It seems that there is no shortage of videos complaining about the state of video games. There are some users who try to say that the video game industry is healthy, but the truth is sobering that the industry is not healthy no matter what one says. It has been trending towards a state of stagnation and open disdain for the people who made it what it is today: the gamers.
Such sentiments seem to be arising out of a culture of complacency which seems to have seeped into the industry due to its own successes. The 1983 Video Game Calamity which struck the industry has been the rear-view mirror since Nintendo came and rescued the home video game market with the Home Entertainment System.
However, there is still a wealth of old games that are just waiting to be discovered once again and give us hope about the future of this great means of storytelling. One of those games is Empire Earth 2.
The thing that Empire Earth II has the most modern games do not have is that the game show a desire for actual innovation while respecting its foundations that were in the original game.
The interface of Empire Earth 2 is more clunky than intuitive to the player. However, one can appreciate how the developers were trying to put as much effort into putting as many features as possible into the menu. Some games such as the recently released Civilization VII, represent a regression in showing information to the player. In Empire Earth 2, every button, every signal has a purpose. Maybe they overloaded the player with choices but I prefer more choice than not having any choice.
What I really love about this game is the weather effects. Age of Empires IV, in spite of being a beautiful game skimps on the weather and it shows. There is too much of a desire to optimize every single feature so people do not complain.
In my opinion, it is better to have people complain and have a great product. If it is able to stand on its own, the crowds will come regardless of initial skepticism surrounding the game.
What Empire Earth 2 has is ability to stand on its own without relying on nostalgia. The sequel is able to improve upon the foundations without disrespecting it. The game seems like a reasonable approach to the need for change and innovation in a game series that was very successful when it launched in the early 2000s.
Overoptimization is the bane of the Video Game Industry. Let’s return to rough around the edges.
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