A Week In Comments

Without it, I wouldn’t be the hyper-addicted gamer I am today.

Without it, I might have a decent career and riches.

Without it, I might have BEEN something.

Without it, I…

… crap, I lost my train of thought, let me go find another heart container.

I had borrowed the game from a very good friend of mine, imported to　our then elderly Dreamcasts. I was a huge fan of the first game, a　dedicated virtual master of Hazuki Style Jujitsu, capsule games, and　Space Harrier. So when it came my chance to finally find my father’s　killer and unravel the mystery of the Phoenix Mirror I unhesitatingly　took it on. Rushing headstrong into China with nothing but a napsack　and a wallet of saved up allowances, I was playing one of my favorite　games of all time.

Unerringly I delved deeper into the plot, fought street fight after street fight. Sure I suffered a set back or two, but nothing a good night’s rest couldn’t resolve or some time running game of Lucky Hit wouldn’t relax away. For the most part, I was living out one of the great kung fu films never put to screen.

I was unstoppable in my quest. It was a tricky game on occasion, but for the most part my skills helped me through any trial. So when I was warned about continuing a particular line of investigation, I ignored them. I sought out the mysterious contact. And followed them to their location. And that’s when your so standard cliche of arrogant hero beatdown came crashing upon me. I had my ass saved later by the lady who warned me of recklessness.

When I came to the next morning, I was perhaps just ready to reset the game. To try and see if it was possible to beat that event. I mean, it felt possible. If only I was stronger, faster. But that’s when something unexpected, and yet perfectly classic to the genre, hit me harder than any beating could.

The little girl who was helping around the apartments I stayed in came in to see me after waking. She cried and said something like, I should never worry her like that again. And that it scared her. And that’s when it hit me. That’s when a real life lesson came to me, the player. I actually, for once, thought about how the individual characters Ryo had befriended cared for him.

It was from that moment on, that I couldn’t in good conscious continue on his quest. Instead, I had thought clearly that this revenge quest wasn’t worth it. I had, infact, learned the classic Kung Fu morale tale without going through the classic Kung Fu tropes. I didn’t need to kill my last bad guy. I didn’t need to find out the ancient mystery. I had reached an emotional climax, and I was left content with half of the game completely unplayed.

I went around Hong Kong collecting capsules, working the Lucky Hit stands, eating ramen, played at the arcade. And then I retired from the game and returned it to my bewildered friend.

In interactive mediums, you always have a choice of your ending. Even if that choice is hitting the power button.

You know what? Microsoft has the right idea. From now on, all my posts will feature value-added images.

“Are you sure you want to go to the hardware segment of the store?”

“The store has encountered a problem and will now close”

“The sales pitch could not be initialized”

and

“You may now leave the store”.

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