I'm convinced that differences in display devices are to blame for why framerate is so contentious. While 30FPS will always feel choppier than 60, I think certain display devices accentuate the problem greatly. For example, I used to play many games at 30FPS on an older TV without it bothering me much. Then, I upgraded to a 4K 55" Sony Bravia QLED a few years ago. It looks stunning running at 60FPS, but many 30FPS games (especially on PS5) are a stuttering mess to the point of being unplayable. Rotating a 3D camera really highlights the problem; the jittering is incredibly obvious. I'm not sure how much it'll matter for Paper Mario. I just think some people defending 30FPS haven't experienced stuff like this.
I work at a smaller developer/publisher, and that's given me a different perspective on this. I think most people don't realize how insanely dirt cheap games are for consumers when you factor in inflation, labor costs, operational costs, and the sheer dedication and sacrifices many people make to ship a game. The oversaturation of the market just means that developers can't charge what their work is really worth, and many (most?) are barely scraping by.
Don't get me wrong, I completely understand not wanting or being able to spend a lot of money on games as a frugal spender myself. But I think some people have very unreasonable expectations of what they should be getting for their money. It's crazy, for example, that a single restaurant meal can cost more than many giant indie games.
This was my favorite Kirby game as a kid, despite a few minor annoyances. I've never been the biggest fan of the franchise, largely because I find its linear level design boring (even in big budget experiences like Forgotten Land). Amazing Mirror was so much more engaging because it gave you agency in exploring and untangling the game's map. I really hope we see another, and better, Kirby game with this exploratory style.
I've had a few fleeting moments of fear, like encountering a Gloomhand underground just before a major objective. But mostly, no. I kind of envy people who can get scared by a game like this, because it's a feeling I wish I could experience more. Most games are too systemic, predictable, and exploitable to be scary for me, even horror games. 95% of the time, the worst thing that can happen is that you die, load an autosave, and lose a few minutes of progress. For a game to really get under my skin, it needs to create uncertainty and a fear of the unknown, and it needs to feel like there are genuine stakes compelling me to survive. It's really hard to find AAA games that can pull this off.
My ranking, in terms of personal preference (not necessarily which I think are "objectively" the best). I'm also including AM2R because I think it's worthy of inclusion.
Fusion > Super > Prime 2 > Prime 1 > Zero Mission > AM2R > Prime 3 > Metroid 1 (NES) > Metroid 2 (GB) > Samus Returns > Hunters > Pinball > Other M > Federation Force
Comments 5
Re: Bayonetta Origins Director Empathises With Paper Mario Dev, Suggests Reasons For 30FPS
I'm convinced that differences in display devices are to blame for why framerate is so contentious. While 30FPS will always feel choppier than 60, I think certain display devices accentuate the problem greatly. For example, I used to play many games at 30FPS on an older TV without it bothering me much. Then, I upgraded to a 4K 55" Sony Bravia QLED a few years ago. It looks stunning running at 60FPS, but many 30FPS games (especially on PS5) are a stuttering mess to the point of being unplayable. Rotating a 3D camera really highlights the problem; the jittering is incredibly obvious. I'm not sure how much it'll matter for Paper Mario. I just think some people defending 30FPS haven't experienced stuff like this.
Re: Saber Interactive CEO Doesn't Think $70 Video Games Are Sustainable
I work at a smaller developer/publisher, and that's given me a different perspective on this. I think most people don't realize how insanely dirt cheap games are for consumers when you factor in inflation, labor costs, operational costs, and the sheer dedication and sacrifices many people make to ship a game. The oversaturation of the market just means that developers can't charge what their work is really worth, and many (most?) are barely scraping by.
Don't get me wrong, I completely understand not wanting or being able to spend a lot of money on games as a frugal spender myself. But I think some people have very unreasonable expectations of what they should be getting for their money. It's crazy, for example, that a single restaurant meal can cost more than many giant indie games.
Re: Review: Kirby & The Amazing Mirror - Messy With Metroid Influences, Better With Buddies
This was my favorite Kirby game as a kid, despite a few minor annoyances. I've never been the biggest fan of the franchise, largely because I find its linear level design boring (even in big budget experiences like Forgotten Land). Amazing Mirror was so much more engaging because it gave you agency in exploring and untangling the game's map. I really hope we see another, and better, Kirby game with this exploratory style.
Re: Talking Point: Is Tears Of The Kingdom The Scariest Zelda Game Ever?
I've had a few fleeting moments of fear, like encountering a Gloomhand underground just before a major objective. But mostly, no. I kind of envy people who can get scared by a game like this, because it's a feeling I wish I could experience more. Most games are too systemic, predictable, and exploitable to be scary for me, even horror games. 95% of the time, the worst thing that can happen is that you die, load an autosave, and lose a few minutes of progress. For a game to really get under my skin, it needs to create uncertainty and a fear of the unknown, and it needs to feel like there are genuine stakes compelling me to survive. It's really hard to find AAA games that can pull this off.
Re: Poll: What's The Best Metroid Game?
My ranking, in terms of personal preference (not necessarily which I think are "objectively" the best). I'm also including AM2R because I think it's worthy of inclusion.
Fusion > Super > Prime 2 > Prime 1 > Zero Mission > AM2R > Prime 3 > Metroid 1 (NES) > Metroid 2 (GB) > Samus Returns > Hunters > Pinball > Other M > Federation Force