Keith

Agreed. Just look at the explosion from Ryu's jump kick. It's ridiculous. I think this aesthetic could end up looking pretty cool but they have to tone it down a little. Thankfully there's still lots of time for them to do so.

I can't tell what I want to do more: play the game or watch more trailers like this. Epic.

I agree. I have to assume there's a connection between their efforts to make a more western style game and the new protagonist's rather douche-bag appearance.

Thanks for this interesting and well researched article. I have been thinking (and complaining) about how this game approaches its source material for months now, but this seems like the first effort to really objectively consider its validity. I find I have a lot to think about.

On one hand I still very much agree with Arkimbald that this game is a tasteless endeavor. I feel they're simply using the poem as a colorful backdrop and a piece of cheap marketing for a sensationalistic (and pretty derivative) game. They may be thoughtful and thorough in the inspiration they draw from previous attempts to illustrate the poem, but that still has little to do with the actual heart of the poem itself. But I think Korova Pamplona raises an interesting point: how much can we expect from an endeavour like this? If we like the idea of video games that are willing to broaden their cultural horizons, can we make allowances for the difficulties inherent in shoehorning a classic into an ill-fitting format? Is there a better way to approach this? Could an RPG of Paradise Lost make any more sense or be any less a bastardization?

I originally intended to post a sarcastic comment deriding Visceral, but now all I can think of is how cool a Canterbury Tales cart racing game would be. You have exposed my inner hypocrite.

Capcom vs. Hanna Barbara. Make it happen.

I surf the internet for hours until I don't have enough time to finish my work.

Does anyone else find it odd that there needs to be any kind of fanfare about the creation of a successful new IP? It might just be my imagination, but it seems like just a few years ago there were no shortages of successful original series starting up and now we're making a fuss because someone made a successful game that didn't happen to be a sequel.

I guess part of that is due to the volatile job market. With stories of entire development teams getting shit canned the second a project is finished, developers probably like to get some reassurance from their publishers. It's sad but it makes sense. Publishers just aren't too eager to venture on a project that doesn't have an established fan base to guarantee a return.

It's not like there aren't any original ideas this year (though when I think about it a lot of the ones that spring to mind have been smaller projects like Trine and Shadow Complex). Maybe originality is only fiscally responsible on a small scale these days. That's even sadder. But who do you blame? Gamers for not dropping $60 on something they don't want just to support original game properties? Or publishers for not taking stupid risks during an economic downturn?

Jeez, if video games are the only source of happiness in this lunatics life you'd think he'd actually be somewhat grateful to the people who make them. Of course, that kind of thinking is too rational to apply to this guy.

Wow. Hi, let me introduce you to my friend Blizzard since you've obviously never met before.

Honestly, anyone who is surprised or disappointed by this must have never waited for a Blizzard game to be released. Blizzard's policy is always to work on a game as long as they feel is necessary and, usually, that takes a few years. If you hear a rumored release date, add two years to it and assume it has no basis in reality.