Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the number of RPGs I’ve played, both from western and Japanese developers. I’ve saved countless worlds and faced down a myriad of gods, and though my love for the genre has not changed, there is one aspect of these titles I’ve come to loathe: romance. Continue reading Seething Hatred – Videogame Romances
Tag: Characterisation
Musical Narrative – My Favourite Songs in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
In the past I’ve mentioned my adoration for the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem crossover RPG on the Nintendo Wii U, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. The music is phenomenal, the story is great and it’s an entertaining RPG with a truly enjoyable combat system. Continue reading Musical Narrative – My Favourite Songs in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Video Game Characterisation – Character Feelings vs Male Toxicity
As I wrote my Tomb Raider article for Wednesday and by playing through the latest God of War, I realised that video game character writing was changing and by god it must continue to do so, in particular to change or at least stop reinforcing the antiquated male values that permeate society. Continue reading Video Game Characterisation – Character Feelings vs Male Toxicity
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: The Quest for Lara’s Humanity
Yay, a new Tomb Raider is coming and we’ve seen trailers and footage and a month-long campaign of mini games on the official Shadow of the Tomb Raider site. NuLara is back for another adventure that will likely see the writers beat her up in increasingly creative ways as a means of “character growth.” If this sounds like I’m not excited for the game, you’re half right. But let’s talk about that, shall we? Continue reading Shadow of the Tomb Raider: The Quest for Lara’s Humanity
Television Train-wrecks – Marvel’s The Inhumans
Last week I binge-watched the first—and hopefully only—season of Marvel’s The Inhumans and having done so, I question the decision to keep this series part of the TV MCU but also separate from it, in the sense that it tells its own story without including any other characters from established series, even though it keeps consistent with the Inhuman portrayal on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, down to the look and colour of the Terrigen crystals. If there is one series that could’ve used a tie-in to launch its own series, this was definitely the one.
The reason for this is that while Inhumans are certainly an interesting subject in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and we’ve seen some really cool ones on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the ones living on the moon under the rule of Black Bolt just aren’t that compelling, least of all the ruling family, who are sadly the central characters of this trainwreck of a show.
Let’s go over these characters and their issues: Continue reading Television Train-wrecks – Marvel’s The Inhumans
Latest Gaming Obsession – Battle Chasers: Nightwar
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been playing Battle Chasers: Nightwar, a title based on Joe Madureira’s unfinished comic book and from his latest video game development company, Airship Syndicate.
I’d heard of the Battle Chasers comic in the past, just didn’t know about it being unfinished, still I jumped right into Nightwar hoping my lack of knowledge of the comic wouldn’t leave me confused with the characters and plot. Continue reading Latest Gaming Obsession – Battle Chasers: Nightwar
Dungeon Master Writer – How RPG Storytelling can improve your writing – Part 2: Adaptation & Characterisation
Weeks ago, I spoke of how much I enjoy storytelling and my love for being a dungeon master. I do really love creating and playing in fantasy worlds and taking players through perils and adventures.
But even though I consider myself a storyteller first, writer second, the art of storytelling, specifically being a Dungeon Master—or any kind of RPG narrator, again just using one of the most popular titles—has had a profound impact on my writing, as I’ve learned many things in taking people through the theatre of the mind.
I began this series last week with lessons on Knowing your Audience and Sensory information. Here’s part 2 for your enjoyment!
The Fool’s Journey – Persona 5 Characters – Part 3
In the Persona series, the protagonist’s relationships with party members and important NPCs appear in the form of Arcanas, represented as Tarot cards, with the protagonist often taking the Fool card, number 0 in the Tarot. This is the wild card, representing innocence, creativity and inexperience.
A way to understand the Tarot is the Fool’s Journey, which takes you from Zero to the last card, from the Fool to The World, in a narrative about that card’s journey to find itself and overcome its own weaknesses. In Persona 5, you even hear this explanation and how each confidant, each NPC holding an Arcana, contributes to the protagonist’s personal Journey.
So let’s talk about those characters and what I think about them. Note: Below you’ll find minor spoilers on character story arcs. You have been warned. Continue reading The Fool’s Journey – Persona 5 Characters – Part 3
The Fool’s Journey – Persona 5 Characters – Part 2
In the Persona series, the protagonist’s relationships with party members and important NPCs appear in the form of Arcanas, represented as Tarot cards, with the protagonist often taking the Fool card, number 0 in the Tarot. This is the wild card, representing innocence, creativity and inexperience.
A way to understand the Tarot is the Fool’s Journey, which takes you from Zero to the last card, from the Fool to The World, in a narrative about that card’s journey to find itself and overcome its own weaknesses. In Persona 5, you even hear this explanation and how each confidant, each NPC holding an Arcana, contributes to the protagonist’s personal Journey.
On Wednesday, I spoke of the first seven Persona 5 characters, let’s do another seven today! Note: Below you’ll find minor spoilers on character story arcs. You have been warned. Continue reading The Fool’s Journey – Persona 5 Characters – Part 2
The Fool’s Journey – Persona 5 Characters – Part 1
I’ve been playing Persona 5 for weeks now, and I’m finally getting close to the end, as I’m just a few rooms away from the final boss and the true ending. I’m even considering streaming the last battle, if only to spite the abusive bastards at Atlus, who have the gall of trying to set limits on the game’s broadcasting and recording and even block out PlayStation 4 features.
But that’s not what I want to talk about today.
In the Persona series, the protagonist’s relationships with party members and important NPCs appear in the form of Arcanas, represented as Tarot cards, with the protagonist often taking the Fool card, number 0 in the Tarot. This is the wild card, representing innocence, creativity and also inexperience.
A way to understand the Tarot is the Fool’s Journey, which takes you from Zero to the last card, from the Fool to The World, in a narrative about that card’s journey to find itself and overcome its own weaknesses. In Persona 5, you even hear this explanation and how each confidant, each NPC holding an Arcana, contributes to the protagonist’s personal Journey.
So let’s talk about those characters and what I think about them. Note: Below you’ll find spoilers on character story arcs. You have been warned. Continue reading The Fool’s Journey – Persona 5 Characters – Part 1