Here are a few games and the lessons we have learned from them. As you are looking down the list, consider how these games have affected our present, because the people who played these games are now coming into power and dictating what the markets demand.
Would Call of Duty be as popular if it were not for Metal Gear Solid and Medal of Honor? Consult U.K. best essays to find out if 3D GTA would have ever been invented if Final Fantasy had not proved that people like sandboxes.
Would so many horror movies and games exist today if Resident Evil and Silent Hill had not scared as many people as it did?
Here are five popular video games that have taught its players real, important lessons about life:
‘Metal Gear Solid 1’
Life is short
Thermonuclear threats are real
All life is precious
The game is awfully talky, and the sequels are even more so. But, from the telekinetic master who spent his life in pain, to the computer nerd who is madly in love with anime and the female assassin, every story has an underlying feeling that life is very short and very precious. The tie in to the Start program for nuclear disarmament helps to show just how useless it really is, especially since you could pop a nuclear weapon in the boot of a car and park it outside the white house if you wish.
Anybody who made it all the way to the end and past the credits will tell you that the “Mr. President” bit gave them goose bumps. It is only topped by the ending to Silent Hill 1 when you get past the credits only to find that the guy died on impact.
‘The Legend of Zelda’
Keep on going
Leave no stone unturned
You may be tempted to include Mario if we are going down the Nintendo route, but who learned anything from Mario except that Princesses are stupid enough to be kidnapped by the same reptile every single game? It’s not as if Bowser is hard to miss since he is a giant crocodile with a turtle shell that breaths fire.
Zelda was still railroading people at this stage and it was not until FFVII that people were able to play a true sandbox RPG. But Zelda made it feel a lot like you had free will, and taught a lot of people to be tenacious and keep on looking if you want the best stuff. If anything, it was a lesson in diligence.
‘Tomb Raider’
Chicks Rule
In an era when women were supposed to turn to the Spice Girls for a little female pride, Lara Croft came out of nowhere. She was adored by men, whilst also holding every element that intimidates men. She is intelligent, well spoken, has a very posh British accent, she is strong, athletic, gorgeous and has fantastic “assets.” In a time where the hot woman with big boobs is either supposed to be rescued or a tart, she broke all the rules. She fought her way out of any situation, and was often the one saving other people if not “popping a cap” in the bad guy’s ass.
Women may have hated the fact that Lara Croft was beautiful and well built, asking why she cannot be regular looking and still be the hero. But, it made such a change to see a hot woman being the hero instead of the one who is supposed to be wooed or rescued. Plus, how many video games have fat balding men with a beer bellies running through levels? You can thank Tomb Raider for introducing the world to strong women and helping to cement the careers of strong women in movies such as Sarah Michelle Gellar, Angelina Jolie and Milla Jovovich.
‘Final Fantasy 7’ and ‘8’
Never give up hope
Loss often precedes a victory
Final Fantasy 7 is a very long game which has a very long and drawn out feeling of peril as you find out that a massive comet is heading your way. It is the first sandbox RPG to ever make it big in the west, and the very, very long game just teaches you never to give up hope.
Final Fantasy 8 was actually 100% better than Final Fantasy 7, but it is less remembered. Both these Final Fantasy games proved that a loss often precedes a victory. Hanging on and keeping going when there is only a snowballs chance in hell of winning is an important lesson.
‘Resident Evil 1, 2, 4’ and ‘Silent Hill 1 & 2’
Fear can be your ally
Whoever looks you in the eye and tells you they were not scared by these games has either never played them, or played them downstairs in broad daylight with their mummy rubbing their shoulders. They do however prove the old army saying that “Fear keeps you sharp.”
Emily Lucas is an experienced freelance writer and blogger for many sites, including Top British Essays
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