Since I am absolutely indisposed to reading Chuang Tzu right now, here's a few more tidbits about the game I managed to play for about 2 1/2 hours today:
-The game introduced the concept of an "over-limit", a special battle command that basically lets your character whale on enemies without reservation. No need to worry about combining attacks and special attacks (or "artes") together (though you still need to worry about conserving health, etc - no invincibility!); you can pretty much just mash the buttons on your controller and watch as the on-screen monsters perish. Unfortunately, enemies can use it too, and since the introduction to this new gameplay feature, the game's difficulty seems to have spiked dramatically. Some nasty Cerberus-like Cloverfield wannabe boss beastie completely annihilated me, and after grinding/"leveling up" enough to wipe him out and traveling to the nearest town, some red-eyed ninjas accsot me before I can save the game. Ugh.
- The story is quite openly discussing consequentialism. In two consecutive scenes, two different characters are faced with situations in which they are tempted to break laws for the sake of preceived righteousness. One character does so and another declines. Sequential scenes show the characters discussing which one did the right thing. Neither characer comes out particularly better off than the other.
I wrote about this in my last entry, but I will mention it again for emphasis: There is a pervading theme of "Just-do-what-YOU-wanna-do-when-faced-with- tough-decisions" in this game's narrative . I'm not sure if "hedonism" is the right word what the game is advocating here, but it's definetley the same "believe in yourself!" self-help rhetoric that seems to pervade Western culture these days. Come to think of it, it's pretty common in anime, too...given the throughly Japanese origin of this game, I guess I can't be too surprised with this thematic.
-Lack of puzzles I realize Tales of games are genearlly light on puzzles, but the near-total lack of them thus far is ridiculous. The game seems too easy without the occasional logic puzzle, even if they are of the thoroughly rudimentary variety.
- I don't understand the "cooking" system. I know what it's used for, and it's sure handy in a pinch, but I'm not sure how the cooking "menu" is supposed to work. Perhaps a reader could add a dash of knowledge (apologies for the VERY bad cooking joke)?
- Total Playing time so far: 7:57 (it's actually more since I had to restart after losing to a "boss" and the game just loads from the last save point. I've probably played around 8:15 or so.)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Storytelling in JRPGs
While I'm not nearly far enough into Tales of Vesperia to offer much of a response to my brother's recent critique on the dungeons, I can say that so far the game's thematic is making me a little uncomfortable. It's pretty much the usual self-help on steroids refrain of "do what you feel is right, don't let anyone stop you/believe in yourself" shlock. It seems overly self-righteous and preachy, evn darnright narcissistic. Bleh.
The battles, though...awesome, as expected. I really like the character development, too - no silly 'skill trees' that have become an unnecessary gimmick in most role-playing games; it's all handled through equipment. It's really nifty, but it still demands some of your attention during the game, too. I'm glad SOME game developer finally found a way to make character development involving without becoming distracting.
It's hard enough to find time to play anything with school, though (and I can't blog if I don't play!). With the release of Rock Band 2 imminent, though, I'm sure I'll find time to play again soon...
The battles, though...awesome, as expected. I really like the character development, too - no silly 'skill trees' that have become an unnecessary gimmick in most role-playing games; it's all handled through equipment. It's really nifty, but it still demands some of your attention during the game, too. I'm glad SOME game developer finally found a way to make character development involving without becoming distracting.
It's hard enough to find time to play anything with school, though (and I can't blog if I don't play!). With the release of Rock Band 2 imminent, though, I'm sure I'll find time to play again soon...
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tales of Vesperia!
The past two weeks have seen the commencement of yet another academic year (a tired excuse for such a long posting hiatus, I know) but I managed to take some time out amidst the hustle and bustle of the new school year to grab this little gem: Tales of Vesperia, a multiplayer RPG that released just in time for the long labor day weekend.
It's a shame I can't find that fourth xbox 360 controller...I may have to buy a new one just for this game...
It's a shame I can't find that fourth xbox 360 controller...I may have to buy a new one just for this game...
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Kid-Friendly Games, Parent-Friendly Prices (and a question or two for readers...)
Apparently Toys-R-Us is having a 'buy one Xbox 360 game, get another xbox 360 game half-price' sale this week, August 17-23.
Quick note: The "half-off" discount applies to whatever game has a lower in-store price, so it's probably best to buy a couple of high-price recently released games with this deal. Moreover, you can't buy a copy of Beautiful Katamari ($7.68 in-store right now) and expect to get a half-price discount on the $160 Rock Band bundle.
In my case, I'll probably pick up Soul Calibur IV - I'm a big fan of the series, but Namco's treatment of the franchise, especially with this new iteration, has made me somewhat angry (scantily clad female characters, for example, dominate this game), so I decided that I wouldn't buy the game unless I could get it for cheap. I want very much to play the game, but I figure that "voting with my dollar"
as a matter of priniciple is more important.
Has anyone ever had a similar experience where you really want to play/buy a new game, but some morally objectionable content dissuades you from doing so? What would you do in such a situation?
Quick note: The "half-off" discount applies to whatever game has a lower in-store price, so it's probably best to buy a couple of high-price recently released games with this deal. Moreover, you can't buy a copy of Beautiful Katamari ($7.68 in-store right now) and expect to get a half-price discount on the $160 Rock Band bundle.
In my case, I'll probably pick up Soul Calibur IV - I'm a big fan of the series, but Namco's treatment of the franchise, especially with this new iteration, has made me somewhat angry (scantily clad female characters, for example, dominate this game), so I decided that I wouldn't buy the game unless I could get it for cheap. I want very much to play the game, but I figure that "voting with my dollar"
as a matter of priniciple is more important.
Has anyone ever had a similar experience where you really want to play/buy a new game, but some morally objectionable content dissuades you from doing so? What would you do in such a situation?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Summer Silence
If you (like me) are experiencing some sort of spiritual, physical, or mental fatigue right now (whether or not it's related to gaming), The Anchoress blog has the right prescription: an online retreat. Give it a look-see if you need a diversion from the hectic summertide.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Gaming lull...
I've been very busy on my supposed "week off" - I haven't touched a video game since my last blog spot, believe it or not. A Player Diary for FFIV is looking highly unlikely now, but I can affirm that the story, with its focus on light and darkness, seems to lean closer to the Christian view of things (where things simply are or are not good than the ying/yang Taoist dichotomy that ulitmately makes everything a collective abyss. It's a long play-through, and it's frustratingly difficult at times, but this makes the experience all the more fulfilling.
In Story of a Soul, St. Therese tells us that God allows suffering in order to bring us closer to Him; in the psalms, we learn that God chastises those who are close to him. Final Fantasy IV DS reflects this in both its narrative and in the actual gameplay itself - as I said, it's a long haul, but it's worth it in the end.
In Story of a Soul, St. Therese tells us that God allows suffering in order to bring us closer to Him; in the psalms, we learn that God chastises those who are close to him. Final Fantasy IV DS reflects this in both its narrative and in the actual gameplay itself - as I said, it's a long haul, but it's worth it in the end.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
On Temperance, Prudence and Purchasing Video Games
As a Catholic and as a gamer, I recognize that there’s a fine line between gaming for the glory of God and glorifying games INSTEAD of God. The cardinal virtue of temperance is absolutely essential in order to distinguish between the two. Scripture tells us that “for everything there is a season, and a time and a manner for everything under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Catholic gamers would do well to remember that only a portion and not the entirety of their God-given existence is to be spent here on earth, let alone playing video games.
In the decision to purchase a video game, though, the virtue of prudence must be exercised, as well. Ever since video game violence first became a nationwide controversy in the ‘90s, there’s been no shortage of media coverage – including the Catholic media – regarding unsavory video game content, and while I personally believe that extolling the evils of violence in video games has became something of a tired refrain and easy scapegoat these days, I’m glad that, at least, there’s some attention to the issue now. But there’s no amount of media coverage or preventive legislation that can replace good parenting, and the complete lack of prudence on the part of some parents disturbs me greatly.
I’ll never forget the time I saw a youngster (I’d guess that he was, oh, maybe7 or 8 years old?) in a game store petitioning his mother to purchase the kid-friendly Gamecube game Luigi’s Mansion, which not only carries “E for Everyone” ESRB rating, but was available for a very inexpensive $20. The mother, however, had her eyes on the even cheaper item on an adjacent shelf: Turok, an “M for Mature” rated game featuring violence, foul language (as advertised on the box!) was available for a measly $10. The mother, seizing the opportunity to save $$$$, replied to her child in turn. “Honey, how about this one instead?” The child shrugged his shoulders and acquiesced. He went home that day with a game someone of his age should never play.
The obvious lack of prudence on the mother’ s part notwithstanding, it’s worth mentioning that Turok is a very low-quality game irrespective of the level of objectionable content. I would never recommend the game to even the most hardcore FPS (that’s “first-person shooter”, for those unacquainted with video game lingo) fanatic – the game is just completely intolerable, featuring slipshod controls, bad graphics, and tepid, repetitive gameplay. I do, think, however, that despite the game’s objectionable content (which renders it unsuitable for consumption for the younger set), there’s nothing in the game, morally speaking, that would make it unsuitable for a more mature crowd.
Part of the reason I started this blog to begin with was a perceived need for more information on this subject. Despite ESRB ratings, most parents I know are woefully ignorant of the content in videogames, and seeing as prudential judgment implies an informed conscience, the lack of knowledge (and in some cases, a lack of scruples, as the aforementioned story demonstrates) on the part of many parents about videogames as a whole is simply not acceptable. If my knowledge of the medium and its various minutiae can aid in abetting this problem, I will gladly share it.
I realize that what presents a temptation to sin for one may not present such a temptation for another – people of various ages and temperaments can digest various forms of media while others can’t, and such situations call for the discerning Christian to utilize prudential judgment. But for children who are unable to make such judgments, parental guidance is an absolute necessity; try as I might to lend my association with this medium to those who need it, I cannot be a substitute for a parent, who knows their child better than I ever could. So, for any parent reading this: know what game your child is buying/playing. Not everything is ok for a kid to play.
There are even some games that, dare I say it, NO ONE should play. Some games (like some movies and books) simply aren’t worth your time, and it’s actually not too hard to know a game falls into this category.
For example, just a few days ago, new information was released about the upcoming action game, Bayonetta. Now, the game’s premise is dodgy enough: playing as a witch who is quite literally hell-bent on killing angels certainly can’t be very wholesome, regardless of the merits of the gameplay, but tack on some posts from the link from the forum above, and…well, see for yourself:
“Bayonetta's outfit isn't actually leather despite the stitching you see in the CG art - It's magical hair that covers her entire body, and it's used in her attacks. The most powerful ones render her almost completely nude.”
“A fine mist covers the ground during the miniboss battle, designed to create a "holy atmosphere". The battle ends with an onscreen button prompt, which summons a giant hair dragon who bites the angel miniboss in half.”
I shiver at the thought of some parent(s) buying this game for their 8-year-old when it’s released sometime in the coming year. In the modern American lexicon, prudential judgment sometimes goes by another name: common sense. I pray that parents (particularly those of the Catholic variety) start employing it more frequently.
In the decision to purchase a video game, though, the virtue of prudence must be exercised, as well. Ever since video game violence first became a nationwide controversy in the ‘90s, there’s been no shortage of media coverage – including the Catholic media – regarding unsavory video game content, and while I personally believe that extolling the evils of violence in video games has became something of a tired refrain and easy scapegoat these days, I’m glad that, at least, there’s some attention to the issue now. But there’s no amount of media coverage or preventive legislation that can replace good parenting, and the complete lack of prudence on the part of some parents disturbs me greatly.
I’ll never forget the time I saw a youngster (I’d guess that he was, oh, maybe7 or 8 years old?) in a game store petitioning his mother to purchase the kid-friendly Gamecube game Luigi’s Mansion, which not only carries “E for Everyone” ESRB rating, but was available for a very inexpensive $20. The mother, however, had her eyes on the even cheaper item on an adjacent shelf: Turok, an “M for Mature” rated game featuring violence, foul language (as advertised on the box!) was available for a measly $10. The mother, seizing the opportunity to save $$$$, replied to her child in turn. “Honey, how about this one instead?” The child shrugged his shoulders and acquiesced. He went home that day with a game someone of his age should never play.
The obvious lack of prudence on the mother’ s part notwithstanding, it’s worth mentioning that Turok is a very low-quality game irrespective of the level of objectionable content. I would never recommend the game to even the most hardcore FPS (that’s “first-person shooter”, for those unacquainted with video game lingo) fanatic – the game is just completely intolerable, featuring slipshod controls, bad graphics, and tepid, repetitive gameplay. I do, think, however, that despite the game’s objectionable content (which renders it unsuitable for consumption for the younger set), there’s nothing in the game, morally speaking, that would make it unsuitable for a more mature crowd.
Part of the reason I started this blog to begin with was a perceived need for more information on this subject. Despite ESRB ratings, most parents I know are woefully ignorant of the content in videogames, and seeing as prudential judgment implies an informed conscience, the lack of knowledge (and in some cases, a lack of scruples, as the aforementioned story demonstrates) on the part of many parents about videogames as a whole is simply not acceptable. If my knowledge of the medium and its various minutiae can aid in abetting this problem, I will gladly share it.
I realize that what presents a temptation to sin for one may not present such a temptation for another – people of various ages and temperaments can digest various forms of media while others can’t, and such situations call for the discerning Christian to utilize prudential judgment. But for children who are unable to make such judgments, parental guidance is an absolute necessity; try as I might to lend my association with this medium to those who need it, I cannot be a substitute for a parent, who knows their child better than I ever could. So, for any parent reading this: know what game your child is buying/playing. Not everything is ok for a kid to play.
There are even some games that, dare I say it, NO ONE should play. Some games (like some movies and books) simply aren’t worth your time, and it’s actually not too hard to know a game falls into this category.
For example, just a few days ago, new information was released about the upcoming action game, Bayonetta. Now, the game’s premise is dodgy enough: playing as a witch who is quite literally hell-bent on killing angels certainly can’t be very wholesome, regardless of the merits of the gameplay, but tack on some posts from the link from the forum above, and…well, see for yourself:
“Bayonetta's outfit isn't actually leather despite the stitching you see in the CG art - It's magical hair that covers her entire body, and it's used in her attacks. The most powerful ones render her almost completely nude.”
“A fine mist covers the ground during the miniboss battle, designed to create a "holy atmosphere". The battle ends with an onscreen button prompt, which summons a giant hair dragon who bites the angel miniboss in half.”
I shiver at the thought of some parent(s) buying this game for their 8-year-old when it’s released sometime in the coming year. In the modern American lexicon, prudential judgment sometimes goes by another name: common sense. I pray that parents (particularly those of the Catholic variety) start employing it more frequently.
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