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jdcorley's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
It's a bit of an indictment of the "enthusiast" nature of the video game press that there has been very little in depth critical development of the form. Even today, in depth discussions fall into small press hidey-holes, academic round files and, worst of all, long-form Youtube exegeses. This work is a firm but simplistic step into a field that should, at this point, be well-developed, but often seems to be late to the party, wanting to be taken seriously, but tantrumming whenever anyone tries to treat it like real art with something to say. For someone curious about where video game criticism is in comparison to other artistic criticism, you'll be satisfied enough, but find it very basic. But it can't be overstated that this book (and this game) was all that anyone wanted to talk about at the time it came out. It is clear that enthusiasts also thirst for deeper thinking. I wish we could get past first steps like these.
alexbennetts's review against another edition
4.0
For someone who won't bother with/have the means for playing The Line, this was a great way to understand the narrative and implications of the game. Really clear, engaging longform writing on what is an important game, and the idea of interventionism in general. Strong stuff.
emnii's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to say that what this is is probably more important than what is within it. This is a serious critical analysis of the game Spec Ops: The Line. Not many video games approach the subject matter within Spec Ops: The Line (largely to do with player agency and holding up a mirror to what modern military shooters have become), and even fewer people are writing books about it. Granted, the number of games warranting critical analysis is small, but it's a growing number. The author attributes this to video games existing in a post-Bioshock era. Bioshock certainly wasn't the first to question player agency, but it certainly did so in a phenomonal and very overt way. What is lacking here is that the author shows you the dots, but fails to connect them. Each chapter is analyzed in detail, but there is no analysis of the analysis. It's certainly worth reading if you've played Spec Ops: The Line (kind of necessary here), but anyone playing a modern military shooter should play that game, and the book doesn't serve much purpose unless you have.
cmvogt5's review against another edition
5.0
First play the game. Then read this book and everything else you can find about it. I've never read 50k words about a single game before, but I hope more of it keeps coming about even better games in the future.
This book is one big spoiler. It assumes you have played the game at least once and are interested in a critical reading of the text. If you are _sure_ you will never play this, it is a very interesting treatment of one of the best video game works of the past 10 years, Though it'll be a bit like going to Lit class without having done the reading. You'll get something out of it, but not as much as if you'd @teacher-voice("Done your homework!").
If you think you _might_ play it, go play it! Then read this.
This book is one big spoiler. It assumes you have played the game at least once and are interested in a critical reading of the text. If you are _sure_ you will never play this, it is a very interesting treatment of one of the best video game works of the past 10 years, Though it'll be a bit like going to Lit class without having done the reading. You'll get something out of it, but not as much as if you'd @teacher-voice("Done your homework!").
If you think you _might_ play it, go play it! Then read this.
themorsecode's review against another edition
4.0
A generous 4, more for the fact that as a close critical reading of an interesting videogame its something I'd like to see more of. Some of his arguments and points are the sort of thing I'd bash out to fill up word count as an undergrad but its a good read for those who've played Spec Ops and hope this becomes a more common field of study.
sbenzell's review against another edition
3.0
A good explanation of some of the excellent themes in my favorite subversive FPS
beyadob's review against another edition
5.0
Spec Ops: The Line is an underrated and overlooked gem of a game. It's one of those special cases that leave a mark on your psyche and changes how you view videogames as a medium of storytelling, among other things. It's definitely up there with stalwarts such as BioShock and Red Dead Redemption.
Having said that, this game is worthy of tons of discussion of both casual and academic forms. Keogh walks a fine line, discussing the game's narrative in a clear, coherent manner that is easy to read and understand. He takes us through the game's imagery and narrative. Keogh builds up his theories in a convincing manner and acts as a guide to a complex narrative that is rife with imagery.
Some very important points are raised, yet it feels there are multiple layers of analysis and discussion left to do, which is not Keogh's fault, mind you, but goes on to show just how brilliant the game is. When I'd played the game, I knew immediately it was something that I'd never forget, yet I'd overlooked many of its narrative techniques and imagery.
If you've played The Line and thought it was special, this book is definitely for you. For those of who haven't played the game yet, buy it right now. Its price has been reduced to almost nothing, and trust me when I say this: you will not regret it.
Having said that, this game is worthy of tons of discussion of both casual and academic forms. Keogh walks a fine line, discussing the game's narrative in a clear, coherent manner that is easy to read and understand. He takes us through the game's imagery and narrative. Keogh builds up his theories in a convincing manner and acts as a guide to a complex narrative that is rife with imagery.
Some very important points are raised, yet it feels there are multiple layers of analysis and discussion left to do, which is not Keogh's fault, mind you, but goes on to show just how brilliant the game is. When I'd played the game, I knew immediately it was something that I'd never forget, yet I'd overlooked many of its narrative techniques and imagery.
If you've played The Line and thought it was special, this book is definitely for you. For those of who haven't played the game yet, buy it right now. Its price has been reduced to almost nothing, and trust me when I say this: you will not regret it.
fredurix's review against another edition
4.0
Getting this through an e-book bundle is what finally pushed me to play the game Spec Ops: The Line. After having played it, and read the book, I can say two things:
First, that the game is very good deconstruction of the modern military shooter, strongly inspired by the book Heart of Darkness and its movie adaptation Apocalypse Now, though I regret knowing so much about the story before going in.
And second, that Brendan Keogh's critical reading of the game is excellent; I probably would have gotten more out of the game had I gone in blind, but even so I doubt I would have delved this deeply.
I can recommend the reading book, but I also recommend playing the game first.
First, that the game is very good deconstruction of the modern military shooter, strongly inspired by the book Heart of Darkness and its movie adaptation Apocalypse Now, though I regret knowing so much about the story before going in.
And second, that Brendan Keogh's critical reading of the game is excellent; I probably would have gotten more out of the game had I gone in blind, but even so I doubt I would have delved this deeply.
I can recommend the reading book, but I also recommend playing the game first.
mburnamfink's review against another edition
4.0
Videogames have come into their own as an art form when they can generate criticism like Killing is Harmless. Chapter by chapter, Keogh explores Spec Ops: The Line as a 'high noon' moment, where shooters a genre become aware of themselves, and begin to comment on their tropes. Every inch of the game, and its links to other works (Call of Duty, Apocalypse Now, Bioshock...) are covered in detail. Fortunately, Keogh doesn't pretend to have answers about the causes or consequences of violence in video games, but he is right to note that the game has opened up those questions.
merkaba's review against another edition
3.0
Killing is Harmless is a rather poignant look at a game that attempts something that very few games out there have done before, commenting on the motivations and factors that drive us as games to slaughter countless virtual people and never question ourselves. It's an interesting look at how Spec Ops: The Line attempts to address these issues throughout the course of its plot.
Whether or not you agree with the author it makes for an engrossing read. It's well written and presents some interesting observations and is definitely worth a read whether or not you've played the game and especially if you're interested in the gaming medium being taking seriously and addressing issues that it far too often overlooks.
Whether or not you agree with the author it makes for an engrossing read. It's well written and presents some interesting observations and is definitely worth a read whether or not you've played the game and especially if you're interested in the gaming medium being taking seriously and addressing issues that it far too often overlooks.
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