The Princess is in Another Castle
Derek Hidey
Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: The AT Wire
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Sometimes do you just feel like a certain plumber who can't find that princess? You beat castle after castle and each time you think, "This is the last one." Valentine's Day is the day when many of us realize that our online relationship, whether with a Nightelf, a Dwarf or a Human, can't possibly fill that gap in our love life. Nevertheless, not all hope is lost, even for those of us without real-life (RL) girlfriends. If you're feeling lonely this February 14th, I've got some advice that may help you fill that gap.
Game reviewers are becoming increasingly weary of love stories being a part of games. Then again, there are some games that can get away with it. Take, for example, any of the Zelda games. Although the Zelda games aren't what we would normally think of as a love story, they do fall more into the save-the-princess category. Square Enix, on the other hand, has been making attempts at wrapping their games around love stories for a while now. So far, their success has been hit or miss.
Love stories aren't always bad additions or parts of our video games. They can be distracting, corny or tacked on, but usually for other reasons. If it sounds like they hired Roseanne to do the voice acting, for example, chances are you won't be able to enjoy the game. Then there are the games where you can't skip the cut scenes. Nothing is worse than having to sit and watch a love cut scene filled with terrible voice acting, knowing that all the button mashing in the world won't save you. Nothing is more irritable than when love stories take the forefront of the game. When a game designer decides that every other aspect of the game will take a back seat to story, the balance that made games like Final Fantasy VII so great is lost.
Speaking of well-rounded games with love stories, Final Fantasy VII is probably one of the best examples of a great game and a great story with a subtle, but involving love story. There isn't one moment in the entire game where you feel like the love story is being forced on you. In reality, most players wanted a lot more development to it, which is exactly what the perfect love story should do.
Finally, if you don't have the time to sit down and play through a long video game, you do have some options. For example, why not try living the life you wish you had by playing any version of The Sims? If playing through a video with a love story would just end up making you sad and lonely on Valentine's Day, try recreating your life in a RL simulation. Maybe you regret not giving that girl a chance because you think she is a n00b? Perhaps you wish you would have gotten to know that other girl a little better, instead of running away when she said she liked to play Runescape? Whatever your regrets are, take time out of your day today to think about your love life. If dating different species of Elves on your MMO is getting boring, try your luck at RL. It's the best MMO released to date. You've got role-playing, PvP, PvE, guild support and, best of all, no level cap!
Game reviewers are becoming increasingly weary of love stories being a part of games. Then again, there are some games that can get away with it. Take, for example, any of the Zelda games. Although the Zelda games aren't what we would normally think of as a love story, they do fall more into the save-the-princess category. Square Enix, on the other hand, has been making attempts at wrapping their games around love stories for a while now. So far, their success has been hit or miss.
Love stories aren't always bad additions or parts of our video games. They can be distracting, corny or tacked on, but usually for other reasons. If it sounds like they hired Roseanne to do the voice acting, for example, chances are you won't be able to enjoy the game. Then there are the games where you can't skip the cut scenes. Nothing is worse than having to sit and watch a love cut scene filled with terrible voice acting, knowing that all the button mashing in the world won't save you. Nothing is more irritable than when love stories take the forefront of the game. When a game designer decides that every other aspect of the game will take a back seat to story, the balance that made games like Final Fantasy VII so great is lost.
Speaking of well-rounded games with love stories, Final Fantasy VII is probably one of the best examples of a great game and a great story with a subtle, but involving love story. There isn't one moment in the entire game where you feel like the love story is being forced on you. In reality, most players wanted a lot more development to it, which is exactly what the perfect love story should do.
Finally, if you don't have the time to sit down and play through a long video game, you do have some options. For example, why not try living the life you wish you had by playing any version of The Sims? If playing through a video with a love story would just end up making you sad and lonely on Valentine's Day, try recreating your life in a RL simulation. Maybe you regret not giving that girl a chance because you think she is a n00b? Perhaps you wish you would have gotten to know that other girl a little better, instead of running away when she said she liked to play Runescape? Whatever your regrets are, take time out of your day today to think about your love life. If dating different species of Elves on your MMO is getting boring, try your luck at RL. It's the best MMO released to date. You've got role-playing, PvP, PvE, guild support and, best of all, no level cap!
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