Ben-DutkaHappy Memorial Day weekend! Apologies on the late update last night…I lost track of time.
The Shadow of the Colossus movie could be embarrassing
Look, there have been a whole lot of crappy films based on video games. The difference here is that a great many of the games in question would inevitably become mindless on the big screen ("Street Fighter," "Resident Evil," "DOOM," etc.). It's to be expected and it's not necessarily insulting the original IP, although I admit that many RE game installments had more heart and soul than any of the movies. In this case, however, I'm convinced they're going to royally fu** up Team ICO's iconic masterpiece and worse, they're going to sully the good name of a massive artistic accomplishment.
To me, this is really like turning the Mona Lisa into some craptastic, embarrassing reality TV show starring a half-dressed Italian slut. If you look at the histories of the new director and producer tapped to work on the SotC movie, it's almost a guarantee that they're going to make a special effects extravaganza with zero of the spirit of the game. All they see is big monsters and someone with a sword trying to beat them. And it's going to piss me off . Like, really badly.
Hey, remember when Final Fantasy never had sequels?
I do. I remember when the idea of a Final Fantasy sequel was just plain absurd. Each entry in the series is completely and entirely fresh from top to bottom; new world, new characters, new story, new combat mechanics, and a variety of other new elements. It's precisely why the franchise has garnered so many die-hard fans, even if they never recognized it. And now, when many say the series is floundering, what are we doing? We're talking about the possibility of more sequels . I mean, come on. Now, I'm not saying I would mind a follow-up to Final Fantasy XII , but I would certainly prefer an entirely new experience. You know, like Final Fantasy XV . No, not Versus XIII ; that game doesn't actually exist.
As for FFXII, I really liked it, but for some of the same reasons I liked FFXIII-2. I didn't play either for the story; I didn't like all the politics in FFXII, and I didn't care much for any of the characters. But the gameplay really got me. I really didn't think it would, but 125 hours later, I knew I had been wrong. 😉
Personal gaming update
I think I'm reaching the end of Max Payne 3 , and I also really enjoy Gravity Rush , which is definitely a Vita game you just gotta try. It's a little tedious and even irritating but the fun factor and engrossing environment just keeps you coming back for more. I've also just started Resistance: Burning Skies ; review for that coming soon. In the meantime, feel free to check out that new interview with the game's composers.
Speaking of interviews, after writing that piece concerning the new "Demise of Guys" book , I reached out to the authors – Dr. Philip Zimbardo and psychologist Nikita Duncan – and they've agreed to answer some questions. I think most will be answered by Duncan as Zimbardo is out of the country, but anyway, if you have any questions concerning the topic, feel free to let me know.
