I found out about this title through Genna Bain's 'Let's Play' video of it, and after seeing the initial aesthetics of the game I wasI found out about this title through Genna Bain's 'Let's Play' video of it, and after seeing the initial aesthetics of the game I was convinced this would be the most sexist game of recent years. Then I watched properly, and I realised that I had thoroughly judged a book by its cover and utterly missed the point of it on first impression (don't worry, I have played it too, the review is based on hands on experience!)
Let's get the gameplay out of the way first, as in many ways it's the most unimportant aspect as it's a simple analysis - it's very solidly built, "match three" puzzle mechanics, very few frills or innovation, but it does what it does extremely well and it provides the backbone for the game that I have no complaints about. Indeed, that is why it gets a 9 from me - for it's genre, it's a strong title on that merit alone.
But now let's discuss the peripheral stuff. The game is pornography. Instantly, this will have certain people up in arms before playing it, but... you'd be wrong. It's not just big boobed women for the sake of it; the purpose behind them being in the game is, in a word, genius.
Because the reason isn't for male fantasy - this is decidedly a game better suited to female play. Surprise you? Don't believe me? That's fine, but it definitely is. First of all, the genre itself leans towards females, but what makes the characters and scenarios in the game so feminist are the caricatures and stereotypes themselves. Every single character in this game is an over the top stereotype, to the point where you quickly realise that they are, by design, there to be laughed at - not in a mean-spirited way, but in a self-deprecating way.
I'll give you an example - you'll see the big boobed MILF pornstar, the conservative asian, the archtypal schoolgirl, and you'll laugh at the dialogue matching the stereotype and, critically, laugh at the perception that boys think women actually exist like this.
This is the key point - the idea that you can press buttons to score points to turn a sexual stereotype on is... funny! I personally thought the game was OK; but my other half absolutely loved it, because it's entertaining first and foremost.
It's a difficult concept to grasp - how can porn be feminist? But this is the case here, and the game itself stands as a 'social justice warrior' test - if a person can play this game and hate it with every fibre of their being and see no redeeming qualities whatsoever, then they aren't coming to that view honestly, as they are biased against naked women in gaming or any hint of it, and are therefore the SJW's the #Gamergate movement often thinks every feminist is.
However, if they can look at the game, realise what it's doing, and come to the conclusion that it's a clever ruse, with more depth than it seems to have on the surface, then they are actual feminists, and are judging things on the content of the title itself, rather than a biased preconception coming into it.
Feminist principles in video games are not inherently bad - in fact, they are largely good, as it means games as daring and diverse as this come to be. Leave your preconceptions at the door about nudity in video gaming, look at this game for what it is, and you'll see that it's well worth $10 of your time if you are an avid puzzle gamer and that the dev here is well worth applauding for taking a chance on creating a worthwhile game, instead of taking the easy route and creating sexist clickbait for men.… Expand
