Takayoshi Sato Interview
It’s not in my habit for me to link to other blogs or sites, as a way to propagate news or otherwise irrelevant pieces of information on the videogame media landscape. I simply assume people who take an interest in my blog have access to the same information as I have, and are smart enough to select their own dose of internet dailies. However, sometimes one must break his own rules, and this is that day for me. As you may or may not have noticed, I nurture a big reverence towards “Silent Hill”, a series of games which I believe to be mostly unmatched in the History of games, for the complexity of its human dilemmas, its brilliant aesthetic background, and its success as an interactive work. My dear, dear friend Dieubussy [who besides being someone I hold dear, is, hands down, the most cultured, knowledgeable individual that I have ever met, when it comes to video-game's history and art (and many other areas)] has had the pleasure of interviewing one of the geniuses behind the “Silent Hill” series, Takayoshi Sato (CG director and director of “Silent Hill 2″). Read the interview, in English, here, it’s probably the best advise I have ever given in this blog.
A Side-note on the New FFXIII Trailer
A small provocation for the RPG lovers who still have high expectations towards “FFXIII”. This is a slightly altered translation of a rant e-mail I’ve just sent to a dear friend of mine who loves the series. Just watch the trailer (found here) and then read. It’s not to be taken dead seriously, as I am being sarcastic, but I think my point is pretty clear.
“Notice the frenetic rhythm, adorned by the tempo of hollywodesque action cinematography – shooting guns and thunderous explosions blazing – calling forth a memory much closer to that of a Bruckheimer or Michael Bay production than the melancholic tone we’ve come to associate with the series (remember, for example, the destruction of the world in “FFVI”, Aeris’ death in “VII” and the love story in “VIII”). The over-blown mise-en-scéne, excessively replicating fantasy clichés – all things made pretty and shiny, brimming with naiveté (including the “Star Wars-like” big evil empire), and the absurd focus on expansive, idyllic landscapes – not to mention the saccharine, happy-feely polish, of questionable taste, even for a longtime fan of the genre (nothing we wouldn’t expect from “FFX’s” co-author and “FFX-2’s” creator). Even character design follows the more basic Manga archetypes – the stylized haired heroine, the cool looking Afro with Colgate smile, the gorgeous “Brad I’m so blond Pitt” action hero, and the ever present sidekick, an anthropomorphized teddy bear made hyper-cute (special focus on his Bambi-like eyes) so that little girls can sigh profusely.
This is what passes for a “Final Fantasy” these days…”
New Year in Metagame
New Year, new rules. I’ve been pondering for some time now how I could improve my blog for the second year of its existence. Though I didn’t come to any sort of permanent conclusion, I have decided to make some minor changes. First, I have decided to refrain from grading games in every one of their expressive dimensions, I feel nobody gives them any importance (me included), and so they only become visual clutter in the endless sea of letters my reviews carry. Also, I will try to cut my reviews short – from what I’ve perceived, they are too big, and become somewhat tedious. Though I cannot vouch for my editing abilities, I will try to make my reviews as cohesive and coherent as possible in the future. Finally, I’d just like to say that last year’s analysis articles will start being posted soon, the best and worst of the year will be included. Thanks for reading… and Happy New Year.
Status Update – “Review the Reviewer”
It’s been 10 months since I launched my videogame blog. I feel that I’ve come a long way since I first started, both in my English writing skills as well as in my knowledge of the area. However, I still have a long way to go. As such, and even though this is mostly a personal experience for me, I think it would be interesting if readers out there would give an overall input on the blog, a chance for you to criticize me. I promise not to be offended, and I think that for the most part I won’t even try to defend myself. My goal is to know a little bit more about what you feel is right and wrong with my (re)views on games. Criticize harshly and complement lightly, for the first gives me knowledge to improve myself and the latter invites stagnation (though it makes me feel good with myself). Everything’s fair game for you to criticize, from my language skills, to the length of my posts, rate system, picture use, etc, etc, etc.
Thanks in advance.
We all make mistakes…
Since I’ve started the blog, I’ve been evaluating 5 aspects of games in the ratings. Namely: Plot, Art Design, Gameplay Mechanics, Level Design and Sound/Soundtrack.
I really haven’t explained these choices very well, and have been a victim of that fact. From now on, I’ll change Plot to Narrative, because most times, that is what I am really evaluating. In due time, I will update the “About Page” to fully encompass the reasons that led me to this change and these criteria.
Sorry for the change…
