Dead Pixels has 41 chronicles

1. Sequelsize Me
   

   Player Chronicle -- Posted on Aug 03 2009

   Sequelsize Me
   
   
   Dead Pixels
   08-03-09
   By Ryan Eft
   
   My incessant, petulant calls for more originality are as regular a fixture in this column as my derision of endless sequels, spin-offs and me-too copycatting. One could say it is something of an obsession, since I go as far as ensuring I buy several promising, original titles a year brand new in order to make absolutely sure developers and publishers receive financial inspiration to create more of them. After all, every day spent churning out over-priced track packs for Rock Band is another day that could have been spent exploring the upper reaches of the medium’s potential.
   
   However, in all my ranting I do tend to ignore that, somewhere in the sea of poo, there does occasionally come a sequel that’s worth a damn. The upcoming second installment of Assassin’s Creed will certainly be excellent, and Red Dead Redemption is unlikely to turn no heads. The almost assured quality of these sequels makes me wonder: why do things like Army of Two get a second go? Aren’t there more deserving titles out there, ones that haven’t had a chance to shine in a good long time?
   
   There is, of course, only one correct answer to that question.
   
   So, this week, a little break from trying to make a point for a rundown of the long-dormant titles I feel are past due for revival.
   
   Donkey Kong Country
   Preferred System: DS
   Seeing as how beloved this series was before it made the ill-advised jump to three dimensions with Donkey Kong 64, it’s a wonder that Nintendo insists on forcing Donkey, Diddy, Dixie, Cranky and the rest of the family into racing, bongo-beating and dull minigames. Donkey Konga? Really? For as much as I sometimes wish Nintendo would regain the old drive to innovate (in gameplay, not in peripherals) that they were known for in the good ol’ days, there are also times when they need to stop trying to fix it, cause it ain’t broke. I realize Rare is now over at Microsoft, but Super Princess Peach and New Super Mario Bros. Proved beyond a doubt Nintendo still had a firm grasp on what makes a 2D platformer fun. Don’t try to gussy it up with lots of unnecessary touch screen junk. Don’t dumb it down for Grandma. Just give us Donkey Kong Country 4.
   
   Chrono Trigger
   Preferred System: Playstation 3 and/or Xbox 360
   Up above, under “preferred system”, I was tempted to say “Who cares, just gimme”. Most RPG fans out there ought to know exactly how I feel; as far as many role-players are concerned, spending nearly a decade without a new Chrono game should be a punishable offense. When you discover that the reason there isn’t one is that the team responsible is being made to furiously pump new expansion content into Final Fantasy XI like a doctor trying to keep a comatose patient breathing, it becomes all the more galling. Vast storytelling possibilities were opened up by the alternate dimension storyline of Chrono Cross, and a decade’s anticipation finally bursting forth into sales would mean a day-one blockbuster. The composer wants to do it, the creators want to do it, so why is this not a reality yet, Square? Haven’t you punished us enough with the Crystal Chronicles series?
   
   Eternal Darkness
   Out of all the shocks and fourth-wall-breaking surprises buried in this game, there’s on that could be called the unkindest cut of all. That is, of course, the one that teases at a sequel. Silicon Knights says one will be made, but after 6 years all they did was squat down over the world’s filthiest development toilet and “create” Too Human. That’s like being promised triple fudge ice cream with cherries and being handed asparagus with beet sauce instead. The original game had such a unique form of gameplay that many people are dying to see what SK comes up with next, but not only are they not forthcoming, they’re still insisting Too Human was good. And apparently we’re going to be subjected to another two installments. We can only hope Microsoft nixes that and asks for Eternal Darkness 2 instead. Dennis Dyack, head honcho of SK, says “definitely yes” to a sequel, so hopefully it’s just a matter of when. Fingers crossed, dammit!
   
   Marvel vs. Capcom
   Playing Marvel vs. Capcom 2 today on my 360, I was forcibly reminded of how long ago it came out. I believe the current licensing situation makes a sequel impossible (for now), but a guy can dream. Dante and Virgil? Zero? Sandman? So many characters who either didn’t exist or have since come to be more well-known could be included, and just picturing them rendered in the jaw-dropping visual stylings that graced Street Fighter 4 makes me want it even more.

   
   

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Dead Pixels has 1 comment on this chronicle.

1. JackDaniels624
   Posted On Aug 04 2009

   I don't think the Rock Band songs are overpriced...but then again I'm the one who always legally buys music now since one of my favorite musicians died solely because he couldn't afford the medical treatment...So I understand that the bands need to make something too. And I also think Ao2 deserves a sequel. Sure it was short and had it's problems, but it does have potential. Not to mention I always have classic memories of most co-op based games...