Flashes of magical energy engulfed my cohealer, and an explosion rocked the top of the tower. The creature–a disembodied head and hands the size of a house–smacked the warrior holding her in place. I raced to heal his wounds and my own just as another explosion hit us. Where was the other team? I glanced…
Category: Video Games
Neir:Automata, a Review of Its Themes
I’m an old school JRPG gamer. Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger still remain at the top of my list. I’m not much on action rpgs. I prefer menu-based combat. But when Neir:Automata went on sale on Steam, I bought it. It’s been a long time since an RPG grabbed me like Neir:Automata did. As…
Pokemon Sword and Shield, A Game for Kids
I recently finished Pokemon Sword on the Nintendo Switch. It’s an uneven game but fun. Some of the areas have poor textures, and many of the Pokemon animation and effects disappoint. But the game doesn’t warrant the outcry on the Internet. At this point, I shouldn’t be surprised. The Internet outraged? On Metacritic, Pokemon Sword…
Storytelling in Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Many people criticized The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild for its lack of storytelling. As I revisit the game, I struggle to understand their viewpoints. After all, Breath of the Wild features more storytelling than any other entry in the series. But all of it is subtle. For example, when I wandered into…
Seiken Densetsu 3: A Review
Video games, like anime, have become a product of international exchange. And video games have become one of our most important story-telling mediums. They reflect the interests, concerns, and commercialization practices of their respective time periods. As many of you go, I’m a classic gamer. While I play newer games (I love me some Switch…
Stories of Childhood: The Legacy of The Legend of Zelda
The other day I walked through my childhood’s universe. Shadows of the neighborhood kids, my brother, and I raced ahead of my adult walking pace. I glance down one of my favorite spots in the neighborhood, my neighbor’s hedge row lining his house. A tall fence gives just enough space for a lawn mower to…