From the Atari 2600 to the Xbox 360, the 1993 Sega CD video game "Snatcher" has impressed me more than any other. Whatever anyone says, from what I've experienced so far, this is the best attempt at making a 'video game' (in the truest sense of that word).
Why? First of all, it's intelligent - while still being understandable. I literally despise some games where they 'try' to be smart but fail miserably, or those that have so much depth you have to read a gamer encyclopedia to play it. This is what turns me off from the "Final Fantasy" / "Warcraft" / popular RPG games.
You see, I enjoy certain movies - but I don't want to take all day learning about the background/premise. On the other had, I don't want to play something that hardly tests my noggin. Sure, anyone can learn tactical moves in the "Call of Duty" series, or learn the special fatalities in "Mortal Kombat," but it doesn't really help the critical thinking skills department - as much as games like "Snatcher" can do.
And, like the overkill CGI in movies, I don't want to be bombarded with 3D eye candy. Let me play a game with the appropriate visuals, sound, and controls. This, though, seems to be a hard thing for some developers to realize.
"Snatcher" is simply a great game. It holds a great plot structure that successfully takes the player through a whole series of thoughts and emotions.
For example, it is not uncommon for there to be times of comic relief in the middle of a very serious moment. My favorite moment of this is a situation within the first half of Act I. Metal Gear (not the game series mind you, but the original robot character) actually requests you, the game player, to turn up the volume a little bit so you can hear a noise. Then, as you play, there is suddenly a loud bomb explosion! Shocked me half to death. It's when this happened that I realized I was partaking in something original.
That is not to say though this game is totally original. It mainly borrows equally from Blade Runner and Terminator, but I find it has a bit of Akira in it as well (as the game is based on an Anime comic). What impresses me is how the game matures and opens up. I was interested in Neo Kobe (the city the game takes place), and especially the mindset of the Snatcher. Everything seemed to have a reason for happening. And it made sense to me.
Anyways, I hope you look it up further. I'm not going to say this will be loved by anyone, but it is definitely an artistic piece. I don't really care to convince people. I simply want to give a heads up to those who might take interest.
And I'll be honest - we'll probably never see another game like this again. Which sort of stinks.
Film Objector
My Favorites List: http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=38144408
