Sta.sh
Long one today, so I broke it up so you can skip to the section you want:
Korra Alone - Spoilers
Best. Episode. Of Korra. YET.
I really wish this had been paired up with the first episode of the season. Season 4 episode 1 was... boring. While it did a good job of showing where everyone is now 3 years after the fact, it didn’t do much to further the story. It felt too much like explanations and dry setup to cooler stuff that will eventually happen down the road, than a solid episode in it’s own right. But episode 2: Korra Alone comes along and BOOM! It blows everything out of the park!
Korra’s struggles to recuperate after her fight with Zaheer are on full display here. Her inability to walk and do basic things is definitely a source of her frustrations and self loathing, as is the fact that she still has nightmares. And even when she is finally able to overcome her physical limitations and learn to walk and fight again... the mental toll isn’t as easily fixed. As someone who struggles with mental illnesses, it was really nice to see the creators acknowledging that the mental aspect can take MUCH longer than the physical. While Korra LOOKS 100%, she clearly isn’t there when it comes to her mental state... especially when she starts seeing figments of her brutal Avatar state self from last season haunting her wherever she goes.
I also really loved Katara’s roll in the episode. She makes it clear to Korra that it’s really up to her to work through the challenges, and that while it will be difficult, she will come out stronger and better for it. “I don’t know what you’ll find if you keep working at it, but won’t it be interesting to find out?” being of the best lines of dialogue in the episode.
Sidenote: There is even still a little nod to Korrasami too. Aside from Asami asking if Korra wanted her company in the Souther Water Tribe (implying no one else offered to go with), there’s also the fact that Korra only seemed to keep in writing contact with Asami, telling her “it’s easier to tell you these things” and “Mako and Bolin wouldn’t understand.”
And then of course the episode ends with Korra finding Toph alive and well living in a swamp. While it might seem odd that she’s living there, keep in mind that the first place Aang saw Toph was in visions in the swamp. So it at least kinda makes sense that, when Toph leaves to seek spirituality, she ends up there. How Toph is gonna help Korra sure will be an interesting experience alright!
Overall, GREAT episode of Korra. Loved every moment of it and I could even see struggles I’ve faced being represented too. So wonderful that this episode also debuted on WorldMentalHealthDay too. Perfect timing IMO.
Doctor Who - Spoilers
After the ABYSMAL “Kill the Moon” episode last week, I was ready to write off Season 8 entirely. I was completely on Clara’s side for chewing out the Doctor for being an asshole. But then we got “Mummies on the Oriental Express” and it (almost) made up for the asshole actions of the recent incarnation of the Doctor.
I’m still perturbed by Clara’s choices, though. After swearing off the Doctor in the last episode, seeing her step out of the Tardis with a smile on her face DOES kinda take the sting out of her justifiable anger in the last episode. Likewise, the ending’s resolution of her apologizing and going with the Doctor while metaphors of addiction fly around is equally confusing (addiction = good?).
Thankfully, the episode inbetween the beginning and ending confusions is remarkably good. It’s got a good setup (invisible monster that kills in exactly 66 seconds is only visible to the one about to die), lots of interesting characters and situations, and a good resolution of the Doctor finally saving (most) of the people involved. The best type of Doctor Who episodes are those which establish an established set of ground rules to work off of (such as “don’t blink”), and then allowing the characters to work off those rules as much as possible.
Best episode of Season 8 so far... though it’s still frustrating that the explanation for why the Doctor is a grouch and seems uncaring has taken THIS LONG to be explained. Should’ve been done in the first 2-3 episodes... not in the middle of the season IMO.
Bayonetta 2 Controversy
I’m not really gonna talk about the game or the demo itself, but the surrounding controversy going on right now because Polygon gave the game a 7.5 while everyone else is giving it a 9 or higher. Apparently this is... bad?
For the past 3 or so MONTHS we’ve been getting GamerGate people bemoaning “journalistic integrity and ethics” but the SECOND that a game review comes out and is (shocking!) actually critical of a game, all that spins around and people start demanding all journalists MUST march in lock-step with everyone else and give insane praise and worship on every game. Reviews MUST NOT vary or waiver EVER!
Guys... this is the problem... criticism means taking a step back and looking at things you enjoy with a more refined critical eye. You cannot demand journalists uphold critical and journalistic integrity with with the same breath condemning them for doing exactly that. If anything, demanding ALL SCORES be exactly the SAME is the exact OPPOSITE of what you’re championing for.
Even worse? It’s ONE review. ONE review that doesn’t quite match up with everyone else’s insane praise and adulation for a video game, and everyone’s freaking out. Guys... it’s OK to have different opinions. Variety is the spice of life and I dunno about you but I would HATE to live in a world where ALL reviews were EXACTLY the same thing. We had this same issue with Dragon’s Crown, when ONE reviewer (from a website most people didn’t even frequent) didn’t like the game as much as everyone else did.
It’s extremely sad that Bayonetta 2’s long-awaited release in Japan (and the demo on the Wii-U) is being overshadowed by all this nonsense and undue hate for Polygon’s semi-negative review of a 7.5 out of 10. If I were a developer or programer on Bayonetta 2, that sort of mob-based mentality would bother me because you’re not debating my game, you’re using my game to dog-pile hate on a website you don’t like.
This type of nonsense has to stop.
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Mood:
Tender - Listening to: Bob's Burgers
- Reading: Twitter
- Watching: Avatar: The Legend of Korra Season 4
- Playing: Bayonetta 2 Demo
- Drinking: Decaf. Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.
SYAC - BINGO by 
Nerd osmosis is a myth and you can't get on board a series right away if only watch the mid season controversial character developer.
Bayonette 2 reviewers: Welcome to the hypocrisy of the internet (So many mouths with so many directions), while others are fine with difference in reviews their are a few vocal minority who will just tear into something just to set themselves apart. Gamergate itself is a paradox now, it claims journalistic integrity but is instead being lead by the most oppressive people in the media industry. I think it will end up hitting mainstream media and be forced to reckon with people who discover the true purpose of it, before chased down by the very people they incited to rise against their enemies with pitchforks and torches... hopefully.
Some people just can't take criticism...
Generally I find Bob "Movie Bob" Chipman's reviews on the Escapist to be entertaining, but when he said that anyone who enjoyed the Expendables were the worst people in the world I really disagreed with him. I happen to enjoy the Expendables, all of them. Were they "great" movies? I didn't think so, but neither were they bad movies. There were no obvious plot holes, or wooden acting or any of the main characters doing the most idiotic things we normally see in bad movies. He didn't like it and I did, but that doesn't mean I don't think he and others who may have hated these movies aren't entitled to their opinions. Unfortunately, I'm sure there were plenty of people who told him just that.
Any technology has a good side and a bad side. The great thing about our connected media is it gives everyone a voice, but that is also the bad part. People have to learn to be a bit more discriminating about whom they listen/read. I've never had a problem with someone disagreeing with me as long as they have a reasoned opinion. If all they have to say is full of anger with no logic, then I don't have to pay it any mind.
As for the reviewers or journalists, the problem is in unrevealed bias. I don't have a problem with them having a bias, just that they tell us about it when they write about a subject. It comes down to trust. We already don't trust much of what is advertised or told to us by representatives/politicians so trust is a journalist's bread and butter. A review isn't just a judgement on the thing being reviewed but also on the reviewer.
By the way I also hated "Kill the Moon", but I'm not here to give a review of it.
(It's an awesome episode by the way, it's very much like the way "classic who"structured their episodes.)
I agree, replacing the score with a pro/con summary(for sites that don't already do it) wound be much better.
I don't care, I enjoy the game. And that's how the attitude should be: if you enjoy it, say it is great. If someone disagrees, just shrug and go on enjoying the game, their not liking it doesn't affect those who enjoy it in any way.
It's all about opinions and tastes in games, it is really hard to compare every single game to one another because of different content, stories, genres and other factors.
this is coming from the same guy who disabled all of his comments.
get your head out of your ass.
Clara is a crap companion, let's get that out of the way for starters.
She's got too much levity, not enough wonder at being a time traveler.
Anyhoo, I am surprised you approve of her childish outburst at the Doc
in the last episode. Since you (I assume) would support two women
being left to decide Earth's fate. Instead Clara goes nuts because she
is left without her daddy figure (the Doc) to have to think for herself.
Her subsequent anger was pathetic to behold, as the Doctor was in
the right when he left the humans to make the choice. Is it really his
place to define our species future...? Clara acted like a moron.
I think the sooner we get rid of this pretty but rubbish assistant,
the better. At this time I'd even wish for hideous Donna to return!
Ideally, someone like Martha, with a second alien companion too!
That's my tuppence worth!
I'm not on board with you on this. I actually am fascinated with the slow character development; the Doctor has been a sort of severely ADHD, grouchy jackwagon from the start of the season, and it would have been very easy for the writers to simply give it short shrift in order to heal the Doctor/Clara relationship quickly. "Kill the Moon" is a sort of reveal, that the essential defend-the-world Doctor is still there, but operating at a considerably deeper level than a simple Time-Lord Dudley Do-Right rushing to save the day; he is starting to hold humanity to certain expectations that Clara fulfills.
That said, I agree that the Doctor/Clara relationship is a vast muddle, starting from the very first episode and Clara's inexplicable reactions to the Doctor's regeneration. I think they're writing off Clara, and not giving her the due diligence the character and the relationship deserves all the way through the transition to the new Companion. They've gotten lazy on that end indeed...
At the end of the day if an individual enjoyed a game, then the opinion of other individuals (whether negative or otherwise) really shouldn't get to them.
I can kind of see your point with how much of an asshole the Doctor was last episode (with the moon) but I actually side with the doctor on that.
I guess we don't really see eye to eye, haha.
I find it funny that people are flipping their shits over a poor(?) review. Especially considering that they're very legitimate complaints. I'll probably still play the game, but I'll probably, like the reviewer, find the fan service distracting. It's the kind of thing you'd expect in an eroge, not a hardcore beat'em up.
It would be as if I walked into a horror movie viewing and said;
"y'know this movie's flawed for being too scary"
Compare this to a criticism that actually evaluates the game like;
"the games ranking system is flawed, there is no real way to know if you've got combo or time necessary for the highest ranking in the middle of a fight, adding a style meter similar to devil may cry and a timer would help inform players where to focus mid fight"
This is a criticism most people can agree on, it's more objective, and an improvement is suggested.
If these reviewers want to be more respected, they need evaluate the game on its own merits rather than on a writers political views.
but honestly, I'm surprised people are angry that the game isn't everyone's cup of tea. of course it isn't. it's a game meant for lighthearted over the top action with a sexualized femme fatale as the main playable character. that doesn't appeal to everyone guys. personally, i ignore the fan service bits, it just made me laugh and see her as more of a badass woman comfortable with who she is. (And yes I'm a guy) maybe it's because i dated a woman who was honestly rather similar to bayonetta, very flirty, kinda abrasive, but at the same time with a gentle more sweet side that is shown to only a few people. i'm trying not to rant but the point is, bayonetta isn't for everyone. but no game or character is.
Games like Bayonetta or dark souls appeal to a specific niche of gamers, the worst thing these games can do is dilute the gameplay and style in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. The existing fans may not like the result and the potential newcomers may still not like it.
When you try to satisfy everyone, you satisfy no one instead
If people lash out against it, then there's a chance polygon will improve and start reviewing games on it's own merits more often.
If there wasn't a backlash, then it is possible that people might not buy the game on the assumption of it being "sexist", and the reviewer may believe that it is okay to criticise a game based on how progressive it is, leading to possible poor reviews of other games in the future.
I'm still going to enjoy the game, but I think it's important to point out the flaws in the review.
I'd say if people want to complain about it, go ahead
If people don't care about the review, why are they talking about it?
I mean I'm sure you wouldn't be appreciative if preston's work was reviewed by a professional and they docked him for things like 'LESBIAN KICK' in alex ze pirate under the premise that it 'poorly represents lesbians'.
Either that or drop the score from the review entirely. There's no purpose in feigning objectivity with a score if the scoring itself will be subjective.
Bayonetta is characterised as a fem fatale, the gameplay and cutscenes reflect those characteristics.
If there was a male equivalent of Bayonetta in terms of sexualisation (like say armstrong from full metal alchemist), then those crotch/pecs/ass shots would still not make the game worse.
If I were to review that kind of game, I would just point out the sexualisation, say it's not my cup of tea, but not let it affect my overall verdict on the game because I know the consumers interested in this are probably already aware, and don't care or even want it more.
The reviewer is still complaining about something the game was made to be, almost everyone who is remotely interested Bayonetta will find the criticism irrelevant.
To sum it up, it basically continually sings praises of how the game takes all the mechanical elements and pushes them together to create an amazing example of the japanese action genre and basically refines almost everything from the first game. The summation of points is best shown in their last paragraph, though:
"When Platinum Games is on, it's really, really on, and Bayonetta 2 is in almost any respect that counts a better game than the first, whose mechanics were already exemplary. But every time I'd feel on a roll, enjoying my time with Bayonetta 2 immensely, I'd be broken out of it by another cheap shot of T&A. I would be wrecking a flock of angelic or demonic enemies, sliding in and out of witch time almost at will, and then the special weapon I had picked up became a literal stripper pole for Bayonetta to dance on, because ... well, because, I guess.
I won't guess why the blatant over-sexualization is still there, often more intensely than before. But it causes an otherwise great game to require a much bigger mental compromise to enjoy."
The whole reasoning behind the huge point drop is the sexualization of the character itself. This is a point where the game itself should have received a higher review score, but have been noted that it might not be enjoyable if one dislikes sexualization. And honestly, that hurts all the more that it lost such a significant sum (putting the game from great to what would be contemporarily considered 'mediocre' score) when the article itself spends a majority of it's time singing praises of the game itself without mentioning the sexualization much [not that it should have necessarily received a 9; the review itself sounds like that either that or an 8.8 would have probably been the score for such]. If they wanted to talk about their feelings of sexualization, it probably would have worked amazingly as an accompanying op-ed piece.
But honestly, that's more because I think no game (Not even something like 'Hitler did nothing wrong 64') should have it's quality as a vehicle marred by the fact that it's message isn't liked. Dislike of the message itself should be handled, of course, but it should be noted as such.
Specifically, it's because a Numeric Score adds a level of objectivity to the comparison of games (That's it's intent, to be a unified point for which to say game A is better than Game b overall). It leads into the idea that if we had someone who dislikes violence, then them using such a system would have E rated games scored higher on average than M rated games. (Personally I dislike the types of mature themes games try to pull nowadays, but I understand that is simply my OPINION and I can't really say much more about that outside of a distaste for it for the same reasons I wouldn't want someone to hate on pulp in media)
One of the most disheartening examples I remember is when I ended up at "America" on Ebert's website back when that came out in July. 800 comments at that time and all for a film that had maybe been out for a couple weeks. It seemed that most people only read the first couple lines, where the reviewer referred to director Dinesh D'Souza as a "disgraced former university president and convicted felon" and raced into the comment section to say either "Critic didn't like it, guess I'm seeing it!
As far as Doctor Who, it has been an uneven season, to say the least. The moon episode was interesting in concept at first, but yeesh, that plot twist. Maybe if I watch it the second time, I might be a bit more into it. But I quite liked the mummy episode. Feels like the more classic older episodes, and it's really one of the better episodes of the season, maybe even the best one so far. And it feels strange to say that there's only 4 episodes left and there haven't been any particular standout episodes until now. Listen was intriguing, and I quite liked Robot of Sherwood and even the introductory episode, Deep Breath. But all the other were okay, at best, which I hate to say.
That said, the only thing I can nitpick about this new episode, is....why is Toph wearing her clothes from like, 40 years ago???
As for Clara I don't know why she's still there. With Matt Smith she was fine because she was his Impossible Girl. Now they never mention that and Clara is so confused it's just annoying to watch.
This doctor is quite cool though, did you notice the jelly babies in the episode? And when he talked to himself, it almost sounded like he was trying to make his voice like the 4th doctors (Tom Bakers)...I thought that was pretty cool.