by Melissa Brinks | Feb 7, 2022 | Opinion, Video Games
Grow Up is a series in which I evaluate whether games called young adult actually fit the definition and explore why that matters.
“Unlikable” is a word that comes up again and again when discussing characters. It’s a fraught idea to begin with—I love a deeply flawed character myself, while others prefer a character they can look up to—but especially so in fiction for younger consumers, such as young adult and middle grade. Is there room for selfish, mean, or otherwise unlikable characters in fiction for younger audiences, or should young protagonists serve as role models? (more…)
Melissa Brinks is Sidequest’s editor in chief, co-creator of the Fake Geek Girls podcast, author of The Compendium of Magical Beasts, and an aspiring beekeeper. She once won an argument on the internet, and tweets at @MelissaBrinks.
by Marina Garrow | Jan 4, 2022 | Mobile Games, Opinion, Video Games
Super Cat Tales, also known as Super Cat Bros on Android, is a series of mobile platforming games that I found when the second game was featured as the Game of the Day in the App Store’s “action” section. A brightly colored game featuring cats running around, driving tanks, dodging giant fish, braving sandstorms, and all the like in various Mario– and Kirby-esque environments. It all looked pretty rad. I was especially interested in not just the reviews praising how ads were kept to a minimum, but also the Game of the Day writeup’s focus on retro inspiration and ’90s platformer nostalgia. (more…)
Otherwise known as TJ or TheJolteonMaster, she creates in-depth content about media & culture for general audiences, especially for the nerdy, working-classes & transitional-classes. You can find her content on YouTube, her Blog, Twitter & Tumblr. Profile picture made using @WoudiM‘s picrew.
by Melissa Brinks | Jan 3, 2022 | Essays, Opinion, Video Games
I was a reluctant latecomer to Red Dead Redemption 2. Before my husband insisted that I play it, I was certain I wouldn’t like it—I’d been disappointed by recent critical darlings in the AAA sphere, I’m always hesitant about Rockstar games (I conveniently forget how much I enjoyed the first Red Dead game as well as L.A. Noire and Bully, though their labor practices are still terrible), and who has time for a 60+ hour game, anyway? (more…)
Melissa Brinks is Sidequest’s editor in chief, co-creator of the Fake Geek Girls podcast, author of The Compendium of Magical Beasts, and an aspiring beekeeper. She once won an argument on the internet, and tweets at @MelissaBrinks.
by Cress | Dec 2, 2021 | Lists, Opinion, Video Games
The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and sweet scents waft through the air. It’s that time of year for the night to stretch long and for ourselves to prepare for the chill of Winter. Though Halloween has passed, I would argue the darker months have their own spooky charms and haunted visions. Hollywood doesn’t stop putting out horrors (or Marvel movies), so let’s imagine our own show we’d like to curl up with by the fire!
That’s right, time for us to dream of a video game movie/series we’d love to make! With the success of The Witcher, I feel more hopeful about such things. For myself, I’m gonna choose my well-tread fave, Bloodborne, and give my top picks for casting.
So come, let us sit about and speak feverishly, chatting into the wee hours OF MY WONDERFUL NIGHTMARE!!
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When I’m not co-oping in a FromSoft game or trying to convince someone how good the Venom movie was; I usually enjoy crafting, drawing and hanging out with my two cats.
Find my silly takes and NSFW art @justthecress
by Naseem Jamnia | Sep 16, 2021 | Mobile Games, Opinion
Welcome back to Mystic Messenger Trash, a column wherein I chronicle playing Mystic Messenger for the first time. The following contains spoilers for the Rika Behind Story DLC, along with mentions of her portrayal in other routes more broadly. Content warning for mentions of sexual assault and parental abuse, and a brief discussion of suicidal ideations and depression. (more…)
Sidequest’s former managing editor Naseem Jamnia used to do sciencey things, but they now slam their keyboard and call it art. Their debut novella, THE BRUISING OF QILWA, introduced their queernorm, Persian-inspired secondary world; their middle grade horror debut SLEEPAWAY comes out in 2025.
by Emily Durham | Jul 29, 2021 | Opinion, Roundtables, Video Games
It’s summer here in the Northern Hemisphere! Time for lake swimming, marshmallow toasting, and the ever-important summer barbecue. Oh, and games. Don’t forget the games.
When we brainstormed this month’s topic, we came up with a few different ideas: astronomy, astrology, the dog days of summer, dogs… hot dogs… and barbecuing. Which leads to two important questions that will form the backbone—but not the entirety—of this month’s spicy, grilled discussion.
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Emily Durham is a freelance writer by day and a Sidequest copyeditor by… also day. When they’re not editing or playing with cats, you can find them playing Celeste or Hollow Knight, sewing korok cosplays, or… playing with cats. You can find their tweets at @sedimentalvalue.
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