To Teach and Delight
LittleBigPlanet is, like the beleaguered Spore, a toolset, disguised as a game, that could offer nothing more and still be worth the asking price. And like Spore, LittleBigPlanet will remain relevant for a very long time; you will be reading about it this time next year.
This is how LittleBigPlanet is described in most, if not all, spaces. It is unfortunate, because LittleBigPlanet shoots for a lot more than user-driven novelty. In fact, it brings innovation to a genre that has remained largely unexplored since the end of the SNES era, along with a bit of charm that is not to be underestimated. It dives headfirst into the world of creation, which is, after all, what video games are about, and cheerfully beckons us to follow along with it. And so we do.
DICE’s Vision Accomplished: A Mirror’s Edge Review
Mirror’s Edge is a game that defies traditional game journalism. We’ve heard this before, of course, and it usually comes from the mouths of the ‘hardcore elite’ who proudly exclaim that the rest of us “just don’t get it.” The thing is, after reading EGM’s three-person review of the game, I had to admit that all three of them did get it. The game brings a unique feeling of space, speed, and dexterity to a genre that has never had any of the above. The reviewers got that, and it was duly noted in their reviews. So why did a game which does something so utterly unique and new get merely “good” scores? There are good reasons.
The Simplicity and Timelessness of Genius
It is arguably difficult to use Space Invaders Extreme as proof that classic gameplay is still valid (as I hinted I might do). On the other hand, the gameplay from 1978’s Space Invaders is valid in as much as the shooter genre is still going strong today (Geometry Wars, anyone?). Space Invaders Extreme is thus little more than a shooter game with Space Invaders sprites. It will do little to invigorate the genre it invented 30 years ago. Yet, as an homage (and we are shown a “30th Anniversary!” screen just in case we had our doubts what this was), Space Invaders Extreme does its job perfectly well.
Blood
The difference between a work of genius and a travesty is how the viewer is able to interpret every scene. In a bad movie, such as Anaconda, the scenes exist to move the plot along. They have no message and no purpose other than to fill in the required 90 minutes of space in between catching introduction and tense climax.
In a good movie, every scene is significant. Few scenes, if any, are simply expository scenes. Often, this leads to scenes that seem out of place – irrelevant. Of course, they aren’t irrelevant. They’re key to understanding the messages behind the film.
A Lesson in Failure
Anaconda is the type of movie that helps you understand what makes good movies good. This is not because Anaconda is good, since it isn’t. It’s utterly atrocious, bad in a way you can’t blame on age. Characters without character, a monster following illogical rules, bad special effects, nonsensical plot, lack of tension – its as if the director found the checklist for making a bad horror movie and took care to hit every item on the list. But is it really the movie, or is it just me?
Oh, Hullo.
So I was about to write some more articles after my Spore bit when I realized I really needed to study for my senior exam. Now that’s over with (I passed, yay!), and I’m basically just trying to finish some more games and books. You can expect me to write about literature more often from now on, and I hope to get some movie reviews in too. In the meantime, here’s what I’m currently working on.
Brave New World: At times, the setting is so ridiculous as to be unbelievable, but then the author makes a point that hits so close to home, you have to continue.
Dragon Quest VIII: Absolutely endearing, and absolutely Japanese. It will probably be awhile before I write a full article on this, but I do want to finish the game. The writing is really winning me over.
Little Big Planet: Absolutely endearing, and absolutely British. I can’t say much right now that you haven’t heard already, but I’ve been playing the hell out of it. More to come on this, for sure.
Space Invaders Extreme: What’s with all the excellent remakes of old games recently? These things are beginning to prove that new isn’t always better than the old, just different. Shooting aliens falling down the screen is just as fun today as it was in the day. I’m almost done with this one.
I watched Anaconda last night. I intend to share my thoughts about it later today. See you then.
P.S. Check out my Mailing List page on the right there… There’s a new bit inside some of you might find interesting.
