Looking for a few game reviews

[kingjohn3]

As a Christian, I try to stay away from games that paint a negative picture of Biblical characters or games that are saturated in demonic storylines. That being said, what Action/Adventure & RPG games do you guys recommend for PS1-PS3, Xbox-360 and all Nintendo?

[Megatron]

So no religious references or demonic forces...how about murder and mayhem or war?  Lots of PS1 JRPGs focus around wars.  Some do have magic, which depending on the game may involve fictitious religious acts. 
Are you staying totally clear of all religious themes (even fictional religions) and are you accepting of magic/sorcery?

[FritzWhite]

I guess that Demon's Crest is out... I would just check the top 100 lists and then check further into the story and characters for any game that seems questionable. I remember when I was 7 years old my mom took away Legend of Zelda because it had magic and someone from her church told her it was demonic. I was so upset!

Another time, I lent Contra 3: Alien Wars to a friend at school and his mom returned it to me also claiming it was demonic (probably because of the red demon face seen on the cover/label and after earth is nuked). My argument was that you played a character in the game that was fighting the demonic forces of evil, making the game ok. I used this same argument to convince my parents to let me play Wolfenstein 3D and Doom for Atari Jaguar.

[Pianomanfreak]

I guess that Demon's Crest is out... I would just check the top 100 lists and then look into the story and characters for any game that seems questionable. I remember when I was 7 years old my mom took away Legend of Zelda because it had magic and someone from her church told her it was demonic. I was so upset!

Another time, I lent Contra 3: Alien Wars to a friend at school and his mom returned it to me also claiming it was demonic. My argument was that you played a character in the game that was fighting the demonic forces of evil, making the game ok. I used this same argument to convince my parents to let me play Wolfenstein 3D and Doom for Atari Jaguar.

Parents they ruined all the fun.

[kingjohn3]

So no religious references or demonic forces...how about murder and mayhem or war?  Lots of PS1 JRPGs focus around wars.  Some do have magic, which depending on the game may involve fictitious religious acts. 
Are you staying totally clear of all religious themes (even fictional religions) and are you accepting of magic/sorcery?

Don't like GTA type games, fake religions are what they are...fake, don't mind magic,

[kingjohn3]

I guess that Demon's Crest is out... I would just check the top 100 lists and then check further into the story and characters for any game that seems questionable. I remember when I was 7 years old my mom took away Legend of Zelda because it had magic and someone from her church told her it was demonic. I was so upset!

Another time, I lent Contra 3: Alien Wars to a friend at school and his mom returned it to me also claiming it was demonic (probably because of the red demon face seen on the cover/label and after earth is nuked). My argument was that you played a character in the game that was fighting the demonic forces of evil, making the game ok. I used this same argument to convince my parents to let me play Wolfenstein 3D and Doom for Atari Jaguar.

I know, I've heard the same things but I'm like you. We're smackin' evil wherever it lurks. I don't go overboard on what I see as objectionable but it's hard to explain

[kingjohn3]

I guess the reason I'm asking is I found Castlevania: Lament of Innocence today for PS2 for $5 and they also had Curse of Darkness and CoD just seemed...darker wit a lot more devil, demon blah, blah, blah content. I don't mind games like that for the most part it I just don't like them when the whole story is centered around it. Its a gray area I guess

[sheep2001]

So whats the difference between a fake religion in a game, and a fake demon in a game.

not trying to flame here, just understand.  i grew up catholic (now atheist) a but i never had any problems with seperating teachings from what goes on in video games, and films.  if a game had you taking on a bad guy role in a parable i might have felt differently, but a video game that has nothing to do with reality?

im not trying to belittle your beliefs here- even though i am atheist, i have no issue whatsoever with people having religion in their lives, unless that religion tries to segregate, belittle, or attack others.  i just try to be nice - unless its in a video game. lol

[TDIRunner]

I guessing that he won't be able to explain it, but he will know it when he see it.

Which I think is understandable.

[kingjohn3]

I guessing that he won't be able to explain it, but he will know it when he see it.

Which I think is understandable.

THIS.....!

I believe that there are doors that can be opened to things that we do not need or want in our lives, no matter who we are and sometimes these things are cleverly disguised as the coolest game in the history of ever. If I'm going to take the time to try to enjoy a game I simply dont want to be bombarded with naked demon chicks flying around showing off her wingalings or even having to fight the devil in Castlevania: LoS. That being said, things like Harry Potter movies don't bother me because I put absolutely no stock in it being real because I can differentiate between fantasy and reality. That's why I'm asking about these games because I don't know enough about them. 

[Arseen]

I'm so gonna glue my mouth shut before saying anything, except that I'm atheist, realistic to point of obnoxius and I remeber what we were taught in school when I studied to be registered practical nurse.

If someone want to knw what the last part means, feel free to ask in PM, but be warned: Remember that the answer involves all 3 things mentioned above, and is not suitable for religious.

[oatmeal flavor]

I hear that Wisdom Tree has made some real gems.

[Megatron]

This isn't hard.
Many of the top RPGs for any of the systems listed fall within your parameters.  

For PS1....

Star Ocean The Second Story has some religious references in some of the names of things, but otherwise falls into your parameters.

Wild Arms / Wild Arms 2 have some similarities to Native American religion/heritage, but that's about it

Chrono Cross...great game.  No religious themes I can think of.

Vagrant Story

You probably want to avoid....
Any Shin Megami Tensei game (including the Persona series)
Xenogears
Legend of Dragoon
Grandia II

One thing to also look at is that the Japanese culture often incorporates religion into their stories.  So JRPGs will  often have references, if not a direct tie, to some form of religion.  If a game looks interesting, a quick google search can help you to stay away if its contents are offensive.  What happens a lot is that the "church" becomes the villain.  Not to say the Catholic Church, but often it is derived from a monotheistic religion with angels/demons, etc.  Another popular trend is to take legends or creatures from a religion and encorporate them into the game.  Not even necessarily from the religion itself, but rather from something like Paradise Lost or mythology.  Beelzebub, Cerberus, harpies, and Death are all very popular enemies in games.  So you are bound to come across a few, especially in JRPGs.    

[kingjohn3]

This isn't hard.
Many of the top RPGs for any of the systems listed fall within your parameters.  

For PS1....

Star Ocean The Second Story has some religious references in some of the names of things, but otherwise falls into your parameters.

Wild Arms / Wild Arms 2 have some similarities to Native American religion/heritage, but that's about it

Chrono Cross...great game.  No religious themes I can think of.

Vagrant Story

You probably want to avoid....
Any Shin Megami Tensei game (including the Persona series)
Xenogears
Legend of Dragoon
Grandia II

One thing to also look at is that the Japanese culture often incorporates religion into their stories.  So JRPGs will  often have references, if not a direct tie, to some form of religion.  If a game looks interesting, a quick google search can help you to stay away if its contents are offensive.  What happens a lot is that the "church" becomes the villain.  Not to say the Catholic Church, but often it is derived from a monotheistic religion with angels/demons, etc.  Another popular trend is to take legends or creatures from a religion and encorporate them into the game.  Not even necessarily from the religion itself, but rather from something like Paradise Lost or mythology.  Beelzebub, Cerberus, harpies, and Death are all very popular enemies in games.  So you are bound to come across a few, especially in JRPGs.    

Thanks Megatron. Yeah I saw Persona 4 at a store today for $5 and passed on it because of the review and content. I read about Assassin's Creed as well & I think it's a perfect example of what I dont want in a story.  I mean, it may be an otherwise amazing game but I cant get past the whole relic thing. Whats up with Legend of Dragoon and Grandia 2?

[Megatron]

The primary antagonist of Grandia 2 is basically the Catholic Church.  It's a fictional religion, but bares a strong resemblance to Catholicism.  Great game but you're basically battling an evil Pope.
Legend of Dragoon (from what I remember) has a lot of religious references and symbolism in it.  It has been a loooong time since I've played it, but I remember it having a lot of religious undertones.  Several enemies and characters are derived from religious figures and lore.