Laboratory of Mathematics and Writing

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Solid I typcally ignore hype. However, I grabbed this game on sale for $35 instead of the usual $50 sticker price. It is a price worth paying. I'm a cheapskate. So, fifty bucks is too much for me. I can still recommend this game even at it's fifty dollar price point, especially if you're into turn-based RPGs. I am personally not into turn-based RPGs. I tried Evolution: World of Sacred Device and, though charming, it was slog to get through. I played through Super Mario RPG, which is generally regarded as one of the best on the Super Nintendo, and I would be okay with never playing it again. Now I am working my way through Clair Obscur and I can safely say that I would rather play this game than the other two I mentioned. However, it still doesn't move my needle towards appreciating turn-based combat very much. Just like with Super Mario RPG, it was an entertaining game that I have no intention of ever pl...

Parkour I remember watching an old friend of mine play Mirror's Edge. I was barely familiar (and still am barely) with parkour, but it was obvious that this game was inspired by parkour. I would never perform any of those death defying stunts. So, I'll have to settle for doing them in a video game. I want to experience the rush if jumping from one building to the next, but I also don't want to experience coming close to dying. Playing a video game instead is a safe compromise. It is indeed quite fun jumping over barriers, sliding under tight spots, jumping from one building to another, vaulting over fences, and scrambling up ledges. Stringing all of that together is what makes for exciting gameplay. Most importantly, I won't actually die if I screw up, which happens frequently. Simple Story, Simple Objective The story is simple, but interesting. You are Faith, a "runner". A tyrannical government is in ...

The Ascent I'm a sucker for cyberpunk settings. I love both of the Blade Runner movies as well as Akira. I also enjoyed Cyberpunk 2077 and the old Shadowrun on the Super Nintendo. In fact, I would compare The Ascent to Shadowrun the most. Sure, Shadowrun is old as hell and the art direction isn't the same at all, but it is an isometric shooter just like The Ascent. They both take place in a typical high-tech, low-life dystopian world. They both have non-human characters that you can interact with. You get to roam around freely in a neon city environment. You can cybernetically enhance your character in both. They both allow the use of a variety of weapons; although the variety is much greater in the Ascent. They both make use of hacking; although, Shadowrun opens up a mini-game instead of the single-button press in The Ascent. Cyberpunk Setting Perfected An absolute win for The Ascent is the overall setting and atmosphere. It tot...

Cel-Shaded Xtreme Sports Saga I love the "Cel-Shaded Xtreme Sports Saga". That's what I am going to call it. I am not an authority in any capacity, but I am going to make up my own terminology anyways.The Cel-Shaded Extreme Sports Saga consists of three games: Jet Set Radio, Jet Set Radio Future, and Bombrush Cyberfunk. There's probably many more games out there that can be included in the category of Cel-Shaded Extreme Sports, but these are the most obvious selections and they are intimitely linked to one another.All three are absolutely worth playing and among my favorite games ever. If I where to rank them from best to worst, it would be thus: Jet Set Radio, Bombrush Cyberfunk, then Jet Set Radio Future. Jet Set Radio Future Jet Set Radio Future is my least favorite. It's still an amazing game that I will always wholeheartedly recommend it. I just prefer Bombrush and the original Jet Set Radio. A big reason is that the story ...