Sneak A Peek from Indonesian Special Element in the Video Game

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As an independent nation, we must keep the nationalism and patriotism in various ways, no more with war against the colonials like in the past. To thicken our pride as a Indonesian nation and welcome Independence Day, we present a special article that describes about available Indonesian elements in these following games.

There are a lot of game developers who are interested to Indonesian culture, and they pour it to the games they create. From the culture, nature, until myths from Indonesia color the games they release, and that shows how they are amazed with this nation. If another nation can appreciate our culture, why can't we as the Indonesian “residents” follow their path? Below are several Indonesian elements which appear in the game.

Barong and Rangda, Shin Megami Tensei Series

Barong and Randa are two myth creatures in Bali which are contradictive. Despite the eeriness, Barong is the virtue symbol and the opponent from Rangda. Rangda itself is told as the queen of all Leak in Bali, who often kidnaps and eats little children, also leads the evil witches to fight Barong.

These two myth creatures often appear in Shin Megami Tensei Persona serial become one of monsters or demons in that popular series. Although Barong is often depicted in different forms, in Shin Megami Tensei, Barong is depicted in general form, that is Lion. Meanwhile Rangda is depicted similarly with original form believed by Balinese society, that is Leak dancer who has eerie face.

Stage Bali, King of Fighters 97

King of Fighters (KoF) 97 is mostly considered as one of best KoF series ever developed. If you pay attention to it, there is one special stage with Bali theme in that game.

In that stage, Bali atmosphere is so thick from the existence of Barong, Pendet dancers, until the scream of Kecak dancers who accompany your fight.

Character and place setting, Front Mission 3

Front Mission 3 is a game that has most Indonesian element in this list. First, the existence of two characters appeared in this game, Lini Barilar and Hatta Mirza. Barialr is an entrepreneur from Sulawesi who becomes the company CEO of Barilar Corporation. Barilar is told to go around the world to introduce his creation, Wanzer, Methane Wanzer who is little by little used by Wanzer for war.

Meanwhile, Hatta is sympathizer of Hua Lian Rebels, separatism movement from Da Han Zong and he is the chairman for the sympathizer in Sumatera.

Second, Indonesia also becomes one of the war field in this game, some of them is Sumatera island and Sulawesi.

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Majapahit and Gajah Mada, Civilization V: Brave New World

Last year, Firaxis released new expansion for Civilization V with title Brave New World. Releasing expansion seems not to be special thing for a game, moreover RTS game that is able to result a lot of expansions both for unit and its scenario. However, what makes this expansion feels a bit special is with the existence of Gajah Mada, Great Chief Minister from Majapahit Kingdom which becomes one of nine new leaders you can play.

Kris Swordsman[/caption]

In this expansion, you can play Gajah Mada role to lead Indonesian army in the era of 14th century. Gajah Mada can get several unique ability bonuses everytime you succeed forming a kingdom. Three cities in Indonesia (one of them is Jakarta) which you can explore later also have two unique resources by using Spice Islanders ability. Besides that, you will never find Swordsman in Indonesian army, without being replaced by Kris Swordsman (like swordsman with keris weapon!) who can get random upgrade everytime one battle is finished. Last, Indonesia also has unique building, Temple (Candi) that will replace Garden existence. This temple can give Faith bonus to your army.

Eddy Raja and Indonesian accent, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune presents an ex-archeologist from Indonesia named Eddy Raja. Eddy is actually Drakes best friend, but because of one thing he becomes Drake's rival. Even he kidnaps Drake using pirates army whom he leads.

Besides that, in this game also there are several dialogues using Indonesian language. Some popular dialogues are the dialogue between Drake and one pirate, also Eddy Raja's swearing. Inserting dialogues with local language into game is not only done this time by Naughty Dog. In Uncharted 3, Naughty Dog also adds a little dialogue using Arabian language following that game setting.

Setting and Sam Fishers opponent, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

Besides Front Mission 3, this Pandora Tomorrow is also one of the games with most Indonesian element in the list. This game has setting in Indonesia where is told Sam Fisher has to stop action of a group named “Blood and Prayer” led by Suhadi Sadono. Since the setting is taken Indonesia, you are invited to go around the cities and islands of Indonesia, such as Jakarta and Komodo island.

Sadono himself at first get the training from CIA to banish communists in East Timor. However, because feeling betrayed, Sadono turns around and lead coup d'etat movement towards US in East Timor.

Shadow Puppet Stage, Tekken Tag Tournamnet 2

Bali becomes idol again in fighting game. After appears in one of stages in KoF 97, Bali also appears in shadow puppet stage of Tekken Tag Tournamnet 2.

This strategy shows several kind of Indonesian culture from the form of Balinese gate, Gamelan music play, until the shadow puppet show that will accompany you during fighting.

Raging Raven Character, Metal Gear Solid 4

Maybe some of you haven't known that one of antagonist figure in Metal Gear Solid 4, Raging Raven is a woman from Aceh. Raven is one of Beauty and the Beast Unit members recruited by Liquid Ocelot. Ravens mission is only one, that is to kill Snake who is also the enemy of Liquid Ocelot itself.

Indonesian setting, Far Cry 3

Indeed it is not mentioned explicitly that the setting of Far Cry 3 is Indonesia. The developer only mentions that the game setting is an archipelago in Malaka strait area, between Indian and Pacific ocean. If you pay attention to the map or geography lesson in school, you will directly understand that what it means is our country, Indonesia.

Not only that, in his adventure, Jason meets with local citizen called Rakyat. One of the priests in Rakyat also use name Indonesia taste, Citra. So isn't it clear enough that Far Cry 3 is set in Indonesia? :D

Samarinda City, Shadow Guardian

If you like to play action adventure game a la Uncharted in mobile, you must have been familiar with this title. Yes, game created Gameloft make Samarinda, capital city of East Northern Kalimantan a place setting you must explore.

Karambit Weapon,  Splinter Cell: Blacklist

Splinter Cell carries Indonesian name in its new game released this month, Blacklist. In this game, Sam Fisher has one unique weapon called Karambit.

Karambit is one of Indonesian traditional weapons which is often used in pencak silat (traditional self defense acts). Karambit is a bent knife which is paid attention more like lion claw.

Besides in console games, PC and mobile, some of Indonesian elements also arrive in MMO games brought by publisher in Indonesia. What are they? Check them in next page!

Gatotkaca Character, Lost Saga

As an appreciation towards Lost Saga players in Indonesia, IO Entertainment as developer presents one of popular Indonesian shadow puppets figures, Gatotkaca into that game. The same with other character, Gatotkaca also exists in two forms, both male and female. This character has been tested in Korean server and since it gets good enough response, finally the developer brings this character to Indonesian server in last 2012.

Gatotkaca Hero and Roro Kidul, Chaos Online

Gatotkaca still becomes favorite character to be inserted to game brought by Indonesian publisher. Besides in Lost Saga, Gatotkaca together with Roro Kidul also appear become one of heroes you can play in Chaos Online, MOBA game brought by Teracord.

Pitung, Battle Heroes Online

In Battle Heroes Online, you can also find heroes from Betawi Land, Pitung whom you can choose become one character to play. According to Wicket Studio which develops Battle Horse Online, every server in each country has special character from them, and Pitung is chosen to become the sppecial character in Indonesian server. Because it is special for one server, you will never find Pitung in other countries servers.

Comodo Island and Island of Gods, Ragnarok Online

One of Indonesian online game legends, Ragnarok Online (RO) also presents Indonesian element in a form of Comodo Island and Island of Gods. Comodo Island is inspired by Komodo Island in Indonesia, but without the existence of Komodo (animal) itself. Inside the island located in southern of Prontera and eastern of Morroc you can find various kinds of entertainment .

Komodo itself appears in Island of Gods, together with other monster from Indonesia like Cendrawasih and Butoijo. Besides that, in island of Gods you can also find various kind of Balinese gate even the Borobudur replica.

Those are the games that present Indonesian elements in the game. Is there any game passed? Share your finding in comment column below!