We Are the Music Makers: What We Listen to While Gaming

We Are the Music Makers: What We Listen to While Gaming

The first time I heard No Man’s Sky referred to as a “podcast game,” I felt my entire life change. I’m a notorious multitasker, and the idea that I could both play something and catch up on one of the numerous podcasts I’m behind on at the same time was revelatory.

Now, to be fair, I’ve never actually sat down to play No Man’s Sky while listening to podcasts. But as I was thinking about this, and all the other things I do while playing games, I realized that there’s a not insignificant part of my gaming history intertwined with the music I was listening to while playing. So, as always, I asked the Sidequest crew what they thought! (more…)

Sidequest’s Definitive Ranking of Sword Dads, Part I

Sidequest’s Definitive Ranking of Sword Dads, Part I

“I’m starting The Witcher 3 and Geralt is my dad now.” I made this bold declaration on Twitter as I began my 130+ hour love affair with The Witcher 3, which to this day remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It took playing a few other games to realize I have a type when it comes to games. I call this genre “Sword Dads.” Like the name implies, these games have at least one character with a daditude (that’s a “dad attitude” for you newcomers) and an often comically large sword.

I categorize Sword Dads loosely. Blood relation to a child can be a factor, but it isn’t necessary. A Sword Dad can be anyone, really. What matters is having a sort of fatherly attitude/mentoring role/proclivity for dad jokes aimed at a younger character. Per the name, a Sword Dad will also ideally carry a big sword or two, though other weapons may count, too.

We love Sword Dads here at Sidequest and are excited to bring you a definitive ranking of the most dangerous, dadliest dads in video games.

—Maddi Butler

Editor’s note: The following entries may contain spoilers. See a Dad from a game you don’t want to be spoiled for? Skip it! Also, you’ll notice below that the nominees aren’t ranked—you, the reader, will have the power to decide on the ultimate Sword Dad. Give us your thoughts below!

Editor’s note 2.0, 1/7/2019: Vote on best Sword Dad right through here! Each tier will last 24 hours, so vote right the heck now.

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Making the Cut: The Tidus Laughing Scene Is Good, Actually

Making the Cut: The Tidus Laughing Scene Is Good, Actually

Making the Cut is a recurring series in which we defend the notoriously bad things we love about video games. Wonky mechanics, goofy cutscenes, poor characterization—we love it all, and we’re going to tell you why.

Final Fantasy X’s laughing scene—yes, that laughing scene—is brilliant.

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Final Fantasy X: The World Is Not Yours

When Final Fantasy X came out, I was so, so frustrated with it, and I could never quite figure out why. All of my friends loved it—they put a hundred hours into it easily, all finished it within a couple weeks of it coming out. But me? I couldn’t. Every time I played the game I felt this anger, and I couldn’t figure out why. That’s not really a surprise, though; I was eighteen years old, I’d just graduated high school, and I was in this nebulous state where I hadn’t yet established myself as an adult—not in the traditional, financially independent manner and not in an emotional manner, either. I still had a lot—a lotof growing up to do. Oh, and on top of that, 9/11 had just happened.

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Fashion in Final Fantasy: Magical Girls, Skimpy Armor, and Modeling

Fashion in Final Fantasy: Magical Girls, Skimpy Armor, and Modeling

Anybody who has ever sided with the cute weapon over the more powerful one knows that looking cute is just as much a part of having fun gaming as taking down enemies. But one series exemplifies this more than any other: Final Fantasy. (more…)