I hate the "narrative reboot" formula. Churning schlock and then peppering Mick Gordon or Bryan Cranston or a burger-king-kids-club diversity for a modern incarnation isn't enough.
Take Doom. Doom to Doom 3 didn't work because Id focused on creating an environment akin to System Shock with PDA logs, audio logs, and in-game interfaces. Doom maze design was terrible but they went too far into the corridor shooter design philosophy with a strict focus on survival horror lighting, ammo, and narrative.
Doom to Brutal Doom does work. Mouselook alone changes doom into a new game. It doesn't need a new narrative or social commentary.
We don't need a Raymond Burr to remind us of hubris each time. Cloverfield is a better godzilla movie than any traditional godzilla movie.The modern reinvention of screaming crowds being found footage and viral marketing is twice as potent as following scientists/bomb diffusers being off base. The need to cycle back to old content with new framing devices is necessary but the social commentary can be right the first time.
Wolfenstien works because it divorces its narrative from its gameplay. Regaling Wolfenstien as a success because it can be used as a vehicle for social commentary ignores what makes video games great.
Games like Gone Home and Spec Ops are better for having a purpose to their play rather than filling out quality and quantity lists for reviewers.
Log in to comment