#either feeling like an action movie or a zelda boss

[copiasblair]

damn do all the endings of resident evil games suck or is it just the newer ones

[artyrogue]

Blind Date Gaming: The Addams Family

You all know PRANG, my Pseudorandom Number Generation matchmaker? Well, it recently gave me this weird questionnaire to try and set up a date more suited for my odd personality. I happily filled it out, hoping for a real connection to be made with my next game date. We fed it through the sketchy scantron machine attachment that somehow got grafted to PRANG's chassis and, after an ear-splitting buzzing that may have made me slightly deaf, the results were printed out. They dictated that I needed a real family game. I guess that triggered something special in PRANG, as it quickly flipped around and grabbed what I can assume totally wasn't the first title in its game list with the word 'Family' in it: The Addams Family!

Man, computers are too complicated for simpletons like me. Well, let's get datin' and see if this is a match! I started the game as what I can only imagine is a chubby, tiny clone of Gomez Addams. I mean, why else would all of the house decor be the size of 2.5 Gomezes? (Is that a unit of measurement? Well it is now)

He's small, but can jump like 3 Gomezes in the air! He's like the Jack Russel's of 90's characters

So you run around your house looking for sub-areas, throwing daggers that go about 2 Gomezes in front of you before disappearing. Enemies lurk at every step, and boy are they horrifying! Mostly in how crappily they are programmed and placed. Bats flap to your level and never deviate, pretty much ensuring you get hit. Ghosts constantly spawn and may be right on staircase tops, meaning you get hit as soon as a map loads. You can jump on some enemies to stun them but like you have no indicator what can and can't be given the ol' hop-treatment.

I'm not sure if this guy wants a hug or is holding a really heavy invisible box

None of this would be an issue if you didn't have limited ammo. From the get-go, your knives are all you have. In a boss fight and run out? Well, go commit suicide, because you can't do anything. Fun! The bosses are alright, though. Most are too easy, but they are definitely interesting. Like in one case, there's this bear that cannot attack you if you jump behind it. In another, the Grim Reaper's best weapon is spitballs? I feel like there's some lost lore here in the Addam's Family universe that needs fanfic-ing.

Still waiting for this model to be offered at Build-a-Bear Workshop

When you beat a boss, you rescue a family member and get a cool new item. Usually, they're weapons of some sort, but some instead help you to traverse the world. While this could have been a nice progression system, there's really only one place where this is required, and instead progress is tied to how many family members you have rescued. Only THEN do random doors in your own house become accessible. I think Gomez needs to install those doors with open-able locks that constantly prevent my toddler from dying alone from starvation in most rooms of my house because she doesn't know how to unlock locks she's already locked us out of.

Your gratitude is well-received, Lurch my man. But can we talk about what the heck some frozen water is going to do besides get my pockets wet in like 5 minutes?

There are also small potion powerup things that transform you into typical movie monsters, but none are really super-interesting. Regardless, I get through a bunch of ho-hum platforming levels, collect my fam, electrocute my brother some more (as is tradition), and make it to the final level! This level is akin to the final level in Super Mario Land 2 in that it is long, filled with neat traps, and pretty rough. I do like the decor, though, what with buzzsaws, unmarked falling spike chandelier things, and amazingly large guillotines.

I may be an Addams myself because these little death traps actually made me smile a bit. Very cute, level designers! I like your chops!

So after I boogie down his gauntlet of Super Meat Boy paraphernalia, I at last make it to the final boss's room. And he's...some...guy? This is probably a dude from the movie, but I haven't seen it in years, so I have no clue. But like legit all he does is stand, jump, and throw knives. Well, two can play that game! No really, I mean like, that's literally all I do, too. En guarde!

Oh hey, Troy McClure is in this game, too!

So we have the lamest version of the Dark Link fight from Zelda 2 ever and I end up on top. I save my wife from what appears to be some killer soup stock? Sorry honey, I won't get to experience your umami tonight, we gotta bury this businessman's corpse and stop Lurch from overheating the fridge's icemaker. Oh, but where are my manners, caramia? Let's catch that ending sequence first! What should we do with the rest of the Addams Family now that we have secured their freedom?

I like that, of all action verbs at their disposal, they chose 'throttle'.

Brilliant. Well, that was a quick jaunt. Not great, but also not horrible? I probably wouldn't try to date it again, but that's more because I feel I've experienced all it had to offer. Gomez should either find some super mushroom or hire a better home decorator who isn't a giant? But knowing the Addams Family, they probably know literal giants. Whatever, he probably need a stool to reach his toilet, but that is all his choice. As for you, your choice is whether or not to take this Sprite of Passage. (I'd say do it! You earned it!)

I feel like the manager made the enemy designer give him 2 pitchforks because he wanted the boss to at least appear SOMEwhat spoopy, but didn't have the heart to tell the designer to start over

BONUS: I feel like sharing this music track from the game because I think it's absolutely baller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlTNNOeX-E0&list=PL5YdbMaKCdoiF4XkX-ac-4M9QU1UPjlmq&index=5

Also, because I am amazed that it exists, someone's piano cover of it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5XODMmPGh4

[kolbisneat]

MONTHLY MEDIA: June 2019

Halfway through the year! Here’s how I spent the month of June.

……….FILM……….

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) Delivers on everything I’d want out of a Godzilla movie: destruction, cool monsters, and bland humans making crazy decisions. It perhaps took itself a little seriously, but that also felt on-brand, you know? Hopefully this series keeps going so we can get to a Mechagodzilla showdown.

Booksmart (2019) So good. We caught this at the end of its run so it’s a shame I can’t tell more people to go out and see it. Great bff chemistry, nuanced cast, funny, and solid direction. It felt familiar and new. Oh but as a former teacher, the Jessica Williams bits were all sorts of problematic.

Rocketman (2019) Just wonderful! The framing device of rehab wasn’t just a break from the biopic tropes, it was a crucial element towards reinforcing the main thrust of the film. Sure it goes through the rise and fall of a star, but it uses that arc to show the growth of a human. That’s why this is great. Also Taron Egerton is just overwhelmingly great.

……….TELEVISION……….

The Bachelorette (Episode 15.04 to 15.07) I worry that Hannah isn’t going to make it to the end of the season without some sort of emotional break. The slightly unhinged antics were fun at first, but now it feels like it’s bordering on full-on meltdown. I still long for a season where we’re given simple romance and good good friendships, but until then I suppose we’re stuck with Luke P. It’s really hard to watch a genuinely problematic relationship continue but hopefully he’ll be gone soon. Also that clip episode was next level.

The Magicians (Episode 1.10 to 3.08) It’s still doing a great job of acting as a sort of remix of the books. The stuff from book 2 is carrying over to the later seasons and while it’s not moving quite as briskly as the first, it’s still doing a great job of showing a different perspective and interpretation of the core plot elements.

……….READING……….

Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain by Zac Gorman (Complete) I put this on hold at the library thinking it was a graphic novel. Then I saw it was categorized as “children’s so I figured, knowing it was a collab between Gorman and Sam Bosma, it was an all-ages comic. Turns out it was a children’s chapter book and I loved it! Light-hearted, touching, and full of lovely illustrations by Bosma, it delivered everything I wanted in a format I wasn’t expecting. Also it’s about the adventures of a D&D-styled dungeon’s gamekeeper, Thisby Thestoop. So if you have a kid (or you, yourself) want an RPG-adjacent read, this is a great choice.

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (Complete) Compilations like this are always a lot of fun and I find it interesting to pick up themes when reading a collection of myths. There’s an awful lot of punishment in Greek mythology and in reading these, I really picked up on a lot of tests. Tests of strength or drinking ability or speed and it’s all rather fascinating. I admit that Gaiman’s writing is what brought me to the book but it’s rather subdued. Very cool to read how interested in Norse Mythology he is and it adds another layer to his other books (particularly American Gods). I don’t know if I’d recommend it if you were only a fan of Gaiman’s work, but I’d definitely suggest it if you’re keen to learn more about Thor and Loki and the gang.

Motherlands by Simon Spurrier & Rachel Stott (Complete) I love bonkers sci-fi. There are giant fleshy bounty hunters, pixelated teleporting guns, tiny lizard people, and civilizations all on the backs of crabs, but at the end of the day this book is about the relationship between a mother and her daughter. Sure, both are bounty hunters, but it uses the fantastic to explore the personal and that’s what my favourite speculative fiction does best.

Black Hammer Vol. 1: Secret Origins by Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston (Complete) Think alternate Justice League trapped on a farm in an alternate reality (likely our own). It’s a family drama set in a small town and it’s really good! At first it felt like a “this is our version of Shazam! This is our version of Martian Manhunter!” but the characters are breaking away from the tropes and it’s in that deviation that the book really shines. Worth checking out.

The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo by Drew Weing (Complete) As far as all-ages comics go, this has a good range of appeal. It touches on topics like gentrification and xenophobia, but uses monsters to communicate them. The main characters didn’t really resonate with me (the POV character doesn’t get to take much action and the expert is perhaps a little cold for someone meant to show compassion for all). There’s a second volume and while I didn’t love this, I want to check out the next chapter to see where it’s all going.

……….AUDIO……….

Factually (Podcast) If you know Adam Ruins Everything (either the show, youtube clips, or the podcast) then this is a natural continuation. I’m still not sure why the transition from the other podcast to this as it feels essentially the same, so I can only assume it was a contractual or savvy business move. Also the podcast is a deeper dive into common misconceptions in the world and it has Andrew W. K. for the intro music. What more could you want? 

……….GAMING……….

Maze of the Blue Medusa (Satyr Press) We had a bit of a lull this month from me being sick, but the party continues to hesitantly explore deeper into the maze and so is running into more dangerous encounters! It’s all very exciting.

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda (Brace Yourself Games) Having never played the original indie game (Crypt of the Necrodancer) I found it to be a steep learning curve and I died a whoooooole bunch at the start. Now I feel like I’ve found the literal (and metaphorical) rhythm of the game. Lots of fun, a great blend of new and familiar Zelda elements, and just a generally breezy game that can be very difficult. Oh also you can play as Zelda! For the whole game! 100% recommend.

Gato Roboto (Devolver Digital) Perfect bite-sized game. Three-ish hours of a cat in a mech suit is exactly what I wanted and it didn’t fail to deliver. The bosses are challenging though I admit most of the other enemies were pretty chill. Worth the modest cost and the whole thing was a lot of fun.

And that’s it! As always, feel free to send me any recommendos as I’m always looking for something new to watch/read/hear/play!

Happy Sunday.

[daikini-san]

E3 2019 in a nutshell {Featuring Sephiroth}

It’s that time of year again.  Like last year, (you can see that post here) I was able to watch most of the E3 except Devolver Digital, and the PC Gaming Show.  Those sadly do not interest me in the least.  This past E3 was mediocre at best.  If it weren't for the hype of FF7 Remake news and gameplay exposition, along with Nintendo ending it with a bang, then this E3 would be doomed.  Let us begin.

EA

Sigh. Didn't we go through this last year?  Why does E3 have EA kick start the show?  The performance is was terrible this year as well.  They tried a different format instead of the usual conference they did last year.  It took place outside. The first host (forgot his name) was over the top.  He reminded me of that crazy Mr. Caffeine dude from E3 2011.  At least EA has Star Wars going for them. Next...

MICROSOFT

Despite Keanu Reeves showing up in the Cyber Punk 2077 trailer and then coming on stage (which was badass), I believe Microsoft missed an opportunity to truly blow the show out of water.  Since Sony decided to dip out of this year's E3, now would've been a good of time as any to show off.  They presented a lot of interesting games releasing soon, but most of them had CGI trailers though. People want gameplay.  They aren't at the movies.  Either way, there's some brief talk about XCloud and Project Scarlet.  If anything, Project Scarlet was the most interesting piece of news that came out of this conference for me.

BETHESDA

Uhh...Can we talk about the crowd?  Todd Howard walks on stage, crowd cheers. Todd apologizes for the flop Fallout 76 caused, crowd cheers.  They go into detail about boring mobile games, crowd cheers.  Paid actors, anyone?  I feel bad for Commander Keen.  Damn.  This dragged out conference has been mostly about patches and 'updates' for games we already know about, mobile games, and CGI trailers with barely any gameplay for upcoming games.  Ghost Wire looks interesting and the lady speaking about the game was cute.  Just wish there was some gameplay for it though.

UBISOFT

The conference started off good with a gameplay (holy shit gameplay at E3!? Who would of known?!) trailer of the new Watch Dogs.  Then it was down hill from there...The orchestrated music for Assassin's Creed was nice, though I'm not sure if it was appropriate for E3. They spoke about a damn TV show regarding a game developer.  That had me floored.  Since when was E3 about TV shows?  Not to mention it looked ridiculous.  Then there's the infamous Just Dance dance off. Seriously...?   Updates on recent games that just dropped. Woohoo. More mobile game announcements.  Yay.  Oh but it gets worse.  I hope you like subscription services.  They spent at least 10-15 (maybe even longer) minutes talking about UPlay+ for $15.00 a month for PC.

SQUARE ENIX

New game.  Continue?  Remake?  Hell yeah!  Now we're talkin'!  Who would have thought Square Enix would save E3?!  Of course they dove right in with the FF7 Remake!  Did anyone hear that person sing, Sephi-roth at the start of show in the audience?  Oh that was awesome!  That person totally summoned Sephiroth to E3!  We got gameplay, Sephiroth, action, Tifa, Aeris/Aerith, boss battles, Sephiroth, CGI trailer, a guy explaining the battle mechanics, Cloud and Barret talking smack to each other, Cloud losing his marbles, and did I mention Sephiroth? Holy shit, that was the best damn thirty minutes of E3 compared the the entirety of all the past conferences combined!  They also spoke about KH3 Re: Mind, Avengers game, and more!  

NINTENDO

What an awesome way to end E3!  Stealth drops, surprises, new gameplay trailers, release dates, new content, more announcements for upcoming games coming to the Switch, two new characters coming to Smash Ultimate, the list is endless.  Nintendo went in this year!  They did not hold back.  If anything, the only disappointment would be that Animal Crossing was delayed until March 2020.  Honestly, that's okay since there's a plethora of games coming out this year already for the Switch.  Link's Awakening looks absolutely amazing! Totally in love with that art style.  To top it all off, a trailer presenting Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild sequel was revealed.  Now that's an E3 conference!

That concludes my thoughts on this year’s E3.  Thank goodness Square and Nintendo were on point, or else this E3 would have been such a disappointment.  I’m hoping Sony returns next year as it did seem empty without them there.  Though, in all honesty with the way E3 is going (mobile game announcements, lack of gameplay trailers, TV shows, dance offs, etc.) I’m not sure if it’s even worth it.  At least I got my wish to see Sephiroth at E3!

[lifejustgotawkward]

365 Day Movie Challenge (2017) - #391: The Shape of Water (2017) - dir. Guillermo del Toro

(Warning: some spoilers ahead!)

The Shape of Water is a film that pulls me in several directions. It contains themes and storytelling choices that I love immensely, but there are also aspects of the narrative that I believe could have been improved. From the reviews I have read so far, reactions are extremely polarized; moviegoers either worship Shape as a masterpiece beyond reproach or, on the other end of the spectrum, they throw around “D” words like disappointed and disgusted. I want to point out again that I enjoyed Del Toro’s production a lot - I would put it at #9 or 10 in my top ten for 2017, out of the thirty features I have seen so far - so I hope that my criticisms are tempered by my admiration for all that the film gets right, whether technically or ideologically.

All things considered, I’m probably the ideal viewer for The Shape of Water. In the Venn diagram of intersecting genres that the film explores, I’m right in the middle as a lover of romance, science fiction and fantasy, horror, thrillers, period pieces, studies of “the grotesque” and portraits of outsiders who challenge societal expectations of normalcy. I have a ton of respect for Guillermo del Toro’s ambitions as a filmmaker (I definitely dug Hellboy back in the day and I remember getting a kick out of Pacific Rim too) and I applaud his commitment to telling a socially conscious story in which historically marginalized people are our heroes and the clean-cut, stereotypical authority figures are the villains. I also adore Del Toro’s irrepressible cinephilia, which is evident throughout Shape via constant references to the films, actors and genres that have inspired him. In that regard, The Shape of Water is successful just as a celebration of the power that the silver screen has to change our lives.

The story is almost painfully simple: in Baltimore circa 1962, mute janitor Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) discovers a fantastical new world of love when an Amazonian fish-god (Doug Jones), referred to in the film’s credits as “Amphibian Man,” is brought to the government facility that she cleans at night. Elisa and her best friend at work, Zelda Fuller (Octavia Spencer), are assigned to take care of the Amphibian Man’s private room by high-ranking security official Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon), who brought to the creature to America and, in his words, they “didn’t get to like each other much” during the trip. This much is obvious at the beginning of the film, when we see the aftermath of an attack on Strickland by the captured fish-god, who has bitten off two of Strickland’s fingers.

Elisa quickly forms an attachment to the Amphibian Man, with whom she learns to communicate by teaching him sign language, feeding him hard boiled eggs and playing him Benny Goodman records on a portable hi-fi. (I’m amazed that more critics haven’t noted the connection to Annie Hall’s famous ending monologue about how human beings continue to look for love after failed relationships because we “need the eggs.”) It soon becomes apparent to Elisa that Strickland and his boss, General Hoyt (Nick Searcy), plan on killing the imprisoned creature, so Elisa devises a plan to steal the Amphibian Man from the facility with help from her neighbor, Giles (Richard Jenkins), an older gay man who has worked as an advertising artist but was fired from his job, in part because of his alcoholism but presumably also because of his sexual orientation. Giles and Zelda stand since they are the only two people in Elisa’s life who have bothered to learn ASL. They understand that she is disabled, but she is not “lesser than” in their eyes because they have adapted themselves to the language she uses.

It’s wonderful that Guillermo del Toro gave space to main characters who are a non-speaking woman, a black woman and a gay man, all of whom are over forty years old. Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer and Richard Jenkins do beautiful work in the film, particularly Hawkins, who has finally broken through in American cinema thanks to this film. I have been a tremendous fan of Hawkins ever since she starred in Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky nine years ago, so it has been glorious to see her shine in Maudie and The Shape of Water this year. She radiates tenderness, humor, curiosity and compassion as Elisa, a performance that absolutely deserves the Best Actress Oscar nomination it will certainly receive next month. Jenkins also gives a remarkable performance as Giles, making his friendship with Elisa plausible and heartwarming. Spencer has less to work with as Zelda since the character often comes across as a collection of cinematic stereotypes (both as a black woman and as a best friend/sidekick), but Spencer elevates the role to something special, occasionally with a mere glance or a roll of her eyes.

More complex and difficult to pin down is the film’s antagonist, Richard Strickland. I almost snorted at the ominous horn sounds that accompanied the character’s entrance in the film, which I suppose many viewers accept as de rigueur since Michael Shannon is synonymous with malefaction on the big and small screens. Some viewers see Strickland as a textbook villain, evil for evil’s sake (is that the inverse of Ars gratia artis?), but I would argue that the character's motivations are explained to a greater extent than those of anyone else in the film. Strickland is the definition of toxic masculinity, a white man who abuses his position of power by mocking, harassing and sadistically torturing the people (and fish-god) he identifies as inferior to him. Strickland strives for the American Dream - the suburban home, the wife and two kids, a brand new Cadillac - but underneath the exterior of perfection is a man who doubts himself. (For my money, one of the funniest moments in the film is the shot of Strickland sitting in his office, solemnly poring over a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking.) It’s not by accident that one of the digits that the Amphibian Man tore off of Strickland was his ring finger, or that this racist man can’t handle the fact that his body rejects fingers whose skin has turned black.

There is also significance in Del Toro’s disparate approaches to sexuality involving Strickland and his wife versus Elisa and the Amphibian Man (or Elisa by herself). Elisa’s desire is never ignored because of her inability to speak; she is a sexual being and her strong connection to that aspect of her life is viewed with delicacy and respect. The film incorporates two brief scenes showing her masturbating as part of a daily routine, but they don’t feel exploitative; Del Toro went out of his way to create intimacy that wasn’t designed for the male gaze. This is why I’m glad that he didn’t go all the way and show Elisa and the Amphibian Man having sex, contrary to the grumblings of many frustrated viewers who feel cheated out of hot fish-on-human action. What little we see of Elisa and her beau’s encounters glows with eroticism because the characters’ most private moments are withheld from us.

In response to other complaints voiced by moviegoers, the sex scene with Strickland and his wife Elaine (Lauren Lee Smith) was disturbing yet necessary. It’s mechanical, heartless and, as it progresses, turns into marital rape. It was one of the moments that seemed to freak out the audience I was in the most, leading the woman sitting directly behind me to loudly say “blecch” when Strickland placed his hand over his wife’s mouth. (Isn’t it interesting how obsessed Strickland is silent women, whether it’s Elaine or Elisa?) Leave it to Guillermo del Toro to make an interspecial romance inviting and arousing, while sex between two humans is the true act of monstrosity.

All this happens, and politics too. Yes, The Shape of Water covers the topics of human/fish-god courtship, sexism, racism, homophobia and American exceptionalism, but the Cold War also plays a big part in the story. The one expert working at the Baltimore facility who cares about the Amphibian Man’s well-being is Dr. Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg), who aids in the creature’s escape. I won’t go into detail about Hoffstetler’s various complicated allegiances, but suffice it to say he comes through as a dedicated scientist and a decent person who recognizes the supreme value of love over country. Del Toro infuses Hoffstetler with a number of fascinating characteristics, even when they’re as seemingly minor as him baking a butter cake in his apartment.

There are a lot of cooks in Shape’s kitchen. With so many compelling characters, plot lines and images, the film is an aesthetic feast for the senses. On the other hand, Del Toro never satisfactorily answers the question of whether the Amphibian Man is an entity of high intelligence. Elisa is smart, funny, creative and resourceful; is her water-bound lover capable of those same feelings and abilities? He is more than the “wild animal” that Giles sees him as - the Amphibian Man’s first face-to-face experience with Giles’ cats ends bloodily, but we later see the fish-god petting the remaining felines sweetly - but I’m not convinced that the Amphibian Man is on Elisa’s level emotionally. Doesn’t it strike anyone as odd that the love song featured in the film’s gorgeous, black-and-white dream sequence, was “You’ll Never Know”? Wasn’t Elisa implying that her lover either didn’t or couldn’t comprehend the depths of her affection?

(Incidentally, that dream sequence, which is modeled on Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger’s “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” scene from the 1936 film Follow the Fleet, is reminiscent of another musical that copied the same number, 1981′s Pennies from Heaven. There, Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters dance and lipsync to Astaire and Rogers; the entire film is a cinephile’s dream, paying homage to old Hollywood while simultaneously maintaining a dark, tragic tone amidst the colorful song-and-dance confections.)

The Shape of Water hurtles towards its finale with intense speed, perhaps too much. The conclusion involves a number of coincidences and a lot of good fortune on Strickland’s part. He’s able to do a bunch of dastardly deeds due to characters who tell him what he needs to know or because he’s lucky enough to have information fall in his lap. The exact nature of the ending is also telegraphed from the beginning (at least that’s what I thought), so if you’re expecting a brilliant revelation regarding one or more characters, your hopes will be dashed. I was touched by the final scene, but I also longed for more of a resolution to the story at large, especially for Giles and Zelda.

Del Toro’s film succeeds thanks to the astonishing acting done by Hawkins, Shannon, Jenkins, Spencer and Stuhlbarg. Doug Jones’s performance can’t be gauged in terms of conventional acting, but his commitment to the role and the way that he physically brought the Amphibian Man to life (along with the services of the film’s makeup/special effects artists) is indeed worthy of praise. Visually, the cinematography, sets and costumes are stunning, while the score by Alexandre Desplat and the song selections (including a Madeleine Peyroux cover of one of my favorite Serge Gainsbourg tunes, “La Javanaise”) are charming. Despite the weaknesses, The Shape of Water is a beautiful film that encourages love, diversity and the importance of taking risks. In today’s political climate, we could all benefit from more of those attributes.

[hallowedmasamune]

for the gaming asks~ EVERY SINGLE DING DANG ONE OF THEM~ you're welcome :3

I freaking hate you XD

1. First console you’ve ever owned?

I can’t remember for certain, but I believe it was either a Nintendo 64 or a PlayStation.2. First game you played?

Oh gosh, that’s a hard one to remember, too. I’m going to say Pokemon Stadium, since that is the first game that I can vividly remember playing.3. Favorite childhood game?

Specifically as a child? Probably Pokemon or Shadow of the Colossus. Or Final Fantasy. My favorites haven’t really changed.4. Longest consecutive hours you’ve played a game?

Hm… Probably around half or more of an entire game. I’ve spent ALOT of time into Pokemon in particular.

5. Game with the best soundtrack?

This is a hard one. There are so many amazing video game soundtracks! I’ll say Shadow of the Colossus, Kingdom Hearts, any Final Fantasy, and Okami.6. An underrated game from within the last few years?

OH GOSH. The Last Story, definitely. That is a really amazing game that deserves a remaster.7. Most disappointing game you’ve played?

I’m not sure. Most of the games that I’ve played are games that I’ve played before at a friend’s house, so I knew beforehand if I would like it enough to play it or not. I will say Gary’s Mod, though. I don’t really get the appeal, and it wasn’t really fun the round of Prop Hunt that I played.8. The game with the best atmosphere/scenery?

SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS. The scenery is so beautiful, even though it seems empty and barren to some people. It’s just vast, and there are good varieties in the environment. I thoroughly enjoyed going through the landscape and exploring every bit of the world that I could.9. Last game you played?

Basara 4 Sumeragi with a friend. It was fun~10. Prefer PC or console?

Console. I’m not sure why, but I just don’t really like the idea of using a computer to play video games and stuff on. I use that for school work, working on artwork or stories, and watching YouTube or something. Not really games beside visual novels.11. Have you written any fanfic or made any fanart?

Oh, HAVE I. It’s a bit embarrasing, really. I think the ‘best’ one that I made was one for Samurai Warriors. It’s called Dear Agony. It’s not finished, but it’s one that I’ve always wanted to finish.12. Most bizarre game you’ve ever played?

Let’s see… I’m not sure. If we mean bizarre as in a weird or an ‘interesting’ experience, I guess DRAMAtical Murder would be the most bizarre. It was…an experience to go through the…situations that happened in that game. I like the story and the characters (most of them), but there were just some moments that would have been better without.13. Scariest game you’ve played?

That I have played personally? Probably The Evil Within. I would say Resident Evil 4, but there are only a couple of parts in that game that truly terrify me. I can only spend a few minutes with each session of The Evil Within before I feel too stressed out to play it.14. Do you watch playthroughs online?

Sometimes, for games that I don’t really think I’ll play or for tips. Sometimes I’ll watch people I like online play games that I like or have played as well. It just depends on the Youtuber.15. Favorite animal in a video game?

It’s a REALLY hard decision, but I would say Agro from Shadow of the Colossus, Epona from Legend of Zelda, Repede from Tales of Vesperia, and Trico from The Last Guardian. I can’t pick one.16. The best year in gaming you’ve experienced?

2016 was a pretty good year, mostly because two games that I’ve been looking forward to came out last year (Final Fantasy XV and The Last Guardian). Another good year was either ‘05 or ‘06, since that’s when I played alot of my favorites, like Final Fantasy VII and Grandia III.17. Have a video game themed background or lockscreen?

N-no! …..Almost all the time. If it doesn’t pertain to an anime, then it’s more than likely related to video games. Right now my lockscreen is Noctis and my phone background is the special artwork for the FFVII remake that was released recently. My computer background is Gladion and Silvally from Pokemon Sun.18. Worst game you’ve played?

Shadow Warrior. That was not a game that appealed to me at all. I gave it a shot, and it was just…no.19. Hardest game you’ve ever played?

Probably something like Bloodborne. It’s a game that I’m not used to playing, and a game that I would normally avoid. I try not to get super angry with things, even though it happens all the time regardless.20. Favorite publisher and/or developer?

Probably Square Enix or Team ICO. 21. If you had to play one game for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Shadow of the Colossus or the whole series of Final Fantasy VII. Or maybe Final Fantasy XV.22. If you could turn one game into movie, which would it be?

As long as it’s a good rendition of the game, probably The Last Story. I feel like that would be a really beautiful movie.23. Favorite genre of video game?

Action or adventure, more than likely. It’s a wide genre that most or all of my games have in common.24. Ever cried because of a video game? Which one(s)?

There have been too many emotional times in video games for me to just list here. I will try to list the ones that impacted me the most. Crisis Core, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy XV, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Story.25. Proudest accomplishment in gaming?

Being able to defeat Sephiroth when no one else could. I’ve beaten him in every game that I have that he appears in. I’ve had people ask me to beat him in Kingdom Hearts II, almost begging.26. How often do you play online? Co-op?

I don’t play online ever. I don’t really like playing with other people. I’ll play co-op with friends. Whenever we feel like playing Basara, Dynasty Warriors, or Samurai Warriors, we’ll play together.27. Have you gotten any friends into gaming?

OH BOY. Most of my friends are gamers. That’s basically a requirement for being my friend. Although I did get one friend who didn’t really game before into playing games, like Pokemon Channel.28. Who got YOU into gaming?

I can’t remember. I guess technically my parents. I remember my dad playing Tomb Raider alot when I was younger, and they didn’t really have a problem with me and my brother playing games.29. Watch cutscenes or skip them?

Watch. I love story, so I watch cutscenes. Although if I’ve seen a scene too much because I keep losing a boss fight (freaking Riku in Hollow Bastion in the first Kingdom Hearts), I’ll skip it.30. On average, how long does it take you in the character creation screen?

I try not to spend too much time there. I don’t really like elaborate character creation stuff, so I tend to avoid games like Skyrim and Dragon Age. I would say maybe 5 or 10 minutes.31. Game with the best theme song?

I’m not sure of that, either. There are a good bit of games with great theme songs. I’ll say Final Fantasy XV. The cover of Stand By Me was really great.32. Do you cosplay?

I cosplayed once, but it wasn’t anything special or any good. I don’t really have the talent with clothes and stuff to do that.33. Favorite female npc?

Of all time? Probably Aerith. She’s always so precious and amazing. And she’s a person who seems girly and like she can’t defend herself, but she can prove very easily that she can save herself if necessary.34. Favorite male npc?

Since there are too many to list more than likely, I’ll think of the first one that comes to mind… Therius from The Last Story. He had really great character development, and he’s just a really cool character in general. He’s a great example of a knight.35. Best protagonist? 

Oh no, this question. I’m not sure again. Too many good people. I will say Zack Fair from Final Fantasy VII or Wander from Shadow of the Colossus.36. Best antagonist?

Hm, antagonist… Maybe Caius from Final Fantasy XIII, or Kuja from Final Fantasy IX.37. Ever been made fun of for playing video games?

Nothing too extensive. I was pretty quiet, so not many people knew what I did and didn’t like. 38. Have you tried a game, hated it, then tried again, and loved it?

That would be Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XII, although I wouldn’t say that I hated them. I couldn’t get them at first. It was either the Sphere Grid, the License Board, or the battle system, but I just couldn’t play them when I was younger. I tried them both again recently, and it seems like something finally clicked and I had no trouble whatsoever with playing them. I have a new adoration for them now.39. Do you play for achievements/trophies?

Eh, they aren’t that important. If I like the game enough, then I might go for a complete trophy list, but other than that as long as I enjoy the game I’m good.40. Favorite voice actor?

FRICK NO. This one is really hard. There are too many awesome seiyuu, so I’ll just say my favorite voice actor. That would be Crispin Freeman. He voices characters like Haji from Blood+ and Itachi Uchiha from Naruto.41. Gone to a midnight release before?

Yeah, I’ve gone to one myself, for Final Fantasy XV. I have worked a couple while at GameStop.42. A game you will never forget (in a bad OR good way)?

I’ll always have a gross memory of Shadow Warrior. It was just….too weird. 43. Favorite sidekick or companion?

Would you count animals? ‘Cause it would be Agro, Epona, Repede, and Trico again.44. Do graphics matter?

Not entirely. Some of my favorite games are older and not as good in the graphics department as recent games. Although if a game has really great graphics, I most certainly won’t complain.45. Do you like funny or more serious games?

I tend to lean toward serious games, but I don’t mind if they have funny moment in them. I like comic relief, especially in games with stressful storylines or situations.46. Always, sometimes, or never use subtitles?

It depends on the game. Or if I’m playing it in English or not.47. First person or Third person?

Third person, all the way. I’m not a huge fan of first person.48. A game you’ve always wanted to play but have never gotten to it?

Kamigami no Asobi. I’m sure there are a couple more, but that’s the only one that I can think of. I hope they bring it over to the US someday.49. A game you haven’t played in forever, but want to replay?

DIRGE OF CERBERUS. And Shadow of the Colossus. Always Shadow of the Colossus50. How many games to do you own?

….No idea. I would say around 25 or 30. Maybe. 51. First character you’ve had a crush on?

I have no idea. It’s been so long, and I can’t remember when I started thinking that it was okay to have a crush or something on a character. I’ll say either Link from Zelda or Blank from Final Fantasy IX. 52. A game you will always stand behind, and support no matter what?

Any game that I like, really. But I guess if I have to list anything specific, Final Fantasies that I like, Shadow of the Colossus, Pokemon, The Last Story, and The Last Guardian.53. Your most immersive game?

Resident Evil 4, probably. That game somehow made it feel like what happened to Leon was actually happening to me. 54. A sequel you really want?

Honestly, a sequel or at least an explanation to the secret ending of Dirge of Cerberus. I won’t spoil anything just in case, but that last scene just leaves a big ‘What now?’ question that has never been answered. 55. How much time, on average, do you play in a week?

I’m not sure of an exact amount. I try to play as much as I can between school and work.56. Do you tell people irl that you play video games?

Of course. Why wouldn’t I? It’s something that I enjoy doing and something that I have to be able to connect with other people.57. What is an overrated game you’ve played?

I’ll say Fire Emblem Awakening, since I’ve been seeing alot of people saying that about it and that you’re not a true fan if you’ve only played Awakening, Birthright, or Conquest. (whoops, I played all three)58. Ever have someone walk in on a sex scene between you and you LI?

I have no idea what that is, but I have had my mom walk into my room and want to talk to me when I was playing DRAMAtical Murder. A couple of times had been during an awkward scene.59. A game you are looking forward to this year?

Breath of the Wiiiiild. I feel like it’s going to be a really great addition to the series. 60. The game you are best at?

Probably Shadow of the Colossus. I’ve gotten to the point where I can beat every Colissi in less than a day.61. A game you know everything about?

I won’t say everything, but I have more knowledge than I know what to do with about Final Fantasy VII. I’ve done alot of reading and research about stuff that happens in that game.62. Would you want to work with video games when you are older?

Of course. I don’t know if I can do the techy stuff, but I would love to create storyboards or art for a game.63. What’s a game that has inspired you?

Pretty much any game that I’ve played, really. I feel like each one carries a sort of message that I take away from it when I play it. Some more…friendly than others.64. Describe your favorite video game using only three words?

Kill giant creatures.65. Any favorite screenshots of games?

I can’t even begin to express how bad it is that the PS4 has an option to screenshot. I have so many from FFXV that it’s ridiculous.66. Game with the yummiest looking food?

FINAL FANTASY XV. I want to experience Ignis’s cooking for myself. It looks TOO good.67. Most violent game you’ve played?

That would be either Bloodborne or Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. Both games are really violent and gory, buuuuut they’re pretty fun.68. An older game that you’ve just recently gotten into?

I haven’t had a chance to play it yet, but a friend of mine gave me a copy of Legend of Dragoon. I’ve always wanted to play it, and I’m looking forward to trying it soon.69. Your first LI?

Again, NO idea what that means, so I’ll just ignore this one.70. Do you play any mobile games?

A couple, but not nearly as much as on my consoles. I have at the moment Love Live!, Terra Battle, Pokemon Go, and Fire Emblem Heroes.71. A game you can’t stop talking/thinking about at the moment?

Final Fantasy XV. It’s really amazing, and has been a truly great experience, even though it seems like it’s getting nothing but complaints and hate. I know that people still enjoy the game but think it’s unfinished, but I personally have loved every moment of it, even the moments when I wanted to throw my controller across the room because of a frustrating enemy.72. Have any guilty pleasure games?

Ripping the spines out of cyborgs in Metal Gear Rising. It’s way more fun that it should be, and it’s very stress relieving for me.73. A game with the best fandom?

The Last Story. It isn’t that bad with shipping and stuff.74. Which game has the best lore?

Not sure. I think most of the games that I play have really great stories and lore to them. I don’t really play games where the storyline doesn’t interest me.75. Do you focus on main storyline/quest or do sidequests first?

I try to even the two out. I try to go through the plot when I feel like it, but I also make sure to do sidequests so that I’m not underleveled or I can get weapons or items that are hard to get in the main game.

[rageworks]

Title: Omensight Developer: Spearhead Games Publisher: Spearhead Games Release Date: May 15, 2018 Price: $19.99 Genre: Action RPG / Murder mystery Platform: PlayStation 4 Players: 1

This Path Leads to More Stories…

In 2016, Spearhead Games endeared themselves to me with Stories: The Path of Destinies. This game was an action-RPG reminiscent of Zelda titles. It played like the movie Groundhog Day, such that you had to repeat your mission until you succeeded. The only real gripe I had was that full completion required you to finish the game roughly twenty-seven times. Spearhead now brings us the spiritual successor to Stories. A tale of triumph over evil. Well, it is more like wresting victory from evil after evil already won. Reynardo now makes way for the Harbinger in the new mystery title, Omensight.

In Omensight, the End is. . . Already Here?

The intro tells the tale of Urralia, a world you have already failed to save. As the Harbinger, your role is to intervene and prevent the end of the world. Minutes into the game you realize you are too late and the horror known as Voden appears.

Really reminds me of the Iblis Stone

Fortunately, failure is not the end, for the harbinger exists outside of time. Your connection with the souls of key individuals and a mysterious witch allow you to relive their final day. Prepare to play the most exciting game of Clue in history. The return of Voden was always prevented by the godless priestess. Current priestess Vera is dead and her soul missing; no one capable of keeping Voden in check remains. Piece the clues together, find a way to stop Voden and introduce the wyrm to “No One,” Odyssey-style.

The Liar, the Witch and the World Tree

If you have played Stories, you will instantly feel comfortable with the controls in Omensight. Regular battles consist of you being surrounded by enemies and using dodge and hit combinations. Most of the game can be beaten with just light attacks and dodges, in addition to jumping when necessary. Should you want to unleash your inner badass, every primary button and trigger on the controller has an offensive function. The fluid combat system of titles such as Jade Empire, Spider-Man and Batman games feels right at home here. Spearhead wants the gamer to find their own comfort level in this game; the variable combat definitely makes that happen.

Omensight – Story Focus

Omensight – Balanced

Omensight – True Warrior

Omensight – True Detective

Omensight – True Harbinger

Controlling the Harbinger

Five difficulty settings add to the freedom of choice in the game. I played on the balanced difficulty to review the game. Even on that setting, the game occasionally ramps up the challenge. Definitely familiarize yourself with the levels and enemies before going to ‘True Harbinger.’ The one con in the combat is confusion. Fighting with one character makes certain NPCs friendly; those same allies become enemies with a different companion. Enemies sometimes surrender, yet I had often bisected them before realizing they were begging for mercy. Moves required by the trophy list will lead some to just pressing square and triangle again. If you accept those challenges however, the learning curve will balance out before you solve the mystery.

Power of Choice

When you have finished doing your best Jubei impression on your enemies, often you will be presented with a choice. Either filet your partner’s enemy (usually a boss fight) or use your Omensight power. As you unravel the mystery, three major visions hit you; these are the Omensight. Showing them to others can cause them to aid your search. Choose wisely because in these situations, violence may not be the answer, but it certainly is one of them. What I found interesting is that conscience is not a gameplay element in this game. The Harbinger’s one and only goal is to rewrite history such that Voden does not triumph. Accomplishing said task by any and all means necessary is the order of the day.

The Currency of Deception

Spearhead Games seriously needs to get into television. The presentation of their games has everything needed for animated series, or at least specials. The graphics of Omensight (and Stories), while not mind-blowing, overflow with emotion. The Harbinger is without voice but your four companions are brimming with personality.

Emperor Indrik – Arrogant, steadfast in belief, but not unwilling to see truth.

General Draga – Justice is everything to her, hence it can supersede even loyalty.

Ludomir – Charges headfirst toward his goals; often fails to see the whole picture.

Ratika – Her diminutive size hides her massive personality; will be a fan-favorite.

 Color-coding

The art style is complemented by the use of distinct colors. Omensight is anything but monochromatic; you should definitely look around between battles and enjoy the scenery. Fans of Reynardo’s adventures should pay attention to the seals. The colors definitely resemble those used in his tale. I have questioned Spearhead regarding the connection, but so far they will neither confirm nor deny my theories.

A Mousey Master of Musical Magic!

I will admit to being a Ratika mark. Spearhead fully grasps that a tale of fantasy needs the proper music to help make it fantastical. Ratika’s song is but a moment in the game, yet a perfect example of what you can expect while playing. The overall sound design is a full course consisting of great voice acting, sound effects and music. Believe it or not, these elements also provide you clues to the mystery if you pay attention.

Emperor Indrik

General Draga

Ludomir

Ratika

The Harbinger

Verdict: Should Your Prescription Include Omensight?

Spearhead Games has improved upon Stories in almost every way. The story seems straightforward and simple until you get into the meat of it. All of the sudden you are fielding curve balls from every direction. The narrative is written so that almost everyone will at least initially blame the wrong person. That is the type of storytelling that makes you want to push forward and see more. There is some predictability, but again, you will only see it if you pay attention.

Gameplay is as adjustable as the difficulty settings; some will just procedurally defeat foes with regular attacks. Those looking to maximize gameplay will pull out the stops and make use of all the attacks. I look forward to seeing some of the combat videos that will pop up on YouTube.

On the technical side of things, Omensight starts to falter. The framerate is choppy; usually animation is smooth but there are intermittent stops even out of battle. I also came across an instance where the Harbinger just stopped moving and I had to restart. Considering the bugs that Spearhead has removed from the game, these are minor gripes. The blend of color, voice and music are well worth the price of admission.

Bottom line, Omensight is $20 and well worth it. Add this to your PS4 or Steam collection today!

Slick’s Nit-Picks: Omensight Title: Omensight Developer: Spearhead Games Publisher: Spearhead Games Release Date: May 15, 2018 Price: $19.99 Genre:

[arcanevalves]

Kingdom Hearts (PS4)

What I played: I made the utterly regrettable decision of trying to play the game on normal. I do not generally like action RPGs and am not particularly enamored with Disney so this experience was often an unpredictable, uncontrollable slog for me. There were a few times when it felt like the game came together for me (Riku-Ansem) but more often I either leveled up and came back later (2nd Ursula) or I cheesed it out (Captain Hook, 2nd Maleficent). After struggling and finally beating Chernabog, I quit the game upon getting to the first Ansem fight. I watched the ending on youtube.

OKAY SO MAYBE THIS IS NOT MY THING

There are two elements here that are very super explicitly not my thing.

The first is the Disney element. Of the worlds visited in the film, I’m only really confident that I remember seeing one movie as a kid (Aladdin) and many of the others I suspect I may have seen as a small child (Peter Pan?) but some I definitely have not seen ever at all (Hercules, Nightmare Before... Christmas? I dunno man). This isn’t to say that these films aren’t good, just that I’m not invested in them. I think a lot of the enjoyment of crossover media comes from seeing disparate elements interact in an officially licensed production (although let’s be honest here, ban copyrights and unleash fan fiction kthx). I did recently watch Hunchback for the first time and it was a pretty all right film? The Disney films are just not something that were really a part of my childhood as I have always been too cool for Disney let me assure you this is true. Furthermore, in my adult life, I loathe Disney every day as a company that acquires the rights to popular media (e.g., Star Wars, Marvel, everything it has looted from the public domain) and then advocates for policy that is harmful to the public and is generally very zealous in asserting its rights in a manner similar to your Nintendo or Apple.

The second is the Action RPG element. One of the reasons I like playing RPGs is because there’s an element of playing at my own speed. I can grind levels or do side quests and take my time in an RPG without having to worry about whether I’ve learned some enemy or boss’s attack animations and patterns and hitboxes and hurtboxes. While Kingdom Hearts does have heavy RPG elements, it includes action game elements that, to me, feel reminiscent of Zelda (e.g., spoiler alert I have never finished a Zelda game and have really only played two: Link’s Awakening and Ocarina of Time). While I recognize it is some people’s things (see Dark Souls), I hate dealing with watching animations and figuring out where hitboxes are. This is especially true for the water/flying fights where a lot of the defensive options (combat rolling) are removed because hey, who loves fun (not me). As mentioned above, I was okay with the patterns when I felt like I could try different movements as answers such as in the Riku-Ansem fight. There, I could roll, tech, glide, etc. and really try different things in a fight that took me several tries and where I had a lot of fun. Compare this to the first Ansem fight where that possession thing just keeps, I dunno, swinging until it hits you and then you just hold that L? Or the Chernabog fight where the homing projectiles were mostly unavoidable?

LET ME SAY SOME NICE THINGS THO

Shimomura’s music was fantastic! The music was really good, even though I became annoyed whenever I heard the battle music play because it meant I would be unable to interact with environmental objects to proceed.

It looked real good for a PS2 game re-textured to PS3/4 HD? The Steam version of FFVIII was to me an example of re-texturing making things look a bit odd, but I think the only stuff that really stood out to me here were a lot of the facial expressions which, let’s be honest, were already hard to animate in PS2 era anyway.

Uh, anyway, everyone say KH2 is the real shit and I’ll probably play other KH stuff in the HD collection except on the easiest easy person easy simple mode possible just for the meme.

No video of the ending, but some clips at least of various parts:

https://clips.twitch.tv/BloodyWimpyCakeCharlieBitMe

https://clips.twitch.tv/PoliteMistyShallotDoggo

Yeah, so, uh, yeah, I may have been salty during this game.