Clones

[pkmin3033]

In video gaming, "clone" is typically a derogative term that is applied to a game that is similar to and/or inspired by an existing game. This is an accusation levelled at many titles that have similar themes and gameplay as popular games in particular, under the belief that they have been designed to take financial advantage of the other game's popularity. Some people get very upset about it.

Have you ever played a game that you would label as a "clone" of another game? At what point does a game become a clone of another - if indeed there is any validity to the idea at all? Have you ever played a game widely considered a clone of another that you found to be better than the game it supposedly copied?

 

[gimmepie]

I feel like calling something a "clone" as a complaint really only applies if the game in question is just a re-skin of a previous game with no further development on the concept. For example, you can argue that Stardew Valley is highly derivative of Harvest Moon, but calling it a clone really isn't fair since Stardew adds so much to the basic concept. Then you have the entire Rogue-like genre which could arguably be called clones of Rogue, but most come at the idea with totally different stories, thematics and mechanics.

I kind of reserve "clone" as a criticism for shit like Crash Racing which is straight up just Mario Kart but with different characters and items.

 

[Venonat in Space]

TemTem looks like a reskin of Pokemon just saying.

Crash Team Racing (as well as Diddy Kong Racing) had an adventure mode UNlike Mario Kart. That's what steered me away from Mario Kart and convinced me to get Nitro Fueled instead when I got my Switch.