Yeap. Same feeling here.
I had a bit of a rant when I ve bought, carried away by nostaglia, Bards Tale remake, just to realize the completely unfinished state of the product.
My fault I ve bought it, without checking, sure.
But still feel inxile is not doing a good job in releasing products.
Wastelands 2, that I played 15 hours, I ve found it boring and unimpressive. Completely lacking the depth nor atmosphere od the original title.
True is that, those games were unique.
Because of the crap graphics.
Because they were the first, creating a genre.
Because they were pioneer on everyrhing.
Because with so limited tech they had to focus on contents.
Now; 30 years later, to concoct such a patamount work needs high skills. High inspiratio and taking risks. And skills in blending powerful experiences.
I don t know if inXile have all of the above, but they seems more interested in exploiting "feelings" for easy cash, rather than picking up the challenge to deliver.
David9855: Both really; I feel they frequently fail to meet the original concept marks of their projects, Rely on Nostalgia to receive funding in the first place, and deliver poor and budget products based on what was promised.
tomimt: Personally for me, the biggest disappointment I've had from them is Torment, but that one set itself to fail by trying to re-create the feeling of original Plansescape, but even that wasn't a bad game, just underwhelming. Wasteland 2 is a good title despite its second half doesn't measure with the first.
BTIV is a lot better game what people claim it is. Its biggest problems come from tech issues and if those are ever sorted out it'll be a solid game. This comes from someone who doesn't really care of the original games though.
Here is the main problems.
These are average games at best.
Noting stands out.
Unfortunately for videogames, to be succeaful, the technical implementation matter.
These games would probably be the averge indie game, if not for the title.
They would not give anything to the market.
And they probably would sell 50% they do, because they would have a generic name, no one care of: Barrow's warrior for example
Exploiting old, historical franchises, in these cases, is pire marketing to boost sales of some average or mediocre games that would not stand on their own merits.
Sorry for the Eglish, I m writing from a mobile.