I have more to say about Stranger in Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (Team NINJA), soulslikes in general, and my thoughts about From games in general. We’ll see how much of that I actually get to. I’m guessing probably the first. Then me winding down several other paths before abruptly ending the post. because that’s how I roll! Here is my prior post on this subject and on my review of the game.
Part of my problem is that I keep thinking I should like Team NINJA games. It’s well-known that the Niohs are considered two of the best soulslikes–at least until Lies of P (Round8 Studio/NEOWIZ), and I have tried and tried and tried to like them. As I have mentioned, I’ve played several Team NINJA games and have not been able to finish a single one. The Niohs are too hard for me, and I just lost all interence in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty after a particularly shitty level.
When I’m playing a From game, there are times when I’m frustrated. I have many bad moments against bosses. I curse constantly, and sometimes, I put the controller down and walk away. I’m really bad at the games and sometimes, I wish I did not like them. It’s not fun to be into games that are not into me (which is pretty much the story of my life, really), and I’m not always happy that I played Dark Souls all those many years ago.
Ian and I have argued about this back and forth for many years. He thinks From games are aimed at people like me. The mere peonz who struggle with every boss, but eventually overcome. I argue that it’s for the superfans who can parry every enemy to death without breaking a sweat.
It’s similar to the argument we have over what is Miyazaki’s aim with the games. Or rather, the argument people in community have over Miyazaki’s intent with the games (Ian and I agree on this). Some fans believe that Miyazaki loves the players and want to break them in order to make them better. Others believe that Miyazaki hates the players and just want to thoroughly crush their spirits. I don’t think either of these are right. I believe that Miyazaki does not care about the players. He’s interested in creating these horrific and heartbreaking worlds, as intricate and elaborate as possible. Whether the players fit into those worlds are not off any interest to him. We are incidental, which is an interesting feeling in these kinds of games. Usually, action adventure games are very heavy on you being the protag and eventually ruling the world/being the hero/saving the world.