Ugly Syreen in Star Control 3

[Draxas]

The problem with your theory is that Atari games have no story at all (not counting ET and Indiana Jones) but were acclaimed to be some of the best games ever.

I challenge you to name one. I loved the 2600 back in 1983, but let's be honest, most of those games aren't worth using as a coaster.

[Angelfish]

I don't see why not. Old games can really shine today because of their great story. Storywise, games of all times are comparable. Keep in mind that i'm not saying that the Syreen character development sucks, i'm just contradicting your statement that the Syreen have an in-depth backstory.. They don't really.

The problem with your theory is that Atari games have no story at all (not counting ET and Indiana Jones) but were acclaimed to be some of the best games ever.

Because of their gameplay they still shine today, which was my other point.

[Eth]

  Well, most of them were completely horrible, but there were some classics in there for sure. 

[PabloLuna]

There is some sort of controversy between those who judge games as an interactive movie and those who judge them merely as gameplay.
This debate is called ludology vs narratology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_studies
It is a very interesting debate.  Each side has valid points.
My guess is that reality is in the middle.

[Death 999]

I challenge you to name one. I loved the 2600 back in 1983, but let's be honest, most of those games aren't worth using as a coaster.

Enduro
Combat
Mario Brothers (not super)
Adventure (direct ancestor of Zelda)
Moon Patrol
Solarian (this one actually had a story of sorts, though it was far from great)

[Draxas]

While a few of those have the underpinnings of great games, most of them are executed rather poorly if you're going to be honest. Adventure, for example, was a genius concept for the time, but there is nothing fun about wandering through those narrow mazes, especially if you find out you did so while holding the wrong item. Most of those games are the same way: sound concept, but poor execution (or a superior version exists elsewhere on hardware from the same period).

[PabloLuna]

The Dig was a great DOS adventure game
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dig



As for great Atari 2600 games with no "adventure", Space shuttle by Activision was great.

[Death 999]

... there is nothing fun about wandering through those narrow mazes, especially if you find out you did so while holding the wrong item.

That was the fun of it. Especially the mazes with only local vision!

[Lukipela]

Adventure, for example, was a genius concept for the time,

Thank you. I did do my best

I remember the DIG, it was great fun. Regarding the Syreen in SC3, they weren't anything out of the ordinary for SC3. the Arilou also looked like if they were stuck in a microwave and several of the other races such as the giraffe Pkunk were pretty bad as well.

[PabloLuna]

... there is nothing fun about wandering through those narrow mazes, especially if you find out you did so while holding the wrong item.

That was the fun of it. Especially the mazes with only local vision!

Legend of Kyrandia trilogy was fun.

[Nuclear]

I don't care what any of you think, King's Quest 5 is thee hardest adventure to beat without a walkthrough. What with the impossible dessert and that mouse that you have to save from a cat and the dark forest and that god forsaken MAZE! I swear, the genre was made to get bonus cash from hint book sales....