Summer Games Challenge 2015

[Ack]

I also would argue in favor of games like Jak and Sly, if only because they're an excellent barometer for where the platforming genre was during the 6th console generation.

[noiseredux]

I might just bypass a list and play what I feel like playing, since that's usually what ends up happening anyways. Maybe I'll just feel like playing Bonk and FFIV anyway.

[alienjesus]

I also would argue in favor of games like Jak and Sly, if only because they're an excellent barometer for where the platforming genre was during the 6th console generation.

They're also the defining product of that generation of 3 of Sony's most well-known and most popular studios.

[darsparx]

I swear I tried putting kingdom hearts on my list last year and dsh did his non-classic stance on it...I could be wrong though...if it does count then it's going on mine(and I'll end up playing the 1.5 remix of it)

I also would argue in favor of games like Jak and Sly, if only because they're an excellent barometer for where the platforming genre was during the 6th console generation.

Not the words I was going to go for, but I'm going to argue it too. I mean I'd played a few levels of 2d ones before making a jump to n64(and some plays I squeezed in at store demo's of sly and ratchet) with how well they sold, relation to the platforming genre of the time, and everything else I'd think they'd count

[prfsnl_gmr]

For the record, I agree with everything people have said about Jak, Ratchet, and Sly. I just don't think that they are quite old enough for "classic" status yet.

[MrPopo]

You guys realize Dsh isn't a mod anymore; if you guys want to call something a classic he doesn't have the power to overrule that.

[Sarge]

Depends on your definition of "classic". Where are we drawing the line? Critical acclaim? Commercial acclaim? Known well in retro circles? I mean, there's a ton of subjectivity here.

Also, have we decided how far back we're willing to go with this? Is sixth-gen off-limits this time around? That means no Dreamcast, by the way. Unless we're going for a date cutoff.

If sixth-gen is in-bounds, then the Jak / Sly / Ratchet triumvirate are definitely classics.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I go with games that are 15+ years old and (1) are/were critically acclaimed; or (2) strongly influenced game design or the video game industry.


This is why the first game I am going to beat this summer is...

E.T.

[Ack]

Haha, true, and we all have differing interpretations of what is considered a "classic."

I prefer considering historical relevance, a game's position and influence within both its generation and its genre, the importance of its series(if any), the influence and importance of the creator or engine the game is built upon, relevance in varying markets and cultures, etc. Other folks may not consider any or all of these reasons or may implement their own. But it makes for an entertaining discussion when we sit down and debate the merits of the games we play.

This is kind of like a personal Together Retro to help discover the history of video games based upon our own areas of interest and our relative positions of strength and weakness within our knowledge and/or tastes.

I don't think there should be a cut-off for time necessarily, though I urge trying to avoid the current generation. But even one generation back, it's easy to see the influence of certain games. If someone came on here and proposed Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Minecraft, or Uncharted, I'd say go for it.

[alienjesus]

I go with games that are 15+ years old and (1) are/were critically acclaimed; or (2) strongly influenced game design or the video game industry.


This is why the first game I am going to beat this summer is...

E.T.

I go for games at least 2 generations back which were influential or especially critically acclaimed in their genre on on their console, or which were a defining part of a specific developers work.