If you had to kill off one video game series in favor of bringing back another, what would it be?

[FT-1]

Does Sim racing need to innovate as such, or just get better over time piece by piece? Better physics, better graphics, better sound, better force feedback/motion/VR etc. etc. - ever gradually becoming more and more like the real thing.

The "innovation" in sim racing is to chase reality.

To the sim racing market, incremental improvements in the areas you listed are probably enough for the core customers to justify spending over £50 for a new release. From a personal perspective, these smaller changes make it harder for me to justify buying a new game, especially with how realistic games have been in recent years. In terms of assets, race cars aren't changing too drastically and less so are the real-life tracks.

Whichever simulator was the most well-received title around 5 years ago is probably delivering at least 90% of the experience as the best sims today, at least from the perspective of your average gamepad user, or even someone with a wheel setup. Those with VR headsets and a motion rig will probably get more enjoyment from newer games, but a lot of people are not in a position to spend a fortune in order to reap those benefits.

If you take a handful of the most recent hardcore simulators, they would be delivering a very similar experience if they all did a good job of recreating reality. I chose to eliminate iRacing solely because it is the most expensive to own.

 

[theknyte]

I'll try to hit a few genres:
Replace Anthem with Mass Effect 4.
Replace newest NFS with A Reboot of Test Drive
Replace Battlefield 4 with Bad Company 3
Replace one of the E-Sport Games like Starcraft 2 with a new version of Battle Chess. (Far more entertaining to watch.)

 

[VXR]

Is PES still a thing?

It is, and as someone who has been playing it since ISS Pro, I think it's as good now as it's ever been. The licenses aren't an issue on PS4 with an option file, either.

 

[Sonygamer455]

It was kind of a joke, do they even still make games? I can't think of a single series they still do... Is PES still a thing?

Oh okay then. I don't know much about Konami to be honest, I can't recall playing anything from them.

Replace newest NFS with A Reboot of Test Drive

It is worth noting that they are making a new TDU game. Though I wonder if you're referencing the Test Drive games from before TDU, which is something I'd be pretty enthusiastic about. 👍 (haven't played TDU much at all)

 

[Sonygamer455]

Kill Call of Duty and bring back Twisted Metal.
Okay, I am aware COD and TM aren't exactly the same type of game and I try to pick two titles that are similar to each other in some way when I post here. However, I don't know of anything that closely relates to Twisted Metal that is out right now because I think it's entire genre is dead at this point.

Anyways, I don't hate COD, but I never cared for anything outside of zombies at all, something about it never clicked with me. While I still like the zombie mode, I like Twisted Metal even more and my interest in zombies ain't what it once was and I wouldn't miss it too much if it meant bringing back Twisted Metal. I love Twisted Metal and I really think we need a new Twisted Metal game for the PS5. TM2012 deserves a sequel since the endings at the end of the story mode tease for something that was going to happen later, but didn't. I think that really needs to be explored in a new game and perhaps expand upon what TM2012 was since it's content was a bit lacking. Granted, it don't have to be a sequel to a previous TM game, it could be something entirely new. At the end of the day, I'll be thrilled if Twisted Metal ever comes back on modern hardware at all.

 

[inCloud]

Kill Call of Duty and bring back Twisted Metal.
Okay, I am aware COD and TM aren't exactly the same type of game and I try to pick two titles that are similar to each other in some way when I post here. However, I don't know of anything that closely relates to Twisted Metal that is out right now because I think it's entire genre is dead at this point.

Anyways, I don't hate COD, but I never cared for anything outside of zombies at all, something about it never clicked with me. While I still like the zombie mode, I like Twisted Metal even more and my interest in zombies ain't what it once was and I wouldn't miss it too much if it meant bringing back Twisted Metal. I love Twisted Metal and I really think we need a new Twisted Metal game for the PS5. TM2012 deserves a sequel since the endings at the end of the story mode tease for something that was going to happen later, but didn't. I think that really needs to be explored in a new game and perhaps expand upon what TM2012 was since it's content was a bit lacking. Granted, it don't have to be a sequel to a previous TM game, it could be something entirely new. At the end of the day, I'll be thrilled if Twisted Metal ever comes back on modern hardware at all.

There are plenty of vehicle battle games

 

[Sonygamer455]

There are plenty of vehicle battle games

There is? I am not aware of any, not like Twisted Metal anyhow.

 

[Imari]

Kill Assassins Creed, bring back Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver.

 

[VBR]

Kill off Resi Evil, & bring back Silent Hill...but...it would have to be made by the original Team Silent that made the first two games.

 

[inkiphox]

I'm waiting for someone to say 'Kill Gran Turismo and bring back Omega Boost' tbh (but I never played the latter, so that's not my opinion)

My opinion though? I honestly don't know, not much interests me these days, there's ones I'd like to see brought back but not sure which I'd care about being killed off.

Bringing back, I'd like to see Driver (preferably with a 'fully finished' remake of Driv3r, a game that actually deserves a remaster, kinda like how the original NieR does tbh); Pandemonium (a 2.5D platformer series from the PS1 era which is kinda overlooked now); F-Zero (if they killed Smash Bros. to replace with F-Zero I'd be happier than a GT2 PAL disc blaring Illin In Heaven); Madou Monogatari (maybe stop producing Sonic games in-house, seeing as they're sucky these days, leaving it to the fanbase like with Mania... seeing as Sonic Team own the rights to all the characters this isn't exactly implausibly unrealistic)

It is, and as someone who has been playing it since ISS Pro, I think it's as good now as it's ever been. The licenses aren't an issue on PS4 with an option file, either.

Heh I have ISS Pro Evolution 2 and the following entries for the PS1/2 sitting around here. Were the licences ever an issue though? The player names were hilarious, "Gregs" for Giggs on PES 1, and the rather obscene "Porn Darry" for some Welsh player who's otherwise forgettable on 6 and 2008

 

[Sonygamer455]

My opinion though? I honestly don't know, not much interests me these days, there's ones I'd like to see brought back but not sure which I'd care about being killed off.

Bringing back, I'd like to see Driver (preferably with a 'fully finished' remake of Driv3r, a game that actually deserves a remaster, kinda like how the original NieR does tbh); Pandemonium (a 2.5D platformer series from the PS1 era which is kinda overlooked now); F-Zero (if they killed Smash Bros. to replace with F-Zero I'd be happier than a GT2 PAL disc blaring Illin In Heaven); Madou Monogatari (maybe stop producing Sonic games in-house, seeing as they're sucky these days, leaving it to the fanbase like with Mania... seeing as Sonic Team own the rights to all the characters this isn't exactly implausibly unrealistic)

3. Actually answer both. Don’t make posts consisting of what you want killed off without saying what you want brought back and don’t make posts saying what you want brought back without telling what you want killed off in favor of it.

 

[kjb]

I just found this thread and it has been a fun read.
I think I would get rid of COD and bring back Syphon Filter
I would get rid of Grid and bring back Midnight Club
I would get rid of Marvel's Avengers and bring back Marvel Ultimate Alliance

 

[TPGRacing75]

To the sim racing market, incremental improvements in the areas you listed are probably enough for the core customers to justify spending over £50 for a new release. From a personal perspective, these smaller changes make it harder for me to justify buying a new game, especially with how realistic games have been in recent years. In terms of assets, race cars aren't changing too drastically and less so are the real-life tracks.

Whichever simulator was the most well-received title around 5 years ago is probably delivering at least 90% of the experience as the best sims today, at least from the perspective of your average gamepad user, or even someone with a wheel setup. Those with VR headsets and a motion rig will probably get more enjoyment from newer games, but a lot of people are not in a position to spend a fortune in order to reap those benefits.

If you take a handful of the most recent hardcore simulators, they would be delivering a very similar experience if they all did a good job of recreating reality. I chose to eliminate iRacing solely because it is the most expensive to own.

Fine example: Asetto Corsa 1. Several sims have come out since, and major updates to existing sims, yet AC despite it's age and not being actively developed by the devs for a few years now is still probably the biggest Sim Racing title out there.

I'm very much tired of just being given a handful of purposeless random cars and tracks, and hope someday people will start adding structure to the racing. Proper championships following real world rules at least. Signing contracts or team ownership would be nice cherry's as well. Make single player races have some sort of impact and reason to return continuously, rather than just a way to aimlessly waste time.

 

[toastet]

Funny read here!

Rockstar, get rid of Red Dead Redemption Series and bring back Midnight Club Series
Get rid of Dirt 5 and bring us Rallisport Challenge 3
Get rid of Grid and bring us a new Burnout (no open World pls)
Get rid of PCars 4 and bring us Enthusia 2
Get rid of NFS Hot Pursuit Remastered and bring us a new real NFS5 (like 2,3,4)
Kill NFS Heat and bring on NFS Porsche 2

 

[Pearl Jam]

Kill everything to bring Driveclub back 🙏

 

[Sonygamer455]

Rockstar, get rid of Red Dead Redemption Series and bring back Midnight Club Series

Don't know anything Red Dead Redemption, but I do know one thing, I want MC back too! 👍

Get rid of Dirt 5 and bring us Rallisport Challenge 3

Get rid of PCars 4 and bring us Enthusia 2
Get rid of NFS Hot Pursuit Remastered and bring us a new real NFS5 (like 2,3,4)
Kill NFS Heat and bring on NFS Porsche 2

No offense but the thread is about replacing one series with another, not one game with another. Though I'm aware some of the ones you mentioned are from different series.

Kill everything to bring Driveclub back 🙏

One series with another, please.

2. Replace one series with another. Don’t mention killing off multiple video game series in favor of bringing back one, or killing off one series in favor bringing back several others. One with another.

 

[kjb]

I would get rid of Bloodbourne and bring back Armored Core. I think I bough every one that came for the PS1-PS3 except the last one Armored Core 5

 

[Sonygamer455]

I must say, I was initially hesitant to create this thread because I feared it would be a recipe for disaster and a potential breeding ground for hostility. So much so, I even PM'd a moderator asking if it'd be a good idea to post it, but thankfully, we're 100+ replies in, and it's been pretty civil so far! 3 days after posting this thread, it hit 1000 views, and then it quickly hit 2000+ 2 days after that and I was astounded to see it's at 6000 now. For something that isn't news-related and wasn't featured in a GTP article, I feel that's pretty impressive.

That said, I am really impressed with how well this thread has turned out and I appreciate all the feedback it's received since its creation.

 

[Dave A]

I would get rid of Asphalt and bring back Modnation Racers, it's criminal that we never got a sequel IMO.

 

[kjb]

I would get rid of Asphalt and bring back Modnation Racers, it's criminal that we never got a sequel IMO.

I have forgotten that game! I used to love it. That was when was all about creating and sharing

 

[TPGRacing75]

Kill off: Need For Speed. Series has run it's course IMO, and the tuner/underground street racing thing isn't as cool as it was during the mid 2000's. Doesn't help the games have been lukewarm at best since Hot Pursuit.

Revive: TOCA Race Driver. Everyone I've heard who has played the series has fond memories. Lots of cars, variety of races, always something new to do, having a little bit of everything. It's replacement series GRID has been re-invented so frequently, and is basically dead on the water. So why not make a return to it's roots and give us a proper motorsports oriented sim-cade?

 

[Com Fox]

Kill off: Need For Speed. Series has run it's course IMO, and the tuner/underground street racing thing isn't as cool as it was during the mid 2000's. Doesn't help the games have been lukewarm at best since Hot Pursuit.

Revive: TOCA Race Driver. Everyone I've heard who has played the series has fond memories. Lots of cars, variety of races, always something new to do, having a little bit of everything. It's replacement series GRID has been re-invented so frequently, and is basically dead on the water. So why not make a return to it's roots and give us a proper motorsports oriented sim-cade?

If we ever bring back TOCA Race Driver. I hope we get Freestyle mode from the 1st game. That was such an underrated feature being able to make your own races with whatever opponent cars you wanted from Scratch. I was disappointed 2 and 3 didnt have it.

 

[Megamarcx84]

Some of my greatest memories are on PS2s Most Wanted..but I'd kill off the NFS series to bring back Enthusia. I honestly feel like you could take the existing game as is, add VR, online multi-player, freeroam and DLC, keep the same PS2 Era graphics and carve out a big player niche looking for more of an Art of Rally experience prioritizing car feel and control over graphics..could probably be done fairly cheap and cross platform too.

 

[Wolfe]

@Megamarcx84 -- One important detail, IMO, is that Konami would not be involved. I don't think we want to see what Konami would make of an Enthusia game today.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

I don't think we want to see what Konami would make of an Enthusia game today.

Yup, that's the only issue with a new Enthusia, Konami would have to give up rights to another developer. Otherwise it would be something stupid like a glorified slot machine.

 

[Wolfe]

Yup, that's the only issue with a new Enthusia, Konami would have to give up rights to another developer. Otherwise it would be something stupid like a glorified slot machine.

I suppose a goofy coin-op arcade racing game with DDR music wasn't quite so bad as that.

 

[Sonygamer455]

Kill Bubsy and bring back Bugdom.
So we have Bubsy, a notorious video game series about an annoying character who many probably believed had died out after Bubsy 3D. However, he made a comeback in 2017 that no one asked for with the game Bubsy The Whoolies Strike Back and then Bubsy Paws on Fire! in 2019. How and why he did after so long, I don’t even know.

Bugdom however, while probably not as well known as Bubsy, was an interesting game that came out in 1999 and had its only sequel in 2002. I grew up playing Bugdom on my school's computers a lot when I was 9 since it came preinstalled with the Mac's they had at the time. The game was one I thoroughly enjoyed as a kid and one I still have an emotional attachment to as an adult nearly 20 years later.

Meanwhile, I played a little bit of Bubsy The Whoolies Strike Back and I can't say I was all that enthused about it. Although I heard Bubsy has gotten better with its latest game, I doubt many would miss Bubsy if it was gone again. Whether it be a remake of the original or an entirely new game, I would totally love to see Bugdom come back on modern hardware and be available on consoles, it'd be a real treat! Bugdom really and truly deserves a comeback and it's a pity it's been dormant for so long.

 

[MIE1992]

I feel like this is a very hard question to answer, for me. Much like certain nameplates in the auto industry, nothing feels truly "dead" in videogames. Indeed, I think certain IPs simply go under periods of stasis. Just look at the upcoming reboot of Advance Wars, or the fact that there were recent statements confirming that F-Zero isn't necessarily dead, but just needs innovation. I feel that the auto industry and videogame industry might have more overlap than some people think, like how people thought the Ford Bronco was dead for a while.