An interesting perspective, as David weighs in with his thoughts from the perspective of a games journo on the temptations that reviewers face. I'll be back later tonight with more but for now, take a look at this. - Steve
Gamers commonly perceive games not for what they are, but what they aren't. A game's strengths or virtues often pale in significance to the absence of a multiplayer mode or a less-than-perfect control scheme. It is in the game medium - more than any other, I'd argue - that this negativist perspective prevails in the minds of the consuming masses.
I've already bemoaned how game critics who share this mindset may score their games by starting at 100 and subtracting for every flaw. By giving prominence only to a game's faults, critics position themselves - and the readers who trust their judgment - to miss out on a lot of goodness.
Since realizing how prone I was to this mindset, I've made a concerted effort to avoid it both in my personal playing time and my game criticism. But that's been difficult to do since Nintendo announced the MotionPlus.
The Spring 2009 release of the Wiimote attachment, which promises to fully realize the Wii's motion-sensing capabilities, looms large over every new Wii game released until then (and probably a little while afterward, too). Games that make heavy use of motion-sensing are particularly likely to cultivate this mindset in players. While playing "Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 2" for a review, I couldn't avoid the thought: This game would play much better with MotionPlus.
The game's Wiimote and nunchuk dance moves can be accomplished with simple wrist flicks, just like swinging a baseball bat in "Wii Sports" or slicing a gangbanger in half in "No More Heroes." Yet the latest edition of Konami's seminal rhythm game series suggests in its cover art and press materials that players can approximate real dancing with full, precise arm gestures.
With the 1:1 motion-sensing of the MotionPlus, maybe "Hottest Party 3" can fulfill that promise some time next year. Players couldn't cheat their way through arm-heavy dances like the YMCA or the Macarena. And with that experience around the corner, who wouldn't be cynical?
