neo-retro or new games that feel retro

[gennss]

I was listening to the pod cast from chasethechuckwagon and an interesting idea concept that I've been feeling but hadn't described was mentioned. Its how real retro tends to be considered 80's or older type gaming ie: pce, genesis nes, atari etc. But there are newer systems that feeeel retro, such as the dreamcast.

As i played some of my older games I was thinking about the games that simply gave me nostalgia even though I never played them until recently because of their style or music.

One of those games is Street Fighter Alpha 2, for some reason it felt retro to me immediately, perhaps its the sound track? (its the sole reason I'm keeping the saturn until now)

Another example is triggerheart, for some reason it bring out that joy in me, even more so than better shmups.

What games have you guys experienced that give you that feeling?

[the7k]

PixelJunk Eden is the best I can think of off the top of my head. Fez looks like it will be very 'new-retro', but it's not out yet so I can say. I'm sure Castle Crashers and Braid are like that as well, but I have yet to play either.

Edit: Also, Geometry Wars. I know everytime I hear that music, it feels like the old school. The Club is also a game that makes me feel like I'm back at the arcades, what with its strong emphasis on points.

[Curlypaul]

Ghost Squad just oozes classic Sega arcade charm from start to finish, and I'll second Geometry wars.

I also felt that Space Invaders Extreme was a good update - the gameplay was fast paced, the visuals exciting but still managed to capture the excense of the original.

[Pulsar_t]

Contra 4

[fingersmaloy]

I always felt like Sega in particular has a knack for preserving that lightweight, "retro" feel from the old days, and that's sort of what Sega's appeal is. Even in a game like Yakuza, it's not all that different from something like River City Ransom, if you think about it. Other examples would be Crazy Taxi, Jet Grind Radio, Rez, and probably Gun Valkyrie, although admittedly I haven't played that.

But now everyone's doing this sort of neo-retro thing and being very blatant about it. Which is fine with me, but it's sort of become its own thing now. Look at Everyday Shooter. It's modeled entirely after old analog shooters like asteroids, but with different, modern-day sensibilities.

[Jrecee]

I saw Sega had a new Outrun game for PS3, it reminded me of crazy taxi.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Yeah anything SEGA always has a serious Retro-Future appleal to me.

[J T]

It seems like there are two different schools to this retro-futurist thing happening in a lot of games now. Some games intentionally make reference to the look and sound of older games by using things like pixelated graphics or simple midi synth tone music, but they don't necessarily play like old games (games like Braid, RetroGameChallenge, or Mitsuo's level in Persona 4). The other type, is clearly a modern game in terms of how it looks and sounds, but the gameplay harkens back to the early days of 2-D side scrolling, enemies following set paths and reappearing after they've been off screen, or just plain hard games that require skill and memorization to complete.

I feel like you are looking for the second type, so here's a few examples of modern games with an oldschool feel:

Shinobi (PS2)- This game doesn't get the respect it deserves. It was a modern looking game upon release, but a lot of reviewers criticized it for being overly difficult. Old school gamers will recognize this games retro spirit though. Despite its modern trappings, this Shinobi has solid and deep gameplay that allows you to practice and really get good at it. It's not about exploring a 3-D world, it's not about managing item inventories, it's not about interacting with every piece of furniture or item you see, it's not about creating characters, and it's not about carrying on lengthy social simulations with NPCS. NO. Shinobi is about running a linear path at high speeds, jumping over spikes and pitfalls, and slicing up the holy living hell of anything that gets in your path. If it is too hard for you, then you get a shuriken to the face for being a cry baby. This game rocks.

The Red Star (PS2)- The Red Star is a wonderful mix of shooter and beat em up (shmup n' bump?). The graphics are 3D... actually kind of plain looking, but clearly not trying to look old, and the soundtrack is solid and pumping. Where it really shines though is in its old school sensibilities. The play control will have you mashing buttons to your hearts content. This was clearly designed by people that understood why games were fun in the 80s and 90s. It's all about dodging bullets and punching people in the face. If this came out 20 years ago, we would all be talking about how it was the greatest game of all time.


Maximo- Ghosts to Glory (PS2)- Goddamn Ghosts n' Goblins. I played that game to the end, only to find out that your first playthrough is "an illusion devised by satan", so I had to play the whole thing through a second time, only I would have to beat Satan with the craptastic Cross Shield weapon that travels two inches along the screen, then *poof* disappears. I was a masochist for being able to pass that game, especially since the ending is probably the lamest ending in videogame history, full of typos and bad English. Of course, a proper 3-D version of Ghosts n' Goblins then would also have to be ballstothewall difficult as well, and that's what Maximo is. Get ready to snap a controller in half in a fit of rage, but have the time of your life as well.

Klonoa 2- Lunatea's Veil (PS2)- This game is in 3d, but it plays exactly like an old fashioned 2D side scrolling platform jumper, complete with Mario-3-style overhead map between levels. The graphics are cartoony and fun, but modernized for the PS2 era. Klonoa honestly has some of the best level design I've ever seen in a game. It has some nice puzzle elements, but what I love most about it is that it's levels are designed in that way where you can jump on one enemies head, bounce off, fly through the air just in time to hit another enemies head, land inside the canon, get shot across the screen and get every bonus gem in the air while you're at it. It allows you to get that sense of flow that you can only get from mastering a game with really well designed levels. You can keep running and bouncing, and as long as you hit your mark, there is almost nothing that can slow you down. I love that about a well designed platformer and Klonoa has it in spaids.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I had forgotten all about Red Star. I obsessed over finding a copy of the game when it came out and never did. Now I'm obsessing over it all over again.

[J T]

Derrr! I forgot about this article that racketboy posted awhile back:

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sony/ps2 ... ion-2.html

I didn't have to write all that text!