Calling a game “traditional” can sometimes seem like an insult, but it it always a pejorative?
We’ve come a long way in gaming from the humble arcades where we used to spend our weekly allowances. Graphics, gameplays, stories, and a host of other aspects are night and day different from the games that laid the foundation.
Many gamers find themselves emulating Luke Skywalker and always looking to the horizon. Many are hoping for the next big innovation or advancement in any given genre.
This can lead to some exciting prospects.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild turned the entire franchise on its head. Rather than sticking with the traditional aspect of Zelda games, it evolved into the open-world format. Although, there can be an argument made that an open world is traditional for The Legend of Zelda, but I digress.
I always enjoy some good innovations as I thoroughly enjoyed Breath of the Wild. It’s also fun to see genres evolve over time and build on the shoulders of their predecessors. I mean, the Super Mario franchise has come a long way from the original Super Mario Bros.
While innovation is a lot of fun, there’s also comfort in traditional games.
When I say traditional, I refer to games that stick to their formula with minimal deviation. Games like Dragon Quest, which has largely stuck to its foundation over its almost 37 years of existence. It’s what works and the games are highly successful.
There are many reasons a game sticking to its roots can be popular. It can be really comforting to play a game and not have to relearn gameplay everytime. It can feel like returning home after a vacation.
It is for these reasons that retro titles draw large audiences as people clamor for a simpler time. Even modern games try to emulate retro eras to tap into that traditional sense.
I should reiterate that there is no wrong way to enjoy games. We all have our preferences and that’s what makes it fun for gamers. I find the discussion interesting because it’s fun to learn about our vibrant and diverse gaming community.
So what do you prefer? Do you prefer innovation or traditionalism in your video games? Do you enjoy a combination of the two? Let us know in the comments below or by heading over to our Discord Channel.
The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of Boss Rush Media and The Boss Rush Network. Each week, Corey, LeRon, Stephanie, Edward, and their friends from around the internet come together to talk their week in games, entertainment, and more while also bringing topics for conversation, answer listener and community questions, and cover major news and events happening in the video game industry. Watch The Boss Rush Podcast live on Wednesday Nights on Twitch at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT or on Monday mornings at 7 a.m. ET on YouTube and podcast services everywhere. Thanks for listening! You can also get this episode one week early on Patreon.
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