Is this the worst videogame generation yet?

• Dead Space
• Grand Theft Auto 4
• Metal Gear Solid 4
• Super Mario Galaxy
• Uncharted 2
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Rock Band
• Braid
• Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
• Gears of War
  

What?  Are you crazy?  I would argue this is the best gen if anything.

No, far from it.

" BioShock Assassin's Creed Super Mario 3D Super Mario 2DMetal Gear SolidThe Elder ScrollsUncharted Metroid Prime Call of Duty Halo Dragon Age Mass Effect ZeldaGhost Recon Battlefield Fallout Grand Theft Auto Half-Life   LittleBigPlanetLeft 4 DeadRainbow Six Mirror's Edge  Resident EvilGears of War Fight Night Dead Space  Forza  Those are just some of the franchises that have been great to awesome this generation. We are seeing an unprecedented number of great games coming out year after year after year. Have people forgotten about comparing 2007 to 1998?  The games are there and they are great, no doubt. If people are dissatisfied with the current generation it's due to jadedness and nostalgia more than anything else. I get jaded, too, from time to time, but some of my all-time favorite games have come out this generation (BioShock, Oblivion, Uncharted 2, Dragon Age, Orange Box).  On one of the Bombcasts, Paul Barnett talked about what he referred to as our personal "Golden Age" of gaming, which is a time that we look back on fondly and remember all the games we used to love, and think that was the best time for games. I agree 100% with that and I think that's mostly all this is. Saying that nothing has changed between this generation and last aside from graphics is plainly wrong. Think of how far storytelling has come in genres that previously didn't give a damn. Think about the expansive, populated, and living worlds games like Grand Theft Auto, Fallout, Oblivion, and Dragon Age create. Think about the way persistent online functionality has changed the way we play FPSs. Think about the way that DLC (though sometimes used shadily) can add legs to a game that you would have otherwise long ago put on a shelf. Think about the way that games like Left 4 Dead have created great cooperative experiences. Think about the crazy, dramatic set-pieces that games like Call of Duty can now create with the power at hand. Think about how the motion control of the Wii can be used to interact with a game like never before. Think about the way the proliferation of online functionality as a whole has allowed people to interact with others through games more than ever before. Think about the way that games like LittleBigPlanet promote user-generated content, and how things like XBLA/PSN/Wii Marketplace bring us smaller games we otherwise may never have played (Braid, World of Goo, Geometry Wars). What did people want out of thise generation? How is any of what I mentioned any less of an increment over what the Xbox/PS2/Gamecube offered over the N64/PS1? Really, the biggest "innovation" I can think of there is making FPSs work well on a console, but that's still a genre that was in existence on PCs for a long time. I'm not saying advances weren't made in that leap, they certainly were, but I don't think it somehow outdoes the leap between the current generations.  Besides, if people want innovation, they should have bought Mirror's Edge. "

More like the best gen.

I don't think that it is the worst.   Each generation has its great and not so great moments.  This generation has had a lot of great games but as we go on and on we expect too much out of the games we play making them seem less great than what they really are.  If the original mario was to be released now it wouldn't have as big as an impact as it did way back then, but it became a masterpiece because that was our childhood and probably our first game.  Now we expect a game to be as groundbreaking as that was but I don't think it'll happen.  This year alone we had Uncharted 2, Batman, Killzone 2, Modern Warfare 2, Assassins Creed 2, Resident Evil 5, mostly sequels but they were still pretty great games.  Now with all the motion control coming out, were just nervous that games will get too casual and forget us hardcore gamers really making this the worst generation, I know I am.  So, I don't think this is the worst generation but now everyone is just to critical and too hard to impress, it may not be as memorable as one's in the past but it's still damn good.  So that's just my opinion and maybe I'm wrong but that's just what I think.

" @trophyhunter: Who cares about the Wii. Oh, that's not even what I'm talking about. Those games try to evoke those feelings of nostalgia. I mean, the reason we think old generations kick ass (when in realty almost everything that came out then is awful) is because of our fond memories, or 'feeling of nostalgia.' Give it 15 years and some of my fond memories will be sitting around playing Modern Warfare 2 with my friends, and having an awesome time. And We'll convince ourselves that THAT generation is way ahead of the next generation, even though the games coming out for the next generation will be way better. "

 

Now the market is dominated by mediore western titles, titles that are so over-hyped (Mass Effect, Killzone 2, Bioshock, Fallout 3, Resistance, etc), proclaiming to be triple-A games, when in fact they aren't even anywhere close to hold such status.

I can see how certain fanboys of certain platforms might feel this way.  If you're a gamer and you open yourself to what's available on all platforms, then you will see how that is definitely not true.

What defines a good generation apart from the quality of the games, is the arrival of new IPs and it's a shame that when a Dev tries to push them hard, we say that they are riping off another franchise or that they don't add anything new, we should support new IPs apart from getting hyped when we see "Call of Duty" written on the box and then bear no dedicated servers and stupid mp cap (that was in fact, a last minute announcement, shame on you IW). If we accept such bad trends, then other Devs could use that as an excuse to do the same. 
 
To make matters worse, we have this stupid retailer exclusives or demos that are only available preordering games or day one DLC, come on, day one DLC!!, why that content is not already on the disc??, which is your standard for enough content for full price??, like someone said "This content is enough for what they are paying, let's give them the other 20 hours of fun for a plus, they will pay it ", that's stupid, I love Bioware games, they are awesome but seriously, couldn't they just waited a month to release that and make us believe that content was not already developed?? Dragon Age is a great RPG, but come on, why???

" I can see how certain fanboys of certain platforms might feel this way.  If you're a gamer and you open yourself to what's available on other platforms, then you will see how that is definitely not true. "

" @Diamond said:

" I can see how certain fanboys of certain platforms might feel this way.  If you're a gamer and you open yourself to what's available on other platforms, then you will see how that is definitely not true. "

can you elaborate on that?

No. Games like Uncharted 2, Fallout 3, COD4, Gears of War, etc. are all really good AAA games this generation. I think this generation has been more fun than last, but less inovation.

I began disagreeing when you mentioned Killzone 2 and Fallout 3 being mediocre, which they are most definitely not.

this gen has give us EXCELLENT software , with AAA games and they will keep coming at least 2 years, but in the hardware quality is been the worst gen obviously, but that guy is crazy there are A LOT OF EXCELLENT GAMES this gen.
 
also the improves on online gaming and online interface with DLC are another strong point of this gen.

An article that is based on gross generalization and no structure or facts, with sources, to back up his argument for persuasion. FAIL

I've been gaming since the early 80s and yes we are now stuck in a loop. Good original games are now only a few a year but what we got just gets better and better. There has never been a better time to start gaming we are spoiled for choice. You think of it and almost guaranteed you can find a game and play it. Plus if you can't find it there will be a mod somewhere on the net close to your vision.
 
I'm glad the gaming industry has slowed down because in the late 90s the progress was so fast it was heading to a big bang. Thankfully Virtual Reality didn't take off we were not ready for this in the late 90s Just think how bad the games would have been if that was the future. Games should always be that GAMES not Virtual Reality. We have the big outside world for our reality fix and that is why we are gamers. We want to escape from reality for us to think we are something we will never be.    

"We want to escape from reality for us to think we are something we will never be.     "

Worst Gen?... N64 era for me. It felt like the experimental era that Computer Games needed to transition to the PS2 era... then things picked up a lot. 
 
Of course there were classic games. Spyro, Mario 64, Crash Bandicoot.

I find every game over 90% on gamerankings, like cod 4, modern warfare 2, bioshock, gears of war, fallout 3, oblivion, mass effect.. ect to be master pieces. However I agree with him about where are the japanese games? Considering final fantasy games were among my favorite last gen. I think japanese developers are struggling with the cost and building engines, making their games next gen to be focusing on the gameplay and art design which they were really good at. That's my opinion anyways, the games are alot more westernised now if you enjoyed the ps2 era. There is alot of mediocrity this gen imo, too many AA exclusives among few of the consoles. Last gen everything was AAA on gamerankings for the ps2, every new game I bought was fantastic. However I suppose it's pointless dwelling in the past.

If you're not into shooters and overcompensation, this hasn't been a great gen for you.

If there is nothing this generation that you would consider a masterpiece, then you either don't like video games or you're completely retarded.

" So the guy likes shitty Japanese games...   And no, this is without a doubt the best gen.  "

" @MAN_FLANNEL said:

" So the guy likes shitty Japanese games...   And no, this is without a doubt the best gen.  "

No kidding, I bet he finds that anime is better than modern cinema too. "

" @Jeust: 
The gaming generations before this one focused on games alone, this one sees the shift of that focus into a myriad of other paralel businesses that don't benefit much the games, or does it?
 
I think there is plenty of emphasis on the games this generation. Yes, there is a lot of focus on peripheral components of the current consoles, but that's all Microsoft and Sony's business. It's not like game developers are setting aside their games to work on Netflix integration or a Facebook app. Developers and publishers have their focus soley on their games. "

Lovin' the games this year. Nostalgia's a helluva drug, bud.

no, not really the worst but there are not that best games out there. i don't think there are this game is so awesome type of games but there are good games out there.

You have to take into consideration that this gen is still young and is still pretty expensive to deveop for. I'm sure once it becomes older and people understand the systems more we will get our (Saying these games because I like them A LOT) God Hands and Okami's. Its just a matter of time. But I can confidently say that I have way WAY better games for the PS2 than I do for my PS3. Hopefully companies will be able to bring some more original games like on last gen rather than having every game with a number at the end of the title.

To answer your question as succinctly as possible: no.

I think this is actually a great gen for gaming, It won't bring back as much nostalgia as the last one but it will bring some.

Probably not the worst, but it's a huge downgrade from the PS2, PS1 and SNES eras. To be honest I blame the more balanced competition this time round - it was way more fun when the majority of the amazing third party games went to one console. Now we have to buy 3 consoles and 2 handhelds to get the most out of the gen, rather than just riding it out with our favourite franchises on the one console like before. And before anyone points out the Wii as the dominant console, bear in mind I am talking about volume of games: i'll just say, that most third parties are still hesitant about putting their prized franchises on the Wii for a reason.

Sounds like the blogger just doesn't like the shift in focus from eastern style games to western style games.  If you are a fan of turn-based RPGs, turn-based strategy games, and hardcore stylish action games... this generation would seem crappy.  I'm personally loving this generation, with the focus on online competitive and cooperative games , FPS games, and western-style RPGs.

But um. Not really. Cus the DS has all those games. They're still being made, they're for the DS. Allegedly the OP isn't concerned with graphics, and if that's the case, the DS should counteract most of his complaints. But if his real complaint is not enough gaudy FMV games for the clear platform leader, well yeah, that's not around anymore. Or at least, its around, but its in  Western games now and none-RPGs now thereby making people less tolerant of the unchanging tedium that's present in most Eastern RPGs lately because the payoff, that used to be exclusive to them, can now be found in games that aren't tedius and dated, so its less of a payoff.

What about GTA:IV? what about Metal Gear Solid 4? what about Uncharted 2?
 
What truly defines a masterpiece? Because I think all of the above have moved gaming to a new level of some sort.

I think this is the best game generation yet. We're getting a lengthy life cycle for this console generation, what's not to like about that?

I think every generation is better than the last.

Things always seem better one generation back. I feel like this exact same argument gets made every single generation. People are never happy with what they have until it's gone.

It is impossible to answer this question objectively.

" The worst gen is the one that allowed the creation of the 3D0 and the one that killed 2D gaming, presumably for the advancement of FMV games. So, that horrible middle period between the 16 and 32 bit generations, 1993 - 1995.  Think about it for a minute, people sincerely thought that Full Motion Video games were the future. So I've been told, Sewer Shark was a respected enough as a commercial product that it was sold with the Sega CD.  That should never have happened. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but FMV games suck so much it's almost not funny, but just almost. "