Throughout the semester, we had gone through several games in search for whether the chosen games could be used in a classroom or for an educational lesson on history. Originally, I had chosen to take the class as I had finished all my required classes and wanted to take a class I’d actually enjoy. So figuring this class was about games, and how I love exploring how games are developed and looking at them in an analysis lens, I decided to sign up for the course. I have no regrets and was pleasantly surprised to find some games that I genuinely began playing in earnest even to this day such as Civilization VI.
On the topic of the games we had played, If I were to choose the game that I had enjoyed playing the most, it would be a tie between Civilization VI and Tropico 6. Both games had aspects of world building along with semi historical accuracy (As all the games had to be fair). Both the games had a certain charm to them that the others lacked. I managed to put in about 200 hours of game play for Civ competing against one of my favorite games that I had put the most time in at once. I had known about Civilization in the past, mainly due to past friends who had played it, but I never took interest. However, after being made to actually sit down and play the game, I came to appreciate it.
With Tropico 6, It reminded me of the Sims in play style and I appreciated a lot of the humor that I came across during my playthrough. It was humorous AND educational, without going overboard in either direction. This made for a more relaxed and fun time management, city building sim experience. I also enjoyed that there was a sandbox mode as it took a lot of the stress off of me and allowed me to have more fun and experience more of what I possibly missed during the campaign mode.
For the game that I had the most trouble finding enjoyment from would have to be Empire: Total War, which is a bit ironic considering the one I liked the most was Civilization VI. Despite both games being similar they had a different feeling to each of them. Civilization VI had a certain charm to it and felt like it actually had life to it. With Total War, it kind of felt like a lifeless husk. It was more direct and matter of fact. I’m sure if I were to replay it a few months down the line, I could come to enjoy it more but as it stands, it is my least favorite game of the bunch.
In terms of class, I thought that the hardest thing to do would be the group project but it actually was pretty easy once we got together and came up with an idea. Sadly most of us were busy and we were unable to make a physical game but I feel if we had maybe one more month we would have been able to complete it, especially with how much we got done within the time period of which we worked on it. I was pleased with how our game came out and I contemplate whether I should continue on my own time to see if I could make a physical copy.
I think the most exciting part of class was the individual project. The moment I saw Dante’s Inferno on the list of games we could choose to present on, I knew I had to pick it before anyone else could. Growing up and even now I had an interest in semi religious text. The stores they are able to tell are so interesting and Dante’s inferno had always been a personal favorite of mine since I was a child. The multiple layers, the lore behind some of the characters, and the mechanics of each layer had always enthralled me. In particular, my favorite lore was one of the lowest layers where it was described that once you commit a crime heinous enough to be sent to that layer, your soul is immediately brought down there and a demon takes over your husk of a shell body. I also remembered playing the game when I was younger, so it was more of a nostalgic trip for me to replay it and analyze it fully now that years had passed by since I last played. Though it held barely a string of historical accuracy to the original text, it was still fun to play through again.
Overall, I enjoyed taking this class and I have no regrets about choosing it despite my dislike for once a week classes. It helped me regain my mojo and want to start creating games again like I used to back when I was in high school. It also got me into a sort of niche, with me now enjoying historical games as I had not given them much of a chance before. Now, I feel as though I am more open to trying games without prematurely thinking they will be boring. Now that I’ve had a taste for historical games, I will begin to look for games similar to the ones we played in class, specifically looking into the Civilization series and the Tropico series. I may add that though I still don’t have the hang of blogging, it does feel nice to get my feelings on certain games out in the open, even if only one person may end up reading them. I might pick up blogging more and actually take steps towards reviewing games in general, not just historical ones.
I am thankful that I was able to take this class, and I truly believe that this class has caused a change in me. Whether this change becomes obvious to me or not, I know that it was for the better. If I were to be asked whether I recommend this course, I’d say 100% that I would. I hope that this class is able to be done again, so that people can experience these games like how I did, skeptical at first but ending with a love for them.
With that, I bid everyone farewell as this is my last blog post (At least on this site). I hope everyone enjoyed reading and joining me on this journey!
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