say what game you've purchased that have been a waste of money?

[Boy_Tomo_Chan]

I actually was given that game as a gift...so no waste of money there XD

[Deuce]

Final Fantasy VI. Yes, I'm serious. :P

[Sgt Phantomizer]

Final Fantasy VI. Yes, I'm serious. :P

Haha, i haven't played it, so i can't say...though if it's anything like I and II (bare-bones story), it would probably be a waste of money indeed, for me at least

[repulsive human]

Final Fantasy VI. Yes, I'm serious. :P

Uhh, was it broken or something?

I've never played an XSeed game I didn't like so I guess I'll post about something else.

So I'm only exaggerating a little when I say I've played pretty much every RPG. I've played a ton. Maybe not to completion, but I've played most games long enough to understand what they were about and what I could expect if I continued to play them. I don't always like everything about the things I play, but I can generally find some things to like about them. There's only been one game I've ever played with absolutely nothing redeeming about it.

Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia is the worst game I've ever played. It is not fun to play. The sprites are ugly and poorly animated. The music is really annoying. But I mean, those are all things I can overlook. I play RPGs, which are universally ugly and unfun and annoying. My problem with the game goes a lot deeper than this! This is the most sexist and misogynistic game I've ever played and I'm just sort of astounded that more people don't feel this way!

I don't remember too many details because I played it a long time ago and I didn't finish it (although I got pretty far), but from what I remember, there are these women who have the unique ability to use magic. They're exploited by this corporation for their abilities and are essentially treated as slaves. Despite the fact that they are incredibly powerful, they don't resist and allow themselves to be exploited; women are portrayed as weak from the very start of the game. More than that, they are completely reliant on the men around them, particularly the protagonist. There's a sort of master/servant relationship between the protagonist and the weak female characters who join the party; they are completely reliant on him and although they're no longer working for the evil corporation, they're still using their magic for the exclusive benefit of the men around them. The women in the game are more pets than people.

More than this, there's a sexual component to all of it. In order to recharge their magic, the magical women need soul crystals or whatever to be put into their bodies. There are also segments where you "souldive" into their psyches and explore their subconscious mind and fix their problems. The women are unable to fix the problems on their own, they need the protagonist to do it, further emphasizing their weakness and reliance on men. Both of these things are clearly euphemisms for sex. Take a look at this.



So this is actually hilarious, right? I mean, I can't watch this and not laugh at how absurd and heavy-handed this innuendo is. But I mean, this is the whole game. This is it! This is how every single woman in the game is portrayed and this is the same relationship that the main character has with all of them - sort of like a guardian and child. Speaking of children, the game panders to pedophiles too. One of the main female characters is an 18 year old trapped in a 12 year old's body, making it okay for the innuendo to occur.

So sexism in video games, especially Japanese role playing games, isn't a new or exciting thing but it's never been so overwhelming. I mean, this is what the WHOLE GAME is based around, the pet-like subservience of women. It's uh, not okay! And I'm not afraid of sex or anything, but the kind of relationships presented in this game are not healthy. Meaningful sex is between a man and a woman, not a master and a fawning, mentally dependent child.

So I've got this game and I don't actually want it. I want to get rid of this game. I feel embarrassed every time I see it. I can't believe I actually own this. I feel kind of guilty that my money helped to contribute to two sequels. Like, I will give this game away if someone wants it, because I never want to play it again. This is the only game I've ever played my whole life that I have been this repulsed by.

So yeah, Ar tonelico. That's it.

[Illuminage]

...You do know that Ar tonelico is borderline eroge, and it's not meant for all audiences, riiiight? I respect your opinion that you do not like that game at all, but I certainly do not think the females were "weak" in any sort of way.

Also, yeaaah, lolicon and moe. It's pretty much the majority of games now so best not buy much jRPGs at this point.

Final Fantasy VI. Yes, I'm serious. :P

Game is almost as overrated as VII. Keyword, almost, so I applaud thee with with your bravery!

[WanderingMind]

I'm going to second what Illu said here about it being borderline eroge and not meant for all audiences. The females in the game were anything but weak and had personality.

[Sgt Phantomizer]

Game is almost as overrated as VII. Keyword, almost, so I applaud thee with with your bravery!

AMEN!

[Boy_Tomo_Chan]

Haha, i haven't played it, so i can't say...though if it's anything like I and II (bare-bones story), it would probably be a waste of money indeed, for me at least

...is..is it bad that I honestly really liked FFII? Like..its one of my favorite ones of the series...and I'm almost sure I'm alone.

[repulsive human]

...You do know that Ar tonelico is borderline eroge, and it's not meant for all audiences, riiiight? I respect your opinion that you do not like that game at all, but I certainly do not think the females were "weak" in any sort of way.

Also, yeaaah, lolicon and moe. It's pretty much the majority of games now so best not buy much jRPGs at this point.

I think the entire point of the moe aesthetic is that the female characters are weak. That's what the appeal is supposed to be, that the females depend on the males, which gives male players a sense of responsibility. Ar tonelico takes that concept to a pretty awful extreme. Also, uh, who cares if it's borderline eroge. It's not the fact that sex is involved that's awful. Lots of really important media has sex in it. It's the fact that sex is handled with such little regard for the relationship between both partners. They are not equals. Even though the main character is a milquetoast loser, he is still clearly dominant.

It's uh, really bad. Also really obvious. I didn't mind the gameplay or anything, I thought it was okay, but this game is just mindblowingly sexist. Look at that video!

[Illuminage]

Derp. I've played all three games, so I know what video you linked to the community, and gasp, I do enjoy the games. I certainly see nothing wrong with them. Sexism? I see more degrading material of women on regular TV than in video games. Honestly, it's your opinion, but I think you're going overboard with it.

Alas, that's what the Internet is for...uh, right?