• 4Dec 09

  Video Games are an Art Form

  Video games have been around for quite some time by now, offering multitudes of ways to entertain, captivate, and challenge the player's intellect. Throughout the years, video games have evolved into something much more than simple pixelated sprites shuffling across the screen, giving way to enhanced graphics, more sophisticated stories, and a much greater amount of effort on part of the creator(s). Sadly, despite this magnificent boom in creative potential, there are still some who consider that video games are not, when compared to movies, music, and other forms of expression; art. Take, for example, this statement by Roger Ebert:

  "...games could not be high art, as I understand it. How do I know this? How many games have I played? I know it by the definition of the vast majority of games. They tend to involve (1) point and shoot in many variations and plotlines, (2) treasure or scavenger hunts, as in "Myst," and (3) player control of the outcome. I don't think these attributes have much to do with art; they have more in common with sports." - Ebert (2007)

  Taking into consideration that Ebert was following up on a previous, more crass statement that video games will never be art; the points he makes can be easily dissolved with a wealth of exceptions and/or creative methods to compensate for such points. The following are examples of games that will, beyond any reasonable doubt, prove that video games are much more than a simple interactive shooter-adventure sport:

  Shadow of the Colossus

  

  Anyone with at least a decent knowledge of the previous console generation can recall that Shadow of the Colossus is easily the most stunning games for the PS2, as well as the most unique. Throwing away many traditional conventions, SotC consisted solely of defeating these monstrosities. No mini-bosses, no regular enemies, just a massive world, a horse, and a lonely man aching to revive the maiden he so dearly loves. The sheer scale of the land and the creative, puzzle-like method of dispatching the massive foes creates a unique experience that will not soon be forgotten. Easily, SotC dispels all three of Ebert's claims by being a puzzle game with little point-and-shoot elements, foregoing any "scavenger hunts", and having an ending that is not determined by the player respectively.

  Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjDtw6rmJ9g

  Ico

  

  Though by the same developer (SCEA), Ico is, without a doubt, a glorious and touching example of how moving a video game's story can truly be. Playing as a boy guiding a maiden through a perilous journey, the connection between the two grows stronger over the course of the experience until an event occurs that will emotionally effect even some of the heaviest-hearted people. It should also be noted that, for its time, the graphics were quite advanced and the unique art styIe truly made this title one of the best of its year.

  Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsbJ8GIIySE

  Katamari Series

  

  By far one of the goofiest (and trippiest) games to come out in quite some time, the Katamari series has proved time and time again that graphics are not the only thing that matters. From its absolutely hilarious surrealism to the quirky bits of dialogue the King of the Cosmos blurts out at the player, every single entry has proved itself worthy as a highly creative series on par with surrealist filmmakers, painters, and so on.

  Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpI5uI6bMm0

  Okami

  

  Okami's styIe is instantly recognizable to anyone who has followed the video game world for the past few years. Utilizing the highly-artistic Japanese watercolor theme to its fullest, Okami allowed players to take control of the elements of nature via a magical calligraphy brush that was able to turn the tides of the wind, sea, earth, and also deliver decisive blows to enemies. Its penchant for artistic prowess easily qualifies it as one of the most artistic games in recent memory.

  Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTUm07enrs4

  Tower of Shadow
  

  

  Though it isn't released yet, Tower of Shadow is something any person can glance at and easily consider it a highly creative idea. Using a unique method of gameplay that focuses on the background rather than what would traditionally be played on, the overall styIe of this upcoming title has the potential for Ico-grade artistry.

  Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viZjjpuymrc

  Oddworld Series

  

  Created by Lorne Lanning, a magnificent artist judging by the complexity and overwhelming skill taken into his concept art, the Oddworld series is living proof that video games can have not only artistic, but political significance as well. Though subtle, such topics as worker exploitation and species extinction (Abe's Oddysee), brutal takeover of the American West (Stranger's Wrath), animal testing (Munch's Oddysee), and other issues have been covered by entries of this highly creative series. Also, the gameplay in the first couple games are especially unique since it was one of the first side-scrollers to completely reject the Mario format of platforming for a more puzzle-like role as the skinny guy with no weapons.

  Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2EDJbIyzpo

  -

  In conclusion, video games can be much more than simple entertainment. Games can be anything from an artistic expression to a political statement that has considerable significance. It will be interesting to see where technology will take us all in the future of gaming, as uncertain as things may be in the perspective of some. Regardless of the industry's direction, there is something I will always truly believe: Video games are art.

  
  

  • Posted Dec 4, 2009 5:25 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 27Oct 09

  12 Most Terrifying Games of All Time

  Halloween is almost upon us, the time where everyone breaks out their favorite slasher flicks and gamers pull out some good old-fashioned horror games. Now, scaring the living daylights out of the player is one thing, but making them shriek like an opera soprano is another. Listed are 12 games guaranteed to do the trick for you this halloween:

  NOTE: Some clips may be graphic (but I've made sure to include the least graphic ones as humanly possible) and I couldn't find a video that was appropriate enough for some.

  12. Fallout 3 (PC, PS3, 360)

  
  

  Boy, the recession's taken a toll! *ba-dum, psh*

  Though not intended to entirely be a horror game, there are plenty of instances in the Vault Dweller's adventures that involve plenty of unwanted close-ups with feral ghouls in the dank underground caverns, abandoned buildings, sewers, and like locations. In fact, almost any enemy in those claustrophobic areas will make players jump more times than they imagine.

  Taste of fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ipOMNQA8Ho

  11. Dead Space (PS3, 360)

  

  Survival Tip #1: Wear armor. Always.

  Released by EA fairly recently, Dead Space is a combination of The Thing and Alien but set in space and the main character isn't much of a military man to begin with. Walking through the dark, empty, foreboding corridors of the tattered USG Ishimura is made all the more unnerving when the distant wails of enemies taunt your every step and, at times, jump from out of absolutely nowhere for a cIassic jump scare.

  Taste of fear: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/deadspace/video/6191260/dead-space-official-trailer-2?tag=videos;title;1

  In my opinion, there are few games that pull of atmosphere so well nowadays.

  10. The Suffering (Xbox, PS2, PC)

  

  Edward Scissorhands gone very, very wrong
  

  A game from Midway that came and went, The Suffering mixes up action and atmosphere by having short periods of atmospheric horror between the dominant run-and-gun gameplay sections. Running through the island of Carnate with little enemies around is creepy at the very least. However, even these brief, quiet moments get interrupted by sudden images flashing across the screen.

  Taste of fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py8OY-YBHjY

  9. Killer 7 (GC, PS2)

  

  "Smile!"

  A strange game by any standard, Killer 7 provides one of the most confusing, convoluted stories ever to be told in a single interactive installment (although there are various other ways of following the full story) and also some of the creepiest characters this side of cell shading. Invisible to the naked eye, the Heaven Smile need to be "scanned" in order to be seen. The little snickers they let out to make you aware of your presence are unsettling in the worst way possible.
  

  Taste of fear: Yeah, the least graphic clip would be way too graphic to post.
  

  8. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PS, N64, DC, PC)

  

  Something tells me the road construction won't get finished.

  A modest entry of the storied horror series, Resident Evil 3 implements multiple choice scenarios in which, usually in a state of panic, the player is forced to choose quickly. Adding this level of involvement aided in making Nemesis a title that didn't feel like a re-hash of the second installment. Also, the scares to be had in RE3 were all very effective.

  Taste of fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpuv9AZG66g

  7. Cold Fear (Xbox, PS2, PC)

  

  "Hello, Mr. K...Oh wait a minute."

  Overlooked in favor of the much more popular Resident Evil 4, Cold Fear utilized the same control system as its more famous counterpart and, in my opinion, did a much better job at making the controls fluent. Instead of the zombie-slaughtering officer-turned-agent Leon S. Kennedy, Cold Fear presents us with a Coast Guard member named Tom Hansen. Instead of a Spanish island, the game takes place on a Russian whaler ship lost out at sea. The creaking and tilting of the camera associated with the ship's current situation in a massive storm can be nauseating at times, making the sudden scares from enemies lurking in the dark that much more terrifying.

  Taste of fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LPRyR41QxM

  6. Doom 3 (Xbox, PC)

  

  Hide and seek with demons is not a good idea.

  Undoubtedly one of the most recognizable First Person Shooters in gaming history, Doom 3 provided a level of fear that was unchallenged in its genre at the time. From subtle atmospheric lighting to more abrupt jump scares, Doom 3 wears the player down to terrified frustration until the very end. Also, it should be noted that its the only game I've played that is still scary with God Mode turned on.

  Taste of fear: Once again, the clips are far too bloody to post on this site.

  5. Silent Hill 3 (PS2)

  

  "Come to Silent Hill, we have great hospitals!"

  In which the first installment mixed atmosphere and scares and the second further pushed the boundaries of storytelling and atmosphere, Silent Hill 3 was the more abruptly terrifying title. From the ear-hemorrhaging distorted wails of foes to the surrealistic visual design, no detail was spared in making the third installment something gamers would never forget.

  Taste of fear: http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill3/video/6030259/silent-hill-3-trailer-4?tag=videos;title;3

  4. Condemned: Criminal Origins (360)

  

  I'm gonna go all Gordon Freeman on your face!!!

  Quite possibly the most passive-aggressive game of this generation, Condemned brought the largely ignored idea of indirect action to build tension and ran with it. Every level consists of enemies scampering across the screen, taunting you for the entire level and sometimes not even bothering to show up. All the emotion that builds up to nearly every fight is headache-inducing, making the player wish that the enemy would simply show his face. However, Condemned rarely grants such comfort.

  Taste of fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQRT2jfT4QE

  3. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (GC)

  

  Try to find the 5 monsters hidden in this picture!

  Boasting a degree of mindplay that has yet to be matched, Eternal Darkness is a criminally overlooked game that any fan of the horror genre should pick up. Scaring the player through unconventional means (e.g. illusions), the game made players think a wealth of different things were buggy in the game when, in reality, it was all part of the plan. By far the most sinister illusion was tricking you into thinking the game was deleting all the data off your memory units.

  Taste of fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9wSR6uInZ0

  2. Clock Tower (PS)

  
  

  Uh...oh...

  A little bit forgotten nowadays, Clock Tower is a game that will make you nearly have a heart attack every time you see that shady man with the giant scissors. Running and hiding is the wisest option, which makes it supremely terrifying whenever Scissor Man walks into the same room as you, sometimes taking the time to search around for possible hiding spots so he can shear you in two.

  Taste of fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXPgKxHTFp0

  1. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly (PS2, Xbox)

  
  

  Ghosts are not photogenic.
  

  Ugh, this one gives me the chills just thinking about it. Crimson Butterfly is an interesting little piece of sheer terror that uses a camera as the main weapon against a horde of ghosts haunting a Japanese village. Honestly, almost everything this game has to offer is compelling in every sense of the word. An excellent story, perfectly creepy atmosphere, and pants-wetting scares make Fatal Frame deserving of being the most terrifying game of all time.

  Taste of fear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9czbIFtje3o

  Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to rock back and forth in a corner.

  • Posted Oct 27, 2009 5:54 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 9Oct 09

  7 Games Guaranteed to Make You Rage Quit

  Challenge is something everyone craves every once in a while and games are no exception. Of course, most games include higher difficulty levels or bonus challenges to quench one's thirst for a worthy foe but, to the dismay of many, there are some games that take Hard mode to a whole new level. Listed are some games that, while not difficult by fault of poor programming (Superman 64 is not listed for that very reason and should have each copy melted down), they still pose a ridiculous challenge on anyone who plays them.

  7. Ninja Gaiden (Take your pick)

  

  Ninjas are awesome.

  It shouldn't surprise anyone who has picked up a controller in the past 20 or so years that the Ninja Gaiden series is insanely challenging. From its old-school NES days to its newest next-gen entries, Team Ninja has been persistent in expecting peak performance from anyone who dares to pop the game in.

  Example of difficulty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8ZadSexa4o

  Unfortunately, the only videos I could find were of people who have played the game so much that they can go through entire levels with little to no damage. However, its all much easier said than done because anyone who picks up a Ninja Gaiden game for the first time will be met with an incredibly challenging experience.

  6. Mega Mans 1-8 (NES)

  

  Mega Man can PLOW them down HAHAHAha...heh...

  Although variety is not the forte of the old-school Mega Man games, each and every one of the NES titles are controller-tossingly difficult. Anyone who has played a Mega Man game on the NES has more than likely counted the amount of times they fell into a bottomless pit (I stopped counting around 30) and spewed endless curse words at their TV, and with good reason.

  Example of difficulty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcMn3zK6s4

  However, the closest I could get of showing an average joe playing the game was only getting hit a few times. Honestly, there are so many people who play the NES games obsessively to show off their skills. Well, there's nothing wrong with that but it makes it difficult to truly show how difficult these games are short of playing them yourself.

  5. Platoon (NES)

  

  You see this. A lot.

  A mostly forgotten title in the NES library, Platoon had a rare breed of difficulty that made it hard to distinguish between poor programming and intended challenges. On one hand, you only had so many lives and it was game over with no continues but, on the other hand, enemies could kill you in a single shot (or by simply touching you) and could pop out of nowhere and kill you before there was any way to react.

  Example of difficulty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezXxoZuEAxc

  Notice how enemies can jump right out of the trees and waste you before you have a chance to react? The worst part is that running through that horrid jungle maze is only the first bit of the game, which is easy in comparison to the later levels when invisible snipers can send you home in a body bag with ease. I also have a very personal gripe with this game because I get the music from the Jungle level stuck in my head every time I so much as think about it.

  4. Siren (PS2)

  

  Can you resist the call to throw your TV out the window?

  From the developers of Silent Hill, Siren is a peculiar mix of trial-and-error gameplay and cIassic Japanese horror themes. The trial-and-error bit should be familiar to those who have played Hitman games, but there are three factors making Siren the more difficult game: First off, there's really no crowds to hide in, making most places perfectly exposed to enemies. Second, you die in 1-2 hits depending if the enemy bashes you over the head or shoots you. Third, there's little room for creativity which means that you are required to figure out and follow the game's strict logic.

  Example of difficulty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crdepPh7R5A

  Sightjack is terrifying.

  3. Zaxxon (ARC)

  

  Seriously, its a mean game.

  Quite possibly a game developed by MC Escher so he could take away your lunch money, Zaxxon was insanely difficult due to the strange perspective-oriented controls that made trying to make heads or tails of the environment an eye-straining torture session. For me, the altitude meter at the left did next to nothing since the actual height of objects was questionable all the time.

  Example of difficulty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHORFz6ZCC0

  See how difficult it is to hit enemies? Every space battle completely messes with your head and the tiny force field passages do most people in.

  2. Battletoads (NES, Genesis)

  

  Anyone who played this game gets angry at this picture.

  In what seems like a frustrated programmers attempt to lash out at the world around him, Battletoads is already notorious for its astronomical difficulty. What's most interesting about this game is that the difficulty actually increases when there's a second player present because you can kill each other on accident. On a side note, Battletoads is most likely responsible for countless backhands and ruined friendships.

  Example of difficulty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idZ9C0Qtj2A

  By far the best example of Battletoads' brutal difficulty is the Wind Tunnel level. Although the person in the link shows a completed run, I'd love to see anyone get this on their first try.

  1. Silver Surfer (NES)
  

  

  Pretty much sums it all up.

  To be completely honest, I'm not sure why someone thought to make this one so agonizingly impossible. Silver Surfer is one of those games that will make you think that the developer has some kind of deep personal hatred for you and wants to make you cry like a baby. With death occurring by touching ANYTHING (yes, that includes walls) and restarting stages after losing all your lives, Silver Surfer is a game with an ending but is so mind-numbingly difficult that anyone who plays it will decide that this one wasn't intended to be beaten in the first place.

  Example of difficulty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBzeTScRjrw

  The horror. The horror....

  But wait...

  I found a nifty little video of the hardest boss fight I've ever seen while searching for material:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQZuidKexBQ

  Sure, the games I've listed might be unfairly difficult but the above linked one is...Well...It will make the hardest boss you've faced look like Glass Joe.
  

  • Posted Oct 9, 2009 5:46 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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