Too Many Wires

A Closer Look - Permanence and Decision Making in Video Games

talkingbook — 2009-11-06T06:16:21+09:00

A couple of weeks ago I was reading a very interesting round-table discussion in the October issue of Edge magazine concerning the role of traditional narrative and the author in modern video games. At one point they touched upon games trying to impose a sense of permanence upon the gamer’s decisions, and they highlighted an individual, his name escapes me, who decided to play Far Cry 2 with permanent death, i.e. if he died, it was permanent game over. This got me thinking about ways in which games attempt to impose a sense of irreversibility onto the player, and as an extension of that, decision making in games (sorry for the meandering nature of this post, things kept popping to mind!).

I can imagine, and am slightly intrigued by the thought of revisiting a game while applying a sense of finality. Taking the Far Cry 2 example, which I have completed, dying many times in the process, I can see how this would add an entirely new dimension to the game. You would creep around every corner, exercise caution where you would usually just run in blindly, and spend a lot of time running away around the nearest corner to pull bullets out of your body. Writing it out, it doesn’t sound like as much fun as I initially thought!

MMORPG have long exhibited a near absolute sense of finality in gamer decisions. Aside from resetting your character, there are few ways to undo your choices, as game data is saved on the server and is not user malleable. However, games such as Final Fantasy XI are not entirely narrative driven. Although a decision may effect the direction or growth of your character, it’s not liable to lead to an end game narrative outcome.

A sense of permanence and divergent choices are nothing new in console gaming. Chrono Trigger is a perfect example of a title well ahead of its time that presented options that would effect how the narrative played out. The way it pressed you to carefully consider your next move was both exhilarating but also worrisome. I played Chrono Trigger for the first time earlier this year on the DS, and I’m not ashamed to admit that in an attempt to achieve a “good” ending I found myself constantly referring to online game guides, which did dampen the experience somewhat.

Dead Rising, which plays out in pseudo real-time, is a good example of a game which features an irreversible narrative littered with choices. Story arcs start and finish within a limited time period, and if you don’t act upon them within the given time, those characters and story lines are fed to the zombies. Much like Chrono Trigger, I embraced the fact that this game world was constantly moving forward, and I didn’t have the power to completely control it, yet at the same time I felt like I was missing out on vast chunks of the intended experience.

Going back a little further, Metal Gear Solid successfully added weight to actions and choices. Your decision to endure or give into torture dictated the fates of two of your closest allies, although you were not made aware of this at the time. Going into the game with knowledge of this twist presented a dilemma of who to save, but by now any fan of the MGS series would know that both the characters in question re-appear alive and well in subsequent instalments. In most cases, any real degree of finality in outcome-defining choices is lost when there is a direct sequel. Only one result can truly be cannon, and thus any sense of power bestowed upon the gamer is merely a carefully constructed illusion. Besides, you would probably just make the wrong choice and fuck things up for the sequel. But, the forthcoming Mass Effect 2 is set to buck this trend by taking game-to-game permanence to a new level. Apparently, game saves, and more importantly, decisions made during the first game are transferable and directly affect the characters and narrative of the sequel.

Another upcoming title that is set to challenge the idea of final and divergent narrative paths is Heavy Rain. The director has voiced his desire that gamers only play through once, in the hope that it will provide all decisions with a real sense of permanence. If your actions lead to the death of a character, that event will shape the narrative and ultimately affect, and make unique, your time with Heavy Rain. To me, this seems to go against one of the key aspects of video games; being an infinitely recyclable experience.

Personally, I do enjoy games where your actions carry consequences and decisions weigh heavy, but just not too heavy. I think most gamers embrace the fact that decisions can be re-made, cherishing the ability to erase their mistakes. I think it would be very dreary and unappealing to play a game too grounded in reality, where every action carries a consequence that is out of our hands. If we want to manipulate our games to introduce a degree of finality, just like the Far Cry 2 example, then that’s great. But it’s a decision best left to the player, not dictated by a developer who only wants us to experience their game once.

Mistakes, or unwanted decisions, are inevitably a load or a checkpoint away from being reversed. I enjoy the illusion of my gaming choices carrying meaning, but I can rest safe in the knowledge that it is, after all, just a game, and unlike real-life, most things are reversible. That is, as long as your’ game saves aren’t corrupted, because then you’re screwed.

ODDS & ENDS

Anyone seen the first Assassin’s Creed Lineage short? Ubisoft are releasing a series of short films created by the effects house behind 300 and Sin City, to coincide with the release of Assassin’s Creed 2. The first one is really rather good and got me in the mood for AC2 after becoming a bit indifferent to its impending release. Check it out on youtube.

Uncharted 2 Platinum. Done and dusted. Bold prediction: there will be a third game and it will probably be quite good.

Some Video Game Pick-ups For The Weekend

talkingbook — 2009-10-28T22:28:29+09:00

To celebrate the onset of last weekend, I decided to indulge in a bit of shopping. I was looking for a title to play alongside Uncharted 2 multiplayer to tide me over until Modern Warfare 2. Title soon became plural and I got a little carried away –

Yes, I picked up Demon’s Souls. The rave reviews and the high level of difficulty sparked my interest. I got the slightly more expensive deluxe edition, which comes with a guide, art book and soundtrack, as none of the import stores in Akihabara had the regular version in stock. Besides, I have the feeling that I will become rather thankful for the guide. I will be using my older controller for Demon’s Souls, in preparation for a bout of pad throwing/smashing/biting.

As I wrote about a fortnight or so ago, I am going for the SEGA SATURN CENTURION. I only needed three more JPN titles to hit 100, and two of the games that I have settled on, Akumajo Dracula X (Castlevania – Symphony of the Night) and Segata Sanshiro Shikenyugi are in the picture above. I paid the standard rate for the collection of bizarre mini games that is SSS, but I got a pretty good deal for Castlevania as the instructions are a little dog eared and the spine card is missing. It’s nothing that will stand in the way of enjoying the game. Unfortunately, I have yet to track down Message Navi, my intended final entry into the centurion. It wasn’t through a lack of trying mind, as I spent a good 20 minutes rummaging through boxes full of discounted Saturn games looking for the elusive katakana symbol “?”. It’s not everyday you see a well dressed westerner (I was suited-up after a day in the office) sitting on the floor rummaging through a box of Saturn games that no one wants!

I have read good things about Dead Space Extraction, and I have got a great deal of enjoyment from on-rails Wii shooters in the past. I feel like I have to buy a Wii title every now and again, if not just to justify having the system. I had a brief go last night, and unfortunately the voice track is all Japanese. I was hoping it would be similar to The Umbrella Chronicles and The House of the Dead Collection and be in English with Japanese subtitles. It should still be easy to play though.

Um Jammer Lammy was a junk box pick up. At only ¥180 and having recently played and enjoyed Parappa the Rapper, it was a no-brainer. And lastly, I finally picked up my own copy of Uncharted. Although I have completed it 3 times, I have never owned a copy, so I thought it was about time that I picked one up.

It’s been a while since I went on a bit of a splurge, and it felt good!

ODDS & ENDS

As I mentioned before, I have been writing over at criticalgamer.co.uk, which is well worth checking out. One of my articles posted there was recently featured on slashdot.org and attracted 137 comments, and I’m told north of 5000 hits within one day. Of course, I made the mistake of reading the majority of the comments, a mistake I shall not be repeating again. There were some thoughtful and interesting ones, both positive and negative, but there were also those that made my blood boil, in particular by people who clearly hadn’t taken the trouble to read the whole post. Anyway, it’s good to get noticed. Probably.

I almost bought two other games during my shopping trip. Left 4 Dead was going cheap, and remains one of the few 360 games that I have a strong desire to play. The other was Halo ODST, which was on sale for a very reasonable ¥2900, but on the basis of my recent introduction to the Halo series, I decided to pass. I started playing Halo 3 about a month ago, in an attempt to introduce myself to the series and in preparation for my intended purchase of ODST. However, I gave up about 3 hours-in and was sorely disappointed. I didn’t think it was a bad game, just a decidedly average one that could not hold my interest for any extended period of time. I guess Halo just isn’t for me.

The Moral Ambiguity of Nathan Drake (Uncharted 2)

talkingbook — 2009-10-23T23:26:25+09:00

Before I get into this, just a quick word of warning; although I have purposely avoided any story specific spoilers, I will be touching upon some of the key themes and settings featured in Uncharted 2. So, if you are currently in spoiler evasion mode, please vacate this page and start playing Uncharted 2 immediately! Otherwise, please read on.

“How many men have you killed today?”

Those words come courtesy of war criminal and general bad apple Zoran Lazarevic, directed at everyone’s favourite video game adventurer, and the protagonist of the Uncharted series, Nathan Drake. Lazarevic is rightfully questioning Drake’s right to pass judgement upon his own abhorrent actions. For all his good deeds, wise cracking and rugged good looks, Nathan Drake is a thief and a killer, and a bloody good one too.

He may put his neck on the line for those he cares about, and he manages to stumble across a noble cause and see it through until the end, but everywhere he ventures he leaves a pile of corpses in his wake. He carries no badge, no license to kill and most of his actions (at least in the first half of the game) are fuelled by greed and/or revenge. I’m sure Interpol would be fascinated to learn of his whereabouts! He doesn’t give a second thought to breaking into a museum to appropriate an artefact, and although he avoids taking lethal action against the guards, he does stoop to throwing a museum security guard off a roof into a craggy bay, far, far below. I can’t see him surviving that fall, and it made me question aloud, “Did he just kill a museum employee?” I guess he was in the way of his harmless plundering. He displays little remorse for his actions, and in most instances he openly revels in his neck snapping escapades.

How did a healthy interest in history and dead languages, and I’m guessing a childhood fixation on all things Indiana Jones, create such a cold blooded and ruthless killer? I have loved ancient history ever since I was a child, but I’ve never shot anyone in the face and then made a joke about punching their ticket. Not recently, at least. Maybe he played a lot of violent video games as a child? That must be it.

Nathan Drake is a lovable rogue, but he’s a murderous one nonetheless. Still, I’d buy him a pint.

I’m not really sure what I’m trying to say here. Am I touching upon the strength of the character created by Naughty Dog, one so sympathetic that we will entirely overlook his dark side to fully embrace him, or am I commenting on what we will accept, or even look for in our heroes? Probably neither, as to be honest I just wanted to write about a game that has blown away my already sky high expectations, without resorting to writing a straight forward review.

If you haven’t already played Uncharted 2, then you really should. It’s good.

ODDS & ENDS

Whilst cooking the other night, I managed to burn the top of my left index finger on the frying pan. It really hurt, but more than that, it put an end to a planned night of Uncharted 2 goodness. I couldn’t use the bloody left trigger, which meant no targeting. Next time I’m getting take-out!

I picked up .detuned on PSN over the weekend. For those not in the know, it’s a demoscene where you control the rhythmically induced movements of a deranged man in a chair, accompanied by either the in-game or custom soundtrack. I knew it was meant to be weird, but four men with elephant heads dancing around a chair in slow motion to a track distorted beyond recognition, whilst being cheered on by Domo kun look-alike aliens really takes the biscuit. If the above description appeals to you, then I would highly recommend picking up this dirt cheap title from PSN.

The Musings of a Gamer

talkingbook — 2009-10-18T04:04:53+09:00

I haven’t posted here for a week plus, so I thought I better put something up!. Aside from being rather busy and unmotivated to write, I have also been struggling to come up with a decent topic to dedicate a whole post to. So, in lieu of anything more substantial, here are some random thoughts about, you guessed it, VIDEO GAMES –

1. Meet the Hi-Saturn Navi, the stuff of dreams, or nightmares, dependant upon your take on karaoke sessions whilst driving. Released in December 1995, Hitachi’s top-of-the-range take on the Sega Saturn was flatter and thinner than the original model, as it was intended to be installed in a car. It features a karaoke system, TV antenna socket and an LCD monitor and GPS, which were quite the luxury at the time. Produced in extremely limited quantities, it cost ¥150,000 and one changed hands on EBAY a couple of years back for the best part of $2000.

Imagine, if you will, that it’s the mid nineties and you are cruising down the highway. You glance across your dashboard, and there in all its glory is the Hi-Saturn Navi. You’re not quite sure exactly where you are going, so you check your built-in GPS. Back on track and cruising through the suburbs, you decide that its time to impress the locals. You drop down the soft top, and bang out some karaoke tunes. You rest safe in the knowledge that nothing impresses the ladies quite like some J-Pop from 1996. To top the journey off, you slip in a copy of Nights or Sega Rally into your sleek box of wonders. It’s the prefect companion for any journey. As you can probably imagine, the one thing the Hi-Saturn isn’t particularly good at is preventing road accidents. Attempting to play Virtua Cop whilst behind the wheel is not recommended.

2. Ok, like seemingly everyone else who owns a PS3, I am currently playing and thoroughly enjoying Uncharted 2. Don’t worry, neither spoilers nor a review follows. What I will say though, is that I have had a smile plastered across my face from the moment I broke the seal, and in a change of recent gaming form, I have found myself playing for extended periods, completely losing track of time. Of late, I have only been playing games in short bursts, but I just cant pull myself away from Nathan Drake’s morally suspect adventures and impressive vertical, and horizontal, jump.

Uncharted 2 has fostered a sense of urgency that has only been brought about by two other titles during this current generation, those two being Uncharted and Metal Gear Solid 4. I’m power-walking from the station to my sofa after work, and I literally sprinted from my office to the local import shop on the day of release, after being informed that it had arrived hours before its US launch. It was on the shelf less than 10 minutes when I got my grubby hands on it.

3. So as to avoid buying a new game in the run-up to Uncharted 2 ( I almost gave in to NBA Live 10 and Ninja Gaiden Σ 2), I invested some time in a couple of titles that had been collecting dust on my shelf. FIFA ’09 provided the standard football fare and Battlefield Bad Company was one part frustration and another part satisfaction, just as I remembered it being during my previous attempt at playing it through. But it was Lost Planet that grasped the rare opportunity to shine. Emboldened by the Lost Planet 2 demo, I decided to give the original a go, which came boxed with my 360. I was really enjoying the shooting, adventuring and big game hunting, at least until my 360 informed me that it could no longer read the disc, and that I should familiarize myself with a damp cloth. The game is unplayable. I swear, my 360 doesn’t want me to like it. Prick.

4. Last one. Have you ever been Quincied? If you aren’t sure, then you definitely haven’t been. Quincying is one of the few ways you can entertain yourself in PS3 Home. Words can’t really do it justice, so check out this brief, safe for the work place clip for the low-down. Anyone who has seen female avatars being mobbed in Home will definitely appreciate this -
QUINCYING

The Japanese Sega Saturn Centurion

talkingbook — 2009-10-10T21:41:05+09:00

Don’t you hate it when, due to your regular weekday routine, you wake up early on Saturday morning, and then can’t get back to sleep for the life of you? You know that no matter how far you burry your face in the pillow and try to set up dream inducing scenarios in your mind, your just not going to drop back off. Last Saturday I was awake and thoroughly confused at 6am, and was up by 7. In this situation, I would usually just get stuck into whatever video game I’m playing at the time, but I’m in a bit of a pre Uncharted 2 release rut at the moment. So instead, with my better-half still asleep and none the wiser, I headed for my shelves and counted video games.

It was exhilarating, but I will only bore you with one of the facts: 97 Japanese SEGA Saturn games. As I mentioned in my Sega Saturn Buyer’s Guide a while back, although there are a few dozen games that command a high price, the vast majority of Saturn games here in Japan are as cheap as chips. Building up a good collection is well within the realms of even the most frugal of gamers.

My collection contains some classics such as Nights, Virtua Cop 2, X-men Vs Street Fighter and Guardian Heroes. There are also games that I am led to believe are great, but I have been unable to play due to my limited Japanese, such as Policenauts, Snatcher and Tactics Ogre. And of course, there are the ¥100, purely collection filler shite, such as Virtua Volleyball, Magic Carpet and Area 51. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention Street Fighter The Real Battle on Film (SF the Movie), which probably deserves a category all of its very own.

However, this post isn’t about what I do own, but what I’m without. I slowed down buying SS games a while ago, but I didn’t realise until last weekend that I was only 3 titles short of the SS Centurion. I intend to remedy this by buying three more titles, so that I can put my 100 piece SS collection to rest. At least until I start going for 150!

So, discerning gamers, here for your consideration is the shortlist for the 3 remaining spaces in my collection. Please comment as you see fit.

Category 1 - Genuine interest

Akumajo Dracula X (Castlevania – Symphony of the Night)

As any self respecting SS owner will tell you, the SS does 2D extremely well, and this instalment of the Castlevania series is a shining example. It’s at the very top of my list, though it’s a little steep, usually going for around ¥4000-¥5000.

Street Fighter Zero 3

Another expensive show-piece for the Saturn’s 2D capabilities.

Dungeons and Dragons Collection

Upon first seeing the front cover and the Dungeons and Dragons tag, I had zero interest in picking up this title. However, after a while and a bit of research, I have come to realise that it’s actually a pretty decent Golden Axe style, action side scroller.

Category 2 – I’m curious

Segata Sanshiro Shikenyugi

Most people are familiar with the Japanese Segata Sanshiro commercials, which featured a judo master who hunted down and inflicted pain upon anyone who wasn’t playing the Saturn, be they men, women or children. The rest of the time he was perfecting his craft by carrying a huge SS on his back, and repeatedly punching the buttons of a massive SS controller. Well, he has his own game, which is full of mini-challenges and the like. I don’t have it, but I’m thinking I probably should, lest he burst through my door and administer a brutal judo throw upon my person.

Death Crimson

DC is a game so bad that it has attracted a large following, which in turn made it one of the most sort-after and expensive games on the system. I’m assured that it plays, sounds and looks like utter tripe. What am I waiting for?

Category 3 - The weird and wonderful world of the Japanese Sega Saturn

Six Inch My Darling

This text based adventure isn’t about what you think, so get your mind out of the gutter. It actually concerns itself with the lives of 3 six inch tall girls, obviously. Still, I’m sure I can make some space in my collection for a game with a title like that!

Message Navi Vol. 1 and 2

These are dating service discs, in the guise of SS games. They feature over 1000 profiles of individuals looking for a good time, including pictures, contact details and where they like to hang out. In 1997. I wonder how many of them are still waiting after all these years for that one, special, SS gamer.

The Conveni

Ever wondered what it would be like to run your own convenience store? No, me neither.

As you can see, the JPN SS was home to a rich collection of classics, curiosities and convenience store sims. It’s no wonder my collection has inched toward 100 in such a short period of time.