Limbo reaction shows videogame journalism stuck in teenage years

Why have we been so quick to ascribe emotional depth to Limbo? No Added Sugar's Mark calls out Eurogamer and GamesRadar's hyperbolic coverage.

[Buff1044]

Apparently, this writer never took an English Lit course where the entire semester is spent finding meaning in different works. I'm growing tired of the constant "let's crucify" games journalist articles. You do you, sir. You...do...you.

[Chris399]

That said, anything with even the remotest hint of "adult" or "artistic" merit - such as Limbo, Heavy Rain or Alan Wake - is hailed as the next coming of video-game Christ, simply because the market as it currently stands is saturated with shovel-ware and games geared toward a youths (15-17 year old males and children).

Anyone who actually reads of follows film with any avidity, knows that video-games have a long, long way to go before catching up with the emotional depth present in other forms of creative art (ignoring Ebert's now semi-retracted claim that video-games are/ are not "art", as I believe that they are).

So in that sense, the author of this piece has a point, though his focus on Limbo can be be applied not only to that game but to the medium as a whole.

[SeanRL]

Of course, I've noticed the same thing in the movie industry. If an old movie that induces nostalgia is remade or a movie that "changes everything" comes out, critics go crazy for it. Yet, a simple, funny movie like grown ups fails to score well.

@Disagree: Or maybe I'm wrong, would you like to offer your opinion? :)

[GWAVE]

I think the author's statements have a great point, but they apply to gaming media as a whole, not just Limbo. I felt the exact same way about Flower, Braid, and many of the other "emotional/artsy/trying-t o-make-a-statement" downloadable titles out there.

Just because it's artsy doesn't mean it will blow my mind or make me weep. I can enjoy an artsy game without being told by the media that it will reawaken my dormant soul or something silly like that.

[- Ghost of Sparta -]

Limbo is ok, honestly. No emotional depth in any regard, 360 fanboys just cry over everything.

[Skizelli]

When it comes to emotion, you can only speak for yourself. Just because you don't see or feel what someone else sees or feels doesn't mean it's not there. Everyone is different, with different life experiences. This is what shapes our tastes in video games, music, cinema, et cetera. If Limbo draws forth a bit of emotion in some people, all power to them. It's not necessarily a bad thing when a medium affects people in different ways. Isn't that the purpose of art?

[HolyOrangeCows]

Another part of the problem is that video game journalists are all racing for advertisement contracts. They release ridiculously nonobjective reviews that praise like crazy.

And yes, too many reviewers automatically give original games high scores, which is silly. They should still be judging on how well the game is made.

[noaddedsugar]

I'm afraid I have to plead ignorance- you're right, I never took an English Lit course- but I take your point.
I genuinely can't wait for the day when videogames become worthy of this sort of criticism, where we can identify and debate alternative meanings.
My point in this article is that Limbo has become a lightning rod for this sort of exploration- and I feel this to be completely premature, seeing as in my view, Limbo does not, and was not intended to have much depth. As Chris399 below points out, videogames largely fail to achieve the emotional depth of other creative arts.

You can argue, probably legimitately, that all games are worthy of such debate, but I just think that in Limbo's case, it's all a little bit affected and pseudo-intellectual.

Cheers for the input guys.
Mark

[mastiffchild]

As someone who had to write a million essays where you had just the text to use to back up what you felt it's meanings were I think the author both has a point but fails to understand a few rules f criticiasm itself along the way.

If I were marking the GR, Houghton review of Limbo I'd have to wonder just what there was in the game that actually justified some of his more high brow compliments bestowed upon the game, it's mood and, importantly, it's non existent narrative. There;s little you could lift from the game to support what he gets into saying once he gets on a roll. His review is well written, mind, but I sense a desire for him to find extra depth that he cannot ever back up with evidence from the game itself. Some of the depth and meaning he says the game alludes to just isn't really there and certainly not in any kind of tangible sense. He makes flighty assumptions based on an adult mood and subtle touch and serenely oppressive and simple art style.

It's understandable, mind, when so many games are wanton, knowing fluff that writers want depth so badly that any game with ANY indie cred and pretension towards being "arty" runs the risk of being over praised in areas it never even ventured towards./ Is it a sign of immaturity among the gaming press as much as the games themselves? Not really, imho, just a wish that games could be taken more seriously taken too far by some decent writers who just love the medium a bit too much which comes out in this hasty attempt to over infuse certain games with properties they don't have or even firmly attempt to possess. Houghton's folly is his desperation for games to be seen in a similar light to , say, film, on a critical basis-it'll happen on it's own but some writers are a little over eager and as a result big games up for being things that they really aren't(not yet anyway). That's all.

As for the author-he doesn't seem to understand that the nature of most criticism is not only to critique the piece at hand but also justify it's OWN existence and with so many games being throwaway(in emotional terms especially)right now it's no shock to see reviews like those he's slamming. It's to be expected and, honestly, is kind of needed if gaming is to be taken more seriously at a high brow level of the mainstream. If our own gaming writers cannot see importance in some games what hoope for writers used to more accepted art forms?

So, if this IS evidence of an immature gaming press it's still healthy as a sign that, maybe, we're growing in the right direction. Teenage writing is a step on from primary coloured junior school stuff and if we're now in 6th form poetry territory surely that's got to be progress for games AND the writing surrounding them Just because we aren't there(wherever that may be) yet doesn't mean people are wrong to try and that we shouldn't have a go. Sadly, we're gong to get misfires when games raise hopes higher than their actual contents allow for but, as I said, it will come and the only error here is forcing things a little. No biggie.

[noaddedsugar]

Hi Mastiff. Thanks for the comment. I think you make a number of good points, and I think that your criticism of my own approach is also valid. I agree that GamesRadar's piece definitely demonstrated a strong desire depth that he couldn't really substantiate in any tangible way.
I think it's a case of over-eagerness.
I'm not condemning either EG or GR outright by the way. Their hearts are absolutely in the right place, and I think in time it will prove to be the correct approach to covering videogames. But I'm just cautioning against jumping the gun and desperately, as you say, infusing videogames with properties that don't exist, or which at least can't be objectively demonstrated.
But as you say, no biggie- but I thought it was worth exploring in an article all the same.

[Chris399]

Bubbles and all that. And yes, we are moving in the right direction. But the current wave of "adult/ emotional" games are sophomoric attempts at best; a bit rough around the edges, though their 'heart' is in the right place. The praise is worthy, but it is definitely over-exuberant.

@noadded. Enjoyable article. Nice to see something other than sales figures or "Top Ten" (I just puked a little in my mouth when I wrote that) lists.

P.S. I don't want to jinx it, but this is one of the most chatty and intelligent threads I've encountered in a long while. Not even a single troll (yet)!

[M-Easy]

"gaming journalist" is pretty much an oxymoron these days with reviews being bought and sad fact that these objective "journalist" are nothing but fanboys.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

I really want to play this! Can I get reviews from you guys? I respect your opinions over "journalists".

[danielle007]

You know, I guess it's kind of true. Anything mature / artistic gets lauded pretty heavily.

But, it makes sense to me. I mean, unlike movies, you're taking part as an active participant in video games. You identify with the child, and you're playing as him. So, it would be a lot easier to get a real emotional reaction from us.

Like, Heavy Rain. If it had been an actual movie in the theaters, it wouldn't have really stood up against some other amazing movies out there, especially with some of the little holes in there.

But, as a video game, since I am playing these characters, it's a pretty gut wrenching and emotional experience. I played as I thought Ethan would, because I genuinely cared about Ethan, and his happiness. I felt personally responsible for him making it through the whole ordeal. My ending wasn't the perfect happy ending, and Ethan died. I was so upset I teared up, I'll admit it. I was sooo angry. But, if it had happened in a movie that I had no part in, I wouldn't have cared barely at all.

[Takoulya]

In Heavy Rain, the fact that you are interacting with the characters is the best part of all. It makes you feel like you are responsible for them. It's something that really is special in this FPS/Shovelware saturated market. Although they may not be worthy of praise compared to music, games like Braid and Limbo are a great getaway and a great change from the generic video game. I encourage developers to follow these examples and expand upon them, because these enforce true creativity.

[Mike93]

It's nice to see this is not a " Top 5 " article/thread.

Although this article is definetely " Top AOTY "(article of the year lol )

[N4OGs]

they play the same god dang shooters the whole year everday, COD, halo, gears. When they finaly get something thats different the hype it like it something special just to try and act like they got stuff on ps3 innovation, creative, and variety level but they dont.

[s45gr32]

Sad but true gaming to be matured and looked at the same level as movies or music still a long way to go; however, Heavy Rain came close it just needed to perfect the facial expressions and tighten some plotholes here and there. So in essence the problem lies that in this me too generic videogame market when something different and arty come along we fired the gun too quickly and praise it like no tomorrow...

[level 360]

I believe the article is too eloquent in it's romanticized re/view of Limbo..
..and yes it is very very good although a bit pricey to download.