This sentiment confuses me. It's clear you love games and all they do but the idea that context can completely bar you from experiencing a game for yourself baffles me. It's no secret that games age, all art does, but that shouldn't stop us from experiencing them in the modern day. The context that surrounds a game when it releases is noteworthy, especially when it comes to its reputation, but a game is much more than its surrounding context. When you play a game you create your own context and become part of the conversation, whether thats at release or 20 years down the road. I understand that returning to these games might be a little jarring at first, but thats a part of that context you seem to care so much about. Ive seen this sentiment a lot that "I can't go back to old games," and I think you've done an excellent job explaining your points. But you just totally can. You can go play these old games. I will never be able to play MGS1 for the first time in 1998. I can't wait 3 years and experience the incredible graphical and technical leap offered by MGS2 in 2001. But I can buy a gog port of MGS1 and hook up my secondhand ps2 slim and a used copy of MGS2 and experience some of the best the medium has to offer whenever I want. Everything iconic is iconic for a reason. Sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn't, but you'll never know unless you experience it for yourself. Great video, sorry to throw a of wall of text in your comments like this. I thought all your points were well articulated and made a lot of sense, I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. Hope you have a good day.
Wow, I really appreciate such a thoughtful comment! Just to see if I can clarify my position a bit more: I don't think it's impossible to experience old games, I just think that frequently the "jank" of older titles keeps me from connecting with them. There are plenty of older games I do enjoy and was able to connect with (Portal, Wind Waker, OpenTTD Super Paper Mario... it doesn't hurt that many of these games have sort of "timeless" design/graphics lol). However, when I play a game and *only* struggle with its controls or notice the old graphics or can't figure out the camera, I think it can keep me from connecting with these games in a meaningful way, and my experience doesn't feel all that valuable to me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ On the flip side, something I didn't even touch on is that I think age isn't the only thing that can keep me from connecting with a game (or any piece of art). I've tried modern games where I just bounced off the controls, or emotional games that didn't resonate with me (cough, Spiritfarer). The only thing I have to really say about these games is "I personally didn't like it," so I don't really feel like I've experienced these games either. I know there are meaningful experiences in these games, I just couldn't access them. Again, thank you for such a thoughtful comment! Means a lot :)
@@RoryAych Thank you, that definitely does clear some things up. At the end of the day it's all personal taste, so what might work for me might not work for you and vice versa. I've had my fair share of modern games that Ive bounced off too (Horizon Zero Dawn and Mirrors Edge namely) so I see where you're coming from. Thanks for the response, looking forward to whatever you do next.
@@RoryAych Please understand that older players had all the same issues with controls and camera, it has nothing to do with age... RE4, specifically PC version, controlled like ass. You didn't find problems with Portal because it's smooth like butter. Games didn't change. Context doesn't turn bootstrap aiming code into good controls and no amount of age will suddenly make Doom shotgun stop being satisfying (I first played it when it was already old). I grew up with PlayStation in 2000s, but recently installed emulators for games made before I was born, some play well, others do not. I don't need to have lived in the 1980s to see that Metroid controls well, or that Asteroids or Frogger are fun, and you don't need to have played it in 1990s to see that Final Fantasy VII models are ugly as sin. You are hearing people gush over old stuff and then get surprised when you get EXACT same experience as them but it's not as good as they told you.
I played the re4 original a couple years ago and I honestly enjoyed it. Yeah, sometimes it shows its age. But I think that is negated by the action and character interactions. Also, all the iconic set pieces like the gondola section and initial village part still is very striking and different from a lot of other games.
It doesn't matter if from the perspective of today the original RE4 doesn't feel innovative or at the cutting edge of graphics because it's a game that's expertly designed around its mechanics. It's a game that superbly stands the test of time because it's not just another generic shooter. The enemies, levels design, player abilities and lack there of are all expertly designed. You call it clunky but a lot of people just can't accept unhomogenized game design. If you altered it to play like a modern every day shooter you would break the rest of the game. Games are more than graphical showcases and even innovative gameplay. What Resident Evil 4 has is shared with a game like Tetris which has aged remarkably well and that's incredibly well designed gameplay.
I agree, I think RE4 probably stands up better today than many games from the era. It's simply that when I've tried to pick it up (esp. after Remake), I feel like I can't appreciate it the way it deserves. I'm glad you can still enjoy it!
Resident Evil controls and aiming are extremely clunky and always have been, designer literally confessed that he didn't write aiming code and just modified the originals aiming by smoothing vertical aim. Most games at the time used autoaim because using D-pad to control crosshair is painful. "If you altered it to play like a modern every day shooter you would break the rest of the game." They literally did. That's what remake does. It changes it to feel modern and it doesn't break the rest. However, original is still worth a play because once you get used to clunky controls, it has a lot of content that remake changed, not for better or worse, just different, i.e. truck part before castle is missing, and boat boss fight was SO MUCH BETTER in original. It also used QTEs decently.
I have found that games that are old still can give new experiences even today, especially when their "limitations" are instead understood as features that make up greater whole. Just because modern gaming trends are more realistic and sensible, that does not mean that they are the only kind of gaming experience a modern gamer should allow oneself to genuinely and organically appreciate.
I like that perspective of looking at the limitations as features - there are certainly a lot of older games that were really shaped around what the hardware was capable of
@@RoryAych not just hardware, but design know-how. Bubsy 3D plays so poorly not because PlayStation couldn't make good platformers but because developers didn't know how to work with 3d: how to orient camera, how to rotate character, how to telegraph jump landings to player. They copied Jumping Flash because it was the only 3D platformer at the time. Later Crash, Spyro and Tomb Raider released and everyone understood how to make 3D platforming. Same guys who made Bubsy 3D later made Syphon Filter on same console, and it still plays good to this day.
Specific to RE4 original: it's not its age, or you. It just controls absolutely horrible. It didn't have proper aiming on two axes. Literally, they used code from old tank control Resident Evils, but added smoothing to up and down aim. THAT'S IT! Later they updated it with proper aim but even that was bad, and with a fan patch that makes mouse control slightly better, it still doesn't aim decently. RE5 plays exactly the same but controls WAY better, and RE6 was the first where they added things that were already a norm in other games of the time, like shooting while moving or a cover system. The context here is that these games never controlled well. It's just ones before it controlled even worse. And over the shoulder view was absolutely a new thing that made it feel better than weird camera angles or camera behind character's back, like most third person games at the time used. These games were designed back when movement with D-Pad was still the norm. Very few games have controls that aged well, lines of Crash Bandicoot and Metal Gear because they used a fixed top-down view (but when you enter first person in MGS, it's bad). So yeah maybe you'll feel better if you know that people who played them when they were new (I played RE4 on PS2 and my first Resident Evil game was 3) didn't feel better, or experience them as different as you hear them. I can argue that people who wax nostalgic about classic games often either haven't played them in a while, or just better adapted to jank with time. One good example is Mass Effect, it's a great game but original always had horrible gunplay. It's not about players age or personal experience, it's just a fact. Legendary edition was like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. Resident Evil 4 is ABSOLUTELY worth a play, it's short and has tons of things remake missed, the only context you need is that controls are bad. Playing with a gamepad on emulator or adapting to mouse on fan-patched newest version on Steam is doable. There are far worse controlling games released even now... Just STAY AWAY from original PC port, it was unplayable even at the time, especially compared to GameCube version. tl;dr: Angry Video Game Nerd, despite exaggerating, is way closer to authentic experience of playing old games compared to reviewers showering everything with praise... I also couldn't land that plane. As someone who's younger than him, games from before PlayStation are mostly before my time, but I can enjoy them because I don't EXPECT them to control well. Lower your expectations, you'll enjoy things more. And watch let's plays for old games instead of essays to see the ACTUAL experience and not a fantasy.
Firstly, and most importantly, this is a great video and you should be proud! If there’s any major piece of advice I have, it’s to try your find your own style. This video is *strongly* reminiscent of Jacob Geller, which is evident through your writing (using a lot of similar phrases) but especially in your vocal inflections. It’s great to have inspirations and wear them on your sleeves, but to me this was so blatant I found it distracting. If I wanted to watch a Jacob Geller video I’d go to his channel, I’m a lot more interested in seeing what YOU sound like. Content wise, I really like and connect to the concept of this video. I strongly agree that context can wildly affect your perception of an experience, however I wouldn’t say it’s impossible to catch up with that context. I’d like to offer a bit of a different perspective. My first playthrough of Resident Evil 4 was in 2022, 17 years after its original release. Despite this, it felt fresh and exciting to me, and I felt that I fully understood the experience. Without a doubt the biggest reason for this is that my playthrough was part of a marathon that had me going through EVERY Resident Evil game, starting with the original trilogy on the original PlayStation. With RE2 I felt a shift in tone and an expansion of gameplay mechanics despite the similar foundation, much the same with RE3. When I got to RE4, the difference was striking. The camera, the aiming, the aesthetics, the tone, it was a massive shift and even in 2022 I felt the impact of it. RE4 is still one of my favorite action games, and I still prefer returning to the 2005 original than the 2023 remake because of its unique strengths. My point is, in most cases, you can give yourself the context. The history of video games may be short, but it is still remarkably rich with experiences that are incredibly valuable. The more familiar with older games you become, the more you notice trends throughout time periods, the more you can create your own context to place yourself in. I’m around the same age as you so I do understand your perspective, but because I’ve spent so much time playing games that released well before I was born, I’ve become very accustomed to them. As one example, I played the original Silent Hill earlier this month and loved it. One of the most interesting things about it to me is how it spun off of the classic Resident Evil formula and shifted its priorities greatly to create a vastly different experience. It uses 3D environments rather than pre-rendered backgrounds, a movable camera as a result, or how less strict inventory management led to more surreal level designs. I understood all this despite not being alive in 1999 because I’d also played those original Resident Evil games, but neither felt like just homework to me. I created my own context. It’s countless examples like this that add up over time that have given me a much greater understanding of the medium at plenty of different points in time. It’s true that we will never be able to truly feel what it was like to play these games on release, and some games will always just be “artifact” experiences. We all have a cutoff, mine is somewhere in the middle of the NES era. But I still think there’s a lot that we can do to appreciate these games not just as artifacts, but as experiences, and attempting to do exactly that has led me to many of my favorite experiences of all time. Even out of their original time, lots of these old games still hold remarkable value today, and I am still regularly impressed by games I play that were released well before I would’ve been able to play them. That being said, I love how you concluded this video with a reflection on all the writing that helped you understand the impact of these games more. I agree that the amount of writing there is about these games is pretty unbelievable and has done so much to help me understand and appreciate this medium in a way I never could have otherwise. I look forward to seeing more from you and all the stories you have to share!
Hey, thanks for the super thoughtful comment, I really appreciate it. No one's pointed it out before, but I do take a lot of inspiration from Jacob! Guess I just didn't realize how noticeable it was. That being said, I'm not really making any *conscious* decision to sound like him, but I'll keep an eye on it next time. That's so interesting how you were able to give yourself the context around RE4, including understanding the shift in perspective! I haven't spent nearly as much time as you playing older games, but I wonder if I'd have the same experience if I committed to playing a bunch of them.
I mean, I can understand why you may think games move too quick to believe something could be a "masterpiece" for a long period of time. Even tho I was born in 95, I just played Ocarina of Time in the mid 2010's, long after I played tons of other games (I grew up mostly with the Gamecube and Playstation 2), and at that point in my life my favorite game was the original Dark Souls (probably still is). The thing is I started Ocarina of Time plenty of times, and I didn't even play as much as you said you did. But, that time, around 2015, when I took the OOT cartridge from a friend's house, and I played it in a nintendo 64 I bought, that last time, something clicked. And I loved it, and I couldn't stop playing. At this point, I haven't finished Majora's Mask yet, I'm in the same situation as Ocarina Of Time before, I start a new game, I think is kinda boring so I don't do too much before I drop it. But I really think, at some point, I will connect with the game, and the same will happen. Maybe I need to play it on original Hardware, Idk. But I do believe, no matter how old a game is, a good game, is still a good game.
I've had the same experience too. I've recently played the Silent hill 2 remake and the Resident Evil 2 remake. I've recently tried to "legally" play the original games. Those games are still super good games. However, I just don't understand them and appreciate them as much as I would have if I would've played them when they first came out. For me it's mainly the game mechanics and level design that make it harder for me to enjoy them. Developers by now have definitely mastered video game mechanics and movement to give us the best experience. I feel like back then developers were still experimenting and learning how video games work. Just like you I still enjoy those old games by learning about them online and experiencing them through there soundtracks, and the stories that they tell. This is a super good and deep video. I hope you make more original videos like this.
I think if you guys stop expecting old games to play smoothly and accept the janky controls, you'd actually enjoy them. Silent Hill 2 has probably the worst combat in the series, if you shoot enemies they stay up until you finish them with a kick. It's a ridiculous design choice, never used again... For other classics of the time: Mass Effect 1 has horrible gunplay and reused assets, RE4 has bootstrap aiming code and tank controls, and Assassin's Creed 2 has the WORST combat and graphics in the entire series, but by listening to essays and reading comments of people gushing over them, you ruin your own experience by setting unrealistic expectations instead of taking them for what they are... It would be good relationship advice but it's just silly games. I don't see why people couldn't get used to minor problems of PS2 era games when people easily can get into actual retro stuff like Doom or any 2D game. Seriously, this isn't about gitting gud or having the right context but not expecting things to be masterpieces. Nobody picked up a Resident Evil game and thought "this is the Mona Lisa of gaming, I am in for an ethereal experience", we took them for dumb shooters. Lower your expectations and you will enjoy things way more. Crash and Tomb Raider remakes were popular not because original games "aged well" or whatever, but because they're good games people don't put on a pedestal as they don't have a weekly essay to the style of "why MGS2 is PROFOUND" (a game that was absolutely hated at release, BTW).
Eh, the original resident evil 4 is still worth playing, and honestly any games that your interested in most likely are as well. Dont bar yourself from playing older/niche games because theres a chance you might dislike them. In terms of the original Re4 the controls of the modern releases of the game really arent that hard to get into, ive played the original then the remake, and I was born one year before you so age isn't as important as it may seem. Both are amazing in their own regard, both have their own interpretation of the story, characters, art style, music and gameplay. Art style is more important in my eyes, graphics are just a polish. There are games that look realistic but in terms of visual and art direction are completely lacking, which is just the equivalent of spraypainting a turd with golden spray paint. Im sure you understand where im going with this. But i also do understand that art is subjective. I love the look and aesthetics of older games so i love the way the original re4 and games of its time look like. But I guess its not for everybody. As someone mentioned earlier there is way more to games then just graphical fidelity. Context is a bit meaningless in my opinion when the older games in question are still amazing. Games are meant to be played to have fun with them, not to be treated like a university research project. When it comes to older controls, thats really just a case of at least trying to get used to it. Because usually it doesnt take long, unless the game is ancient and the jank really kills your experience. I dont wanna come off like "Im right and your wrong", i just want people to enjoy stuff :)
Hey, thanks for the thoughtful comment! I would love to play OoT or RE4 one day and enjoy it, but I've bounced off of them pretty hard - both bc of older controls/graphics and the fact that I really *enjoy* understanding the larger conversation/context around games, which feels impossible so far removed from them. There are plenty of old(ish) games I do love though (Portal, Wind Waker, Super Paper Mario) and I agree it's not worth writing off all older games just bc they're old!
You're making me feel sentimental about video games! Which is silly bc I've barely ever played video games as u well know. Which I guess is your whole point... wonderful video as always!!
Og resi4 stands the test of time. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but resi4 will always outshine the remake 4. This video is good, however it is an example of meta analysis over technical knowledge. Resi4 is awesome when you view it from a beat em up perspective. Even now resi4 remake doesn't have the same impact as the og or replayed as much. All lowest common denominator idiots went to the next trendy thing.
hey why are you copying scott the woz? also there was not nearly enough discussion about the quasi grid in resident evil 4. that alone makes the game good to play
Stop trying to be Scott the woz, you’re not, try to be more yourself in the video style, it just looks like copy of a big TH-camr, sorry but that’s the reason I disliked and will ask TH-cam to not show your channel anymore.
@RoryAych You wear glasses AND talk about video games, do you really think we would all just chuck that up to coincidence? Best to just admit it while you can and save a shred of your dignity pal
This sentiment confuses me. It's clear you love games and all they do but the idea that context can completely bar you from experiencing a game for yourself baffles me. It's no secret that games age, all art does, but that shouldn't stop us from experiencing them in the modern day. The context that surrounds a game when it releases is noteworthy, especially when it comes to its reputation, but a game is much more than its surrounding context. When you play a game you create your own context and become part of the conversation, whether thats at release or 20 years down the road. I understand that returning to these games might be a little jarring at first, but thats a part of that context you seem to care so much about. Ive seen this sentiment a lot that "I can't go back to old games," and I think you've done an excellent job explaining your points. But you just totally can. You can go play these old games. I will never be able to play MGS1 for the first time in 1998. I can't wait 3 years and experience the incredible graphical and technical leap offered by MGS2 in 2001. But I can buy a gog port of MGS1 and hook up my secondhand ps2 slim and a used copy of MGS2 and experience some of the best the medium has to offer whenever I want. Everything iconic is iconic for a reason. Sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn't, but you'll never know unless you experience it for yourself.
Great video, sorry to throw a of wall of text in your comments like this. I thought all your points were well articulated and made a lot of sense, I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. Hope you have a good day.
Wow, I really appreciate such a thoughtful comment! Just to see if I can clarify my position a bit more: I don't think it's impossible to experience old games, I just think that frequently the "jank" of older titles keeps me from connecting with them. There are plenty of older games I do enjoy and was able to connect with (Portal, Wind Waker, OpenTTD Super Paper Mario... it doesn't hurt that many of these games have sort of "timeless" design/graphics lol). However, when I play a game and *only* struggle with its controls or notice the old graphics or can't figure out the camera, I think it can keep me from connecting with these games in a meaningful way, and my experience doesn't feel all that valuable to me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
On the flip side, something I didn't even touch on is that I think age isn't the only thing that can keep me from connecting with a game (or any piece of art). I've tried modern games where I just bounced off the controls, or emotional games that didn't resonate with me (cough, Spiritfarer). The only thing I have to really say about these games is "I personally didn't like it," so I don't really feel like I've experienced these games either. I know there are meaningful experiences in these games, I just couldn't access them.
Again, thank you for such a thoughtful comment! Means a lot :)
@@RoryAych Thank you, that definitely does clear some things up. At the end of the day it's all personal taste, so what might work for me might not work for you and vice versa. I've had my fair share of modern games that Ive bounced off too (Horizon Zero Dawn and Mirrors Edge namely) so I see where you're coming from.
Thanks for the response, looking forward to whatever you do next.
Skill issue? @@RoryAych
@@RoryAych Please understand that older players had all the same issues with controls and camera, it has nothing to do with age... RE4, specifically PC version, controlled like ass. You didn't find problems with Portal because it's smooth like butter. Games didn't change. Context doesn't turn bootstrap aiming code into good controls and no amount of age will suddenly make Doom shotgun stop being satisfying (I first played it when it was already old).
I grew up with PlayStation in 2000s, but recently installed emulators for games made before I was born, some play well, others do not. I don't need to have lived in the 1980s to see that Metroid controls well, or that Asteroids or Frogger are fun, and you don't need to have played it in 1990s to see that Final Fantasy VII models are ugly as sin. You are hearing people gush over old stuff and then get surprised when you get EXACT same experience as them but it's not as good as they told you.
I played the re4 original a couple years ago and I honestly enjoyed it. Yeah, sometimes it shows its age. But I think that is negated by the action and character interactions. Also, all the iconic set pieces like the gondola section and initial village part still is very striking and different from a lot of other games.
I'm glad you were able to enjoy it! My experiences are not everyone's lol
It doesn't matter if from the perspective of today the original RE4 doesn't feel innovative or at the cutting edge of graphics because it's a game that's expertly designed around its mechanics. It's a game that superbly stands the test of time because it's not just another generic shooter. The enemies, levels design, player abilities and lack there of are all expertly designed.
You call it clunky but a lot of people just can't accept unhomogenized game design. If you altered it to play like a modern every day shooter you would break the rest of the game.
Games are more than graphical showcases and even innovative gameplay. What Resident Evil 4 has is shared with a game like Tetris which has aged remarkably well and that's incredibly well designed gameplay.
I agree, I think RE4 probably stands up better today than many games from the era. It's simply that when I've tried to pick it up (esp. after Remake), I feel like I can't appreciate it the way it deserves. I'm glad you can still enjoy it!
Resident Evil controls and aiming are extremely clunky and always have been, designer literally confessed that he didn't write aiming code and just modified the originals aiming by smoothing vertical aim. Most games at the time used autoaim because using D-pad to control crosshair is painful.
"If you altered it to play like a modern every day shooter you would break the rest of the game."
They literally did. That's what remake does. It changes it to feel modern and it doesn't break the rest.
However, original is still worth a play because once you get used to clunky controls, it has a lot of content that remake changed, not for better or worse, just different, i.e. truck part before castle is missing, and boat boss fight was SO MUCH BETTER in original. It also used QTEs decently.
You watch a lot of Jacob Gellar, don't you?
yep lol
@RoryAych No shade. You've just totally emulated his presentational speaking cadence.
I have found that games that are old still can give new experiences even today, especially when their "limitations" are instead understood as features that make up greater whole. Just because modern gaming trends are more realistic and sensible, that does not mean that they are the only kind of gaming experience a modern gamer should allow oneself to genuinely and organically appreciate.
I like that perspective of looking at the limitations as features - there are certainly a lot of older games that were really shaped around what the hardware was capable of
@@RoryAych not just hardware, but design know-how. Bubsy 3D plays so poorly not because PlayStation couldn't make good platformers but because developers didn't know how to work with 3d: how to orient camera, how to rotate character, how to telegraph jump landings to player. They copied Jumping Flash because it was the only 3D platformer at the time. Later Crash, Spyro and Tomb Raider released and everyone understood how to make 3D platforming. Same guys who made Bubsy 3D later made Syphon Filter on same console, and it still plays good to this day.
Whoa new video game TH-camr in my feed
I am wondering the same thing
Anyways let's watch and see if they are worth subscribing to
Very interesting perspective. Comment for the algorithm, that video was very nice
Thank you!
damn , young jacob geller over here , great video mate, really well written
That's a very high compliment! Thank you :)
Specific to RE4 original: it's not its age, or you. It just controls absolutely horrible. It didn't have proper aiming on two axes. Literally, they used code from old tank control Resident Evils, but added smoothing to up and down aim. THAT'S IT! Later they updated it with proper aim but even that was bad, and with a fan patch that makes mouse control slightly better, it still doesn't aim decently. RE5 plays exactly the same but controls WAY better, and RE6 was the first where they added things that were already a norm in other games of the time, like shooting while moving or a cover system.
The context here is that these games never controlled well. It's just ones before it controlled even worse. And over the shoulder view was absolutely a new thing that made it feel better than weird camera angles or camera behind character's back, like most third person games at the time used. These games were designed back when movement with D-Pad was still the norm. Very few games have controls that aged well, lines of Crash Bandicoot and Metal Gear because they used a fixed top-down view (but when you enter first person in MGS, it's bad).
So yeah maybe you'll feel better if you know that people who played them when they were new (I played RE4 on PS2 and my first Resident Evil game was 3) didn't feel better, or experience them as different as you hear them. I can argue that people who wax nostalgic about classic games often either haven't played them in a while, or just better adapted to jank with time. One good example is Mass Effect, it's a great game but original always had horrible gunplay. It's not about players age or personal experience, it's just a fact. Legendary edition was like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound.
Resident Evil 4 is ABSOLUTELY worth a play, it's short and has tons of things remake missed, the only context you need is that controls are bad. Playing with a gamepad on emulator or adapting to mouse on fan-patched newest version on Steam is doable. There are far worse controlling games released even now... Just STAY AWAY from original PC port, it was unplayable even at the time, especially compared to GameCube version.
tl;dr: Angry Video Game Nerd, despite exaggerating, is way closer to authentic experience of playing old games compared to reviewers showering everything with praise... I also couldn't land that plane. As someone who's younger than him, games from before PlayStation are mostly before my time, but I can enjoy them because I don't EXPECT them to control well. Lower your expectations, you'll enjoy things more. And watch let's plays for old games instead of essays to see the ACTUAL experience and not a fantasy.
Firstly, and most importantly, this is a great video and you should be proud!
If there’s any major piece of advice I have, it’s to try your find your own style. This video is *strongly* reminiscent of Jacob Geller, which is evident through your writing (using a lot of similar phrases) but especially in your vocal inflections. It’s great to have inspirations and wear them on your sleeves, but to me this was so blatant I found it distracting. If I wanted to watch a Jacob Geller video I’d go to his channel, I’m a lot more interested in seeing what YOU sound like.
Content wise, I really like and connect to the concept of this video. I strongly agree that context can wildly affect your perception of an experience, however I wouldn’t say it’s impossible to catch up with that context. I’d like to offer a bit of a different perspective. My first playthrough of Resident Evil 4 was in 2022, 17 years after its original release. Despite this, it felt fresh and exciting to me, and I felt that I fully understood the experience. Without a doubt the biggest reason for this is that my playthrough was part of a marathon that had me going through EVERY Resident Evil game, starting with the original trilogy on the original PlayStation.
With RE2 I felt a shift in tone and an expansion of gameplay mechanics despite the similar foundation, much the same with RE3. When I got to RE4, the difference was striking. The camera, the aiming, the aesthetics, the tone, it was a massive shift and even in 2022 I felt the impact of it. RE4 is still one of my favorite action games, and I still prefer returning to the 2005 original than the 2023 remake because of its unique strengths.
My point is, in most cases, you can give yourself the context. The history of video games may be short, but it is still remarkably rich with experiences that are incredibly valuable. The more familiar with older games you become, the more you notice trends throughout time periods, the more you can create your own context to place yourself in. I’m around the same age as you so I do understand your perspective, but because I’ve spent so much time playing games that released well before I was born, I’ve become very accustomed to them.
As one example, I played the original Silent Hill earlier this month and loved it. One of the most interesting things about it to me is how it spun off of the classic Resident Evil formula and shifted its priorities greatly to create a vastly different experience. It uses 3D environments rather than pre-rendered backgrounds, a movable camera as a result, or how less strict inventory management led to more surreal level designs.
I understood all this despite not being alive in 1999 because I’d also played those original Resident Evil games, but neither felt like just homework to me. I created my own context. It’s countless examples like this that add up over time that have given me a much greater understanding of the medium at plenty of different points in time.
It’s true that we will never be able to truly feel what it was like to play these games on release, and some games will always just be “artifact” experiences. We all have a cutoff, mine is somewhere in the middle of the NES era. But I still think there’s a lot that we can do to appreciate these games not just as artifacts, but as experiences, and attempting to do exactly that has led me to many of my favorite experiences of all time. Even out of their original time, lots of these old games still hold remarkable value today, and I am still regularly impressed by games I play that were released well before I would’ve been able to play them.
That being said, I love how you concluded this video with a reflection on all the writing that helped you understand the impact of these games more. I agree that the amount of writing there is about these games is pretty unbelievable and has done so much to help me understand and appreciate this medium in a way I never could have otherwise. I look forward to seeing more from you and all the stories you have to share!
Hey, thanks for the super thoughtful comment, I really appreciate it.
No one's pointed it out before, but I do take a lot of inspiration from Jacob! Guess I just didn't realize how noticeable it was. That being said, I'm not really making any *conscious* decision to sound like him, but I'll keep an eye on it next time.
That's so interesting how you were able to give yourself the context around RE4, including understanding the shift in perspective! I haven't spent nearly as much time as you playing older games, but I wonder if I'd have the same experience if I committed to playing a bunch of them.
I mean, I can understand why you may think games move too quick to believe something could be a "masterpiece" for a long period of time. Even tho I was born in 95, I just played Ocarina of Time in the mid 2010's, long after I played tons of other games (I grew up mostly with the Gamecube and Playstation 2), and at that point in my life my favorite game was the original Dark Souls (probably still is). The thing is I started Ocarina of Time plenty of times, and I didn't even play as much as you said you did. But, that time, around 2015, when I took the OOT cartridge from a friend's house, and I played it in a nintendo 64 I bought, that last time, something clicked. And I loved it, and I couldn't stop playing.
At this point, I haven't finished Majora's Mask yet, I'm in the same situation as Ocarina Of Time before, I start a new game, I think is kinda boring so I don't do too much before I drop it. But I really think, at some point, I will connect with the game, and the same will happen. Maybe I need to play it on original Hardware, Idk. But I do believe, no matter how old a game is, a good game, is still a good game.
Every now and again, youtube recommends a small hidden gem of a channel. This is one of them, and you have well earned the subscription
Thanks so much! :)
That’s what I’m saying man, I watched this video and I’m honestly in shock he doesn’t have more subs. We need to get this man to over 1k
I feel like you and Scott would be best friends
I've had the same experience too. I've recently played the Silent hill 2 remake and the Resident Evil 2 remake. I've recently tried to "legally" play the original games. Those games are still super good games. However, I just don't understand them and appreciate them as much as I would have if I would've played them when they first came out. For me it's mainly the game mechanics and level design that make it harder for me to enjoy them. Developers by now have definitely mastered video game mechanics and movement to give us the best experience. I feel like back then developers were still experimenting and learning how video games work. Just like you I still enjoy those old games by learning about them online and experiencing them through there soundtracks, and the stories that they tell. This is a super good and deep video. I hope you make more original videos like this.
Thank you! It's cool (and a bit tragic) that you've had the same experience as me
I think if you guys stop expecting old games to play smoothly and accept the janky controls, you'd actually enjoy them. Silent Hill 2 has probably the worst combat in the series, if you shoot enemies they stay up until you finish them with a kick. It's a ridiculous design choice, never used again... For other classics of the time: Mass Effect 1 has horrible gunplay and reused assets, RE4 has bootstrap aiming code and tank controls, and Assassin's Creed 2 has the WORST combat and graphics in the entire series, but by listening to essays and reading comments of people gushing over them, you ruin your own experience by setting unrealistic expectations instead of taking them for what they are... It would be good relationship advice but it's just silly games.
I don't see why people couldn't get used to minor problems of PS2 era games when people easily can get into actual retro stuff like Doom or any 2D game. Seriously, this isn't about gitting gud or having the right context but not expecting things to be masterpieces. Nobody picked up a Resident Evil game and thought "this is the Mona Lisa of gaming, I am in for an ethereal experience", we took them for dumb shooters. Lower your expectations and you will enjoy things way more. Crash and Tomb Raider remakes were popular not because original games "aged well" or whatever, but because they're good games people don't put on a pedestal as they don't have a weekly essay to the style of "why MGS2 is PROFOUND" (a game that was absolutely hated at release, BTW).
Well this was frickin amazing.
Thank you!
Eh, the original resident evil 4 is still worth playing, and honestly any games that your interested in most likely are as well. Dont bar yourself from playing older/niche games because theres a chance you might dislike them. In terms of the original Re4 the controls of the modern releases of the game really arent that hard to get into, ive played the original then the remake, and I was born one year before you so age isn't as important as it may seem. Both are amazing in their own regard, both have their own interpretation of the story, characters, art style, music and gameplay. Art style is more important in my eyes, graphics are just a polish. There are games that look realistic but in terms of visual and art direction are completely lacking, which is just the equivalent of spraypainting a turd with golden spray paint. Im sure you understand where im going with this. But i also do understand that art is subjective. I love the look and aesthetics of older games so i love the way the original re4 and games of its time look like. But I guess its not for everybody. As someone mentioned earlier there is way more to games then just graphical fidelity. Context is a bit meaningless in my opinion when the older games in question are still amazing. Games are meant to be played to have fun with them, not to be treated like a university research project. When it comes to older controls, thats really just a case of at least trying to get used to it. Because usually it doesnt take long, unless the game is ancient and the jank really kills your experience. I dont wanna come off like "Im right and your wrong", i just want people to enjoy stuff :)
Hey, thanks for the thoughtful comment! I would love to play OoT or RE4 one day and enjoy it, but I've bounced off of them pretty hard - both bc of older controls/graphics and the fact that I really *enjoy* understanding the larger conversation/context around games, which feels impossible so far removed from them.
There are plenty of old(ish) games I do love though (Portal, Wind Waker, Super Paper Mario) and I agree it's not worth writing off all older games just bc they're old!
You're making me feel sentimental about video games! Which is silly bc I've barely ever played video games as u well know. Which I guess is your whole point... wonderful video as always!!
Awww thank you!!! That's such a sweet compliment :))
Og resi4 stands the test of time. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but resi4 will always outshine the remake 4. This video is good, however it is an example of meta analysis over technical knowledge. Resi4 is awesome when you view it from a beat em up perspective. Even now resi4 remake doesn't have the same impact as the og or replayed as much. All lowest common denominator idiots went to the next trendy thing.
Great video bro, hope this or any other video of yours finds the algorithm
Thank you! Hopefully someday :)
fantastic video essay my man i am shocked at how small your chanel is in comparison to how good your content is
Thank you! I really appreciate it :)
crossed 150,keep it up my man!
Thank you!
young sheldon
Is this an alternate reality where emulators don't exist?
He literally said "legally" in the first thirty seconds, downloading roms from the internet are technically not legal.
@@Ender11037you can emulate using the original game. Also the original has a pc version.
you didnt even watch the video lmao
@@Ender11037 theres stuff like ebay and used market too if you for some reason insist on not downloading delisted abandonware stuff.
hey why are you copying scott the woz? also there was not nearly enough discussion about the quasi grid in resident evil 4. that alone makes the game good to play
3 hour quasi grid deep dive + scott the woz collab coming next month get it early on my patreon at the $69 tier
YOUNG SHELDON
Stop trying to be Scott the woz, you’re not, try to be more yourself in the video style, it just looks like copy of a big TH-camr, sorry but that’s the reason I disliked and will ask TH-cam to not show your channel anymore.
Literally never watched that guy in my life.
@RoryAych You wear glasses AND talk about video games, do you really think we would all just chuck that up to coincidence?
Best to just admit it while you can and save a shred of your dignity pal
@@noodles8920 I think there's a point tho, all glasses people are related, they go to the same club, no way they never met each other!