First off; my sincere apologies for the lateness of a new
post on the SJBMCPRS Report, it’s not that I didn’t want to write/type up a new
post. The reality is, is that while it would easy to share how volcano-erupting
infuriated I can get when it’s the summer season, the weather is hot, sunny and
there are far too many people about; that’s all my posts would contain and
sometimes I’m too antagonised to create a post. So my method for stalling on
this post was to wait until I had more to express and therefore more material
for this long-awaited post. So; with this explained, it’s about time to talk
about my recent experiences with nostalgia.
As it stands on the day of this post being uploaded (8th
of September 2015), it is one (1) day after the 7th of September and
I have turned twenty-six (26) years old. I am 365 days older then I was when it
was the 7th of September in 2014 and therefore 365 grains of sand in
the hourglass of my life has passed on (picture a single grain of sand is the
equivalent to a day and an hourglass represents life, then you should
understand the reference if it wasn’t immeadiately clear). In other words I
draw closer to my inevitable demise and that are what a ‘birthday’ to me
represents, a milestone as it were to indicate the uncertain course and length
that is my life. Grim thinking isn’t it? Alas that’s the scope of my perception
when it comes to my birthday; gone are the days when a ‘birthday’ meant
something exciting and more innocent much like Christmas and childhood (and
trust me, my childhood was far more negative than it was positive). A time
besides Christmas where one asks for or expects a particular present or money;
is nowadays replaced where the money obtained on a ‘birthday’ is put straight
into a bank account to pay for bills, rent and shopping requirements such as
food and drink. Now it’s not all negative, it’s just that I’ve reached a point
where the ‘magic’ and ‘wonderment’ that used to be associated with ‘birthdays’
and so on is replaced with ‘maturity’ and ‘responsibility’.
Admittedly I reached that point several years ago, but as
the ‘birthdays’ come and go with each year, the more aware I became that I
enjoy the ‘company’ of friends, family and people in general less and less
because on a day that is supposed to be enjoyed and cherished; my perception is
that its “another day that involves expenses” and I don’t care for when its “my
day” or about myself in general. Therefore it’s really tedious and personally
irritating when people wish me a “happy birthday” and give me a card, their
best wishes and presents because I am mentally beyond the notion which seems
childish (but not entirely meaningless) to me and part of me expects those
people in my life to understand this due to the fact that the friends and
family I have are wiser about life as well and may have a more logical approach
to expenses. I’m not saying don’t do it
because if you really, really want to then that’s your decision and that’s
acceptable. What I’m implying is don’t serenade me about “oh but it’s your
birthday” or “it’s Christmas”, because to me it’s just another day and when you
spend the money and effort on me, I will be thankful and grateful but at the
same time its expenses both mentally and financially that are used up (wastefully
in my opinion) on someone insignificant like me and therefore I perceive it as
a negative. I’m completely fine on spending the time, mentality and financial
expenses on the other people in my life when it comes to they’re ‘birthdays’
and Christmas because they’re lives are more significant and meaningful than
mine. I am the ‘beast without beauty’ or the World’s nemesis after all so it
would be better if this was accepted by friends and family and we move on.
And as I move on along the uncertain path that is not just
my life but the perception of life in a nutshell; there is something that comes
apparent with age besides the expected such as body disintegration. That
certain something is nostalgia, and it’s been something I have perceived in
different ways a lot since coming to terms with my independent living as it
were. I may have referred to nostalgia in previous posts but bear with me. During
the unbearable time known as the summer holidays where everybody comes out in
the sunshine and therefore obscure my direction and path; I have been turning
to the one (1) thing that I have been turning to for most of my life (so far)
when I need some stress relief and amusement that won’t slow me down with
technical issues (like my laptop) and that video games and consoles. Now like
anyone I have certain nostalgic memories which I can rely upon with the
perception that if utilised again would bring back pleasantness today just like
back when I was younger where the nostalgia is. So what I did was get a PlayStation
2 console and brought (cheaply) the games I liked the most back then such as
Tekken 5, Robot Wars Arenas of Destruction, Destruction Derby 2 (PS1 game),
Dino Crisis (PS1 game) and Vampire Night.
This is where my perception different in regards to certain
games and its significance on me back then and now. I am not going to lie and
say “the graphics hold up well” and that I can overlook certain aspects because
the reality is I have experienced more as I grew older and with that I’ve
become more aware of things. The games have for the most part aged badly and
the experience is not on par nowadays with the experiences I had years before.
But while graphics, presentation, and controls haven’t changed (and they won’t
change) and therefore acceptable given that these were products of their time;
I on the other hand have changed and the perception of something back then is
different to what it is now.
For example; I loved watching Robot Wars when I was younger
and my passion for it led me to create models out of K’NEX and host my own
championship tournaments with the models I made complete with sharp pieces of
metal and elastic bands against the official toys of the robots seen on the TV
series. My favourite robot was Mortis because it was different from other robots
at the time with its tank tracks and formidable axe weaponry which in the early
days really stood out against the robots with spikes as weapons. I liked the
robot Panic Attack and grew to respect the honesty of its driver Kim Davis. I
also liked Wheely Big Cheese, Wild Thing, Behemoth and Pussycat (especially the
bout where Pussycat wrecked Razer), and naturally as a fan of Robot Wars; I
owned and played various video game adaptations (the Xbox version ‘Robot Wars
Extreme Destruction’ is the one (1) I thought was the best that I played). But
now those days are gone and so too has the TV series I grew up with. Even
though I can still watch episodes on Sky TV and on the internet, it is simply
better to have known it back then when I was younger when all the things known
about it was from watching it, as opposed to watching now when I know far more
about what was going on behind the scenes, controversies and the ‘politics’
that went on. Back then when I was watching the second (2nd) wars; I
never questioned why Mortis was seeded no.2 when it didn’t get past the heat
final of the first (1st) war, but nowadays I question it because it
doesn’t make sense when there were clearly other robots that did better in the
tournament. It’s because of the robot was favoured so strongly to win the
second (2nd) wars that it was seeded no.2 and allowed to get away
with happenstances that other roboteers couldn’t such as the team behind the
robot Napalm which was downright unfair. While there are numerous other
instances that help ruin Robot Wars for me, it was the hateful decision to
allow the robot Tornado to compete for the championship in the sixth (6th)
wars against Razer with a blatantly unfair and deliberate ‘attachment’ that
ensured Tornado would win. The final straw for me was with the nature the
seventh (7th) wars was presented with constant breaks for TV adverts
and the way Craig Charles became repetitive when he was far more energetic and
amusing in earlier wars. That said I didn’t mind the performance and ‘lack of
knowledge’ of Jayne Middlemiss as the pit reporter and actually liked her in
that position and making the most of what was a bad situation with Robot Wars
being picked up by Channel 5 and everything that resulted because of it (I also
think it’s unfair to point blame at her because she wasn’t Philippa Forrester
and that’s where some of the nostalgia for other fans of Robot Wars was). The
fact is Robot Wars and what it meant to me earlier on in my life is ruined and
it’s an entity I cannot look back with pleasant nostalgia.
As for the PlayStation 2 game: Robot Wars Arenas of
Destruction; I can very easily ignore what ‘fun’ memories I had back then and
label the game as a “complete load of horrible s*** being forcefully poured
into my mouth as if it were the beer that was used to kill people in the “Heavy
Boots” episode of Ripper Street season three (3) mixed with liquidised piss
from the developers who made this rushed ton of trash of a video game!!!!”
Honestly look at it and experience it today and one can compare it to the
rushed and broken games of today like Assassins Creed Unity when it was
released.
Something real quick to add whilst talking about nostalgia;
I remember when I was far younger (six (6) years old at the time)watching DuckTales:
Treasure of the Lost Lamp, and recounting memories I have of particular parts
that stuck out the most from watching back then prompted me to watch the movie
again on Netflix a weeks ago. Honestly at the end of it all I could say is
“meh…”. I remember thinking it had a much more epic feel and better music and
sound effects when I was younger hence why parts like when Merlock transforms
the Money Bin into his fortress in the sky stuck out vividly. Having re-seen
the movie I find myself asking “why did those moments stick with me?” The
answer wasn’t conclusive but it’s clear that I remember it meaning more to me
back then as opposed to now because back then it was something ‘new’ and
something that I hadn’t seen. I suppose after a couple of years’ time (if I
make it that is) I won’t have the same kind of experience I have now of the
frightening acceleration and the game-changing puddles experienced in playing
the Forza Motorsport 6 demo…
Not everything however I got for the PlayStation 2 due to
nostalgic significance is terrible today; Tekken 5 is perhaps the best example
I have because while it’s not as fast-paced as later instalments of the Tekken
series, it is still my third (3rd) favourite Tekken game behind
Tekken 2 and my favourite Tekken Tag Tournament 2.
I will say that Dino Crisis is still a great game despite it
not scaring me like it did when I was younger and its apparent flaws that are
more noticeable with hindsight that weren’t as clear to me back then. I bring
up Dino Crisis in particular because now that Capcom developers have FINALLY
realised the potential revenue of bringing older games back under so-called
“remastering” efforts and are putting the ‘remastering’ effect to Resident Evil
Zero (0), as well as announcing a Resident Evil 2 ‘Remake’, there may yet be
potential for the Dino Crisis series to be revived sometime in the future.
Crazy thought: now that Hideo Kojima is ‘supposedly’
finished with the Metal Gear series and ‘done and split’ from Konami, wouldn’t
it be interesting to imagine what could be if the cancelled efforts of Silent
Hills went on to producing a remake of the original Dino Crisis?
…But as I implied with the paragraph about Robot Wars
earlier; not all nostalgia or reinterpretations of something already
established is good. Sometimes when something is interpreted differently from
what fans loved and remember nostalgically, there is going to a form of
backlash. The general fact in everything whether is video games, TV, cars,
books and so on, is that you can’t please everyone and therefore there is
always going to be a percentage that doesn’t like a new interpretation of
something that exists. Movies are the most obvious form that comes to mind
where there are different interpretations of something that’s already been
done. An example of a person’s
re-interpretation is involved in an episode of CSI season nine (9) “A Space
Oddity” that features a ‘reboot’ (which is another term meaning a different
interpretation) of a fictional program known as Astro Quest which is
‘universally’ panned and dismissed by the fans attending the show (yes it is a
fictional ‘reboot’ of a fictional TV show in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
which is a fictional TV programme, but it nevertheless an example to back this
point in this post). A film about King Kong was done in 1933 and since then the
titular character ‘King Kong’ has been featured into two (2) remakes; in 1976
and the most recent remake in 2005. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has had
numerous different interpretations both in TV and movies with perhaps the most
well-known recent interpretation or version being the 2014 film produced by
(among others) Michael Bay. Regardless of whether the re-interpretations or
remakes of products i.e. movies are loved or panned, there generally tends to
be something different with each version or interpretation of something that
already exists i.e. the use of CG (Computer Graphics) in ‘modern’ versions and
interpretations.
The point I’m trying to demonstrate is that there numerous
(countless even) versions and interpretations of products such as movies and
video games and so on which people and fans (more so) will remember and
therefore into consideration when something new based on the said already made
product comes out. Furthermore this isn’t a fad that will someday go away; this
practise of having different or more modern variations of something that
already exists has been a consistent through evolution throughout life, and
while not everything will be remade or reinterpreted or passed on to future
generations, there will be more and more versions and interpretations of
something that exists. Heck it wouldn’t surprise me if in the future there is
yet another interpretation of the Star Wars films on the same scale as episodes
one (1) to seven (7) …or twenty (20) …or one-hundred (100) or whatever how many
films of Star Wars there are (I’m not a fan nor have I watched a single film or
any TV based interpretation so I wouldn’t know how many Star Wars related media
products there are currently).
So if this is a well-documented fact both in life and the
forms of media that we have access to, why is there backlash when fans in
particular go against something that differs from expectations or something
that exists? I mean people (at all) accept the existence of the fourth (4th)
season of Batman: The Animated Series despite the apparently less than stellar and
‘lazier’ character models for the likes of Batman himself and the cartoonish
Joker, and terrible films like Scary Movie V (5) still made it to theatres and
got a home media release; so why do people and fans (more so) hate certain
things so much that it becomes so vocal? Technically I’ve already answered my
own question here with what I mentioned in this post about nostalgia. People
who have a passion for something will feel different from other people about
certain aspects; for example, fans of Devil May Cry in general hated the ‘new
Dante’ in Ninja Theory’s ‘reboot’ entitled: DMC Devil May Cry because what they
saw early on in trailers and read was ‘radically’ different from the Dante in
previous Devil May Cry games. I for one didn’t like what I was seeing and
reading about this new Devil May Cry game either until it came clear later on
that a reboot doesn’t necessarily mean it is to be featured in the same story
arc of the previous Devil May Cry games. While it CAN be argued that DMC Devil
May Cry is canon and serves as a prequel to Devil May Cry 3, I generally
perceive the ‘controversial’ game as its own story that relates to the
characters and settings of previous Devil May Cry games but differs somewhat
like how Dante and Mundus meet is different from the original Devil May Cry.
Once I accepted this, I wasn’t mad anymore, and after I waited a while for it
to become financially accessible, I found that the game was awesome.
So if this example can work itself out (though I assume
there are still haters out there) and demonstrate that the Devil May Cry
property was in safe hands with Ninja Theory developing the said
‘controversial’ game; why are fans still falling for the same inevitable
blunder of judging a book by its cover as it were when it comes to the eventual
remake of Final Fantasy VII (seven)? When this was announced at the 2015 E3,
the general reaction was positive and undoubtedly meant to Sony that a lot of
keen eyes and potential future buyers of the PlayStation 4 console (which for
their part is good business). And yet those same people who relished on the
news of a remake turned hostile when it was announced that the battle system
may be different from that of the original PS1 Final Fantasy VII (7). Why? Why
are these people jumping the gun?
Is there going to be a similar reaction when trailers and
further details are revealed about the Resident Evil 2 remake? My guess is
“probably”, but what amazes me is that while there have been ‘bad’ follow-ups,
reinterpretations and so on in things people have a passion for (i.e. Dino
Crisis 3, Transporter 2, Devil May Cry 2 and so on), there are good variations
out there but because of certain aspects not fulfilling the ‘requirements’ of
some fans and so on means there is premature backlash made by these people who
have YET to sample the finished product. Now while this isn’t anything new or
in hindsight too much of an inconvenience to developers and publishers and
businesses behind the specific media implied above if some people don’t like
something and won’t invest, it is a more significant problem in theory when you
take something that people love and reinterpret or remake the said product in
such a way that those people don’t like and gets panned because the principal
of making money on a remake or different interpretation is based on those
people who are invested already for nostalgic reasons going through with the
purchase of said new version.
In other words in order for Square Enix, Sony and whoever
else is involved in the development of the Final Fantasy VII (seven) remake to
make enough financial returns; the remake HAS TO satisfy the people and fans of
all sorts so that they will buy the game (and undoubtedly the action figures,
music and other merchandise associated). Without question the green light was
given to a remake because, a lot of people wanted it to happen, nostalgia sells
and it will make a lot of financial sense and potentially a huge boost in
earnings and customer loyalty. If these companies alienate their fan base and
people that will pre-order the game to the point that they don’t care, then
that’s the key market for the game gone and subsequently the returns won’t be
as good if not more crippling then beneficial.
Now I should perhaps take a step back here before I am
labelled a hypocrite because there would have been things past, present and
future that I won’t and will not like something because it doesn’t do a certain
‘requirement’ ideally. Would I buy the next instalment in the Metal Gear series
(if that is going to be a thing) if it is exclusively available only on mobile platforms?
I doubt it, and that’s the very thing all people must take into consideration…
If something doesn’t seem like it’s worth your time and
investment then don’t invest in it. Just because something doesn’t work for
you, doesn’t mean it won’t work for others.
And if something nostalgic based like the Final Fantasy VII (seven)
remake doesn’t appeal to you as hoped, there’s always the original or other
video games out there. The same can be applied for other forms of media and
life itself.
Finally there is the biggest gaming story to come out for
quite some time which may have underlying effects for the people involved. Metal
Gear Solid V (5): The Phantom Pain was released on the first (1st)
of September 2015 and without a doubt it is a real gem of a game. Now I have my
copy on the Xbox One and I am very satisfied thus far; but I have not yet
completed it like I would’ve had this been 2003 and I had Metal Gear Solid 2
Sons of Liberty upon the day of getting it. The reasons are because The Phantom
Pain is far larger in scope then Sons of Liberty, servers issues mean I STILL
can’t transfer data from Ground Zeros to The Phantom Pain (which alas is to be
expected in this day and age where video games are hastily released incomplete
and patched later), and lastly because I want to savour the experience. Is it
perfect? Nope, if I were giving an IGN-like review summary I would say:
“MGSV:TTP is the best possible gaming experience in the
series’ history and a truly noble way to bow out with grace. Yet unfortunately
like the rough diamond collected in the game, the one or two faults prevent
this from being the perfect diamond it was destined to be, 8.9/10”
For a game heralded as a masterpiece, it might be peculiar
that I don’t agree. My main gripe is the server issues and inability to connect
online on all platforms from day one (1). Now while that as I mentioned above
to be expected as such in this era of video games, I can’t forgive any game
that is incomplete at launch. I know it’s a hopeless cause to rally developers
to 100% their games and thoroughly test games for bugs, glitches, slow down,
performance drop and so on when these companies need to turn a profit; but it
doesn’t mean I as an investor should grudgingly accept an imperfect product
especially when it was possible to do so years ago with the likes of Metal Gear
Solid 3: Snake Eater. Now while online gaming is not my preference, it should
be noted that gamers panned Halo: The Master Chief Collection for having online
difficulties at launch as well so in all fairness I fault The Phantom Pain for
the same reason. Now it could be that by the time I play The Phantom Pain
again; I will be at last able to go online, connect to servers and transfer
data from Ground Zeros, but as of the sixth (6th) of September 2015,
that has not been possible.
Other faults include noticeable slowdown and screen tearing
when there is too much happening on screen such as during sandstorms with
multiple enemies about and during the chases from the Skulls/Parasite Unit. Now
while these faults aren’t surprising given there is just too much going on, it
goes to show that the developers were being ambitious and pushing the hardware
of consoles to the limits. Perhaps that’s only experienced on the Xbox One side
and I’m certain future patches will help remedy the faults. Lastly this is a
personal preference but the non-linear approach and insistence of having
credits roll for every main mission is a little jarring. This is perhaps nit-picking
on my end and it’s probably unwise to compare two (2) different games, but if a
game known as Final Fantasy X-2 originally released in 2003-04 can pull of in
my opinion a better transition to non-linear style gameplay then I have to
wonder why it hasn’t been bested by a game that is a decade later. Faults and nit-picking aside though, MGSV: TPP
is an awesome game.
But let’s be honest here, it’s not Metal Gear Solid V: The
Phantom Pain that people are watching with debated breaths not sure what’s
going to happen. The Kojima/Konami matter had somewhat overshadowed The Phantom
Pain prior to its launch, and now that The Phantom Pain is released, fans and
gamers alike going to be waiting eagerly as to what becomes of Hideo Kojima and
Konami now that the business relationship is assumingly over. How will Konami function on its path of
seemingly creating mobile gaming or win back consumer confidence following the
events such as the cancelation of Silent Hills and stories that cast Konami is
a gloomy light? What will be Hideo Kojima’s next move be? Do I believe Hideo
Kojima is finished with the Metal Gear series? I think so, however I wouldn’t
be at all surprised if Konami requested Kojima’s assistance or involvement in
another Konami game whether it be a new Metal Gear game or another game
entirely. The working of Hideo Kojima and his development team have done a lot
of good for Konami and undoubtedly a lot of keen eyes waiting eagerly for
Konami’s next development. Now that the business relationships is at an end,
keen eyes are still watching Konami but not for its next development because
without the key people who created the Metal Gear and Castlevania series’; Konami
is effectively firing cannons into its own ship and now its sink or swim for
Konami and that’s what the keen eyes are waiting to see.
Okay, this wraps up this
post on the SJBMCPRS Report. If there are any thoughts you wish to express then
by all means feel free to do so. Please remember that is based purely on my
perception and therefore cannot be taken as official. Until next time, see ya!
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