The highly anticipated game "Horses" has failed to meet the lofty expectations surrounding its release. The game, which was initially banned on Valve's Steam platform and later removed from the Epic Games Store, has sparked a heated debate about censorship and creative freedom in the gaming industry.
While some critics have praised the game for tackling difficult themes such as slavery, abuse, sex, assault, and religious trauma, many others have criticized its handling of these topics. The game's portrayal of sexual assaults is particularly problematic, with some critics accusing it of trivializing or exploiting these issues.
The game's developer, Santa Ragione, has faced backlash from both fans and detractors, with some accusing him of being insensitive to the very issues his game tackles. However, others argue that the game's attempts at tackling difficult themes are admirable if not always successful.
One of the biggest criticisms leveled against "Horses" is its pacing and gameplay mechanics. The game can feel tediously slow and overreliant on pseudo-intellectual ideas, which may not resonate with all players.
Ultimately, whether or not "Horses" is a bad game is subjective, but it's clear that its handling of difficult themes has sparked a necessary conversation about censorship and creative freedom in the gaming industry. While some will likely continue to praise the game for its ambition and willingness to tackle tough subjects, others will criticize its execution.
As with any piece of media, "Horses" needs to be defended against censorship and examined critically as such. Its success or failure is not just about whether it's a good game but also about how it contributes to or detracts from the broader conversation about representation, diversity, and inclusion in gaming.
For players, the reluctance to discuss "Horses"' failings may stem from a desire to avoid controversy or a fear of appearing insensitive to sensitive topics. However, by engaging with these issues head-on and acknowledging their flaws, game developers can create better games that resonate with players and contribute meaningfully to the industry as a whole.
In the end, "Horses" is just one example in a broader struggle for creative freedom and representation in gaming. As we move forward, it's essential that we prioritize nuance, empathy, and critical thinking when engaging with these issues – both as players and as a community.
While some critics have praised the game for tackling difficult themes such as slavery, abuse, sex, assault, and religious trauma, many others have criticized its handling of these topics. The game's portrayal of sexual assaults is particularly problematic, with some critics accusing it of trivializing or exploiting these issues.
The game's developer, Santa Ragione, has faced backlash from both fans and detractors, with some accusing him of being insensitive to the very issues his game tackles. However, others argue that the game's attempts at tackling difficult themes are admirable if not always successful.
One of the biggest criticisms leveled against "Horses" is its pacing and gameplay mechanics. The game can feel tediously slow and overreliant on pseudo-intellectual ideas, which may not resonate with all players.
Ultimately, whether or not "Horses" is a bad game is subjective, but it's clear that its handling of difficult themes has sparked a necessary conversation about censorship and creative freedom in the gaming industry. While some will likely continue to praise the game for its ambition and willingness to tackle tough subjects, others will criticize its execution.
As with any piece of media, "Horses" needs to be defended against censorship and examined critically as such. Its success or failure is not just about whether it's a good game but also about how it contributes to or detracts from the broader conversation about representation, diversity, and inclusion in gaming.
For players, the reluctance to discuss "Horses"' failings may stem from a desire to avoid controversy or a fear of appearing insensitive to sensitive topics. However, by engaging with these issues head-on and acknowledging their flaws, game developers can create better games that resonate with players and contribute meaningfully to the industry as a whole.
In the end, "Horses" is just one example in a broader struggle for creative freedom and representation in gaming. As we move forward, it's essential that we prioritize nuance, empathy, and critical thinking when engaging with these issues – both as players and as a community.
. But at the same time, I think it's great that the devs were willing to tackle tough subjects like slavery and abuse 
. It's not always successful, but it's a start, right? 
I feel for the devs who got slammed for trying to make something meaningful - they must've been really nervous about getting it wrong 
. What's important is that we keep having these conversations about representation, diversity, and inclusion in gaming, even if some games don't quite hit the mark 
. But for me, the pacing and gameplay just don't hold up 
.
. I mean, who needs gameplay mechanics when you can just have pseudo-intellectual conversations that fall flat? And don't even get me started on the pacing - slow and tedious is just code for "I'm not putting in enough effort". It's all about the hype and controversy at this point... the game itself doesn't even matter 
. Developers need to focus on making a solid game, not just making a statement 
.
The game's pace is also super slow and it feels like ur just reading a bunch of pretentious text instead of actually experiencing the story 
What do u guys think tho? Should devs be allowed to push boundaries or is there a line we should draw 
. On one hand, some people feel like its tackling tough topics really well, like slavery & abuse. Its like, good on the devs for even trying to bring that stuff up, you know? But at the same time, others feel like it's just not done right - like, the way they handle sex & assault is super problematic 
.
. We can disagree without being mean, you know?
I mean, the sex scenes are just so gratuitous and feel like a cheap way to get attention 
. And don't even get me started on the pacing... it's like, slow-mo for 80 hours straight 
. But you know what really gets my goat? The people who are downplaying the criticism because they're too scared to speak up 
. Like, come on guys, if someone's gonna make a game that tackles these heavy topics, we need to hold them to a higher standard 
. We can't just let them get away with mediocrity 
.