LogFAQs > #930346771

TomNook posted...

The higher skill ceiling for Ultimate that turned off the Melee fans who couldn't adapt

I actually really like playing Ultimate; it's super fun with friends, and Pokemon Trainer gives me life. I just think it's really dumb to compare it with Melee. Melee is just different. It transcends simply being a Smash game, and offers something more.

I, and similarly like-minded individuals, consider Melee to be the ultimate competitive activity. Nowhere else have I ever seen the blazing fast, on-the-fly decision making of Melee. The push and pull aspect of every interaction, the will and wit of two individuals pushing each other to their limits. The technical prowess, extreme precision, and degree of dynamic mindgames present in every single game of Melee elevates playing and spectating into something greater. Your positioning and reactions to your opponent, down to the most minute pixel or a single frame, radically alter both your and your opponent's options. I know this isn't a phenomenon exclusive to Melee, but Melee offers more room for creativity and control than any other activity like it. You have absolute command over your character down to the frame, and the plethora of movement options and dynamic defensive options allow the game to never really be "solved" or grow stale, even after close to 2 decades of competition and development.

The game allows you to express yourself moreso than any other of its kind, and that expression is evident in any match you watch. Once you have a good grasp of your movement and options, it's no exaggeration to say the character on screen becomes what feels like an extension of your own body. Players really create an identity for themselves within their playstyle, and despite there only being ~11 relevant characters at top level, the options and depth these characters provide keep the game fresh and the gameplay exciting. I couldn't tell you how many times I've sat down with a friend and just played Fox dittos for hour on end, and then watched a tournament and lost my mind at top-level Fox dittos. There is so much depth and nuance within every interaction that simply writing off a match as "Fox dittos no items Final Destination" misses the point entirely. It's a game of two adversaries engaging in combat. It's the battle of two wills. It's who has mastery over their character and craft? Who put in the hours grinding their tech skill? Who can be more creative on the fly? Who can figure the other one out first? I really really love it.

While Ultimate is a really cool game, it doesn't have those same appeals. I could have a great time playing Ultimate, but it's not even in the same conversation when it comes to what I look for in a competitive game. Not only that, but the lack of movement options and crazy buffer make the core gameplay much more streamlined and constrictive. What puts a bow on it for me is just how boring I find it to watch. I tried to like it, I really did. They even have Leffen and Armada playing! But I just can't get into watching two players trying to bore each other to death every stock.
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Esto es el fin, Grande Padre