if you try to emulate someone else's style in a game (or anything, for that matter), it will fall flat.
Not surprisingly, I strongly disagree with this statement.
Or rather, I think that it needs qualification. I don't think its fair to say it will ALWAYS fall flat. I think there's a fine line between "injecting one's personal flavor" and simply removing/replacing the elements that made the original creations so charming--once you've done that, it might as well be a different thing entirely. Not saying that's what TSL has done (yet--I've got my eyes on you
,) just saying that in general, there is a balance to be reached. I think it's fully possible to create a game based on another's creative vision and still find ways to make it seem fresh while retaining all of what was great about the original. That's the mark of a great designer.
For what it's worth, I think TSL has done a pretty good job so far of maintaining this balance, despite my initial reservations.
