The Lighter Side
George has posted a nice look at the Gamecube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. I’m holding off because I plan on getting the Wii version - once I get a Wii, of course. Also, my Gamecube is in Phoenix.
George also put up a brief survey of a bunch of independent adventure games. Adventure games really have taken a hit over the past few years but with new takes on the genre like Indigo Prophecy and the return of the much-loved classics like Sam and Max the future looks bright.
I’ve always felt that adventure game elements should be incorporated into other genres while we say farewell to their dated, traditional interface. The pillars of a great adventure game have always been a great, engrossing story, interesting puzzles and unique characters - the point-and-click interface, static screens and incessant inventory management always struck me as concessions to technological limitations rather then solid game dynamics in their own right.
Die-hard adventure gamers disagree with me, though. George and I have argued this point more then once, and I imagine we will again. If you’re a fan of the classic style of adventure gaming, George is the man to talk to.
Sphere It
Concerning the interface, I’ve kinda changed my view s on it as well.
I mean, I still like it because it allows you to just sit back and think about the puzzles, while you’re clicking around at stuff. But it’s also a really bad immersion-breaker (?), and it’s a really limited system anyway.
I much prefer a direct-control system nowadays, Dreamfall was a step in the right direction, excluding the combat elements. Or a combination of the two systems like in Gabriel Knight 3. But yes, inventory puzzles need to die.
Anyway, I agree with what you say about other games adopting elements from adventure games, especially for storyline-based games. Sadly, the only thing they’ve adopted so far is the long-ass cutscenes and the talking heads syndrome. Ah, well.
Comment by George K — December 22, 2006 @ 5:16 am
You’ve started to change your views on that? Shocking!
I really like how they did it in Indigo Prophecy. It managed to include action elements, effective storytelling and solid puzzles. If you haven’t played it yet, pick up a used copy somewhere.
They’re moving past talking heads, slowly though. Give it time
Comment by Tom — December 24, 2006 @ 2:06 am