Are we defined, (as hypothesized in Hornby’s High Fidelity) not by what we’re like, but by what we like?
This weekend I bought Dynasty Warriors 3: Extreme Legends. It’s more of the same. If you liked Dynasty Warriors 2, you were pleasantly surprised that DW3 was exactly the same game, but with more of everything, (and a much better UI). DW3XL doesn’t even pretend it’s a sequel. It’s just an upgrade. But one that’s worth the $30 price, if you ask me. There are 7 new musou (or story) modes (for the “unaligned” characters that you could previously only play in “Free” mode.), and tons of new items to collect, including a new 5th weapon for every character. I’m excited for DW4, (which comes out in a month or two), but this is enough to keep me slaughtering hordes of enemy soldiers for at least a few weeks straight.
Now, how does this game define me? Last night I dreamed I was at a science fiction convention, (perfect setting for this, actually), and presumably slaughtering hordes of people… I only remember the last part, when I sat down by the pool, just after dispatching someone with my smaller sword (I had two). I was wiping it off, and cleaning it before putting it back in my sheath, so I could go swimming, (I was wearing trunks underneath my ninja/samurai garb) when Laura said I had to drag the body at least a certain distance away from the pool… I did so, grudgingly.
Second purchase last weekend (first chronologically) was a book that Jason recommended to me on the basis of a few preview chapters he’d read online. I read the chapters too, and decided it was definitely something I was going to have to read. I know he bought the book for his trip (he’s been out of town for a week–and we have his kitties!) and so I was going to wait for him to finish it before I read it. But somehow I found myself at barnes and noble on Sat. night, with a giftcard for $20. So Max Berry’s Jennifer Government ended up costing me less than $2. I finished it Monday morning, around 2AM. It was damn good, and well worth reading.
I found myself, upon later reflection, a little puzzled at the end of the novel. For a very satirical (and generally negative) portrayal of capitalism, the novel ended on a note that in many ways could be considered a pro-capitalism way. I don’t want to say too much. I’d love to have this discussion with anyone who has also finished the book. As a purveyor of Adbusters and most things anti-corporation, I find myself (despite having thoroughly enjoyed the book) left with a rather bitter aftertaste.