Sad weeks for video games. I keep realizing nothing ever changes for the better in this land. When “Heavy Rain” hit, and I  started to see its value, I foolishly considered it would be a great banner for a different sort of ‘video game’. But whilst there seems to be a general adherence to the game, critics have been reluctant to give merit to Cage. I mean, “Heavy Rain” commits many sins, sure – interactive narrative, less-than-perfect voice-acting, over indulgence in Q.T.E.’s and cutscenes -, but it strives at something more, something else, and does that while remaining immensely accessible and fun for everyone, including these pseudo critics who live out of praising games that sell well no matter what. Some love for a game that is different, would be reassuring that there was  still some hope. But no, no luck there. “Heavy Rain’s” average meta-critic is decent, though on par with that of “Bioshock 2” (go figure), and all the columns I’ve read are flaring out against the game [see this and this]. “Deadly Premonition”, an off-beat “Twin Peaks” inspired, crazy japanese horror game, also got the heat from western press, (here and here) and if that wasn’t enough, today, the company behind “Hotel Dusk” is filling for bankrupcy, and you confirm the notion that even those simple, conventional, but still interesting games don’t have much space to live in this industry. Ah well, I’ve heard it was Oscar season, so maybe I should go catch up on film, see how they’re doin over there.

P.S. I forgot to mention, but the new “Tomb Raider” is a downloadable, co-op, isometric action adventure game… God, I love video games!