The Hanged Man: A Saga Ends

Today we close the book on Strange Men Month by looking at The Hanged Man, the final chapter of the "something-Man" series.

The Boogie Man: Earn that Happy Ending

Today we take a look at the third part of Uri's series, The Boogie Man.

The Sandman: The 'Verse Expands

Today we look at The Sandman, the second part of the Strange Men series. But what is it about? That's what we're discussiing today!

The Crooked Man- A Franchise is Born

We start off Strange Men Month with the first game in the saga. 

7 Ancient Animals that Would Make Great Pokemon

You've read the title, so you know what this is. I'll introduce the animal first and then explain just what type of Pokemon it could be. Most, but not ALL of these entries, could be Fossil Pokemon. Let's begin!

Gaming in China: My Personal Experience

When moving to China, one of my biggest worries was not being able to game. However, within a month of staying here, I am pleased to announce those fears were very, very much unfounded. China has a robust gaming culture, and I have had the privilege to experience it just a tiny bit.

The Fall of Capcom

Capcom is one of those gaming companies we barely tolerate, much less respect. After the infuriating debacle that was Darkstalkers Resurrection, whatever respect I personally had for Capcom has flown out the window. With its continous abandonment of non-Street Fighter and Resident Evil franchises, Capcom has become nothing more than a shell of that gaming giant that was once known for being top quality gaming. This is the story of that special age.

Can any Pokemon Generation be considered the best?

Ask an old-school Pokemon fan which Genration was the best, and they'll say "the first." And of course they have every reason to think so, as the First Generation was the most culturally visible and relevant of ALL Pokemon generations, to the point they're the only Pokemon commonly known. But if we were to take a step back from the Nostalgia and the personal bias, could we honestly answer the question of which Generation was objectively the BEST?

My Love-Hate Relationship with MapleStory

There's no MMO I've quit and returned to more than MapleStory. Ah yes, that free-to-play game from South Korea has had its ups and downs, but in all honesty it's a game that's easy to love, easy to play, and easy to quit. I should know; I've quit that game twice a year for the last 7 years!

Battleborn vs SMITE

League of Legends. Overwatch. These two games are not popular, they are gaming culture JUGGERNAUTS. Millions of cosplays, fanarts, fanfics made of both games, it is almost guaranteed that neither game is going to die anytime soon. On the other side of the spectrum, you have the laughing stock that is Battleborn, a game that MAYBE could have been great but got quickly HUMILIATED by Overwatch, to the point that its peak number of players is barely a tenth the average number of Overwatch players. And between those two extremes is SMITE, a mildly successful but otherwise irrelevant MOBA. What's the difference?

Had it Happened: Nintendo Play Station (part 2)

This is a continuitaion of an alternate timeline first proposed here: http://vidgameanalysis.blogspot.jp/2017/04/had-it-happened-nintendo-play-station.html

My Top 11 Pokemon Gym Leaders

You've read the title, so you know what you're reading. These are my favorite Gym Leaders in the entire Pokemon Franchise. But since Sun and Moon doesn't include traditional Gyms, I have counted the Trial Captains and Kahunas as Gym Leaders. Let's get started...

Fallout 4's Biggest Flaws

I've made it no secret that I friggin' LOVE Fallout 4. It's not the BEST game ever, and according to a friend of mine, it isn't the best Fallout either. In fact, when I told him F4 was my first Fallout, he said "that's why you like it." So that got me thinking about Fallout 4's many faults; the more I thought about it, the more flaws and faults I found in the game. So I compiled a list of what I thought were the WORST flaws in Fallout 4.

Regarding the N-word

He said it, that Swede said one of the worst words in the English language. The N-word, a word with a harsh and cruel history of violence towards Africans and people of African descent, all because of their skin color. It is a word that does not belong in the vocabulary of good, decent folk. I am of course referring to a recent event where PewDiePie, the most subscribed and most watched Youtuber in the world, had uttered the word during a livestream. His usage of that word has rightly invited criticism against him, and what I hope to be a mature discussion of said word.

Remembering Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

Though the Tony Hawk franchise is pretty much dead these days thanks in no small part to the dismal trainwreck that was Tony Hawk Pro Skater 5, it does one well to return to a simpler time when the Tony Hawk franchise was THE hot selling commodity of the 90's. And to me, no game perfectly encapsulates the fading spirit of the 90's better than Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, one of the best games I ever played.

Is Sonic Making a Comeback?

A year ago I was of the opinion that Sonic the Hedgehog was on its way to becoming irrelevant. All the evidence pointed to that conclusion: lagging game sales, a fandom of ill repute, unpopular changes to the cast, and a cartoon based on these unpopular changes. But now, in 2017, I find myself eating humble pie. The Sonic Boom cartoon has proven itself to be surprisingly smart and funny, with Knuckle's speech on feminism becoming deservedly viral. The game Sonic Mania is receiving rave reviews, most notably from famed Youtuber VideoGameDunkey, who gave the game a perfect score, a rarity for him, Does this mean Sonic is making a comeback?

It's too early to say "yes," and Pokemon Go's fall to irrelevancy has made me more cautious about betting on the future (I had foolishly believed Pokemon Go was going to bring back Pokemania). Sonic's heyday is long gone; the Golden Age is over. But perhaps a Silver Age can begin? I like to think that, if Sonic media can keep up and IMPROVE on the momentum made by the Sonic Boom cartoon and Sonic Mania game, we will be seeing Sonic not just be relevant again, but BIG.

What Sonic needs is the following:

1. 2D platforming games in the style of the Sega Genesis, but with HD sprites and all new levels.
2. More cartoons like Sonic Boom, which combine humor with action.
3. A second cartoon like the old Sonic Sat-Am cartoon, treating the Sonic mythos seriously.
4. A movie that's actually GOOD.

Will Sonic become relevant again? It's my hope that he will. The year 2016 was supposed to be the 25th anniversary of Sonic; so far, the "5" anniversaries have been disappointments for Sonic fans, while the "10" anniversaries have given fans great and memorable games. Here's hoping the year 2021 will see Sonic back to SOME level of his old fame. I want Sonic's 30th anniversary to be celebrated, not ignored!

An Analysis of GamerGate

This is my FINAL piece on GamerGate. It is also a continuation of my previous piece, "Gaming Going Right?"

I had originally intended this to be a dispassionate, objective view on GamerGate, its history, and its influence. But as I put pen to paper, I couldn't help but notice a far more important topic creep up: how GamerGate served as a microcosm of the rise of the alt-right in real world politics. And let me not mince words: had people paid attention to GamerGate, they could have prevented Trump, Brexit, Marine Le Pen, and other calamities.

Four Year Anniversary

It's been four years since I've started writing this blog. Normally, I like looking back on how much things have changed. That's easy to do when the changes are good (better writing, better content) but what happens when the changes are bad? What happens when you face yourself with a situation that makes you question whether you're on the right path or not? That's the situation I find myself in today.

Gaming Going Right Wing?

It's hard to believe that 12 years ago, Liberalism had found a comfortable home in the gaming community in no small part due to Conservative movements seeking to censor games. Gaming web comics made fun of old men in suits having panic attacks at seeing gun violence and nudity in gaming. So, how is it that Conservatism is now finding a new home in gaming, while Liberalism is seemingly being rejected by gamers? How did neo-fascists like Richard Spencer find support among gamers? The answer is very difficult to hear, and harder to believe.

Top 11 Flaws in Final Fantasy 7

The remake of Final Fantasy 7 is coming up soon, and I'm still excited for it. The original game remains one of the greatest I have ever played, and one of a small handful of games that I have replayed more than ten times. In fact, I think it no exaggeration to say I have replayed the game hundreds of times! That said, I do not believe the game to be perfect; in fact, FF7 has quite a few flaws. I have amassed a list of 11 of the game's biggest flaws, which I will share with you today.

An Announcement

I'm sure you've all noticed that this year so far, updates have been few and far between. This is mostly due to two reasons: I'm working now, and I'm a bit burnt out. Simply put, it isn't easy to come up with new topics to discuss and then spend who knows how much time actually writing it all down, all after a hard day's work. Sometimes I just want to sit my butt down and game, and I personally don't think I should apologize for that.

However, that does not mean that there won't be any new content; far from it. I have already planned something for both August AND December. This August I'll be writing an entry celebrating 4 years of blogging about video games (scheduled August 2) and at around August 28 I'll be writing my FINAL piece on GamerGate, where we'll take a look back at the good AND the bad that came from said movement. I'm planning to be dispassionate and objective in that article.

On December you can look forward to The Strange Men Month, where every Saturday we'll be looking at Uri's four games in  the "something Man" series. Like every December, we'll be looking at four different games and analyzing what specific message they each have to say. The tentative schedule is:

December 2: The Crooked Man (revisited)

December 9: The Sand Man

December 16: The Boogie Man

December 23: The Hanged Man

Between the Lines- The Kalekka Incident of Suikoden 1

"The ends justify the means." Ever heard that phrase used before? It's the notion that WHAT you do doesn't matter, only that it gets results. It's a call to clear your conscience of the blood on your hands if you've brought peace. But another haunting quote is "nothing ever ends." What good is a peace attained by blood if that peace doesn't last? Is it really worth killing innocents if it'll bring 10 years of peace? What if it doesn't even get you that ten years? This is one of those conundrums presented (albeit subtly) by the game Suikoden 1. 

My Top 5 Favorite (And Disappointing) Builds in Skyrim

It's not easy to be a gamer in China; most MMO's need proof of citizenship, and I am sorely lacking in that department. For that reason, I've mostly stuck with playing Skyrim on my laptop. I've invested quite a few hours into the game, and I've compiled a list of the 5 Character Builds that have left me wanting to play for hours on end. Likewise, I've also compiled a list of 3 Builds that have made me quit the character due to sheer boredom. Let's begin with the favorites.

The 5 Best Changes in League of Legends (Since I Started Playing)

On October this year, I'll be marking the sixth year anniversary of my first time playing League of Legends. It's been one hell of a journey for me, full of life changing experiences both good (learning to pick myself up from failure) and bad (dealing with toxic players). I have witnessed the game change throughout the years, and so I have compiled a list of the five best changes the game has had since 2011.

Had it Happened: Nintendo Play Station

In our world, Nintendo's deal with Sony to make a CD based add-on for the SNES fell through, allowing Sony to make their own gaming console and changing the video game console market forever with the Playstation line. But, what if that hadn't happened; what if Sony and Nintendo's deal succeeded? Today, another hypothetical timeline: a world where the Nintendo Play Station happens.

Kingdom Hearts Rebooted- My Way

Hey, I'm back! I'll be writing sporadically from now on, so expect way fewer entries in 2017! Anyway, you've read the title, so you know what this is: how I'd make a Kingdom Hearts reboot. Or to make it clearer, what I would include in a Kingdom Hearts game were I to make one.

A hiatus

I have always said that real life takes priority. As much as I adore writing on this blog, the time has come to call for a very long hiatus. My life is taking me to new horizons, and unfortunately, these new horizons do not allow Blogger. For this reason, I am taking a year long hiatus from writing.

This is by no means a closing down of this blog! I will return some day, with new ideas, new perspectives, and much to write about! But until then, I bid you adieu, dear reader. Keep on gaming.

Regarding Pewdiepie

Three days ago the Disney company, one of the biggest media juggernauts, dropped a deal with Pewdiepie, arguably one of the world's top e-celebs, due to past material that was deemed anti-semitic. Defenders of Pewdiepie (real name Felix Kjellberg) pointed out that this criticism of the offending content ignores the comedic context in which they were originally posted; in other words, they were jokes. the recent dropping of Pewdiepie by Disney has ignited a huge controversy online, with some defending Pewdiepie and others attacking him.

My Rankings for the Bachelors and Bachelorettes of Stardew Valley

This is my ranking of all the marriageable villagers in the game Stardew Valley. After playing around ten play throughs of the game, I have managed to compile this little list. Keep in mind, this is my OPINION. I'll be starting from lowest to highest.

Ten Things to Make Legend of Dragoon Better

Legend of Dragoon, one of the most beautiful games on the Playstation 1. Awe inspiring graphics, catchy and unforgettable music, and a plot so cliche that you'll see EVERY twist coming a mile away. But there are ten ways we can make Legend of Dragoon and turn it from a mediocre game into something far more memorable. Here's the list:

Stardew Valley, Capitalism, and Dignified Work

I've been playing Stardew Valley for months now, and I'll confess that I'm a huge fan. As I was playing, I noticed that the game had something to say about Capitalism. Mostly, that big corporations are bad because they'll suck your soul. This message is delivered in a heavy handed manner. But beyond this simple message lays a far deeper, far more thought provoking treatise: the reason why we work.

Remembering Power Rangers Games from the 16 bit era

Power Rangers is one of those franchises that, had someone told you it'd still be on 24 years after its debut, you'd have laughed in their faces. And yet, barring the year 2010, the show has continued to produce new episodes consistently since its debut in the year 1993, with most seasons having at least 1 licensed game. When you look back on it, you realize that the number of Power Rangers games is actually pretty impressive. These games, each of varied quality, is typically a "Beat-em Up," like Double Dragon, only lighter, softer, and way easier. Let's remember a few.

My Personal Rankings of Pokemon Types: From Favorite to Least

OK, you've read the title, so you know what you're getting into. I'll rank my favorite Pokemon typings from the one I like most to the one I like least, and I'll of course explain why. Also, I'll add at least ONE Pokemon from each typing that I like, as well as a favorite move of this typing.

GamerGate: Lessons Ignored

No matter what your position regarding GamerGate was, there's no denying that it left an impact on gaming culture. The end of the old guard of game's journalism, the birth of new gaming sites, the rise of the alt-right, GamerGate was a microcosm of the larger Culture War that is still sweeping the Internet, the US, maybe even the world. There were many lessons to be learned from GamerGate; had the major population actually listened, maybe they could have avoided Trump's election as President.

The 5 Worst Generic Classes and Characters in Final Fantasy

I love Final Fantasy. I've played each of the main installments from 1 to 10, 10-2, 12, 13, 13-2, Mystic Quest, Tactics, Tactics Advance, and Record Keeper. That said, it's definitely a series where there's a scale between heroes and classes; some are objectively better than others. This is a list of the five worst Classes and Characters in the entire series.

My Favorite Pokemon per Generation

Whereas last time I made a list of my LEAST favorite Pokemon, today I'm sharing something more positive: a list of the Pokemon I love most. Like last time, it's one per Generation. Of course I'll be explaining why I love each of these Pokemon, and unlike last time, I'll add at least three "Runner ups."

My Least Favorite Pokemon per Generation

Everyone has a Pokemon they love; likewise, everyone has a Pokemon they absolutely loathe. This is a list of the Pokemon I dislike most, per Generation.

2016 in Review-Gaming.

It's not been an easy year, but 2016 has thankfully ended. Last year was quite the roller coaster, with plenty of highs and lows. Let's review them, shall we? Here are five Highs and Lows of 2016 in Gaming.