Games for Girls?

I was reading a blog over at the Frag Dolls site and I was interested in what they had to say about games made specifically for girls. Having done marketing for games - which is no picnic but worth it - I've not found much difference in the games girls like to play. They seem to want everything that a guy wants from a game, they just want better representation.

Which is all fine and good, but very few are willing to fight for that kind of equality. We barely have a reasonable representation in the companies that make the games, let alone the testing groups. Working on my first PC title at the beginning of the year, I put a call out to the general public for testers. I do believe only one girl answered the call up and there were Tim-Tams on offer! How can any woman turn THAT down?

While I was pushing for an alternative female protagonist in-game, the boys eventually over-rode my decision, but it never sat quite right with me. Being the voice of progression is never easy, even more so when you are lost under a cacophony of other voices. I was lucky - I had a champion in the design team who took my side and fought with me for some of my game mechanics and characterisations. But nevertheless, it's my belief that the guys who want to tap into this demographic need to pull their fingers out of their ears and listen to the shrill whining of the girls who feel misrepresented.

Maybe if they do that, those girls will buy their games.

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days - Return to glory for the epic series of fantastic games!

Well, finally my prayers were answered - a NEW Kingdom Hearts game! Finally, I put aside my PS2 controller and stopped dribbling all over my walkthrough-guide pic of Riku from KHII and cast my attention towards my DS in the pursuit of something new.

Now, truth be told, a friend of mine has an R4 and has therefore been playing it for the last month or so. Under... interesting circumstances, I got a hold of his R4 and played a few missions. Thoroughly convinced that I desperately wanted this game, I felt heart-broken that it wouldn't be out until the end of the year.

Thank you for lying to me, EB Games.

Two weeks later, we found it out on the shelves after a uni lecture (yes, we go Game hunting. Insert bad pun here). I insisted, then, that when I arrived home, my mother drive me to my local EB to pick up my copy.

Now I'm almost halfway through the game, I think it's time that I posted my reaction.

Oh. My. God.

Could our dear Squeenix have got it any more right? I admit I was upset that I had to play through nearly half a game to get a peek at Riku, but when I did I was rewarded with a delicious cut-scene and dialogue that proved to me why he's my very favourite game character of all. Screw Sora, Riku is where it's at! Also on the character couch, we learn more about the Organisation. Woah. Twelve very messed-up people. Nobodies. Things. Whatever.

Stand-out member Axel is developed more and becomes less of an idiot once you learn how much he thinks of Roxas and the lengths he goes to in order to protect his friend. His actions make his demise in KHII that little more poignant and saddening. But one has to wonder; Axel seemed to be different from the rest of the Organisation, almost having feelings. Could he be as "special" as Roxas?

The music and the graphics both ported over to the DS well, but the camera still works a little wonky, even if you do take it off the one-way mode. But who cares?

Strangely enough, you don't get keychains in this one. You make your own, find them lying about and what not. This was fun, but the lack of panel slots made me frustrated. But it is a neat little levelling system.

On the whole, I'm glad that this is the next episode in the Kingdom Hearts franchise. The story is epic, the gameplay phenomenal and thoroughly enjoying. For fans of the series, it's certainly a welcome return. Five stars from me!