Originally Posted By An_Inkling (13 APR 2009 12:17am)
Looking around these boards, I see threads dedicated to such games as - Dead Space (an atmospheric, but ultimately uninspired shooter), Rise of the Argonauts (an actionRPG that barely even raised a ripple among RPG fans), Drakensang (a relatively obscure, mediocre and combat-filled RPG, with generic setting and story). Now, these threads may all be neatly tucked away on the Other Games board, but they are there*. And here I get to my point - where is the thread for So Blonde? Is it such a bad game, that AG fans do not want to play, or even discuss it?

So Blonde, the brain child of a well known developer, has been highly praised in a number of community reviews (even receiving some positive mainstream commentary) and has suberb visuals, with clear comparisons to much loved AGs of yore, yet has barely rated a mention in these forums. A Vampyre Story, a similarly reviewed game, with similar developer credentials, was afforded plenty of discussion upon its release. So, what's the deal? Is So Blonde really so, so, or is everyone too busy playing shooters and RPGs

?

More seriously though - the game does look quite interesting to me, despite my initial misgivings about the premise and protagonist. It currently sits above AVS on my "to buy" list - with more impressive visuals, love the detailed 2D backgrounds, and, with Steve Ince at the helm, the hope of better quality writing (I was underwhelmed by this aspect of AVS after playing the demo). I do understand there are some off-putting elements to the game, I had initially dismissed it myself, and am still a little unsure about it. But, it does at least seem worth playing.

So, anyone played it? Impressions? Or, maybe some thoughts on why it's generating so little interest?


*And I have no problem with them being there. I'm certainly not setting myself up as the ultimate arbiter of taste. Actually, I've not even played most of the games I listed

. Just using them to highlight a certain absence.

Originally Posted By Steve (13 APR 2009 4:20am)
The gfx and gameplay look pretty much spot on for me, but the fact you play an annoying 17 year old girl is the reason I won't be buying it!

Originally Posted By Camaroboy1968 (13 APR 2009 3:47am)

No distributors of the game in NA.  &&&&No offence, the US is not the center of the word, but still, there are a lot of us.

Digital downloads starting at $39.99 are an option, but as far as I'm conserned that's not an option.

The better news is that the game can be purchased from (listed as business) dealers from Ebay retailers from the UK at a reasonable price (less than $25 including shipping costs).  I admit that this is by no means my preferred choice for purchasing an AG but that's just how it is.

Originally Posted By An_Inkling (13 APR 2009 12:17am)
Drakensang (a relatively obscure, mediocre and combat-filled RPG, with generic setting and story)

Originally Posted By TheTraveler (13 APR 2009 12:05pm)
Yes, I must say, that I find it continually amazing and amusing how An_Inkling can completely shoot down and trample on games that he has not bothered to play for himself.

Originally Posted By TheTraveler (13 APR 2009 12:05pm)

As regards to Drakensang - sure, it is obscure in the English-speaking world, as it is a German game, hugely popular in large parts of Europe.  The English translation came out only recently; and if it has remained obscure, a large part of the reason would be that it has a reasonably complex ruleset, similar to that of the D&

games - therefore not quite the favourite type of fare that the US-ian action-lover kiddies tend to do well at.

Originally Posted By TheTraveler (13 APR 2009 12:05pm)

Regarding Rise of the Argonauts: it's a pity that this game was classed under RPG by the publishers, as it is certainly an action game with a much nicer and more complex story, than, say- Prince of Persia; but since it's actually and action game, the RPG crowd hardly gave it a second glance, and since it is called an RPG, the Action crowd would have given a it a fairly wide birth.  Sadness, as it's really a very pretty and enjoyable game.

Originally Posted By TheTraveler (13 APR 2009 12:05pm)

These* are only a few of the examples of such games.

Originally Posted By An_Inkling (13 APR 2009 1:51pm)
 

Originally Posted By TheTraveler (13 APR 2009 12:05pm)

Regarding Rise of the Argonauts: it's a pity that this game was classed under RPG by the publishers, as it is certainly an action game with a much nicer and more complex story, than, say- Prince of Persia; but since it's actually and action game, the RPG crowd hardly gave it a second glance, and since it is called an RPG, the Action crowd would have given a it a fairly wide birth.  Sadness, as it's really a very pretty and enjoyable game.

You'll note I did not actually pass judgement on this game. Just noted that it was not all that popular among the RPG community, which you seem to agree with.

Personally, it does not look a game I'd be interested in, which is why I've not played it. Too much combat, too little else..

Originally Posted By TheTraveler (13 APR 2009 12:05pm)

These* are only a few of the examples of such games.

Wouldn't mind seeing some more examples to back up your claim.

The only one I can think of, is Fallout 3.

Anyway, this thread is supposed to be about So Blonde,

Originally Posted By loobiloo (13 APR 2009 6:50pm)
Have you played the game SuperEdy? If not, why are you contributing by linking to articles that down the game without having any knowledge of it yourself or do you just believe everything you're told without thinking for yourself?  

Originally Posted By SuperEdy (13 APR 2009 7:57pm)

I was just trying to be informative, An_Inkling was interested in some comments on the game and there are several both positive and negative in the AdventureGamers article. The fact that it was a disappointment for many German players proves that it's a game you just love or hate (I just wonder why), so it's better to try the demo first. Personally I have a weakness for comedy titles, even the worst ones (and I'm not talking about any game in particular). And "well, at least it's not Mata Hari" was only a joke.

Originally Posted By loobiloo (14 APR 2009 6:52pm)

Originally Posted By SuperEdy (13 APR 2009 7:57pm)

I was just trying to be informative, An_Inkling was interested in some comments on the game and there are several both positive and negative in the AdventureGamers article. The fact that it was a disappointment for many German players proves that it's a game you just love or hate (I just wonder why), so it's better to try the demo first. Personally I have a weakness for comedy titles, even the worst ones (and I'm not talking about any game in particular). And "well, at least it's not Mata Hari" was only a joke.

Hi SuperEdy, I just got the impression that An_Inkling was aware of the reviews & asking for player impressions on this forum but I see where you are coming from with the links  

The only thing is your second link seems to be to a German site which just gives a grade - unless you can read the reviews that quantify a grade they mean absolutely nothing. I agree that it is worth trying a demo before buying if you're not sure.  

shadow9d9 - I think it's fair enough, if by reading the information, you think you are going to find a game boring. We all have different tastes - but it's not fair to make a generalisation about a game you haven't played based on experiences of other games & assume it's going to be the same because it's not the sort of game that interests you!  So Blonde is a pretty good game - whether you like it or not is another matter but just because the protagonist & style doesn't  appeal to you personally doesn't mean that it is a bad game!  

Originally Posted By loobiloo (14 APR 2009 6:52pm)

I agree that it is worth trying a demo before buying if you're not sure.