Week 6: Fantasy and The Hero’s Journey

For this week I read The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien but instead of doing another book review (I think the books and movies are amazing and there is not much to critique) I decided to talk about the fantasy genre in video games. In class, we spoke about the Hero’s Journey, a cycle that is very prominent in fantasy games. Quoting Reg Harris: “It is a pattern of life, growth, and experience. Every challenge or change we face in life is a part of our journey. Every situation which confronts us with something new or which forces us to re-evaluate our thinking, behavior or perspective.” In fantasy games, particularly RPG’s, the Hero’s Journey is rather important. As the outline depicts, you normally start out as just a regular person that is thrown into a magical world. Once there, you have to use what you know to make your way through whatever treacherous lands await. As in real life, you are normally free to have your own goals. You can choose whether or not to be good or evil, fight monsters, save the princess, and so on. Every challenge you face affects your own character whether by leveling up and getting stronger, or by achieving a new knowledge or skills.

 A simpler example of the Hero’s Journey cycle is literally present in the game called Journey. (You don’t necessarily do all the things present in the cycle but this game is a good example of how it works as a continuous circle.) You play as a robed figure that becomes stronger and stronger as the game progresses. This is displayed through the clothing of the figure where the robe becomes more decorated and your scarf grows longer. You are faced with difficult challenges that you must figure out. When you come to the end of the game you struggle your way up a mountain that pushes you back with strong winds. When you come closer and closer to your goal in the distance, you eventually fall before you reach it and collapse in the snow. You are then given a new power, turn white, and have the option to start the game all over again as a stronger player.        

        I think what makes these games and genre such a huge impact today is how engaging but easily relatable it is. You can place yourself in the shoes of an elf or a wizard. You know what sort of character you would be or would like to be. Something I think Tolkien has set up in video games of today is the fact that you can choose your own race. In the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings series, Tolkien has created a variety of races such as Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Wizards, Orcs, etc. that are all still be used today in fantasy games. If Tolkien’s novels had never become so popular I’m not so sure this concept would at all be used. Choosing your own class basically defines most fantasy games today. It gives you a chance to customize yourself and be the hero you want to be. It gives you the chance to be yourself but also become someone new.