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utilitycaster · 2 years

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I know you've touched on it in the past, and sorry for using your inbox as a sounding board, but as someone who wants to believe Marisha and Laura when they say Laudna and Imogen love each other...I'm a bit disappointed that like...3 or 4 days have gone by in game since Laudna's resurrection and neither has even attempted to make it a point to seek out the other. I could understand if they tried and got spoken over or the plot got in the way, but damn...if someone who I was traveling with and I loved, platonically or romantically, died, id probably make it a point to pull them aside and check on 'em at some point, and the otherside if id died and came back id look to the person I love for comfort.

Hi anon,

So, I am going to answer this as seriously and as respectfully as I can but I do want to note you’ve asked perhaps one of the people in the fandom most skeptical towards this ship; with the least amount of patience just like, in general; among the most willing to get into analyzing fandom response and not just what’s onscreen; and among the louder voices clamoring for more Yios content. So I want to set the expectation that I greatly enjoyed this episode and am a somewhat unsympathetic ear. I am truly honored you wanted me as a sounding board, but also very confused. Unless you want a perspective you know will be very different than yours, in which case, genuinely, mad respect.

(below a cut because this is like a page and a half long)

This was a fast-paced episode that skewed heavily towards logistics, and there were very few opportunities for serious one-on-one conversations of any sort. I also am just guessing here, but I think that Laura is somewhat cognizant of how up front Imogen has been in this campaign in general and specifically (and understandably) during the most recent few episodes, and is trying to be thoughtful about taking up more screen time. Similarly, as Marisha said on this week’s 4-Sided Dive, Laudna feels almost embarrassed at how much work her friends had to go through to bring her back, and is unlikely to ask for more help right now.

Imogen and Laudna’s relationship has always, in my opinion, been marked by their mutual terror of getting too real and actually revealing their feelings to each other; they are, as of yet, wholly unwilling to submit to the mortifying ordeal of being known. It feels entirely in character that Imogen’s more than willing to snipe at Ashton or FCG for their good-faith attempts to help Laudna that don’t line up with her own understanding, or to force a potato-based meal on the whole party without even asking Laudna if she’ll be upset by a lobster dinner, but won’t, well, actually ask Laudna if she’ll be upset by a lobster dinner.

These are two desperately lonely people who found each other and cling to each other, but who cannot have an honest emotional conversation. They apologized for the gnarlrock fight, but never addressed the underlying issues. And with Delilah seemingly gone, there goes that excuse, and if there’s another fight? It’s just going to be between them, and they will need to grapple with it.

For what it’s worth, I hope they do. I actually would be thrilled to find something that makes me care about Imogen and Laudna as a romantic ship, and I think that if a catalyst (conflict, probably) were to happen to force them both to be even a little honest with each other, it could absolutely blossom into a love both compelling and wonderful. But Laudna’s death is not that thing. They still both see themselves as the protector of the other - in fact that’s likely to have worsened, not improved, what with their respective feelings of guilt - without ever actually articulating it to each other. They can only talk about their pasts in terms of the immediate actionable items (get rid of Delilah, find your mother). They’ve never, in almost 40 episodes, really talked about how they feel (they've each said more to FCG and Ashton; it's telling that Imogen's greatest moments of honesty are in Imahara Joe's basement in the immediate aftermath of Laudna's death). And without something to force the issue, I think as time goes on it will get harder, rather than easier, because how do you say “hey, Laudna? I hate how my powers make me feel and I’m drowning here and you keep telling me I’m so capable” after 2+ years of tightly smiling and letting it pass? Honestly, it’s telling that the fandom saw Laudna as cheerful in the past, instead of almost manic at times; I suspect Imogen is making this same mistake.

I also know that a significant portion of the fandom is obsessed with this ship, and Laudna has some very…passionate fans, shall we say. But I don’t actually think the cast is terribly obsessed with this ship. Which isn’t to say they do or don’t like it or that it will or won’t happen in canon! But it is to say that the cast is well aware that this is Critical Role and not the Imodna Show. The fandom may forget, but the cast is quite aware that there are five other characters and twenty other one-on-one PC relationships that exist, not to mention that Imogen and Laudna do in fact exist as individuals with lives that do not solely revolve around each other.

I should also for that matter just note that I outright detest the dual and probably intertwined fandom trends of “My ship characters ONLY care about each other and no one else in the party” and “The plot should stop short and everyone should focus on my favorite character,” and here’s the thing: the plot did, in fact, stop mostly short and everyone did focus on Laudna for most of the last four episodes. And to be clear, focusing on bringing back Laudna makes perfect sense, and I'm not saying that you're doing this. But it does mean my patience for “but what about Laudna” is, right now, at something of a nadir. I would like to see the focus shift to other characters for a bit and, as mentioned, I think the cast is also cognizant of that.

The last thing I want to cover is that look, you’re on anon, and I don’t know you, and I am not positioning myself as a paragon of 100% healthy coping mechanisms and radical emotional honesty, and the fact that my favorite characters per campaign have been, respectively, Vex, Fjord, and Ashton is fairly revealing. But: would you reach out to your closest friend after a wildly traumatic and destabilizing event if you explicitly saw yourself as trying to make their life better than yours had been? Would you do this in the wake of a second tragedy with a permanent dead body just before you got on a long distance flight to Math Orc City, after having been tasked to kill your murderer? Or would you perhaps be kind of subdued withdrawn? Because I’d be the latter, and, having been openly frustrated with Laudna in the past, I love Marisha's choice to play Laudna this way and think it feels very real and interesting.

So to sum it all up: if you don’t have Imodna-colored shipping goggles onto which you have glued horse blinders to block out the rest of the party, this episode was great. I think that the choice to neither have Laudna reach out to Imogen, nor Imogen reach out to Laudna, nor for any real Laudna-centric conversations with anyone to have happened yet is very understandable for many in and out of game reasons. (This is already too long so I’m not even going into depth about how Bells Hells is very closed off as a group but: they are and that’s relevant) It’s absolutely valid if you’re disappointed, but I do not share this disappointment, even a little bit.

#answered #Anonymous #critical role spoilers #long post

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angevon · 1 month

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Games I beat 2024 - 6

FFXIV: Dawntrail

In a nutshell: I did not enjoy this.

I’ll put my comments in a read more, but it won't be super in-depth. Most of what I didn't enjoy has been explained and discussed thoroughly by other people.

So here I’ll add my own personal complaints which I didn’t see as often when I googled “does dawntrail get better reddit” for validation when suffering through the story.

My first and admittedly rather minor complaint is that they decided to give each fantasy race yet another fantasy name. The catgirls aren’t just miqote anymore, now they’re Homosaro or something, and bunnies are now Setsuna or hell if I know. It’s already hard enough trying to keep them all straight when many were given off-brand versions in Shadowbringers, so why do it again? I get that they’re going for ~cultural differences~ but this is way more annoying than immersive.

With that out of the way, the main glaring problem with Dawntrail is the poor pacing. We go to a new area, we talk to the npcs to find out what’s going on. Rinse and repeat (and don't forget to tag the aetheryte!). This isn’t unexpected, but it’s made worse by the formulaic cutscene direction.

You know what I mean.

“Cut to a close up of character 1’s face. Wait 3 seconds. Character 1 nods. Cut to close up of character 2’s face. Wait 3 seconds. Character 2 also nods. Cut to your character. Your character punches their right fist into their left hand. Zoom out. Character 1 walks off screen. 3 seconds later, character 2 follows. 3 seconds later, you follow and the scene fades.” The flow of most cutscenes are aggravatingly slow-paced. I know they’ve got engine limitations that restrict them from being particularly action packed, but more and more I’m starting to think it’s just an excuse for laziness.

Additionally, there was more than one occasion when the entire point of a cutscene was just to recap everything that literally just happened. Like, I know what happened, I was there! It happened 5 minutes ago! Why are you telling me this? I can excuse this in patch content when there’s months between story beats, but not in a fully released expansion.

(It reminds me of ff5, when Galuf suddenly declares “I remember!” and then the flashback cutscene it shows is when cid (?) was slapping him, a scene which happened very shortly beforehand. I remember laughing my butt off as a kid because it was so funny to me. Great memory Galuf, good job! You’re not senile yet, definitely.)

I think the game would greatly be improved from shorter cutscenes without all this … weird pausing as we look at a character just to watch them nod. It ruins the flow of the scene and makes it all so boring. They need to find better ways to end cutscenes than showing people walking off scene. They ought to add more emotes and reactions. I’m quite tired of seeing Wuk Lamat do the Arthur fist meme, and seeing Alphi put his hand under (but not touching) his chin. In some ways it’s hilarious that they haven’t added any new emotes for the npcs to use, but in other ways it’s just sad and lazy. It makes the game feel both cheap and dated.

I should get this out of the way too: for the record, I found the first half of Endwalker a frustrating experience for similar reasons. I didn’t want to explore yet another snow region, and the Garlemald-focused story was made extra depressing just to bash into your head that war sucks. Then EW takes a huge swerve back into fantasy, and that’s when I found it a lot more enjoyable. Definitely a ymmv thing, of course.

Now, Dawntrail tries to follow the same formula, but just doesn’t manage the “enjoyable” aspect. I think, in fact, it’s too similar to Endwalker and feels like a retread. Immediately when I first saw the queen of sci fi land, I said to myself “here’s the final boss” because she’s basically Meteon. And I wasn’t wrong and they never tried to hide it either.

We have the running gag of Atlus Girls but it seems like Square Enix has the same sort of thing going on……

Another thing they retread is taking time to teach us where the food comes from. Seriously, is someone on the writing team a horticulturist or something? We had a lengthy segment in EW with the Loporits and here there’s a(n admittedly much shorter—but still there!) quest to teach us how they grow food in the electric field. It had no bearing on the story in this case, just there to… pad the game time I guess. Or world build but I honestly couldn’t give a crap at that point 😂 I want to know where the big bad is! but no you gotta slow down the story by telling me how to grow fantasy potatoes, go off I guess.

Which leads me to my other problem. Throughout the story I had major questions that the story either never addressed, or if they did address it, it was too late to be satisfying. For example, as soon as the queen of sci fi land (I refuse to call it Alexandria lmao) shows us that souls are being used as currency, I’m like “where do the souls come from”. And literally NOBODY in our group thought to ask this most basic and obvious question. It was so frustrating!!!! Turns out they were saving this info for a Big Reveal but by that time I was already grinding my teeth so much from how slow and boring all these filler cutscenes were, its impact was absolutely wasted.

And the biggest question I have: who is Zuraal Ja’s mom? And who was Gulool Ja’s mom? Both questions were never addressed. Anything would’ve been better than what we got, which as far as was revealed in the main story: nothing. Never mentioned. Never named. Leaves me wondering if Mamool Ja reproduce asexually??? But Bakool Ja Ja had a mom, we even met her… so… ???

I mean this is absolutely the first question I would’ve asked! “We think Zuraal Ja is this kid's dad, just look at him it’s obvious” ok then who laid the egg? Heck, do mamool ja lay eggs…? I don’t know! They never said!

I’m sure I have more complaints but tbh it’s been a month since I beat it and a lot of the specifics have faded in my memory. I don’t have the energy to comment on the ff9 aspects but ff9 was never my favorite anyway so you can just imagine I wasn’t impressed 😂

#angevon's posts #there #i wrote a review without going into the hot topic of wuk lamat #because wuk lamat wasnt the problem i had with it #And I figure a lot of people immediately judge the validity of someone’s opinion based on their opinion of Wuk Lamat #Another big part problem I had is that I just don’t have time #I have about an hour a night for ff14 #So when I spend an hour just walking back talking to the same 3 npcs #watching characters nod at each other then walk off screen #Makes sense I’m not satisfied right?#ff14 #games 2024

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multbasa · 11 months

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I want to discuss what I think the next big 3D Zelda game should and shouldn't incorporate from BotW and TotK. I think the next game is really going to be what demonstrates the series direction going forward since TotK was a direct sequel which is significantly more connected to it's predecessor than any other Zelda sequel hence why it is hard to judge what a completely new title would borrow from the ideas of BotW/TotK.

So I will give my opinion on different topics like the story, the gameplay loop, collectables, weapons and combat among others below the cut.

Spoilers ahead

The story

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of BotW and I actually liked the memories because there was a lot of freedom and I could rewatch those cutscenes whenever I wanted—and boy did I rewatch them a lot—however TotK really demonstrated the weakness of this story telling method.

TotK also used memories, but unlike BotW which was snippets in time to get an understanding of different characters in Link's life 100 years ago, Zelda's memories are a very linear story about her journey which we do not get to play. This journey is given to us in any order we find which is baffling to me because it is significantly more enjoyable in order and it actually ruins the surprise of puppet Zelda. I actually followed the order of the memories when I first played because I knew I would prefer it that way yet there're memories that you can't get unless you continue the main quest anyway. The result makes the story feel quite disjointed.

I think that the next title should do away with memories entirely or only offer them in a set order. I think I would have greatly enjoyed it if each dragon tear fell to the earth at set points in the story rather than just have all of them available at once. Zelda's final dragon tear is absolutely moving with the way it falls and perhaps the other tears should have dropped out of nowhere and the fact that they were tears should have been a secret until the final tear where we actually see the Light Dragon.

Anyway, the next story should be linear clearly. The linear story in TotK functions a lot better than the Dragon's Tears, so going forward, the non linear story progression should not be relied on. It worked in BotW but it didn't in TotK.

However the way the sages summarize the exact same event at the end of each temple is genuinely horrible. Like, who thought this was a good idea? We should have seen how Zelda and Rauru recruited the first sages instead so it was at least unique to each but we just got the same battle over and over. Even though each temple could be done in any order, there's no reason to repeat this event so many times, it's a waste.

Items and Weapons

Now, I have to say that the collectables in BotW were mostly completely useless and I ended up with a tonne of junk that I didn't use. The cooking mechanics did add complexity to the game and gave purpose to a lot of items in the game but otherwise it was just a bunch of junk to hold onto for upgrades.

The weapons degradation in BotW did not really bother me but I HATED how fighting enemies was absolutely pointless when they had crappy weapons to replace the ones I would break in fighting them. It actually led me to avoid fights and hoard weapons because I wanted to save those weapons for more rewarding fights. And while I didn't mind most weapons breaking, I hate how the bows break—this makes no sense honestly and losing a good bow was so frustrating.

TotK SIGNIFICANTLY improved the existence of these items and weapons with the Fuse ability. I actually use the stuff in my inventory and I can make almost any weapon worthwhile with the right fuse item. I actually have trouble collecting items for upgrades because I use them (I'll get to upgrades later). I still hate how bows break but adding fuse items to arrows gives more use to crappy bows because I can use them to shoot puff shrooms or dazzle fruit among other things that don't require good damage or range.

The Master Sword unfortunately is one of the weakest aspects of both games. It's base damage is just pretty lame, the way it needs to be recharged just leads me to avoid using it and it feels very insignificant compared to other weapons which is a HUGE problem for what is supposed to be a magical legendary sword!

TotK improved the story importance of the Master Sword where it was actually mandatory in finishing off Ganondorf which was a step in the right direction but it is still too little to prove the Master Sword's importance. Other than the final boss where the Master Sword has infinite durability, I literally never use it. I haven't broken it once because it literally just sits in my inventory.

For the future, I believe the Master Sword should get special treatment. This is difficult to balance with the other weapons available however the next games do not need to focus on the other weapons like BotW and TotK do.

If you didn't know, picking up enemy weapons actually originated from previous Zelda titles: Ocarina of Time had the Deku stick (which is a Deku baba stem rather than a weapon but it's functionally the same) and Wind Waker allowed Link to pick up numerous enemy weapons which could be used temporarily. As a kid, I loved picking up weapons in Wind Waker and I actually wished I could keep them especially the Moblin spears with their flowy red tassels. These weapons never impeded the Master Sword's importance because you can't pocket the Wind Waker weapons and the Deku sticks are more like consumable torches that you can collect in Ocarina.

Future titles could tone down the collectable weapons to allow the Master Sword its true purpose again as the most important blade in the game. Even if we can pocket other weapons, they should be understated and have a more niche use like having specific elemental properties that could be situationally more useful than the Master Sword but are not strong enough to overstate it. Weapons that are stronger than the Master Sword could be like the Gloom weapons in TotK which have a negative side effect with using them.

As for items outside of the fuse ability, there should be less in future titles. We don't need so many items to pick up. I enjoy the cooking mechanics to give buffs and heal but with all the loot from monsters and collectable items around the world, there's little to get excited over in treasure chests. BotW was the worst for this because there were usually some lame weapons in a chest that I didn't even have space to pick up. Chests just aren't exciting in BotW and TotK. I would prefer there to be less collectables and for there to be more exclusive items for chests—these rare items should be for upgrades rather than all the junk I need to collect.

Upgrades

Upgrading armour in TotK is a chore. I didn't mind it in BotW because I didn't have any use for all the junk in my inventory anyway, but upgrading much of the same armour that I already upgraded in BotW is outright painful and now each upgrade costs money on top of using items I would prefer to fuse to my weapons.

There are so many things I need for upgrades that it is so difficult to keep track of what I need. It's just too much especially in TotK where there are different horns for each enemy type. I had so much trouble collecting a certain construct horn because there were like 5 of them hanging around the world after I beat the final boss. Trying to get a particular item for an upgrade is so tedious because there are so many items in the game.

I would actually much prefer the upgrades from Skyward Sword return where I have important weapons and shields that I can upgrade. I would love to upgrade my bow rather than find bows laying around while I am not a fan of having to upgrade each little piece of armour.

Combat

I have to say that I love combat in TotK. I love the fuse mechanic and how it makes combat more complex and rewarding compared to BotW, and I really do believe that TotK has the best combat in the entire series. It feels good to play and I can approach fights in any way I see fit compared to the more rigid combat of past titles.

I will say that I miss the sword skills from Wind Waker and Twilight Princess especially the final strike where I can attack an enemy when it's down which was also a skill in Skyward Sword. BotW and TotK traded these skills for more weapon types and styles which isn't an issue but with the Master Sword needing more importance, I believe that these sword skills could really keep the Master Sword more relevant compared to other weapons. A spear may give more reach but the sword should have more versatility and skill.

Sword skills could be incorporated in the flury attacks which are just button mashing in TotK and BotW. Give more options in attacking an enemy when dodging like the skills available in Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. Perfect parry is also the perfect opportunity to incorporate sword techniques for critical hits.

Gameplay loop

BotW and TotK revolve around the items that can be collected in the world—especially TotK—and while this does give a good reason to explore the world and engage in battle, it is a bit tedious at times. This does give a lot of mileage to seeking out enemies or locations but it also feels like a really really long check list: find consumables to use, engage in combat, pick up more consumables, spend consumables for upgrades, use consumables in cooking or combat, seek out more consumables.

Yes this does give me reason to play BotW and TotK for significantly longer than other Zelda games which are much easier to complete all objectives in the game, but I wonder if this can be achieved without the need for so many consumable items?

If I could spitball an idea here for a moment: in older titles, there were temporary upgrades that dropped from enemies like the Piece of Power or Guardian Acorn Link's Awakening. There was also the addition of Dark Link in the Link's Awakening dungeon maker where he stalks you through the dungeon. So my idea for a future gameplay loop could be that you could be pursued by someone and during this time, enemies drop power ups that would greatly help you in fighting the assailant off. Maybe whenever something like a blood moon happens (as an example since Blood Moons don't need to return unless it suits the game), you need to find enemies to fight to gain these temporary buffs before the pursuer catches you and you engage in battle. Perhaps these events could be pushed back or avoided by using certain consumable items. Maybe the reward for fighting this recurring enemy gives you what you need for upgrades. Maybe this enemy is Dark/Shadow Link. Personally recurring events like this would be fun. I really wish that the Blood Moon wasn't just a respawn and world reset—it would be very exciting if these were actually threatening.

In TotK, I legitimately was scared during my first blood moon because I thought I might actually get attacked this time, but it was nothing important yet again. Once I encountered the Gloom Hands, I thought it would have been cool if these appeared during the night of blood moons rather than just at certain locations. This would have made Blood Moons scarier and more important in the gameplay loop than just a world reset.

Key Items

Poes

Poes are just sad. Compared to past titles, they are just spirit things that sit there to be collected. It's not fun, make them fight back.

Korok seeds

Korok seeds are not so important in TotK because my small inventory really isn't as much of a bother to me compared to BotW due to the fuse mechanic. I haven't even upgraded my inventory in a while and I've never bothered to collect every Korok seed. The reward for all Korok Seeds is definitely underwhelming but I would never want to feel like I needed to collect every single Korok seed for a good item anyway. I actually really enjoy the new koroks with their little big backpacks and it is a lot more fun to figure out how to get the Korok where it wants to be over just shooting at a balloon or something. I would still help these Koroks out even without the Korok seed, so if they return in a future game, I would prefer it to be treated as a quest rather than a collectable. Little Koroks in need of your help and who give different rewards like maybe a special Deku item like Deku seeds from past games or consumable food items for health or buffs.

Spirit Orbs

These are fine really but honestly I do miss just finding heart containers in the world and I wish I could fully upgrade Link's health and stamina. Just give me the heart containers and stamina vessels as rewards without the option to choose between them. I do understand the advantages of choosing between upgrades but I don't find it very necessary. Not knowing whether I could get a heart container or stamina vessel would allow rewards to feel more exciting. I was always super excited in past titles to receive a heart container but in BotW and TotK it's just not exciting.

Sage's Vows

Having to turn these on and off in the menu is annoying. They are fun to fight with in open areas but they take up screen space in caves. Chasing them to activate their ability is annoying especially for Yunobo who makes you chase him down but you can't position him properly because he won't go up and down certain slopes. Yunobo having a dedicated button while riding a vehicle and Tulin having a dedicated button while flying works so I would prefer if these abilities were more situational like that. BotW's abilities were definitely better.

Earthwake Manual

I really like this thing. Having an attack when Link doesn't have a weapon equipped is great especially for smaller weaker enemies like chuchus. This may not be useful in the future if the Master Sword is actually given more importance, but I appreciated it on TotK.

Paraglider

I love the paraglider and I hope it returns in future titles because it's so convenient. This isn't anything new obviously since we had the Deku Leaf in Wind Waker which has a similar function. It's obviously a big step up from the sailcloth in Skyward Sword, but I don't mind future titles not relying on a paraglider so much like BotW and TotK do.

The fact that you can skip the paraglider in TotK is absolutely hilarious and I love it—I totally forgot that I didn't receive it after the Great Sky Island but I intended to go to Lookout Landing first anyway. I actually think it's great to be able to skip key items without glitches is super interesting and can be challenging, so I think this should return in the future.

Compendium

I hate this. It was tedious in BotW and I'm glad I never finished it because I have to start again from scratch in TotK. The ability to search for items and enemies can be useful but now with caves I could get the beeping noise but the thing is somewhere below me. Do away with it, I do not want it.

Abilities

While the function of the Champions' abilities is much better and more convenient in BotW, I do love the abilities in TotK and I think they compliment the gameplay and world. I loved the ascend ability and how it eliminates backtracking and climbing in a lot of situations. I think the Rewind ability is a step up from Stasis because of its use as a moving platform creator or to fetch items that fall (the reach on Rewind is INSANE). I've already mentioned Fuse and how it fixes the weapons, and Ultrahand is much more useful than Magnesis.

I thought the vehicle making was super unique and fun to use in TotK, and there's plenty of preset vehicles in the form of schematics that can be found around the world rather than creating something from scratch. Autobuild is a massive aid for streamlining this process.

Obviously some people don't enjoy the vehicle making aspect of the game and that is fine. Personally I loved making boats—I hate crossing water in BotW, it was horribly tedious with Cryonis or finding a rare raft that I would get pushed off of by an enemy and then stranded in the water, but TotK eliminated this issue with my ability to make a boat whenever I want with various things like logs or ice that I can just create with freezing items.

While I like the abilities in TotK, obviously the next game should have its own unique skill set to compliment its themes and story. I don't know what that would look like because it depends but there are a few things I might want:

The one thing I was missing in BotW and TotK was underwater exploration. It's not necessarily a need but I scuba dive irl, so I really like being able to explore underwater. Exploring under water caves or finding underwater secrets is very exciting to me, so I would like the ability to swim underwater to return in the next title. Also the Water temple in TotK was underwhelming, so I think underwater exploration would improve the next water dungeon.

Flying is a lot of fun and if the next game is very open air like BotW and TotK, I would love to be able to fly around. The vehicles allow me to fly in TotK but a permanent ability in the form of a unique item or a companion like a Loftwing would be fun. Even if this is a late game addition, I greatly enjoy flying.

Dungeons

I really liked the puzzle box Divine Beasts and I thought the Shrines worked for a more on-the-job experience, but I do like dungeons of old.

TotK improved the dungeons in some ways but they didn't feel as iconic as past dungeons. I loved sky diving into the fire temple or ascending to the Wind Temple but at their core they're just the same as the divine beasts with activating a handful of switches.

Also the names of the temples are very uninspired. Fire temple, wind Temple, lightning temple, water temple—this doesn't hold a candle to other dungeon names like Arbiters Grounds or Forsaken Fortress. Yes "___ Temple" is common in many Zelda titles, but I prefer more original names.

Personally I loved Twilight Princess' dungeons the most because they were so grand and really felt like places in the world like Snowpeak or Arbiters Grounds.

When BotW was first shown off at the Game Awards I genuinely thought we were going to get dungeons with multiple entrances that were nestled organically in the world. I would love to explore a dungeon that has secrets that can be accessed by finding new entrances to the dungeon by exploring the world.

I suppose the Fire Temple in TotK could be accessed from different angles since it is just sitting in the Depths although that doesn't really matter because you have to start the dungeon by jumping down from above.

I did love Hyrule Castle in BotW because it felt very organic. I would like future dungeons like that but have more structure like part dungeons. I like the freedom to explore the dungeon rather than go room by room but more restriction than just "get to the boss however you get there" would be nice. I really liked Hyrule Castle in Twilight Princess as well even though some of the design decisions make it hard to believe that it was ever a functioning castle—it's not necessary that a dungeon be believable as a real location like BotW Hyrule Castle but I like dungeons that feel somewhat realistic in the world. The Fire Temple in TotK really doesn't feel like an ancient Goron city to me in the slightest for instance—I really can't see the inspiration at all, it's just a dungeon. City in the Sky isn't very believable in Twilight Princess either but that dungeon has a very great atmosphere that makes up for it with easily one of the best Zelda items: the double clawshot.

For future titles I would like more traditional dungeons that also have some organic aspects like BotW's Hyrule Castle. I want them to feel like a real place that I would like to revisit like I did in BotW to find lore secrets relevant to that location like Zelda and Rhoam's diaries.

Companion

I do actually miss the companions. I am very glad that Link's arm in TotK does not communicate with him—it kind of seemed to speak at the beginning but not really? I'm glad it didn't because having an arm that speaks is just weird, okay—but I want a companion again.

The sages don't count exactly. I like how they join me in the final battle, but otherwise they are just mute ghosts that run around.

Clothing

My favourite companion is Zelda from Spirit Tracks, and what I would love to see is an optional co-op aspect to the companions in the future. This shouldn't be a mandatory aspect or something that would feel absent if there is no second player, but incorporating an optional couch co-op companion would be great in my opinion. This would be tricky to balance but it could be a novel way to incorporate the companions more into the gameplay. Even if there is no co-op aspect, I like the extra story importance the companions include.

I do enjoy dressing up for different occasions because I feel more immersed like wearing clothes that appear appropriate for cold weather rather than just wearing a magical necklace or earring, but the clothing in BotW and TotK is quite excessive. I would not mind if future titles greatly reduced the number of wearables. There's so many in TotK and it is fun to find new clothes but the upgrades are so daunting. Just give me less options in the future, I'm all fashioned out.

Physics/Chemistry System

BotW and TotK obviously have the best physics and chemistry system out of the entire series and I want this complexity to return.

Conclusion

I also love how elemental effects can warm up or cool down Link without needing to change his clothes (to a point) or how holding items above him offers shade to avoid the hot sun in the desert. I like how water also cools Link down in TotK with the splash fruit or Sidon's sage ability.

There's so much interactivity in the world which must return in future titles. I want to be able to use unconventional methods to solve my problems rather than find a particular lock and key solution. The shrines really demonstrate what is possible with the physics engine in BotW and TotK

Music

It might be controversial, but I adore the soundtrack for BotW and TotK. It is simply spectacular and the use of silence is very effective in accentuating the more important and emergenic moments. I don't care for a constant theme to play while I am simply collecting apples or something. Wind Waker had this issue where traveling by sea got quite repetitive—I liked the tune but hearing it so often for so long really gets old. I much rather have sparse music which allows other themes to make more of an entrance like how the guardians in BotW break the peace and quiet with a terrifying piano tune. It also allows for the temperature changes to be heard easily and without the need for sudden music changes. When a theme is constantly interrupted, it gets irritating, so I prefer sparse overworld music that can be easily interrupted without it feeling suddenly cut off constantly whenever an enemy appears.

I love how the combat music is adaptive as well where percussive notes sound after you land a hit and the transition between day and night town music is absolutely spectacular and smooth.

The sound design in BotW and TotK is absolutely top notch and I'm excited for the music and soundscapes of future titles.

Musical Instruments

I want this back, okay. I want to play music in the game. The Skyward Sword Harp was honestly not fun and didn't seem to work as intended (that duet minigame at the lumpy pumpkin is baffling and I have a bachelor of music so I'm no stranger to performing. Even one of my professors thought that the minigame didn't work right, and it's the only minigame I know of in the series that gives the heart container as a pity prize and I don't think the minigame can be accessed afterwards ever again? Anyway, that minigame is genuine awful) but I love Zelda instruments.

I was excited to see instruments in the leaked artbook but they were just for other characters and Purah doesn't even play her recorder that she hold onto for the entire game.

Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask has great versatile instruments that even allowed pitch bending. The Wind Waker was very useful although not super interesting to mess around with. The howling in Twilight Princess wasn't very fun and unfortunately could not be done on command. The Spirit Flute in Spirit Tracks is actually really great besides the finicky mic because it involves a performance aspect with rhythm that is more complex than any other title and I genuinely enjoyed the final performance. And Skyward Sword's harp is at least fun to whip out and fool around with while running around.

Connecting to my idea of optional co-op, maybe companions could play the instrument for buff—I've been playing Monster Hunter World and I do enjoy the Hunting Horn when I am playing with someone else. Maybe it wouldn't be as fun as I imagine, but adding a rhythmic aspect to combat would be interesting if it is incorporated well.

I also really like Crypt of the Necrodancer: Cadence of Hyrule so incorporating rhythm would appeal to me greatly. Incorporating the boss and battle music into the gameplay in some way would appeal to me.

I'm no game designer, so take my ideas with a grain of salt. I don't think this is anything Nintendo has to or should do, I am just throwing out ideas that I would personally find interesting in a future title. Hypothetically it might sound fun to me but in practice it could be absolute crap obviously.

I think there's a lot of good things that BotW and TotK brought to the table when it comes to exploration and how the abilities aren't as situational as past items (like the spinner from Twilight Princess), but some thing can be done away with like the memory based story telling or the lack of importance with the Master Sword and the over abundance of collectables.

Personally I am very excited to see what the next game will be like, who the characters are and where it will take place. The next title will truly show us what the future of the series will be and that's very exciting.

#zelda #the legend of zelda #tears of the kingdom #breath of the wild #botw #totk #totk spoilers #spoilers

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adobe-outdesign · 3 years

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I know they're more simple recolors then proper new forms, but would you consider reviewing Primal Dialga and Shadow Lugia? Like is there anything about them you would have done to push their concepts more.

Speaking purely in terms of color palette and nothing else, Primal Dialga doesn't look bad. In a way, I kind of prefer it over regular Dialga, just because the dark blue and orange really pops and it helps prevent the spines from blending into the markings.

However, in terms of context I feel like it doesn't do a good job at conveying its concept. From what I understand, Primal Dialga is cut off from being able to manipulate time and is basically in a feral state. That's... not the impression I get from looking at this. If anything, it actually looks more like a powered-up Dialga than an animalistic one. Granted, it's hard to convey concept through only a recolor, but at least with Shadow Lugia the colors give you some idea of what they were going for.

In terms of how to improve it strictly from a color perspective, I feel like making most of the body black might've helped. A black, silhouetted look might've at least hinted at some feral-ness, and it looks pretty cool as well:

In terms of how to improve it from a redesign standpoint: it's a little tricky because my first instinct is to remove the time theme, but the fact that it can control time doesn't... really factor into the design at all to begin with, outside of maybe the markings.

However, what we can look at is animal inspiration. Dialgia is some kind of sauropod-ish thing, so I could see leaning into that more.

Basically, what I'm thinking is: Drop the chest gem and the hind spikes. Make the tail and neck longer (not as long as an actual sauropod, just longer than they are now), then make two rows of those spikes on its neck and run them down the entire body and tail (kind of like a stegosaurus). Decrease the length of the head and increase the length of the face, then add some ridges for fake "teeth". Increase the length of the claws. And finally, maybe make the arrow markings more veiny, to represent it's lack of control over time in this state. That, I think, would at least convey the "primal" part of the name better.

(Though of course I'm just spitballing; I'd need to sketch it to see how would work visually. Might actually try to do some sketches of this next week or something.)

I have a bit of a personal connection to Shadow Lugia, because XD was the only Pokemon game I got to play growing up (still own the disc and original packing in fact). Ergo, I got to experience this one myself and go through the process of catching and purifying it (the purification process could've been improved, but that isn't the point here).

From a design standpoint as-is, I'd argue Shadow Lugia is better than Primal Dialgia for two reasons. First, it does actually change the design, albeit subtly: the spike on the back of the head is greatly lengthened, the spikes around the eyes are more jagged, and the feet now have claws. It's still mostly a recolor of course, but it's a bit better than Primal Dialgia, which is literally just a recolor.

The other reason, however, is that between the dark, inversed color palette and the design changes, it does convey the theme. For those who aren't familiar with Shadow Pokemon, they're basically just regular Pokemon that have been horribly abused to the point of being incredibly aggressive and slightly insane (okay, they just say their "hearts have been closed" or something but that's just a nice way of putting it). Even if you don't know the context, you can get the idea that this is some kind of aggressive, "corrupted" Lugia just by looking at it, which is more than I can say for Primal Dialgia.

I should also point out that it's in-game presentation helps with this. For starters, the game opens with this thing picking up an entire cargo ship and dropping it in the desert (seriously, one of the best legendary intros out there in my opinion). But the other Shadow Pokemon look normal, so it does leave an impact to see a corrupted version of Lugia like this, even if it's mostly just a recolor.

HOWEVER, with that said, it is just a recolor, and more could've been done with the design (ironically I remember James Turner saying this was his favorite design he did and it's like my dude. you barely did anything).

If I was to alter the design, I'd actually want to alter the other Shadow Pokemon with it. Like I said above, Shadow Pokemon look and are animated the same as regular Pokemon; you can only tell they're Shadows by using an "aura sensor" to temporarily see a glow around them. Considering how excellently they're integrated into the plot and gameplay, it feels like a shame that they don't stand out visually.

So my suggestion would be to make all the other Shadow Pokemon black/red/grey recolors, to give them a striking appearance and make it all the more satisfying when they're purified. Then when you get to Shadow Lugia, you get an extreme design change. It would still work as being a more advanced, unpurifiable Shadow Pokemon, and you'd give more oomph to the designs across the board.

And as for the design itself: once again, just spitballing here, but make it emancipated around the chest with noticeable ribs (to convey the whole "oh yeah this thing was tortured" theme). Keep the changes to the head. Extend the underbelly all the way under the tail and head. Make the hand-wings more claw-like. Give it more spikes along the side of the tail, and make the wind brakes either more vertebrae-like or more spike-like.

This design would have a bonus second concept in terms of newer games: it would make corrupted Lugia bear a vague resemblance to Yveltal, the destruction Pokemon.

Of course, that's not the only way that the design could've been changed more significantly, but at the end of the day a completely different form would've been preferable to the recolor, even if the recolor isn't terrible.

#dialga #lugia #pokemon #pokemon reviews #pokemon mystery dungeon #pokemon xd #Ask

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maximons · 3 years

Text

Without You

Summary: Everything seems to be going alright for Wanda Maximoff, but a mission gone horribly awry makes everything crash and burn.

Word Count: 3,101

Genre: Angst

Requested?: Yes

Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, mentions of blood, burns, scarring

A/N: Alright kids, you ready for angst time? My first full out angst fic, oh boy. This ones got no happy ending guys, so do with that what you will. This takes place during Civil War, so spoilers...? I guess? I’d say Happy Reading, but I don’t think you guys will be that happy by the end of this sooo good luck!

Lagos.

That’s the place where everything in Wanda’s life fell apart. Or at least fell apart even further than it had before.

Some of the team were out on a mission. You guys finally managed to track down Rumlow and his gang after about a year of searching. Everything was going fairly well, yes there was some collateral damage, and things didn’t exactly go according to plan, but overall, it looked like you guys would come out of this with a win.

And then, it happened.

Wanda and you had begun to jog up to Steve’s location, where you saw him stare Rumlow down. Something in you just told you that this wasn’t going to go well. You looked at the scene in front of you, and then your gaze fell onto the building behind it. It was too close for comfort.

“Babe, I’m gonna go check that building.” You turned to your girlfriend. “Looks like there could be a lot of people in there, I’m gonna try to get them out.” She looked at you, and then to the building briefly. Part of her wanted to question why when the fight was happening out here, but she knew in your line of work things can be unpredictable.

She nodded. “Okay, be safe.” You nodded back with a small smile, and pecked her on the cheek.

“Always am.” With that, you ran off.

It was only about two or three minutes after you ran in when things went to hell.

Rumlow pulled a pin on his vest, and Wanda reacted as quickly as she could, capturing him mid explosion in her magic. She lifted him up, trying to get him as far away from the people below as possible, but she couldn’t hold it anymore. The explosion went off.

Blowing a huge hole into that building.

Wanda stood there, shocked for a moment over what just happened. Her hand came and slowly covered her mouth, mind going over all the damage she just caused. She vaguely heard Steve calling for fire and rescue, and then it hit her.

You were in there.

“Y/n...” She whispered, still in a state of shock, but she quickly snapped out of it and sprang into action. “Y/n!” She heard Steve yell for her to wait, but she didn’t care. She took off, flying up and landed in one of the building’s destroyed floors.

She did her best to ignore the carnage around her, carnage she caused. She pushed down the bile that was rising in her throat, and continued her search for you.

And then she found you.

You were a super soldier, so luckily you didn’t die from the blast, she could still feel your pulse. But you didn’t look good.

You were lying on the charred floor, unconscious. Half of your suit was burned off, leaving nasty burns all on your arm and torso, some even creeping up your neck and face. Blood also dripped down from an open wound on your temple.

Wanda couldn’t bring herself to care about your appearance, though. You were still alive, and that’s the main thing she cared about right now.

“Don’t worry.” She sobbed out, hand gently caressing your unburned cheek. “You’re okay...you’re gonna be okay...” She tore her gaze away from you for a minute, and looked around. Tears falling at the sight of multiple bodies, people who weren’t as lucky as you.

People who were dead because of her.

“...I’m so sorry...”

The next week was chaos.

You were brought to the compound’s medical facility immediately, doctors working fast to try and save your life. They managed to stabilize you, now it was just a waiting game as to when you would wake up. Wanda would visit you everyday, barely being able to leave your side. Steve managed to convince her that she needed to rest, saying that you wouldn’t want to see her neglecting her needs. She hesitantly complied, and finally went to her room to sleep for the night.

The next morning, the news started reporting the incident.

And of course they blamed her.

Logically, Wanda knew this wasn’t entirely her fault. Rumlow was the one who turned himself into a bomb. She was just trying to save the lives below. That thought brought her little comfort though.

She was still responsible for the lives lost in that building. She was still responsible for you, the love of her life, being severely injured and in a coma.

Maybe they were right.

Steve didn’t let her wallow in that thought for too long though, because he shut the TV off. He sat down and gave her one of his hope speeches, and she appreciated the effort, but she didn’t want to hear it.

“It’s my fault.” She whispered. “All of those people, dead because of me...and Y/n...” She trailed off, tears forming in her eyes. Steve placed a hand on her leg, trying to comfort her.

“You know...she doesn’t blame you, I know she doesn’t.”

“Maybe she should...they all should.”

Steve couldn’t get anything else out, as Vision phased in the room and told them of the arrival of Secretary Ross.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, he had told them about the Sokovia Accords. Wanda hated the idea, forcing heroes to register with the government, essentially making them puppets for them. She knew you would hate it too, you never were one to trust the government.

“Look, we understand where you’re coming from, but if it weren’t for us, there’d be a lot more blood spilled.” Sam argued.

“Tell that to the innocent civilians in that Lagos hospital building.” Ross argued back. “Oh wait, you can’t.”

“If it weren’t for Wanda, hundreds of people in the streets below would have been killed.” Steve cut in. “If it weren’t for Y/n, hundreds of more people would have been in that building.”

“And look where that landed her.”

Wanda had enough. She shot up from her chair, and stormed out of the room.

She went straight to your hospital room, your still unconscious body covered in bandages. She pulled up a chair beside your bed, hand going to grip yours. She tried to speak, but couldn’t bring herself to form the words. So she just rested her head on your joined hands and cried.

The next few weeks saw the Avengers falling apart, divided over the accords. Wanda was especially disappointed in Natasha’s decision, given that you two were best friends.

Wanda hasn’t left the compound. Most of her time was spent visiting you and sleeping as best she could. Your burns had begun healing, but barely. They still left pretty nasty scars. Your breathing had improved, which satisfied the doctors. They had said you could wake up any moment now, Wanda just hoped it was soon.

The next day, Wanda walked into the kitchen to find Vision cooking. She found that odd, since she knew he didn’t eat, but he explained that he was making it for her. You used to cook for her a lot, and after a few disasters, you finally got the recipe down. Vision’s was no where near as good as yours, but she appreciates the effort.

After a conversation about their powers and their fear of them, Wanda volunteered to go to the store to pick up some paprika that would greatly help the dish. Vision stopped her.

“Vision...are you not letting me leave?”

“It’s a matter of safety.”

“I can handle myself.”

Vision stopped her again. “Not yours. Mr. Stark would like to avoid the possibility of another public incident.”

Wanda looked at the synthezoid in disbelief. “I’m not an out of control time bomb. It was an accident.”

“I know. I do, but...you powers are very unpredictable. You are also...vulnerable. My scanners have indicated you are, how you say, ‘on edge’. You have been ever since Miss L/n was admitted in the medical wing.”

Wanda’s gaze turned into a harsh glare. “I know that human emotion is a foreign concept to you Vision, but trust me, if your girlfriend was ever put in a coma because of you...being ‘on edge’ is the least you would be.”

Without waiting for a response, Wanda turned around and stormed off. She headed to the one place that her feet often dragged her to the last weeks. Your bedside.

She sat and took a hold of your hand. She stared at you for a moment before she spoke. “Hey, baby. Things have been...hard without you to say the least. Not that this wouldn’t be hard anyway, but everything is falling apart. These stupid accords are ruining everything. Tony has become a government pet, Nat joining him, Steve is off doing who knows what, and now...I’m locked in.” She paused. “You know, as much as I wish more than anything that you were awake and by my side right now...part of me is glad that you wouldn’t have to see your family fall apart like this. It’d break your heart...” She stayed for a few more moments, staring at your face and taking in your features once again. She then leaned down to kiss your hand. “I love you.” With that, she left.

Later that night, Wanda was back in the main room of the compound. You still haven’t woken up, she just learned she was essentially on house arrest, so she was trying to find ways to find ways to distract herself. She was reading a book, when she heard a loud explosion go off outside. She walked over to the window to take a look, Vision joining her a few moments later.

“What is it?”

“Stay here please.”

Wanda was left alone for a moment, before she felt a presence behind her. She quickly grabbed hold of the knife on the table, and flinging it towards the new presence. She halted it when she saw who it was.

Clint.

The next few minutes passed by like a blur. Clint was convincing her to come help Steve, Vision came back in but was trapped, Wanda hesitated and Clint gave her one of those hope speeches. She was about to decline, before he said one last thing.

“You know, if Y/n was awake...I know she’d side with Steve, and she’d only hope you’d do the same.”

Was it manipulative? Possibly, but he was also right. You would have sided with Steve, no question. Doing what you could to help. She thought on it for a few more moments, before she nodded. They were about to leave before Vision broke free. The two men fought, and before she knew it, she was sending the synthezoid several floors down and into the ground.

She went to her room, quickly packing her suit and anything else she thought she would need. She went back out to meet Clint, about to leave, but she stopped.

“Wait! I gotta see Y/n first.”

Clint sighed, but knew he couldn’t deny her of this. “Alright, make it quick.”

She booked it to your hospital room. You were lying there, same as you have been for a while. She quickly surged forward grabbed your hand, not bothering to sit. She knew they didn’t have time.

“Alright, baby. I’m gonna go out for a bit, okay? I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but...I’m going to do what’s right. I’m going to fight. I finally ‘got off my ass’ as you would say.” She chuckled, but it held no real joy behind it. “I just hope you’d be proud of me...and I just hope that I can come back to see you-”

Wanda cut herself off when she felt you begin to move. All of a sudden your face shifted, and you began to turn your head.

“Y/n?...”

You began to open your eyes slowly, head slowly lifting off your pillow. Your eyes looked around, trying to adjust to the brightness of the room. Before you could even look at Wanda though, you began coughing.

Wanda rushed to poor you a glass of water, knowing your mouth would be dry from not using it for a while. She handed it to you, quickly, and you slowly raised your hand to take it. As you began to drink, Wanda couldn’t help but smile. You were finally awake. She was beyond relieved. She was put in a rough spot now, she knew she had to meet Clint so they could go, but...you were finally awake. She couldn’t leave you.

“Wanda, we gotta go!” She heard Clint yell, and without tearing her eyes away from you, she yelled back.

“In a minute! Y/n just woke up!”

She didn’t hear a response from the man, but she heard footsteps quickly making its way towards your room.

You finished drinking your water and placed the cup on the bedside table. You began to try to sit up, but Wanda rushed to your side to help.

“Here you go, easy.”

When you fully sat up, you took in the appearance of the woman next to you. You smiled. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” She breathed out. You looked her in the eyes, smile still on both your faces. But, Wanda’s smile dropped instantly at the next words that came out of your mouth.

“Sorry, hi, I’m Y/n. You probably already knew that though.” You chuckled nervously. “Are you one of the nurses?”

Wanda froze. No. This couldn’t be happening. The doctors told her that Amnesia was a possibility since you hit your head on impact from the blast, but it never seemed like a real threat. She stared at you, jaw slacked for a few more moments.

“Um, hello?...Oh! Are you my doctor? Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume.”

Wanda snapped out of it when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head to see it was Clint. You spoke up again before she could say anything though.

“Oh, hey, are you a nurse? Or doctor?”

Realization filled Clint’s face, but he held it together. He simply shook his head.

“Oh...so, is someone supposed to help me or...?” You trailed off.

Clint looked to Wanda, who was still in shock, tears beginning to form in her eyes. He knew he had to take over, get them out as soon as possible. “Sorry, Y/n. We’ll get your nurse to come and check on you. Glad to see you’re awake.” Before you could respond, he quickly rushed out of the room, pulling Wanda with him.

Wanda finally let herself break down, and cried in the van. She barely had time to process everything before they picked up a man name Scott and flew to the airport to meet Steve.

Steve broke down the plan and the team went separate ways to suit up and get in position. Except Wanda. Steve was about to go get himself ready, but paused when he saw the witch frozen in place.

“Wanda? You okay?” Wanda simply shook her head and looked up at him, he could see the tears in her eyes. “What happened?”

“Y/n woke up.”

Steve raised his eyebrows in shock. “She did? That’s great-” He was cut off when Wanda let out a sob. He then put two and two together, something was wrong. “...What was it?”

“She...doesn’t remember anything...doesn’t remember me...”

Steve sighed. He was saddened by the news as well, you and him were very close, both being super soldiers and all. He couldn’t even imagine what Wanda was going through in this moment though, so he put on a brave face. He went over to the witch and wrapped an arm around her. “Y/n is strong...when this is over, we’ll go see her and start-” Steve was cut off again when Wanda shook her head.

“Steve...you and I both know this isn’t gonna end with us just being able to go back...” She looked up at him. He was about to speak up again, when he heard Sam in his ear.

“Cap, Tony and Rhodey are flying in now. You good to go?”

Steve looked to Wanda, knowing she heard him too since they all had coms. She nodded. “On my way.” He turned to leave, before giving Wanda one last look. “Whatever happens, it’ll be okay.”

It wasn’t.

The fight at the airport was beyond tiresome, and they lost. Steve and Bucky got away to handle the other Winter Soldiers, but the rest of the team was captured.

So now here she was, sitting in a cell in a high security prison in the middle of the ocean...with a straight jacket and shock collar on. Wanda couldn’t even be upset about it. She was numb. She’s already lost everything she possibly could. Her parents, her brother, her country, and now...you. She couldn’t bring herself to care whether or not she wasted away in this cell. Maybe she deserved to.

But of course, she couldn’t even have that for long, as Steve broke them out a few days later.

Up on the quinjet with Steve and the rest of the team, she sat alone, staring out the window watching the dark clouds pass by. After a few moments, she felt a presence next to her. She looked over to see who it was. Natasha.

“What are you doing here?” Wanda asked, looking back out the window.

“It’s a long story.” She answered. “Steve told me what happened, I...I’m not even sure what to say. I am so sorry Wanda.” Wanda merely nodded, not trusting her voice right now. Natasha took a deep breath and continued. “Y’know...I can pull some strings, the ones I have left anyway. Get Y/n relocated to be with us. I know she doesn’t remember anything right now, but-”

“No.” Wanda cut her off, surprising the redhead.

“Wha...what do you mean ‘no’?”

Wanda had thought about it, she’s thought about it the entire time she was in the Raft. She would love nothing more than to see you again, to hold you and help you on your recovery, but...she couldn’t. She was a wanted fugitive now, and you were only in this predicament because of her...she had to be selfless here. She couldn’t bring you into this life, not when you were missing chunks of your own.

“I mean no.” She said, looking up into Natasha’s eyes, tears pooling in her own. “She’s better off.”

And with that, Wanda got up, walking towards the back of the jet to be alone. She took a deep breath, and prepared herself. Preparing herself for a new life as a fugitive on the run. And most importantly...

Preparing for a life without you.

#wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff imagine #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x you

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asterekmess · 3 years

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Did you ever watch Buffy? The first episode where Anya was introduced was titled "The Wish" and all I can think about is if Scott McCall had ever run into a pure Sidhe where they offered him a wish. Instead of, "I wish Buffy had never come to Sunnydale." It would be more, "I wish I was never bitten to become a werewolf." But just like all feaye tricks, the outcome is more, his Dad ended up with primary custody rather than his Mom and he was forced to leave BH. And then Stiles ended up more friends with Heather and others. And while Scott's life is worse, when he tracks down the others he finds all of theirs are greatly improved.

I think about it a lot and how Scott never really dealt with the consequences of any of his actions, everyone else did, and how an episode or mini-arc could have fixed a flaw in the show's design. I mean, we were already dealing with a lot of Celtic lore, why not someone from the Sidhe courts?

I have no idea why this took me so long to answer, so apologies for that. <3 I did watch buffy! I've seen all of it, and all of Angel as well. XD

I remember 'The Wish' episode, and whoooo boy it gave me chills. I loved how big the butterfly effect was, how something that seemed so small, something that Genuinely seemed to be the cause of a lot of problems in Sunnydale, ended up being so important to how things had progressed. Because, yeah, you would think Buffy not coming to Sunnydale would be a Good Thing, right? Sunnydale didn't have all of these insane issues before she arrived. It was quiet, and nothing big or scary ever happened. Her arrival matches perfectly with when everything started going absolutely nuts, so whatever selfish ideas Cordelia had, her thought that Buffy not coming to Sunnydale would be a good thing, makes sense. Except that, as she finds out, she's entirely wrong. Buffy's arrival was a lucky coincidence, or fate, whatever your taste leans toward. She showed up right as things started going nuts, and she kept it from going SO MUCH MORE NUTS.

Now, moving on to TW, it is a fascinating mix of being the Exact same situation, and the exact Opposite. I'll add a Read More, cus' holy god is this a lot of Rambling.

Because Scott wishing not to have been bitten...yeah, the bite Did improve things. But it improved things for him. He would absolutely regret making the wish, just like Cordelia did, because he would realize how many good things the bite had brought with it. BUT, conversely, he would have to realize how many good things the bite had brought for him, not for other people, and how their lives either wouldn't have been affect, or might've even Improved without him being bitten. Without the bite, Scott wouldn't have gotten on first line, period. His health issues made very clear in the five minutes he had them that any kind of stamina based sport was just out of the question for him. If he is unable to walk through the woods at a moderate pace without needing to grab his inhaler and stop against a tree, he just plain cannot play lacrosse for two or three hours of running at high speeds and working a bunch of muscles in his upper body. He likely wouldn't have gone out with Allison, because he would have no convenient way to get her attention. Furthermore, he wouldn't have the extra senses that both impressed her on the lacrosse field, and told him about her 'family dinner' the night of Lydia's party. (I've discussed this before, but... While it's true, Allison would have still brought him the dog; that dog would likely have attacked him, and his chances with her would have been shot in the foot when they both got in massive trouble and he likely had to go to the ER for stitches or something. Without Allison or first line, he wouldn't have started hanging out with the 'cool kids,' and quite frankly, wouldn't have had anyone to help him study for the classes he was struggling with. It's true that he also wouldn't have had werewolf things to worry about, or even a girlfriend to distract him from homework, so maybe that wouldn't have been such a huge issue, but still.

If we look at other people's lives and how They would have been affected by Scott not getting the bite...well, let's talk about that.

Stiles didn't get on first line because of Scott, or because of a werewolf bite. Or even because of the werewolf bullshittery occurring in town. He was put on first line because of his abilities, and even after being taken OFF first line for missing the game, he was put Right onto the field in the next game, chosen OVER other players who were perfectly viable options. Which means, he still would've ended up on first line. Allison wasn't interested in dating before she met Scott, and part of her draw to him was based on how 'different' he was. He knew things she didn't know how he could know, he had a weird ability to calm a furious, injured dog, and he had charisma that was ALSO gained from the bite, since being on first line made Scott Much more self-confident. If she didn't end up dating him, it's likely she wouldn't have dated at all. Which would mean no hiding from her parents, no strange conflicts of interest, AND, interestingly enough --depending on her involvement in the murders, etc that would still be occurring in town--no night in the school that would scare her bad enough to ask Kate for extra help and tip her headfirst into hunter training. AND, even if she DID still end up getting those lessons from Kate? There would be no bitterness to fuel her behavior at the end of season 1.

Allison was Traumatized after Kate showed her Derek on the grate. She was horrified, and didn't know what to do about it, and while we can ramble all we want about the morality of her not confronting her family (whom she's just discovered is willing to electrocute people) about it, the fact is that she pushed the thoughts aside to stop freaking out and went to that dance. Where she found out Scott was a werewolf, and was So fucking Betrayed that she was willing to help Kate catch him and Derek. No Scott, no betrayal, no willingness to help Kate recapture the miserable man who'd been chained up in a basement.

If we go back to that specific night, and try to unfold the events from there if Scott hadn't been bitten, things get a little complicated, but I'll take a few artistic liberties. Scott isn't bitten. Presumably, he just happens to get out of the woods in time, or he gets caught with Stiles by the sheriff, or doesn't go to the woods in the first place. These all change the possible outcomes of that night. If he hadn't gone in the first place, and Stiles went alone, would he have been bitten instead? Would Scott have been dragged into all of this anyway, but without the protection and boost of being a werewolf and cured of his asthma? If he weren't the one bitten, and he saw everything Stiles gained from it, would he still have such a hatred for the bite? Or would he want it, like Erica did, to cure him and make him powerful and cool? But, let's assume Stiles doesn't get bitten either. The second half of Laura's body still hasn't been found, and Stiles has no reason to fear running back into the preserve the next day, and no real punishment from his father as far as we can tell. So, does he go back to look again? If he did, he would run into Derek, because Derek would still be there after retrieving Laura's body himself. He would see Derek and still recognize him, and from there, things might spiral, still involving Stiles in the supernatural, and it's likely Stiles would try to involve Scott, and Again we get hit with "Would Scott want the bite, if he hadn't gotten forcibly bitten in the first place?" The answer is probably yes. He wanted to be cool, and popular, and on the lacrosse team. He wanted everything being a werewolf gave him. BUT if we're looking at this wish as similar to "The Wish," then no matter what, Scott won't be bitten. He'll be transported to a new world where it just never happened, and he'll be human, and forced to watch everyone around him be just plain different. Scott not being bitten would isolate him from Stiles, if Stiles got involved in the spn anyway. We SAW how Stiles cut off his other friends once the spn starting getting in the way. He and Harley? We have no clue how close they were. They were close enough for her to tease him about his crush on Lydia, for her to wander up comfortably to the locker and talk to them. And he cut her off as soon as the werewolf stuff hit. What if he cut Scott off? To protect him, if nothing else, like he did his own father. Once he realized the danger involved, I doubt he would be willing to put Scott in harm's way.

So, Scott would not only lose first line, lose his girlfriend, lose his popularity, lose his health and strength and heightened abilities, lose his 'importance' to the goings-on of Beacon Hills, but he would also lose Stiles, who seems to have been his only friend, unless he also had a relationship with Harley.

Okay, I've rambled enough about the what if's, so let's talk about the Reason why this wish would go so badly for Scott, in such a different way than it went for Cordelia. Cordelia, first off, wished that someone Else would not have/do something, rather than wishing for herself not to have done something. She watches how fucked up the world gets, and how much worse her life is without Buffy around to save the day. Scott wished for Himself not to have done something (even something passive, like 'get bitten') and would have to watch how fucked up his world gets, and how far behind he would fall. The other's lives might not necessarily get better, because Peter is still on the loose, and the hunters are still there, etc etc, but they would still Progress, while Scott would stay stagnant.

And WHY is that? Because Scott isn't important to the story. It DOESN'T start with him. That's the Whole Point of his character. He is supposed to be the 'everyman' who gets dragged into crazy shit and becomes integral to things that he wasn't ever meant to be a part of. The guy who wanders into becoming King or 'The Hero' that will save the world, even though he's just a small lad from a tiny town, whose highest prospects were "get on first line."

He was NEVER supposed to be Buffy, or if he was, it was done Very Badly.

But Beacon Hills WASN'T a quiet town before Scott was bitten; however much he might've said 'nothing ever happens in this town.' It was FULL of bullshittery and magic from the very beginning. There was the fire, and Paige, and the blinding of Deucalion, and the death of Alexander Argent, and the Nogitsune in the internment camp nearby. All of these things were around So much longer than Scott's bite, and they'd been affecting the world that whole time too. Because yes, in Buffy, the master was There before she was, but he was literally rendered inert by the situations he was in. And the things he'd done happened Centuries before, not six years. There is a difference. Sunnydale was Not Known for the insane number of weird deaths. Beacon Hills was. And aside from the Nogitsune, every single fucking thing that happened in Beacon Hills, was attuned to the Hale family in one way or another. Deucalion's blinding occurred during a meeting on Hale land, because Talia was known as a wise leader, etc, in the area and other wolves flocked to her. Deucalion biting Argent seems unrelated (if you even believe Deucalion did that, despite being a fucking pacifist before Gerard blinded him), but again, it occurs just a couple hours away from Beacon Hills, which is Hale Territory. The one who plays the Buffy role here? Who shows up at just the right time, and launches themself against an endless wave of evil, with slightly enhanced senses and a thorough need to do good and not back away from things that 'aren't they're problem'? The actual hero who is somehow tied to everything going on in ways even they don't understand? Was Derek. The guy who entirely unwittingly allowed Julia Baccari to survive, because he was trying to be merciful to his first love. Who entirely unwittingly was manipulated into giving up information that let a hunter kill his family. Who followed his sister back to town after six years of just trying to survive in New York, fell into a fucking tragedy, and decided to stop the bad guys anyway, even though he knew he didn't stand a fucking chance.

And as annoyed as some might get. The 'everyman' who stumbles onto the set and accidentally becomes integral to the saving of the world? The one whose ambitions are small and who expectations are smaller? Who is misunderstood, and has abilities that aren't recognized or appreciated, that doesn't really fit in, but tries their best anyway? The literal Angel to Derek's Buffy?

Is fucking Stiles. The son of the sheriff who just could not let it go when he discovered there was something funky going on. Who hung around on the edges, even though he wasn't really wanted, because he needed to help. Who ended up saving Derek's life over and over, and becoming so important as to be Derek's anchor? Who literally WENT DARKSIDE and HAD TO BE NEARLY KILLED, even though Derek didn't to kill him???

I know how it sounds, but JD SAID he took inspiration from Buffy. The issue is that his parallels are between DEREK AND STILES, and BUFFY AND ANGEL. Respectively.

Derek might act like the broody bad boy, but it is STILES' mentality that matches Angel's behavior, and it's Derek who matches Buffy.

I'm so fucking off track. Scott would be miserable if he ever managed to get a wish and used it to keep from having been bitten. And it would be sad. I would feel bad for him, had I watched something like that happen. Seeing him realize that most of the good things he had, he only got because of the bite. That Stiles would still be on first line, that Lydia and Jackson would still be the popular kids. That Allison wouldn't know he existed, or if she did would avoid him entirely. That Jackson would never have been turned into the kanima in the first place. That everyone else would move on and up in life, and he would still be standing at the bottom step. Because it wasn't his actual limitations that were holding him back, it was his refusal to accept them, to work with them, and to just plain stop Envying Everyone Around him, and start living his own fucking life instead of trying to steal other people's.

Scott wishes he were Cordelia, and I promise that would backfire too.

#personal #anti-Scott McCall #meta ramblings #go for it #this is way too long #but i had feelings #the more you guys made me talk about this #the more I want to write a Buffy fusion #or a tw rewrite with Scott not being bitten #or fucking Both #or both Combined #SOMETHING

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dreamteamspace · 4 years

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Dream in manhunts VS on the Dream SMP

Love how Dream’s character on the SMP reflects the way he is in manhunts, too.

Especially at the beginning, during a lot of cut away parts and when the hunters are trying to scare him from afar, his responses are absentminded, unsure, often either obviously lies, give no information, or even awkward. They ask him where he is, and he goes “I’m.... uhh.... nowhere”.

Sometimes he will already have a plan in mind as to how exactly he wants to trick them (In his analysis video he shows that he already made a plan in his head where he wanted them to think he went for the trees of a specific nearby forest, to trick them into approaching the pillager tower, and it worked), his response is surprisingly well acted and emotional. He knows when to say things and how.

He has a plan almost at all times. In his most recent analysis video he stops at one moment to say that he was terrified because this was one of the FEW times where he did not have a plan. Meaning he has a plan practically all other times, and it shows.

He sometimes does vaguely celebrate his small victories, small steps in his execution of the plan, making the hunters confusedly ask what it is, and he never says. Sometimes he stalls his plans until almost the very end, giving no mention of them and no indication that he has them at all.

And then, when the moment is nigh... The plan is executed.

His acting and baiting gets better the closer he gets, like when he was luring the hunters to go underneath the tree with the tnt minecart. He’s fully focused, even acting along well enough to fool them, to lure him right into his trap.

Then comes the execution, and then he explodes into emotion.

It’s really satisfying to see his plans work out, because we clearly saw him working on it step by step, saw him hide it and cover it and gather items and look around and scout the areas. But once he wins that part? He gets loud, and victorious, he yells and celebrates his victory that he worked so hard for and executed with precision, gaining him the upper hand or even winning him the game.

Another example is in one video where he went to the other stronghold because the hunters covered it in obsidian. He’s quiet up until he finds the last pearl, and when the portal activates, he’s YELLING about what he did, relieved and victorious about his plan working. I’m sure this is where some people may even not like his reactions, because they can seem cocky and overconfident (*cough cough* I think they’re actually really fun to watch because he DID just pull off some really good shit *cough*)

Cut to the Dream SMP.

All this makes him the PERFECT evil strategizing war leader.

We all joke about his acting, especially improv. He can sometimes stumble over his words and will almost always nervously fidget/move/do something, even when his roleplaying is better (see Dream moving back and forth while talking to Eret some time before dethroning him, telling him that only the sword and shield give him power).

When he has a plan however, like again, with Eret, his roleplaying greatly improves. We see that this is all heading somewhere, and that he has a plan in mind, and he knows how to nudge things in that direction, and the other person mostly just has to play along.

During the 16th, when 20 people in full enchanted netherite watch Schlatt die of a heart attack (lol), it feels... anticlimactic. Again, Dream kindof seems unsure of his roleplay. He says they surrender. He leads them to schlatt. He says Schlatt is an idiot, and that this is all he is. He shows them to him. And then...

While they’re dealing with the emotions, he and his allies quietly leave, without anybody from L’Manburg noticing.

He sits far at the back as the watches Tommy’s speech, and then Wilbur’s speech, and then Tubbo’s. When asked to comment, he just says he bows to nobody. He doesn’t seem very interested in what’s going on.

Wilbur excuses himself and leaves.

When the tnt blows up - and there’s a pretty good clip of it from tommys perspective that showcases it perfectly that Im sure Ive reblogged not too long ago - we hear him explode in the background.

We hear him laugh loudly and evilly, he yells “YEEES!” As L’Manburg blows to smithereens, and it all becomes perfectly clear: This was the plan all along.

Wilbur was the traitor. Wilbur would blow up L’Manburg no matter what happens. And Dream was waiting for this, biding his time, keeping his allies out of L’Manburg once they’d won, seeming desinterested. He was waiting, the entire time, and when the plan finally works, he celebrates as it all blows to smithereens.

Okay, sure, his acting could be better at times, even taking all this into account. But honestly, it’s good when it matters, and we all love the green blob anyway. (At least I very much do).

This was really well executed, and having such a long con plan is definitly right up Dream’s alley, which is why his character winning this way was a really good decision. Their characters on the Dream SMP are close to their real life counterparts, and it was just... it was beautiful. He planned this for weeks. He laid low. They laughed at his acting, but he got the last laugh in the end.

Another thing to add is how he can barely be betrayed because... he only mostly works alone. Sure, people like Punz are certainly close enough to know his plans, but how would a traitor arc even work when even character!Dream didn’t trust Sapnap with it?

Dream turned on Sapnap during one of the pet wars, to gain Tommy’s trust, to gain Wilbur’s trust, to set all of this up. He didn’t like it maybe, but he did it anyway. Even Sapnap, such a core member of the Dream SMP, wasn’t close enough to Dream.

Character!Dream, interestingly enough, acts similar to how he does in manhunts: Like he’s alone.

Like he’s the only person he can trust, and in order to win, he has to eliminate ALL of the competition. He has to have the upper hand over EVERYONE.

Maybe that’s why he’s not interested in becoming king, either. He doesn’t feel like a king.

He’s not the king on the chess board - he’s the person behind moving the pieces around.

#mcyt #long post #dreamwastaken #dream smp #pspsps get urself some dream dream smp lore #dreamteamspace speaks

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shuttershocky · 4 years

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If you could make a trigger warning list for Tsukihime, what would be on it? There's a lot of people who are just getting interested in it with the remake (myself included) and I think having a tw list would be a really nice thing for those getting in now. If you can't remember every scene, a general list is good enough!

Oh boy.

Ohhhhhhhh boyyyyyyyyy.

Alright. So. A little bit of explanation: there's a reason why Nasu actually wants to remake this game. Tsukihime is by miles his darkest and most brutal work, and a lot of it is completely unnecessary edginess made by poor and almost literally starving Nasu and Takeuchi. Kara No Kyoukai wasn't exactly making waves, and the two were living on cup noodles and working other jobs to keep themselves afloat. To finish the VN Takeuchi even made Nasu quit his job and worked two in his stead (biking home in-between said jobs to do art) just so Nasu would have time to write. The nastiness of what they felt at the time is everywhere in the script, and it speaks to Nasu's talent that what came out wasn't complete edgelord garbage.

Did you ever read the original Fate/Stay Night? Did you get taken abrupt when Illya and Berserker first attack Shirou, Rin, and Saber, and Illya orders Berserker to behead Saber and rape the corpse so that Saber would rather die than continue to regenerate and fight? Did you think that kinda came out of nowhere and was unnecessary? The Realta Nua rerelease didn't just remove all the bad sex scenes, they removed lines like those entirely.

Tsukihime has waaaaaaaay more of that, and unlike Fate/Stay Night it couldn't easily edit all of them out and get rereleased without changing the story. It needed to be rebuilt from the ground up.

Personally, I've been so excited for the remake because Nasu has expressed regret before on how misogynistic his writing was before. Specifically he was asked in an interview about his focus on female characters in his works and he something like "I've been told before 'Nasu respects womens rights' because of all the powerful girls in my works, but looking back I can clearly see my own prejudices" especially singling out how Shirou treated Saber in the Fate route and how Tohno Shiki needed to get uppercut by Arcueid. I'm far more excited to see how Nasu will approach Tsukihime with that hindsight in mind more than I am about the visual and music upgrades the VN will get. I don't think Nasu wants to (or even should) remove all the problematic content of the original Tsukihime as this IS a work of horror, but a lot of editing would greatly improve the script.

Releasing Tsukihime R on PS4 isn't just a message of a console release, it's a sign that things will be different this time due to Sony's strict rules (that do not apply to its first party games apparently).

With that being said, a general trigger warning list from memory:

1.) There is a LOT of rape and sexual assault. Mentions of the act, internal narration from characters witnessing or attempting to find someone to rape, Shiki can straight up rape two of the girls on two seperate routes if he makes the wrong choice (he will be killed the day after). There's also a line where Shiki tells Ciel that if she doesn't do what he says, he'll rape her. The context there is that he's extremely weak and she can snap him like a twig so he just shouts the most hurtful thing he can think of, but it's still dumb. If I remember correctly, there's a choice that makes Shiki sexually assault Hisui and it DOESNT lead to a dead end, with most guides recommending that choice to get the CGs. I got annoyed and that's when I made my own guide for the route.

2.) Unknown to Shiki, his family's bloodline carries a powerful violent impulse to kill any non-human they see, strong enough to temporarily take over their wills and delight in murder by conflating it with sexual pleasure. The first time Shiki sees Arcueid, he falls into a trance and stalks her back home before brutally cutting her up into 17 pieces and experiences multiple orgasms while doing so. He then comes to his senses and starts vomiting and crying from what he just did and the shame of how much he enjoyed doing it. They're not taking this scene out (It's in the remake PV) but I'm preeeettyyyy sure Shiki's narration won't suddenly talk about how much his dick is loving this.

3.) Incest. Akiha is Shiki's sister. She's also a romantic interest. Technically they're adopted so it's not incest and they haven't seen each other in 8 years so it's not like they grew up together the whole time, but any tine you got to say "technically it's not incest", it's not great. I heavily doubt this is getting removed from the Remake as it's, you know, a whole route. On the other hand, Akiha has a biological brother, and he is creepy about her so that's 100% guaranteed ick right there, but fortunately he never goes far enough that you can tell if he's a sicko or if he's just really possessive of his sister.

4.) Kohaku's backstory. Koha-Ace once joked that this is the true reason the Remake took so long. It forms the backbone of Tsukihime and one of the main threads that ties everything together, but also Kohaku is the middle link between Fujino and Sakura. You can guess what that means.

5.) Heavy gaslighting, heavier drugs. Both Shiki's past and his present in the far side routes involve an almost hilarious relationship to the truth. Everyfuckingbody is lying to Shiki, and his father literally gaslights him with magic by using hypnosis to conveniently erase some traumatic memories that the old man is responsible for and replace them with falsehoods. Shiki nonchalantly talks about his terrible memory when it comes to his childhood throughout the VN, but the actual reason for that is that he got gaslit to hell and back. In the present, Shiki gets drugged out of his mind by someone in his house, and experiences long and detailed hallucinations, all the while being told by his family that nothing is going on. It becomes difficult to tell what's really going on; if he's really walking around town or if he's in bed babbling at the ceiling. It is terrifying and is a part of what gives the Far Side routes great psychological horror, but it still deserves a TW.

6.) Suicide. At least one character kills themselves onscreen.

7.) Torture. In the Ciel route, Roa tortures someone by repeatedly and slowly stabbing blades into them while Shiki is forced to watch. It goes on for a while.

8.) Grooming. This particular bit isn't a part of the Tsukihime VN itself, but more of a fandom joke thanks to Carnival Phantasm. A big part of Shiki's backstory is meeting the mage Aozaki Aoko as an 8 year old and her teaching him about life in the short time they have together. Due to Shiki's nature he almost certainly would have become an evil person, but meeting Aoko instilled a moral compass in him that is the only thing he has to fight his impulses, which is why Shiki loves his sensei so dearly. Melty Blood later made a joke that Aoko is mad she never got a route in Tsukihime, and Carnival Phantasm later had a whole scene stating the real reason Aoko cared for Shiki was that she was grooming him to be her boyfriend as soon as he turned of age. It's super gross and a perversion of what is literally the sole wholesome relationship Shiki has and the only reason there is any good in him at all. I really fucking hate this joke among all others in the Tsukihime fandom.

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tales-of-sweets · 3 years

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Tales of Symphonia thoughts pt. 5 (?)

Under the cut because there are many thoughts and it's long!👇🏾

Colette is ALSO being sketchy, but not in a way that makes me think she's gonna do something bad, it just sounds like she's found something out about herself that's too dangerous to tell anyone? She said in a solo skit that she can't tell anyone about her body. After every single thing that her poor body has been through (like the Toxicosis, being turned into a host body, being trapped in their weird thing by Rodyle, etc.) how horrible must this new information be that she feels like she can't share??? Not that she usually shares her issues anyway but still.

Firstly, Corrine... 😥 That totally broke my heart. I don't have much else to say about it, I just feel very bad for Sheena and her loss.

I am so so happy to finally have the flying things (I forgot the weird name), those boat controls were driving me insane. I mean, admittedly the controls aren't great either but at least there's barely anything to run into and no piers to have to line up with.

I hate that Sonic the Hedgehog looking mf, I want him gone. Especially after what he did to Colette and Presea :(

Speaking of Presea I love her and I think she's precious and her whole story so far hurts me. The skit where she was asking where all the time has gone and how she's supposed to get it back was so sad.

Regal is a murderer apparently. I figured something like that, I mean who would keep themselves in shackles and talk about how much of a sinner they are if all they did was rob a gas station or something? I wonder why he can't/won't go into that one resort town with the amusement park and such. Does it have something to do with his crime? Bad memories or something? Or did he just get banned?

Yuan is pretty and I think his hair color is neat, not much else to say about him still. I've seen him a lot of times but I still can't tell what exactly he's trying to do other than presumably get Lloyd's exsphere.

Zelos is sketchy as hell. Why did he wander off so casually in a base to look around?? Huh?? I smell a rat.

Raine is being kinda sketchy too for that matter. There was clearly something on her mind after we resculed Colette but she said it was nothing.

Parts of this game's jokes and dialog have uhh... not aged well, especially in regards to Zelo's flirting and the ages of some of his "hunnies"😅I know this is an old game, these are all fictional characters, and I'm probably just too sensitive but Zelos using pickup lines on child NPCs (like characters I would presume from their models are 10 or younger), treating Presea like one of his hunnies (I know she is technically an adult but she is teeny tiny and does not have the lived experience of an adult), implying that Regal has a crush on Presea (please no...) and that it's okay because "age doesn't matter", etc. is kinda rubbing me the wrong way. At this point though I just try to pretend not to see it. I mean, what more can ya really do? For my own sanity I've just convinced myself that he just loves the sound of his own voice and the attention he gets from being a beautiful celebrity so he plays up the charm, even when there's no real romantic intentions behind it. Not to mention the additional benefits I mean, technically I guess it works since every lady he talks to gives him gald and items and he graduated top of his class because all his hunnies did his homework for him.😅 So let's just go with that...

On that note, I am kicking myself for not realizing that Zelos had the ability to get items/gald from female NPCs. I've been playing entirely as Genis because of his increased walking speed thing but man, all of the money I could have saved on gels and holy bottles if I'd just played as Zelos sometimes...

Oh, I recently switched to Japanese voiceover and I think it has greatly improved my experience now that I can hear the skits. After weeks of Zelos hate and slander (and the prior paragraph...) I feel like I actually find him kinda charming and funny now as opposed to simply annoying, the voiced skits and his goofy and expressive JP voice have helped a lot. Honestly I kinda just love everyone more now in general, I never realized how flat the silent skits made the characters feel as a whole, I feel like I've cheated myself by not switching sooner. I actually like all of the Japanese voices (minus Colette for some reason) and prefer them to the english, especially Regals 😳I do miss Robin Teen Titans as Lloyd's voice a little though.

Once again I miss Kratos very much and I want to see him again. I'm still wondering what his whole deal is, he keeps trying to help us. Does he not like working with/for that pretty angel guy (whose name I cannot spell) and is thus going against his orders? Or are they actively working together to help us? Very confused, can't wait to know what's up.

And that's all for now!

My current favorite characters change every two seconds but right now I love Sheena and Regal the best. I think Sheena is so cool and she's also quite funny. Regal seems very soft and I love how calmly and quietly he speaks, I can't wait to learn more about him soon. He also is just a very handsome guy, like just look at that man😳 I still love Genis (prior favorite) too though!

Also "Presea smiled!" is my new favorite screenshot, she's so adorable! She deserves to be happy. Opposite vibes of my other favorite:

#tales of symphonia spoilers #tales of symphonia #jun plays symphonia #symphonia

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captainkurosolaire · 3 years

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I challenge you to pick five Tumblrs in your social circle and tell them something you admire about their blog!

Only 5? I could probably do 500. However, that's determined by what's considered my social circle. I'm often in my head being incredibly social continuously is really a challenge of mine. I'm always actively marching to something, my flame of passion when I have it, I can do some crazy stuff but it diminishes relatively quickly, so I try to cling. But I'll up your thing and list 25 of my fave people. Ask me this same thing in a Month, I'll keep doing 25, until I do all the people. How about that? (If anyone wants to be taken off mention let me know.)

@eligos-venator

- Has one of the most intelligent and sophisticated minds, I've had the pleasure to know. Literally admire all his aesthetics, work, head-cannons, ideas. It's only a benefit that the dude shares some OC characteristics to my own (Winning features). I really enjoyed the short-thread we did. It was incomplete, mainly because of my faults. I want to actually be better to give him a proper delivery and RP worth his time, but he's incredibly worth the investment of eyes.

@mischiefandmystics

- If there was a Mount Rushmoore of writers who kept me in this endeavor, encouraged me. Sun'ra is one of them. His characterization skills, writing, the delivery and how believable his character is, they're masterful acts.

@mishivymendi

- I wouldn't be nearly tamed or as creatively freed if it wasn't for this gem. She broke my shell, I really didn't at a time ever see myself being anything really beyond a smut writer, but Mishi not only saw potential in me, but brought it out. Her stories and world's she brings to life are so majestically colorful.

@asymphonyofash

- My go-to. He's another pillar individual who saw things in me past just the obvious perception, (Probably second longest XIV RPer I know.) Taught me a lot of the lore, I shot him up and he's sort of become my stapled rock. He's right aside Sun'ra met them about the same, both took me under their wing's as I quietly observed and absorbed.

@lavender-hemlock

- We're always up and front with each other, never feeling like I couldn't say anything around, extremely rare to share that these days. Her gif's are legendary, something on my own terms I want to soar in quality. The writing she does is astounding. Character has so many mysterious pages that are quite addictive to want to explore and learn them. (Encore 20 below-cut)

@under-the-blood-moonlight - Her sweetness and artwork and overall is just a friendly presence to be around. I cherish them so much. One I can jive with more darker undertones with. She's one the most hardworking and ambitiously creative people. I'd mail them infinite hugs if could. Thanks for being you! @roxinova - I owe a lot of credit to her. She's constantly OOC and everything was nudging me too be more inclusive to things and involved heavenly. It's rare for me. I'm really horrible about that my autism sets me back socially, I constantly will be drowned by the next day and be reverted back to better off alone, that's my major crux and weakness. But her thoughtfulness, these things, aren't ever foreign to me, I do pay attention probably better than any would ever give me credit. She's a beacon model to have as a friend. @corpse-dancer - Haven't ran into many words with them, but her character, screenshot game, expressiveness, they're all a marvel to constantly see, alongside her attitude and bringing life character. I do think if I were better, we would click quite splendidly. They've recently reminded and motivated me to pick-up my daily-practice, or try too. Keep being a rockstar. @fair-fae - Few who wouldn't know who she is in this community. She's been in my opinion a huge core. I'm certain she's inspired many who weren't even RPers too try it by seeing her at the Quicksands or elsewhere, a tyme ago. Making no exception, I was even one of those. I used to be in QS every-single day and was often doing my shameless stuff. Though her presence first did show me there's a lot more. I admire her in all fields. Also appreciate her adopting me to the FC and her always thinking of others and giving events, or her aesthetics and portrayal, its the epitome of swan elegance. @thorcat - One of my most treasured friends. Been RPing with them for a longtime. There's never anything complicated between us or a rift of drama, it's just let's go and have fun. We really mesh well, I've welcomed nearly ever character and got the privilege to RP with nearly all them. They always open up envelope and help me, settle on back and just laugh. Whether used to be waking up to their characters humping my afk one or use randomly having a hardcore banter between Ufah and Captain and capturing them as a voidal pet. Memories with them isn't something I'd ever want to lose. I love ya! Never stop enjoying life for anything. @lukawarrioroflight - I get in the gutter find myself lacking motivation or writing, discouraged even... But I never have felt, I could ever do any wrong with this person, they bring the light out of me. So no matter what, how many hospital-beds I yearly visit, it's because of this rare nature, that I come back, even if they're the only one's ever to read my stuff. I would do it for them alone. @scholarlybreadbun - I've only been back recently and they've so much warmth. Their presence is the sun of inviting. The couple and posing all the shipping that stuff makes me even melt. I'm not particularly talented in regards to posing couples, but I took notice of them along time ago and set on quietly improving. Really like them for them, wouldn't ever want them to change that. Ideally look forward to be in their orbit longer so I can bask in them. @seascrapes - Been mutual with them for a while. Their aesthetics and character is all S+ level. I appreciate throwing back tagged prompts with them, one of many people I really think would be enjoyable to collab with any other seafarers. The artwork and pieces of Tal Brook, are breathtaking as ever exceptionally too, not to mention. Love your stuff matey, you're a king. @mai-takeda - Is a myth. Her absolutely sheer friendliness and her attitude, are so positive influencing, I was so thrilled to be welcomed with her and boosted by them early on. I couldn't see myself, wanting to exist where they didn't have happiness like the same she always delivers by just doing so many soft-things. Not to mention her writing... She's a whole world to throw yourself gazes

under. @zhauric - It doesn't go far either without the same breath of Mai, I could say about Zhauric. He's someone worthy to look-up and also recognize they're passionate and inviting, hoisting up literally everything. Could easily find any of their characters comrades with my own, or jiving alongside. Not to mention last XIVWrite, they slaughtered it. So enjoyable to read them all. I like how organized their blog is too, motivated me recently to redux my entire thing. @cadrenebula - They have so many diverse characters and their entire roster is vibrant and is imbued with a massive flux of life. They are able to encapsulate so many character's voices and portray them so effectively too, I really admire that greatly. They've made me think bigger and try myself recently at actually undertaking a huge roster of characters too. I've taken many breaks, but I always am so graciously returned often with them close-by and that's so incredibly sacred. I've seen a lot of people get discouraged or quit, leave, departure, etc. But they always seem to have a bigger house then they had last I took a break and I enjoy peaking in. @silvernsteel - Her artist and gif-work are awe-aspiring, there's little unrecognizable by her photo-sets and edits. They helped me even tip-toe into uncharted with giving me the recipes to try incorporating gifs into my arsenal. Plus so delightfully pleasant to actually talk with and just chill. I want nothing less in life, than the beauty they give, to be returned to them for eternity in all their glorious air. If ever needed anything of me, they've got me. @spotofmummery - We talk about passion or friendliness or overall a person to even remotely try to be, I got to include them. Their web-series and writing, screen-work, everything they do is fantastic. And that's furthered back nearly any I've met showcase or immortalize how just genuine of stellar person they are. I wish them always the energy to create and sparks. @snow-covered-moon - They've never been anything less but absolutely a diamond to know. I enjoy their character, their almost always abundant of energy that's very rub inducing. Their WoL character stories, writing, screen-shots, everyday they open up a new pandora box of joy, there's no mistaken love behind their character and that's infectiously easy to also enjoy something when the author does too. Always healthy to be around, I never feel short of vitality when they're close-by. @letheofthelost - Always cheerful or least encapsulates with me, they're a carnival ride. Just pure epic story-telling and engaging equally as passionate, constantly writing characters, not looking for anything outside of RP or anything really just being their selves, they fade all others. I love their presence, them as a person. Enjoy any character they'll ever come and throw under me, or a change of pace. Always feels easily understandable between one another. @crow-iv - Together we're an unfiltered, unstoppable wake of pure passionate writers and art. But I would say they're far ahead of me, in every regard. Already able to portray multiple characters in a scene and do such in-depth thinking, alongside even sketch or draw right afterwards or a scene. They're so talented, huge reason I set-out on giving them a Crew of cast and actual stories to-tell when I'm actually caught up and if they interested and we both have the room, I really think if further myself, I can be better and supply more for them to draw and I want to see them soar. I want to give them all my improvements and effectiveness. @trishelle - They've such a reinforcing personality and aura around them that easily bolsters anything that dares thinking they're about to be depleted so energizing. Aesthetics, characters, all them are so lively that further compliment their own mun's great welcoming presence. Worth hundreds of smiles and stars, keep high. Wish I had more time to dedicate to learning you! But I do notice and appreciate you. @fracturedfantasia - One of my people, I like to retreat and just talk my full

head-cannons with or learn, share insightful and inquisitive thoughts about philosophies and multi-culture things. Or plotting and in-general, they're a well of information and brimming ideas, they are every making of what makes a quality friend. When you can generally be open-about-all that's a real one right there. Their characters and tarot readings, I always would implore if they're offering. Thanks for giving me any-time. You're truly a treasure. @violet-warder - Never have even came to words with them yet unfortunately but didn't mean as a mutual, I haven't admired all their screenies, writing, or the aesthetics they bring of their character. Glamours is real end-game, I like all what you've done and put together. I care strictly about what represent and give, I don't want to see them ever think anyone want's them gone, they are abundantly so talented and possess things only they can deliver. I think recently came back too, and I'm glad to share, hopefully, overtime I can build you better up. Or eventually even talk, but I'm certain you are a busy-body person too, so we're relatable. @layla-grey - I have a lot of underline issues that set me back as a flawed person, but I've never not been anything but someone who's open, it's why I always do include my f-list in anything or etc. I'm not here to present this facade, and really don't care to be an image crafted by another. No one as of recently or now, am I close with as an RP partner or friend with then this stunning masterpiece. I never let-up on story-telling or anything so I can eventually use my Crew or other Characters, to give them anytime a master entertaining day, they push me to not be short-changed. IC and OOC I would devote my full attention too cause they've never shed from me. Didn't ever matter how much silence or anything, they're always around. And don't expect anything out of me or pressure. Just accept me and I equally share that sentiment, I want you to have everything in this world has to offer. ----- This is just a fraction of people, I've paid attention, noticed or know. I've been around in this Community for many years. There's a lot of things I could say about it, more probably then anyone else. But what matters to me, is recognizing the people who are here, that work hard, build others up, support, constantly are a beam. I don't need to interact with everyone, to know when someone is generally out for good. Or they're out for bad I've learned inquisitiveness longtime ago, I had to survive and remain afloat. I just go out and be me, and along the way, I get to find people like these, who help bring out the best me. I am nothing without these people, creators, writers, artist. I'm a terrible friend, horrible person, I don't have the energy to interact NEARLY with as much as I'd like with you all, If I could clone myself, or if things were different, I would drop it all to be in your orbits more if could. But, do know I appreciate you. And even if you ever do depart from this whole community or anything, know that anything you share, or give, that stuff does matter, somewhere, someone was aspired, if nothing else, by me. ONLY you can give the worlds you see and I am thankful. Do love yourself.

#I acknowledge you #Love you #Keep doing you #Asks answered #I'm the one guy who's never not going to be filtered or unspoken #To many people have left or been broken #Don't you ever think about it.#There's so many many more #But I'll recharge for next time

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bookwyrminspiration · 3 years

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PLS TELL ME ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CADAVERIC DISSECTION I WANNA HEAR ALL OF IT PLS PLS PLS

Yes yes yes!! I would love to!!! I love this subject!! /g

disclaimer: I’m not an expert, I just think the topic is interesting and research it in my spare time

so I think one of the more fascinating aspects of human dissection, is that originally it all started with the goal of finding the soul. These people wanted to figure out where in the body the soul was kept, as the soul was the part of you that would outlast your body and persevere forever. This is a fairly religious outlook, but it’s what motivated them. It’s an outlook that can be seen with the ancient Egyptians, although they were taking apart the body for purposes of preservation, not to study the anatomy. A lot of earlier people actually thought the heart was the most important organ and not the brain, which was why it wasn’t preserved in the mummification process.

But now for actually dissection! We go back to Ancient Greece, 3 BCE, where Herophilus of Chalcedon and Erisistratus of Ceos practiced. We actually don’t have any record of them or their practice, as their studies were burned in Alexandria (I believe the second burning, the one by Theophilus). We just know they existed because they were mentioned by later people. These two are generally considered the first two people to practice human dissection, which is why they’re important. I bet you’ll probably never hear there names in discussion of anything else.

But after Alexandria burned, human dissection vanished for 1,700 years, later coming back in 14th century Italy. As of the 12th century it wasn’t expressly prohibited, but there was a phrase that translated to “the church abhors blood” that was misinterpreted as a ban. But later on the Holy Roman Emperor, Fredrick II, said a body needed to be dissected every five years in order to study anatomy. So the first publicly sanctioned dissection since Ancient Greece took place in 1315. However, the style of dissections during these time periods are absolutely atrocious in terms of effectiveness.

There were three people involved. The Lector, who read aloud from a text (an out of date, inaccurate text); the Ostensor, who pointed at the part of the body to be dissected; and the Sector, who did the actually cutting people open part. However, the Lector never actually saw the body being opened, they just read from the text. So the person teaching the students couldn’t actually see the body, which isn’t great. Also, most of these dissections were taking place to just reinforce what students had already learned, not the actually explore the body.

Around the middle of the 14th century, it became mandatory in some universities to attend a dissection before you could graduate, which led to a sudden high demand for cadavers that just couldn’t be met. So how are these bodies acquired? Students were required to pay for and attend the funerals of the people they dissected, which was meant to encourage families to offer the body for dissection in exchange for a free funeral. Wasn’t quite enough to satisfy the demand, but it was enough that murder and grave robbing weren’t really a problem yet.

Anatomists and medical students weren’t the only people dissection bodies though. Dissection came back originally in Italy, and later on during the Renaissance many artists and sculptors would perform dissections to get a more accurate knowledge of the human form. Although many did choose to just stick to observation of the human form opposed to cutting it apart.

Now if you’ll remember, the dissections done with three people didn’t explore the body or have the Lector involved with the actual cadaver. This changed when Vesalius entered the picture, as he thought if you wanted to learn anatomy, you had to do the dissection yourself. However he was a student at this time and didn’t have many opportunities to dissect, so he would take bodies from the mound of Monfaucon, where executed criminals bodies would be hanged until they disintegrated. While unethical, it did give him a more thorough understanding of anatomy that he displayed when he took over from his Sector and started cutting open the body himself.

Now let’s take a little jump over to England. England was a little behind everyone else, starting dissection in the 16th century (this delay is likely due to the church). So the demand for cadavers rises because texts from Italy and France are making their way to England and now medical students are interested. So now the government needs to come up with a way to legally supply bodies, hence the Murder Act of 1752, which said executed murders could be dissected. This was both to legally provide bodies and to discourage murder.

However, while it wasn’t really a problem in 14th century Italy, grave robbing has now become a serious problem because the government just can’t meet the demand of the dissectors. There was even a specific name for the people who dug up bodies and sold them to medical schools: they were called body-snatchers by the general public and resurrectionists by medical schools. But there was another way bodies could be attained: murder. William Burke and William Hare killed at least 16 people and sod them to medical schools. They would kill these people by getting them intoxicated and then suffocating them, as this method would go undetected by the doctors they sold them too (as opposed to like, a slit throat). This specific style of murder was actually named after William Burke and called “burking.” Ironically when he was caught he was executed, and because executed criminals were fair game, he was dissected.

So because murder had become a problem, the anatomy act of 1832 was passed, which allowed unclaimed bodies of the poor from workhouses to be used for dissection purposes. If the body was still in the workhouse 48 hours after death, it was considered unclaimed. (Bodies we’re dissection 3-4 days after death because otherwise the stench would become unbearable). This made these corpses cheap and legal, so it was no longer worth the price of buying them from illegally procured sources. So yay, Murder has successfully been avoided. At the cost of the poor. This reasonably led to a rift between classes, as the poor didn’t want to be dissected and the rich wanted dissections for the purposes of science. Dissection had been used on executed criminals for long that it had become synonymous with capital punishment, and now all the sudden it’s like they’re saying these people are being punished for being poor.

The way people rationalized it was saying the bodies they were taking (and continued to take into the 20th century) were just repaying their debt to the society that had looked after them when alive. This is why soldiers were never dissected, as their service was considered repayment. However around this same time to workhouses began to close, so the number of corpses available decreased. So where do they get more bodies? From people who died in psychiatric asylums. They also explored other marginalized people, like immigrants and people of color. Enslaved people were considered property of their owner and could be sold, and what the family wanted didn’t matter. In Germany a large supply of bodies also came from concentration camps, with a legislation passed in 1942 that actually denied relatives of executed Poles and Jews the right to claim the body.

Now let’s hop over to the US. The US was very similar to Europe, however one thing that does stand out is the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act in 1968, stating that the deceased persons wish for their body now superseded that of their next of kin. This was important in terms of body donation, as now when someone wanted to donate their body that was respected above the families wishes. The act being successful also helped enact similar legislation around the world, like the Anatomy Act in 1984 in the UK. now medical students rely entirely on body donation to have cadavers to dissect in almost every part of the world. And it’s been proven time and time again and backed by medical students that their knowledge of anatomy and the human form is greatly improved when they have the chance to attend a dissection. Another aspect of this is keeping students sensitized, reminded that this was a real living person deserving of respect. That’s partially why earlier students would pay for and attend the funerals, to sensitize them. Now the students may meet the families of the person they’re dissecting prior to doing so.

Medicine has definitely come a long au since the idea of the four humors (which id also be happy to talk about /g), and there’s some very thorough resources out there if you want to look! I could give you the links to a few of my favorite if you’d like /g, but this is just a general summary of human dissection as a whole. Thanks so much for asking about it because I adore the subject and would love to talk about it anytime!!

#i may have given you a lot of information all at once #so feel free to ask for details about any of the topics/people covered #although there's not much more I can give you about herophilus and erasistratus #I'd have to do more research on them to see if there's anything else #if only alexandria hadn't burned #but like hnnngg medical history #my beloved #if you cannot tell this is a topic i'm passionate about #the history of human dissection #random stuff #medical history #human dissection #random #tw caps

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kakashiswilloffire · 3 years

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STEAM, not STEM

ao3

word count: 1.6k

kabuto x sai, college au, enemies to lovers ish, same age au

this is my first server collab with @konoblog-simps! the prompt was college au for august, and you can see the rest of the multifandom fics and artwork here!

***

As a biochemistry major focused on pharmaceuticals with a five year plan included finishing this undergrad degree, moving across the country for a masters in organic chemistry, then likely moving again for a doctorate in organic, along with four internships along the way, so that he could become a renowned creator of antianxiety medications, he was pretty confident in his knowledge. There was nothing a chemistry professor could ask that he couldn’t answer. Calculus came to him as a breeze. His psychology courses presented absolutely no challenge to him. Statistics, courses in professionalism and building his portfolio, and meetings with potential employers never caused him to break a sweat.

This fucking art class might kill him, though.

He had resented for years that humanities courses were required in science degree paths. It was his junior year and he had fought with his advisor for the past four semesters before finally giving in and agreeing to take a class on charcoal sketching. There was no way he would be caught dead in the hugely popular pottery class taught by the blond professor with tattoos of mouths on the back of his hands. Nor would he voluntarily take any basic introductory course in drawing or painting.

That was how he found himself in an advanced charcoal techniques course, prepared to blow through a handful of drawings and easily earn high marks.

However, in a class size of eight, he was drawing attention for the wrong reasons.

To start, the others all seemed to know each other from previous courses, which immediately made him the outsider. To make matters worse, the professor greatly preferred their work to his own. A part of him couldn’t blame the man who insisted he be called Tenzo rather than by any title or honorific. His drawings were definitely in a different style to the rest of the class, and it was a style that didn’t seem to be changing or improving as the weeks passed.

It wouldn’t be so frustrating if it wasn’t the first thing he had ever tried that was proving to be a struggle. As if that wasn’t enough to deal with, the asshole in the front row seemed to take to charcoal like breathing.

On the first day, when Tenzo had gone over the syllabus, he had also made them all introduce themselves and play a get to know you game. They all pretended that it wasn’t for Kabuto’s benefit. Fu and Torune had begun, making a point of making physical contact with each other the whole time they spoke, though he had never seen Torune take off his gloves. The had tuned most of the others out as they spoke, noting Shin seemed decent enough, though he’d prefer if the man stopped coughing for more than a moment. What grated him to no end was the final person to speak.

Sai.

He spoke with a fake smile plastered across his face, eyes closed and voice dripping with confidence. He listed his credentials off without any thought, and it infuriated him that the list of accomplishments and certifications rivaled the length of his own. Sai listed his specialty in art as black and white realism, and his preferred medium as painting, though he was looking forward to learning more about charcoal. From there, he had turned to Kabuto with that same overly-relaxed smile and offered:

“Your turn, flash cards.”

The familiarity rubbed him the wrong way and he had been irritated with him ever since. What made it worse was that Sai was actually really good in the course. He hadn’t been lying about his skill in realism—anything he rendered looked like it was about to run off the page. He seemed to prefer birds, in all species, but every individual feather breathed and flowed and he never got the black dust accidentally smudged on his paper. In fact, he never got the dust anywhere. Kabuto always left the class covered in black smears on his skin, clothing, and bag, and there would always be some hidden patch of charcoal that he never found until he showered that night.

It infuriated him to no end that this shallow jerk who modelled his personality around whoever he was with was also, genuinely, so much better than him at this class that he desperately needed to pass.

Midterm grades had come back the other day and a vein had nearly popped out of his forehead when he saw the disastrously low score. Tenzo had noted that he saw improvement between this and where Kabuto had began the class, but it was still not on level with the rest of the class and where he would need to be in preparation for the next level pastels course. Apparently, it didn’t matter that he wouldn’t be taking the next level course. If he didn’t pass this course with a reasonably high grade, his scholarship sponsor, Orochimaru, would be furious. Risking the scholarship not being renewed meant risking the entire five year plan, and for that—

He’d have to suck it up.

“Hey, Sai?” he asked, forcing himself to keep his tone level. Admitting weakness was not his strength and he had no intention of making this a habit.

The crop top wearer glanced up from the hyper-realistic sheet of mice that he was effortlessly rendering. “Ah, Kabuto,” he said, the same smile from before falling across his face. “Lovely weather we’re having, isn’t it?”

He gritted his teeth, then forced his jaw to relax. “The rain we’ve had all week? Sure, Sai.” He pulled up a stool, settling in to the easel next to him. “I wanted to ask you a question.”

Sai nodded, not pausing his movement as he gave life to a mouse’s tail. “My answer is yes.”

Kabuto blinked. Was asking for help really this simple? “You’re willing to tutor me for the final?”

That caused Sai to hesitate, tilting his head slightly to the side. After a beat, he replied “I suppose I could do that. You appear to be capable of learning how to improve your questionable techniques.”

Ignoring the dig, he pressed on. “I would appreciate that. Tenzo said that my linework is improving but my shading is still not where it needs to be. Something about being more mindful of my light sources.”

“I agree with his analysis,” Sai said, continuing on his sketch. “Your grasp of line weight is abysmal, which is a step up from your initial attempt, which was horrific. Your shading on our last assignment, the brickwork, was essentially nonexistent. All of your pieces so far have had at least four light sources that have no apparent source. It’s clear from your work that you have no regard for art and no passion for creation at all.”

He delivered the critique without halting a single graceful stroke on his canvas. There was no malice in his tone, and he said the words almost pleasantly, despite the cutting content.

“I am willing to teach you more technique and skill so that Tenzo is able to assign you a passing grade in this course. However, I do not believe you are capable of being an artist or creating anything of value in the world as you currently are.”

Kabuto froze. He had only meant to ask for a few tips, not to be dragged for all he was worth in this godforsaken art course. How dare this arrogant prick think he was incapable of creation?

He gripped his charcoal stick so tightly in his fist that it crumbled. “Listen, inky. Just because I’m focused in science doesn’t mean I can’t create anything meaningful. My goal is to be a pharmaceutical chemist, to create medications to change people’s lives. Just because I can’t draw some fucking—I don’t know, a fucking rat or a bowl of fruit or whatever, doesn’t make you better than me. So fuck off with that.”

Sai smirked, his eyes closing in his familiar pattern. “I never implied anything about our worth relative to each other. But I do think that it’s cute that you’re concerned about appearing to be less than me. That will create an excellent motivation for self-improvement for both of us in our relationship.”

The light caught Kabuto’s glasses, a white reflection flashing across the lenses. “We don’t have a relationship.”

Finally, Sai put his rectangle of charcoal down on the easel and sat up. “Do we not? What was the intent of your original question to me?”

Kabuto spluttered. “What do you mean? I came up and asked if you’d help me with the final and you said yes, then you were an ass.”

It was now Sai’s turn to blink. “You said that you had a question for me. I replied that my answer was yes. As a result, we are now boyfriends.” He wiped his fingers on a handkerchief hanging on the corner of his easel. “Was your question you intended to ask me not if I would be interested in a romantic relationship with you?”

He flushed a deep red. Sai was attractive, that was undeniable, but that was not how this encounter was meant to go. Romance was not in the five year plan. “I—”

“Just do it,” sighed Tenzo, sitting at his desk with his head in his hands. “For the love of God, both of you, stop staring at each other and bickering and just go out, would you?”

Sai smiled, the classic closed-eye smile that looked more genuine each time he did it. “Thank you, Tenzo.”

Kabuto was confused, but in order to learn the skills he needed to pass this class, he’d need to go along with the game. Without another word, he reached out and took Sai’s hand. Might as well give it a shot, right?

#kabuto x sai #sai x kabuto #kabuto fanfic #kabuto yakushi #konoha simps server collab

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lady-griffin · 4 years

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Manga vs. Anime: My Next Life as a Villainess

I would like to be clear,I have greatly enjoyed the anime so far and find it to be very charming. Also, because we are only three episodes into the anime, I want to hold out on any strong opinions as of now.

That being said, the anime has felt rushed and hurried along in my opinion.

Which has been disappointing – as some of my favorite parts from the Manga didn’t receive as much attention, as I feel like they deserved.

I wouldn’t mind the hurried pace of the anime, if I felt like it lent itself more to the comedic timing. But so far, the Manga’s comedic timing has had more of a punch to it.

Though, to be fair, it’s only been three episodes and it’s very possible they’ve rushed through the childhood bits to focus on the harem’s time at the Magic Academy and when the Otome Game begins.

However, according to Wikipedia there are only 12 episodes.

So, the anime is presumably going to cover 15 Manga Chapters in the next 9 episodes. Which is certainly possible, especially since the first 7 chapters of the manga were depicted in 3 episodes.

Given, how I’ve felt about the first three episodes in comparison to the first 7 chapters, I am slightly concerned for the next 9 episodes.

I just feel like the manga explains the premise of certain scenes better than the anime has so far and adds more context to form a larger picture.

Particularly with Katarina’s rationale.

In the Manga, we get a far more depth look into why Katarina believes simply not bullying the heroine will not be enough.

As Katarina could be accused of being the ringleader of the bullies as she was the ringleader in the game. Or Geordo, who in the game is described as a ‘black-hearted prince’ might falsely accuse her of bullying, so he can be with the heroine.

We also get to see Katarina saying that she actually has difficulty imagining her Geordo exiling or killing her, but she quickly dismisses the reality of her situation; by believing that Geordo falling in love with the heroine will change him and he might soon view his current fiancée (her) as a nuisance to him.

Katarina is dense, don’t get me wrong – but her rationale does give credence to her reasoning and actions – if that makes sense.

So, I am disappointed with that.

Though, maybe, I’m just more than a bit salty that Katarina’s 15th Birthday Party didn’t get the attention I thought it deserved.

I think particularly in the dancing with the guys and even more specifically with Geordo.

Geordo and Katarina’s dance in the anime does make sense, but I think the manga really gave it a bit more depth…context…detail?

But, while I don’t think her birthday party deserves an entire episode by itself, it being squeezed in the last few minutes of the most recent episode, was not ideal.

That best describes it, I think. The anime feels like it’s trying to squeeze a lot in the last minute, so to speak.

However,

The manga is not without its own faults and the anime has added its own elements that have improved the story.

We are introduced to Katarina and get to see her and Geordo interact, before she regains her memories

Keith’s backstory is elaborated on - He ended up hurting his brothers because he wanted to protect a bird and her babies from them.

Seeing Katarina break down Keith’s door from his perspective and seeing the light pouring into the room bit by bit, as the door and his loneliness crumble away, was sheer perfection

Geordo observing (from a distance) Katarina and Alan becoming friends and establishing, what I presume might be more jealousy between Geordo and Alan than the manga presented.

Geordo and Alan setting up their party and Geordo clearly being aware of Alan’s feelings before Alan is.

Geordo also stating that he has no intention of letting Katarina go as his fiancée.

Geordo saying that predicting what Katarina will do next is basically the one thing he’s not good at

Sophia being invited to the party and we get to see her clear concern and fear

Nicol’s route in the game is made a lot clearer than it was in manga

Nicol dealing with people insulting his sister (we do see this later in the manga, with a flashback).

Katarina gets a slight Ojou laugh when she leaves Keith and Mary to go to the bathroom (the manga did have Ho Ho Ho next to her in the very same scene)

The scene where Katarina jumps out of the tree, scaring away Sophia bullies is a lot clearer than it was in the manga

Sophia mentions a romance book between two women she read – that line alone adds more credence to the girls also falling for Katarina and it’s not just being "really good friendships”

Overall, more Alan and Nicol in the story. Or at the very least, more Alan.

The manga also has scenes and details that are not needed for the flow of the story, so those getting cut aren’t a problem.

I would much rather have an extra scene or two of the harem rather than learn Katarina has to take 5 maids with her to school, and so on.

But I also wanted more of Katarina’s Birthday Party Scene as well...so there’s that.

Basically, I just wish some of my favorite scenes in the manga were translated to the anime and given the attention, I feel like they deserved.

But I am curious, if those who have only really seen the anime feel like the pacing is rushed.

Because, honestly the fact that one gets to set their own pace when reading a manga might be the sole cause for my issues with the pacing.

And that’s true of any written work being translated onto screen. What my mind focuses on, might not be the intention of the author or might not be interpreted by others in the same way.

For instance, I’ve personally read the end of chapter 7 with a twinge of sadness to it.

Because, as much as Katarina has been preparing herself for the game’s potential endings, I don’t think she will ever be prepared for the heartbreak she’ll experience, if they were to come true.

Again, that’s just how I read it.

I may have also thought that an animated version of Chapter 7′s ending could’ve been an easy improvement upon what we got from the Manga. Basically, what I just presented to you above (as I omitted several panels from the Manga).

But we’re way off topic now.

Obviously, this isn’t a new problem for manga readers – I just haven’t read all that much Manga in comparison to all the anime I’ve watched. And in some cases of Manga vs Anime, I’ve personally felt the anime improved upon it or they were evenly matched.

So, I guess, since fell in love with manga instantly more so than I did with the first episode, I just want the anime to bring its all to this story.

I also hope the anime can slow down in its pacing, now that we’ve gotten to the main story.

#Katarina Claes #my next life as a villainess #Otome game no hametsu flag #Catarina Claes #Hamefura #Geordo Stuart #Alan Stuart #Keith Claes #Nicol Ascart #Sophia Ascart #Mary Hunt #destruction flag otome

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dukeofonions · 4 years

Text

A Lack of Criticism and the Upcoming Video

Putting this under a cut because it gets long.

Something I’ve noticed about the Sanders Sides series is that no one ever seems to criticize the content itself. Whenever a new video is released, it’s immediately showered in praise and adored by the fan base. Especially when it’s been a long break in between content and we’ve all been desperate for a video. We’re caught in the rush of having something new that we immediately latch onto it and this thing has now become the most sacred thing in the fandom.

Now this isn’t always the case, I know some people found Logic vs Passion (I am not typing that monster of an acronym out) to be lower quality. It seemed rushed, the jokes weren’t as funny, no one seemed to really be in character. Which I agreed with the first time around, and it was a shame because it was the first episode to give Logan and Roman the spotlight, and I was so excited for two of my favorite characters to finally get their own episode. Only to not enjoy it as much as I’d wanted to.

Besides that, other notable criticisms were about Selfishness vs Selflessness which pertained to the questionable lesson that we learned, but this seemed to be intentional on the writers’ part and left the fandom to debate among themselves while we waited for the second part to arrive. Really, the most negativity wrought by that episode was the beginning of the fandom’s “Unsympathetic Patton” debacle.

Which, didn’t have much to do with the episode itself, as it became more of a fandom thing.

What I’m getting at is no one ever criticizes the videos directly. The story, dialogue, effects, none of that is ever looked into or critiqued. And as someone who loves to self review movies, books, music, etc. I find this odd because there is a lot of good and bad to be found within the show. In this case, I’d say the good outweighs the bad, and while I enjoy this series a lot, if someone who hadn’t seen it before asked me to describe it this is what I would say: “It’s a bit corny, sometimes the morals can be very on the nose, the humor is kinda cringey and not every joke lands. But overall it’s a good show that has helped me through a lot of things and I love the characters in it. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I would recommend checking it out.”

That is my honest opinion on the series as a whole right there, and if we wanted to go deeper, I have other issues with it as well, which I’ll most likely go into in another post because that’s not what this one is about.

Look, I adore Sanders Sides, but I’d be lying if I said it was flawless. And sometimes, I feel like the fandom is afraid of saying anything negative about the show directly.

Why?

Because they think if we criticize something Thomas and co. worked so hard on, then we’re not being grateful for the content we’ve received and thus, rendering their hard work to nothing. So instead, we lavish each video with praise and give unconditional support to the creators. Even if the episode was sub par, the majority of the fandom will give it a 10/10 each time just because it’s something Thomas made.

And I understand why, Thomas is great. He’s someone I look up to and aspire to be like. He’s pretty down to earth and he does his best to include his fan base in everything he does as much as he can. He tries to put out content that everyone can enjoy and gain something from and he’s clearly passionate about what he does, and I respect all that as a fellow creator.

That being said, criticizing his work isn’t the same as hating on him or any of the team involved making the videos. I know they all work hard, and the evolution of his content and how far he’s come is amazing! The quality of the videos (as far as production and editing go) has greatly improved from the stuff of his early days and he deserves all the support he’s gotten.

But the fandom seems to be so afraid of having anything negative reach him that they’ll go to drastic measures to make sure any negativity is dealt with and silenced, which in turn makes many others afraid to voice any opinion that differs from the norm, and no one is taking time to stop and think: “Hey, maybe silencing others who don’t agree with us isn’t right and is actually harming people in the fandom.”

This happened recently when Thomas’ newest video “Playing A Video Game Until It’s All You Think About” was released and a few people expressed that they did not think it was that good.

It felt empty, wasn’t as funny as his other videos, and what most people had an issue with: It was basically a 10 minute advertisement.

And I agreed with all of these criticisms, and I won’t lie for me part of this came from waiting for the new Sanders Sides, only to get a video that just left me feeling empty at the end. Which usually doesn’t happen after I watch one of Thomas’ videos, I’m never left feeling indifferent or disappointed, but this video was (in my opinion) a serious let down. Especially when there was so much they could have done with it in terms of how they worked the video game into the plot, but that’s a post for another time.

After people expressed these thoughts, as usual, others were quick to shut the negativity down. Some defended the video while calling out those who had been voicing these things while others simply carried on as usual and showered the video with praise, and not even a day after the video was released, talk about it altogether died out. So now we’re at a point where the long awaited Sanders Sides is closer than ever to being released, and thus we get to the point of this post: What’s going to happen if this video drops, and it ends up not being the grand masterpiece we’ve all been hyping it up to be?

I keep seeing people (in response to the long wait) saying that this video will be good because it’s taken so long to make. And as we all know, time=quality, right?

Well, not exactly...

Yes, taking time to work on something can help, but it isn’t what ultimately determines the overall quality of the product.

There are dozens of factors that go into making something, and time is only one of them. There are Youtubers who produce great content every single day, and some who produce not-so-great content weekly. It all depends on the person(s) working on the content, resources, and time.

Yes, we’ve been waiting almost 10 months for this video, but does that mean that entire time has been dedicated to this one episode? No! We got other videos in between that time, heck, Thomas didn’t even start filming until after December had passed. Most of the time taken for this video has gone into the animation that will be featured in the video. That’s it.

If that were to be absent, then I’m pretty sure we would have had this video by now. Not saying they shouldn’t have included the animation, but it’s clear that the wait between videos has become longer since they started adding gimmicks in each episode, and that’s fine if they want to do that!

I personally don’t think it’s necessary, as the series got along just fine in the beginning with nothing but the dialogue between the characters to carry it, but that’s just my opinion.

Now, say the video drops, a majority of the fandom loves it, I will most likely love it, but what if despite this, we find this video is not a top tier Sanders Sides video, and it wasn’t what we’d all been hoping for.

It could be anti-climatic, the jokes may not be as funny, it simply may not live up to the standards that its predecessor, Selfishness vs Selflessness, set before it.

In my opinion, SVS is one of, if not the best Sanders Sides episode. It had drama, humor, it raised the stakes, Deceit was in it!

Because of this, it’s only natural that people expect part two to be just as good if not better, but as I’ve noticed with a lot of sequels or “Part Twos” is that sometimes, they just aren’t as good as the original.

They’re not always bad per se, but they can’t hold a candle to the original, and I believe it’s possible that this could be the case with this next episode.

And if it is, how will the fandom react?

Well, if we’re lucky this episode will blow any expectations out of the water and will be even better than SVS Part One.

But what’s most likely to happen is that everyone will love it, we’ll start trending on Tumblr, and the fandom will blow up as fan art, theories, edits, and all that comes with it are massed produced by the fandom.

You know what else could happen? People could be disappointed by the video. It may not live up to everyone’s expectations, and that’s okay.

It should be okay.

No matter what happens, people should be allowed to feel however they want when this episode does finally drop. If people love it, let them love it. If people don’t like it, then please I beg you...

Let them.

All I’m asking is that we as a fandom, stop policing how people are supposed to feel about content. Obviously, if someone is just being a troll and hating for no reason that isn’t okay. But if that’s the case, just ignore them and move on.

But if someone has legitimate complaints or critiques, then they should have the freedom to express that without being afraid of receiving backlash from the fandom. This fandom claims to be the most wholesome, but how can that be when there are people who are afraid of voicing an opinion?

#sanders sides #ts discourse #fandom criticism #dukeofonions

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snowfianna · 4 years

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Fable IV rant:

I'm so pumped up for the 23rd because everything has led me to believe that Fable 4 will be announced this year and the game's existence has been confirmed for a while anyway it's just a matter of time of when will Fable 4 show itself. It's a badly kept secret tbh.

So to those who don't mind a big rant or wish to add on to my rant- here we go!

Can you imagine how good the graphics would be for this game, we've all seen modern games, surely, and they're all bloody fantastic looking. Fable Legends is technically the most recent Fable game despite it being a free to play online game

and that it's cancelled

but it also had a gorgeous look to it all! And the character models did great justice to the concept art and honestly that has my hopes real high because I love the concept art of Fable, specifically from Mike McCarthy, so exaggerated and recognisable- yet in all the games I can confidently say they did not do justice to his character design, specifically for Reaver. Sure, he looks stunning in the third game, but not quite what he looks like in his concept art sadly.

But also, since Fable was made in Unreal Engine (I'm pretty sure at least) we've seen examples of what can be done in Unreal Engine now and it's absolutely breath taking!

If you haven't seen here are some examples and they're so life-like.

Moving on from graphics!

Since Playground Games is behind the development of Fable 4, they would be spectacular at an open spaced world, judging from the Forza games.

I always loved the open world feature added to Fable, it made things more adventurous and you could do so many things that weren't at all related to the main quest to progress the story and it was just thrilling to see there were other things going on! I'd love to just have my dog companion running through fields, fighting enemies left and right and finding buried treasure or forgotten chests.

Run into strangers who request aid in something silly or rather serious and it would be up to you with how you go about the quest or if you even accept it to get renown or gold. Cause a massacre in towns and villages, running off with low morality and plentiful loot- oh one could fantasise of this all day.

Story, characters, writing and voices.

Fable has always had a fun environment of fantasy and a rather good story (despite the curse of mundane or pathetic boss fights in which I hope Fable 4 breaks this cycle) but the one thing that's always kept me on my feet in the games is the writing and the characters. It always just tried not to take itself too seriously, throwing in absurd quests that probably requires cheese or a really weird-looking outfit. It always kept my attention rather than just pure edge and seriousness of life or death.

The characters are a given, the writing done for them all is perfect in my eyes, I love hearing the variations of how characters of NPCs interacted (enough so that I even bought two of the Fable books written by Peter David). Despite Fable 3 not being the greatest at it's time, I found myself absolutely enjoy the characters for how they were- I even cried over Walter's death because it genuinely felt like I lost somebody pretty close (RIP Walter🙏). The writing and the chosen voice actors were superb and I'd love more of it.

I hope this time we can receive a full story instead of how Fable 2 and 3 were where plenty of plot points and such were cut out due to time constraints- thanks Microsoft, very cool. I'm still in anguish when listening to the Developer's Diary 3 of Fable 3 hearing lines that were just never said in the final product and it was definitely not just additional lines that weren't required as it seemed to mention entirely different things that weren't in the game; i.e. Reaver talks about his pirates in Bloodstone and how he misses them- in the final product he never mentions it and it's even shown that he's tried to completely bury his pirate past for whatever reason.

The pacing in Fable 3 was rather strange too, it felt like the revolution should've lasted longer.

Another hope of mine is to have choices that aren't so painfully black-and-white because it's very obvious which is the good or bad option to a scenario- personally for me I'd like to be morally grey rather than pure good or pure evil.

They better have kept the mechanic of your actions affecting your appearance too to the point where you grow horns and get cracked magma-like skin or this slight glow and aura around you and this flawless skin. It kind of died down in Fable 3, only looking more tired or have completely black eyes and the good- eh yeah not much I can say for when you're good. Purity and corruption seemed to also vanish in Fable 3 (at least I think) since you couldn't really change prices of the homes you were renting out, unless I've been a big goof who didn't arrange the rent prices in the game because I didn't know how.

Combat

Combat in all the games was rather straight forward, especially in Fable 2 and 3 where everything was just easy to beat or you could get overpowered around the start of the game. I'd hope the combat improves greatly this time and even bring back real consequences to dying instead of immediate revival with some lost experience and a scar. We need more serious consequences to your actions (this can be applied to all decisions rather than just if you die in a battle) even if it's just having to reload the last checkpoint. Makes things more challenging this way.

Another thing is to make boss fights less repetitive and simple- sure I can forgive it if the boss is from around the start but if they had phases you had to keep ontop of and didn't rely on summoning a bajillion other enemies to strike you, I'd be ever so grateful.

And if there's other characters fighting along side you, I'd hope they'd genuinely be helpful and keep up to speed with the player. I'm sure the AI in the past was the problem for this as AI wasn't at its best during that time so characters fighting by you didn't do too much or just did whatever that wasn't helpful. Now though, AI has improved immensely (I mean look at The Last Of Us 2, the AI is👌) and due to this, I'm sure characters would make battles more fun and the characters be more involved with the fight and even story.

Mana should be brought back as well, in Fable 2 and 3 mana just ceased to exist so you could just endlessly and repeatedly use the same spells and it just gave you too much power and the enemies barely stood a chance.

We need challenges people- CHALLENGES!

Medieval times? Yes.

I love Medieval fantasy and as much as I like the Victorian era too, I didn't think it quite suited Fable, as fascinating as it was to see fantasy turn industrial, it kind of took away from the Fable feel that I so crave. If they have indeed brought the game back to medieval times it means more creatures and enemies are back rather than driven away or limited to the same handful of enemies.

We can all also agree the guns were overpowered, though I did like receiving the Red Dragon late in Fable 2 to absolutely mow down enemies, it was satisfying to say the least. However, guns were far too powerful for the game, so I demand the bows and crossbows back thank you very much- or even throwing knives- I'll take what I'm given.

I'd love to see more of the natural landscape rather than towns or buildings that took over once entirely natural areas (Millfields/Bowerlake). However, I won't object to ruins of old buildings taken over by nature.

Skeptical with Playground Games? Don't be.

Are you worried that Playground Games wouldn't do justice to Fable since it's not Lionhead Studios? Don't be, it's been noted that Playground Games has hired several ex-lionhead workers and plenty other skillful workers to ensure we get the best product. I have high hopes and expectations for Fable 4 even if it's developed under a different studio, I've seen great things from them and I will believe they'll deliver us only the best.

Side note to all this

I will crash and burn if I don't see a crumb of Reaver or Jack of Blades in Fable 4- I don't know how true any rumours are of Fable 4 with time travelling and Jack returning, but we'll just have to see. Reaver still remains as my absolute favourite character of all time and I'd love to see more of him, even see him before he was 'Reaver'.

Jack too, more of his lore is stated elsewhere rather than in the game itself and I'd love to see it all be brought into light and really expand on his lore and make it known- rather than have ever-loving Fable fans like me dig around for these rather delicious bits of canon information.

That's my big rant, feel free to share your thoughts and what you'd look forward to!

Have some accidental art leaks from a Playground Game concept artist- believed to be for Fable 4👀

#fable #fable 2 #fable 3 #fable 4 #rant #honestly if you read this you have my respect #ramble

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