i'd wager there are many who try to undertake a more fair critical analysis when writing about this game. for the sake of transparency, let's just say i can't. this isn't about a stringent inability to separate art from the artist, this is about my inability to separate art from its era.
- it is emblematic of a dark period in capcoms oeuvre, in which they repeatedly made awful creative and financial decisions in an attempt to both maximize revenue and appeal to western markets
- it is easily one of the most repugnant, misogynistic games ive ever played; it possesses some of the worst writing ive ever seen in a game while still supposedly aspiring to shakespearean greatness. none of its musings on society ever come together nor can it be enjoyed as a charming romp when so little of its characterization is either endearing or palatable
- the calvacade of capital G Gamers who were thoroughly unimpressed by this title inspired a desperate and petty form of tribalism from the likes of varying industry figures that continues to resurface to this day...
- ...which, inadvertently, largely reminds of a kind of rampant xenophobia that existed in the seventh generation of games, a quiet dismissal of anything japanese in the medium and a refusal to engage with their works on sincere grounds (look no further than the original niers critical admonishment). ninja theory felt completely comfortable disparaging and blaspheming the original franchise that they now held the keys to in an era where inescapable indie 'beloveds' like jonathan blow and phil fish rallied to antagonize an entire country's output to the medium
- ninja theory had zero right to patronize or criticize, by the way, given that itsuno had to babysit them to teach them anything at all about proper enemy design, combat design, and so on and so forth. their action game couldn't even be considered average until the release of the special edition
- honestly think the games environments look like dogshit, considering it's the one thing everyone is unanimous in praise of. 2000s movie poster type bullshit

a stark reminder of an awful time to be a participant in the medium and the sole reason i refuse to be accessory to ninja theory in any financial capacity. sacrilege if im being real. hilarious that dmc5 reconciles with this games western sensibilities to often brilliant effect by comparison

Reviewed on Nov 22, 2020


4 Comments


this is so insightfully put and your more critical perspective actually gave me a better sense of clarity about the things I think are (mostly unintentionally) worth discussing about this game. It really is a piece of repellant noxious bile!!!! The 7th gen anti-Japanism thing is so on the money and I think we're only just starting to see more measured reappraisals of things like FFXIII or anything that had the perceived stench of "animu" during that time

3 years ago

dont get me wrong, i think your suggestions are definitely worth discussing!! the idea of games as a time capsule are what constantly make me want to revisit gta IV, even knowing i probably still won't like it; that said, i think this game is rooted in too much of a...certain kind of thought, for me to get behind. along all the other reasons i can't really condone it

3 years ago

Excellent points made. Never even thought about the xenophobia angle until you brought it up.

2 years ago

Haven't yet played the game so can't comment on it but I remember hearing that Ninja Theory wanted to make something similar to the original but it was Capcom who forced them to move away from the from the original as much as possible. In light of that your admonishment of the devs feels rather unfair.