BADCP - GPOW Tribute

Oppression Olympics

DATE:
25 YEARS AGO

GPOW 25TH
A N N I V E R S A R Y



XBOX ONE	BAD	STRIDER (2014)


			The last way Strider 2014 cemented its return in history was through tribute with remixed versions of familiar retro tunes. The first track of the game is some of the best music to come out of Capcom in the last decade. Retro, yet modern. Not all tracks are like this, though, and some put its Orwelian industrial theme into dark audio tones seething with the constrictive feeling of oppression. Dead silence literally afforded by the most advanced, (literally) cutting-edge technology oppressive regimes can buy (or be given by sellout traitors). Ominous music fits the desolation of a totalitarian regime perfectly. There is a hopeful track that plays when Strider Hiryu makes progress; a hopeful ray of light that shatters the darkness of the dystopia. The audio fits the XBox One and Microsoft's all-seeing network eye very well.

So, then, what is this game? What is it, really?

	41
	THE POOH
	Allowed in China.

	42
	BLADED
	Weapons for usurpers.

	43
	SOCIALISM
	Fueled by the wealth of Capitalism.

	44
	DIVISION
	Designed in labs.

	45
	ACCUMULATE
	Power.

Despite how I have described the game, I reject the "MetroidVania" term. Yes, this 2014 Strider plays like some of the Metroid and Castlevania games, but those games are actually part of the same genre (and always have been). Thus, Strider is classified the same (past and present). They were classified as action/adventure games long before cute terms like "MetroidVania" and "RogueLite" or Rogue-whatever came along. What do these dumb names even mean? Nothing. These bloated terms cater to hipsters who know what Metroid and Castlevania are, how they play, and/or what other games may be classified as Rogue-whatever. These terms tell the non-elitist, non-hipster game player (or consumer) absolutely nothing. I could care less about the Twitter Mob's thirst for the destruction of anything established.

	46
	LET'S WAIT
	In line for food.

Multiple plays through this game reveal more than just a beautifully-designed video game on the surface, though. However, a deeper look into Strider reveals a story and lore closer to a sinister reality which has probably gone completely unnoticed by most players. The game takes place in a not-too-distant dystopian society not unlike what Bernie Sanders wanted to turn the USA into. Suppressed speech, propaganda, poverty, uniformity...everything uneducated drones love about Communism and Socialism is all here!

	47
	DIGITAL
	Toxic infestation.

	48
	POW(ER)
	Beneath the surface.

	49
	CULTURE
	Protected, except when Socialism applies.

	50
	AFRAID TO
	Let everyone make their own decisions.

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