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"Less is More" is More...

28 February 2010

6 Comments

Posted by benanen

Looking across the gaming spectrum, *raises eyes skyward and waves a hand theatrically across the air* I have seen that many games that are simplistic (at least to the naked eye) are, in fact deeper. While the engine of a two-dimensional platformer is limited when compared to the Unreal or Sandbox Engines, they aren't limited in possibilities. Hence; "less is more" is more...

Minimalistic games like those of the Art Style and Bit.Trip series' are highly acclaimed games and with new arrivals on the way, I can see myself having an enormous WiiWare splurge. Thinking of these types of games, whose levels follow a blueprint, but still achieve wondrously zany and thought provoking results. Many simpler games also possess an addictive quality too (see: my father and Spider Solitaire). So even though perhaps limited by the games' medium, creativity is allowed to flow within that confine. Simple concept = more imaginative design. This can work in both aesthetics and gameplay, sometimes both.

This can (kind of) be said for New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which has simple controls, yet has insanely brilliant level design. It doesn't need to provide a 360° view of the surrounds either. I mean, the objective in every level remains the same; go from left to right, reach the flag. But the stuff in between is so varied.

I'm obviously being biased toward the Wii here, but I'm sure there examples of such games on other systems. Portal perhaps, Braid?

That's not to say that enormous open-world game aren't awesome too, (GTA, Fallout) but some games do fall short trying to do everything. At very least, simpler smaller games can be a nice diversion. After all, variety is the spice of life!

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6 Comments On This Entry

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PlasmaDavid

28 February 2010 - 09:24 AM

Darwinia, Audiosurf, Geometry Wars, Defcon and so on <3

benanen

28 February 2010 - 09:49 AM

Let us not forget Tetris!

indevelopment

28 February 2010 - 10:47 AM

I remember a summer, the summer where I discovered the MP3 file format and Freecell. Oh Freecell, how you wrecked my life there..

benanen

28 February 2010 - 11:20 AM

It's funny how Ogg and WMA are designed to be better than MP3, but MP3s are just too prolific.

playa271

01 March 2010 - 03:37 PM

Thats why the DS is mostly the greatest console for these type of games. oh and good read

benanen

01 March 2010 - 03:58 PM

Especially the digital download medium making them accessible on DSiWare and also WiiWare. WarioWare DIY is gonna go off!

As long as this doesn't stop people taking them seriously, just because they're smaller. Mind you, Steam is on fire. Probably the cheapest way to get PC games

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