Ok so what is it called when a piece of art like a movie, TVshow, or videogame... is all message/twist but no substance?
Like a game where you have to chase down your pet turtle without context and at the end of the game it turns out the turtle was trying to get away from you...
The game is ultimately vapid. It doesn't really explore its themes of obsession or the mindset of someone who could convince themselves that they are doing the right thing even when the blatantly obvious is staring them in the face. Nor does its use of imagry and symbolism dress the message. Rather it tries to get you into a position where you want to do something, then slaps your hand and goes "See! now you are a crazy stalker too!"
It is kind of why I will always hold "The Void" as the gold standard of "Art game" because every single part of the game was hand tailored towards the themes and concepts the game has, even when you think you are reading too deep (Say, thinking that maybe the colors themselves have a significance) the game outright rewards you for it.
Yet it isn't the only art game I ever felt was of value. There was a very short flash game just about a long distance relationship and you can sort of make it work or don't. Yet the point of it is that in the end the completely separate experiences created distance between you two.
There are games with themes that it explores but have just dreadful metaphors. "Ohh my a game where I play a kid... and I can only go in one direction and the more to the right I go, the older I get..." which I guess the issue is, there REALLY isn't anything to take from JUST a metaphor. In the Void you can take "Color" from veins and that certainly was a metaphor, but it had substance behind it especially with how it related to the overall experience.
I guess it is to say... Metaphor without substance is shallow, it is just an overly elaborate political cartoon. The weight people see are just what they attribute to your work, not its inherent value.
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I think I want to play another good art game... or watch a bunch of really hilariously bad art games.