14 DAY TRIAL // In the last few weeks we’ve taken a look at a wide array of videogames, from fun-to-play ones like Trials Evolution, to more “artsy” experiences like Fez or Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP.
While they were decent in their own way, if I look back upon them, I reckon the most fun I had was with Trials Evolution, even if Fez or Superbrothers delivered more visually-pleasing experiences.
This is the problem with many games that rely on their artistic factor to get ahead in the gaming industry.
Sure, you can make a game about philosophical debates and ponder the meaning of life, but if your interactive experience isn’t fun to interact with, then players will forget about it in a second.
This is a pretty big problem for both Fez and Superbrothers, at least in my view.
Fez looks great and has decent platforming mechanics but you can end up spending quite a lot of time trying to navigate its platforms in order to get the crucial cubes that are needed to save your tiny little world.
Superbrothers may not rely on platforms, but its puzzles will certainly make you waste time by pointlessly clicking at the screen, hoping that something you’ll do will actually solve the game’s array of riddles.
Both games have redeeming qualities, like their pixelated visual style or their impressive soundtracks but, in the end, I reckon I won’t go back to any of them because I just want a simple experience, like the one offered by Trials Evolution.
In RedLynx’s physics-based 2D racer, you’re just tasked with completing increasingly difficult tracks by maneuvering your bike through the courses.
Yes, it gets tricky after a while, just like the two games above, but at least it doesn’t seem unfair. You can easily check out the leaderboards for each track, see the playthroughs of others, and learn from them before attempting the track on your own.
What do you think? Do you prefer artsy videogames instead of great-playing ones or do you think a balance should be found between them?