Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Do you all have a diary? I have one which I have kept at the bottom of my treasure chest for a long time and which I feel ashamed to open. How could it be? How could so many meaningful moments, the happiest years of our lives dwindle in to these soulless lines, though meticulous but powerless to retain what we have gone through? At times, such as tonight while I was sitting alone with my in front of the keyboard, the thought that I have no control over my language, or the language itself has no hold of my ideas, keeps pressing upon my mind.
Yet, there is another thing I keep in that treasure box: "The Longest Journey" CD set. It's nearly ten years you know. Ten years since the first time that little duckling dragged the mouse inside her awkward fingers and clicked on that line: "Start the Journey" to open up a world of wonder. Ten years since the time she spent endless hours dipping her stunned mind into this old cumbersome screen. Ten years since the small rat sneaked out of her bed every night to turn on her noisy computer, despite the risk of being caught by her angry mother.
Yet ten years later, she is setting up the old game on another computer, half an hour of flutter only to have some ridiculous warning about compatibility? Halt! A marvel! It opens again, before her astonished eyes. You know, the old days are somewhere, but always with us if want them back.
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Posted May 6, 2009 1:02 pm PT
Not sure if this is your case, but I have strong nostalgia feelings sometimes. I was talking to another friend here in GameSpot and he said that he was going to play The Neverhood. This is also an Adventure game, and I played it back in 1996.
What is so special in a game which you control a cumbersome clay avatar? A game filled with abstract puzzles and almost infinite rooms to explore. I don't know why but I'm going to play it again pretty soon, because I remember I had good moments while playing Neverhood with my old friends back at those times.
Good moments must always be remembered, and that's the meaning of nostalgia, from my point of view. It isn't sickness when you recall about something good, I guess. But I know that no one can live in the past.
What is so special in a game which you control a cumbersome clay avatar? A game filled with abstract puzzles and almost infinite rooms to explore. I don't know why but I'm going to play it again pretty soon, because I remember I had good moments while playing Neverhood with my old friends back at those times.
Good moments must always be remembered, and that's the meaning of nostalgia, from my point of view. It isn't sickness when you recall about something good, I guess. But I know that no one can live in the past.
Posted May 6, 2009 5:54 pm PT
@Platyphyllum It's really a pleasure to know someone who still has passion for Adventure genre, but I guess it's only the case of some old schoolers like us
@ChristianKiss nostalgia is exactly the word I was trying to find last night. Thanks for posting it here, and yeah you got precisely what I meant. The games we played during our old days are much like the music we used to heard. They may be meaningless to younger people, but for us, they are invaluable memoirs.
@ChristianKiss nostalgia is exactly the word I was trying to find last night. Thanks for posting it here, and yeah you got precisely what I meant. The games we played during our old days are much like the music we used to heard. They may be meaningless to younger people, but for us, they are invaluable memoirs.
Posted May 6, 2009 6:17 pm PT
Nostalgia is a big thing for those of us who have been gaming for 10-20 years or more. Those games we played as kids will always have special place in our heart. But as a friend recently reminded me here on GS then games of the past WAS actually generally better than what we see today. Games back then had what I would call a soul - they were crafted with love and care and money was rarely a factor in that equation.
As for games having a soul I can't think of a better game than The Longest Journey. I am old an cynical now but no other game can move me on an emotional level like TLJ can do. You laugh and cry with April, Emma, Cortez and all the others. The two worlds of TLJ are masterfully crafted and the puzzles of the game are just right - not too hard and not too easy.
Anyone who hasn't played this game yet should give it a try.
As for games having a soul I can't think of a better game than The Longest Journey. I am old an cynical now but no other game can move me on an emotional level like TLJ can do. You laugh and cry with April, Emma, Cortez and all the others. The two worlds of TLJ are masterfully crafted and the puzzles of the game are just right - not too hard and not too easy.
Anyone who hasn't played this game yet should give it a try.
Posted May 7, 2009 10:29 am PT
@jepsen1977 hi jep, you are ChristianKiss' friend, aren't you? I have just read a few of his post about old and new games and your comments as well. Though I share the emotion of missing the old days with you, I wouldn't be so quick in judging the development in terms of "good or bad". Whether gaming world need to be changed or the current trend is inevitable is well beyond me due to my lack of knowledge and experience. But I would be happy to discuss this topic with you guys whenever we have a chance.
Posted May 8, 2009 5:07 am PT
@Lovely Beauty: Yes, ChrisKiss and me are good friends and often talk and debate various topics about gaming and "old skool" in particular. It's always good to get a fresh perspective on things and that's why I love to talk with people like ChrisKiss, Azghouls, Fastpunk etc. here on GS. You are more than welcome to join the crowd and debate various topics related to games with us. Take care.
Posted May 8, 2009 7:53 am PT
Never heard of it although it sounds good.
Also you really have a way with words..really enjoyed this blog
.
Also you really have a way with words..really enjoyed this blog
.
Posted May 13, 2009 9:13 pm PT
I bought the sequel a few years ago, but after hearing that it had a cliffhanger ending I decided to wait until part 3 was about to come out to play part 2. I'm still waiting.....
Posted May 14, 2009 9:57 am PT
@siberian142 Thank you dear, I'm happy that you like it
@ johnsteed7 Hi, nice to meet you. I haven't played the sequel out of the fear of disappointment. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to the third part too. Always good to know that a legendary series hasn't died.
@ johnsteed7 Hi, nice to meet you. I haven't played the sequel out of the fear of disappointment. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to the third part too. Always good to know that a legendary series hasn't died.
Posted May 14, 2009 8:08 pm PT
Oh, if you're worried about the sequel disappointing you then don't worry. I have Dreamfall: The Longest Journey and, while the first game was definitely superior to it, it wasn't all that bad. It definitely shed some light onto the mysteries that were surrounding The Longest Journey, and with the sort of ending that the first game had, I don't see how anyone could resist buying the sequel 
I suggest you buy it just to see how the story continues. I can't wait until Part 3 comes out! 
I suggest you buy it just to see how the story continues. I can't wait until Part 3 comes out!
Posted May 24, 2009 12:45 am PT
@Platyphyllum Thanks dear, I have bought it and been looking forward to part 3 too
Posted May 24, 2009 6:03 pm PT
Just wanted to say that was a beautiful blog.
The Longest Journey easily ranks amongst my top 5 favorite games ever, regardless of genre. I actually played the sequel (Dreamfall) first, back in early 2008 and was so in love with the story and characters that I simply had to know more about them, not to mention ease some of the pain from Dremfall's cliffhanger ending. But I never expected the game to captivate me the way it did.
It truly is a timeless classic. Nearly ten years from its release the game is just as enjoyable even for those who are only playing it for the first time. It's one of the best examples of a game that has stood the test of time. Certainly a treasure to be cherished.
About Dreamfall, you can't afford to miss it as it's every bit as good as TLJ (save for the ending of course, as well as some gameplay alterations that may not suit well with old school gamers) although it may be a good idea to wait till the subsequent episodes are confirmed to play it, so that you don't have to go for too long wondering what happens next in this wonderful saga.
I'm also including links to my reviews for both games in case you'd like to read them:
Dreamfall:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/longestjourney2wt/player_review.html?id=552217&tag=contributions;review1
TLJ:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/longestjourney/player_review.html?id=558711&tag=player-reviews;continue
The Longest Journey easily ranks amongst my top 5 favorite games ever, regardless of genre. I actually played the sequel (Dreamfall) first, back in early 2008 and was so in love with the story and characters that I simply had to know more about them, not to mention ease some of the pain from Dremfall's cliffhanger ending. But I never expected the game to captivate me the way it did.
It truly is a timeless classic. Nearly ten years from its release the game is just as enjoyable even for those who are only playing it for the first time. It's one of the best examples of a game that has stood the test of time. Certainly a treasure to be cherished.
About Dreamfall, you can't afford to miss it as it's every bit as good as TLJ (save for the ending of course, as well as some gameplay alterations that may not suit well with old school gamers) although it may be a good idea to wait till the subsequent episodes are confirmed to play it, so that you don't have to go for too long wondering what happens next in this wonderful saga.
I'm also including links to my reviews for both games in case you'd like to read them:
Dreamfall:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/longestjourney2wt/player_review.html?id=552217&tag=contributions;review1
TLJ:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/longestjourney/player_review.html?id=558711&tag=player-reviews;continue
Posted May 30, 2009 11:34 pm PT
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EDIT: Also, it's hard to believe that this game's already been out for 10 years. While I didn't buy it back then, I can imagine lots of the people who bought it at its release still having fond memories of it. Especially for you since you used to sneak out of bed every night just to play a bit more of the game