The Generational Games

A lot of sites, blogs, podcasts, forums, and so on and so forth, have what they like to call “Game of the Year” awards. With categories like “Best Graphics” and “Best Multiplayer Game.” Similar to a gaming Oscars, essentially. But I always thought that we should not look to some arbitrary time period to give recognition to games. Games should be recognized in a larger picture that takes in the context of all of gaming at the time. They should be acknowledged for what they did to affect the gaming scene, what they did to change this newborn, untested culture for the better. In a decade, will anyone care about the amazing graphics? Will they care about the shiny paint of high-res textures and bump-mapping when by then they will no doubt look silly and inferior? Of course not. What they will recognize is what they did, what effect they had.

It is with this in mind that I will record  my opinions on games that have changed the format for the better. The criteria other than that? It has to have been made on this generation of consoles (Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, DS, PSP).  PC games will not be considered unless they have brought something culture-shattering to the forefront. For example, if this was a few years ago, World of Warcraft would have received certain accolades. It should also be noted there are no “categories,” as I find them restrictive. Instead, specific games will be presented as the progressive games of this generation. Thus the term Generation Game. A game that defined the generation. The Zeldas, the Final Fantasys, the Halos, the Street Fighters of this new generation.

Now, ladies and gentlemen. The generational games:

Bioshock is the first game in our ceremony of this generation. I will readily admit that I did not enjoy playing Bioshock. But my problem was not the quality of the content, but of the interface with the content. You know you have a truly amazing product when you can stand back and say “That is a good product and I love it, but the gameplay isn’t good.” It tells you that the narrative, the art, the story, the music, the extra-playing elements of games were so compelling that you realized it and acknowledged it. And that is the case with Bioshock. The elements I mentioned above just smack you across the face from the moment you enter Rapture. They all intertwine wonderfully and make such a delightfully moody game that I would recommend its play to anyone who thinks gaming is nothing more than Pac-Man, and those that recognize that gaming is so much more than Pac-Man.

Oblivion is a game often forgot in the discussion of this generation. If you know me, dear reader, you are more than likely well aware that I hold this game in high esteem. Why? I will tell you right now, the main story in the game is nothing progressive or innovative. What makes Oblivion is its depth elsewhere in the layers of its incredibly deep existence. It is a wonderfully executed bright, beautiful world drenched in so much lore it would make a Tolkien fan do a double-take. Blades and bows, elves and dwarves, trolls and ogres, we’ve seen it a billion times before. We have not seen such a deep game that does not overstep its bounds and ends up feeling like it collapsed on itself. At least, I have not. Truly, it is an inspiration for RPGs from now on, as we saw in Fallout 3.

Allow me to be clear: Halo is not a revolutionary godsend game that unifies the world under its banner of complete and utter supremacy. There is not much more I hate in the gaming realm then when people say that, because it’s quite clearly not. The only things that are unique and progressive about the Halo franchise, historically speaking, are the way it brought FPSs to consoles and how it has implemented the online world in its games. The first has been done, there’s nothing to reward there. The second is what is special about Halo 3. Implementing the Forge, a unique way of making custom games, the Theater, an obvious, but not implemented, way of recording game films and sharing with friends, and trivial things like armor and ranks are all things that make Halo 3 a game that must be recognized. While it might be an inevitable evolution in gaming, it had not yet occurred. And therefore, it must be acknowledged.

Mass Effect is probably my favorite game of this past generation.  It would take an entire post to expound upon why I love it, and you might very well get it soon. But, to summarize, here’s what it did to progress gaming:

- Story

- Art

- Character Interaction

- Presentation

- Music/Sound

- Player Integration

- Philosophical Musings

This is the stuff of generational games. When a game evolves and revolutionizes at the same time, they are truly special. Mass Effect is such a game.

Special Circumstances

The following games were under heavy consideration by me for a generational recognition, but for one reason or another, failed to do so.

Rock Band - Ultimately, this game is more of an evolution of an age old music genre. The only truly thing new about this game is the social aspect of playing in a band, which relies on something outside the game for its revolutionary value. I didn’t feel comfortable putting it in the list for that reason.

Metal Gear Solid 4 – Everything I know of this game suggests it’d be at the top of my list. The problem is, quite simply, I haven’t played it. Putting a game I have not played on the list is not something that I believe I should do.

Wii Sports – This one was a struggle for me as well. It is, perhaps, the most impactful game of the generation, but did not progress it at all. How does one address that? It’s merely older than dirt sports games with new controls. The hardware might get a reward, but this ceremony rewards software. Ultimately, that’s why I had to leave it out.

What games define the generation for you? Feel free to share.