Quick Look: Cart Life

Jeez... I might play this someday, if I'm in too good a mood and need to tone it down

@Homelessbird: I don't know what there is to discuss. Both the games have interesting mechanics but basic game play in a genre that has been done to death. Their main hooks to me still seem to be their "emotional" content. I don't understand why "Oh no, I was the villain the whole time" is such a crazy thing, especially when it just ends right there with the Tim guy sulking. Limbo has even less to latch onto, and again, the main thing in that game is "oh no, children are dying horrible deaths". Call me cold, but it's a video game, I could care less.

@abara

don't know if you've given the game a go yet- but yeah...there's even visual elements that seem very influenced by chris ware (the density of the text, dollhouse-like buildings, lots of intentional silence).

i'm just excited to see games getting to a point where very personal and emotionally complex stories are being produced. granted, not everyone wants to watch 'dancer in the dark,' or listen to 'hospice' by the antlers (despite loving those, even i'm not always in the mood for them)- i'm just thrilled to see games taking on this sort of subject matter.

@Pudge said:

@Homelessbird: I don't know what there is to discuss. Both the games have interesting mechanics but basic game play in a genre that has been done to death. Their main hooks to me still seem to be their "emotional" content. I don't understand why "Oh no, I was the villain the whole time" is such a crazy thing, especially when it just ends right there with the Tim guy sulking. Limbo has even less to latch onto, and again, the main thing in that game is "oh no, children are dying horrible deaths". Call me cold, but it's a video game, I could care less.

Well, if you've totally made up your mind, there isn't anything to discuss. I think there is, though.

I can see your point about fairly simplistic gameplay, although not so much about the genre - I will never get tired of platforming games, they got me into videogames and I will probably always enjoy polished ones. I also don't understand the "it's a videogame" statement. I think videogames can be very emotionally involving, although I'll totally admit it's a pretty rare game that can pull that off.

I can also see why you wouldn't like Limbo, if the gameplay was uninspired to you, there aren't really big story hooks, and I never really got the whole "muh children" thing either. I would have to disagree about Braid, I think the time shifting mechanic is enough to make that game's puzzles really shine. And have you read the hidden story stuff, that's all about the A-bomb? That stuff is pretty interesting (although you should probably just watch a video if you haven't, it involves one very arduous sequence where one waits for a cloud for like two hours).

They're not even close to my favorite games, I just think there's a lot of positive things to be said about the way they approach their genre and narratives. Actually, maybe just Braid. But definitely Braid.

@Homelessbird: That's a fair response.

So what's the verdict on games that aren't intuitive or necessarily fun on purpose? Spec Ops: The Line apparently did this with the shooting in that game.

@EnduranceFun said:

@Homelessbird: That's a fair response.

So what's the verdict on games that aren't intuitive or necessarily fun on purpose? Spec Ops: The Line apparently did this with the shooting in that game.

Do you really think they wanted the shooting in that game to be bad on purpose? Man, I hope that's not the case. That game was an outright slog, and I honestly don't think the Heart of Darkness stuff was enough to justify it being unpleasant to actually play, if it was intentional.

As far as games that are definitely unpleasant to play on purpose? I suppose it depends on just how they're unpleasant. I could never get into "torture" games like I Wanna Be the Guy... I mean, I like a hard game, but there's a limit. I don't particularly enjoy a game that has no gameplay hooks whatsoever, but I don't mind something that leans heavily on a narrative if it's executed well/crazily enough as long as it minimizes the mediocre gameplay (Asura's Wrath, is an example, I suppose). A depressing game is fine - I like Russian novels. A game that just aims to make you have a shitty time, though? Can't say I've played many of those, but I wouldn't particularly want to.

Unintuitive is a whole different story. But I like old WRPGs and From Software games but not, say, Flight Sims, if that gives you any indication of what I'm willing to subject myself to.

What about you?

Ahh, I was sure Vinny was going to be in this quick look.

@Homelessbird: I actually didn't take super difficult games into account. I personally think those sorts of games are perfectly justified, sometimes it's a viable way to deepen the experience of a game, by giving an almost impossible goal to the player. This won't appeal to, well, most gamers, but it does make it far more satisfying if you're dedicated enough to complete the game. Depressing games actually are not too common... this game is very unique in that respect, as it's almost a life-like simulation. Even something like The Walking Dead has plenty of minor comedic moments and respite from the madness and isn't downright depressing for most of the journey. It's interesting you talk about Flight Sims... that wasn't what I meant, but I can see why you'd include those. I think a big part of games like that is the slog, and I respect that aspect, you have to be dedicated. It's certainly a better way to pad a game than, say, grinding, as it builds up the player's skill, rather than just wasting their time. Not to say grinding can't be fun, but it's never the grinding itself that is fun, it's usually the window dressing around it, while improving as a player is a bit of a reward in of itself.

@heatDrive88 said:

I think Patrick is pretty cool.

Ah, my Game of the Year from last year. Better late than never.

@cooljammer00 said:

If you have to support your family, why don't you get another type of job that is more stable than entering the food cart industry? It's a notoriously tough business to get into.

The game is called Cart Life.

@Pudge:

Think of movies: most of them are escape, but there is room for movies to put you into the struggles of another person's life and not just be fantasy fullfillment. I think a video game is a great way to roleplay as another person because of the interactive tools it provides.

@MutieLover: Role-playing for a handful of hours as another person is still escape unless you look at it from a totally academic viewpoint, which doesn't lend itself very well to gaming. That being said, I totally get that it is a valid enterprise, I personally just see no value in it. I wish I was happy enough in real life to feel justified in sampling the woes of the unfortunate in my free time, but that isn't the case.

WAAAH PATRICK

@Pudge said:

@Homelessbird: You don't have to defend your opinions to me, I could care less. But if you want to look like you know what you're talking about, you take a minute and type out what you're thinking, instead of spitting out one sentence and hoping that by magic I understand what you're trying to say.

couldn't* care less, unless you actually do care. I figured I'd show you the same courtesy you're showing Homelessbird.

Northern California has always been strangely lacking in coffee huts. They are everywhere in Oregon.

I knew about this game before the quick look, I'm special

Oh wow. Latest page of comments and not a positive/negative comment about Patr-

@MutieLover said:

@heatDrive88 said:

I think Patrick is pretty cool.

FUCK

Fuck, this game seems so stressful/depressing...and therefore right up my alley. Downloading it now. Thanks for showing this off.

@BenderUnit22 said:

There are boobs, Patrick. Be offended.

But if you play as a male character you'll see some sexy 8-bit man ass!

Why wasn't Patrick yelling about the naked lady parts?

Patrick is the worst single mom ever! INTERNET RAGE!

@heatDrive88 said:

I'm getting pretty sick of seeing posts in every quick look thread by the same people everytime, mentioning how much they don't like Patrick - so instead I'm going to write something that I believe in, and maybe isn't written enough.

I think Patrick is pretty cool.

yes.

Definitely one of the more interesting surprises i've seen in a while, this game looks great, especially for being free.

I think it's funny people think Patrick would be offended by female nudity in a video game.

@gesi1223 said:

I think it's funny people think Patrick would be offended by female nudity in a video game.

Double spoiler:

This game has the fact that it's free in it's favor. I was debating whether or not I'd grab it, since I thought it cost money. I'm plenty interested in finding out what this game is really about for zero dollars though.

Gotta say this game did not look very fun at all. Took 7 minutes of menus and talking before the 'game' actually started. The fonts, monochrome and character voices kinda started to grind on me. Not for me I guess!

@heatDrive88 said:

I'm getting pretty sick of seeing posts in every quick look thread by the same people everytime, mentioning how much they don't like Patrick - so instead I'm going to write something that I believe in, and maybe isn't written enough.

I think Patrick is pretty cool.

AGREED 1000%

What the fuck is toros gate? Is that some scandal that came out because of findings in some hotel called Torosgate?

@Anupsis said:

@heatDrive88 said:

I'm getting pretty sick of seeing posts in every quick look thread by the same people everytime, mentioning how much they don't like Patrick - so instead I'm going to write something that I believe in, and maybe isn't written enough.

I think Patrick is pretty cool.

AGREED 1000%

Word to your mother

Aw man, I wish they would've bought Vinny.

This game is terrifying.

@Riboflavin said:

What the fuck is toros gate? Is that some scandal that came out because of findings in some hotel called Torosgate?

From what I googled, it's a post Patrick made about the Dead Island Riptide Collector's Edition pack in for UK consumers. The fake woman's dismembered bikini clad torso.

Another person who made a blog post on the scandal dubbed the entire thing as "Torsogate".

im getting a headache watching this game

I play games to temporarily escape my problems, not to recreate them.

This is interesting, but I'm not sure how I'll get into the mood for a game like this.

This game is depressing.

This just proves Giantbomb is the premiere destination for naked cartoon pussy.

I didn't choose the cart life, the cart life chose me.

@Fergtron said:

Gotta say this game did not look very fun at all. Took 7 minutes of menus and talking before the 'game' actually started. The fonts, monochrome and character voices kinda started to grind on me. Not for me I guess!

That's because you don't see that the menus and talking is all a part of the game, gathering information, learning your characters specialties, planning out your course of action before you've gotten freedom to act, preforming your plans to the best of your ability and understanding, doing your best to catch yourself when your plans fall through the cracks. Welcome to the game of life my friend.

"Waulk."

-Brad Shoemaker

I think this QL perfectly exemplified what this game is all about in the most humorous way possible. Also: More Patrick/Brad Quick Looks, I feel like I haven't seen that team in awhile, if ever, and they're personalities are hilariously complementary.

well if I want to play the game of life, I'll go to my job, earn a living and buy groceries. But if I want to play an actual videogame, I'll probably play something other than this

Eh, interesting concept, but with all the creative care of a daytime soap opera.

Had to stop watching after 21 minutes, could not handle watching them get everything wrong and ruin that lady's life. I think that speaks volumes to the game's effectiveness.

Persona with a timer.

"What if I just go home? Yeah, I'm just gonna go home."

And then dreading being yelled at. Oh god, such a terrible, stressful experience.

Games like this are no fun, nor interesting, to me. Too much like a real chore, a real life. But I do understand why there is a niche group that are interested and like games such as this. That's not to say that I don't like other simulation games, but this one is just a little too mundane and close.

I kind of want to see an endurance run of this game now. Just to be able to witness the struggles of the GB crew as they attempt to balance a virtual life.

@big_jon: Seriously! I don't have a problem with Patrick but he is in every single damn one! WTF?!