I couldn’t get it across as effectively, I guess. I think the fact this post was off the cuff and about something else, just got at people. I’m sure I could draw tons of friendly fire by not liking Sonic Adventure 2 as well, but there’s a point past which people stop taking you seriously and just assume you are trolling, even though I am dead serious. I could probably not replicate this =)

I think the core issue with Symphony et al (aside from platforming as traversal, yknow) is that 2D environments have trouble being memorable. Exploration and even backtracking is fun in System Shock or Resident Evil 1 because snooping around gives you environmental storytelling, plus you learn the layout and it’s satisfying to run the Spencer mansion with no map. Symphony is all just flat grey walls.