#mixing sci fi and fantasy LIKE A BOSS

[ponett]

Bobby's 2023 Media Wrap-Up

So! Like I said before, this past year I kept a running list of everything I watched, every game I finished, every new album I listened to, etc., and wrote one-paragraph blurbs with my thoughts on every single one. Please enjoy this journey through everything I liked, or didn't like, in 2023, with my favorites of the year listed at the bottom.

(Yes! This is long!!)

Some notes:

I mainly only included things I finished. Exceptions are marked with an asterisk.

I included some YouTube stuff as "TV shows" - mostly particularly long, high effort video essays and documentaries.

I was a bit less adventurous than I'd like to have been this year. Part of this was just that I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up with Big Releases I felt obligated to check out, and part of this was just executive dysfunction from burnout. Wait until you see how long it took me to beat Mario Wonder lmao

Yes, I need to read more books. I don't read a lot of books these days. I need to get back to Discworld.

COLOR KEY

Video Games • TV / Web Video  •  Movies  •  Comics  •  Music

January

1/15: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (MSQ) - Very slow at times, the Primal shit is generally extremely lame to me outside of the boss fights themselves, but god if the quality of life improvements over WoW, the JRPG energy, and the fact that it Actually Has A Story carry it pretty hard.

1/18: Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island miniseries - One of the most creative and compelling uses of the Sonic IP… ever? Fantastic little self-contained arc about the struggles of Eggman’s abandoned creations that gracefully weaves between heartfelt optimism and moody horror with some of the best art ever seen in a Sonic comic.

1/18: Mega Man X4 - Glad I finally actually beat this after never even beating any of the Mavericks as a kid! I can see why it’s a lot of peoples’ favorites. The gameplay has very little of that X series bloat and is just fun, especially after getting X’s armor upgrades. (But the story really is a long series of missed opportunities.)

February

2/2: Donks - Felix Colgrave continues to be an exceptional artist. The sound design on this is fantastic and really sells this short as something unique. Had to go back and watch his older stuff again after this.

2/4: Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward (3.0 - 3.3 MSQ) - I get it now. I get why people say this is just a proper mainline Final Fantasy game built into the framework of an MMO. That shit ruled. Not even walking back the drama in Ul’Dah from the end of ARR can sour me on it because the main storyline was so strong.

2/8: Disneyland's Forgotten Sci-Fi Rock Band - Live From the Space Stage - A nice and honest tribute to a group of artists who could have easily been forgotten. In hindsight this feels like a precursor to Kevin’s Disney Channel jingle video, a tribute to the unsung artists pouring their hearts into “lesser” art for a megacorporation, art that was designed to be transient but sticks with people nonetheless.

2/9: Metroid Prime Remastered* - Not gonna finish because I just played through the Wii version in 2021, but still. Very, very pretty remaster.

2/16: Theatrhythm Final Bar Line - It’s more Theatrhythm. What more could I want

2/17: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean (anime) - Probably the best part of the anime so far (assuming they continue on to SBR). A near perfect mix of the more structured plot of part 5 with the goofiness of parts 3 and 4 that crescendos into a fantastic, bombastic, emotional, bittersweet ending. The use of footage from the original opening and the new ending set to Roundabout in the finale were perfect, and made me intensely nostalgic for the early days of my JoJo fandom between seasons 1 and 2 of the anime.

2/22: Aggretsuko Season 5 - I don’t really know what to make of this one. Once you get past the agonizing initial arc all about Haida where Retsuko has to be his overbearing mommy GF who flips out and starts spying on him when she’s left on read and chides him when he misbehaves, it feels like an improvement over the previous seasons. But I don’t know how much of that is due to the extremely low bar set by season 4. And then the ending is extremely rushed and anticlimactic. They got legally married and the only acknowledgement was a shot of them signing the paperwork in a montage partway through the final episode?????????

2/24: Double Fine PsychOdyssey - God, what a journey the making of this game was. I already loved 2 Player’s past efforts at documenting Double Fine’s process, but this takes it to a whole new level. This feels culturally significant. The depth and honesty with which they depict not just the nitty gritty of making a game, but also the inherent struggles of working on a collaborative creative work for years at a time, is astounding. Not to mention that they were there to capture the shift from office life to remote work as COVID hit. So much of this would have been nightmarishly stressful to watch if I didn’t already know how successful the game was, but that’s just because they really didn’t sugarcoat it. And yet even after all that, it leaves me feeling optimistic about video games as an art form in a way that the constant headlines about cynical live service games don’t. There are still people out there pouring their hearts into making real art, and this is their story. Everyone who plays video games should watch this.

2/25: Cracker Island (Gorillaz) - New Gorillaz albums feel like less of an event these days, but after Humanz it feels like they’re just more chill with the project and their ambitions with it. Every couple years we get some more laid back jams from Damon along with some fun new collabs. Hard to complain. Favorite track: New Gold

2/25: Pool Kids (Pool Kids) - I discovered this band because Derek knows them and was excited when they got a song added to Fortnite through the Bandcamp collab. Always down to find more cool indie rock bands I can vibe with. The mix of dreamy vocals and energetic riffs on some of the tracks here almost fill the Crying-shaped hole in my heart. Almost… Favorite track: Conscious Uncoupling

2/25: Insane in the Rain (insaneintherainmusic) - I thought it was really funny timing when Carlos announced that his first original project would be a jazz fusion album inspired by acts like T-Square and Casiopea right as I was getting into those two specific bands. The final product does not disappoint. Favorite track: Insane in the Rain

2/26: Get Up Sequences Part Two (The Go! Team) - I’ve never been one to believe that a band’s sound has to remain exactly the same forever, but it really does hit you hard that the first two tracks here sound like classic The Go! Team. Their more recent cleaner sound is still here too, though, for a nice mix of old and new. Favorite track: Divebomb

2/28: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury (Season 1) - Oh my god. Oh my god. I got distracted around the time I was finishing SLARPG, but finally catching up now, wow. My assumption that the seemingly lighter tone of the series compared to the prologue was there to lull us into a false sense of security before twisting the knife when war finally breaks out was spot on. This is peak Gundam.

March

3/4: Pizza Tower - One of the best platformers I’ve played in a long time. It transcends its blatant Wario Land inspirations with the sheer speed at which Peppino can move and the way things like the level design, his wall running, and even the hidden ability to do a second lap around the level reward getting into a flow state where you’re just constantly moving. This is the type of game that wants to turn you into a speedrunner. My only real complaint is a few iffy enemy designs that I wish would get patched.

3/6: Bloons TD 6 * - I bought this before bed one night on a nostalgic whim and then the next morning woke up and saw the Steam receipt email on my phone in one of the most “what did I do last night” moments of my life. I like when the monkeys pop the balloons.

3/7: The Book of Boba Fett - I put off finishing this show for a very long time but finally caved upon the release of The Mandalorian season 3. This show spends four episodes failing to make me give a shit about Boba Fett trying to be “the daimyo” and drive the drug trade off of Tatooine, then just gives up and becomes season 2.5 of Mando, which in turn feels like it undercuts the main series. It fails as both its own story and as a spinoff. I know that finishing this after Andor did it no favors, but WHOOF.

3/12: Obi-Wan Kenobi - Some interesting ideas in the first half hinting at a more introspective show, but it’s mostly swept aside in the back half so it can become a generic Star Wars adventure remixing things from A New Hope and Rebels (and apparently Jedi: Fallen Order). Action scenes have zero stakes because you know nothing can happen to any of the returning characters and none of the new ones are particularly interesting. Why there’s a second climax hinging on a Luke Skywalker death fakeout eludes me. Obi-Wan throwing the rocks at Vader is one of the funniest things in Star Wars history. But it was still better than Book of Boba Fett, I guess.

3/19: The King of Braves GaoGaiGar - Wow, cool robot indeed… GaoGaiGar isn’t going to blow anyone away with its writing, but sometimes you just need a really fun monster of the week mecha show with great action and lovably goofy characters. This is a show where like 20% of every episode consists of recycled transformation, combination, and signature attack sequences and I ate it up every time because they look fucking cool as hell. I don’t care. I’d watch Final Fusion another 49 times.

3/21: The Last of Us (HBO) * - Watched the first two episodes out of curiosity, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue because I don’t give a shit about The Last of Us. It’s definitely a well done adaptation, though, even if I know it’s inevitably going to devolve into miserable torture porn with questionable politics if they adapt Part II faithfully. The ending of episode 2 also lines up perfectly with where I stopped in the game in 2013 lmao

3/27: The Future is a Dead Mall - Decentraland and the Metaverse (Folding Ideas) - Another banger from Dan Olson. This time the premise inherently gives him more time to just show off a bunch of stupid ugly bullshit made by crypto guys, which is fun. My main complaint was that I wished he would’ve brought up Second Life more as a point of comparison (a thing I basically always want out of discussion of “the metaverse”), but he at least did touch on it in the last section.

3/31: The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog - I can’t believe after years of begging for the supporting cast to get more and better material in a Sonic game I got my wish in the form of a freeware murder mystery VN released for April Fools. This kicked ass.

April

4/7: Berserk - Completed Miura’s run and caught up on the chapters that have been released posthumously. It’s hard to say anything that hasn’t been said about Berserk, universally agreed upon as one of the greats of manga and fantasy fiction as a whole. What begins in its first few volumes as a nihilistic and edgy action comic built to facilitate as much sex and gore as possible quickly evolves into something deeply human and vulnerable and beautiful, both figuratively and in terms of its lavish art. The world sucks and is immeasurably cruel, and you will see that cruelty illustrated in graphic, sickening detail repeatedly throughout the series. (Perhaps a little too often throughout the Golden Age, where it feels like Miura never misses an opportunity to threaten Casca with sexual assault mid-battle.) But the point isn’t to wallow in that misery. It’s the story of a victim of horrific abuse learning to slowly open up to others, having those people he cares about torn away from him in the worst night of his life, hardening himself into a cold killing machine, and then slowly learning to open back up again, even if it means leaving himself vulnerable to more hurt. Anyone who says that the series peaked with the eclipse and went downhill in the “Guts’ JRPG Party” era is missing the point. Guts needed to find new people in his life to care about, to begin to find happiness again. Because no matter what unspeakable things Guts has gone through, it’s still possible for him to heal and to be loved. It takes time, but eventually you stop and realize that life has moved on.

4/8: Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe - Skipped it upon release because I didn’t particularly care for the minigame in Triple Deluxe, and I didn’t miss much. It’s fine as a little distraction, but not as a standalone rhythm game with only seven songs. If you don’t bother with the hard modes or chase after high scores this game is 15 minutes long. Oh how I yearn for Kirby to get the Theatrhythm treatment.

4/10: The King of Braves: GaoGaiGar FINAL - Eh… It was okay. Lots of cool robot fights, but said fights are stitched together with a mediocre plot that tries too hard to be more “mature” than its unabashedly schlocky kids’ show predecessor. Not crazy about the ending, either, which tries to be a bittersweet farewell closing off the series once and for all while also teasing that maybe there’ll be ANOTHER sequel after the OVA series they literally called “FINAL.” Ah well.

4/11: The Owl House - Sad to see this one go, but it’s hard to imagine them doing a better finale than this, even if they had gotten the six seasons they deserved. I’m not as obsessed with The Owl House as I probably would’ve been had it come out when I was, like, 20, but it’s a really fantastic show for all the reasons people always say. Great characters, great world, great story. I love that this starry-eyed fantasy story about a teenager finding love and a place where she belongs is also set on the rotting corpse of a titan with Hieronymous Bosch-inspired scenery and freaky monsters everywhere. What a great mix. If anything, I just wish I would’ve watched the first season as it aired so I could’ve had more time with it.

4/29: Mega Man Battle Network 3: Blue Version - FINALLY beat this via the new collection, 20 years after playing it as my first Mega Man game. (Technically my first was White, not Blue, but whatever.) There are more annoyances than I remember - lots of really really bad forced backtracking sections where you have to revisit every previous part of the internet, low chip drop rates, some really aggravating bosses like BubbleMan and KingMan, etc. But it’s still a great time overall. It’s Battle Network. In the back half the story gets surprisingly emotional, too. I was always under the assumption that the Hub stuff never came back up much in the story after 1, so I was pleasantly surprised with how relevant it was to the emotional arc of 3.

4/30: Mega Man Battle Network 4: Red Sun * - Yeah I’m not playing through the whole thing lmao. I just wanted to play the first couple hours for nostalgia’s sake, and as a baseline for how much better the rest are. Even before getting deep in the game and having to deal with all the shit gated between doing two new game+ playthroughs, it’s immediately obvious how much of a downgrade this one is. Tons of glaring errors and typos all over the script, blander music, a way more boring aesthetic for the internet, and a premise that mostly just recycles the tournament idea from 3.

May

5/14: The Venture Bros. - Glad I finally sat down and watched all of this with Anthony after having seen one (1) episode as a teenager and a bunch of random clips in the years since. Great show. Some jokes in the early seasons haven’t aged gracefully, but what the show grows into over time... man. Hank and Dean go from being the butt of the joke to being characters you actually sympathize with - while still also being funny little goofballs. And the journey Henchman 21 goes on throughout the show. Man. Amazing that a comedy like this could run for 20 years and maintain its level of quality. Can’t wait for the movie.

5/18: Future Me Hates Me (The Beths) - Okay yeah I’m now just discovering bands through Fortnite lmao. I can’t complain really, they pick some really great indie artists for the in-game radio stations. Anyway: It’s very easy to win me over with a combination of energetic power pop, catchy guitar riffs, and earnest lyrics like this. One of those albums where three or four tracks in I know I have to buy it. Favorite track: Not Running

5/18: Jump Rope Gazers (The Beths) - Ditto. Favorite track: Dying to Believe

5/18: Expert In A Dying Field (The Beths) - Another good album. (I’m listening to these in release order.) I’ve been a bit slower to warm up to this one, initially thinking it was a little too mellow overall, but it might be my favorite after a few listens. Some real high highs. Interestingly, the lead singer’s New Zealand accent is also coming out more in her singing? Favorite track: Your Side (or maybe Head in the Clouds)

5/19: The Super Mario Bros. Movie - As a Mario fan, I think I enjoyed it? As a movie, less so? It was decent, in spite of feeling like they came up with a list of fun action setpieces first and then wrote the absolute bare minimum possible for the story scenes tying it all together. Full thoughts here. (This is the first movie I’ve seen this year, huh? I really don’t watch a lot of movies.)

5/23: Don't Know What You're In Until You're Out (Gladie) - I feel like I don’t like Gladie as much as I should. Their style of noisy indie rock is very much in my wheelhouse, and I do enjoy listening to them, but I dunno. Maybe it’s that the particular style of vocals makes it more monotonous to me. A good album nonetheless, if not 100% my thing. Favorite track: Nothing

5/24: City Slicker (Ginger Root) - Yes I am still making my way through Bandcamp artists I heard on Fortnite don’t @ me. Any excuse to get me to listen to some cool city pop-inspired funk like this is a good excuse. Favorite track: Loretta

5/24: Rikki (Ginger Root) - Favorite track: Why Try

5/25: Spotlight People (Ginger Root) - Favorite track: The Classic

5/29: Succession - A good dramedy series that increasingly focuses more on the drama than the comedy as it progresses, but it’s hard to complain about that since the drama is so compellingly produced. I enjoyed it. That being said, I kind of rankle at the claims that it’s The Greatest TV Show Of All Time. It’s great, don’t get me wrong. Amazing performances all around. But the show LOVES to spin its wheels, to repeat itself, and to let most of its interesting dramatic developments fizzle out before anything really comes of them, almost as if the show is constantly getting bored with its own ideas. To some extent this is intentional - Logan Roy is the untouchable billionaire, his kids fail at everything (but will nonetheless remain billionaires), and in the long run none of them really give a shit about anything other than their own status. But it’s not like things tend to visibly impact anyone else, either, be they supporting characters or the world at large. Even the Big Scary Election, where the Roy siblings are directly responsible for plunging the nation into chaos, ultimately has zero impact on the finale a mere two episodes later. Certain Other Things do have an impact in the last season, though, allowing things to meaningfully change for the cast and for the show to sit with the ensuing drama, which has stopped me from souring on Succession more. There was finally a payoff for something. But it does still kind of feel like a show that goes in circles until it’s ready to call it quits, even if those circles did contain a lot of great acting and music along the way.

5/29: Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts - I’d watched the first 12 episodes when they originally released, but I guess the Netflix binge release and the fact that all three “seasons” came out in one year led to me waiting until it finished… and then I just never got around to finishing it. Glad I fixed that! Really fun and stylish cartoon with an art style reminiscent of Teen Titans, a hip hop-filled soundtrack, dynamic fight scenes, and a colorful post-apocalyptic world filled with mutant (mostly anthropomorphic) animals. I’ll admit that at times I do kinda roll my eyes at Kipo’s unshakeable belief that everyone can be friends in a way that I don’t necessarily with similar shows like Steven Universe, and not every joke lands, but I dunno. It’s a kids’ show. That’s to be expected. It doesn’t detract from the overall package for me.

June

6/1: Craig of the Creek (Season 4) - It’s been years and I’m still processing the fact that kids can turn on Cartoon Network and hear Jeff Rosenstock. Anyway! Craig continues to be one of the best cartoons on TV, consistently funny and creative and way more engaging than a show about a bunch of kids LARPing in the woods has any right to be. This season turned into One Piece with the gang effectively hunting down the Poneglyphs in search of a legendary treasure. The kids think it���ll be magic. It isn't. An increasing number of cartoon logic gags aside, this show is firmly set in the real world. Does that make it any less interesting? Hell no. Season 3 turned a game of capture the flag into an all-out five episode war between the heroes and villains, filled with dramatic turnabouts and a climactic guest appearance from Del the Funky Homosapien. I’m sure however they wrap things up in the (sadly shortened) final season, it’ll be great. (Also? I would watch a whole show based on that “what if” episode that jumped forward to everyone’s 20s.)

6/6: Barry - Holy shit, what a show. I ended up binging it in less than a week in a cycle of “okay, just one more episode.” The way this show is able to swing between tones and genres while still feeling like a cohesive whole is truly masterful. It’s a layered character drama, a tragic crime thriller, a farcical comedy, an understated action series, a surrealist morality play, and a scathing satire of Hollywood, all in one. Even within the criminal underworld subplots the show ranges in tone from Breaking Bad to Paddington 2. And it works! While the show naturally gets bleaker over time as it confronts the repercussions of Barry’s murders, it never completely loses sight of its comedic roots. My favorite episode was easily season 2’s “ronny/lily,” a mostly self-contained episode that somehow manages to keep throwing the perfect curveballs to escalate its dark comedy.

6/12: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition) - Y’all heard of this movie? Pretty good, it turns out. (I’d seen the theatrical cut before, but this was my first time watching the extended edition. I’ve also only seen parts of the other two movies, so it’s time I finally watch all the extended cuts. The Gollum game pushed me to this.)

6/13: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Extended Edition) - give it to us RAW and WRIGGLING

6/17: The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Extended Edition) - I’m not crying YOU’RE crying

6/22: Clone High (Season 2) - While the first episode being about “cancel culture” (or, more accurately, a teenager from 2003 being transported to 2023 and putting his foot in his mouth a lot) put a lot of people off, I ended up enjoying the new season of Clone High. The new clones grew on me as the season went on and their roles in the web of teen romance melodrama crystalized, and it made me laugh a lot, and Cleo/Frida is galaxy brained. Also they played one of my favorite Antarctigo Vespucci songs like a minute into the first episode. I don’t think I could really ask for much more.

6/28: The Mandalorian (Season 3) - I'd been watching this weekly but put off the last episode for no real reason. Responses to this season have been all over the place, but my blistering hot take is… it was fine. Is it as good as the first season? Probably not. But Mando no longer needs to carry the whole franchise on its shoulders and set the bar for how good the live action Disney Star Wars shows can be, because Andor exists, and it’s never gonna top Andor. The Mandalorian is free to just be a pulpy space adventure show where Giancarlo Esposito plays a scenery-chewing cartoon villain and a little puppet does wire stunts. These are things Andor cannot and should not do, but that’s Star Wars, baby. It’s delightful. I could watch Grogu get underhand tossed like a sack of flour all day.

July

7/2: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (Season 2) - LOVE WINS. (More nuanced take from way later: It definitely feels like a lot of the more messy political conflicts in this show got swept aside by the big final battle where some more easily resolved family conflicts take center stage. I’m not sure the ending is the most satisfying. But also this show only got half the episode count that damn near every other Gundam show ever made got, so that might be a factor here. Idk. Still one of my favorite Gundams.)

7/4: Final Fantasy XVI (watched Anthony play) - I had to write my longest Medium article ever about this one because I was so frustrated

7/10: Home Movies - “Things I like that I’ve never seen in full” has certainly been a recurring theme this year. Home Movies remains an all-time classic of animated comedy that went out on a high note before things got stale or the characters became parodies of themselves. While it’s mostly known for its funny improvised banter, throughout the last season you can really see the arc where Brendon no longer enjoys making movies, yet he feels obligated to keep using them to escape from the real world. In that light, the ending where the nature of their dysfunctional makeshift family is cemented, Brendon’s camera suddenly breaks, and life moves on really does feel like the perfect note to end on. Truly one of the best to ever do it.

7/15: The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom - Wow. Just… wow. I had serious doubts about TotK in the months leading up to release due to how close Nintendo was playing their cards to their chest. I didn’t want this to be a Saints Row IV, where the game is fun enough but the recycled map makes it feel like a rehash. Instead, I found a game that made me look at BotW’s map in a whole new light, brimming with so many more things to do and people to meet. Add on a better, more versatile set of tools, more varied dungeons and bosses, and a story that I felt was told somewhat better and we’ve got a real contender for my new favorite Zelda game. It was hard to tear myself away, but as this list shows, it’s been basically the only game I’ve played since it came out.

7/16: Sonic Prime (Season 2) - I liked the parts with Shadow and Chaos Sonic, but I’ve come to the sad conclusion that most of this show is just mediocre. More thoughts here.

7/18: We ♥ Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie - “I’m a dog, but I love Katamari Damacy.” Truer words have never been spoken.

7/19: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts - Pretty good! It didn’t blow me away, but after how bad the Bay movies got I’m just thankful to have a decently cohesive Transformers movie where the human story is okay and I like the bots (although half of them needed more screen time), even if it is just another Hollywood blockbuster about two sides fighting over a macguffin that devolves into a big CGI battle against an army of nameless monsters in the third act. This is basically a mid-tier MCU movie but with Transformers, which won’t do much for most people, but again: the bar was underground.

7/22: The Venture Bros.: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart - God DAMN. A phenomenal ending for the series. While I would have loved to see a full final season to get some more one-off episodes in there, this doesn’t feel creatively compromised in any way–either due to the time constraints, or due to a desire to make it more marketable as a movie. It really does feel like they just took their outlines for the canceled final season and gently massaged them into the shape of an 84-minute movie, and I mean that in the best possible way. It’s completely on par with the previous seasons. A hilarious and fitting sendoff for one of the greats of adult animation.

7/23: Beautiful Katamari - This was one of my first Xbox 360 games, but a frustrating temperature-based level made me put it down for 16 years. “Maybe it won’t be as bad now that I’ve beaten the first two games and am better at Katamari,” I thought. Nope! Still an absolutely dogshit level. But also, turns out the whole game is only like two hours long lmao. It’s still Katamari, so it’s still fun - the final level in particular, which seamlessly takes you from ground level all the way to space, feels like a logical endpoint for the series - but beyond that it just doesn't have the same soul without Keita Takahashi's input.

August

8/4: Doom Singer (Chris Farren) - I’ve been waiting so long for Chris and Jeff to do another Antarctigo Vespucci album, but god damn. This is the best of Chris’s solo work, and a contender for his best record, period. Every track’s a banger, with more energy than some of his previous solo work but also a good deal of variety. Favorite tracks: First Place, Cosmic Leash

8/4: Transformers Earthspark (Season 1) - This show had a bit of an uneven start, unsure if it wanted to have the emotional maturity of a more serious action cartoon or a preschool cartoon where the characters have little kid mood swings and outbursts and learn basic lessons. It also felt like it was speedrunning its Wholesome Found Family Dynamic with characters who just met, which didn’t feel earned. While these problems never completely go away (see: the cheap and corny way the otherwise very dark season finale suddenly resolves), the show improves quickly, and the positives outweigh the negatives. It’s so great to have a Transformers cartoon that feels fresh, giving us a post-war setting with a bunch of new characters and new dynamics between the Cybertronians and the humans. The returning characters are also uniformly great as the old veterans overseeing the new generation. (Reformed Megatron! Danny Pudi as Bumblebee! Steve Blum returning as Starscream! Keith David as Grimlock!!!) And those super dynamic action scenes! I can nitpick, but Earthspark’s a ton of fun, and easily the best new Transformers cartoon since Prime and Animated.

8/5: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (remaster) - Everyone who told me this game was a masterpiece was right. I had played the first chapter when it dropped as the demo for the iOS version years ago, but never went further than that until now. What a game. Absolutely incredible through and through. Great story, great twists, great characters, great puzzles, great art direction. Everything comes together so perfectly to form a totally unique, unforgettable package, a top tier video game murder mystery. Everyone should play this, preferably going in as blind as possible.

8/15: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 16) - Wow! Recent seasons of Sunny have been kind of up and down, with some interesting experiments (Mac Finds His Pride, the Ireland arc, etc.) paired with some comedic duds. Most of this latest season is standard fare for the series with fewer big creative swings, but it’s just hit after hit in terms of comedy. Not a single dud, whether we’re seeing Mac and Dennis try to start a rental business for inflatable furniture or watching the gang meet Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, believing the entire time that the latter is Malcolm from Malcolm in the Middle. Even the attempts at topical comedy landed better. Easily the funniest season in years.

8/16: One Piece Film Gold - It’s easy to see why this one has kind of been forgotten in the wake of Stampede and Film Red, which revolve around established fan favorite characters, but this was still pretty fun. Perhaps a little too long, but it’s fun to see the Straw Hats fool around in a giant casino and do a heist. They definitely cranked the fanservice up even more than usual in this one, though, as I probably should have expected for a movie made alongside the anime’s adaptation of Dressrosa.

8/17: One Piece: Stampede - This one goes for a different kind of fanservice. While most One Piece movies are isolated from the ongoing plot and its expanded cast of characters, Stampede instead asks “What if we just put damn near every active character on the same island and had them fight?” The answer: a fun time! It would get old if all of the movies were like this, but after a bunch of movies that are just like “the Straw Hats are gonna land on another new island and fight some more weird guys” it’s fun to see characters like Law and Buggy and Smoker get in on the fun. It’s also nice to get a movie with the Wano era art style, and Usopp surprisingly gets some really good character moments in here.

8/18: One Piece Film Red - This really is the best of the One Piece movies, huh? (Baron Omatsuri is a close second.) It really feels like a change of pace after the last four with the most interesting and emotionally engaging story out of any of them. And even if the events of these movies are never canon, it still feels significant in my understanding of Shanks as a character as we move into the final phase of the manga.

8/21: Pikmin 4 - The opening hour of the game made me really question if they’d changed too much, with all the focus on your new dog unit over your Pikmin and the extremely dull, drawn out dialogue scenes with your new companions back at the base. But once I got into the swing of things I had a blast. This is probably my new favorite Pikmin game. There’s a great mix of activities here to keep things fresh. I also really ended up liking Oatchi’s role as basically your second captain who can also serve as your tank or a rideable mount. The Dandori stuff and nighttime missions in particular show off how useful Oatchi is for your multitasking without necessarily overshadowing the Pikmin.

8/22: Never Get Tired: The Bomb the Music Industry! Story - I literally backed this on Kickstarter eight years ago (my name is in the credits!) and then never got around to watching it for no reason. It’s on YouTube now, and Jeff’s got a new album out next week, so now feels like the perfect time to watch it. And man… what a great documentary. Obviously I’m just a fan of the band, but this also really spoke to me as an artist. Jeff wanting to stick to his principles and give out his music for free and play cheap all ages shows, his discomfort over the idea of selling merch, and the struggles that come with not playing the game like that… It's hard. They readily admit that Jeff is an idealist, that people fight him on this stuff, that he’s missed out on some big opportunities because of these stances, and that he’s had to compromise a bit on some of these things over time. But that incredible climax with their final show, including a full opening performance of the slowly building “Campaign for a Better Next Weekend” and the closing performance of “Future 86” where the whole audience is singing along as the members of the band are hugging and crying… it’s beautiful. This may have been a band where the members had to go back to their shitty day jobs after every tour because they weren’t selling out arenas, but their art meant something to people, and that makes it all worth it.

8/25: Nimona - I haven’t read the original comic (yet), so I can’t compare them too much, but it’s nonetheless pretty apparent that some things were softened and easy kids’ movie jokes were added by the studio to squeeze this graphic novel for teens into a PG animated movie. Regardless, the emotional throughline hits REALLY hard, particularly the very blatant trans allegory and the climax. (It’s no wonder Disney was afraid of this movie seeing the light of day lmao.) The animation is also very squishy and fun to watch throughout. Great movie.

8/26: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish - Spider-Verse really has done so much for animation, huh? This one was as good as everyone said. Beautiful use of stylized color and lighting throughout, and every time this movie very conspicuously shifted to different framerates for a flashy fight scene it owned. Very cute and heartwarming story, too, which thankfully gave its second act plenty of time to explore the cast and let them go on their journey, unlike a certain plumber movie that came out a few months later. Also I would let Death [redacted]

8/28: Holocure: Save the Fans! - This isn't really something I can beat, but I've been addicted to Holocure lately. I don't even watch VTubers aside from maybe seeing a funny Korone animation every now and then, this is just a really, really good freeware Vampire Survivors clone with a huge roster of varied characters to pick from.

8/31: HELLMODE (Jeff Rosenstock) - A new album from Jeff is always a major event for me. If there were any worries that he was starting to go soft at 40 (because one of the three singles off this album was a gentle acoustic piece), the frantic opening of this album put those worries to rest. The first two tracks are Jeff screaming out for help as he’s pulled in a million directions by the chaotic state of the world, a theme that becomes the thesis of the album. I’d say it lags slightly in the middle, but overall this is another extremely well-rounded record full of bangers that’s unapologetically Jeff, with possibly my favorite closing track he’s ever done. Favorite tracks: I WANNA BE WRONG, 3 SUMMERS

September

9/3: One Piece (live action, Season 1) - They did it. I can’t believe it, but they did it. While I have my nitpicks (Usopp and Sanji don’t get enough big moments to shine), this is an extremely solid and faithful adaptation of the first few arcs of One Piece with a great cast. For the most part the changes feel smart and logical, and the big emotional beats of the story are all there and executed very well. I doubted it a little in episodes 2-4, where the Orange Town and Syrup Village arcs saw some major changes to shift the action indoors, and the increased focus on the drama in favor of repeating every gag and battle from the manga 1:1 took a bit of getting used to, but by the end I was having a blast. It’s a different take on One Piece, but it still feels like One Piece. Genuinely very excited for season 2.

9/4: Pseudoregalia - A great little N64-style 3D Metroidvania focused on platforming and very satisfying movement. I always love entries in the genre that are less prescriptive in what order you have to tackle areas in, a la Symphony of the Night or Hollow Knight, and this one’s great in that regard. While there are a number of new moves to find, most of the map is open to you very early in the game, and smart use of your moveset can allow you to “sequence break” without even realizing it. (You would not believe how long I went without getting the wall run.) I do wish it had a map, but that’s already being patched in.

9/6: Bomb Rush Cyberfunk * - Not a bad game at all, but I quickly remembered how bad I am at skating games, so like… eh? Not sure I have much desire to play past chapter 2. Also the soundtrack is sadly kinda hit or miss for me outside of the obvious Naganuma tunes.

9/9: The History of the Minnesota Vikings (Dorktown) - Jon Bois never misses. Even as someone who doesn’t actively follow sports, Jon Bois is a master storyteller, using graphs and statistics and funny anecdotes to explore these deeply human stories. He can convey why people care so much about these teams, these people, and sports in general, and how our popular sports reflect on American culture. He could tell the story of just about any team or player in any sport and I just know I’ll come out the other side a misty-eyed fan. And what a fascinating cast of characters we have this time, with origin stories for everything from the Hail Mary pass to a Minnesota state supreme court judge to the Griddy. Nine hours well spent.

9/10: Timespinner - A fun and highly polished Metroidvania that maybe doesn’t quite have enough of its own identity in its quest to replicate Symphony of the Night…but also, like, this was pitched as a Symphony throwback on KickStarter in a pre-Bloodstained, pre-Hollow Knight world, so I can’t really blame ‘em! Stopping time to avoid boss attacks is fun, the pixel art is gorgeous, and I liked the dark science fantasy story about warring empires and meddling with time a lot more than I thought I would - lore journal text dumps and all.

9/14: The Decay of Sam & Cat (Quinton Reviews) - All the stuff at the end with Matt Bennett (the actor who played Robbie on Victorious and Sam & Cat) in this was really good and sweet. It’s that kind of thing that makes these videos feel like they’re still worthwhile on some level. But the padding and the things Quinton chooses to spend the colossal runtime on does drive me more and more insane with each passing Nick sitcom video. I don’t know how much longer he can keep this schtick up. I hope he’s able to move on to other things before too terribly long instead of continuing to extend this “miniseries.”

9/19: Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales - AKA Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man 1.5. It’s fun for the same reasons Peter’s first game was fun. I had a good time swinging around New York again in preparation for the sequel, and there’s a lot of cute stuff with Miles becoming Harlem’s neighborhood hero, but WOW did the Underground v. Roxxon conflict fall flat for me.

9/20: I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson - I understand so many posts now.

9/25: Spider-Man (2002) (rewatch) - It’s you who’s out, Gobby! OUT OF YOUR MIND!

9/25: Futurama (Season 8) - I was ready to be a hater, recalling the fact that Futurama has already had three “perfect endings” with the show getting a little weaker with every revival. Then I watched the first new episode on a whim and thought it wasn’t bad, so I was like, eh, sure, I’ll watch the rest. Overall Hulurama is hit or miss. There are chuckles to be had, and it sure as hell beats modern Simpsons, but almost every episode is either a belated take on an overplayed Topical Issue (the pandemic, Amazon, cancel culture, etc.) or a direct sequel to an old episode people liked. Or both! It’s also really noticeable that certain voice actors sound way older - Billy West is struggling with the Fry voice in particular, and it hurts his comedic timing. But just when all hope seemed lost after the nigh-incomprehensible toy-themed anthology episode, possibly the worst episode of the entire series… the last episode, where the Planet Express crew explores whether or not the universe could be a simulation, was really, really solid. Great note to end on to make me not regret my time with this season as a whole.

9/26: Spider-Man 2 (2004) (rewatch) - Once the GOAT, always the GOAT.

9/27: Spider-Man 3 (rewatch) - Revisiting this movie for the first time since I saw it in theaters… it’s not bad. It’s fine! It continues to have the heart and sincerity that make the first two movies work. It’s just not as concise with three villains vying for the spotlight, but I also wouldn’t cut any of them, necessarily. I guess Eddie/Venom would be the easiest, but Peter getting the black suit and giving in to his resentment feels too central to cut. (Yes, even with Emo Peter becoming a meme.)

9/28: Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake - I wasn’t really sure what to expect with this one, especially since I was never really a fan of the genderbend episodes in the original show. (At the time they mostly just felt like an excuse to crank up the teen romance stuff to 11.) But MAN. This was a fantastic coda to the original series. It made me care about Fionna and Cake and their friends as their own characters separate from their original counterparts, it gave the Simon/Betty arc a much more satisfying (if no less bittersweet) resolution than the original finale had time to do, and it even managed to be a multiverse story that didn’t make me roll my eyes in 2023. A+ all around. Makes me wanna rewatch the original show again. [spoiler: I did]

9/29: Meanwhile (aivi & surasshu) - It’s been a whole decade–they were busy with, you know, all the music in Steven Universe, among other things–but we finally have a new aivi & surasshu album! Their chiptune/piano fusion style is familiar, but they’ve definitely grown as composers in subtle ways. Favorite track: Time Travel

October

10/1: This is Financial Advice (Folding Ideas) - A lot of the nitty gritty finance law stuff turned into white noise for me, but still, great video. I had no idea that the GameStop stock craze devolved into this bizarre cult that thinks they’re going to crash the global economy and rise from the ashes as the new kings with the value of their GME stocks. Glad this video exists to try and balance out the narrative.

10/5: Sonic Frontiers: The Final Horizon DLC - Good ideas, absurdly frustrating and tedious execution. Full thoughts here.

10/10: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (rewatch) - I didn’t plan this, but very fitting that I would end up rewatching this on 10/10.

10/12: Half-Life Alyx but the Gnome is Self-Aware (wayneradiotv) - ha he! (Seriously though, that finale was a fucking masterpiece. The RTVS crew has an incredible knack for using the framing device of video game livestreams to blur the lines between comedy and horror, or ironic anti-humor and complete sincerity. I’ve never seen anything else like this.)

10/15: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Not sure how much I can say that hasn’t already been said. The most visually creative movie I’ve ever seen, grounded by some really excellent storytelling about Miles (and now Gwen) that’s probably better than his actual comics. But it also does feel like it’s about to end and then the movie just keeps going like ten times over lmao. Can’t wait to watch this a second time on a better TV.

10/20: Sonic Superstars - A mostly really solid and fun 2D Sonic game that’s unfortunately dragged down by an extremely hodgepodge soundtrack and some overly drawn out boss fights. I spent HOURS trying to beat the final boss of the bonus scenario (which is required for the true ending in this one) before giving up. Really a shame that that’s the note I’m leaving the game on, because I otherwise enjoyed it, but ah well. More thoughts here.

10/27: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 - Another good Spider-Man game from Insomniac. Liked the story more than the one in Miles Morales, but maybe not as much as the first game. Extensive thoughts here.

10/28: Venom - Was in the mood for more Venom after the game. As expected this was not a very good movie, but the dynamic between Eddie and Venom made it a fun watch. Tom Hardy is constantly about to shit his pants in this movie. It’s great.

10/28: Venom: Let There Be Carnage - I had a way better time with this one. Is this a good movie? No. But it cranks the insanity of the first movie up to 11. Goofy as fuck in an extremely watchable way.

November

11/5: Pluto - An absolutely masterful series that anyone interested in sci-fi needs to watch. The anime adaptation was great, and I immediately understand why people who’ve read the manga speak so highly of it. Really makes me want to get into Astro Boy more, and also read some of Urasawa’s other works.

11/18: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off - Wow, just wow. When news of a Scott Pilgrim anime broke I was cautiously curious to see if we’d get a more direct adaptation of the comics, and instead it veered off in the exact opposite direction in the best way possible. This is almost entirely a different story, one that’s in conversation with the previous versions (sometimes in very meta ways), and I think it’s really valuable to see O’Malley revisiting these characters with new things to say about them. The major story divergence gives us a chance to examine the characters from a new angle - particularly Ramona, who’s the real protagonist of this version, and the evil exes, who completely steal the show. This was a great reminder of why I fell in love with this series as a teenager. I now genuinely hope we get more Scott Pilgrim.

11/22: Void Rivals (Issues #1 - #6) - The first arc of the new Robert Kirkman series that kicked off Skybound’s new “Energon Universe” is now complete, and I’m left thinking Void Rivals is… okay? I thought the first issue was a decent (if not particularly original) sci-fi comic with an appealing art style, which just so happens to also briefly have a Transformer in it so there can be a Big Surprise. And the series still hasn’t quite shaken that feeling to me. It’s an okay sci-fi series that arbitrarily dedicates a couple of pages of every issue to something from Transformers, but I’m not really sure what the shared universe stuff adds to Void Rivals, or what Void Rivals adds to Transformers and GI Joe. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

11/22: Journey to EPCOT Center: A Symphonic History (Defunctland) - Yeah, gotta be honest, I only got halfway through this one. It seems like Kevin just 1) really wanted to push himself creatively and 2) make a love letter to Epcot, and while I respect that, I think it suffers as a historical documentary. It’s Fantasia but for the creation of Epcot. That might be very impressive on a technical level, but it feels more like a piece of Disney propaganda than prior Defunctland videos due to a lack of context and nuance. 

11/24: Aperture Desk Job - A short, sweet, and funny little tech demo for my new Steam Deck set in the Portal universe. More effort was definitely put into this than was strictly necessary.

11/26: ESCHATOS - I am not good at bullet hell games, but I enjoy them from time to time and I really love this one’s FM synth soundtrack, so I picked it up on a whim in the Steam sale. I only beat it on Easy, but still, I had a lot of fun with it! It’s straightforward but very flashy, with the camera dynamically zooming around from set piece to set piece at ridiculous speeds and each level segueing directly into the next. The lack of a powerup system on the main mode in favor of just needing to know when to use your different shot types makes it feel very approachable.

11/27: Lunistice - A great little 3D platformer with a good soundtrack that I had fun hunting down all the secrets in. This is an easy recommendation for fans of games like Kirby or Klonoa - whimsical games set in colorful dream worlds where the underlying story can get a bit more somber. (Although the story in this one is mostly told through mildly cryptic lore dumps, so your mileage there may vary.)

11/28: Spark the Electric Jester 2 - The leap from 2D to 3D here is impressive, but this is very clearly a rough draft for Spark 3. Very, very fun Sonic-style 3D platforming, but the combat is lacking and the storytelling is just kinda bad. More extensive thoughts on this and the above two games here.

December

12/2: Fortnite (Chapter 4) - This was my first full chapter of Fortnite, after having been roped into the game by the siren songs of Zero Build mode and Goku during Chapter 3. This means it’s harder for me to compare this chapter to previous ones, but still, Fortnite remains a genuinely very well made Battle Royale shooter that’s a blast with friends. If I have any complaint about this Chapter, it’s that they would regularly introduce zany ideas and then slowly reel them back in, whether it was the Augment system or the increasingly mundane movement items. It also felt like it was a little too easy to get the perfect loadout in every match, meaning the final showdown would almost always be against players with Slurp Juice and gold shotguns. And I missed the smaller mid-season map updates of Chapter 3. But overall I still had a really good time, and look forward to playing more for the foreseeable future.

12/4: Plagiarism and You(Tube) (HBomberguy) - This will get written off by many as “YouTuber drama,” but this really is an excellent video essay that feels like the kick in the pants that YouTube needs. If video essayists are gonna be a major source of information for so many, then they gotta have standards. I also think it does a good job of highlighting the people that have been plagiarized and trying to drive more attention their way in an attempt to right those wrongs.

12/6: Transformers (Skybound comic) - We only got the first three issues of this in 2023, but I just HAVE to say something about how incredible this series is here. Daniel Warren Johnson is knocking it out of the park. This is the new bar for Transformers. The hand-inked art is extremely dynamic and full of character, and the story is using the familiar beats of G1 Transformers but doing very new things with them. You can tell this from the very first page, but the emotional scene of Optimus accidentally crushing a deer in the forest and realizing how fragile life is on Earth sealed the deal for me. And yet in the very same comics Optimus can do suplexes and clotheslines and lord knows how many other wrestling moves on Decepticons, and it doesn’t feel like tonal whiplash? These comics just fucking rule, and anyone with even the slightest interest in Transformers should be reading them.

12/8: What We Do in the Shadows (Season 5) - [spoilers] WWDITS has very much settled into being a status quo show. Every season has its own little arc where one or two things change to keep things interesting, but then everything returns to normal by the end. Guillermo finally becoming a vampire, only to become a human again in the end, might just be the most egregious example of this yet. But also… the show’s still really funny? And I continue to be happy that Kristen Schaal has stuck around as a series regular as the Guide. So it’s hard to complain. I could see the show running out of steam over the next few seasons, but it’s still hitting for me right now.

12/12: Pony Island - Finally got around to this since the trailer for the sequel dropped. I feel like playing this years later in a post-Inscryption world where Pony Island is a known quantity kind of lessens its impact, but still, it’s a fun and funny puzzle game where you try to hack your way out of a possessed arcade machine. I’m not sure I found it particularly scary, but I’m not sure it’s supposed to be? The way the game messes with you during the Asmodeus “boss fight” was probably the highlight for me. I also like being able to say things like “The part where you have to not kill Jesus was so hard. I kept getting terrible butterfly patterns.”

12/16: Breaking Bad VR but the AI is Self-Aware (wayneradiotv) - As always, Wayne and co.’s commitment to the bit is unrivaled. This kind of got interpreted as just a way to troll HLVRAI fans, but so many moments in this genuinely made me laugh out loud.

12/18: Soul of Sovereignty Prelude - As someone who would list Cucumber Quest as a big creative influence, I was naturally very excited for this first chapter of GGDG’s new visual novel. Their mentality of both scaling things back in terms of labor while also going more shamelessly self-indulgent in terms of storytelling after burning out on making webcomics has really spoken to me, and WOW, the end result of that new process of theirs is shaping up to be something really special. The art and music are sparse but extremely evocative, giving you the rough sketch of the world and letting your mind fill in the rest. The story blends literary high fantasy vibes with the style of fantasy seen in ‘90s JRPGs (you can definitely tell this came from an idea for an RPG), but rather than constantly winking at the audience and making self-aware video game references it plays these storytelling ideas extremely sincerely, giving them real dramatic weight while still indulging in fun tropes to their fullest extent. While it’s a far cry from their most famous work with much more mature content, GGDG always excels at creating characters and worlds that immediately grab me. I can’t wait for the rest.

12/18: Barbie - I’m only… what, five months late for the whole Barbenheimer thing? Perfect timing. Anyway! On the one hand, I get the critiques saying that this movie is just a major corporation funding a self-aware feminist critique of their own product as a marketing ploy. And I kinda agree with that. And the movie is a little too long, and I don’t really know what to think of the way the Barbie/Ken conflict plays out. Anthony asked me to summarize what the story ended up being about, and I had no idea what to even say. But also… I did still like the movie? We don’t get a lot of cartoonish, absurdist, fourth wall breaking comedies like this anymore, and this is a good one of those. Also the whole cast is great, the set design is kind of stunning, and the cinematography is consistently appealing. I wouldn’t say it’s a revolutionary work of feminist filmmaking by any stretch, but it’s a good comedy movie.

12/21: Dr. Stone: New World - Man, Dr. Stone is great. I’ve said this many times, but I just love that this series uses all the trappings of shounen that would normally be used to hype up the protagonist learning a new move to instead hype up things like the protagonist building a loom or a hot air balloon. It’s shounen Bill Nye. I didn’t completely love everything about the Treasure Island arc this season, but it all built towards a really fun climax with a lot of satisfying turnabouts where the heroes use their ingenuity to just barely win.

12/23: The History of Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out World Records (Summoning Salt) - Truly one of my favorite Summoning Salt videos ever, even with how repetitive Punch-Out can get to watch. It’s just so hard to beat “and that runner… was me.”

12/24: Super Mario Bros. Wonder - What more can be said that hasn’t already been said? It’s the best and most creative 2D Mario game since the ‘90s. The only real flaws are that it’s a little easy, the Search Party stages are annoying in singleplayer, and I wish that every boss prior to the final boss wasn’t just some form of Bowser Jr. fight. But those aren’t nearly enough to drag the whole experience down. It was a blast.

12/24: Do a Powerbomb! - Got this from Anthony as a birthday present. This is the previous series by the creative team currently doing the new Transformers comics I was gushing about a few entries ago. Even with the high bar set by those comics, Do a Powerbomb! exceeded my expectations. Holy shit. An absolutely entrancing fantasy wrestling miniseries full of dynamic, energetic action and tons of heart. These comics where a guy wrestles a giant talking orangutan almost made me cry. Twice. An instant favorite.

12/25: Adventure Time (rewatch) - We ended up finishing our rewatch of Adventure Time (the main series, anyway) on my 30th birthday, which feels appropriate. I already kinda knew this, but this rewatch has truly confirmed that Adventure Time is my favorite TV series of all time. The entire show is even better on a full series rewatch. In hindsight, even parts that annoyed me when they aired end up being important parts of the beautiful tapestry that is this series. The many low points of Finn’s adolescent love life are important stepping stones in his growth as a person, which leaves him in an extremely satisfying place by the end. Jake having kids didn’t get to be a huge status quo change because they grew up instantly, but then they did a bunch of fun episodes about Jake’s relationships with his adult children that deepened him as a character. And most of the big lore questions they kept teasing over the years (“Where’d the humans go?” “Who are Finn’s parents?” “When’s Finn gonna get a robot arm?” etc.) ended up getting satisfying and creative answers, because the show left itself the room to figure those things out later. This is a truly special, one-of-a-kind series, one that lasted nearly 300 episodes and yet still seems like it was over too soon. And yes, I did in fact cry during the final montage, like I knew I would. I will always cherish this show with all of my heart.

12/25: Olive the Other Reindeer (rewatch) - Haven’t seen this one since I was a kid! It was a favorite of mine back then, and while it might not be quite as funny as I remember it’s still very cute, with a 2D/3D hybrid art style that remains very unique and appealing. As an adult I can also appreciate the cast they got for this, with like half the cast of Futurama bolstered by guests like Michael Stipe from REM and The Sopranos’ Joe Pantoliano.

12/26: Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio - Anthony and I capped off our Christmas with the most jolly and festive stop motion movie of all! Jokes aside, man, what a beautiful movie. The animation is immaculate, and we really just don’t get children’s animated films like this anymore. Ones that overtly feature real world politics and religion and so many other dark themes in a way that doesn’t talk down to kids or sugarcoat things. This one hits hard. We need more movies like this.

12/31: Oppenheimer - This was an interesting one. Despite being three hours, the way that first hour jumps around in time makes it feel like Oppenheimer is constantly being propelled forward through life at a breakneck pace, swept up by the rising tide of nationalism in spite of his personal left wing politics, never really reflecting on what he’s doing until it’s too late. Then when he’s no longer useful to the empire, he’s chewed up and spat out, only to eventually be honored as a national hero as a symbolic gesture. It’s a compelling story. However, I’m a little torn on how certain aspects of history were framed. Does the abstraction of the bombings detract from the true weight of those events, in favor of sympathizing with the man who built the bomb? Or is it clever a way to show how the realities of the war were compartmentalized away by people who were complicit in its most heinous acts of violence? One minute a bunch of physicists are talking theory, thousands of miles away from the theaters of war, and the next they’ve killed 200,000 people. So which is it? Eh, probably somewhere in the middle, I guess. But I liked it overall.

12/31: Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe - I’ve been really surprised by how good this rerelease is. It kind of flew under the radar for me. I liked the original game, but at the time it also almost felt like the New Super Mario Bros. of Kirby. It was a straightforward throwback game where you went through a grass world, then a desert world, then a water world, etc., and also they added four player co-op. But returning to this one after the kinda mid Star Allies has made me appreciate just how solid RtDL is as a Kirby game. I really like the updated graphics, too - yes, even the new cel shaded outlines around the characters - even though I didn’t think it looked that great in screenshots. Also the two new copy abilities (Sand and Mecha) are fun, the minigame collection is shockingly fleshed out to the point that they could’ve sold it as a standalone eShop game, the collectible character masks are fun, and the new epilogue mode where you play as Magolor is one of the coolest bonus modes they’ve ever done. This is a top tier Kirby remake any fan of the series should check out.

Ongoing things I followed in 2023 that don't have a blurb:

Halo Infinite multiplayer

IDW Sonic the Hedgehog (main series + specials)

One Piece

Chainsaw Man

My Hero Academia (not caught up)

The JOJOlands (not caught up)

Things I started in 2023 that I still need to finish:

Freedom Planet 2

Hi-Fi Rush

Live A Live

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Picross 3D Round 2

Rhythm Heaven MegaMix

Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team ProtoMan

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Spark the Electric Jester 3

Sonic Dream Team

One Piece (Wano arc, anime)

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (I’ve already read the Shibuya arc already in the manga, though)

Astro Boy (2003 anime)

Futurama (original run rewatch)

One Piece (manga reread)

The Amazing Spider-Man (Lee/Ditko era)

Scott Pilgrim series (reread)

And finally... my favorites of 2023!!!

Overall favorite game: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Favorite indie game: Pseudoregalia

Games remastered in 2023 that are now among my all-time faves: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, We Love Katamari

Most pleasant surprise in gaming: The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog

Favorite film: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Favorite live action show: Barry

Favorite anime: Pluto

Favorite anime written by a Canadian guy and an American guy based on the Canadian guy's old graphic novel series: Scott PIlgrim Takes Off

Favorite live action adaptation of an anime that I still can't believe they didn't fuck up: One Piece

Favorite Western cartoon: Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake

Favorite older cartoon I only got around to watching in its entirety this year: The Venture Bros.

Favorite documentary: Double Fine PsychOdyssey

Favorite semi-improvised semi-scripted absurdist comedy/horror/tragedy Twitch livestream performance art thing: Half-Life Alyx but the Gnome is Self-Aware finale (wayneradiotv)

Favorite manga: Chainsaw Man

Favorite older manga that I only read this year: Berserk

Favorite Western comic book: Daniel Warren Johnson's Transformers

Favorite album: HELLMODE (Jeff Rosenstock)

And that's a wrap!!!!! Happy new year, everyone! Here's to me maybe actually reading a goddamn book this year

[kitkinnie]

games w. species euphoria

please don't spoil any of the games with stories in the replies or reblogs!

Ori and the Blind Forest - felinekin, maybe some kind of fae or angel kin too ori is very good little creature design and it moves around so fluidly but there's zero customization, if you vibe with ori it's great and if you don't, might not be for you. it's a puzzle platformer similar gameplay-wise to hollow knight (but not as difficult)

Hollow Knight - bugkin, ghostkin, voidkin difficult but very pretty and atmospheric. i've played some of it before getting stuck/being unable to progress because i'm not good at video game. hard platformer with boss fights.

Stray - robotkin, catkin this is one i've been meaning to play for ages (and haven't gotten around to pirating yet, cough) Stray is a 3d game set in a cyberpunk/sci fi world. You play as a tabby cat trying to find its way back to its home and it looks stunning. I assume the story is great, too.

Roblox Creatures of Sonaria - there are so many creature designs there you're bound to find something that's youcore their colors can be customized. It's a multiplayer survival game so it's more stressful than the other games on this list, you gotta be trying not to die the whole time

Animal Jam Classic / Animal Jam Play Wild - lots of real world animals you can dress up and change the colors and patterns of your animals. ajc is in 2d and ajpw is in 3d and has more animal options, but i find ajpw really confusing personally.

William and Sly/William and Sly 2 - foxkin old flash games available as a set on steam, a quest platformer where you run around a pretty forest environment as a red fox and find various things. the music is lovely, both games have a great atmosphere, played it a ton as kid on armor games. i dont think i ever even finished either game i just loved running around as sly (in the second game there are also little kitten-fairies that you can collect and that follow you around)

Postmouse - mousekin free on steam, 3d puzzle platformer where you're a mouse that delivers letters. it can get a little obtuse and confusing at times which is why i never finished it, but it's very charming and free to play! you run around all these huge and pretty environments as a fancy-dressed little mouse .

Lost Dream 1 and 2 - foxkin abstract/stylized/polygonal walking simulator where you play as a red fox. doesn't seem to be much story and the reviews are mixed because walking sims like this need to be like, your cup of tea.

Spyro Reignited - dragonkin of course had to mention such an OG dragon game. never played it but like, it's spyro. cartoony 3d platformer in a fantasy environment.

Oneshot - catkin pixel rpg where you play as a cat child and the gimmick is that you only have one life. the steam page tags it as story rich and having multiple endings/story choices you can make, and the graphics are beautiful, the whole game seems to be made of dark colors and poppy accents

Honorable Mentions:

Way to the Woods - an in-development 3d game where you play as a deer and fawn exploring different enviroments.

The Isle - an early access survival MMO where you play as a dinosaur and try to stay alive.

feel free to add more in reblogs, i know i'm missing a lot of classics but i'm getting tired

[panblackeagle]

I need more roleplay partners

This is an active attempt at making people want to roleplay with me, because I just need more active ones, other than the one that I currently have (they're irreplaceable for sure!)

Now, my main genres are romance (usually the base), fantasy, action, medieval, sci-fi, gore, even angst, just no slice of life. I accept anything MxM, FxF, NBxNB, FxNB, MxNB, shipping OCs is cool, I really lean into the fantasy aspect with my OCs, but I also ship specific things from fandoms (I am quite sure that you will recognise at least one of these, trust me). I find gore completely fine and I come for drama, as long as it doesn't come out of nowhere. I write in a weird mix between semi-lit and literate. If I keep myself short, I either don't know what to write or I am preoccupied with something else at the moment. 18+ stuff is good too, I am 20 (I am a pure bottom, but not all that I roleplay is submissive, most of them stand their ground quite well). I am a very creative person, who will most likely find a plot in anything, so if you want to add things aswell, just let me know! My timezone is MET (Middle European Time), also I am German (I can involve my German speak into the roleplay aswell!)

These are the fandoms that I roleplay (and the pairings that I like the most from each)

♤Dream Daddy (Damien x Robert or Damien x Joseph)

♡Spaloon 1-3 (mainly Agent 12, but also Shiver x Marie and Frye x Callie)

♤Pokemon (dirteatingshipping and researchethicsshipping are my go-to, but I also really like Archie x Ghetsis (and I gave them the shipname eyeseashipping))

♡No Straight Roads (I love the neonnova and rinzuke dynamic)

♤The Stanley Parable (do I even need to say anything? Obviously, stannarrator)

♡Countryhumans (wild takes for this one, but I always preferred AmeGer and Finland x Third Reich)

♤Undertale/Deltarune (There's alot here, but I really like sansby, tuffet, kingdings, papyton and swatchton)

♡Team Fortress 2 (always love fruit scones, gentle surgery and bush medicine (I like being Medic lol))

♤Super Mario/Luigi's Mansion 2-3 (King Booigi and Toedette x Peach, those I love)

♡Jojo's Bizarre Adventure part 3-4 (Jotakak, Josuyasu and Rohan x Mikitaka)

♤Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss (I'm obsessed with staticmoth and adamsapple, though I do love stolitz and fizzarozzi)

♡Detroit Become Human (rk1700, Simon x Connor and Simon x Markus, though Connor x Kamski is also good)

♤Yokai Watch (I don't have a preference, I just want to be a yokai, like Goldinyan, not a human lol)

♡Pikmin 1-4 (I love Alph x Loui and Shepherd x Brittany)

♤Super Smash Bros (I'd be Mii Swordfighter, just pair him up with any adult male in the roster)

♡Steven Universe (Pearl x Sapphire/Peridot/Lapis/Rose/Jasper, I just want to be Pearl)

♤My Little Pony (Specifically fluttertwi, pinkidash and rarijack, though raritwi and Celestia/Luna x Twilight are cool too)

♡Sonic (stobotnik, Sonic x Tails, Silver x Tails, Silver x Shadow, just depends on where things go-)

♤Villainous (paperhat is a must, though the Flug x Slug and Black Hat x White Hat double-ups are good too)

♡Good Omens (ineffable husbands obviously, but I also like Gabriel x Aziraphale)

♤Star Wars (Obikin, Obimaul and or just me being a battle droid, falling in love with anyone of your choice (I can imagine general grievous being a rather tragic one))

♡Sanders Sides (analogical, royality and demus)

♤Fnaf (I really like being Bonnie of any kind ^^)

♡Cookie Run Kingdom (there's one in particular... licorice cookie x red velvet cookie)

♤Wander Over Yander (I literally only want to do deathglare and to be Peepers!)

♡Legends Of Avantris - specifically Once Upon A Witchlight or Stardust Rhapsody (coalecroux, grimmorining, Rett x Pyke and Leboosh x Chuckles or Kavier)

♤The Amazing Digital Circus (royalteeth, the girls and non-binary can be mixed up and Kaufmo x Jax)

♡Kirby game series (metadede, Magalor x Marx, Susie x Taranza, Waddle doo x Bandana Dee and probably more-)

If you are interested in roleplaying with me now, you can comment or dm me. If you prefer roleplaying with me on Discord, I can send you my Discord in dms.

[cosmosrebellion]

Something I realized is that I wanted more all-ages sci-fi cartoons. There's been a ton of excellent fantasy shows, some even mixing a bit of sci-fi aesthetic and themes in it. But I love to see something that's inspired by like, Astro Boy and Mega Man the way Amphibia, She-Ra or The Owl House were inspired by fantasy games, movies and anime.

Also, I know that there are really good sci-fi shows like Lower Decks or Final Space, and since they're adult shows, they allowed to go much further on the more complex themes sci-fi brings.

But the reason I want more all ages cartoons of this genre is a matter of contrast. You look at stuff like Mega Man X and series inpired by it, like Gunvolt or Gravity Circuit and they have a very family friendly aesthetic. Bright high-tech cities, poppy sountracks, sometimes goofy looking enemies and bosses.

But once you hit their endgames, it usually involves facing horrible mechanical monstrosities or uncontrollable cosmic horrors that serve to illustrate the sci-fi themes that some of these games explore.

That's the thing I think shows like Amphibia or The Owl House did really well. Establishing fantasy worlds that could even be really silly at times, to later show that darkness that exists in them and how they're a reflection of our own. And I think you could something really good with a sci-fi setting with the limitations that come with an all ages project.

And given all the amazing people who work in the animation industry, I love to see what they would cook with a setting like that, for a respectful contract of course.

--

TL DR: Someone throw a plucky, but flawed teenage protag into a sci-fi world of fighting robots so they can go on crazy adventures, and saving the world while witnessing man-made horrors beyond their comprehension.

[yngai]

dash game, get to know the mun. ( repost, don't reblog )

🦋 name: nadiya, diminutive of nadezhda. 🦋 pronouns:  she/her. 🦋 preference of communication:  tumblrs IMs as a starting point though i will always move things to discord since it's less of a hassle. 🦋 single/taken: single & aromantic so i'm fairly comfortable as is.

🦋 three facts.

currently i work in a fairly expensive & somewhat busy sushi restaurant in my city that's about 2 minutes away on foot from my apartment, so can you believe that my favorite movie from 2022 was the menu? all the kitchen nightmares & hell's kitchen binging me & my pals did during the pandemic didn't help.

beforehand i worked at a run-down pasta shop that survived through delivery apps & while the food was pretty good (i wasn't a huge fan of pasta beforehand), the location was in a part of the city with a bunch of restaurants that act as fronts for potential criminals, so most of the owner's friends were coen brothers characters. i'm glad i got out of there. the place closed down after i left, my boss was sent to a mental health facility for 2 weeks for reasons unknown, though her last act was to try & rally a bunch of businesses against the leading delivery app in my city, which failed spectacularly, as you can imagine. me & an ex-coworker still text each other whenever there's an update on our old boss.

restaurant work has led me to pick up a smoking habit that i've avoided till now.

🦋 experience.

gosh i've been roleplaying since i was barely a teenager on windows live messenger, then skype after a long break, & i eventually moved to tumblr in 2014 because i got very tired of the group chats i was in, stuck to d.octor who for ages & ages writing basically every character you can imagine, from the show to the audio dramas & its expanded universe novels, it was a fixation for a large part of my life that led me to meet some of my best friends on this website. then i switched over to h.ellsing & that blog is what helped get my foothold in the rpc, i was a pretty obscure writer until then, & the people i met through the fandom i still talk to daily, we've been a gaggle for five years now, inseparable. we'll see where things go from here but i'm pretty solidified with writing ada, i care a lot about her character & properly portraying it, & while i've had my ups & downs in the ressie rpc i'm glad to be back & very happy with the writers i've befriended since my return & with all the peeps that have stuck around with me since i first made the blog, you're all so cool, i don't deserve any of you.

🦋 sub-genres.

political/crime thriller is my favorite genre to write in which is pretty basic taste though it does fit the blog, mix that in with the ideological/body horror of ressie & you have a recipe for success. across other blogs though i love both utopian & dystopian sci-fi, high & modern fantasy, again, basic.

🦋 plots vs memes.

plotting is my bread & butter i'm always sitting on like a million headcanons, ideas, inspirations for my characters & i'm always looking for people i click with to share them. tumblr is a social media platform first & foremost so i'm always searching for people i can bounce things around with very smoothly & maybe i've been lucky that i've never struggled to make new pals. even the act of plotting itself can be fun & creatively rewarding to me, we don't have to actually write anything on the dash, really.

🦋 long or short replies.

i used to struggle with longer replies as a younger writer but now i write so many needless paragraphs of introspection for most of my characters i feel like i give nothing to the other writer to reply to, just thoughts upon thoughts with little action & even lesser dialog.

🦋 best time to write.

i try to get a reply in before a shift if i can help it because usually i come home exhausted, if i'm off work though i usually write in the evenings or afternoons depending on how not distracted i am.

tagged by: @croftborn, danke :) tagging: steal it, i dare you.

[semi-imaginary-place]

reflections on SS and VW shared content

It's honestly impressive how much content is reused through out the game. Quite a lot of the reusing is clever to like support backgrounds being from the battle maps. But yeah AM's reused maps or CF's aren't nearly as discussed as VW's and SS's.

The thing with VW and and SS is that the copy pasting isn't one way. The first few maps (like Ailell and the Fort Merceus(?)) you can tell were written for VW, they heavily involve the Alliance and rely on Alliance strategy. On the other hand the Edelgard scenes and later maps (Enbarr and Shambhala) are clearly written for SS as they involve an established relationship between Edelgard and Byleth that doesn't exist in VW. Shambhala was very much about Rhea coming to terms with her history and ancient enemies. The Shambhala map to a degree works with VW themes of uncovering the true history of Fodlan however the heavy framing surrounding Rhea is better suited to SS since SS is about Rhea and Byleth. (I do think the devs could have made these maps work by re-framing story a bit).

Well the real answer for why Rhea is in Shambhala is that it's a Silver Snow thing as part of Rhea and Byleth's arcs, which are closely intertwined. Her desire for vengeance forms a large part of her character (you see some of this in CF on Tailtean). The Agarthans being the ones to orchestrate the massacre of Nabatea turning it into the Red Canyon and looting Sothis' body which are the defining events of Rhea's life which control her life and decisions even over a thousand years later. I do think this whole later section of both VW and SS should have been handled better, it's pretty sloppy in execution.

I love the dubstep mole people in their cyberpunk soviet nuclear bunker. I love seeing new people slapped in the face with it. I have this hypothesis that Fodlan is a post apocalyptic modern world like SMTIV and you did get some hints like the oddly modern looking missiles. There's other hints too it's just cloaked in the language of fantasy, like imagine sci-fi terms described in fantasy terms and that's what you get. Rhea was weakened after 5 years of imperial and Agarthan captivity, she then took several nukes to the face so she dies of her wounds in VW, by the end of the game she's dying with little time left. Nemesis and his zombie army... I have mixed feeling on it, it's less connected? to the rest of the plot like there's less stakes to the fight. It's a cool fight but there isn't a lot of build up, Nemesis just wort of pops up out of his cryostasis pod.

As for the post apocalyptic thing. Well the Agarthans themselves talk about retreating below ground, and there's talk of the ancient wars that razed the land. Someone translated the Cyrillic? (Russian?) in Shambhala and it has fantasy talk that could be interpreted as nukes (deadly light or something) so there might actually have been a nuclear war. Then there's all the Agarthan technology and aesthetics which is the biggest hint with a lot of circuitry imagery, what looks like a computer, giant mechs, the missiles. The Argarthan's symbol also looks a twisted United Nations Symbol with the continents of the globe replace with an eye and the laurel turned into circuits. The Agarthans call themselves the true humans and they're the humans that rebelled against dragon rule so i wonder how much of the technolgy has been around seen before they were driven underground.

Nemesis was revived only in Verdant Wind because the devs needed a final boss with deep lore connections and Thales and Rhea were already out. Also Claude did pull a lever, but we don't know if this is related. Also Who says Nemesis couldn't be revived in the other routes, just means he's probably chilling in his cryostasis pod.

Some brought up the idea of swapping VW and SS's final bosses. I'm like "oooooh Rhea would make such a good final VW boss instead of Nemesis" but at the same time having her be the final boss on 3/4 routes in a little much. Still not sure what the best finale for VW should be without radically rewriting the story. Swapping the VW and SS final bosses/maps, yeah I can see that working though I'm not convinced it is the best option. This would change the route dynamics in interesting ways, like the intended writing is AM, SS, and VW together and CF as the secret route, but the boss swap would align VW more with CF kind of like what Three Hopes does. The personal tragedy part of fighting Rhea in SS is some of what SS does best. SS centers Byleth more than the other routes and a big part of Byleth finding themself is their relationship with Rhea. It sort of depends on what the focus of the story should be. Nemesis as the SS final boss would make SS more the story of Rhea. Whereas the with Rhea it keeps the story confined within the Church like start and end is with the Church. With VW the theme has always been about the greater picture and in the end the history of Fodlan involves both Rhea and the Agarthans, I was never quite sure how to neatly resolve this.

Rather than swapping the final bosses I proposed the easiest solution I could think of to better differentiate SS and VW back in june: https://semi-imaginary-place.tumblr.com/post/719309432976211968

[eway]

So my ideas for Kel, Basil if they had dream world games/stories

Kel: Kel would have a action RPG, much like the Tales Of series, there are still overworlds and wondering enemies, bumping into them takes them to a battle arena version of the area the party is in, leveling up stats increases defense, attack, HP, and so on. Special attacks and combos are earned through gaining levels and doing side quests. I picture his story takes place in a mix of sci-fi and fantasy, there’s advanced technology (so they use a combination of swords, guns, and magic), and it’s mainly based off the Spaceboy universe of comics/movies. The locations are a series of many planets and other space objects (asteroids, cosmic clouds, space stations, black holes, and tears in space). All of Kel’s friends would be based off a ship crew as they travel across the galaxy together saving people, their top goal is to be heroes. All of Kel’s friends have sci-fi sounding names and have changed, for instance Basil is a space elf similar to Rococo, Sunny is a android, Aubrey is a honor bound warrior alien, Hero is a human medic, and Kel is a brightly orange colored alien people with glowing energy powers. Mari is their command officer who talks to them from HQ deep in another part of space. Orange is the prevalent color in his dream world which is called Radical Nebulas. All of the creepy events are in optional dungeons and super bosses which lead to the darker thoughts of Kel

Basil: It’s not a turn based RPG but I picture Basil’s dream world to act a lot like Stardew Valley, there are rpg mechanics to increase farming, selling, fishing, mining, combat in the mines, and foraging. Combat is optional as the game can keep going, however there is a overall story progression mech six similar to Stardew Valley’s rec center/town hall being repaired. In Basil’s dream world’s case (which is called Faraway Gardens) it’s repairing a destroyed park (with the last part being a treehouse). Basil is still called Basil, but everyone else has new names, all of which are plant related. The friend group are all named the flowers that Basil equates them to (Sunny is Tulip for example). The dominant color is green here of course. Basil’s relationship with his new neighbors in Faraway Gardens have to be maxed out to get certain parts of the park repaired, opening up new areas to explore and do activities, he also has to handle managing the farm and making a living alongside helping the town and making friends. There are a lot of randomized events such as temporarily seeing someone hanging from a new tire swing at the park, but most of the creepy events happen during relationships building and exploring the combat areas (town mine, enchanted forest, and nearby island), randomly among the wholesome stuff creepy out of the dream character dialogue and actions happen about the truth, what Basil believes his friends think of him, and the isolation he feels IRL. While all his friends and random people in faraway are in the town, Mari is absent, she’s “out traveling” which leaves Sunny alone a lot.

I’ll work on Hero’s when I get good idea

When did you ask this? Before or after I already came up with ideas

[everygame]

Air Twister (iOS)

Developed/Published by: YS Net Released: 24/06/2022 Completed: 21/10/2022 Completion: Finished it! Trophies / Achievements: n/a

Air Twister is a fascinating bit of work, representing, as it does, the return of probably one of the most important game developers ever, Yu Suzuki, to the kind of classic arcade play that he made his name with–the most obvious comparison being Space Harrier, only his third game released mere months after his second (Hang-On). But… and I’m trying to be gentle here, Yu Suzuki is also in his sixties, and the last arcade-style game he directed was over twenty years ago, meaning Air Twister gets to be possibly the first example of something that cinema fans have long dealt with: an reappearing auteur putting out new work that isn’t a revitalising return to form but just a pale imitation of what they’ve done before.

The thing is though, it’s not like I hate Air Twister. It’s a little bit charming in its way, with a lot of work being done by Dutch artist Valencia’s, er, derivative–but catchy–score (His obvious Queen obsession means he might as well just be singing “he’s a thriller bean” on the game’s main track, but to be fair to him in one of the boss themes he’s biting Kate Bush’s Sat In Your Lap, which is comparatively a deep cut.) It’s just that with Air Twister I really couldn’t work out if this was something Yu Suzuki cared about or wanted to make or if it’s just like “people liked the bizarre fantasy sci-fi mish mash of Space Harrier, we’ll do that” the way that (say) Dario Argento keeps crapping out sloppy nonsense.

It’s probably not helped by the fact that as an Apple Arcade title, Air Twister either has a bunch of player retention nonsense in it that was originally intended for when it was a normal mobile title, or it’s go a bunch of player retention nonsense in it because you need people to keep coming back to your Apple Arcade game for the hours played stats. Neither option fits at all with the game, which is a straightforward rail shooter with no branching paths or random generation or anything that you have to play from the start every time!

Most of the game, honestly, boils down to you, the player, playing as far as you can get into the main game to unlock stars which allow you to buy things on the “adventure map”, which is actually just sort of a tech tree where you buy more life, charms that let you survive hits and occasionally new weapons and powers, but also have to buy loads of cosmetics to get to them. And then you play the main game as far as you can again, having basically memorised it.

Air Twister is not hard–but it does quickly get dull, because there’s not much to it either in gameplay–which is more like Rez or Panzer Dragoon than Space Harrier, as you’re mostly locking-on to enemies before firing–or in setting and story, and that it’s the same every time you play is kind of a death knell. You can’t even really argue that any of the enemy formations or level designs are particularly interesting, so the saving grace ends up being that you’ll eventually unlock one of the weapons (or get enough “trial tickets” to use them) and the weapons basically just infinitely kill everything on screen until you get to the last couple of bosses where you’ll actually have to dodge stuff.

Playing this is really a reminder that often what you want isn’t the person who made the thing you like making more things–because, after all, how can it live up to that first thing–but people taking that thing you like and evolving it in interesting ways. Space Harrier might have been a mad old mish-mash but it worked due to pixel art and super scaler tech, and by the era of the Saturn you needed Panzer Dragoon to evolve that into a consistent universe. By the Dreamcast, you have Rez adding music to the mix (and not just slapping a Dutch guy singing “Morovian Symphony” over it). If anything, Air Twister feels like an imitation of them more than a continuation of Yu Suzuki’s work.

Really, there’s a “you can’t go home again” sensation to this. While playing it, I tried to imagine it as a Dreamcast or even a PS2 cult classic, but it doesn’t feel like one of those, and no amount of squinting to imagine it being played at 480i helped (even with an iPad being about the size of a tiny CRT.) What it actually feels most like is an early iPhone game, which is not nostalgic.

Although I suppose for some people it might be? One day?

Will I ever play it again? There are a lot of bonus modes and stuff to this, including a kind of flappy bird thing and even an extra proper stage, but I didn’t even boot up the extra stage, so I’m done with this, clearly.

Final Thought: As usual, despite saying I don’t hate this, I’ve spent most of my time giving it a kicking, which is the result of playing it until I finish it instead of–like a normal person–playing it a few times and moving on. And I do think if you play this a couple of times, the combination of the mish-mash setting and odd soundtrack make it a charming diversion for just long enough. And, you know, Yu Suzuki is a legend, so add to his hours played for Apple Arcade and maybe they’ll do a new Hang On. Now that’s the nostalgia I’m talking about!

Support Every Game I’ve Finished on ko-fi, either via a one-off donation (pay what you like) or by joining as a supporter at just $1 a month.

[theultimatefan]

Huey Lewis Adds ‘Power’ To Fan Expo New Orleans Lineup

FAN EXPO New Orleans fans are ready to go “Back in Time” with the largest gathering ever of Back to the Future stars. And the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the film that started it all wouldn’t be complete without Huey Lewis, who wrote and performed the famed “The Power of Love” number one hit that led off the soundtrack and helped define the franchise.

Lewis isn’t the only addition to the pop culture extravaganza, set for January 10-12 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as FAN EXPO today announced that “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” star Dean Cain, Superman Returns star Brandon Routh, “Grimm” headliner David Giuntoli, Shazam! headliner Zachary Levi; “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” voice actor Ashley Eckstein and creator of the animated shows “Hazbin Hotel” and “Helluva Boss” Vivienne Medrano will also be on hand.

The BTTF reunion at FAN EXPO New Orleans includes Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Tom Wilson, seven other actors from the trilogy, and now Lewis, who wrote “The Power of Love,” which became a No. 1 hit, and “Back in Time” as part of the official soundtrack for the original film. His band Huey Lewis and the News first went platinum with its studio Album “Sports” in 1983 and has gone on to produce 19 top 10 singles and platinum albums “Fore!” and “Small World.” He also has a cameo appearance in BTTF as the band audition judge, among about 50 acting credits.

Cain, who brought the Man of Steel back to TV screens in the hit series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," has appeared in more than 200 movies and television series. He has had recurring roles on popular shows like “Supergirl,” “Las Vegas” and “Hope and Faith” and also produced and hosted the revival of "Ripley's Believe it or Not!" Cain has also been a regular on family and holiday TV films and faith-based productions.

Routh portrayed “Superman” and Clark Kent” in the 2006 Superman Returns movie and is also well-known for popular roles in “Arrow,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “The Flash,” “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off” and many others. This year he starred opposite Mena Suvari in the feature sci-fi film Ick.

Most recently the star of “A Million Little Things,” a series which wrapped up a five-year run last year, Giuntoli was cast as the lead "Nick Burkhardt” across the six years of the NBC fantasy drama “Grimm.” He's also made guest appearances in popular series like "Without a Trace," "Cold Case," "Hot in Cleveland," "Private Practice" and many others, as well as an episode of “Superman & Lois” this year, opposite his wife Bitsie Tulloch, also attending FAN EXPO New Orleans.

Levi took a superhero turn in the title role of 2019’s Shazam! among a busy resume that features more than 70 roles in such popular series as “Chuck,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Less than Perfect.” He lent his voice talents to the full run of “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure” and has more than a dozen other voice credits supplementing his body of work.

In addition to voicing “Ahsoka Tano” in numerous iterations of the “Star Wars” franchise, beginning with 2018’s “The Clone Wars,” Eckstein founded the fashion label Her Universe, dedicated to providing stylish, fashion-forward merchandise for female sci-fi fans.

Medrano is best known as the creator of the popular “Hazbin Hotel” and spinoff series “Helluva Boss,” both of which are well-represented with numerous voice actors at FAN EXPO New Orleans. Medrano first gained notice for the webcomic series “ZooPhobia” in 2012 and later was an animator for much of the run of the series “Too Loud.” This year, she directed and animated a segment on Weird Al Yankovic’s “Polkamania” music video.

Lewis may be at the “Heart and Soul” of the additions, but FAN EXPO New Orleans is bursting with a diverse mix of stars from across the pop culture world. The BTTF set is joined by William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “Boston Legal”); Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings, Planet of the Apes); “Doctor Who” standout Catherine Tate; the “Smallville” fivesome of Michael Rosenbaum, Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Erica Durance and Laura Vandervoort; original Star Wars standout Anthony Daniels; “Superman & Lois” headliners Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch; “The Mandalorian” star Giancarlo Esposito; “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star James Marsters; teen romance “High School Musical” regulars Corbin Bleu and Lucas Grabeel; Shatner’s fellow “T.J. Hooker” star and Hollywood icon Heather Locklear; Twilight standouts Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone and Peter Facinelli; and more.

FAN EXPO New Orleans features the biggest and best in pop culture: movies, TV, music, artists, writers, exhibitors, cosplay, with three full days of themed programming to satisfy every fandom. New Orleans is the first event on the 2025 FAN EXPO HQ calendar; the full schedule is available at fanexpohq.com/home/events/.

[daz4i]

hi!! Sorry if this is a weird question, I was just wondering what it is about hsr that you love so much? I had tried it awhile ago and it just didn’t click for me so id really love to know more in depth what makes you love it!!

oooo there's. a lot hehe so buckle up uwu (also that's a sweet question absolutely not weird thank you for asking 🥺 i love gushing abt my interests ajdjgkhl)

the gameplay:

hsr is like. a combination of 2 of my fav game series, persona (in its battle system) and borderlands (in its structure), so for me it was an immediate click in that regard

the battles are unique, no boss is the same, even the common enemies have really interesting mechanics that actually require strategizing. there's a lot you can do with your teams, like personally i don't go for the ideal comps only bc i like using the characters i love :P but i can still get through battles mostly fine and relatively quickly

but it's the exploration that gets me the most ngl 👀 the maps are beautiful and have so many nooks and crannies for you to go through, as well as. an unholy amount of objects to interact with and hidden side quests. as a completionist it's extremely satisfying for me to unlock every part of the map and find all the chests in it etc. there are a lot of hidden jokes and lore bits to find everywhere as well as a bunch of npcs to interact with that can offer their own entire stand-alone stories that are super interesting and help flesh out the world even more!!

speaking of. the world + lore:

it's extremely overwhelming at first, but finding one (1) bit to focus on at a time makes it way more accessible - the game's world is. huge. from planets to history to gods to wars and disasters, there is so much to explore and read about. and it's told to you in so many ways, too - through the story and things like side quests is obvious, but there are a lot of readables you can find throughout all maps, and even objects you don't think much about contain stories in their description that offer a lot of information about one-off mentions from the main story (or things that weren't mentioned at all even, really)

the setting really allows for anything to happen in it. like, having a lot of planets and factions, each with their own histories and aesthetics and agendas, lets you have all sorts of characters and stories, like literally anything you could think of. so we have ghosts and cowboys and angels and robots and knights and werewolves etc etc etc and it doesn't feel forced, in part bc a lot of things are set up months in advance sometimes, through the aforementioned readables or item descriptions(/names) for example. it uses a really cool mix of sci-fi and (sort of) fantasy

this makes theory crafting so much richer (like connecting a bunch of seemingly unrelated details into something that makes a lot of sense), as well as let players do things like make their own ocs or expand upon things in their fanworks which is always fun >:3

the characters:

absolutely the biggest part for me. this is kind of a must in a gacha game, but the characters are all either extremely interesting, extremely fun, or both at once. i don't think i dislike any of them - sure there are some i may care about less, but i can still appreciate them and enjoy their stories

each one has their own bundle of short stories to offer some background about who they are and where they're from, which at times really adds depth you had no idea was there from simply playing the game. some have incredible side missions centered around them with really strong emotional highs, or their own super interesting stand-alone story, or lore expansions etc. you get to see sides of them you don't have time for in the main story, or even interact with entirely new characters that haven't shown up before but have connections to ones you know

they're very diverse (personality or lore wise i mean lol) so you're guaranteed to find at least a few that you can really enjoy :3

and! imo. despite it being a gacha game, aka characters should be likable and approachable for most average players to enjoy, some are morally grey or very clearly flawed, which in other games like this may be a risky decision. the game does a good job humanizing even characters you wouldn't normally enjoy or support in other works (also makes you have complete 180s about characters by showing you more of them). this adds a lot of depth and almost all characters have something deep to explore in them or theorize about, especially in the main cast

the story:

due to the game's format, it's divided into different types of missions, but generally there are like 2 main stories going on at once

one is more straightforward and is the one you go through in order to progress with the game. it's divided into standalone arcs for each planet and they each have a different vibe and structure

the other one is more... underneath the surface, if that makes sense, and it is ongoing throughout "side" missions you technically don't have to complete (but you should :P). a lot of really big characters are introduced in it, and it offers a lot of context about things that happen in the main story, or sometimes just gives you more to explore in the worlds you already know. this one is separated into seemingly unrelated stories, but they all offer at least a little bit of information to contribute to this plot

both of these stories are really interesting! there is a lot of hype and mystery through them, and one can't exist without the other. i can't really go into details without giving away spoilers lol but like. trust me. things pick up fast, they're just a bit confusing at first hehe.

the references:

this is gonna sound silly. but. the thing that made me decide to finally play the game was seeing how unserious it is. like my god there are so many memes here (i considered making a section of this post dedicated to the humor but this paragraph may be enough hehe. it's kind of like borderlands imo in a sense that you either enjoy this type of humor or find it cringe, BUT hsr is more varied in its type of humor imo. sometimes is also gets really meta with if which is my favorite thing)

but!!! i'm talking about things like mythology too! there are a lot of small references to real-life mythology or folk stories in the story and especially the world at large, which is 1 extremely cool 2 also helps a lot with theory crafting! like for example, knowing what a certain aeon is inspired by, can give you another way to look at them which sometimes implies things about the story too!

even things like. gem meanings. animal motifs. classic pop culture. etc etc etc. really help with understanding characters beyond what you're told about them on the surface which is really fun!

every planet is inspired by a certain culture (usually a bit of a mix but still fairly consistent) and its felt in really solid ways, they all have their own identity in both the aesthetic, characters you meet, music, and even the story itself sometimes.

oh wait speaking of. the music:

it slaps 👍

and loaded with leitmotifs, clever genre and instrument choices, great production, like genuinely just good music. i watched a video analyzing one (1) song and ended up crying like there is so much there

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY! everyone is a slut 👍 (/j. but i do enjoy the boob windows)

this is extremely long i hope it's not too overwhelming ajdkfllgg but. this is why i fixated on it so strongly and so quickly too. it's a good game :]

if you wanna give it another chance but anything isn't clear to you or you need some recommendations or directions, feel free to ask!!! 🫡 even if i can't answer everything the best way i can help you find answers and tips elsewhere!

[amichandsaini]

HBO Max's Best: The Top 10 Shows You Have to Stream

In the vast sea of streaming platforms, HBO Max stands out as a treasure trove of premium content, boasting a library filled with acclaimed series spanning various genres. With a lineup that caters to diverse tastes, choosing what to watch can be daunting. Fear not, as we embark on a journey to unlock HBO Max's best, presenting the top 10 shows you simply have to stream.

Game of Thrones:

Let's start with the juggernaut that redefined television fantasy. "Game of Thrones" transcended the small screen to become a cultural phenomenon. Adapted from George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series, this show offers a sprawling narrative filled with political intrigue, epic battles, and unforgettable characters. Whether you're drawn to the power struggles of Westeros or the intricate plotting of its noble houses, "Game of Thrones" delivers an immersive experience like no other.

Station Eleven:

Adapted from Emily St. John Mandel's novel, "Station Eleven" is a post-apocalyptic drama that follows a group of survivors navigating a world ravaged by a devastating pandemic. As they struggle to rebuild civilization and preserve art and culture, they grapple with loss, hope, and the enduring power of human connection. With its poignant storytelling and resonant themes, "Station Eleven" offers a poignant reflection on the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit. Fans eagerly anticipate Station Eleven Season 2 to continue the captivating journey of these characters in a world forever changed by catastrophe.

The Sopranos:

Widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time, "The Sopranos" is a groundbreaking drama that explores the life of mob boss Tony Soprano. With its complex characters, moral dilemmas, and dark humour, this show paved the way for the golden age of television we enjoy today. Dive into the world of organised crime as Tony juggles the demands of his family, business, and therapy sessions in this compelling and often unpredictable series.

The Wire:

A masterclass in storytelling, "The Wire" offers a gritty and realistic portrayal of life in Baltimore, Maryland. Through its exploration of the city's institutions – from law enforcement to schools to the drug trade – this series paints a nuanced picture of urban America. With its sprawling ensemble cast and social commentary, "The Wire" challenges viewers to confront difficult truths about society while delivering riveting drama.

Chernobyl:

A hauntingly powerful miniseries, "Chernobyl" chronicles the events surrounding the 1986 nuclear disaster in Soviet Ukraine. With its meticulous attention to detail and harrowing portrayal of the human cost of negligence, this show is as educational as it is emotionally resonant. Witness the bravery of those who risked their lives to contain the fallout and the devastating impact of a catastrophic failure in this gripping historical drama.

Succession:

Mixing family drama with corporate intrigue, "Succession" follows the dysfunctional Roy family as they vie for control of their media conglomerate. Sharp writing, brilliant performances, and biting satire make this series a must-watch. Whether you're fascinated by the cutthroat world of business or drawn to the complexities of familial relationships, "Succession" offers plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked.

Westworld:

Delving into the intersection of artificial intelligence and morality, "Westworld" is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller set in a futuristic amusement park populated by lifelike robots. As the lines between human and machine blur, questions of identity, consciousness, and free will take centre stage. With its stunning visuals, philosophical themes, and labyrinthine plot, "Westworld" is sure to stimulate both the intellect and the imagination.

Watchmen:

A bold and provocative reimagining of the iconic graphic novel, "Watchmen" tackles issues of race, power, and justice in America. Set in an alternate history where superheroes are real and vigilantes are outlawed, this series offers a timely exploration of systemic racism and the legacy of trauma. With its thought-provoking narrative and stellar cast, "Watchmen" is as relevant as it is riveting.

Big Little Lies:

Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, "Big Little Lies" is a gripping drama that delves into the secrets and scandals lurking beneath the surface of a picturesque California town. With its powerhouse cast led by Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley, this series offers a compelling mix of mystery, intrigue, and social commentary. Dive into the lives of these complex women as they navigate friendship, motherhood, and betrayal.

Mare of Easttown:

Rounding out our list is "Mare of Easttown," a gripping crime drama set in a small Pennsylvania town. Kate Winslet delivers a tour-de-force performance as Mare Sheehan, a troubled detective investigating a murder while grappling with personal demons. With its atmospheric setting, richly drawn characters, and compelling mystery, "Mare of Easttown" is a must-watch for fans of gripping storytelling and top-notch acting.

Conclusion

HBO Max is home to some of the most compelling and critically acclaimed television shows ever made. Whether you're a fan of fantasy epics, gritty dramas, or thought-provoking sci-fi, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So grab your remote, settle in, and prepare to be entertained by the best that HBO Max has to offer.

[no-one-of-consequence]

Recurring Themes

As I have been looking over everything I want to write about here, I am noticing that a lot of the subject matter is pretty heavy. However, I also have many humorous stories to tell as well. I thought it might be best to structure future posts to include a mix of both instead of simply info dumping a ton of dark and heavy baggage into a post and calling it a day. Make no mistake, that heavy stuff will be prominently featured, but I don’t think it needs to be the whole focus. After all, if anyone I know ever ends up reading this I would hope they get to see both sides of my life. The light and the millennial gray.

Upcoming and recurring themes:  (1) Tales from 2020: There is a popular meme format that has been going around lately, and for about the past 3 years (starting in autumn) I always see posts touting things like “It’s almost 2025 and I still haven’t even processed 2020.” My initial reaction is always “OMG I totally agree”, but then I never did the work of processing it. So, why not actually write about it and tell the stories from the most mixed bag of a year I have ever experienced. Examples: A childhood role model walks out into the desert to die. This was the year I was finally able to invest in my 2nd child. A year that strained every relationship. A year of contact tracing, death threats, and uncomfortable phone calls. The discovery of my 16-year-old half-brother. Feeling protected by the community I served. Falling in love with school nursing, despite the pandemic. The bond of shared trauma and new lifelong friendships. Nurses eat their young, and rejecting the culture of trial by fire. And many, many, more smaller moments of light in the darkness.

(2) Formative pre-nursing experience: As stated in the initial post, I am a Nurse. It was a long journey to get here though. My journey in particular to get here was much longer than most. I already had one college degree before transitioning to this field, and my previous degree had no STEM credits. Because of this, I had an elongated nursing assistant run. Being a nursing assistant was a world all its own and I always tell people it was the best thing I never ever want to do again.

Examples: The two patients who left their mark on me as they died. Ghost stories (Help! The killer potted plant, and the piano concert from heaven). The 104-year-old teacher who was still teaching. Wisdom shared by patients. Concrete examples of true unconditional love. Poop stories (It comes with the job, but they won’t be as gross as you imagine.) Why the Bulb Fields by Vincent Van Gough is my favorite piece of art. Appreciation for good mentors who lead from the front.

(3) Trail marker: Stories that fall into this category will be the stories that are the dearest to me, and have impacted my life in some major or irreversible way. These will be stories that caused a perspective change, and they will usually be a millennial gray.

Examples: Working for my favorite boss and learning how to lead relaxed. Botching an interview but getting the job anyway. Studying for the NCLEX, and state-based memory. Becoming a homeowner, and the parallels of home repairs to self-reflection and inner work. Summer of 2011 and how my Korean friends changed everything. The birth of each of my children. Our wedding, and the darkness surrounding it. Going no-contact with my father in-law and the subsequent order of protection. The importance of acknowledging failure, and refusing to become stagnant. The neo-nazi and the horse.

(4) General appreciation posts: These will be just as the category name suggests. Just a section of things to really geek out over and show love to.  

Examples: Any fandom I appreciate. Magic, the gathering. Pro-wrestling (Non-WWE). Anime. Fantasy. Sci-fi. And other general nerd stuff.

(5) Chasing the Omega Physique: In my present day, life is a lot easier than it has ever been (:Knocks on wood:) and I finally have time to devote to real and tangible physical fitness. I have been going to the gym for many years, but nothing tangible has ever come of it, and I've never been able to lose the weight I want to lose, or develop the lean muscle mass I have always dreamed of having.  What I mean by the Omega Physique is complicated, and it will be explained more thoroughly the first time this segment occurs. 

But here is a hint:

This is just a preview and I am working on my first real entry coming very soon. I hope anyone who finds this, enjoys the things to come. Sincerely,  ~ (Z) 

[yudishkrishnan]

Top 10 Games to Play in 2024

Introduction

As 2024 unfolds, the gaming world is buzzing with excitement over a fresh lineup of must-play titles. Whether you’re a fan of immersive RPGs, adrenaline-pumping action games, or creative sandbox experiences, this year promises something for everyone. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 games to play in 2024, highlighting what makes each title stand out and why they deserve a spot on your gaming list.

**1. Elden Ring: The Age of Ruin Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Elden Ring is here. The Age of Ruin expands the game’s lore with new regions, fearsome bosses, and deep narrative elements. Expect the same brutal difficulty and expansive open world that made its predecessor a hit, now with enhanced graphics and gameplay mechanics.

**2. Starfield Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC Bethesda’s Starfield has finally launched after years of development, and it does not disappoint. This space-faring RPG offers a vast universe to explore, with richly detailed planets, deep customization, and a branching storyline. It’s a game that will keep you hooked for hundreds of hours.

**3. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Time Platform: Nintendo Switch Following the massive success of Breath of the Wild, Nintendo returns with Echoes of Time, an epic adventure that takes Link on a journey through time and space. The game features innovative time manipulation mechanics, a sprawling world, and the series' signature blend of puzzles and combat.

**4. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC After its rocky launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has made a triumphant return with the Phantom Liberty expansion. This DLC adds a new storyline, characters, and gameplay enhancements that fully realize the potential of Night City. It’s a must-play for fans of sci-fi RPGs.

**5. Hogwarts Legacy 2 Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Return to the magical world of Harry Potter in Hogwarts Legacy 2. This sequel builds on the original’s open-world design, offering new spells, creatures, and storylines set in a richly detailed wizarding world. Whether you're a fan of the books or just love a good RPG, this game is sure to enchant you.

**6. Final Fantasy XVI: Shadowbringers Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Final Fantasy XVI returns with the Shadowbringers expansion, bringing new story arcs, characters, and high-stakes battles to the mix. With its stunning visuals, intricate plot, and tactical combat system, this game continues to push the boundaries of the JRPG genre.

**7. Minecraft 2 Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Minecraft 2 takes the beloved sandbox experience to the next level with enhanced graphics, new biomes, and deeper crafting systems. Whether you're a builder, explorer, or survivalist, Minecraft 2 offers endless possibilities in an even more immersive world.

**8. Resident Evil 9 Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC The next installment in the iconic survival horror series, Resident Evil 9, promises to deliver more chills and thrills. With a terrifying new setting, a gripping storyline, and updated gameplay mechanics, it’s a must-play for horror enthusiasts.

**9. GTA VI Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Rockstar’s long-awaited GTA VI is finally here, bringing a massive new city, an expansive storyline, and the chaotic freedom that the series is known for. The game features stunning graphics, a dynamic world, and endless activities to explore, making it a definitive open-world experience.

**10. Hades II Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Hades II continues the story of Zagreus with new gods, weapons, and challenges. This rogue-like dungeon crawler offers the same addictive gameplay loop as its predecessor, with added depth and narrative richness that will keep you coming back for more.

Conclusion

2024 is shaping up to be an incredible year for gamers, with a diverse lineup of titles that promise to captivate and entertain. Whether you're exploring new worlds in Starfield, battling demonic forces in Hades II, or crafting your perfect adventure in Minecraft 2, these games are sure to deliver unforgettable experiences. So, gear up, grab your controller, and dive into the best gaming adventures 2024 has to offer!

Call to Action

Don’t miss out on these top games of 2024! Make sure to stay updated on release dates, trailers, and reviews by following our blog. Share this list with your fellow gamers and start planning your next gaming marathon today!

[the-ashen-gm]

Genesys: An Elden Ring Hack

Now that we’ve gotten the D&D 5e hate out of the way, I want to focus on something more fun: I’m going to be doing an Elden Ring-themed hack for Genesys 👀

[IMAGE ID: The front cover of Genesys, a fantastical city that blends fantasy, sci-fi, and modern day aesthetics. End ID.]

What’s Genesys?

To sell you on Genesys, I’d say it’s basically a mix of traditional TTRPGs (D&D, etc.) and story games (Powered by the Apocalypse, etc.). It features a lot of similar mechanics to trad games but the way it resolves die rolls is quite unique and leads to more varied outcomes. Rather than Success/Failure, there are many possibilities for Advantages and Threats, or Triumphs and Despair. It’s basically a system that allows for successes that come with threats or failures that give you an advantage. Triumph and Despair are the “critical” versions of Advantages and Threats.

It all makes the action feel filmic and dynamic, as the tide of battle could turn at any moment. A missed attack roll in something like D&D is just a waste of a turn, while in Genesys a failed attack check could lead to an advantage like creating cover or disorienting the enemy.

Why Elden Ring?

I think this makes sense for Elden Ring because it’s essentially an action game with RPG elements. The frantic nature of combat goes hand-in-hand with the strategy you employ in the split-seconds you have to plan. Genesys has a turn-based combat system but it still feels dynamic and frantic as it plays out. Characters are constantly dodging, attacking, aiming, setting up combos, etc.

Like I said in my previous post, 5e’s combat is boring. Genesys has a lot more potential to capture the feel of Elden Ring’s combat due to having more possibilities for unexpected outcomes and strategy. 5e’s combat is a lot more basic, with all the possibilities being quite straightforward. That’s fine, and if you want to run an Elden Ring game that focuses on dungeoneering then mabye D&D 5e would be the best bet. For my money though, the first thing that people want to do when they think “Elden Ring TTRPG” is do a big, bombastic boss fight. For that, I feel Genesys would be the most fun option.

Of course, if what you want is deadly combat, there are a million OSR games that will capture the feeling of your first time playing a Soulsborne game. The only OSR game I own at the moment is Dungeon Crawl Classics, which I feel is maybe a little too gonzo for Elden Ring’s tone. Perhaps if I ever pick up Old-School Essentials I’ll whip something up for that system as well...

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

fresh reads fresh reads fresh reads

first up: to the surprise of no one who knows anything about me, we've got MORE FANTASY/ this list is all over the place in the best way: blood magic, Nazi-killing freedom fighters, fae detectives, man-eating mermaids, and a mob boss on a moon!

this article has a mix of fiction and nonfiction, and it's honestly the nonfiction section that has me more excited - particularly Lydia Wilkins' Autism Friendly Cookbook! whether you happen to be autistic or not, it sounds like it's organized in a way that could be immensely helpful to any nervous new cook, once again reminding us that accessibility is helpful for everybody.

this list compiled by buzzfeed is DELICIOUS, with great offerings in literary fiction, nonfiction, romance, YA, and a splendid little misc fiction section. there are tons of titles here that have already been sitting pretty on my TBR for months, and some shiny new finds as well - and the first blurbs I've seen hinting at what some of the stories in Janelle Monáe's Memory Librarian are actually about.

and this last article makes me absolutely froth at the mouth by reminding me how many SICKNASTY new books are coming out this month alone and how I literally cannot read fast enough to keep up. the books here are half reads that I've been aware of and possibly vibrating with excitement over, and books that I'd never heard of before but love the sound of - time loops in the Louvre? demons in a Japanese internment camp? FUCK yeah.

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

As you said your considering watching "Star Twinkle Pretty Cure" loke with Heartcatch plan too do reviews??

I just finished Episode 16 a few days ago, so I’m about a third of the way into the series. I’ll give my thoughts on it so far.

While I still prefer Tsubomi for her character development, I think Hikaru/Cure Star is a very likable lead with all of the energy she brings to the table. I like how she’s a shameless sci-fi nerd with her love for all things space, mainly constellations and aliens as shown in the first episode. She’s just so full of optimism and eagerness, she fills the role of leader well with how she can easily rally the other Cures. A good example of this was in one episode where Hikaru drew up a redesign for the team’s damaged rocket ship (which I’ll get to later) that the other Cures like so much, they manage to get the repairs done much quicker despite spending some time adding on accessories because of how motivated they are. This is a kind of character trait I really like seeing for leaders, being able to motivate the others to do things outside of the battlefield. Hikaru is just a really fun character so far, and is currently my favorite this season.

Lala/Cure Milky is also a really interesting character so far. Being an alien, most of her episodes deal with her getting to know the human race and its cultures, mainly through her friendship with Hikaru. She starts off more apprehensive to her situation on Earth, but does become more open to learning more. At the same time, this does lead to a flaw where she tends to blindly focus on pure logic and hates failure, much like a certain other alien primarily dressed in blue. There’s an episode where Lala transfers to Hikaru’s middle school and has a pretty bad first day with how little she understands the social protocol, and the next day, she relies on her AI to help her blend in more and understand to the point where she forces herself to stop using her verbal tic “-lun” at the end of her sentences. It shows how much she hates failure, and it says a lot about her character. She still manages to grow past this flaw a little, and I’m looking forward to seeing how else she develops in the series.

Elena/Cure Soleil is basically the big sister of the team kind of like Yuri from Heartcatch, though without the added baggage the latter had for most of her series. She’s referred to as “The Sun of Mihoshi Middle School” by the other characters. Really subtle there, writers. Granted, it’s referring to her friendly attitude towards her fellow students mixed with her athletic skills, which naturally draws a lot of students to admire and look up to her, even Hikaru. Unlike Itsuki, she’s much more relaxed around others and even asks Hikaru to stop referring to her as her sempai, especially since Hikaru has seniority over Elena as a Precure. She’s generally the more level-headed one of the team, and tends to rely on diplomacy more often, like when she diffuses an argument between Hikaru and Lala early on, and later helps to convince some aliens to hand over one of the MacGuffins/toy tie-ins, the Princess Star Color Pens peacefully after helping to defend their planet. From what I’ve heard, Elena and the fourth Cure were added to the show last-minute thanks to executives, but I think Elena fits in with the cast pretty well so far.

Likewise, Madoka/Cure Selene is referred to as “The Moon of Mihoshi Middle School” because she’s... high-class? Fancy? Rich? She’s basically meant to be a foil to Elena in some regards. While Elena is more lax and friendly, Madoka is more stoic and a bit of a perfectionist. While Elena has a happy relationship with her family, Madoka has a much more tense relationship with her father who hates aliens for no reason, and will take any chance he gets to remind the audience how much of an asshole he is. I think he’s running for the Worst Father in Animation Award after hearing Gabriel Agreste won it three years in a row. Madoka generally has the hardest time as a Precure because of how she has to keep it a secret from her xenophobic father, and seems to be struggling with her loyalty. This is mainly because I’m so sick of family drama from Miraculous, but Madoka’s character arc revolving around her relationship with her dad is honestly why she’s my least favorite out of the four.

Fuwa is nothing more than a plot device/cute thing to look at. I mean, at least the fairies in Heartcatch could actually speak in complete sentences, and not say their names like a Pokemon. Prunce is honestly a much more memorable character with his dialogue and plays the role as comic relief well.

I really like the villains so far. They’re all aliens based off Yokai and have their own approaches to the monster of the week formula. Kappard (a Kappa), is a vain warrior who tends to use the imaginations of others to create new weapons to use against the team. Tenjo (a Tengu), views her troops as pawns and uses the the imaginations of others to turn them into giant versions of the show’s grunts, the Nottorei. Aiwarn (a Hitotsume-kozo), is a trickster who uses corrupted Princess Star Color Pens to create the true monsters of the week, the Nottoriga, using the imagination of others. There’s also an Oni-themed alien who’s their boss, but he hasn’t really done much yet. Overall, these villains have some really creative motifs that I really want to see more of. It kind of reminds me of the movie Treasure Planet which did something similar by combining fantasy with sci-fi.

Another thing I really like about this show is how it generally plays with certain sci-fi tropes. The very first time the team goes out into space to search for one of the Princess Star Color Pens, they get into trouble with the locals, who see it as a sacred artifact, and even before that, look down on the Cures for not having fur like they do. It’s a pretty realistic depiction of making first contact with an alien race like that. Another interesting episode is in the aforementioned episode where Lala goes to school for the first time. You’d think that since her kind work are automatically educated by artificial intelligence, she’d be really smart, right? Actually, because of how much she’s relied on an AI to help her do everything, she’s so inept that she can’t even calculate double digits in class like 15+10, and generally struggles on her first day of school.

Generally, I’m really enjoying the show so far, and I’m looking forward to continuing it.