Video games that broke the mould

[Darby]

Share with us some games that, in your opinion, did something new and interesting, and helped shape and pioneer the modern games that we play today.

 

[Lilani]

inb4 Half-Life 2

...Yeah, HL2. Pretty self-explanatory at this point.

 

[Guffe]

Well Mario to the Nintendo64.
Here's why: One of the first 3D games which had sound increase/decrease. For example when you run closer to a waterfall the sound of the water increases. Or at least I've read somewere this is the case.

 

[Evil Top Hat]

World of Warcraft, for bringing a previously small and underdeveloped genre into the mainstream, and totally changing the way that people look at MMOs.

 

[Andy Szidon]

Minecraft
Creeper world

 

[Toriver]

Mario 64 did more than revolutionize sound, it brought proper 3D control and actual good-looking aesthetics to consoles... then, almost a decade later probably made an even bigger leap by doing it on a handheld.

 

[FirMothoth]

inb4 Half-Life 2

...Yeah, HL2. Pretty self-explanatory at this point.

How so? I mean, yeah it was a good game but what about it was mould-breaking?

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

I think Catherine deserves a mention. :3 It was interesting to have a game try and explore the different issues and situations that could rise in a relationship. You know, except for the moments where the plot goes eight ways bananas with angels and stuff. It was still a pretty interesting premise.

 

[Kekkles]

Mario 64 did more than revolutionize sound, it brought proper 3D control and actual good-looking aesthetics to consoles... then, almost a decade later probably made an even bigger leap by doing it on a handheld.

Not to mention a (semi)controllable camera.

 

[Dandark]

Well it went by almost totally unnoticed and hasn't changed the industry in any way but Section 8 and it's sequel Section 8 prejudice had some nice idea, such as being able to spawn in anywhere.

Im hoping someone will eventully take insipration from them and make another game like this.

 

[the spud]

Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, and Psychonauts were all genre busters in my opinion. I have yet to play anything like them in my entire life.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Xenoblade Chronicles- It let you save anywhere and anytime (except during battle so no limited save spots) and if you were defeated there is no repercussion (not losing your golds) for losing other than spawm from the last location landmark (a place to arrive at).
Ok sure there are probably other rpg games that had done this but I don't play alot of rpg (since I hate the whole limited save spots etc).

 

[Spectrum_Prez]

Mirror's Edge. For making running fun again. And for showing that good art design matters.

 

[Broady Brio]

"Mould it, shape it. You gotta a knife? Yes I wanna scrap it. Up and down, sideways..."

OT: The Persona series? Almost like two games in one.

 

[varulfic]

inb4 Half-Life 2

...Yeah, HL2. Pretty self-explanatory at this point.

I'd say Half-Life 1 did more to break the mold than the sequel.

 

[Lilani]

inb4 Half-Life 2

...Yeah, HL2. Pretty self-explanatory at this point.

How so? I mean, yeah it was a good game but what about it was mould-breaking?

It mixes the story in gameplay in a way I haven't seen any other games attempt, at least on the scale of HL2. I mean, letting the player have control essentially the whole time? And NEVER leaving the first person except in dream sequences? Those are some pretty unusual traits among games of that time. And it certainly wasn't easy, finding ways to have all of that rendered in real-time rather than just resorting to pre-rendered cutscenes.

inb4 Half-Life 2

...Yeah, HL2. Pretty self-explanatory at this point.

I'd say Half-Life 1 did more to break the mold than the sequel.

That's probably true, but I haven't played HL1 so I really don't know. Plus as far as I can tell, many more people have played HL2 than HL1, so I figured it would be a more accessible example.

 

[AbstractStream]

Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, and Psychonauts were all genre busters in my opinion. I have yet to play anything like them in my entire life.

Shadow of the Colossus definitely has my vote.
I'd like to mention Portal as well.

 

[Vankraken]

Not sure if you can call it "breaking the mold" but Dune 2 built the mold for traditional RTS

-Doom as being the foundation of FPS.
-Starcraft with evolving RTS to not be mirror factions but having 3 completely unique races.
-X-Com for taking tactical strategy and introducing RPG stat development and macro base/economy management.
-GTA3 for breaking out the open world sandbox gameplay style.
-World of Warcraft for making the MMO genera accessible to a far greater audience outside the super hardcore.
-The Sims for opening the flood gates to non gamer targeted games.

 

[krazykidd]

Golden eye 007 . I feel he is the grandfather of console FPS . And should be respected as such.

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

Halo, at the time.

"A shooter on consoles? For a microsoft owned one? BY BUNGIE?! AHAHAHAHA!!!"....

But mostly, Spore, Mirrors Edge, Borderlands and Bioshock.

ESSPECIALLY Spore.

A shame EA got involved and tainted the whole game, which then nobody played due to DRM, but it was still a great game, but it could have been better had EA decided to make it kiddy.