When did video games stop being ... games?
Okay, so ya'll probably remember me flailing over the reviews for that new game Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, right? Well, I finally got it for Christmas two days ago, and I beat it in about oh ... ten hours or something? For some strange reason, the save stats don't show the game play time, only the time of your save, what the hell?
So, after playing through it all, I have to say, it was definitely worth the 25 bucks I paid for it. Despite the low challenge level, it was a very enjoyable and well-crafted game (which seems to be left open for a sequel, ho ho ho!). I hope to bring it over to my nephew's house the next time I visit and play it with him. It's just so accessible to new players and veteran gamers alike. The thing I enjoyed the most about it was the vibrant colors, the memorable music (there's a different track for EACH STAGE, OMG!), solid voice work, and the quirky, cartoony character designs (plus unlockable artwork for your viewing pleasure). It makes me sad that the concept art is so hard to find on the net, because it's absolutely gorgeous, especially the background art. All the characters are amazingly true to character (albeit more humorous and lighthearted compared to their more serious comic counterparts) and listening to their banter during battle never fails to make me grin. I actually snarked back at the game when Spidey made his silly quips!
In any case, who cares if it's easy? I mean, it was meant to be picked up and played by ten year olds. The point is that it's fun and extremely addictive (I'm playing through with all the sidekicks, just to hear their dialogue with Spidey).
So lemme ask you gamers this: when did games stop being games that are played solely for fun and entertainment? When did games suddenly become second jobs that you have to spend no less than 40 hours a week just to complete all the quests? When did games become immature pissing contests between players to see who can conquer the most inane challenges, all for simple bragging rights among their friends?
I don't care about challenge. I hate games that force you to get 100% completion to see the "special ending". I hate games that give such impossible challenges that only the programmers themselves could possibly complete (FF X's minigame sidequests, anyone?). I hate games that let pretty graphics trump a good story. I hate games that take themselves way too seriously and stop being fun, and feel more like work every time you pick up the controller. I play games to relax and unwind after a long day, not to become frustrated to the point where I want to throw my controller through the TV.
With that said, I'm going to play more Spider-Man: Friend or Foe. Still trying to play around with all the sidekicks and discover all their unique moves and dialogue.
So, after playing through it all, I have to say, it was definitely worth the 25 bucks I paid for it. Despite the low challenge level, it was a very enjoyable and well-crafted game (which seems to be left open for a sequel, ho ho ho!). I hope to bring it over to my nephew's house the next time I visit and play it with him. It's just so accessible to new players and veteran gamers alike. The thing I enjoyed the most about it was the vibrant colors, the memorable music (there's a different track for EACH STAGE, OMG!), solid voice work, and the quirky, cartoony character designs (plus unlockable artwork for your viewing pleasure). It makes me sad that the concept art is so hard to find on the net, because it's absolutely gorgeous, especially the background art. All the characters are amazingly true to character (albeit more humorous and lighthearted compared to their more serious comic counterparts) and listening to their banter during battle never fails to make me grin. I actually snarked back at the game when Spidey made his silly quips!
In any case, who cares if it's easy? I mean, it was meant to be picked up and played by ten year olds. The point is that it's fun and extremely addictive (I'm playing through with all the sidekicks, just to hear their dialogue with Spidey).
So lemme ask you gamers this: when did games stop being games that are played solely for fun and entertainment? When did games suddenly become second jobs that you have to spend no less than 40 hours a week just to complete all the quests? When did games become immature pissing contests between players to see who can conquer the most inane challenges, all for simple bragging rights among their friends?
I don't care about challenge. I hate games that force you to get 100% completion to see the "special ending". I hate games that give such impossible challenges that only the programmers themselves could possibly complete (FF X's minigame sidequests, anyone?). I hate games that let pretty graphics trump a good story. I hate games that take themselves way too seriously and stop being fun, and feel more like work every time you pick up the controller. I play games to relax and unwind after a long day, not to become frustrated to the point where I want to throw my controller through the TV.
With that said, I'm going to play more Spider-Man: Friend or Foe. Still trying to play around with all the sidekicks and discover all their unique moves and dialogue.