Building a Game, Not a Message
“Resident Evil 5 isn’t racist, but there’s more at work here than “Is it or isn’t it?” How does Resident Evil 5 undermine its own anti-colonial message, and why does it? The answer is simpler than you think. And more frustrating.”
Read.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (2009)
“Escape from Butcher Bay, on the other hand, is not certain what it wants to be, and this lack of confidence proves to be its downfall. What could have been a classic becomes a period piece, a game we will look at one day and say, “Wow, look what it did!” – but not play.”
Read.
Beyond Good & Evil
“Beyond Good & Evil seemed doomed to cult status from the start. It had all the hallmarks: a science fiction story rife with political themes, an alien invasion, and a conspiracy or two. Some may also argue it starred an unusual protagonist, Jade, whose distinguishing characteristic as a female video game protagonist was that she wore loose-fitting jeans instead of a thong. On second thought, that there probably explains the lackluster sales.”
Read.
Age of Empires II
Age of Empires II was a critical success after release. It doesn’t work so well anymore, and it’s hard to forgive its flaws for being simply “an older game.”
Read.
To Make Us Whole
Catch my essay on Flower at Spawn Kill this week! Link is here.
