The Citizen Kane of video games... - by Yakoob
june gloom on 7/10/2009 at 04:06
As much as Metroid Prime (the original) kicked ass I can think of at least 5 other games that are more deserving.
Renzatic on 7/10/2009 at 04:34
As much as I love me some Metroid Prime, I'm finding it hard to accept it, or any other title, as the Citizen Kane of videogames. To even associate the two is a huge stretch in my mind. Sure, you have the themes of isolation and whatnot going on. But the theme is presented too narrowly, is only accessible to select group of people, and doesn't hit you in the emotional guts quite like Citizen Kane does.
I'd say videogames have already found their Indiana Jones. Something that excites, inspires the imagination. But almost every videogame out there lacks one important quality that has yet to be represented in what you could call a truly mature fashion: subtlety. Every game out there, from the most purposely confusing and pretentious indie title to the biggest loudest Halo sorta game always beats you over the head with what it does. Like Braid. I thought it was fun, sure. But the whole story within a story "is it about a stalker or a nukular bomb read between the lines damn I'm a genius" thing was way overplayed. It tried to be subtle, but wasn't very subtle about being subtle...if that makes sense. On the other end of the spectrum you have all the FPS and shooter games like Gears of War and, yeah, even Metroid. They don't try to be anything else but fun, and they do it in that over the top comic book fashion that's great for what it is, but won't win any awards from the hardcore book snobs.
I think what the videogame industry really needs to do if they ever want to have their own Citizen Kane is hire a whole army of professional writers. And no, the first truly artistic viable whatchamajigget game doesn't have to be about a ultra depressed type person brooding in a dark room and staring up into a shaft of light for 6 hours, or hiring Harry Potter to fuck a horse for shock value. They just need to find a different way to present what they're already doing, first off. Something that works alongside the gameplay to enhance the experience instead of feeling crammed in there so some doofus on the Gamefaqs boards can scream GAEMS R ART AERITH DEAD MAED ME CRAH.
Taffer36 on 7/10/2009 at 04:52
We've had about eighty Citizen Kanes. We're waaaaaay past that stage.
Quote Posted by Renzatic
But almost every videogame out there lacks one important quality that has yet to be represented in what you could call a truly mature fashion: subtlety.
Shadow of the Colossus.
Renzatic on 7/10/2009 at 05:02
Yup. And Ico. They're probably the two games I'd peg as coming closest to transcending their being actual, honest to God, works of art. They were great games, had great stories to tell, and told it simply and directly. I wish more people would try that approach.
Damn. Speaking of pretentious... :P
Taffer36 on 7/10/2009 at 05:34
:D
Koki on 7/10/2009 at 06:12
I am pretty sure any self-conscious artist would snort at your Ico box. As for SOTC, I don't think he'd even look in it's general direction.
And he'd be pretty damn right.
june gloom on 7/10/2009 at 06:40
Deus Ex. Thread over.
Thirith on 7/10/2009 at 06:48
Quote Posted by Koki
I am pretty sure any self-conscious artist would snort at your Ico box. As for SOTC, I don't think he'd even look in it's general direction.
And he'd be pretty damn right.
Why that? Do you have any actual point to make?
van HellSing on 7/10/2009 at 06:54
Quote Posted by dethtoll
Deus Ex. Thread over.
Because everyone died of laughter.
