Why most games aren't as good as they used to be

by Art Freeman, Jr.

After reading Jean-Guillaume's article on Squaresoft games, it really made me think how most games today are becoming pathetically simple. I enjoyed Castlevania:SotN and I almost broke my controller trying to fight Galamoth, but as soon as you combine Alucard Shield and the Shield Rod...there is no competition, even Dracula was an easy win. At the beginning of most games you start out as a weakling, then half way through, all your characters are untouchable gods with the help of certain items. To me that just tosses the whole game out the window. Games should be about fighting an uphill battle, not standing on a cliff throwing rocks at the antagonist.

Another thing is the number of items or wasted items. This again can be seen in Castlevania and Final Fantasy. You start out with potions in FF7, but as soon as you get cure spells, potions and hi-potions become very ineffective. Then there were items you hardly ever use, like many of the swords that could be found in Castlevania. Developers have thrown in items that do not dramatically effect the outcome of the game or provide much distinction from other weapons, which is a waste of memory. Who knows? Without all those small sides stories that had nothing to do with the main plot in FF7, Square could have fine-tuned the Materia system or made a longer or more worthy ending.

What do all of this come from? It must be the acceptance of video games to the mainstream. Everyone wants their game to be completed from start to finish, no matter how brainless its completed. In my opinion, developers should take the game and say, I want this game to be a tough, puzzle-based RPG, or I want this game to be a brainless, blast-fest that people can just relax with, and fulfill the game to whatever they want it to be. For example, people who know what RPG's are about know that they take a lot of time to complete. So why throw in some desperation move or items that make the game easier. Make a game that fits its profile! Please!