The Joys of Absurdity

Originally published on 09/08/2010 at YouGotGa.me

There's been an interesting trend in the video game industry over the last decade or so. Video games, which for so long were full of non-sequiturs such as speedy hedgehogs with attitude and worms in super-suits, seem to be trying to move away from the often-bizarre characters and situations and focusing more on grit and realism. While this works fine for some titles, after all you don't want unbelievable elements in your military FPS, even titles which could benefit from a more stylized and original presentation are moving towards dark, dingy, and realistic game worlds.

The games I played as a child were basically forced to rely on fantastical elements and characters due to the technical limitations of the hardware at the time. Although there were exceptions like Metal Gear and other combat-focused games, most games had characters and settings that were far removed from reality. Although I love that technical advances have allowed us to create games that can, as accurately as a video game can while remaining fun, allow you to experience what it's like to be a soldier on a modern battlefield, I miss the sense of whimsy from these older titles.

Earthworm Jim, Jazz Jackrabbit, and Toejam & Earl

Gamers of a certain age will probably recognize the characters above. Characters like Earthworm Jim, Jazz Jackrabbit, and Toejam & Earl had a sense of personality that is often lacking in today's games. I can't even begin to tell you how many titles I've played in recent years where I'm in control of yet another generic, mute action hero. It's not that these games aren't enjoyable, a quick look at the massive number of hours I've spent in Bad Company 2 would confirm that I still get a kick out of many of these titles, it's that the push to make new games more "real" seems to be eliminating the random, quirky types of characters and settings that caused the above games to take on an iconic status. There are still games with this sense of irreverence being produced, of course, but the majority of them are sequels to long-established franchises. When it comes to new IPs, however, such titles are few and far between.

Not all hope is lost, though. Developers like Tim Schafer prove, with games like Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, that there is still room for games that don't take themselves too seriously. Not only are such games refreshing in an industry that seems to be taking itself too seriously, but they're genuinely funny to boot!

But the real home of absurdity in games, as it long has been, is Japan.

Yes...he just ran through a field of spears, ripping foes in half, to fight off a giant cosmic Buddha attempting to crush him to death with his finger. This is the sort of thing that many western gamers would scratch their heads at, and the type of title most western developers wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole! Japanese developers, unlike so many of their western counterparts, seem to still be willing to inject some humor and outlandish elements into their games.

Titles such as Dead Rising and Bayonetta exhibit a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and unique style that allow them to stand apart from many current titles. It's just personal preference, but this is what I miss in so many games today. I'm reassured, though, by the cyclical nature of the gaming industry. I've seen trends rise, fall, and rise again over 2+ decades of gaming, and I have no doubt that this will be the case yet again.

Just don't expect to see me lamenting the lack of games where you play as a buff brosiff super-soldier when that happens!