Rorschach's Journal, August 17, 2009.
The city lies black and misty below me. I hear a child's scream, cutting through the night like a tire tread through a dog's burst stomach. Found child in a sleazy apartment. Turns out wasn't a child, but a full grown man. Rocks back and forth, sucking thumb... obviously disturbed. I check for injuries. Looks at face, shrieks like a bat out of hell, and runs away.
Notice TV is on. On screen, I see myself, standing next to Daniel. Seems they've made a video game about us. Liberal media dragging me into their pitiful attempts to corrupt society. Still, intrigued by the concept. Pick up the controller. Feels odd in my hands. Must see if name has been marred by media agenda.
Rorschach's Journal, August 18, 2009.
Played game a few hours today, between breaking a mugger's collarbone and reading New Frontiersman. Must admit, looks beautiful. Hard to believe graphics have come so far, especially for a downloadable game. Shows city as it really is: dark, gloomy, terrifying. In-game Rorshach looks good. Stands with hands in pockets, just like I do. (Being followed? Must be more vigilant.) Daniel's Nite Owl suit looks authentic. Noticed he runs like a young girl: possibly homosexual? Must investigate further.
Combat is satisfying. Sound of breaking bones like music to ears. Blood gushes everywhere, painting the floor and walls like ink. Pleased with how brutal my own attacks are. Nite Owl is slower, and uses more practiced martial arts. Pretty much the way it is in real life. Can't team up on a single enemy. Odd choice. Learned some new attack combinations, must try them out soon.
Rorschach's Journal, August 19, 2009.
Nursing a busted lip today. Tried one of the combinations from the game on some knot tops. Combo pretty on screen, doesn't really work. Silly to try. Should know better. Gangs don't stand around politely, watch as you cripple friend with a vicious combo. Enemies in game all look and fight the same. First level all inmates, second and third all gangs, fourth mercenaries, then police. Boring as anything wading through dozens of identical enemies in a row. Fancy combination moves impressive at first. Now getting tired of them. In-game Nite Owl fell off a pier, stuck between two crates. Has a grappling hook in real life, would never happen. Had to restart game. Resisted urge to break controller. Still compelled to press on.
Rorschach's Journal, August 20, 2009.
Almost finished Part One today. Game bugged out just before Underboss fight. Couldn't restart from last checkpoint. Furious. Turned off console. Found some drug dealers. Hospitalized a few of them. Went back and beat Underboss . Took several tries. Totally unrealistic. Other enemies die in five hits. Undertaker took dozens. Usually a black eye and he's singing like a canary. No achievement for beating boss. Added to my anger. Beginning to question if I should keep playing. Comic like scenes between levels highlight of game. Wish rest was as enjoyable.
Rorschach's Journal, August 21, 2009.
Decided to visit Daniel today. Lock still cheap, easy to pick. Asked what he knew about video game. Denied knowledge of it. Mumbled some video game talk. Told me to send him a friend request, whatever that is. Went out to streets, broke fingers, asking about this "Xbox Live". Discovered you can play some games over internet. Watchmen not one of them. Unacceptable. Doubt Daniel would play with me in person. Thinks I smell bad.
Started up part two. Environments prettier, more varied. Opens in strip club. Could almost smell the fornication. Used to controls now. Game too easy. Block or dodge, then counterattack. Beats all enemies. No matter how many surround you. Takes forever though. Got bored, wanted to do more than block, ended up dying. Learned to run away, health regenerates. Feels a bit dirty to cheat like that. Not as dirty as the strippers and girlie shows and S&M perverts, though. Can't believe this passes as entertainment.
Rorschach's Journal, August 23, 2009.
Can't take it anymore. Watchmen game is horrible. Little merit obscured by too many bad design decisions. In a city full of the stench of vice, the odor of this refuse rises to the top. Found new purpose: hunt down developers. I have seen their true face. The accumulated filth of all the bugs and boring combat will foam up around them. Designers and developers will look up and shout "Save us!"
And I'll look down, and whisper... "No."