If you would ask a random person what a game today is about, you'll likely hear: "Shooting people, violence, explosions". I would guess around 85% of games are exactly that. Just like in the movie industry, those types of concepts get the most attention because like a summer blockbuster, a movie with big action scenes and expensive special effects, it appeals to the target demographic and brings in the money. Likewise, they get a big marketing push, advertisements everywhere, and everyone knows of its existence. Does this mean that Hollywood is nothing more than shallow action movies? Of course not, they make loads of alternative films as well, but you have to look out for them more. The same is true in the videogames industry.
Therefore, I'm going to point you to a few games that I played when I was younger or just recently, that are different, made an impression on me and made me think. That brings on another subject, can games be art? Well, isn't art about raising questions? I'll let you decide.
Now, I really like minimalism in games and movies. It brings you in the esscense of the world and story much better than explaining everything and handholding the player/viewer every step of the way. Don't underestimate your audience! Most of the games I'll talk about are like that.
Ok, let's jump right in, Beginning with Journey.
You should definitley watch this trailer, it shows you the gorgeous artstyle and it helps to really understand the concept of it:
--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61DZC-60x20
Journey is a game that has no spoken dialogue what so ever, no tutorials, you just wake up into a desert world and see a giant mountain in the distance. Somehow, you know that it is your destination and start moving towards it while exploring the strange but beautiful world.
You drift along the always moving waves of sand always getting closer to the structure at the horizon, find relics that piece by piece give you information about what's happening in the world and sometimes, if you want, you'll meet an other player. Someone who is online, playing at the exact time. You can't speak with him, but you can comunicate with a form of singing/whistling. You help each other traverse the land and, while the game never tells you who the other player is, you form a sort of band.
What happens when you reach the mountain? I'm not telling but the game is a nice metafor about life.
Next up, ICO.
ICO, is a touching story about an outcasted boy, born with horns on his head, who is brought to a desolate castle, to there be locked up and die alone. When he finds a way to break free, he discovers a girl, Yorda, who is trapped in a cage. Together, they will try to escape the castle. But there is a dark presence that tries to keep them there. What for? You'll have to play yourself.
To give you an idea of the vibe of the game, watch this trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsmZyRPI8zY
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Again, like Journey, nothing is explained. You have to figure out the story through visual clues, no words are spoken. Well, sometimes there is bit of dialoge, but it's in a fictional language. What's so great about it is that with no words, you still get emotionaly invested in the tale thanks to the masterfull animation of the two characters, and that you have to hold Yorda's hand to take her with you through the castle further gives you a connection with her. One other strong point is the atmosphere. Most of the game you'll hear only the wind howling, your own footsteps and echo's rumbling in the large rooms. It really brings the desolate vibe home and you truly feel alone and deserted. The ending is something thats free for interpretation, but it was the first time a game made me feel the way I felt that time. When I finished it and thought back on the whole experience I was blown away.
Limbo:
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6vRXBOzGzU Watch this!
Surprise, Limbo comes with no explanations at all. The whole story is for you to figure out. The only thing that can help you is the title and the final second or two in the game, and that's it. Limbo is dark, scary, and you never know what will happen next.
The game pulls you in through it's ambient sounds and intriguing world. It also exels in making the player feel vulnerable as the slightest misstep could be your last and has moments that will make you panic and get at the tip of your seat.
Then we have Shadow Of The Colossus. This one is made by the same japanese creators of ICO and it shows in artistry and quality.
Check out the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhsQrCUlbnM
You are a nameless boy traveling on a horse who brings an unconcsious/dead girl to a temple far away in a land seperated from the rest of the world. No man comes here. When laying the girl on the altar an unknown voice speaks that in order to save the girl, the boy should kill 16 giant colossi that roam the land and then, the voice says, he will help resurrect the girl.
The whole game you cross the gigantic plains and forrest on your best friend, the horse Agro, to locate these wonderful creatures. They will never harm you unless you attack them first and while you end their lives you question if you are doing the right thing. By the end you fill will find out what you where actually doing this whole time.
Its' definitley considered a classic and the ones who played it know why. Games like this don't come around very often.
As music of the week I couldn't pass on something from Shadow Of The Colossus. Many pieces from it's soundtrack are very bombastic (but beautiful) but to really let the atmosphere of the game sink in, a more soothing melody works better. Really, put in on play, close your eyes and imagine slowly riding a horse through a mystic and foggy forest while a massive brigde leading to a desolate ancient temple draws nearer, cause that's exactly what's going on in the game when this music starts, and let your imagination take you to a different place. The whole soundtrack is composed by Ko Otani, thanks bro!
And now just shut up and enjoy.
Ko Otani - To The Ancient Land
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