@chrissedoff: Your comment is hitting the nail on the head for me. Like, I've been on the internet since the late 90s and I've always accepted that there are trolls and assholes wherever you go. But I've always assumed that they were the minority. After this whole fiasco these past few months, I'm starting to suspect that the rational people are losing the internet to these vocal idiots.
To them it doesn't matter that there was no "sex for press" issues with Kotaku and Zoe Quinn. To them it doesn't matter that there is no credible evidence that Anita Sarkeesian made up her death and rape threats. To them it doesn't matter that this industry on the whole has been doing a shit job of making women feel welcome. And I'm goddamn terrified that they are going to win by sheer force of volume and ruin my beloved hobby.
@flameboy84: But if that's the only criteria we're going to use to determine "better", doesn't that make every derivative sequel the best in the series? I mean, whatever Call of Duty is coming out in a given year likely has improved mechanics and gameplay, but I still hold that CoD 4 is the best as it introduced the formula before everyone got sick of it. Just like with Super Mario Sunshine one could make the argument that while it expanded Mario 64's mechanics, it was still too derivative of the former game's formula to step out of its shadow.
It's always tough saying what's the best game in a series. Take, for instance, Mass Effect. The second game (and to an extent the third game) are simply technologically superior and overall had smarter gameplay design than the first. That said, Mass Effect 1 was the game to outline the universe, characters and story that drives the series and at the time set a new standard for the presentation of interactive narratives.
Similarly, Super Mario Sunshine takes the lessons of Super Mario 64 and expands on them, making an altogether more playable game. However, Super Mario 64 shifted platform game design into the 3rd dimension and established rules that games follow to this day. If you're asking for which game is more "important" to the video game cannon, then 64 is clearly the better fit for that category. However, if you want to say Sunshine is just a better game than 64 (or vice versa) I would need to know what you mean by "better".
@physicalscience: I agree about the price point being a little high. I only got it because I had an iTunes card lying around. Really should have been in the $5-10 range for what they've provided.
So I just picked this up last night and played a random map on Chieftain to get a feel for the new additions. Seems like more of the same as Civ Rev 1, with some smart additions from Civ 5 rolled in. Not a bad thing IMHO, as I dropped way too much time into both those games. How are you guys liking it?
@cbk486: Exactly this. I'm an engineer, so my perspective is coming from a far more conservative industry, but you *never* immaturely whine about not getting a job in public. All it shows that you're an entitled crybaby ready to burn bridges at the drop of a hat.
Also, why don't these spurned people start their own site, like Jeff and Ryan did all those years ago? If their content is good, people will read it. That said, looking at their tweets I really doubt that they would be making interesting content regardless.
As a person of a minority background, I'd be over the moon if GB hired more minority voices. That said, I come to this site because it's run by some interesting folks whose opinions on games I trust. Frankly, reading the tweets of the people complaining about the hiring decision shows exactly why GB didn't hire them. I come here because this is one of the few sites that still engages games as *fun*, and not as some cultural/artistic medium that will change the world.
@ll_exile_ll: Good list, but you neglected to include From Ashes. Personally, I'd put it in the "Highly Recommended" category as it does feature a character who I believe enhances ME3's story significantly.
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