Roger Ebert notoriously claimed that games (at least for the foreseeable future) could not be art. Many replied with numerous examples, which he shot down. One example was Flower, which it was claimed wasn't eligible for discussion as it didn't tie in with his definition of a game. Dear Esther is less of a game than Flower, and even more likely to be art.
One game I did play recently that has some similarities is Journey- both have a very different feel, but they are both pilgrimages, both focused on death and rebirth. And both beautiful, although Journey is appropriately light and sparse, where Dear Esther is dark and rich.
Roger Ebert would claim It doesn't feel like a game, but I can't imagine the story working in any format. And whilst this is more of a curio than a piece of entertainment, it's a provocative one that stretches the limits of the medium.
7.5/10
Monday, 10 September 2012
Deadly Premonition
Disclaimer! I didn't finish this game, as I got to the final boss battle with minimal ammo and little health. Most games now would give you multiple saves or a chance to replenish your supplies before this, but Deadly Premonition isn't most games.
Originally announced in 2004 as a PS2 game, Deadly Premonition seemingly fell down the back of the sofa, and came out in 2010. It ran on the Xbox but it was spiritually a PS2 game still.
From the graphics and controls, to the dated game mechanics, this really feels out of step. But in an odd way, this adds to the games strangeness. It also builds an affinity to PS2 era survival horrors such as Silent Hill 2 and Fatal Frame. In fact if Shenmue was a Twin Peaks homage, with the Black Lodge scenes replaced with Silent Hills otherworld, you'd be getting close to the feel of DP.
It also has a great cast, good voice acting, great (if frequently inappropriate) music and an inspired imaginary friend / 4th wall breaking device.
Deadly Premonition was a game I enjoyed despite (and sometimes because of) it's faults.
However that still means it is faulty in many ways. I'm not surprised at the claims the forthcoming directors cut is meant to address the 200 most common complaints.
I only think its fair to give the game a mark that indicates its not recommended to all, but could be appreciated by a select few:
7.0/10
Originally announced in 2004 as a PS2 game, Deadly Premonition seemingly fell down the back of the sofa, and came out in 2010. It ran on the Xbox but it was spiritually a PS2 game still.
From the graphics and controls, to the dated game mechanics, this really feels out of step. But in an odd way, this adds to the games strangeness. It also builds an affinity to PS2 era survival horrors such as Silent Hill 2 and Fatal Frame. In fact if Shenmue was a Twin Peaks homage, with the Black Lodge scenes replaced with Silent Hills otherworld, you'd be getting close to the feel of DP.
It also has a great cast, good voice acting, great (if frequently inappropriate) music and an inspired imaginary friend / 4th wall breaking device.
Deadly Premonition was a game I enjoyed despite (and sometimes because of) it's faults.
However that still means it is faulty in many ways. I'm not surprised at the claims the forthcoming directors cut is meant to address the 200 most common complaints.
I only think its fair to give the game a mark that indicates its not recommended to all, but could be appreciated by a select few:
7.0/10
Reckoning: Kingdoms Of Amalur
Have you seen Moneyball? It's a great film, based on a true story where the owner of a failing baseball team. He turns the teams fortunes around by investing in cheaper players that work well together, rather than throwing money at big names.
Curt Schilling, owner of the studio that made Reckoning, was better known as a baseball player and you can't help but feel the studio went bust from Schilling throwing money at big names. A respected fantasy author, a comic book legend on art and an Elder Scrolls level designer are all onboard and I expected this to be the Titanic of gaming- doomed by its excess and opulence.
However, Reckoning doesn't come across as that flash- it feels like an installment of Dragon Age that's finally got its shit together, with a Fable-esque art style to boot.
The main problem with the game was its release date: too close to The Witcher and Skyrim, which is a shame as although it's not as good as those two games, it's still a fine RPG. I spent around 50 hours on the game and could comfortably spend 50 more. Despite its studio no longer being around, I hope EA don't let this franchise go to waste.
8.5/10
Curt Schilling, owner of the studio that made Reckoning, was better known as a baseball player and you can't help but feel the studio went bust from Schilling throwing money at big names. A respected fantasy author, a comic book legend on art and an Elder Scrolls level designer are all onboard and I expected this to be the Titanic of gaming- doomed by its excess and opulence.
However, Reckoning doesn't come across as that flash- it feels like an installment of Dragon Age that's finally got its shit together, with a Fable-esque art style to boot.
The main problem with the game was its release date: too close to The Witcher and Skyrim, which is a shame as although it's not as good as those two games, it's still a fine RPG. I spent around 50 hours on the game and could comfortably spend 50 more. Despite its studio no longer being around, I hope EA don't let this franchise go to waste.
8.5/10
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