Running a Christian-themed video game review website has its pitfalls. Some of them can be amusing.
I imagine that the primary consumers of such a website are parents concerned about the games their children are playing, and that this is a valuable resource for them. Fair enough. As someone with at least a little contact with the gaming world, I’ve seen my share of games I wouldn’t want my daughters playing.
However, one of the pitfalls I refer to above is that there may be some, to put it mildly, over-judgmental people in your audience. I’m sure this comes as a shock.
For example, check out the review of a Japanese video game for PS 2. It’s clear that this review is written by someone who likes the game, but is trying to give it a quick, honest appraisal of aspects of the game to which Christian parents might object. Suddenly, a fight breaks out in the comments section. Look at these criticisms hurled at the poor reviewer.
Does anyone know if the Japanese lyrics are offensive or not? Repeating profanities in another language does not seem appropriate (if there are any).
There was nothing in the review about profanity in the lyrics.
There is also a lack of Biblical education applied to the Appropriateness section. One scripture screamed out at me while reading this review. That Holy Scripture is Colossians 2:8
That scripture is: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” I can only assume he means that he doesn’t feel this game is leading the players to Jesus. Newsflash, it’s a video game. Perhaps, instead, he is implying that the reviewer should spend more time with a Bible and less with a PS2. I’m sure that would improve his reviews.
The reviewer gives back with both barrels, and in the end another commenter tells the reviewer:
If you are a Christian you should be humbling accepting his loving rebuke in all maturity.
You have to read the thing to get the full enjoyment.
I credit Cruel Site of the Day with the hat tip on this one.
On the plus side, the game (Katamary Damacy) sounds like goofy Japanese fun, right up my alley.
Posted by James at January 3, 2005 11:23 PM