But I accept the decision, and our mission continues.
Drawbacks
“Games are a series of interesting decisions,” Civlord Sid Meierfamously declared.
My favourite interesting decisions involve drawbacks (which I guess I consider a subset of trade-offs?).
Something good will happen, but…!
Choosing between several good outcomes can be nice and comforting, with no bad feeling of messing up.
Choosing between the lesser of two evils can be interesting too.
But the decisions I often most enjoy come with drawbacks: something good will happen, at a cost.
In branching conversations and stories, I adore agonising over a decision which will cause both good and bad.
I like characters builds with drawbacks too.
It’s no coincidence that a double-edged sword is also a cool-looking sword.
I relish drawbacks in weapon choices.
Long may I live in interesting times.
Loads of lasers
Games are also a series of pretty lasers.
Maybe Sid Meier hasn’t said that, but it’s just as true.
Video games contain the world’s largest natural deposits of lasers, and what lasers they are!
Lasers which rotate through the full colour spectrum.
Lasers which go PEW.
Lasers which go ZAP.
Lasers which go ZPOW.
Lasers which go ZWIM.
Lasers which go SCWEOW.
Lasers which go ZWAP-ZWAP.
One potential negative: a load of lasers can grind framerates to a halt.
But this is actually a good thing.
How impressive when a load of lasers is so large and fancy that a computer cannot handle it!
Though I will concede one actual negative: a load of lasers can be a problem for photosensitive players.
From Space Invaders onwards, it’s all been about a load of lasers.
I can hardly wait.
But which is better?
A real toughie, this.
Revolvers, or a load of lasers?
Double-edged swords, or a load of lasers?
Burning my social capital to rile up one jerk who deserves it, or a load of lasers?
Muscle cars, or a load of lasers?
Sorry, I’m clearly too close to this and can’t be counted on for objectivity.
I rely on you, reader dear, to reveal the objective truth.
