Archive - Jan 2, 2008

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What makes a game?

Mardas's picture

As you are all aware I have been playing Phoenix Wright on my DS lately. What you probably wont know is that has been going on inside my warped head the last few times I have defended my current client ,The Steel Samurai. 

Just to bring anyone who is not familiar with the mechanics of this game I will briefly attempt to bring you up to speed. The way you progress through the game is by reading the dialogue and tapping the screen with your stylus to proceed to the next bit of dialogue. Occasional you have to choose wether you want to "move" by tapping that option on the screen, "talk" by tapping that option on the screen or "examine" by, yes you guessed it, tapping the screen. 
                                           
Basically what I am trying to get at is that at no point does skill come into this game. You dont even have to follow the plot in order to proceed, Just tap the right bit of the screen and you will be fed with the next line for you perusal. You are not even playing anything in the traditional sense, there is no hand to eye coordination, no strategic placement and no hit points. This in more of an interactive novel than a game. In theory a baby baboon could finish Phoenix Wright : Ace Attorney by randomly tapping the screen on its head and eventually get to the end credits. 

But you see its not about the final destination, its about the journey and that is what makes a game. As long as you are having fun and you are being entertained then its all good.

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