Friday, May 06, 2011

Unpopular opinion of the day: Pac-Man CE DX isn't as good as its predecessor

Yep, you read that correctly: I'm currently of the opinion that Pac-Man Championship Edition DX isn't as good--or, in then end, as enjoyable--as the original Pac-Man Championship Edition.

Now, that isn't to say I don't like the game. On the contrary, I like it quite a bit--or, at least I like some aspects of it quite a bit.

I like, for instance, the bevy of options and modes included in Pac-Man Championship Edition DX. Players can choose from a number of different courses, graphical styles and soundtracks, all of which make this iteration of the game feel as though it's packed with content.

I have to say, though, that only that middle option--the one that allows you to alter the game's visuals at will--really interests me. The choose-your-own-soundtrack option is nice, but it's hardly a game changer (pun intended), and the huge number of selectable courses only seems impressive at the start--once you've played through them, you realize they're all a bit interchangeable.



Those aren't the only bullet points offered up to potential Pac-Man Championship Edition DX purchasers; there's also the new "sleepy ghosts"--they remain stationary until you pass them, after which they follow you--and the slow-motion effect that kicks in whenever you get too close to a nearby baddie.

Both of those additions are enjoyable for a while, but in the end they make Pac-Man Championship Edition DX seem both easier and more straightforward than its more bare bones predecessor--which is why I'll likely continue to play the original at the expense of its more superficially enticing sequel.

See also: 'Raise your hand if you, too, think Pac-Man Championship Edition is digital crack'

8 comments:

Andrew said...

I feel like the DX version is much more for the mainstream, casual gamer. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, but it's definitely different.

As someone who loves Pac Man, I'd consider DX to be just ok.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Andrew! That's an interesting thought -- that DX is more for the casual gamer. I can see that, actually -- given all of the options/modes, there's certainly something for everyone. Plus, all of the new additions -- the sleeping ghosts, the slow-mo, etc. -- seem aimed at that crowd, too.

Do you like CE more than DX, BTW? Also, do you like the original Pac-Man -- or Ms. Pac-Man -- more than these new iterations?

Anonymous said...

I agree with you, CE was pretty much the perfect version of Pacman for me, I don't really want any of the "improvements" offered in the DX.

How dare they alter Pacman gameplay, isn't that like, illegal or something? *flicks hair*

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, a man after my own heart! Honestly, if Namco allowed you to alter the graphics in CE as they allow you to do in DX, I'd consider it perfect. I mean, the graphics in CE are wonderful as-is, but I really like some of the alternate options offered up in DX :)

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Fair enough. Hm...

Bryan Ochalla said...

What's the "hmm" for, Justin?

Viewtiful_Justin said...

It always looked like more fun to me. Like...stringing together the combo of ghosts and then eating them all at once. It looks so satisfying! It makes me sad to know it's not.

Bryan Ochalla said...

That part *is* satisfying, though, Justin! Also, I didn't mean to imply that Pac-Man CE DX isn't fun at all. It is! It just isn't as fun, IMO, as the original Pac-Man CE.