Video Games Evolution: Classic VS Modern Games

Video Games Evolution: Comparison of Classic Games VS Modern Games:

Since the advent of modern technology, considerable improvement has been seen in video games. Games are now running at faster speed, offers high quality graphics, & provides better camera & character control. A lot of new features have been added to video games such as online multiplayer which allows multiple players to play games together from their homes.

Have a look at differences between old games vs new games:

In old games many pedestrians looked the same. In modern games like GTA V numerous pedestrians are modeled, & you would seldom find the same pedestrian twice in the game.

Graphics Comparison: Classic vs Modern Games

Image Credit: Capcom

Classic games had low quality graphics. Characters look real in modern games & the environment seems beautiful.

The Loading screen might appear in old games more often. Thanks to SSD, powerful processors & RAMs, loading has been considerably reduced in modern games.

Sometimes loading in old games could take several minutes. Modern games have low loading times because technology has improved a lot.

In classic games you could sometimes kill important NPCs & stuck in the middle of the game. In modern games you can’t kill important NPCs or see a game over screen right after killing them.

Classic vs New Driving Games

Image Credit: Sega | Microsoft

Driving games of the 80s & 90s felt flat. Vehicle parts, dynamics & various features of the real vehicles have been replicated in modern games, & driving in games feel simulation of the real experience.

It was hard to play old games if it was using a fixed camera because in certain parts of the game, the camera would hide behind obstacles but now you can enjoy a camera that moves with the character & it is easy to see your character & what’s ahead.

PS2 Memory Card vs PS5 SSD Hard Drive

Image Credit: Sony

PS2 used an 8 MB memory card for saving game progress, & if the memory was full then saving new games would require deletion of previous saves. Now you can save game progress on the hard drive & there is no need to delete your previous saves because the hard drive offers lots of space.

Old console games were playable directly from the discs but now you can save games to hard drive.

Multiplayer mode of classic games was very simple. You could only enjoy local multiplayer mode which means that players had to use the same screen for playing games & limited number of players could play games together. Now you can play games online with teammates, & many players can play games together. Every player can use their own console or PC for playing games. Players of different consoles can play games together for example PC players can enjoy playing games with PlayStation & Xbox players.

Controls of the classic games were very basic. 4 buttons on the left were used for moving the character. In modern games, the left stick is used for moving the character & the right stick can control the camera. PS5 controllers also allow you to enjoy haptic feedback & adaptive triggers, & these new features make the gameplay experience very immersive.

Wired vs Wireless Controllers

Image Credit: Sony

Classic players used to play games with wired controllers but now players enjoy playing games using wireless controllers. Every controller comes with a battery. Advanced controllers provide charging time of up to 40 hours.

Sizes of old games were small. Graphically advanced modern games can exceed 100 GB.

Old vs New Character

Image Credit: Capcom

Characters in classic games were not refined & polished. Modern game characters offer detail & they seem real.

Non playable characters (NPCs) of old games were not very responsive. Now NPCs have strong AI. They can help you in team attacks & follow your commands.

Enemies of old games used to roam in fixed paths. Now enemies can roam randomly too so it might be difficult to kill or sneak past enemies.

Dialogue Choices have big consequences in modern games

Image Credit: Sony

Dialogue choices of old games were very basic. Now they can play a bigger role in game progression. Decisions have consequences.

Team mates were normally quiet when together. Now they can communicate with each other when finishing missions.

Many of the classic games were slow. Gameplay of modern games are faster & more enjoyable.

System requirements of classic PC games were low. Now requirements of big games are higher & they need a capable PC.

Protagonist taking cover

Image Credit: Naughty Dog

The Environment in today’s games is playing a big role in gameplay as compared to old games. You can take cover, camouflage & use the environment against enemies.

There was a time when graphical resolution of old games was 640x480 resolution. Now modern games can reach up to 8k resolution at 120 fps.

Any monitor was suitable for playing old games. Monitors offering 4K at 60 FPS are good for playing modern games.

In classic games health might not recover automatically after receiving damage. Now in modern games, normally health recovers if you are not currently receiving damage. So, after receiving damage, you can wait for a while to recover your health & proceed.

Games of the 80s were boring and its gameplay was basic. Modern games can offer variety in gameplay like you can ride, travel on feet, fly, swim, use fists or weapons & there is a lot more that you can do.

Unlike old games, modern games can use an open world that players can explore.

2D vs 3D Games

Image Credit: Nintendo

Old games were mostly 2 dimensions (2D). Modern games can offer 2D or 3D graphics.

Old Games vs New Games - Crowd

Image Credit: Eidos Interactive | Rockstar Games

Old games usually had limited citizens & its gameplay felt empty. But now you can roam in crowded streets.

Enemies used to repeat the same pattern of attacks & players had to hit them at their weak spots after they finished their turn. Enemies are smarter now & they can perform random moves too which makes it difficult for players to predict their next move.