Replay: The History of Video Games by Tristan DonovanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Replay was a fascinating look into the computer game world that I missed out on. After reading it, I wish I would have made more time for video games. But, this book showed me the creative construction of "ready player one" like worlds. I am thankful that Tristan Donovan took his time to research this world so thoroughly and engaging. The book overall was interesting as a side view on the setting that I grew up in. There were memories that came back to me as I listened: I remembered my aunt's Pac Man fever in Breckenridge Colorado. She just had to find the game, and she did find the game at the basement of the ski chalet. I remembered being a teenager in Boulder Colorado, and seeing my first view of virtual reality. I remember the smell of the video game palaces. The palaces had the smell of sweat and victory over the space invaders. I also felt led by the narrative in a way that I could expect what was coming next. The author deftly led me to key moments in the narrative. I did like the first part better than the last part, that of starting from nothing to create something. Overall this book was a movement in time, and I was never a video game junkie. I think I would have enjoyed this book had I had time with the games described. But this book has a strong enough narrative to bring the general reader along for a ride. The audio performance by Gary Furlong was just right, not interfering with the history being laid out; yet interesting enough to keep you listening. I listened to this book while spraying trees and shrubs at Bella Trae in Davanport Florida.
View all my reviews
