#god this is top tier monkey design

[mistywitcher]

percy jackson and the olympians has done it. disney, has done it. rick riordan has DONE IT!

the show is so good. i honestly so far can’t fault it, there is nothing i didn’t enjoy. it’s almost perfectly book accurate, the vibe is just right and i absolutely love all the casting. i know there will be people who disagree with me, but i do not give a monkeys. i actually love it.

percy jackson is extremely special to me. it was the first proper full blown autistic special interest i have ever had. i picked up the books when i was 11 (i am now 22) and they have got me through some rough times (including rn with chronic illness) i have a literal trident tattoo on my arm ffs i’m a die hard fan forever.

so to have something i am so incredibly fond of, redeemed from the awful movies, and made into a visually stunning , well thought out, book accurate adaptation, is literally one of the highlights of my life.

so here are some of my more specific thoughts on the first two episodes:

•PERCY! let’s start here. my gods, walker is PERFECT! he has absolutely made this show for me. you can tell how much work he put into understanding percy and making him EVEN BETTER in my opinion than book percy (no shade to book percy, still love him) it’s the moments of vulnerability that he’s worked into it, the genuine anguish, the grief. but also he’s got the humour DOWN! the little comments and one liners were so well delivered, along with his expressions and the way we can see how percy is going to develop. i will never get over his little dancing, and stroking the gecko. that was top tier for me. absolute perfection.

•ANNABETH MY BABE MY LOVE MY WISE GIRL. oh my, leah absolutely EMBODIES her. it’s the little eyebrow quirks, the slightly harsh but kind intonation, it’s so so annabeth. there was so much unnecessary backlash over this casting (cough cough, you can guess why) and it’s total bull, because it doesn’t matter and leah knows that character inside out and it shows. we didn’t get lots of annabeth yet, but i am BEYOND excited to see more and see how percy and annabeths relationship develops!

•GROVER GROVER GROVER what an absolute cutie! absolutely loved his delivery, especially the “i’m 24” line like that ENDED ME. aryan has this in the bag, and i love how he’s kinda sheepish, but still brave, and brings a softness to the character. his comedic timing is everything.

•casting in general i love. Mr D was great, especially with the whole “son” thing. that was illegally funny. love chiron, love luke, and love clarisse. the vibes are all there.

•the writing felt good too! nothing felt too scripted to me, it felt like it flowed and they included a lot of book lines which i loved!

•the visuals were awesome! i loved the CGi, especially for the minotaur and chiron! it wasn’t jarring and you can tell they put the work in to not make it look tacky! i loved how the camp was designed, ESPECIALLY THE CABINS! i always struggled to picture the cabins, so i was actually so impressed with them!

you can tell rick and becky had such a big part in this, it’s really really beautiful and my heart is so full rn. i cannot wait for the rest of this season, i am overjoyed and i hope so much that we get more seasons because this deserves it.

[diableasura]

Now that i've watched every one piece movie that isn't a retelling of an anime arc or straw hat chase i'm gonna go ahead and indulge in the very human tendency of ranking them in order from best to worst (SPOILERS!!!!):

One Piece: Strong World. Maybe it's because this was the first movie i watched and my first experience with one piece in animation but strong world has remained my favorite since day one (though the second place is very very close i must say). The straw hats are all great and have their little moment to shine the plot is solid and they do a great job with nami, out of the four straw hats with a movie more focused on them she's by far the one that gets the best treatment. Strong world is in the perfect position of being a pre time skip movie, so it's not dragged down by the expanding cast of post time skip, but also since it was the tenth anniversary movie they put in more effort than with the previous movies and it shows. Also sanjis cowboy outfit instantly makes it top tier.

One Piece: Film Gold. I'm... kind of obsessed with this movie?? Seeing the straw hats in a heist really scratched an itch i didn't know i had but my god does it feel good. The designs really excelled here the crew looks gorgeous throughout the entire movie and tesoro's island is so interesting and fits very well in the one piece world. Tesoro is also my favorite villain of any movie, i've seen people say he's the perfect blend between crocodile and doffy and that's so true lmao. Loved having zoro as the damsell in distress, inject that shit straight into my veins i love it when the strong character is the one in need of rescue. Everyone was very cool during the heist but i remember really enjoying franky and luffy's dynamic cause lbr we're kinda starved of it in the manga so it was nice to see them interact so much here. Overall amazing movie and the only one i've rewatched out of all of them.

Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. This movie has become a cult classic amongst the fandom and with good reason. It breaks away from the loud spectacle of the other movies and is quieter and more unsettling and so far the only example of actual psychological horror in the lore. I've talked about this before but that final scene with the straw hats cheering luffy on even while they're being consumed by the baron and luffy struggling to the brink of death to save them changed me... I love seeing this family love each other so much!!

Clockwork Island Adventure. I know, I know what's the second movie doing so high up... but it was just so good!! It's very short but that's just a benefit to the plot and i love the gimmick of each straw hat being captured one by one till it's just luffy remaining and the one who has to free them (can you tell i love the movies where the straw hats are kidnapped and the others have to rescue them?? that's my drug). Sanji's fight in this movie kicks ass too, the animation is gorgeous.

One Piece: Film Red. This might seem like a sin, to have this movie so far down the list cause i've seen its pretty unanimously tied up with baron omatsuri as the best movie but to be honest i feel like that's just recency bias. The movie is still a spectacle and the songs slap and yes one of them was in the top 5 of my spotify wrapped this year lol. Uta is a good antagonist but i was never that hooked by her shared past with shanks and luffy, mainly because it's so aggressively impossible for it to be canon, it almost broke my suspension of disbelief. Zosan sleeping side by side was pleasing to my monkey brain and it almost made up for including st charlos in the movie seriously what the fuck was he doing there-

One piece: Stampede. The start of this movie is amazing cause they come up with the perfect competition to have all of these pirate crews on the same place but it quickly devolves into a "how many characters can we fit in" contest and the plot quickly turns into "lets all beat up the villain", which is fine! I did like seeing so many characters, at one point half way through the movie crocodile just appears out of nowhere lmao but hey i'm not complaining i love crocodile. Usopp is the straw hat who's focused on the most in the movie and i feel conflicted with what they did with him cause it just felt like they were making him go through his water 7 arc all over again by having his inferiority complex flaring up. And usopps arc was amazing in water 7 but reviving it for this movie felt a bit weird and repetitive. Despite this though i was very happy seeing him getting the focus, usopp is a painfully underrated character so having him on the spotlight is always welcome.

Dead End Adventure. This movie is a lot of fun. There's a bar fight, a secret pirate race and sanji being his sneaky self and helping out luffy during the final fight. Whats not to love?

One Piece: Film Z. Much like Stampede, i really enjoyed the start of this movie cause the monster trio get to briefly fight the big baddie together, but the plot kinda loses some steam for me after that. Also they tried to make the admirals sympathetic cause the villain is a retired admiral who was once their mentor but i really really really dont care about the marines at all so that was a bit awkward. The straw hats look stunning in this movie, i love that in the movies they give them a million different outfits and the ones from this one absolutely slayed.

Choppers Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals. Another fun movie where all the straw hats get a moment be cool. There's a kid on this island who i found completely insufferable but i can forgive this movie cause this is also where zosan have that famous scene where they praise the other to their defeated oponent, which made my monkey brain happy.

One Piece: The Movie. This movie's biggest misstep is that sanji isn't in it, but even with this critical flaw it was still quite enjoyable. Zoro is very funny on his own but add luffy into the mix and their dynamic was hilarious. Usopp as always was great. The villain is small potatoes tbh but not really the important part of the movie, which focuses more on the relationship between the kid they meet and his gramps. The final message was surprisingly very sweet. Also sanji appears briefly in the end credits to appease me.

Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle. This movie is a-okay. The villains are a complete joke and it takes the crew less than five minutes to deal with them. The crew dynamics carry all of my enjoyment with this one.

The Cursed Holy Sword. Yeah... this movie commited the unforgivable sin of having zoro as the main focus and yet managing to do absolutely nothing interesting with him. Even if they did shamelessly create kuina 2.0 with saga, they could've delved into how zoro would react when two different duties (his promise to saga and his position as the crew swordsman) clash against each other... but instead we see no conflict with zoro, even though we all know this situation would be conflicting for him. They just make him scowl throughout the whole runtime and thats just not who Zoro is... Luffy and usopp are a lot of fun though.

TL; DR my ranking is:

Strong World

Gold

Baron Omatsuri

Clockword Island

Red

Stampede

Dead End

Z

Choppers Kingdom

One Piece: The Movie

Karakuri Castle

Cursed Holy Sword

Conclusion: the one piece brainrot is no joke.

[dumbfinntales]

Steam summer sale was something else, I got a few games for cheap, but only played and beat one of them so far. A classic survival horror game titled "Tormented Souls". Despite having souls in the title it isn't a souls game, but more like classic Resident Evil. You got tank controls, fixed camera angles, a creepy mansion and a ton of puzzles.

Tormented Souls is a pretty fun game and an especially fun survival horror game. I feel like it is lacking in some departments, but overall the experience was great. The Wildberger hospital was an absolutely amazing setting. Each room and each corridor was dripping with dark and creepy atmosphere that really lured me in. The sound of scraping metal and dimly lit rooms made me feel genuine anxiety, and with minimal jump scares! Although there are a couple cheap shots in the game. I have nothing but praise for the environmental design, it is gorgeous.

There aren't that many enemies, but I love their designs. Take the first enemy for example: a legless patient strapped to a wheelchair who has giant knives for fingers. Knowing these were real people who were experimented upon is disturbing. I do wish the game had more traditional bosses, but sadly the final boss is the only unique thing you fight. What I thought was a boss in the operating room was just a big enemy that would start showing up later on. But the way you initiate that fight is top tier.

I really enjoyed the puzzles and how they make you think outside the box. But I felt some of the puzzles were maybe a bit too cryptic? I don't know, maybe I'm just stupid. I had to look up some puzzles because my pea-brain couldn't make the right connections. But some puzzles are genuinely just "what" inducing, like the monkey thief puzzle that connects to eastern mythology with the phrasing "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" and you're kinda supposed to figure this out from an unrelated story. And then the grandfather clock puzzle where you have to carefully look at the paintings in the room and apparently the sword position in the painting is a clue? I dunno. The game made me feel smart at times, and then most of the times really dumb.

Resource management was pretty tight in the game as well, towards the start of the game everything feels tense and you feel like you're out of resources quick. Then later on you start getting more than enough ammo and healing items and of course, save items. Yes this game has RE style limited save system, but I was able to save the game 20 times and I still had left over save items in the end, so it's no big deal. Weirdly enough there was no limited inventory space in this one. You can just carry everything you find, and to be honest I didn't mind it.

So. Great survival horror, great enemies and impeccable atmosphere. Where does the game lack though? For one the character models, the voice acting and the story. The character models look fine in gameplay, but when they zoom in in the cut-scenes they just look god awful compared to the beautiful environments. Voice acting is also just bad, not RE1 so bad that funny, but just bad. You know they're trying, but the performances are a bit wooden. The story was also silly. You got a cult worshipping some "god" to whom they sacrifice twins. You figure out the fate of the twins and just who you are, but most things feel a bit obvious. I just find the god worshipping cult to be a bit on the silly side. Why couldn't it just be some mad doctor doing experiments or maybe a virus like in RE?

Another thing I found a bit disappointing is that there's no unlockables! No special guns or outfits based on how you perform, and the game even grades you at the end. There's no harder difficulty either. The game is plenty replayable for achievements, but I wish the game had its own magnum style weapon. There are only three "guns" and they're not really guns, just makeshift weapons our main character somehow puts together. Seriously, how did she make a shotgun out of a bunch of pipes and tape?

I heard there is a sequel in the works. I think they were pretty spot on with this one, so a sequel with more weapons/monsters/bosses and a similar style is going to make a banger of a game I bet. Despite my complaints Tormented Souls is a really good survival horror, so if you enjoy ol' Resident Evil or Silent Hill I feel like you'll like this one.

[homestucksongcomics]

Masterpost of Song Comics Part I (A-K)

*Unfortunately, due to a peculiarity of tumblr, a post containing too many links will not have any of them function. Thus, the masterpost has been broken into two parts.*

Organized by musician alphabetically

Last updated on 07/18/2021

See Part II here: Masterpost of Homestuck Song Comics Part II (L-Z)

#:

Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down by absinthianlyunheroic

This is War - 30 Seconds to Mars by caffieneandcarpaltunnel

I’m Not Your Boyfriend Baby - 3HO!3 by awildcale

A:

Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy by irlmako

New Tomorrow - A Friend In London by maria-artz

Hand Over Mouth, Over and Over - A Lot Like Birds by binart

Skyfall - Adele by stormfather

Song of Healing - Adriana Figueroa by talkshitnojutsu

Everything Stays - Adventure Time by starchip-one

Kiss my Eyes and Lay Me to Sleep - AFI by 413art

Prelude 12/21 - AFI by toastyhat

Another Day - Air by chubsintubs

A Whole New World - Aladdin by copper-fish

Mercy Me - Alkaline Trio by brainbent

Hothouse - Aly & AJ by dristr

Evelyn, Evelyn - Amanda Palmer by p-pamda

Luck - The American Authors by timehwimeh

21 Guns - American Idiot Cast by jankyweeaboo

Pittsburgh - The Amity Affliction by anafigreen

Inevitable - Anberlin by suchirolle

Ready to Die - Andrew W. K. by askherroyalcondesce

The Age of Not Believing - Angela Lansbury by toastyhat

Director - The Antlers by gin-and-djinn

Kettering - The Antlers by cloudymew

My Mamma Said - Aqua by xamag-homestuck

Suburbs - Arcade Fire by porrim-maryam and collaborators

Wake Up - Arcade Fire by catprinx

We Used to Wait - Arcade Fire by drawingspecibus

R U Mine? - Arctic Monkeys by dacadaca

The Ballad Of Love And Hate - The Avett Brothers by umjulikins

Hey Brother - Avicii by esmeblaise

Wake Me Up - Avicii by a-vodka-mutini

Sail - AWOLNATION by theamazingzombiegirl

B:

If I Die Young - The Band Perry by japhers

Memory - Barbra Strisand by toastyhat

Glitter and Gold - Barns Courtney by chibigaia-art

Daniel in the Den - Bastille by tomato-bird

Pompeii - Bastille by maria-artz Broken

Pompeii - Bastille by toastyhat and oskarna

Above the Clouds of Pompeii - Bear’s Den by groveofsketches

Let it Be - Beatles by toastyhat

The Fool on the Hill - The Beatles by robotoucan

All the Pretty Little Horses - Becky Jean Williams by purplecalamity

Pieces of Sky - Beth Orton by awildcale

Sweet Dreams - Beyoncé by dacadaca

River Below - Billy Talent by kamdensl

Rusted from the Rain - Billy Talent by crispychocolate

Just a Game - Birdy by redwordsoncavewalls

Kill the Lights - The Birthday Massacre by xamag-homestuck

Red Stars - The Birthday Massacre by lord-caliborn and tricotee

These Days - The Black Keys by digitallyimpaired

In the End - Black Veil Brides by rinasart

Let it Be - Blackmill (feat. Veela) by awildcale

Bad Sun - The Bravery by crashtest-therapist

Dear Agony - Breaking Benjamin by yukishii-chan

Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin by nevernoahh

Give Me a Sign - Breaking Benjamin by perceptur

I Will Not Bow - Breaking Benjamin by themockingcrows

First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes by usatoria

Can you feel my heart? - Bring me the horizon by domingoos and Yumegurren

Seeds - Brooke Fraser by anno-bannano Broken

Kodaline - Brother by zzpopzz

When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars by babynarwalshineyeyes

P.O.W. - Bullet for My Valentine by anafigreen

C:

Angel with a Shotgun - The Cab by dawngyocry

How Are You - Cage the Elephant by facetiousfanatic Part 1

How Are You - Cage the Elephant by facetiousfanatic Part 2

How Are You - Cage the Elephant by facetiousfanatic Part 3

The loneliest Girl - Carol and Tuesday by cassandraooc

Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens by thlange

Star Spangled Banner - Chase Holfelder by chillybuns

Between the Bars - Chris Garneau by roselalondee

Dirty Night Clown - Chris Garneau by idontevenknow-anymore

Dirty Night Clown - Chris Garneau by immabananana

Enter the Circus - Christina Aguilera by askinsanegamzee Broken

A Thousand Years - Christina Perii by angstyelf

A Thousand Years - Christina Perii by mari-victal

Burning Gold - Christina Perri by raspberrylemonhead

Fall - Cider Sky by nevernoahh

Falling (Demo) - The Civil Wars by zomdi

Safe and Sound - The Civil Wars by karaokekarkat

Hum - Clara C by nymphicus

3 Foot Tall - Classifed by kyrah-art

Summer Day - Coconut Records by kathysbrotherssister

Fondu au Noir - Coeur de Pirate by derperistical

Fix You - Coldplay by absinthianlyunheroic

Paradise - Coldplay by Moonpaw

The Scientist - Coldplay by ikimaru

Up with the Birds - Coldplay by the-rag-tag-earl

Viva la Vida - Coldplay by raspberrylemonhead

Viva La Vida - Coldplay by rozeart

Yellow - Coldplay by mariedisgrace

Young Volcanos - Coldplay by kawo-shin

Princess of China - Coldplay (feat. Rihanna) by sora-la

Chin Up - Copeland by vriskamidfangserket

Accidentally in Love - Counting Crows by hopelesslyblithe Broken

Crywank are posers - Crywank by p-666t

D:

Thrice - Daedalus by foramen-magnum

Something About Us - Daft Punk by moxel

Something About Us - Daft Punk by yazzdonut

Emotion - Daft Punk (MissingNo remix) by doomzy

The Spine - Darren Korb (Transistor) by rose-ebottles Broken

Youth - Daughter by zelpixel

Raise Your Weapon - Deadmau5 by marintan

Go Get Your Gun - The Dear Hunter by mcsiggy

Whisper - The Dear Hunter by prospt and collaborators

I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie by davsturdur

I Will Follow You into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie by inusushi

I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie by kawaiifarts

Bottom of the River - Delta Rae by wwhatevven

Perfect Insanity - Disturbed by vasheren

Just Be Friends (Instrumental) - Dixie Flatline by cheese3d Inspired by Litlte Red Riding Hood

Pity Dance - Dn Stith by jazzango

Venus Hum - Do You Want to Fight Me by shubbabang

Everything You Ever - Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog by thesassylorax

My Eyes - Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog by equiu5

Close Every Door - Donny Osmond by allegro-designs

Baby Mine - Dumbo by gayrupunzel

E:

I See Fire - Ed Sheeran by arachnerdsgri

I See Fire - Ed Sheeran by themockingcrows

Small Bump - Ed Sheeran by janecrockeyre

Cosmic Castaway - Electrasy by themockingcrows

Telephone Line - Electric Light Orchestra by daily-beta

You are my Sunshine - Elizabeth Mitchell by the-rag-tag-earl

Goodnight Sweet Ladies - Emilie Autumn by amporasexual

Asleep - Emily Browning (originally by The Smiths) by joker-ace

O Come O Come Emmanuel - Enya by pseudocon

One for the Money - Escape the Fate by ikimaru

Follow the Sun - Evermore by ladygrit

Fever Dreamless - fadeintocase by peregr1ne

F:

Centuries - Fall Out Boy by sixofclovers

Immortals - Fall Out Boy by etcterrayellowmoon

Immortals - Fall Out Boy by mari-victal

Immortals - Fall Out Boy by quiversarrow

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) - Fall Out Boy by toastyhat

The Kids Aren’t All Right - Fall Out Boy by i-am-a-riceball

The Kids Aren’t All Right - Fall Out Boy by scarlettheknight

The Last of the Real Ones - Fall Out Boy by dopingues

The Phoenix - Fall Out Boy by orangelemonart

Caught Like a Fly - Falling in Reverse by viria

Tragic Magic - Falling in Reverse by elasticitymudflap

Heavy Storm - First Aid Kit by moxel

Wolf - First Aid Kit by spooneaterarts

100 years - Five for Fighting by orangelemonart

Superman - Five for Fighting by grimbarke

Hurt Feelings - Flight of the Conchords by koroke

Rise - Flobots by lyricstuckbeatdown

Blinding - Florence + the Machine by collaborative

Cosmic Love - Florence + the Machine by rosemaryserver

Cosmic Love - Florence + the Machine by starkthirdeye

Cosmic Love - Florence + the Machine by toastyhat

Dog Days Are Over - Florence + the Machine by greatbiglyricstuck

Dog Days are Over - Florence + the Machine by m0thboy

Girl With One Eye - Florence + the Machine by kingdomzombified

Kiss With a Fist - Florence + the Machine by miraculoustang

No Light, No Light - Florence + the Machine by dacadaca

No Light, No Light - Florence + the Machine by nappotuna

Only If for a Night - Florence + the Machine by glueball

Seven Devils - Florence + the Machine by fangirlinginleatherboots

Seven Devils - Florence + the Machine by themockingcrows

Shake it Out - Florence + the Machine by cod-tier

Tear out my Tongue - Florence + the Machine by wheresmyhamlet

What the Water Gave Me - Florence + the Machine by colonoscolypseart

With an Axe - Foxy Shazam by oldshiel

Something Stupid - Frank and Nancy Sinatra by toastyhat

Some Nights - Fun. by greatbiglyricstuck

G:

Mad World - Gary Jules by ahabsiconoclast

Mad World - Gary Jules by prospitheir and aze

Mad World - Gary Jules by synnesai

Where Everybody Knows Your Name - Gary Portnoy by calliotp

Child of Light - The Getaway Plan by dingohugs

It All Dies Anyway - The Gits by skittykitty55

Take Me Away - Globus by toastyhat and splickedylit

You’re the One That I Want - Grease by doodlebonez

Top of the World - Greek Fire by eggsand-santoast

Song of the Century - Green Day by babakinkin

Song of the Century - Green Day by delinked

Song of the century - Green Day by the-rogue-0f-light

Boats and Birds - Gregory and the Hawk by striderprovider

Hard Knocks - Griffinilla and Alex Cole by colouredteapot

H:

Colors - Hasley by innocuoussketches

Anything - Hedley by valeriannnn

The Unquiet Grave - Hellen McCrocry by madreamcanular

Coming Back Down - Hollywood Undead by flynnagan

Coming Back Down - Hollywood Undead by skittykitty55

Levitate - Hollywood Undead by anafigreen

SCAVA - Hollywood Undead by scarlettheknight

Temporal Shenanigans - Homestuck ost - Rachel Macwhirter by arachnerdsgrip:

Almost (Sweet Music) - Hozier by metaname

Take Me To Church - Hozier by sailerscrimshaw Broken

God Help the Outcasts - Hunchback of Notre Dame by velocitiestrumpet

The Court of Miracles - Hunchback of Notre Dame by moc-tod-ffuts-modnar

That’s Okay - The Hush Sound by porcupet

Where We Went Wrong - The Hush Sound by canni8al

Wine Red - The Hush Sound by zeborah

I:

Volatile Times - IAMX by xamag-homestuck

Bad Karma - Ida Maria by margarethours

Amsterdam - Imagine Dragons by paperseverywhere

Bleeding Out - Imagine Dragons by rapidopatter

Demons - Imagine Dragons by muraokami Broken

Demons - Imagine Dragons by rapidopatter

Fallen - Imagine Dragons by maria-artz Broken

I'm So Sorry - Imagine Dragons by abbiwhozit

I'm So Sorry - Imagine Dragons by catkindness Part 1

I'm So Sorry - Imagine Dragons by catkindness Part 2

Nothing Left to Say - Imagine Dragons by paperseverywhere

On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons by lickfoot

Radioactive - Imagine Dragons by falloutboyonboy

Radioactive - Imagine Dragons by rachelhungry

Thief - Imagine Dragons by mikimosh

Warriors - Imagine Dragons by turretsyndr0me

Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap by kingdomzelaybli

The Devil’s Carnival - In all My Dreams I Drown by artblogofminji

Don’t Stop - InnerPartySystem by spocktalia Broken

What We Will Never Know - InnerPartySystem by lets-lyricstuck

Cinders and Smoke - Iron & Wine by laughingandgrief

Walk the Moon - Iscariot by cissaisthisyou

The Weekend - Islands by daily-beta

J:

R.I.P. Everyone - J.J. Demon by trickstercarlos

Fallin’ - Jake Bugg by awildcale

I Won’t Give Up - Jason Mraz by impudentkid

I’ll Be Good - Jaymes Young by asexualls Broken

Sufferer’s Final Sermon - jbriner by sketchloft

Be Thou My Vision - jbriner (originally a hymn) by mrdespondency

O Death - Jen Titus by canni8al

Oh Death - Jen Titus by artweaver5

If the World Should End - Jennifer Damiano by atrueenglishman

The Hanging Tree - Jennifer Lawrence by sixofclovers

Highwayman - Johnny Cash by toastyhat

What A Wonderful World - Joseph William Morgan ft. Shadow Royale by jayspants

The Stars - Jukebox the Ghost by innocuoussketches

K:

Die Young - Ke$ha by gelasticat

[S] Ke$ha: Enter - Ke$ha (Die Young Remix by captaincrapster) by ket3

Because of You - Kelly Clarkson by timehost

Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson by karaokeoctoberkat

Britland City Theme - Kenashcorp by stormfather

Animals - Kids in Glass Houses by faun-songs

Dustland Fairytale - The Killers by spiritleaf

Mr. Brightside - The Killers by mlle-annette

Sam´s Town - The Killers by gei-may

Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers by toastyhat

I Will Never Forget - Kimya Dawson by moxel

All I Want - Kodaline by godtier8itch

[asaltyrat]

Little Blocks that Matter

Do I understand how to decorate? Of course not.

The amount of dedication that some Starbound and Terraria users put out is staggering. Huge murals of pixel art scenes and giant castles. I can't wrap my head around all this creativity that people can do. It's a stellar outlet for expression and there have been a few good attempts to recapture this specific genre's ability to do just that.

Unfortunately we've moved past that era, and while I think the genre of block and pixel games are at it's end. There had been three large representatives in this odd war, each bringing with it's own flavor to the game.

Minecraft is of course the heavy hitter of the three. Backed by Microsoft's almost unlimited resources and influence, it's grown to become one of the most influential games of the past decade, selling millions of copies across the globe, spawning a host of YouTube personalities and a gigantic modding community, it's the beast that cannot be stopped at this time.

It's bringing familiar franchises under it's boughs now. Sonic recently joined the fray, seemingly turning the game into a blocky "Sonic Adventure" type game with various secrets, ring collection, and a strong attention to detail with little emotes your frilled companions can do. But they've done the same treatment with turning minecraft into Tattooine, letting you go on a Jedi-flavored adventure. Adventure time also got it's time to shine with various swords and odd magic.

The Teknik pack is also a trip and a half, adding industrialization to the game, turning mining into a complex chain of tubes and belts and powerplants. Modders have added weapon production, guns, magic, rituals, and some of the more creative designs to monsters, like the "Parasite Invasion" mod that added Thing flavored monsters and mutations to the world, turning entire biomes into terrifying alien landscapes.

Terraria was launched around the same time as Minecraft, and, unlike Minecraft, felt like the full experience. Boss monsters, tiered progression, a very vague semblance of story where the forces of nature and the supernatural were at odds, eventually culminating in the complete destruction of the environment as you stop a stellar plot and destroy a cosmic god.

Modding had added the Calamity add-on, which expanded progression and boss fights to white-knuckle level difficulty and a jamming, custom made OST that has you vibrating in your seat while you use a wand to obliterate leviathans and end the world.

Then you have what I'd call the 'red headed stepchild' of the Genre, Starbound.

Starbound is a bit of an odd representation of the series. It took blocks and pixels to space where you interact with penguin mercenaries, explore multiple planets, and build your character using racial armor and weapon tiers that add flavor to your bird or ape or what have you. Every race gets their own ship type with unique room placement and aesthetic. I have a special love for the Avians, who's ships are giant pyramids powered by some central crystal.

It had rather incredible storytelling and lore depth despite being procedurally generated. Earth was destroyed by a galactic monster, Avians fight to earn their wings and escape their all-knowing god. Apes are working to break their bonds from an oppressive regime of a 'great ape' that really brings to mind a Orwellian nightmare personified by hyper intelligent monkeys.

Modding wasn't as prevalent in Starbound as the other two games, but it spawned one of the most recognizable furry species in culture now; Avali. Little feathered raptors that drink ammonia and love frozen worlds. They're lovely! Wonderful little creatures! Super cute and now we can see them in VR Chat and Second Life, etc.

But now it's been several years and while these games have dedicated communities and their own followers, I ask "what's next?"

And unfortunately I don't think I have the answer to that.

Terraria's development had stopped and their sequel has been cancelled for the immediate future. Minecraft is still the top dog on the market, and Starbound is finished, so far as we can tell.

The time of the block-builder is over. We're looking at farming simulators, pirates, and more MMOs to count. It's a sad realization but we're still enjoying our time in these little slivers of programming where some mad lad with glass and dirt builds a diorama of the first level from Mario and complex cities rise from grass.

Who knows though. Chucklefish is still putting out new games all the time and I'm lowkey crossing my fingers for some new developer to remember most of us still love playing with legos.

Stay Salty~

[according-to-the-laura]

StackedNatural Day 100: 8x12, 15x11

StackedNatural Masterpost: [x]

January 30, 2022

8x12: As Time Goes By

Written by: Adam Glass

Directed by: Serge Ladouceur

Original air date: January 30, 2013

Plot Synopsis:

Sam and Dean's grandfather, Henry Winchester, arrives by time travel, claiming that he has something to protect from an Abaddon that is hot on his trail.

Features:

More time travel, the other side of the boys’ family tree, Abaddon intro, demon knife failure, the Men of Letters intro, Knights of Hell, hostage exchange

My Thoughts:

I remembered bits and pieces of this episode, and it has some good stuff in it. The pacing felt kind of off for me, I don’t know. Supernatural loves to do a huge lore dump and a death in the same episode. I didn’t really have time to get invested in Henry, and it was kind of obvious that he was going to die, so it didn’t really affect me that much.

In a meta sense, I wonder if the Men of Letters truly existed before, or if it was something Chuck made up later and put into the back story. It would explain why somehow the boys have never heard of it before, or any of Bobby or Ellen’s contacts. Part of me wants to think that the Campbells are some of the top tier hunters that the MoL shared their information with (which would explain how Mary could have their symbol on her bracelet in In the Beginning), but their main feature in that episode is they don’t work well with others. I think the writers/designers just forgot that they had already used the symbol before, and it’s such a quick shot that unless you’re paying really close attention and rewatching the whole series you wouldn’t clock it.

Anyways it used to annoy me that they added this to John’s backstory, because I liked that how special they are came from their mom, but it makes sense if Chuck wanted his protagonists to be his specialest little princesses, which we know he did because he just is That Way.

This episode gives John Winchester a lot of credit, which I find annoying because we all know that I hate John Winchester. Dean being super quick to defend him is pretty in character, especially to a complete stranger, but it always pisses me off when they say he was there for them when they needed it. Maybe it’s because we watched Faith so recently, but the whole first season of this show was about them trying to find him when they really needed him. Revisionist history. I like when the relationship is complicated and messy and this episode keeps it pretty straight forward. Anyways, daddy issues are the Winchester inheritance

Notable Lines:

“I'm quite certain this is all beyond your understanding, my alpha-male-monkey friend.”

“Hunters are apes. You're supposed to – you're legacies.”

“Your responsibility was to your family, not some glorified book club!”

“All I see in our family tree is a whole lot of dead.”

Laura’s (completely subjective) Episode Rating: 7.3

IMdB Rating: 9.1

15x11: The Gamblers

Written by: Meredith Glynn & Davy Perez

Directed by: Charles Beeson

Original air date: January 30, 2020

Plot Synopsis:

Dean and Sam press their luck in a winner-takes-all game of pool. Meanwhile, Castiel hunts down a would-be murderer, but not for reasons one might think.

Features:

North to Alaska, Jack returns via security cam footage of him eating a heart, Grigori, play for your luck, the house takes a cut, God is afraid of Jack.

My Thoughts:

Sometimes I think I get a bit to technical in my thinking when I rate episodes, like I’m consciously thinking “oh the pacing was decent, the lighting was good, the directing worked” etc, and then I get to an episode that actually creates an emotional reaction in me and I remember the reason that I actually like this show.

Like technically As Time Goes By above was an okay episode. There wasn’t anything particularly egregious about it, but I also didn’t really care about anything that was happening. In this episode I got so excited to see Jack and Cas on screen together that I started bouncing up and down in excitement. I love these characters! I love seeing them together! I love Cas getting to hug his son after watching him die for the second time! I love Sam running over to hug him and Dean cupping the back of his neck!

The poolhall storyline is well done. I like that Sam proves that he is worthy by trying to do the right thing and that he’s willing to risk his own luck to save others. It’s a great thesis episode for Sam. It’s a nice reminder that even though he’s always thought he wasn’t pure, he’s always made choices out of love for other people. He’s a very unselfish person (which is why I hate his season 8 plot so much).

The important thing, though, is that their Big Lucky Break was Jack coming back. I love his news that he’ll be able to kill God comes after the commercial break, separating it from Dean playing the scratch cards and then the win being Jack instead of money. The win is emotional, not logistical.

Notable Lines:

“Man, I’ve been slinging pool cues since before you were born.” “What? When you were four? Really? What, between nap time and snack?”

“Everybody wants something.”

“You’re just a beach read. Sexy, mm, but skimmable.” “Beach read? Lady, I’m Tolstoy.”

“What is with you and these losers? They’re nothing! They don’t matter.” “They matter to me.”

“Our kind?” “Heroes.”

“Don’t play his game. Make him play yours.”

“I’ll be able to kill God.”

Laura’s (completely subjective) Episode Rating: 8.9

IMdB Rating: 8.5

In Conclusion:

<< Previous Day  |  Next Day >>

[formless-monkeys]

What is your favorite relationship(s) in the show (romantically or platonically, doesn’t matter!)

Anon you will regret opening pandora’s box. Or not. In any case, this post is going to be very long because I’m full of love. Also, anything marked romantic does not need to be romantic for me to lose my shit over them. In no particular order, either. Just in the order I thought of them.

1. The Black-eyed trio

Characters: Otto, Sparx, and Gibson.

Type: Platonic, Romantic,

Explanation: These three are grouped together by virtue of not being obscenely powerful and serving more practical uses on the team. Also, their eyes are all the same color. Besides the poetic connections of the colors of their design, they were alone in the robot together while the other three monkeys were out training.

Sparx and Gibson’s interactions give me life, going from playful jabs to genuine fighting right back to ride-or-die is amazing. The beginning of Night Of Fear, the battles in Brothers In Arms, and a bunch of small moments throughout the series are wonderful for this.

I could write an essay about Otto and Gibson, and someone else already has, but I’ll summarize it as ADHD autism solidarity with a side of Shut The Fuck Up Gibson. They care about each other and learn to respect each other in a way that’s better for both of them. I know a real-life Gibson to my Otto and learning that she’s just pretentious and doesn’t really hate anyone, and figuring out that we’re both equally brilliant and incredibly similar has made life a million times better.

Otto and Sparx don’t have as much development as Gibson with both of them, but their jokes together and general trust is amazing. Sparx is the dumb monkey and Otto supports him in his himbo endeavors. 

These three together make an unstoppable technical team, and the only reason they probably couldn’t be a superhero team on their own is because of the raw power and fun dynamics brought by the other half of the team. 

Romantically, these three would make the DUMBEST polycule ever. There is no true mediator here. It’s three dumbasses figuring out how they could possibly share a twin-sized bed when they have the ability to just make a bigger bed. Gibson calculates the most efficient 3 monkey makeout and none of them follow the statistics. They all give Chiro equally useless and conflicting advice on homework. Trying to give them a mediator in the polycule just makes me go back to shipping polymonkeys because I literally can’t decide if Antauri or Nova go better with them.

2. Quiet trust and encouragement

Characters: Otto, Antauri

Type: Platonic, Romantic

Explanation: When Otto is being dismissed by the other monkeys, or by the show itself, Antauri is usually the first to say “that’s bullshit, Otto is wonderful”. Circus Of Ooze is a notable example, but there are little moments in other seasons as well. 

I just love the idea of the historically MOST SERIOUS and strongest monkey, sometimes even elevated to god-like status by some fanworks... paired with the monkey that has been infantilized and disrespected to no end. I personally like making Antauri have to lean on Otto, just to subvert that even further. 

Beyond spite, I ship this simply because I like their dynamic. Antauri needs someone to ground him with more tactile physical things, and Otto needs someone to share his more nebulous thoughts I can’t imagine the others listening to. I love them.

Also, I want Antauri to unlock his true dumbass potential. He has the abilities, but not the will. Be silly with Otto. I want to hear him snort-laugh.

I literally forgot all the silver monkey stuff but I got three fics about that you know I go nuts over mechanic x robot shit.

3. The monkeys and their human son.

Characters: Chiro, Antauri, Nova, Sparx, Gibson, Otto

Type: Familial

Explanation: This family gives me joy. They were forced together through astronomical means and they made the best of it. 

Everyone living in the robot is absolutely fucked up. They help each other in the darkest of times. They lift each other up when it’s light. They are a perfect team and nobody can be missing without it feeling wrong. But they can add people!

“Girl Trouble” as a concept is AMAZING to me but my secondhand embarrassment is so strong that I hate the episode. But never once is any of the monkeys resentful of Chiro. Not even Mandarin is like “wow I wish he didn’t take my place” no he’s also struck with the urge to nurture this kid to his fullest potential. Whether you see the team as a bunch of older siblings or 4 dads and a mom doesn’t really matter, they’re a family.

I mean, this also has a sprinkling of shipping all the monkeys in a really domestic way because I like seeing my optimal future in characters I like, but like literally all of these, it doesn’t need to be romantic for me to go nuts. I just think it would be fun to throw just a big monkey wedding or whatever. And funnier for Antauri to go “Chiro I’m having a baby. The baby is you” and holding up adoption papers because on the principle of Toby “Radiation” Fox I love that joke, especially when made much less weird than the original context.

I have a set of characters who is just 5 people in a polycule raising kids and living life because I really love this concept as a family.

4. Evil Coworkers

Characters: Mandarin, Sakko

Type: Romantic, Platonic,

Explanation: Why the hell are these two, in particular, working together? SK could’ve put Mandarin with literally anybody else and he chose what on the surface appears to be the LEAST compatible person on the account that they’re both monkeys. Some bitter asshole who now looks like the epitome of toxic masculinity and this tiny pink pet who used his femininity both as an advantage and a style. They’re different but it ends up working really well for both of them because they’re different in ways that cover each other’s bases. It’s wonderful. Pink and Orange go well together. Green and Purple go well together. Mandarin and Sakko go well together. Also, they clearly trust each other. During almost the entirety of “Hidden Fortress” Sakko was presumably just chilling inside of Mandarin’s armor. Mandarin trusted him enough to have Sakko in a place where he’s able to mess with his cybernetics, and Sakko trusted Mandarin enough to go into the battlefield with him and probably get tossed around.

If they were both human and in a more modern media, then they would definitely be shipped in the straightest way you can get without actually being straight. The Straightest Gay Ship. 

5. A Witch and her Accidental Evil Coworker

Characters: Skelemandarin, Valeena.

Type: Platonic, Romantic, 

Explanation: These two have been through some shit. Skelemandy was made to serve Skeleton King only to have that purpose yanked away from him. Valeena was groomed to idolize and serve Skeleton King for nearly her entire life. They were forced together by SHEER CHANCE and they both hated it. Arguably they both died at some point. 

They both have absolutely NOBODY they can trust so let’s make them trust each other. All hilarity and sweetness comes from that. 

Their dynamic is so good that I have them on a blog for a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FANDOM and people love them with no context. 

This is the only cross-species ship I have (besides chinmay and the antauri ships but that doesn’t count), but the fact that Skelemandy isn’t actually a monkey and needs no cybernetic assistance to be human-level sentient makes it a lot less weird. Just put them on equal ground power-wise (like by nerfing Valeena’s magic) and you have the ingredients for bonding. 

They have like, no cute moments in canon, but that’s why we have fics and art. They have potential. I want them to help each other figure out who they are without their purpose. I want them to survive this horrible life together. I want them to figure out how to trust again. I want a lot but Valeena is fucking dead.

But she doesn’t have to be.

(Also Valeena is REALLY HOT and Skelemandarin is just me as a monkey)

6. Gay Dads

Characters: The Alchemist, Captain Shuggazoom

Type: Romantic, Platonic

Explanation: Oh my stars. Oh null. Oh me oh my hhougfhfakjghf. These two have the angst of Mantauri but on crack. 

They only appeared in about two episodes each and all three episodes are top tier. They call each other “Friend” multiple times in their shared episode. THEY’RE FRIENDS!!!!!!!!! The face Al makes when he realizes that Cap is visiting makes me really happy. The fact that Cap had this whole Batman Double Life thing and he shows the Alchemist BOTH OF THEM is amazing. The alchemist is a hermit living in the woods and he lets Cap into that life. 

There isn’t a lot shown, much less than everything else here. But that makes every single fanfic so much richer since they’re almost completely based on headcanons. Friends who have a mutual crush on each other but are No Homo about it? Secret boyfriends? Husbands with 6 monkey kids? An Old man and a grumpy Skeleton making it work? Literally just platonic friends? Dude, you can do whatever you want. 

The tragedy of these two losing each other to one big horrible event crushes me. It influences my every move in my creative work. I have an entire character dedicated to reuniting these two in the most astronomical and ridiculous way possible because the alchemist angered the gods but she thinks he needs some company in his eternal punishment.

I want Clayton to unlock Al’s less serious, more fun side. I want them to work together. I want them to hold hands. GHGHGHDFBG UTTHTYE CNAZSNT EBCV ASUA ER

7. The girl power duo

Characters: Nova, Jinmay

Type: Familial

Explanation: These two were my only comfort during the uncomfortable nightmare that is “The Hills Have Five”

Nova was the one who trained Jinmay, and it seems like they hang out a lot offscreen in season 4. They fulfill the early 2000′s cartoon archetypes of girl and Girl, so they’re supposed to get along. If they didn’t I probably wouldn’t like Jinmay.

Nova is a really good big sister/parental figure to Jinmay, who never had any family to speak of. 

Anyway, this entry has to be shorter because most of their bonding is in “The Hills Have Five” which is either #1 or #2 in my least favorite episode list. Not because it’s bad, but because it makes me viscerally uncomfortable. I really wish literally any other character than Jinmay was in her role in that episode. Or that the “taken to an offscreen area by an adult man while she screams” just wasn’t there. SHE’S 13!!! Nova did literally all she could to help. 

I really like that scene in questionable where Valeena kills almost the entire gang. It’s what they deserve.

Look I just really like Jinmay and I always have. She deserves a good Mom.

8. "My Second In Command”

Characters: Antauri, Mandarin

Type: Theoretical

Explanation: The fandom has really made this ship go from “literally nothing to stand on” to “integral plot point in a lot of fics”. Seriously. I have TWO screenshots that vaguely imply these two ever stood next to each other on the battlefield. This was entirely title-based and fan-made until ProjectAfectivity interviewed Ciro. Yeah he knows Antauri but only as well as the rest of the team. Anyway. Wow. This ship.

This is by far the worst breakup in history. These two, despite what Antauri says, were on equal ground at some point. According to Ciro (and fan speculation), they trained together. This (and other Mandy ship) changes wildly depending on if you think Mandarin was corrupted by the portal or not. Maybe Mandarin was once a kind leader who just crossed the wrong boundaries and paid for it. He could’ve held Antauri gently before battle. He could’ve been the monkey Antauri went to when he needed someone to talk to. He could’ve hyped the team up like Chiro does.

Or maybe, they were constantly fighting against each other in small ways. An incredibly unhealthy relationship, yes, but an interesting story. I like stories where Antauri isn’t this all-knowing pillar of stability. He’s got weaknesses. One of them may have been Mandarin.

Now that’s a good nickname from one to the other.

Imagine Antauri, in a moment of complete trust, declaring Mandarin his weakness. A sweet sentiment. They both know the other is incredibly strong, and trust that the other would never take advantage of that connection. They love each other. Until...

9. "My Closest Ally”

Characters: Otto, Mandarin

Type: Theoretical

Explanation: Okay I'm looking at the screenshot I put for this entry while also having watched Evil Ages recently. My brain is making uncomfortable connections. Combine that with the fandom and the show’s general treatment of Otto and I’m about to slam my head into a wall. I really do not like that, but I feel like there’s somebody out there who does. 

Anyway, this is Gibotto and Ottauri but with all the spice that shipping Mandarin with one of the other monkeys brings. When done well, it’s all the respecting Otto that comes with Ottauri and all the intimate partnership of Gibotto. And the Angst of Mantauri, but a lot more grounded. 

It paints a lot of stories. A story of a single point of comfort in a world Mandarin thinks is out to get him. A story of powerful validation from the one authority in Otto’s life. Of letting your guard down. Of trust, then breaking that trust.

I’d LOVE to see some things with Mandottotauri because that’s epic and cool and poggers. Don’t see a lot, though.

10.The Hets, I guess.

Characters: Jinmay, Chiro. 

Type: Romantic. Platonic. Canon.

Explanation: Look two entries on this list are polyamorous and four of them are mandarin so I have to say SOMETHING for the heteroes following me. Picked this ship over Spova because when I was a young child still suffering from comphet, I never watched the last episode of the show. I only saw up to season 3 at the most. This was the only canon ship for me. And out of all the ships, it’s the most relatable. I’m currently a teenager with black hair who looks really good in eyeliner dating a girl with pink hair who can pick me up and is unbelievably sweet. Except we’re gay and polyam. Wait a second I totally had a crush on Jinmay as a kid and now my gf is the Jinmay in this situation. Oh my god I was going to make this comparison if I did Spova too and I liked Nova.

ANYWAY

These are two LONELY kids. Chiro had bullies during school, and now he doesn’t even go to school. Jinmay hasn’t really had friends at all. Two kids with places in their universe that they aren’t too sure about, and just need someone to lean on. Their date was cute. They instantly bonded over their love of monkeys and I love that. 

The super robot is sometimes an analog for Chiro, in the first two season at least, and the way the super robot held Jinmay’s hands to keep her steady on the COB while her head flew in was SO SWEET. Chiro’s instant recognition and reaction to Jinmay’s head being thrown at the team, as well. He really loves her.

I think it’d be interesting if she didn’t love him back, though. I might take a stab at writing that.

[southeastasianists]

Rising like a glittering palace over the western side of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is one of Thailand’s most spectacular and oldest temples. The site is renowned for its colorful, glazed ceramic tiles (reportedly over one million of them) and its ornate central spire (or prang) that currently towers at over 260 feet (about 80 meters).

What makes the temple particularly unusual is the origin of its tiles: they were originally broken bits of Chinese dishes that were salvaged from a British shipwreck. The found porcelain pieces were then crafted into ornate flower petals and embedded into the prang to produce a glittering effect under the sun.

Named “The Temple of Dawn” during the Ayutthaya Period (1768), King Taksin came across the original site by boat after returning back from battle with the Burmese army. As he approached the city at sunrise, the king named the glittering spectacle after the Hindu god Aruna (who is the charioteer of the Sun god Surya). Later, King Rama III added the elaborate ceramic tiles, tiny seashells, Buddha statues, as well as its signature central pagoda spire.

Despite its name, the full scope of Wat Arun is perhaps best appreciated at sunset from the river. While visitors can see temple’s design touches in detail by day (including several Buddha statues and four other spires), it’s particularly beautiful when lit up to a radiant, glowing silhouette at night. If you do, however, visit during the day, it’s best to arrive right when the gates open at 8:30am or late afternoon just before sunset.  

“Wat Arun’s full official name is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan – but you're never going to remember that, let alone pronounce it!,” Pintida Harnpanpongse of Tourism Authority of Thailand tells Atlas Obscura. “It's considered as one of the most iconic, most recognizable, and most beautiful temples in Thailand because of its unique design, fine craftsmanship, colorful decorated spires, and its majestic riverside location that stands right across from Wat Pho (the Temple of Reclining Buddha).”

The central tower (prang) is said to symbolize Mount Meru—the home of the gods in Hindu cosmology and the center of the physical and spiritual universe—with its grand tiered design that resembles a stairway to heaven. “Surrounding the Prang there are three rows of statues: on the bottom row there are demons representing hell, the middle row [depicts] monkeys and represent the earth, and the top row are angels representing heaven,” says tour guide Thippy Thepthewi. “The Prang was built with similarity to Khmer architecture, but actually it is our Thai Rattanakosin style, since its slimmer and taller with indentions in the corner (which differ from the Khmer style).”

Wat Arun has also recently underwent an extensive three-year renovation to restore the Chinese porcelain tiles and seashells, as well as the base of the pagoda.

[onepunchmiss]

OPM s2e6 Live Blog

“The Monster Uprising”

Sorry this is later than usual. I’ve been having some personal issues lately that have been rather time consuming. But anyway yall ain’t here for that! So let’s get on with the episode. As always, I’m watching from the perspective of someone who has read both the manga and web comic

Once again, picking up right where we left off! Suiryu finally makes his fighting debut. He’s been introduced like what, 3 episodes ago? But honestly idgaf about him nearly as much as

MAX MY BOI I KNOW HOW THIS ENDS FOR YOU BUT I’M ROUTING FOR YOU ANYWAY. Oh god I gotta say, I forgot Suirya has a couple nightmare faces yikes. Also, I love how the Sea King keeps having an impact on heroes so long after his defeat. First Prisoner during the alien invasion, then Max and I know in just a bit Snek too. What a villain. Jeez, the mildly ominous music really isn’t subtle about making Suiryu out to be antagonistic, yeah? Also, this is the most we’ve heard him talk so far- Suiryu’s voice is exactly what I imagined I love it. MAX NO ITS OK I LOVE YOU ANYWAY AND SUIRYU IS A DICK ITS FINE YOU DID GREAT

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is the sixth episode this season and i STILL pause every time Zombieman is in the intro. Even his tiny silhouette at the end. just

NGAH BEST ONE YET MY BBY GIRL

Ok ok back to the action. Genos makes a good point and I wonder that, too. Saitama broke his limiter through sheer willpower right, like thats crazy but also not THAT crazy. Is he REALLY the only person EVER to have done that thus far (aside from probably blast)? Thankfully no monster ever has otherwise we’d surely know about it. Is Saitama really just THAT insane? Its not even like he had an extreme desire his whole life, he just beat some crab guy and snapped one day? OH OH GENO’S PHONE OS RINGING MONSTERS! MONSTER! MO N S T ER S ! aw wait no go to the monsters hey

OH WAIT NEVERMIND THIS IS OK SNEK SNEK S N E K OK I actually really like him?? He’s like they show’s resident butt-monkey but also just a good guy.

OH HEY THAATS DIFFERENT!?!? Wow ok so in the manga, it just happened by chance that the cheering in the stadium was so loud that no one heard the monster evacuation alarms, but here they’re setting up Bakuzan preemptively as an asshole who actively disregarded the alarm and everyone’s safety (although he kinda has a point?). Because the way he acts later on is clearly not evil enough already? I feel like that’s unnecessary but it doesn’t add or detract from anything really so whatever I guess?

FUCKIN KEK DAVE. Top tier humor ffs the random mundane name joke will never get old fite me ooh Oh good god OK Choze’s face is also terrifying oh no. Dude you don’t need a monster cell you ALREADY LOOK LIKE ONE but OK

YASSS GENOS SLAY YAAASSSSS He finally wins a few rounds WITHOUT losing any limbs! IM JUST! SO EXCITED TO SEE HIM FIGHTING YASSS WAIT NO GO BACK HEKK so much jumping around is making this more difficult to maintain any semblance of coherency asdfghjk

HAH you know what? When I was rereading the manga and came across face ripper, I thought to myself he looks like he would be some tan/ olive/ pale purple color or something so I bet the anime will be like HAHA RED BITCH. and looky here. I’m catching on finally. hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Genos my boy my son you are such a bad ass and I love you hhhhhhhhhhhhhh HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AAAAAAAAAAA AWAKENED COCKROACH AWAKENED COCKROACH ALREADY FUCK THIS EPISODE IS HAPPENING FASTER THAN I ANTICIPATED HECK HECK THERE GOES MY HEART RATE I THOUGHT I WAS PREPARED ALAS I AM BUT A FO O L

HAH I think this is anime-only too?? I dont remember it Why is this so funny what the fuck?? “Dark Hell Killing” Juijitsu omg calm down you absolute edgelord literally half of that name would have been sufficient.

FFFFFFFFFF The slowly building intense music just cut off like- I was so distracted by Bakuzam’s freaky murder face i forgot this happened DAMNIT SAITAMA i NEED my LUNGS to BREATH but no i LAFF and then the silence in the stadium turns to TRIUMPHANT MUSIC as if that was some valiant victory and THAT SOUR FACE FACE FUCK IM DEAD ITS TOO GOOD IM DEAD

Aw Tareo Sweetheart its ok noooooo also side note don’t they also mention Metal Bat is hospitalized? Hey! HEY! TALK ABOUT MY OTHER SON WE DONT EVEN SEE HIM FOREVER HEY oh oh I spoke too soon my b my b

Well shit it’s Shiny vs Shiny jeezus. I don’t have a particular issue with the coloring of Genos’ arms and such but this is just very noticable- Roach could’ve done without the SHINE. Eyyyy a complimentary Sonic for all yall SOS fans out there HAH “No matter it’s still fatal” r u sure about that child r u sure

AAHHH THE WIFE AGAINNNN yo I have A Lot Of Thoughts ™ about the females in OPM that I think I’ll make a separate post about because of the inevitable backlash of Super-S’ design.

OH FUCK COOL SHOT COOL COOL OH FUCK THAT WAS COOL TOO OUT OF NO WHERE hey wait was that supposed to be the Hell Storm attack? WHAT REALLY. AW MAN I was getting hyped about how that would look cmon

Super-S with messed up hair is perfection just saying

Also, Tatsumaki is the definition of Yandere and its terrifying jeez.

Terrifying, but also this. HEK

Aw snekm nooooo I BELIEVE IN YOU OK HES A DICK DONT LISTEN TO HIM YOU JUST WAIT A FEW EPISODES SWEETHEART THEN YOULL SEE

Oh weird dude seeing the Madhouse animation in the middle of season 2 is weird  not jarring which is good because at least to me that means JC staff is keeping up well enough but still weirdddd

“Everything about you disgusts me” me too snek DONT LISTEN TO HIM HES A DICK

((((((((((((((((((((ew amai mask go away)))))))))))))))))))))

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I SCREAM FOR THE FIRST TIME OUT LOUD I WAS HONESTLY DOUBTING HED BE SHOWN CAUSE THEY SKIPPED SOME OTHER MONSTERS BEFORE BUT THERE HE IS NYAN NYANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

OOF OUCH I FELT THAT KICK THE IMPACT IN MY BONES

ok post credits scene i have an idea of what it might be and I’m shaking in my seat but hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK HECK

yoooooooooooooooooooooo I WAS NOT IMAGINING GYOROS VOICE LIKE THAT HONESTLY I WAS READING IN ALL IN URSULA’S VOICE LIKE FROM THE LITTLE MERMAID BUT OK THIS IS GOOD OH FUCK GOUKETSU OH HECK OK HEY AT LEAST HES NOT RAINBOW COLORED BUT HECK OH GENOS NO

OH HEY BITCH YOU DIDNT DO SHIT AGAINST METAL BAT YOU GOT LUCKY HE DOESNT COUNT

THERE IS LITERALLY NO AVOIDING IT NOW NEXT WEEK CHILD EMPEROR MY DEAR AND DRIVE KNIGHT AT THE VERY LEAST LIKE THIS IS LITERALLY CONFIRMED AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Good Episode GOOD EPISODE OK so my least favorite thing easily was the cop-out on Fubuki’s Hell Storm attack but otherwise my favorite thing was??? I dont know?? Like this episode was a lot of build up for next week’s episode but also so much happened anyway?? I loved seeing Genos in action and also BDSM Wife AND OROCHI AND GYORO and also also I know a lot of people have an issue with the existence of the tournament thing in general but I don’t mind it because its hilarious honestly and all of the happenings otherwise feel well balanced enough sooooooooo yeah I’m SO PUMPED for next week like bring me THE S CLASS BRING ME BRING 

[dlamp-dictator]

Allen’s Favorite Elsword Characters

With Fourth Paths slowly coming out and my own interest in Elsword slowly starting to wane due to various reasons I felt I should talk about some of my favorite paths, jobs and characters in the game. For all my nitpicks and gripes with Elsword I do love these characters and designs. I’ve said it before, but if there’s one thing I will always respect about this game it’s the character designs and the story those character designs tell. I’ll be honest, the designs are really the only sort of storytelling I follow in Elsword, as its actual lore and story is a bit long-winded and could desperately use some further simplifying.

But this is about the game’s good points, so I wanted to take a bit of time to talk about some of my favorite characters, classes, and playstyles. Consider this a sort of spin-off to my Arknights Favorite Operators post. It surprisingly still gets some traction even though I’ve only just recently gotten back into Arknights to check things out and I figured if there was one thing about this MMO and come back to once a year I should discuss it’s the characters and designs behind them.

But anyway, here are a few of my favorite characters and classes in Elsword.

Rena - Anemos

I think something that should be known about me is that I really love my martial arts classes. The idea that among all these wizards, warriors, and god-tier superpowers being thrown around there’s still someone that just beats the hell out of things with straightforward hand-to-hand combat just appeals to my monkey brain a little. And while Anemos isn’t exactly that she was my first taste of the idea before Laby came along.

For a quick summary of Rena as a character, she’s an elven archer that came to the world of Elrios (the land Elsword takes place in) in order to find and restore the El, a magical gemstone that basically fuels the planet’s life energy. She specializes in archery and close-quarters combat via kicks. Another important lore not is that she has a natural connection to the spirits, specifically wind spirits, a connection that has been fading even within elven kind.

The lore behind this specific class is that Rena decided to focus on her kicking techniques as a way to avoid accidentally hitting her friends in the crossfire of her arrows and take out foes non-lethally. As her enemies get tougher and her body reaches its physical limits she learns how to use wind spirits to increase her martial capabilities to the point of becoming one with the wind as she flies through the battlefield in a whirlwind of kicks speed.

The lore itself is rather simple compared to some of her other classes, but I find it interesting that her desire to take the harder path comes from a sort of pacifism to not want to completely kill her enemies or risk hurting her friends, and she only really decides to gain more power as her enemies go from humans and living creatures to robots and eventually demons. It really helps sell you on the fact that Rena is, at her core, a gentle and caring person, even in combat.

Ara - Shakti

I’m gonna’ be honest here, Ara/Shakti is mostly here because I like this class’s design and I don’t want this post to be littered with Renas and LuCiels since I’m just trying to keep it to my top five and avoid the fourth paths until they’re out for all the characters. That said I do think Shakti is an interesting class. A lot of the 3rd Paths often have darker implications. Originally called the Transformation Path, characters would often transform themselves into a completely new direction that often put their bodies and minds at risk for the sake of further power. Twilight is a more cutthroat fighter that will do anything to protect the forest, Bloody Queen is a dark knight that aimlessly slaughters and only hopes her blade continues pointing at what is clearly even, and Mad Paradox... is Mad Paradox.

But back to Ara, her lore is that she’s a martial artist from the martial Haan family, specifically the youngest and weakest child within it due to her shy nature and hesitation toward combat. However, her eldest brother and personal confidant Aren soon got possessed and corrupted by a demonic spirit, now terrorizing the world as the demon lord Ran. In an desperate attempt to gain enough power to stop him Ara went to her family’s shrine to take the fox spirit within herself, working out a sort of agreement for the spirit to lend her power to Ara in times of need in exchange for what seems to be some minor freedom while dwelling within Ara and traveling with her.

Back to the class itself, Shakti is one of the few 3rd Paths that has a more neutral story compared to the others. Ara, after communicated with the fox spirit Eun, decided to take a chance and unlock more and more her power, slowly gaining the spirit’s trust until their bond leads to Ara becoming the first Fox Sage in the history of her family as she uses Eun’s power for good. This is honestly a pretty solid path since a lot of the side material show that Ara and Eun had a pretty good relationship and understanding the other’s point of view and logic, even if they disagreed at times on certain matters. I feel like this path puts all of that trust to its limit and Ara’s kindness and empathy helps make Eun less wary and spiteful of humans, or at the very least toward Ara.

Elesis - Bloody Queen

Speaking of 3rd path, this is the one that on here mainly for gameplay and not much else. I love how Bloody Queen plays, even if I personally can’t stand the lore behind it. She’s so self-sufficient in this class. She can heal herself, do massive DPS, has good Bossing and Clearing skills, and has really good mana management compared to some of her other classes. It just comes at the cost of her being an absolute glass cannon if you can’t cycle through her skills properly and has no real support tools, which means if you can’t DPS properly on raids the entire raid party with emotionally eat you alive and spit you out like garbage.

For a bit of background on Elesis herself she’s the older sister of the main character Elsword, a well known commander of strong ability in one of Elrios’s kingdoms who’s known as The Red-Haired Knight, as well as a sort of a wall for Elsword due to the massive skill-gap between him and his sister. And that skill-gap can be felt via gameplay because it really feels like all of her skills and moveset is just ‘Elsword, but better’. Seriously, her path-adjacent classes to Elsword are just... better, or at least do what Elsword’s classes do with more efficiency, consistency, and flash.

But back to the class. On the lore front... well, I’ve never cared for the edgelord-esque backstory of most characters, but a knight that decides being honorable doesn’t always going to cut it and slowly grows more and more corrupt as bad things happen to them... it’s not a bad route, or at least not as fanfic-esque as some of the 3rd and 4th Path storylines have been anyway. The idea that Elesis, in both pragmatism and desperation, draws on darker sources of power and pays the price for it with her sanity is really pushing the boundaries of her character, but it’s not improbable. And frankly, Reba Buhr’s voicelines for Bloody Queen are hot as hell and makes me wish the English dub had that kind of direction sooner.

Also, a personal headcanon of mine is that Elesis in this path is find going berserk and losing herself because she’s confident that Immortal Elsword (his 3rd Path adjacent to this) is a competent enough swordsman to kill her if she goes too far. It’s nothing mentioned in either 3rd path storylines, but Elsword’s paths have always had this sibling competitiveness to them, and an Elsword that conquered darkness through swordsmanship taking on and defeating his sister who attempted the same path only to fail at it and leave her life in the hands of her brother with the confidence that he can surpass her berserk nature with his martial skill is just the perfect cherry on top of their stories.

Sorry, I got wrapped up in my own fanfic for a moment, let’s continue the list.

LuCiel - Catastrophe

Okay, so this is the one exception to the edgelord paths I’m willing to go with. This is also one of my favorite classes that I’ll never play. I like the aesthetic so much, but I hate the actual gameplay of how they work. The idea of Lu tapping into her demonic abilities to utilize terror as a physical resource and Ciel going back to his hitman days to help in that is honestly really good in the lore depart. It let’s Lu be an actual demon lord and Ciel bring back that hitman backstory that rarely gets called back to.

Oh right, their lore and story.

In a nutshell, Lu is a former Demon Princess that lost her standing in court and was otherwise left to die at the hands of assassins and other political rivals before she landed herself in the human world where she met Ciel, a former hitman that seemed to have retired from a life of killing to become a normal civilian. Protecting Lu from an assassin he nearly lost his life until Lu performed a demonic contract to give Ciel a second chance at life in exchange for serving Lu, which Ciel accepted since he couldn’t stand the idea of seeing a young girl cry tears for him.

Lore wise... well, I already explained it above, but gameplay-wise this is a focus on debuffs and positioning, the latter being something rather difficult to do because of the mechanics of certain raid bosses. But design-wise I love the idea of these going from a servant and princess to demonic military commanders. The class-specific lore is also interesting as Lu realizes Ciel is willing to fully give up his humanity in order to keep up with Lu’s pace, and Lu realizing this willingness is Ciel’s earnest resolve to stand by her as another demon lord and not just him following the obligations of his contract.

This is also one of the few paths that didn’t try sticking Lu in a thong until Demensio came around and gave her a good 3rd Job design, and I say that as a Diangelion main, but that’s neither here nor there.

Laby - Eternity Winner

And lastly we have Laby’s Eternity Winner path to close things out, the true martial artist class that I honestly fell in love with at first sight.

I love Laby’s story. It’s a tale about self-discovery of both yourself and your emotions, and it’s the main theme that Laby confronts in all her paths. To not spoil things too much, in this path Laby trains her body with the handful of techniques Gaia teaches, slowly growing suspicious of the magical mirror Nisha that seems to hinder her growth as a fighter and person to the point where she seals Nisha’s powers. However, as she learns who and what Nisha really is Laby decides to accept it, the good and bad of her emotions and to channel those emotions into her as motivation to push past her limits as a fighter and enjoy the thing she truly loves more than anything in the world: combat.

Admittedly like Anemos I find the lore on this class very weak compared to Laby’s other class. Laby decides to shut herself off from negativity, only to realize that by shutting out emotions she’s left bored and tired from anything that isn’t a fight that forces her to move her body until she’s forced to either accept Nisha or feel the empty void of boredom for the rest of her life.

Not to write a second fanfic in this post, but I think a better outcome would be that as Laby trains her body she learns that martial arts and general physical activity makes for a good outlet for her emotions. As she feels negativity from Nisha she channels those feelings into her fists and techniques to work through the complicated feelings, eventually learning that through martial arts and working together with Nisha and her own negative emotions she can take her combat to a higher level and learns to accept all those emotions into her fists to let out an explosion of martial power. That way Laby can keep her martial artist aesthetic and give it some proper story relevance.

Again, I decided to write a fanfic... ah well.

And those are some of my favorite classes. I might make a second one of these when all the 4th paths are revealed, but so far Demersio, Revenant, and whatever Laby’s 4th Path is  are currently on top.

Anyway, I’ll see you folks later.

[aion-rsa]

15 Best Martial Arts Video Games to Play After You Watch Shang-Chi

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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings isn’t just one of the MCU’s best origin stories and the movie that has everyone readjusting their box office expectations. It’s also an incredible fantasy-driven martial arts adventure that will likely leave you craving more.

While there’s no shortage of movies and shows that offer such fixes, there’s always been something amazing about pairing a hit new movie with a game that lets you live out your favorite on-screen moments as closely as possible. Granted, there has been a sad shortage of truly exceptional martial arts video games over the years, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few true classics and a few more hidden gems out there that you absolutely need to play. 

Here are 15 of the best martial arts video games to play when you’re looking for a way to come down from that Shang-Chi high. 

15. Max Payne (Kung Fu Mod)

Max Payne’s Kung Fu mod isn’t exactly the most refined martial arts gaming experience, but if you prefer a mix of martial arts and gunplay in your elaborate action sequences, then you have to check out this legendary fan creation.

Yes, this mod adds extensive melee combat options to the already brilliant Max Payne experience, but the surprising highlight of this impressive mod may just be the array of athletic bullet dodge animations it adds to your defensive arsenal. It’s basically the best Matrix game ever made. 

14. Dead or Alive 6

Like most of the fighting games we’ll be talking about throughout this list, I can’t really sit here and tell you that the Dead or Alive series offers the most authentic martial arts experience in the world. Actually, part of the reason it’s so easy to recommend this series is that it sometimes trades realism and complexity for bone-breaking, hard-hitting, over-the-top action sequences. 

This one is for martial arts movie fans who love to buy into the idea that their favorite film fighters can send opponents flying across the room with every hit. It’s a tremendous experience for those who want to live out their most absurd martial arts dreams. 

13. Overgrowth

Overgrowth is a bizarre and uneven game that honestly might be a little too dependant on its community-created content. However, the fact remains that there are very few fantasy martial arts games that offer anything close to what this one does.

This is a classic “mystical kung-fu adventure” that just so happens to star a cast of rabbits. The style is going to be a turn-off for some, but it’s hard to deny that this game’s heart is in the right place and that it gets some of its biggest ideas right.

12. God Hand

It’s almost as hard to find a way to play God Hand in 2021 as it is to beat this incredibly difficult game, but if you’re looking for some of the best martial arts combat in video game history, then it’s very much worth seeking this gem out. 

God Hand is as bizarre as video games get, but this action title’s wonderfully complex and ultimately enjoyable martial arts combat system is more than enough to make you work through its rough edges and “WTF?” moments. It’s a true gem that deserves a proper remake. 

11. 9 Monkeys of Shaolin

In a better world, more people would have played 9 Monkeys of Shaolin: an incredible old-school, martial arts beat-em-up with modern mechanics and RPG elements. Of course, now is always the best time to play this underrated action title if you’ve never done so. 

This isn’t the deepest game in the world, but its brilliant blend of martial arts style and arcade beat-em-up action will leave you wondering why more developers haven’t tried something like this before. 

10. Shaolin Vs Wutang

Shaolin vs Wutang is described as a “love letter to Martial Arts and classic Kung Fu films,” and I honestly can’t think of a better way to sell someone on the things this game does so well.

While not a hardcore fighting game by any means, Shaolin Vs Wutang is arguably one of the best ways to live out your golden age kung-fu movie dreams. This whole thing is just a warm blanket of genre goodness. 

9. Redeemer

What Redeemer lacks in pure martial arts combat it more than makes up for by virtue of being one of the most entertaining and wild top-down action games in recent years. 

This story of a monk with a dark past who is out for revenge is highlighted by wonderfully absurd action sequences that keep you on your toes without forgetting that the whole point of such experiences is to have as much fun as legally possible. If you are a fan of this genre at all, you really should go out of your way to play this one. 

8. Tekken 7

I’m not ready to commit to the assertion that Tekken is the best martial arts fighting game series, but what I will say is that Tekken has historically done a tremendous job of emphasizing its various martial arts styles and translating them into a consistently compelling fighting game experience. 

Tekken 7’s complex mechanics are a favorite among top-tier fighting game players, but the game’s core combat is enjoyable enough to help ensure that even inexperienced players will be able to enjoy much of what makes this series so special. Of course, you could also go back and play the always brilliant Tekken 3. 

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7. Kung Fu Strike – The Warrior’s Rise

Imagine a kung-fu version of a Devil May Cry-style action game, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what makes Kung Fu Strike – The Warrior’s Rise such a compelling action experience. 

While I can’t fairly rank this indie gem among the very best games in that particular genre, I have to say that this title scratches a very specific itch that more than makes up for its general jankiness and sometimes absurd difficulty. 

6. Absolver

Absolver’s incredibly complicated combat system is both a blessing and a curse. You’re either going to fall in love with the process of learning it or you’re going to be turned off by its sometimes awkward, and almost always unforgiving, core mechanics. 

If you do happen to fall in love with Absolver’s fighting system, though, then you’ll likely find that it’s incredibly difficult to go back to other martial arts fighting mechanics. If nothing else, this is an incredible experiment that will hopefully be used as the basis for something even better down the line. 

5. One Finger Death Punch

Before you let One Finger Death Punch’s simple visuals and sometimes corny (maybe even occasionally offensive) presentation completely turn you off, consider that this rhythm-based action game is designed to reward its best players with some of the most insane “choreographed” martial arts fights that you’ll ever see.

It’s incredibly easy to lose yourself in this title’s unique action gameplay, but don’t forget to look up from the action bar once in a while to appreciate the results of your (hopefully) perfect input commands. 

4. Yakuza 0

Any day is a good day to recommend Yakuza 0, but it would certainly be a sin to talk about gaming’s best martial arts experiences and not recommend arguably one of the best games of its generation. 

Give yourself time to get used to Yakuza 0’s pseudo-open-world environments, strange story, and bizarre blend of gameplay styles, and you’ll be rewarded with one of the richest crime epics in video game history that also happens to feature some of the most satisfying martial arts-based combat you’ll ever learn to love. 

3. Jade Empire

I’ve called Jade Empire BioWare’s last great experiment, which is both a testament to its creativity and an acknowledgment of the fact that it’s not exactly the studio’s most polished RPG. However, it has to be said that this game’s blend of epic role-playing and mythical martial arts action remains as appealing and unique as it’s ever been. 

It’s a real shame that BioWare will probably never get a chance to get this idea right, but Jade Empire remains a more than worthwhile experience, especially if you play it after coming off that Shang-Chi high. 

2. The Shenmue Trilogy

Yes, it’s a bit of a cheat to include three games in one entry, but you have to acknowledge that the Shenmue trilogy is arguably the most impressive overall accomplishment in the history of martial arts video games. 

Play Shenmue 2 if you only have time for one game in this trilogy, but a little patience with this series’ sometimes glacial pacing and rough production elements will ultimately result in the privilege of getting to experience an adventure that can ultimately attribute its divisiveness to its commitment to being different.

1. Sleeping Dogs

On the one hand, it’s always felt at least a little insulting to describe Sleeping Dogs as “a martial arts fuelled GTA-style open-world game” and call it a day. On the other hand, Sleeping Dogs is somehow even better than that already promising description makes it sound. 

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Sleeping Dogs is quite simply one of the most enjoyable open-world games of the last 10 years as well as one of gaming’s best uses of martial arts action. This title’s most loyal fans will tell you that it’s even better than the GTA series, which might be a little bit of a stretch but should give you some idea of just how much fun this game really is. 

The post 15 Best Martial Arts Video Games to Play After You Watch Shang-Chi appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[d-druxy]

Coming from a character design angle.

And yeah I definitely agree. Most third tier designs do NOT work (for me) simply because their base persona are already doing such a perfect job of encapsulating the characters personality and vibe. (In most cases). I think the last design not working stems from the fact that the third tier awakenings don’t really try to play into the characters metaverse outfit so they often end up looking somewhat disjointed. It just shows how the base personas were created with their metaverse outfit in mind (I have a bone to pick with Atlus when it comes to the parallel of the fem characters outfits and their personas, they don’t nearly go as hard on it as they do with the boys designs)

I think some of the P5R personas are interesting takes in uniting a new/modern concept with the base persona (bc they are that good) unfortunately a lot of them ultimately still don’t work for me.

Satanael is really cool and makes sense from a narrative point of view, but he just can’t beat out Arsene, who’s literally designed and based on THE gentleman thief. Akira and Arsene go so well with together bc they mirror each other in their design language (they both have the same coat, and the same color scheme) plus he has KNIFE heels. You can’t beat that. And don’t get me started on Raoul he’s wayyy too goofy looking imo. The whole gadget thing just makes him look kinda cheesy me thinks. (I’m all the more surprised bc a lot of people seem to like his design?)

Moving on to Ryuji. I think William is actually one of the only third tier personas that I could genuinely see replacing captain Kidd. Only bc they are basically the same, William is just sleeker and more modernized version of Captain Kidd, so I think it still fits Ryuji vibes. I really disliked Son Goku. It’s an okay design, it somewhat fits Ryuji vibe put it doesn’t beat out Captain Kidd. (Also yeah we get it Ryuji looks a bit monkey-ish sometimes haha very funny Atlus)

Ann. Look I actually somewhat like Hecate (even though I think that her proportions look weird and should’ve been more extreme) but she can’t hold a candle to Carmen and Celestine DEFINITELY doesn’t either. I kinda get Hecates dogs, but going from cats to dogs to a bunny? Honestly just feels like it’s there because of an innuendo. Celestine just feels like the bootleg version of Carmen imo. I like her braids but Carmen is just a superior design. She perfectly incapulates the femme fatale trope. Hypersexualized, but definitely a Boss bitch that does her own thing and takes shit from no one.

Morgana. I think Hermes is a cool design, it looks very appealing (and i like how the wings basically call back to Junpeis Hermes) but it just can’t replace Zorro. Zorro is such a perfect encapsulation of Morganas blown up but fragile ego, trying so hard to fit into a human frame and while Hermes is a pretty persona I don’t get too much from him in terms of his character design relating to Morgana. I think Diego works fine, it’s a more masculine, macho looking Zorro. It’s one of the most in-offensive final persona designs. I’m pretty neutral on it haha.

Yusuke. Look, Gorokichi is nice. I DEFINITELY prefer him over Kamu Susano-o which oh my god, I don’t even want to touch that mess with a ten meter pole. Wtf went on here? Susano looks so over the top in the worst way, the silhouette is whack and I don’t think it fits Yusukes vibes at all. It’s looks so aggressive and I really don’t get why. But yeah Goemon is just Superior here. Hes the perfect balance of traditional Japanese aspects and a flamboyant, almost gaudy influence. It’s just soooo Yusuke. Goemon is so stylish and he’s one of my favorites.

Makoto. I kinda like how they executed Anat, mainly bc they had to account that into Johanna’s base design for it to work. So I’m much more lenient when it comes to Anat, since It doesn’t deviate too much from Johanna. But yeah, she’s basically a transformer. It takes away from the (supposed) biker aspect of her Outfit and I honestly hate that Anat has heels. Now, Agnes has aspects to her design that I can appreciate, but she looks SOOO clunky and so out of place when you consider the Queens color palette. She has NO gold in her design whatsoever. They look so mismatched snjsjsjsjsjsjs. So again Johanna all the way, even if I’m somewhat partial to Anat (I just don’t really understand why they went with "Anat" the myth, for Queen. Johanna to Anat doesn’t make much sense for me when they basically share the same design).

Haru. Yeah I’ll say it: Milady fucks. Her design is sooo good. It is so austentacious and perfectly encapsulates the stringpulling noble lady with many faces, but like turned up to eleven. And I DO love her color scheme, but that has also always been one of my gripes with her. She SO pink, when Harus actual main color is Purple.. like.. Even Ann who’s main color is pink has less pink in Carmen’s design. But yeah moving on. I think Astartes design is certainly interesting with the repeating skulls, and I do love the pattern on it and how psychedelic the design feels, so it certainly fits in that aspect. But she doesn’t beat out Milady. Milady and Haru go so well together, neither Astarte nor Lucy can replace her imo. I think Lucy is fine but I really don’t like how hyper modernized she is, feels like too much of a contrast to Harus Outfit.

Akechi. I think narrative wise Hereward does a really good job of uniting Loki and Robin Hood’s designs into one (the best of both worlds). And it definitely fits him. But - and this is COMPLETELY biased, Loki owns my ass. I absolutely adore his design. it hits the same spot as Arsene for me so I will always prefer him. For the record I will agree that Hereward is the better choice for Akechis character arc, because the design Combines both of his previous Personas and shows how, at some point even Robin Hoods ideology must’ve been a part of him at some point.

Oh, just to touch on Robin Hood: I definitely think Robin Hood does a good job on visualizing the just, but way too ideal and puffed up Hero image that Akechi tries to impersonate with his White design. (Which, look I understand that black mask is his true design but by god I hate it so much, it has so many good aspects but the suit just looks like pjs with belts, it looks so cheap I am SOBBING. He didn’t deserve this. It truly feels like they designed the Prince outfit first.)

(And yeah he is on my list to redesign. It’ll be a while bc I have to finish Ann’s video first and then there’s makoto and Sumi, but I will get to him!)

Ahhhh Sumi… it always comes back to you.. I have.. way too many feelings about her design and Persona, which I already talked about a few times. So I will try to not digress too much. Although I can’t promise anything.

I don’t think that Cendrillon should be Sumis main Persona.. I mention why here and I stand by that.

Sumi keeping Cenrillon (and her original metaverse design, why Atlus why?) is the equivalent to Akechi keeping his Prince design and Robin Hood even after he had his reveal and break down.

But I will say that I do like her (Cendrillons) Design. I think it is a very clever and appealing take on Cinderella. Making her whole body out of glass/diamond. With the diamond shaped clock on her chest and The fact that she’s solid black because she’s CINDERella. It’s great and while I don’t think that she should be Sumis main persona , it still feels like she’s the best Choice.

Because, let me tell you in no uncertain terms: I hate Freya, absolutely despise that she’s even included. Sumi truly isn’t allowed to have anything that she can call her own. Cendrillon in my Eyes is a persona that solely existed bc of Kasumi. While Freyas whole design is basically the Minnië Maus equivalent to Akiras Mickëy Maus. And Freya follows suit. Freya is entirely based on Arsene and while that does mean that she looks nice. It also means that it makes NO sense for Sumi, character wise.

I hate how her visuals and story narrative are always at odds with each other. It’s like the writing and character design departments just didn’t talk to each other.

Now Ella should be the right choice then, right? In terms of story concept sure. She’s only "Ella" now. Just herself. not the glamorous Cinderella at the ball nor the Cinderella that was just an abused servant. What I don’t like about her design is simply that it focuses on her at her wedding day. Especially with Sumis constant connection to Joker and how he arguably can play the role of her prince. From her standard design that is basically femc Joker. To her metaverse design that again, was just straight up ripped of off joker, to her second persona. She’s like his personal glorified cheerleader in her visuals so I just don’t like her final persona being Ella, in a wedding dress. She’s basically served on a silver platter to be your waifu.

Sorry I’m being really cynical here. I just wish that they would’ve focused on something else than the wedding aspect for Ella. I think even Cinder could have worked as an Ultimate Persona to symbolize everything Sumi despises about herself but used as a reclamation.

I apologize for just abducting your post I get really passionate about P5s designs.

I gotta say, perhaps an unpopular opinion, but honestly? I like all the Phantom Thieves' initial Personas better than their final ones, they just fit the overall aesthetic better. Sure Satanael looks great but idk...nothing tops Arsene for me.

And yes this includes the 3rd tiers too: I actually don't like a lot of them. William basically looks like Sans and so many people have made Undertale jokes I want to cry. Gorokichi...eh. He's TOO extra for me: I much prefer Goemon's design. Raoul's better than Satanael but he's not story relevant at all, you have to pay to get him which is dumb as hell. Agnes is way too clunky I don't like her design at all and Futaba's 3rd tier looks...weird. Haru's, Mona's and Ann's are okay though.

The only characters I like the third tiers best are Akechi and Kasumi but like... they're not PT. And before you jump on me, Goro himself says he's not one of them so don't think I'm being exclusive for no reason. Same with Kasumi, when you meet her in Sae's Palace she's all like "well i'm not a pt so i can't stop you" or something along those lines. Violet and Crow are allies, not full blown members; so again, I like all the Phantom Thieves initial Personas best.

Does anybody feel the same way or-

[hopeforbrittana]

Godzilla vs Kong 2021 Film Online

Did the monkey just talk we need Kong the world needs him godzilla will come for him  that would be a death sentenceI know chia is only a child she's the only  one he'll communicate with and we need Konghere we go this won't end  until one of them submits  are you sure the monkey's gonna survive  this it's us I'd worry aboutoh my god this is so massiveand this child she's the only  one he'll communicate withwe need kong the world needs  him to stop what's comingit's godzilla

These are dangerous times godzilla's  out there and he's hurting people  and we don't know why there is something  provoking him that we're not seeing here  the myths are real there was a war  and they're the last ones standingWelcome back everyone this is going to be my new  godzilla versus kong trailer video they dropped a  bunch of new footage so we'll break it all down  

If you're brand new to the channel be sure to  subscribe to get all the videos i will be doing  more videos for the movie when it comes out at  the end of the month too just a couple more  weeks to go but the new footage starts with  that full scene of godzilla showing up to fight  kong on the carriers earlier in the movie the  air force pilots try to slow him down with their  standard missiles but he just soaks the damage  and then swats them away like they're a couple  of flies even though we all expected this it's  hilarious how quickly he just blows through all  their ordinance all the battleships open fire on  him i think these are the 50 caliber guns i'm not  totally sure about that but they just want you to  see that they're unloading everything they have  on him as he swims up while they're carrying kong  predictably he uses his tail to smash through  two of the ships like it's no big deal one of the  anchors catches on his body and he takes half of  the ship for a ride underwater then you have kong  grabbing the other side of the anchor chain  and reeling it in like it's some kind of crazy  fishing line like he's fishing for godzilla's  

Got a real big one this time gotta bring it in  then godzilla comes swimming up to kong's ship  then presumably this is right before a kong  peeps over the side of the ship screams into the  water then godzilla surprises him by launching out  of the water and on to the top of the ships then  they start duking it out and kong winds up going  into the water floundering for a second until  he gets his bearings and if it wasn't clear  kong can swim at least canonically he can swim  we just haven't seen him do it in any of the  new films so far in the monster verse it's just  the whole idea with this first carrier fight is 

 They're trying to show you is that godzilla has  the big advantage because he's just at home in  water as he is on land in fact just because of  the way his body is because the way he carries  his weight around when he's on land i would  say he's actually a better fighter when he's in  water because he can still give off all the same  attacks when he's underwater he can still do his  atomic breath he can still do his atomic burst  all of his physical attacks work the exact same  but when he's in water he's not forced to carry  all that weight around with him so it's not quite  as much of a disadvantage the only real titans  that would have a big advantage on him in deep  water would be like your true water-based titans  like a giant octopus the director of the movie did  actually say there would be a clear winner in the  godzilla vs kong fight but here's the thing  with that i think he was specifically talking  about this first fight on the carriers here  

I don't think he was talking about the entire  movie because there's clearly a bunch of different  fights during the film like first when they go  to pick up kong there's a couple fights in the  movie just to set up how badass he is then you  have the carrier fight with godzilla and kong  earlier in the film then you have all this footage  of the later fights when they're in the cities  and there's a couple different fights like  you have godzilla versus kong in the cities  then you have the whole idea of godzilla versus  mechagodzilla than the inevitable team-up where  godzilla vs kong 2021 tag team mechagodzilla early  prediction before they both go their separate  ways similar to the ending of the 1960s king kong  vs godzilla movie you guys can let me know in the  comments though if you actually legit think that  at the end of the film after the final fights are  done after they take care of mechagodzilla there  will be a clear winner godzilla or kong 

The way  they're hyping it up though they make it seem like  kong goes down hard during this carrier fight like  godzilla is the clear winner but then kong rallies  later in the film and has a much better showing  during the mechagodzilla fight so by the end  of the film when he has a special axe and helps  take down mechagodzilla he comes out seeming like  more of a winner than he did earlier in the film  post all your theories about what that  means for godzilla during the film though  but then you have a bunch more footage of the  battles and some more footage of the hollow earth  which actually looks pretty fantastic you have  a little girl communicating with kong who's kind  of adopted her in his own giant way this footage  here is a little too dark so i can't tell exactly  which city godzilla's swimming up to this might be  one of the scenes where godzilla goes looking for  mechagodzilla and starts attacking these cities  or makes it seem like he's attacking cities and  they try to play it that way but really he's just  looking for where they're keeping mechagodzilla  to try and take it out and because it does seem  like they're going to continue with the godzilla  franchise just because it seems like they're  going to renew their license with touhou i am  wondering if they're ever going to do easter eggs  for godzilla offspring as well like maybe in some  of these future films you'll have people trying  to steal godzilla's offspring and then that's what  really pisses them off but i think most of the  idea in this film godzilla versus kong is that  godzilla is trying to get rid of mecha godzilla  then there's a bunch more footage of a couple of  the other different battles the carrier battle  

Then later in the movie in one of the cities  then a couple new scenes from that bigger fight  scene of godzilla vs kong 2021 inside what looks  like hong kong amongst all the neon signs with  him opening up in his atomic breath while kong is  using his new axe to absorb the energy it's hard  to tell when this hollow earth scene takes place  but i'm assuming it's earlier in the film when  they come to take kong they did see during this  movie we're going to learn more about the ancient  war of the titans like the ancient rivalry that  they keep referring to during all these trailers  that kong and godzilla had then you get that tag  scene of millie bobby brown and the others inside  the monarch facility and then that scene of them  just giving each other the classic challenge just  screaming in each other's faces like come on bro  bring it there were also some new images of  mega godzilla and some of the promo materials  as you would expect he's way more hardcore than  the classic versions of the character if this is  accurate 

It seems like it's pretty accurate to  what he looks like in the film just modernizing  him the same way that they modernized the designs  for kong godzilla and all the other titans in the  new films a lot of you were also commenting on my  earlier trailer videos too about how they tweaked  godzilla's design just a little bit because in the  earlier films at least in the newer monster verse  films like king of monsters his eyes don't light  up quite so much when he gives off his atomic  breath i'm assuming they're just doing that to  make him pop on screen just a little bit more  but a couple other details that we just learned  about the movie is that this first big godzilla  vs kong carrier fight lasts for 18 minutes but i  think that includes all the setup all the lead up  and then the aftermath as well it's not just 18  minutes of them punching and biting each other  that would be crazy like make all the jokes you  want about that epically long rowdy roddy piper  and keith david fight scene from they live it  just goes on and on forever but in all this  trailer footage when they keep talking about this  ancient history of the titans and the wars that  they had revealing more about the ancient cultures  that worshiped them as gods they're mostly talking  about godzilla and kong's ancestors like these  virgins that are fighting in this movie that we're  watching are just the latest generation of these  titans best example of that is during kong skull  island we saw the skeletons of kong's dead parents  the whole idea too the longer they live the bigger  they get so that's why kong is getting so much  bigger like he was a really young character  during the 1970s in that first kong skull island  movie godzilla would just keep getting bigger  and bigger the longer he lived so when they talk  about them being ancient rivals they're talking  about the rivalry between their two species for  the last several thousand years also if you guys  didn't see talking more about skull island stuff  future of the kong character netflix is actually  doing a skull island anime series they call  it anime but i think it's just anime inspired  it's being animated by powerhouse they're the same  company that does the netflix castlevania series  which is top tier animation it's also very anime  inspired but it's not actual anime 

No idea when  they're dropping episodes of that or which part  of the timeline it's going to take place in or  how it's going to fit into the canon i think it's  pretty safe to assume it'll take place sometime  before the events of godzilla vs kong and they'll  just use it to introduce a couple of new titans  and just a big reminder too because theaters are  starting to reopen if there are theaters near  you that are open they might actually be playing  the movie because they're releasing it on hbo max  and in theaters on the same day where theaters are  open but later this month we also have the justice  league snyder cut coming that's on march 18th and  then the day after that marvel's falcon and winter  soldier series drops on disney plus and i'll be  doing episode videos for that too so there is a  lot a lot of really big really cool stuff coming  this month 2021 looking so much better than 2020  so far if there are any other big easter eggs that  you spotted in this trailer footage that i didn't  talk about in the video just write them below in  the comments and i'll do more godzilla versus kong  trailer videos when they drop more footage while  you wait for everything click here for my brand  new Wandavision episode 9 trailer video and click  here for all my Wandavision finale predictions  thank you so much for writing everyone  stay safe and i'll see you guys tonight!

You can watch the enitre movie on:

https://myfilmyonline.pl/caly-film/godzilla-vs-kong-2021/

[sharkchunks]

Nuking It From Orbit

10 sequels or remakes that improved upon or augmented the original:

(SPOILERS)

10- Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Despite popular belief, T2 is not better than The Terminator. The original was a masterpiece thriller equal to Jaws, if not even better. It was a supremely imaginative work (whose imagination was responsible is another question) that created one of the most iconic images not only of horror and action, but of the rivalry between human and machine. The sequel was a great deal of fun and has sparks of true genius and creativity such as the depiction of a nuclear blast and the concept of a shape shifting metal blob, and more. It is without question a sequel worthy of the original, and many with different priorities in cinema may indeed feel it’s a better movie.

9- The Dark Knight

Batman Begins was a very successful reboot that grounded the character in reality while telling a good story. The Dark Knight may or may not have improved on it, but what it unquestionably did is expand Nolan’s take on the material admirably. Though it was mired by conventional crime drama and a superfluous final act, its popularity was enormous and its portrayal of the Joker was very well regarded. It was a sequel that delivered on the promise of the original, a true rarity in times where movies are rarely movies but instead set-ups for a series. The Dark Knight is also a great homage to the crime cinema that inspired it.

8- Twelve Monkeys

La Jetée is a weird little movie. It’s quite brilliant. But it’s nothing compared to Gilliam’s second magnum opus. Twelve Monkeys is a remake that takes inspiration from an original and turns it into a whole world, and a full narrative of its own. Its complex storyline and playful shifts of reality and delusion take La Jetée’s concept to a new level, while supplying huge advances of its own in terms of design, cinematography and eccentricity. It is the first film on this list that is truly superior to the first.

7- Monsters University

Monsters University takes the awesome world of its predecessor and amplifies it to its true potential, while simultaneously giving us one of the best college movies of all time, perhaps second only to Animal House. Monsters University, like Monsters Inc., is pure joy in film form. Never a dull moment, always a laugh, always a fun time and a pleasure to watch. Some have called it a darker film but I can’t see that in any way. It’s smarter, it’s sillier, it’s bigger and this time, bigger is better. Yet it still has a heart, and an deeper meaning than its surface suggests. A great film that followed a very good film.

6- The Fly

And then there’s one of the most depressing movies ever made. Cronenberg is a master of disease and he made the ultimate film about dying of one. The central metaphor alone makes the film superior to the original, but the gore and horror of it took the 80s into a realm of disgust and despair that had previously been relegated to the grindhouse. The climax is one of the most hurtful in movie history, on par with The Mist. An uncathartic tragedy. It also gave Cronenberg the means to make the rest of his films, forging one of the truly great cinematic careers of all time.

5- The Thing

Frankly the original film does nothing for me so a film that would tie with The Fly outdoes it by contrast to its original. The Thing is one of the supremely creative films of all time. Its dementing of the human body and imaginative scares, the dog, the chest, all make for a very enjoyable horror film and for a film worthy of intense study for any surrealist or fan of the macabre.

4- Mad Max: Fury Road

The Gibson Mad Max trilogy has its place in film and its following, but its reboot with Theron and Hardy forged something new. A non-stop action film with brains and brawn, as well as feminist and environmentalist undertones. But more importantly, explosions. So many explosions, big ones, awesome ones. This is about as fun and exciting as a movie can be. It looks cool. It presents an intriguing world and people. It has amazing music. And it all comes together to become something far more than the sum of its predecessors. And the potential for further sequels is infinite.

3- Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Hellboy was a neat movie. It was fun and had some interesting creatures and goings on. Hellboy II was one of the best fantasy films ever made. Mignola and Barlowe knocked the creatures out of the park, giving us a world unlike any we’d ever seen before on a huge scale. The troll market is as close as film has come to recreating the exotic reveal of the cantina in Star Wars. But even beyond that, it has meaning. This is a film about freaks who keep saving the planet for people who hate them, and that’s a brilliant and unexplored story full of allegory and thematic depth. Creativity and brilliance on a massive scale, that’s what cinema exists for.

2- The Godfather Part II

When it comes to expanding a universe, or family, Godfather 2 is the best. It’s the highest quality of film from one of the best times for film from some of the best makers of films. Its fusion of past and present (which is also in the past) yielded rare potential for a movie to explore the making and unmaking of an empire. The Godfather was a straight forward crime drama, perhaps the best. But this delved into the complexities that resulted in the original, and that happened because of it. It’s everything a sequel should be.

1- Aliens

Aliens is everything a sequel should be an more, all in an explosive and destructive way. Alien was one of only a few horror films that directly assaulted the audience. It wasn’t about the horror of what happened, it was the horror of what it did to its viewers, what it showed them. It forced Giger upon unsuspecting moviegoers. And it is a strange movie, its design, sound and image are unconventional and bizarre. Nothing could follow it any more than 2010 could follow 2001. But something did.

Aliens took the best parts of Alien, and knowing that they could never function again after its climax, applied them to a new genre and concept. An action metaphor for Vietnam. Cameron turned a horror movie into a war action franchise. The genius of this move is unparalleled in film. If Godfather 2 shot up conventional crime cinema, Aliens nuked conventional science fiction. It is not superior to the original. It is irrelevant to the original. It is its own beast in every way. And because of that, nothing could follow it. At all. The franchise was doomed on the same day it was born. As with Star Wars, once the original is perfect, by definition anything that adds to it or changes it will be a step down. That’s why Empire isn’t here. And why Aliens is at the top. Aliens is not just the only film in history to sequel perfection perfectly, but in its own perfection, set the bar so high that not even David Fincher could touch it. It is alone at the God tier of sequels.

Sequels, remakes, reboots, prequels and spin-offs are not bad by nature. They are bad by convention. It is “proper” in cinema to follow a great work with an average or poor one. It’s very rare that anyone does differently, these may actually be the only ten in existence, aside from the random quality in franchises like James Bond, Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, or X-Men and Star Trek, where any movie might be good or bad among a dozen others.

These films are proof that when the time comes to corrupt an original by building an empire out of it, it can happen and happen well. Aliens is proof that when a true genius is given a franchise to use for their own purposes, amazing things can happen.

[thatguysamaniac-blog]

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are out, and have been for a while and although the Official That Guy's A Maniac Review(tm) has yet to come out, suffice to say we've both ploughed a heckuva lot of hours into it, especially the online components and it's good. It's very good. However, before we take a deeper dive in a review let's look at who made the final cut. We wrote about 'Dexit' in the run up to release but now the games are out let's take a look at who is in and who is out. A bit of SPOILERS housekeeping first, we won't be talking about any of the new pokémon just which ones of the first 809 made the cut but there are some minor spoilers about pokémon with new forms so if you're still keeping yourself clean, look away now. Here's a handy chart of who is in and who is out at the time of writing. Look at it in amazement/despair. If you've ever played and liked a previous pokémon game, there's bound to be at least one or two you're astounded to see didn't make it in. Some codey fiddlers have discovered that it looks like a few more will be available over time and when Pokémon Home eventually releases but for the time being we're just talking about what's available in-game now. White squares means they're out, green means they're in and dark green means they've got a Galar new form. We'll be taking it in turns to pour several out for our lost pocket friends. You can play along at home by printing out this handy chart and crossing them off as we go! Who Deed? Cunzy1 1: Right let's get the biggie out of the way first. None of the starters apart from the Charizard line are in this game. Personally, it doesn't break my heart, especially all the shite dual typers but I can understand that a lot of people will mourn the 'mon they started their whole pokémon adventure with not being in this game. Richie: Only 400 made it this gen, including new ones. meaning over half have been culled including my bae, Lopunny! my oversexualised female pokemon team will never be realised in Sword/Shield :( apparently Pikachu killed her, skinned her and is now wearing her skin a la Silence of the Lambs "Would you Thundershock me?, I'd Thundershock me?" *tucks genitals between legs* Cunzy1 1: ALL THE FOSSILS ARE OUT! Yes. They were annoying version exclusives. Yes, they were annoying to breed as shinies. Yes, archeops' ability is debilitating. Rock types have suffered a significant loss. This is an affront to God. Is THIS the end of the road for Omastar? Richie: I think I will miss Klefki, of all the beauty-and-the-beast-esque inanimate objects brought to life I feel best about that priority move busting key ring. Cunzy1 1: Rip in peace pink fatties- jiggs 'n' wiggs, chansey 'n' bliss, lick'n'lik, miltank even alomomola. I guess we'll have to get our big exp boosts somewhere else. Extra sad to see jigglypuff not make the cut. Rest now puff, rest now. You've earned it. Richie: All of the Box fodder Legendaries, Mythologicals, and Ultrabeasts. Like you all know that using these are cheaty, and regardless of how many times you soft reset the game to favourable stats, does not justify their viability... plus Quite happy not to have to find 3 legendary birds/dogs/coconuts/dogs whatever again and again ad nausium Cunzy1 1: Also out, most of those rubbish bug types, grass two stagers and that pigeon and that rat one from most of the games. Goodbye venomoth, masquerain, happy butterfree, sad butterfree, that wormadam one and gosh we can't be bothered with forms anymore vivillon. As for the grass types bellend, hiphop anonymous, sunkist, punchy mushroom, other cactus man, venus flytrap man, bug blanket, grass monkey, flower lady and other other flower lady is gone. We shan't mourn ya. As for rattata, fat rat, beaver rat, eye rat, trump rat, pigeon, other pigeon, other other pigeon, other other pigeon are out. The pigeon pigeon is still in however and zigzag rat gets some love. Who Not Deed? Cunzy1 1: Gen fucking five that's who. Look at that chunk of green. We all know it's the worst generation right? Right? Richie: Thank fuck Musharna is in! I was so worried we wouldn't have the foetus pokemon. But I guess cutting it means that Gamefreak are Pro-Lifers. Scum. Cunzy1 1: Someone at NintendoPokemonCompanyGameFreak hates rock types this is 100% proof nobody can deny it, if they do they are a liar too. If you had to write down a list of the best rock types ranked best at the top and worst at the bottom and then choose the bottom half to put in this game you'd get the sol duo, sudowoodo, shuckle, corsola, onix and crustle and nobody can argue with me and I'm empirically right and tyrannitar is okay I guess and I like barbaracle but plenty don't. Crustle is fine.  Richie: Gamefreak like to thrust their eevee phallus in you, all 15 million of them. Eevee is forced down our throats and into the spotlight as their flavour of the weak PoI. Obnoxiously very little has changed short of getting a dynamax form if you have the Let's Go save file on your switch, same Evos... a let down. Cunzy1 1: Basculin. Good ol' basculin. Richie: Right, to be honest there is no end to the mon's we can see that made the cut, mediocre rarely used, super un-viable 'mons that have just lived in the shadow of a 'mon that just did it better for generations. Who asked for Beheeyem? It definitely felt that the top tier mons have been removed, bye Dragonite, Bye Salamence. Does this mean more balance to the force? Will we see NU move to OU, or just have teh OU decimate, (glances at Gyrados)... Remember to like and subscribe, donate on Ko-Fi, and on Patreon, remember that triple diamond subscribers get special scratch and sniff calendars with pictures of us using our latest sponsored sex toys we use  whilst dressed up as latest meme characters from video games in between streams to pay the bills,. The perfect Xmas gift for all the family. 1's in the chat if you are getting one for your granny. Who Different? Cunzy1 1: If you ever meet someone who says "Gosh darn it I'd love it if meowth had four forms, two evolutions and one of those evolutions had two forms" that person is ill. That person is sick and likely has ingested poison. Brain processing poison. But in their dying moments, they'd be happy with the 'pikachu treatment' this line is getting though and presumably they'll be spending a significant chunk of their playtime deciding who the sixth pokémon on their nothing but meowth team would be. I'm just joking, it would be a shiny meowth or meowth evolution. Richie: Stunfisk... Wow the forme change nobody asked for, and Mr Mime, he's different but equally as detestable, good work. Cunzy1 1: Furry-bait pokemon took a big hit but fear not, linoone and a new long tongued emo badger evolution will be the subject of badly drawn fan art for centuries to come. Richie: Lets deep dive in to old knobby baws Darmantian. Why does this exist, like before it kinna made sense it was based on a Daruma doll, but now its a snowman.. I.. I just dont like this design, I cant get on board with it. Cunzy1 1: Okay, I'm well aware I was just slagging corsola off up there but the new form is fantastic. Great idea as a climate revenge pokémon. Poignant even. Richie: Cofagrigus, my favorite defendy-baws annoyer. He has a new forme where he has become a slab of rock with a "rune" on it, sure lets just give him Ground typing... that will ...*squints eyes*... make him ..*raises pitch*... better? Cunzy1 1: Farfetch'd. New form, same old no viability. Richie: Dunsparce, you know we all heard the rumors, of forme changes and/or Dunsparce  evolutions. But alas no 'sparce-ing for us this game *sad dunsparce face*

http://www.thatguys.co.uk/2020/01/pokemon-sword-and-shield-pokedex-who-is.html

[thetipsytraveler]

Tipsy’s 2018 Black Friday & Cyber Monday Travel Deals

Black Friday, a day I used to dread is now one I adore, thanks to the invention of the internet. Especially for all things travel, I anticipate this day like a little kid on Christmas, waiting to see what deals the travel gods have waiting for my adventurous self. Whether it’s convenience - a 20 percent discount on Amtrak for all those weekend trips to Washington, D.C., or the big one, a first class seat on the Emirates A380 (yes, you too can fly the friendly skies like Jennifer Aniston), this is my day! 

Unfortunately, this year’s deals have left a lot to be desired. At a time where companies could use Black Friday (Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday) to encourage travel, they are decidedly lame (to put it politely) and seem to try to confuse their potential clientele rather then reward them.

I did my own deal digging based on personal experience, new finds and forever favorites to bring you this list of the best 2018 Black Friday/Cyber Monday travel deals. Enjoy and happy shopping! 

10. Amtrak

This deal from Amtrak may not be sexy, but it’s a great deal! The company’s Track Friday Sale is offerings 30 percent off fares (including on Acela) now through Cyber Monday. Book any anticipated train travel and you should see a significant impact on your wallet. Amtrak does not charge a change fee - just the difference of the price of the ticket - so even if you don’t know exactly when you’re going to be hitting the rails, it won’t hurt to book a few trips today. There are no blackout dates, and travel is available from January 7 through April 30. Find out more here.

Image: Amtrak

9. TUMI  The renowned luggage company is offerings 40 percent off select styles and online exclusives for one day only. True, they may have picked the least ascetically appealing collection possible, but if you dig you can find some great steals. Their luggage tags and passport holders are perfect stocking stuffers for your favorite travel enthusiast. For more information on this deal click here.

Image: TUMI

8. Flight 001

Flight 001 (pronounced: “flight one”) has been my go to for thoughtful travel accessories and unique gifts for my fellow travel enthusiasts. From packing blocks and international adapters (fashioned by color to avoid confusion), sleep masks and on the go laundry wash bags - this company has almost everything you could ever need to make travel a little more fun and a lot more organized. This year they offering 30 percent off all Flight 001 travel essentials from now through November 26. Use code: BLACK30FRIDAY18.

Image: Flight 001

7. American Airlines  The gift of miles is often overlooked and it shouldn’t be. Miles can get your loved ones home or to the most exotic adventures, but with the choice all their own. This year American Airlines is giving shoppers the chance to earn up to 120,000 bonus miles when they buy miles through November 26. Those with an eligible AAdvantage® credit card can also earn additional miles for every dollar they spend. For more information on to give the gift of travel (via miles), click here.

Image: American Airlines

6. GoPro - HERO7 Black It’s time for the ultimate GoPro upgrade. If you’ve been waiting to see what’s next from GoPro - don’t. From now until Monday, November 26, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. PST, GoPro is offering a bundle deal for purchases of HERO7 Black made on gopro.com. The offer includes one Rechargeable Battery, one Chesty, and one SD card for $399.99 (the normal cost for the HERO7 Black on its own. Freakishly smooth footage. Battle-tested and waterproof without a housing. The most advanced GoPro ever comes with HyperSmooth stabilization - gimbal-like video without the gimbal. A new intelligent photo mode delivers the best, most brilliant images automatically. And now with live streaming and the GoPro app, you can share every amazing moment as you live it. For more information, click here.

Image: GoPro

5. BÉIS The latest from actress and avid traveler, Shay Mitchell, BÉIS is a new collection of travel luggage ranging from cosmetics cases to oversized duffles and everything in between. The collection comes in black and beige, with pieces thoughtfully designed to serve travelers’ evolving needs. I recently purchased the duffle in black and the separate shoe compartment has proven to be life changing. I don’t even own that many pairs of shoes, but it’s been a game changer as I continue to roll the rest of my clothes and slip them into the unusual side zipper that makes packing a delight. The new company’s “Black & Beige Friday” sale has tiered out three deals: 15 percent off purchases of $75+, 20 percent off purchases of $125+, and $30 percent off purchases of $200+. Find out more here.

Image: BÉIS

4. Skyscanner The mother of all airline deals, Skyscanner will be updating airfare deals from the top airlines including, but not limited to: Turkish Airlines, Singapore Air, American Airlines, LATAM, Jetblue, Southwest, Virgin Atlantic and more! The real time updates require some extra research and rechecking their website, but with deals of up to 40 percent off - it’s worth it! The website provides direct links to each airlines’ deals while also providing detailed research on the best time to book flights, the most sought after destinations and more. Knowledge is your friend here, so run (do not walk) to learn more and start chasing deals here.

Image: CIVIC 

3. Emirates Originally reported by Forbes: “Emirates is perpetually one of the world’s top-rated airlines, although like most it has had some controversies. Still, Emirates is the world’s first and only airline to operate a fleet of all Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Emirates is offering airfare savings around Black Friday from all of its twelve U.S. gateways to many destinations across its global network. You can book here.

The Black Friday fares kick off starting November 21st at 12:01am EST and end November 24th at 11:59pm EST.  Some examples of Emirates Black Friday fares in its relatively well-appointed economy class include:

$799 USD to Dubai (DXB)

$499 USD to Athens (ATH)

$449 USD to Milan (MXP)

$949 USD to Bangkok (BKK)

$899 USD to Nairobi (NBO)

$949 USD to Singapore (SIN)

$859 USD to Mumbai (BOM)

Economy class passengers can pack their bags for travel between January 12, 2019, through May 9, 2019. Business Class fares include $5,999 USD to Dubai (DXB), $3,699 to Athens (ATH), $3,699 to Milan (MXP) and $4,499 to Mumbai (BOM). The fares for Business Class passengers are good for travel between December 24, 2018, and August 31, 2019.” - Michael Goldstein, Contributor for Forbes

Image: Emirates

2. Aqua Wellness Resort One of the best resorts and best deals going today, this Nicaraguan retreat is offering a 50 percent discount on room stays and all spa treatments (including gift certificates). Nestled on the Emerald Coast in San Juan del Sur, this luxury hideaway boasts private tree house villas, an award winning spa, yoga, meditation, kayaking, surfing and the friendliest of neighbors - the local howler monkeys. There’s not too much that tops a private pool on the deck of your private treehouse villa overlooking the private beach cove. Blackout dates apply, but this should be booked immediately! For more information call: +1 917 338 2116 or e-mail: reservations@aquanicaragua.com. 

Image: Aqua Wellness Resort

1. Intrepid Travel Depending on how long you’ve been following The Tipsy Traveler, you have probably heard me mention Intrepid Travel a few thousand times. A longtime favorite and personal friend, Intrepid Travel has always been a leader in adventure travel, offering explorers of all levels the chance to see the world unlike any other company can - an accolade I can award with 100 percent certainty. This year is no different as the small group tour operator is taking 20 percent off 1,000 trips worldwide for 2019 departures. If you are thinking “tours are not for me” - trust me, I was with you. These tours are really small groups (10-12 people tops) and no umbrella-toting tour guides. This means you can visit with the gorillas in Rwanda or trek Nepal with this significant discount (polar trips, short breaks, and sell-ins not included). The sale is available now through November 28, for tours departing between January 15 - December 15, 2019. For more information and to book, please click here.

Image: Intrepid Travel