BinaryDemon wrote:Was anyone really expecting a dos based sequel? Would Keen on a console be a better option? I am sure the mobile version will get ported to windows store, which is realistically the best anyone should have been expecting.
Everyone expects remakes to land on current platforms; just like remastered movies come out on Bluray and now 4k, as opposed to VHS and BetaMax. In this case, there's zero issue with the platform (yes - desktop would be great too): it's the implementation that people don't like.
Let's use Super Mario as a gold standard in competent remakes:
- Super Mario Bros released in North America on Oct 1985 for the NES Console
- Super Mario Run released in North America on March 2017 for Android Phones
- 31 years between releases
- Example of modern remake: https://youtu.be/qjHSn4GwQWY?t=6
- I lost count of how many elements (graphics, characters, sound effects, and gameplay mechanics) that were retained and evolved.
Any old-timer that grew up on Super Mario Bros can jump right in and have fun with Super Mario Run.
It carries forward all of the key elements from Super Mario Bros, while making use of the benefits
offered by the new platform while addressing the limitations of the phone interface through a one-tap input mechanism.
Now let's compare that to Keen:
- Commander Keen, Invasion of the Vorticons released in North America Dec 1990 for PC (DOS)
- Commander Keen, Mangled-by-Bethesda released summer 2019 for Android Phones
- 29 years between releases
- Example of original gameplay: https://youtu.be/YUyQSfKRU1w?t=161
Ask yourself if any of the key elements about Keen have been carried forward and evolved?
I would say "no" across the board; and suspect most of the original Keen audience would agree.
Therefore, by failing to win the original audience, Bethesda is off to an incompetent reboot of the Keen franchise.
Yeah, I realize my review is critical, which doesn't fit with today's only-positive-feedback-allowed-world of "If you don't like it then don't partake in it, so shut-up and move along". But I value negative knowledge; and hopefully Bethesda and other gamers do to.