Checkpoint: Playing For Stories Edition

checkpoint-playing-for-stories-edition

I didn’t plan this, but playing both Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All and Siren: Blood Curse made me realize how similar they are. Their strengths are their stories and that’s why I’m playing them.

“Playing”.

It’s difficult to associate my interaction with that verb. There’s combat, switch pulling and other tiny amounts of “gameplay” in  Siren: Blood Curse, but it’s not all that engaging or fun. And the Ace Attorney series? It is more or less a point and click adventure.

Thus I’m in it for the story and atmosphere. Siren: Blood Curse is creeping me out more than any other survival horror game in recent memory. Phoenix Wright and the Ace Attorney series have kept me finding contradictions and searching for clues up until 1:30 in the morning. I’ve been having an entertaining time with both.

They may not test my reflexes or wow my senses, but they’re doing a great job involving my imagination and problem solving skills. All while, telling a pretty damn good story.

Now, if you would excuse me, I’m off to “read”.

P.S – Exclusives Watch 2009 update tomorrow? Perhaps. I may postpone it for some added flair.

Siren: Blood Curse Demo Impressions

What do I know about the Siren series? Two things:

  1. It’s a survival horror game with a similar vibe to Silent Hill.
  2. It’s made by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan.

So when I heard that SCEJ was going to release an episodic remake of the first Siren I thought it would be a great opportunity to check the series out. Japan got their hands on a demo a few weeks ago and today it’s North America’s turn. So without hesitation I downloaded the 547 MB demo, shut the blinds and checked it out. Twice! Here’s some of my thoughts on it.

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