This is a total vent about both games that I really need to get off my chest on this one so bear with me, there just may be a point after all this... and maybe not.
I\'ll start with MGS2 though since that seems to be the much larger game in terms of scope and the scheme of things, but don\'t forget I am a pure MGS whore so I may just miss a few issues.
*Spoilers
The CodecI think we can all agree that the Codec was probably the worst part of MGS2 substituting heavy amounts of dialogue that would have been much more interesting as a cut-scene then anything else. Looking at a face discuss issues and theories doesn\'t inspire me to delve deeper into the game. Where are the interesting plot driven and intense scenes present in the first MGS? Just how many scenes got your blood pumping like when the Ninja first appeared and cut the ARMSTECH president loose from the C4 or when Wolf put Meryl down in the first half of the game or when Mantis manipulated the dual shock and made you think he had true psychokinetic powers? Sure, the
Fission Mailed scene was funny, but Emma Emmerich was in the game for about 30 minutes before getting whiped out and I could care less for her safety after that, especially since I got to know her through stupid nanomachines.
The EndingAfter hearing about the Patriots objective with the S3 plan and Arsenal Gear, I could care less about anything else. Now I have to fight Solidus to save some child that can be used against me later? What for? Oh, and don\'t forget that dramatic plot twist that happened at the last second about Jack\'s parents being killed by Solidus... Could we have taken any longer to show that event?
You\'re all probably wondering why I didn\'t mention the Solid Snake to Raiden transition for 75% of the game, but the truth is, that didn\'t bother me at all. I had fun with Snake in MG, MG2, MGS, and a section of MGS2, I don\'t need him anymore, especially since the game plays off the fact that he really is getting old. It felt more real to me to be playing as someone new rather than the same old guy and I enjoyed the transition.
Now for Shenmue...
Mini GamesNo matter how fun Hang-On, Space Harrier, or Darts can be, I will get bored after playing on them moreso than the actual game waiting for stores to open, people to be available, or before I go to work. Sometimes, gameplay can be had in a realm that is trying to present the player with reality. Take MGS for example... a game that plays off of heavy real-world events and themes, yet maintains a strong sense of gameplay within. "Turn the game console off right now!" No matter how real it is, it\'s still just a game and when people get bored of waiting for everyone else, they\'re going to want a few more options then a mini arcade.
The Lack of GameplayQTE... fights... explore... anything else? QTEs are incredibly fast and fights are even faster including the final battle which takes about three minutes or so to complete and this coupled with heavy spacing in between then just doesn\'t keep me interested. Exploring a real-world is great and all, but once I talk to lady A about thing B and visit place C, I feel like I\'m running errands rather than actually playing a game. The game is immersive, no doubt about that, but in my opinion, gameplay wise, I just find it hard to have a ton of fun playing something when most of the time is spent waiting for a shop to open, the sun to go down, or a random event. It just doesn\'t hook me, sadly.
Even though I am greatly anticipating Shenmue 2 and the scene where you and what appears to be a gang-member are handcuffed together, I still fear that it will be like the original Shenmue and lack the qualities that I desire for a game to truly be great.
What\'s the point after all that? Both games have faults. They both appear to improve on their predecessors greatly, but in no way are they absolutely perfect. I have gripes about them both and to say either is the best game ever is just ludicrous in my opinion. They\'re both great in their own way and that\'s all the point I am trying to make. I greatly respect Altered and LiC\'s opinion on MGS (that the series is overrated) but I don\'t think Shenmue is much better after having to hear you say that. Just being honest.
