Evolution

Today. Something will change. As they do.

I, Afro Stan, will adopt a new handle. 

Waffle Monster.

Along with my new persona, I will become nostalgic and note a trend I am noticing. Think back, way back, to the first FPS. Automatically, two giant titles spring to mind: Wolfenstein and Doom. Both games came out very close to each other, (Wolfenstein in 1992 with Doom coming two years later). Both brought to us what we can only tag with chaotic awesome. I can remember being four, and playing the Nazi based game of Wolfenstein, good times...

Wolfenstein began as a simple escape. The levels followed no real life example, instead incorporating excessive use of swastikas for hallway designs. It seemed to be a holy-church worshipping the furious Fuhrer, Hitler. It was never meant for historical accuracy, as the final boss is Adolf in a mechanosuit. Just, pure, happiness in 2d-3d form.

Then, Return to Castle Wolfenstein appears. This takes it much farther, as the story is amped up with a blow to the head with history. Now only that, but a few dangerous roofies of H.P. Lovecraft were thrown in for good measure, making an undead-ridden Nazi-palooza of a game. Evolution rears it's bittersweet head, and we take our original concept of a simple escape and turn it into a psychological adventure.

Doom was nearly comical, with it's basic "Here, take this gun and go KICK SATAN'S ASS!" through technological levels. Yet, the masses fought missile-launching baddies like lunatics. Doom 2 followed a very similar course, yet Doom 3 took our baby and spewed out a masterpiece. It truly showcased the horrors of hell from what was originally a test to see how much demon-ridden gore we could encroach upon the 90's. 

Now, I nearly sh*t myself thinking about the Dog-like thing that I can NEVER find with my damn flashlight!

Evolution takes our good games, and makes them different, better in most cases. Like the frost unto the puddle, it's a matter of conditions.

-Waffle Monster