Questions for Dan Adelman & James of Chasm

After watching the gameplay of Chasm, I'm realizing something about myself that bothers me. I really, really enjoy the 2D IGAvania gameplay, the music, and the atmosphere. It's great! I think it is great for devs to make this type of game. It plays like the type of games I used to play back in the day. What I do not like is that the devs are making the game look like it did back in the day. It's great for nostalgia, but I feel like these games could use a better visual style/look to let people know that the game is modern. I know that better graphics is not something all devs can afford to do, but I feel like it is their duty to release a game that looks like it is from 2017 and not 1985. Game systems in 2017 are capable of so much more than the graphics used in games from the 80s.

Chasm looks like a game pulled right from the mid 80s. I find myself looking back at other recent games that chose a retro 8 or 16 bit look over a more modern one. Axiom Verge, UnEpic, and The Binding of Isaac come to mind. They are great games to play, but the graphical style adds nothing to it aside from the nostalgic retro feel. It really prevents me from getting into some of these games. I couldn't get into Axiom Verge for this reason. Salt and Sanctuary, for example, is a 2D side-scrolling, modern game that has a unique modern look to it. Other examples of the old school play, but modern look are Strider (PS4), Rayman Legends, Trine 1/2, Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, and Mighty No. 9. To me, when a new game comes out in 2017 (and beyond), it should either be in full 3D or in 2D/2.5D with a sleek graphical style.

I'm really looking forward to Bloodstained because it is using a modern look (thanks to 2.5D) but retains the 2D gameplay mechanics. I will enjoy playing the retro Bloodstained game, but it will never draw me in like the main game has/will.

Am I crazy to think this way? On topic, I guess my question for the broadcast would be: Do the developers of Chasm (and other games like Axiom Verge) feel that the old school graphical style is required to make the game what it is? If not, why not go with a more modern look while retaining the old school gameplay?

TL;DR: IMO, games nowadays should have old school gameplay with a modern graphic style.

Yeah it is all about taste. For me its almost the opposite.

Salt and Sanctuary, Binding of Isaac and some other games makes me feel like they are flash games. And those games feels a bit "meeh" for my taste. I guess this is also why Binding of Isaac Rebirth are about pixels. I think it is how you actually choose to animate it.

Pixels however can't be cheated with draging any limbs and stretch it like mad. I feel love are put into pixels, while flash animation seems cheap in my opinion. This is because they were all free before Steam became big.

Bloodstained to me, is a luxury. It's something else, something I would enjoy on every day basis.

For the record, NES resolution is like 256*240 and Chasm native resolution is 384*216, meaning it "only" has like 35% more pixels. That said, I feel like recent games sacrifice a lot in terms of budget to make full hd games look good rather than spending it on making good gameplay. 3d animations and such are so much more work than pixel art, and I feel it doesn't add THAT much to games.

-What was your initial reaction when you found out about Bloodstained's Kickstarter campaign?

-Which of Bloodstained's features are you looking forward to the most?

-What does Chasm offer that Bloodstained doesn't?

-Are there any lessons from developing Chasm you'd like to pass on to other developers?

-Is there anything you'd like to say to Chasm fans and Kickstarter backers?

This episode wont be recorded until the first half of February, so take your time.

Alright, February is here. Get your questions and topics here before it's too late!