Review: Level Up

Level Up is a graphic novel brief, simple and direct. No frills but, probably, from big claims. The ha Gene Yang skit, with art by Thien Pham, two Chinese-American who have understood really well what they mean video games to millions of people around the world. It is the story of a boy Dennis,Ouyang, oppressed by the ambitions that he have his parents: become a great doctor, specifically a gastroenterologist. But Dennis has one thing on its head: video gamesthe. Video games that are "wasting time" in everyday life; tempo rubato study course, and then to the realization of the dream of his father.

As I read Level Up I thought to myself and not only, but also to many people I know. At first I believed that parents of Dennis did all wrongs and I grew up on bread and pixels, I found myself quite a lot in the story. Throughout my life I tried to extend my youth in all ways, the video gamesthanks. If I think of my father, I don't think he's now at my age, had never had even one minute to play with himself and with a television. The weather was already very limited to play with his son or to be with his family.

Our days have changed all to charity and it is obvious that some injury on video games should be demolished to truth. However, true that often remains for many of us (look inside and not try to lie to yourself) videogames are a way to not face the reality and aspirations/expectations that others place in us. "Now I dedicate a little time in front of the console, then I start to study". How many times I've said, how many times I did it. And to graduate there I put 3 years longer than necessary, if we want to watch the hair, are not evil

The juice but does not change: what we find in video games there is outside. The challenges that our brains are calibrated, difficult and entertaining, not those of everyday life, boring and often depressing. Play video games in a sense we hurt, we cannot deny it, us away from what then others call it "success" in real life.

Yet Level Up, with its sensitivity, explains the video games that are also one of our few anchors of salvation. Inside those toys, often, there are our dreams. Dispense with all these forces us to become definitely worse people, people without the "little boy" in their hearts that, more often than not, they will take the streets and absolutely contrary to their nature.

The beauty of this comic, in fact, it is just a description of how even with video games you i can have that famous "success" in life to which all aspire. Unfortunately, I add, not in this country. Abroad, however, cultivating their dreams of pixels you can become editors of some magazine online, beta testers, designers, developers, … etc. In short, find a job in the gaming industry (which in recent times is proving less than idyllic appears) could be the turning point adult life by Peter Pan of the video game. The man who doesn't want to grow ever.

Or you can try to live with their guilt and with their sacrifices and maybe stop playing to reach the objectives everyone is "intended".

But are we really sure that this is the right way?

Level Up is published by Multiplayer Issues. It is advised by a hardened gamer like me as well as anyone who has read it. A heartwarming story that will leave none of you indifferent.