This was born from an argument with my friend were he believed that gaming was not as "productive" or "meaningful" as reading a book. Granted he conceded that film, TV and gaming are all on the same level, but the concept of a book - more specifically a work of fiction - and a game being the same thing was an alien to him. We argued back and forth and finally he comes out with the line "but has a game ever moved you?"
This got me thinking. I'm only 19 but I have played quite a lot of games. Across the genres and the consoles and from indie to AAA. What bothered me was that I could only think of a handful of games that had evoked a meaningful feeling in me. I'm not talking about the brief joy of bagging a head shot or solving that really difficult puzzle, or even the joy from moulding a character to your play style. Real emotions. The kind that - as I was acutely aware of when it was said - are found at the end of a really good book, or in a film, or even sometimes in a TV program.
My handful were:
-Portal (Deep feeling of pure joy as Still Alive played)
-Portal 2 (Broad grin spreads across my face as the end credits roll)
-Grim Fandango (Sat back in my chair, dazed wonder at the completion of this masterpiece)
Now that doesn't seem right to me. I enjoy gaming, I love it. Why then, can I not find a deeper connection with my medium? I am overjoyed to hear news of gaming being excepted as an art form and taking great strides out of obscurity and into the limelight. But it hasn't quite reached me yet. So I was wondering - what games moved you guys? I'd like to think that I've missed out on a wealth of great experiences in gaming and this place is always a good one to come to for advice.
In the lull before the Autumn releases I don't have much to play so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I want something more than just enjoyment. I want to be moved.
This got me thinking. I'm only 19 but I have played quite a lot of games. Across the genres and the consoles and from indie to AAA. What bothered me was that I could only think of a handful of games that had evoked a meaningful feeling in me. I'm not talking about the brief joy of bagging a head shot or solving that really difficult puzzle, or even the joy from moulding a character to your play style. Real emotions. The kind that - as I was acutely aware of when it was said - are found at the end of a really good book, or in a film, or even sometimes in a TV program.
My handful were:
-Portal (Deep feeling of pure joy as Still Alive played)
-Portal 2 (Broad grin spreads across my face as the end credits roll)
-Grim Fandango (Sat back in my chair, dazed wonder at the completion of this masterpiece)
Now that doesn't seem right to me. I enjoy gaming, I love it. Why then, can I not find a deeper connection with my medium? I am overjoyed to hear news of gaming being excepted as an art form and taking great strides out of obscurity and into the limelight. But it hasn't quite reached me yet. So I was wondering - what games moved you guys? I'd like to think that I've missed out on a wealth of great experiences in gaming and this place is always a good one to come to for advice.
In the lull before the Autumn releases I don't have much to play so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I want something more than just enjoyment. I want to be moved.
