I am excited for pokemon legends and no amount of hate for nintendo or gamefreak or “pokemon games are lazy these days” comments is gonna stop me from buying it and playing day one
Yes I would love to dive back into the Kirby franchise. I have recently gone back and added loads to my wish list.
Yes I think one beautiful thing I am learning is that being comfortable with oneself is a great gift of getting older. I have luckily always been pretty confident in my likes and dislikes and hardly ever had peer pressure issues, but getting older and being able to just enjoy something even if someone says it is uncool is awesome. Hi-fi rush looks like such a fun game to play. And I loved the art style in the let's plays I have watched.
Well said Margot. I am more interested in playing something like Kirby (Forgotten Land or Star Allies) than any modern triple-A game you cae to mention.
Another recent example, a few years ago Hi-Fi Rush was released (which is still on my list to play). It was announced in "yet another showcase" full of yet more drab, samey, grim-dark games targeted at my demographic, which is why I usually skim them but find I don't really care. Then this appears and immediately grabs my attention. It actually has colour in it! The game is bright and exciting! The main character looks actually happy! I found that announcement infinitely more exciting than any other multi-million dollar game because it simply looked fun.
So what I think I'm trying to say is as a man approaching middle age, I'm happy to be uncool and enjoy what I enjoy, along with you.
I guess people can have an opinion but it should be respectful. I always try to find at least one thing positive before I speak about what I didn’t like about a game. I approach it like, hey I loved this part or the story or the graphics but I had a really hard time with the mechanics. Something like that especially on someone else’s social media. And sorry/not sorry old school player here, even before Nintendo. I will always rep Nintendo! I love their systems and their games. Is it all perfect? Nope. 😊
Yeah I think there is value in providing a bigger personal picture and it is rare that something just isn't good or appealing at all. And I love that you will rep Nintendo. There are a lot an amazing franchises and innovation in Nintendo. It is such a shame if someone wants to make someone else feel lesser for liking something. I find it makes people interesting and you can maybe learn something about their interest that you didn't know yet.
I’m finding more and more it’s harder for me to find things I /dislike/. I’m not sure if this is because I know what I like more and stick to playing those or if I appreciate more what each work of art has to offer.
I’m sure some of this mentality that reviews should be hyper critical has to do with the mostly/completely false fear-mongering around reviews being paid for by studios to give a positive score. There’s also an abundance of creators online who drum up communities around constant hate campaigns and package it as a moral argument. You’re absolutely right that positivity and true, meaningful critique are the answer to these. We can only do our best to write and critique honestly and hope it spreads.
Well if it's uncool to write about something uncritically then I am EXTRAORDINARILY uncool (I already knew that so it's fine 😂) as the few review I've written so far, I've found it so difficult to find bad things to say, if I do then it's always a "me" problem and not a problem with the book/game. I also just don't see the point in spending time with media only to relentlessly hate on it online later? Feels like a waste of time to me 🤔
100% I also search for stuff to enjoy so it is rare I really have something bad to say. I try and be empathetic to other types of gamers, and call out things that might be tricky or jarring for them but that tends to be it.
I used to be a very negative person (up bringing and then I got into software testing) but when I decided to be more open and openly enjoy things more, my relationships inside and outside work changed and life has a lot more brighter moment. :)
Unfortunately, I think there are many out there that confuse Opinions vs. Facts...which feeds the discussions you mentioned (Xbox vs PS, handheld console wars). Or female protagonists. Or whatever Opinion has been misconstrued as Fact.
For something as personal as gaming...I hope that more and more people realize that it's ok to have Opinions that differ.
That is a very good point. The whole “Fake news” and “My truth” movement hasn't helped that I think.
It is interesting actually the you say gaming is personal. I do agree, the way we consume and interpret our gaming experience is so personal and while games can provide a shared experience and community, we still have our specific personal moments and stories alongside games. Thank you, that wasn’t something I had appreciated.
I really like your post, thank you for spreading positive thoughts!
For me, I recently re-play to the Life is Strange games and I still ove them a lot. I also love narrative games where emotions are the most important part. I liked (a lot!) The Forest even if I’m not a fan of first-person games because the atmosphere and story was sooo great for me, and I discovered the joy of cozy games with Disney Dreamlight Valley ! 💕
Well, I played the Bayonetta trilogy and liked it.
Not only for the action, but also character design. Although I'm still not sure whether a sexualized confident lady with style can be called a feminist if she does a pole dance every credits. But I don't care, I still like the brand. Not Viola, though,
And I think that is fair. I enjoy much worse silly media. lol
On a similar note I think Stellar blade looks great, but can I say that when the protagonist is basically naked in most of the gameplay I have seen!? :D It still looks fun I just hope that for me they add more clothing options. lol
“We scream something just to feel something” and if that doesn’t sum up the general consensus on the internet for me.
The sad part is, if we sat down with the knobs on the internet and said “hey your clearly angry about something let’s work it out rather than you sending death threats on reddit” we would get them to their actual issue quite quickly and get them to be a bit more eloquent about their feelings.
That episode made me think too. Austin Walker is an academic by trade and their approach to games criticism is next level.
Yeah I think a lot of the internet has its flaws due to anonymity.
I have actually been nervous about being more on the internet again due to how some people talk to each other. Luckily I tend to find a nice bunch to balance it out.
I also realized yesterday my post was scheduled and its riddled with typos! Ha! Great post. I agree with the console ware/handheld things being over lets move on. I say this as I play my exclusive death stranding 2 on the PS5. haha I just want exclusives to end already. Gaming is too expensive without forcing multiple consoles and handhelds just to have fun. Imagine streaming services like netflix and disney requiring a dedicated device?
I wanted too also add the fact that Microsoft was doing the “everything is an xbox” which is a great concept. Just sad about all the layoff being announced today :/
Thank you! Yeah there are some promising moves by some companies around cross saves etc. So I am hoping this will be built on in the future with maybe less exclusivity built in.
I am excited for pokemon legends and no amount of hate for nintendo or gamefreak or “pokemon games are lazy these days” comments is gonna stop me from buying it and playing day one
It has always been cool to be an edgy hater... during school recess.
These days, it takes more courage to say you unapologetically like something than to hide behind snarky comments and criticism.
Thanks for stopping by, Manon!
I am yet to play Life is strange but it is a genre and type of game I want to try. Like interactive reading.
Disney Dreamlight looks so fun! We are planning a Disney trip soon so I might have to be playing Disney themed games. <3
Yes I would love to dive back into the Kirby franchise. I have recently gone back and added loads to my wish list.
Yes I think one beautiful thing I am learning is that being comfortable with oneself is a great gift of getting older. I have luckily always been pretty confident in my likes and dislikes and hardly ever had peer pressure issues, but getting older and being able to just enjoy something even if someone says it is uncool is awesome. Hi-fi rush looks like such a fun game to play. And I loved the art style in the let's plays I have watched.
Well said Margot. I am more interested in playing something like Kirby (Forgotten Land or Star Allies) than any modern triple-A game you cae to mention.
Another recent example, a few years ago Hi-Fi Rush was released (which is still on my list to play). It was announced in "yet another showcase" full of yet more drab, samey, grim-dark games targeted at my demographic, which is why I usually skim them but find I don't really care. Then this appears and immediately grabs my attention. It actually has colour in it! The game is bright and exciting! The main character looks actually happy! I found that announcement infinitely more exciting than any other multi-million dollar game because it simply looked fun.
So what I think I'm trying to say is as a man approaching middle age, I'm happy to be uncool and enjoy what I enjoy, along with you.
I guess people can have an opinion but it should be respectful. I always try to find at least one thing positive before I speak about what I didn’t like about a game. I approach it like, hey I loved this part or the story or the graphics but I had a really hard time with the mechanics. Something like that especially on someone else’s social media. And sorry/not sorry old school player here, even before Nintendo. I will always rep Nintendo! I love their systems and their games. Is it all perfect? Nope. 😊
Yeah I think there is value in providing a bigger personal picture and it is rare that something just isn't good or appealing at all. And I love that you will rep Nintendo. There are a lot an amazing franchises and innovation in Nintendo. It is such a shame if someone wants to make someone else feel lesser for liking something. I find it makes people interesting and you can maybe learn something about their interest that you didn't know yet.
I’m finding more and more it’s harder for me to find things I /dislike/. I’m not sure if this is because I know what I like more and stick to playing those or if I appreciate more what each work of art has to offer.
I’m sure some of this mentality that reviews should be hyper critical has to do with the mostly/completely false fear-mongering around reviews being paid for by studios to give a positive score. There’s also an abundance of creators online who drum up communities around constant hate campaigns and package it as a moral argument. You’re absolutely right that positivity and true, meaningful critique are the answer to these. We can only do our best to write and critique honestly and hope it spreads.
Oh I love the idea of having quite tuned likes and dislikes and life's too short, to force yourself to play something you dislike. Or even start it.
Yeah that is a good point about perception and wanting to appear unbiased.
Yeah the hate campaigning or bonding over disliking something or being provocative I find tricky. I'd rather bond over something positive.
I do think critique is a good and valuable thing and we can learn from each other through being open and honest and asking questions.
Well if it's uncool to write about something uncritically then I am EXTRAORDINARILY uncool (I already knew that so it's fine 😂) as the few review I've written so far, I've found it so difficult to find bad things to say, if I do then it's always a "me" problem and not a problem with the book/game. I also just don't see the point in spending time with media only to relentlessly hate on it online later? Feels like a waste of time to me 🤔
100% I also search for stuff to enjoy so it is rare I really have something bad to say. I try and be empathetic to other types of gamers, and call out things that might be tricky or jarring for them but that tends to be it.
I used to be a very negative person (up bringing and then I got into software testing) but when I decided to be more open and openly enjoy things more, my relationships inside and outside work changed and life has a lot more brighter moment. :)
Oh and a game I'm enthusiastic about that I recently discovered? Power wash simulator 😂
Oh you too!? I got so into it! :D such a simple premise but something so satisfying about it!
Unfortunately, I think there are many out there that confuse Opinions vs. Facts...which feeds the discussions you mentioned (Xbox vs PS, handheld console wars). Or female protagonists. Or whatever Opinion has been misconstrued as Fact.
For something as personal as gaming...I hope that more and more people realize that it's ok to have Opinions that differ.
That is a very good point. The whole “Fake news” and “My truth” movement hasn't helped that I think.
It is interesting actually the you say gaming is personal. I do agree, the way we consume and interpret our gaming experience is so personal and while games can provide a shared experience and community, we still have our specific personal moments and stories alongside games. Thank you, that wasn’t something I had appreciated.
Fuck no. As proof in my recent list of dogsgit opinions.
https://open.substack.com/pub/throbbybobby/p/top-10-games-of-the-year-this-far?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=44ps04
I really like your post, thank you for spreading positive thoughts!
For me, I recently re-play to the Life is Strange games and I still ove them a lot. I also love narrative games where emotions are the most important part. I liked (a lot!) The Forest even if I’m not a fan of first-person games because the atmosphere and story was sooo great for me, and I discovered the joy of cozy games with Disney Dreamlight Valley ! 💕
Well, I played the Bayonetta trilogy and liked it.
Not only for the action, but also character design. Although I'm still not sure whether a sexualized confident lady with style can be called a feminist if she does a pole dance every credits. But I don't care, I still like the brand. Not Viola, though,
And I think that is fair. I enjoy much worse silly media. lol
On a similar note I think Stellar blade looks great, but can I say that when the protagonist is basically naked in most of the gameplay I have seen!? :D It still looks fun I just hope that for me they add more clothing options. lol
My favourite Bring Me the Horizon lyric is
“We scream something just to feel something” and if that doesn’t sum up the general consensus on the internet for me.
The sad part is, if we sat down with the knobs on the internet and said “hey your clearly angry about something let’s work it out rather than you sending death threats on reddit” we would get them to their actual issue quite quickly and get them to be a bit more eloquent about their feelings.
That episode made me think too. Austin Walker is an academic by trade and their approach to games criticism is next level.
Yeah I think a lot of the internet has its flaws due to anonymity.
I have actually been nervous about being more on the internet again due to how some people talk to each other. Luckily I tend to find a nice bunch to balance it out.
I love that lyric and it is a good summary. <3
I forgot this post was scheduled 🥲 excuse the rough version. I’ll fix it tonight after work 🎉💚
I also realized yesterday my post was scheduled and its riddled with typos! Ha! Great post. I agree with the console ware/handheld things being over lets move on. I say this as I play my exclusive death stranding 2 on the PS5. haha I just want exclusives to end already. Gaming is too expensive without forcing multiple consoles and handhelds just to have fun. Imagine streaming services like netflix and disney requiring a dedicated device?
I wanted too also add the fact that Microsoft was doing the “everything is an xbox” which is a great concept. Just sad about all the layoff being announced today :/
Thank you! Yeah there are some promising moves by some companies around cross saves etc. So I am hoping this will be built on in the future with maybe less exclusivity built in.