But it’s the same series, so the term “spiritual successor” doesn’t apply. It has a specific meaning.

I was actually talking about Barsanti...

That’s their other game

They also have (or had, lost track of whether they’re still there) some of the architects of Bush-era torture policies as execs.

“Worldwide, the Nicaraguan Contras...”

It was dumber than that, they melted down over *punching* Nazis.

Putting aside the broader point you’re missing (as others explain better), loads of games have cooking/eating mechanics; and restaurant games are an entire, venerable genre.

It’s cyclical. Noone’s saying games invented these tropes, but they (like all kinds of media) are employing and perpetuating them. And video games are totally mainstream now - they’re definitely contributing to the shape of discourse.

I thought the complaint there was less the scene itself, and more that there’s that sorta visual shorthand for a generic middle-eastern setting.

I’d say “callout culture” is what it usually is. Actual, permanent consequences tend not to ensue.

So Lord of the Rings is “grim and grey” now?

Don’t forget Mortal Kombat.

At least so far, the “variant” characters haven’t been undo buttons. Loki(s) and Gamora both pointedly went in different directions from the versions that were killed off.

ok so this is gonna be very generalised as well as pure speculation, and I’m writing this on four hours’ sleep, but:
- I’m guessing it’s because the fanservice in Japanese media tends to be transparently targeted at teenage boys, much like the pervasive horniness in 90s/aughts games and their marketing (and games…

I didn’t play it anywhere near launch, but iirc the 360 version was reputed to be relatively stable, the PS3 version catastrophic, and the PC version somewhere between.

To be clear, it’s still a good game and I enjoyed it thoroughly. But it’s just not the same, y’know?

At least it’s not all embedded tweets.

Similar character designs, but that’s a series staple.

Yeah, that compartmentalisation undercut it quite badly I think.