Originally Posted by
Howlrunner
I always think criticisms like this are unfair. Eg, let's take the OPs criticism of Star Wars 1.
The first 3 films (Episodes 4,5,6) are almost EXACTLY the same style wise. They are written in the form of a 1950s B-Movie matinee with cheesy dialogue, basic plotlines and whatnot. The two films directed by George were absolute toss, and its only when Irwin Winkler helmed the second as a favour that they achieved some form of critical success. They still, however, had a bland, insipid script, one-dimensional characters, moments of danger/love etc, everything you would expect from a 1950s Flash Gordon era style matinee film. The same was with the Indiana Jones films, however, because people are so in love with both series due to them being intrinsically linked to childhood, they have become sacred cows, and are untouchable. However, seriously watch them again, and analyse the script, usage of screen wipes to cut from scene to scene, and you will actually see how terribad the first and second film actually are (ignore Empire, its actually good, but different director). However, they were right place, right time, never been seen before films that captured the imagination. But critically? They were shit.
Then people expected something different from the newer releases? They were basically a carbon copy formula. If you watch them in the SAME manner of expectation of the first 3, that of a Sunday Morning B-Movie matinee type film, they are actually very enjoyable. However, it was purely fanbase expectation that made them seem less than they were.
Now lets take the Diablo games. First one and second one were arguably "right place right time" games. If you play them now (especially the first one), and actually analyse them with the same critical eye of games we play now, they are actually pretty weak. Poor UIs, bad sound, poor gfx and whatnot. However, people garner a huge amount of enjoyment from them, so they remain oblivious (myself included) to their faults, and woe betide you if you attempt to criticise them, as like the Star Wars films, they are sacred cows and can do no wrong.
Then Diablo 3 comes out, does EXACTLY what its predecessors did game wise, and people are shocked? Its the same with the Star Wars films, but the issue isn't with the film/game itself (errors and silly online thing aside) but the playerbase expecting something vastly different as they had expecations of the same fulfillment they got with the second and first game.
TLDR version - Its player fault for expecting something different from a genre that isn't intended to be different.