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DoA4: Yes the game is “nothing new” yet the genre is far from dead, mark my words “2 player co-op brawlers” will be big in the years.

Not dead yet, it twitches, splutters and even breaths a bit each time Nintendo brings out a Smash Bros game, they’re that awesome.

The Elder Scrolls series have been doing free-form gameplay for years, where the central plot can be completely ignored while performing side-quests. Can you explain how you referenced Morrowind (which also had this freedom), but still believe TES copied GTA?

Also, the subgenre of space simulations which include Space Empires, Elite, and Wing Commander: Privateer, all allow you the player the freedom to choose to partake in the main plot or not, while increasing your standings with various factions in the world.

How about a mention for Timesplitters: Future Perfect, for most innovative integration of humorous story with plot. Gotta love getting help from your future self, then helping that past self later in the level. There’s one scene where you’re fighting alongside three Cortez characters from different time continuums — I tried to wrap my head around it, but there was too much action to deal with.

And also, Oblivion was cool, but I wouldn’t call it especially innovative. I found it less creative and more limited than Morrowind, although the graphics, physics, and combat system were quite entertaining.