#gi gamer moment

[ryuubff]

he wants to go for that rivals to lovers route sooo bad

[grownupgita]

Go! Green Eyes Spandex Suit Guy!

For more than a year now, my... hobby? Obsession? Creepy fixation? ... has been watching bits of basically every Japanese AI:TSF Let's Play on YouTube. If pressed, I'd claim it's language practice -- leave it to streamers and VTubers to challenge in both speed of speech and use of slang! -- but the truth is that I just want to hear everyone everywhere as they experience the parts of the game I care about.

One of these parts is Pewter's introduction. I enjoy hearing Japanese fans react to the... umm... obvious scientific genius evident in his choice of clothing.

(To my surprise, I discovered that I didn't know the word for "collar" before I started watching these videos, but I sure picked it up quickly. "Whoa, look at that eri!" "LOL how does he get his eri to stand up like that?" "Is he a bad guy? I can't imagine a good person having an eri like that...")

(The bit with Boss's triangle ruler at the end of AINI is a good example of the moments that keep me from wanting to completely write that game off, but that's a tumble for another time.)

I love hearing the similarities and differences in the ways gamers around the world choose to describe his overall look, too. Understandably, comparisons to Pokemon gym leaders are as common in Japanese as in English-language fandom -- a recent VTuber I was watching was immediately like "Welp, it sure is Kozaki Yuusuke doing the designs..." -- but I've also heard multiple references to sentai (usually sentai villains), and more than one person has brought up Cyclops from the X-Men (Once, a player mused "what's that guy's name who has a visor kinda like that? A beam shoots out from it... umm..." literally moments before Pewter gives the "The second Cyclops killer" namedrop)...

... buuuuuuut my favorite comparison is and always will be when a player almost immediately dubbed him "Green Kaiba."

I'm not even a Yu-Gi-Oh fan and only ever watched the Abridged series a million years ago, but I died the first time I heard it, died even more when I did further research into the variety of looks Seto Kaiba has worn throughout the series' long, long history, and now... now I don't care where his AINI profile claims he gets his clothes; I firmly believe he shops at Kaiba Mart.

I...

don't think that this is how Tumblr is supposed to work. ^^/

[turtlemagnum]

INTERESTS: writing, music, art in general, anime, games (both video and tabletop), animals, linguistics, mythology/theology, philosophical bullshit, making fun of philosophical bullshit, politics, guns (and other varieties of weapon), tech, vulgarity and misanthropy

writing: i'm a writer!! that's like, what i'm best at at the moment. my Main Project is a fantasy setting that i generally either refer to as Winds of Change (for the whole deal) or Arana (the main continent that i've developed so far). i'm currently developing a game to show it off and make other people as feral about it as i am, so i'm also learning how to make music and draw and such. but, at the moment the only skill i'd consider myself competent in is writing, so i primarily just call myself a writer!!

music: my taste is simultaneously deeply eclectic but also tends towards high amounts of specificity. i would say that my "main" genre is progressive rock and some of its derivatives, but i also love a lot of stuff like funk, soul, a small amount of metal, some IDM, whatever the hell death grips is, some early rap (mostly just NWA since that was what i grew up on), occasional jazz, like 2 indie bands, oldies, and on occasion normal people rock. artists i like include but are not limited to: yes, david bowie, king crimson, jimi hendrix, danny elfman, symphony x, dio, death grips, aphex twin, nwa, nat king cole, marty robbins, lemon demon, tally hall, jethro tull, midas, and masayoshi takanaka. i'm also told i have a nice singing voice, but i'm personally biased against such suppositions.

i like art, if you were to look through my likes (which are NOT VISIBLE ON THE TUMBR) it'd have a good amount of art. what that art is of, i'll leave to your imagination. i'm not great at drawing but i'm getting better!!

i like some varieties of anime and anime adjacent things. i'm not like, one of those anime fans though, y'know. in terms of series i like, i'd say i'm a fan of fist of the north star (i need to pick it up again), cowboy bebop (very controversial, i know(also need to pick it up again)), fullmetal alchemist (good series, one of the few i have finished), jojo (i haven't watched part 6 yet but i read the manga all the way into the end of part 7 just after part 4 had finished airing), early gen pokemon is something i come back to on occasion for mostly nostalgic reasons, i'm getting back into dragon ball (kill me), i liked gunsmith cats (the anime was only 3 episodes, you can watch it on youtube, i need to read the manga though), i somewhat recently read thru the entire original yu-gi-oh manga and was surprised at how good it was, and i read a lot of doujins!

i'm a gamer!!!!!!! i mostly love nintendo shit and PC games, and some series i'm into include zelda (arguably my first game series i was Way Into), fallout (mostly new vegas), elder scrolls (deeply love hate relationship), early pokemon, mario, the first deus ex game, portal, kotor, half life, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., a smattering of indie shit (primarily UTDR stuff), a bit of GTA, thief, pathologic, disco elysium, and MGS. i also like TTRPGs but being Extremely Alone, i'm basically screwed!!

i like animals of basically all varieties. definitely a dog person, though i also love cats.

linguistics is cool but i'm also Fucking Stupid so i haven't really gained much past a fairly surface level knowledge. doesn't stop me from trying!

mythology is cool! philosophy is cool too! to be clear i view the vast majority of it as bullshit and not to be taken seriously, but it's still interesting to think about at least!

like most human beings living in the modern age, i have a lot of very strong political views. however, i don't like to ascribe labels to myself since people generally hear the label and just fill in the blanks of what they already believe and go deaf to everything else you have to say. i feel like my stances should be fairly obvious if you listen to what i have to say, but here's my main deal in regards to this: i like freedom, not in the typical american way that's basically glorified grandstanding with deeply authoritarian tendencies, but in more of a way where i like the idea of people being able to live how they want without a threat of starving and such. i abhor bigotry, though it's very easy to say that i suppose. i try to be open minded and tend towards a live and let live attitude, y'know. i also oppose imperialism and authoritarianism, but i feel as though that should be considered the baseline

huge gun nerd. i've got Gun Autism, babey!!! don't worry, i'm not One Of Those gun people, i mostly just appreciate them from a technical level. i post a lot about guns, so if you don't like that you can either block the tag #turtlegunrant or just not follow!!!!!!!

tech, much like linguistics, is something i like quite a bit but aren't smart enough to Actually Understand. i'm also the variety of tech enthusiast who's a paranoid shithead, so i'm definitely more of a PC guy. i actually fucking hate touch screens, so i hate phones (which i know is rare for somebody born in this century). i love torrenting, piracy, and just generally downloading and archiving shit

[charcherry-weekly]

Charcherry Weekly - Issue 206

Hello everyone! Mage of Light Nick Card here! Let's get this show on the road!

Its Tough Being a Gamer

On thursday, your dear newsletter writer joined a number of skilled volunteers to the game room in the Region of Immersion and Entertainment, on the Land of DownLoadable Content and Challenges. Together, we proceeded to play a number of scrambled games in order to return the misplaced data to the correct places, for the sake of repairing the pokedex database. In addition to yours truly, who played A Short Hike, there was also Rogue of Heart Charles who played Pokemon Emerald and Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters: WCT 2006, Witch of Heart Cyrus who played two different rhythm games, Muse Dash and Project Diva Megamix+, Seer of Space K who played Undertale, Ceda Cedovich, who played Super Mario 64 and DOOM II, and a few others, who had Paper Mario, Duke Nukem 3D, and SMZ3 to tackle.

As it turned out, the health risks of quick swapping between games are apparently minimal, with only the average effects of playing games for extended periods of time. Your dear newsletter writer however, spent much of the day yesterday trying to configure the setup for their game, which as it turned out, just needed to have up to date fresh files for it to connect properly. At one point I left the facility to blow off some steam and ended up fighting some underlings for grist and booncoins in the adjacent Region of Tile Sliding and Memory. I managed to locate a tile that had a minimart located on it, so I bought a handful of snacks before making my way back to the game room.

After watching the progress of some of the other participants who had their external screens on, I resumed troubleshooting for my own. It was only after spending a tender moment with someone dear to me that I was able to get the game fixed and connected enough to play. Perhaps love is more important than I thought it was before... After a few hours of playing my assigned game, I spent more quality time with them, eventually returning home.

Overall, despite everything, it was a good day to get out of the house. Its likely that the archipelago protocol will continue for at least a week or two, depending upon how long it takes for us to clear our games together.

Samm is back!

The other day, Page of Mind Samm received an emergency surgery that required a skilled heart player and a few magical containment artifacts. Further details of this operation will not be published for the sake of patient confidentiality, but what can be said is that the surgery was a success and Samm and has returned home with her loving husband, Page of Rage Jovin. It is unknown when she will resume work on Grass 3 or her occasional noodle stand, but that will need to be her own decision.

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This week’s known market stands in Desertia Town:

DTA train ticket stand

Katie’s potion stand (Not available to plitlanders due to regulations, available to all others however)

shinyjiggly pokesnacks stand

Brae's produce stall: - Potted vegetables - Jarred vegetables - Various jams - Hisuian herbs (medicinal leek, pep-up plant, king's leaf)

Novelty Frog Figurine Stand

Traditional Shop: - Rope, Silk (50 feet) (10 gp) - Lamp (10 gp) - String or twine (50 ft.) (1 cp) - Hammock (1 sp) - Compass (10 gp)

I think that does it. The issue that Charles found in the train tunnel the other week still needs to be investigated (though much slower manual construction is continuing there), and the weather's been calming down a little, though its still relatively hot at peak hours in Unity. Meanwhile, between lending my hand in the game room and my library work, I've begun working on a short flash animation slated to be shorter than a minute. Here's to hoping it can be finished soon! https://letssosl.boards.net/thread/443/charcherry-weekly-issue-206

[gatewayinternationalschools]

A day of joy and generosity: School Charity Event for orphans and elders

Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much more! -Helen Keller

GIS-IB’s Charity Day 2024, an event, resonates with this idea - coming together to show we care, we empathize. That our generosity will ignite hope in the lives of those orphans and elderly, in whose hearts the embers of hope remain alive, is the elemental goal of Charity Day 2024.

The initiative of GIS-IB Chennai resounds its endeavour not only to foster social responsibility among its students, staff, and the broader community but also to bolster IB’s philosophy of developing caring young people for a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Furthermore, at GIS-IB, staunchly believing in the IB learner profile of caring individuals, we have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the life of others and in the world around us.

Ergo, GIS-IB Campus Padur, continually, through various initiatives of community service (service as action), channelize resources to help uplift the lives of people in need, who often face distressing challenges in our society. This endeavour, Charity Day, to contribute to an NGO for orphans and elders, seeks to create a positive and lasting impact, promoting the values of kindness, generosity, and solidarity within the school and beyond.

To this end, GIS- IB Charity Day 2024 has been made full-filled for participants to revel in the attractions of the event while still heartily contributing to the cause. 

The more the merrier - students, parents, staff, neighbours, friends, family… come one, come all, to this heartfelt endeavour, on Saturday, the 20th of January 2024, to Gateway International School-IB(International Baccalaureate), between 9.00 am and 2.00 pm, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it the most.

Eat, play, enjoy! Every contribution, however big or small, is sure to make a significant difference in the lives of those in need at this School NGO Program for orphans and elderly.

Highlights of the school’s Charity Day 2024:

Food festival: Treat your taste buds to a delightful array of cuisines.

Entertainment galore: Experience a day filled with laughter and joy. Enjoy captivating theatre shows that promise to create unforgettable moments.

Horror house: Brave the spooky maze for spine-chilling thrills, all in the spirit of fun and fundraising.

Games extravaganza:

Video games zone: Gamers unite! Engage in friendly competitions and explore the latest video games.

Outdoor games: Test your abilities at our challenge stations. There's something for the adventurer in you.

Together, let's create a ripple effect of positive change.

Together we can keep the embers of hope alive in the hearts of the orphans and the elderly.

Together we can show 

that there's God and 

that He cares and 

that His mercy is abundant!

Together we can!

Contact Us To Know More

[misakialter]

I feel like my time alone, as little as I get, is pretty isolated now that I think about it. I really need to write or draw in that isolation cause I kinda realized after a conversation with an IRL that I really don't play a lot of things for some reason?

I usually don't have the means to play modern games, like at least my PC is powerful enough for some but not all, and I don't seem to be hooked to the point of spending a lot of time in those which work cause I'm usually working on little things, so if it isn't a Gacha Game™, I only got time at night.

Even then those can be an extra chore where I'll log in and come out, it really needs a good motivator like Gacha Units™ I really care about to get me playing. Ironically this nets me about enough resources to chill because I'm not in a hurry, and my bursts of gameplay are usually so aggressive I only burn about just the right amount, with a good bulk of units ready to blaze through content.

It's crazy because I go on to play other games and when some people say I'm good I can't really see it. Most of my time I spend loafing about. The things I practice in Fighting Games come from a dedicated session of training and muscle memory, if not slight improv the moment I pick up the controller. I've played them like mad as a kid solely carried by gut feeling but today there's a lot of feeling and so little thinking I wish I had from back then, but it's the knowledge from the back of my mind that is keeping me under the illusion of feeling.

I guess card games are more understandable tho, since that's just general experience stored in my brain, but even then, do I look like a person who knows how to play Drytron in Yu-Gi-Oh! on the first try if I ever picked it up? No, I'm someone who feels like picking up PENDULUM once in a blue moon of all things. So a lot of that muscle memory ain't so practical, instead it's being able to sit down with my friends and take my time with it to get that vibe back and improvise. And it's crazy because improvising, again, is not an instant vibe like I would feel when young.

I'm a strange one when it comes to feeling like I'm good at a game because can I really say that when it's simply experience I've been gathering doing the job? But like, if that's also a valid point for someone being good, then why do I want to be able to just close my eyes and let my feelings take me places without thinking?

I'd like to say I'm an analytical gamer now but I also don't ignore my gut feeling because I want to be confident about it. I know enough to judge a situation and act, but I believe I can take risks too and adapt to a situation. And even so, I still don't consider myself good because at the end of the day, people can just do what I can with less effort.

It's not a bad feeling because that's what I expect of others, to be simply better than me. That's what makes things all the more exciting. It's always fun to have new experiences and to keep on learning, so it's strange even as I don't dedicate myself to it, I feel like I can keep growing even when I stay still.

Dwelving into my habits and mindset is interesting to think about for myself in a way. What's "being good" to you?

[nascentwaves]

Kerri, when not stepping into different roles within verses (be it Captain, Champion, Commander, Master, etc), is often found going about her daily business as a streamer, game commentator, and competitive/professional gamer. Flexible and rather popular, she does her best to keep her content quick and concise, but also entertaining to those watching. She takes great care with editing clips and condensing moments from vods so people aren't stuck watching 10+ hour recordings, and rarely pays someone else to do the work for her -- she does have a good editor on speed dial in case she needs 'em, that said.

In terms of tournaments, she mainly attends ones for the likes of Apex, COD, occasionally Pokemon (TCG and VCG), and Yu-Gi-Oh. While she would love to spread her wings (per se) and enter even more for other games, the amount of prep required ahead of time would be a little too much to handle if she had more on her plate, so she settles for a smaller rotation instead.

[romsparadise]

The article explores the 20 best PS1 games of all time and why they are still adored by players today.  The PlayStation One, which debuted in 1994, was a game-changing machine that permanently altered the gaming industry. It immediately became a popular among gamers of all ages due to its stylish appearance and strong technology. It witnessed the release of numerous legendary titles that have become synonymous with the system throughout the years. The PS1 has it everything, from classic RPGs to fast-paced action games. In this post, we'll look at the 20 finest PS1 games of all time, examining what made them so amazing and why they're still popular among gamers today. So sit back, grab a controller, and prepare to relive some of gaming's most unforgettable moments. #1 - Crash Bandicoot https://youtu.be/n_pwOxMhhGs Crash Bandicoot was a famous platformer that captivated gamers with its vibrant graphics, crisp controls, and eccentric characters. The game, developed by Naughty Dog, follows Crash, a genetically upgraded bandicoot, as he attempts to free his girlfriend Tawna from the hands of the villainous Dr. Neo Cortex. Crash Bandicoot remains one of the finest PS1 games of all time, with hard levels, unforgettable boss fights, and tonnes of hidden secrets. #2 - Resident Evil: Nemesis https://youtu.be/gun-MVEWg40 Resident Evil 3 - Nemesis was a survival horror game that pushed the PS1's visuals and gameplay to their limits. Capcom's game follows Jill Valentine, a survivor of the Raccoon City zombie outbreak, as she attempts to flee the city while being chased by the merciless Nemesis. Resident Evil 3 - Nemesis is one of the scariest and most memorable games of the PS1 period, with intense action, hard puzzles, and a tense atmosphere. #3 - Metal Slug X https://youtu.be/aPGMOwyD7mU Metal Slug X was a side-scrolling shooter with nonstop action, vivid visuals, and plenty of explosions. The game, developed by SNK, follows Marco Rossi and Tarma Roving as they battle their way past waves of opposing soldiers, tanks, and helicopters. Metal Slug X is one of the greatest arcade-style games on the PS1, with precise controls, various pathways, and loads of power-ups. #4 - Tekken 3 https://youtu.be/n8DLyuosCp8 With its extensive gameplay, distinctive characters, and gorgeous visuals, Tekken 3 was a fighting game that took the PS1 by storm. The Namco-developed game featured a large array of combatants, each with their own distinct skills and fighting styles. Tekken 3 is one of the finest fighting games of all time, with a number of game types, including a rich narrative mode and an entertaining mini-game. #5 - Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories https://youtu.be/u6mVOKBnq0M Yu-Gi-Oh! - Forbidden Memories was a card game that let players join the Yu-Gi-Oh! universe and battle with their favourite cards. Konami created the game, which featured a unique gameplay concept that required players to gather and mix cards to build strong decks. Yu-Gi-Oh! - Forbidden Memories is one of the finest card games on the PlayStation 1. It has a gripping tale, engaging characters, and a large number of cards to acquire. #6 - Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped https://youtu.be/2CVp5Ro8GLg Crash Bandicoot 3 - Warped is largely regarded as the greatest installment in the renowned platforming series. Naughty Dog created the game, which included better visuals and new time-traveling elements. Crash Bandicoot 3 - Warped is a fan favourite and one of the top PS1 games of all time, thanks to its numerous stages, unique bosses, and amusing power-ups. #7 - Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout https://youtu.be/XydLzb_IAME Dragon Ball GT - Final Bout was a fighting game in which fans could combat their favourite Dragon Ball Z characters. The game, developed by Bandai, had an outstanding variety of combatants, each with their own distinct skills and transformations. Dragon Ball GT -

Final Battle is a popular game among fans of the anime series, thanks to its fast-paced fighting, dazzling special abilities, and gorgeous aesthetics. #8 - Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back https://youtu.be/AJSReiJaTPw Crash Bandicoot 2 - Cortex Strikes Back was the series' second installment, and it built on the previous game's great foundation. Naughty Dog created the game, which included tighter controls, more diverse level design, and new powers for Crash to employ. Crash Bandicoot 2 - Cortex Strikes Back is a great PS1 game with unforgettable boss fights, hidden secrets, and an entertaining plot. #9 - Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter https://youtu.be/TUmsaIfjQ90 Marvel Super Heroes Versus Street Fighter was a fighting game that paired legendary Marvel Comics characters against warriors from the Street Fighter universe. Capcom created the game, which featured fast-paced action, spectacular special moves, and excellent visuals. Marvel Super Heroes Vs Street Fighter, with its varied selection of characters and enjoyable team gameplay, remains one of the greatest fighting games for the PlayStation 1. #10 - Crash Team Racing https://youtu.be/GIQMlAazZds Crash Team Racing was a kart racing game in which players took control of their favourite Crash Bandicoot characters. Naughty Dog created the game, which featured precise controls, stunning visuals, and a number of game modes, including a fun adventure campaign and a competitive multiplayer option. Crash Team Racing is one of the finest kart racing games of all time, thanks to its unique cast of characters, amusing power-ups, and hard tracks. #11 - Grand Theft Auto 2 https://youtu.be/ZtQ9BDjA2bw The iconic open-world criminal franchise's second chapter, Grand Theft Auto 2, built on the foundation set by the previous game. The game, created by DMA Design, had a wider open environment, more diversified objectives, and enhanced visuals. Grand Theft Auto 2 is a cult classic and one of the finest PS1 games of all time, thanks to its anarchic gameplay, gritty atmosphere, and iconic radio stations. #12 - Final Fantasy VII https://youtu.be/MGkD6TjS_OI Final Fantasy VII was a seminal role-playing game that transformed the genre and went on to become one of the most adored games of all time. Square Enix created the game, which featured Cloud Strife and his allies as they attempted to save the world from the wicked Sephiroth. Final Fantasy VII is a timeless classic and one of the finest RPGs on the PS1 thanks to its profound tale, fascinating characters, and innovative visuals. #13 - Resident Evil 2 https://youtu.be/Q9zDCec0OuA Resident Evil 2 was the sequel to the survival horror classic and outperformed it in nearly every aspect. Capcom created the game, which included a wider globe, more variety adversaries, and enhanced visuals. Resident Evil 2 is a fan favourite and one of the finest PS1 games of all time, thanks to its tight atmosphere, hard puzzles, and horrific boss confrontations. #14 - Mortal Kombat 4 https://youtu.be/ERQU_YQQcpY Mortal Kombat 4 was the fourth installment in the legendary fighting game franchise, and it deviated from the series' conventional 2D gameplay. Midway Games created the game, which included 3D visuals, a new combination system, and a slew of additional characters. Mortal Kombat 4 is still a favourite among fighting game aficionados for to its outrageous brutality, memorable deaths, and enjoyable multiplayer options. #15 - Gran Turismo 2: Simulation Mode https://youtu.be/0JXqpK6slp4 Gran Turismo 2 - Simulation Mode was a racing game designed to provide players a realistic driving experience. Polyphony Digital created the game, which offered a vast array of automobiles, realistic physics, and a variety of race circuits. Gran Turismo 2 - Simulation Mode remains one of the finest racing games on the PS1 thanks to its extensive customization possibilities, difficult AI, and outstanding grap

hics. #16 - Megaman X4 https://youtu.be/v1fRuS0Agok Megaman X4 was the fourth installment in the popular Mega Man X series, and it deviated from the series' customary 2D gameplay. Capcom created the game, which included 2D visuals with 3D components, unique gaming mechanisms, and an interesting plot. Megaman X4 is still one of the finest action games on the PS1 because to its hard stages, rewarding boss fights, and entertaining power-ups. #17 - Digimon World https://youtu.be/E0-C5h7n7RA Digimon World was a one-of-a-kind RPG in which players could grow and train their own digital monsters. The game, developed by Bandai, included a big open environment, several Digimon to gather, and a variety of activities to participate in. Digimon World is a fan favourite and one of the finest PS1 games of all time because to its interesting gameplay, appealing aesthetics, and unforgettable music. #18 - Harvest Moon: Back To Nature https://youtu.be/b3eJN3Q7paU Harvest Moon - Return To Nature was a farming simulation game in which players were tasked with constructing and managing a profitable farm. Natsume created the game, which included appealing aesthetics, a variety of crops and animals to maintain, and a humorous dating sim element. Harvest Moon - Return To Nature remains one of the finest simulation games on the PS1 because to its calm gameplay, addicting loop, and memorable characters. #19 - Digimon World 3 https://youtu.be/qRtL6yau3CI Digimon World 3 was the third game in the Digimon World series and signified a break from the gameplay of the first two games. The game, created by Bandai, included a classic turn-based fighting system, an immense area to explore, and a variety of Digimon to acquire. Digimon World 3 is a beloved game among series fans because to its compelling plot, unique characters, and rich RPG elements. #20 - DragonBall Z: Ultimate Battle 22 https://youtu.be/LjcXe-96MFo DragonBall Z - Ultimate Battle 22 was a fighting game in which fans could fight with their favourite characters from the popular anime series. Infogrames created the game, which featured fast-paced action, spectacular special manoeuvres, and stunning visuals for the time. DragonBallZ - Ultimate Battle 22 is a fun game for lovers of the anime series, with a varied cast of fighters and engaging team elements. Final Remark: The PlayStation 1 era has come and gone, but the tremendous library of games it spawned lives on. The PS1 was a platform that appealed to all sorts of players, from traditional RPGs to furious fighting games and everything in between. The 20 games featured below are only a fraction of the many fantastic titles available on the platform, and they remain popular with fans to this day. The PS1 is a treasure mine of amazing experiences that should not be missed, whether you're a lifelong fan of the platform or a beginner eager to try some of its finest titles. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):- Q1. What made the PlayStation 1 such a hit ? Ans. The PlayStation One was a game-changing device that pioneered several new and unique features, including its CD-ROM format, 3D visuals, and wide game library. It also benefited from aggressive marketing and third-party developer assistance. Q2. Why aren't some of my favourite PS1 games included ? Ans. It's hard to put every fantastic game on a list like this with such a large library to select from. The games in this list were chosen for their critical and commercial success, as well as their long-term effect and popularity among fans. Q3. Can I still play PlayStation 1 games today ? Ans. Yes! While the PS1 is no longer manufactured, many of its titles are still playable today via various methods. Some have been restored or re-released on contemporary systems, while others may be played on original hardware or through emulation. Q4. Are these games appropriate for people of all ages ? Ans. That is determined by the

game. While many of the games on this list are suitable for players of all ages, others may include mature themes or content that is inappropriate for younger players. Before playing a game, it's usually a good idea to verify its rating and content. Q5. Is it still possible to purchase these games today ? Ans. Some of the games on this list may still be available via internet merchants or used game stores. But, some of them may be uncommon or pricey, so do your homework before purchasing.

[ryuubff]

i dont think i've ever shared this but this is one of my favorite march moments so far like just admit you're in love with me too come on GOADDDD HES SO ADORABLE

[sharaishvalda]

[moe-broey]

Some practice/experiments!

I've been having a lot of trouble w paints LMFAO, so I've been revisiting pencils and like damn. This is literally so much better actually LMFAO, I have so much more control and room for error. But then I spent like half a second thinking about how (for something I'm working on 👀👀) I'm gonna have to color backgrounds at least a little and thought. Damn. I fucking hate using pencils for bgs it's SO tedious and STUPID and also I still wanna paint I don't wanna give up 🥲🥲🥲

Then I thought, damn...... what if I mixed mediums. Would you be mad at me

[milfcoven]

What’s your UID I wanna play with youuu

Ignore the signature but

[cephalonserotonin]

Warframe Devstream 164 Notes

Another change to the Rebb Creative Director era (erra) seems to be bringing in new people on the team for each stream, which is great! Love to see more of the personalities working on the game

I also appreciate the awareness brought to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which I didn't know about as I don't live in canada

Pablo speaking Spanish :)

this isn't related to the content of the stream, but right as Ven'kra and Sprag were shown and I eagerly went to pause and examine the new art, twitch dropped no less than 3 ADS on me. So much for excitement in the moment. I am so angry at the state of online video these days

but speaking of Venkra and Sprag, their weapons look sick as hell and I'm excited that we're getting skins for them! Especially that hammer

making the Veilbreaker Challenges cumulative is a really good idea, very gamer-friendly

(Honestly I've been a big fan of every decision Pablo has made since being crowned Lead Designer)

Styanax Foley deep dive!! I adore Styanax's sound effects and it was neat to see the individual noises that comprise them (especially if your ear can't distinguish them like me lol) definitely check that out (about half an hour into the devstream) if you're interested in sound design

thought it was neat to hear the difference between the spear throw sound and the spear impale sound

As an aside, Slater the sound designer called the 4 ability an ultimate, which will make my clanmate happy as i always poke fun at him for doing that lol

this is not Overwatch.

REVENANT PRIME yeah boyeeee 👻👻👻👻👻 !!!!

y'all don't even know, Phantasma is among my favourite guns, Tastu is my favourite nikana, Revenant is one of my mains and who I play almost exclusively in the month of October. One of my first posts on here was my Spoopy Revenant. and now it's ALL GETTING PRIMED :D

my spooky boy arrives October 5th!!

Do Revenant Prime thralls have a different icon above their heads or are my eyes deceiving me??

"flesh arsenal"

he looks so. Victorian. 🧐

Dark Magician is right, Megan's look has big Yu-Gi-Oh vibes

"classic vampire trope, lasers" "I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the lack of laser vampires" this is very valid

haunted orbiter decorations!!

I kind of want to do Captura Tennotober but realistically I know I don't have it in me 😔

hello werewolf milf frame 🥺

chat doesn't like her but I think she looks great and I want her to tear my head off, personally

I'm interested to see what new Grineer lore Ven'kra and Sprag's interactions with Kahl will bring

the fucking. Dojo updates. Dojo decorations are the bane of my sleep schedule and it looks like I've got some more restless nights in my future!

the archon shard ephemeras look amazing, unfortunately for me as I do not do archon hunts

It's a small thing at the end, but ammo visuals are being changed to no longer rely on colour! Yay accessibility!

[sensitive-charmy]

I really want to share my experience with KH and how I got into it since I know everyone’s stories are so unique. KH is the one and only passion I’ve had that carried from my childhood well into my adulthood. There are things I liked as a kid that I still like now. But nothing touched me to the degree that KH has. And it’s amazing to me just how long it has stuck with me. It’s amazing to me that I still think about it literally every day of my life. So here’s my very long, unnecessary, personal story.

I had just started middle school and became very close with my new friend (we’ll call her Jessica for the sake of privacy). Jessica lived right up the street from me, and we would go over to each other’s houses every single day after school and play video games. I wasn’t much of a gamer myself. I always had video games growing up, but I was never really good at them and didn’t take it too seriously. Jessica had a burning passion for video games, though. And that’s just how we bonded.

Jessica had Sora’s crown necklace. And one day, I asked her what it was. And I guess she had the realization that we play video games together every day, and somehow, I didn’t know about Kingdom Hearts. She demanded I go over to her house and play because “it’s a Disney game,” and I was “sure to love it.” Once Friday hit, I went to her mom’s house and started playing. I had very little experience with Japanese culture or anime. I was never allowed to watch or play Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Dragon Ball, Naruto or anything of the sort. I had a very toxic impression that anime was “bad” and therefore, I was highly disgusted by Japanese animation. When Simple and Clean started playing and I had to sit through that trippy opening sequence, I was very turned off towards KH. I thought this was gonna be about Disney movies? I thought this was about Disney princesses? Not anime boys. I voiced my discontentment, and Jessica’s mom said to me, “Just play until you meet Donald and Goofy. That’s when the game actually starts.”

I don’t know if it was the combination of both Jessica and her mom forcing me to play or if I genuinely enjoyed playing it or if I just felt pressured to say I liked it. I don’t remember exactly what I was feeling after having met and Donald and Goofy. But apparently, I told my dad about it, and he immediately bought both KH1 and KH2 for me.

I remember really struggling to beat Riku in the race and thinking I had to win. It was very difficult for eleven-year-old me who was (and still is) very bad at video games. It took me about two years to finish KH1 simply because I milked it for all it was worth and really took my time exploring every single inch of every world. I loved that game. And it holds a very, very special place in my heart considering it was the first video game I ever completed by myself. In the time that it took for me to beat KH1, Jessica moved out of the city and we lost touch. I never got the chance to tell her just how much Kingdom Hearts meant to me. We barely had the chance to bond over it at all since I fell in love with it in slow motion. But I still think about her every now and then, think about how much this silly little game still means to me, and I wonder if she still loves it too.

It took me about a year to finish KH2 for the same reason. I played and played and played those games like I’ve never played a video game before or since. Neither one of my sisters played Kingdom Hearts. And none of my friends did either. I had absolutely no one to talk to about it, which is really why I remained oblivious to any “spin-offs” that had been or were currently being made. I grew up in a very sheltered home where YouTube and the internet was not allowed to be explored (not to mention that YouTube barely had much footing at the time).

I had made my own binder cover with images from KH and paraded it around school proudly, waiting for the moment that someone would recognize it and strike up conversation with me. It finally happened one day around 2012 when someone said, “Have you played Birth By Sleep?” I said, “No…?” because I had never heard of that. And they said, “Oh, that sucks. I guess you’ll never know who Roxas really is.” (Because people were theorizing that Roxas was Ven’s Nobody at the time.) Of course, I freaked out, and decided to look up this stuff on my own. I found that Chain of Memories, 358/2 Days, and Birth By Sleep had all been released and that I had no clue what their stories were about at all. Panic set in as I realized they were all on different consoles. Even though I already had a GBA, a DS, and a PS3, my silly child brain thought it was completely illogical to ask for video games. I never brought it up with my parents. And I basically forced myself to suffer. I thought, “I have to know these stories. But I can’t play these games. I’ll have to just watch cutscenes and read Wikipedia articles.” And that’s exactly what I did, lol. I braved the world of YouTube and looked up KH cutscenes and consumed the games in that fashion, especially since Let’s Plays were still a very new and foreign concept. (And people who did Let’s Plays were typically very vulgar and inappropriate, and I was a good child, lol.) The exact same thing happened when Dream Drop Distance was released. I remember walking around Best Buy with my dad and seeing the poster. He said to me, “Do you want that game?” And I didn’t want to be a burden. I didn’t want my dad to have to spend $60 on a video game plus however much the 3DS was. And I knew I wouldn’t play any other games on the 3DS except DDD. So I said, “No, it’s just a spin-off. It doesn’t matter to the story. And 3D makes me sick.” So he didn’t buy it for me. And I forced myself to suffer in the same way, watching cutscenes on YouTube and silently wishing I could’ve just played it myself.

In 2013, the only thing that mattered to me was the official announcement of KH3. Honestly, that announcement rang so loud it my ears, it drowned everything else. I somehow managed to miss the fact that 1.5 was released even though its trailer was coupled with the KH3 announcement. I literally didn’t even realize 1.5 was a thing until the end of 2013. And I had this incredibly dumb thought that it was gonna cost hundreds of dollars because it was “three gaming experiences in one package.” Stupid dumb little Lea who had no idea how to navigate the internet or any information. I still had this idea that the KH “spin-offs” were unavailable to me due to money (even though I already had a PS3. Seriously. Stupid dumb little Lea.) So once I learned about 1.5, I decided the best way to consume it was once again through YouTube.

Enter: SkywardWing

I found his Road to Kingdom Hearts III series and watched the hell out of it. Every morning before school while eating breakfast, I’d watch the most recent episode he uploaded. Finally, I got to see what Re:Chain of Memories gameplay looked like. Finally, I got to the heart of 358/2 Days. Finally, I was able to live vicariously through Sky. Finally, I had someone else to “interact with” about KH. Even though I am a very passive lurker and rarely comment on videos or interact in large ways on the internet, I felt like Sky was a friend. I’d readily consume every single theory or fun video he’d make leading up to KH3. And of course I watched the other Key Keepers as well, but none hit as close to home as SkywardWing. Without him, I genuinely wonder if my love for Kingdom Hearts would’ve eventually tapered off. Waiting for KH3 was such a long process, I wonder if I would’ve eventually lost the love and passion if I didn’t see his videos on my feed every day.

In April of 2014, I was having a very bad week. It’s a long story and not worth telling here, but the tipping point was when my friend was trying to help me out and asked if I wanted to go to a drive-in theater with her and her family to see the new Captain America movie. Captain America is my favorite superhero, and I always wanted to go to a drive-in, but this week in particular, my mom had an iron grip on me and told me I couldn’t go. I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever been so mad at her, especially considering I was plenty old enough to make my own decisions. My dad must’ve felt really bad for me because he went out and bought 1.5 for me completely unprompted.

When 2.5 released later that year, I didn’t have to ask my dad for it. He knew how much I loved 1.5. Of course, KH2 got put on the back burner. I played BBS first. Do you know how long I had been waiting for the opportunity to play that game myself? Aqua, Terra, and Ven felt like old friends who I hadn’t seen in years. That’s still one of the most magical memories in my life.

Some time passed, and my sister’s husband introduced me to his friend who really loved Kingdom Hearts, and he became my boyfriend. Kingdom Hearts was the glue that kept the two of us together. The relationship was not healthy, but I really clung to the fact that he liked Kingdom Hearts. I didn’t have any friends who played these games. I didn’t know anyone who cared anywhere near as much as I did. It was so important to me that my boyfriend played them and enjoyed them as much as me. I didn’t wanna let that go, so I held on much longer than I should’ve. We were dating when 2.8 came out, so he came over to my house and played with me because we were both incredibly excited. My boyfriend and I broke up shortly after (thank goodness). And cue more impatient waiting for KH3.

By 2019, I was dating a different boy. He had never played KH a day in his life, but he respected that it meant so much to me. He came over on release day and happily watched me play KH3 for hours. I’d give him the controller during the mech segments in Toy Box because he loved first person shooters. That day will forever be etched in my heart. That was the day I had been waiting for for so long. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it and all its emotions.

I look back and find it silly that I was dating one boy when 2.8 came out and then a different boy when KH3 came out and now I’m not involved with anyone. I sometimes wonder if I’ll be with someone else whenever KH4 finally releases and I laugh to myself. I can count on one hand the amount of people I’ve personally met who have played these games. And none of them had long-lasting impacts on my life except for Jessica and my initial introduction to the series. I am once again at a point where I don’t have anyone in my personal life to talk to about it. But making this blog and reading y’all’s posts has been monumental. I love hearing what everyone has to say, everyone’s experiences and opinions. This silly little video game means so much to me. And I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way.

[kyndaris]

A Hero Lies in You

On April Fool’s Day 2019, a video was released showing the latest game in the Yakuza franchise. Many thought it was a prank. The reason why? The sudden change in combat. Gone was the brawler beat-em-up that was associated with the series. In its stead was a turn-based system reminiscent of role-playing games. Characters waiting for their turns before utilising special skills? In a franchise known for its hard gritty storylines about gangs duking it out in the streets of Japan? ‘Haha Ryu Ga Gotoku. You thought you could fool us, but we see right through you. This isn’t our first rodeo and you’re not Square Enix,’ was many a thought when the footage had been viewed by thousands online.

What gamers did not know was that this was no gag. Fast forward several months to August 2019 and it was confirmed that Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon, starring new protagonist Kasuga Ichiban, would actually incorporate turn-based battles. There would even be JOBS! 

As I had just finished playing through Kiryu’s story, as well as Judgment, in 2020 I was eager to see what new protagonist Kasuga Ichiban would bring to the table. From trailers, I could already see how much livelier Ichiban would be in comparison to the more stoic Kiryu. And, in contrast to Yagami, he was definitely more of an idiot. A lovable idiot, to be sure, but an idiot nonetheless.

Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon released in a huge week for video games. While I would have preferred to play it earlier, I had other huge titans to wrestle into submission first. Once I had managed to satiate my Ubisoft open-world needs with Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, I dived head first onto the streets of Yokohama, ready to bust some heads.

The game opens on a play. For a moment, I thought I had somehow purchased the wrong game. But as the lengthy prologue progressed, it was very clear that this was most definitely a Yakuza game. It just needed to set up a little bit of the tale, starting with Arakawa Masumi - father figure and role-model for our erstwhile hero. It isn’t long before players are introduced to Kasuga Ichiban with his trademark ‘punch perm.’ Born in a soapland and raised by those that lived on the fringes of society, Ichiban, rather than being hardened by his experience, is empathetic and not afraid to show emotion. Tasked with collection, he interprets his orders in a way to benefit those that are struggling. His goofball attitude immediately makes him a character one can connect to. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s a bit of a nerd, having played Dragon Quest during his childhood and likening many of the people around him to things in the game.

It’s not long before the plot escalates and Ichiban volunteers to give himself up to the police. Sentenced to fifteen years in prison, he inadvertently extends his sentence when his Patriarch is insulted by one of the fellow inmates. After nearly two decades spent in prison for a crime that he did not commit, Ichiban is released with little fanfare and no waiting convoy. Disappointed, he takes it in stride. The first thing on his order of business: to get his signature punch perm and reconnect with his second father-figure and Patriarch of the Arakawa family.

Along the way, he is dogged by a former policeman: Adachi. At first, it isn’t made clear why Adachi seeks Ichiban for help. After all, Ichiban had supposedly killed another yakuza in Kamurocho, Tokyo. Adachi, on the other hand, was a detective in Yokohama. Why would he have any interest in uncovering the truth behind what had put Ichiban behind bars?

After a few shenanigans are had in and around Kamurocho, our protagonist is shot and left for dead - waking up in a homeless shelter in the heart of Isezaki Ijincho. Climbing his way from rock bottom, Ichiban embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, stumbling upon a series of events and unearthing a vast conspiracy in which he was to serve as a pawn.

Many of the earlier chapters felt a little contrived. In particular was the death of Nonomiya. While it served to move the narrative forward, it was most assuredly a means to an end that didn’t highlight any significant character growth. Poor Nonomiya was fridged just to bring Ichiban into conflict with the Liumang branch of the Ijin Three.

It was only in the later chapters that the story picked up steam - with the confrontations with Bleach Japan and the encroachment by the Omi Alliance. Joined by a menagerie of characters like Zhao, Saeko, Han Joon-Gi, Nanba and Eri, there was a lot to keep track on as the plot barrelled forward at a breakneck pace, connecting Ichiban’s past with his current present and all the while setting up a juicy conflict between two men that could have been brothers. And honestly, the ending with Arakawa Masato and Ichiban got to me. I loved how that Ichiban was finally able to reach his old charge by being vulnerable and finally letting out a little of his resentment at the life Masato led, despite the fact that he could not use his legs.

The characters were superbly written and their motivations were a good reflection of the human condition. The themes of family and finding a home were evident, right from the start, even though a lot of it was glossed over by Ichiban’s desire to be a hero in a video game.

(I also really liked Seong-hui and would love to see her be an actual playable character in possible future instalments. On a side note, Arakawa...you cannot simply say: ‘See you tomorrow, Ichi,’ and expect to walk away. You basically wrote your own name into the Death Note with that line!)

As far as aping Japanese role-playing games go, however, Yakuza: Like a Dragon falls woefully short. While the Tendo twist was a good one - it was pulled a little too early. Worse, there was no world-ending threat. Everyone knows that a Japanese role-playing game MUST HAVE A VILLAIN/ EVIL GOD FIGURE THAT INTENDS TO DESTROY THE WORLD. Yakuza: Like a Dragon was too focused on old childhood rivalries to extend it further afield. I mean, yes, Aoki Ryo hoped to pull the strings of the Japanese government as chair of the CLP, but WHERE WAS THE METEOR HURTLING TOWARDS EARTH? 

Honestly, 1/10 for holding true to Japanese role-playing games.

Other than that, the summons with Pound Mates was amusing. As were the side stories. Honestly, there can never be enough side stories to flesh out the wacky world of the Yakuza franchise. So many old favourites made their return. From Pocket Fighter (now dubbed Dragon Fighter) and Gondawara Susumu with his baby fetish.

Also, I didn’t think I’d be so obsessed with it, but I think they cracked property management this time round. Ichiban Confections, later known as Ichiban Holdings, was a blast to manage and accrue juicy money for.

The bartender of Survive also looked very familiar. I mean...what with the huge scar across his face. My suspicions were confirmed when I searched up Kashiwagi up on the Yakuza wiki page and was awarded with the fact that HE MANAGED TO SURVIVE THE ASSAULT HELICOPTER FROM YAKUZA 3!!

Other than that, my few other gripes involved the implementation of the levelling system and the way area of effect skills were handled. In particular, the pathing for how characters moved around the battlefield proved, at least to me, a bit of a frustration. Often, characters would be blocked by a knee-high fence or a corner. Sometimes they would be able to go around, but other times the game (after several seconds of watching them fail to walk through a solid building) warp to the enemy that I had targeted to launch their attack.

And even though the combat is turn-based, most of the enemies tend to walk around the battlefield - either clumping together or distancing themselves from each other. What truly annoyed me was when there were moves that could be used as an area of effect, with the MP cost to go along with it, but were limited by their effectiveness when the enemy combatants were too far away. Yes, it makes sense, but golly gosh, how much of a pixel measurement does it have to be for it to not hit?

Besides that, the levelling was also a bit of a tedious chore. Were it not for the invested vagrants, I feel like I might have put the game down with how much grinding there was - particularly when it came to the various jobs. The biggest hill to climb was from 20-30. Without the exp (experience point) boosting items, it would have been a torturous slog. I know that in the original Japanese release of the game, the cap for jobs was level 30, but if you change it to 99, please, for the sanity of all the gamers out there, tweak the requirements to make it easier. And maybe give normal trash mobs a bit more experience points for the playable characters to munch on. 

Goodness, imagine having to grind on level 55 Ornery Yakuza and receiving a paltry 1000xp for each battle (when, in order to level up a job, you needed almost a million).

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a break from the traditional formula that’s been a staple of the franchise for many years. Much like Ichiban, it’s a bit of fresh air to liven up the experience that might have gone a bit stale after I slogged through the whole Kiryu arc last year. With a few tweaks, and a few more Persona 5 CD soundtracks, I’m eager to see how the story evolves and whatever contrivances Ichiban will somehow force him into.

Although, to be fair, is it still appropriate to call this franchise Yakuza when the game literally saw the dismantling of the two biggest clans? Then again, Civilian: Like a Dragon 2 just doesn’t have the same ring to it. In any case, I hope the next one comes soon and we’ll be able to have Seong-hui in our party. I feel like she’d be wielding a gunblade.

(Did I just use a lyric from Mariah Carey? You bet I did! I had been tossing up the idea between this line and ‘I need a hero.’ Why? Well, I think that would be self-explanatory after knowing Ichiban’s proclivities. And it fits so, so, so well!) 

[nickburn]

Things I Enjoyed in 2020 Despite Everything

Seasons Greetings! This year has felt like an eternity for so many reasons, and before it’s over, I’d like to take a look back on the distractions that got me through it. Along the way, I’ll occasionally point out where I was emotionally at the time and whether I got into a particular thing before or after the pandemic hit in mid March. I hope you enjoy this little retrospective of some of my experience during one of the worst years of human history!

Games & Mods

Might & Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven

When I was making my 2020 resolutions list late last year, one of my goals was to play more old games in my backlog and not buy many new games this year. That goal largely went on hold, because, well, I sought out enjoyment wherever I could find it instead of forcing myself to play one thing or another. But before Covid, I was really enjoying my new playthrough of M&M6. I’d made attempts at it before, but it was really GrayFace’s mod that made the game click for me. Modern features like quick saves and mouselook make the game much more accessible, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to try an old-school RPG. It’s a great stepping stone into a mostly-dead genre. I’m hoping to get back to it soon. I just jumped ship to simpler ventures like Doom Eternal after the pandemic hit and haven’t looked back since.

Pathologic 2

I learned about the Pathologic series late last year and have since become a little obsessed with it. Hbomberguy’s lengthy video essay on the original game really intrigued me and lead me to trying the sequel/remake in April via Xbox Game Pass. In a weird way, it was cathartic to be a doctor in an even more dire situation than our current one and still see signs of the townsfolk trying to help each other deal with a supernatural plague and little help from their local government. The game helped me express a lot of what I was feeling at the time, when I was still getting used to working from home and wondering just how long this could go on for. I’ve gone back to it recently, and I’m hoping to finish it someday, if I can find a way to stop dying. Above all, Pathologic 2 teaches you how to make choices in no-win scenarios with little information or resources and still persevere, despite the world going to Hell around you. And that’s maybe the most important thing to practice at the moment.

Overwatch

I’ve continued to look forward to weekly Overwatch nights with my friends every Thursday, and it’s really important to have something like that right now. Even if it’s just a new episode of a show airing, a new video from a favorite YouTuber, or a regular Zoom call with coworkers, it helps so much to have something to anticipate from week to week and month to month. Otherwise, it’s really easy to feel like nothing’s going on besides the entropic deterioration of the universe. Overwatch itself helps with this, because it’s such a positive, bright, and optimistic game, as only Blizzard can create. And it’s improved a ton in the past couple of years, in a lot of ways. If you haven’t played in a while, hop in and check out all the new content with your friends; I think you’ll have a great time. It’s looking more and more like Overwatch 2 is right around the corner, and I’m very much looking forward to it.

Go

I learned how to play Go after watching a documentary released this year about  AlphaGo, the computer that beat the Go world champion, and I have a huge appreciation for the game now. I think it’s even more beautiful than chess, though even more insidious to learn. If you haven’t played before, start with a 9x9 board, teach yourself the basics, and try playing with another beginner friend. I guarantee you’ll be amazed at the amount of strategy and imagination that a game ostensibly about placing black and white stones on a grid can inspire. Go’s one of several new hobbies I’ve picked up this year, and those new hobbies have really helped me pass the time in a way that feels productive as well as take my mind off whatever depressing news just got blasted across Twitter.

Doom 64

Doom Eternal was fine, but Doom 64′s where my heart lies. The PC port on Steam is great, allowing everyone to easily play the game with mouse and keyboard. Its levels are tight and colorful, often asking the player to backtrack multiple times through the same areas to unlock new ones and take on whatever new twists await down each darkened corridor. It’s a surprisingly fresh experience. Unlike many modern Doom mods that strive to be sprawling marathons, 64′s levels are short but memorable, and the game is a great entry point to the series for newcomers because of that. Retro FPS’s continue to inspire and entertain me, and Doom 64 is one of my new favorites.

Golf With Your Friends

I’m not usually that into party games, but Golf With Your Friends strikes the right balance between casual tone and skill-based gameplay. The maps are vibrant and devious, the different modes are creative and often hilarious, and the pacing is near-perfect. If you’ve got a squad itching to play something together for a few nights, I guarantee you’ll have a lot of laughs trying to knock an opponent off the course or turning them into an acorn just as they’re about to attempt a nasty jump.

Quake 1 Mods

I probably sound like a broken record by now to a lot of you, but I won’t rest until I get more people into retro FPS’s. The outdated graphics and simple gameplay can be off-putting at first, but it doesn’t take long at all to get hooked after you’ve played the likes of excellent mods like Ancient Aliens for Doom 2 or Arcane Dimensions for Quake 1. And it’s only getting better, with this year marking probably the best year for Quake releases ever. The industry even seems to be taking notice again, with many talented mappers getting picked up for highly-anticipated, professional indie projects like Graven and Prodeus. And while the marketing around the retro FPS renaissance as the second coming of “boomer shooters” should be much maligned, the actual craft involved in making mods and brand new games in the genre has never been stronger. I even contributed four levels to the cause this year, but you’ll have to play them yourself to decide if they’re any good: https://www.quaddicted.com/reviews/?filtered=burnham.

Streets of Rage 4

I had not tried Steam Remote Play before this year, but it works surprisingly well if you have a decent internet connection. Because of Remote Play, I was able to complete Streets of Rage 4 with my friends, and it was very close to the experiences I had as a kid playing brawlers like Turtles in Time on the Super Nintendo. The game is just hard enough to make you sweat during the boss fights but just easy enough that the average group of gamers can complete it in a night or two, which is ideal for adults with not a lot of free time.

Hard Lads

Hard Lads is a pure delight of a game by Robert Yang about the beauty of a viral video from 2015 called “British lads hit each other with chair,” which is even more ridiculous than it sounds. It made me smile and laugh for a good half hour, and I think it’ll do the same for you.

Commander MtG

The Commander format for Magic: the Gathering is one of my favorite things, and in 2020, I dug into it more than any other year. More so even than playing or watching it being played, I created decklists for hours and hours, dreaming up new, creative strategies for winning games or just surprising my imaginary opponents. I sincerely believe this little ritual of finding a new legendary creature to build around and spending a few days crafting a brew for it got me through the majority of this summer. I didn’t have a lot of creative energy this year, but I was able to channel the little I did have into this hobby. Especially during the longer, more frustrating or depressing days at work when I had nothing else to do or just needed a break, I could often dive back into card databases and lose myself in the process of picking exactly the cards that best expressed what I wanted to do for any given deck. And it’s nice to know I can always fall back on that.

Yu-Gi-Oh!

I played a lot of Yu-Gi-Oh! growing up but never had the cards or the skill to be particularly good at it. I just knew I enjoyed the game and the 4Kids show, but I quickly them behind when I got to high school. Fast forward to 2020, and the game and franchise have evolved substantially, not always for the better. But I do find it so intriguing, with a skeptical kind of adoration. It’s not nearly as well-supported as Magic, but what it does have are gigantic anime monsters on tiny cards with enough lines of text to make your head spin. And it’s so interesting to me that a franchise like that can continue to thrive alongside more elegant games like the Pokemon TCG and Hearthstone. And the further I’ve delved into how the game has changed since I stopped playing, the more invested I’ve become, going so far as to start buying cards again and looking into possible decks I might enjoy playing. An unequivocal win for Yu-Gi-Oh! is Speed Duel, which seeks to bring old players back to the game with a watered-down, nostalgia-laden format with fewer mechanics and a much smaller card pool. So if all you want to do is pit a Blue Eyes White Dragon against a Dark Magician, that’s 100% still there for you, but the competitive scene is still alive, well, and astoundingly complicated. And I think that’s kind of beautiful.

Black Mesa

I wasn’t expecting to have the tech to play Half Life: Alyx this year, so Black Mesa seemed like the next best thing. And it really is a love letter to the first game, even if it’s far from perfect. I even prefer the original, but I did very much enjoy my time with this modern reimagining. If you’ve never played a Half Life game before, I think it’s a great place to start.

VR via the Oculus Quest

Around halfway through this year, I started to get really stir crazy and yeah, pretty depressed. It seemed like I’d be stuck in the same boring cycle forever, and I know for a lot of people, it still feels like that. So VR seemed like the perfect escape from this dubious reality where you can’t even take a safe vacation trip anymore. And you know, I think it works really well for that purpose. The Oculus Quest is especially effective, doing away with cords or cables so you have as much freedom as you have free real estate in your home. I don’t have a lot of space in my studio apartment, but I have enough to see the potential of the medium, which is completely worth it. Next gen consoles are neat and all, but I’ve got my heart set on picking up the Quest 2 as soon as possible.

* Beat Saber

I was most looking forward to trying Beat Saber on the Quest, and I was not disappointed. You’d think rhythm games had reached their peak with Rock Band and DDR, but the genre keeps on giving with gems like this. It’s hard to convey if you’ve never tried it, but the game succeeds so well in getting your entire body into the rhythm of whatever song you’re slashing through.

* Half Life: Alyx

Again, I really did not expect to be able to experience this game as intended this year, and I still don’t think I really have. The Oculus Link for the Quest is admittedly a little janky, and my PC barely meets the minimum specs to even run the game. And yet, despite that, Alyx is one of my top three games of 2020 and maybe one of my all-time favorites. Even as I was losing frames and feeling the game struggle to keep up with all the AI Combine soldiers running around, I was still having a blast. For me, it is one of the best reasons to seek out and own VR and a pinnacle of game design in its own right.

Hades

For me, Hades has mostly been similar to every other Supergiant Game that I’ve played: fun and well-polished but ultimately not engaging enough to play for very long. And there’s always this sheen of trying to be too clever with their dialogue, narration, and music that rubs me the wrong way. But Hades is certainly their best game, and I can’t deny the effect it’s had on people, much like Bastion’s reception back in 2011. And I’m really hoping Hades gets more people into roguelikes, as a more accessible and story-driven approach to the genre. Timing-wise, I wish it hadn’t come out around the same time as Spelunky, because I think it did make some people choose one over the other, when the best choice is to play both and realize they’re going for very different experiences. The precise, unforgiving, arcade-like style of Spelunky isn’t fun for everyone, though, and Hades is thankfully there to fill in that gap. I’m really glad I found more time to play it this year at least to succeed on one escape attempt; it’s a fun game to think about in a game design context. And I do think the game has a lot of merit and is doing some clever things with difficulty that the studio likely could not have honed nearly so well without the help of Early Access. The most impressive part of the game to me is not the story or the music or the combat but the massive amount of contextual dialogue they somehow found time to program, write, and record at a consistently high level. All of this is just to say, Hades is obviously one of the best games of the year, and you should play it if you have any interest in it at all.

Spelunky 2

I’ve spoken a lot about this game on Twitter, so I’m not going to rehash much of that here. For me, it’s been a journey of over 1,000 attempts to learn the intricacies and secrets of a deep and demanding game that’s been as frustrating as it’s been rewarding. But it remains a constant source of learning and discovery as well as mastery and pride for me, and I still have hopes of reaching the Cosmic Ocean and getting all the trophies someday. It’s been a joy to watch other Spelunky players too, even as some fair worse than me and others fair far better. And the Daily challenge keeps me coming back, because seeing my name high up on the leaderboard just makes me feel so damn good (or at least I’ll get a good laugh out of a hilarious death). At its heart, Spelunky is a community endeavor, and I think it succeeds at that better than almost any other game this side of Dark Souls. I think it is my Game of the Year or at least tied with Alyx, I really can’t decide. If you don’t think you’d enjoy it, all I’ll say is, the frustration and difficulty are integral to the experience of discovery and surprise, and your brain is better at video games than you think.

Chess

Okay, yes, I watched and enjoyed The Queen’s Gambit, but I think 2020 had already primed people to get into chess this year regardless. Like Yu-Gi-Oh!, chess was a childhood pastime of mine that I really enjoyed and then quickly left behind as I discovered things like music and the internet. If I had to assign a theme to my 2020, it would be rediscovering old hobbies to remind myself how good life actually is. And now I’m more committed to chess than I ever was before. I’m watching international masters and grand masters on YouTube (as well as the incomparable Northernlion), I’m playing regularly on Chess.com, and I’m even paying for lessons and probably my own theory books soon. Like most fighting games, chess is a complicated form of dueling a single opponent with zero randomness, so mistakes are always on you. And modern chess platforms offer extremely good analysis tools, showing you exactly how, when, and why you screwed up so you can do better next time. Like Hearthstone, it’s a quick, addicting, tense, and rewarding way to train your brain and have fun. And it seems more popular now than ever, in part due to a certain Netflix original TV show...

TV

The Queen’s Gambit

I think a lot of people want to be Beth Harmon, even if they know they shouldn’t. It must feel so good to be the best at something and know you’re the best, even while under the influence of certain substances. It’s what makes characters like Dr. Gregory House so fun to watch, though you’d never want to work with the guy. For me, anyway, I always wanted to be a prodigy at something, and what little success I’ve had made The Queen’s Gambit very relatable to me. More so, it’s easy to relate to growing up in a conservative environment with few real friends and fewer outlets of expression, only to realize you’ve finally found your thing, and that no one can take it from you. That’s mostly what I’m going to take from The Queen’s Gambit anyway, more than chess or the Cold War commentary or the problematic relationships Beth has with her cadre of rivals/boyfriends. The show gets a strong recommendation from me for fans of chess as well as lovers of optimistic coming-of-age stories.

March Comes in Like a Lion

Similarly, March Comes in Like a Lion features a protagonist who is scarily close to a version of myself from like eight years ago. My best friend has been urging me to watch this show for years, and I’m still only a few episodes in. But I love how it portrays a young person who’s moved to a big city away from home for the first time, with nothing more than some meager possessions and the hopes of becoming the best in the world at something. And Rei is not confident in himself or outgoing at all, he’s extremely depressed despite pursuing his dreams and trying to distance himself from his somewhat toxic family. It’s a great reminder that the smallest kindnesses can often change our entire perspective on the world, and that even the people that seem the most well-equipped to handle life often still need help. I’ve been very fortunate to have people like that despite mistakes I’ve made, and I hope to be that person for others too.

Umbrella Academy

I’m pretty burnt out on superheroes, but UA put a good enough spin on them that they felt brand new. The show is rough in places, but it’s surprising in some really clever ways. And the comics are some of the wildest stories I’ve ever read, like Hitchhiker’s Guide meets Watchmen.

HunterXHunter

I binged about 100 of the 148 episodes of HxH this year, which I recognize is not a significant number in the wider world of long-running shounen anime, but it’s quite an undertaking for me to finish a show of this length. The series goes places I never expected and made me care so strongly for characters I thought I’d hate at first. It’s the smartest and most endearing show about a band of misfits going on crazy adventures and punching people for the good of the world that you’re likely to find.

Hannibal

This is the rare show that’s simultaneously comforting and nightmare-inducing if watched for extended periods. I can remember nights after binging a few episodes where I couldn’t get many of the disturbing images out of my head. Fair to say, Hannibal is not for the faint of heart, nor is it without some low points. But for those who enjoy gory thrillers or gritty detective dramas, it’s a must-watch. 

Yu-Gi-Oh! Original Series, English Sub

You can probably imagine my surprise as I discovered this year that the Japanese version of the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime is not only much better than the 4Kids version we got in the States, but it’s actually a decent show. The plot makes much more sense, it’s more interesting, the stakes are higher, the voices are better, and overall it’s just more enjoyable to watch. I don’t know if I’ll stick with it long enough to finish it this time, but this is definitely the way I’d do it and would recommend to others.

Fargo Season 4

It’s a miracle we even got another season of Fargo this year, let alone on time and of the same high quality as the first two seasons. It has a great setting, cast, and conflict. I love Chris Rock, and it was so cool to see him act so well in such a serious role. There’s a Wizard of Oz homage episode that is nearly flawless. And the post-credits scene at the end of the season is just the cherry on top. If you haven’t checked out Fargo by now, you are really missing out on some of the most interesting stuff happening in TV. I can’t wait to see what Noah Hawley does with the Alien franchise.

Movies

Cats

I had to include this one because it was the last full movie I saw in theaters before the pandemic hit. I technically went to Sonic too, but my friends and I walked out after about 30 minutes. The less said about that movie, the better. Cats, though, is a strange and curious beast (pun intended), adapting an already unruly animal (pun intended) to the big screen and yowling to be recognized (pun intended). But for every awkward or embarrassing scene, there’s one of pure joy and magic, like the extended ballet sequence or Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat. The film knows exactly what it is and leans into it hard, like a familiar yet slightly insane feline begging to be stroked, which I imagine is exactly what fans of the musical wanted.

Children of Men

There’s not much I can say about this film that probably hasn’t been said better elsewhere. I was intrigued to watch it when I learned it was one of my friend’s favorite movies. And I have to say, it’s really profound in a prescient way. Clive Owen gives one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. You should watch it, but only when you feel like taking a severe hit to the feels.

Basic Instinct

Vertigo is probably still my favorite film, so when I learned this year that Paul Verhoeven made a bloody, sex romp homage film to it in the 90s with Michael Douglas starring, I simply had to watch it. And you know, it’s not bad. It’s nowhere near as good as Vertigo, and you can see the ending coming a mile away. But what it does have is the immaculate Sharon Stone, who you cannot take your eyes off for the entire movie. And the movie knows it, making her look as alluring and suggestive as her character is to the detective investigating her. You could do worse than to watch it, just don’t expect any of Hitchcock’s subtlety or looming dread to seep into the final product.

Books

Dune

I finally finished Dune this year, and I can genuinely say it lives up to the hype. It’s not the easiest book to get through, but it’s by no means one of the most difficult either. I’m still bummed that the new film was delayed, but it might give me time to read the rest of the original book series.

The Fifth Season

Another fantastic piece of fiction, I cannot recommend this book enough. N.K. Jemisin is one of the best living authors of our time. If you want an original setting with a brilliant magic system and complex, compelling characters, look no further.

Video Content

Northernlion

I’ve been a fan of NL for years, though I’ve never been that into The Binding of Isaac. He just has a charismatic intelligence to him that sets him apart from most “Let’s Play” YouTubers to me, and he’s very funny to boot. I guess I’d say he seems a lot like me or the person I could picture myself being if I were a professional video content creator. So I was really excited for NL’s series of Spelunky 2 videos, and I still watch them every day, months later. And now he’s teaching me how to get better at chess, being a good 600 ELO higher than myself at the moment. His sarcastic and improv-laden banter have withstood the test of years and gave me some much-needed comfort and laughter in 2020. Somehow, the man even found a way to keep up his prolific output this year while raising his firstborn child. There are those who said it couldn’t be done...

The Command Zone - Game Knights

Josh Lee Kwai and the rest of the crew at The Command Zone continue to put out some of the most well-produced tabletop gameplay videos on the internet. It’s perhaps no surprise, seeing as how Lee Kwai created trailers for such blockbuster films as Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and Jimmy Wong had a supporting role in the live action remake of Disney’s Mulan. But the crew around the two hosts are just as important and talented, and it’s clear that they all share the same singular vision for the channel’s future. They’ve carefully crafted a team of expert editors, animators, cosplayers, and voice actors to deliver one delightful video after the next at a consistently high level. If you’re into Magic: the Gathering at all, you simply need to watch Game Knights.

Cimoooooooo

I found Alex Cimo’s channel shortly after the algorithm learned I was interested in Yu-Gi-Oh! again, and at first, I was less than impressed with him. But it’s clear to me now that he not only loves what he does, he’s an expert Yu-Gi-Oh! player and analyst. Plus, he’s very good at explaining some of the more complex concepts in the game in a way that newcomers can understand. I’ve watched every new episode of The Progression Series and The History of Yu-Gi-Oh! so far, and they’re the best way I’ve found to learn how the game developed and changed over the last 20 years.

Team APS

This is another great Yu-Gi-Oh! channel, focusing more on skits, gimmick videos, and casual games rather than analytical or theoretical content. Mostly, they seem like a really great group of friends that just have a blast playing Yu-Gi-Oh! together, and their love for the game makes me want to play more too.

Tolarian Community College

Somehow, a community college English professor’s channel went from a quirky little deckbox review platform to the most popular Magic: the Gathering channel on YouTube in only a few years. But it’s easy to see why when Brian clearly loves what he’s doing more than most people ever will. He’s not only a fantastic reviewer and MtG scholar, he’s one of the most outspoken voices for positive change in the community and the game. Is he too hard on the Magic team at Wizards of the Coast? Perhaps, but without his measured and well-reasoned takes on all things Magic, I think we’d be much worse off.

IRL

Cooking

Even I get tired of eating the same things every day, so I’ve taken it upon myself to learn how to make more dishes, mostly out of sheer boredom. And I know I’m not alone in that, but I have to say it’s been a rewarding and fun adventure. It’s really surprising what you can throw together with a decent recipe and a little creativity in a modest kitchen when you decide to break away from the microwave for once.

Chinchillin’

Like many people, I felt that I needed a pet to survive this year, and I’ve always wanted a chinchilla. So I took a risk and bought one from a seller on KSL a few months ago, and my life has definitely changed for the better. No longer simply alone with my thoughts all day, I have a furry little companion to commune and bond with. And it’s more difficult to find time to feel sorry for myself when a basically helpless tiny creature depends on me for almost everything. Not to say it’s been a perfect experience however, people don’t say chins are difficult to care for for nothing. And I have learned more about them than perhaps I ever cared to know before, but that’s only made them more interesting to me as a result. Overall, I would recommend them as pets, just be prepared to give them a lot more time and attention than you would to say, a fish or a hamster. I’ve seen the commitment compared to that of a large dog, and I think that’s fair, though chins seem far more difficult to train and are far less cuddly. Basically, imagine a fluffy, super fast squirrel that can jump half your height, shed its fur at will if grabbed too tightly, that sleeps all day and bathes in dust, and that cannot get wet or too hot or eat 99% of human foods without serious complications. And they get lonely, and they all have their own surprisingly distinct personalities, some shy and mischievous, others bright and social, and everything in between. But I’m glad to be part of my little buddy’s life and hope to make it a long and enjoyable one for him. Part of why I wanted a chinchilla so badly is they typically live between 10-20 years, much longer than the average rodent or even many cats and dogs. And they’re sadly endangered in the wild, poached for their incredibly soft fur, which is why I believe it’s critical that we care for and learn more about them now. And above all, I adore my chinchilla’s antics, even when he continually tries to dig up and eat the paper bedding below his cage when I’ve provided perfectly edible hay and pellets for him in much easier to reach locations.

And that’s all, folks...

If you’ve read this far, know that I really appreciate it and hope you learned something new about yourself, art, or the world. And please do let me know what’s kept you going the most this year too, as I suspect I’ll still be searching for new distractions next year, even after I’m able to get a Covid vaccine injection. As Red Green would say, we’re all in this together, and I’m pullin’ for ya. <3