Modern Games that require Nostalgia to Enjoy.

[Majestic Manatee_v1legacy]

Have been playing Shovel Knight recently. Trying, really trying hard to enjoy it. But I can't. It is supposed to be critically acclaimed, But it doesn't feel like it has attempted to put any modern spin on the gameplay, art or animation. I never owned a NES or SNES and it feels like it's trying to tug on heartstrings and memories that are not there. I play Terraria, so I am not a shallow casual unable to appreciate anything not rendered in Unreal 4 or Crytec engine. Do I have to have this nostalgia to appreciate this game? Also has anyone else experienced this with other modern games?

 

[Saelune]

Do you like any other action platformers? Maybe you just dont like the genre, not the aesthetic?

 

[SweetShark]

Shovel Knight for me is one of the best Videogame Platform I ever played. 10/10.
However even I knew it took elements from games like Megaman and Ducktales, it wasn't these reasons for liking it.
I liked because it was just good.
The same goes for games like the new versions or DOOM and Shadow Warrior. Yes, nostalgia maybe is a factor for many, but in the end this that truly count is its the whole package [gameplay, graphics, music, etc].

In other words Nostalgia for us is only to pay more attention. If the game is also good, this make us happy. If not, then all the blame is to us.

 

[Majestic Manatee_v1legacy]

Action platformers are great, the trine trilogy, metroidvanias and many others I adore. Shovel Knight has alright music melodies, but even that is like it is targeted at a nostalgic crowd, as simple, effective music can be easily produced without the 8-16 bit (not sure what the game falls under here) sound. I shall try it tonight again, one level at a time. The enemy designs are cute.

 

[CaitSeith]

snip
But it doesn't feel like it has attempted to put any modern spin on the gameplay
snip

Counter point: Dark Souls-like death penalty. Whenever you die, half your money is taken and placed in the spot where you died. Although I agree the rest is so heavily inspired in old-school gaming that some familiarity (not nostalgia) helps to enjoy it. But it has something that old-school didn't have (except maybe for Sonic & Knuckles as expansion for Sonic 3): DLC. Seriously, I think the DLC is more fun and the gameplay a little more original than the main game (Plague Knight FTW).

OT: To be frank, the closest I have been to that is Sonic Generations (because I never played Sonic as kid). Most of the references and mechanics I understood were because of Youtube videos about old Sonic games that I had watched by mere chance (that's how I learned about Sonic & Knuckles expansion).

 

[Poetic Nova]

Carmageddon: Max Damage.

In my oppinion it is a bloody great game, part remake, part reimagening of the first game.

And that's the thing, if you don't know, or haven't played Carmageddon 1 and 2, chances are huge you won't like it. It's much more balanced, but some engine quirks are stil there (like long loading times before each race). And the handling is stil pure physics based, so it is another learning curve if you jump in blind.

 

[Majestic Manatee_v1legacy]

Counter point: Dark Souls-like death penalty. Whenever you die, half your money is taken and placed in the spot where you died. Although I agree the rest is so heavily inspired in old-school gaming that some familiarity (not nostalgia) helps to enjoy it. But it has something that old-school didn't have (except maybe for Sonic & Knuckles as expansion for Sonic 3): DLC. Seriously, I think the DLC is more fun and the gameplay a little more original than the main game (Plague Knight FTW).

OT: To be frank, the closest I have been to that is Sonic Generations (because I never played Sonic as kid). Most of the references and mechanics I understood were because of Youtube videos about old Sonic games that I had watched by mere chance (that's how I learned about Sonic & Knuckles expansion).

Well, I mean yeah, that works more like a deathplay mechanic the way I see it, it doesn't change the gameplay while you are alive. It only throws in a couple more collectables for flavour at a point you last died. I am unsure what it is that is missing that would grab me. Maybe more time is needed. DLC is not the answer haha! That's funny! Unless it really is the answer. Then I must eat my own circus performer.
Sonic generations is a nostalgic journey. But I only recognised about 3 or 4 stages in that game. Even those were only from Dreamcast era.