Wow! Praise the Son... we have reached the end of our journey together... (I see you back there! At least pretend to be sad!)
I would like to thank each one of you for taking the time to read my ramblings and to give me a chance to speak. That's all I ever asked for.
Especially from you non-gamers out there! To go out of your comfort zone and look at something completely foreign to you, I am impressed. If nothing else, I pray you were entertained and that you had fun! Sure, we entered into some pretty dark places, but hopefully you saw some beauty that you never saw before!
I gave you essentially all I could on the subject. As you can see, there is so much more than meets the eye with video games. And unfortunately, I have a confession to make:
All of this is already outdated...
Like all technological industries, video games evolve so quickly and are constantly changing. As soon as I feel like I have a grasp on the nature of video games, something comes along and throws a wrench into the entire equation. Then, I blink and everything looks completely different! Case in point, virtual reality machines like the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive were not out in stores when I started writing this blog. How does THAT fit into all this?!?
That's why there needs to be a discussion. I don't have all the answers, and there is always more research to be done. I mean, we have thousands of years of Christological doctrine that can help shed light and make us wiser. In order to be as faithful as possible to Christ and His mission, we need help...
I need help...
So now I pass the torch. It is up to you whether you wish to continue the discussion (and it won't always be a pleasant discussion). OR if you wish to take this and apply it elsewhere, then by all means!
Now, I very much realize all the chaos that is going on in the world as this blog was being written. I also very much realize how petty something like analyzing video games in a time like this may seem to you. Even I felt guilty for posting this stuff when there are more important things to talk about.
But is that not the beauty of it? Think about it. As irrelevant as games are in the grand scheme of things, Christ is still present! Just imagine how He shows up elsewhere! The possibilities are endless! You just have to look!
And I pray that fact--no matter where you find yourself--is encouraging and comforting to you. A good and holy God is near you!
On the off-chance that you would like to try video games after reading this but are too afraid of its learning curve, then fear not! I have compiled a list of ten games that are user-friendly and that are, in my opinion, good starting points to get a feel for all the different types of games.
These are by no means definitive. If you google good games for newcomers, you get an array of different answers. The ones I chose are games that I have played and can vouch as having a lower barrier-to-entry than some of the ones mentioned throughout the blog. Not only that, but I have found these games to be fun and highly replayable.
I have decided to stick with computer games, as the chances of non-gamers having a console are slim, at best. You can get all of these on Steam, a gaming platform that runs all of these games and many more. Most of these are also available for Mac as well, so you're excuses are running thin!
I would like to thank each one of you for taking the time to read my ramblings and to give me a chance to speak. That's all I ever asked for.
Especially from you non-gamers out there! To go out of your comfort zone and look at something completely foreign to you, I am impressed. If nothing else, I pray you were entertained and that you had fun! Sure, we entered into some pretty dark places, but hopefully you saw some beauty that you never saw before!
I gave you essentially all I could on the subject. As you can see, there is so much more than meets the eye with video games. And unfortunately, I have a confession to make:
All of this is already outdated...
Like all technological industries, video games evolve so quickly and are constantly changing. As soon as I feel like I have a grasp on the nature of video games, something comes along and throws a wrench into the entire equation. Then, I blink and everything looks completely different! Case in point, virtual reality machines like the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive were not out in stores when I started writing this blog. How does THAT fit into all this?!?
That's why there needs to be a discussion. I don't have all the answers, and there is always more research to be done. I mean, we have thousands of years of Christological doctrine that can help shed light and make us wiser. In order to be as faithful as possible to Christ and His mission, we need help...
I need help...
So now I pass the torch. It is up to you whether you wish to continue the discussion (and it won't always be a pleasant discussion). OR if you wish to take this and apply it elsewhere, then by all means!
Now, I very much realize all the chaos that is going on in the world as this blog was being written. I also very much realize how petty something like analyzing video games in a time like this may seem to you. Even I felt guilty for posting this stuff when there are more important things to talk about.
But is that not the beauty of it? Think about it. As irrelevant as games are in the grand scheme of things, Christ is still present! Just imagine how He shows up elsewhere! The possibilities are endless! You just have to look!
And I pray that fact--no matter where you find yourself--is encouraging and comforting to you. A good and holy God is near you!
On the off-chance that you would like to try video games after reading this but are too afraid of its learning curve, then fear not! I have compiled a list of ten games that are user-friendly and that are, in my opinion, good starting points to get a feel for all the different types of games.
These are by no means definitive. If you google good games for newcomers, you get an array of different answers. The ones I chose are games that I have played and can vouch as having a lower barrier-to-entry than some of the ones mentioned throughout the blog. Not only that, but I have found these games to be fun and highly replayable.
I have decided to stick with computer games, as the chances of non-gamers having a console are slim, at best. You can get all of these on Steam, a gaming platform that runs all of these games and many more. Most of these are also available for Mac as well, so you're excuses are running thin!
http://store.steampowered.com/
The Stanley Parable (PC and Mac) -- This game is hilarious! It is a very simple and short game. The premise is that no one but you showed up to work. There is no combat, no puzzles, nothing like that. It is mainly you walking around and having the "story" unfold. This game is a great starting point in showing how interactivity works in a game. You'll have to play through it multiple times to get the full experience! Did I mention that it's hilarious?
Five Nights at Freddy's (Only for PC) -- I'm going to get a lot of flak for this, but this game is also a good starting point, especially for you horror fans out there. Your character is confined to one room and your sole objective is to survive until 6am for five nights. It has a simple premise and control scheme (as it is basically just you clicking things in the room), but it certainly has challenging moments. I know many Christians who abstain from horror because of all the blood, gore, and demonic possessions that plague the genre. Fear not, this game has none of that. Plus, this game is a ton of fun if you have someone in the room with you. It is good "social horror."
Portal (PC and Mac) -- Earlier, I said that googling what games are good for newcomers gives you many diverse opinions. Well, on many of these lists, Portal was the one most often mentioned. It is a puzzle game based on portals (you go through A and you come out B). The game is mysterious and funny all around. You know how you often quote funny lines from movies? Well, you will probably do that with this game. THE CAKE IS A LIE!!!!!
Rocket League (Only PC) -- It's soccer...with cars. But it's fun! It can actually become quite technical and intricate (it has its own professional league), but the general premise is incredibly simple. Win or lose, it is a fun game with friends. Just do not be surprised to see someone completely dominate every once in a while. Some of the shots on goal are just insane!
Trine (PC and Mac) -- This is a fun, little fantasy game. It has a very storybook kind of vibe to it. If you like fantasy, knights, magic, etc. then this is a fun game to play. I haven't actually finished this game yet (my computer is old and shoddy), but I've really enjoyed the time I put into it. This game is great for newcomers partly because it is a "side-scroller," meaning that it is kind of like the old Mario games. It is two-dimensional and you go from left to right. The puzzles make you think but are not overly challenging, the game is very forgiving but not in a bad way, and the story is fun and interesting (from what I have experienced). It also happens to be on sale quite a few times throughout the year, so it is very possible to get it for less than five bucks fairly easily.
Valiant Hearts (PC, iPad, Android, and iPhone) -- I love this game! There is so much heart to it. Plus, it is very educational! The game follows several fictional soldiers throughout World War I and tells their story in a very impactful way. Almost everyone I know has either cried or got a lump in their throat at the end! It is very similar to Trine--minus the medieval fantasy part, of course. It is a "side-scroller" with puzzles and a little bit of combat. It is very easy to jump into and play!
Mark of the Ninja (PC and Mac) -- This, too, is a "side-scroller," but it stands out because it is all about stealth! I have always loved stealth games and this game, I feel, is a great introduction to the genre. You have to worry about concealment, how much sound you are making, the gadgets available to you, things of that sort. Nonetheless, the controls are very basic and easy to understand. Granted, it will be more challenging than the other "side-scrollers" at first, but it is fair and it is very rewarding once you get the hang of it. Plus, you are a ninja, and that is always fun!
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (PC, Mac, iPad, and even iPhone!) -- Even though I hold KOTOR 2 as my all-time favorite game, KOTOR 1 is also very close to the top! Its story is absolutely fantastic and a worthy edition to the Star Wars mythos. However, this game is fully 3D. You will have to walk around and travel across different planets. That being said, the first planet, Taris, is confusing for most people (helpful tip: if you are confused on Taris, find a way to keep going down. You start in the Upper City and you need to find a way through the Lower City and the Undercity. The story will flesh itself out). However, as far as "roleplaying games" (RPG) go, I feel KOTOR is one of the more basic ones out there. You may feel overwhelmed at first, but everything in this game makes more sense the more you play it. It is very forgiving as well, so don't be afraid to experiment (just be sure to save your game often)!
Age of Empires II: HD (PC Only) -- This is a game I grew up with! I played it a ton in Elementary School! They recently made an HD version, but I haven't bought it yet, so I am solely speaking out of nostalgia. This game is unlike any other game mentioned on this list. Its genre is called, "real-time strategy," or RTS for short. The game has you gather resources, build a base, train an army, and attack someone else. There's a lot of strategy to it, but the tutorial is made well and the computers have lots of difficulties, allowing for a wide range of skill sets. It also has a story mode, but I honestly do not remember anything from it, so you are on your own there. In terms of the base building, it is somewhat similar to the hit mobile game Clash of Clans (but without the long wait times and microtransactions). Like KOTOR, you just have to experiment a little bit. If you like strategy and management, then Age of Empires is a great RTS to start and learn on, in my opinion!
Batman: Arkham Asylum (PC and Mac) -- When this game first came up, I scoffed at the idea of recommending it, but as I thought about it more and more, it might be a good beginner game. Or at least a game that bridges the gap between what is listed here and everything else that is out there. I do recommend playing a few of the other games listed above first, though, just to be on the safe side (especially Mark of the Ninja, so you get a feel for how stealth generally works). I mean, who would not want to run around as Batman?! You've seen him in all the movies, cartoons, and comics, but video games allow you to jump into his shoes (and this game is THE quintessential Batman experience)! You get to use tons of cool gadgets and can traverse the land fairly easily. The story is pretty good, too. The combat can look confusing, but it's really not. It mainly revolves around two sets of moves. One is 'punch' and the other is 'dodge'. All you do is simply push the 'punch' button repeatedly until an enemy's head flashes (meaning that they are about to attack). When that happens, push the dodge button and immediately go back to punching. In other words, the game will look more confusing than it is, because deep down, it is simple at heart. There is a bit more of a learning curve I'd say, but...you're Batman! It's worth the effort!
Well, that's it! Congratulations! Achievement Unlocked! Game Over!
Remember to check out my tiny contribution in Kevin Schut's book Of Games & God: A Christian Exploration of Video Games. Chapter 9, page 164. Look for the snippet regarding Dragon Age. If you are not looking for it, YOU WILL MISS IT!!
Thank you again, my brothers and sisters, for your patience and time! I would also like to thank the people who were willing to read this before I posted it and who gave feedback.
"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen" (Jude 24-25, ESV).
Grace and peace,
Trent
Remember to check out my tiny contribution in Kevin Schut's book Of Games & God: A Christian Exploration of Video Games. Chapter 9, page 164. Look for the snippet regarding Dragon Age. If you are not looking for it, YOU WILL MISS IT!!
Thank you again, my brothers and sisters, for your patience and time! I would also like to thank the people who were willing to read this before I posted it and who gave feedback.
"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen" (Jude 24-25, ESV).
Grace and peace,
Trent