Multiplatform Games Stunting the True Potential of “Next Gen”?

So here I am with a slick, new Xbox One, freshly plugged into my TV, ready to dive into the future of video games.

I turn to put in the first game to play on my next generation device, and the first title to grace my hand is Assassin’s Creed 4. I get a strange sense of familiarity–wasn’t this game on previous consoles?

I shrug it off, telling myself it’s gonna be sweet, with insane graphics to highlight my adventure into this title that I had missed on my 360. So with happy thoughts and high expectations, I begin to experience the magic of Black Flag… only it wasn’t so magical.

Don’t get me wrong, the game works fine, the story is intriguing, and the setting is awesome; only problem is:

I honestly couldn’t tell the difference of graphics nor gameplay between my new $500 gaming investment and my 7-year-old gaming system.

Where was all that extra horsepower?

Where was the amazing leap in presentation?

So many questions.

In disbelief, I started rapidly putting in game after game; Call Of Duty: Ghosts and so on. This only further disappointed me, as these popular franchises were simply reiterating the same experience I’ve been accustomed to for years in technology and innovation.

Then I realized all the games I had put into my new gaming machine so far where multi-platform, and everything started to make sense. 

I calmed down and promptly put in some of Microsoft’s day one exclusives to truly get my future generation fix on. I was not disappointed, the three titles I possessed each contained a trait that really invigorated the warranted sense of purchasing a shiny new console, whether it was Ryse with slick visuals, Forza with sweet AI, or Dead Rising with a colossal number of zombies on-screen.

As I was immersed with these fine games, I was also soured even further by how sub par the multi platform titles had been in comparison.

Why were these blockbuster series so mediocre?

These multi platform games had obviously been made with the goal to include as wide a player demographic as possible for the most financial gain rather than welcoming the player into a new generation with something special. With greed winning over gameplay, the lineup for the new generation has so far been forgettable and dull.

With each decision to lazily port games to the next generation, we get a slightly improved character model, a slightly improved environment, overall a marginally improved game all together. To top it off, all of these games still utilized the same prehistoric control scheme that has been around for decades. Would it kill developers to try something out of the ordinary for their releases on the new gen?

It’s not all bad though.

We have gotten some multiplats that have been real labors of love however. NBA 2K14 rings a gigantic bell in that category, showcasing jaw dropping graphical prowess and freedom of movement embodying all the promises of what the new machines are capable of accomplishing.

If you aren’t into basketball, try Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes that harnesses the beauty of the FOX engine regardless of what platform its played on. This goes to show it is possible to accomplish wonders on every console, with making it appealing on the old, to creating something truly breathtaking for the new.

What’s bound to happen

Regardless of the gripes of current multiplatform games on the market, there is no doubt the older systems will inevitably be phased out in order to make room for the growing newcomers.

It is then we will see a renaissance of brand new ideas, revolutionary changes in controls, and the maximum graphical capabilities possible on the Xbox One and PS4.