joe randel's art dump

Okay, so yesterday I went on a grandpa type rant about game design and how it lacks compared to games of days gone by.  There where lots of comments in the yey and nay categories with regard to the post and rather then comment back to each one I thought I’d flip it over and view some games that I think have great game design.  Just to prove myself wrong, here’s a short list.

Crazy Taxi – This game is the ultimate in terms of great design and challenge.  Why?  Well, the game world is set up but never changes for the player.  The game itself never increases or decreases in difficulty during play.  It’s only the player that can make each play time different.  The more skilled they are the better and longer they will play.  It also boils down to the player vs the clock.  Time is the only enemy the player will ever face… other then maybe running low on people to pick up if they get really good.

Shadow of the Colossus – This game is brilliant in terms of design (both play and artistically).  The player knows the goal for each Colossus.  Destroy it.  That’s it, that’s all.  But they have to figure out how to get the job one once they get there.  Kill it and get rewarded with the next Colossi to take down.  The player never gains any skills other then what they have.  No items… nothing.  The game is about the hunt and thats it.  But the hunt is mixed with a puzzle.  Can’t figure out how to kill the Colossus?  To bad for you… the game gives no pitty.

Metal Warriors – This game goes way back to the SNES days.  It’s pretty damn hard platformer where you pilot a mech but there is no health bar for you to check.  You just have to gauge how much damage you’ve taken as you play and if you start to smoke, then get the hell out.  And good luck to ya once you are out since you’ll have to find a mech to continue forward.  The game is relentless and there is no spoon feeding at all.  Ever.  It start challenging and ends challenging.  It’s one of those games that you hold your head high for beating because it’s that damn hard.  Yes… I beat it ^_^

Boktai – Remember this GBA title, the one where you need the sun to play?  It’s from Hideo Kojima and you play a vampire hunter but depending on the sun you can be stronger or weaker.  The sun also serves as a way to solve puzzles in the game.  Some called this game too gimmicky but I loved it.  The puzzles are great and really make you think and the sun plays a great roll in how and when you play.  Thus making the player not in control of every aspect of the character they’re playing with which means they’ll have to consider when it’ll be most in the their favor to play.  I loved it!

I guess that can be it for now, their are others out there with great game design but it’s late so I’m going to bed.

Any other games that people think I’ve over looked, or maybe not played?