Tag: RPG

Let’s Play FFT – 01

Robin VanGilderLeave a comment

Hello everyone, it’s been a while!

I apologize for the radio silence, though I did warn that I might be away for a while after finishing Moby Dick. I thought I could do those weekly blog posts… but it didn’t really work out. Then I thought I could get back to reviewing games, and while I do like the ones I wrote, it didn’t really give me the same satisfaction as my deep dive into Moby Dick.

But, I had a thought the other day: what if I did an LP of that new version of FFT? That would be fun, I know it’s a game I can finish!

Continue reading “Let’s Play FFT – 01” →

Suikoden HD Remaster: The Allure of Nostalgia

Robin VanGilder4 Comments

It’s been a while, but I’ve really been mulling this one over.

This is a review, specifically of the version of Suikoden included in the package called Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, available on all modern platforms for fifty big ones. I may review the other half, Suikoden 2, at some point, but I kinda stalled out in it. That one doesn’t have as much juice for me, though it is generally superior in every way. And that’s honestly part of what I wanted to talk about, so perhaps this will serve as a reflection on both.

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Romacing SaGa 2: Personified Empire

Robin VanGilderLeave a comment

Alright, let’s try something else. Again!

Wagnas, one of the eponymous Seven

Those weekly blog posts weren’t really working for me. I don’t like the pressure of having something to talk about, and then they always felt too big and unwieldy and unfocused. Not the kind of work I can look back on with pride, just kind of filling time, y’know? I don’t like to post just to post. Brings back bad memories of trying to unlock privileges on message boards as a middle schooler by making enough posts, haha.

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Games of the Year 2024

Robin VanGilderLeave a comment

Well, it’s that time again!

Getting to it a little late this year, I’ve been busy lately. Have been back at work, and trying to figure out some logistics around improvements to my apartment. Still muddling through that, but I wanted to take some time and reflect on the year of games, as is my custom. Even though, like, I do not actually write about games at any other time of the year on this blog. And, indeed, have not updated at all for the past month or so!

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Games of the Year 2023

Robin VanGilder4 Comments

Hey guys. I’m not dead!

Just haven’t really had the inspiration strike to continue my big Moby Dick project lately. A lot of my energy has been consumed by looking for a new apartment, I am positively desperate to move out of Auburn. I finally resolved that this week, moving to Tacoma in April this year, it’s gonna be much better, as a person who doesn’t drive.

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Dungeons & Dragons & Colonialism

Robin VanGilder2 Comments

So, there’s been a bit of Discourse going on lately in certain circles of the internet, which I happen to find myself in, regarding good ol’ Dungeons & Dragons.

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Particularly, a description of orcs from the 5th edition rulebook has caught a lot of flak for being, um, pretty damn racist. There have also been people coming out and just saying that D&D has always been a racist and colonialist game anyway, so this is nothing surprising. Continue reading “Dungeons & Dragons & Colonialism” →

Towards a Better Roguelike: Types of Randomness

Robin VanGilderLeave a comment

Roguelikes are a genre defined by randomness. It’s the primary thing that sets them apart from other games. Even when they’re not really RPGs at all, a roguelike will have a level that is randomly generated. Or rather, what is called “procedural generation”, because true randomness is like a whole thing involving complicated mathematics that I’m not even gonna get into.

rando1

Randomness is something that should be used carefully, though. Especially when it comes to actual gameplay, it’s easy to lean on it too much and end up with a mess of a game. You can’t get away with making absolutely everything random, the chances of getting something that’s even playable are tiny. Continue reading “Towards a Better Roguelike: Types of Randomness” →