two new reviews

[108]

a review of tsukiyo ni saraba.

and a review of riviera: the promised land.

よろしくおねギャいします。

[Persona-sama]

Roast Pot, just because I'm up and haven't read the update yet.

EDIT:
Evan Kaigle has reminded me why I don't like Riviera: because it's a videogame that never stops reminding me it's a videogame.
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[swill]

I've just read the Riviera one; I liked it, though the last paragraph is weak and maybe even a copout. The guy probably didn't know how to end the piece.
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LPN: we can brainwash faster than the Russians - 20 seconds to total amnesia

[108]

You don't like videogames?

. . .

I have to leave now. I will be back in . . . maybe three days.

I am also hungry.
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[Persona-sama]

It annoys me in the similar vein that Wind Waker annoyed me when a big man force-taught me how to press a button to swing a sword several times.

Or maybe I don't like videogames.
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[mechanori]

Here's a question: when a game seems like a videogame, is it good or bad?

Every game FEELS like a videogame, whether it tries to or not. Obviously, manually walking around is more realistic and perhaps more immersive then choosing from a menu. yet isn't the illusion already gone? Even with hyperrealism, through graphics or gameplay nuances, every videogame is still a videogame. The few attempts at making games seem realistic just removes the player rather than immerses him (Super Hydlide comes to mind, except that was just a bad game anyway). RPGs rarely make any sense, so why bother with these immersive elements?

So, by removing the player completely in game such as Riviera, is the game doing the player a favor by just giving him what he came to see (a game) or limiting too drastically what he's come to expect?

[ilopan]

Aside from the battle music, I think there are two songs in Riviera which are pretty damn catchy.

[veen]

I guess the issue is that most games go to some lengths to give the player the illusion that they're in control of the experience, and Riviera doesn't do it at all. it's just a visual novel with choices and battles. which is what any other jRPG is, under the facade of freedom given by world maps and towns and such. I can see it really pissing off someone who is usually indifferent to-or slightly displeased with-jRPGs.

[Shattered Fixtures]

Thanks for the comments about the review, guys.Yeah, the last paragraph is pretty..."eh", yet hey, I think the whole review is kind of, "eh", myself!

Riviera was pretty fascinating to me because I haven't really played many "visual novel" type RPGs, and the last RPG I played before this was Digital Devil Saga so...it was refreshing.

Anyway, yeah, I have another review coming really soon, and I hope that people will like it, and if not, please comment anyway! Getting comments from strangers about my reviews is totally new to me!

-Evan
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I really joined this forum in December, just...something happened to my account. Something stupid. I don't want to talk about it.

[GEORGE!]

I thought you were trying too hard to be Tim-style, Evan. Every time you mentioned something not related to the game it felt pretty forced, to me. Tim's out-of-game experiences are already very controversial, yet at least they're whacky and generally entertaining, yours were more mundane, and it was hard to see why they were included.

I'm looking forward to your next review though. Maybe that one will dick with me more.

[Chris]

Man you people are asses. I printed that review out and read it on the way to my Grandmother's house to pick up a television set. I liked it It was simple and clean...

IS THE WAY THAT YOU'RE MAKING ME FEEL TONIGHT

[RobotChant]

[BlankWaveArcade]

Overall the review was good, and it helped me finally make the descision to pick this up when I get back to the states in a week. I'm actually pretty excited to pick it up now.

However, I agree that you were trying a bit too hard to sound like Tim. The whole Dairy Queen thing (which is a chain all over the south at least) just didn't really go anywhere at all for instance. Just be yourself or whatever...
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art is hard.

[swill]

[Dark_Steve]

I'm with BlankWave. It's good, just try to speak with your own voice.
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[mechanori]

I think at least the random battle analogy was relevant (as in the DQ thing). It was a little drawn out, yet it had a point that was more effective than it would be with a simple flat-out statement.

[amazawa]

And... did no one read my review, or what?
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オメエはさァ、どこで拾った、その田舎臭い帽子？

[Persona-sama]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I really like your side-bar article about the 24-fellow and Calorie Mate too. I'll write why later.
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[Rud13]

I read it now. It's a good review. A few things I'd edit out, for the sake of editing.

I am amazed no one had heard of this game, or mentioned it anywhere.
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[108]

[Persona-sama]

The game is being released in America. The day after I read the review, I saw an ad for the game in a magazine.

I think it was in Game Informer.
The game's name was changed to something really unpoetic.

I suppose it'll sell better that way though.
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[Ammadeau]

[leoboiko]

[Mr. Apol]

hey i was just going to mention that in that riviera review you were all BOY SCOUT and i was a boy scout and i totally rock SO THERE
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LJ -- Profile -- Gallery

[zingzingzingba]

you didn't read it because it was fucking long and bollocks.