridge, has artwork which looks pencil drawn, and as you can see from the screenshot, the game looks just fantastic. The game also relies on using logic to outsmart other robots, and the puzzles, whilst not too hard, are satisfying. It is probably the most different game in the last five years. It doesn't have a flashy, hollywood graphics, or super fast paced gameplay, but a lovable protagonist and a sweet story make this game very appealing.
Hotline Miami (2012)
Hotline Miami is completely different to Machinarium. They are polar opposites. It has flashing light everywhere, blasts techno music, and is very fast paced. Considering how highly I praised Machinarium, you might think that I hate Hotline. I really, really don't. It is a great game. The pixelated graphics are at the very least eye-catching, and the storyline is, well, trippy. The game lets you play it in as many different styles as you want, as you unlock more masks. These really add to the general weirdness of the game. I don't think I can fully explain this game, I really recommend that you should play it. It is challenging, and very satisfying. Or maybe I'm just a psychopath.
And that is that. So, I said on my latest article that if things went well I could get 750 views in my first week. Things went really well, and I now have over 2,000 unique views. Wowzers, I just made a mess of my trousers. And there goes the rule for no Eminem lyrics. Anyway, thanks. Another Poll today. And buy into my social media propaganda, by e-mailing me in at [email protected] or following ma tweeta @KaC__Official (2 Underscores)
I've put the movie game idea back in this week, because a) it only lost to this article by 7 votes, and b) I couldn't think up anything else in time
I've put the movie game idea back in this week, because a) it only lost to this article by 7 votes, and b) I couldn't think up anything else in time