Well, it's been a while since I posted here, and I think it's time for a rant that is long overdue: why the Microsoft Kinect and Sony Move make me want to toss my gaming systems out the window.
This year's E3 saw a lot of excitement over these new motion-sensing gaming systems. Though the Wii - a system that proudly touted its motion-sensing features - was released almost four years ago, critics and gamers alike are saying this new technology blows the Wii out of the water.
"Simply jump in" invites the Xbox Kinect's website amid images of smiling people in awkward poses. "Easy to use and instantly fun, Kinect (formerly known as 'Project Natal') gets everyone off the couch."
This is the exact opposite of what I want from my gaming experience, and I think a lot of people feel this way. I love just plopping down on my couch or computer chair, kicking off my socks and zoning out to some (occasional) button-mashing. It's relaxing, and it's a great way to escape and take a break from real life.
Don't get me wrong; sometimes it is pretty fun to pop in the Wii Sports CD and go "bowling" or play "tennis" with some friends. You won't catch me doing it alone, though, because half the fun of playing these games is watching your friends make total asses of themselves. Virtual bowling alone in an empty house.... now that's a depressing notion.
I just don't think that motion-sensing games are as fun or exciting as critics and corporations hope they will be. I flailed my way through Zelda: Twilight Princess with no rhyme or reason to my actions, because flicking my wrist back and forth was the only way to use my sword. Given the choice between the A button and wrist-flicking (which eventually led to a mild case of carpal tunnel), I'd pick the A button every time.
I was pretty disappointed when I found out that Zelda: Skyward Sword would be similar to TP but would be entirely dependent on the Wii's Motion Plus capabilities. Check out this review from Digital Trends:
Back stage at Nintendo’s E3 booth, with the Wii Motion Plus controller resuming its normal poise, Zelda: Skyward Sword shows its true colors. The Wii remote and nunchuk act as a sword and shield, respectively. One-to-one motion mapping means that each of your sword gestures in real life translates precisely to Link’s on screen. Start a swing by your side and stop with the tip pointing dead ahead, and Link starts a swing by his side then stops with the tip pointing dead ahead. You’re not triggering pre-animated sword gestures as you did with Twilight Princess, you’re crafting them as you go, in real time.
That does sound kind of neat... for the first five minutes of gameplay. I think that this gimmick will get old very quickly, leading to more frustration than fun.
In short, it seems absurd to expect the majority of gamers to enjoy thrashing around their living rooms, dodging invisible punches and swinging their arms to slay on-screen monsters. As excited as I was for Skyward Sword, I can't see myself getting through the first dungeon, even if it is "revolutionary".
I'm not particularly sure who told Microsoft and Sony that this was what people asked for, like when girls get fake breasts because they think we find it hot.
ReplyDeleteMS and Sony should focus on alternative content; which is anything Nintendo isn't.
As for the Wii's stuff, eh, I want to provide an intelligent and witty comment but frankly the Wii is about as interesting to me as a Ford Taurus.