21st June 2007, 10:12 PM
Really though GR, you're missing the central fact that I stated earlier.
FACT: The status of women's rights in Japan are far, far behind where they are in the West. It's the way things are, and it's not changing very quickly. Videogames are a product of the culture that creates them just like everything else is. As a result, why should it be in any way surprising that Japanese videogames are a good bit more sexist than American games are, and that sexism shows up pervasively throughout them? It is of course present to some degree or another in many Western games too, since there are plenty of issues with sexism here, but it's less. I think that comparing that list of games I put up there should show how true that is... I mean, the female characters in Baldur's Gate versus most Japanese RPG female characters? Yeah.
I agree that the 'getting tired' thing is stretching it a bit, but other than that the article has some good points.
And what's wrong with Valkyrie Profile? Haven't played them...
FACT: The status of women's rights in Japan are far, far behind where they are in the West. It's the way things are, and it's not changing very quickly. Videogames are a product of the culture that creates them just like everything else is. As a result, why should it be in any way surprising that Japanese videogames are a good bit more sexist than American games are, and that sexism shows up pervasively throughout them? It is of course present to some degree or another in many Western games too, since there are plenty of issues with sexism here, but it's less. I think that comparing that list of games I put up there should show how true that is... I mean, the female characters in Baldur's Gate versus most Japanese RPG female characters? Yeah.
Quote:Yeah yeah. Sometimes though I think some reviewers grasp at straws. The whole "getting tired" thing? I'm fairly sure there was no subtle hint there and it was just a gameplay element. After all there are plenty of other characters, some male, to play as in the game and they get tired too.
I agree that the 'getting tired' thing is stretching it a bit, but other than that the article has some good points.
And what's wrong with Valkyrie Profile? Haven't played them...