Let’s discuss…nah, let’s GO VOTE.

I mean, technically I already got my vote in (based early voting), but it builds a sense of rapport if I say “let’s go vote”.

RE: The MISSING: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories

The MISSING: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories ranks as one of the most spiteful purchases I’ve ever made.

Granted, I’d been leaning toward a purchase for a good while.  Some strong reviews and recommendations offered a push, and when I started watching video footage -- only to shut it off for fear of spoilers, a rarity for me -- I knew I had to get it eventually.  Sooner rather than later.  The big boot came from Call of Duty, of all things.  As someone who’s sworn off the franchise (after doing my time, lest you think I’m a hypocrite), I’m still more than a little butthurt over the fact that the latest installment has made a huge amount of money again.

So consider this impulse/non-impulse buy a middle finger to the lurching behemoth on the horizon.  Fortunately, I lucked out with my one-fingered salute -- because even without the smugness brimming from my one-man protest, the game’s pretty good.

On Soul Calibur VI and Character Creators

Wow.  Soul Calibur VI has a distinction I never thought I’d reach -- an award I never thought I’d give out.  Certainly, it’s a good game; fast, furious, and fun.  I want to put more time into it, so I can learn the ins and outs as I transcend history and the world in online battles.  At the same time?  I’m about one night’s sleep away from deciding that I don’t care about the game anymore.

All I want to do is make a bunch of custom characters.  Screw the rest of the game.

What’s Going On With Call of Duty?

So the new Call of Duty is out, huh?

Hmmm.  Hmmm.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Shower Thoughts with Octopath Traveler (Part 2)

I’ve long since thought of the perfect way to sum up my feelings about Octopath Traveler in terms of its gameplay (if you want story thoughts, go here instead).  The problem is that doing so means embedding a video that functions as a pretty heavy spoiler for Part 4 of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and I have qualms about dropping that out of the blue.  Then again, the last episode for that aired, like, two years ago and it’s one of countless other memes, soooooooooooooooooo…yeah.

On the other hand?  If you’re anything like me, clicking on anything JoJo-related will flood your YouTube recommendations with spoilers for the now-airing Part 5 adaptation.  I guess it’ll be fine for now, given how early in the run we are (as of writing), but anyone who wants to go in raw is in for a rough time.  On the other, other hand, it’d be a travesty if I indirectly instigated spoiling. Sooooooooooooooooooo…let’s not.

This is a lot of JoJo talk for a post on Octopath Traveler. Let’s change that.

Shower Thoughts with Octopath Traveler (Part 1)

It’s been about three months since Octopath Traveler came out, and…I have mixed feelings.

I’m still playing the game, so that’s something.  I’ve logged more than 55 hours, not counting the time lost via total party wipes and the ensuing, dreaded Game Over.  Thus far, I’ve finished the paths of three characters -- Ophilia, H’aanit, and Primrose, in that order -- with Tressa not far behind.  The plan, such as it is, is to ride the game out to its conclusion.  Given that my main team has an average level of 52, I’d wager I can steamroll the chapters/bosses I’ve left undone for ages.  Everyone on Olberic’s path is gonna get bodied once I start it in earnest.

I’m looking forward to playing more Octopath.  But I’m also dreading playing more Octopath.

Like I said, I have mixed feelings.  And part of those mixed feelings include me waiting eagerly for the next Tales game.  (Besides that one.)

RE: Mega Man 11

I’m not going to make any bold forecasts into the future and pass them off as prophecies, but if I had to guess?  Mega Man 11 is going to end with either the Square button on my PS4 pad ruined, or my dried-out husk of a corpse balled into a heap on the floor.

Just thought I’d throw that out there, in case I suddenly disappear one day.  That’ll be why.

The Super Sleepy Housekeeping Post (feat. Existential Dread)

Remember, kids: always get a good night’s rest.  Otherwise your brain will start eating itself.

I know that sounds like something out of some B-movie schlock (it IS October, after all), but wouldn’t you know it, science provides.  Anyway, on to this quick little post of mine.

And not sleep.  Not yet.

Re: RE: Soul Calibur VI

Man, October 19^th can’t get here soon enough.  

I didn’t get to play a lot of the Soul Calibur VI beta, but I got some hours in -- and that taste test has me hungry for more.  Am I going to go pro with it?  No chance.  Am I going to stick with it forever and ever?  I don’t know; I hope it becomes a part of my rotation, even with the tower of backlogged games looming over me.  For what it’s worth, I’m more excited about this game than I have been about pretty much any other fighter released since…well, I guess Tekken 7, and it’s been a hot minute since I touched that.

No time for lamenting lost Phoenix Smashers, though.  Here are some miscellaneous thoughts I have about Soul Calibur VI prior to release.  Disclaimer right off the bat: I’m not an expert and haven’t touched the franchise in six years, so don’t expect a 100% accurate analysis.  I’m doing this by the seat of my pants.  As one should, ostensibly.

Okay?  Okay.  Here we go.

RE: Soul Calibur VI (and other stuff)

Alternate post title: That Time I Almost Gave Up On Fighting Games