Video Gaming

Why There’s No Rival To Pokemon

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So, where's the rival to Pokemon as a game?

I found myself asking this one day for reasons I can't quite remember (though I suspect it was about competing ecosystems of technology).  It's a fascinating question to ask because let's face it – there isn't one.  Pokemon has no rivals in its conceptual space, at least no worthy ones.

Sure, there are imitators of Pokemon, or games that may use some similar mechanics.  Dragon Quest Monsters perhaps comes closest in quality, but it's not the same runaway hit as Pokemon (though I'd say it's definitely it's own thing in the DQ game line as opposed to a derivation).  So where's the rival?

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Making Superheroes Work In Videogames: Superman

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Someone on twitter said you couldn't make a good Superman videogame. Analyzing that statement, I felt they were wrong, and it led to the last two columns you've read, speculating on superheroes and video games.

As noted earlier in this series, I believe there are two elements to super her video games–and indeed all videogames–that have to be done right. These are the the thematic and the mechanical. These elements have to be done right, and sync up well, or your game is going to get mocked in reviews because it's lousy and misuses the property.

And I've explored how various superhero properties could be implemented with specific videogame mechanics. Now it's time for the big it's time for Superman–the videogame that doesn't suck. Hopefully. I'm trying here.

So let's start with a detailed analysis, namely what is Superman about?

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Making Superheroes Work In Videogames: Implementations

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Last column, I discussed superhero videogames, why they often don't work, and the two elements that would come together to make them work, or at least not suck.

Those two elements? The “thematic" elements (look, story, writing, acting) and the “mechanical” elements of gameplay and game system.

I've come to the conclusion that the big problem superhero games is that the mechanical elements are often done wrong, poorly, or use inappropriate elements from common gaming systems and tropes. Thematic element problems can usually be cured with the right graphics, writer, and self-respect. Mechanical elements on the other hand, seem to be harder.

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