Super Cat Tales: The Deceptively Cute Mobile Game for “Hardcore” Gamers

Super Cat Tales: The Deceptively Cute Mobile Game for “Hardcore” Gamers

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…)

Red Dead Redemption 2’s In-Game Journal is an Underrated Mechanic

Red Dead Redemption 2’s In-Game Journal is an Underrated Mechanic

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…)

FromSoft, Give Me Money to Adapt Bloodborne Into a Series!

FromSoft, Give Me Money to Adapt Bloodborne Into a Series!

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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Mystic Messenger Trash: Rika Behind Story, Mental Health, and Villainy

Mystic Messenger Trash: Rika Behind Story, Mental Health, and Villainy

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…)

July Roundtable: Summer Barbecue (With Our Faves)

July Roundtable: Summer Barbecue (With Our Faves)

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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Neither/Nor: The Gender Politics of the Cyberpunk Character Creator

Neither/Nor: The Gender Politics of the Cyberpunk Character Creator

I’ve never particularly enjoyed character creation in video games. That isn’t to say I didn’t care about it and went with a preset default, because every time a character screen was presented to me, I really attempted to do my due diligence. I just always struggled with making a character that I was satisfied with and ended up with an avatar that I felt mediocre about or indifferent toward. (more…)