JayBlanc wrote:
You very much are not understanding me correctly, having apparently failed to read half of my description of Leisure Suit Larry. Leisure Suit Larry is, despite what it's creators and apologists say, in no way a parody or comment in support of feminism. It's a sad 'adult game!' that has all it's women as sex objects and a juvenile and poor sense of humour at the expense of women not men.
I seriously suggest that your saying Spec Ops: The Line is on the same level of comentary as Leisure Suit Larry is going to get you viewed as ignorant.
Commentary? What? Games do not have to be commentary. Games do not have to be parodies to be acceptable of something you don't like. Something with such a simple plot, as with Damsels in Distress, are more likely than not to have any substantial comment, since they focus on gameplay and little on plot. Games give you something to do in a virtual world, and the ability to control part of it in some way.
JayBlanc wrote:If a comedian makes a rape joke at the expense of women, then they deserve to be heckled, and lose income from people cancelling their tickets after they see reviews calling them out on it. No bars, no imposition on "freedom of speech", just the consequences of being a hack who chooses to try and use something for shock value that society does not tolerate.
If people do not wish to listen to such jokes, it is fine due to personal preference. They are not a "hack" or using it for "shock value", they are comedians making jokes. What's happening here is going to a show that you know such jokes are made, then yelling at the comedian half way through to tell jokes you see fit. Since they have no bars as you said, you trying to change their act is completely and utterly pointless.
JayBlanc wrote:That is your personal idea about what should be in a game review and critique. You're entirely welcome to only critique games on graphics and game play if you want to.
But this is the important part, the rest of us can and are demanding more from video games. We will not be dictated to by your low expectations. And it is now clear that the distinctive top-tier AAA games are not made distinctive by game play and graphics, because top-tier AAA games are all pretty and playable, but by the narratives and characterisation of those games.
Even more abstract online multiplayer games like TF2 and DOTA2 come with narrative lore, and voice overs that give richness to the characters. Because this stuff all matters.
Video Games are going to be dragged kicking and screaming into the same standards of critique as Cinema, Literature and Television.
And. You. Can't. Stop. It.
I'm glad it's kicking and screaming. As I have already stated, they should not be held to the same standards. If you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, or judge a video game under the wrong standards, all that is, and should, be waiting for you is disappointment. In no way,shape or form is it the fish's fault, rather the unfair judgement you are calling on it. It's not low standards, it's understanding.
You can judge games by your own standards, but there's gonna be a lot of heartbreak waiting for you.