Saturday, Nov 7, 2009
have you ever tried to review your favourite game, or a game you really loved? having managed to get out all the words and articulate exactly what the game is about, have you ever gone back to that game afterwards and tried to play through it again? for me, it doesn't work.
just put in super metroid. didn't last 10 minutes. the last time i played through it was just before the time when i reviewed it. tried to play ico again about a month ago, and the same thing happend; after i reviewed it, the game wasn't letting inside again.., as if to say.. "no, no.. that's enough for you!"
i had trouble playing rez again, as well.. ;-(
maybe i should just quit reviewing games. or maybe i should eventually make a game where it is literally impossible to define, or for it to have any kind of end. because it seems when i define something, i immediately lose interest in it..not for all things, but for some at least.
i don't think we should be told the rules to all games. if you keep the rules hidden from the player, they'll be more curious. problem-solving is fine, but the win/lose scenario shouldn't define games, especially not computer games, because they're a lot more diverse.
--
as for an update on what stuff i'm playing... wellllll, i wanted to play noby noby boy again, but noooo, because i wrote a ton of stuff on it, i 'magically' haven't picked it up in the last couple of days. so instead i played street fighter 4, online. i got my arse kicked and felt humiliated. learning moves in that game is like doing homework; it takes loads of practice and revision. it's sweet when you win a fight, i love that.. but it's not the easiest genre to get into. :/ but can't play action-adventure all the time..
linger in shadows is billed as an 'interactive movie', and it's weird. normally, that is a kind of sticker of approval for me, but it kind of felt like i was watching a video that i had to rewind and fast forward, and shake the 'sixaxis' around like a baby shaking its rattle. the PS3 motion controller does not feel natural at all.
and symphony of the night! that is the game that keeps getting away. it's almost as if no one wants me to play it. okay, so here's the story: got interested in SotN. went to amazon. saw the ridiculous price it was going for. didn't buy it. waited. found the japanese version for a fraction of the price. played the japanese version. couldn't read the text, and had to stick a god-awful import disk into my PS2 every time i wanted to play it. abandoned it. got a PS3, thought i could now download SotN from the store. found out that they only put it in the american store, and not the european one. created an american ID, tried to buy it, but was forced to put an american billing address. oh, one option left... buy a PSP, or a 360. forget it! i don't care anymore!
so, sod games. it's just not worth it sometimes. this is what happens when you play too many games.
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Posted Nov 7, 2009 10:49 am PT
@raahsnavj:
do you lose enthusiasm or interest when you read other people's reviews? when they detail every bit of what was amazing about a game?
do you lose enthusiasm or interest when you read other people's reviews? when they detail every bit of what was amazing about a game?
Posted Nov 7, 2009 11:02 am PT
"just put in super metroid. didn't last 10 minutes."
That is totally impossible.
I don't have that problem, but I do see your point and I think you shouldn't review games anymore for the sake of protecting their awesomeness.
That is totally impossible.
I don't have that problem, but I do see your point and I think you shouldn't review games anymore for the sake of protecting their awesomeness.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 11:18 am PT
Good read. Maybe you should stop reviewing games you actually like. Just stick to the ones that make bile rise in the back of your throat. That way not wanting to play the game will be beneficial.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 11:24 am PT
Reviews are quite good imo. But most people always have bias toward the game. those who prefer JRPG will give almost any JRPGs they love a 10 and only describe about the good sides of the game. Some great games were left behind like FF12 due to its cast of characters suck. I usually lost interest in the games because reviews suck.
I prefer reviews which explain how to play and its significant functions, but I hate spoilers.
I prefer reviews which explain how to play and its significant functions, but I hate spoilers.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 11:37 am PT
...I haven't had this problem.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 1:09 pm PT
In a way, that's exactly what I had to give up reviewing. I found myself playing through games only to review them, and then being "locked out", as you say, from favorites that I wanted to get back to.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 1:25 pm PT
@just_nonplussed - Actually, when I read other peoples reviews I usually get more excited for the game. I reminds me of all the cool things I like about games, or sometimes just that I now how to play the game to debunk what they said they didn't like or sometimes praise too much.
When I do my own reviews though I always feel like I have to play every inch of a game to feel like I am allowed to comment in such a 'official' method.
When I do my own reviews though I always feel like I have to play every inch of a game to feel like I am allowed to comment in such a 'official' method.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 1:52 pm PT
The problem with reviews in the actual journalism business is the fact that they have so little time to review an entire game, so the score/opinions reflect on what they think of the game in that time frame - not what they think about it in retrospect. No consideration of how well a game can age or be re-played is fully explored, but that's the limit of game journalism on current games.
Users can, however, take all the time they want with their reviews. If you find that you can't review games, then keep trying until you can find a nice balance - you have all the time in the world to do so.
Users can, however, take all the time they want with their reviews. If you find that you can't review games, then keep trying until you can find a nice balance - you have all the time in the world to do so.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 2:05 pm PT
That Castelvania game is staying away from you alright. It is obviously afraid of being defined, reviewed and then never played again! You can't keep doing this to those poor games. They have feelings too, you know!But enough of my sarcasm...
I usually find it very difficult to review a game that I feel strongly about, so since I never get around to actually completing the review, my feelings about the game don't really evaporate the way you described.
Some games are hard to return to because of obstacles. The first time playing a game, after you just payed 60 dollars for it, you tend to trudge through all obstacles to finish the game. However, once the ordeal is over...you don't really feel like ever going through those same obstacles ever again. Sometimes the second playthrought becomes a chore, you know?
It is more likely that, once the game is defined in your mind, the magic of the game just evaporates. It's like learning music. When you learn how to play a melody that you really enjoy listening to, well the melody's magic just disappears. Defining, confining, objectifying...demystifying, deflating, debating...forgiving, forgetting, regretting...just play and enjoy. No need to be a cowboy.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 5:47 pm PT
'Wear your grudge like a crown. Desperate to control.
Unable to forgive. And we're sinking deeper.
Defining, confining, sinking deeper.
Controlling, Defining, and we're sinking deeper.'
Unable to forgive. And we're sinking deeper.
Defining, confining, sinking deeper.
Controlling, Defining, and we're sinking deeper.'
Posted Nov 7, 2009 6:06 pm PT
I can't say I've experienced what you describe about reviewing games. Maybe it's because you do up a review after playing a game to death. I only do up a review after I decide that I'm done with it. Maybe if you go back and replay Rez or Super Metroid in a year or so you'll get sucked in all over again. As for Street Fighter, well that's the name of the game. I played crazy amounts of Street Fighter when I was in high school and in the grand scheme of things I still suck. Its not like other fighters where you can just mash buttons. You have to practice, get knocked around a bunch and slowly get better. I've had that experience with the few shooters I've played online (namely UT 2004 and COD 1). Still, I'd say that it's the best fighter series you could be playing and when you destroy somebody it feels great. I had a friend back in high school that I plaed with all the time and we were around the same skill level. If you have any friends you can play it with it makes for good times.
Posted Nov 7, 2009 8:53 pm PT
What a brilliant thought you made about reviews! I think that you are absolutely right in this. Writing a review sometimes is like writing the epilogue of your relationship with the game, whether it had been good, or bad. But worry not! From my scientific research on games during the last 15 years, my experience says that, eventually we will play again in the future all the games that we loved, regardless of the review factor. You will see that in a year you will play again Metroid, or any other game that you loved. Fortunately the magic barrier created by the review eventually wears off.
Posted Nov 8, 2009 1:21 am PT
Yeah, some games just seem to have very little replay value, no matter how great they were. To me, it depends a lot on the game. While I can start a new Ocarina of Time file whenever and enjoy it, I can't play through Majora's Mask again - even though I think it was better than OoT. With most role-playing games, I can never play through them more than once. I think the Mario games are the singleplayer games that to me has the greatest replay value. I think I've completed Super Mario 64 ten times.
Posted Nov 8, 2009 2:52 am PT
@evrdayblues:
lol. it's scared of me. ;p oh well, one day it will be mine. hehehehe.
hey, wait a minute.. you were supposed to do that SotC review, remember?? oh well, i never managed my psychonauts review (never managed to get into level 2).
maybe it's like a form of closure... say if you feel something for someone, you'll keep feeling those emotions, until perhaps they say one day that they're not into you, or they forget about you, and you move on. ;p
once i learn how to draw something, the exploratory feeling kind of goes away..but after that comes invention and just more creation. it's different with a game though, because you can't create content, you just explore it.
cowboy? lol.
lol. it's scared of me. ;p oh well, one day it will be mine. hehehehe.
hey, wait a minute.. you were supposed to do that SotC review, remember?? oh well, i never managed my psychonauts review (never managed to get into level 2).
maybe it's like a form of closure... say if you feel something for someone, you'll keep feeling those emotions, until perhaps they say one day that they're not into you, or they forget about you, and you move on. ;p
once i learn how to draw something, the exploratory feeling kind of goes away..but after that comes invention and just more creation. it's different with a game though, because you can't create content, you just explore it.
cowboy? lol.
Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:31 am PT
@dark_orb:
i never used to play SF back in the super nintendo days. i think i did play it once, but i was so rubbish at it, that i never played it again. i know my friend was so in to killer instinct at the time; he always showed off his 'ultra combo' (23 hits)."ultra! ultra! ultra!"
my first time proper, with a fighting game was soul calibur 2 on the GC. it was such an exquisite game. i think it had an easier learning curve too.
i never used to play SF back in the super nintendo days. i think i did play it once, but i was so rubbish at it, that i never played it again. i know my friend was so in to killer instinct at the time; he always showed off his 'ultra combo' (23 hits)."ultra! ultra! ultra!"
my first time proper, with a fighting game was soul calibur 2 on the GC. it was such an exquisite game. i think it had an easier learning curve too.
Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:44 am PT
@Rheinmetal:
yeah, it's kind of like if you sit down with a psychiatrist and you tell them about all your problems in life... and it makes you feel better that you 'got it all out'.. and you can 'move on'.
i think it has something also to do with how words 'pin down' meaning and limit and control the ambiguity of experience. but more on that when i've finished reading lacan!
yeah, it's kind of like if you sit down with a psychiatrist and you tell them about all your problems in life... and it makes you feel better that you 'got it all out'.. and you can 'move on'.
i think it has something also to do with how words 'pin down' meaning and limit and control the ambiguity of experience. but more on that when i've finished reading lacan!
Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:48 am PT
there is a parallel in artistic endevour too, that relates to this. the journey of art is often more important than what comes at the end (for me anyway).. the mystery of searching and exploring; the challange, and the uncertainties. once you're done with that, and you come to the end, you're unlikely to go back because you 'solved' that - you worked through that problem, and now you're in a different place, and need to deal with being there.
but sometimes you need to return to older ideas.. with games, it's more about fun, variety, and challenge. if there is enough of that, you tend to keep playing - especially if it is produced well. story-type games like RPGs (as waZelda pointed out), are similar to art in that it's a journey to find, or seek something. there is no reason for me to go back to a game like xenogears for instance.
when i was younger i used to re-play a lot more of my games.. maybe that had more to do with not being able to afford, or not knowing about, any other games. i also think it had to do with just loving those worlds - it wasn't something for the concious mind to analyze and forget about. it was pure experience.
i kind of review games now, seemingly, for this community and to tell people about a game that i liked, or thought was cool. there is also a great pleasure in defining the essence of a work, but obviously there is a downside to doing that.
maybe this marks the boundry between player and critic. maybe this is why critics often sound listless and disinteretsed.
but sometimes you need to return to older ideas.. with games, it's more about fun, variety, and challenge. if there is enough of that, you tend to keep playing - especially if it is produced well. story-type games like RPGs (as waZelda pointed out), are similar to art in that it's a journey to find, or seek something. there is no reason for me to go back to a game like xenogears for instance.
when i was younger i used to re-play a lot more of my games.. maybe that had more to do with not being able to afford, or not knowing about, any other games. i also think it had to do with just loving those worlds - it wasn't something for the concious mind to analyze and forget about. it was pure experience.
i kind of review games now, seemingly, for this community and to tell people about a game that i liked, or thought was cool. there is also a great pleasure in defining the essence of a work, but obviously there is a downside to doing that.
maybe this marks the boundry between player and critic. maybe this is why critics often sound listless and disinteretsed.
Posted Nov 8, 2009 8:05 am PT
I haven't had that probelem. I don't really know what your talking about.
Posted Nov 8, 2009 11:04 am PT
I feel your pain. It's probably my nicotine withdrawal though...
Posted Nov 8, 2009 4:48 pm PT
Wait! I discovered another GameSpot side effect! Whenever I add a game in my playing list in GS, chances are 90% that I will not play it. What the... Something's going on here!
Posted Nov 9, 2009 4:35 am PT
@Rheinmetal:
i'm convinced that it has something to do with the concious mind trying to gain a sort of dominance over the subconcious; the egos' intentions. but really, we will just play more what we 'feel' like; what our instincts tell us.
i'm convinced that it has something to do with the concious mind trying to gain a sort of dominance over the subconcious; the egos' intentions. but really, we will just play more what we 'feel' like; what our instincts tell us.
Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:15 am PT
Yes, at the end we will play what we feel like, that's true. The question is why the concious mind interferes with what I want to play? It puzzles me. Why do I have the need to tell to other people that I will be playing Fallout 3, the same time that the subconcious mind isn't up to it? What will I gain from that? Will I gain more prestige, or maturity as a player if I play games like Fallout, and not Bubble Bobble? What do you think of all that?
Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:22 pm PT
@Rheinmetal:
i think at first you sort of just choose some games that you're playing, quite normally. but then over time, you get anal about putting exactly what you're playing on the list. like, i was playing breakout last night, and i thought about putting it on my 'playing list' while playing the game! something that is really quite pointless. i suppose i wanted it to be a kind of message as well.. like, "i'm going retro; sick of all this next-gen nonsense. i'm so hardcore".
also, i think as we become more apart of the GS community, game purchases are influenced by what others are playing (sneaky, sneaky GS), and so we buy to be with that crowd. this is the evil of gamespot. we may also put a game up that we 'hope' to play, and as if by using text and an image, it 'locks down' at least the intention to play that game, even if we secretly can't do it. and then it becomes a chore; something we have to do.
though, status seems to be everywhere. look at trophies and GS badges... i'm sure that is like the equivalent of a war veteran with his badges. instead of talking or discussing, winning and owning for a lot of gamers is a status in itself.
i think at first you sort of just choose some games that you're playing, quite normally. but then over time, you get anal about putting exactly what you're playing on the list. like, i was playing breakout last night, and i thought about putting it on my 'playing list' while playing the game! something that is really quite pointless. i suppose i wanted it to be a kind of message as well.. like, "i'm going retro; sick of all this next-gen nonsense. i'm so hardcore".
also, i think as we become more apart of the GS community, game purchases are influenced by what others are playing (sneaky, sneaky GS), and so we buy to be with that crowd. this is the evil of gamespot. we may also put a game up that we 'hope' to play, and as if by using text and an image, it 'locks down' at least the intention to play that game, even if we secretly can't do it. and then it becomes a chore; something we have to do.
though, status seems to be everywhere. look at trophies and GS badges... i'm sure that is like the equivalent of a war veteran with his badges. instead of talking or discussing, winning and owning for a lot of gamers is a status in itself.
Posted Nov 10, 2009 5:24 am PT
@just_nonplussed: "GameSpoting" is a very influential habit.. In a way, it disorientates us up to some degree from our genuine stance over video-games. But I think it's the cost that we have to pay in order to communicate with each other... Playing a great game and have none to share this with, is a little sad some times. On the other hand, I feel nostalgic of the period, where I had my own genuine and unbiased feeling about my games, and didn't have any sort of communication, or interaction with other players. Maybe video-games were meant to be a solitary type of entertainment after all...
Posted Nov 10, 2009 6:02 am PT
@Rheinmetal:
i talk about super metroid a lot, but, i think it's relevant here, and i just remembered something about it. the more you search in that game, the more you seek to define paths and exits, the more is hidden from you. it is done is such a balanced manner that it feels as if the world is shrinking away from you, as you slowly become more perceptive and powerful. it's as if it is telling me that mystery and secrets are necessary; as necessary as survival.
then i was considering that we as humans are still fundamentally unaware of why we are here on the earth. perhaps if we were aware of everything and knew everything, it would destroy any impetus to discover such things.
just some light thinking! ;-P
i talk about super metroid a lot, but, i think it's relevant here, and i just remembered something about it. the more you search in that game, the more you seek to define paths and exits, the more is hidden from you. it is done is such a balanced manner that it feels as if the world is shrinking away from you, as you slowly become more perceptive and powerful. it's as if it is telling me that mystery and secrets are necessary; as necessary as survival.
then i was considering that we as humans are still fundamentally unaware of why we are here on the earth. perhaps if we were aware of everything and knew everything, it would destroy any impetus to discover such things.
just some light thinking! ;-P
Posted Nov 10, 2009 5:46 pm PT
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