This is the first entry in MP1st’s weekly non-necessarily multiplayer centric articles which we will begin featuring every Friday. In today’s article, MPst writer xGrahamDJx picks his top 10 new IPs of this generation. We hope you enjoy!
A brilliant and successful new IP can affect an entire generation of games and game players; I consider these to be the best new franchises of this current generation (2005-present). I’ve categorized them in alphabetical order; it would be impossible for me to decide which is “best.” Make sure you read the * after the list before you comment.
Bioshock
I consider Bioshock its own IP despite it being a spiritual successor to the System Shock series, and it’s hard not to consider the first Bioshock as one of this generation’s best games. Bioshock is one of the only game stories that will stick with you long after you’ve moved on to other games. Its ambiance, setting, and characters eclipse those of many big-budget movies, and its design and gameplay are immaculate. When my dad plays his old Bobby Darin records during family get-togethers, I can’t help but ask him…”Would you kindly?”
Dead Space
I’m not a “scary game” type of guy, which is weird, because I totally fell in love with the Dead Space franchise and its vomit-inducing death screens. Dead Space made dying fun. True, upon death I might have to replay half of a level, but at least I get to see a cutscene in which a Necromorph vomits acid into my mouth, burning me alive from the inside. The universe feels “real” and fleshed out to me in the same way a game like Mass Effect’s does; even though there isn’t nearly as much fluff, it works. Also, the game wins my vote for best fictional weapons.
Dragon Age
Okay, this one is a little divisive. I consider Dragon Age to be one of the best new IPs, despite the fact that I am a proud member of the “sequel sucked” association. Dragon Age was a return to the party-based, stat-tweaking, gear-enchanting RPGs of the 90’s, with solid gameplay and unique mythology to spare. I thoroughly enjoyed the pause-and-play battle tactics (yes, even on my console), as well as the conversation dynamics. It was great to truly be able to influence your party. The only hitch I ran into was when I accidentally pissed off my healer so bad that I had to fight and kill her. I didn’t have a back-up save, so I had to rely primarily on potions from that point on. My bad, Wynne.
Gears of War
Gears reminded people that shooters could be played in a perspective other than first-person. It oozed machismo, and every facet of the game had a significant weight to it, from the beefy characters, to the massive enemies, to the chunky weapons. Its multiplayer modes (despite being plagued with connectivity and matchmaking issues ) were so popular they spawned their own unique terminology: “curb stomp,” “two-piece,” “roadie run,” etc.
Be sure to read: Three Ways Gears of War 3 is the New Lois Lane.
Left 4 Dead
Zombies…ugh. Zombies are so ubiquitous in games right now, developers are attempting to one-up each other on their ability to shoehorn them into non-zombie games.
Developer 1: “Our game has zombies. And they’re Nazis. It’s like undead chocolate and genocidal peanut butter, people.”
Developer 2: “Well, in our game zombies fight plants. It’s like a multilayered commentary on global warming and environmental awareness. So…suck it, other zombie games.”
That being said, Left 4 Dead is a phenomenal game, mostly due to its simplicity. Anybody can pick up L4D, and know what to do in a heartbeat. However, cooperation and teamwork are key, and running around on your lonesome will get you Tank-smashed in a jiffy. My dream is that Valve will release a “Green Box” next year, which will include Counter-Strike: GO, Left 4 Dead 3, and Portal 2 with all DLC. A man can dream.
Mass Effect
I’ve heard many gamers refer to the Mass Effect series as the “Star Trek of our generation.” While that remains to be seen, it’s hard to immediately disagree. Mass Effect is an incredibly lore-rich space opera with deep customization, conversation, and party options. Its sequel toned down the role-playing elements, but improved the dynamic relationships and 3rd person combat. The upcoming Mass Effect 3 looks like it might be the best of both worlds: a rich role-playing experience with tight and fluid weapon- and skill-based combat.
Saints Row
This one might bring a few dissenting opinions in the comments, but the series is a personal favorite of mine (at least, in the free-roam/crime genres). It’s nice to play a game every now and then that proudly admits to being a game. No realistic wars on foreign (or domestic) soil, no grizzled tough guys spouting tough one-liners while killing aliens, no sordid tales of corruption (okay, maybe it has that), just a certain gaminess that is appealing. Why not drive a truck with a crap-spewing gun on top? Why not purposefully play in traffic, and rack up points based on your ludicrous injuries? Why not shoot citizens across town in a literal man-cannon (bring on SR3)?
Two Worlds
Oh, man. This one got your attention, didn’t it? Be careful not to hurt your fingers when you type those spite-filled comments. I honestly believe Two Worlds is a great IP. While Bioware, Bethesda, and other Western studios are streamlining their RPGs, and removing many of the expected RPG features in favor of story and accessibility, it’s nice to see a solid WRPG release that has hard-leveled mobs, co-op play, in-depth character stat management, and gear modification. Also – Two Worlds 2 has the best magic system of any RPG ever released (no hyperbole).
Uncharted
Say what you want about Uncharted, but it’s hard to deny the fact that it single-handedly brought adventure games back into the spotlight. An engrossing (if a little too “far out”) story, likable characters, and beautiful environments earned the title (and its superior sequel) countless accolades from the press and gamers alike. The only real problem I have with Uncharted 2 is that there are far too few cinematics of Chloe. Mmm…delicious, delicious, Chloe.
The World Ends With You
I lost a lot of faith in Square Enix this generation, but TWEWY is a true gem. The fact that it’s a handheld title means nothing; I love its funky but engrossing story mixed with its entirely unique combat scheme and “gotta have ’em all” addiction of pin collecting. The only downside is that when you play it in public, you might be mistaken for a crackhead attempting to contact the mothership via Morse code. Rumors have been floating around the interwebs regarding a sequel, and I think it could do very well as a 3DS title.
*Now remember, “best of” lists are opinions. I know you think I’m wrong and want me to die in a ditch fire and all that other “I disagree” vitriol, but instead maybe you dissenters could just let me know what your picks would be in the comments.
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Hey sorry but what the f*** does IP stand for? A good article would’ve atleast included a brief definition.
It is not a “good article”, it’s a GREAT one!
IP stands for Intellectual Property.
Nice list. My favorite IP this gen is Mass Effect, no doubt.
Uncharted is my pick, but Mass Effect is definitely a good pick.
“I’m Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite IP on the citadel.”
where is assasain creed
I do apologize for not including AC, but my limited experience with the series kept it off the list. I haven’t even finished the first one, so I didn’t want to include something I wasn’t totally familiar with. Thanks.
You need to do yourself a favor and finish the first one. I, too, took a while to finish the first game, but the way it ended, and the way the story picks up from there have me thoroughly hooked. The second and second part two (Brotherhood) move a lot quicker and provide great insights into the overall story.
No Demon’s Souls = fail.
I didn’t include Demon’s Souls because, even though it’s a great game, its difficulty makes too much of a niche product, and its story is pretty trite. I would not recommend DS to everyone, only a select audience, whereas I would recommend these 10 games to pretty much anyone. Thanks for the feedback.
saints row?
l4d? ROFL
demons souls = Game of the decade
after reading this list i thought id see call o duty somewhere lol
I addressed my reason for leaving off Demon’s Souls, and CoD wasn’t a new IP this generation.
What about Little Big Planet and Heavy Rain?
Personally, I’d have LBP on my list for, at least, starting the “Play-Create-Share” genre but that’s my opinion.
I haven’t played Heavy Rain, so I couldn’t put it on there. LBP is great…hmmm, I don’t know what I would replace it with, though.
U want to know which one u should change for Little Big Planet?? Well man thats easy. Delete Left 4 Dead , Saints Row or Two Worlds. All of those didn’t belong in this list. Saints Row in the same list as Mass Effect, thats insulting. Left 4 dead should be dead. And two worlds, doesn’t stand a chance against true triple a IP, but is good though.
My top ten are MASS EFFECT, ASSASINS CREED, UNCHARTED, GEARS OF WAR, BAD COMPANY, DRAGON AGE, DEAD SPACE, RED DEAD REDEMPTION, LITTLE BIG PLANET AND HEAVY RAIN.
HONORABLE MENTIONS TO LA NOIRE AND DEMONS SOUL.
While I agree with your choices of Mass Effect, Assassin’s Creed, and Uncharted, I completely disagree with with your opinion of Left 4 Dead. Left 4 Dead is a great example of cooperative gameplay, and does more to emphasize teamwork than any other game available today (with the exception of Portal 2’s multiplayer). And the vs multiplayer is incredibly unique.
And as much as I love Bad Company 2 and Red Dead Redemption, neither of them are new IPs for this console generation. The first Bad Company was released on the PS2 and original Xbox, and is just a console version of the already popular Battlefield series. And Red Dead Redemption, while not a direct sequel, follows Red Dead Revolver.
Come on please. Red dead redemption stands alone. Red dead revolver can’t get near anything about redemption. That makes the game unique on this generation so happens with bad company in this generation. Those games became unique and stand alone on this generation despite the fact that there are games considered “prequels” of them.
About left 4 dead I played it and definetly the game is average. Falls short of greatness. Coop play shines on Borderlands. Sorry is just my opinion on a crappy little game.
But the point of the article is new IPs *this generation*. That means things that are new to this console cycle. So Red Dead Redemption and Bad Company 2, regardless of how much they changed, are not new IPs.
Mass Effect is my number one no question, gears and uncharted are battling hard for number two.
wow I almost thought Saints Row was introduced last gen. checked and yes, the first one is on 360. damn, this gen really is that long
I hear ya. That’s how I feel about Assassin’s Creed.
Where’s Red Dead Redemption its better then half those games in this list
Well, even though it doesn’t share a lot with Revolver, it’s a sequel to a last-gen game.
yeah i agree with everything on the list 🙂 great time to be a gamer!!
Ummm…. Wheres Portal? I mean that series is easily up there as one of the best in this gen! Two worlds is a stupid choice, I know you loved the game, but it’s not in the same league as Mass Effect and Uncharted. Portal 2 on the other hand has a HUGE chance on being this year’s Game of the Year!
No Valkyria Chronicles. Really?
Assassin’s Creed, LittleBigPlanet, Batman, Infamous and Heavy Rain should all be up there.