Comments on: Heaven: The Game

By: Som(a)niloquy » Can they share?

Som(a)niloquy » Can they share? — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:22:53 +0000

[...] Comments RD on Heaven: The GameExodus on The Book of Eli Pulls No PunchesCryptopur on Every Game Has A Worldview – Whether [...]

By: RD

RD — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 07:04:41 +0000

Hi chris I agree this needed to be revised with exploitation of Axis. This is after all heaven as many other’s have stated so its supposed to be pure perfect with none of our worlds garbage lol Cool how they actually took the time to put real scripture and charaters as mentioned in the bible, in the game. Well another point of view everyone seems to have over looked is the fact that its heaven its pure so if thats the case no one should look at it as being naughty with the axis charater other that the stupid camera angles, since everyone knows that in the beginning that man was naked till he failed and sinned by the temptation of satin. which was on earth. in heaven at least they didn’t show everyone nude since it would seem apropriate since its pure and people there wouldn’t look at it each other any different if they were if they to make the game accurate to the real heaven.

By: Cryptopur

Cryptopur — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:25:18 +0000

AtlantaCC1 – you may be spot on in that the issues Axis presented may have only been brought to their attention late in the game…too late to change. But I tend to doubt it.
In the very last scene of the game you see Axis in a totally different and totally appropriate gown. So at the very least, a model of Axis was created that would have avoided this question all together. That Axis is still lovely, still striking, still everything the developers indicate they need – she just isn’t trampy.

By: AtlantaCC1

AtlantaCC1 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:59:50 +0000

Back maybe 18 months ago I wrote Genesis Works about their main character. I mentioned all the things brought up here about her appearance and the perceived intent and possibly inappropriateness for such a “heavenly” focus as this game takes. I mentioned that guys are going to notice her for exactly the wrong reasons.

Their response was something along the lines of: “We’ve considered this aspect of the game with much deliberation and have chosen the vehicle of Axis with purpose.”

So for good or bad, they made their choice. I also brought up that the female audience is going to possibly resent the character. No need to explain that. What percentage of the population looks like Axis? And what wife/fiance/girlfriend would want to compete with her?

I’m sorry, but the whole focus on voluptuousness, (while the physical beauty is undeniable), is just too much akin to other world religious views that virgins in heaven are awaiting those who meet certain requirements. And if an Axis is not awaiting in Heaven for us personally (after all, she is Joshua’s grandmother), it might be thought that at least hopefully many of them might be there to grace the scenery. What a shame that message might be propagated here, and though not outright spoken, can be taken as implied.

If even one male ends up hoping the real Heaven has an Axis for him and for that reason he’d “consider God” before he dies, then Genesis Works has tainted its offering to the gaming world. It didn’t need to be.

A few graphics modifications on the character could have been done. But I’m sure when I wrote them about this issue they probably considered themselves too far along to change things, but they did have an opportunity to consider it, they provided me an answer, the game is released, and they have set their course.

By: Justin Zawislak

Justin Zawislak — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:24:23 +0000

Living the Christian life and living in the world is so difficult, and I suppose the video game industry is no exception.

I sure hope more Christian companies begin demanding excellence as you say.

By: Cryptopur

Cryptopur — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:41:58 +0000

There’s an interesting side note here regarding the girl’s outfit. At the very end of the game we see her is a totally different, and far more modest dress. It’s an off-the-shoulder gown thing which is still attractive – it even shows off her shape to a degree – but it doesn’t remind me of Christina Agulera.

By: Exodus

Exodus — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:10:09 +0000

Nice review!

Even though I haven’t played the game, I would have to agree that I think the developers had the male, mainstream/secular gamers in mind when they were making this game. They were obviously trying to target this group of people moreso than Christians, which is all well and good, but it can also have negative effects.

Axis is obviously getting the most controversy. I personally don’t see her outfit too bad, however, for a Christian game, this may not send the appropriate message.

By: John

John — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:20:58 +0000

I’d seen a bit of this game and was curious about it, so thanks for the review!

I’d also like to add that this review, and the attitude you guys at Soma portray in general, are exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve been looking at different approaches to combining Christian values and video games and you seem to have struck the best balance I’ve seen so far. Are you guys hiring?

By: God at play

God at play — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:07:54 +0000

Nice review. You obviously took a lot of care to make sure you very gently critiqued them. I think you should have taken a slightly stronger stance, though.

It seems pretty obvious that they designed Axis for sex appeal, and then focused on that through camera angles. Shame on them.

You did do right by trying to contact them first and try to get another side. Good job being thorough. I think if they would have offered their side of it, you should include it but still be firm about how you feel.

I hope that you take a firm stance when reviewing my games, too. We need accountability to make it to the point of excellence.

By: Christian

Christian — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:17:46 +0000

Good review.
‘Heaven’ looks interesting if a little didactic and in some ways a bit inappropriate. I like the splendour of heaven in the game trailer but that’s about it. As for the youthful heavenly grandma in the game, yes, that’s creepy. Sure, she may be wearing a reasonable amount of clothing, but the garments remain highly suggestive. Not having played the game, it seems the infamous camera angles are the main reason for it being labelled inappropriate. I didn’t even notice the stripper boots, I know jack all about fashion but the problem is the message it sends, especially within a Christian game.