Toward a Philosophy of
Video Game Criticism
Gaming Under
the Influence
[Podcast]E.93
Open-World Games: Comforting AND Wholesome
Listener discretion is advised; contains profanity, references to drugs & alcohol.
Mike & Alex return to a style of video game they have no small measure of conflicted feelings about: open-world action-rpgs. Alex returns to Ghosts of Tsushima & Mike to Maneater to check out the DLC for both titles. Concludes with an explanation of the particular appeal of open-world progression styles: without the punctuation & demands of other games like Souls (with taxing combat) or JRPGs (with complex systems to manipulate), they convey grand gestures of worldbuilding.
We use Neo-Thomistic philosophy to analyze video games as fine art. Against corporate & political interests, we argue they (should) exist solely to be beautiful: self-contained, self-justifying acts of worldbuilding. Subscribe for a nominal monthly fee to support our project. No gimmicks, tricks or bonuses: if you believe in what we do, we are happy for your help.