Why I Hate Japanese Games

Professor S · 02-04-2008, 09:26 AM

I was reading and watching the review for Devil May Cry 4, and as I was watching I actually became annoyed. The animations look great, as well as the graphics, and the gameplay looked solid as well. So I started thinking, why does this game physically agitate me? I thought about it for a while and it came to me.

I hate the style and writing of Japanese games, or more expressly, these kind of uber popular Japanese games. Stylistically, Japanese games like DMC4, RE series, etc. got stuck back in the mid 90's. It just seems to be the same spiky hair androgenous metrosexuals nancing about with oversized phallic swords embroiled in a spiderweb plot that makes no sense involving a great evil that will destroy the earth spirit. I swear if I hear Gaia one more godamn time in a game I'll swim to Japan and gut Sony's Square-Enix's president.

That brings me to the non-existant writing. Since FF7 its seems like everything is just a variation on the same theme with over emotional douchebags complaining about their feelings while the world burns around them. Lets also not forget that raely do these games have intelligible plots. At best they just create a losse excuse for the action to take place.

I've been finding that as I've gotten older I've unintentionally gravitated to Western designed game companies like BioWare, Codemasters, etc. Their more reality grounded style and storytelling just speaks to me more.

Anyone else feel this way or am I the only one?

Fox 6 · 02-04-2008, 01:07 PM

Its not just video games, saturday morning cartoons went from Darkwing Duck and Batman to terrible things like Spider Riders and Yugi oh................................................................

manasecret · 02-04-2008, 01:20 PM

I feel the same way, but I think it's a sign of us getting older. We grew up with things a certain way and are dismissive of things that look and seem much different.

Well, that goes for Saturday morning cartoons. Whether Americanized or Japanimeafied, they're really all just shite made to sell toys and products to the undiscerning kid market. Ever go back and watch those old Batmans and X-Mens and Transformers? They're usually cringe-worthy considering how much I loved shows like that back in the day.

As far as what Prof. S is saying about games, I don't play enough games anymore to know what I prefer or don't prefer (I haven't yet played any of the games you mentioned). I can say that the anime-look turns me off. But again, I think that's just not having grown up with it and not given it a fair chance.

Fox 6 · 02-04-2008, 02:50 PM

I thought that the 90s batman animated series was a landmark in animation. It was a brilliant use of shadows and the all around blackness made it feel like batman should. Between my brother and I, we have the whole series on dvd.

GameMaster · 02-05-2008, 02:17 AM

Quote:

It just seems to be the same spiky hair androgenous metrosexuals nancing about with oversized phallic swords embroiled in a spiderweb plot that makes no sense involving a great evil that will destroy the earth spirit. I swear if I hear Gaia one more godamn time in a game I'll swim to Japan and gut Sony's Square-Enix's president.

That brings me to the non-existant writing. Since FF7 its seems like everything is just a variation on the same theme with over emotional douchebags complaining about their feelings while the world burns around them. Lets also not forget that raely do these games have intelligible plots. At best they just create a losse excuse for the action to take place.

Couldn't have said it better. The sad part is that probably describes about 15 games off-hand. Although I was never into these games to begin with but it nevertheless gets tiresome having to see the same shit recycled over and over again.

But hey, what can you do?

bobcat · 02-05-2008, 04:33 AM

i've always found final fantasy stories confusing and.........er.......not making much sense.

If somebody can clearly explain the story to me i'll be amazed

Angrist · 02-05-2008, 03:30 PM

My brother was pretty enthusiastic about FFXII when he first got it, but he stopped playing halfway through. And he normally loves his FF.

But eh, there are also those other Japanese games. The ones with monkeys, banana's and other huggables.

Professor S · 02-05-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angrist

But eh, there are also those other Japanese games. The ones with monkeys, banana's and other huggables.

I know, but I was referring more to the awful emo genre crap out there, not the cartoon like games.

manasecret · 02-05-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox 6

I thought that the 90s batman animated series was a landmark in animation. It was a brilliant use of shadows and the all around blackness made it feel like batman should. Between my brother and I, we have the whole series on dvd.

Thinking back, I have to agree with you. I still think that show is good. Animation-wise definitely; I'll have to download a season or two and see if the stories still hold up beyond nostalgia, though I have a feeling they will, if just for their (good) version of Mr. Freeze.

BreakABone · 02-05-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasecret

Thinking back, I have to agree with you. I still think that show is good. Animation-wise definitely; I'll have to download a season or two and see if the stories still hold up beyond nostalgia, though I have a feeling they will, if just for their (good) version of Mr. Freeze.

NO
NO
NO

YOu do not download this show ever.
You support Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and all those fine gentlemen. You buy this show on DVD.
I own EVERY season on DVD, missing one set of Superman and one set of Justice LEague. I will get them eventually. I own the movies and all that jazz.
You support those people.

As a matter of fact.

manasecret · 02-05-2008, 06:03 PM

YES (YES YES). I'm not buying if I'm not sure they're worth it, and I'm not.

Ginkasa · 02-06-2008, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasecret

YES (YES YES). I'm not buying if I'm not sure they're worth it, and I'm not.

I'm telling you they are.

Swan · 02-06-2008, 05:27 PM

They really are. Everything about them is bloody fantastic

Fox 6 · 02-06-2008, 06:08 PM

ONE OF US! ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

er...

GameMaster · 02-06-2008, 06:14 PM

The Mr. Freeze episode is widely regarded as one of the greatest cartoon episodes of all time.

In terms of social impact and influence, Batman: The Animated Series, falls only behind Mickey Mouse.

Fuck Tommy Pickles and the rest of those shit-head 'nick toons'. They're garbage.