View Full Version : 90s live action video games
raptor94k
02-24-2010, 09:12 PM
I just fixed my model 2 Sega CD today by replacing the fuse, so I thought I would pop in a few of my Sega CD games. I haven't actually played the system in about 10 to 12 years now.
I remember that I used to love to play Sewer Shark and Tomcat Alley. I tried them today and I (obviously) didn't enjoy them as much as I used to. I mean I thought they were fun still, but for about 15-20 min. and then its over.
What were the point of these games? Why did game companies think that they were fun? Was it just a cash in on the new technology? Were any of them actually good? Did people like them when they came out? I mean, I did apparently.
Anyway, discuss.
Baloo
02-24-2010, 09:16 PM
It was just a fad, everyone thought that FMV would really WOW people, but it really didn't make good games.
Greg2600
02-24-2010, 09:24 PM
The only FMV games, that were of any use to me, contained videos I wanted to see. The games usually stunk. For instance, as a Star Trek/Star Wars fan, I was more excited to watch the cutscenes of my favorite characters than play the games. Starfleet and Klingon Academy for instance. Star Trek Borg and Klingon were just point and click movies. I really like the first SW Jedi Knight and Rebel Assault II, which had live action cutscenes. I wish LucasArts had continued that. Enjoyed those more than The Phantom Menace. Another example was the Wing Commander series, which starred Mark Hamill and John Rhys-Davies.
Otherwise, FMV intermingled with a game never works. You quickly get bored with the cutscenes that are interrupting and dragging the gameplay along. And who wants to watch 2 minutes of a movie every 30 minutes?
retroman
02-24-2010, 10:17 PM
90% were bad. Only a few were ok...good luck
jb143
02-24-2010, 11:24 PM
I remember liking Megarace but I haven't played it in forever so who knows if I'd like it now. Only the sarcastic host was live action though.
Kitsune Sniper
02-24-2010, 11:50 PM
I remember liking Megarace but I haven't played it in forever so who knows if I'd like it now. Only the sarcastic host was live action though.
Well, you can check it out easily enough. (http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/megarace_1_2)
raptor94k
02-24-2010, 11:55 PM
I guess I was just really suprised at how little you do in a game like Tomcat Alley. Literally, I pressed B on a spot on the screen and a movie played showing my plane fly somewhere. Then there was another plane to shoot down. I pressed A on that. A movie played of the plane blowing up. This continued for like 20 minutes.
Haoie
02-25-2010, 12:37 AM
Plumbers Don't Wear Ties!
Sosage
02-25-2010, 01:22 AM
I guess I was just really suprised at how little you do in a game like Tomcat Alley. Literally, I pressed B on a spot on the screen and a movie played showing my plane fly somewhere. Then there was another plane to shoot down. I pressed A on that. A movie played of the plane blowing up. This continued for like 20 minutes.
So...yeah. Welcome to FMV.
P.S. Double Switch/Night Trap were creative, good ways of utilizing FMV with gameplay. Double Switch being the better of the two.
InsaneDavid
02-25-2010, 01:23 AM
Pop in Road Avenger and you'll have an entertaining time. For FMV games they either have to be twitch based (like most arcade Laser Disc games - Super Don Quix-ote being my favorite) or things that advance a story, as Greg2600 said.
Arkhan
02-25-2010, 02:51 AM
i enjoyed Phantasmagoria and The 7th Guest.
Those were FMV.
also thought Ripper was pretty cool, and Burn Cycle.
Oldskool
02-25-2010, 02:55 AM
You have to remember, they were not trying to make crap, it just happened that way. Remember during this time period, CD game technology was a pretty new thing. They didn't know what to do with it, they didn't know what people wanted. FMV wow'd people, so that's what they went for. I personally like a lot of FMV games, they have their charm that's for sure.
Smashed Brother
02-25-2010, 03:00 AM
Fox Hunt is pretty entertaining. It even has Rob freakin' Lowe in it. Yeah, really.
I also enjoy the cheesy videos that play in-between stages in the old Command & Conquer games! Warhawk had some great videos, too!
Did the first Twisted Metal have FMV's in it? I think it might've, but my memory of the game is a bit fuzzy...
Dirkfunk
02-25-2010, 03:08 AM
Make
My
Video!
Gameguy
02-25-2010, 04:47 AM
Plumbers Don't Wear Ties!
That wasn't exactly an FMV, it was more like a slide show with a commentary track. There was no real video except for the intro prior to the game starting.
I've played through Dragon's Lair and Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp, they weren't that bad for FMV games. I really can't remember too many that I liked, I played the Power Rangers game for Sega CD and hated it. I also hated the show so that wouldn't help it.
Icarus Moonsight
02-25-2010, 05:12 AM
I remember the most fun FMV games were the light gun ones. Mad Dog McCree? The games were recently released on a Wii disk... Been meaning to grab that. Memory jogs FTW! LOL
I like Sewer Shark too... It was one of them so-awful-it-wraps-back-around-the-scale-to-good games. :D
YoshiM
02-25-2010, 08:35 AM
i enjoyed Phantasmagoria...Those were FMV.
Actually, Phantasmagoria wasn't FMV. While it played video when you performed certain actions (like opening a drawer), the game itself was a point-n-click adventure using digitized actors and digitized or computer generated static environments. Because you had that range of control, you can't really call it an FMV game. But yes-it was a pretty dang cool game. Loved the ending sequence.
theknod
02-25-2010, 09:33 AM
wirehead was great
but overall i liked most fmvs
chrisbid
02-25-2010, 09:52 AM
a lot of the fmv games have a b-movie charm that makes them worth a play or two.
and that is how you have to judge an fmv game, not as a game, but the quality of the video.
there is a reason dragon's lair gets released on countless platforms, the animation is timeless
jb143
02-25-2010, 10:17 AM
People keep mentioning Dragon's Lair but that's not live action video.:?
Edit...
Though, it would be hilarious if someone did make a scene for scene live action remake of Dragon's Lair. Like the kids who made a shot for shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It would easily be playable through Daphnie.
LiquidPolicenaut
02-25-2010, 10:19 AM
I agree that the FMV genre has a certain B-movie feel to all of them and thus kind of have that "guilty pleasure" love for them. True, many of them are pretty horrible, but I do like a few number of them, the best being:
1) Snowjob (3DO)
2) Night Trap (3DO/SCD)
3) Dracula Unleashed (SCD/DVD)
4) Road Avenger (SCD/SAT/PSX - the 32-bit versions don't have the same great opening)
Sosage
02-25-2010, 11:23 AM
a lot of the fmv games have a b-movie charm that makes them worth a play or two.
and that is how you have to judge an fmv game, not as a game, but the quality of the video.
I'm not trying to tell anyone how to enjoy their video games and I always loved the genre for it's cheese, but...and you knew there was a but coming...but I think the FMV genre should be judged for its gameplay first just like everything else.
The problem is, there just isn't a lot of good examples of FMV-intensive gameplay. The Dragon's Lair and Night Trap formula work (repetitive after you figure them out, but they do mix the gameplay with the video in real time in a good way). Everything else either A) really blows or B) the FMV is really just a cutscene.
With that said, I am also a sucker for the cheesy video Digital Pictures and others shot making these things. A very huge chunk of enjoying the genre is just basking in its awkwardness.
chrisbid
02-25-2010, 11:48 AM
People keep mentioning Dragon's Lair but that's not live action video.:?
Edit...
Though, it would be hilarious if someone did make a scene for scene live action remake of Dragon's Lair. Like the kids who made a shot for shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It would easily be playable through Daphnie.
but its the same framework. there is a core of pre-produced film/video, and a layer of basic gameplay wrapped around it. whether the core is a cartoon or live action doesnt alter the gameplay or the genre.
jb143
02-25-2010, 11:54 AM
But the OP specifically asked about live action games, which generally do have that B-Movie badly acted charm. The Animated FMV games are usually in a different class altogether, especially in the case of Dragon's Lair, where the animation is generally reguarded as being quite superb.
buzz_n64
02-25-2010, 12:45 PM
Bad acting?
Thunder in Paradise Interactive (CD-i)
my review- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C76qUOgKIdw
Demolition Man (3DO)
my review- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3gMpIA5AGQ
jb143
02-25-2010, 01:13 PM
Bad acting?
I did say generally.;) Would you not agree?
I have yet to see a FMV game staring De Niro or Al Pacino.LOL
buzz_n64
02-25-2010, 01:33 PM
I did say generally.;) Would you not agree?
I have yet to see a FMV game staring De Niro or Al Pacino.LOL
I was actually agreeing, but my tone didn't come through I guess. The two games I mentioned had bad acting in them, and I know of several others.
jb143
02-25-2010, 01:46 PM
Sorry, I hadn't played those games in question so I should have went to your links first. I'm sure there are some games with decent acting but there's no comparison between them and the laserdisc games that had some of THE best animators in the business working on them.
Kitsune Sniper
02-25-2010, 02:25 PM
Bad acting?
Thunder in Paradise Interactive (CD-i)
my review- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C76qUOgKIdw
Demolition Man (3DO)
my review- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3gMpIA5AGQ
That's weird, I'd never seen that Demolition Man video of yours before.
Wraith Storm
02-25-2010, 03:03 PM
I love FMV games. I thought they were great then and think they are great now. Yeah, most of the live action ones were very B-movieish and they all usually have similar game play, but I love em'.
I always liked the Quik Time Event style of play. It's just a test of reflexes and I LOVE that. Something happens and you have to press a button or a direction, and I usually realize in time, but my hand won't catch up to my brain and press the button in time. I love it and find them very challenging, like playing a game of Simon based on speed rather then memory.
All the animated ones I thought were great:
Dragon's Lair
Dragon's Lair II
Space Ace
Road Avenger
Time Gal
Revenge of the Ninja (Probably my favorite)
I haven't played many live action FMV games but I really liked these:
Night Trap
Tomcat Alley
Ground Zero Texas
I just fixed my model 2 Sega CD today by replacing the fuse, so I thought I would pop in a few of my Sega CD games. I haven't actually played the system in about 10 to 12 years now.
I remember that I used to love to play Sewer Shark and Tomcat Alley. I tried them today and I (obviously) didn't enjoy them as much as I used to. I mean I thought they were fun still, but for about 15-20 min. and then its over.
What were the point of these games? Why did game companies think that they were fun? Was it just a cash in on the new technology? Were any of them actually good? Did people like them when they came out? I mean, I did apparently.
Anyway, discuss.
I think the better question is why don't companies make them today. I bought Mad Dog McGree Gunslinger's Pack for the Wii and LOVED it. I wish there would be an updated version, or similar games.
I also think cut scenes in video games need real actors. I'm tired of CGA nonsense.
The 1 2 P
02-25-2010, 07:16 PM
I definitely enjoyed Star Wars: Rebel Assault II. Despite being a little chessy it was nice fan service for Star Wars fans like myself. But the first one sucked balls. Wing Commander IV was ok too but I never got to finish it. Having Mark Hamill and the dude from "V" made it infinitely more entertaining.
InsaneDavid
02-25-2010, 07:22 PM
4) Road Avenger (SCD/SAT/PSX - the 32-bit versions don't have the same great opening)
I know I'm gonna revive....
When I am... on the road....
Compute
02-25-2010, 08:19 PM
I remember finding FMV games to be pretty damn amazing at the time. First time I saw Tomcat Alley I about shat myself with delight. Then I played it, ugh. I think I tried playing it with a VictorMaxx Stuntmaster at one point, too.
It might be fun to make a 'new' fmv game, wouldn't be that hard since all you really need to do is throw a point-and-click on top of a video clip, then let that decide what clip to play. Now all we need is a story! 8-)
Sosage
02-25-2010, 09:39 PM
I remember finding FMV games to be pretty damn amazing at the time. First time I saw Tomcat Alley I about shat myself with delight. Then I played it, ugh. I think I tried playing it with a VictorMaxx Stuntmaster at one point, too.
It might be fun to make a 'new' fmv game, wouldn't be that hard since all you really need to do is throw a point-and-click on top of a video clip, then let that decide what clip to play. Now all we need is a story! 8-)
A FMV game about the trials and tribulations of a video game producer tasked with creating a FMV game in today's market. It could be the 8 1/2 of video games.
j_factor
02-25-2010, 10:48 PM
I thought The Beast Within was pretty awesome.
Kitsune Sniper
02-25-2010, 10:49 PM
I thought The Beast Within was pretty awesome.
Except for the guy who played Gabriel. I think he sells real estate now.
Game Freak
02-25-2010, 11:54 PM
Plumbers Don't Wear Ties!
Take yer damn clothes off!
j_factor
02-26-2010, 01:20 AM
Except for the guy who played Gabriel. I think he sells real estate now.
Yeah, some of the acting was... less than inspired, but the overall game was excellent.
Drewskiwannabrewski
02-26-2010, 02:17 AM
FMV games are generally terrible, but I feel like now you can look back on them in the same way you would terrible b-movies a la MST3K. Play Wirehead or Plumbers Don't Wear Ties for some real hilarity.
Also, does anyone remember NEMO? The VHS based console designed exclusively for FMV games? If only it came out.
FMV games are generally terrible, but I feel like now you can look back on them in the same way you would terrible b-movies a la MST3K. Play Wirehead or Plumbers Don't Wear Ties for some real hilarity.
Also, does anyone remember NEMO? The VHS based console designed exclusively for FMV games? If only it came out.
Yeah, I remember reading about that in Electronic Game Player (what EGM was originally called). In 1987, I was one of the few with the Action Max. Boy did that suck.
Drewskiwannabrewski
02-26-2010, 02:43 AM
I mean of course it would suck, but I have a soft spot for failed systems and bad technology trends in general. I still kind of want an Atari Jaguar.
Arkhan
02-26-2010, 02:53 AM
I also think cut scenes in video games need real actors. I'm tired of CGA nonsense.
Dude its 2010! CGA's been gone for ages! no more 4 color nonsense!
or did you mean CGI? :)
Dude its 2010! CGA's been gone for ages! no more 4 color nonsense!
or did you mean CGI? :)
Lol, wow that was a bad typo. Kinda reminds me of my first PC computer, an IBM XT with a CGA monitor. Had a 10 meg HD too. :)
Compute
02-26-2010, 09:18 AM
You had COLOR? So many games I couldn't play coz I had a hercules adapter which didn't run a lot of stuff. Had better resolution, though iirc :D