ArmaziLLa

" It's alright to borrow elements if the developers then refine the idea and/or add new mechanics too, but it doesn't seem to be the case thus far. Dead Space was a game that seemed to be built together from a lot of other games, but the experience was so refined and the execution flawless that it stood on it's own.It could be cool though, but i'll have to wait and see when it gets released. Even with the similar gameplay, the concept and environment might be strong enough to attract a lot of people. "

" You don't really need to post it twice. "

" But what's it doing different? "

" You played it? "

Okay, now that I've got your attention, I will attempt to quickly and succinctly explain why THIS game should be judged solely on it's own merits and not on the fact that, as WAY too many lazy gamers who want to call themselves critics argue, it is a "God of War clone". Even if it's not "better", I believe the comparison between the two, while inevitable, should not be the only thing you look at.

While I respect every single person's opinion, I tend to get pissed off when I see any game as disturbingly cool as Dante's Inferno (or any other game for that matter) gets shunted aside in so many people's minds because it's doing a lot of the same things (or even ONE thing the same) as another game. Take MMOs for example...too many people decide that they aren't going to give any new MMO a chance because it's just a "WoW-clone"...when REALLY if you took the time to think about it with your puny little brains, WoW is NOT the first MMO, and a ton of the trappings of WoW were taken from it's predecessors such as Everquest...the only difference and the reason people go back to it is because what WoW took from the older MMOs it improved upon and did much better.

For this same reason I believe it is completely unfair to label Dante's Inferno merely as a GoW clone when it's an ACTION-ADVENTURE game...the same as GoW. The only reason people are using this excuse is because, admittedly, GoW got a lot of things right for the genre. When a game does this, how can future games in the same genre not utilize some of the elements that made a previous game good? Just like MMOs, when a new developer makes a new MMO, are they going to use the old out-dated systems of ancient MMOs? Or are they going to try to utilize and improve upon the things that WoW did great and try to capitalize on it's success? (I REALLY hope that's a no-brainer folks...)

There are tons of instances where you can see a game taking something that another game did and improving upon it or just using the same system. FPS's did it with the regenerating shield/health mechanic or even "bullet time". RTS's have all evolved together, making commands easier to use such as selecting multiple units or storing them with a keystroke. Hell, even in every day life...when someone invents something that people call revolutionary...what kind of manufacturer in their right mind would go back to the old technology when everyone has gotten so used to the newer technology? What kind of car company could justify not including air bags or windshield wipers these days? Or to use a more recent example, the parallel park button...what kind of company could justify not using this technology if given the chance?

While I understand that there will always be people who are incredibly stubborn, pig-headed, and small-minded when it comes to their lives (and the fact that the internet makes it so easy to hide behind anonymity), I just want to say I pity you...it's that kind of thinking that will in the video game world cause you to pass up on something great and miss a good experience...and God forbid that this mentality cross over into your daily life and have you miss out on a million dollar opportunity.

Yes, I know I may be defending a game that, when it comes out, completely let's me and everyone else down....but I feel that is completely beside my point. My point is, c'mon people...in today's world nobody can be so small-minded as all the talk I've been hearing/seeing...let's stop penalizing games for doing something similar to a blockbuster hit....especially one in the same genre. When a game get's something right, WE ARE GOING TO SEE FUTURE GAMES DO SOMETHING SIMILAR...that's life, that's a fact, so let's get over it already.

I will admit that if you feel the game is just not for you, that's fine...but don't go out of your way to bash something with such a flippant argument.

P.S. I will let you get mad at a game if a story element, or HUGE rip-off taken straight from another game is used...but not gameplay features...be realistic.

Addendum:
I suppose I can expect some resistance to my opinion, which is to be expected...but I will try to address some of the criticisms here as well so everyone doesn't have to read every single comment.

Have you even played the game?
Obviously the answer to this question is no, I haven't. And while this is a good point, it works to support my argument as well...even if the gameplay is obvious to be an action-adventure (of which God of War is NOT the only game) how can you write it off without seeing it?

But, what's it doing different from God of War?
Story? Setting? You name it...this is obviously not just going to be a re-skinned God of War with the same plot or they'd be sued...but again, how can you write it off without seeing it first-hand for yourself? Maybe there's something in there that you'll really like.

*Bump* any more opinions? =)

Great points so far, keep the discussion going? (Yea yea it's a **bump** post...sue me lol)

" Anyone else feel like downloadable games(Castle Crashers, Trash Panic, Rocket Riot, Cave Story Wii etc) are becoming more and more fun than retail games? "