I'm playing Final Fantasy III for the DS right now and I have to say that I'm caught between two worlds. On one hand, the game is gorgeous and the visual design works for me, even the clunky looking menu system. On the other hand, the whole plot of the game is very juvenile. Maybe I'll get sucked into the world as I continue to grind at it, but I think I've become a bit of an RPG snob or something. Bioware's offerings (BG, KotOR, and Jade Empire) showed me a glimmer of how a story can motivate a player and make a game. FFIII (I realize it's a remake) just seems like one goofy, incapable person after another sending you on silly quests within a stylistically jaw-dropping world.
As I said, I'm impressed with the game so much visually that I'm sure I'll be able to digest its apparent narrative shortcomings. I've heard that these sorts of games start to win you over after 20 hours or so... and I'm only on my 4th hour. ;-)
If not, I have a copy of Hotel Dusk just sitting, waiting for me. I popped it in a few days ago at a time when my household was a little distracting and I was so impressed with the dialog and flavor, along with the masterful penciled art style, that I had to stop after 15 minutes and put the game away until I could play it with no distractions. I don't want anything to ruin the experience of what could possibly be the type of game that I've previously complained doesn't exist.
With what I've read regarding the game and experienced with it, young children will find this game boring... and I couldn't be happier. If games want to be taken seriously as an art form (or a medium of cultural importance), they need to stop with the plumber and mushroom crap and start creating mature dramas... that don't appeal to children.
It's so easy to get into a rant when you post on this site, isn't it? ;-)
As I said, I'm impressed with the game so much visually that I'm sure I'll be able to digest its apparent narrative shortcomings. I've heard that these sorts of games start to win you over after 20 hours or so... and I'm only on my 4th hour. ;-)
If not, I have a copy of Hotel Dusk just sitting, waiting for me. I popped it in a few days ago at a time when my household was a little distracting and I was so impressed with the dialog and flavor, along with the masterful penciled art style, that I had to stop after 15 minutes and put the game away until I could play it with no distractions. I don't want anything to ruin the experience of what could possibly be the type of game that I've previously complained doesn't exist.
With what I've read regarding the game and experienced with it, young children will find this game boring... and I couldn't be happier. If games want to be taken seriously as an art form (or a medium of cultural importance), they need to stop with the plumber and mushroom crap and start creating mature dramas... that don't appeal to children.
It's so easy to get into a rant when you post on this site, isn't it? ;-)