Carolyn Petit's Best 2023 Games: Alan Wake 2, Zelda and More

• Square Enix's Pixel Remasters of first six Final Fantasy games debut on PlayStation and Switch.
• Pixel Remaster of Final Fantasy enhances the original game's experience.
• 'The Making of Karateka' by Digital Eclipse provides insight into early gaming history.
• Preserving gaming history involves more than just storing files, it includes sharing stories and challenges.
• VideoVerse by indie developer Kinmoku explores the impact of games on self-perception and relationships.

The Pixel Remasters of the First Six Final Fantasy Games

Square Enix's Pixel Remasters of the first six Final Fantasy games, previously available on PC and mobile platforms, made their grand debut on PlayStation and Switch in April. Among the early Final Fantasy games, VI still stands out as the best. Its excellence was so profound that it didn't need a remaster to highlight its greatness.

My personal experience with the original Final Fantasy was on the NES in the late '80s. It was undoubtedly a remarkable game for its time, but revisiting it has always been a challenge due to its sluggish pace and unnecessary frustrations like the inability to purchase more than one item from shopkeepers at a time.

Rediscovering the Magic of Final Fantasy

These shortcomings are like a sticky film that obscures the magic hidden beneath. Fortunately, the Pixel Remaster of Final Fantasy wipes away the detritus, allowing this iconic role-playing game to shine once again.

Some may question the need to revisit the original Final Fantasy when its sequels have so much more to offer - intricate worlds, complex characters, epic quests. However, the simplicity and brisk pace of the first game are what make it so refreshing today.

The Making of Karateka: A Look Back at Gaming History

2023 has been a year of big swings in the gaming industry. The Making of Karateka, a 'playable documentary' by Digital Eclipse, provides us with a glimpse into one of the most ambitious and successful early gaming endeavors. It offers a comprehensive look at Jordan Mechner's 1984 hit Karateka, complete with new interviews and archival materials.

Preserving the history of games is more than just storing raw files on computers. It involves telling the stories behind games, humanizing the creators, and understanding the technical and business challenges they faced.

VideoVerse: More Than Just a Game

Games matter. They often find a meaningful place in our lives. VideoVerse, the second game from indie developer Kinmoku, explores how games can shape our self-perception and our relationships with others. Set in the final days of a fictional online gaming community in the early 2000s, VideoVerse is filled with authentic details about the ads and memes of that era.

Cinema has a rich tradition of humanist filmmakers who explore the human condition with compassion and honesty. Video games, too, have the potential to depict the complexities of human life in profound ways.

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