#if I repeat myself here compared to that post I linked: whoops

[onewomancitadel]

As I have expressed in the past, Cinder wouldn't have a completely different reception if she were a male character. The difference between her and Adam (say, or separately I/ronwood) isn't just on the basis of gender: notably, Adam and I/ronwood's confidence, bravado, rhetoric, indeed entire belief system and the way they justify themselves (through a greater good persona), etc. are all appealing traits - they don't 'fail' or suffer narratively in the same way Cinder does, and so her 'entitlement' reads differently, and the reveal of her emotionality, vulnerability, and othering torture is too revealing. Even Cinder's own bravado clearly registers (and is observed by other characters) to be covering something up.

This post really covers it, but the emotional archetype of Cinder is part of what's the problem, and it's why even a version of the story where Cinder is male, she wouldn't have the same popularity (or determined argumentation for 'redemption' or justification narratively from Adam-esque fans). In her case, it is certainly a worsening of the circumstances (which similarly doesn't attract the general fandom which is into the male Byronic hero or the male suffering villain), but there would be unacceptable traits about her if you even kept the story as-is. Her ultimate quest is never moralised and there is no ostensible greater good she's working towards. Her story is on much deeper psychological and fairytale terms.

Adam and I/ronwood are both secure masculine figures, and not ideologically in pain: what they struggle with is getting everybody else to go along with what they believe, and make concessions at their own behest, in concordance with what they're willing to allow, which frames the power dynamics very differently - even compare to the way Cinder negotiates and you get a very different picture. This is a really compelling trait, because the conflictedness and the vulnerability (in a physical power sense as well as emotional one) of a character like Cinder - and any other villains of her ilk - is uncomfortable. It doesn't align with traditional male fantasy, made doubly more complicated given that she should be a straightforward bitch. (Separately, this is why Jaune's a tough nut to crack and tends to have most of his characterisation chucked out the window).

I have seen the opinion expressed in the past that Adam is bait for Kylo Ren fans, and I think this is a serious misreading of Kylo Ren and probably equally a serious misreading of Adam. They're not the same villain archetypes, because the draw of Kylo Ren is that he is not ideologically motivated and he is suffering; he represents the decay to be rooted out (and even communicates this very emphatically: It's time to let old things die) but he doesn't have the full thematic picture of regrowth. He's not a political ideologue, he doesn't think what he's doing is for some abstract 'greater good', he's not a utilitarian, he's a mythically trapped Lost Dark Prince Prodigal Son (in a space opera). This is not Adam. Adam is really a reversal of this: the political ideology covers the expression of his ego. I/ronwood is a similar case, even if there is more pathos to his story.

Critically, Kylo Ren (and many villains of his ilk) are often rejected by masculine fandom on the grounds of being too emotional, or too sympathetic - too whiny, too feeling, even when Kylo does cut an imposing figure. It is a complete misreading of his character and other conflicted villains to think they are universally accepted amongst 'that' fandom. You know the ones. 'The bad guy had a point all along' is rarely about empathising with the other side, but usually a contrarian edginess motivated by 'the guy who really understands you have to do bad things to get good outcomes'. Classic ends-justify-the-means I/ronwood adjacent type.

Cinder is a character foregrounded in upheaval and redemption. It's a paradigm shift, not through validating her perspective, but challenging it, and integrating the restorative characteristics.

I think it is absolutely true, though, that interiority is generally not assumed of female characters and discarded even when presented with the opportunity (once again I reject the idea that female characters just 'aren't written well' as an argumentation against this; reconstructive work of male characters with five lines tells you all you need to know) whether she be heroine or villainess. Specifically to Cinder there are detractions to her character that are gender-based: for instance, the very notion of entitlement (compared to Adam or I/ronwood, again, for the sake of this case study) both in terms of what she wants in the story and the very presence of her character, as if she were 'taking up too much space' feels rooted in the fear of feminine hunger. That they have unconsciously leant into this with her is quite interesting. It does give a different flavour to her character (and certainly her perception) that would be different were she a Kylo Ren. There are 'good' female characters who deserve her place, who by no conincidence happen to be fan-favourites meeting (their own projected) acceptable feminine archetypes (even if it leads to a total misreading of everybody involved).

I don't think all is lost, and I don't intend to write a fingerwagging post. I think if you try to humanistically engage with a work and think deeper about it, it tends to mitigate this issue anyway. So, surface-level meta and fandom surveys are always going to highlight these fault-lines, but there are plenty of people who don't necessarily fall prey to this. It's just true of greater fandom troughs and peaks. Equally, it's not like male characters are universally received with praise, because the issue is a little deeper. Morally, redemption-wise, story-wise, there are issues which persist which I've covered under my redemption arc tag as well as my narrative cynicism tag. So I think this reflects gender as well as how people socially engage with basic ideas of change, vulnerability, redemption, even philosophical ideas at large like the ubiquity of utilitarianism (shit).

I don't know if this is any consolation to Cinder fans - and certainly not for the ones who reject similar villains of her fare, for their own reasons, since these fandoms don't necessarily cross over - but I think it's an interesting topic nevertheless, with a certain amount of distance, once you get over the fact she's leagues more interesting than Adam and I/ronwood and whyyyy can't people see it hahaha. I mean, people can like what they like, they can't really help it. Including myself.

[castawxayaway]

Background People

wedif day four now whoop :) - wedif post -

(after a few days I will make a new masterlist for wedif and link it in my bio)

masterlist / request / submit   (the usual stuff)

Scoffing I wrapped my arms around myself, wishing I’d opted for something a tad bit warmer than this dress. Walking outside I was finally able to breathe after being inside that stuffy club where the most prominent smells include a mixture of drinks and overpowering perfume- and that’s only the first smells, and frankly the more pleasant. I glanced back behind me at the club, although discreet in style the booming of music could be heard from down the road. 

Unsure where I was heading I just kept walking, not quite enough for a cab and low battery on my phone my aim was to find a cafe of some sort. “Y/n?” I heard my name being called and my instinct was to keep on walking, ignoring the continuous calling. The voice began to get closer to me and I began to freeze up, my own heartbeat overpowering everything else. 

Reaching into my bag I fiddled for the item and as a hand connected to my shoulder I turned quickly on my heels and sprayed dry shampoo right in their eyes. Immediately realising it was the wrong product my trail of thought was interrupted by his screeching in response to the sudden move. He then fell down, clutching his face exposing a distinct tattoo on his arm. “Oh shit.” Mumbling I crouched down in front of him, only up close realising who it was. “I am so sorry Calum, I had no idea it was you! Here, let me help you.” I began to dig through my bag and managed to find some wipes, “Can you move your hands out of your eyes for me? I might be able to ease the stinging.” Biting my lip I prepared myself as he slowly moved his hands leaving his eyes clear for me to see. 

It was awful. His eyes and surrounding them were very red and sore. It seemed as if he was struggling to blink and tears continued to fall, “It’s alright, you didn’t know. I get that.” He laughed lightly through the pain and the strain could be heard in his voice. 

After a while I eventually managed to get him to his feet, then it was a matter of him slowly getting his vision back rather than it being a blurred mess for him. All I could do was support him and continue to apologise every few seconds, to which he just apologised back causing a cycle to just repeat itself. Eventually we found ourselves at a cafe where I got us a table whilst he wandered off into the bathrooms to splash water in his eyes. 

Whilst I sat there a waitress came over, “He alright?” She queried as I anxiously glanced past her in the direction of the bathrooms. 

Snapping out of my thought I focused on her as she stood raising an eyebrow holding a notepad. “Oh, him? He’s fine, I erm, sprayed dry shampoo in his eyes accidently. Two black coffees please.” Rushing my words she merely nodded and walked off, shaking her head disapprovingly.  

Eventually he walked out, covering one of his eyes making me feel worse and fidget in my seat whilst he came over sitting down with a sigh. “Is it bad?” I ask once he relaxes in the back of the leather booth. 

Moving his hand away I let out a sigh of relief, the redness has died down a lot, thankfully. “Stings a little but I’m alright.” He shrugged his shoulders and then the coffees were placed in front of us. “So,” Taking a quick sip before adding some sugar to his coffee he focused on me. “why walk out of a club when you had been there less than an hour?” 

Resting my head in my hand I copied his movements and leant in, analysing the red contrasting the brown in his eyes. “Wasn’t keen.” I stated and sat upright in the booth, proving difficult. 

“That all?” He asked taking a large sip of his coffee but based on the look on his face it wasn’t so good. I decided to test it and took a sip but the sensation was not a good one, even with a mass amount of sugar it cannot cover that this is simply a bad cup of coffee. 

Reaching into my pocket I placed a note on the table and the two of us left, proceeded to aimlessly wander the streets. “Well there is more to it.” I spoke up as we walked, heading towards the pier. 

“Thought as such.” A smirk appeared across his face and I nudged him lightly in response. “So what was it then, the music? Drinks not all that?” I shook my head at his possibilities. 

“If you must know,” I began and walked ahead slightly, choosing to face him as I explained, now walking backwards with ease; even in these heels. “some guy was looking at me.” He pulled an unimpressed face in response and I raised my hands in defense. “Okay hear me out. I have learnt that there are two looks guys give or have. The first is the ‘she’s pretty’ look, then the second is ‘she’s weak’ and that is more creepy and intimidating. You can probably guess what look I got that made me leave sooner rather than later.” 

He picked up his pace as we neared the pier, the lights and signs glowing vividly standing out of the plain buildings we walk by. “Not all guys are like that you know.” Quick to comment he raised his shoulders and walked on ahead. 

“That’s because you aren’t one of them.” I stated as we came to the crossing, the music a lot less intense compared to the club. The environment appearing more welcoming as well. “You look at me like I’m pretty.” Smiling and posing on the spot I chuckled lightly at his unimpressed expression. 

Crossing the road linking arms we got beeped at by a car causing me to jump out of my skin, resulting in a loud laugh from Calum. “Okay that, that was just perfect timing. So, you’re calling yourself pretty?” Raising an eyebrow to me I paused and contemplated the thought as he waited to walk through the pier in the direction of the doughnuts. 

“Can’t a girl compliment herself once a while?” I suggested and he nodded in response, a small smile of defeat crossing by. 

“Touche. Doughnuts?” Excited I walked ahead, not even needing to give him an answer as I queued at the counter trying not to drool at them as they came fresh out of the batter I heard him moan about how good they look. 

Offering to pay I ordered us a bag and leant against the counter under the poorly lit surface. Passing me the bag I paid and walked off, taking one out of the bag and headed inside, ignoring the small gaps in the wooden panels below us as the waves sounded. All the whilst Calum just had this look on his face directed at me. Finishing eating a doughnut I felt a bit self conscious, it was neither looks that I’d typically experienced, it was something else. 

“Is there some sugar on my face?” Quickly I began to wipe around my face with little luck of finding anything. He came towards me and took my hands away from my face and lead me away from the pier and towards the beach. 

Just before we reached the sand he paused, turning around he faced me. “Yeah, those won’t do.” Pointing to my heels I gave in, taking them off and I could hear my feet thanking me for this freedom. 

Walking along the beach and feeling the sand in between my toes was relaxing, we continued to eat doughnuts and just talk like old times. “How come we don’t talk much? I mean, we’re always around each other.” I stood still opposite him as I pondered over it. 

We’d been friends for years, yet never really knew each other. It was odd as he was someone who to me, was always there just in the background. “Well, I guess I never thought about it like that.” The wind picked up and blew my hair into my face which I tucked behind my ear. “Why don’t we talk now?” I suggested and sat down in front of him and placed the bag of doughnuts between us, and glanced up at him. 

“Why not.” He mumbled as he sat down opposite me. I began to play with the sand between my fingertips, and listened to the sound of the waves crashing a few meters away. 

Closing my eyes I let the surroundings take over, the smell of the salt water so fresh. The taste of sugar filling my tongue and the sea rather than overpowering music, it was ideal. I opened my eyes again and saw him wearing a sweet smile, his dark eyes shining in the moonlight. 

We talked for hours, learning more about each other and things I could never have guessed about him. “Wait you sing too?” He said, clearly shocked. Slowly I nodded as I finished my doughnut and swallowed it. 

“Always have.” I chuckled. 

His smile grew and the look in his eyes lasted, “Oh you have something on your face.” He stated and sighing I wiped at my cheek but his giggle meant I’d not found it. “Let me.” Leaning towards me his face was in front of mine, his hand cupping my cheek as his thumb wiped the sugar from the corner of my lip. 

Feeling the heat rise in my cheeks I tore my eyes from his, the gaze too intense. His hand lingered on my face too long, glancing back up at him I could sense him leaning in. Unable to move I leaned in too, his gentle lips on mine and as I pulled away I giggled lightly. “What?” He spoke up. 

“I just thought of jumping waves like I did when I was a kid, fancy it?” Standing up I held my hand out, waiting for him to join. 

His hand intertwined with mine and we started to walk towards the sea. The loud splashes rise up our legs causing us to exhale and shiver at the bitterness. “This was a bad idea.” I shiver as my teeth chatter, Calum just laughs. 

“Here.” He begins to pick me up unexpectedly and I squeal, wrapping my arms tightly around him. A mischievous look crosses his face and I shake my head, refusing to let go. 

“If you drop me you are dead.” Completely serious I hold on tight, not budging. 

“Well, if you won’t let go.” He began to walk, getting deeper into the water until it brushed his waist and all over my back. “I didn’t let you go.” Smirking to me he released his hold under my legs and I wrapped them around his waist, leaning in to kiss him again. 

“Can we go get more doughnuts? And then maybe a hot shower?” I suggested as I shivered against him. 

“Together?” A blush crossed my cheeks and I laughed at his manner. Pulling a face to him I couldn’t deny the glint in his eyes that was enticing as he carried me back to the sand. 

[ntslttrspxls]

Games I finished in 2016

(not necessarily from that year) Sooo, I’m a bit late when it comes to my personal gaming retrospective of 2016. BUT here goes. It has been a successful year when it comes to gaming for me. I completed a few titles that have been really fun, long overdue or just surprisingly surprising because I hadn’t heard of them ever before. I completed 16 games, which not necessarily came out in 2016 but were still on my list. So here’s what I played last year and below you’ll find detailed opinions on them. 

1.  Transformers Devastation (PS3)

First game I finished in 2016 ‘cause I got it for Christmas in 2015. First things first: I love Platinum Games, although I don’t love all their games alike. But the company itself I appreciate a lot, especially for the Bayonetta series. And they made a Transformers game that looks like the old 80s cartoon and not the dark, modern Michael Bay crap the Transformers have become these days? ‘Awesome’, I thought and I wasn’t disappointed. Yes, the level design is very repetitive and has a lot of, well not back tracking but let’s say they recycle the setting a lot: there’s a city, one part is active for one mission, then you proceed to a different part for another mission and eventually come back to the first part for the third mission. Not exactly refreshing but you still get to shoot or punch Decepticons in the face with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Sideswipe or Wheeljack. Plus later in the game the settings vary a little more. The gameplay is classical Platinum games style: run around, beat shit up, collect stuff mainly to get stronger, proceed, repeat. Exactly what a proper Transformers videogame needs. It has the typical Bayonetta-style “witch time” effect where you evade an attack at the right moment just to enter a slow-motion mode for a few seconds where your enemies are slow and you keep on banging. All is well. It looks totally like the TV series which kiddo-me loved to death, the soundtrack is a mixture of badass metal, dubstep (ugh, I used the word) and neo-/modern metal. RAD! So: nothing to complain here. Sure, it could be more diverse and stuff, but it gave me exactly what I wanted and expected from the game. I had a hell of a time with this one. And you could even get more out of it because there is a looting and crafting concept where enemies drop parts and weapons which you then can combine into more powerful or more diverse weapons (take a strong machine gun and combine it with an ice-effect machine gun and you get a strong ice-effect MG; you get the point). It’s fun to experiment with different weapons and combine so many until you find the perfect weapon for every Autobot. So if you’re a fan of the 80s cartoon series: pick it up! Now! It’s become dirt cheap pretty quickly. No excuses. (picture credit: Steam)

2.  Yoshi’s Woolly World (WiiU)

Got this as a present, too. For my birthday in 2015 by my good friend and gaming buddy Christian.  Not much to say here, either. It’s a Nintendo game. So naturally it looks gorgeous, the gameplay will work just fine and it will be a lot of fun. To be precise: yes, it did exactly this. But in a really great way. The graphics are extremely unique and innovative. The wool&yarn setting provides so many new takes on level design, art direction and gameplay ideas that the Nintendo team could just go nuts with it. With Yoshis tongue as a tool you can for example untie parts of the level to “unravel” (sic!) hidden passages it’s just adorable how you go “Aaahh”, each time you find something. Everything looks like good ol’ grandma knitted it herself with all the love she can put into a woolly stuffed animal or pillow. Everything looks organic and handmade which sets the game into a very graspable and physical world. Plus, typical for Nintendo: it’s not only for kids. Sure, it’s cute and all but the levels are actually pretty challenging. Especially if you want to collect all the thingamabobs and collectibles you can get in each level: collect five balls of yarn in each level to unlock a new colored Yoshi you can pick to play with. So the completionist really gets something out of this. Long story short: it’s a wonderful title and not just another Nintendo game but really creative, especially in game design and level design.  (picture credit: Amazon)

3. Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture (PS4)

I heard about it shortly before I got a PS4 and I simply don’t play games on my PC or Mac that often. So I bought it right away because the idea and art style stoked me. The art style is not very, unique, since it’s basically pretty realistic. But the town they created is selling it. It’s authentic. You can visit the houses, they look as if people lived here a short time ago. Which is what actually happened.  It’s one of the slightly patronizingly named “Walking Simulators”. I don’t think that this genre specification is derogatory because it just says what it is: you walk around a setting and explore things without too much interaction. In the end the voice acting and the mystical story behind the game took me by the hand and led me through the experience and left me thinking. I love it when games make me think about what I’ve just witnessed. So here’s to a great Walking Simulator with wonderful sound, story and voice acting.  (picture credit: Polygon)

4. Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of The Moon (Wii)

This was recommended to me by a friend who told me that I’d love it because he knew my preferences in videogames, which he does. Farewell Ruins of the Moon is some kind of, well, it feels like a survival horror adventure at the beginning of the survival horror genre. Think early PS2 or Dreamcast era. The battle mechanics are dusty and wodden, the item management is tedious and a little annoying, the graphics are one step behind what was standard on the Wii. But still I grew to enjoy the game because of the beautiful setting, characters and story. Your main character is kind of left in a world where there’s not much left at all. He has to find out what happened and if there are others left, too. You find a girl which then runs away. From then on you try to find her. And after accepting that it’s like playing a good PS2 game instead of a polished Wii game I started loving everything about it (apart from the things I just criticised). I played it with original japanese voice and subtitles which made me enjoy the game a helluva lot more. I love japanese culture and it made the game better! Now it felt like an early take on what later became NIER, which I totally adore. The battle system is not really similar, but in a small scope I guess does have comparisons. But setting and look feel a little bit like Caviars masterpiece on Xbox360 and PS3 NIER. Over the course of the game you meet different characters and their respective background stories, which is really similar to NIER.  All in all I recommend this game to anyone who can overlook the obvious flaws and who still enjoys PS2-era action-adventure games in an anime setting with a great story. (picture credit: Romulation.net)

5.  Until Dawn (PS4)

Well, this is interesting. I heard a (german) podcast (Insert Moin) about Until Dawn before I owned a PS4 and heard them speak about this horror game with stereotype story, stereotype characters and overall very flat features. But they still said that the looks and the execution of these uninspired basic ideas totally hooked them. So I tried it and MAN was this a good horror game. And not only because they hired so many good actors to play the parts of the characters (like Rami Malek from Mr. Robot) but because the horror just kept up with the pace of the game. Each time I thought, “All right, brace yourself for the next expectable jump-scare” - it didn’t happen. The setting was just about right, the sound, the camera angle, the tension and then… nothing. “Whoops, okay. Maybe lat— BOOM”, and there it was. Shocked me to the core. Every_flippin’_time! I love myself a good horror game. But I’ve played so many that most of the “scary effects” just don’t touch me anymore. So here’s Until Dawn which actually has an intriguing storyline that makes you want to find out what’s behind all of it, with it’s stereotypical characters who actually react pretty well to each other depending on how you decide to play each and everyone of them. It’s a little like Heavy Rain with more characters that you can all play and a more horror setting (and with less shitty controls and a less shitty ending). Any horror game or -movie fan should play this! (picture credit: Until Dawn Wikia) 6.  Uncharted 4 (PS4)

Well, it’s Uncharted. It’s like Indiana Jones but without Nazis and, well, that’s about it. I loved Uncharted 2, didn’t care for part 1 too much and haven’t played 3 because everybody said it’s boring and focused too much on the failed 3D-TV feature. But part 4 really got me again. I think it’s the best Uncharted after 2, as far as I can compare them all. Pirates, wonderful graphics, good ol’friends and foes, nice acting… A very good game.  (picture credit: Playstation.com)

7.  ABZÛ (PC)

I already posted something about this game right after I played it. Short: It’s JOURNEY underwater. But it’s not just that. It’s very beautiful, a lot of fun to just swim around and for every diving-fan a must play. The more you play it the more gorgeous it gets. Wonderful game.  A story told without words. Always totally gets me. Plus like its spiritual predecessor Journey the soundtrack was written by the amazing Austin Wintory (link in the next bit). (picture credit: abzugame.com) 8.  Journey (PS4)

There’s not much to say about JOURNEY these days. Anyone who hasn’t played it yet misses out on one of the best and most artistic approaches to videogames in the entire history of the medium. It is the first video game that was ever nominated for a Grammy for its marvellous soundtrack by amazing composer Austin Wintory (it didn’t win, but it was nominated!). It has one of the best online-multiplayer experiences ever where you meet other players along the way through the game who are in the same level as you and you then simply meet. Since there is no teamspeak, nor can you see the gamertag of that person, you have to communicate (if you want to approach the other player) through jumping, making a noise and walking and waiting if the other player follows you. Play it. Please play Journey. I finished it about 4 times now since release and in 2016 for the first time on PS4. It’s always a unique experience.  Here the story is also told without any words, spoken or written. Absolutely my joint. (picture credit: thatgamecompany.com) 

9.  Love You To Bits (iOS) 

This little 2D-puzzle adventure on iOS comes from a few artists behind Tiny Thief (which is very visible, but not in a negative way). You are are guy who’s in love with a robot girl. She gets destroyed and you have to search the whole universe to collect her bits and reassemble her. It’s incredibly detailed and shows a great deal of thought they put into the level design, little anecdotes and reminiscenses to other games. For example in one level there you go to an arcade and have to collect tokens from the arcade machines in order to exchange them for a prize that you need. These arcade machines are all teeny tiny games on their own. One Zelda-style, one Metroid-style and one other classic I just forgot about (I think it wasn’t Mario but something similar). Also it has the classic point-and-click humor to it that you want to click on a person or an item more than once because it’s just funny to watch what happens each time. There’s not only one single reaction. Each level has so many different layers of obvious beauty, deeper design of the puzzles and incredible re-defining ideas of how the level design and game design can be altered in order to keep up the playing experience. Very well done and it has a lot of levels that kept me playing for a long long time for a mobile game. Plus there are some collectibles that are actually fun to discover because they mostly are incorporated in little extra puzzles that you don’t have to solve to complete the level but if you like the challenge it’s great.  Again: story without words. I LOVE it to bits.  (picture credit: loveyoutobits.com)

10.  The Bug Butcher (PS4)

Buddies of a buddie of mine made this Super Putty-like game. It kinda looks like some sort of Super Meat Boy in space with the Super Putty game mechanics. It’s good, short fun with very well animated enemies, a good weapons and upgrades system and a nice fast paced gameplay. Definitely a recommendation for all of you old school gamers out there.  There’s really not much more to say about it. You play some sort of pest-control bug smasher and have to rid a lab from alien bugs and other creatures. Level by level you eliminate waves of bugs, trying to keep up your combo and collecting nice temporary weapon updates. It’s good fun and also a great co-op title, I suppose (haven’t played in two player mode yet). (picture credit: awfullynicestudios.com) 11.  Shovel Knight (WiiU) 

Wuahahaha, Shovel Knight is SO MUCH of everything I loved about the NES. It’s Mega Man, Castlevania, Metroid, Contra, Faxanadu and Zelda II in ONE GAME COMBINED. I love it a lot. The gameplay surely is inspired by all the aforementioned games but Yacht Games made it clear that they simply took everything they loved about these kinds of games and forged something beautiful out of it instead of just copying the good. It’s highly detailed in art style, music, game design and feel of the game that I couldn’t leave my hands off of it until I finished it. Some levels were actually too challenging so I left them out (well, the optional ones, naturally; otherwise I couldn’t have finished it) but overall it’s never too frustrating. Like in Super Meat Boy (my go-to example of perfect game design) Shovel Knight lets you know where you went wrong when you die and gives you a chance to make things right in collecting the loot that you lost dying. All in all it’s a great game for all the NES-lovers out there. Play it! No matter the system (Wii, Vita, PS4, 3DS) - it’s awesome! Oh, and check out the soundtrack by Jake Kaufman who also did some wonderful soundtracks for my beloved Shantae series, Double Dragon Neon and Mighty Switch Force. Get it here on Bandcamp for name-your-price (and please pay a buck or two for it; it’s totally worth it). (picture credit: yachtclubgames.com)

12. Pony Island

Yeah… one of the weirdest and still most intriguing games I’ve ever played, I’d say. It makes you think that the game actually f*cks with your computer. It’s fascinating how for example it tricks you into thinking that your computer does something regularly only for you to realize that it was a decoy. Overall the coding sequences, the weird jump’n’run passages and the general “genre”… it’s one of a kind. I also wrote a seperate review on this one. For that check this older post.  (picture credit: giga.de) 13.  The Vanishing of Ethan Carter (PS4) 

Yet another “walking simulator”, but with a twist. We have some strange meta-puzzles going on here, some David Lynchian shenanigans going on and overall a sad but interesting story to unravel. You’re a detective or PI of some sort who tries to find out what happened with Ethan Carter. The story is told via ghostly visualizations of past events of the former townspeople. Setting/graphics is good and the whole game is always good for a surprise. Check it out.  (picture credit: theastronauts.com)

14.  Adventure Time: Finn&Jake Investigations (PS4)

“Who wants to play videogames?” I love Adventure Time and this game feels basically like playing Adventure Time. It’s an adventure (duh!) and this genre suits the TV show very well. The dialogues are funny, the voices are real (except, I’m not sure and too lazy to google but Lumpy Space Princess didn’t sound quite right; she might have been voiced by someone else) and the graphics are beautifully detailed. Just as in the show. And you have Marceline, Ice King, Tree Trunks, Finn and Jake of course, Beamo, LSP, Cinnamon Butler, Starchy, Bubblegum Princess, Flame Princess… everyone you love. The puzzles are rather simple and overall it’s a game for kids, I’d say. Still I had a lot of fun with it.  (picture credit: Steam)

15. Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse (3DS)

Now here’s my discovery of the year! I actually downloaded the Game Boy Color game on my 3DS before after a buddy of mine recommended it to me. But I haven’t spent much time with it. Then Humble released a 3DS bundle, so I got Shantae and The Pirate’s Curse, too. And this is one of the best (even if it’s not the deepests but still good) Metroidvania games I have played in a long long time. The setting is utterly fresh and unique with Shantae being a half-genie who protects an island from pirates and such. The graphics are like a mixture of anime and Disney and the characters are adorable, even the bad ones. The level design is beautiful and very diverse. There’s Metroidvania-typical back tracking which is still fun because of the great level design and art style: you can remember where there was that one particular item you could only get if you are able to jump higher, if you know what I mean. The boss fights are great, the items are good, the only thing I would have wished for is more character development as in Super Metroid or Symphony of the Night. There are some permanent improvements of Shantae but some of them I didn’t use that much. But I guess that’s true also for Metroid and Castlevania.  I fell in love with the franchise, bought XSEEDs boxed version of the new “1/2 Genie Hero” for PS4 (finally HD sprites) and the older versions from Limited Run Games. I’m happy that Shantae is in my life now. :) Awesome Soundtrack by Jake Kaufman again. (picture credit: Playstation Store)

  16.  Dragon’s Crown (PS3)

And finally I completed Dragon’s Crown. I simply adore Vanilla Ware’s art style. It’s perfect. It’s manga style with a traditional japanese AND a traditional medieval touch. It’s so unique. Although the overly lascivious looks of some female characters in the game stirred up quite the discussion. I myself think that it’s beautiful and not sexist. The women characters are just as overly exaggerated as the male ones and just so they are equally strong. But it’s not just the looks of Vanilla Ware. They make astonishing games, too. The gameplay of Dragon’s Crown is basically a simple side scroll hack’n’slash like Castle Crashers or Golden Axe. There’s much more character development though, like in Diablo. With the use of Runes you can use magic, you grind for nice weapon drops and stats increase and you constantly mix up your party with the revived warriors whose bones you brought back from your battles. The story is told well without cinematics but with great slightly animated still pictures of the characters, each of which you could print and hang on your wall easily. So well made. Plus after one complete run (it took me 18 hours) there’s the new game + with new tasks, side quests, harder enemies and basically the same levels in more difficult if you want to get the most out of the game. I highly recommend this to any fan of the aforementioned games or any real time RPGs. 

(picture credit: dealspwn.com)

 P.S.: all pictures I took from teh internets. I credited each page where I got the pics from. If any owner of these pictures wants me to take them down, just let me know and I’ll follow accordingly.