do sandbox games not cut it this generation?

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rjk

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im feeling a little ponderous at the moment and think a thread about this subject is in order

recently i have noticed that i have gone through quite a few sandbox games this generation and none of them have really made me feel the same way i did when gta3 came out on the ps2

saints row, crackdown, gta4 etc

they have all had some great gameplay features but none of them feel like they have offered anything over the last gen sandbox titles [apart from graphics obviously]

when gta3, true crime, vice city and san andreas were released they were all above the confines of the then standard level format of other games

now it feels as if sandbox games are a bit stagnant, as if developers have ran out of directions to take the genre in.

playing a sandbox game was a great experiance last generation as nothing compared to it - most other games were under developed or had such a linear structure you just didnt get the same value for money

with the online explosion across the consoles there seems to be more of a focus on online especially in the fps genre
whereas sandbox games that were once so successful for their freeroaming layout and hours of gameplay have multiplayer added on as it is obligitary

it just feels like an afterthought and not an integral part of the game
[im looking at you gta4]

after playing some newer titles like mgs4 and uncharted im getting back into playing games that have a liniar level system but offer more due to next gen capabilities

so sandbox seems a bit like old news to me
who feels the same?
what are everyone elses thoughts on this?
 
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I think the genre isn't as new to everyone any more. When GTA3 came out it was such a revolution that people loved it. Theres nothing inherently wrong with Saints Row. GTA4 and Crackdown (I own and like all three) but they don't have that new sensation any more. i hope Saints Row 2 can throw some new things into the genre though.
 
But GTAIV got 10/10 everywhere and the ocuk fangirl crew were creaming their panties about it on irc pre-release so it must be amazing ;)

tbh we need more sandbox games like Dead Rising to keep my interest in them.
 
As technology advances the whole notion of a game as a single genre is becoming less important or valid.

Sandbox per se implies freedom to play in a world not confined by a very strict linear narrative. Depending on where you draw the line on 'too much story structure' games like Oblivion, Dead Rising, Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed and even the upcoming Banjo all have elements of the Sandbox about them; the ability to 'almost' do what you want or at least feel like you've a certain freedom. In this case this use of the sandbox element within other genres is refreshing and exciting and points to a very exciting future.

It's almost the endless wrpg vs jrpg argument; predestination vs freewill and I believe one of the biggest internal debates taking place in the industry at the moment. In fact is there still room for old linear story based games (non-sandbox) like Lost Odyssey or FFXIII to survive?

*sorry bit of a ramble; I'm not feeling 100% tonight, but I hope you get what I'm going on about.
 
I've got to admit I was slightly disappointed after I'd finished GTA IV. I mean I don't know if it's because I got caught up in the hype or because I expected it to be better than the previous ones (as you would, given the amount of time they took to develop it), it just didn't quite live up to expectations.

I think the thing is, like you say rjkoneill, it didn't really offer that many new gameplay elements. Everybody loved GTA 3 because it had never really been done before to that extent and because it all just kinda clicked.

But now I think I share your opinion in that the sandbox game genre is beginning to show its age.

Abooie said:
In fact is there still room for old linear story based games (non-sandbox) like Lost Odyssey or FFXIII to survive?
Click to expand...

I believe there is, but from the looks of it the majority of the sales will be in japan and china where these sorts of games have always been popular.
 
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GTA4 is one of the highest rated games of all time.
Crackdown is massively popular and was up for all sorts of awards.
Oblivion was exactly the same.

The problem is that none-linear games are the norm and when games like GTA4 or Saints Row are limited by rules inside the world (much like The Matrix) there is only so far you can go. Something like Crackdown where you bend these rules adds interest and I think that's why it's so popular in comparison to others.
 
There's plenty of games taking the genre in new directions - Assassin's Creed, Dead Rising, Bully (though it was originally released on the PS2)...

Of course the same gangsters and guns theme is going to get stale eventually.
 
APB should break new ground by the looks of things, then Prototype, Mafia 2 and Saints Row 2 all look really promising. Can't wait for the sequel to Assassins Creed either. And the next PoP is open world-y.
 
Kreeeee said:
tbh we need more sandbox games like Dead Rising to keep my interest in them.
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i would have to agree with you kreeeee
[for a change;)]
dead rising is the only sandbox of this generation that has really got a grip on me
it was too innovative - everything else just... well, doesnt have zombies!
 
I love Crackdown - I think the parkour thing in such a massive city is what set it apart from the rest. We need games that give us the ability to explore to dizzying heights, to look into every nook and cranny at a whim. I can't be the only one who simply loved jumping from building to building in Crackdown.
 
stealthgeek said:
Just because there are linear games being released? Doesnt prove they won't be successful or that there isn't still life in the format.
Click to expand...

Alternative arguement :p

But basically, I think it is pretty obvious linear storylines will still work. Not many games this generation have been none linear, And they have been in the most part hits.

Final Fantasy is one of the most anticipated games ever, No doubt it will be pretty linear. Although a sandbox style FF would be awesome :D
 
This thread has made me want to play Crackdown again.

Scaling the Agency Tower on that game is up there in my top 5 most fun times on the 360. It was incredibly fun!!
 
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