Looking Back for the Future

Written by Craig Will Sunday, 31 July 2011 05:00

Every year there's a cry from the gaming community for more original IPs. Generally, I am among the throng of vocal gamers hoping for something more inspired than, "run from point A to point B while shooting everything that moves," but every few years there are some sequels that get me more excited than any original IP could. This year a couple of games are really getting me pumped up: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.

The excitement caused by the ever nearer release date of these games has caused me to go back and (re)play their predecessors in anticipation.

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Until Bethesda released Fallout 3, Oblivion was my favorite game. After Fallout 3 consumed my life for almost a year I had forgotten all about my trip to Cyrodill. With Skyrim looming I felt it appropriate to jump back into the open world expanse that is Oblivion. It has consumed me. There is an itch that I don't realize I have until it's being scratched. An itch that very occasionally slithers its way into my gaming time and reduces the fun factor of some games and I've always had a hard time placing what it is. Now I get it. Freedom. Complete freedom to go where I want, when I want, however I want, and to do what I want when I get there. This is something Bethesda has mastered and it is so fulfilling to indulge in this craving that I sometimes wonder how I ever enjoy linear experiences. Then I get overwhelmed with having very little real direction… Oh, and I start wishing that I received XP for every new location I found.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

I have a confession to make: I did not beat Uncharted 2 until this past week. I've had it since September of last year and had played it for 2 or 3 hours before I moved on to something else. The sad part is that I don't even remember what game it was that I moved on to… But after the beta for Uncharted 3 impressed me (multiplayer usually doesn't) and with the release just around the corner I found myself being drawn back to finish what I had started. I'm so glad I did. UC2 is third person shooting mixed with platforming at its very best. Environmental puzzles are creative, the story is engaging, dialog is humorous and well done, and the shooting mechanics work very well for being able to move fluidly from jumping to blasting and back again. Where the game really gets me though is the collecting. I love searching for treasure in any game and the Uncharted series is very rewarding when it comes to utilizing your OCD for treasure hunting. Now if you'll excuse me, I have 27 more treasures to find.

What sequels are you looking forward to this holiday season and have you returned to the previous installments to try and hold yourself over until they get here?