To be a gamer, you MUST play...

[DoctorWhat]

In the age of mainstream gaming, the monopoly FPSes have over the minds of the so-called "gamer" and the many many clones there are out there, I pose a simple question to you.

Do you think someone should HAVE to have played certain games before you can consider them a "true" gamer? I'm talking the hidden gems that you find in a bargain bin, the NES and Dreamcast classics, the indie games, and the games that nobody else knows about, even if it's right there on the shelf...

For example, many VALVe games are considered almost legendary at this stage, and some might consider you unclean if you haven't played Final Fantasy.

To add an extra-bonus-mega level of discussion, do you think gaming gold is hard to come by these days? Were games better in the past, when innovation was key?

And finally, is there any game that you would immediately snatch up if you saw it on sale?

 

[Tiny116]

I think someone has to play games to be a gamer.

However a knowedge of more than fifa 2010 probably be helpful

As for a game i'd immediatly snatch up...Parasite Eve...Squaresofts (ennix) "hidden gem" if you will

 

[Hazy]

-If you own a platform, play games, or a combination of the two, then you are a gamer.

-I find that games were generally filled with more creativity in the past - look upon that as you wish, but games are still fairly good these days.

-I would most likely abduct Panzer Dragoon Saga like.. Uh... cancel that metaphor, but I would grab that shit in a second.

 

[TriggerHappyAngel]

The Legend of Zelda - The Mother of all adventure games

Wolfenstein 3D - The Father of all shooter games

Golden Sun - The best (GBA) RPG ever made

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Not Ocarina of Time.

Well, I didn't like it at least.

You must play nothing.

 

[kenzo1010]

It doesn't realy matter what games you play to be a gamer. Not everyone enjoys the same game and people have differnt opinoins. It's like films...

As for is gaming gold hard to come by. In short yes. Companys seam to be rushing too many games and just seam to spew up ideas that make no sense. On top of that, the production of games seam to be rushed and time and effort is not put into it. I only hope that Splinter Cell Conviction have been wise to hold back the release date numours times for pure gold.

 

[Wolfram23]

Hmm well I don't think new gamers really need to try their hands at NES or SNES games - even tho they're classics and many of us gamers absolutely love those games, I'm sure to a new generation they'd simply hate the 2D poor quality graphics and simple gameplay. My choice tho would be Rock n Roll Racing. LOVED that game.

I think it's good to diversify tho, try games you might not really expect much from. There's so many little boys who play one game - CoD. It's a sad world we live in ><

note: I like MW2. But there's so much more out there!

 

[Irridium]

To be considered a gamer, all you have to do is play a game.
I don't go by that "true gamer" stuff, just seems pointless to me. As for your two questions:

To add an extra-bonus-mega level of discussion, do you think gaming gold is hard to come by these days? Were games better in the past, when innovation was key?

And finally, is there any game that you would immediately snatch up if you saw it on sale?

I believe games were more interesting in the past. Since graphics weren't such a main concern. Plus in the past we didn't have to deal with all this DLC stuff that is just a pain to deal with nowadays.

And as for a game I would pick up instantly: Timesplitters Future Perfect. Hands down. I would buy it instantly.

No other game is such a pure embodiment of fun as Timesplitters.

What other game can I pit ninja monkeys against dinosaurs and bears?
Ninja monkeys against dinosaurs and bears!

Every day I wish for it to show up on Steam...

 

[Baby Tea]

Super Mario Bros.
It's what got so many people into games, it's what so many people, gamers and non-gamers alike think of when they think of video games, and it's just plain, simple fun.
Plus the music is freaking awesome.

As for the idea of gaming gold, no. I think games are the same quality as they ever were.
We only remember the best of the old days because they were the ones that lasted. Nobody remembers 'Hyper Blade' and 'Dark Ages' because they weren't popular. But everyone remembers the good games, because they were good and stood out from the crap that existed back in the day.

And for 'must buys'?
The Baldur's Gate Saga box set. I own them all already, but I'd like to own it again. Just cause they rock my socks.
Also: Planescape: Torment.

 

[Willeus]

Zelda - The Mother of all adventure games

Wolfenstein 3D - The Father of all shooter games

Golden Sun - The best (GBA) RPG ever made

If only the Mother of all adventure games and the Father of all shooter games had a child... What a game it would be.

 

[CheckD3]

It's impossible to nail down something to define one as a gamer playing a certain game wise

Being a gamer is to partake in the playing of games more than once in a blue moon, but to also absorb yourself into the culture. Discussing or reading up on the games, story reading, merchandise, ect, the culture is what makes us gamers

How many people here know something in depth about a game because they read a story for the game, or have memorized obscure little things that the average player wouldn't get unless they REALLY got into the game, or ect? I bet everyone reading this can name something crazy like that, and it's what makes you a true gamer, the culture that we surround ourselves in.

 

[floppylobster]

Innovation was not what made games of the past great, it was the limitations.

 

[fix-the-spade]

What games do you think someone should HAVE to have played before you can consider them a "true" gamer.

No specific game, you just have to play.


BUT, if you haven't played a game, you don't get to have an opinion on how good it is.

 

[Jezzascmezza]

Whatever game you like...
Bit of a silly topic if you ask me...

 

[ShakerSilver]

Zelda - The Mother of all adventure games

Wolfenstein 3D - The Father of all shooter games

Golden Sun - The best (GBA) RPG ever made

If only the Mother of all adventure games and the Father of all shooter games had a child... What a game it would be.

It's called Half-Life. /joke(or is it?)

 

[richasr]

A ridiculous notion if you ask me, not everyone enjoys first person shooters, nor does everyone enjoy JRPGs. If a 'true gamer' exists then it should be a title earned if you have a passion for gaming, whatever the genre may be. I'll never seriously dis-own (sp?) anyone for not ever having played a game like Halo or Doom for that matter.

 

[Proteus214]

Super Mario Bros.
It's what got so many people into games, it's what so many people, gamers and non-gamers alike think of when they think of video games, and it's just plain, simple fun.
Plus the music is freaking awesome.

I entirely agree. SMB pretty much defined modern gaming as we know it. It's the baseline for every game made ofter 1985.