Almost every developer tasked with creating an open world super hero game has ignored the force of attraction between two masses (more commonly known as “gravity”). This is best witnessed in Spider-Man. Developers have gone out of their way to adhere to the source material, creating realistic interpretations of web swinging, wall crawling, and acrobatic combat. However, almost every Spider-Man game breaks free from the source material for one move: the free wall run. Rather than having Spidey scamper up the wall on all fours, like he does in the comic, this tightly spandexed character possesses the ability to run freely on the wall. The laws of physics do not apply here. Developers created this move solely to open up exploration. Sure, it makes city navigation a breeze, but it’s bull----. The point of my rant is this: If you are making a game, and you are exploring ways to make city navigation an effortless affair for players, respect the laws of gravity, and moreover, if working with a licensed product, respect the canon. The best example of wall running respecting gravity is any Prince of Persia since The Sands of Time.Culprits: Every Spider-Man Game, Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, Prototype
FIRST!
a lot of people were upset that inFamous had a more realistic way of climbing buildings. some people's attention spans are just too short to allow for realism. inFamous>Prototype.
Thats what makes assassins creed and infamous so much better. Not that cole didnt look like a retard doing it.
how do I mod down these people that say FIRST! and FIRST POST! they contribute nothing to the discussion. i'm going to find a moderator.
Don't worry, already in the process of banning him and stealing his lunch money.
Yeah, I always thought this was stupid in the Spider-Man games. Sure, it makes climbing buildings easier, but it's not how Spider-Man does it, and I think it's lazy game design.
Corey, you can add FIRST DEV to every story since you are the only one on the site who has that title right now.
Can I get a Dev title if I "plan" on making games? I mean, it's almost a sure thing!
Another two minutes of my life wasted...
"The laws of physics do not apply here."
Really? You're complaining about the laws of physics in the context of a dude who got super powers from being bit by a radioactive spider?
I'm also surprised you didn't mention Mirror's Edge as an example of respectable wall running. For shame Andrew, for shame!
LOL. I got something to add to your article Andrew. If we are talking realism here and if free wall running was allowed, there should be an ankle health meter to which once the bar is exhausted your character's ankles will snap from the sheer force of supporting the body at that angle.
Seriously though this article is funny.
I totally agree with you Reiner on all them except for spidey. He has the ability to crawl up walls using his hands and/or feet. I have seen in some of the comics of Spidey standing upsidedown on building ledges and statues or perpindicular to the building itself using his super strenght to help him stand like that. Prototype on the other hand makes free wall running look like anyone can do it while Prince of Persia shows the actual way to perform the stunt and make it look freakin sweet
I play games so that I can do whatever I can't do in real life. Like ignoring laws, even the laws of physics. Stupid laws are always trying to brig me down. Literally.
The first jump from that video was actually kind of cool, because he kind of just flipped up there. After that, it went downhill. I don't want to freely run up a wall, I want to actually climb it. Assassin's Creed does this well because it's possible to do those stunts, but nearly impossible. It always seems realistic to me, which just makes it that more amazing. Running up walls just doesn't have the same affect because it's impossible.
Hmm... if wall running bothers you this much, then I'm curious what your feelings about being able to perform additional jumps in mid air are... that's even more physics defying than wall running.
I love games that make no sense. They are so hilarious! They allow people to make funny blogs like this. Be grateful people make games that are so easy to hate on.
I'm guessing that this will no doubt be an issue in a future review with a game. But, I see your point. :)
WALL RUNNING FOREVER!!
No not really, it was acceptable only on Spider Man 2 (Cause it was a first effort and it was cool trying to chain wall runs betweeen buildings) and Incredible Hulk (Where it actually could be plausible when he crushes into the wall) until Assassin's Creed and later games like InFamous blew that mechanic to bits. Besides wall running was not fun because it was always unruly to control, I hope it has gone the way of the dinosaur for the bad version. Oh and Prince Of Persia for the win indeed!
Some slight SPOILERS.
@Joe Juba
That was EXACTLY my thought. Let alone a beast of gamma endowed rage and power, or the living embodiment of the funkiest viruses I've ever seen.