Posted May 22, 2009
I'm going to concentrate on the world/characterisation as the gameplay is nothing to write about. Click one or two buttons and everything is done for you.
If you're into manga, talking animals and 'cute' gameplay then I am sure you will enjoy this. Personally, as a mature gamer, I felt more than awkward playing this game. I wouldn't watch manga when I was a kid, I have no desire to play it as an adult. This game feels wrong in every way to me: I'm simply not a twelve year-old girl and I feel grossly under-stimulated when playing it.
I am astounded that people declare themselves overwhelmed by the setting/environment/world and that it is so highly rated. I suspect the audience of this game has not experienced much in life to be amazed by such cookie-cutter characterisation and world-view. Some of the stereotypes in the game are so overblown as to be offensive and borderline racist. With half my family Italian I was particularly upset by the gay Italian PA who can't even speak or pronounce Italian and who uses words completely out of context. I emphasise gay as the performance could only offend any deep-thinking gay person. I am sure any Jamaican would be equally offended by the Rhinos. In fact, the whole game is full of lowest-denominator characters that are shaped to fit a perfect (and usually ignorant) stereotype. Anyone finding deep and meaningful characters here needs a reality check and possibly a deeper respect for differing peoples and/or cultures.
However, I am sure it is a glowing example of what it is. It is fast, infantile and shallow like children's entertainment usually is.
If you're into manga, talking animals and 'cute' gameplay then I am sure you will enjoy this. Personally, as a mature gamer, I felt more than awkward playing this game. I wouldn't watch manga when I was a kid, I have no desire to play it as an adult. This game feels wrong in every way to me: I'm simply not a twelve year-old girl and I feel grossly under-stimulated when playing it.
I am astounded that people declare themselves overwhelmed by the setting/environment/world and that it is so highly rated. I suspect the audience of this game has not experienced much in life to be amazed by such cookie-cutter characterisation and world-view. Some of the stereotypes in the game are so overblown as to be offensive and borderline racist. With half my family Italian I was particularly upset by the gay Italian PA who can't even speak or pronounce Italian and who uses words completely out of context. I emphasise gay as the performance could only offend any deep-thinking gay person. I am sure any Jamaican would be equally offended by the Rhinos. In fact, the whole game is full of lowest-denominator characters that are shaped to fit a perfect (and usually ignorant) stereotype. Anyone finding deep and meaningful characters here needs a reality check and possibly a deeper respect for differing peoples and/or cultures.
However, I am sure it is a glowing example of what it is. It is fast, infantile and shallow like children's entertainment usually is.