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Top 5 annoyingly dumbed down game series

Are core gamers simply being a bit elitist, stuck in the past, or do they have valid complaints about certain games being dumbed down to suit a wider audience?

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msxbox-world.com
RaidensRising5246d ago

I'm not sure I would agree with the "annoyingly" sentiment but the way I see it is games primarily have to sell well for developers to make more of them. If games cater towards niche markets only then as a business they could fail to reap the profits required to continue.

I'll agree some game series have been well butchered, but I also accept that this is simply a matter of natural progression, no matter how much it hurts inside.

Solid_Snake375246d ago (Edited 5246d ago )

Yeah, try beating MGS4 on Boss Extreme, under 5 hours, less than 25 saves, no alerts, no recovery items and no kills. Lets see if MGS4 was really dumbed down. The octocamo (they misspelled it >.>) Really doesn't get you very far if you dont know how to use it. Leave it to msxbox-world to make retarded articles like this.

sikbeta5245d ago

Came here to post This.

xPhearR3dx5245d ago

lol you could do that with any game. Limiting yourself of the games features and abilities to make it more of a challenge doesn't mean the game wasn't dumbed down.

Lets take COD for example, the biggest dumbed down game of all. Try beating COD MW3 on Veteran, under 6 hours, without dying, no grenades, and pistols only. That doesn't magically transform the game into "hardcore" .

STONEY45245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

TRY PLAYING SPLINTER CELL CONVICTION ON DA HIGHEST DIFFICULTY WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT WHEN POSSIBLE, IT'S TOTALLY NOT DUMBED DOWN BRO.

/sarcasm

Shooting things up was by far the easier route in MGS4. Why? Because the amount of enemies you're killing allows you to get a lot of cash for the upgrades, ammo, and guns. Which is why it's highly recommended to play through it at least once or twice before attempting the Big Boss Emblem, and stock up on the stuff you need. Cause an Alert in MGS4, and it's far easier to kill everyone plus reinforcements instead of hiding.

I would know because I had the emblem and completed the game itself over 10 times. In other MGS games, you couldn't just play all out action and survive. You had the means to live if you got an alert, but your first course of action would be to kill the enemies currently attacking you and try to break the alert. In MGS4, you can fend off tons of enemies.

Nearly every act can be played killing everyone, without any problem at all. It wasn't viable to do that in Big Shell, or the mountain base in MGS3.

-Superman-5245d ago

Still 50% of end game there is only shooting

morganfell5245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

In MGS3 really? I have stealthed my way through and I have also gone through and killed everyone I encountered. All you need to do is use the other mechanics which the game provides and playing frontal assault isn't that difficult in MGS3. Nothing like shooting The End in his wheel chair. There are plenty of things you can do if you are quick that will reduce the problems you encounter later.

I found obtaining the Big Boss Emblem in MGS4, and if you are going to discuss the difficulty at least be able to correctly name it and understand the difference between Big Boss Extreme and the Big Boss Emblem...much more challenging. Particularly so when you reach the Missouri.

Remember, one feature is a difficulty setting (Big Boss Extreme) and one is the emblem (Big Boss Emblem) you receive for beating the game on that difficulty (Big Boss Extreme) while adhering to certain restrictions. So if you are going to discuss and debate it at least take the time to understand what you are claiming to do.

There are numerous places in the game that make obtaining the Big Boss Emblem far more challenging than most titles. For example, in the motorcycle sequence you get shot at ...a lot. And considering 2 shots can kill you well, do the math.

No continues, no health items, that means no rations, noodles, or Regain, no alerts, no kills, and you can't use special items. And you have to beat the Game on Big Boss Extreme to get the Big Boss Emblem.

This game is a landmark achievement and the best game I have played to this day. A wonderful crowing achievement to 20 years of great game making. It hardly deserves to be on this list, if for no other reason than the intricacy of the story itself.

The author is likely one of those Fast Forward types. Or else he despises the first requirement necessary to play the game...buy a PS3. After all, this is another attack on the PS3 and it's games by a site known for such worthless writing.

Do not forget to rate the site accordingly at the top by clicking the link beneath "Read full story>>".

ZBlacktt5245d ago

This reply right here....A+

Nate-Dog5245d ago

MGS4 is still far easier and simpler than MGS-MGS3.

BattleAxe5245d ago

SOCOM should be at the top of the list. I personally really liked RSV 1&2, and while I used to play Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm online on my PS2 back when it came out which was one of my favorite games last generation, GRAW2 on PS3 was a really good game which was the closest thing to a real SOCOM game that actually worked good(SOCOM: Confrontation was painful for the first year and a half). MGS4 wasn't dumbed down at all, unless you call the 360 degree camera and better graphics dumbed down....mind you, this is MSXbox World we are talking about, and of course they always take a jab at the best PS3 exclusives whenever they can.

Ducky5245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

"After all, this is another attack on the PS3 and it's games by a site known for such worthless writing."

The list contains other games, including a game that isn't on the PS3.
Yet, because one of the games on the list was a PS3 exclusive, the site is trying to attack the PS3?
O.o

RumbleFish5245d ago

Crap article. Morganfell is absolutely right. I had a blast aquiring the BBE.

But: the best thing is to get all emblems, start a new game, and listen to "Snake Eater" on your ipod. Never got a better reward in a game. Goose bumps guaranteed!

MysticStrummer5245d ago

The title of the article, along with the MGS4 pic, assures that I won't give the site a hit. Whatever other titles are on their list, MGS4 shouldn't be.

LastDance5245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

"Whilst we're on the subject of Metal Gear, you had to beat the games to unlock the stealth camo in past Metal Gear Solid games, MGS 4 simply gave you Otocamo from the offset, which is kind of like cheating really. You can't get more dumbed down than that."

wow....retard

Panthers5245d ago

Wow, you are basically setting your own rules to go by in order to make it difficult. MGS4 was incredibly easy compared to the first MGS. I loved the game and beat it at least 3 times. However, the fact you could get ammo/weapons at any time really dumbed the game down. Also, enemy AI was not the best. If a soldier sees a fellow soldier drop from a sniper shot, he shouldnt run over to the body and kneel at it wondering what happened. I believe I sniped over 50 people before getting bored one day doing this (for no reason, just to see how many I could get)

Otherwise its an amazing game with a fantastic story. But it was a bit too easy and dumbed down.

Imalwaysright5245d ago

"For example, in the motorcycle sequence you get shot at..." I remember doing that part while trying to get the BB emblem. To this day i dont even know how i managed to pass that part of the game or how my controller survived to tell the story... if you know what i mean...

ZippyZapper5245d ago

MGS4 on Boss Extreme is only 5 hours?

Saladfax5245d ago

Getting Big Boss emblem isn't even that difficult if you don't use a fresh save. Starting on a naked run? Yeah, that's a different story.

I have to agree though. Stealth and careful approach doesn't have near the emphasis it did in previous titles. Yeah, you still *can* do those things, but it's more of a secondary choice to killing/tranqing everyone and waltzing through. Doesn't make it bad, but it doesn't make it very challenging.

Soldierone5245d ago

@xPhear

I did that without trying, thats considered dumbed down. Its like saying MGS4 on easy was...easy...so its dumbed down, its not. On normal and up, its harder than other games. COD on hard is still not hard, thats dumbed down. When other FPS have to get rid of weight on guns or other mechanics because its too hard for COD players, thats dumbed down.

MGS4 is not dumbed down....Just because basic mechanics are updated and easier to use like they were originally intended doesn't make it dumbed down....

Tommykrem5245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

Agree!
I think this article is provoking for the sense of being provoking. Fair enough, but saying MGS is dumbed down is a long shot. I'd say he's only scratched the surface of MGS4, which is sort of contrary to what the article is about. Core gaming my ass. Also, you can't do whatever you wan't in Elder Scrolls V for game design reasons, restrictions to further story and plot has nothing to do with the game being dumbed down.

Fact is that playing MGS without stealth has always been a possibility, but I don't think stealth has ever been as satisfying alternative as in the later installments. In MGS1 you try to avoid people's line of sight. In MGS3 and 4 you need camouflage, right choice of path, far more equipment and to fool the opponents sight, hearing and even nose! EVEN NOSE!

+ Show (15) more repliesLast reply 5245d ago
dedicatedtogamers5246d ago

LOL @ an Xbox site remarking on a game that isn't on Xbox. Perhaps if you tried to beat the game with no alerts and no kills (a pretty basic task for devoted MGS fans), then you might not think it's so easy. Add in any various restrictions such as CQC only, beat in under 6 hours, etc and you have quite a challenging game.

KaBaW5245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

Like others have said, though, you could do that with many games..
Play Skyrim with no healing what so ever, using only a sword and no armor.
Play CoD; beat it under 6 hours, never killing an enemy with a same weapon.
Play NBA with only one player making every point, and from the 3 point line.
Play Madden using only the QB running the ball, blitz everyone on defense.

Because you can make the game harder on yourself, doesn't make it harder.

dedicatedtogamers5245d ago

@ KaBaW

Except that - unlike the games you mentioned - MGS4 actually gives you rewards for doing such things.

Or hey, just play the game on Boss Extreme. Forget the extras. See how "dumbed down" that is.

darthv725245d ago

so because they are an xbox site they can't play games on other platforms? Perhaps they are more "dedicated to gaming" than you think.

Baka-akaB5245d ago

could be fine and genuine , if said site wasnt accustomed to those weird weird list and articles . LIke say "we dont really need that XXX exclusive game on ps3" .

To much competition trashing and biased listing , to be considered even remotely honest when talking about /other consoles

P_Bomb5245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

Considering they have a well documented history of pumping out sensationalist slag, I'm less inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Msxboxworld and similarily named Planetxbox360 were two of the more antagonistic sites 'round here in 2011.

AmazingBrian5245d ago

Resident Evil should be on this list.

RedDead5245d ago

Dumbed down is hardly what you could call RE. It just...switched genre.

vortis5245d ago

RedDeadDestroyer, AmazingBrain is right: RE5 was really dumbed down for the CoD kiddies.

It was identical to Resident Evil 4 in gameplay (how could it switch genres if it's built ontop of the EXACT same mechanics?) they just made RE5 so freaking easy and predictable it was laughable. In fact, they didn't change anything from RE4 except for the menus and quick-switching and made it where there were no surprises just waves after waves of baddies to shoot. It doesn't get anymore dumb-downed then that.

Switching genres, as you put it, would be Fallout 2 to Fallout 3...it went from a turn-based strategy RPG to a real-time action RPG. However, Fallout 2 to Fallout 3, despite switching genres WAS NOT as dumbed-down as Resident Evil 4 to Resident Evil 5.

Bloodraid5245d ago

Who said anything about Resident Evil 5? Looks like you've never played a Resident Evil game other than 4 or 5.

vortis5245d ago

@Bloodraid

Dude, I've been playing Resident Evil since the original debuted on PC way back in 1997. A friend of mine brought over the demo from his Ultra Gamer magazine, remember that?

And NO, RE did not switch genres it switched camera angles. That hardly counts as switching genres. It was still horror-survival. Instead of moving around with that fixed camera view (which obscured a lot of the action most times) you were simply given a new perspective in which to view the action but everything else stayed exactly the same: from item use to not being able to move while firing weapons. Again, other than the camera everything about RE stayed exactly the same.

Apparently you, sir, are the one who has not played the other RE games.

Bloodraid5244d ago

It only switched camera angles? Really?

> Currency didn't exist in the older games.

> Enemies dropping items and ammunition, encouraging people to kill instead of survive

> Buying Items and Weapons from Shops instead of finding them throughout the game.

> Upgrading weapons with currency instead of parts.

> Set in remote parts of Africa, and not an urban environment.

> Replaced save points with a stupid linear checkpoint system.

Face it, you're wrong and have no idea what you're talking about.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5244d ago
fr00ty-wizenhymer5245d ago

I agree with this article completely.

SephirothX215245d ago

What do they mean MGS4 is dumbed down? Try beat that game while working the controller with your penis. It might be a bit more difficult for women. If they think that comment is sexist, they must have a penis.

/sarcasm

Dysmorphic5245d ago

I'm not sure as to whether it's humorous or just plain depressing that three of the five listed titles are developed by Ubisoft. Probably the latter.

Majin-vegeta5245d ago

We all know cod should be number one-____-.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 5244d ago
Gearshead755246d ago

I'm in agreement with Raiden, but the author needs to factor in the difficulty you played the game on. I know I always enjoyed each of the Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon games playing on realistic difficulty (I think that is what it was called). It offered a more strategic aspect of the game where you didn't just run and gun. Especially the t-hunts...great fun and memories with friends trying to finish them.

Splinter Cell has been a huge disappointment this generation and is nothing like it use to be. While they have still been enjoyable the experience just isn't the same.

vortis5245d ago

LOL two commenters just below you say the exact opposite. You must be over 18 and they must be under 18.

The only people who actually liked SC: Conviction were those who didn't really dig stealth-action games in the first place. If you go from playing the best in the series (Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory) to playing the newest in the series (Splinter Cell: Conviction) you'll find that you can breeze through Conviction with ease but you'll end up throwing the controller at the wall in Chaos Theory. The AI is more unrelenting and you don't have all the hand-holding going on in older Splinter Cell games.

While a lot of people will say "Yeah just put it on the EXTREME difficulty setting" they're missing the point that it's still hand-holding. Just like, in CoD you'll always have regenerating health and quick-scoping. It's just part of the game's mechanics to make it easier and more casual friendly...just like in Conviction Sam didn't even have to hide the bodies anymore and they completely removed the feature. Doesn't matter what difficulty setting you have on the lack of certain mechanics and features instantly makes it more casual/easier than previous iterations.

jetlian5245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

sam doesnt work for the gov so no need to hide bodies!!! I hated the hide bodies in the old SC. It was more of a time waster than anything else

CHARLIEBROWNE5245d ago

I don`t know what i want to say it would probably be racist so http://www.channel4.com/ass...

mynameisEvil5245d ago

"The only people who actually liked SC: Conviction were those who didn't really dig stealth-action games in the first place."

Um, yeah, no. I'm gonna have to disagree with that. Why? Because I've beaten every Theif game, Every Splinter Cell game, and I guess even every MGS game, but I still really liked Conviction.

Was it fit for Splinter Cell? Of course not, but that doesn't change that it was a pretty fun game, at least in my opinion.

Gearshead755244d ago

Over 18...yep. When I was talking about harder difficulties I just meant for R6 and GRAW. Those were very unforgiving and in no way did they hold your hand. No health regen....in r6 we usually went with a couple shield guys, a sniper, and someone with an AR or SMG for t-hunts and GRAW on realistic was TOUGH trying to complete the levels with objectives met (especially the one with the air field).

However you are 100% right with Conviction...the difficulty didn't change the game that much.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5244d ago
bunt-custardly5246d ago

I enjoyed SC Conviction, was certainly refreshing, and while the old stealth elements are missing it was still a very good game in terms of single-player and I was more happy to see that the co-op from Chaos Theory was expanded upon.

So long as developers keep achievements and trophies associated with higher difficulties in their games, there's still room for that hardcore bit of us to break through.

Pintheshadows5246d ago

I enjoyed Conviction as well. It mat not of been a traditional SC game but it was well made. I enjoyed punching a guys head through a sink as well.

PirateThom5246d ago

Octocamo didn't really dumb down MGS4... because it's not immediate and, unless you're motionless, it's not like it makes you invisble...

In fact, it's just a replacement for the Camo menu from MGS3....

Rising Revengence doesn't dumb down the series, it's not part of it... gameplay is too different.

Tanir5246d ago

people are moronic to keep saying that rising is dumbing down the series and etc when its an Action game and is a spin off, thats like saying that the 2 MGS card games changed the series lol.

and yeah i dont see how octo camo made anything dumbed down, it wasn't unbalanced and it fit well with the story and progression of tech in the world

Solid_Snake375246d ago

Yeah seriously, you had to stay motionless for 3 seconds before the octocamo kicks in. And i agree with you on mgs3, it wouldnt make sense to put mgs3s camo system on a game thats set in 2014 -_-

bigboss9115245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

I can't believe Rising is getting so much hate (even though I was worried when I learned that Platinum was taking it over and I have not been thoroughly impressed with them) Go back in time for those who played Vr missions on the Ps1. You can't sit there and honestly tell me that when you unlocked the Grey Fox missions, that you didn't want a game like that. Now we have one, and people want to bash it?......wtf
Also I used the costumes for each mission except 4and5, which didn't have a costume like 123 did. Running around with young snake face with rebel uniform in south america was like Mgs3 in hd for me. So no it was not dumbed down.

PirateThom5245d ago

I disagree, the special missions showed us that a Ninja game could work, if it's still stealth focused and actually like a ninja... Revengence shows that Devil May Cry and Bayonetta with Metal Gear characters is an odd solution to the problem of why the game didn't exist.

bigboss9115245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

Well that's what I was getting at when I mentioned Platinum games. If Kojima was over it from start to finish it would be that way. Its still could be stealth involved. We haven't seen everything so Im not going to outright hate it until I see a final product. Sorry if I wasn't clear in my first post. +bubs for the mature reply.

D3mons0ul5246d ago

msxboxworld just keeps getting more and more pathetic.

soundslike5245d ago

Nah, they pretty much have it spot on.

Although the main reason MGS4 was slightly dumbed down was Drebin, not the octocamo. Besides that I'd like to see people try to defend how exactly the other games weren't dumbed down

because you can't. At best you'll give a long winded answer as to why you still LIKE them regardless, which is irrelevant to this post. I love mgs4, that doesn't mean I'm going to get my panties in a wad about this article...

vyke35245d ago

If you're playing MGS4 on Boss extreme, you wouldn't be able to purchase rounds for your tranquilizer pistol and sniper rifle.

Siren305245d ago

Why? Because they say something negative about a ps3 exclusive? How dare them

Whackedorange5245d ago

I guess their journalists sometimes comes here and read some of the amazing comments :)

Brownghost5245d ago

actually i agree on most of it and stop trying look cool and awesome by saying you hate them

D3mons0ul5244d ago

Hate? I don't hate them

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50°

Konami Delists Some Metal Gear Games From Digital Stores Without Warning

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD have been delisted from digital stores without warning.

cloganart95d ago

I mean, it makes sense. With Vol.2 coming and all that

Commentby95d ago

Stupid headline. Should state that they are being updated or discontinued. This makes the crazy people that only read headlines think it some kind of conspiracy to take away peoples already purchased games.

jjb198195d ago

If you want to all of a sudden own them now and haven't played them yet because a remastered is coming out, shame on you. I can't believe people are complaining about this 15 years later when it was bound to happen anyway. "A new remaster is out, quick, I'd better buy the original from the shop."

gigoran895d ago

Gamers: "Physical? who needs physical? everyone knows that digital online games are the future. stop living in the past. we don't need no stinking disc drive"

Same gamers: "How dare the delist a digital game that I own!!!!"

computeSci94d ago (Edited 94d ago )

And? What is your point?

Same gamers: "How dare the retailers to delist (quit selling) a physical game that I own!!!!"

I think you just read the headline and don't know how dilisting works with Sony. It's common knowledge that:

"Players who already bought the games will still have them in their library and can download and play them as usual."

So again, what is your point?

100°

Ubisoft Confirms a New First-Person Ghost Recon Game is in Development

Ubisoft has confirmed in a shareholder meeting that it is working on a new first-person Ghost Recon game.

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insider-gaming.com
Barneyco310d ago

replaying breakpoint now. Please don't jack it up ubisoft.

DaleCooper310d ago

How is single player in Breakpoint? I loved Wildlands single player and have been thinking about getting Breakpoint.

Barneyco310d ago

I like it. I think its a little worse than wildlands overall but they really did alot to fix it from release. I would recommend it. Its been pretty cheap lately.

Deeeeznuuuts310d ago

Hopefully it's good, would really like a 60fps option for Wildlands and a Wildlands 2!

RaidenBlack310d ago

no
we (many of us old fans) dont want wildlands 2
and from the rumors ... it wont be another ubi-world ghost but rather old school first person tactical ghost

Flewid638310d ago

Wildlands 2 sounds like a dream come true

RaidenBlack308d ago

People complain that same ubi open world formula getting injected into most of their franchises on one hand and on the other, asks for wildlands 2 ... i mean ...

coolbeans310d ago

I might be onboard for this *if* it's like a quasi-futuristic Ready or Not. Even for a company like Ubisoft, they could have a genuine winner on their hands.

TheColbertinator310d ago

I prefer 3rd person Ghost Recon but anything should be better than Breakpoint.

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350°

PlayStation 3 Games That Desperately Need a PS5 Remaster

The PlayStation 3 may not have been the strongest generation for Sony, but there were still some diamonds in the rough that deserve a revisit as PS5 remasters.

Read Full Story >>
wealthofgeeks.com
OtterX808d ago (Edited 808d ago )

Even if they could just remaster and put on PSVR2, some would still look great as VR titles and could do a whole lot to bolster the headset w these exclusives! I'd imagine the investment of reworking these titles into VR would be way less than building new games from the ground up, and they could be amazing experiences, and VR often makes flat games feel fresh again. The Resistance and Killzone games are particularly what I want to see!!

Rude-ro808d ago

I played killzone 3 in 3d and it really changed the game per being immersive.
In vr, that would be even more awesome.

darthv72808d ago

Funny you mention that... my son wanted to play some PS3 games in 3d on my PS tv and he was blown away by how good KZ3 was. It really was a great addition to the game. Im surprised there have not been more 3d games from that era being ported to the PSVR/VR2.

_SilverHawk_808d ago

resistance 1-3, killzone 1-3, uncharted 1-3, uncharted golden abyss, folklore, socom 4 , motorstorm, twisted metal, MAG, heavenly sword

Cacabunga808d ago

Killzone 2+3
Sly Thieves in Time
Crack in Time
God of War Ascension
Motorstorm
Modnation racer
Infamous 1+2

Profchaos808d ago (Edited 808d ago )

Killzone trilogy in VR would be amazing bonus points if they offer shadow fall.

There was a psvr1 Killzone project that supermassive was working on at one stage which wasn't up to scratch and Sony brand it back in house I was hoping we would see that on psvr2 eventually.

Personally I'd love to see some more love or acknowledgement of psvr2 from Sony in general it was a expensive headset and Sony barely acknowledge it's existence

seanpitt23808d ago

The amount of work needed to remaster these games wouldn't be beneficial on a financial and business sense.. MGS4 would probably be the best bet as it would need the least amount of work!

Iceball2000808d ago

YEAAASSSSS! I miss this franchise and wanna play it so bad again.

Father__Merrin808d ago

The time is perfect for a resistance fall of man game campaign coop multiplayer

InUrFoxHole808d ago

The resistance series is str8 trash to me. Socom 3 I would welcome. Or killzone MP.

Marcus Fenix808d ago

A Resistance reboot will be awesome

Michiel1989808d ago

That's what Bungie should make, Ill keep saying it until it happens

1Victor808d ago (Edited 808d ago )

Resistance was ok but Warhawk and Starhawk was better and kept me coming back for almost a decade of fun and petty revenge on the loud mouth unskilled players 🤣
Edit I loved capture the flag dropping the pot on the flag carrier was extremely satisfying as well as transforming your plane in bot form and stumping them to death 😱

808d ago
Michiel1989808d ago

Resistance was the best co-op fps I ever played after L4D2

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