Duality

When it comes to games, my tastes and Xero’s differ by quite a bit. I prefer knuckle-busters while Xero prefers the more-laidback variety. That’s a good thing. Between the two of us, I think we cover all styles of games. If a game is good, at least one of us will like it.

I bring this up because someone posted a comment on my review of Castlevania: Lament of Innocence saying that it is one of the best PS2 games ever. Now, Lament of Innocence has gotten decent reviews from paper and online publications (including 7/10 from my precious Eurogamer). But it remains one of the few of such games* that both Xero and I don’t like at all.

I guess that might not mean much. If you like the game, you like the game regardless of what we say. But it troubles me a little to think that a game we both think is bad (I paid $6 for it and still feel disappointed) is considered by some to be one of the best PS2 games of all time. Sticking with the “third-person action” genre, I know Xero would be quick to say God of War and Resident Evil 4 are miles ahead of Lament of Innocence. I’d be quick to name Devil May Cry (also mentioned in my review) and Devil May Cry 3.

Speaking for my own recommendations, neither entry in the Devil May Cry series suffers from the terrible art direction and lame action that plagues Lament of Innocence. Hey Xero, do you remember your complaints regarding the game?

* the only other I can think of at the moment is Final Fantasy X-2 (8/10 at Eurogamer). I do find the premise of FF X-2 interesting to think about though (what do you do after you save the world? How does the world change after it has been saved?). Then again, maybe it’s because I think Yuna’s kinda cute…