Undertale, depression, and video games

Been a while, huh?  Suffice it to say, I've been busy.  I've gone through a lot of depression since leaving China and while I do have the other Final Fantasy series recorded...not sure when or if they'll ever come out.

But I did want to speak a bit on depression and how video games, Undertale in particular, really helped me have hope and feel good about myself and life during a tough time.  So, listen and enjoy.

History of Final Fantasy: Final Fantasy 10

So, the Playstation era has ended and Square-enix is ready to wow the world once again with the mighty Final Fantasy series on the PS2.  However, something is different.  Never has a game been more mechanically strong, yet divisive amongst the fans than their entry into the PS2.  Final Fantasy 10.

History of Final Fantasy: Chocobo games and other related titles

Forgive me, everyone, I missed last week due to sickness...which I still have.  Either way, I managed to get another video made in time for this week.  This time, we discuss how Square expanded its brand through spin off titles like Chocobo Racing, Chocobo Dungeons, and other games that made use of their Final Fantasy characters.  So, stick with me as we delve into the strange, the surreal, and the often adorable.  These are the Chocobo and other related Final Fantasy titles.

Sunless Sea Video Review

Time for another review!  I've been sinking most of my free time into Sunless Sea lately, so I figured I'd share some of it with you.  Join me as we venture to the deepest ocean, far below the surface of the earth.  Ancient monsters sleep here as rats colonize islands, the king of the sea judges his drowned souls, a reef of living coral plays chess, and devils make deals with London Citizens.

Only upon the sunless sea.

History of Final Fantasy: FInal Fantasy 9

Near the end of the PS One era, we had a return to form for Final Fantasy, where the design was very reminiscent of the golden era of Final Fantasy.  It was the swan song of an era and proved to be an excellent title besides.  However, it seems to be somewhat forgotten compared to other entries into the series.  The graphics are some of the only things remembered because of their oddity.

So, I want to encourage people to remember this entry into the series because it has some of my favorite characters, music, and villains.  Let me tell you about Final Fantasy 9...and the Black Waltzs.

Hand of Fate Video Review

Since we looked at an early access game last week, let's look at a game I've been playing since early access.  This is Hand of Fate, an addictive card/board game with rogue-like and deck building mechanics blended seamlessly with 3d arena combat.  The game has an insane amount of atmosphere and charm and is a fascinating experience for DnD players of all ages...or anyone, for that matter.

History of Final Fantasy: Final Fantasy 8

Final Fantasy 8 was a game which, while popular on its initial release, received rather harsh criticisms from fans years later.  In particular, the Spoony One was very critical of changes to the games formula, especially involving magic and the progression systems.  However, despite its changes, the game still felt distinctly Final Fantasy and remains a favorite of fans.  Today, we look at why the game was good and some of the changes the game made which earned it its criticisms.

Darkest Dungeon Video Review

Hello, everybody.  Like most players and reviewers, I have become swept up with and addicted to Darkest Dungeon, which is a fantastic little game.  So, I decided to do a review of it.  My footage is...problematic, since fraps didn't want to record the game, but crappy or not, I think it gives you a good taste of what the game is like.

Enjoy

Fanservice: The Death of Storytelling

*UPDATE*

Youtube is a piece of shit that content ID me AUTOMATICALLY.  Friggin robot.  Last time I ever try and use fucking video of any AAA games, fuck you Sega, or anime, fuck you TV Tokyo, so I blacked all that shit out.  Still got some good still images and some good commentary, but yeah, this broken ass video is all that's left after Youtube bowed its head to the corporate gods of greed.

As a proponent of good stories in games, movies, anime, etc. I happen to get especially agitated when a series leaves plot holes or other issues.  However, more than even that, I get teeth grindingly frustrated when they mess up the characters.  Nothing does this more, in my opinion, than fan service.  How can we make our bad ass female warrior seem far less capable and intimidating?  Ass and boob shots.  It's nearly killed my love for the manga Fairy Tail, but it's not all as bad as that.  Sexual characters are fine.  Screwing up characters who aren't portrayed as sexual, however, is not.

So, let us examine this phenomenon, in several different anime, manga, and games.

Christmas Special: Christmas Nights

Apologies for being gone so long.  I had a problem with my internet which left me unable to post any new Final Fantasy videos.  However, that can wait.  For now, I want to talk Christmas.

The holiday season is especially important for me.  It, above all other times, makes me feel at peace...happy...and this is exemplified in the tradition I have every year.  You see, once a year, near Christmas, I play a video game called Christmas Nights into Dreams.  And so, I'd like to share this tradition with everyone.  Please, enjoy this discussion on Christmas Nights, my tradition, and the holiday season in general.

My thoughts on sexism, feminism, harassment, and gamer gate in the gaming community.

I try to stay out of politics, both regular and within the gaming community for a number of reasons.  It's remarkably divisive and can be very frustrating when people are calling for you to "take a side!"  That being said, I have found the gamer gate situation to be...quite disappointing for our culture.  It was a chance for us to act like mature adults and have a real discussion on ethics in video games, however it broke down into an excuse for harassment, bullying, and defense of sexism in gaming.  I've actually had this argument with someone I love deeply before and...it can get quite nasty, without meaning to.  Even the most moderate or kind hearted of us will sometimes get impassioned and let our love for the medium overwrite our sense of judgment.  It is a shame, but...it happens.

However, I've been reading articles and thinking hard on the entire situation...while I think that the vocal minority of gamers who will harass and threaten like petulant children are largely to blame for us losing the ability to have a good conversation on ethics, it has led to some interesting looks at sexism.  At what inclusivity means in gaming.  At whether it is right to point a finger at a gamer and shame or mock them for what they play.  At whether it is justified for that jilted gamer to feel like they need to defend their medium, even if valid points are being made.  So...I took some time to record some of my thoughts, unscripted.  This is video game growing pains thoughts on sexism, harassment, the gamer gate movement, and feminism within the gaming community.

I doubt it will make much of a stir, since I have no real power to sway people.  I'm just another name with another blog with another youtube page.  Still, for any who want to listen, I hope you will sit through it.  The core message here is, be good to one another.  Shaming those who play games and harassing or threatening feminists who ask for better?  Neither gives you the high ground.  Why don't we stop making something that's supposed to be fun into a battleground and start working together to make this medium even better?

Just my thoughts.