To The Moon- Video Games As Art

I’m a sucker for a story told well in video games but very few games have compelling or emotionally resonant narratives. Often, if there is a story it’s ripped apart by the cognitive dissonance of being all emotive one second then blasting a random person in the face in the next (any FPS to be honest), or killing lots of people while being a chirpy, quippy guy (Nathan Drake, Lara Croft etc) It’s an issue that games are trying to work through but whilst they are there are the occasional gems that come out that just nail the narrative and ‘To The Moon’ is one of them. I won’t spoil it but it had me near tears at its end. The game is beautiful to look at too so check out some of the screen captures I took from my play through.

Man of Medan- Video Games As Art

Supermassive Games impressed me a few years ago with its narrative driven horror tropes game, Until Dawn. So when I heard that they’d started work on an anthology series and the first part, Man of Medan, was out I was interested.

You play as a group of friends who are kidnapped by pirates but escape onto a seemingly haunted World War II ship. Over the course of 3 to 4 hours you investigate the spooky goings on. It’s alright overall but falls short of its previous work as the characters aren’t very likable or relatable but that’s alright.

I played the game solo as I couldn’t find a pal to play on networked play but I don’t think it hindered the appeal of the game as an awkward game is an awkward game, but I do like the idea and hope they iterate on it for their next work, Little Hope. In the meantime, here’s screenshots from my playthrough.

Armored Warriors- Video Games As Art

Armored Warriors is a Capcom video game where you play as a mech, a giant robot with switchable arms, legs and weaponry. The game came out in 1994 and one its big brags was allowing up to 3 players to play at once. The game is gorgeous to look at fun to play and can be completed in under an hour. I played it by myself as my wife isn’t a gamer but I still enjoyed in solo play. Check out the gorgeous graphics below.

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy- Video Games As Art

The Uncharted series were the perfect blockbuster video games. Once I’d completed all 4 of the games (I haven’t played the portable one) it felt sad to be saying goodbye to Nathan Drake but also the right time for the series to be put to pasture to age gracefully. Uncharted 4 was epic but also felt overlong, especially during the looooong final act. However, having created a wonderful troupe of friends and enemies, the Uncharted franchise didn’t have to be shouldered by Drake anymore. The Lost Legacy builds on this premise by casting you as Chloe as you go on yet another treasure hunt. At about 12 hours completion time, this is more concise and I feel better paced than some of the bloated AAA games out there. Miss it at your peril. Just check out the gorgeous shots from my playthrough.

Call of Cthulhu- Video Games As Art

In these interesting times that we are living in, it’s easy to go dystopian and apocalyptic, thinking the end of the world is nigh! However, it shall all pass and we shall be the better for it. I prefer my brand of ‘end of days’ talk to be pure cosmicism; the sad realisation and existential dread that we humans are insignificant beings in the larger scheme of things with no power to change anything in the vast, indifferent universe that surrounds us. Yup, I’m a H.P. Lovecraft fan, not his racism or outdated and bigoted views on miscegenation of course which are problematic to say the least, but his horror writing. The concept that the protagonists in his stories never win as they face entities beyond their comprehension is thrilling and the ‘Call of Cthulhu’ video game taps into that. It’s a AA game (like a B-Movie but a video game in that it’s not quote ‘indie’ but not a heavy hitter either) and in this game the story is king. It’s a weird tale of an island, a mysterious fire, cults and Cthulhu… of course, Cthulhu. At about 10 hours the game doesn’t stick around but it is interesting and the story will keep you intrigued until the end. Check out screenshots from my play through.

Spiderman- Video Games As Art

As the lockdown continues my video game pile of shame is slowly whittling down. I’ve just finished Spiderman on the PlayStation. At about 20 or so hours, the game is not crazy long if you critical path it but there are lots of side missions a la Assassins Creed, where icons splooge all over the screen.

The game picks up eight years after Peter Parker gains his power and throws you in the deep end as the Kingpin is taken to prison and a new gang is trying to take over his turf. The game is beautiful and the storyline is intriguing. Check out the pictures from my playthrough.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider- Video Games As Art

With the Coronavirus putting pretty much most of the world in some form of lockdown, I’ve finally been able to work through my video game pile of shame. In this time I’ve finished A Plagues Tale: Innocence, Knights and Bikes and Panzer Dragoon. Next on the list to work through was Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the final part of the rebooted series which started with Tomb Raider (the 2013 one- in no way confusing with the original Tomb Raider from the mid-90’s) and Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), both of which I played and completed.

Shadow is a very pretty game and a rip-roaring adventure to boot but its po-faced seriousness grated on me after a while. However, it was a well spent 25 hours or so and a fitting conclusion to the ‘origins’ of Lara Croft… well, until the next reboot. Check out the screenshots from my playthrough.

Panzer Dragoon- Video Games As Art

I never played the original Panzer Dragoon when it originally came out on the Sega Saturn back in 1995 but its unique art style and 360 degree shooting mechanic always appealed to me. The only experience I had with the series was with Orta on the original Xbox.

Now, 25 years after its release a remake has found its way on the Nintendo Switch and I was there for it on day 1. I purchased it straight away for about 20 GBP and even though I completed the game in just over an hour, it was well worth the money. I hope they release Zwei, Saga and Orta as I would buy them day 1 too. Don’t sleep on this one guys, it’s great!

A Plague Tale: Innocence- Video Games As Art

We live in interesting times, what with the Coronavirus and lockdown of over a quarter of the worlds population. So, what to do? Why, play a video game to take me to another world and think of something else! So, A Plague Tale: Innocence is about a plague that is running rampant and destroying society, just the pick me up I need in these scary times.

The game is visually stunning and storyline intriguing. I like the stealth-based gameplay and the characterisation is great too. This game is well worth a play and at about 10 hours, doesn’t take up all your time.

Sea of Solitude- Video Games As Art

Sea of Solitude is an artistically impressive but poorly scripted and voice acted adventure game in which you play the role of a young girl called Kay. She journeys through a strange landscape that changes to black as feeling of loneliness, hopelessness, anger and worthlessness threaten to overwhelm her and she becomes a monster. To atone for her past selfish ways, she tries to right past wrongs by solving simple platforming puzzles. The game is similar to Rime, and much like that game, lacks the heart and soul of similar titles like Journey, Abzu or Ico. Saying that however, it is worth a play to enjoy the stunning art and at 6 hours or so, the game doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Sayonara Wild Hearts- Video Games As Art

Simigo has a pretty flawless record in my opinion, making interesting and boundary pushing games such as Year Walk, Device 6 and The Sailors Dream on iOS. So when they said they were making a new multi-platform console game, citing inspirations like Akira, Charli XCX and Sailor Moon, I gotta say that I was intrigued and my curiosity was piqued.

Sayonara Wild Hearts is a concept album video game based on modern interpretations of classical pieces as well as original pop music, set against a game where you run, drive and dance your way through the stunningly artistically neon hot pink and vibrant purple  world.

It's a hypnotically euphoric, synaesthetic experience but more than that, it has an emotional core all through it. The music and visuals combine in spectacular fashion to make something visually and sonically unique, much like Rez but also with elements of peak Sega arcade with influences including Outrun, After Burner and Super Hang-On. Sayonara Wild Hearts is stunning in motion and the screen shots I captured in my playthrough don't do the game justice. The game is 'over' in about an hour but what an hour of pure joy. I believe I was grinning from ear to ear during the entire time. Seriously, play the game as it is so deserving of your time and money. This is one of my favourite games of 2019.

Katana Zero- Video Games As Art

Katana Zero is a super stylish pixel art hack and slash platformer. The game casts you as a bathrobe wearing modern day samurai who is given targets by his handler but the drugs that give you time manipulation powers may have side-effects that may be unravelling your mind… quelle suprise! It’s all gritty, dark stuff and the gameplay can often be brutal but with the thumping electro-pop music and almost instantaneous chance to try again, it is well worth the 7 to 8 hours of play. Check out screenshots from my play through!

Battle Circuit- Video Games As Art

Working through my play through of the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle I came across Battle Circuit , an arcade side-scrolling beat-em-up developed by Capcom. The game was released in arcade in 1997 and was the last of its type released in arcades as their popularity waned. In the game you play as one of 5 bounty hunters charged with getting rid of intergalactic rogues and villains. The game looks gorgeous, plays well and has witty banter-y dialogue, which I appreciated. It was one of the best games in the bundle and I appreciated its manga art style and bright colour palette. Check out some screenshots from my play through.

Forgotton Anne- Video Games As Art

For many years, gamers used to say “It looks like you’re controlling a cartoon” but that was for games like Aladdin or Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse on the Megadrive, which were beautifully crafted but by no means cartoons you controlled . Obviously, as the years have passed this has changed and there have been games that are literal cartoons that you control, like Cuphead, but Forgotten Anne is a true cinematic adventure. You play as Anne, an ‘enforcer’ who keeps order in the ‘Forgotton Lands’ where lost objects gain sentience. She is tasked with bringing down a rebellion but all is not as it seems as political intrigue comes into play.

The game is a short 5 to 6 hour experience but is beautifully animated with a cel animated aesthetic. The puzzles are light and generally easy but the journey is one well worth taking. Check out screenshots from my gameplay below.

Warriors of Fate- Video Games As Art

So, ploughing through the Capcom Beat’em Up Collection I came across Warriors of Fate, a title I was unfamiliar with. Warriors of Fate is based on the historic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms which was written in the 14th century but set nearly 2000 years ago.

The game is typical Capcom beat’em up fare but it does have a few novel ideas such as the introduction of a war horse which provides elevation and a sort of shield status and up to three players can play at once, but with my wife not being a gamer I played solo like a saddo. It’s a good looking game with some anime style art but not extraordinary by any means.

Celebrating Video Games As Art

I’ve been playing video games for as long as I can remember and being 39 years old, that’s a long time! I’ve been saying for years that video games are an art form. In the same way that not all music, films or books are ‘high art’, not all video game are high art but they are art.

Over the years I’ve created quite a portfolio of video game captures from my gameplay and today marks my 50th game. To celebrate I’ve put 50 of my favourite images that I’ve created into a gallery. Sit back and enjoy!

Lara Croft GO!- Video Games As Art

Lara Croft Go! is a beautifully gentle puzzle-box of a game and a quietly contemplative adventure. Through an isometric view, you control Lara as you explore ancient ruins and solve the mystery of the Queen of Venom. The muted pastel colours, calming music and slower paced gameplay is well worth the price of entry. Check out images from my play-through below!

The King of Dragons- Video Games As Art

Continuing my play through of the Capcom Beat’em Ups Collection I happened upon The King of Dragons. The game is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up video game by Capcom that allows players to choose from five characters (an Elf, Wizard, Fighter, Cleric, and Dwarf) in order to travel through the kingdom of Malus and defeat the monsters that have taken over, as well as their leader, the red dragon Gildiss.

The game is great and I loved the fact that as you progress with different characters their powers upgrade. I chose each character in my playthrough and settled on the Wizard as he had reach.

Final Fight- Video Games As Art

I recently purchased the Capcom Beat-em Up Collection and my first port of call was Final Fight.

Final Fight is a stone cold classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up game that was originally released as an arcade game in 1989. I remember playing it at Heathrow Airport whilst waiting for relations to land and as a result, never completed the game. Playing the collection I now had a chance to beat the game and with the infinite credits available, I did. This game is a coin guzzler and I’m glad I didn’t spend my life savings in my youth.

The Unfinished Swan- Video Games As Art

The Unfinished Swan came out for the PlayStation 3 several years ago but I only recently got it on the PS4 and boy is it a unique and satisfying experience. You control a child who has a magic paintbrush and you make the scenery come alive by throwing splashes of black paint around. This creates a stunning visual experience as the world appears in front of you slowly. I loved this short 2 hour experience and think that there is definitely space for video games like this in the gaming landscape.

Check out some of my screenshots.