So, guys, we all have our favorite genre, and there are moments like we feel it will never get better, and indeed it didn't. What was that moment for you?
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When do you feel your favorite genre peaked?
- Thread starter justiceiro
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JRPGs peaked in the 90s IMO. SNES/PS1/PS2 where the golden age. These days it all seems like flashy, meaniingless nonsense to me. I did love Octopath Traveller though.
RPGs peaked in 1995 with Chrono Trigger (though I didn't get to play it until much later, it released on DS for the first time in Europe).
Sim Lite Military games? Early 2000s. Games like M1 Tank Platoon, Total Air War, Comanche Hokum, Gunship and the like.
These sort of games don't even exist anymore.
Which means my favourite type of games has gone. And as such I like gaming less.
Thank goodness there are still some car games (though not many), Forza Horizon 4 is the sort of game I've wanted my whole life.
These sort of games don't even exist anymore.
Which means my favourite type of games has gone. And as such I like gaming less.
Thank goodness there are still some car games (though not many), Forza Horizon 4 is the sort of game I've wanted my whole life.
Oh and I think RTS's peaked in the mid 90's to early 2000s. AoE, Starcraft, Warcraft 2/3, Dark Reign, Supreme Commander, RA, C&C, Rise of Nations... What happened? It seems like nobody even makes RTS games anymore :(
The Beatles Rock Band opened a new door for music games. Imagine exploring the careers of historic figures, giving a deep dive into their library in lovingly crafted moodscapes, perfectly replicating the art of the day.
But nope. AAA music games are dead.
But nope. AAA music games are dead.
Bloodborne is the peak of all video gaming for all time. Everything before and after falls in its shadow.
Platformers peaked at Mega Man Zero 3.
I've been digging through platformers all over the years and not a single one comes close to providing such a rock solid overall package.
The super tight controls and level design, the actually engaging story, genuinely memorable characters and that constant drive to be better with the intricately made ranking system, all combine into a near-perfect package.
I've been digging through platformers all over the years and not a single one comes close to providing such a rock solid overall package.
The super tight controls and level design, the actually engaging story, genuinely memorable characters and that constant drive to be better with the intricately made ranking system, all combine into a near-perfect package.
Metroidvania - Hollow Knight
To anyone saying JRPGs peaked during SNES/PSX era. Generally, yes. But we still have stand outs in the genre that can stand toe to toe with the best of them. Dragon Quest XI is the most recent example.
To anyone saying JRPGs peaked during SNES/PSX era. Generally, yes. But we still have stand outs in the genre that can stand toe to toe with the best of them. Dragon Quest XI is the most recent example.
FPSs peaked around 1996. Now they are either structured as themepark rides or sandbox games. It's okay to backtrack, really, those game have their dated parts but level design wasn't one of them.
Character action peaked with Bayonetta.
I gotta wait 2 more months to really solidify that claim though.
I gotta wait 2 more months to really solidify that claim though.
Yes, it's a bit broad but I'd say 93-98 or so. This is for JRPGs only.
Guitar Hero Metallica was everything I wanted from the genre in one go. I knew it couldn't get better for my tastes.
New Super Mario Bros Wii was the peak of that particular series, but I think the 2D platforming genre peaked at Super Mario World. With that being said, if you were to say Donkey Kong Country Returns or Tropical Freeze is the new peak, I'd also accept that as a correct answer.
3D platformers have not peaked.
New Super Mario Bros Wii was the peak of that particular series, but I think the 2D platforming genre peaked at Super Mario World. With that being said, if you were to say Donkey Kong Country Returns or Tropical Freeze is the new peak, I'd also accept that as a correct answer.
3D platformers have not peaked.
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Horror games in 2014.
Amnesia basically re-wrote the book on how to do effective horror and showed why putting the player in selectively disadvantaged positions was key for horror in an interactive setting. These design principles were then applied to major AAA works in 2014 with Alien Isolation and PT.
Since then, the horror genre has basically taken a complete backseat to cheap thrills and player empowerment.
Amnesia basically re-wrote the book on how to do effective horror and showed why putting the player in selectively disadvantaged positions was key for horror in an interactive setting. These design principles were then applied to major AAA works in 2014 with Alien Isolation and PT.
Since then, the horror genre has basically taken a complete backseat to cheap thrills and player empowerment.
Can't agree with the folks saying that JRPGs peaked during the SNES/PS1 era. Not when we've had masterpieces ilke Xenoblade, Persona 4/5 and Paper Mario 2.
I mean yeah, Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IX are amazing, but JRPGs are still going.
I mean yeah, Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IX are amazing, but JRPGs are still going.
Yeah, it's just plain wrong man. There was a bit of a dearth during the mid 2000s (where mediocre stuff from Mistwalker was hyped up) which made the 90s and early 2000s look untouchable, but JRPGs have been back on track for quite a while. Since Persona 3 at least. Persona 3, 4 and Xenoblade 1 are in the contention for the genre GOAT. Also, the 90s and early 2000s probably coincide with the childhood of many gamers today, so there's definitely gonna be a bias towards positive childhood memories. The golden era JRPGs were great, make no mistake, but JRPGs are just as good now.
I'd wager a lot of it comes down to how you feel about turn-based combat. For old dinosaurs like me who love taking turns picking attacks from a menu, the glory days are over (though recent gems like Octopath and Personal 5 are carrying the torch). While games about Xenoblade 2 or Nier might be excellent RPGs, their active combat doesn't appeal to my crusty old man tastes :D
For me, survival horror peaked with Silent Hill 2 and JRPGs peaked with FFVIII, although there have been some great entries since both.
Those are the high watermarks for me in those respective genres.
Those are the high watermarks for me in those respective genres.
