10 Video Games That Didn't Go Far Enough
Half an idea is only half an excuse.
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00:00 So, the gaming medium is packed full of eclectic experiences, new ideas, and brave innovations.
00:07 Approaching a video game with a fresh perspective can grant you opportunities, and when a title
00:11 promises something different, it's always going to be pretty hard to live up to that
00:15 hype.
00:16 And there are a lot of games that claim to offer a unique gameplay formula, or quirky
00:19 narrative wrinkle, or revolutionary presentation, but unfortunately don't quite hit the mark
00:24 exactly how they intended.
00:25 It doesn't mean that the end product is bad, per se, and can't be improved in the future,
00:29 but it is a sign that maybe the developer bit off more than they could chew, and promoted
00:33 an edition that wasn't fully fleshed out.
00:35 So let's take a look at them, as I'm Jules, this is WhatCulture.com, and these are 10
00:39 video games that didn't go far enough.
00:41 10.
00:42 Life is Strange
00:44 Now for all of its shortcomings, Life is Strange is a superb example of character development
00:48 done right, and overcame its issues to become one of the best games of 2015.
00:52 Now Max is a great protagonist, and players are granted the opportunity to see the fictional
00:57 town of Arcadia Bay through her eyes.
00:59 The story that unfolds is one of friendship, deception, and mystery, but one of the most
01:03 well-known inclusions was Max's sudden ability to rewind time that gets her into, and out
01:08 of, plenty of sticky situations.
01:10 An unexpected ability is the one-through line for all of Life is Strange's main characters,
01:14 and though Max uses hers regularly, it never feels anything less than a lazy plot device.
01:19 Alex being an empath in Life is Strange True Colors is baked into the fabric of that story,
01:24 as her ability to experience others' emotions allows us to better understand the world around
01:28 her.
01:29 It's essential to the journey.
01:30 But Max, on the other hand, being able to rewind time?
01:33 Well, it's just a means to unravel what has already occurred, and Max weirdly keeps this
01:36 all hidden, whereas the real solution, and indeed a much meatier story, would surely
01:40 be to reveal it to more side characters, as it would then feel more substantial as a narrative
01:45 thread.
01:46 9.
01:47 Shadow of the Tomb Raider
01:49 Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the conclusion to the superb Survivor trilogy that explores
01:53 Lara Croft in her early years.
01:55 The events of all three games shape her for the future adventures she's going to go on,
01:59 and as the series went on, she became more and more of a proficient explorer.
02:03 2013's Tomb Raider shows the character is a survivor, and in its sequel, Rise of the
02:07 Tomb Raider, demonstrates that she's becoming resourceful in the harsh wilderness.
02:11 Shadow of the Tomb Raider promised a new side of Lara Croft, one that is an effective and
02:15 unapologetic killer, but in reality, the final chapter of this trilogy felt rather half-hearted.
02:20 The most popular criticism of Shadow of the Tomb Raider is that it didn't offer anything
02:24 new.
02:25 It felt like just another game in the series, and with a mediocre story balanced by gorgeous
02:29 environments, it didn't really bring the darker tone that it promised.
02:32 There's a glimpse of hope in the game's latter stages, as Lara is faced with overcoming a
02:36 barrage of Trinity's forces, and does so in rather brutal fashion.
02:40 But when the scene ends, she reverts back to the somewhat boring character that she'd
02:44 been throughout that game.
02:45 There's so much potential for the character that Crystal Dynamics has created, but Shadow
02:49 of the Tomb Raider, well, it didn't take advantage of it.
02:51 8.
02:52 Detroit Become Human
02:54 Detroit Become Human is the latest game from the mind of David Cage, the director of both
02:58 Heavy Rain and Beyond Two Souls.
03:00 Now, telling the story of three separate androids in a futuristic Detroit, Michigan, the tale
03:04 is one that is steeped in cultural and social commentary.
03:08 Now, the developers' previous works meant that players knew what to expect with this
03:11 game.
03:12 Quantic Dream were never going to release an online shooter or intricate driving simulator,
03:16 and Detroit Become Human is thoroughly in line with what came before for the Paris-based
03:20 company.
03:21 But what differs from past projects was its near-future setting and approach to technology
03:25 as a narrative driving force.
03:27 Promotional material showcased a tense relationship between humans and androids, and the impact
03:31 that a reliance on artificial intelligence has had on the Midwestern city as a whole.
03:36 But the reality is that while Detroit Become Human is a great game, it spends most of its
03:40 time exploring the humanity of the androids themselves instead of the way their inclusion
03:44 has changed society.
03:45 Connor, Marcus, and especially Kara, are more compassionate than most of the humans in the
03:50 game.
03:51 And while this is compelling, the game didn't delve far enough into the uneasy rift between
03:55 androids and humans.
03:57 7.
03:58 Deus Ex Human Revolution
04:00 Now Deus Ex is a franchise that has a rich history.
04:03 Though the 2000 original is one of the most influential games - and say it with me, kids
04:08 - of all time, the series was revived in an attempt to recapture the magic.
04:13 Developed by Eidos Montreal, creators of the recent Guardians of the Galaxy title, Deus
04:17 Ex Human Revolution served as both a prequel and a reboot.
04:20 Players take on the role of Adam Jensen, a security offer for Sarif Industries, the leading
04:24 company of body-altering augmentations.
04:27 The story is one that was gripping from the get-go, with Jensen attempting to make sense
04:31 of the events that occur in the game's opening hours while navigating a gorgeous cyberpunk-inspired
04:36 setting.
04:37 Naturally, the topic of cybernetic enhancement and transhumanism comes with the territory.
04:41 It's an intriguing wrinkle to the game's presentation and storytelling, but one that goes sorely
04:45 underutilized throughout.
04:46 The contrast between those augmented and those who are not isn't really explored in any significant
04:51 way.
04:52 Such a glaring divide in society should make for a compelling narrative thread, and it's
04:56 ripe for further analysis.
04:57 But the tale that unfolds around Adam simply just gets in the way.
05:00 More needed to be done to make Deus Ex Human Revolution in keeping with the success of
05:05 the original.
05:06 6.
05:07 Wii Play
05:08 When it released in the winter of 2006, the Nintendo Wii promised an entirely new way
05:13 to play.
05:14 Game controls were the flavor of the generation, and while some games like the beloved Wii
05:17 Sport and unjustifiably criticized The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword were utilizing them
05:22 entirely, others didn't really bother.
05:24 Nintendo themselves are rather guilty of this, as Wii Play released as a launch game for
05:27 the system in most territories.
05:29 And it was only really designed to be a demonstration of the technology and certainly won't be mistaken
05:33 for an ambitious RPG any time soon.
05:36 However, while it sold in astronomical numbers, it failed to live up to the intended purpose
05:40 of the console that it was promoting.
05:42 Whereas Wii Sports took full advantage of the technology, Wii Play just didn't.
05:46 Most of the minigames required the controller's pointing capabilities, so it failed to feel
05:50 like anything more than an uninspired collection of menial activities that could have just
05:54 as easily been played on a PC.
05:56 Copies also included an extra controller, which was really the only real reason to pick
06:00 it up.
06:01 It missed the mark and didn't do enough as an in-house Wii-branded game.
06:05 5.
06:06 No Man's Sky
06:07 Now, No Man's Sky as it is today is one of gaming's biggest redemption arcs.
06:11 Revealed to the world in December 2013 and quickly becoming one of the most disappointing
06:15 titles of the generation, No Man's Sky has since become a game that is almost the one
06:20 that was promised.
06:21 The basis of No Man's Sky was that it presented a randomly generated galaxy of over 18 quintillion
06:26 planets for players to discover, understand, and survive on.
06:30 And the lofty expectations were provoked further by the game's marketing.
06:33 So when it released and was incredibly frugal with its aesthetic variety, the backlash was
06:37 inevitable.
06:38 The game didn't promote exploration anything close to what fans expected.
06:42 The number of planets available was truly incredible, for sure, but the volume of locations
06:46 didn't mean that there was always something different to do on each one.
06:49 It was a real shame, as players' minds were racing at the possibility of finding new,
06:53 uninhabited lands with pockets of intrigue in every corner.
06:56 When the ambition of the game's developer is the very reason that it was so underwhelming,
07:00 its limitations become far more newsworthy.
07:02 And it's clear to see that this wasn't what so many fans wanted it to be.
07:05 All that space, and No Man's Sky still didn't go far enough with its premise.
07:10 4.
07:11 Animal Crossing New Horizons
07:13 Animal Crossing is a franchise that is near and dear to so many.
07:16 From its beginnings on the GameCube to a thoroughly underappreciated mobile offering in the form
07:20 of Pocket Camp, it's known for its cute characters, pick-up, put-down gameplay, and menial tasks
07:25 that are far more fun than they have any right to be.
07:27 The latest, Animal Crossing New Horizons, is perhaps the series' best game, with plenty
07:31 of elements from past entries being refined for its debut on the Nintendo Switch.
07:35 However, so many annoyances that plagued previous games remained.
07:39 And though there are hours upon hours of fun to be had here, the perfect island getaway
07:43 always feels rather restrictive.
07:45 Most of what is done in Animal Crossing New Horizons is just for aesthetic purposes.
07:49 Arranging flower displays, meticulously reorganizing garden decorations, or filling out Blather's
07:53 Museum all serve to make running around the island a more pleasing experience to look
07:58 at.
07:59 The small items in the game provoke new gameplay mechanics, however, and while social elements
08:03 are included, it never feels like there's anything for multiple players to do.
08:06 It's a beloved franchise for so many reasons, but so much of it feels surface-level, and
08:11 it should have offered so much more substance this time around.
08:13 3.
08:14 F1 Race Stars
08:16 Now F1 Race Stars is a game that many have forgotten, and even more have never even heard
08:20 of to begin with.
08:22 Released in November 2012, the game was a typical by-the-numbers kart racer.
08:26 However, instead of Mario and Luigi, it included real-life F1 drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton,
08:31 and all of the tracks were inspired by real-world circuits on the calendar.
08:34 Now, this all sounds great, but upon completing just a handful of races, it became clear that
08:38 the game lacked identity, as it failed to lean into the sport that actually spawned
08:43 it.
08:44 With the likes of Monza, Silverstone, and Montreal featured in the game, they didn't
08:46 feel anything like what F1 fans would have expected, as the iconic corners and gorgeous
08:51 scenery was replaced by Mario Kart-ish mayhem.
08:53 As such, it didn't do anything to stand out.
08:56 It released on a litany of platforms, yet never reached the heights that Nintendo had
08:59 achieved.
09:00 And while there is fun to be had here, it didn't go far enough with the F1 license.
09:04 F1 Race Stars begets the magic of the circuits that it includes, and thought that more craziness
09:08 is what was needed, when in reality, it was actually its downfall.
09:11 2.
09:12 Dead Space 3
09:14 The lofty expectations that were set by its predecessors meant that Dead Space 3 was always
09:18 pretty much doomed to fail.
09:19 The original is one of the most beloved horror games ever, presenting an engaging story,
09:24 plenty of violence, and claustrophobic, unsettling level design.
09:27 And while the sequel was slightly less revered, it was still met with high praise.
09:31 Dead Space 3 released in the early stages of 2013, a year that would be packed with
09:35 genre-defining titles like Grand Theft Auto V, The Last of Us, and Dota 2.
09:39 It built upon the first two in a number of ways, with tighter gameplay and a new upgrade
09:43 system leading the charge.
09:45 However, in the pursuit of innovation, it forgot what made the franchise so great to
09:48 begin with, and that was the horror.
09:51 Dead Space 3 just isn't scary, as the narrow corridors and tense combat encounters are
09:55 few and far between.
09:57 Action was the flavor of Dead Space 3, and like the Resident Evil series before it, the
10:01 emphasis on Hollywood-esque set pieces only served to damage the game's horror-driven
10:05 identity.
10:06 Dead Space 3 went too far with its action, and as such, it didn't have time to go far
10:10 enough with its approach to tension, intrigue, and fear.
10:14 1.
10:15 Mortal Kombat - The Snayers Version
10:17 Now, the Mortal Kombat series is one that is as hated as it is loved.
10:21 It's one that offers intricate fighting mechanics and tough competition while also being a visual
10:26 marvel with its liberal and rather controversial use of blood, guts, and gore.
10:30 Fatalities have been the topic of much chatter over the years, with many believing them to
10:34 be too brutal for the gaming medium.
10:35 For fans, Mortal Kombat wouldn't be the same without them, and its unapologetic approach
10:39 to violence has quickly become part of its charm.
10:42 When the arcade original arrived on home consoles, there was a clear divide in the way with which
10:46 Sega and Nintendo handled its release.
10:48 The former opted for a straight port of the arcade classic, whereas the Super Nintendo
10:52 version censored the mature content, and as such, the game lost one of the very things
10:56 that made it unique.
10:57 With Street Fighter II releasing a whole year before, there was no real reason to pick up
11:01 the Snayers version of Mortal Kombat, as its clunky controls and lack of gore made sure
11:06 that it was nothing compared to Capcom's crowning achievement.
11:09 It didn't do enough to separate itself from the crowd, so most players just opted to play
11:13 it on the Sega Genesis instead.
11:14 And there we go my friends, those were 10 video games that didn't go far enough.
11:18 I hope that you enjoyed that, and please let me know what you thought about it down in
11:21 the comments section below.
11:22 As always, I've been Jules, you can go follow me over on Twitter @RetroJWithA0, or you can
11:26 swing by Live and Let's Dice, where I do all of my streaming outside of work, and it'd
11:30 be great to see you over there.
11:31 But before I go, I just want to say one thing.
11:33 I hope you're treating yourself with love and respect, my friend, because you are a
11:36 massive legend.
11:37 Don't let anyone or anything else tell you otherwise, alright?
11:39 I want you to go out there and absolutely smash your life goals today.
11:42 I believe in you, my friend.
11:43 As always, I've been Jules, you have been awesome, never forget that, and I'll speak
11:47 to you soon.