Of my free roaming addiction.
In case you young'ins never played it... IT was an Atari 2600 game, where you roamed around killing dragons, and crap like that.. all with the amazing graphics.... You think GTA:SA has dated graphics? Lets not forget...
The GTA series made me realize what I love about games. Adventure was the FIRST game that really allowed you to FREE ROAM and do things at your own pace. (I still play Adventure on Stella when I get nostagic) you werent on a linear path and there was the freedom of doing what you want at your own pace.
Ok the game is primitive now, but it was the beginnings.
I have now played San Andreas for HOURS and I have only completed 2 or three missions. ITs the fully realized world that I love so much, its not the violence, or the chaos, rather , it is the feeling of freedom, I thought that FABLE would have this, and to me it felt too linear. ZELDA for the N64 had this, I could spend time like a moron fishing, it was fun, it was no pressure and it totally made it a more "REAL" experience if that is possible.
Digital Sandboxes is ultimately what I like to play, I realized this with my Rollercoaster Tycoon addiction, I had to remove it off my computers at work because it was dangerous (I look up its 7pm
)
I seem to cheat in games like the Sims to get money and just build and play. but its a dangerous line to walk, TRUE CRIME tried to duplicate the GTA magic, but ultimately felt empty. The blocks felt the same, there was not much in the way of exploration, and the story was goofy.
I could spend 4 hours sniping on a roof top in Vice City, dropping grenades down and shooting down helicopters. Gaming Bliss.
