July 15, 2008

Shiki-Tei: Sony's New PS3 - A Gardening Game

Virtual gardening is here. Well, it's in Japan anyway. The GardenSnob staff was not elated to hear this news and at first equated it with such non-essentials as striped beets and black hollyhocks. "Who cares?" and "Why would someone want that when the real thing is just out the door?" were some of the gentler comments. While contemplating this new development over a cold beverage, the staff did manage to broaden their thinking and come up with a few instances where this could be a good thing. Playing this game might crack the emotionless shell of that pale, sodden teenager who is addicted to violent computer games and won't go outside. It might provide some solace to a bed-ridden person who can't go outside. And it certainly would help to pass the time in an airport or on a plane where the environment is anything but natural. To this end, we recommend the Shiki-Tei gardening game where (oh, dear, it's not a real place!) plants grow and animals and birds come to visit.