Climbing a New Kind of Ladder (or Was That Old?)

Categories:

a. MMORPG

October 1, 2010

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My MMO time of late has been spent doing what I enjoy most: leveling. Maybe that’s why I’ve been having so much fun in FFXIV, there’s always something to do. When I came in, I knew about the open class system, but I didn’t anticipate branching out into the different professions so much; usually I’m not much of a crafter and that’s a big part of the game. But, it’s been refreshing to slow down and really focus on the journey.

The mystery of it all is still really compelling but there’s a touch of hesitancy there, too. Even though database sites are starting to pop up, there’s still a lot we don’t understand. Take crafting for example. I’m an armorer/blacksmith (the pair is pretty much mandatory) and each one has you choosing when to strike the red hot metal.

Creation has several variables. Each step has a countdown timer of about 20 seconds, during which you must choose standard, rapid, or bold synthesis, or to wait a full step before striking again. Each has a different chance to succeed or fail, with bold and rapid holding each end of the spectrum. Every strike increases the quality of the end product, decreases the durability of the raw materials, and brings you closer to completion – more or less depending on if you succeed or fail in the step. It’s important to watch the material you’re working with because it will change colors and the color determines which type of synthesis is most likely to result in a “succeed attempt.” Failing dramatically drops the durability. If it hits zero, even as you hit 100% completion, you lose the materials and have to start over.

The thing is, at this point we can only really guess about what to do when. We know that metal glowing solid white is most likely to succeed, especially if you do the standard route. Glowing red might be best to use rapid synthesis on. Alternating colors probably just to wait. Those are guidelines, but who’s to say that applies to other crafts? You really have to rely on other players or just fudge your way through and learn on your own.

Then there are classes. In FFXI, most players say that you have to have a properly leveled sub-job to be any good for parties. Here, very few people have gotten far enough to actually see most skills for themselves, so we have to go to outside skill lists and research to decide. Or, you know, we could play what feels fun – but who wants to be gimped when they could just take the best path now? The min/maxing mindset is definitely taking shape. Thankfully, I’ve been having a great time switching between pugilist (r.4) and gladiator (r.7) which are said to support each other well.

The world is pretty much self-gating, like other games. Here, though, you find what’s level appropriate by how tough the mobs are rather than where quests tell you to go. It definitely has that old-school feeling where exploration is important. With no one holding your hand, you’re left to discover things on your own. I like that.

So far, the going has been fun. I’m level 11, now, and it’s pretty much from a couple days of guild leves… about half of which were battlecraft-type. I’ve gotten a lot of XP just from mining and toying around with armorsmithing. The game isn’t always clear, so I’ve died a few times trying to find story NPCs. Hint: when they “mark your map” they don’t mean your normal ‘M’ map. They mean that second one you keep hidden for emergencies or something. You know, the one you can only access by physically clicking the map button at the bottom of your quest log. The exploring was fun, though, and I found my first dungeon in the process. Hint #2: “Iron” Clobber-things are tougher than “Copper” Clobber-things. Lesson learned.

I’m actually looking forward to playing with the new standard edition folks. I know a lot of players are a little skiddish by the fallout we all expect but I’m not. In-game, you’d never know people were unhappy. Part of that, I’m sure, is that a lot of people just aren’t talking – the only general channel is /shout. The major feeling I walk away with, though, is that the people in-game are having fun. They’re not the ones running amuck on the internet shouting about how broken or boring the game is. In-game, life is pretty good, honestly, and that’s a nice vibe to get.

Tonight, I think I’ll stay up a little late and finish out the new story missions I opened at level 10. I was a little underwhelmed to begin but things get a lot more interesting quick. There’s a conspiracy afoot in Ul’dah and I want to know what happens!

I have a question for you all, though: does anyone know how to tell if you’re getting hit with the fatigue system? Myself and several guildies have noticed getting less XP if we grind on the same mobs for too long, but then it picks back up again if we switch (namely, marmots give less than clobber-things after a while). There’s not the biggest variety of mobs early on, so we’re all kind of hoping it was a fluke. Grinding is satisfying in its own kind of way.

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9 comments

Is Headstart the Same as Launch?

Categories:

a. MMORPG

September 30, 2010

by

That might seem like a basic question but I’ve honestly been wondering what our expectation is. When you buy-in for a pre-order on a new game, securing an extra week of “headstart” time, does that mean you should expect the full launch candidate product or a restricted preview-based version?

The Case of the Missing Content

I ask this because of the recent debate over FFXIV’s missing content. Perhaps they’re the minority, but there’s a selection of players upset with the game version we’re currently playing. Before launch, Hiromichi Tanaka – head honcho – repeatedly told us in interviews that beta was only a small portion of the whole game… something like 20%. The problem is, they never defined what that other 80% actually was. Story content? Quests? Zones? Out of those three options, there seems to be more story available, but I think people expected more. While I’m happy with the game, I’d still like to know what other four fifths of the game was added.

I’m writing this during my daily planning period at a local school (substitutes really don’t have much to plan), so I’m not able to check now that it’s officially “launched.” Did they open up anything else? MMOV Patron and Hydaelyn Cast host Vagabond Sam raised a couple of good points supporting the addition of more quest content today. I personally don’t miss the linearity of the traditional quest – you really don’t need them with guild leves – but I hope he’s right to satisfy the people that DO miss it. I think it would certainly remove a lot of the boring people have complained about.

Back to the Question…

But, all of that aside, let’s just assume they opened more up. I don’t know that I like that. It creates a clear divide between headstart and normal service. I’ve heard other players echo that too. That just seems really foreign to me, because I’ve always felt a headstart meant early access to the full game. If it’s not, how is it different than just paying for the beta version?

And if they didn’t add more, well, that just makes me wonder where the other 40, 60, 80% is.

If there is a clear definition between headstart and normal service, I wonder if Blizzard could get away with headstarting Cataclysm without any of the quests.

In the End…

… it’s about communication. If they’d been clear about what we were getting and were going to get, there would never have been a question. Instead, you have people who spent $75 on a box expecting to get something bigger and better than beta. They feel lied to and cheated. They may be jumping the gun, but I empathize with them.

Let me be clear when I say that I like the game as it is. For me, it’s been well worth the money. Still, it would be nice to see communication stepped up so players aren’t left in the dark so much. FFXI vets have assured me that it’s “just SE’s way” and maybe that’s so. Perhaps that’s really the best lesson SE could have learned in the last 10 years: players expect more, not only from their games but from their developers. Everyone benefits when devs choose to open up, even if the occasional foot gets stuck in the mouth.

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3 comments

Should I Buy: FFXIV Pt. 2 – Why You Should Buy In

Categories:

a. MMORPG

September 29, 2010

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Yesterday I posted a list of reasons why I think you may want to wait to pick up FFXIV. Despite that, I was there on day one to pick up the Collector’s Edition. As you can surmise, there are lots of reasons why I think this game is worth playing– even now, when lots of people are still feeling disgruntled. The secret those players don’t want you to know, however, is that there are lots of people in the game having a great time.

There’s a lot to like, so here are the reasons I think FFXIV is worth picking up on day one:

  • Theme Park AND Sandbox – The Best of Both Worlds: FFXIV is a hard game to define but the good folks over at Massively have done a good job by labeling it “sandpark.” The game offers a good amount of guided gameplay through its story missions; these quests should be instantly familiar to anyone who’s played an MMO in the last five years. Then it opens up. The class system is a veil; a means to an end, really. The game is about skills. Each weapon you use will take you on a path towards getting a certain skill set. From there, you can mix and match those abilities to create a character that is uniquely your own. Want to be a damage dealing healer? Do it. How about a tank-heal-support combo? Have at it. The game is yours to make.
  • Epic Story; Epic Delivery: FFXIV has some of the best cutscenes in the genre. As a matter of fact, I would say that this game involves you in the story more than any other MMO currently out. From the minute you step into the game, you’ll go through cutscenes with full dialogue that take you on a journey through the world. The story makes sure that you have your place and purpose in the world, and makes the game exceptionally compelling to boot.
  • Exceptionally Social: This may seem odd coming from yesterday’s point about how quiet things seem. The truth is, though, that FFXIV is one of the most social games out there. Square has made a point to make grouping the most rewarding way to play. Sure, you can solo, but you’re better off if you don’t. It’s taking a little time for new players to realize the benefits of sharing leves and offering random invites – it kind of stands in contrast to other modern MMOs – but players that do are better off. Most linkshells use ventrilo, too, so you can look forward to one of the most social gaming experiences in recent memory… just don’t be afraid to extend that first olive branch.
  • Tradeskilling is a Viable Way To Play – And More Than a Loading Bar! It’s entirely possible to be a gatherer/crafter all the way up to the endgame. Crafters have a place in groups, a means to explore the world without getting thwomped, and are the single best place to get gear. There are very few set recipes, too, so investing the time to experiment and research your craft pays off. Want to make an exceptionally sturdy bracer? Try adding a little more bronze to the recipe. Want to add some +int to the end product? Add in the right crystal. On top of that, every gathering/crafting path involves a small mini-game. No matter what you do, there’s no “AFK-fishing/mining/herbing” here. Do better at the game, get better rewards.
  • A Beautiful, Immersive Lore-Driven World: Just as Keen recently noted, FFXIV is a wonderfully immersive game. The world is big, open, highly rendered, and true to the lore. It still amazes me how many little touches the developers have added. A hanging fountain here or floating island there really fills the world with life. It’s also really neat that each NPX gives you a little piece of flavor text that hints at the lore– above and beyond what I’ve seen in any other MMO to date.
  • Uniquely Final Fantasy: If you’re a fan of the franchise, you won’t be disappointed. The developers have really gone all out making this game call up old memories of Final Fantasy Past. The game is filled with art and sound effects from old games. Fans rejoice, you’ll feel right at home. All these little touches make it feel more like one of its console counterparts to me. I can honestly forget I’m playing an MMO sometimes.
  • Slower Paced – It’s Not About The Race… to the endgame. The whole game is paced slower. You go in, decide what you want to do, and do it. Things will take longer here, sure, but leves are so rewarding that leveling up shouldn’t be a problem (at least early on, I don’t know about later). It reminds me of Fallen Earth a bit in that I don’t feel pressured to “gogogo.” I can choose what I want to do, when, simply because I’m not restricted to one set class. It’s incredibly freeing.
  • So Much To Look Forward To! As Vagabond Sam pointed out in a comment on yesterday’s post, joining now means you’re in at the ground floor. He raised some good points on quests to come, chocobo stables, and the opening of Ishguard. This is a good time to join up if you like being a part of the commotion. FFXI usually had a major patch every three months, too, so there’s a lot in store for FFXIV if they keep up the same pacing.

As you can see, there’s a lot of reasons why I think FFXIV is worth playing and now. These are probably my biggest points but I’d like to hear from you. Why do you think it’s worth playing – or not? I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

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12 comments

The Multiverse – Episode #27: “The More Things Change…”

Categories:

a. MMORPG, d. Everything Else

September 28, 2010

by

Hi Everybody,

Busy show this week! We were joined again by Gavin for the Flex Your Geek and MMO Voices podcasts, so thanks again to him for tagging along and keeping us in line. This week’s topics include:

  • The Michael Jackson MMO – Will Bubbles live to see the morning?
  • MMO Anniversaries – Three in one week!
  • MMOs and Smart Phones – How GW2 is taking things to the next level.
  • Does everything need its own comic book? I mean, really.
  • Finally we get to our main topic: the evolution of the MMO. As time goes on, we’re seeing more and more games being tagged with those precious three letters. Titles like Vindictus, DCUO, MAG, and FFXIV challenge what it is we accept the term to mean. Is that expansion a good thing or are we watering down industry expectations?

Forgive me, I’m short on time at the moment, but this is a good one, I promise.

Relevant Links:

Enjoy!

Vagary Homepage
Subscribe to the Show
iTunes Feed
Direct Download
[audio: http://vagary.tv/multiverse/episodes/multiverse27.mp3]

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2 comments

Should I Buy: FFXIV Pt. 1 – Why You Should Wait

Categories:

a. MMORPG

September 28, 2010

by

Update: As I usually do, I mirrored this post over at MMO Voices and have gotten some great responses and rebuttals to my points. I’m still very new to the game, myself, so take a look at some other points of view. Also, please note that I’m not saying the game is bad, unfinished, or not worth investigating if you’re interested. I’m having a great time. This is just to show both sides of the coin and is only my opinion (like everything else on this site :-))

Hey Gang,

As you know, I’ve been having fun in FFXIV lately and enjoying this very different take on the MMORPG. Still, if you’ve heard me on the Multiverse or MMOV podcast, I’ve also said that I didn’t think the game was ready for release. It’s come a long ways since beta but it still has its issues. The $50 box price is nothing to scoff at, so, in the interest of fairness, I wanted to show both sides of the game.

Over the next couple days, I’ll be posting a pair of posts showing why you may or may not want to buy the game. Since I’ve already talked it up, here are the reasons you may want to hold off:

  1. The game still has a ways to go. Reward distribution is a bit borked. I get that they’re trying to encourage players to trade but when Limsa Lominsa’s newbie leves give multiple loot rewards and Ul’dah’s give none there’s a problem. There are lots of small bugs that range from negligible to downright annoying. The launch build introduced a new one where you aren’t able to hit a mob because “the target is already engaged.” Meanwhile, it attacks you just fine.
  2. Chat is about non-existent. Maybe it’s because people are using gamepads. Maybe it’s just because chat is spammed with other player’s crafting messages. Or maybe it’s because there’s no intuitive way to communicate with the whole zone. Either way, most people aren’t talking. To get an answer to a question today, I had to explain to use /shout so I could hear them. I’d be lying if I said this didn’t make the game feel a bit lonely at times. Ironic because there are always people around.
  3. There are still no real quests. Pushing the leve timer down to 24 hours 36 hours is a good step but it’s not far enough. The game would really benefit from some traditional quests. If for nothing else, it would break up the monotony for people who don’t want to gather, craft, or grind. The game right now is 8 daily quests (albeit highly rewarding ones) and story missions every 10 levels. Thankfully, crafting and gathering are significantly more interesting, rewarding, and fun than in most other MMOs.
    1. There’s some discrepancy on the leve timers. 36 hours on battle leves is what I’ve been able to source, though several people in-guild have reported 24. Leaving it as 36 since that’s what’s out there, atm.
  4. Guilds — linkshells in the FF universe — are pretty much glorified chat channels. There is talk of introducing “companies” that will be significantly more important to gameplay but, right now, they don’t offer much other than a private channel.
  5. Performance is still clunky and laggy. Framerates are better than OB for most players but it still chugs along in cities. The UI is MUCH better than open beta but it’s still laggy in parts – namely when you’re initiating leves or assigning skills to the hotbar.
  6. Controls still seem obtuse and restrictive. Now, FFXI fans won’t be bothered and, admittedly, once you’re used to them they stop being a pain entirely. Still, coming from other MMOs, they’ll seem foreign and the inability to change most bindings will be frustrating. My advice: drop the mouse and get used to just using the keyboard. It will be annoying for a little bit but will get better. Not having to use the mouse is actually a bit nice, honestly.

There are lots of issues people are raising with the game but these are the ones I think are most important to start with.

Square has a proven track record of consistently adding content and addressing issues. In a few months, I’d imagine most, if not all, of the above issues will be fixed and we’ll have a decent content patch added.

Check back this week for the reasons why I think the game is worth buying.

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6 comments

Tips and Tricks for the FFXIV Newbie (Guide)

Categories:

a. MMORPG, g. Guides

September 27, 2010

by

Since FFXIV is still so foreign to most of us, I thought it would be a good idea to share our own tips and tricks. Here’s a disorderly list I wrote up this morning. I’m going to compile these into a bigger guide, so please help to make it better!

  1. Make sure to spend your stat points when you level! It’s entirely possible to be at level cap with level 1 stats
  2. Strength, Vitality, and Dexterity are important for melee classes, Intelligence, Mind, and Peity for Magic users
  3. Make sure to pick up guildleves from your capital city. If you don’t register for them in town, they won’t be available at the aetheryte stone
  4. You will only regen HP if your weapon is put away (also known as being in Passive Mode); MP is only regenerated at aetheryte stones or through certain abilities
  5. Change classes simply by changing weapons! You can pick up the appropriate weapons at the desk merchants of each guild in the capital cities. Not all guilds are available in each city, so be prepared to travel if you want them all
  6. Classes are only a guideline! You can equip any skill from any class, which means how your character ends up is up to you. As a rule, melee class skills tend to compliment each other, as do magic. Find skill lists here and here
  7. While it’s possible to level every class, it would take forever to do so. We suggest choosing a main class and a sub-job which compliments it
  8. New story quests typically become available every ten levels
  9. Guild leves are the most frequent type of “guided content” available in FFXIV and are available for crafters, gatherers, and combatants alike; they’re on a 24-hour timer and are very rewarding. The first leves are typically available in the inn where you receive your first story quests. Find the quest givers by looking for glowing blue aetheryte and by the crowd of people usually surrounding them
  10. You do not have to quest to progress in the game. Grinding is one of the best ways to progress your character and is encouraged during your downtime. Note that grinding is not required early on unless you want to. If you’re comfortable playing for an hour or so a day, guild leves should nicely sustain you
  11. Use your mini-map! White dots are players, yellow dots are mobs, and red dots are guild leve targets
  12. Monster loot automatically goes into your inventory
  13. Don’t be so quick to vendor that “trash.” Even things useless to you might be important to crafters. Be sure to check before losing out on the extra gil!
  14. Don’t always assume “solo” is the best option for guildleves. As you level, try the higher options for better rewards and more challenge.
  15. Get used to playing *only* with the keyboard. You can use your mouse, but the game controls much better if you “two hand” it and leave the mouse to the side. Alternatively, the game is also optimized for use with a controller
  16. Equip new skills by going to “Actions & Traits” and selecting your weapon/class.
  17. When you die in the field, don’t wait for a ressurect! Choose “return” from the menu to warp to your aetheryte binding
  18. Don’t feel like running? Use the teleport option to warp to any aetheryte you’ve previously visited– but be careful, as it uses Anima to avoid abuse.
  19. Guilds in FFXIV are known as linkshells and you can join up to eight of them!
  20. – Check your inventory often! Loot rewards will often scroll by in your chat unseen, so make sure not to miss out
  21. Hit Ctrl+R to quickly reply in chat
  22. Num Pad – to open the menu
  23. Move the camera with J, I, K, L and zoom with O,P
  24. To take a screenshot, hold Scroll Lock + Print Screen (Scroll Lock hides the UI)
  25. /tell to tell, /sh to shout (good for talking to the wider region – text appears orange in chat)
  26. Don’t be afraid to help a stranger. This is a group-based game and the kindness of strangers will often make the difference between life and death
  27. There aren’t as many random mobs as there are in other games (for now). Maximize the grinds and guildleves by grouping up. Don’t be nervous about asking new people for help or offer your own
  28. Keep an eye out for chests! You’ll often find these while out completing leves. Word has it that higher difficulty often means better rewards in chests, too! (unconfirmed)
  29. Keep an eye out for the exclamation point on the top of your screen. It means there’s something to interact with nearby. Examine it by opening the menu and selecting the top option.
  30. Finished all your leves in one region but haven’t got your “daily 8?” Make a trip to another capital and start on those
  31. Not all professions are offered at every city. While you’re traveling, pick up the leves there!
  32. Enable the hardware mouse in the configuration utility (located in your Start Menu->SQUARE ENIX->Final Fantasy XIV Config)
  33. Not sure if your computer can handle it? Try starting the game at its lowest settings and work up. This can be done by accessing the same configuration utility and going to General->Video Settings (thanks Kailea!)
  34. When an NPC “marks your map,” check the mark by clicking “map” at the bottom of your journal entry. These marks do not appear on your normal map.

That’s all I have. How about you?

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49 comments

Why Trolls Puzzle Me

Categories:

a. MMORPG, d. Everything Else

September 25, 2010

by

Just a quick one today and not gaming related. Still, I think the topic is relevant since we both find ourselves here cruising the blogosphere. I’m lucky enough to have a kind and courteous audience, but we’ve all come across trolls at some point. Trolls are those commenters who pop up now and again to disagree with a blogger and like to throw around insults to support their argument. At times, you might even see where they’re coming from before it goes downhill.

I think it’s reasonable to say that most bloggers probably expect to be disagreed with now and again. Most of those I talk to regularly actually enjoy it; it challenges them and fuels a discussion. A lot of us even talk the Free Speech position and don’t remove even low-balled attacks. That’s because we recognize the value a good comments section adds to the conversations we’re trying to create. But, trolls are another thing entirely.

I don’t understand them. See, if I don’t like what someone is saying on their blog the answer is simple: I stop reading. Maybe that’s because I’m a blogger and I know how much page views and Google rank mean to some people. But, just like in real life, I don’t hang out places that are directly contrary to how I feel. There are cases where I disagree, sure, but the debater in me wants to makes me want to convince the writer they’re wrong. The only way to do that is to show them. If I’m mad, I might even be blunt. But to attack? What’s the point? That’s kind of like going to someone else’s house and calling them an idiot for the color of their shades.

I bring this up because of a recent post over at Tobold’s blog. In it, he opens the door for people to insult him, get their trolling out there, and be done with it. A lot of people rose to the occasion and told him not to worry about it. Others rose in a different way and let loose. I have to admire what he did there. In a single stroke, he clearly identified the commenters whose posts probably aren’t worth reading, nailed them for continuing to hang on his every word (which, to me, says a lot about their personal lives), and let them provide the entertainment while he was away at work. Congrats, seriously, because most of them have no idea what really happened.

See, Tobold gets nailed a lot for having a thin skin. I don’t really see it like that. The guy’s human. If I got as many troll comments as he gets, it would bother me too. Hell, I had a comment recently that I didn’t quite understand and it bothered me. Blogging is an incredibly personal experience. Every post, the author is sharing a piece of himself with his audience. Some people are better at shrugging off criticisms, but most of us are friendly people wanting to be part of a community. Sharing is caring, right? I really don’t think getting annoyed when someone insults you is some personal flaw. When you put yourself out there, you leave yourself open to attack. That doesn’t mean getting insulted is fun or doing the insulting is OK.

I have to admit, it wasn’t even about me, but one of the comments on his post got to me. Commenter Proze made a point to not only criticize Tobold but also Darren of Common Sense Gamer and Andrew of Systemic Babble. Talk about pent up hostility; those two weren’t even involved! What bothered me is that this guy felt the need to dig at two people who, even if we don’t always agree (and we do agree, far more often than not), are nice guys. Normal guys, who choose to put their opinions on the internet about subjects they’re passionate about. I’ve yet to see either of them attack anyone else because, well, they’re nice people. So, unprovoked, Proze feels the need to insult them. You have to shake your head at that.

I imagine trolls in a couple of ways. Either they’re the embittered, button-down, semi-pro who can’t express their frustrations in real life, or they’re that kid who got a “needs improvement” next to social skills on their report card. Either one is honestly pretty sad.

Here’s what I really makes me wonder: at the end of the day we’re all human. The mask of anonymity the internet provides is just that, only a mask to hide the real person behind it. Whether you’re cruel to someone face to face or on the internet I don’t think makes much difference. So, when they look in the mirror and ask themselves “am I a good person,” how does what they say online somehow not count?

Anyways, that’s my thought for today. Have a great weekend all!

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17 comments

Question: Anyone Interested in Extra Life Sponsorship?

Categories:

d. Everything Else

September 23, 2010

by

Hey Guys,

Just curious: If I were to sign up and do the 24-hour Child’s Play marathon, would anyone be interested in sponsoring me? I haven’t done it in the past because I always kind of doubted anyone would be willing to pay $24 to see me play video games. But, hey, maybe I’m wrong. If you’re interested, shoot me an email at Chris -at- gamebynight -dot- com.

~Chris

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2 comments

FFXIV Collector’s Edition – Pictures!

Categories:

a. MMORPG

September 22, 2010

by

Hey Gang,

I got lucky and was able to pick up a CE edition of FFXIV without a pre-order — one of only three available in my area. I was pretty excited, so I took pictures of the unboxing. Here’s a picture of the full, big box:

The box came with a firm plastic cover with the title and other labels on it. The actual box doesn’t have anything other than the art.

To keep from spamming the main page too much, follow after the cut for more!

Read the rest of this entry »

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17 comments

Nostalgia and the Super Nintendo

Categories:

a. MMORPG, b. Console

September 22, 2010

by

With FFXIV launching tomorrow, I haven’t had much desire to play other MMOs. I’ve spent a little time working on Book 7 in LotRO but knowing that I’ll soon be have a new “main game” somehow makes the experience feel empty. With the blogosphere raging over the great nostalgia debate of 2010 (also known as the summer slump), I’ve been thinking about my own gaming past and, inevitably, I found myself thinking of the SNES.

The Super Nintendo was the system I cut my teeth on. Well, I was around for the late days of the Atari and enjoyed my share of Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt (remember having to blow on games to get them to work?), but the SNES came out right as I got old enough to really consider myself a “gamer.” Since my dad was a fisherman, I spent a lot of time playing Bassin’s Black Bass and Bass Pro. I knew nothing about the intricacies of fishing, but I loved participating in tournaments.  That might have been where I began but I played lots more. Super Mario World was another old favorite. Remember the giant bullet? The goal post stage marker?

Later on I discovered Earthworm Jim. Those games will always stick with me. Before then, I’d never really seen humor done well in a video game before that. I think I laughed out loud the first time I saw a cow hanging from a crane waiting to be shot down. Everything about that game made it memorable, from the imaginative levels and enemies, to the cartoon sound effects.

The two that I’ve really been wanting to visit though are the original Donkey Kong Country and Super Metroid. Two examples of platforming done right.

Donkey Kong really epitomizes what the SNES was for me. Levels were simple but challenging. You had to rely on timing if you wanted to get by. Enemies were distinctly bad but in a non-threatening, cartoon kind of way. To kill things you’d either jump on their heads or throw barrels at them. As a kid living with a single father, having Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong team up was especially neat. I think I thought that if my dad and I were monkeys, that’s who we’d be. I especially loved the mine cart levels. All you had to do was jump but, jeez, your timing had to be spot on or you’d crash every time.

And then there was Super Metroid. It was the first game I ever remember beating. Back then, I think I had it down to just under three hours on a playthrough (and I played through it probably five or six times). Pretty different from nowadays. For being a game so short in comparison to today’s games, it had a lot of depth. You’d explore levels, beat lots of aliens with unique strengths and weaknesses, and upgrade your varia suit with new weapons and abilities. By the end when you’d face off against Mother Brain you were a badass. Then, old Brainy would just about kill you and make you even more of a badass.

A monkey riding a rhino killing beavers. Jungle beavers. Thank you, Nintendo.

I could go on but you probably don’t want to hear it all.

I spent the better part of tonight playing some of these again on the PC. I even plugged in an old gamepad so I could play them proper. While games have certainly come a long way, these old favorites are still just as fun as they were years back. What really got me though was just how different our take on gaming was back then. Platformer games had the thinnest veil of a story, an excuse to get you playing really. So much was innocent, too. It wasn’t about headshots or kill counts. It was about collecting coins, and rings, and extra lives. Bad guys were bad but they still seemed kind of snuggly– you wouldn’t expect them to actually hurt you anyways.

While I love where games are at today, tonight really reminded me of why I play games in the first place. High definition graphics and deep systems are nice, but, really, we could lose all that and I’d still be a gamer. Back then, I played because the enemies, levels, and challenges made me smile. It could be as simple as a timed button press, but if that press moved the screen just a little bit more to the right, gave me a funny noise or animation, or gave me some special power or attack, I was happy. That’s the kind of experience that made a gamer out of me. Games today do that in their own special way, but it was nice to get back to my 32-bit roots.

When it comes to MMOs, I think it’s the same thing. Games today do a lot of what their forebears did, they’re just different. It doesn’t mean they’re bad or “not as good” as those of yesteryear. And, just like with the Super Nintendo, as much as the vets look back on those old days and reminisce, not many would actually go back if they could. They play today’s games because, well, they’re today’s games. For consoles and MMOs alike, I think we can all agree that there are things to love past, present, and future.

How about you? Any golden oldies you’re especially fond of?

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