#well this was a fun nostalgia fest for me!

[elendsessor]

the other day i was reorganizing my room and stumbled across a copy of korokoro (specifically volume 466) i got at a culture fest back in 2019 and goddamn this shit’s interesting. there’s a lot of content (mostly promotional manga and the like targeted at children) but some of the advertisements are what really make me wish this was how online stuff was set up instead of bland corporatized shit. i want online magazines and for announcement blogs from companies to be this fun and this interesting like they are in actual published monthly stuff like korokoro.

quickly wanna apologize for the shit quality of these photos i couldn’t really stretch out the pages or anything.

this was actually how i figured out beyblade was still popular long after i remember it being cool on my side of the pond. that and yokai watch took up a majority of the volume’s contents.

even on a primarily beyblade related page you cannot escape the reminder of the bullshit that is legitimately obtaining momonyan in yw3.

yokai watch was at some point uber popular in japan as i’m sure is common knowledge amongst the fanbase but the amount of shit in here is absurd to me. i knew it got big but man it got BIG big.

there’s also some more beyblade content and some advertisements for a lot of 3ds games that are pretty obscure. actual acknowledgement of boxboy should be appreciated and the existence of monster hunter stories is a reminder of just how massive the monster collecting genre was at some point.

while i didn’t want to show much of the manga side i did want to acknowledge pokemon here since i remember the sun and moon hype days so well this actually hit me in the nostalgia feels. love all the little four panel gag stuff. pokemon horizon also was what i remember motivating me to buy this nearly 4 years ago since it looked cool. if there’s a translation available for horizons in general i would love to read it.

marketing should be creative goddammit and korokoro from what i can tell hit the mark.

[twinksintrees]

time for my Henry Oak character playlist breakdown everyone

It’s so long and I’m not sorry. fair warning it gets very sad at certain points and I did make myself cry while writing it. enjoy <3

Woodland: it's a song about being in nature and all that. “We are all creatures of the sunlight” is a very Henry concept. It also has a very whimsical vibe that suits my boy well I think.

Curses: well I mean. The oak’s are cursed by the doodler, the song slaps, the crane wives have a very henry vibe to me, it just felt right to put this one on henry’s playlist. “There’s a fire in my brain and I'm burning up” could very easily be about Henry's anger, constantly coming to the surface no matter what he does to calm himself. “When this house don't feel like home” can be about Oakvale and how Henry never felt truly at home or at peace there. “Won't you stay with me my darling/when the war starts in my heart” could be about lark, and the rogue card. Henry wants Lark to stay with him, to love him, but Lark can't do that. That starts a war in Henry's heart, does he ignore his son's request for space, or does he accept when Lark sets down a boundary with him, using the very technique Henry taught him against him?? (he listens and gives lark the space he needs, no matter how much it hurts to see his son hate him.) “the devils after both of us” is sung from henry's perspective, and is about the doodler curse affecting both him and his sons.

Someone new: henry’s polyam and has a lot of love to go around. That's it. also hozier slaps.

Flowers in your hair: “when we were younger/we thought everyone was on our side” can be about a young, naive henry not realizing how hateful and harsh the human realm can be. The title is just sweet. I think Mercedes often puts flowers in her hair for fun/to feel cute and I think Henry really likes it. Idk this ones just nice and i think i found it on another henry playlist.

Hello my old heart: I hadn't thought too deeply about why I put this one on here but reading through the lyrics again I think it's Henry talking to his younger self when he returns to oakvale. “Every day i add another stone/to the walls i built around you/to keep you safe” can be both henry talking to his younger self, Hen, and being like ‘hey we make it out of here it's okay’ but it can also be henry protecting his sons and doing everything he can to make sure they never feel controlled and stifled the way he was as a kid.

This is me trying: the title alone. Henry tries so hard. And yet. And yet. “My words shoot to kill when I'm mad/i have a lot of regrets about that” is the most henry lyric ever written. Henry just tries so hard and yet his kid still hates him, Sparrow grew up to be far too similar to Barry and if Henry knew that information it would break him.

Father: This one is only on here because I saw it on a ton of other dndads playlists and I was like “oh okay I can kinda see it working for Henry '' so I put it on. I don't have a lot of personal connection to this song or a lot hc’s for why it fits for henry. That being said, the lyrics ``and I believe that yeah dad maybe no one is perfect/but I believe that you were pushing your luck” can be applied very well to Henry talking about barry.

Heirloom: of all the dads who need to hear they’re more than their fathers son, I think Henry needs to hear it the most.

Grow as we go: this is one of the best love songs ever written and i think it's very oakson from henry's pov. He's willing to stick with and help darryl as he changes and shifts and figures himself out. It's all very sweet and just akdhfjhlkjsdf adorable. I love them.

seven: baby henry was far more wild and crazy, similar to Lark and Sparrow. this whole song is a nostalgia fest for the kid life he had in Oakvale that he’ll never get back.

I have made mistakes: this is going to be a long one, prepare yourself. The phrase “i have made mistakes” is so sad when applied to henry because he blames himself so heavily for things that were out of his control, or reacting ‘poorly’ when he was trying the best he could. “The promises i've made, i continue to break them” is specifically about the gauntlets of ogre power, when henry promised to give them to the boys and then he took them away again. “All the doubts I've faced/I continue to face them” is Henry's general anxiety surrounding his parenting. “But nothing is a waste if you learn from it” is Mercedes's wisdom keeping him calm, i think she's a very calming and reassuring voice in his head and presence in his life that keeps him grounded when he starts to spiral. “We have lived in fear and our fear has betrayed us/but we will overcome the apathy that has made us” is about growing up under Barry and his whole obsession with being perfect and how that fucked henri up. I also think it works as henry talking to ron, and them bonding over being stronger than their dads think they are and especially with the next line “we are not alone in the dark with our demons” i just think its this really powerful message of connection and care between these two very traumatized dads who are just trying their best and trying to not let the actions of their fathers completely ruin their lives. “How can i face you now/when we both know how badly i have let you down?” is henry talking about lark.

Dirty paws: my friend showed me this song and I really loved it. I imagine this song is a story Henry would tell to Lark and Sparrow as a bedtime story or a lullaby even.

Slow and steady: this song is about Henry's inner anxiety. “I move slow and steady/but I feel like a waterfall” Henry tries to be calm and collected and he meditates and tries to keep control, but sometimes his emotions get too much, his anger and insecurities take over no matter what he does. “Two wolves running in the wind” is Lark and Sparrow.

Growing up: the whole concept of living your life and going through it with love and freedom in your heart is a very Henry concept. “There lies my loyalty/with my friends to the end” is Henry talking about the dads, his loyalty lies in them to the very end. “I used to close my eyes/to what stirred under my bed/now theyre open wide/to the monsters in my head” is all about how Henry views his parenting and lark and sparrow. He used to look away and deny how chaotic they truly were, down playing it all with ‘oh they're just free spirts’ etc. etc. but over the course of the adventure and with the help of the other dads he learns he does actually have to start reining them in and that scares him. “Instead of claws they whisper lies/sinking fear in quiet steps/so i will fight in the light/till my final breath” is henry’s fear of being like his father if he expresses his anger towards his sons, his anxiety and inner voice feed him lies and play on all his trauma surrounding his father. But the second part of those lyrics is the other dads supporting and helping Henry, assuring him he's not his dad, it's good to place boundaries and say no, it doesn't make you a bad parent or just like your father. With the help of the other dads he can begin to fight the inner voice in his head.

Ready now: I don't really know why I have this one on here, it's just calm and soothing and very Henry-like to me.

Cats and dogs: “my roots have grown but i don't know where they are” is henry's confusion over his past and where he belongs. Also it's partly on here because of the title, there are several songs on here with animal/nature themed titles that gave very henry vibes to me.

Allies or enemies: ah. The big one. “Are we allies or enemies/this will be the death of me” is henry talking about Lark and the rogue card. Are he and Lark enemies now? Will his son really hate him forever? The never ending questioning and pain and sorrow of the situation will forever haunt henry until the day he dies. “Remember when i could tell you not to smile when you were mad/and you would always crack/and we’d both be laughing in the end/now you're not so quick to forget” henry is thinking back to before, when Lark was little and they would fight and squabble but it was never to serious, henry would crack a joke and Lark would laugh at his dad and things were good, if chaotic. Now Lark doesn't forget, his anger isn't so easily dissuaded. Lark’s anger at his father burns hot and intense behind his eyes, never relenting, there is nothing henry can do to help his son. It breaks his heart. “All is fair in love and war but I can't fight with you anymore” is Henry giving up. He can't bring himself to fight his son. “What happens now? Do we have another go?/do we bow out and take our separate roads?/i’ll admit i've had my doubts/but i want to let in not out” is henry asking himself what to do after they return home. Does he keep trying with Lark now that they're out of the realms? He knows his son wants nothing to do with him, but he can't help but want in, he wants to be there, to take care of his beautiful boy. And then the chorus repeats, over and over again, with no answer. Just like Lark and Henry.

Mess is mine: this is another one on here for the title alone, the mess that is the rogue card and Lark hating Henry is something Henry will forever blame himself for, that mess will always be his.

Kiss me: just a really sweet, nice love song for henry and mercedes.

Small hands: I've cried to this song so many times, okay. The amount of LOVE and CARE in this song. drives me insane. The whole opening bit makes me think of Henry, but especially “i can't fix what was done to you/but i’ll shield you from the rain” because like. Henry can't fix what was done to his friends, the dads, and he can't fix or solve all of their own problems and traumas, but at the very least he can be there for them. He can be a safe, comforting presence in their lives. “And if the fire in your chest comes out/well i’ll hold you all the same” is henry talking to Lark, it doesn't matter to him if Lark is angry, he’ll still show up for his kid no matter what. He’ll hold his son all the same. And then at the very end “and if you need to take this out on me/then you know i won't complain” is SO henry and lark core. Henry will let lark take all of his anger out on him, and after a certain point he won't say anything back. He's already tried, and lark will continue holding onto this hatred and rage until there's nothing left.

The anthem of mr dark: “i never have the time to do the nothing that i want to do/im always rushing around being what other people need me to be” is all about henry being a people pleaser, stemming from his childhood where Barry was a piece of shit who never let his son do his own thing and projected this image of perfection everywhere he went. “I'm starting to see that isn't me/and my freedom isn't free” is directly about Barry and henry's childhood in Oakvale, henry blames himself for not being perfect, but that was never his fault, and it takes him a long time into adulthood to figure that out. “I’ll learn to let go/and learn to say no” is something henry needs to do and actively works on. He needs to give himself forgiveness and space to breath.

Talk to me: this is just on here bc henry’s always the one wanting to talk about feelings and is playing the constant emotional support. He wants to be approachable and make people feel safe, he wants to be let in and he wants to feel trusted (i am so projecting here but idc). This song, like ready now, also has a very soothing sound that really works for henry imo.

Happy accidents: oakson song. “You love me but you dont know it yet” is henry knowing that Darryl’s queer and loves him but isnt fully ready to admit that, so he keeps quiet about it, lets Darryl take it at his own pace. And then the rest is just a cute love song thing for them. They deserve nice things, and if canon won't give them that, I will.

Dear wormwood: ah. This one is about his dad, so it's sad. You've been warned. “When i was a child/i didn't hear a single word you said/the things i was afraid of/they were all confined beneath my bed” i think when henry was a child, when he was Hen, he kept things from Barry, he hid who he truly was, he tried to copy this ‘perfect’ persona when Barry was around. Any part of himself that didn't fit that image was swept under the bed, so to speak. “But the years have been long/and you have taught me well to hide away” when Henry comes back to Oakvale, the urge to present as perfect as possible comes back, being himself around his father is hard, but he can't pretend any longer. Now, we’re jumping out of order of the timeline a little bit, but “there before the threshold/i saw a brighter world beyond myself” is very literal in this case, with henry fixing the mirror and seeing another realm. A brighter place for him to be, away from his father. “And in my hour of weakness/you were there to see my courage fail” is Barry blaming Henry for being angry, for expressing his emotions, calling that his hour of weakness, telling him he was failing for showing that. Henry doesn’t know what he’ll do when he’s around his father again, until the anger and hurt takes over and he snaps. “Planning without acting/steadily becoming what i hate” i don't have a real analysis for how these lyrics fit henry but they make me Feel Things in my soul and sometimes that's enough. “I have always known you/you have always been there in my mind” even after falling through the portal, even after the amnesia, Henry can't get Barry out of his head. He's always there, the voice behind all his insecurities, telling him he's not good enough, etc. etc. “but now I understand you/and I will not be a part of your designs” Henry sees his fathers past in the dungeon in oakvale. He sees hildy come through the portal, he watches his father grow up on speedrun and he understands his father better. But he will never be a part of his design, he will never be so cruel and twisted and horrible as his father was, not only to him but to all of Oakvale as well. “I know who i am now” is pretty straightforward, and yet so impactful. After Oakvale, Henry knows who he is, he knows his past, he has a better connection to himself and to his family. “I know who you are now/and I name you my enemy” Henry takes a stand against his father. His father has gone too far, hurt to many people, and has hurt Henry's own children. And Henry will not sit back and let this go on any further, he names his father his enemy, and will do whatever it takes to defeat him. “I know who i am now/i know who i want to be '' Henry will be his own person, he will not copy his fathers mistakes, he will be better. His sons, his two beautiful boys, will only know love and support from him no matter what. God, I'm emotional over this song. Christ okay. “I want to be more than/this devil inside of me” is henry about the doodler, this family curse that has affected him and his sons since they were all born.

Somewhere only we know: oakson song. see my breakdown of it on Darryl’s playlist post for a full explanation.

[sitp-recs]

I'm always so nostalgic for the aideomai, galla, warmfoothills, seefin type fics ykwim?? Those fics that are poignant and hard-hitting with a nice emotional payoff. It's like they've thrown you into freezing water before wrapping you in a blanket and warming you up. Sometimes I'm sad that my favorite writers have stopped writing/gone on breaks but that's always overshadowed by how overwhelmingly grateful I feel that I can even experience their works at all. Gushing with friends about year old fics, seeing recs that perfectly articulate everything I've thought—it really makes things seem fresh and new. And lately Ive found a group of authors that seem active and write with the same flare that I've been looking for for awhile, which is so exciting and amazing! Fandom is just such a special place, it's bittersweet to see people come and go, but makes me hopeful to think that everyone who spent time making and viewing works got what they needed from that. And it's just fun continuing to appreciate legendary authors while welcoming new people :)

What a lovely commentary on fandom and the passage of time! I’m prone to nostalgia as well, and I feel you on the bittersweetness of seeing people come and go (even if the authors you mentioned are quite recent in my mind - what do you mean 2017 wasn’t yesterday?? lol)

Between jkr’s increasingly harmful behavior and RL happening (people moving on, getting published etc) it’s understandable that HP may have lost its magic to some people. But as someone who took many fandom breaks over the last 18 years, I don’t see them as something necessarily permanent. If anything, they were a healthy palate cleanser and helped me find new ways to interact with the community and to contribute in a more creative manner, even if I’m not a creator myself. I’ve only abandoned my lurker days because I left HP to join another fandom in 2012, and I’ve only created this blog because reccing in that fandom gave me the confidence to do it, so in the end everything worked out 🙌

Lastly, I love what you said about the joy of welcoming new creators! HP is such a special fandom when it comes to that, I’m amazed by how many people keep joining the community every year; Tumblr and Discord are flourishing and there’s so much fic and art being created, so many collabs in the works, so many fests and new friendships being formed and so much more representation. It’s heartwarming to see and it makes me excited for what’s yet to come. I don’t know how long I’m staying around but I do know that I’m still having lots of fun and finding “your people” is an integral part of the experience. I’m grateful I found mine and I’m so happy you found yours! Here’s to more years of appreciating old and new classics, making new friends and reading excellent Drarry!

[kittenofdoomage]

Ok, so here they come. Birthday Celebration / Share the Love Fest Part 2 (since my love for you was technically part 1 ;))

I'm going to start with my original Tumblr family, though who knows how many are actually still around or will see this. I'm experiencing big nostalgia here and will probably also forgot so so many of those who made my time here special all those years ago, but here goes:

@littlegreenplasticsoldier - always and forever one of my absolute favorite story tellers. The way she puts a story together with something that looks like ease (no matter how furiously the feet are paddling below the surface - I know!) Ali always took such care with our SPN family, weaving compassion, consideration, and respect into all the relationships. And my God, the stories! All were so great and she knows my favorite **cough / Force of Habit / cough** but I recently stumbled across the Winchester Triplets saga again, and man, what fun. I have to give her props for always being willing to take our prompts and build such a great life!

@mrswhozeewhatsis - another amazing supporter of all things SPN fanfiction, Michelle is such a generous and fun writer AND reader. I know she's taken on Pond duties, but I also have a hilarious memory of some stationary!kink. I do think there was more, but here's what I found!

@manawhaat - Mana is another amazing Pond runner. So many great ideas. So much support of the SPN fanfic writer community. Also a great lover of John, along with the boys, and I remember a surfer!au that made me want to dive into the ocean of Winchester.

@sebbytrash - Kale is a writer no matter how much she'll tell you she isn't. She was a founding member of the Pond and such an amazing and giving reader. She used to compile regular fic recs of any and every SPN fic anyone tagged her in and gave such good Dean edit reblogs. She's across the Atlantic from me, so every morning I would wake up to just the stuff of dreams in my feed, mostly thanks to her. She switched to Marvel, and especially Seb, when she really picked up writing steam but it was always fun to see. And I can't forget this little Steve number she made for me.

@withoutaplease - Laur was perhaps the first Sam!girl I connected with on Tumblr. She came on the scene like a freight train and did not slow down. Her boyfriend!Sam series was a dream. These days she keeps me flush with Steve/Stancy/Eddie/Billy fic/art/dreams. It's glorious and I'm glad she found a writing bug again, even if it isn't SPN!

@saenalife - somewhere along the way I got it stuck in my head that Saena was from Scandinavia, so it was always a mystery to me how well she captured the Oregon coast in her fantastic Dean x OFC fic, Gimme Shelter. I always love to see her cross my dash, even if it's not new fic.

I unfortunately never interacted much with @thepriexperience when I was actually active in the fandom, but I follow her and love her random spams of whatever feelings are happening in the moment. You'll have to go to AO3 to find it now, but her Under the Hood Into the Heart series was amazing!

Thank you, Rhi, for letting me relive some fun memories here!

😘😘😘😘

[beevean]

The thing that frustrated me about the ‘Sonic’s stupid friends’ sentiment back at its height was that there’s an element to it I can kind of sympathise with. I love the series’ cast, but when they’re both playable in a way that isn’t fun, or portrayed badly in a way that makes them come across annoying, then yeah, I don’t blame casual audiences who don’t have an pre-existing investment in the characters for getting sick of them. Unfortunately, instead of saying ‘ok, we’ve gotta rethink how we use these characters, and make them actually fun to watch and play’ the message Sega and Somic Team seem to have received (at least back then) was ‘well, guess we’ve gotta get rid of these characters’.

I really don’t like that Sonic 4 was marketed on cutting out the other characters, that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But I’m also partly inclined to blame that they were just being used poorly. I don’t blame people with that mindset for not liking the characters. I blame the idea that the solution was to all but remove them rather than using them better in the games. It’s this weird case of ‘I understand you, but you’re missing the forest for the trees’.

This is very true. I mentioned '06 for a reason: 9 different characters, each with their own unique moveset (and I'm not counting stuff like the Mach Speed sections or Shadow's vehicles), were just too much work for the team.

But also let's not kid ourselves, some fans hated the new characters because they were new and that's it. The stuff I read about Cream and Rouge would never fly nowadays lmao. Although I read one comment that said something like "how can we learn to like Cream and Rouge if we have to deal with Silver and Marine now?", which, you know what, fair point.

And you hit the nail on the head: SEGA swings from one extreme to the other. We went from a new character every game to the complete removal of anyone that isn't Sonic, Tails or Eggman. Forces was a very timid step forward, with the Avatar and Shadow, but we know how it went. But the thing is, cutting the cast really worked, it was what many fans wanted.

This is why I was so worried when Forces became the new punching bag: I still think some ideas could be salvaged, especially how it wanted to go back to a more serious tone, but who knew if SEGA would interpret it as "welp, fans love Mania, this means they like the Classic series, let's churn out even more nostalgia fests"?

[comradedream]

im ngl i was a former dream anti (never harassed or made fun of anyone or anything i just believed all the shit people talked and thought he sucked) and kind of got into mcyt out of ironic nostalgia and as a result became more familiar with dream and his content and started to see that a lot of the things i thought about him were just false but i was still pretty casual? like i just tuned in for some streams and was into dsmp. but then i witnessed some kind of drama fest along the lines of hell week idr the exact situation and i was genuinely so fucking appalled at the horrific dogpiling and harassment over stuff that i knew wasnt true bc of my very casual engagement that the whole affair sent me straight in the opposite direction to “yknow what i would kill someone for this man actually”. dream antis say they hate rabid stans. well guess what fuckers. you created one. i hope you can sleep at night knowing theres someone out there who giggles and kicks their feet while scrolling through dream’s twitter because of YOU. (in all seriousness i dont think im alone in this experience and so i hope people can look on the bright side about all this kind of stuff that there are reasonable people who see through the bullshit and actually have a better opinion of dream because of it)

that’s epic it’s always so reassuring to hear there r ppl who not only see/end up seeing through that bullshit but also end up as fans! i’m v glad u r here now ^_^ <3333

[hms-tardimpala]

I love Cobra Kai, it's my Cringey Bad Show With Moments Of Brillance™.

(long-ass gushing/rant and spoilers ahead)

Cobra Kai requires constant suspension of disbelief, it doesn't have the best pacing, half the humor is horrendous, the character writing is often stupid as shit, it's such a dumb show!

It also has insanely satisfying setup-payoffs, good dramatic irony, it's at its funniest when it's self-aware and laughing of itself, which it does gladly, and it goes to the trouble of giving you gray characters who go through multi-seasons arcs to better themselves (or the opposite). It's such a fun show!

And very importantly in today's media landscape, it pulls off being the necromantic resurrection of a beloved 80s franchise. It could easily have kept the black-and-white naive, squeaky-clean tone of the Karate Kid movies, but it said "Fuck it" from the first episode. It respects its KK roots but expands on them, adds depth and layers it didn't have to. Does it always do it well? Hell no. But seriously, this show didn't need to make that effort. With its premise, it had no right to be that good.

Obviously the show leans heavily on nostalgia, but it manages not to be a total nostalgia fest and brings some interesting things to the table.

Now, having just finished S5 (a lame season, but which had moments that made me cheer and curse out loud), I want to say how much I love how dark CK can get.

Like, it starts easy. A bullied kid, some teenagers slugging it karate-style at a school dance, a tournament to tell who's the winner. Then the brawls get less and less funny. There's slut-shaming. More kids get involved, more get hurt. A teenager gets his spine broken in his high school staircase. This is more the real world than KK, so you've got kids going to juvie for their actions, others who are scarred and traumatized for life.

Then the show goes further. Adults are involved in this now. They beat each other up directly and by proxy through children. There's breaking and entering, destruction of homes, arson. An adult sexually harasses a teenage girl in a precarious living situation. Vietnam veterans' trauma and domestic violence get discussed. There's physical and psychological abuse and manipulation left and right, between adults, between teens, from adults to kids. A grown man destroys another's hard-earned mental health because he feels lonely. There's assault and attempted murder. Kids breaking each other's bones in public settings.

And season 5! The violence keeps escalating. It's the only language some of these kids know by now. And the adults who taught them are just as traumatized and wrapped up in it and they can't stop either. There's arson again, people's lives are getting ruined by what started as a petty rivalry. A teenager is forced to injure herself to prove her loyalty by a group of adults who won't let her leave. A man teaches a child a karate strike that can break a ribcage and suffocate an oponent, and the only reason it doesn't happen is the child in question isn't strong enough yet, but he tries. You've got a sword fight and a man left to bleed out in a pool. A group of four men trying to beat one to death because they've been ordered to. A guy gets his finger cut off. Constant child endangerement and serious injuries that are ignored, and the psychological toll of all that isn't even acknowledged by the characters most of the time.

And of course all ends well, wounds heal and nobody dies, and it's not even gory, but still, it gave me the chills. As someone who enjoys on-screen violence immensely, it's very rare that I wish said violence would stop. That show is unbelievable, ridiculously over-dramatic, cheesy, and also too fucking real sometimes. Like a guy who's always laughing and making jokes, and one day he has too many drinks and lets slip something that reveals how much trauma he's suppressing.

I love this show and these characters. Out of this huge ensemble cast, there's only one character I haven't changed my mind on from the beginning and gone from hating or loving them to the opposite. (and it has great ships for all tastes!!)

Anyway, season 5 was awfully bad. And I enjoyed it. I'm done talking about the karate soap opera on this tumblr for a while, I think.

[linuxgamenews]

Get Ready for V's Rage With the Newbix Team This Fall

V's Rage is a 2D arcade fighter game that is due to get a Linux and Steam Deck build with Mac as well as Windows PC. The skilled Newbix Team is currently working to resolve issues. But definitely due to make its way onto Steam. Recently, my attention was caught by V's Rage, a new offering from the independent studio Newbix Team, which also had a demo during the Steam Next Fest. Slated for a full release in Fall 2024, this title is gaining attention, and for good reasons. There are plans for a Linux build going forward.

I think between February and March I will also put the Linux version back on.

This is the reply for the developers email, but let me explain what's going on. They released the demo of V's Rage on Steam for Windows and Mac users, but the Linux and SteamDeck versions are getting an extra polish. And they are due to launch between February and March. In a fun turn of events, working on the Mac silicon version introduced a few bugs in the Windows version. As a result, the team is on top of it, ironing out these kinks. V's Rage is intentionally designed to be a lightweight title, ensuring it can run smoothly on a wide range of systems. This commitment to means more gamers get to experience the action. Built using Unity 2020 and initiated in July 2022, the game's development journey is as unique as the title itself.

V's Rage - Trailer

Firstly, let's talk about the V's Rage storyline, which is both unique and relatable. You step into the shoes of V, an overworked wife and mother. However, her world is turned upside down when she finds herself cursed and trapped inside a video game. Armed with just a pan and her rage, she has to navigate through a bizarre, low-poly world, battling strange creatures to break free from this nightmare. The story taps into a mix of frustration, fantasy, and humor. While making it compelling for a wide range of players. What sets V's Rage apart is its homage to the golden era of arcade titles from the '80s and '90s. Think of classics like "Final Fight" and "Altered Beast" - this title channels their spirit but with a modern twist. It's not just about brawling; it incorporates four distinct gameplay styles: Beat ‘em Up, Shoot-em-all, Side-scroller, and Run and gun. This variety ensures that the gameplay never feels stale and caters to range player preferences. The art style is another highlight. It's hand-drawn, which gives it a personal and distinct feel, setting it apart from the typical high-resolution graphics we're used to. This artistic choice pays tribute to '80s anime like "Urusei Yatsura" (also known as "Lum") and "Ranma." Adding a nostalgic charm that will resonate with fans of that era.

Like a Blast from the Past:

What I find particularly impressive is how V's Rage balances its retro inspirations with modern gaming elements. It's not just a throwback; it's a blend of old and new, creating a unique experience. The game doesn't just rely on nostalgia; it builds upon it, creating something fresh and engaging. The decision to feature an overworked mother as the hero is a bold move that adds depth to the character and story. It's a refreshing change from the typical hero archetypes we see in many games. This choice resonates with players looking for more diverse and relatable characters in their gaming experiences. V's Rage is shaping up to be a standout title. Its blend of classic arcade inspirations, hand-drawn visuals, and a unique storyline offers something different from the mainstream offerings. It's a testament to the creativity and innovation thriving in the indie gaming scene. For anyone who's a fan of retro gaming or just looking for something new and exciting, keep an eye out for this title. It's coming to Linux, Steam Deck, Mac, and Windows PC. So be sure to Wishlist on Steam.

[sarah-dipitous]

Hellsite Nostalgia Tour 2023 Day 16

Does someone wanna make the decision for me? Whether this is day 16 or 17? I’m fine with either, I just need an answer.

“The Benders”

I haven’t turned it on yet but I remember not liking this one for some reason…guess we’ll find out why now!!

I was also going to watch this on my lunch...that didn't''t happen.

Would I Survive the First Five Minutes??: I...literally have no idea. I could barely tell what was happening

Okay, but already why would you split up if you think this might be your kind of gig and people have been taken from parking lots?? I know you're pro monster hunters, but STILL.

YEAH. Knew Sam would go missing...well, I knew ONE of you would, at least.

I forgot Dean is legally dead since that shapeshifter episode.

For a hot second, I thought this was the place where all the kids like Sam and Max went and were kind of like a commune (man, it's been AGES since I've watched this. I'm probably getting a LOT wrong.) But as it turns out, there are just a lot of homes with nice porches in supernatural.

Okay, I think the reason I wasn't fond of this was because the monsters were humans, and like HUMAN HUMANS, all along.

Damn...this family is 31 flavors of fucked up. How is Dean making around just fully undetected??

People keep underestimating how dangerous this little girl is. And then she whips out a knife or calls for her dad...

Weird part of this is I swear I was thinking about the story The Most Dangerous Game earlier today, completely detached from this

Bestieeeeeee, I don't think you're supposed to be judge, jury, and executioner, not even for this family who hunt people for fun

"Been On My Mind...": No.

"The Empty Child"

I've been sitting here struggling to put this one on because it's part one, and part two is the part that's REALLY good.........though Capt. Jack Harkness.....I almost forgot we get introduced to him this episode. Allons-y! (Wait. Wrong Doctor)

One of the more terrifying phrases in Doctor Who..."are you my mummy?"

The backdrop Rose is against looks so fake, but it's a charming kind of fake. Like the big murals they used in The Wizard of Oz.

I love how good the Doctor is with these kids. Absolutely heartwarming.

I can never tell if I'd fall for Jack's wiles or if I'd personally find him too cheesy, but I love him as a character all the same. w

The patients in that hospital are unsettling. I was wrong. I forgot how horrifying it was to see the doctor (lowercase d doctor) get the gas mask.

Isn't Nancy the kid's mom?

No. No. Absolutely not...it's a real horror fest tonight...hate this.

[maxthommusic]

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will always hold a special place in my heart. They taught me about loyalty, honor, teamwork and virtue. I related to Leonardo the most with his inclination for leadership firmly rooted in my DNA. I watched the TV show and moves, I played all the games, bought the toys, ate the licensed snacks. About the only thing I didn’t do was read the comics (but I’m sure I had a couple at some point). However, after their craze in the early 90s, I never returned to my love for them with the major film reboots and the Nickelodeon revivals. The new permutations did not spark any interest. And even when a well-reviewed TMNT game released back in the Gamecube era, the style simply didn’t quite suit how I felt the Turtles should be represented.

At age 32, however, TMNT is back in the grand fashion I remember them. Shredder’s Revenge is the return to form TMNT fans of the 90s have been waiting for. Featuring an adrenaline pumping 80s soundtrack, gorgeous pixel art, and modern combat sensibilities, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is a piping hot pizza with “the works.”

The first thing that caught my attention was the style. Shredder’s Revenge is so faithful to SNES-era beat ‘em ups that I kept wondering if this was truly a fresh, original game. I was often wondering, “Is this just a remake of Turtles in Time?” Character designs are impeccable and the animation work is appropriately striking. The special moves each character possess are particularly pretty encouraging the user to charge their Ninja Power appropriately and get stylishly dicing as frequently as possible. Amidst all the chaos, Leonardo’s whirlwind of blue blades always cuts through the action. And Splinter’s tornado of purple claws never fails to make a scene.

Shredder’s Revenge is a greatest hits, a who’s who, of the TMNT universe. I won’t spoil any of the boss fights, but just know you’re in for a cameo fest and it’s clear the developers know and love our precious Turtles. In fact, the game is so successful at paying homage and injecting life into the IP that you wonder how it wasn’t done any earlier.

When playing a beat ‘em up it’s all about gameplay. Is attacking fun? Is it challenging? Does it involve strategy? Are the controls fluid? Shredder’s Revenge ticks all the right boxes. No matter who I was, slaying Foot Soldiers was fun and kinetic. Even Casey Jones, probably my least favorite character of the crew, has an enthralling move set that makes me want to level him up to max rank. While the differences between each turtle isn’t so striking, there are enough variations that I think anyone can have a favorite, but then if a friend chooses Donatello, it means you won’t mind being Raphael for a session. While this can result in a quickly stale experience for the solo player, it makes for easy pick and up play with friends.

There are two essential modes to play: Story and Arcade. Story is casual, die as much as you like, get to the end when you can. But something awesome about Story Mode are the inclusion of Challenges. Tribute Games gives the user goals for each level and by completing them, you should naturally see an elevation in skill. While it’s easy to button mash and be successful, bosses go a lot smoother when you know how to employ all the tools in arsenal. Arcade Mode, however, eschews these Challenges and presents you with a finite number of credits, adding a nice layer of difficulty (beyond the modifiers Chill, Okay, and Gnarly). Speaking of Arcade Mode, one of the most impressive features to Shredder’s Revenge are its network capabilities. Finding players and jumping into a game is simple, easy and fast. Without in-game comms, there’s no pressure to communicate with others and when the objective is so simple (kill everything), I can’t imagine there will be much room for griefing. Don’t have buddies to play with you at home? Seamlessly jump into online play with others.

Whether it’s the nostalgia or you’re a fan of beat ‘em ups, if Shredder’s Revenge has your interest piqued, absolutely scoop it up. For under $30 I don’t know how else you can better spend your money. Killer soundtrack, stylish combat, impressive pixel art, and seamless co-op options. Although Shredder’s Revenge doesn’t elevate the genre, it sets the benchmark and competitors shouldn’t settle for anything less.  

[littlehollyleaf]

Name ten favourite characters from ten different things (books, tv, film, etc.) 

Then tag ten people

Tagged (ages ago, whoops!) by @castiel-saved-me-from-myself 

(I’m sorry, I got distracted!)

1.Supernatural. Castiel.

Obviously. I may be out of the fandom now, but I’ve never loved a character as much as Cas, and probably never will.

2. Good Omens. Aziraphale.

Thought I’d put both my darling angels at the top :) I suspect that without Zira there to pave the way Castiel may not even have existed, so I love him double - for himself and for Cas as well :p 

While really quite different when it comes to their personalities (just think how Zira would SHUDDER at Cas’ trenchcoat), they share a lot of character traits and tropes (mini-series!Zira anyway, maybe less so in the book, or less obviously anyway), so, no surprise that I should adore them both. I’ve also said before, and I stand by it, that Aziraphale is sort of a combination of my favourite aspects of both Cas and Dean in one, with Cas’ struggle with Heaven/god and trying to be a good angel and finding he loves humanity/earth more, plus Dean’s whole ‘performing Dean’ thing and repression of queer feelings he is scared to admit to (out loud) because he believes they are somehow ‘wrong.’ 

...just to give a little insight into my feelings about these two that was neither needed nor asked for...

4. Hellblazer. NBC Constantine. Legends of Tomorrow. John Constantine. 

Aaaand the other guy I love twice because Cas, and indeed spn in general, kinda owe their existence to him. Though in turn his fabulous live action portrayal by Matt Ryan probably owes its existence to spn and Castiel’s popularity. So... there’s a weird ouroboros situation happening with my favs here that makes my head spin whenever I think about it, but I love it - stories within stories built on stories feeding off stories, which connects to wider themes of story and storytelling being vital and intrinsic to life and stuff.

Anyway, despite his wardrobe, Johnny is NOTHING LIKE CAS. He is, in fact, a lot like Dean. But I like him more. Maybe because he’s British :p He has the whole ‘repressing his feelings’ things, a bit like Zira, but it’s not because he thinks they are wrong, it’s more of a coping mechanism to deal with the constant tragedy/trauma his life/lifestyle/fate causes him to suffer. But whatever the reason, I like my characters facing that struggle :) (actually the British element is probably way more significant to my enjoyment of him than I’ve been fully aware of... that’s probably why I loved Zira so fast as well... obviously they are both a completely different class of British, literally, but the fact they ARE British is INTRINSIC to both their characters, and I guess a little, vaguely patriotic part of me is excited by that... :p)

4. Gotham. Edward Nygma.

Since I’ve started giving explanations - I love Eddie because he’s also got the whole ‘emotionally repressed’ / out of touch with (his) emotions thing going on (as seen in Zira and Cas), but with the addition of various geeky / ‘tech guy’ character traits that I also love.

5. Doctor Who (Classic). Vislor Turlough.

I waxed poetic once about how I liked Gotham’s Edward Nygma because he reminded me a bit of Turlough. That was early on in my Gotham days though and given how Eddie developed I don’t see as many similarities now. Turlough shares some of Eddie’s ‘dark’ traits however - self-centered, often lacking in empathy for others and nonplussed (sometimes even happy) to see them get into trouble or hurt. But ultimately his attempts to be self-serving and cowardly end up thwarted by him developing feelings for specific individuals despite his best efforts, which is what I enjoy about him (and actually that’s a lot like Eddie still, huh... their endgame’s are opposing though ofc - while Eddie goes on to embrace being a villain, Turlough gives up on villainy and even becomes a bit of a hero, now and then). Plus, Turlough is the ONLY Companion (IIRC?) to have joined the Doctor specifically in order to MURDER him and... idk, I just think that’s cool :P

6. Doctor Who (New). Donna Noble.

(I’m trying not to double up on fandoms/shows so I can cover more, but New and Classic Who count as different things, kinda, right...?)

Donna doesn’t really fit any of the character traits I’ve talked about above, though I guess her low self-esteem is something that all my other favs share in various ways (though it’s not such an EXPLICIT aspect of their characters and story arcs as it was for Donna I’d say). What I first loved about her was that after YEARS of New companions (and other randoms) being literally in love with the Doctor, she had a strictly platonic relationship with him. Yeah, I think maybe the show was a bit heavy-handed about it, but even so it came as a huge breath of fresh air and frankly a RELIEF to me. Not that I’m opposed to the Doctor having romantic/sexual  relationships, it was just that... coming from a childhood love of the Classic series where that just... didn’t happen (save a fleeting kiss in the TV Movie - which I actually enjoyed fyi!), it just... idk, was starting to stretch my credulity that EVERYONE seemed to be falling for him maybe? Or at least for me it was growing tiresome. So the fact she didn’t have that element to her character/story was a plus. Then I just adore how loud and brash she is when calling anyone, including the Doctor, out on their shit (I envy her that maybe). Plus I like the way she isn’t... traditional TV pretty, you know? (ie. young and slim, like a lot of other companions).

...or maybe I just like redheads *shrug emoji* 

7. Spartacus. Naevia.

(she has two actresses okay? and they both deserve kudos!)

Truth is I love FUCKING EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE IN THIS SHOW. Spartacus is like... my PERFECT SHOW. There isn’t a single moment, a single plotline, a single character that I don’t enjoy. I have never even CONSIDERED looking up or writing fic because the finished product is completely satisfying exactly as it is. God. But I wanted it represented in this list so I had to pick someone!

Considering the time period there couldn’t really BE a ‘geeky, emotionally repressed with low self-esteem’ character :p BUT nearly ALL of the characters have the whole ‘struggle to understand/discover who they are’ thing and the ‘who I am and want to be is counter to who I’ve been told I am / should be’ arc, on account of the main cast being rebelling slaves (though the other characters are equally complex and compelling and I love them too - Lucy Lawless in particular is incredible!). Anyone who’s seen me blog about the show before might have thought I’d pick either Agron or Nasir as my favs, since I do like to squee over their romance. But whenever I think about the show it’s usually Naevia who I remember first, because her character arc/development just BLEW ME AWAY. She went from someone I’d kinda dismissed at first as a typical het love interest to a WARRIOR GODDESS and you SEE all the key moments of that growth, you FEEL it, it makes ALL THE SENSE. And her romance with Crixus, which again I was initially a bit dismissive of as a typical, sudden, weak het romance, grows into, imo, one of the deepest, most developed, most believable love stories in the show. So yeah. Naevia. Amazing.

8. Due South. Ray Vecchio. 

(he’s the guy not the dog - gifs were limited! ...also the dog is actually a wolf, it’s a whole thing... that doesn’t need exploring at this juncture)

Ray was my first TV crush :P He had a bit of a sidekick vibe to him I guess, which I like (lead characters tend not to interest me as much). He wasn’t ‘geeky’ exactly, but he def had the ‘trying to look/act cooler than I am’ thing going on... also an obsessive attachment to his vintage car... meanwhile his partner Benny was the stoic, ‘British, stiff upper lip, keep emotions in check’ one who was always trying to live up to the ideal persona dictated by his people/employers, in this case the Royal Canadian Mounted Police... HUH, so... it’s actually SUPER WEIRD that I ended up loving Cas and Zira over Dean and Crowley when it seems pretty clear suddenly that my first big fictional fav was CLEARLY the Dean-Crowley to Benny’s Cas-Zira......?? Ray was FUNNY in a way Dean and Crowley aren’t though, I think? He def filled a ‘comic relief’ slot on the regular and I liked that a lot (it also made his serious, angsty moments EXTRA serious and angsty, and extra angst is something I always love!)

9. The Librarians. Eve Baird.

Remember this little show? It was... is... sorta ridiculous. Not amazing. Based on some... very cheap, very OBVIOUS Indiana Jones rip-off films, that were also ridiculous and... not... great (the third one is the best, with an awesome performance by Stana Katic aka Kate Beckett as a vampire, but I digress). But... idek, I am EXTREMELY FOND of the series for some reason :p

There are a WHOLE BUNCH of characters that fit my ‘type’ more than Eve tbh... in fact... probably every.single.other.main.cast.member (save perhaps Jenkins?) shares the traits above that typically make a character my fav. But... EVE! I just... think she’s neat! ...maybe it’s BECAUSE all the others are main/lead characters that makes me gravitate towards her? In a cast where ‘geeky, socially awkward, struggles with emotions’ is the norm, Eve being the no-nonsense, socially competent, badass soldier type therefore becomes different and thus more interesting to me? Also, much like with Donna, I appreciate that she’s an older woman who gets to have a full character and plot of her own. There’s also something about her romance with Flynn that... makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

10. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Jonathan Levinson.

(tumblr gif search failed me so I had to grab from elsewhere...)

Listen. Look. Okay. Buffy is pretty old school these days so, for anyone not in the know, as a character, originally, Jonathan... he wasn’t even a side character, he wasn’t even REOCCURRING, he was barely a background character. For several episodes he didn’t have a name and it wasn’t until several seasons after he became ‘Jonathan’ that he actually got a surname. Danny Strong was just an actor who happened to be occasionally on-hand when the script called for a random to have a line, until eventually that happened often enough for Joss to think ‘hey, you know what, let’s make this guy an actual part of the show...’ 

He got a couple of episodes focused on him in S03 and S04 respectively, but didn’t become a regular until S06 (and wasn’t in S05 AT ALL). Other than that he had a HANDFUL of ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ moments here and there, not even full scenes for the most part, usually lasting no longer than the above gif.

I tell you all this so that when I say childhood me (well... somewhere between 12 and 14 years anyway) was OBSESSED with this character in the show, and I mean O B S E S S E D (to the point of spending hours painstakingly making VHS recordings purely of the episodes he was in), you understand how UTTERLY BIZARRE that was. Because this obsession pre-dated S06. Was, in fact, in full swing during the airing of his S04 episode - which was, like, a fucking DREAM COME TRUE for freakily obsessed me fyi, because the whole episode was constructed with him as the LEAD CHARACTER, because he’d performed a spell to make him super awesome. They even changed the title sequence to read ‘Jonathan’ instead of Buffy! And while other fans were no doubt just lol-ing at the random I was bouncing about on my sofa all ‘MY TIME HAS COME!’ and fucking SWOONING over seeing MY CHARACTER suddenly in the spotlight and getting to do crazy fun OOC shit like this -

Then when S06 rolled around and HE WAS A LEGIT REGULAR, omg, I was in HEAVEN! First TV boxset I ever bought that - Buffy S06 :P

So... yeah. A bit of a fav. Geeky. Outcast. Slowly grows more morally grey, what with that spell I mentioned and also the fact he was teamed with the ANTAGONISTS in S06. I guess you could say he was the beginning of a lot of my fav fictional character traits/tropes (though looking back - I think his ‘villainous’ teammates in S06, Andrew and Warren, are more my ‘type’ these days, and I did end up loving Andrew especially a whole damn lot, but at the time I’d been a Jonathan fangirl for so.fucking.long. there was just no chance anyone else in the show was ever gonna come close to my heart!)

THE END.

Sorry not sorry for the tmi. I got a bit too into this one.

Actually sorry I have so few women on the list :( Internalised misogyny/sexism is a real thing and I spent a lot of my life being... somewhat unfairly dismissive of female characters or at least prioritising male ones over them. I’m working on it.

Ten people is SO.MANY. to tag. But I might as well do this right this time, since I’ve come so far. But if you’d rather not play, no worries! <3

@enchantersnight @momecat @bold-sartorial-statement @vampirebillionaire @edwardnashtons @miss-olivia-cellophane @knightinpinkunderwear @supes9 @leaper182 @hamburgergod

Honourable mentions (because I CAN):

Gotham. Lucius Fox.

Gotham. Fish Mooney.

Gotham. Tabitha Galavan.

Doctor Who. The Doctor.

Doctor Who. The Master/Missy.

Supernatural. Hannah.

Supernatural. Naomi.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Andrew Wells.

[blueeyedrat]

Steam Next Fest! New name, same idea: a large library of demos for new and upcoming games to try out. In between finishing up some games and assorted projects, and starting up some games I've been meaning to get around to, I was able to find time for some demos that caught my eye.

More comments under the cut:

Sable - This was the first and last demo I tried this time around, and it's a game I've been intrigued by for quite a while. I wasn't actually able to finish the demo either time I played; I fell out of bounds and had to restart the first time, and it crashed later on during the second. It doesn't run well on my old laptop, I suppose... which is a shame, because technical issues aside, I was really enjoying it! I don't play open-world stuff all that often, but this one definitely scratched an itch. It reminded me a lot of Zelda with a similar "run everywhere and climb everything" vibe. Gliding through the air and crossing the vast dunes on a hoverbike felt pretty satisfying, too. The designs are distinctive and visually striking, the music is nice, and the demo provides just enough hints about both the setting and Sable herself to leave me wanting more.

Terra Nil - A "reverse city builder" about restoring life to a barren wasteland. I wish I had more to say about this one, but it's another one for the "I wish my laptop could run this game better" column: the demo kept crashing before I could really get into it. I liked what little I was able to play, though. The gameplay was pretty intuitive, and the aesthetic was quite lovely. Will definitely be keeping an eye on this game, one way or another.

Patrick's Parabox - A sokoban puzzler with a recursive twist: rooms nested in other rooms, and in some cases, rooms nested within themselves. The extra dimension adds a fun spin on the base sokoban gameplay, and the demo showcased some fun ways it could be used for puzzles. I recommend looking into it if you're interested in games of this sort.

Harmony's Odyssey - A puzzle game about unscrambling colorful dioramas. The art style's cute and appealing, and the puzzles were fine, but it didn't seem to have a lot of depth beyond its basic mechanic. The interface was a bit awkward, too; the camera was either too far zoomed in to see all of the pieces, or too far zoomed out to see any of them. It was charming enough, but I'm not sure I'll be delving into it further.

Little Witch in the Woods - From one cute-witch-themed game to another, and another game I've been curious about for a while. A chill life sim with a cozy setting, a colorful cast of characters, a variety of flora and fauna to discover, and a focus on magic and potion-making rather than ordinary farming. Very charming, but also very slow-paced. While it is satisfying to process resources and concoct potions, foraging for said resources is a slow grind, and it's all too easy for your efforts to go to waste because you accidentally tossed a potion bottle in the wrong direction. Still, it seems like quite a pleasant time if you have the patience for it. I'm undecided if it's the sort of game for me, but I'm willing to wait and see.

Faerie Afterlight - An exploration puzzle-platformer with a bright, beautiful visual style. Gameplay-wise, the movement feels nice and has potential to be pretty interesting: the demo starts off with your character having just unlocked the ability to jump and wall-jump, you obtain a dash later on, and more abilities will likely come further in the game. It has some unique mechanics (like controlling a secondary character who can interact with gates and possess enemies) and the combat is okay, but the demo stumbles once or twice when it demands you manage all of these aspects simultaneously. Seems like an alright game, even if it didn't stand out to me like other games on this list.

Unpacking - A meditative puzzle game about arranging everyday objects in rooms. This is another one I've been interested in, and now that I've tried it for myself... there's a lot to unpack, if you'll excuse my wording. There's a certain weight to nostalgia and sentimentality, even when it's tied up in mundane objects like books and toys. The comfortable and familiar, the things we keep with us, and the things we discard or leave behind, everyone values them differently. Even in a brief demo, Unpacking manages to encapsulate this idea in a way that few other games can. Each segment is a snapshot of a different moment in a person's life. Through the simple task of sorting through their belongings and finding a place for everything, you learn about this person, and a narrative emerges. What they take with them, what they leave behind, and what they pick up along the way. It's a fascinating little game, and one that could be emotionally compelling in ways I was not prepared for.

OGOPOGO - An arcade puzzle game about making palindrome block chains. ...Have you ever stumbled across a game that feels like it was made specifically for you? I had never heard of this one until a few days ago when I was perusing the Steam demo list. It's a simple concept, but it trips the pattern-finding part of my brain in very pleasing ways. I can see myself sinking a lot of idle time into this one when it comes out.

TOEM - Quite a pleasant game to round out the list. There's been a renaissance of photography games over the past year or so; I still have New Pokémon Snap and Beasts of Maravilla Island waiting in the wings, and I can think of half a dozen other titles either already out or near on the horizon. It's easy to see the appeal, since it's a sort of game that inherently rewards exploration and discovery while also being pretty chill and low-stress. TOEM looks to be a fine example, with a simple, charming black-and-white art style, and a friendly and inviting world to run around in and complete tasks with your camera. Take a picture, it'll last longer.

A few technical bumps on the road, but a nice selection of games regardless. See you next time.

[figkeele]

my fics in a decade

I wanted to look back on what I’ve written and how much I progressed, so a self-rating, self-ranking of my own fics is in order.

Super cool, I’m proud of them

So the first category is the fics that I’m proud of and I think they did well in their own little niche.

From the World’s End (Loki tv) Sylvie-centric gen, written for MFD

Tell Me My Name (Loki tv) Sylvie/Hunter-B15, written for MFD

Love is Yellow (Life is Strange: True Colors) Alex/Ryan & Alex/Steph, written for my own challenge I’m gonna fail otherwise :D So the thing here is that this Christmas I got a buttload of fresh games as a present, and I managed to get obsessed with a lot of stuff. TC is special in my heart because it’s about grief and it really helped me, it was very cathartic and this fic helped me get back into my writing grooves. (Which btw vastly improved, I promise!)

Please Ignore the Fear Demon (Charmed 2018) Macy-centric gen, written for ToT, one of my worst challenge experiences, my recip was not only a serial non-commenter, they had a locked letter, prompts that were contradictory (only romance prompts for siblings but no inclination for incest), and they didn’t even reply to the mod who I reached out to. I guess the challenge participants wanted to be kind with kudos and a lovely comment. It still left me so sour, I haven’t written for a while after this. (Also I get that sometimes people drop off of challenges and that’s okay, but since the letter and prompts and everything, it was clear my recip didn’t want this fandom anymore.)

Moments: (Debris) Bryan/Finola, written for the AU exchange and for my fandom bestie, hithelleth. :) It’s always a treat to be matched to hithelleth. ♥

Teammates (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) Bucky & Sam & Zemo, gen, written for MFD, and dear God, this was so hard to keep gen. I really didn’t ship them as an OT3, yeah, right until I started this drabble. I still have the big epic OT3 fic WIP this one inspired, though I’m not so sure I’ll ever finish.

But wait, there’s more...

Pretty decent

Next up are fics that I really like and they’re still being read even after all this time. (Also I’d love to note that I scream and cry happy tears whenever I see someone reccing these. :D)

Finding Home (Star Wars Sequel Trilogy) Poe/Rey, written for MFD. My first and pretty much last foray into the SW movie fandoms I think. But who knows.

Bad Taste (In Boys) (iZombie) Liv/Ravi

Pain (Star Wars: Jedi: Fallen Order) Trilla-centric gen, written for MFD

Now That She’s Here (Agents of SHIELD) Bakshi/Jemma, written for Rare Pair Fest, and you guessed it, for hithelleth - I recently re-read this fic, and I was hit by such nostalgia. :D We do know how to pick our rare ships, don’t we?

How to Deal with Haunted Objects: A Helpful Guide by Jenny Mills (Sleepy Hollow TV) Crane/Hawley - I’m utterly devastated how bad the show turned out at the end, and how they kept writing off good characters. Anyway, still one of my cutest fics.

We’re Not Broken (The Vampire Diaries TV) Elena/Rebekah There was a time when my brain was occupied with nothing but TVD, it was never a perfect show, but it was fun to write for and Elena had to be shipped with every original. HAD TO BE.

You know what? These are pretty niche

They didn’t get a lot of traction but I still love them, and I had to realize at this point that I’m mostly writing the rarest of rare pairs.

Blood and Starlight (The Vampires Diaries TV) Elena/Rebekah

This is How the Story Ends (Once Upon a Time) Ruby/Victor written for Rare Pair Fest - again for a non-commenter or a sock, but at least I enjoyed it.

Love Stories for Dead People (TVD TV) Elena/Klaus - for some reason, this is my only fic translated into Russian. I’m still fucking proud of that. :D

I’ll Be Your Safety (How to Train Your Dragon movies) human!Toothless/Hiccup - Not like it makes it any better that I made Toothless a human cursed into a dragon form (especially that I really rushed this in this particular fic) but you have to understand, in the books Toothless talks like a human being. :D So my brain latched onto this ship. To this day, it still gets kudos, and you know what? You go, people, who ship a dragon with a human. You go.

Pieces of Us (Arrow) Diggle/Felicity/Oliver - my OG OT3, or wait? Was that Klaus/Elena/Elijah? Anyway, this was written for the Rare Ship Swap, and I’m still pissed at how rare this ship was.

Clean Slate (Supernatural) Destiel - this... is so not me. Was a gift fic for a friend.

Just Like You (TVD) Elena/Kol - the shipping goes on even if the characters are dead.

Mirror (TVD) pre-Elena/Elijah - My first ever fic I’ve written in English, and yeah, in some places it shows, it’s very dated, but it helped me to find my voice, and experiment with darker themes.

Come and Find Me in the Dark Now (TVD) Elena/Klaus

A Love Story Starring Monsters (TVD) Elena/Klaus - this fic was recced in the same post as Sandrine’s and adlyb’s fics, so I think I just went to heaven when I saw that. It’s a personal accomplishment I’ll always cherish. Also, this was written for the Rare Pair Fest for hithelleth. :)

Why don’t you love me?

The fics that are not bad but somehow they got crickets. (”Somehow,” I say, when the first fic on the list is the most niche incest ship ever, okay...)

Scarred Heart in Hand (Sleepy Hollow) Abbie/Jenny - yeah, niche incest rare pair

She Belongs to Fairy Tales (Revolution) Charlie/Miles - there was a time, a golden time in fandom when Revolution was a thing. And we all shipped the most glorious ships. Also, admittedly this is only, like, a writing exercise. BTW, did you know someone linked this fic to fanlore??? I am forever immortalized by an incest fic. :D

Scattered Pieces of Who I Am (Revolution) Bass/Charlie/Miles - I really should have written 50k of this.

The Ashes Fell Like Snow (Once Upon a Time) Hook/Emma - what did you say? The fic that contains the most popular canon het ship tanked? Well, it got nominated for a CaptainSwan award iirc, which mildly surprised me, because let’s face it I just killed LITERALLY everyone in this fic, while Hook is brainwashed. (I still remember someone on ffnet complaining why I killed all of the characters when I warned for it. OR ASKING for a sequel to write a happy ending.)

The absolute flop, the trash, the garbage fire

Let’s face it, not every fic we write is good, and not every fic we write is even readable, especially if we’re not writing in our native language. These are not all bad, but rather unknown fandoms... but there’s nightmare-inducing cringe here.

The Way We Fall (Supernatural) Destiel -  Well, it’s certainly a fic... It was supposed to be some sad, told backwards story, but something is definitely missing here.

Introduction (The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare) Sebastian/Clary - So this? This is painfully bad. Awful trash. I’m not gonna delete it because I lol’d when re-reading it and I can see my progress at least. It’s clumsily translated (with the help of two English teachers lol really, not even kidding), and sometimes the Hungarian just shines through. But anyway, it’s also very very very awfully written. The sentence structure, the... I don’t even know. I wrote this sometime when I started COLLEGE. Jesus. Also it’s AO3 locked because of the whole CC drama.

Fairy Tales and Nightmares (The Unwritten) Lizzie-centric gen - Now, this is not a bad fic, but look there are only 6 whole fics written for this fandom, this being one. I don’t even think anyone knows about these comics besides the comic nerds.

[suckishima]

Heyyo! So like I’ve been rereading the manga (and crying of course coz cmon) due to the lack of season 5 info lolll. Rereading the Nekoma match made me extra emotional and I can’t wait for it to get animated!!

Anyway I just wanted to ask what are some scenes or chapters from the match you are personally looking forward to see animated (with the brilliance of the music and animation and voices ahhhhh!)

Personally, I loved everything between Tsukki and Kuroo hehe and Gosh I’m gonna cry when the birdcage imagery as well as the “dagger fight” between Kenma and Hinata.

PS. I’m looking forward to reading your new fic soon! (when real life calms down for a bit lol)

Love your blog! Hope you have a great day (or night)!!

Aah, I'm with you, I can't wait for season 5! I think about it almost daily. I'm really really hoping we get an announcement for it at this year's Jump Fest in December.

And ooo, definitely looking forward to everything you said! I'm super curious how they're gonna animate both the knife fight and the birdcage moments, I feel like they're gonna be so hype.

I actually just skimmed that chapter that focuses on Tsukki and Kuroo the other day and aaah I forgot how good it was too!! Their dynamic is one of my favorite ways that Furudate portrays the line between mentor and rival during the whole Nekoma match, and ooo I'm so excited to see Kuroo get annoyed at Tsukki for taking his advice and using it against him haha. The whole thing is such a good example of the connect theme and how connecting on both sides of the net is just as important as connecting to your teammates.

I'm super super looking forward to seeing all the stuff about Tsukki and Yamaguchi's serve and block. Their friendship and the way they both grow separately in order to grow together and push each other ahead is so subtle and one of my favorite's throughout the series, and I really love how it's always tied to volleyball too, just aah, connect theme coming in strong again. I can't wait to hear Tsukki's VA do the "thanks to everyone sometime's it's pretty fun" line. I know it's gonna be good, I know it. (also curious how they're going to translate the "he's always been one step ahead of me" line bc I've seen it a few ways and I hope they get the message across well lol)

And then ugh allllll the Kenma and Hinata stuff, beyond just the birdcage and the knife fight. Can't wait for Kenma to collapse and say it's fun, for Hinata to declare that he won and then Kenma's "i hurt. i’m exhausted. i don’t ever want this to end" line, and just Kenma full on feral screaming too. Again, I KNOW his VA is gonna do a great job.

Of course also can't wait for the final rally shot where it transitions from the Tokyo training camp gym back to the Nationals stadium, I can't wait to see how they do the music then, really hoping for some callbacks to season 2 to add to the nostalgia.

I know there's more but it's been a while since I've read the match haha, but tbh I'm looking forward to all of it and talking about it just now has me so excited lmaooo.

[steamedtangerine]

2:am - Motor Lounge - Detroit

This video spot was from before 2002 (20 FUCKIN’ YEARS AGO!!)-and it is amusing to see the people enjoying themselves there. No one there posturing as “freaks of style”,  just good people (and some “freaks of the mind”) having fun....and I recognize the look with fond nostalgia.

I worked off and on at the Motor Lounge from it’s opening in 1996 (when I was called in earlier than my slated start time because a well known night club mogul from Pontiac sent in some guys to snake kerosene on the parquet dance floor and set it ablaze days before the grand opening-a very uneventful grand opening as folks found themselves trying to step lively in a dance floor consisting of a pit of tarry foundation where the floor once was).

 I quit after my roommate got unstable and threatened me (and I was taking up most of his slack on the job), I didn’t see a paycheck for the first two months since it opened, and found out the place was pandering to douchebag jocks with it’s own humidor and cigar bar (something all my friends were like “get out of there”). Much of what I ended up doing at the Easttown Theater from 1998-1999 was in reaction to the Motor. We appealed more to techno party folk (and yes, candyravers) and less to the “Night at the Roxbury” guys often referred to as “bar Guidos” (an epithet used by candyravers for these d-bag types with open Mylar shirts, neck-chains, wraparounds, and spiky moussed hair). Eventually, the Motor dropped the cigar bar shtick, got some decent (albeit shady types involved in drug-dealing) promoters who went for the techno crowd, but this didn’t stop us from having the audacity to straight up pass out flyers right outside the Motor for our venue (we stayed open to 4am on Fridays going into Saturdays, and the big Saturday night shows went well into dawn).

I went back to the Motor in 2000, but quit after I witnessed the unfurling of an unfortunate event involving one of our own security guards (who had only been there 10 days) raping a girl in a truck in the parking lot of the adjacent video store (the intervention of the Arab-American gentlemen watching the lot kept the girl from being throttled to death)....I later saw the same girl working at a Dearborn music store going into decline and could still see the bruises on her neck.

I only returned a handful of times to assist some friends with sound an lighting in 2001, and my friend who was busting his tail there was getting weary from shit like having to be the one to pull the overdosed body of a girl from one of the bathrooms and also seeing a friend get stabbed. I helped out at an afterhours in Eastern Market (especially during the DEMF-now called Movement fest-back when it was free!) that would get all the Motor staff getting off work and coming there to blow off steam (something people who work at clubs and bars need) and get blitzed.

Owner Dan Sordyl confesses in interviews about a shooting that occurred outside there, and in rare interviews the stabbing and overdose, but I have yet to hear him recall the raping by a security guard.

All in all, the Motor Lounge was on brand for any cheap night club operating in and around the Detroit area, and that also meant bang-up awesome musical acts-the likes of which I doubt modern Americans will ever see again.

[kinglarrykoopadx]

Ranking the bosses of Origami King

I have stated many many MANY times that Origami King is my favorite Paper Mario, hell, one of my favorite games of all time. And if some lunatic waltzes into my house and gives me a choice of either liking TTYD or die, I’d rather be dead. But what’s the worst and best boss in the game? Today, we’re gonna rank all the bosses in Origami King. Also, it is recommended that you finish the game to view this post, cause this is a spoiler zone.

17. The Shifty Sticker, Tape

The most annoying and unfun boss to cap off a great tribute to Wind Waker fans, all the positives Tape got was having a bopping as hell music and a really great 1st phase. But that’s where the positives end, cause the 2nd phase is where it all goes downhill. Tape glues parts of the ring meaning you can’t slide panels and some parts of the rings are connected together. And when a lot of tapes are in the ring at once, it’s pretty annoying. And this may just be me, but when there’s too much tape in the arena, Tape straight up gobbles up the tape in the arena to restore HP and it is annoying as fudge. Oh and did I mention that to damage this boss, you’re forced to use the 1000 fold arms? And did I mention that any other form of offense is next to useless? Needless to say, this is one of the worst bosses I’ve had the pain to endure.

16. The Freezing Finisher, Ice Vellumental

The first phase of Snowy The Bear over here is surrounded by an icy forcefield and you must use the Fire Vellumental to melt down his barrier which is, pretty alright for a first phase (I mean your sliding is not locked this time so that’s a plus), but then, there’s Ice Maze to make up for all that fun. For those of you unknowing fools out there, Ice Maze is an ability of this guy where large parts of the arena are covered in ice, and the only way to get through it is find a way to the Action Panel or an active Fire Vellumental Magic Circle without being frozen so you (kinda) won’t have to endure his greatest attack, Ice Age. Problem is, that even for me, who has a strong memory, I can’t seem to solve it. Why this is less dreaded than Tape for me despite the monotony is that you can kinda cheese it without Fire Vellumental. By collecting coins, you can stock on Shiny Fire Flowers and basically fireball this boss to death (and they said coins are useless). Even so fuck this fight man.

15. The Blazing Bird, Fire Vellumental

This phoenix right here is possibly the smartest of the Vellumentals. Why is that, you ask? Easy. He lets you damage yourself. Using his special move, Hot Wings, he basically spreads his own wings (which takes a chunk of his health) and lets you damage yourself until you reach an Action Panel. Once you’re in the Action Panel, use your Iron Boots and jump the shit outta him until his feathers are all/almost gone. Then, use Water Vellumental to shower it to its doom, and lastly, for the coup de grace, pull off his hair and humiliate him in front of a bunch of Toads. The only reason this chicken wing is higher is because jumping him with Iron Boots is as fun, if not more fun than using the Fireballs to cheese the Ice Vellumental.

14. The Apocalyptic Abomination, Paper Mistake Buzzy Beetle

By far the most gruesome thing in Paper Mario franchise, it starts off with you hammering the Dry Bone heads it spews out using Kamek’s magic. Then, after enough heads were smashed, Kamek reveals himself and you have to pull him outta the beetle’s nose which is more satisfying than it should be. And then after that, you smash him in the gut 4 times to win. Needless to say, it had its moments.

13. The Elastic Entertainer, Rubber Band

4 numbers later and we are back to the Legion Of Stationary. This time, it’s Rubber Band. While I can see why people like this boss, keep in mind I’m doing all these on a no Game Over run, which makes the boss less fun for me. The Bumper Bands are a mere nuisance, but get caught in Rubber Bind and kiss your health goodbye. Solo Snapback isn’t much better either, for that attack, pray you have a 1 Up left or at the very least can endure that attack or say goodbye to your health. However, despite doing this on a no Game Over run is hell, why is it this high though? you may ask, well, simply put, the Rubber Bands are better projectiles than the Hot Wings, Icicles, and Tape combined.

12. The Chaotic Cactus, Mega Paper Macho Pokey

Tower Power Pokey is back, but this time, he’s made some changes to the battlefield. Now, instead of fighting in some egyptian temple, you fight him inside of a tornado. This segmented spiky monstrosity has 3 attacks. Creating tornadoes, stalking you from underground, and trying to squash you with its body. This time, to defeat him, instead of using some Baseball Bat sticker bullshit, you must wait until his glow fades and approach him with the Boot Car so you can deliver the smackdown. And, pro tip : if I were you, I wouldn’t get caught in the twisters.

11. The Groundshaking Gut-Slammer, Earth Vellumental

God to all Koopas, the Earth Vellumental is pretty fun for a tutorial boss. You use your hammers to smash its limbs till eventually you hit its tender tail, and it’s more fun than it had any right to be. Once the tail is pounded to perfection, flip it with your 1000 fold arms and smack the living daylights out of it.

10. The Trial Of Toughness, Scuffle Island Boss Rush

An optional boss accessible in Chapter 4, the Scuffle Island Boss Rush is fun for a miniboss rush. You get 7 tough Paper Macho opponents ; Goomba, Shy Guy, Koopa, Boo, Paratroopa, Stone Spike, and Buzzy Beetle, each bearing 2 more hitpoints than the ordinary Paper Macho enemies and having a large attack boost. It’s a test of learning the patterns of the Paper Machos and is way more fun than it has any right to be. Although the Paratroopa did gave me some troubles, like, seriously, if you beat this guy’s 1st phase without a guide, you’re a pro.

9. The Stormy Guardian, Boss Sumo Bro

A clever reference to NSMBU and Super Mario World, Boss Sumo Bro stands on his mighty thundercloud at first, until you take out his goonies. Then, once you’re done with his goons, he’ll charge up his unblockable Mega Thunder attack and to stop it, you must use the Fire Vellumental to take him down. It’s admittedly pretty fun.

8. The Missile Maestro, Colored Pencils

One of the most fun tutorial bosses, Colored Pencils has a simple but really fun 1st phase. You have to close its lid to pull off a Fire Vellumental, and on the 2nd phase, it gets better. You have to use his Rainbow Roll against him and smack the living daylights out of him. It’s a great boss, buut problem is, it’s a tutorial boss. It had not much of a chance to make it to the top 5. 

7. The Final Destination, Paper Plane Strike Force

This game consists of you shooting a bunch of Bob Ombs to pave the way to the final level of the game Origami Castle, which is, much sadder than it may seem. It’s fun as heck shooting down the paper planes, and the Squadron where you have to shoot like a million Bob Ombs to its face is by far personally the most fun part of the game. Why it’s this low is that it’s one of the 2 non-rematchable bosses. Once you’ve gotten to Origami Castle, this minigame won’t be accessible anymore.

6. The Submarine Sinker, Water Vellumental

This overhydrated water dragon is one of the more strategic bosses. You must take note of the water twisters and prevent them from getting in your way of making it to the Action panel to jump him and hit him with the hammer. And then, once he’s gonna blow, make your way to the Earth Vellumental Magic Circle to dodge his Mega Wave attack, which is pretty powerful. It’s personally one of the more fun bosses this game had to offer. It’s not in the top 5 since the water twisters can be pretty annoying though I never had a problem with them personally.

5. The Disco Devil, Hole Punch

The groovy lobotomiser’s 1st phase is pretty annoying, you have to find his tender spot to deal decent damage to him, while having a reduction in health,  but slamming the ever loving shit outta him when he tried to pull off his special attack is fun as hell. It makes up for the horrid 1st phase. And pulling off the rubber case as the finisher is waaayyy more fun than it needs to be. Also the music is a freaking jam.

4. The Tentacley Terror, Paper Macho Gooper Blooper

This Mario Sunshine nostalgia fest is hella fun. The 1st phase has you hammering his tentacles which is way more fun than it should be, and the 2nd phase has you hammering his eye, which is, again, way more fun than it should be. This boss is just really, REALLY fun.

3. The Dual Bladed Duelist, Scissors

One of the harder and more intense bosses, Scissors’ first phase is putting on a case for his blades for the sake of a fair fight, but once that’s done, it’s all intense, bloodpumping action from here. Scissors will use his unblockable special attack, Final Cut, and you must time your jumps to prevent an instant KO. I felt a strong urge of satisfaction when jumping over Scissors’ special attack countless times, it’s not even a laughing matter.

2. The Roshamboa, Handaconda

The first phase has you hammering him to get Olivia out of its grasp, and then, the 2nd phase is where the true fun begins. The Magic Circles are swapped with panels with images of Rock, Paper and Scissors and you must observe his hand patterns to get a chance to rush attack him with the 1000 fold arms. It feels so satisfying when you beat him in Roshambo and smash the living daylights out of him.

1. The Royal Rebel, King Olly

One of the best final bosses of all time, Olly is a culmination of what you have learned throughout your journey. The 1st phase consist of you retracing the weaknesses of the Vellumentals and using it against them, the 2nd phase consists of you slamming the ground to give Origami Bowser a helping hand in dealing the semi finishing blow towards Duraludon Olly, and the final phase has you fixing a jumbled up Giant Magic Circle while Olly bombards you with attacks that lead to quicktime events that are way more fun and dramatic than they had any right to be. Needless to say, Olly is the best boss in the Origami King.