Jett: The Far Shore- Videogames As Art

Over the past month I’ve been working my way through gaming pile of shame, you know, the pile of stuff you want to work your way through but may never have the time to actually do. Just before Christmas, my family and I were isolating as we had fallen like dominoes to Covid. We’d been through lockdown like everyone else but this was the first time that we had tested positive and so had to isolate.

It was a challenge to keep the kids busy and engaged with activities away from Netflix and also to keep myself active. I’d used the time to read loads and, in the evening whilst everyone is sleeping, play videogames. I’d been working my way through 80 Days on the Switch and Final Fantasy VII Remake on the PS4, however I have a sense of gaming overwhelm as I had a huge pile of games to work through and bought some more in the Nintendo e-sale which occurred just after Christmas. So what, you may think? Well, I managed to snag a PS5 but haven’t even got around to setting that up or buying any new games. I’ve decided to wait until I’ve finished a few more games before buying any more as my guilt overwhelms me and I feel that I should complete what I already have before buying any more.

The new games out there sound amazing and I can’t wait to play Deathloop, Returnal and many more ‘must play’ titles but I want to complete the last few games I’ve downloaded onto my PS4 before moving on. This bring me to Jett: The Far Shore by Superbrothers and Pine Scented. I loved Swords and Sworcery (as you can probably tell by the aesthetics of this website) and the idea of the new game by the same guy excited me. I read the book about the game and learned about the imposter syndrome he suffered and saw the so-so Metacritic rating but that didn’t deter me; I went all in and bought the game on sale.

I recently finished Jett and boy was it an intriguing game that reached for the stars but sputtered before reaching orbit. It had high aspirations but failed ultimately due to fiddly controls and poor way-pointing, which meant hours of time lost figuring out what to do. I don’t need hand holding but I like games that respect my time and I didn’t always feel this did. However, with this monkey off my back I’m hoping to finally crack open the PS5 later this week and finally jump into Astro’s Playroom and Miles Morales.

The Far Shore- Book Review

I started this website in 2013 for a couple of reason, to show my passion for video games and share my thought but also to move the conversation forward on gaming culture. I found that often there was a culture of insularity among many gaming sites, often only covering the big titles. I wanted to cover the weird, quirky, strange and fringe games from the view of an educationalist, a teacher, as I think some games can be a contextual hub for learning. In that vein, I've read (and reviewed) several books about videogames and the creative process and they've given me great insight into the medium.

The book clocks in at under 200 pages but is wonderfully informative and candid.

The Far Shore intrigued me as it is written by an author, Adam Hammond, who is a lecturer, in his day job and doesn't really play videogames much but was interested in Swords and Sworcery. By looking at videogames from an outsiders perspective, Hammond offers keen insight into what motivates Superbrothers (Craig D. Adams) into making games and it isn't hipster like coolness but rather a fight against the 'bloated cross-media confections' which make many AAA games clogged down with awkward cutscenes, cringey dialogue, obtuse menus and systems and patronising tutorials. Hammond discusses how videogames are similar to operas in that they are both a combination of different media merging to make something new.

He discusses how this high minded conversation had Adams consider how art can change the world and it was this belief that led to the creation of Superbrothers and the pixel art form that pervaded advertising and music videos. He got a taste of the ephemeral pop culture ether and sought to change it.

What follows is a great biography about Superbrothers, the creative process and the self-doubt that follows after making such a wildly popular, avant-garde multi-million selling game. As well as the financial and commercial freedom gained from the success of the game and game garnered near universal praise however, there was a small backlash from some calling it too hipster and cool. Adams found he had something of the imposter syndrome but I believe (as did many reviewers and fans) that it was an earnest game with a veneer of cool but the central heroes journey theme is universal. Adams seemed to take this to heart and so his next game would be the polar opposite of Swords; no pixels, no hipster language and a more conventional game. It would be a sci-fi game that would provide otherworldly escapism and hopeful optimism for the future.

Adams' love for Star Trek is obvious as he discusses how back in the day we had visions filled with undimmed optimism; we dreamt of gleaming glass spires, flying cars, natty silver or velour one pieces, world peace, robot maids named Rosie and off-world travel. Now all we see represented of the future in mainstream media is a dystopian misery as Terminator robots take over the planet, zombie hoards proliferate as small bands of humans eke out a living in a resource diminished Earth and humans vie for glory via violent games after cataclysmic climate collapse. Bleak times indeed supported by the popular circumambient (prevailing or common) narrative- It's difficult to dream of a bright optimistic future as the current common story is antithetical to this. He wanted to create a game that showed an optimistic view of the world and had heart and was earnest and true.

Hammond also discusses the indie boom (2007 to 2012) and Indie-pocalypse 2013-18) that occurred when Steam opened the floodgates to asset flips whilst also democratising gaming through resources like Unity, Twine and Game Maker etc. He also discusses #Gamergate and the terrible after-effects of this reckoning of the medium where many 'gamers' in their 'safe space' didn't like the disparate voices now being heard in their power fantasies. Adams discusses his views on this and states that he had a singular vision and, even though he knew Jett would be a boutique-y experience that wouldn't appeal to all or even the mainstream, he wants the punk Riot Grrrl freedom to create what he wanted to create. However, with funds running low and expertise needed a console exclusivity deal with Sony in 2019 shored up funds and ensured that the game would get over the finish line. With the rise of the Epic Store, Google Stadia, Apple Arcade and console exclusivity at an all time high, Jett was optimistically released when AAA games and indies were happily sitting side by side as part of the online store ecosystem. This was the second indie boom and Jett benefitted.

I read the entire book within a day- perfect for when the weather was terrible over Christmas.

The book ends with Hammond offering a truthful and honest evaluation of a game; a game that reaches for the stars but doesn't quite reach there. It is a modernist allegory that tackles themes such as climate catastrophe and colonialism but its gameplay can be clunky and the exposition heavy. This is reflected in the reviews which are mixed with a Metacritic score of 68% and a user score of 70% (as of 2nd Jan 2022).

Overall, this is a fascinating and illuminating book that looks at the creative process of making videogames, the problems that can arise but also the aspiration of creating something that says something. I haven't played the game yet but will do later this week as I have just finished a game in my ‘pile of shame’. I like the discourse and long-form writing around videogames as they offer insight into this relatively new medium and this book has been a great primer to explain the highs and lows of making games.

Those Little Moments in Games

Many games nowadays are about spectacle, those amazingly honed set pieces that wouldn't look out of place in a Hollywood production. But what about those quiet more contemplative moments in games, moments that stay with you long after the end credits roll? Well I'm sure we all have them but these are some of my favourites in no particular order. If you can think of some more let me know. Oh and BTW Spoilers alert!

Red Dead Redemption- John Marston entering Mexico to that Jose Gonzales track. When I played the game the sun was slowly setting in the horizon and I had my horse at a gentle gallop to take in the beautiful scenery.

 

Superbrothers Swords and Sworcery- This game has many moments like sitting at the Moon Grotto or going to the Concert in the Woods but for me the ending as you float down the stream dead sticks out. Perhaps it would have been insincere to have the Sythian survive her wofeul erand.

 

Fallout 3- This is one of the most breathtaking moment I have ever experienced in a game. You open the vault door and with the sun blinding you, your eyes adjust to the light. Then you look out and you see the Washington Monument with huge chunks missing and the Capitol Building with part of the dome caved in- you realise just how fragile the world really is...


Assassins Creed 2- It's a-me Mario! Nuff said.

 

Ico- In a game about friendship and love the moment that most sticks with me is sitting down with Yorda. A moment of respite and peace in a hostile world.

 

Bioshock Infinite- This game upped the ante from the original Bioshock. The opening when you ascend into the sky and enter Columbia will stick with me for a long time. The scene with the candles and baptism is really spellbinding.


Journey- This game is full of moments but the ending where you die, just before reaching the mountains zenith is heartbreaking. However the journey is not over, you come back and travel the world as a spirit- this game is transcendant!

 

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons- This game is beautiful to look at, rather like those strange Eastern Block country animations and Jim Henson's The Storyteller style art prevalent in the late 70's and early 80's in particular. The ending is a real heartwrencher, I completed this game with my cousin and we both sat there in shock and full of despair. Get the tissues ready!

 

Final Fantasy 6- The opera scene where Celes poses as the Opera singer Maria and turns in a legendary performance. At the time this blew my mind!

 

Links Awakening- The Windfish waking up is a masterpiece on the Gameboy. This is one of my favourite Zelda moments of all time!

 

Monument Valley- In Monument Valley you'll guide Ida, the silent princess, through many levels that are filled with optical illusions, mysterious Crow people and more. You are all alone in this hostile world until you befriend a totem, then he dies.... slowly... in front of your eyes. Gaaaah the feels, the feels!

 

Proteus- This whole game is beautiful and full of wonderful imagery but I particularly remember the sunsets. Magical. In the video it starts at 12 minutes)


Okami- This is one of the most beautiful and underappreciated games of all time. The art style is unique and will never age but the thing that sticks with me is the marraige of the visuals to the sound, especially when the world is in bloom.

 

Thomas Was Alone- This game has some wonderful dialogue but Level 7.9 has some of the most honest writing in gaming; "James still felt weird, but he realised that everyone else was too. They were a crew of weirdos." It's difficult to convey the humanity of this game, especially because everyone in it is a quadrilateral, but trust me, it will get to you and make you think about friendships,  relationships and your past and formative years. It's that good!


Deadly Premonition- Out of all the games this was the one that will stick with me forever due to the pure weirdness and brutality of the deaths. For those who don't know a homicidal maniac known as the 'Raincoat Killer' is murdering people ritualistically. there are many horrible deaths but this one of Becky Ames is tempered with moments of beauty as she becomes a Goddess. A twisted masterpiece that needs to be played, especially for those who are fans of Twin Peaks and David Lynch.

So these are the moments of gaming that will stick with me, not all are wonderfully cheerful but they do have a beauty to them that I like. So are there parts of a game that will stay with you?