I was excited to hear that Beowulf would be made into a game way back in July when the screenies started to surface. Although the video above is every bit as epic as one would expect from a old poem of such stature, the first thought that hit my addled brain as I watched it was this: What makes a game that is also going to be a feature film stand apart from its big screen brother? Most film adaptation games are generally looked down upon, and I can't help but worry that Beowulf will suffer the same fate. Do the films naturally overshadow the games?
Actually, that looks a lot cooler than I thought it would.
Quick question: why the hell do companies have to add "the game" after movie titles on some games? Do they think that it being in the video game section is not enough?
@ blehman: I could totally see a situation where some idiot mistakenly buys the game when they wanted the movie, turns around and tries to sue the store, game developer, and hollywood for false advertising.
OT - As long as they keep the hack n' slash fun and not retarded, this could actually be decent.
@blehman
I agree with grrza, some people can be pretty stupid. At my store we have a rack with 5 buck dvds and a while back we happened to get the original Bridge to Terabythia(sp?) about the same time the new movie came out. I had 3 customers who I had to tell that it was not the new movie in the theatre.
It looks nice, but as with all things based on movies, cartoons, or tv series I'll be keeping my expectations low.
I would like for both the movie and the game to be awesome, but i'll believe it when I see it. Until then i'll just believe they're just going to ruin my favorite epic of all time.
I am actually more worried that they tone down the violence for the movie/game, more than anything else. Beowulf reads more like the Geatland equivalent of Kratos, lets hope there is lots of arm tearing involved ;)
Actually, a God of War ripoff would probably work...
Yeah, originally I was wary as well, but you have to consider, these epics are written in their time to be entertaining, and relevant to contemporary audiences. You can hardly call the poem "contemporary". Your comments remind me of when Devil May Cry came to Xbox - the epic poem we all enjoyed is still there in its uncorrupted form, why would you resent others enjoying a crappy film remake or game?
I'm sure the movie and game will be a travesty, but almost all the people who play and watch them will have never heard about Beowulf, or will likely never have heard of the poem otherwise. Perhaps some young kids will be curious and delve further after playing the game?
You know ... that's a good point. Game or no, Beowulf will still be on my bookshelf in all it's glory.
I can't really explain my sentiments, except to say that I have unnatural affection for the story. Intellectually, I know that there aren't any reasons for the game not to be made, but emotionally, I feel that the original poem is somehow cheapened.
Damn you and your logic! How am I supposed to defend my irrational attachment to abstract notions now?!
Don't worry, I am having a hard time with it too, trust me ;)
I guess from now on, when people eye my book collection and come across my hardcover limited edition Beowulf, instead of being suitably impressed, they will say "Dude, whats with this book? That movie sucked, lol"
@ RskimB - Its a good way to start off in epic poetry. It's not too big, and most of the translations are easy to read.
What's more, it proves to people that poetry isn't just for touchy feely renaissance types - Beowulf is fond of tearing the arms off big nasty things, which is always good for a laugh.
1) All you English majors should check out Icelandic Sagas. In Njal's Saga (The Burning), Skarp-Hedin slides across a frozen river and axes a man in the face, sending his teeth clattering across the ice. He collects his teeth and keeps them in a pouch at his waist that jangles as he walks. S-H's dad Njal takes the victim's son as his own, so the little boy grows up with his father's teeth banging around, worn by his big brother. And the trash-talking! it's unbelievable. "You would be better employed picking out of your teeth the bits of mare's arse you ate before you came here--your shepherd saw you at it, and was amazed at such disgusting behavior."
2) I was a Russian major, so I can't believe I'm getting on this first. Dtoid, I love you--but let's try not to misuse "begs the question," at least not when there are so many English majors around.
(ps note to Colette: sorry, the comment about "begging the question" had a little eau de douchebaggette, but I'm pretty sure you can kick my ass in 1) video games and 2) real life, so i'm hoping that makes us even)
I don't really give a shit if it pisses on the original, the trailers for the movie are looking pretty rad to me so far. If they can serve up a video game adaptation on par with Return of the King, I'll be happy.
If I'd seen the Beowulf trailer and been told it was for a game, I'd be giggling like a mongoloid schoolgirl in box full of discarded, fire-damaged Hello Kitty merchandise. Knowing it's for a movie makes me decidedly glum--and speaking of mongoloid, what happened to Grendel? Also, those playing at home remember that the craptastic Beowulf film a few years back with Christopher Lambert already went down the "Grendel's mom is a sultry MILF" route.
That trailer for a game = win
That trailer for a movie = a chastity belt on prom night
Either way, I feel like reinstalling Vampire the Masquerade: Redemption...
Fun fact: The amazing book Grendel was actually adapted into a shitty, psychodellic Australian cartoon called "Grendel, Grendel, Grendel!".
Another fun fact: Reading Beowulf is outside of the context of summery is like driving screws into your urethra. Seriously, much as I love me some monomyth, that shit ain't pretty.
OH! I hope I get to button mash a bunch of times during the swimming contest! That would rock.
Too much beauty shots,not enough gameplay.The paltry actual game scenes shown look lethargic,I hope that's beta stuff.This game could be easily mistaken with Sega's upcoming viking game,they almost look too identical.
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Contest:
4:37 PM on 09.27.2007
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Quick question: why the hell do companies have to add "the game" after movie titles on some games? Do they think that it being in the video game section is not enough?
OT - As long as they keep the hack n' slash fun and not retarded, this could actually be decent.
I agree with grrza, some people can be pretty stupid. At my store we have a rack with 5 buck dvds and a while back we happened to get the original Bridge to Terabythia(sp?) about the same time the new movie came out. I had 3 customers who I had to tell that it was not the new movie in the theatre.
It looks nice, but as with all things based on movies, cartoons, or tv series I'll be keeping my expectations low.
I would like for both the movie and the game to be awesome, but i'll believe it when I see it. Until then i'll just believe they're just going to ruin my favorite epic of all time.
Actually, a God of War ripoff would probably work...
Angelina jolie as grendal's mother trying to seduce beowolf?
What???!
Yeah, originally I was wary as well, but you have to consider, these epics are written in their time to be entertaining, and relevant to contemporary audiences. You can hardly call the poem "contemporary". Your comments remind me of when Devil May Cry came to Xbox - the epic poem we all enjoyed is still there in its uncorrupted form, why would you resent others enjoying a crappy film remake or game?
I'm sure the movie and game will be a travesty, but almost all the people who play and watch them will have never heard about Beowulf, or will likely never have heard of the poem otherwise. Perhaps some young kids will be curious and delve further after playing the game?
Im sure a certain nameless monk would approve.
I can't really explain my sentiments, except to say that I have unnatural affection for the story. Intellectually, I know that there aren't any reasons for the game not to be made, but emotionally, I feel that the original poem is somehow cheapened.
Damn you and your logic! How am I supposed to defend my irrational attachment to abstract notions now?!
Don't worry, I am having a hard time with it too, trust me ;)
I guess from now on, when people eye my book collection and come across my hardcover limited edition Beowulf, instead of being suitably impressed, they will say "Dude, whats with this book? That movie sucked, lol"
What's more, it proves to people that poetry isn't just for touchy feely renaissance types - Beowulf is fond of tearing the arms off big nasty things, which is always good for a laugh.
The Iliad is even nastier.
2) I was a Russian major, so I can't believe I'm getting on this first. Dtoid, I love you--but let's try not to misuse "begs the question," at least not when there are so many English majors around.
That trailer for a game = win
That trailer for a movie = a chastity belt on prom night
Either way, I feel like reinstalling Vampire the Masquerade: Redemption...
Another fun fact: Reading Beowulf is outside of the context of summery is like driving screws into your urethra. Seriously, much as I love me some monomyth, that shit ain't pretty.
OH! I hope I get to button mash a bunch of times during the swimming contest! That would rock.
@Duby: My friend, about your "begs the question" crusade: despite what they tell you, sometimes one man cannot make a difference.