Friday, Jan 12, 2007
Yes people, my top 10 games of 2006 list will be continued very soon, but here's a blog post to keep you from getting too hungry.
We've known for a while now that the Wii, rather than being a true 'next-gen' technical leap over the Gamecube, is more like a souped up Xbox. It makes numerous improvements but nothing close to what the 360 and PS3 can offer. The Wii, whilst having much better processing power and RAM compared to the Gamecube, does lack the pixel shading benefits of Microsoft's first-generation hardware, and thus we shouldn't expect much out of the console. So what does this mean? How good can Wii games look? Can they look any better than Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Panzaer Dragoon or Ninja Gaiden? This has yet to be seen, and the Wii might very well never surpass these games graphically. But on the other hand, this is no excuse for developers to be lazy with hardware, and yet unfortunately this can already be seen. It's interesting how the Wii has been heavily criticsed for its graphical inability, yet so many developers are actually the one's refusing to get the most out of the system. Not doubt the Wii isn't very powerful, but it's still disappointing to see so many games look like average-looking Gamecube titles.
Developers, Wii can deliver some good visuals believe it or not, and it's time for a lot of you to actually try and get something out of the system. The Gamecube had games like Metroid Prime, F-Zero GX and most notably Resident Evil 4 that still look better than nearly every single Wii game out so far, minus Twilight Princess (which is technically a Gamecube game anyway) and Red Steel. That's pretty damn disappointing, and whilst the Wii hardwre is not a big leap over that of the Gamecube's, it's still a leap. It's time developers started doing something about it.
Here are some screenshots that represent the mere standard that Wii games should have in terms of graphics. If I don't start seeing more titles that look at least as good as these, then I'll be disappointed:
But instead we're mostly getting games that look like this:
Developers, please start actually trying to get the most out of the system. Resident Evil 4 shows how good the Gamecube could be if it was pushed hard. The Wii is even stronger - start making more games that actually show this.
We've known for a while now that the Wii, rather than being a true 'next-gen' technical leap over the Gamecube, is more like a souped up Xbox. It makes numerous improvements but nothing close to what the 360 and PS3 can offer. The Wii, whilst having much better processing power and RAM compared to the Gamecube, does lack the pixel shading benefits of Microsoft's first-generation hardware, and thus we shouldn't expect much out of the console. So what does this mean? How good can Wii games look? Can they look any better than Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Panzaer Dragoon or Ninja Gaiden? This has yet to be seen, and the Wii might very well never surpass these games graphically. But on the other hand, this is no excuse for developers to be lazy with hardware, and yet unfortunately this can already be seen. It's interesting how the Wii has been heavily criticsed for its graphical inability, yet so many developers are actually the one's refusing to get the most out of the system. Not doubt the Wii isn't very powerful, but it's still disappointing to see so many games look like average-looking Gamecube titles.
Developers, Wii can deliver some good visuals believe it or not, and it's time for a lot of you to actually try and get something out of the system. The Gamecube had games like Metroid Prime, F-Zero GX and most notably Resident Evil 4 that still look better than nearly every single Wii game out so far, minus Twilight Princess (which is technically a Gamecube game anyway) and Red Steel. That's pretty damn disappointing, and whilst the Wii hardwre is not a big leap over that of the Gamecube's, it's still a leap. It's time developers started doing something about it.
Here are some screenshots that represent the mere standard that Wii games should have in terms of graphics. If I don't start seeing more titles that look at least as good as these, then I'll be disappointed:
But instead we're mostly getting games that look like this:
Developers, please start actually trying to get the most out of the system. Resident Evil 4 shows how good the Gamecube could be if it was pushed hard. The Wii is even stronger - start making more games that actually show this.
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Posted Jan 12, 2007 6:33 am PT
Wow, is that Super Swing Golf? The gi... I mean, environments look hawt! 
My biggest complaint with the Wii is that the graphics look like Gears of War's s***. Or even worse. Can you believe that there are games from the 2001 launches of the Xbox and GAMECUBE that look even better than the stuff present on the Wii.
It's like I said in my Twilight Princess impressions, I can't fault TP because the Wii is underpowered, but I can fault it for not looking like a Wii game should.
It's a shame too. I really want to play Trauma Center, but in his review Greg Kasavin said that it looks like a freaking DreamCast game. How freaking lazy is that? Really lazy. And yes, that CoD3 looks ugly, but so does Red Steel and you know it, that game can never be considered good looking.
It's a real bummer that just because a system is underpowered we still can't see what it can do. Graphics aren't everything, but a game NEEDS graphics, and if it needs them, you might as well make them look as good as you can right? Right!
My biggest complaint with the Wii is that the graphics look like Gears of War's s***. Or even worse. Can you believe that there are games from the 2001 launches of the Xbox and GAMECUBE that look even better than the stuff present on the Wii.
It's like I said in my Twilight Princess impressions, I can't fault TP because the Wii is underpowered, but I can fault it for not looking like a Wii game should.
It's a shame too. I really want to play Trauma Center, but in his review Greg Kasavin said that it looks like a freaking DreamCast game. How freaking lazy is that? Really lazy. And yes, that CoD3 looks ugly, but so does Red Steel and you know it, that game can never be considered good looking.
It's a real bummer that just because a system is underpowered we still can't see what it can do. Graphics aren't everything, but a game NEEDS graphics, and if it needs them, you might as well make them look as good as you can right? Right!
Posted Jan 12, 2007 10:55 am PT
Actually that top game is Pokemon Battle Revolution. Then Metroid, SSX Blur, Metroid again and then Super Mario Galaxy.
Trauma Centre does look dated but it really couldn't look any better, it's just the style of the game. It does look much better than the DS game if that's any consolation.
Having owned Red Steel and played it thoroughly, I can safely say that whilst the graphical presentation is very mixed, the good parts actually look quite amazing.
Trauma Centre does look dated but it really couldn't look any better, it's just the style of the game. It does look much better than the DS game if that's any consolation.
Having owned Red Steel and played it thoroughly, I can safely say that whilst the graphical presentation is very mixed, the good parts actually look quite amazing.
Posted Jan 12, 2007 1:44 pm PT
NeonNinja wrote:
It's a shame too. I really want to play Trauma Center, but in his review Greg Kasavin said that it looks like a freaking DreamCast game. How freaking lazy is that? Really lazy. And yes, that CoD3 looks ugly, but so does Red Steel and you know it, that game can never be considered good looking.
If you are going to skip on Trauma Center because its graphics aren't up to par then you are playing games for the wrong reason.
Trauma Center isn't designed to be a graphical wonder. It wasn't graphically overpowered on the DS either, even though the DS is capable of much more. The game is meant to be a showcase of a unique form of surgery SIM gameplay, and it delivers in ways that other games can't even conceive of.
I recognize that the Wii is underpowered compared to the 360 or PS3, but Trauma Center isn't a lazy game. It purposefully put graphics in the back seat in BOTH of its incarnations, because graphics weren't the point of the game. And having played both versions of the game on the DS and Wii, I am quite happy that they did. They are combined a unique experience, and I am glad I didn't miss out on it.
It's a shame too. I really want to play Trauma Center, but in his review Greg Kasavin said that it looks like a freaking DreamCast game. How freaking lazy is that? Really lazy. And yes, that CoD3 looks ugly, but so does Red Steel and you know it, that game can never be considered good looking.
If you are going to skip on Trauma Center because its graphics aren't up to par then you are playing games for the wrong reason.
Trauma Center isn't designed to be a graphical wonder. It wasn't graphically overpowered on the DS either, even though the DS is capable of much more. The game is meant to be a showcase of a unique form of surgery SIM gameplay, and it delivers in ways that other games can't even conceive of.
I recognize that the Wii is underpowered compared to the 360 or PS3, but Trauma Center isn't a lazy game. It purposefully put graphics in the back seat in BOTH of its incarnations, because graphics weren't the point of the game. And having played both versions of the game on the DS and Wii, I am quite happy that they did. They are combined a unique experience, and I am glad I didn't miss out on it.
Posted Jan 12, 2007 8:16 pm PT
I'm not skipping Trauma Center wiz-kid. Get to know me a bit better and you'd know that Trauma Center is my most anticipated Wii game that came out at launch. I know exactly how it was designed, and not as a graphical wonder is fine, but as a DC quality game doesn't make it any better for your defense.
The Wii is underpowered compared to the 360 and PS3, sure, but the effort could have been put into the game to make it look better in terms of presentation and all that jazz. Graphics aren't the point of the game, but I still like it more when graphics look good.
Now if you don't mind, I have to go and finish Twilight Princess so I can pick up Trauma Center. I mean, why would I skip Trauma Center?
Also, Captain Righteous, since when did people get to tell others that they're playing games for the wrong reason? Sheesh, go preach to someone who needs to be helped or something, because I'm doing just dandy.
The Wii is underpowered compared to the 360 and PS3, sure, but the effort could have been put into the game to make it look better in terms of presentation and all that jazz. Graphics aren't the point of the game, but I still like it more when graphics look good.
Now if you don't mind, I have to go and finish Twilight Princess so I can pick up Trauma Center. I mean, why would I skip Trauma Center?
Also, Captain Righteous, since when did people get to tell others that they're playing games for the wrong reason? Sheesh, go preach to someone who needs to be helped or something, because I'm doing just dandy.
Posted Jan 12, 2007 10:29 pm PT
Oh, yeah, Dark, I was talking about the pink-haired girl, is that Pokemon also? And I gotta admit, the flame effect with that Magmar looks pretty good too.
Posted Jan 12, 2007 10:34 pm PT
Yeah both of those first 2 pics are from Pokemon. A friend of mine in Japan has been playing it and he says the visuals are definitely the best on Wii so far. It's good to see Genius Soronity putting some serious effort into their Wii titles, as shown by the beauty of Dragon Quest Swords.
Posted Jan 13, 2007 12:06 am PT
Oooh, T3h SexAynezz!1!
Posted Jan 13, 2007 4:56 am PT
I'm sure the visuals will be eclipsed by Super Mario and Metroid, but they do look really good for a Wii game. I've actually been craving to play a new Pokemon game for a while now, but the console iterations all suck. I hope this one does well, because I'd love to play a new Pokemon RPG.
Posted Jan 14, 2007 12:24 pm PT
The unfortunate thing about the Gamecube was that Resident Evil 4 was the only game to really push the hardware to the limit. Everything else paled in comparison.
I'm afraid the same will become of the Wii. They've gone so overboard with the gameplay over graphics statements that I think going to stick with the console for the remainder of it's life cycle. Hopefully, I'll be proven wrong, but I doubt it.
I'm afraid the same will become of the Wii. They've gone so overboard with the gameplay over graphics statements that I think going to stick with the console for the remainder of it's life cycle. Hopefully, I'll be proven wrong, but I doubt it.
Posted Jan 23, 2007 2:39 pm PT
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