Seems that way. I agree with most of the examples he made of good comedy and I do think 'edge' is important to some extent but certainly not crudeness.
Yeah, I hated almost everything about the review of the game. I, for one, have felt like TellTale's Sam and Max is in every step equal with Sam and Max Hit the Road. This was lame.
Values, comedy and comedy values have changed significantly over the last two decades. What was subversive in 1990 simply isn’t in 2009.
This quote sums up why that review is misguided, in my opinion. The reviewer makes two flawed assumptions here: that comedy only works when it is subversive, and that, because times change, there is an expiration date on humor. The simple fact is that humor is subjective. I'm told by others that Borat was funny, for example, but it provoked only an occasional chuckle from me. On the other hand, I still find the humor of Mark Twain to be funny, and that's quite a bit older than two decades.
This quote sums up why that review is misguided, in my opinion. The reviewer makes two flawed assumptions here: that comedy only works when it is subversive, and that, because times change, there is an expiration date on humor. The simple fact is that humor is subjective. I'm told by others that Borat was funny, for example, but it provoked only an occasional chuckle from me. On the other hand, I still find the humor of Mark Twain to be funny, and that's quite a bit older than two decades.
Have you ever read anything by George Saunders? The man is a wonderful. I strongly recommend The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil. The reason why I ask is because he has a chapter in one of his books about how brilliant Mark Twain is.
This quote sums up why that review is misguided, in my opinion. The reviewer makes two flawed assumptions here: that comedy only works when it is subversive, and that, because times change, there is an expiration date on humor. The simple fact is that humor is subjective. I'm told by others that Borat was funny, for example, but it provoked only an occasional chuckle from me. On the other hand, I still find the humor of Mark Twain to be funny, and that's quite a bit older than two decades.
I think the reviewer in question was trying to be a bit of an internet intellectual, but in the end it's only his opinion, and has no more worth than anyone else's. As for comedy dating, today's embarrassment based humor does nothing at all for me, whilst a quick wit will always make me laugh, and I personally thought the first episode of Tales was hilarious.
Have you ever read anything by George Saunders? The man is a wonderful. I strongly recommend The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil. The reason why I ask is because he has a chapter in one of his books about how brilliant Mark Twain is.
I haven't, no. It sounds like I should look into his work, though, if he appeciates Mark Twain.
I think the reviewer in question was trying to be a bit of an internet intellectual, but in the end it's only his opinion, and has no more worth than anyone else's. As for comedy dating, today's embarrassment based humor does nothing at all for me, whilst a quick wit will always make me laugh, and I personally thought the first episode of Tales was hilarious.
I think you're right about the internet intellectual thing. Of course, I'm immediately wary of reviewers, in any medium, who speak as though their opinions about humor are the last word on the subject. That's some serious hubris.
A friend of mine once commented that it seemed arrogant of me to write humorous stories. I disagreed, because I don't think there's anything arrogant about making yourself laugh, and then hoping that others share that amusement. I do think it's arrogant to tell others that they're wrong for laughing at something you don't.
Wow, lots of people hate this review. I certainly don't agree with it by any means and I think Telltale's done an excellent job with adventure titles. However, that doesn't stop me from liking the game. I was just looking for reviews on the website and I found this. The reviewer must not have played most of these games anyways.
I personally think it's great that the adventure genre is kickin' out there in the world. It can't just be up to Telltale to keep that going, there has to be an evolving of style and I welcome other games to do it. I think there will always be a demand for this style of game.
Plus, the art is quirky and pleasant, like paint drawings. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Paint.
However, it remains that these styles remain incomparable, if you're only considering the lowest common denominators. Adventure game? Check. Snarky? Check. That the styles of these games are different only speaks to widen the genre that much more, by catering to different tastes along the way. We'll keep our fans, and very hopefully, "Time, Gentlemen, Please" will have a good handful of their own. Remind me to try out that demo...
I personally think it's great that the adventure genre is kickin' out there in the world. It can't just be up to Telltale to keep that going, there has to be an evolving of style and I welcome other games to do it. I think there will always be a demand for this style of game.
Oh, absolutely. World of Warcraft is the most popular MMO for the moment, but that genre would quickly die if Blizzard was the only company making such games.
However, it remains that these styles remain incomparable, if you're only considering the lowest common denominators. Adventure game? Check. Snarky? Check. That the styles of these games are different only speaks to widen the genre that much more, by catering to different tastes along the way. We'll keep our fans, and very hopefully, "Time, Gentlemen, Please" will have a good handful of their own. Remind me to try out that demo...
Exactly. And even if two games have completely different styles, that doesn't mean there can't be overlap in their fanbases. When there's an option for everyone, everyone wins. Or most people win, anyway. There's just no pleasing some people.
Comments
This quote sums up why that review is misguided, in my opinion. The reviewer makes two flawed assumptions here: that comedy only works when it is subversive, and that, because times change, there is an expiration date on humor. The simple fact is that humor is subjective. I'm told by others that Borat was funny, for example, but it provoked only an occasional chuckle from me. On the other hand, I still find the humor of Mark Twain to be funny, and that's quite a bit older than two decades.
Have you ever read anything by George Saunders? The man is a wonderful. I strongly recommend The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil. The reason why I ask is because he has a chapter in one of his books about how brilliant Mark Twain is.
I think the reviewer in question was trying to be a bit of an internet intellectual, but in the end it's only his opinion, and has no more worth than anyone else's. As for comedy dating, today's embarrassment based humor does nothing at all for me, whilst a quick wit will always make me laugh, and I personally thought the first episode of Tales was hilarious.
A man walks into a bar -
I haven't, no. It sounds like I should look into his work, though, if he appeciates Mark Twain.
I think you're right about the internet intellectual thing. Of course, I'm immediately wary of reviewers, in any medium, who speak as though their opinions about humor are the last word on the subject. That's some serious hubris.
A friend of mine once commented that it seemed arrogant of me to write humorous stories. I disagreed, because I don't think there's anything arrogant about making yourself laugh, and then hoping that others share that amusement. I do think it's arrogant to tell others that they're wrong for laughing at something you don't.
Plus, the art is quirky and pleasant, like paint drawings. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Paint.
However, it remains that these styles remain incomparable, if you're only considering the lowest common denominators. Adventure game? Check. Snarky? Check. That the styles of these games are different only speaks to widen the genre that much more, by catering to different tastes along the way. We'll keep our fans, and very hopefully, "Time, Gentlemen, Please" will have a good handful of their own. Remind me to try out that demo...
Oh, absolutely. World of Warcraft is the most popular MMO for the moment, but that genre would quickly die if Blizzard was the only company making such games.
Exactly. And even if two games have completely different styles, that doesn't mean there can't be overlap in their fanbases. When there's an option for everyone, everyone wins. Or most people win, anyway. There's just no pleasing some people.