I think this blog should come attached with some kind of warning. A warning that to those who do not know me all that well, you should probably know a few things about me. Ladies and Gentlemen, imagine this is a television series and we are at the epic finale episode, where we find out the character we all know (and you know, maybe even, love?) is not who she seems. It can be a heartbreaking and traumatising thing for an avid viewer (or reader) but don't worry, these revelations shouldn't emotionally crush anyone.
As most people on my Facebook will know (mainly because everyone can see my Spotify and the umpteen videos I have uploaded to my wall), I am a gamer. I love gaming. I would genuinely quite happily sit in a room for a week with a console and fully complete a game, losing myself in its story, its characters, its world. The first proper game I ever played came with the first console I ever had. Sadly, I wasn't cool enough to be with the retro kids, I never had a PS1 or a Sega megadrive. Please, don't cry, the very notion itself upsets me greatly, as I feel like I have missed out a large chunk of what is called childhood. The closest I ever got to vintage gaming was a Gameboy Advance when I was nine. (Yes, I didn't even have a Gameboy Color). So I missed out on Pokemon Red too and more importantly, the epicness of locking Lara Croft's butler in the freezer (The more I talk about this, the more I feel the need to admit myself into some institution due to the psychological effects of having barely any childhood). I guess talking about this is a kind of therapy and there is such a thing as emulators which will help me recapture some of the magic.
But I digress, back to my oh-so-interesting life story. The first console I ever got was the original Xbox, which I still have and touch wood as to not jinx the thing, still works. It is a glorious thing, a console that I still play today. When I first got it,it came with two games. The first was Project Gotham Racing 2 (which I contend to this day and to my dying breath, is still the best in the entire series because nothing beats driving around Sydney listening to music burned from a CD to the Xbox hard drive) and Halo: Combat Evolved. I wish I could describe how much the latter game means to me. It's simply beautiful. The plot is utterly fantastic, the combat, easy to master and the characters? There are not many video game characters as badass as Master Chief. Honestly, I could tell you every level in the order it comes in, I have played it that many times. Halo 2 was even better and my absolute favourite of the series, mainly for the part when you drive the tank over the bridge, just such an epic level of shooting and graphics.
I have played many games but my latest gaming obsession has been the Mass Effect games. I have played another game the studio who made Mass Effect, Bioware, developed and that was Dragon Age: Origins prior to Mass Effect. It wasn't the combat, or the graphics that made me love this game, it was the story, the characters, the freedom of choice. Never have I played a game that could go anyway you chose, it was simply fantastic. The best part is that you can play it again and it won't be the same game. Value for money? I think so. Bioware have definitely targeted a fantastic gaming market and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a similar game if it was in the same vein as these other two.
However, as much as I loved Dragon Age Origins (In particular, a character named Alistair who was a freakin' babe), Mass Effect is superior on so many levels. It is literally the best game I've ever played. In fact, if someone had told me to create my perfect game, without any constraints, I think Mass Effect would be it. I don't play these games to progress or get achievements. I play them for the story, to talk to the characters and even (which is a big part of these games, believe it or not), romance a character. In the Mass Effect universe, I chose to romance a character named Garrus (insert romantic sigh here). Now, most people wouldn't think that was a big deal until you realise he looks like this.
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| Garrus Vakarian: C-Sec Officer and hopeless romantic extrordinaire. |
Yep. Garrus is a big, motherfucking alien. A turian to be exact. And yet, it doesn't matter what he looks like, I still chose to romance him. Bioware made him witty, sarcastic and funny, traits I admire. Which has got me thinking. Sometimes, these games have a purpose of mirroring what our own world is like and perhaps, teaching us a lesson. The game's background is fraught with racial tensions and prejudices, quite similar to our own world. Yet in this world, they all allied together and got rid of the thing that was threatening their entire extistence. I haven't got much thoughts on racial tensions in this world but on a smaller level, I guess what I am trying to say is that, with Garrus, I fell in love with a personality, a voice. His looks did not matter to me. Which makes me think that maybe the perception that most people are shallow when it comes to looks are not true after all and personality counts more than looks. It's a bit philosophical, I know and to be honest, it is very hard to comprehend unless you have actually played the game (or you have a decent sleeping pattern).
When I finished Mass Effect 3, all I can describe as a hole was left. That is a sad and pathetic thing to admit but it's true. I will get over it very quickly but a game that is so immersive and dense? It will be missed. Although, I guess there is always the chance to restart from scratch, which I think I will do. I have a feeling that some of the people who read this blog will want to commit me to the institution I described earlier, more for a loss of reality and in general, being a freakin' weirdo but really, there is no need. I just love gaming. I love the imagination. Maybe a little too much, I don't know but I'm happy and happiness is what we all strive for, right? For those who are interested, I would highly recommend playing these games, you will not regret it. And now I leave you with a scene that nearly brought a tear to my eye. I say nearly because I didn't cross the line of utter despair (thankfully).
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