#sherlock holmes solo mysteries

[holmesoldfellow]

"Sherlock Holmes Solo Mysteries" gamebook series by Iron Crown Enterprises (1987-1988, published by Berkley and I.C.E.)

[pandiongames]

The Hints and Hijinx Game Jam is live!

Come, join us mystery makers, sleuths, detectives, game designers and writers!

The Hints and Hijinx system is a purpose-built solo mystery system that's easy to design mystery games for, & puts the power of deduction in the hands of the player.

The Creator's Guide is free, and includes all the resources you need to make a solo mystery game of your own - even copy and paste rules, and layout templates in .afpub and .pdf formats.

Discover a string of solo mystery journaling games to keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether it is a coffee caper at a café, or uncovering who is stealing from dreams, put on your cap of deduction and become the only Detective that can solve the case.

Check out the main website for all the resources and links:

Want to read the condensed core rules real quick? Here ya go:

And make sure to check out the games people are making!

[cryptidcorners]

Could I have a fluffy imagine/one-shot of Mike with a librarian girl? Like Mike goes back to the place he got the dream book from, and now he wants something to get his mind off (the trauma of the movie) so the librarian helps him find something else he’d like. Maybe a Sherlock Holmes detective or something. Thanks so much!

~ Mike Schmidt x Reader ~

= Title: Friendly Nostalgia

= Character: Mike Schmidt

= Media: Movie!Five Nights At Freddie's

= Prompt: N/A

= Description: The aftermath of Mike's job as a security guard had got him thinking, as well as tripled his internal hardships. In an attempt to cool his troubling mind, Mike decides to go into his old library to find one of his favorite literatures, and maybe a new friend along the way.

= Request: "Could I have a fluffy imagine/one-shot of Mike with a librarian girl? Like Mike goes back to the place he got the dream book from, and now he wants something to get his mind off (the trauma of the movie) so the librarian helps him find something else he’d like. Maybe a Sherlock Holmes detective or something. Thanks so much!"

= Tags: Fluff ! Small Angst? Librarian Reader + Setting, Shy Mike, Sweet Talk, One-Shot, Platonic (with Slight Romantic Implications? It's up for you to decide !) + Reader is !Fem

= Warnings: Childhood Trauma + Kidnapping Mentions, Child Death/Spirits, Struggles with Mental Health (Depression, Anxiety, Stress) + FNAF Movie Spoilers !

Morning birds flocked through the featherweighted clouds thinning across the fresh sky. A chilled exhale rattled out of Mike's throat, the cold dawning air nipping at his skin. His head was foggy with exhaustion, yet flickering with soft excitement. The streets were empty, much to his content. Crowded boulevards and sputtering car exhaust muddied his senses, he hated it more than anything.

He shoved his reddened hands down his pockets to shield the breezes from his fingertips. Mike hated the overwhelming traits of the outside world even more after his accursed job as a solo-unit of security. The crumbled children in the machines, Vanessa wilting away within her hospital bed and William. It was too much and he couldn't handle it.

This whole mess was the reason he was heading towards his local library, one he hadn't stepped in the years. It was the only place he was comfortable visiting now. It was quiet, no people to talk to, and he'd be able to pluck out his favorite contents in peace.

Mike had been particularly fixated on Sherlock Holmes, lately. The whole idea of mysteries had made him want to learn more, even after being injured at Freddie's. Weirdly enough, after scavenging through his old contents, it unraveled more and more about what happened those dreaded nights ago.

Mike hummed quietly as he lazily pushed the glass door. The silence calmed his senses. There were a few locals, but they were buried between pages. After awkwardly exposing his card and being gently discarded to explore the aisles alone. He started trailing around the mystery section. He couldn't pick one story, so he was doing nothing but strolling.

"Do you need some help?" A voice peaked his shoulders for a flash. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, sir."

You apologized, your voice was soothed. Mike shook his head gently, "No, no. It's fine, don't worry."

A smile spreads across your lips and you read the aisle with an eager eye. "You like mystery?"

"I've just gotten into it, really." Mike slid his hands through his curls promptly. It was strange how comfortable he felt, it felt tender, weird enough. "It's a sweet genre. I like it when it keeps me guessing. Gets my mind off everything."

"Yeah. Fiction is a great outlet, that's why I became a librarian." You explained warmly, "It's something I've always dreamed of."

Mike released a breathy chuckle in response, unsure how to reply.

You extended your hand towards the neatly rowed bookshelf, trailing your finger until you slipped out a rough looking cover. Your eyes wandered to him, "You like Sherlock Holmes?"

"He's actually the reason I'm here." Mike tilted his head lightly with a calmed grin. He had no idea why he felt so comfortable around some random librarian girl he had just met, but he had no internal reason to question it. "I have a few of his stories at my house, my little sister found them."

"That's adorable," you brushed your cheek. "Maybe you'd like this one. Personally, I think it's one of his most underrated works." You handed him the book, and his eyes flickered up and down in interest.

"Wow,"

"Cool right?"

Mike nodded.

"I don't think I've seen you before here, uh," You trailed off.

"Oh. Oh, sorry, I'm Mike. Mike Schmidt," He shook your hand softly. "I actually haven't been here in a long time."

You arched a brow, face still settled, "What made you come back?"

"Well, first off, Sherlock Holmes." He shook the book lightly with a low chuckle. "And, well, work. It's been hard, so, I thought I could read a bit to calm things down."

You curled down to pile some scattered books in your hand, "Well, I hope you come back again, Mike. Maybe we can talk about some more stories, outside of here of course. I get a bit loud with stories."

You both chuckled, "I'll come back. I could always use some more mystery." Mike had been clutching the book with eager hands, along with a fluttered expression. He hadn't connected with someone in quite a while. It felt refreshing.

"Well, I have to get back to work. Goodbye, Mike." You stirred back into the halls. Mike whispered in response. "Thank you,"

He wanted to talk more, but, he didn't want to hold you back. Mike's eyes flew down to the hard-leathered surface. He chewed his lip,

I should have asked her for her name . . .

And with that thought resting heavily in his mind, Mike left the library, with a giddy attitude and a little too many mystery books in his hands.

[livesinfantasyland]

Moodboards Masterlist

Henry Cavill

Date night

Argylle premier

Date in Italy

The one where you meet Henry Cavill and Chris Evans

Henry in his sluty era

Tea date

Geralt of Rivia

Geralt encounters a mysterious creature

Aretuza ball

Cozy day

Bathing with the Witcher

King Geralt x Queen Reader

Sherlock Holmes

Colonial era lovers (1)

Colonial era lovers (2)

Peacock encounter

Veena and violin

Beauty and the beast

Napoleon Solo

Two skillful thieves

August Walker

The one where he falls for someone he can't have

Part-2 of "The one where he falls for someone he can't have"

Captain Syverson

Dating Sy

Charles Brandon

King Charles x Queen Reader

Walter Marshall

Journalist reader

Robert Pattinson

Batman x Reader

Clark Kent/ August Walker/ Charles Brandon

The one where the wife is a serial killer

Gus March Phillips

Gus March Phillips x Spy Reader

Dividers by @saradika

[canonmisogynyvictimstournament]

PROPAGANDA

IRENE ADLER (BBC SHERLOCK) (CW: Lesbophobia)

1.) Ooh, she's a woman, so she got to be sexy seductive sultry sexy lady! And in love with the male protagonist even though she's gay. She got so nerfed compared to her short story version! She doesn't outwit Holmes like she does in the book, she gets saved by him and she's gotta be in looooove.

2.) awesome woman who outsmarts Sherlock holmes in the books turned into a lesbian dominatrix that mysteriously falls in love with Sherlock and gets outsmarted then rescued by him

3.) I don’t mind the sex worker thing; it’s a reasonable cultural translation decision in my book. But the character’s defining trait in the original story is that she beats Sherlock Holmes, and the BBC Sherlock creators were plainly too in love with their genius to let that pass. And the way she loses? She lets her emotions get the better of her in the end while he’s too rational to show such a womanly human weakness. Barf.

LEIA ORGANA (STAR WARS)

1.) In A New Hope, her main purpose is to be rescued by Han and Luke and then to comfort Luke over Obi-Wan's death even though her entire planet had been destroyed literally the day before. The sequels mostly see her as an extension of Luke. She names her son Ben despite (when the movie was written) having no established relationship with Obi-Wan and calling him "Obi-Wan" the only times she'd ever said his name on screen. Ben was the name Luke knew him by. His last name is Solo even though Alderaan is canonically a matriarchal society and she'd have good reasons to want to pass on her last name as the last living member of her family and one of the few Alderaanian survivors of a genocide. Her lightsaber was also buried with Luke's on Tatooine because that was where Luke grew up and where his family history was, even though the only time she personally was on Tatooine was when she was enslaved there (in a golden bikini), and the canon books made it clear that Leia didn't have or want any connection to Anakin. Rey takes the last name Skywalker when Leia was the one who trained her and whom she had a connection with, and again, Leia's last name was Organa. In TROS, Luke says that Leia stopped training as a Jedi because she had a force vision about her son (not yet even conceived), even though there was already an existing canon reason that made sense for her and had nothing to do with needing to stop training to be a mother.

2.) metal bikini. that’s it. (jk there’s so much more. the way she’s sexualized is just so icky and she just HAS to have a love interest apparently. she’s more competent than most of the other characters but she never really gets her own chance to shine. in the main media her character is never explored outside of her relationships with men)

3.) Leia is more than a piece of meat. In my opinion, she is a badass bitch who needs more screentime and story. I really loved her more over her brother Luke and her lover Hans.

[mariana-oconnor]

The Solitary Cyclist pt 2

Last time we met Violet Smith, Watson was horny on main, she was smart and working as a music teacher in an isolated house being romantically pursued by two mysterious men who claimed to have known her long lost uncle and also claimed that he was dead. One of whom was just openly a dickhead, the other of whom was being creepy in a more socially acceptable manner (a la Mr Rochester).

Then there was a ghost cyclist who was following her down one specific stretch of road over and over again and disappearing.

Oh yeah, and she's romantically entangled with a young man called Cyril, which currently appears to be quite separate from all the rest of the shenanigans.

I have read this before, so I'm not going to speculate because while I can't remember all the details I can remember enough that anything I say will be coloured by my own memories.

Watson, in an unusual display of faith from Holmes, has been entrusted with a solo stakeout.

It had been deserted when I left it, but now I saw a cyclist riding down it from the opposite direction to that in which I had come. He was clad in a dark suit, and I saw that he had a black beard. On reaching the end of the Charlington grounds he sprang from his machine and led it through a gap in the hedge, disappearing from my view.

So he's coming from the direction of the house she works at. I guess it's lucky that Watson got there before him. Also if I ever want to hide my identity, I'll just get a big fake black beard and clearly no one will pay any attention to the rest of my face.

Reminds me of the first episode of White Collar.

This entire adventure is actually very slapstick when looked at the right way. Also super creepy because stalking, but the whole 'coming early, wearing a fake beard, stuffing his bike into the yew hedge, then jumping back into the hedge quickly so she doesn't see him.

She looked back at him and slowed her pace. He slowed also. She stopped. He at once stopped too, keeping two hundred yards behind her. Her next movement was as unexpected as it was spirited. She suddenly whisked her wheels round and dashed straight at him! He was as quick as she, however, and darted off in desperate flight. Presently she came back up the road again, her head haughtily in the air, not deigning to take any further notice of her silent attendant.

Like this bit, pure slapstick humour, even down to her at the end pretending that none of it even happened. Nothing to see here. Everything is under control. Lalalalalaaa.

However, it seemed to me that I had done a fairly good morning's work, and I walked back in high spirits to Farnham.

Honestly, Watson, I feel like you deserve a prize for not just running in to grab the guy. Although I feel like that might have solved the mystery more quickly. But did you succeed in observing the things that Holmes would want to be observed.

Mr. Sherlock Holmes listened with attention to the long report which I was able to present to him that evening, but it did not elicit that word of curt praise which I had hoped for and should have valued. On the contrary, his austere face was even more severe than usual as he commented upon the things that I had done and the things that I had not.

... apparently not. Poor Watson, just all perked up, tail wagging, thinking he's done an excellent job and patting himself on the back. But no... I hate to say I told you so, but you are a fictional character, so I don't actually hate it that much.

Maybe you should have just grabbed him.

“What should I have done?” I cried, with some heat. “Gone to the nearest public-house."

If in doubt, go to the pub. Or have a cup of tea. Those are the two universal British solutions (neither of which works for me, but I am quite bad at being British in a lot of ways). Or you could have pretended to be a tramp looking for a new pair of shoes, that seems to work for Holmes.

"Well, well, my dear sir, don't look so depressed."

Holmes: Tells Watson very emphatically that he has done a terrible job.

Watson: 😭

Holmes: Why are you so sad???

Holmes can go from extremely emotionally intelligent to utterly clueless in a heartbeat.

“I am sure that you will respect my confidence, Mr. Holmes, when I tell you that my place here has become difficult owing to the fact that my employer has proposed marriage to me. I am convinced that his feelings are most deep and most honourable."

No. Just no. These guys, they need to stop. Also, excellent demonstration of why this is never a good idea, because a refusal is always going to make continued work difficult. Even if you say 'nothing will change, your employment in no way hinges on this', there's no putting that cat back in the bag.

We knew it was coming, though.

"Williamson is a white-bearded man, and he lives alone with a small staff of servants at the Hall. There is some rumour that he is or has been a clergyman; but one or two incidents of his short residence at the Hall struck me as peculiarly unecclesiastical. I have already made some inquiries at a clerical agency, and they tell me that there was a man of that name in orders whose career has been a singularly dark one."

So the kind of a man who would marry a woman against her will? That kind of a clergyman?

"...especially one gentleman with a red moustache, Mr. Woodley by name, who was always there..."

"He ended a string of abuse by a vicious back-hander which I failed to entirely avoid. The next few minutes were delicious. It was a straight left against a slogging ruffian. I emerged as you see me. Mr. Woodley went home in a cart."

Holmes pulling a 'You should see the other guy.'

Also, I'm not sure we have the same definition of delicious. Unless you like the taste of blood.

"Mr. Carruthers has got a trap, and so the dangers of the lonely road, if there ever were any dangers, are now over."

Yes, but is it a trap.

"...the reappearance of that odious man, Mr. Woodley. He was always hideous, but he looks more awful than ever now, for he appears to have had an accident and he is much disfigured."

You should really see the other guy.

"How can Mr. Carruthers endure such a creature for a moment?"

Because he's as bad or worse. We've talked about this, Violet. If he's still hanging around with a guy that rapey then the only logical conclusion is that he doesn't see rape as something that would end a friendship. If someone's friend sexually assaults you and they continue to hang around with that person while professing to love you, then that means they aren't a good person.

I confess that I had not up to now taken a very serious view of the case, which had seemed to me rather grotesque and bizarre than dangerous. That a man should lie in wait for and follow a very handsome woman is no unheard-of thing, and if he had so little audacity that he not only dared not address her, but even fled from her approach, he was not a very formidable assailant. The ruffian Woodley was a very different person, but, except on one occasion, he had not molested our client, and now he visited the house of Carruthers without intruding upon her presence.

Watson... I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed.

This is so... 'That a man should lie in wait for and follow a very handsome woman is no unheard-of thing'. The amount of yikes in that statement alone is enough for an entire paragraph, but then the rest of it is just... 😬

Woodley only assaulted her once! The guy on the bike doesn't even try to talk to her! Clearly they're not that dangerous. Watson. Watson... no. Just no. Buddy, c'mon.

It was the severity of Holmes's manner and the fact that he slipped a revolver into his pocket before leaving our rooms which impressed me with the feeling that tragedy might prove to lurk behind this curious train of events.

I'm glad someone is taking this seriously. Also, you already told us this had a tragic ending right at the start, so thanks for the reminder.

*Impending Doom Intensifies*

At the same instant an empty dog-cart, the horse cantering, the reins trailing, appeared round the curve of the road and rattled swiftly towards us.

Alas, it was both a trap and a trap.

"It's abduction, Watson—abduction! Murder! Heaven knows what! Block the road! Stop the horse! That's right. Now, jump in, and let us see if I can repair the consequences of my own blunder.”

What a place for a cliffhanger.

[compactdiscmp3]

top 9 books! tagged by @arthursdent thank youuu !!!!

ok i am very bad at ranking so these are going to be in random order ! i have decided..not to decide <3

just thieves by gregory galloway - love, love, love crime novels that make a point to focus on the people behind the crime and it is definitely one that i come back to a lot!

under the whispering door by tj klune - oh my gosh such a sweet read, which is so strange to say of a book about death, which is why i also must admit that this book is quite heartbreaking as well... super beautiful though and just. yeah <3

the palace of illusions by chitra banerjee divakaruni - i read this at a point where i felt super disconnected from my family and my culture and it was just a beautiful way of connecting the two while also not making me feel... ashamed for such a disconnection

sherlock holmes..the complete collection by arthur conan doyle - YEAH YIPPEE i started reading sherlock holmes in 3rd grade and never looked back... i love my mysteries soooo much you cannot pry them from my cold dead hands

the secret garden by frances hodgson burnett - yes it's a children's book but! it holds a special place in my heart and whenever i am feeling grey and desolate, i remember this story

i hope you get this message by farah naz rishi - LOVE this one and consequently ignited a frantic search for books about the end of the world but about the people... a really really lovely novel!

baby & solo by lisabeth posthuma - umm it made me cry. a lot. moving on!

the great mistake by jonathan lee - maybe the theme here is that there is death.. but there are also character backstories! a really solemn-ish novel, but written in such a feathery way that made me so entranced

we were eight years in power by ta-nehisi coates - really succinctly described how and why the u.s. is how it is right now and a read i am always thinking about...

HONORABLE MENTION: hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy by douglas adams - im not copying i promise (prommy even)! this book was genuinely my whole personality for two years and then i couldn't find another sci-fi book that i liked like this one so i returned to murder (BOOKS) as one does... but such a fun writing style that is so absurd but works incredibly well <3

thank you so much for tagging me!!! and this definitely made me realize i need to read more.. so please send recommendations if anybody has any!!

tagging: @therapizededdie @cacaos @gaylicense @pharmacycowboy @tummyacheworld @watchyourbuck @justinefrischmanngf only if you would like to do this!!

[whatthefishh]

Hi!! I’d love to hear some soft movie night headcanons for the moon knight boys!! What movie would they pick? Watching on the sofa, or in bed? Are they chatterboxes, or quiet and focused? And (and this is very important) what food/snacks would they pick? 🧡

Hi lovely! I am so down for a movie night, always, and with my favourite boys, too, you’re after my heart.

Firstly, it’s the sofa! The bed will knock you out so quickly watching the pretty pictures on screen, there’s no point even trying to stay awake on the bed.

Secondly, I feel like each boy has their own preferred genre of movie to watch, but will compromise/meet you in the middle depending on the film.

I stand by Jake being an old school film buff, romcom movie lover. He likes films like Midnight in Paris, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Grease. He doesn’t talk much during the film but will tell you his favourite parts and laugh at your commentary.

Fave snacks: some type of chocolate that he somehow makes last the whole film, maybe a box of turtles, a bag of maltesers.

Marc likes movies with action, maybe sci-fi and some decent plot; if the storyline isn’t there he’s lost interest and starts making fun of the characters for their bad decisions. He loves the Bourne series (for obvious reasons), is a LOTR (vibes with Aragorn) and SW fan (the classic series, he thinks the world of Han Solo).

Fave snacks: potato chips, you guys get your own flavours so you’re not mad about him killing the bag. Maybe some peanut m&ms.

STEVEN. LIKES. MUSICALS. Also, thrillers (Prometheus), mystery (is a mad Sherlock Holmes fan), psychological, and some rom coms (see Amelie, the princess bride). Really anything the two of you have been wanting to see and have mutual interest in because Steven LOVES talking during the movie. There is a constant stream of commentary, both of you maintain it through the whole film, whether it’s the set design, costumes, cheesy dialogue, you’re discussing everything.

Fave snacks: classic buttery popcorn.

They’ve all seen John Wick and Triple Frontier and have very strong opinions.

I have a lot of thoughts LOL, hope you enjoy!

[the-henry-cavillian]

Henry Cavill's Cinematic Mastery: Unveiling His Top 5 Must-watch Movies!

Henry Cavill, the British heartthrob and talented actor, has graced the big screen with his captivating presence in a variety of roles. From donning the iconic red cape as Superman to portraying a suave spy, Cavill has proven his versatility and charisma as an actor. In this article, we delve into Henry Cavill's top 5 best movies of all time, showcasing his ability to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.

"Man of Steel" (2013) -

The Birth of a Superhero In Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel," Cavill embodies the legendary character of Superman, giving the iconic superhero a fresh and modern interpretation. Cavill's portrayal of Clark Kent/Kal-El strikes a perfect balance between vulnerability and strength, as he navigates the challenges of accepting his powers and fulfilling his destiny. His charismatic presence and physicality make him a believable and relatable Superman, setting the stage for his continued success in the DC Extended Universe.

"The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (2015) - 

Espionage and Style In this stylish and action-packed spy film directed by Guy Ritchie, Cavill stars as Napoleon Solo, a suave CIA agent during the Cold War era. Cavill's undeniable charm and impeccable sense of style make him a perfect fit for the role, as he teams up with a KGB agent to thwart a criminal organization's plans for global destruction. His chemistry with co-star Armie Hammer and ability to deliver both humor and intensity make "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." an underrated gem in Cavill's filmography.

"Mission: Impossible - Fallout" (2018) -

The Perfect Antagonist Henry Cavill's inclusion in the sixth installment of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise took audiences by storm. Playing the role of August Walker, a ruthless CIA agent, Cavill showcases his physicality and intensity in breathtaking action sequences alongside Tom Cruise. His imposing presence and formidable fight scenes add a new dynamic to the film, earning him praise for his portrayal of a charismatic yet dangerous adversary.

"Enola Holmes" (2020) -

A Family Mystery Unveiled In this Netflix original film, Cavill plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, the legendary detective, and older brother to the titular character, Enola Holmes. Although Cavill's screen time may be limited, he shines in his portrayal of the iconic detective, exuding intelligence and wit. His chemistry with Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Enola Holmes, creates an endearing sibling dynamic that adds depth to the film's engaging mystery narrative.

"The Witcher" (2019 - present) -

A Fantastical Journey While not a movie, Henry Cavill's portrayal of Geralt of Rivia in the Netflix series "The Witcher" deserves a spot on this list. Based on the beloved book series and video game franchise, Cavill's commitment to the role is evident in his physical transformation and dedication to capturing the essence of Geralt. His brooding performance and undeniable charisma have made him the perfect choice to bring this beloved character to life, cementing his status as a fan-favorite in the fantasy genre.

[lucere-aeresta]

Have been playing some Sherlock Holmes themed board games and here are some quick reviews/thoughts/recommendations.

This one is a delightful surprise. I didn't think I would love it so much but it turned out to be amazing. You play as a group of animals who help Toby to solve some mysteries in both human and animal worlds. Can be played solo or co-op (so as all other games I will mention later).

The gameplay is relatively easy and there is no hard puzzle to be solved. It is more of an adventure game rather than a detective/mystery or puzzle game. I enjoyed the writing a lot. I mean, I'd never thought that I would find good writing in a board game, but here it is. Usually the fairytale-cute-wholesome style is not my cup of tea but this one strikes me different. The writing is elegant, fun, and effective, and the overall story is wholesome with a hint of dark humor (I love the spider lady XD). The characters are good and some plots are touching. Kudos to the writers!

And there are many Sherlock Holmes canon references! So happy to find them spread around. We all love the mystery of the Giant Rat of Sumatra don't we ^w^

The game mechanics are fun and simple, but could be a bit repetitive after a while. It's the story and writing mostly counts.

This is one of a series of board games, I have only finished this one I linked though. The full set is:

These are very reading-heavy games, and a lot of note-taking. It does require you to be patient and really make the mental connection of the evidence rather than just follow the storyline.

In this game, you play as Wiggins, helping Sherlock Holmes solve some crimes...although you will always find out in the end that he has already solved the case before you lol. And worse, you have to compare your steps with his to score yourself...it is a disaster I have stopped trying to match his effectiveness lolololol

Anyway, I personally like the game because the rules are simple but the gameplay is complicated in a good way. It kind of gives me the feeling of being a real detective--going around to talk to people (meaning searching the map & directory and then reading the booklets), piecing information together, and eventually making my own deduction. But it could be a bit challenging if you are not up to an entirely text-based game.

The writing style is canon-like and elegant. The mysteries are not easy and take a while to solve. Warning: don't try to beat Sherlock Holmes, you will only give yourself a harder time than it already is :p

I've played a lot of Exit puzzle games and was delighted when this one was first released. I enjoyed it. It is a puzzle game that requires a lot of thinking outside the box, and finding clues inside the box (literally). In this game you play as some anonymous detective(s) who help Watson to find and exonerate Sherlock Holmes, who was framed by some villain (you know who but not really in this particular game), hence lying low for the time being.

If you have played the Exit series before you will know what you expect, but I think the puzzle makes more sense than the average of these games. If you haven't, I do recommend giving it a try if you are up to some weird but fun puzzle-solving. They really have tons of novel ways to construct a puzzle. A warning: this game is not replayable. A lot of puzzle-solving process requires you to destroy some game pieces.

Many Sherlock Holmes canon references too! And they designed a nice logo for Holmes ^w^

The story is so-so...I mean, it's a puzzle game, who cares about the story lol. I do find it a bit silly but that's expected. The puzzle is enjoyable and in my opinion not too hard or too easy.

And...this one; also one of a series of games, but I don't bother to find the rest of the set because this is the one I don't recommend. Like, I don't even know or care if this particular one in the link is what I've played. (I can't even find them on the Board Game Geek site so have to give an Amazon link.)

It's a card game in that you play cards and build evidence, Ideally co-op but can be done solo. I find the game mechanics really unbalanced that can be exploited. The mysteries themselves are alright, nothing bad but not really impressive either. The thing really bothers me is that I feel it has nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes, though you supposedly are assuming his role? But the cases happen so randomly over time and space, like in 16th-century Spain or something (at least the one I played was like that). All other games make you feel you are playing a Sherlock Holmes game, even though you are someone else, and this one is just...the opposite, somehow lol.

But if you just want to enjoy some random mysteries and don't care too much about the game balance/mechanics, or stories/writings, or if it is Sherlock Holmes related at all, I guess it is not that bad...?

These are the ones I've played/remember playing so far. Maybe in the future I will try more and post reviews here!

As for video games...come on, there is almost only Frogwares, nothing much new to review--which is really a surprise for me; I thought there would be tons of them. But who knows maybe it is a copyright thing and now since now Sherlock Holmes enters the public domain, we can see if there are more popping up in the future.

[pizza-is-my-buziness]

For the word prompts:

Scars - Sam/Deena

Break my heart! :D

Okay anon! This prompt has been hanging out in my inbox for a while because I couldn't figure out how to fill it in an angst-y way because you all know I pretty much live on fluff alone. So I did my best here...not sure it falls into the "break my heart" category or that it turned out how you wanted but maybe it will fill a little bit of that for you!

“What are you in some kind of secret society of something?”

The question is asked around a snort of laughter and as the guy, whose name is Calvin or Dalvin or something like it, presses his thumb against Sam’s palm and for a second she’s too surprised to do anything but let him. Judging by the glassiness in his eyes and the red Solo cup in his hands, Calvin/Dalvin/Alvin has had more than a little bit to drink, much like most of the people at the party that had stopped being the super-fun-awesome-time her roommate swore it would be about an hour ago. Apparently he’s crossed the threshold where touching strangers’ scars is an acceptable thing to do.

“I…” Sam looks at her hand in his, seeing, for just a moment, what he must be: the thin, silvery scar that bisects her palm, the result of a dozen possible causes including, apparently, the type of rituals that involve bloodletting and mysterious pacts. It’s strange to look at the scar and not see it for what it is: her hand in Deena’s on the floor of the dirty girls’ bathroom, trying to keep herself from trembling so that Deena could cut a straight, clean line.

Sam pulls her hand away, curling her fingers against the skin. “It’s-”

She’s stopped from the impulse to answer by the feeling of a hand against the small of her back and, thankfully, this touch isn’t from another stranger who has opted into the touching people portion of the night but from Deena, who has been gone for five minutes that have suddenly felt like an eternity and she’s holding the refill for the drink Sam no longer wants.

“Hey.” Deena’s eyes cut toward Alvin or whatever his name is, the sort of guarded sharpness in her gaze that is slowly starting to fall away now that they’re out of Shadyside, except in moments like this. “All good?”

Sam nods and wonders if Deena can tell that she’s hedging her bets a little with that answer. “Calvin was just telling me about his major.” At least he had, before he’d noticed the scar on her palm.

The guy frowns, looking genuinely hurt. “It’s Alan.”

Whoops.

Deena looks at her and lifts her eyebrows and Sam smiles, genuinely, in response to the entire conversation that she can hear in just that expression, in the quirk of Deena’s brows and the hint of a smirk on her face. It’ll be different, later, when she and Deena are alone together and it’s Deena who is tracing the scar there, when they’re laughing about Allen and the party and the wild absurdity of it all.

But for now, it’s easier for Sam to relax into the touch against the small of her back, the kind of easy contact that girls thankfully seem to get away with all the time, the kind of thing that no one looks twice at during a party like this or somewhere far, far from Shadyside. Deena passes over the drink and Sam takes it even though she has no intention of drinking anymore tonight, not when it suddenly seems like a much better idea to just slip out with Deena instead.

“Whoa.” Alan squints and he might be drunk but apparently still has the observational power of Sherlock Holmes. “You have one too.”

He makes a grab for Deena’s hand but she pulls back quickly and with enough force that Sam worries that’s about to deck Alan first and just ask questions later. Thankfully, Deena seems to think better of this impulse, glowering instead.

“Seriously,” Alan says with all the wherewithal of the very drunk. “You are a secret society, right?” He points toward Deena’s palm and Sam can see the moment where confusion turns to understanding and Deena’s body tightens, her fingers curling against her palm to hide away the scar. “What happened?”

Sam glances toward Deena, who just tightens her jaw. “Killed the sheriff and stopped the Devil,” she says and then bumps Sam’s shoulder with her own, nudging her. “Let’s go.”

It seems unlikely that Alan will remember this conversation tomorrow, or if he does it might be in enough jumbled pieces that it will make about as much sense as anything else destined to happen to him before the sun comes up, but it’s still worth it to see the expression of complete confusion on his face at Deena’s words, how he looks almost like he believes them, just a little bit.

Sam follows in the wake Deena is cutting through the living room, offering no objection when she points them toward the door instead and away from the crush of bodies and the surging music crackling from too big speakers. Outside, there are a few people milling about on the frat house’s questionably stable porch, and a few guys trying to play Frisbee by moonlight and drinking every time someone misses the pass -which likely accounts for the amount of missing and drinking taking place. It’s quieter anyway and Sam feels like she can breathe a little easier, away from the sticky heat of so many people packed into one place, and the music making her ears ring, and the people who grab her without her permission.

They sit on the front steps, far enough away from the other groups of people that it feels, for a moment at least, that it’s just her and Deena and the darkening night. Sam sets her drink aside, elbows on her knees and half her attention on the messy game of Frisbee going on.

“Are you okay?” Deena’s shoulder presses into hers to punctuate the question and support the answer.

Exhaling, Sam glances down at her palm, the only scar from those days in Shadyside that she can see all the time without even trying. She studies it sometimes during lectures when she’s supposed to be taking notes or filling her head with all the knowledge that will supposedly hand her the keys to the universe, to the world beyond the one she’d grown up in. Or sometimes she catches herself rubbing at the scar absently, scratching some phantom itch, as she walks to classes, one face among many and no one suspecting that place she’d come from or the truth of the things she’d seen. She could be anyone here, but one sight of the scar drops her right back into those moments when she wasn’t anyone at all.

Deena covers her hand with her own and Sam looks up, surprised, a smiling already sliding, slow and easy, across her face. Sometimes when she reaches for Deena’s hand, she imagines the scars then too, both out of sight but mirrored, lined up and pressed together.

“We could come up with a cool story, you know,” Deena remarks, managing, as she always seems to do, to read the thoughts running through Sam’s mind.

Sam presses her lips together. “Better than stopping the Devil?”

Deena leans back against the stair behind them, stretching out her legs. “Yeah, good point. That is pretty hard to beat.”

“For you,” Sam points out, and she’s teasing. Mostly. “At least you have a cool story. I was just the bait.”

“Not bait,” Deena corrects, lifting Sam’s hand and kissing the scar lightly, the way Sam thinks she doesn’t even realize that she does so often when they’re alone, when she reaches for Sam’s hand and kisses it, always on the scar first before moving toward her wrist, her knuckles, the tips of her fingers.

Or, Sam thinks with a shiver, here on this frat house porch, how Deena kisses the spot on her shoulder, replacing the feeling of steel in her mind with the butterfly light sensation of Deena’s lips. The press of Deena’s open-mouthed kisses more than makes up for the memory of the axe, especially when it comes on the tail-end of yet another nightmare featuring the Shadyside High hallway.

“Little bit,” Sam says, turning her wrist enough that her thumb brushes lightly against Deena’s lips, a poor substitute for the kiss she wants to press there instead. Still, Deena’s lips quirk slightly, her eyes darkening in the faint light spilling out from the windows. “But I guess that’s okay. Better than being in some kind of blood-letting secret society, right?” She looks at her palm, flexing her fingers to stretch the skin and pull the scar taunt, not that that ever truly erases it.

There are moments when she looks at Deena’s hands, when she feels the soft ridge of the scars there as they move across the small of her back or the xylophone of her rib cage and she sees the beauty in them, the memory of what they survived rather than what they lost. Moments where she thinks, with a sting of guilt, that she got off easy.

“I guess it depends on the society,” Deena teases, and, as though reading through Sam’s thoughts once more, she takes her hand again and the warmth and weight of her palm hides everything else away. “If it was a cool one, then it might be okay.”

Sam smirks. “I’m not sure I want to know what you would consider cool.”

“I am very cool,” Deena assures her smugly. “And I have great taste.”

Off Sam’s dubious expression and the noncommittal hum she makes, Deena just fixes her with a look. “I like you, don’t I?”

Sam huffs out a breath, rolling her eyes. “You can’t win every argument like that.”

Deena shrugs. “I mean, it’s worked out pretty well so far.”

Sam can feel the press of Deena’s scar against her own when Deena reaches for her hand in order to pull her close enough to kiss and then she doesn’t feel anything beyond the beating of her heart.

[dupin-game-dev-logs]

Introduction: Rationale

Why publish a game development log? Game development is a difficult thing and it is easy to lose motivation, especially when creating a project solo. In an effort to nurture that temperamental motivation, I have taken it upon myself to create a blog to document my efforts towards my goal to drive myself forward and, perhaps, help other creatives learn from my experiences. 

What is the goal of this project?  The goal of this project is to create and publish a video game in a playable state to the general public before the end of 2023. To ensure I do not over-extend myself, I will err on the side of caution and promise no other specifics at this time. 

Why use Dupin as inspiration?  For my first official foray into serious game development, I opted to lean on the pre-established character of  C. Auguste Dupin. You can read more about the original character here, on Wikipedia. I have selected Dupin for a number of reasons: 

1. The works of Dupin are in the Public Domain which means that they are free to use by anyone who wishes to do so. This provides a solid foundation upon which an engaging but manageable story can be built upon. 

2. I am a fan of detective characters and the stories of Dupin laid the groundwork for the detective fiction genre that would arise later. He pre-dates even the word ‘detective’ itself. 

3. The setting of Dupin (1800s Paris) will allow me to step into a variety of secondary genres: horror, supernatural, etc. 

4. As Dupin’s representation is relatively light compared to the likes of Sherlock Holmes (despite pre-dating him), there is a lot of room for interpretation. Dupin marks, in my opinion, a comfortable middle ground between ‘established’ and ‘over-used’. 

5. A murder mystery game allows for an exploration of both visual novel elements as well as more interactive gameplay loops. 

How often will you update?  As the name implies, I will update every day that I work on this game in some capacity. While I endeavor to maintain a No Zero Days policy, the future is unpredictable, so all I will say is that if there is progress to report, I will report it. 

Thank you for your curiosity. I look forward to sharing what I create. 

-L  

[pandiongames]

Available Now!

Giant hamsters have appeared in Willowdale!

Their flowing, shining coats tell of pampered creatures on a rich diet full of keratin. However, the townspeople are terrified and have no clue where these creatures came from or why they are here. 

Children ride them like ponies as they devour all the flowers, and uproot Ol’ Harold’s pristine lawn he has manicured to perfection over seventy years. The roads through town are impassable as they bask in the streets. Poor Edna was even trampled by their dainty paws while shooing a group off her porch with a washrag and is still in the hospital.

That's when you, the president of the local book club, and self proclaimed gumshoe, knew exactly who to call for help.

Three himbos with courage as big as their muscles.

Big Thighs, Big Arms, and Big Heart may not be the brightest bulbs in the box, but they sure know how to make things happen. Paired with your deductive reasoning and strong sense of plot cliches, the four of you embark on the investigation of a lifetime across Willowdale to uncover clues and discover the truth behind the giant hamsters.

A Hints and Hijinx mystery!

[gascon-en-exil]

Working on the Octopath Traveler II demo, restarting once I get to the message about the story continuing so I can see each character's opening. Temenos and Osvald were my first two.

Temenos

I looked up the English voice cast, and it turns out he isn't voiced by Dimitri's VA. Honest mistake considering half or so of this cast were also in Three Houses: Osvald is Yuri's, Agnea's is Marianne, and Throné is Bernadetta's.

Opens with a scripted encounter where you get to play as a god in a backstory that turns out to be Temenos staging a religious play for children. It was unexpected and kind of cute.

Temenos is indeed as quirky as prerelease material suggested, snarky and willing to beat people up for Jesus the Sacred Flame to get information at night. Speaking of day/night cycles, it seems like each opening will give the characters a chance to try out their time-sensitive actions, but I haven't come across any way to manually switch the time of day. I presume that'll come later.

Temenos is joined by a knight named Crick who actually becomes a guest party member and was very necessary to the first boss. Osvald gets one of these too, so I'm wondering if this is just something for the squishier solo characters or if everyone will have a temporary partner in their Chapter 1. Incidentally, Temenos and Crick banter and have contrasting personalities, so I can see people shipping them. Let's hope Crick isn't killed off/becomes a villain/gets no homo'ed by a sidequest like Alfyn's friend in the original.

This is shaping up to be a story resembling Cyrus's, with Temenos looking to solve a murder mystery and even having a similar ability to read suspicious scenes for clues - via the Flame literally guiding his path, how about that. It's not clear yet how the church in this game ties into the one seen in the original, since I'm pretty sure the number of gods is off - eight versus twelve - and neither game clarifies just how high-ranking a pontiff is in this universe. It seems closer to a bishop here as opposed to being the head of the entire church.

Eh, details. I love pseudo-Catholic aesthetics in games, and Temenos is a fun counterpoint to the straightforward piety of Ophilia the first time around.

Osvald

His opening is structured irregularly, with a standard Chapter 1 followed by a brief Chapter 2 that's included fully within the demo and is just a direct continuation of the first. Chapter 1 is breaking out of prison and fighting the warden; Chapter 2 is escaping the island and separating from his temporary partner (who sacrifices himself for Osvald's plan once he realizes he's going to die anyway).

Speaking of structure, while it's sure to annoy speedrunners and repeat players I liked that Osvald's escape plans are spread out over multiple days that you're forced to play through in pieces, underlining the misery and tedium of prison life.

If Cyrus was a riff on Sherlock Holmes, this game's scholar is more or less le comte de Monte-Cristo, framed for a crime he didn't commit and out for revenge after escaping prison. He's less interesting of a character with a revenge motivation than Primrose, but there's still time for him to show some more layers. What really helps is that OT2 is overall more cinematic than the first, with dynamic lighting, better use of cutscenes, and more consistent voice acting. I haven't yet come across any random scenes that are only partially voiced - it's either all or nothing.

Osvald is muzzled for most of Chapter 1, preventing him from speaking and using magic but also giving him an excuse to internally monologue all the necessary exposition. I suppose that's better than having characters spout information they should already know.

I must reiterate that both Osvald and Temenos absolutely needed the help from their partners against their first bosses. I expect this game to be even more hostile to solo run challenges than the first if even the earliest bosses are built with a party in mind.

I was tempted to follow the path south from where Osvald lands on the mainland to see how the snowy environment transitions into the autumnal mountain area just to the south where Tememos starts, but I'm restraining myself. All in all the geography of OT2 looks much more natural and less obviously like it was made for a video game. I presume you can access a ship for crossing the large body of water in the center fairly early, if only to allow for the possibility of recruiting everyone as soon as possible.

[desperatecheesecubes]

And we’re into April so my March wrap is here! Part 1 because I read so many things this month :)

Damage (1994) issues 1-4

Dates Read: March 2, March 4, March 15

Review: 4 stars (issue 1) 3 stars (all others)

Thoughts: I’ve read some of Damage’s solo already in my efforts to read through Kyle’s GA run but I decided it was high time I loop back and try to 100% his run. It’s definitely a fun time. Still peeved he isn’t used more. Can’t believe they did a second Damage run and it’s not even about my boy Grant. DC return him to me immediately.

Marble Queen by Anna Kopp and Gabrielle Kart

Dates Read: 5 March-6 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: This was very cute. A fun sapphic story, with good art. It ended on some sequel bait but I don’t know that any has been announced. I will pick it up if it does get announced. The most memorable thing about this is that the first day it dropped it refused to open in any of my kindle apps irregardless of the device or how many times I updated it. So I bought it physically because I really wanted to read it, only for it to work the next fucking day. Infuriating. I will likely rehome the physical copy as it didn’t crack into my higher ratings.

The Affair of the Mysterious Letter by Alexis Hall

Dates Read: 28 February- 6 March

Review: 5 stars

Thoughts: Holy shit this was so good. A fantasy/sci-fi retelling of Sherlock Holmes and I NEED there to be more books this instant. All the characters were so entertaining and the snark unprecedented. I loved the narrator for the audiobook so much that I proceeded to look up everything he’d done. Did I mention how queer this book is? 1000-% recommend

Superman (2016) 37

Dates Read: 6 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: I keep seeing posts of future Tim coming to fight Bruce so I decided to reread this issue. It is a fun time! I deeply appreciate that the cover has fuck all to do with the story. The only character on this cover that makes an appearance is Clark.

Thunder Song by Sasha LaPointe

Dates Read: 5 March- 9 March

Review: 2 stars

Thoughts: I fucking hated this. I read Sasha’s poetry collection-Rose Quartz- last year and thought it was excellent so I preordered this eagerly but I wish I hadn’t. This isn’t a collection of essays, it’s a confused and misorganized memoir, but she’s literally already published a memoir so???? She was angry about so many things but angry at all the wrong people over them. So many of the experiences she discussed here were so deeply deeply relatable so it was very frustrating to have her constantly inform me that I could never understand any of them. The ability to understand and empathize with each other came free with our fucking humanity. If you are othering people by saying ‘you could never understand this pain’ you are doing yourself a wild disservice. Based on its average Goodreads rating it has found its proper audience but god knows I wasn’t that.

Batman (1940) 443

Dates Read: 9 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: I legitimately don’t remember reading this nor do I have any idea what it was about. Cheerio!

The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha

Dates Read: 10 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: Although this IS sapphic the romance doesn’t happen until the absolute end of the graphic novel. I was really more here for the main character eating bad men. She should have done that more. It was a fun read, even if it could have been gayer. I enjoyed learning more about Korean culture and mythology, I confess that I am not that knowledgeable.

Transitions by Élodie Durand

Dates read: 10 March

Review: 3 stars

thoughts: this book was not at all what I was expecting. It’s an interesting perspective to hear from in the trans conversation: a parent who knows nothing about the community but who finds out their child is part of it. I thought there would be more personal emotions in it but… no not really. A LOT of research though lol.

Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan

Dates Read: 9 March-13 March

Review: 4 stars

Thoughts: oh man this was fun. Very in line with Crazy Rich Asians. I loved all the women in this and I also enjoyed the supporting cast. I’ll be keeping an eye on what else Sophie Wan puts out.

Action Comics (2016) 1063

Dates Read: 14 March

Review: 2 stars

Thoughts: This arc was bad and I’m glad it’s over

[shazzeaslightnovels]

Sword Art Online IF

Authors: Various (see below)

Illustrators: Various (see below)

Label: Dengeki Bunko

Release Date: 10 November 2023

My Score: 3/10

This is what it says on the tin: an anthology of what-if stories set in the SAO universe featuring short stories written and illustrated by different creators. I'll be talking about each story separately for this review so you can find my thoughts on each story, and which authors and illustrators worked on them below the cut.

Story 1: What if Pitohui was involved in the SAO incident

Author: Keiichi Sigsawa | Illustrator: Kouhaku Kuroboshi (Author and Illustrator of SAO Alternative: GGO)

This story is a humorous one in featuring a scene between Pitohui and LLENN as Pitohui reveals the "truth" behind the SAO incident. I get the feeling this would be a lot more enjoyable to fans of the GGO spin-off but I never got into it so I found this story pretty meh.

Story 2: What if Kirito and Asuna played a zombie game

Author: Mato Kousaka | Illustrator: ALmic (Author of I May Be a Guild Receptionist, But I'll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time; Illustrator of Koi wa Futago de Warikirenai, a series which is getting an anime adaptation)

The title says it all. In this one, Kirito invites Asuna to play a beta test for a new zombie game. This one was pretty good. The characters never feel too out-of-character and if you want to see Kirito and Asuna take on a zombie game, you'll enjoy this story. While it wasn't a personal favourite, it's a good and satisfying what if story.

Story 3: Dream Game Crossover

Author: Tsutomu Satou | Illustrator: Kana Ishida (Author and Illustrator of The Irregular at Magic High School)

This story is a cross-over between Mahouka and SAO and I found it really boring. In fairness, I have never been a Mahouka fan, but I could have been down with this story if it was a silly cross-over that just has Tatsuya and Kirito fight, but instead the story spends so much time setting up how this cross-over could feasibly happen and it was just so boring. By the time Kirito actually shows up, the story is almost over. I'm sure people who are fans of both Mahouka and SAO will enjoy this story, but it just reminded me of why I was never able to get into Mahouka myself.

Story 4: Death Game Drop-out Arc

Author: Ren Sudou | Ilustrator: Shiwasu Hoshikawa (Ren Sudou has authored a few different LN series, probably the most well-known is Tobakushi wa Inoranai; Shiwasu Hoshikawa is credited as the mangaka for several Bungo Stray Dogs spin-offs)

This story is set back in the Aincrad Arc where we follow a player who gives into despair and jumps off the side of Aincrad, only to find himself in a mysterious area that appears to be a bug that he can't get out of. This story was really interesting and it reminded me of just how good the Aincrad Arc is. While SAO has had plenty of good arcs, the tension and stakes present in the Aincrad isn't something that the series has ever managed to recapture, in my opinion. I do think that this story isn't really what you want from an anthology like this as none of the SAO characters show up, and while the art is really nice, the character designs feel more like they come from Asuka Empire rather than from SAO. Still, I liked this story a lot and it made me want to rewatch the Aincrad Arc (and then I realised that Crunchyroll doesn't have the first season of the anime in Australia for some reason and now I'm like, 'Maybe I should just finally watch FULLDIVE instead').

Story 5: Detective Koyomi/Speckled Cat

Author: Soichiro Watashi | Illustrator: Ginta (Author and Illustrator of SAO Alternative: Clover's Regret)

Title note: it's a reference to the Sherlock Holmes Story "The Adventure of the Speckled Band"

This short story takes place in SAO Alternative: Clover's Regret and it was really great to see this world and these characters again. In this one, the gang challenges a murder mystery quest in which they go to a mansion and, you guessed, try to solve a murder. The players are each given a role when they enter the mansion: Koyomi is the detective, Nayuta is her assistant, Clevel is a professor, and Mahiro is the cop. This was a really fun short story. It made me remember how good Clover's Regret could be and made me want to reread the series. I was glad I got to spend more time with these characters. This one was a real treat.

Story 6: at the Children's Steps (this is how the title is written in the book; it's not my bad grammar, I swear)

Author: Koroku Takano | Illustrator: Rin (Apparently the author's written a few different series but I've never read any of them and don't recall any of them getting much buzz online; the artist has a non-search-engine-friendly name so I wasn't able to find much out about them and be sure that it was the same person)

This story asks the question, "What if Kirito was younger?" In it, we get a Kirito who was only 11 at the start of the Aincrad Arc. It turns out not a lot has changed. He's still the hero. It's just his relationship with the girls that has changed. He and Asuna never had their romance, and while the girls are still in love with him, they treat him as a kid and don't act on their feelings at all due to the age gap. The heroine of this story is Silica and I'm sure fans of her will be happy enough with it. Personally, I was hoping for this to be a more fun story with lots of hijinks and comedy, but it ended up being more of a serious reflection on how Kirito feels about not being taken seriously as a man and being treated like a kid. I did like that we got most of the story from Silica's POV though, and Rin's art style is super soft and cute.

Story 7: How do I cure this curse?: Silica and the ghost girl

Author: Keisuke Makino | Illustrator: Karei (Author and Artist of Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut)

Another Silica-focused story. This one takes place in the Aincrad Arc in which Silica accidentally starts a quest that gets her possessed by a ghost girl. This event causes her first meeting with Kirito, rather than Pina's death being the catalyst. Pina doesn't seem to exist in this version of events. I was excited for this one since Keisuke Makino wrote it but it was pretty disappointing. To be honest, it's not that much different from the original Silica chapter, except Kirito is less present in it which leads to more exploration of Silica herself. The story itself is fine and the writing is pretty, but it's not a strong concept for a 'what if' story.

Story 8: If Asuna opened up a restaurant, what would be Kirito's position?

Author: Y.A | Illustrator: Megumi Nagahama (Author and Illustrator of SAO Alternative: Gourmet Seekers)

Yes, that is a terrible title but it is the title. This one takes place during the Aincrad Arc in which Asuna decides to open up a restaurant on a whim and gets Kirito to help her. I found this one real boring. The characters felt out of character and Asuna deciding to open up a restaurant is so random. I also don't know why this was set in SAO. It would have been a lot more fun to set it in ALO and have the other characters get in on it and then it wouldn't have felt quite so random. This one does get points for having a Nishida appearance though.

Story 9: If you can smile

Author: Reki Kawahara | Illustrator: abec

I mainly got this volume for the Reki Kawahara story but it's so short that I don't know if it was worth it. This is a what if story in which Raios and Hubert eat a poisonous crab and get hospitalised, thus avoiding the whole Ronye and Tiese get assaulted and Eugeo and Kirito get thrown in prison plot line. I definitely wish this story was longer and explored the implications of that change more. As is, we only get a brief scene with Kirito, Eugeo, Ronye, and Tiese having a picnic. It is is cute though and I'm glad we got to see these characters being happy. It's a good way to end the volume.

I thought this was a pretty good collection overall, but there weren't a whole lot of stand out stories. I think my favourite story ended up being the Clover's Regret story. I really didn't have anything to complain about with that one. It's been such a long time since I read the trilogy that I didn't even mind the romance with Clevel and Nayuta as much as I used to. In terms of a what if story, I think the zombie game story fit the theme the best. It was pure wish fulfillment, did exactly what it set out to do, and the characters never felt too out-of-character. I'll also give a honorable mention to the Death Game Drop-out Arc for being really interesting and memorable, even if it didn't quite fit the what if theme of the volume.

I do find it annoying that most of these stories take place in the Aincrad Arc though. SAO is such a long running series that it's bizarre to focus so much on that one point in the timeline, even if it is one of my favourite arcs, second only to Mother's Rosario. Speaking of which, why wasn't there a single Yuuki Konno appearance in this volume? "What if Yuuki Konno was in SAO?" "What if Yuuki Konno lived?" "What if Aiko Konno lived?" Or even just a story focused on the Sleeping Knights on one of their other adventures. I would have loved a short story like that. Actually, if we have to be in the Aincrad Arc, "What if Sachi lived?" or "What if Sachi and Asuna met?" would have been so interesting. "What if Mito was in ALO?" also would have been cool, given that there have been no announcements for another Progressive movie. I guess this volume did succeed in getting my mind thinking about SAO again and thinking about all the possibilities for what if stories so it served it's purpose.

SAO Alternative: Gourmet Seekers came out in November too but I have no intention of reading it. The plot just doesn't interest me at all. There's another new Alternative series that's released this month though that sounds much more interesting: Mystery Labyrinth. It looks really cool and I'm definitely excited to read it.