Metareview -- Left Behind: Eternal Forces

Although not completely related, designing a game with a message is very challenging. Since the 1970's designers have relied on violence (killing or stomping on enemies) because it is far easier to come up with a concept and program. I am currently working on a strategy game about energy management and coming up with something that is fun to play and yet still conveys a message is a constant struggle.

thats funny, it reminded me of the simpsons episode "left below"

Religion + Video Games = Horribly Shitty Games

It seems to me a lot of the fun in video games comes from inducing stress. A sense of fear, a sense of panic, a sense of impending doom... So, in theory, religion and video games should be a good match. :)

Yeah I saw this game in Walmart and was pretty impressed with the visuals, though I could not tell how it was played at all based on the box. I would have guessed it was an RPG. It says it has multiplayer but that must be bland since I assume the fanbase won't want to play as the antichrist.

Right on Chris! LOL

Mind if I quote that?

@AirIntake,
As much as I wish I could disagree with you, being a Christian myself, you're pretty much on the money. It's a little like a lot of those Star Trek games that suck so bad: they're licensing an incredible storyline, but they botch the execution.

I think these days, the market for Christian/religious-themed video games is spotty at best, mainly because of the climate of the culture and other industry-external factors. But if some company or indie developer were able to really hit the mark with a cool new IP based on the Bible (for some Christians, the Left Behind series is a little tenuous in this regard), I think it could help in breaking down the stereotype that Christianity is unintelligent or uncool.

It saddens me to see how often religion (most especially Christianity) is seen as a fool's belief and a sure sign of stupidity. Even the glib nature of the Joystiq blurb in this article bears that same cynicism. I thought this game showed initial promise in being able to convince gamers of the viability of Christian themes in the industry, but I guess I'll have to wait for another game some other time.

How about a real-time simulation of the 100+ years it took Noah to build the ark? Yeah, completely kidding.

"It's a little like a lot of those Star Trek games that suck so bad: they're licensing an incredible storyline, but they botch the execution."

It's not like that at all, Star Trek has better stories than the bible. It's not as silly and more believable.

"I think it could help in breaking down the stereotype that Christianity is unintelligent or uncool."

Sometimes stereotypes are true.

"It saddens me to see how often religion (most especially Christianity) is seen as a fool's belief and a sure sign of stupidity."

And it saddens me when people believe fairy tales are real.

"Religion + Video Games = Horribly Shitty Games"

You + internet = horribly shitty posts

Seriously, go outside.

Its funny, of the three reviews you showed, only one of them is a well known site. Ign gave it a 59, if Gamespot or (the notoriously brutal) 1UP score it, I'm sure that will be a good read.

"It saddens me to see how often religion (most especially Christianity) is seen as a fool's belief and a sure sign of stupidity."

That really has to do with the born-again, right wing nature of moden Christian voices in the mainstream media. It's all about politics, money and power through the means of manipulating people's faith. These crass "Left Behind" games, books and movies are a perfect example of that mindset at work.

As a Christian myself, I don't see any represenation of my beliefs in the media.

"As a Christian myself, I don't see any represenation of my beliefs in the media."

what saddens me is people calling themselves christian or catolic without recognizing everything in there religion, how they pick and choose what they belive and what they dont.

basically if you dont belive it, your not a christian/ catholic your something else, stop giving yourself a label, if you need to belive in god, i cant argue with that, but say for example you dont belive homosexuality is wrong, well your not a christian / catholic person

theres a book that tells you what to think, if you dont think the way it tells you, why consider yourself part of its religion????

I believe that children are our future teach them well and let them play video games.

Show then all the pwnage they posses inside.

@rasbill

There are so many denominations in christianity that contradict eachother, who is to say which is right? The are groups that fall on numerous sides of a myriad of issues, who has the authority to say one group or the other is wrong because they dont believe what you believe.

@Mark

You've been following me around the internet reading all of my posts? You're a dedicated guy, to go through all the trouble to analyze my personality and then make a zing-tastic comment, and then wait for the confirmation email to come through. Just this once, just for you, I'll let you in on a real awesome game to play, but keep it on the down-low, kay?

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/666/666652p1.html

Awesome! Can we expect a review of The Bible Game next?

Mark : YOU go outside. seriously. Commenting on someone else's stupid comment (in your opinion) with another (arguably -more- stupid) comment is just inane..and perpetuates a vicious cycle of stupidity as illustrated by my own (hypocritical) rant you see before you. :)

Left Behind...
Wow, what a masturbatory feast for the soul... Out of all of the people on earth with all of their different customs, traditions and belief systems it is YOU that knows the truth. Yes, eternal life and puppies and cupcakes can all be yours when all the ignorant masses are Left Behind.

Mike Seaver will usher you into paradise.

Every generation has its con-men who want to make people believe that we are "The Last Generation".
It's a clever scam really... just get people thinking the following :
"If the world is coming to an end, why would I need my earthly possessions? Might as well give them all to Kirk Cameron."

@ Jonathan Tran

If I recall correctly, in multiplayer you actually do have the option of playing as the antichrist army, I found it kinda funny.

I think the daily show preview of "Left Behind" is appropriate now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct-hzYodttU

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Here's the official promotional DVD sent to churches

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YMaYEOz3kA

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And finally a more critical review video from the author of "The Christ Conspiracy"...you probably have a good idea of she will say~ ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRT7E_XColA

@rasbill

There are many different stances on what a christian is. In the end it comes down to YOUR understanding of it and how you see YOUR faith.

I Consider myself christian as a quaker. We aren't baptised we don't have preists and our free to understand the bible on our terms. Inside of christianity their are different churches. From what I can gather from your post I understand that oyu seem to think that the bible is the absolute direct word of god. I also would surmise that you gather that opinion from the transalation from Timothy and to a lesser extent Joshua. However I do not share that viewpoint.I respect other peoples opinion of their religion. I respect yours as well. I would hope you do the same.

Now on to the game.This game is being marketed as a christian game something they are free to do. It most certainly bases itself on beliefs found only in the christian churches but it is not all encompassing of the different sects of christianity. In fact some like me actually find the convert or die mentalality in the game to be appalling. From a personal veiwpoint this game does not encompass or remotely represent any christian value outside of taking place in a christian setting and applying a faux moral weight to killing.

This game has a right to exist people have a right ot enjoy it and I will not stand between that but I also feel the need to express concern about the game.

I liked Kirk Cameron's last appearance in a video game better!

"I was raised by a kind herd of wild cows!"

JR

"From what I can gather from your post I understand that oyu seem to think that the bible is the absolute direct word of god."

This understanding the foundation Christianity is built on. If somebody decides some parts of the bible aren't true, depending on what they agree or disagree with, or believe suits them, then where does the truth start? Christianity does not at all depend on one person's belief or interpretation of the bible - it's about giving up your own life and desires, and living to serve Jesus, letting him love other people through you.

Another common notion I find alarming is the fact that many people believe Christians do "condone violence against the heathen". That is a direct contradiction to what Jesus taught: "love your enemies". Jesus didn't die for the 'righteous', he died for his enemies - the very people that hung him on the cross.

This Cameron character is Growing Painfull.

Is his life really so horrible that he wishes for the whole world to end? I can understand the bum down the street and all the other cracked out, homeless, weirdos who insist that the world is going to end. If my life was so crappy it led to fighting rats for stale donuts and sleeping over the subway grate for warmth, I might wish for and end to it all and I'd probably think everyone else deserved to die too. But are so many people in America in such bad shape that they actually want to believe the world will end? What scares me the most is that the president believes in this crap and he's in the best position to end the world. Then again allot of these rapture morons believe Bush is God so that would be proof enough for them.

"As a Christian myself, I don't see any represenation of my beliefs in the media."

Please don't confused fundamentalist Christians for the rest of Christianity, please. For one, most of us sane Christians don't think that everyone from other religions are headed to Hell or Limbo.

I think the title of Christian/religion should be done away with. Not because I dont believe; its because those titles have been so diluted with everything else that the title can mean so many things to so many people negative and positive that no one knows the real meanings anymore. And going by that title only cause more confuse. Should be left down to one question; "Do you believe in "him" as your savior?"

This statement is posted from an employee of Left Behind Games on behalf of Troy Lyndon, our Chief Executive Officer.

There has been in incredible amount of MISINFORMATION published in the media and in online blogs here and elsewhere.

Pacifist Christians and other groups are taking the game material out of context to support their own causes. There is NO “killing in the name of God” and NO “convert or die”. There are NO “negative portrayals of Muslims” and there are NO “points for killing”.

Please play the game demo for yourself (to at least level 5 of 40) to get an accurate perspective, or listen to what CREDIBLE unbiased experts are saying after reviewing the game at www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/controversy.com

Then, we’d love to hear your feedback as an informed player.

The reality is that we’re receiving reports everyday of how this game is positively affecting lives by all who play it.

Thank you for taking the time to be a responsible blogger.