Can a game get too realistic?

[J T]

I just watched the first 9 minutes of Heavy Rain for the PS3. The graphics are incredible. The lighting, the textures, and the animation are all very impressive. But not only do the game's graphics look realistic, your character's daily routine looks pretty realistic too. Too realistic. You make him get out of bed, shave, shower, brush his teeth, put his clothes on, drink some juice. I'm impressed with their ability to model real life, but if I was playing this game I would hope that my character owned some virtual videogames for me to play so that I wouldn't get bored.

I was pulling for this game to be cool because I like Indigo Prophecy, but it looks really boring from the first 9 minutes. All of these details just get in the way of a good game. Do I care what Contra's Bill and Lance had for breakfast before shooting the shit out of the military/alien overlords? No. Do I give a shit if Double Dragon's Billy and Jimmy shaved before they went to kick the holy living crap out of anyone between them and Billy's kidnapped girlfriend? No. Do I really want to have to run to the bathroom for a pissbreak before I take on a Cyber Demon in Doom? No. I don't. So why should I have to jiggle my controller to get this asshole to brush his damn teeth before the game finally gets around to starting? I think we've officially taken realism too far.


/pointless rant

[benderx]

You just got rain in your eyes, hehe.

[Gamerforlife]

Uh oh, it's Shenmue all over again. Am I'm sure the usual batch of pretentious reviewers will hop on the bandwagon and call it brilliant. Why don't games start focusing on realism where it counts like maybe making a shooter where your character isn't the frigging Terminator. Now THAT would be innovation.

You know...something REALLY next gen. Instead of silly gimmicks and nicer graphics. Am I ranting again? Damn

[Betamax001]

Why would I want to play a game that simulates real life to the teeth? If a game is going for the realistic route, I think it should simulate some aspect of life that I would never really do like drive a really fast car like in Gran Turismo for example. If a game is just going to be a real life simulator why not just live reality?

[molotovwars]

Why don't games start focusing on realism where it counts like maybe making a shooter where your character isn't the frigging Terminator. Now THAT would be innovation.

And then you would just call the game cheap because you died too quickly.

[J T]

Why don't games start focusing on realism where it counts like maybe making a shooter where your character isn't the frigging Terminator. Now THAT would be innovation.

And then you would just call the game cheap because you died too quickly.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you: You Only Live Once

[newt42]

Video games are supposed to be for crazy shit. If you want realistic, then step outside.

[Big Stupid]

Uh oh, it's Shenmue all over again. Am I'm sure the usual batch of pretentious reviewers will hop on the bandwagon and call it brilliant. Why don't games start focusing on realism where it counts like maybe making a shooter where your character isn't the frigging Terminator. Now THAT would be innovation.

You know...something REALLY next gen. Instead of silly gimmicks and nicer graphics. Am I ranting again? Damn

*Sniff* *sob* You leave Shenmue alone! You big bully! I only wish I could drive a forklift around professionally and pick up sailors. On second thought, perhaps 2 Shenmues are enough...

[ieatramen]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you: You Only Live Once

Thank you for this!

[MrPopo]

Uh oh, it's Shenmue all over again. Am I'm sure the usual batch of pretentious reviewers will hop on the bandwagon and call it brilliant. Why don't games start focusing on realism where it counts like maybe making a shooter where your character isn't the frigging Terminator. Now THAT would be innovation.

You know...something REALLY next gen. Instead of silly gimmicks and nicer graphics. Am I ranting again? Damn

I'm looking forward to the day they release a shooter where when you take one slug in the leg you stop being able to walk. Maybe some force feedback using the Wii vitality sensor to let you walk but you experience the pain.

I remember hearing once about a space sim that was hyperrealistic. It modeled Earth orbit and most people take weeks to do anything but fail at it.