Plan B
by sweep
Everyone seems to have a wide source of intellectual income when it comes to video games. Rather than take the word of a single critic gamers will often seek out second opinions (and will often continue to do so until they find one that matches their biased presumptions). HOLEY SMOKES BATMAN!! I listen to what Giantbomb has to offer, because its of a high quality and refreshing cynicism. Snarky...
Everyone seems to have a wide source of intellectual income when it comes to video games. Rather than take the word of a single critic gamers will often seek out second opinions (and will often continue to do so until they find one that matches their biased presumptions).
HOLEY SMOKES BATMAN!!
I listen to what Giantbomb has to offer, because its of a high quality and refreshing cynicism. Snarky comments are abundant on the internet, but it is not often they are underlined by such a prominent passion for genuine design accomplishment - with a critique that does not transcend the tastes of the average consumer.
Mr CroalI also have a plan B (Everyone should have a plan B). In particular I often pick the mind of Mr. N'Gai Croal, a writer for Newsweek and monthly columnist for EDGE magazine. His summation of events within the gaming world are both masterful and with a realistic anchor to reality, for which I admire him greatly.N'Gai Croal said:
The Idea: Game reviewers and game players get so hung up on minutiae- i.e. game controls and combat systems-that too often, they miss what's important and innovative about games. This in turn creates a culture where gamers are searching for aspects of a game to dislike. Instead, what's needed are more critics and gamers who champion particular developers and games.
The Reaction: Personal tastes aside, we don't buy the argument that the nature or the amount of innovation in a game should exempt it from criticism in other areas that determine how a reviewer or critic evaluates a game's quality.
The Verdict: Red light. Reviewers aren't perfect, but attempting to police the discourse by insisting on the primacy of innovation over execution is not the answer.
This is just a brief summary of an article that was several thousands words long. But it goes to enforce my previous notion that a game review must always account for the medium of the game itself, and not to become blinded by the arguments of revolutionary artistry or ingenious innovation. Big thanks to Johnny5 and Rowr forwarding me to the article.
The article also comments heavily on the particular IGN review of Mirrors Edge - with vehement dislike for the proposed notion that the solution to Mirrors Edge is to create a Sequel and expand upon existing ideas. I will let you read it at your own discretion here.
My thoughts on the subject remain uncharacteristically ambiguous. A sequel implies familiarity - so its quality depends on the precedent of the franchise. But at the same time, every game is given an equal chance. I wont automatically go and buy a game because its a sequel to a title I previously loved. Call Of Duty 5 WaW remains uninvited to SweepLand despite the fact I may have impregnated my copy of Call Of Duty 1.But whilst I agree with N'Gai Croal on a lot of things, the concept of a Mirrors Edge sequel remains appealing. I'm in a position where I praise everything the game stands for, but I'm unable to honour my praise by justifying a purchase of the game itself - opting instead for Gears Of War 2, Left 4 Dead, and Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix. I don't regret the decisions I have made - although I do wish that I could afford to add Mirrors Edge to the list.
Suggesting a sequel seems like a cowardly way of justifying harsh criticism imposed upon the original. "It wasn't great but it has lots of potential". The game should be criticised and praised for its own achievements, not on the potential of the franchise.
But at the same time I would like a Mirrors Edge sequel. The small chunk of the game that I played was refreshing enough to interest me (although sadly not enough to separate me from my limited cash) and a Sequel would hopefully expand on the style of innovation that made the original so dynamic. Starting petty beef with a reviewer over his choice of words is slightly unnecessary. In the "less-is-more" context of Mirrors Edge, ironically I would prefer as much innovative game design as possible, thank you very much...
IN OTHER NEWS
After listening to BSHAF I felt guilty about not having read The Watchmen
Watch This!!graphic novel so I promptly ordered it on Amazon.co.uk and it should arrive in a few days. Apart from that I have been bumming around at home perfecting my Spinning Bird Kick on XBLA and trying in vain to make my Avatar resemble something Sweep-like. They don't have a hamburger head shape, which is depressing...Supermooseman continues to create fantastical theme-parks and "fan" fiction based on my likeness. Some people seemed to have arrived at the conclusion that I was somehow involved in the creation of these monstrosities - I would like to reply by stating that I had no involvement or, in several cases, awareness of their existence. I cannot be held accountable for what people do with my Hamburger (Although, of course, I want to be inside you...)
Thanks For Reading
Love Sweep