Comments on: Sony PlayStation Home Presents: Mount Olympus

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:46:38 +0000

It is a good place to rear a “Norseling”…

By: Jersquall

Jersquall — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:58:06 +0000

Change of weather. Nailed it. Rain, Lightning, Sun, Snow! and of course sound that goes with each.

By: NorseGamer

NorseGamer — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:15:34 +0000

Kassadee’s view that Mt. Olympus is “missing something” is, in my opinion, right on the money. The space is brilliantly rendered, artistically impeccable, and with some of the best cloud effects I’ve seen in Home. But while the high ceilings convey a cavernous sense of space, the actual amount of floor space with which to work is I’d say about average for a Home estate. And given the highly stylized nature of the estate, it makes decoration a bit of a challenge. This is one of those estates which, ironically, would probably work better with very few furniture items, carefully placed for emphasis.

Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, mind you; half the fun of virtual reality is stretching the imagination, and I’d rather see Home skew fantastical rather than mundane. But, like Kassadee, I can’t shake the feeling that Mt. Olympus is missing something — and I think I know what that something is.

This is a space that really, really needs diurnal controls.

It doesn’t need a mini-game. It needs the ability to control the weather. I want to stand atop that precipice and have the ability to command the weather. That would fit perfectly with the deific theme of the space, as well as the lightning-bolt gift it’s equipped with.

Would this extra feature necessitate a higher retail price? Absolutely. Instead of five dollars, it’d probably be somewhere in the neighborhood of seven dollars or more. But it would give Mt. Olympus that certain special something which made it worth returning to over a long span of time.

As it presently stands, Mt. Olympus is a beautiful work of art. But, like the Gothic Manor before it, it just feels…static. And while that would have worked great in Home two years ago, I’d rather pay a premium for a space which has a bit more interactivity built into it.

By: Jersquall

Jersquall — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:40:08 +0000

Nice point of view article Kass, Thanks.

Myself, Apon arriving at Mt. Olympus. I took my rightful place on the throne, I sat there whilst playing “Orphans Of Doom/ The Awakening” music from Conan, The Barbarian Soundtrack. I sat there enthralled overlooking my impluvium (Water basin for you mortals) I donned my sandles and headed out back to my peristylium to catch MY morning light. Ah, My old trusty War Chariot. The Gold is appropriate is it not? Then, Like many prayers.. A flood of worshippers “Knocked” to bathe in the glory of Mount Olympus. I will reward them all with Mt. Olympus Bolts!

Jers

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:57 +0000

I agree the the space is beautifully wrought and I loved the sky and feeling of being in the clouds a lot. But that being said I won’t be buying this one, mostly because it is too cavernous and cold, not my style, and the Dream Yacht and Loot Space Station kind of set the bar higher for me when I think about what a space has to offer.
Now if they build a castle? I will come.
Good review Kassadee.

By: NorseGamer

NorseGamer — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:56:12 +0000

The strength of this place lies in its surrealism; it’s the sort of space you see in a half-remembered dream, or in some sort of amazing journey. If you recall some of the stunning visuals from “The Fountain” (which is a horribly underappreciated movie), it has that sort of effect.

Personal opinion? It’s not a space to be taken literally, or to host some crazy Bacchanalia. It’s simply an interactive work of art. It’s even less functional than the Gothic Manor or Creek Falls, and yet it hits something ethereal.

The best way I can explain it is visually. Just watch this link — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbFWStEZYxw — from 3:35 to 6:20. *That’s* the sort of emotional response Mt. Olympus produces. At least for me. Just something very otherworldly.

By: keara22hi

keara22hi — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:19:02 +0000

IF I could think up a good story so this place could be used as the set, I would buy it. But, other than that, it is sort of a one-trick pony. Not a place to decorate and live in. And not as versatile as some of the other new spaces. (Other than a toga party, what kind of entertaining could you do here?). But maybe I can come up with a script about Apollo and Venus (that’s if Apolo Ono and Venus Williams are available for cameo shots).