Here I was trying to enjoy some music, when all of the sudden—bam! I got hit by a massive advertisement for the recently released PS3 game Heavenly Sword.
I visited the game’s official website to learn more about it, hoping that my initial impressions about the game were incorrect—when I saw the sexy, long-haired woman with virtually no cloths and a gigantic sword spinning in circles ala Magical Girl style, I assumed the worst. I was immediately treated to an animated video that details the origins of the protagonist, Nariko, The video explains:
“So many were sacrificed, and even that fateful moment claimed one more treasured life. Our long awaited savior—the returning heavenly warrior—was born a worthless girl, a violation of the prophecy, the death of our hopes. How would this thing save us?”
As it turns out, her father chooses to keep his daughter alive (the video makes it clear that he considered infanticide), but she lives alone and receives the blame for all of her clan’s misfortunes. As her father hones her into a powerful warrior over the years, her clan seems to accept that she may be their only hope. After her father’s death, she goes on a journey for revenge, hoping not only to avenge him but also to redeem herself in the eyes of her people.
That’s some pretty heavy stuff. I’d consider the story much more substantial than the usual “pretty girl runs around with a big sword and kills stuff” games, and it seems to have plenty of RPG story elements mixed in with exciting action parts. I do have one major gripe, though.
The game’s catch phrase is, “Heavenly Sword. Vengeance has never been so beautiful.”
Once I’m done thrashing in place and screaming inside, I take a second look at the line. It’s a perfect example of the expectations marketers have for their consumers—it dismisses the majority of the female gaming population. A certain game with similar themes of revenge and courage would never have been advertised like that.
The ad simply doesn’t make sense to me. From my understanding of the game, beauty is the last thing on Nariko’s mind. I can understand making her attractive—even as a gay guy, I would vastly prefer playing a striking character like Nariko rather than a scabby, scarred, misshapen character. It’s part of the fantasy of gaming; however, I don’t like that Nariko is being objectified and that sexuality is being used to sell the game when it is completely irrelevant. Prettiness is unrelated to a blood hunt.
I haven’t played Heavenly Sword yet (and won’t for a long time—I don’t even have a TV right now, let alone a PS3! Make your donations to Girl in the Machine today!), so I can’t get into too much detail about the game—but I do think it has potential to bring out another strong female lead.
Any readers have this one yet? Can you tell us more?
(Images from Pandora Radio and the media page at the Heavenly Sword official website.)
I have a big issue with her appearance, actually. While this is a fantasy game, I expect a certain amount of realism as well--I don't like suspending too much disbelief. If she's been trained hard to be a warrior all her life, why doesn't she have any muscles--even the slightest hint of them? Her arms are like twigs.
ReplyDeleteIn God of War, we get a tough, muscular man. It's pretty obvious he can kick ass. In Heavenly Sword (which is also a much less intimidating title), we get a barely-toned woman with so much hair I'm surprised she doesn't get herself tangled up in it.
Personally, I would love to play a tough, scarred, not necessarily pretty character, especially if they've trained to be a warrior all their life.
I got that in my Pandora today as well. I was really surprised. I can't recall Pandora ever having videogame adverts, and I've been using it for two years.
ReplyDeleteI don't like that slogan either. Certainly worthy of eye-rolling. Rhianna Pratchett, Terry Pratchett's daughter, was responsible for the script and story of Heavenly Sword. She is or was a videogame journalist, too. I don't know how responsible she is for the marketing of the game, though.
This game actually made me want a ps3. I haven't played it either, and I'm kind of disappointed by the reviews, which have it pegged as somewhat shallow.
ReplyDeleteStill, it's rare to have such a bad ass woman carry a maintstream title and I love this style of game play. I can overlook some of the obvious hyper-sexualisation (the game was obviously not made for women) if she's still awesome and the story is great. I just don't know, though...
Plasmarit -> I wasn't too focused on her appearance as I was writing, but I do agree with you--the advertisement had a more profound affect on me, though, because it was drawing attention to her prettiness and saying, "This game is teh sex."
ReplyDeleteBrinstar -> Poor Rhianna Pratchett probably has absolutely no say in the marketing. I can only hope that she would've prevented it if she could.
Cola -> I agree. It's rare that everything will be right, so it's important to celebrate small victories. . . If she is as badass and unconventional as her backstory makes her out to be, then I think it'll be a great game. If she orgasms every time she swings her sword, though, we've got a problem.
i've checked out the demo, and she's walking porn. I just don't think i could get past the fuck-me posturing of the character.
ReplyDelete