Fallen Order, For The “Not” Star Wars Fan.

I am about as personally invested in the Star Wars franchise, as Kate and Gerry McCann are about finding adequate baby-sitting. My ambivalence to this culturally fanatical firmament derives from my father’s much venerated adoration for these movies, that became an almost mandatory requirement in our household. And my refusal to engage in an all too ubiquitous franchise. It isn’t necessarily the content of these hyper operatic pantomimes, most of which I find fun if disposable nonsense. But the effusive fanaticism of its most ardent supporters, that parade these movies around as though they were proof of God’s existence. So a game like “Fallen Order” should fall way outside my preferential jurisdiction.

“Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order” is not a purchase I would have made for myself. But the dividends permitted by last month’s PlayStation Plus membership, affords me the unique opportunity to indulge in a game that otherwise would have alluded me. Despite the assenting qualities of being a science fiction, third person adventure, both attributes I’m in favour of, the Star Wars aesthetic was always a discouraging impediment. But admittedly this wasn’t the detriment I thought it would be. You get to travel to varied exotic locales, each distinctive in its environmental climate and harsh, engaging conditions. Challenging combat that encourages meticulous attention to enemy attacks. An aptitude that sadly eludes me. Accompanied by a delightful adopted droid in BD1. A robot with more depth and personality than the human protagonist. Which leads me to my main issue with the game; Jedi’s!

Perhaps I’m not the intended audience. Having already confessed my own apathy for this series and it’s oftentimes belligerent firmament, I’d imagine that my opinion is somewhat negligible. But as someone on the fringe of this universe and it’s cultural influence, you would think there would be expansive breadth of stories to share, that doesn’t concern Jedi’s and the Empire. Considering the supposed vastness of culture’s and race’s depicted, as well as the rich mythology associated with the Star Wars galaxy, you’d expect aberrations to the existing stories to be more comprehensive rather than repressing it’s already abbreviated galaxy. Perhaps stories that aren’t grandiose in scale. That forgoes the arbitrary construct of the “Force” or light sabres. But something ironically grounded.

Perhaps these kind of intimate stories exist in other media, but not in any eclectic capacity. Though we get to explore a number of interesting planets, it’s still under the duress of expanding the Jedi mythology. An aspect that has always bristled my interest. But what do I know?

Reviving My 4K “Collection”.

I purchased my first DVD when I was about 14 years old. At that time I had recently come into possession of the much sought after PlayStation 2. A Christmas present I had eagerly anticipated for well over a year. Though my primary motivation was indulging in the huge back catalogue of games I’d already missed, the superlative appeal was gaining access to owning movies. Having accumulated an extensive collection of DVDS, with carefree weekends scouring every entertainment retailer for movies I liked, had interesting concepts or were adorned with striking, sometimes obscene artwork. I was never prejudicial towards genre, trusting instinct and a seemingly inexhaustible budget to provide me with my evening entertainment. As well as a supplementary remedy for the numerous hangovers I sustained.

But leaving home, moving in with a partner, having kids and paying mortgages, utilities and every expense conceivable, that once unlimited and disposable income I used to wield, had diminished and storage you assumed you had became limited. It’s hard to justify their necessity in modern society, when streaming boasts such a broad range of practical solutions to almost any singular preference. But it doesn’t satisfy an individual’s specific interests, does it? You want to watch “Back To The Future?” Tough break, it’s streaming on another service. “Silence Of The Lambs?”. Uh! That left Netflix a week ago. “A Weekend At Burnie’s?”. Ha ha! Good luck! We as a nation have become much too reliant on the convenience of subscription services to provide us with our entertainment needs. What are you going to do if a streaming service collapsed? Perhaps when it seizes being a sustainable business model or a potential looming nuclear holocaust ensues, rendering WIFI obsolete. And it’s this sudden realisation that has prompted my renewed fervour for retaining 4k movies I can watch at any time.

Now it isn’t necessarily for the expressed purpose of cinematic preservation. Or even that I feel some kind of personal obligation to conserve physical media. But more for the purpose of consolidation. Searching to find a specific movie, only to discover that it isn’t currently streaming on any of the major streaming services, bar some obscure American exclusive provider, has become an infuriating encumbrance. So to placate this constraint I have devised a comprehensive list, each satisfying certain stipulations to ensure I’m acquiring an efficient reserve of 4k Blu Rays. For instance, if I own a movie on DVD as opposed to Blu Ray, I will probably upgrade. Though movies I don’t own in any format take priority. Though it was “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, a movie I already possessed on DVD, that was the first to reinvigorate my burgeoning collection. Not to mention a physical record that substantiates the theory that Robert Zemeckis was once a great director.

My initial “collection” prior to this renewed interest in assembling more physical media, consisted of only “Jaws”. It has now ballooned to 7, with additions both upgrades and as yet unseen, which presents its own element of risk. But in either case I’m excited to expand my catalogue of prestige entertainment. Especially when you consider that there are no regional limitations on 4K DVDS. Knowing that, at least for a select few instances, I won’t have to worry about availability on a streaming service anymore.

Family Gaming.

It’s fair to say that my Nintendo switch has been somewhat neglected. Ostracized in part because of my Steam Deck acquisition, but in reality this innovative hybrid console has been a perfunctory curiosity way before that, accumulating dust rather than games. There are scattered moments of enthusiasm. Brief flirtations with Mario and Animal Crossing, that belies my overall apathy for a console in desperate need of reform. And if not for a fortuitous Christmas raffle, one I hadn’t realised I’d participated in, then the Switch might well have remained spurned. Another gilded artifact, preserved for posterity in my display cabinet of neglected trinkets.

The raffle prize was a £45 gift card to spend at the luxurious, and the absurdly extortionate super store Selfridge’s. The purveyors of pomposity and inflation. Though not a establishment that I would necessarily frequent, and judging by the inflated estimates of their listed products, most of which can be purchased at a more reasonable price at other general retailers, Selfridge’s isn’t the kind of outlet that would desire my patronage. And considering my burgeoning antipathy for such a pompous market that prevents me from parting with my own hard earned money, I decided to browse the site looking for anything remotely interesting, that wouldn’t require any surplus funding beyond the £45 limitations. And I was shocked to discover that Selfridge boasts an admittedly sparse technology category. An extensive search through their bloated price points, did eventually steer me in the direction of “Nintendo Sports”.

Despite the significant increase in comparison to other conventional retailers, at £44.99, including postage and packaging, the 1p excess won’t be a tremendous loss. As a result I get new content and my Switch gets a chance at redemption. And well, gosh and indeed golly has it ever redeemed itself, particularly in the perspective of my partner and daughter. Golf. Tennis. Football and most assuredly, bowling have become habitual hobbies in our household. Our living room is a battleground. An intense unspoken feud, ignited by my patriarchal competitiveness, to consolidate my hierarchical position within the family has become my motivation. Even if it means tickling my daughter as she’s attempting to secure her fourth strike in a row, to ensure my status as the proverbial “Kingpin” under my roof! So help me, I will.

But it’s a novel idea, playing games that are so inclusive. To share an experience like this rather than just being a passive observer. A vicarious passenger on somebody else’s fun. Often gaming can be a rather introverted hobby. Ornery and reclusive. To connect family with a diversion you’d otherwise be doing independently, is a mutually beneficial compromise. Even if my 6 year old is a better golfer!