Brian Riggsbee
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Revisiting Super Mario 64 After 24 Years

9/23/2020

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In the Summer of 1996 I was 15 years old. One afternoon I wandered into the local Blockbuster (RIP) to browse the used video games they had for sale. That's where I first crossed paths with Super Mario 64 (and the Nintendo 64 for that matter), which was prominently displayed on the large demo machine near the entrance. At this point I had already developed a bias against 3D video games, not because of some perceived, inherent inferiority to two dimensions, but because in their pioneering state they were so aesthetically unappealing. I saw them as a new phase in gaming that simply wasn't ready for consumption. So when I approached the demo and lifted the Nintendo 64 controller I did so somewhat begrudgingly. It took about 5 minutes before I was hooked. Once it arrived at my home I devoted a weekend to acquiring all 120 stars, my eyeballs glued to the screen.

24 years later I revisited SM64 on the Nintendo Switch. Quite quickly the mechanics and acrobatic maneuvers came back to me. And while the blurry textures and blocky world looked even blurrier and blockier than memory, the dated piece that made me cringe and grumble the most was the camera. Back when 3D games started, solving for the camera was always a hot topic, and was so for years. In so many of these early 3D games the camera would collide with walls, zoom in and out unexpectedly, and unhinge left and right as the player traversed through the world. It was a time when providing two camera styles plus the ability to zoom in and out was considered groundbreaking. It made me wonder: If it wasn't for my nostalgic ties to SM64 would I have tossed this relic aside?

While the camera is clearly the worst aspect of SM64, it's the combination of the camera and the looseness of Mario's movements that cause the most pain. This is a platformer, albeit a more open world version of one, and with platforms comes pits. What this translates to is countless perilous moments where I am on the brink of reaching my goal just to end up slipping off a narrow, jagged polygon. I suspect I died just as much 24 years ago as I did with this recent play-through, but the difference is that way back then I interpreted these moments solely as challenging, whereas today I see them as both challenging and frustrating.

Camera and slippery Mario aside, this game is still extremely playable. It's such a delight to control the ninja flipping Mario and to collect stars within the expertly crafted levels. The designers smartly placed a variety of challenges in each course, and while they hint to what star to search for next, they left it up to the player to discover them in the order that they please. And each environment has its own special flare and theme, so moving between courses always feels fresh.  

Next up I have Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy. I'm told that the former has similarly frustrating camera and control problems, and since I have never played either of these games this will be an interesting test to see if I have the patience to play SMS all the way through. Here we go.

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Metroid: Rogue Dawn

9/22/2020

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Metroid: Rogue Dawn is the unofficial, fan-produced prequel to the original Metroid. Unlike most ROM hacks (ugh, there's so many bad Castlevania ones...) this is a high quality experience that takes the foundation it is built upon and expands on it greatly.

Before I get into the details that make this such an excellent game and expansion on the Metroid world, first let’s look at the physical release that I opted for. Purchased from RetroGamesRemastered, an operation that produces physical releases of ROM-hacks and retro gaming rarities, the Metroid: Rogue Dawn print has everything you need to feel like you are back in the 1980s opening a fresh, crisp Nintendo game. Here’s what’s included:
  • Box
  • Manual
  • Map
  • Game
  • Dust cover
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It’s even shrink wrapped so you can feel like it just came off the shelf at your local Toys"R"Us (RIP). The map provides you with the opportunity to take notes for places to revisit, or if you are like me and can’t stomach the thought of defiling the glossy fold out, it’s something you can scan and print copies of before you scribble on to your heart’s desire. The manual is short and sweet, with details on the story, items, and some helpful tips.

As for the game, the attention to details shines:
  • Aran’s helmet comes on and off depending on the environment she is in. Such a simple act of having two looks for Aran does more than add some eye candy. It deepens the sense that you are exploring dangerous, unknown spaces, and all areas are not created equally.
  • Unlike the original, you always start with 99 health (in the original it was only 30). Plus, there are health and ammo refill stations. Having to start each life by farming for health was always a stand out negative in the original Metroid.
  • The twists and turns of the craggy caverns creates a claustrophobic feeling and sense of despair. It truly feels like an alien world.
  • The NES classic, as with many NES games, has some limitations, flaws, and minor bugs that continue to exist in Rogue Dawn and only add to the charm of the experience. For example, there’s noticeable slow down when too many moving objects are on screen, exploding enemies wrap on the edges of the screen, crawling foes will get suck spinning in place if you open a door as they climb over it, and Aran “skates” like Gumby when you turbo fire while running.
  • The story is expanded by text displayed on the backgrounds of some screens, usually representing the speech of a static character on the screen. It’s a simple and cheap solution to add lore and deepen the narrative.
  • The inclusion of a radar and map is a much needed feature for such a maze like world
  • It parallels the original in terms of overall framework, without ever feeling too similar. In other words, you must seek out item upgrades and two remote bosses before proceeding to a final metroid dense area. Even the bosses have similar patterns since much was leveraged here. Yet never does it feel like a copy in any way. It just feels familiar.
  • There's a second quest!

Sadly, the days of Nintendo Power are behind us, where we would seek out hints and tips for NES games. Sure, there's this thing called the internet now, but for a niche ROM-hack like this I didn't see a ton of helpful information published out there. So, without spoiling anything, here are some strategies I found to be quite useful:
  • Instead of exiting an area by backtracking, simply save and then resume. This will place you at the starting position of your current area, and you’ll still retain your health and missiles.
  • Take notes on a printed or hand drawn map. Even with the in-game radar you’ll find yourself getting lost in the intricate labyrinths. And since this is a metriodvania you’ll thank yourself for noting spots to revisit.
  • Recharge stations are plentiful so take advantage of those missiles and use them on the enemies with high hit-points
  • The game becomes much easier when you acquire the Varia Suit as it greatly reduces damage taken. I won’t spoil where it is. Seek it out as early as possible.
  • Bomb everything and look for small spaces to roll through. There are a ton of secret areas not depicted on the radar.

This is a must play for any NES fan. For those that grew up with the NES it will instantly transport you back to your childhood, regardless of if you have a physical copy or not. Next on my list is Another Metroid 2 Remake.
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The Eerie Similarities Between Darkwood and Shelter-In-Place

9/15/2020

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Darkwood is a top-down perspective, horror video game where the protagonist is stuck in a creepy forest of which there is seemingly no way out. He must explore and scavenge for goods while battling horrific creatures. Shelters provide some protection from the demons of the night, and mysterious characters offer clues to his escape.

Whereas shelter-in-place is something we are all too familiar with in this COVID world we are forced to exist in.

I found some striking similarities between this game and our current landscape:
  1. If I venture too far from my shelter I start to feel uneasy
  2. When I come across a stranger I approach with extreme caution
  3. I’m becoming better at crafting random things than I ever anticipated
  4. I spend far too much time sorting my inventory and tossing out junk items
  5. Danger lurks outside and is constantly trying to kill me
  6. A shiny stone in the road is probably the most interesting thing I’ll see today
  7. I fatigue easily
  8. Everyone just seems sad
  9. The air is toxic and there aren’t enough masks to go around
  10. Just when you think you are almost out of the woods you realize you are still lost

I’m only on chapter 2 so I suspect more parallels will unveil themselves later. Stay safe out there everyone.
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Moon: Remix RPG Adventure

9/6/2020

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This is Moon:

Delightfully weird
Occasionally confusing
Surprisingly rewarding
Frequently soothing
Annoyingly cryptic
Pleasantly distracting
Satisfyingly nostalgic
Periodically tedious
Auditorily stimulating
Refreshingly funny
Unusually unfair
Importantly innovative
Endlessly mysterious
Utterly heartwarming

7/10
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27 Game Boy Haikus

8/28/2020

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Recently I picked up a handful of Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, as I was in need of games I could quickly pick up and put down while juggling a newborn. While I had an original Game Boy as a child I had only a couple of games, making this unexplored territory for me. After playing each I commemorated my experience with a haiku. Some snarky, some celebratory, and others simply about the mood and impression the game imprinted on me.
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Tetris
Gravity fulfilled
Ephemeral compartments
Raining infinite


Centipede
Swirling insects bend
Rainbow mushrooms blooming bright
Illuminations


Metal Gear Solid
Cinematic charm
Infiltrate the base with stealth
My rank: terrible


The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Duality blend
Masterful dungeon design
Ultimate puzzle


The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
Flowers blooming bright
Heat brings vines to fallen leaves
Frozen lakes shimmer


​Mario Golf
Crisp fairway stretches
Soothing peace of open space
Pierce the air soaring


Jurassic Park
Welcome to the park
Where dinosaurs drop ammo
Clever bazooka 


Star Wars
Float high in the air
Jawas explode by your hand
Han is not with you


Resident Evil: Gaiden
Horror repeating 
This series is boat obsessed
Save file lost at sea


Resident Evil
Boldly ambitious 
Dining without a table
Failed experiment 


Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Old names and faces
Takes me back to a fond time
Skateboards roll through dreams


Donkey Kong 
How does it translate?
Broken copy of this game
Never to be played


Wizards & Warriors X: Fortress of Fear
The warrior returns
The cruelty of bad music
​And no continues


Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan
All turtles the same
Zero unique qualities
Pizza lacking taste
Castlevania: The Adventure
Trudging through the mud
Impossible pitfall shame
Hunter is hunted


Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge 
Reborn in sequel
Demo wholly rectified
Revenge is attained 


Castlevania Legends
Respawns irritate
Ariel motion unnerves
Charmed by Alucard


Mickey’s Ultimate Challenge
String of baby games
Not what I was expecting
That’s on me I guess


Pac-Man
Reminds of pizza days
Binoculars isolate
A limited view


Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
A journey ends short
Item select glitch blocks path
Am I missing much?


Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
Rub against the walls
Far from Resident Evil
Limitations felt


The Final Fantasy Legend
Built on sand and mud
Blind we walk through the dense fog
Forget this square world 


Final Fantasy Legend II
Better than before
Overwhelmed by endless rules
Our destiny lost


Final Fantasy Legend III
Flood of evil spreads
Future warriors embark
Rebuild history


Super Battletanks
Desert empty field
Nothingness meets fake 3D
Spinning endlessly

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Milan’s Secret Castle
Like the N-E-S
Plus lag and a smaller screen
Never liked this one


Yoshi’s Cookie 
Sweet, sweet alignment
A factory of friendship 
Baking harmony​
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King Luka

8/26/2020

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Baby Luka joined the world on July 16th, 2020. Leading up to his birth we prepared. We read books and articles (especially my wife), we learned from our friends, and we got the house ready. Everyone tells you that no matter how much you prepare you have to learn on the job, especially because every baby is unique. This is absolutely the truth.

Six weeks into our journey I am reflecting. This is my way to both remember this moment in time and guide others so that they can be just a little more (mentally) prepared.

I won’t tell you about particular techniques like the 5 Ss or other principles and tactics. There’s plenty of well-documented materials on these subjects already out there. And while I will argue that no amount of books will fully prepare you I do encourage you to read up so that you have a base level understanding. I personally found the courses and books to be informative.


The stuff they say you need and the stuff you later discover

There’s so much stuff that people say you need and we did extensive research prior to our birth date so that we could have the house armed and ready for the little terrorist. We were lucky to receive a ton of hand-me-downs and gifts, and our friends and family helped us understand how all the various tools work.

First, here are all of the items we had ready before the baby arrived:
  • Clothes. So many clothes. Too many clothes. Don’t bother buying clothes yourself as this is the number one thing people will hand down to you. Because we don’t like clutter we ended up splitting up the piles of clothing into ages groups, and then boxed and labeled them for a later date.
  • Nursery. Yes, get that set up before the baby arrives. In fact, do everything you possibly can before the baby arrives that is within your budget and power. Your future self will thank you, as there will be plenty of surprises down the road. For our nursery we have a crib, dresser, changing table, disposable pads for the changing table, diapers, diaper pail, diaper pail bags, book shelf, books, mobile, white noise machine, swaddles, blankets, burp cloths, futon, medical supplies (rash cream, gripe water, etc.), nail clipper, toys, water wipes, decorated wall with decals, monitor, hamper, pacifiers, and sheets.
  • Boba Wrap. It protects your baby like the Cloak of Levitation.
  • Boppy Newborn Lounger. Newborns love to be curled up a little, and aren’t stoked when laying flat on their back. This thing is our go-to device for plopping the baby down while we frantically run around the house.
  • Pump machine, nursing pillow, nursing bras, pads, etc.
  • Bath time stuff. You’ll need something to put them in, soap or shampoo that is baby safe, some sponges, and a baby towel.
  • Baby safe laundry detergent
  • Stroller and car seat combo plus a diaper bag

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When it comes to free stuff, besides hand-me-downs we also received a ton of goodies from the hospital. Make sure to bring an extra bag with you, kind of like what Michael Scott did on The Office when he went to on his business trip and brought an extra suit case just for souvenirs. Here’s some of the great stuff they hooked us up with, much of which you will want to get if you aren’t as lucky:
  • A plastic wash bin you can keep in your sink. This is great when you want to drop spent bottles and nipple shields into soapy water to soak, and then wash later in batches.
  • Blankets, diapers, bottles, nipple shields, pumping materials, shampoo, and ointments.

So we looked prepared, right? Well, there’s more stuff we later discovered we needed (or at least very much wanted). Here’s the list:
  • Power strips. Lots of power strips. There’s so much stuff that needs to be plugged in. When you are tired and frustrated, having to constantly bend over behind a large piece of furniture to swap plugs is torturous.
  • Fans and/or AC. We live in San Francisco where practically no one has AC. It just so happens that we brought our son home in the summer, during a heat wave, while the air was filled with toxic smoke from wild fires. This meant we had to keep our windows locked up tight while we roasted inside, positioning our pitiful fans in optimized positions for Mr. Baby. His bassinet was a protected cocoon while we baked in bed. We’ve since invested in a portable AC that is good enough to cool one room.
  • The SNOO. The SNOO is a massive leap forward in bassinet technology. Whereas a bassinet just lazily sits there not helping the exhausted parents, the SNOO sways, vibrates, produces heart beats, spews white noise, and increases intensity automatically when the baby starts to fuss. Now, it isn’t perfect, otherwise a lot of my complaints above wouldn’t exist. No product is. But I can say this is a huge game changer for us and has clearly saved us from experiencing worse sleep a number of times. The biggest drawback is the steep purchase price, and thankfully there is an option to rent, which is what we did.
  • An electric nail clipper. We had a standard clipper and were too scared to use it on our fragile little blob. With our electric clipper, which essentially is like a Dremel for babies, we trim his nails while he is feeding, as the white nectar acts as a distraction.
  • A drying rack just for the baby’s things. I had convinced myself that our standard drying rack would suffice. I was wrong. We ended up with two of the Boon Drying Racks in addition to our adult sized rack.
  • A second set of breast pumps. TMI time: when one breast is in use the other will leak. Get two of these so you always have a clean one ready. We use the Haakaa Manual Breast pump. Just be prepared for a fussy baby to Hulk smash it all over the place.
  • White noise machines all seem to have a huge flaw: they loop the same sound every 4 seconds. And the loops are painfully obvious so your brain can never relax. I scoured review after review on dozens of products and this was a common complaint across all of them. So I ended up making a playlist on Spotify that has true ambient, white noise tracks which I play from my phone. Once the baby isn’t in our room this won’t be an issue, as he doesn’t seem to notice the poor audio construction.
  • Window shade to shield the baby while in the car seat
  • Tap night lights. We bought a couple of these to keep on our nightstands. These are key because they emit a low level of light, which keeps both the baby sleepy for the dream feed and your partner happy when they aren't on their shift. 
  • A thermometer. The ideal temperature for a baby's room is between 68 and 72 degrees.

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The falsehood of sleeping when the baby sleeps

You’re going to receive a lot of advice that won’t always pan out. Take it all in and recognize that not everything will work in your favor. And likewise keep in mind that something that works one day won’t necessarily work the next. You’ll experiment in search of the holy grail just to discover that there is no perfect recipe. This isn’t a mystery to be solved. This is a marathon. This is about endurance.

People will tell you to sleep when the baby sleeps. That this is your chance to make up for all those interrupted moments late at night. What they won’t tell you is that it’s not as simple as “baby sleeps, so I sleep”. In reality, babies grunt a lot when they sleep, so at night when you sleep near them, your quality of sleep will decrease. Plus, if you’re like me, that sound machine that soothes him will have the reverse effect on you.

When it comes to you trying to nap during the day, even with two parents working full time to serve the tyrant king, you can’t expect to always be on break when he goes down because while you were spending all that time cleaning, feeding, changing, soothing, and agonizing over the baby, a multitude of chores have amassed. So you scramble. You clean all of the bottles, empty the diaper pail, toss in a load of the baby’s soiled laundry, scrub that spit up from the couch, and reset the pumping station. And that’s just the baby’s stuff. There’s plenty to still do for the house. Perhaps the house is in disarray and you accept this as a temporary state of turmoil. Even still, you need to empty the dish washer, get groceries, satisfy the grand parents with photos texted their way, feed yourself, use the bathroom, and, if you are lucky, try to squeeze in some exercise. All this is to say is that his down time does not 100% equate to your down time, so mentally prepare for this. And if you are like me and my wife, telling your brain to shut off for a nap, despite how utterly tired you may be, holds no guarantees.

There’s another factor: the baby doesn’t always sleep on its own, particularly in these early months. The first 3 months of life are what are known as the 4th trimester where the baby is most at peace when you emulate womb like conditions. When it comes to sleep during the day, this may mean that he just wants to be held. Since it’s unsafe to sleep while the baby is attached to you this means you might as well use the time to get those previously mentioned chores done. Thankfully there is a cheap and effective device to make this a hands-free operation, and that’s the Boba Wrap. For us it works like magic, as it essentially mimics the womb which makes the baby king very pleased. Very pleased indeed.


Feeding Frustrations

I’ll keep this brief, as there’s just too much to say here and the journey isn’t over yet. Long story short, our baby is an inefficient eater. He takes far too long to get full, is a fussy eater, and the advice we received from various professionals would fall flat time and time again. We ended up having a tong-tie procedure performed that may or may not have helped a little.

We received lactation consultation over the phone, email, and Zoom, due to COVID-19, and needless to say this is a service that can only go so far via virtual means. After hitting many dead ends we finally were able to find an in person LC, though we remain to see if their advice will reap any benefits.

The good news is that our baby is growing. We just have to feed him longer and more frequently than one should, which is frustrating for both the parents and the baby.


In closing…

I’m sure I have more to say. I just can’t remember or think clearly any more. My brain is mush. Even now I write this as quickly as possible as the time-bomb ticks in his stroller that we were too scared to take him out of prematurely.

Despite the complaints it is worth it. You will be frustrated and exhausted, and then out of nowhere he will surprise you with a smile that will melt away all of your anxiety.

My top advice is to be patient. Be patient to your partner, to your baby, and to yourself. A wise man once said “Take care of yourself, and each other”.

Good luck out there.

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Rapid Reviews Part VIII

8/23/2020

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More quick reviews.

  • The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (Game Boy Color) - Easily one of the best Zelda titles and arguably the best dungeon design of any Zelda game.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (Game Boy) - Playing this back to back with Ages was so much fun. Compared to Ages, Seasons is a bit more action oriented whereas Ages leans more heavily on puzzles.
  • Firewatch (PS4) - A simplistically delivered heartfelt story.
  • Carrion (Switch) - Repetitive, confusing, boring, and unnecessarily convoluted. One of the worst Metroidvanias ever produced. And to brand this as “horror” is just silly.
  • Panzer Paladin (Switch) - It’s got the retro look, fun weapons, and the cool anime inspired cut scenes. Gameplay and level design is where it falls short.
  • Curse of the Moon 2 (Switch) - The sequel that satisfied the itch left by the original. And yet still I crave more.
  • Mario Land 2 (Game Boy) - It’s intuitive, the power-ups are simple yet fun, you have freedom to chose what order to tackle levels, there’s secret stages, the check points curb any frustration, the water levels don’t suck, and Wario is awesome.
  • Castlevania Adventure (Game Boy) - You move like you are walking through mid, there’s no sub weapons, the hit collision on Belmont is unfairly large, you lose whip upgrades with damage, the gap jumps are ridiculously difficult, and the level design feels disconnected from the reality of the environments they are meant to exist in.
  • Brothers (PS4) - The mechanics are unique and at first a bit of a brain teaser to get accustomed to as it requires you to multitask in the truest sense of the word. It’s how I imagine drummers feel when they first learn how to play.
  • Resident Evil: Gaiden (Game Boy) - Unlike the failed, overly ambitious Game Boy version of the original Resident Evil (an unfinished demo), Gaiden smartly employs a battle mechanic that fits into the simplicity of the hardware. Where it suffers is in the dialogue that seems to have been outsourced to an elementary school student.
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A Few Lovely PS4 Screenshots

7/12/2020

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I usually don't think to capture a screenshot when deeply immersed in a game. From time to time, however, something strikes me enough and I hit that capture button. Here's just a few of my favorites.
  1. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
  2. Final Fantasy VII Remake
  3. Owlboy
  4. Resident Evil 3 Remake
  5. Shadow of the Colossus
  6. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
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The Last of Us 2: A Masterpiece

7/6/2020

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Warning: spoilers

The Last of Us 2 is an incredible narrative masterpiece. It’s difficult to put into words the range of emotions that this experience whipped me through, and how it left me feeling scene after scene. I gasped, jumped, smiled, and cried. I found myself hating then empathizing with characters, and likewise, completely siding with others to later question their motives. By the time I came out the other end, the deeply complex character motivation was grounded to my core, and I took on the burden of their affliction. I felt battered and scarred, identifying with characters for the deep pain of their experiences. It’s easily one of the absolute best narrative experiences I have come across.

The writing was extremely clever. They inserted parallels in a way that only enhanced the story, never cheapened. They artfully employed “show, don’t tell” in a way that unveiled information in the most engaging rhythm. And while I was a little hesitant at first to be playing as Abby in the second half, I came to realize this wasn’t just to tell the other side of the story, but to have you feel how complex the situation and people are in this series of painful events. It allowed me to go from initially hating Abby to just feeling hollow and sad for everyone.

As for the gameplay, I found the enhancements and additions to the original title to be sufficient. Yes, it was similar. That’s ok. The prone position added a new dynamic to stealth that I enjoyed, some new weapons kept combat feeling fresh, and hand to hand fighting (and dodging) felt gritty and real.

The environments were truly magnificent. The Naughty Dog artists and designers continue to blow my mind. The joy of gazing on the environments, by itself, is enough reason for a second play through.

And then there is the polish. I always felt immersed into this world. Sure, you can tell it’s linear and “level based” when you run up against the edges of the environments, but there isn’t not much to be done about that.

In the days that followed my completion of this experience I continue to ponder the story. A true sign of a great work of art is when you have a lasting impression. It’s that feeling of when you walk out of the movie theatre and you spend hours rehashing what you just witnessed, and consider the deeper messages. When it comes to The Last of Us 2, there’s a ton of narrative elements one could parse out and overanalyze until the (real) world ends. Here are a few stand outs that really struck me:
  • After losing her father, Abby constructs a suit of armor made of muscle. It represents the emotional shell that sprouted the day Joel took her father from her, and hardens over the years. Hiding within, Abby does not allow herself to ever fully open herself to a future with Owen, as her drive for vengeance overshadows her ability to settle into a life that could be. She wanders through existence like a ghost that can’t quite touch the love and potential before her. Once she successfully executes Joel her hardened exterior remains, and her chance of a life with Owen feels as if it is now out of reach. It is only when Abby rescues and becomes attached to the Scar children that she is able to realize where her purpose lies. In the end of our story, Abby sheds much of that armor and strength (both figuratively and literally), and focuses on a future (leaving with Lev to find the Fireflies), not the past (continuing the cycle of pain with Ellie). It’s a rebirth, of sorts, as Abby enters a new phase in her life.
  • You start the game as Joel. You then play the guitar and hand it to Ellie. This is the point where the torch is passed from one character to the other. What’s brutal is that in the end Ellie can’t even play the guitar properly because of the fingers she loses in her pursuit of senseless revenge. Ellie has just lost that much more of Joel.
  • Much of the story is about a cascade of tragedies, and a vicious cycle of loss at the hands of those seeking revenge. Even Joel’s brother Tommy loses his relationship with his wife due to his obsession with revenge. Abby attempts to break the cycle when taking mercy on Ellie at the theatre, and Ellie and Abby ultimately break the cycle at the beach. It leaves me wondering that, if Ellie had killed Abby on the shore of Santa Barbara, then would Lev later hunt down Ellie and kill her? Would JJ grow up to hunt down Lev? How deep could the cycle spiral downward?

​10/10

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Rapid Reviews: Part VII

7/6/2020

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Do you enjoy video game reviews but hate to read? I have you covered with these quick snippets. Enjoy.

  • Rygar (arcade) - While (barely) graphically superior to the NES version, the arcade version is inferior in all other ways. Those that enjoyed the NES iteration will recall its Metroidvania like arrangement, multiple points of view, and RPG elements. As one would expect, the arcade experience is much more straight forward than that, as the act of playing a game in an arcade didn't allow for the time and space to support a design with more open exploration. And to compare is unfair. Slugging beasts with the diskarmor in this version brings some joy, but it's the repetitive level design that holds it back.
  • Haunted Castle (arcade) - Long story short, this is the arcade version of Castlevania, complete with familiar tropes such as the whipping vampire hunter, horror movie monsters, and Bloody Tears (the song).  Each level is a unique experience, and each ends with a boss to battle with. Check it out if you want to dig deeper into the history of Castlevania.
  • Bastion (Switch) - Dull and flavorless.
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4) - It's so much more than a remake. There's so much new content here ranging from the completely reinvented battle system to the story elements. It's a must play.
  • Ape Out (Switch) - Simple mechanics and a visual style done right. It's so much fun.

Want more? Check out the previous sets of rapid reviews:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
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    Brian Riggsbee lives in San Francisco CA. He enjoys gaming, writing, creating art, practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, chasing adorable dogs, and spending time with his wife and boy.

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