| Augen said: I think the question is if games have had their "Birth of a Nation" equivalent from a technical perspective before we discuss a "Citizen Kane". |
I would say we've reached "Birth of a Nation," certainly. With what game, that could be an interesting debate, depending on how you want to define the landmark film that is unfortunately so racist as to discredit itself to modern viewers
If we're talking about a game that broke down old conventions and stood up to a new level, while still being embarrassing for the industry on a few fronts on down the line, probably either Super Mario 64 or Grand Theft Auto III.
A Citizen Kane equivalent would be a game that re-invents everything again, and is essentially a mainstream inspiration that impacts the whole of culture.
Frankly i'm not sure if gaming will ever get there, the way things are headed.
Either way, The Last of Us seems to borrow a few motifs from several sources and simply refine them: Take the Walking Dead's plot, bolt on a bit of Left 4 Dead, new Tomb Raider, and Resident Evil.
Not to denigrate the game at all, of course, because strong execution is what really makes Naughty Dog's works shine moreso than their inventiveness (similar to Nintendo in a way, except that Naughty Dog prioritizes differently), so you're not going to get something that is both bold, totally brand-new, and yet also high-gloss and mainstream.
Monster Hunter: pissing me off since 2010.
