Bayonetta

[Dunlap]

thread relative:

[bbobb]

GOW2 > DMC3SE > GOW1 > NGS > NGB > DMC3 > DMC > NGS2 > NG2 > NG > DMC4 > HS > DMC2

This is pretty much correct.

I'd put Bayonetta right here: DMC3SE > Bayonetta > GOW1

[Gooch]

GOW2 > DMC3SE > GOW1 > NGS > NGB > DMC3 > DMC > NGS2 > NG2 > NG > DMC4 > HS > DMC2

Take out the GOW games and you're close. GOW 1 and 2 are shit. Rentals at best. They're shallow games juiced with production values and no requirement or game play infrastructure in place for an actual evolution of one's skill level.

[Rocca]

This is pretty much correct.

I'd put Bayonetta right here: DMC3SE > Bayonetta > GOW1

This is why we are friends.

[Space Pirate Roberts]

Take out the GOW games and you're close. GOW 1 and 2 are shit. Rentals at best. They're shallow games juiced with production values and no requirement or game play infrastructure in place for an actual evolution of one's skill level.

Oh my god, this. I can't believe anyone here would put that trash over any NG or DMC (well, besides 2), let alone at the top of the list.

[Shin Johnpv]

I would put them above NG but I would put just about anything over the new NG games. Really dislike what they did with that series, and the bullshit deaths.

[bVork]

Presentation does matter, folks. And I think the God of War titles actually do a better job than most games in the genre of mixing up the encounters and environments so you never have exactly the same fight twice. As for difficulty, yes, they are easier than the rest of the games on my list but that doesn't mean that they're total pushovers. Plus there's always God/Titan difficulty, which is nice and difficult - it isn't quite Dante Must Die, but it is up there thanks to the way God of War prefers to mostly dispense health orbs via chests and not during combat. That means every hit you take matters.

[Gooch]

I will eventually. I have way too much shit I need to finish to buy anything at release price right now though.

I was the unfortunate recipient of the PS3 collection and it has been played just once out of HD curiosity. If you have any list of respectable items for trade, I would glady take a look as I'm ready to part with this immediately.

Presentation does matter, folks. And I think the God of War titles actually do a better job than most games in the genre of mixing up the encounters and environments so you never have exactly the same fight twice. As for difficulty, yes, they are easier than the rest of the games on my list but that doesn't mean that they're total pushovers. Plus there's always God/Titan difficulty, which is nice and difficult - it isn't quite Dante Must Die, but it is up there thanks to the way God of War prefers to mostly dispense health orbs via chests and not during combat. That means every hit you take matters.

I respect your opinion but the production values drive this game with nothing really else worthwhile about it. The gameplay is eggregiously shallow and not the least bit rewarding. There is no incentive to keep playing to actually get better at this game because there is no such thing as "getting better". Even if there was, there is little to no opportunity to even demonstrate or apply that skill in combat form. It is like playing an interactive movie, and what this being the case, I'd rather get this form of entertainment from a film or a book.

This is in stark contrast to the other games in your list, games like DMC3 SE, the NGs, where the attainment and application of evolved skill is necessary and rewarding when applied.

[bVork]

I disagree. God of War adheres more closely to the pattern memorization model of older games than the other games in the genre, which tend to have more dynamic opponents, but learning the patterns of enemies and which combos to use is a sign of skill advancement. You can't just get by with square square triangle, thanks to the way God of War likes changing up the enemies and/or environments to discourage using a single combo constantly. For instance, it doesn't work on multiple medusae because you'll end up petrified thanks to the delay on the end of the third attack. Same goes if you're dealing with larger enemies that don't get stunned by it. In this way, God of War is actually a lot more like a classic beat-em-up than games like Devil May Cry.

[Gooch]

I don't think we disagree. God of War is more of a classic beat-em-up than games like DMC 3 SE, Bayonetta, and the NG games. But I want a deep 3D action game with a sophisticated combat engine when I buy a game in this genre; I don't want a classic beat-em-up based on pattern memorization. This distinction, which you seem to acknowledge, is one reason I think the GOW games should not be included in the same comparison with the aforementioned action titles. For similar reasons, I would exclude HS from being grouped with DMC 3 SE, Bayonetta, and the NG games as well. The latter games aspire to be more than the classic beat-em-up.