We're still relatively fresh into the brand new year of 2014, but it seems like people are still talking about The Last of Us. Makes sense, I suppose. After all, that game was largely considered one of the standout releases of 2013, and rightfully so. By combining slick action-adventure gameplay, rewarding stealth, entertaining shooting, a great take on a familiar plot formula, and incredible characters, The Last of Us was able to cement itself as one of the best games of its console generation, and quite possibly one of the greatest games of all time.
But contrary to popular (and often one-sided) belief, there are better games out there. Ya know, games like Soda Drinker Pro. Yeah, I'm going there.
Just imagine how much better The Last of Us would've been if it took place in this setting.
The thing about Soda Drinker Pro is that it's not just a first-person soda drinking simulator. It's also an experimental experiment in experimentation. This is a game that isn't just tied down to its genre. No, it can be anything you want it to be, and that's something that not many games can lay claim to — not even The Last of Us.
Where Naughty Dog's treasured venture forces you to play specific types of genres (shooter, stealth, and so on), Soda Drinker Pro doesn't even need to fall under a genre. This isn't some “type of game.” Instead, what you get with this instant classic is an experience. Experience — that's a word we like to throw around a lot in the video game industry. Funnily enough, that's exactly what Soda Drinker Pro is, because it sure as hell isn't what you'd call a game.
This search yielded no results, because why would it?
It's an experience, people, and a stress-free one at that. During my 15+ hours with The Last of Us, I was treated to intense moments of drama. The whole thing was nerve-wracking, tense, and exciting. I didn't have to worry about any of those feels during my 10-minute experience with Soda Drinker Pro. All I had to do was sit back and walk through a virtual land, drinking a virtual soda through a virtual straw in a virtual cup. It was virtually refreshing and virtually relaxing.
I think there was a serene moment like that in The Last of Us. I can't really remember, though, because I'm pretty sure it was followed by a kick-ass shooting sequence that was totally awesome. But what if “awesome” wasn't what I was looking for at that particular moment? What if I just wanted Joel and Ellie to walk around a shittily constructed level with ugly graphics and sip on a Coca Cola or Pepsi or Dr. Thunder?
After playing Soda Drinker Pro, this is all I wanted The Last of Us to be.
Where The Last of Us is a fruitful game worth playing by most at least once in their lifetime, Soda Drinker Pro is a fruity-tasting experience worth, um, experiencing by everyone … every single day for the rest of their lives. Clearly, that argument alone makes the soda-drinking sim the better title. Anyone who thinks otherwise is Satan.
Want to talk about indie games, Kirby, or cheap pizza? Follow me on Twitter @dr_davidsanchez.
