Topic: IGA pros & cons

[crisis]

lets decide whether or not Koji Igarashi has overall been beneficial or detrimental to the series



PROS
 

• he's a big supporter of the 2D format
• has been instrumental in porting one of the best games in the series (DXC)
• has a quirky sense of humor
• he's not afraid to admit his mistakes

CONS
 

• due to his love of 2D, his laziness seems to have amplified (reused sprites, Harmony of Despair)
• even though he admits his mistakes, he doesn't seem to learn from them (Curse of Darkness, Nanobreaker)
• hasn't done much to branch out the "metroidvania" formula over the past 10 years
• his direct sequels typically fall short (DoS, CoD) and arguably do more harm than good to the timeline

anymore to add? will his cons outweigh his pros or vice-versa?

[Claimh Solais]

I got some cons

• When he makes a sequel, he doesn't seem to put the things in that made the original so great.
• 3D level design... I think he's doing it wrong.

But pros

• He's not afraid to experiment with things

But that's about it.

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

So this is technically a "bash IGA thread" huh.

Atleast thats how I think its going to end up turning into.

[A-Yty]

So this is technically a "bash IGA thread" huh.

Atleast thats how I think its going to end up turning into.

Probably, but that happens in every other thread too, so..

[Tanatra]

I think if he had stopped making CV games after AoS, fans in general would have a much higher opinion of the guy.

[PFG9000]

So this is technically a "bash IGA thread" huh.

You're missing part of the title.

[Claimh Solais]

Hey, I still have a high opinion of the guy. ^.^

[Lumas]

Actually Crisis I think you covered just about everything I fully agree with you.

[Profbeanburrito]

I think that's a fair list, In my opinion his cons are out weighed by his pros. I like IGA, I like what's he's done with the series, and I'll be happy if he does a few more, but after his timeline is finished I'm ok with him moving on.
I understand why people may not like him, nobody is perfect and a developer of any media can't please everyone, but I think he's done a fine job and I'm always happy with his games.

also, Crisis, great choice of images!

[darkwzrd4]

I, too, am happy with IGA, but only in terms of 2D gameplay.  His story telling skills really need some work.  It's not just that.  His method is counter-intuitive.  He comes up with the individual story first and then tries to shoe-horn it into the existing cannon.  If he considered the existing cannon first, we would likely wouldn't have as many plot holes.

[Munchy]

His last DS game was my favorite of the bunch. I love his vehement defense of the 2D format, and I'd blame his reuse of sprites and lame 3D level design more on Konami's money-grubbing nature than IGA himself. He just produces the things. (Though yeah, his storytelling needs a bit of work, but it's not at all why I play these anyway.)

[JR]

I love his vehement defense of the 2D format, and I'd blame his reuse of sprites and lame 3D level design more on Konami's money-grubbing nature than IGA himself.

Pretty much the exact same thing I was thinking. It sounded like IGA always had a pretty pitiful budget to work with. I'd love to see what he could've done with a decent one.


My main gripe was his storytelling. I know a lot of people don't worry about the storyline either way, but it's something I would really like to enjoy, given the series' deep history. I really did like some of the things he did plotwise (Demon Castle War backstory, Mathias' reason for seeking immortality, etc.), but other things I either didn't personally like or found to be too absurd (creation of the Vampire Killer, Whip's Memory, etc.). But really, all he'd need is some help or editing from someone more competent with making a plot. Besides that, the only other thing that bothered me was the level design of the 3d games (but then again, that could go back to having a shit budget, too).

I really liked the gameplay in his games, though. Each 2d game he produced was really fun to play, and each one had an identity of its own. Although sometimes I thought his execution could've been better, I liked the fact that he was always trying to come up with new gameplay features.

[thernz]

Yeah, Order of Ecclesia was great because the new gameplay features were actually lavished upon, and not something second to the Metrovania formula. I'd love to see more titles that utilize that emphasis on the new "gameplay gimmicks" for each.

I think his team has a knack for little details, even ones that most people would hardly notice like the different colored butcher in AoS's Dance Hall. I also think the team of artists have an extra notch to the backgrounds than others. They seem to have a stronger interest in compositions and structure. Well, at least in SoTN and the GBA titles. Though I feel that interest somewhat returned in OoE.

As for flaws, the team's level design and dedication to the individuality of rooms has slipped. There's less interesting things going on in the backgrounds, and the layouts themselves are becoming blander and blander. This is even evident in the best of the DS titles, OoE. Then there's stylistic clashes between new sprites and recycled content, worse and floatier physics than SoTN.

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

You're missing part of the title.

No I did not miss it.

I know how these threads turn out which is why I put put that it will "technically" turn into a IGA bashing thread.

Just my 2 cents.

[Ahasverus]

Pros: He's gone
Cons: He wasn't gone 12 years ago