End Games
So before anybody panics, no, this Blog title does not in any way shape or form imply that I'm done with writing the Chronicles series. Now that I have that clarification out of the way, let us proceed...
I may have indicated a few weeks back that once Wolfkin went to print I would be taking some much needed time off to reboot. I almost managed to screw that plan up, but one of my friends (who happens to be a nurse and an alpha reader) made a point of reminding me that I really should take that planned time off. Consider it a prescription from a medical professional, if you will.
Like most prescriptions I get, I haven't exactly been good about adhering to the instructions given (pauses writing this to take the pill I forgot about earlier). I did some inventory and sales bookwork, performed some direct sales, met with my promo shirt designer, and spent a few days working with Jack on edits to the Ash to Ashes audiobook tracks. I even spent a few days working on "Nine Lives of Benjamin Finch." I'm not a workaholic, I'm just the only one who works in this office.
Conversely, I did spend some time going on walks, catching up on my shows and starting a rewatch of Grimm which has been highly entertaining. Of particular interest (to me at least, since everybody else I talk to seems to get this glassy-eyed look and changes the subject), I bit the Facebook marketing bait for Detroit: Become Human and started looking into the Quanticdreams series of games. Not being quite certain enough about what I was getting into to spring for the new release price of Detroit: Become Human, I went ahead and purchased a significantly cheaper combo pack for Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls. What I discovered not only convinced me to buy and play Detroit: Become Human, but it also gave me a mind-blowing appreciation for the interactive stories genre. (Apologies to anybody miffed that I'm talking about games found specifically on the Sony PS4/PS3 platforms. It's what I've got.)
In all three games you follow the characters through their stories in what could best be described as an interactive movie. You have opportunities to move through and investigate most of the scenes like your average game, but rather than learning complicated fighting techniques, platform jumps, and menu options, when the action starts (referred to as a Quick Time Event), you have to push and mash the indicated buttons when prompted to or face the potential consequences-and everything has consequences. Much like the old-school "Choose Your Own Adventure" series of books, every decision and dialogue choice has a chance to alter the course of the story for the better or for the worse. Especially in Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human, lead characters can die early on, drastically altering the course of the overall story. Whether or not you accept a given outcome or opt to replay a chapter is also a choice you can make (which I did a few times in two of the games because I just couldn't handle letting the story ride with the outcomes I got the first time). In case this style of play sounds "boring" to you, allow me to say, I have never been so stressed out while playing a video game as I have been in mashing away at the buttons just to keep these characters alive. That said, I can't think of any game I've played through that has elicited the same degree of emotional response as I've experienced (both joyful and sad) as I have with these three games.
I spent a ridiculous amount of time playing through these games. I saw more sunrises through my window these last two weeks than I care to admit. I kept losing track of time and doing the "Just one more chapter!" excuse because the stories and character development were simply that enthralling. Now that I'm done playing the games, I'm kind of at a loss for what to do with myself. It's the same kind of emotional withdrawals that I experienced after binge-reading Lord of the Rings for the first time. I enjoyed all three of the games that much.
A quick run down for those interested (kept vague to avoid spoilers):
Heavy Rain follows four characters who are investigating a serial killer (the Origami Killer) in a race against time before the next victim turns up dead. It's a psychological thriller with all the right twists and turns to keep it interesting till the end. Not for the faint of heart or squeamish (I still have guilt feelings for what I put Ethan Mars through), but definitely worth taking a look at.
Beyond: Two Souls focuses specifically on one character, Jodie (played by Ellen Page). This one is more of a supernatural thriller/adventure with some sci-fi twists peppered in for flavor. The version I played had the option to play the game chronologically, which I did. I believe the original release bounced around the storyline as Jodie tried to recall what happened. Either way, the story is full of intrigue as you learn about Jodie's life and the poltergeist-like entity that's tied to her. Needless to say, her life experiences are anything but mundane, but her attempts to achieve "normalcy" are some of the brightest highlights of the game.
Detroit: Become Human follows the experiences of three different Androids who encounter the onset of sentient awareness in different ways and circumstances. It's a powerful sci-fi adventure that questions "What does it mean to be human?" and "What price are you willing to pay for freedom?" The implied correlation to the android's plight and the real life fights for equality (particularly in regards to race and color) are pretty profound and demonstrate that, as far as we've come, we aren't anywhere close to where we need to be yet with these issues.
Anyway, back to the Blog relevance: Having played through these games and taken my prescribed time off, I'm ready to hit the ground running. I've been formulating story concepts and plans for the next installment, and I have to say, I'm pretty excited about what's coming next!
In the mean time, don't forget to check out the newest installment of Chronicles of Chalisaria with Wolfkin: A Fairy's Tail. It may not be a choose your own button-mashing tale, but it's a fun adventure with more characters and plot twists than you can shake a tail at. Enjoy!
