The lights are on
I'm not going to lie - a few months ago when I first heard there was a new X-Com game in the works, a game that wasn't going to resemble the original whatsoever, except for maybe the name, I was a little annoyed. I'm not a big fan of companies that slap the name of a classic on their new game to help promote it. I dismissed the thought of the game without paying it any attention. I didn't want to hear anything about it. But then Game Informer, in all of its awesomeness, featured the new X-Com in the latest issue of the magazine. And yes, as a subscriber to the magazine and a community fanboy, I was compelled to check out the coverage. It's the least I can do, right? Seeing coverage of the new reminded me of the old and inspired a blog reminiscing about the classic X-Com.
A couple days ago I posted a blog about my time playing The Old Republic. The blog inspired the following comment from DoctorNightl.
If only I had a better computer I would get this game...So I got KotOR instead, and I'm loving it! Did you play KotOR? I have never been a huge star wars fan (I'm only 18 and I've only seen one movie) but I think KotOR is fantastic, but this is coming from a Bioware game addict so. Anyway I heard a lot about Star Wars the Old Republic I plan on getting it when I get a better computer and some cash.
Reading this comment opened my eyes and revealed that I am looking at the X-Com scenario all wrong. While I'm getting bent out of shape that new developers are leeching classic titles to promote their new games, maybe I should be thankful they are actually preserving the legacy of the game by continuing to use its name and likeness in future games.
Follow me here.
Like DoctorNight's quote above admitting he's only seen 1 of the 6 Star Wars movies (and most would agree only the original three are worth seeing anyway) there are realistically some folks who haven't seen any of the movies. This, despite how they magically seem to keep reappearing in the theater every few years. I'm rather excited (even though Mojomonkey12 is not) with the upcoming February 10, 2012 release of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in 3D. But that's a blog for another time, and another place.
There are some great games from the video game archives that are destined to be forgotten by the current and future generations of gamers. When I posted that X-Com blog, a surprising number of commenters either never heard of the game or didn't know much about it. I think only a couple members actually mentioned playing it. X-Com is a game that usually finds itself on any "Top X Games of All Times" list.
Since its release, the game was named the #1 PC game of all time by IGN in 2000, 2007 and 2009; the #8, #12 and #21 best video game of all time by IGN in 2003, 2005 and 2007; the #7, #15 (by readers), #3, #8, #10, #10 and #11 best computer game of all time by PC Gamer in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010; the #22, #3 and #10 (by readers) best computer game of all time by Computer Gaming World in 1996, 2001 and 2001; the #2 best video game since 1992 by Pelit in 2007; the #35 best video game of all time by GameSpy in 2001; and the #78 best video game "to play today" by Edge in 2009. The game was also inducted into Computer Gaming World, IGN and GameSpot's Hall of Fame or equivalent in 2005, 2007 and 2003 respectively. In addition, the notorious Chryssalid alien race was ranked fourth on the GameSpot's 1999 list of the best monsters in gaming, in which X-COM was called "one of the scariest computer games ever".
That's quite an impressive resume.
Yet, how many of you have heard of it or played it prior to Game Informer's coverage?
Let's face it, regardless of how prestigious the game was from the past, chances are if it wasn't the inspiration for the new X-Com game, and Game Informer or other media outlets weren't promoting and writing about it, then it would continue to slip into the realm of obscurity.
I think about some of the great games from the past that have or are meeting their impending doom; games remembered by the older crowd of gamers but will eventually be forgotten by most...and then all.
In many of my blogs, a few of my profile quotes and anywhere else I can sneak it in, I will often mention classic games and see if any picks up on it. Usually not. There are a few of you who do. But for the most part, I don't think most were around and certainly haven't played the games I hint at.
I think about the Wing Commander series, the SSI Gold Box series...games like X-Wing, TIE Fighter and X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter; Full Throttle; The Legend of Kyrandia series (yeah, how many of you have heard of that); Raid on Bungeling Bay; Raid Over Moscow...the list goes on. Many (most) of these games, chances are you've never even heard of them. Sure, you can find mention of them on the Internet or read about them in books like 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die, but meeting or knowing people who recall playing them will dwindle over time, until the memory of the game will simply reside in the occasional discovery while searching Google.
There is a reason why many of our founding father of video games...games like Doom and Pac Man are still remembered and played today...they still makes games based on these titles.
Whenever I see mention of X-Com now, whether it's in the magazine or the banners that splash the webpage at Game Informer, I do think about the new game, but I'm also reminded of the classic. I hope others are too. And when a classic is remade, whether just in name or an extreme home makeover edition, I'll be thankful for that too as it will preserve the memory and legacy of the game.
Even old stars play a part in forming new stars.
I'm always up for remakes or reimaginings of games. Like you, I think it preserves the games legacy for future generations. I also like it when new/younger gamers get a chance to experience older classics they may not have gotten to. That's another reason I really like the HD remakes this generation has been producing.
On a side note, I guess I'm one of the few that liked the prequel trilogy. I know the original trilogy is a masterpiece and the prequels don't compare, but I thought they were, at least, worth a watch. I love them and think the whole 6 movie story is really enjoyable. I sometimes almost mute Hayden Christensen in Episode II, however.
Any idea on where I could pick up the original XCOM? I really want it.
Also, good blog as always
...Hm. Good point. I didn't think about introducing a classic game to a new generation of gamers. This blog actually has great timing as I've been working on a piece against remakes. If nothing else, this blog is a great opposing viewpoint.
Nicely done, as always.
I'm always for gamers getting the chance to rediscover(or discover as the case may be) old classics, even if it's just in name only. I know I would have never have known about X-Coms existence had it not been for the cover story of the reboot.
It is glad to know you are taking it the right way now. It is like when I see new games of a classic but then say it must be different like the Zelda and Mario series. Great blog indeed, like always.
Good point, you've only have to wonder how long before games like Call of Duty and Halo are almost unheard of.
And a blog about The Phantom Menace in 3D? There goes another blog idea on my list...
I always like it when games are remade, as that gives me the chance to play a game that I haven't. Chrono Trigger is one such case. Haven't played it yet, but I hope to in the future. Same with Final Fantasy 6. When Final Fantasy 2 was remade, you can bet I bought it, and unlike some people, I actually like the game.
Star Control II. That is my entire argument here :)
Great post! To add to that, I also like it when "tribute" games are made. For example, Shadow Complex is a tribute to Super Metroid & is similar to it in many ways. Another example is 3D Dot Game Heroes, which is a tribute to Zelda (and much more like its source of inspiration than Shadow Complex.) Some people have no interest in classic games. However, some are willing to try these newer games because they include modern conventions, and many who end up enjoying them may find themselves wanting to try the older games they were inspired by.
Hey I'm glad I inspired a blog for you! And I agree completely, I'm always listening to other people and looking out for great old games like Super Metroid and KoTOR that I may have missed because I didn't have the console for it at the time, my age, or simply because I was not paying attention. I also agree with your points on remakes and reboots, at first I was getting annoyed at how many were coming out, from RE4 HD to the new Tomb Raider coming out this year, but then I realized remakes not only pleases old fans who may want to play an old game without changing consoles, but also gives newer fans who may not have the old console or game anymore access to a game on a newer system. And Reboots like the new X-com (my first time hearing about it btw) preserve the legacy and gives people like me a chance to get interested in both the older game(s) I missed and new game coming soon as well.
As a member of the younger audience for talking about (I myself am only 120 days older than the N64), I can say you've catpured the idea. It annoys me to no end when sites like these talk about "The good old days", and how "Everythings too easy and boring now" when I, a large part of the market, didn't even exist then. The reboots are a difference story though, or any game that trys to bring "Nostalgia" for things that are older than me.
Never been much of a PC gamer so I never heard of xcom before GIO started to cover it but I think that a lot of the classics could use a re-boot both for the reason you mentioned and also because as long as they stay true to the vision a lot of the those classics could be so much better if they had modern day tech and I am always up for another round of battletoads or FF6.
I have never played XCOM, but had heard of it through Replay before the cover story. I like when classics are remade, because it gives me a chance to enjoy something I missed out on. I played FFVII: Crisis Core on PSP, but never worked up the courage to try the original on PSN. I would love to, but I don't think I would be able to get past the PSOne controls, which is why I am really hoping for a remake.
Great blog, as always. I try to go back and play classic games if at all possible. My favorite game is even A Link to the Past. As for Star Wars, i am excited to see Episode 1 in 3D, even though it is my least favorite
Sadly, I've never played X-Com. But I do agree, remaking old titles is a good way to revive a franchise. But developers gotta know when to quit. They have to learn "enough's enough", like Bungie is doing with the Halo franchise.
I want a Grandia remake. That is all. If I was being really ambitious, I would ask for a rework of the closing scene to provide room for the original characters (Justin, Sue and Feena) to have more adventures. Perhaps a trilogy.