In this Vagrant Story critique, we revisit one of the more challenging and inaccessible offerings from Square right at the tail end of the 90s.
We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers
And sitting by desolate streams;
World losers and world forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.
“As JRR Tolkien reminded us, the only people who inveigh against escape are jailers.”
– Neil Gaiman, The View from the Cheap Seats
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”
-William Feather
“And again there are mornings when ecstasy bubbles in the blood, and the stomach and chest are tight and electric with joy, and nothing in the thoughts to justify it or cause it.”
-John Steinbeck, East of Eden
“Here I am, stranded on a toxic planet, fighting to survive, and yet I’m intrigued… I must research this fascinating creature!”
-Captain Olimar
What’s important is that you choose life… and then live.”
-Naomi Hunter, Metal Gear Solid
“The thing’s hollow — it goes on forever — and — oh my God! — it’s full of stars!”
-Arthur C. Clarke, 2001: a Space Odyssey
“Mega Man has ended the evil domination of Dr. Wily and restored the world to peace.”
– Narrator, Mega Man
The image above represents almost infinite possibilities. A blank canvas, an empty sheet…
Welcome, NPCs, to the second to the last day of our month-long 31-Day Elemental…
Over the years, at least four branches of gaming have developed: the console thread,…
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
-Søren Kierkegaard
Hola, NPCs! Don’t mind the leering, icy stare of death, my friends. That’s just…
Five days to go, NPCs, till the end of the Elemental Challenge! Next, tie…
Swallow your fears and pull the covers over your heads because it’s time to…
Shh, NPCs… be vewy, vewy quiet. We’re talking Stealth games today. BOOM BABY! Before…
We’ve less than ten days left in our Elemental Challenge, NPCs! Let’s crank up…
Music! It enriches and enlivens our lives. Its presence in video games makes the…
What are our brains for if we don’t use them? Video games are often…
It’s Friday. You and your friends are sitting around. Looks like your gig turned…
“Looking for an oasis on earth? You fool! Earth is already an oasis in the space!”
-Mehmet Murat ildan
Ready to get addicted? Today we’re talking about massively-multiplayer online experiences, or MMOs. More…
“Crash, Crash, Crash. Why must you always muck in my mud?”
-Doctor Neo Cortex, Crash Bandicoot: Warped
Life in the fast lane. See you at the finish line. Put the pedal…
This is what happens when national pastimes collide. Today we’re talking about Sports games,…
Duck for cover, NPCs! Shooters come in all shapes and calibers, but the most…
