Plants vs Zombies vs Fairy Tales

If you've been wondering how to introduce your video-game-loving little charge to fairy tales, you now have a new weapon in your arsenal. (Actually two, as I discovered on a trip to the grocery store today.)

Based on the popular-with-all-ages franchise Plants vs Zombies, we get retellings of two fairy tales (so far), retold (with zombies) for ages 4 to 8 with some unusual twists (and stickers!):

Brains and the Beanstalk
The Three Little Pigs Fight Back

They're cartoony, colorful and super cute but most importantly of all, the fairy tales are even more recognizable than you might expect. I particularly like that both books emphasize the use of, you guessed it, BRAINS!

Here are the synopses:

Plants Vs Zombies: The Three Little Pigs Fight BackThe famous fairy-tale pigs are thrown into the fun-dead world of Plants vs. Zombies, the award-winning video game.Instead of the big bad wolf, the brave pigs must escape a mob of fun-loving, brain-eating zombies from the wildly popular game. The pigs will have to think fast and team up with some zombie-fighting plants to stay alive.

Plants vs Zombies: Brains and the BeanstalkNow in a thrilling picture book for kids, Jack—of Jack and the Beanstalk fame—enters the fantastical world of the game. He will battle the zombies with his magical beanstalk fighting by his side. The fun never dies in this action-filled adventure for kids with full-color illustrations.

I've seen far worse modernizing and retellings of both these tales so I'm quite happy to read them to my kid (or have him read them to me now!). I do find it interesting that they chose these two tales. It tells me that the popular consensus of "best/most popular tales for boys" include these two (because, let's face it, at age 4-6, it's not little girls they expect to be reading these books ad there's no Plants vs Zombies merchandise in the girls section of stores either). 

I find it REALLY interesting that Plants vs Zombies decided to go with fairy tales at all, when there are already many other "story lines" (I use the term somewhat loosely - maybe "premise" would be a better word) in the world of the game already. I guess, if nothing else, these two tales are seen as combative (which, honestly is a new way of thinking about them for me). Replacing the fairy tale adversaries with zombies in each tale makes for an interesting mirror to the trend in YA and adult speculative fiction and urban fantasy, in which zombies (which represent a whole lot of different and enlightening things that adults currently see as our main trials and adversaries in the current day) are currently being represented as our most collective and societal fear. That being the case, these books should set kids up to be well armed and prepared against zombies of any kinds in their futures!

Sidenote: I do wonder at the plants versus zombies idea. Why plants versus these monsters? Is it the refuse to die-undead vs the pushing up daisies state bodies are supposed to be in for the natural order to stay in balance and continue? (Yes - I find many weird things fascinating!)

The books were released on August 6, 2013, are available on iTunes and Amazon (check title links above at synopses) and have started making their way into grocery stores around the US.

"Wolf Among Us" Fables Prequel Game Trailer Released

So, it didn't happen as soon as everyone was hoping but a trailer (released Tuesday) tends to mean sooner rather than later. And (apart from the not-for-kids violence) it's looking pretty good!

Note: While Fables has always been unabashedly adult in content, you should be aware that this unrated trailer contains some violence and blood. I suggest you not have kids in the room watching with you.

The Wolf, mentioned is Bigby (ie "Big B" an abbreviation/endearment of Big Bad Wolf) - and this story, is his:

You may remember a post from early July discussing the Fables movie, in which I added news of the soon-to-be-released game as a sort of addendum. Since then, momentum and buzz have increased a lot (read, the anticipation re this game is pretty high!). It's become a pretty big deal, with game creators, TellTale Games, nabbing the Game of the Year award for 2012 for The Walking Dead.

The Wolf Among Us stars fairy tale characters like the Big Bad Wolf, Snow White and Mr. Toad. These characters were driven to the real world after their fantasy realm was conquered by an evil force. Most of these magical beings have resettled in New York City. They call their NYC community "Fabletown."  

The Fables try to keep their magical nature hidden from the rest of the world. That's easier said than done, though. They're not as cuddly as fairy tales would have you believe; they fight, drink and steal. Bigby Wolf, formerly known as the Big Bad Wolf, acts as the Sheriff of Fabletown and does what he can to keep order. (CinemaBlend)

Centering on the character of Bigby Wolf – the ‘Big Bad Wolf’ from the classic fable of ‘Red Riding Hood’(Edit FTNH: And other "wolf stories' such as 3 Little Pigs) – The Wolf Among Us will follow the now-reformed Sheriff of Fabletown in his efforts to keep non-magical beings from uncovering the true nature of the town’s residents. Joining him is his perennial accomplice from the comics, Snow White (seen in the trailer), but previous screenshots and artwork have shown plenty of other characters will be cropping up throughout. (Gamerant) 

Snow White

"[You're] bending the rules and interpreting the rules as the sheriff," Telltale CTO and president Kevin Bruner stated in May. "[It’s] a really interesting thing to do because everyone in Fabletown has an agenda… you get to interpret other Fables' motivations and how far you let them push the rules."  (ComicBookResources)

Pig: "You owe me, remember?"

The Fables game, however, isn't the comic series adapted for a video game. It's a Bill Willingham approved PREQUEL so Fables are about to get a whole other dimension of story added to the impressively large, and complicated, fairy tale universe.

Part of the reason for the anticipation is this will be the first time we see the characters actually move. It's not a movie but it's the closest thing we've seen so far since Fables hit the comic book market 11-ish years ago (2002). Fans have been itching for a TV series or movie for years now (with many silently - or not-so-silently - nursing grudges against the OUAT folks for getting a similar premise on Network TV,  despite the result proving to be a very distant cousin in the end) so there's been a lot of pressure to get this "right". (And it's a pretty good testing ground for movie possibilities and tie-ins too, so no doubt WB are watching closely.) With the announcement of a big blockbuster-type movie in development, interest has ratcheted up to "11" for the game. Although it's taking a while to put together and release, every indication says it won't disappoint. Both Fables fans and gamers should be very happy in the near future.

Sources: Here, Here, Here

What American McGee (Really) Wants Is His Alice Back... (& Other Kickstarter Gaffs): Take II

I've umm-ed and aah-ed about posting on this story for over a month now, mainly because I have NOT been impressed with how McGee has gone about this whole thing, and it appears we don't quite have an outcome yet, but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt here.

I should make it clear I think his Alice property is (generally) interesting, unique and important (see statements in article at link - despite being over-the-top-ridiculously violent) and that his vision and games have been an important part of how Alice is viewed right now. I also think he had an interesting take on Oz too (Oz + Steampunk + Zombies = fun, although there's a little more to it than that as well)...

BUT.

That doesn't make for a free pass on how you go about things...

Here's how I've seen it unfold (I've included a lovely set of screen caps from the headlines and left the dates intact so you can track the progress, or whatever you want to call it):
✒ ✒ ✒ ✒ ✒ (click the "Read more" link below this line) ✒ ✒ ✒ ✒ ✒ 

Brave: 1 week to go + New TV Spot & Behind the Scenes Featurette

That's right - just one week till Pixar's first ever fairy tale (and first ever female lead) hits theaters. Excited? Yes I am. ;)

Brave: The Video Game

In case you haven't seen these yet, please enjoy.
June TV Spot:

Brave: The Video Game

Behind-the-scenes featurette focusing on the setup and the family, featuring Mark Andrews (Director), Katherine Sarafian (Producer), Kelly MacDonald (Princess Merida),  Billy Connolly (King Fergus), Emma Thompson (Queen Elinor) and Craig Ferguson (Lord Macintosh):

The images (other than the gorgeous concept poster by Steve Pilcher at the head) are from the soon-to-be-released video game which looks quite lush and full of fantasy adventure. As nice as that looks and promises to be for those who like a little "more" in their video games, I'd really be surprised if the game held some kind of fairy tale sense along with all the fantastic adventuring, although I live in hope. My just-graduated-from-preschool little boy has finally discovered computer games and is fascinated by whatever stories they contain (he's bored if they don't have one) so if this game has a fairy tale core beyond nods to the movie I'll do my best to make room for it in our budget. Anything that keeps the fairy tale conversation going with my young son, along with an excellence in tech and artistry, is definitely worth it. 

Brave: The Video Game

12 Days: Snow Queen Mahjong (Computer Game)

I haven't tried this but I like the idea of a puzzle game based on The Snow Queen. The storyline is pretty similar to the fairy tale, though Kai is Gerda's brother, not her childhood sweetheart.

From the blurb:

Enter a quaint, whimsical snow village with Greta as she searches for her missing brother. Kidnapped by the evil Snow Queen, you must match tile sets and melt the ice to free him. Move along the map towards the Queens castle and witness six stunning lands. Snow Queen Mahjong is packed full of classic gameplay, three difficulty levels, and exciting new twists.

My understanding of mahjong is that's it's mainly a strategy game with a little luck thrown in. I haven't trialed this myself so suggest you download the free version and check it out if you're thinking of gifting it. You can download a free version to trial it and the full version is under $10.
You can find the game HERE and HERE, with the second site having a preview of the screens and a demo video.

NOTE: As usual, please note I am not affiliated with any of these stores or products. I do not receive any commission from any visit to the site or any purchase. These are just items I thought may interest people as fairy tale themed gifts for the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Yuletide/Holiday Season. :)

Don't forget the "Pursuit of Happiness" Giveaway!

Entries close December 20th, so be sure to email me before then.
Details for the giveaway are HERE and the wonderful London Particulars (who are making this giveaway possible through their generosity) can be found HERE.

NPR Profiles "The Path" - a new video game based on fairy tales

While a couple of other fairy tale friendly blogs have posted on this I feel an obligation to as well (links at the bottom of the post) - when NPR takes notice, it's worth noting!

When you're told to stay on the path to grandmother's house do you listen and obey?

In this new game from Tale of Tales, called "The Path", if you do, you will have failed. Ultimately, this isn't about staying safe but about facing your wolves and using your wits. One person might say it's about growing up, another: survival.

This quote from Samyn, one of the game's creators, says it best:

"I think we've succeeded in making a game that's about the player. What's frightening about it is the confrontation with your own interpretation of things, and probably realizing that they're your own."

The NPR All Things Considered article title, "On 'The Path": Everything a Big Bad Wolf Could Want" should give you some clues as to what the characters have to face and this is where the term 'game' almost doesn't fit. It's not a competition, with ticking clock or shiny bonuses when tasks are completed. It's apparently a short game that can be completed in six hours but players are reported to say "once it's over it stays with you", even giving them a sense of empowerment and determination as they go about their days. This, obviously, is no ordinary game.

"I think we've succeeded in making a game that's about the player," says Samyn. "What's frightening about it is the confrontation with your own interpretation of things, and probably realizing that they're your own."

Here's a trailer for you. Please remember the 'mature content' warning and that, as a result, it's not for everyone:


I recommend reading the rest of the NPR article and listening to the podcast there before delving any further into the game. Based on early,dark version of Little Red Riding Hood, the game makers have labeled it 'horror' although no graphic violence or gore is shown. Mature and possibly disturbing themes are alluded to, however, and a 15+ warning is rightly given on the box.

But this is why I like fairy tales: they're reflections of ourselves and road maps for life. They not only tell you which roads to take but which roads not to. The path you then choose is up to you.NOTE: The Path is multi-platform ie. you can play it on a Mac or a PC.
You can read SurLaLune's post HERE and Little Red Riding Blog's post HERE.