Christian-themed video games

[rocklobster]

I posted this on Catholic.com's forum (I am Roman Catholic by the way. Please don't flame me!). I thought I should post it here too.

SPOILERS FOR KINGDOM HEARTS AND FFVII

Kingdom Hearts:This game stars a boy named Sora who has been chosen to fight the Heartless before they can engulf the various Disney and Squaresoft realms. To make things more interesting, Sora's friend Riku is being deceived by the villains, but this deception doesn't hurt Sora's friendship. If anything, it actually makes it stronger, and Sora never treats Riku hatefully for what he's doing. Instead, he's very patient with him and never gives up on trying to get him to see the light. (And he does, close to the end)Before the final battle, Ansem (the main villain) gives us his philosophy for why he's being so evil. Sora denounces it, telling him he's learned that "deep inside, there's a light that never goes out!" (God, perhaps?)
Final Fantasy VII This game has a character named Aeris who becomes a martyr for your band of heroes when the evil Sephiroth kills her. (The game gets kudos for doing everything possible to make you hate Sephiroth. They show his past, where he burned down the main character's hometown. They also show him sacrificing his own cult of followers for his plan. And the ultimate crime: not only does he kill Aeris, but he almost succeeds in making you do it first!) Also, another character, Cait Sith, betrays you to the other major villain, an evil corporation called Shinra. But he quickly realizes his mistake and actually helps when two of your heroes need to be rescued. (Okay, so he's not the best help you could have, but any port in a storm, right?)
of course, the Lord of the Rings games qualify, as does the upcoming game based on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, which will be released to tie-in with the movie.
I'm sure there's more, but these are the only ones that come to mind.

[Myoti]

Um, nice analogies and all, but I believe there's already a thread on Christian-themed games.

[Yojimbo]

Also there are several spoilers in there and you should use tags. But you are correct.

[Godly Paladin]

Are you wanting to talk about games with possible Christian themes or Christian games. If it's the latter, then yes--there's another thread, but it's getting a bit old.

Games with Christian themes, hmmm??? People always say Halo has it. Anyone else think this as well?

[Fireproof]

Yes. While they're not supposed to be direct representations, lots of things in Halo have Biblically based names. "The Convenant," "The Flood," Master Chief's origin in Revalation 1:17, etc.
In Zone of the Enders, Leo's refusal to kill when it's unneccessary and commitment to protect innocent civillians is refreshing, and seems loosely Christian.

[Joshua Christopher]

I think too often people misread moral concepts as Christian concepts.

Lots of major religions share many common moral concepts. The only way I would consider something to be a "Christian game" is if it explicitly was in full support of being saved by our Lord Jesus Christ.

[uc pseudonym]

I have added a general spoiler note, because tags would be impractical in this case.

I think too often people misread moral concepts as Christian concepts.

Lots of major religions share many common moral concepts. The only way I would consider something to be a "Christian game" is if it explicitly was in full support of being saved by our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a good point (that moral does not equal Christian). However, I believe that my definition of what qualifies as "Christian" would be slightly broader than yours.

[Fireproof]

Hm. The subject matter in question is often not explicitly pro-Christian, but more or less "Christian compatible."

[Joshua Christopher]

Buddhist laity are urged to follow the Five Precepts, which prohibit killing (including animals), stealing, illicit sexual relations, wrong speech (including gossiping), and drugs or alcohol.

Though not exactly the same, Buddhism also supports many of the same moral themes that Christitanity does. I am fine with moral concepts that fit with Christianity in video games, but calling them "Christian" is incorrect. Not trying to debate or anything, just saying... : D

[Myoti]

Though not exactly the same, Buddhism also supports many of the same moral themes that Christitanity does. I am fine with moral concepts that fit with Christianity in video games, but calling them "Christian" is incorrect. Not trying to debate or anything, just saying... : D

Agreed. I've seen plenty of games with fairly good morals, but that rarely, if ever, has any connection with Christianity.

[Godly Paladin]

I think too often people misread moral concepts as Christian concepts.

That's definitely true. People are always looking for Christianity in the things they like so that they'll feel like they're interested in something 'worthwhile.'