How does sound affect videogame storytelling and the effect that games have on our emotions? This latest roundup features a fantastic section on soundtracks, as well as writing on sexism, social movements, and criticism itself.

Yakuza

This week brought a slew of reviews of the latest Yazuka game, as well as some meaningful reflection on other games in the series.

“Caring” is not just a weakness waiting to be exploited. It’s a way of life, and the only characters who are beyond redemption are the ones who reject that altogether.

Soundtracks

I love it when there is enough writing on music or sound in games to warrant a section in the roundup – this week brings two soundtrack-focused analyses.

“Video games […] are, after all, a subset of interactive systems that include Microsoft Office, email services and internet browsers. When we grow weary of these programs’ austere bureaucracy, perhaps it’s unsurprising that we turn to video games[…]”

Inquisitions and hunts

Kotaku reported on two responses to sexist harassment in games.

Standing out

In more writing on inclusivity issues in games, three critics explore intersectional issues including gender, class, and religion.

“Aspiring workers are drinking to network to get into the industry; burnt out workers are drinking to cope with being in the industry.”

Overwhelming

Far Cry 5’s Hyper-Videogamification – Bullet Points Monthly

Ed Smith offers a meta-commentary on the terror of attempting a critical reading of a giant, incoherent object.

“I start to sense there is so much here that I could never comprehensively, resolutely criticise it, a kind of paralysis wrought by the uncertainty of one’s analysis.”

Plugs

Letter From the Editor (Inaugural Issue) – NYMG

This week also brought the first issue of the new accredited academic journal from Not Your Mama’s Gamer – I featured one post from it above, but you may want to peruse the whole thing.