An incidental post, partially written simply because I have been away enjoying the marvellous, wonderful calm of the English countryside this past week. Whilst other countries may boast more spectacular vistas, more photogenic countryside or more things to do than strap on a pair of walking boots and tramp across soil, rocks and grass, none can compare to the marvellous sense of life one gains from England. I’ll write more on it some other time, when I have consolidated my admiration into something phraseable.
Just now, I completed Braid, the marvellous little indie title that I was fawning over a few weeks ago. The ending was, I have to admit, riveting in an entirely nonsensical way. Reading through a fascinating analysis here, I’ve reinforced my ideas that Braid both demands and deserves the title of Art. To link together an entire theme into the game mechanic is a marvel: the main character is desperate to make up for past mistakes, so the game is a platformer – circumnavigating dangers – whilst rewinding time to correct mistakes you’ve made. I could not have developed something so clever and concise myself, but then again I am no games designer. I am a games writer, and am somewhat mercenary about that – I’ve been driven into games writing out of a sense of apathy about the diabolical standards of writing in almost every game ever released not made by Tim Schafer. But, again, a subject for another time.
Posted by geneharper 