My favorite movie of all time is Big Trouble in Little China, and I am not ashamed of it one bit. I learned over the years I have a strange taste in movies. It was not until last year that I realized my tastes in video games are the same. The difference is that people who play video games are much more verbal, bordering on abusive, when you do not like the same game they do. But, how do you deal with it when people are making fun of the game you love so dearly?

The first thing to do is think of where they are coming from in their dislike of the game. I had a conversation with someone about Dust: An Elysian Tail and he said that he enjoyed Valdis Story: Abyssal City because of the mechanics and that it reminded him of Castlevania. From here I had to stop any comparison of the games, because he was coming from a place of mechanical gameplay and nostalgia. Mechanical gameplay is something Dust: An Elysian Tail does have, but the humor and the art are what won me over in the game. Nostalgia is impossible to argue with because every human beings experinces shape what they will look for later in life. I have nostalgia for Big Wheels and you will never convince me they were not awesome toys. So, before you even start the debate with someone think about what they are saying and why.

When saying something about a game, stick to the facts. We are not talking about a term paper that you have to keep referencing the reader as 'one' so don't. Simply say that, "I had lots of fun playing Deadpool" or "I found the part with the bicycle hilarious." This gives the person you are talking to no way to correct you other than stating their own feelings or bring themselves down to the level of personal attacks. Another thing to do that goes hand in hand is to avoid hyperbole. That means don't start every sentence with "The greatest..." Most people will understand your excitement, but it you have a "greatest video game ever" every other week, it weakens the conversation slightly.

If all else fails, pity them. If you know in your heart that it is an awesome game and they just cannot see that, then just let it go. They may never know the joy of sawing a Locust in half with a chainsaw, getting silent assassin on all missions, or hearing the Ghostbusters reference halfway through the game. And that's ok, because you did. Take that memory and walk away from the conversation.

These have helped me keep calm and level headed most of the time when talking about games I hate and love. So, before you call that person a soulless wretch for not liking Wind Waker: take a breath, look at their position, get the facts, and have some compassion for that pour soul.