Veil Between (Part 1)

On February 26, 2026January 16, 2026 By kyndarisLeave a comment

It is with great sadness I interrupt my five week streak of posts related to video games by providing a segment of the short story I completed just before the end of 2025. While I have finished another video game (Stellar Blade), I have not the capacity to write up a scathing impression of it as yet (given I’ve fallen ill and I did not want to inundate you, my dear reader, with yet more chatter of video games). Still, there is much to be said of it – much of it relevant to our current climes.

Speaking of which, at time of writing, it is but the middle of January and yet so much has already happened in 2026. Not much of it good. Yet the world turns and every day fades into the next.

There are times where I feel so powerless. I have neither wealth nor a huge platform to decry the heinous acts being committed. Worst of all, I have no private military do I command to cleanse the world anew. Or, perhaps, a little black notebook to insert names I find egregious in their abuse of power.

So I sit and contemplate the legacy of humanity and whether it has all been for naught.

But my blog, of course, is not meant to be a philosophical dissection of the human condition. Rather, it’s a place I like to think I’ve carved out in the internet to showcase the things I enjoy (and perhaps bring a modicum of joy to the lucky person who stumbles upon it – be it on Tumblr or on WordPress). So, without further ado, a snippet of my recent short story (which has already been published on Fictionpress and Wattpad) to keep you amused during these troubling times:

New Orleans. French Quarter. Bourbon Street.

In the light of day, the creole townhouses, with their steeply pitched roofs and stucco exterior, were a sight to behold. To my left they served as a front to various shops targeted for tourists. I’d already picked up a fleur-de-lis magnet as a commemorative souvenir.

On my right were a number of restaurants and bars. Already, some were beginning to open, offering curious onlookers a place to try the latest libations or to have their first taste of a Cajun delicacy. The thought, however, reminded me of how I’d spent most of the night before perched over a porcelain throne. My boyfriend had peered through the crack between the door and the wall with open concern. A first for Mike. Given his usual nonchalant attitude to most things in life.

Rude, I know. But having been with him for as long as I have, I feel like I have the right.

Still, how to best describe Mike?

The two of us had met in college during a chance encounter at a frat party hosted by his friend, Sammy. I’d wanted to push the boundaries of my comfort zone. But more than that, the thought of staying in my dormitory with a less than attentive roommate addicted to video games hadn’t appealed much to my sensibilities.

This was, after all, my chance to be more than the studious nerd I’d been in middle and high school. Of putting myself out there.

Mike, the life of the party, immediately caught my eye. And he, being the confident extrovert he was, had decided it was his duty ease me into life on campus. Things spiralled from the first red solo cup I had. Before I knew it, the two of us were making out on a bed.

The rest, as they say, was history.

Seven years on and we were in the birthplace of jazz. It had been Mike’s idea to come visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Having never been, but also wishing to indulge my curiosity, I’d readily agreed. After all, there was just so much culture in one small southern state.

And if anyone were to say otherwise, they’d be lying.

Yes, it’s true. The two of us did struggle a little with making our relationship work. We were from two completely different worlds. He was a student of the hedonistic arts, after all. Whereas I, on the other hand, was a student of history. Somehow, though, we managed to find common ground. Namely in the appreciation of nude Grecian statues.

“Jordan! There you are! Should have known you’d end up people watching again.” Mike’s loud voice rang out across the quiet, pulling me out of my reverie. I lowered my disposable Starbucks cup of coffee and offered him a strained smile.

“Mike.”

“Listen, I know it wasn’t the best look to head out before you were even awake but there’s something I’ve always wanted to do. And last night, something came up on my Insta feed. So, of course, I DM’d the organiser. Next thing I know, I was in an empty parking lot at five in the morning.”

I squeezed the sides of my temple. “Was it drugs?”

“What? No,” exclaimed Mike. “Why would you think that? Actually, never mind. Don’t answer that.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder and pulled something from the back pocket of his designer black jeans, flashing me what looked to be a woefully crumpled handcrafted invitation. “Look. We’ve now got a bonafide ticket for an actual séance! With ghosts and maybe a Ouija board thrown in.”

“You can’t be serious, Mike.”

“Oh, come on, Jordan. Are you telling me you’ve never once sat around with a few friends and tried out a Ouija board?”

I stared Mike dead in the eye. Something not too difficult to do given there was only an inch or two difference between us.

Michael Davis Hillier was a tall wiry man with a mop of unruly dark brown hair that somehow looked styled even though it wasn’t. A loose strand trailed down towards his jawline, accentuating his sun-kissed south European skin. He was wearing a fitted rainbow button-down shirt and a blue scarf thrown stylishly over one shoulder.

Mike, as always, oozed confidence.

In contrast, I had a more solid build than my boyfriend and was developing something of a stomach. Much to my chagrin. My style, to Mike’s displeasure, veered more towards comfort. I was wearing an open red plait shirt with a white tee beneath, denim shorts and a pair of loafers. My shoulder length hair was tightly braided and pulled back with a tie.

“Do I look like a teenage girl in a horror movie? I’m not fucking out of my mind. You don’t mess with that shit,” I said. “It’s bad juju.”

Mike let out a laugh, clapping a hand on my shoulder to steady himself. “Oh, come on. You’re not saying the rising star of the anthropology department believes in superstitions, do you?” When I did not respond, he pressed on. “Fine. I’ll make you a deal. If anything bad happens, we can go to the cathedral in Jackson Square. Maybe find a priest who can pray the bad juju away. How’s that sound? I mean, it’s not like it helped with the gay, but it might work this time round.”

“I hate you.”

“No,” said Mike, leaning in close. “You hate that you love me.”

I hummed under my breath, allowing myself to be pulled in. “Maybe.”

A grin broke across Mike’s lips. He closed the space between us and kissed me. Slow and deep. I couldn’t help but kiss him back with the same amount of verve, lost in the sensation.

Despite all the fights, Mike and I always came back to each other.

He pulled away first. “So, 9 PM? I’ll text you the details later,” he said, breath ghosting over my own.

“Do I really have to?”

“It’ll be fine, Jordan,” said Mike. “Why not, you know, just live a little. For me? Please?”

I looked up into his stormy grey eyes that changed to suit the weather. They were such a contrast to my own dark brown ones.

“Fine,” I conceded. “But only because you were polite. And also because I want to feel morally superior when, after everything is said and done, absolutely nothing happens and you get proven wrong for the umpteenth time. Like, come on, Mike. A séance? Ghosts? When do we think we’re living in? The late 1800s?”

“Funny you should mention that. One of your favourite authors was an ardent supporter of everything mystical. Including fairies.”

“You’re lying. Who?”

Mike danced away from me. It was only then I realised he’d taken my disposable Starbucks cup and finishing off the last dredges of my coffee. He made a show of it. Because, of course, he did.

“That’s my little secret.” He turned to leave, vanishing into the ever-growing crowds on Bourbon Street before I had the chance to chase after him. The last I saw of Mike were the flash of his fingers as he cheekily saluted his goodbye.

No doubt he was already trying to figure out how to hit the most bars before the event tonight. The real question was whether or not he’d have sobered up enough before the séance.

A thought I shoved to the back of my mind. It wasn’t my responsibility to keep one eye on him. I had my own plans. None of which included playing nursemaid to an irresponsible manchild. With a heavy sigh, I decamped from my quiet spot at the corner of a hotel and headed further down towards the Mississippi river.

My walking tour was scheduled to start in thirty minutes.

It was five minutes to nine when I arrived outside the intimidating colonial style house painted all in white. I double-checked the address Mike had sent me after I’d reminded him thirteen minutes after seven I still didn’t know where I was meant to go for the séance.

The house sat on the outskirts of the French Quarter, facing the river. Simple ionic columns adorned the front porch, framing the door painted a dark blue. Panelled windows, their shutters open, stared over a neatly trimmed symmetrical front yard with its waist high hedges. Two stone benches sat underneath.

The British colonial style was a symbol of a time long past where my ancestors were slaves working plantations. Much had changed since then but the chains of oppression could still be felt even in the present day. Prejudices, in spite of the distance, still had a way of hanging around. Perhaps that was the reason why I climbed the stairs with trepidation before knocking on the door.

A young girl, dressed in a white shirt, black vest and tie, opened the thick oak on my third knock. She held a clipboard in one hand. “Are you here to attend Madam Xanthe’s Miraculous Spectacle?” she asked, her voice heavy with scepticism as she eyed me up and down.

“Yes. Should be under Jordan. If not, it might be under Michael Hillier.”

The girl consulted her clipboard, her finger trailing down until it landed near the bottom. She pursed her lips. “Yes. I see it now.” She stepped to the side. “The others are waiting in the foyer. Madam Xanthe’s Miraculous Spectacle will begin within the next twenty minutes.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Oh, and before I let you go, can you tell me if Mike has arrived yet?”

Instead of answering, the girl stared up at me balefully. It was clear she wasn’t keen to be here. She motioned once more for me to enter.

The body language was clear.

“Guess not,” I muttered under my breath as I stepped through the threshold and past the girl.

God. What had Mike got us mixed in this time?

Inside the tastefully decorated foyer, with its checkerboard marble flooring sat two people. One was an older gentleman dressed in a tan three-piece suit. His salt-and-pepper hair carefully pushed back in an artfully messy style. Leaning over the low coffee table, he was shuffling a deck of cards. Occasionally, he would pull one out, stare at it with a frown before returning it to the pack before repeating the procedure once more.

Closer to the entrance, ensconced in an armchair, was a younger woman who appeared to be in her early 40s. She was dressed conservatively in a long skirt and a blouse with a large round frill buttoned all the way to the top. Her hair was a shock of white though a streak of dirty blonde snaked through. It was an odd choice but who was I to judge?

A large bag sat next to her where a thread of purple yarn led up to whatever knitting project she had in her hands. From my angle near the door, it looked to be a scarf of some sort. Or maybe it was a blanket. It certainly had the width for it.

She looked up as I approached, setting her knitting to one side. “You’re not a familiar face.” The strong Scottish brogue took me by surprise.

“Jordan,” I said, stretching out a hand.

“Patrice,” she answered, giving my hand a shake. “No offence, but you don’t look the type.”

I cocked my head to the side, puzzled. “The type to what?”

Patrice gestured to the foyer. “All this. Psychics and mediums. Too much of a head on your shoulders, you.”

“And you’d be right,” I answered with a heavy sigh as I took the armchair opposite her. “All this was my boyfriend’s idea. He’s always been more interested in these kinds of things. I’d have preferred staying in a hotel room watching a documentary.”

“Maybe he wants you to experience more of the world beyond the ivory tower.”

“Maybe. But—”

I was pulled up short by the entrance of Mike. He had changed into a flamboyant glittering silver shirt that revealed his smooth chest. Skintight slacks replaced his jeans. The dress shoes, he kept, though they’d been recently polished.

Mike scanned the foyer, lavishing in the attention as all heads turned to face him, before his gaze settled on me. “Jordan! There you are! Was afraid you’d have tried to escape or called in sick last minute.” He came up to me and enveloped me in a warm embrace. The stench of alcohol was heavy despite the cologne he’d sprayed.

I forced a smile to my lips. “Wouldn’t want to miss this for the world.”

“Before you tell me off again, I want you to know that Madam Xanthe is the real deal. No parlour tricks here.”

“You’re very confident,” I said. “How can you be so sure?”

Before Mike could answer, the elderly gentleman cut in. “Stories from previous clients. Reviews. Even live footage.” He turned to Mike. “It’s…Hillier, correct? It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I’m Copernicus.”

Surprise, recognition and then awe flashed across Mike’s face. He took Copernicus’ hand. “Hillier is my father. You can call me Mike. The pleasure, though, is all mine. I know we spoke of attending a séance together but I didn’t think you’d be here. Foolish, of me. Of course you’d attend in person. A chance to see across the veil? This is what we’ve dreamt about for years.”

“It is indeed. Though, had you not brought Madam Xanthe to my attention, we would not be meeting here like this.”

“And are you the client? The one seeking to commune with—”

Copernicus shook his head. “No. It seems our main guest of honour has yet to arrive.”

I watched the two of them banter, feeling out of my depth. It was like the two of them were speaking another language as they descended into conversation about something the two of them were both enraptured by.

In fact, I’d never seen Mike look so animated before. There was a feverish glint in his eye and a wide smile on his lips.

“—and this is my partner, Jordan.”

I blinked owlishly at the gloved hand proffered in my direction. “Hillier—no. Mike. He spoke of you often in our discussions,” said Copernicus. He nodded towards Mike. “You’re lucky to be with such an enterprising individual in the field of mediums and spirituality.”

Was it me or did Mike actually blush? I’d never seen him preen under someone else’s praise before. The sight made my stomach churn with something ugly I refused to acknowledge. He had never once looked at me like he did Copernicus.

With effort, I forced myself to smile as I shook the older gentleman’s hand.

“Copernicus, here, is one of the leading specialists in all things supernatural,” said Mike. “The two of us met in an online forum.”

I nodded my head. “And, um, is Copernicus your real name?”

“Well, he’s no Renaissance scholar,” admitted Mike. “Let’s just say ‘Copernicus’ is,” he snapped his fingers, trying to jog his thoughts, “an alias.”

“I see.” Silence rushed in to fill the gap. “And what’s yours? The penname you use, that is.”

Mike grinned at me in the way I knew meant trouble. “Doyle. But in the end, it was easier to use my real name.”

Of course.

He could never resist yet another dig at my expense. The very fact he chose Doyle was a means at getting back at me for whatever slight he thought I’d caused him.

“Oh, how delightful,” piped up Patrice. “Are we all part of the Peering into the Supernatural forum? I did think you looked awfully familiar, Doyle. Or do you prefer Mike?”

“It doesn’t really matter. Mike’s probably easier,” he replied. Then, almost as if it was an afterthought, he added, “Well, if you’re familiar with us then you have to be Boudicca. Although, I must say, you look a lot younger than the display picture you used.”

Patrice seemed delighted by the compliment. “It’s the make-up, sweetie. Takes off thirty years if you know how to apply it.”

“You don’t say?”

Before the two could continue, the girl who had greeted me at the door, stepped through. She did not look up from her clipboard. “Madam Xanthe’s Miraculous Spectacle is about to begin. Please follow me.” Without checking to see if we would obey her imperious command, the girl turned on her heel and marched through the door.

After exchanging a glance with all those in attendance, we scrambled after her; the sound of her heels on the marble floor the only indicator we were heading in the right direction.

The room she led us to was a dimly lit fire hazard. Hundreds upon hundreds of candles were strewn haphazardly in the small claustrophobic chamber. Some were held aloft in tall golden candelabras. Others had been placed in strategic positions around the room. All were different stages of their life. The dripping wax a sight to behold in and of itself.

But what upset me even more were how the room was decorated. The upholstery of the room could only be described as 1920s chic with its lavish and extravagant style. Heavy drapes covered the windows, blocking out even the electric light in the street outside. Ancient relics, kept safe in class cases, were tucked neatly to the side underneath various portraits of people long dead.

In the middle of the room sat a round table. Affixed to the centre was a Ouija board. Next to it was a crystal ball and a set of tarot cards in a nine-card spread. None of which had yet been flipped over.

Framed between two sticks of incense sat a dowdy woman wearing a dress my mother would have turned into curtains at the first chance. She had paired it with a gaudy gold belt around her waist. Her long curly brown hair was held back by a bejewelled head scarf.

Seated opposite her was a mousy woman dressed in a grey pencil skirt and a neat white blouse. She looked up as we entered. Her eyes narrowed. “I thought this was supposed to be a private session.”

“Crossing the veil is no easy feat. Assistance is always needed.”

The woman stood up. “I came to you in confidence. Not to be the butt of an elaborate prank.” She made towards the entrance foyer.

Madam Xanthe waved at the chair. “Adelaide—”

“It’s Adeline.”

“My apologies,” said Madam Xanthe. She gestured once more to the chair. “Adeline, please. Sit. I know the recent loss of your father has left you raw and that you seek answers. This séance, powered by those present, is your best hope.”

The words gave the woman – Adeline – pause. She worried the bottom lip with her teeth before letting out a breath and returning to her chair. “Fine.”

“Excellent.” The smile on Madam Xanthe’s face did not reach her eyes. She turned her attention to the girl. “Magdalene. Fetch the purified salt. I shall begin with the protection circles.”

Magdalene nodded, a less than enthusiastic expression on her face and vanished around the corner.

With her out of the room, Madam Xanthe motioned to the rest of us to sit down. After exchanging a glance with Mike, I took a seat to his left. Patrice plonked her knitting project next to the chair beside mine before bending over to talk to Adeline.

“It may not be my place to say this but time heals all wounds. You’ll get through this.”

Adeline offered the Scottish woman a wan smile but said nothing in return. She crossed her arms and turned to Madam Xanthe, as if waiting for the show to begin.

Like the fraud she was, Madam Xanthe made a show of her preparations. She muttered under her breath as she cast the purified salt in a circle, making sure to keep us all sequestered. Then she gazed into the crystal ball on her desk, humming in assent, seemingly pleased by what she saw.

If I were to be honest, she was sloppier than I expected.

But there was little I could do. After all, I’d made a promise to Mike. And true to my word, I was to see it through. Despite my misgivings.

Once everything was ready, Madam Xanthe instructed us all to hold each other’s hands. Mike’s hand was warm and clammy. A surefire sign he was nervous. In contrast, Patrice was dry as a bone. When I managed to crane my head over to take a peek at her, she seemed to be vibrating with excitement.

At least one of us was having fun.

“The spirits are capricious,” said Madam Xanthe, drawing our attention back to her. “They can be malevolent or helpful. Tonight, we reach across the veil and beseech their aid to call upon the ghost of Gerald William Faversham.”

“Is there anything we need to keep in mind?” asked Mike.

“Yes. Please keep hold of the hands of your neighbours as we begin the chant. And carefully enunciate as you repeat after me. It is imperative you say the words exactly as I do or else it won’t work.”

Copernicus raised a white eyebrow. “Who knew the spirits would be so exacting.”

“They aren’t,” answered Madam Xanthe with a tight smile. “I do all this to increase our chances of a positive outcome. You will appreciate that mediumship is not…a science. Nor is it replicable. What might work in one situation might not in another.”

“How terribly frustrating.”

Madam Xanthe inclined her head towards Patrice. “Still, I’ve come to find certain things help. And in this instance, I hope to use my ability to ease Adeline of the pain she carries within.” She looked around at each of us around the table. “Now, if there are no further questions, let us begin. Magdalene, please close the door and ensure we are not interrupted.”

Stepping into the Spotlight

On February 19, 2026February 8, 2026 By kyndarisLeave a comment

Everyone knows the main protagnoist of the Legend of Zelda franchise is the hero Link. Wearing his iconic green outfit and wielding the Master Sword, he often embarks on a quest to rescue the titular Priness Zelda from the clutches of Ganon (or whichever rendition he might be depending on the game in question). Occasionally, Zelda will fight alongside Link, providing him assistance with light magic. Yet while this premise still plays out during the initial opening moments of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Nintendo dares to flip the scrip for the first time in a long while. After freeing Zelda, it is Link who falls into the Still World and it is up to our favourite princess to save both him and the world from falling into disrepair.

There is a lot to love in Echoes of Wisdom, from the distinct visual style to the changes in combat. More importantly, by placing the emphasis on Princess Zelda as the main character, the game is able to put a unique spin on the tried and true formula that comes with Legend of Zelda titles.

Narratively, Echoes of Wisdom maintains a traditional three-arc story structure. Despite Ganon being banished by Link, rifts continue to spread around Hyrule. After returning to the castle where her father, the King, waits, a rift swallows both the monarch and his two loyal advisors before spitting out evil doppelgangers. Princess Zelda is then imprisoned in her own castle, awaiting execution. Powerless, it is not until a fairy by the name of Tri arrives, that Zelda is able to escape, now armed with the Tri Rod to summon up echoes of objects and monsters.

With these new powers at her command, Zelda embarks on a journey to close the rifts and rescue those trapped in the Still World – such as her father and Link. This involves travelling to the Gerudo Desert and Jabul Waters (where we see both River and Sea Zora) to assist them with their recent troubles. Along the way, Zelda faces off against dastardly foes as well as a fake impostor Link that does battle with one of his iconic weapons: sword, bow and bombs.

It is not until she returns to Hyrule Castle where she manages to rescue her father and defeat an echo of Ganon that the true antagonist reveals their identity as Null. Despite peace being restored to her home, the rest of the world is still in danger. Stepping into her role as Priestess, Zelda then journeys to Elden Mountain, the Faron Wetlands and Hebra Mountain to repair the rifts at the shrines dedicated to the Goddesses: Din, Nayru and Farore.

With their blessing, Zelda then ventures to the Eternal Forest where the Prime Energy dwells (shorthand, I suppose, for the Triforce). Unfortunately, Null is one step ahead. Having created an echo of Zelda herself, Null descends into the depths of the world and obtains the Triforce of Power. Though strengthened by a portion of the Prime Energy, Null realises they need all three to return the world into the void from which it originated from. Null targets Link first. Armed, however, with Courage and Wisdom, Link and Zelda fight back – ultimately destroying Null and granting the various Tris the ability to restore the world.

Thematically, Echoes of Wisdom does not stray too far from its tales of good versus evil; of selflessness in the face of danger. While we did get to see an interesting character arc from the leader of the Gorons: Darston as he wrestles with taking on the mantle of chief and indecision, the rest of the conflicts in Hyrule felt watered down and simplistic (now, if only Dradd and Kushara would just kiss, I’m sure all the troubles between their two tribes would be mended).

But what stood out to me the most during my playthrough of Echoes of Wisdom was how different Zelda played in contrast to Link. Like the princess she is, Zelda is not one for the front lines (except when she’s able to pick up a rock and yeet it at the nearest monster). Rather, she fights with the echoes of enemies she’s already defeated. Like a general directing her forces. Or a princess, in this case, commanding her subjects. After all, she IS wisdom personified. There’s no need to risk herself in open warfare.

While Zelda does have access to many an echo, I found I would often rely on some tried and true favourites. Like the shark whenever there was a swimming portion, or the lynel during late-game battles. While I liked the Wizzrobes, I also liked using the Albatrawls as they seemed more willing to attack than Kreese echoes and, after powering up Tri, you could summon six of them at a time.

Traversal also saw a few changes when playing as Zelda. This included summoning Platbooms, Flying Tiles and countless beds to get where I needed to go. While I’m certain there were other tried and true methods I could have used, these were my favourite tools to brute force a method to get where I wanted and explore the entirety of the map.

Not to mention the various accessories! Zelda, girl, you’re so stylish! And don’t get me started on the various outfits she can also obtained through the game.

I suppose my only gripe with Echoes of Wisdom was that there was no way for Zelda to dash. And, by the time she unlocked her own steed, it was much easier to fast travel to all the unlockable warp points scattered across the map. Even with the slower loading speed that comes from it being a game relegated to the Nintendo Switch.

Overall, I very much enjoyed my time with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. From its art style to the changes in gameplay, there was a lot to love. While the story hewed close to its roots, I still enjoyed my time exploring Hyrule and putting the world to rights. Now, if only it was as easy to do in real life.

By the time this post goes live, it’ll be February 19th and goodness knows what will have happened to the world by then.

In other news, I finished a new horror short story at the end of 2025! And after waiting a day, started on a new one titled: The Box of Dreams that will be told from two perspectives. It’s set in the fictional Australian town of Woollanoogatta and there will be monsters that haunt the darkness. In short, it’s like Diablo but it’s modern day and the creatures are eldritch in nature!

Now there’s a thought. Maybe I’ll add a character named Deckard Cain who will implore the main character to ‘Stay awhile and listen.’

Wiccan Worship

On February 12, 2026December 16, 2025 By kyndarisLeave a comment

There is something about tall women with a Received Pronunciation accent that tickles my fancy. Is it the Britishness of it all? Or is it something else hidden deep inside? Mayhap it’s how smooth and buttery they all sound, or perhaps it’s the confidence they seem to exude. All I know is that ever since Arcane wrapped up with its second season, my AO3 tags are still centred around Caitlyn Kiramman and Vi. And, after failling to prove my mettle against a Soulslike title, I retreated to a video game that always danced in my periphery. Given the additional free time I had, I, of course, decided to tackle it head-on. Only to be faced with another tall British lady (who may ignite a new shipping war in my heart).

Enter: Cereza. Or, as she is more commonly known, Bayonetta.

Releasing in 2009, Bayonetta was a tour de force of action gameplay from the mind of Hideki Kamiya. While I’d always been vaguely intrigued by the concept of a witch doing battle with the forces of heaven, I steered clear from the franchise. Mostly because I was a poor uni student but also by the fact most of the battles saw you being graded for your performance.

After enduring a typical Asian childhood, as well as the competitiveness of attending a selective high school, I was in no mood to be judged for how well I performed. And certainly not in a video game (a realm which I considered an escape from my usual twisted sense of perfectionism).

Is it any wonder why Soulslike and Rogue-likes only serve to aggravate me rather than being enjoyable? They just trigger my trauma response. Especially if I just scrape by a boss battle (guess it’s the inner critic telling me how I could have done it better – never mind I’d entered the game blind and it’s quite a feat to have gotten so far on just my third or fourth attempt).

Bayonetta however sat in my periphery. Always tantalising me from a distance. Like forbidden fruit.

Then, of course, there was the whole scandal during Bayonetta 3‘s release. Which, honestly, was probably what piqued my interest in the series again.

The story in Bayonetta keeps it simple. Our titular hero, after waking up from a 500 year slumber, knows only two things: her name and that she’s a witch. Twenty years go by where she kills angels for sport, and to fulfil her contract with Inferno before she hears tell of an artefact called The Eyes of the World. Curiosity wins out and she sets off for the European town of Vigrid.

As she goes about tracking down the mystical gem, Bayonetta encounters intrepid journalist, Luka (who had been a mere boy when she was first unearthed from a coffin in the depths of a lake. And who also blames Bayonetta for the death of his father), a young girl who stumbles her way into heaven’s warpath and another mysterious Umbra witch by the name of Jeanne. Along the way, she receives flashbacks of her past and the events leading to her being imprisoned inside a coffen for nigh on five centuries.

It is only later revealed the young bespectacled girl she encounters is her younger self, brought to the present, by her father (one of the last surviving Lumen Sages) in order to resurrect the Creator: Jubileus.

While the narrative is simple and the story beats predictable, Bayonetta manages everything off with panache. From the settings to the stylistic boss battles. But more importantly, the characters are so engaging they simply pull you along.

There is something to be said about a suave, confident and intelligent leading lady who leans into her sexuality. Bayonetta is cheeky and irreverent. Yet underneath it all, she also has a bleeding heart, especially when she looks after the younger version of herself (though, at the start, she hasn’t quite made the connection). This and more makes Bayonetta stand above the rest when it comes to female protagonists. Especially given how unapologetic herself she is – be it when she stands up against the Creator, her father or even when she goes toe-to-toe with her fellow Umbran witch.

The other characters, too, get their time to shine. For me, the standouts were Jeanne with her enigmatic mystique and Luka with his himbo-esque charm.

Even though both start off as minor antagonists, the banter between them all (and Luka’s growing respect for Bayonetta over the course of game) felt organic. Could it have done away with Luka ogling Bayonetta’s chest while they were flying head-on towards a number of missiles? Probably. But this was also 2009. A time where strong female leads were few and far between. So what if it had a moment of self-indulgence? Bayonetta certainly wouldn’t care.

And I suppose that is something I respect the game developers for. Bayonetta is no fragile wallflower. She’s a powerhouse witch who uses everything at her disposal to her advantage.

When it comes to gameplay, Bayonetta focuses heavily on combos and dodging attacks. There’s no stamina bar whittling down as our protagonist dances across the battlefield. Nor is there a focus on parrying attacks (though if you DO dodge at the last second, you can trigger Witch Time, which ensures your attacks deal higher damage). It’s a combat system easy to grasp but hard to master, especially given the number of ways one can juggle the enemies up in the air to keep the combo meter going.

Wicked weaves also provided something a little different from the fairly rote combat. Coupled with ‘Torture Attacks,’ they gave the game additional flavour, contributing to Bayonetta’s characterisation as a talented Umbra witch with a sadistic side. I especially liked being able to summon forth a fist or a booted heel to crush angels underfoot.

While optional, the game also featured challenges in the form of Alfheim portals. Completing these would grant Bayonetta items that could help increase her stats, be it health or magic. The only downside? Having to find them (which, occasionally included running back through a level because it would only spawn after certain events).

Bayonetta also features items to assist in combat. However use of these items lowers one’s grades. Something I didn’t like much but understood why they incorporated as an incentive for hardcore players to challenge themselves during multiple playthroughs. Still, it would have helped a little if I wasn’t so harshly given a stone trophy when I was just trying to figure out my way through the attack patterns of the foes before me.

After enduring a shameful defeat at the hands of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, it was refreshing to play a game that I could readily adjust as needed to feed my desire to keep pushing on. It helps, too, that Bayonetta is such a colourful character with a wonderful support cast to help round out her sharper edges. More importantly, it was a fun few hours that didn’t feel the need to drag out the plot or gameplay. A skill not many games have these days where they pad out the length with unnecessary content that serves only to aggravate rather than enrich the gaming experience.

That said, I’ve been following the story of everyone’s favourite Umbra witch. While I understand there’s some disappointment with her ending up with Luka in the third game (and has no-one mentioned the age gap? She’s like…600 years older than him! The scandal!), he doesn’t seem all that offensive in this first game. Rather, he seems like an adorable golden retriever who believes them a ladies man.

Still, I can definitely see why people also ship Bayonetta with Jeanne. The two have a chemistry stemming from their friendship. Plus, both are unapologetic in who they are.

My only sticking point? The two of them would totally try to out-top the other. And I still can’t say for certain who would win. But, at least, it will be glorious?

Admitting Defeat

On February 5, 2026December 9, 2025 By kyndarisLeave a comment

There are a few video games I’ve not finished. Most are those I played in my youth but there are a number of recent titles I’ve not enjoyed and decided to put aside. The most recent one of these was Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – a game set during the late Han period of Chinese history and which featured many characters from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

From the start, I was apprehensive at how far I’d be able to take the game. After all, it was a purported Soulslike. A genre I’ve widely tried to avoid as my preference is to not smash my head against a wall and spend hours on one boss. It’s also a reason why I don’t like dabbling in roguelikes (where my entire progress is erased upon death). Yet, I would be remiss to not admit I was drawn in by the premise of running around Ancient China.

So, when the game was on sale, I bit the bullet and bought it. Unfortunately, like many other games, it sat in my backlog until I could find the time to give it a decent run.

When I did finally boot up the game, I was a little wary I might not even get past the first boss: Zhang Liang, General of Man. I’d seen the reviews (and the complaints) of how difficult a fight this was going to be. Mentally, I’d prepared myself to potentially ragequit at this very first boss and call it a day.

To my shock, though, Zhang Liang was not hard at all. In fact, I trounced him quite readily on my first go. His attacks were well-telegraphed and the window to parry his attacks were generous. Before I knew it, he was lying dead at my feet.

Worried, I quickly checked the internet to see if there had been any changes to the game. As I suspected, Zhang Liang had been nerfed in one of the many updates for the game – making it more approachable for beginners to whet their appetite on the title.

Unfortunately, though, his battle would be the only one I felt I managed to pull off with any aplomb. The other bosses were much more hit or miss in terms of skill and it felt like it was more luck that saw me to victory. This seemed particularly true with the likes of Aoye and Zhang Rang (with his army of clones).

Despite my misgivings, I pushed on. Until I encountered Lu Bu. While I thought his attack patterns weren’t too difficult to read, they were still a pain to deal with. In the end, I decided enough was enough and chose to quietly quit after my most recent defeat at Lu Bu’s hands. Throwing myself again and again against such a mighty foe was not my idea of fun. And I knew victory would not bring me the rush of dopamine many fans of the Soulslike genre would receive. Rather, it would only bring me dread and uncertainty for the next boss to come.

That’s not to say I don’t like challenge.

After all, I did manage to platinum Astro Bot. But my time with the game didn’t see much needed resources dwindle. It didn’t have me endure a five minute gauntlet of a boss where I would inevitably die and then have to psych myself back up for another go. The reason why Astro Bot worked so well was because death carried with it little consequence and our cute little robot revived quite quickly for another run. More importantly, the challenges were OPTIONAL.

The base game, if I’m being honest, was generous with checkpoints on all of its main stages. At no point did I have to deal with an impervious wall.

Lu Bu, it should also be noted, is not even the end boss. He was early mid-game. Even if I beat him, there were other bosses I would, more than likely, struggle against. Demon Liu Bei. Zhang Liao. Yuan Shao. Yu Ji. And what was the point of it all?

The story, certainly, had not proved quite as gripping as I’d hoped. Much like their take on the Bakamatsu period in Rise of the Ronin, the playable character felt like a bit character surrounded by other big name protagonists who should have taken the lead instead. Without even a name, they’re only regarded highly by the colourful cast because of their prowess on battle. Something which I found disingenous considering I’d only made it so far with the help of reinforcements at my back (there was no way I would go head to head with a Changgui if I didn’t have someone there to soak up the aggro).

More importantly, the overall narrative was not enough to pull me through even the more difficult sections of the game. If there had been something a little more tantalising for me to enjoy, maybe I might have persevered for a bit longer before calling it quits.

Like many of these games, I think my main struggle is how much damage the enemies can deal in quick succession when compared to the dismal healing when one pops a Dragon’s Cure Pot (even with upgrades). Why can’t these games have potions that heal you to full instead of slightly over half? This was an issue I also struggled with when playing through Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor. Thankfully, though, there was a toggable difficulty setting and I was able to change it up when I did encounter something a tad too hard.

My other problem with the game is how the stats for the main character never felt like they translated well to actual battle. True, I was upgrading my wood and fire elements but it hardly seemed to make much of a difference. Then, of course, there were my weapons and armour.

Maybe if I’d retreated to the village to upgrade just before the Lu Bu fight, I’d see some noticeable improvement in the damage I was dealing? Or even see myself absorb a few more blows before the end? But why did it also seem like all the wizardry spells I’d poured my points in do diddlysquat?

Of course, this might have been a problem of speccing my character to fit within the requirements but the game does a poor job of explaining this to the player. But I’d rather not have to deal with changing my gear to take in all these various considerations. I just want to kickass and chew bubblegum (and I’m all out of gum). What I don’t want to deal with is all the messiness of trying to eat crustaceans and not even getting a satisfied meal from it (like crab or lobster. If the meat isn’t easy to get to, I just can’t be bothered. Admittedly, not the best metaphor but it’s the first thing that came to mind).

Still, there is something healthy about realising one’s limits and putting down a game (or anything else) that is no longer giving you joy. I’d, after all, gave it a decent shot and did try a few different methods to see if I might have been able to change things around in my favour. There’s no shame in patting oneself on the back and saying: maybe this isn’t for me and turning my attention to something I’d like to try out more. Say, oh, I don’t know…Bayonetta? Or maybe The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

Then, of course, there’s the mountain of games I still have yet to get through, sitting on my shelf mocking me, like Stellar Blade, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Metaphor: ReFantazio to name but a few.

And while, admittedly, I did make purchases for Black Myth: Wukong and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, I’m not sure how far I’ll be able to get through these as well before deciding they’re not for me. Time, of course, will tell.

And hey, if it’s not for me then it’s not for me. I’ll just move on and try something else. After all, there’s so many different games out there and my backlog isn’t getting any smaller.

So, much like Freedom Wars (though I will say I got much further in Freedom Wars), Soul Sacrifice and Code Name: STEAM, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty joins the list of games I’d tried my hand at but found wanting in almost all aspects. Oh, and how could I forget Monster Hunter Ultimate?

Homo Ludens Dissonance

On January 26, 2026December 1, 2025 By kyndarisLeave a comment

Over the years, I’ve played all manner of video games. From small indie titles to grand blockbuster triple-A ones. Never, though, had I stopped to try out a video game from the mind of Hideo Kojima. Even though he was, and still is, touted as a savant, the games he had a hand in always seemed to sit beyond my interests. Or I’d tell myself it was too confusing to start midway through the series. And therefore, there wasn’t any need to play through the story of Solid Snake (I’d pick up all the salient points through osmosis anyway). Then 2019 hit and along came Death Stranding. But one look at the trailers and I knew I wasn’t sold at all on the premise.

It would take several more years and a chance visit to an EB Games somewhere in a rural town on the Central Coast that would see me purchase Death Stranding: Director’s Cut more out of curiosity than any genuine interest in playing the game. For, admittedly, the game sat installed on my PlayStation 5 for another two years before I decided to bite the bullet and actually play through the damn thing (cue the sequel then being released IN that very year).

Death Stranding has you play in the shoes of Sam Porter Bridges. In the first few establishing shots, he is riding a motorcycle (technically a reverse trike) through post-apocalyptic America in order to deliver cargo to an unspecified client. Along the way, he runs into Fragile. To avoid crashing into her, Sam takes a tumble and his trike is ruined. As it begins to pour, he finds shelter. There, he finds Fragile, who assists him in evading a BT and by giving him a cryptobiote to eat.

Once the rain stops, Sam resumes his trek to Central Knot City. Once there, he is tasked with an emergency assignement to accompany the disposal team to get rid of a corpse at the nearby incenerator. Along the way, however, the team encounters trouble. They die in a voidout, leaving Sam the only survivor.

It is not long before he revives in Capital Knot City. There, he is tasked by the dying President of the UCA: Bridget Strand, Sam’s adoptive mother. As she breathes her last, Bridget tasks Sam with reconnecting all of America to the chiral network.

So begins Sam’s quest to travel (primarily by foot) to waystations, distribution centres, prepper bunkers and other KNOT cities to connect it all together and bring back the land of the free as the ‘United Cities of America.’ While not everyone is keen to join initially, through persistence, Sam is able to bring any and all into the fold of the UCA. And this is in spite of the fact Sam, himself, has haphephobia (a fear of being touched), though the game uses aphenphosmphobia instead.

Why Sam has this fear isn’t exactly explained. Neither the flashbacks of his past provide an adequate explanation nor any of the exposition. My assumption? He developed it from the touch of BTs.

Still, does he not serve as the perfect metaphor? A man who hates touch is the one able to bridge together people from disparate walks of life and unite humanity? The game, and its imagery, all but writes itself!

And this, dear reader, is the crux of my many problems with the game from a narrative and worldbuilding perspective. From the very first, Kojima isn’t shy in trying to explain what the game is all about: strings, ropes and connection. Whether it’s from how the cities are all ‘knots’ to the very name of the game itself (Death Stranding). But worse than all the repeated metaphors is how the game continues to hammer in the same message. NPCs talk about their initial reluctance to join the UCA but, after enough deliveries, begin to see the strength of coming together and being connected to the rest of humanity.

It’s all quite pretentious, actually, though I must admit some of the revelations in the various emails Sam receives do paint a more nuanced view of the world (especially with reference to the US President building a wall to keep migrants out). That said, it’s hard for me to believe any real connection can be brought about with a person and your average courier. Especially given how callous most delivery drivers are when it comes to the packages many of us order online. Heck, I don’t even have a good rapport with my local postman (though most letters are delivered during the times I’m actually at work).

Of course, I may just be an outlier. There are times when I visit the post office and see the staff actually develop a relationship with clients who use their services often (either picking up packages or requesting something be sent). Not me, though. I’m not big on chatting to hospitality stuff. Yes, I am cordial to a fault and I make sure to remember my manners, but I’m not all too comfortable interacting with strangers.

Then, of course, there are the relationships one develops over the course of working in logistics.

I should know. After all, it wasn’t all that long ago I used to be in freight forwarding and ensuring goods ordered from a consignor (either in FCL or LCL) safely arrive at the warehouse of the consignee.

Perhaps, though, it’s due to the shortage of porters actively delivering packges to the preppers across post-apocalyptic America. For the people living in the world post the actual Death Stranding event in-game, supply drops are few and far between. When a delivery is made, it’s a moment of celebration and triumph of beating the odds.

The messaging aside, the one other element of Death Stranding I actively dislike is how women are portrayed. And though I’ve scoured the internet thoroughly enough to know Kojima has not read much Haruki Murakami, the two feel like they both attended the same writing courses.

Why, you may ask?

Because neither know how to write women.

In Death Stranding, almost ALL of the women characters have their motivations either surround or be about a MAN. Their roles (or descriptors in terms of the preppers) all seem to appeal to a certain ideal of femininity. From main characters like Amelie, Fragile, and Mama to side characters like the Chiral Artist or the Photographer. And don’t get me started on the bunkers that DO have multiple people but the woman is always in a supporting role to their husband (or child) like at the Timefall Farm, the Doctor and the Mountaineer. The ONLY female characters with any sort of agency and who aren’t relegated to roles characteristic of women are the Evo-Devo Biologist and the Roboticist.

Let’s start with Fragile.

Her very name is a trait often applied to women. And while she is keen to remind Higgs (a character played by Troy Baker), “I’m Fragile but not that fragile,” she, too, is motivated by the men in her life. From her father who created the delivery service to how Higgs took away her vitality and youth. Then, of course, there’s her relationship with Sam. Even I, an asexual, could sense a sort of wistful longing and hint of jealousy when Fragile had to contend with Amelie for Sam’s affections.

Next, Mama.

True to the codename she is bequeathed, Mama is…well…a mother. In fact, it’s the chain that keeps her in place (of looking after a BT baby). Enough said.

Then, there’s Amelie. Though I did read a Reddit post saying she had the most agency, the ending did not pay her any favours with how Higgs seemingly keeps her under his thumb as he tries to unlock her abilities as the Extinction Entity (there’s also the whole sideplot of her railing against her fate but it all felt surface deep. Especially as it’s only when Sam tells her that she’s not alone and he would always be there for her before shef inally relents and untethers her ‘Beach’ from all the others to stave off the Last Stranding).

My misgivings of the narrative aside, I also found myself unimpressed with the general gameplay. While the controls are solid, I suppose what I disliked most was how finicky Sam’s balance seemed to be as he tripped on nearly everything and could be sent careening forward because of loose gravel underfoot. Admittedly, it’s no QWOP or Baby Steps. So, I suppose it could have been worse. But my goodness, the DRIVING! Why did all the vehicles handle so terribly?

Also, as an aside, why couldn’t anyone in Capital Knot City provide Sam with a vehicle from the start? Why did they force him to travel ON FOOT around the eastern seaboard? While I understand this from a gameplay perspective, from a narrative one there was literally NO excuse.

One thing, though, I did like was how playing online did allow me to soon pick up vehicles from other players and to use structures they had built for ease of traversal. In fact, I very much liked the zipline relay I helped build from the Veteran Porter to Heartman’s Laboratory. It made travelling through the snowy mountaineous region a breeze (and I also didn’t have to worry about possible BT encounters).

That said, the gameplay of Death Stranding lent itself well to listening to video essays throughout my playthrough. Which, of course, I did plenty of. Especially when I had a four hour episode of Critical Role to enjoy.

Death Stranding was also able to incorporate decent gunplay in the game. Perhaps because of Kojima’s experience with the Metal Gear series, all the moments in the supercell visions brought upon by Mads Mikkelsen’s character were easy to grasp and breeze through.

There is much to be said of Death Stranding: Director’s Cut. Yet though many praise Kojima as an auteur in the gaming industry, I don’t quite see it. Not yet, at least. The game I played was serviceable at best but nothing truly stood out (beyond the ludonarrative and cognitive dissonances I had. When Sam and Amelie ran down the Beach after Higgs was defeated and Norman Reedus had this weird smile on his face? Shivers down the spine. Almost as bad as when Cloud tried to smile at Aerith in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth). The story, in particular, incurred my ire. As did his attempts at writing female characters.

I’m sure, of course, Kojima will have his loyal brand of followers who enjoy his titles. I, unfortunately, am not one of them.

That is not to say Death Stranding: Director’s Cut is a bad game. It is simply not to my tastes. Certainly, it was not so bad I had to stop partway through. But I did find it relatively tedious given the dripfeed of structural blueprints were (and the fact you needed to have an area connected to the Chiral Network before being able to build them). If I’d had access to ziplines from the start, I’m sure the first few hours wouldn’t have seemed so arduous. Of course, perhaps that’s the whole point of the game. But I, for one, wanted things to happen just a bit quicker.

Here’s hoping my next game will be able to deliver this in spades though I have a feeling I may just ragequit for not being good enough at Soulslike titles. Fingers crossed my parry game will exceed my expectations.

In other news, I will not be picking up Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. But for those who DO enjoy these Strand-type games, I hope you derive the utmost joy from it (and I do mean it sincerely).

Archaeological Find of the Decade

On January 19, 2026November 22, 2025 By kyndarisLeave a comment

Ask anyone on the street and they will know who Indiana Jones is. Though a fictional character played by Harrison Ford, the intrepid archaeologist has had a significant influence on pop culture. Even I have not been immune to certain tropes and scenes that have been endearingly preserved on the internet. Despite the fact the first three films came out before I was even born. From the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark where Indy steals an artefact from an ancient temple to him shooting a man despite their florid display of swordplay.

Even with the films readily available on Disney+ for me to watch, the only one I’ve actually seen was the first attempt by LucasFilm and Paramount Pictures to revitalise the series with an older Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. While this foray did have its memorable moments, it never quite hit the heights of the original trilogy. Or so online reviews decried.

When a game was set to release on the Xbox in late 2024, I was a little disappointed but did not feel entirely bereft. After all, I’d enjoyed the likes of Uncharted and Tomb Raider over the last decade or so of video games. What did it matter if I couldn’t play through Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? Microsoft had made its choice. They’d bought up Bethesda and all the other developers under its wing. To see these games on the PlayStation 5 would be asking too much.

Or so I thought.

Lo, come March 2025 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle released for the platform of my choice.

Of course, months would go past before I found the opportunity to give it a chance. My backlog, dear reader, is nigh astronomical. I’ve hardly afforded any rest before I boot up a new game. The price I’ve paid for enoying so many different franchises over the years.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle starts with Indy traipsing through the opening scenes of The Lost Ark. This time, though, he is being steered by the player. And while it’s almost shot for shot, there is still much to be said of the character models with their too large eyes and occasionally stiff movements.

After taking the treasure, Indy returns to Marshall College. During the night, a giant of a man breaks in and steals a cat mummy. Indy catches him in the act but is powerless to stop him (which gave me an idea for another horror story. So, be on the look out, dear reader, for future horror short stories from yours truly. All interconnected in a grand Kyndaris Shared Universe of sorts!). After the scuffle, Indy discovers a medallion bearing a symbol of the Vatican Secret Archive. He sets off for Italy, stumbling upon the secret of the ‘Great Circle’ while doing battle with facists along the way.

It isn’t long before he’s travelling to Egypt, the HImalayas, Shanghai and Sukhothai as he tries to unravel another ancient secret. All the while, he is beset by Nazis wanting to use their findings for much more nefarious ends.

To call the plot camp would do the The Great Circle a great injustice. And yet, camp there is aplenty. Especially when it comes to how Gantz claims his invincibility before being skewered by icicles, to Voss’s proclamation that he knows the ancient art of ‘kara-te.’ I also enjoyed how the game employed the Wilhelm scream.

Yet despite all this, The Great Circle somehow manages to capture the very spirit and essence of Indiana Jones. Something the recent films seem to be lacking.

Might it all be a little cliche at times? Yes. But The Great Circle manages to make it work. Especially with the pathos it gives to Indy and by having a cast of colourful characters who lean into their roles. I’d even say there was some great commentary on the modern world. Take, for example, Voss’s ability to guide Gantz to do his bidding: “Nothing is quite so easy to manipulate as an insecure male.” Then there’s: “A little confrontation, a little affirmation, and the insecure male will volunteer his undying loyalty.” These observations, from a delightfully evil Nazi archaeologist with a penchant for psychology, serve as excellent commentary to the swathe of alt-right and grifter talk that has cropped up in recent years.

And it’s true to an extent.

How many, on the internet, have seen people ‘redpill’ themselves and adopt ‘alpha male’ rhetoric? And much like the late 1930s, in which The Great Circle is set, we have seen the rise of fascist and authoritarian sentiments in countries that were once thought to be bastions of democracy.

Hope, however, remains that we can stop it before it goes too far. And while I write up this post in late November 2025, I fear it will still prove to be relevant in 2026. Time will tell, of course, on whether this post has aged like a fine wine or has curdled like month old milk.

From a gameplay perspective, The Great Circle puts players in the shoes of one Henry Walton ‘Indiana’ Jones. But whereas Uncharted and Tomb Raider chose to be in third-person, MachineGames chose to have it play out in first-person (with the occasional change to third-person only when Indy is swinging on his whip or clambering up walls).

While I found it slower than I anticipated, it did not detract from my enjoyment from the game. Especially when I was swinging around frying pans or guitars to blindside my enemies. Even the fisticuffs managed to work well. The only downside? How little damage the firearms were able to provide when trying to gun down enemies from afar.

The Great Circle, it must be said, is not a shooter. Indy does not have access to a variety of firearms except his trusty revolver and whatever ones enemies may drop once they’ve been knocked unconscious. These include pistols and a few semi-automatic rifles. Ammunition, however, is scarce.

But what drew me out of my immersion was how ineffectual headshots were! For, during my first proper battle against Locus, the giant man Indy first encounters at Marshall College (but loses to), I’d pulled my revolver out and landed several headshots. Yet, isntead of stopping the man, he still lurched forward to give Indy the good one-two. Even against Nazis and fascists in the sandbox world, shooting proves ineffective without at least 4-5 bullets lodged in the enemy before you.

Then, of course, there was the fact the traditional means of taking snapshots in game tended to bring up the pause menu (leading to the scene in question being blurred out). While I managed to find my way round this limitation, I did despair early on that I might never be able to take a decent screenshot of what was a beautiful world that had been lovingly crafted by the developers.

These small foibles aside, The Great Circle proved to have an effective gameplay loop with fisticuff combat feeling weighty. I suppose, though, that there were a few more means for Indy to have healed himself prior to the grand showdown at the very end of the game. Thankfully, the game was able to recognise I needed a bar or two of extra health, after one too many deaths, and was able to assist with allowing me to see the game to its natural conclusion (without having to alter the difficulty setting).

During my time with the game, I also enjoyed being able to find purchase books and maps that detailed where collectibles were as this was a key part of how I managed to platinum the title in record time. While I do feel like some puzzles in Sukhothai could have been better telegraphed on what tools Indy needed to further them, overall, the game design and direction were topnotch (that said, the giant snake was a hassle to evade).

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle carried with it the weight of its legacy. Though recent films faltered, the game was able to shine by staying true to the roots of what made Indiana Jones work so well. With its over the top villains and promises of a grand adventure, The Great Circle was able to maintain its momentum and land each of its story beats without too much hassle. Which, of course, was helped by its excellent casting and the writing that kept much of it fresh and exciting.

I’d also attest to the music soundtrack being key to many a scene. Especially with the return of such classics as The Raiders March and a variation to Marion’s Theme. According to the internet, these also had to be re-recorded due to mechanical copyright. Regardless, they served to keep the game true to its roots (while also proving a delight for me to hear during my playthrough).

As a side note, a part of me keeps hoping other Microsoft exclusive games, like South of Midnight and Avowed will make the jump to PlayStation 5. Unfortunately, this does not apepar to be the case and I may have to bite the bullet and buy them on Steam (to play on my new PC). In the meantime, I still have plenty of other games to get through. Least of which is Death Stranding. A game that has proven to be divisive (and is definitely NOT in my top 10).

List of Catchphrases

On January 12, 2026November 14, 2025 By kyndarisLeave a comment

In the week following PAXAus 2025 in Melbourne, SXSW descended on Sydney. With it came a Dungeons and Dragons live show at the International Convention Centre at the heart of Darling Harbour with THE Brennan Lee Mulligan (for those not in know, Brennan Lee Mulligan has a stellar reputation in the tabletop role-playing game scene) serving as Dungeon Master (otherwise known as the DM). How he managed to fit it between what he churns out for Dropout and Campaign IV of Critical Role, I’ll never know, but after seeing Critical Role live back in June 2025, I was not going to miss out on another wonderful show. Enter with me, dear reader, into the world of the Endless Dungeon.

Of course, attending such events on one’s lonesome can be intimidating. Thankfully, I knew the perfect candidate to attend with me.

Though Dikottir and I had been busy since February (with only a brief catchup at PAXAus 2025 where he saw me on the first day as we were heading in), I sent him a private message letting him know of the event. As a fan of Dimension 20 and an active subscriber of Dropout, I knew Dikottir would not miss the chance to see his hero live on stage.

The two of us met up in Darling Square, enjoying a quick meal from Spago and a scoop of Messina, before heading in to the ICC.

The Endless Dungeon, it must be said, is a teeming labyrinth of endless possibilities. Think of me, perhaps, like the dungeon in Dungeon Meshi with its own unique ecosystem including a sewerage ocean and creatures that have never seen the surface. Given its unique design, the dungeon is, itself, the perfect playground for one-shot adventures with all manner of players.

Thankfully, Australia had a number of comedians that were familiar enough with D&D to take to the stage: Jordan Raskopoulos, Tom Cardy, Demi Lardner and Zac Naoum.

While I knew of Tom Cardy (primarily for his YouTube shorts and videos, as well as the fact he was the host for Critical Role back in June), I also tangentially knew Jordan. The others, however, were a mystery though Dikottir was familiar with Demi’s work.

And if there was one word I’d use to describe the adventure on stage I’d have to go with THERAPY.

Why, I hear you ask?

Well, let’s just say Zac’s character was a failed CHOSEN one and Demi’s had a few issues with being sufficiently motivated to live life as a warlock that had a pact with infernal demons. Jordan’s wereshark pirate was still trying to process the death of their wife and Tom was desperately trying to convert the denizens of the Endless Dungeon to his faith about the fantastical sun (while also trying to get any possible followers into a pyramid scheme).

But though I’m loathe to admit it, I found the Endless Dungeon show more entertaining than the Critical Role live-play. This, of course, was primarily due to the fact Matthew Mercer and the rest of the voice acting cast were trying to tell a cohesive story that linked up to the adventures of the Mighty Nein and Bell’s Hells. Endless Dungeon, however, had no such limitations. It was essentially a comedy show dressed up as a D&D live-play with the comedians riffing off each other or bringing back gags to keep the laughs going. Whether it was between themselves or the audience.

Brennan, of course, was an excellent facilitator despite the various attempts from Demi and the others trying to derail the adventure. Always he would bring the party back together, reminding them of the story beats they had almost left on the wayside.

However, as a comedian himself, Brennan was also able to improv his own jokes and punchlines when needed. In fact, he had a few key moments that had the audience roaring in laughter. Especially when he climbed atop the table to pose like a conquering hero ready to dazzle us all with a one-liner.

Still, the synergy between the players and Brennan was electric. And despite the fact it was a worknight, I was able to forget about the hours that passed (until, at least, the intermission). By the second half, though, I was keeping an eye on the time and wondering how quickly it would be brought to an end. D&D being what it is, sometimes poor dice rolls can be disastrous for players. Thankfully, many of them were able to pick up on the hints Brennan left for them and the key villain was able to be vanquished right at 11PM.

Once it was over, Dikottir and I made our way to our respective transportations back home. For me, the trains. For him, the light rail.

Admittedly, I do think he enjoyed The Endless Dungeon much more than I did. Like Sorrengail, Dikottir tends to lean forward in his seat when it’s something they enjoy. Granted, though, the two of them are fairly tall so it might also be a way the two of them can sit more comfortably? As a relatively short person the struggles of being 170cm or higher remains a mystery to me. And I tend to sit back in my seat to allow my legs some room to stretch.

Overall, though, The Endless Dungeon was a great evening out. Would I have preferred it on a Friday night? Absolutely. But such an opportunity is few and far between for us nerds here in Australia.

I, for one, am quietly hoping for the return of Distant Worlds to return to our shores. In the meantime, I’ll take what I can.

Who knows, maybe I’ll even try my hand at writing up my own stand-up comedy set! Goodness knows several people in my life have said I’m funny (though I don’t really see it).

Admittedly, if it allows me to appear on stage with those I admire (from afar), why not?

After all, you only live once right? Why not take what chances you’re given and try something new? And given this post will be uploaded not too long after we ring in 2026, it seems like the perfect resolution to make now that I’ve some freedom.

That said, my love life is still a barren rock. While some of my work colleagues DID tease me and say our outing to The Endless Dungeon was a date, I like to think it was more an outing with a friend. We may still not be besties but at least we’re getting to know each other better? At least this is how this asexual is going to view it.

If anything does come of it, dear readers, you will be the first to know.

Choo! Choo!

On January 5, 2026November 8, 2025 By kyndarisLeave a comment

It was a cold and blustery Sunday morning when bleachpanda and I headed over to the distant suburb of Belgrave. Eschewing the third day of PAX, the two of us had arranged for a train ship out in the quiet Victorian suburbs and to enjoy some high tea once our little steam engine reached its stop at Lakeside. But first, there was the whole ordeal of getting there. Especially with the ongoing trackwork on the line.

Having researched all this beforehand, the two of us woke early. Thankfully, our hotel was close to a local bus station. The bus in question, the 907, took us to station unaffected by the closures. Mitcham is a small commuter railway station on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines.

When we arrived, our train was pulling into the station. Bleachpanda and I quickly descended the escalator and hopped on. From there, it was a another twenty odd minutes or so to the station at the end of the line (as it was an all-stops train and because Belgrave sits about 36km away from Melbourne’s CBD). Once we arrived, we wended our way through the back exit of the station, making sure to tap our Myki cards, as we followed the signs to the one and only Puffing Billy.

According to the pamphlet we were handed as we picked up our tickets, the Puffing Billy Railway was one of four narrow-gauge railway lines built in Victoria back in December 1900 to open up more remote areas. This track, originally spanning 29 kilometres, traced a scenic route from Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook (which was once a busy centre for the transportation of timber and farm produce).

During its nearly 125 year history, the railway was closed briefly in 1953 following a landslide and mounting financial losses at the time. Following its closure, though, the Puffing Billy Preservation Society was formed to keep the railway running and it reopened services in 1955 (with further work done in 1962, 1965, 1975 and 1998).

For bleachpanda and myself, we would be taking it only to Lakeside Station.

And what a ride it was!

With our feet dangling out the windows (although technically I was the only one out of the two of us who did it and even then, not for long), we watched the countryside flash past us. Munching on our snacks, we enjoyed a day out looking at nature. That said, it was a little nippy and the two of us, unfortunately, had not dressed as warmly as we should have.

Still, I have to admit, it was good to see train enthusiasts waving at us as we passed them by. There’s something uniquely human in that brief connection that filled me with a sense of wonder.

Once we arrived at Lakeside, we headed towards the the Visitor Centre where the cafe was located for our high tea lunch. Though the sandwiches were passable, I was a little confused at the selection of salami and prosciutto selections at the bottom. The scones, too, were a lot more filling than I expected. That said, they were tastier than the too sweet macarons.

After we finished filling our stomachs, bleachpanda and I took a stroll down past Lake Treganowan in Emerald Lake Park. To our dismay, it started to rain. Fortunately, the two of us had thought ahead (or I did because I was checking the daily forecast) and had brought umbrellas.

While I would have preferred a sunnier day, I suppose I should have been thankful it didn’t storm and turn our entire expedition out into some disaster. We even got to venture through an amateur art gallery filled with paintings of animals and iconic Australian scenery.

The train ride back on the Puffing Billy saw us sit facing the other side (which we missed out on the ride over to Lakeside). Snapping a few shots, I was lulled by the motion of the steam train and my natural circadian rhythm to nap for a few minutes as we returned to Belgrave and ‘civilised’ society.

After we pulled into the station, bleachpanda and I took a gander at some of the souvenirs. I picked up a fridge magnet while bleachpanda spent a pretty penny on a t-shirt for her niece. Then it was back to Belgrave train station. This time round we took the train all the way to Camberwell before taking a shuttle bus all the way to Parliament.

By then, it was nearing dinner so the two of us headed to Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen. And while the food was decent (though I did ask for normal noodles and feel like I got hard instead), I felt it was a little overpriced for what it was. Admittedly, it was also a Sunday (which would have added a hefty surcharge).

As bleachpanda and I sat and ate a nice warm soupy meal to combat the freezing temperature outside, I couldn’t help but take in the other patrons. A vast majority were PAX goers that had, presumably, enjoyed their Sunday in the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Stomachs full, bleachpanda and I braved the sudden storm blowing through Melbourne CBD in order to return to our hotel.

The trip to Melbourne had come to a close. While I would have liked it much better if bleachpanda had purchased me the steam paddleboat Lego set at the airport, I like to think it was a good trip. After all, she hadn’t threatened to murder me as much as she did when we were in Japan!

While I can’t say when my next trip will be, I am hoping for a nice extended holiday overseas. Maybe a country with rolling hills and nice cottages that appeal to my sensibilities.

Time will see if my dreams come to fruition.

2026 is a new year filled with all manner of possibilities. Here’s hoping I can find the one thing I’ve craved for as long as I’ve been alive.

2025: Stoking the Fires

On December 26, 2025December 25, 2025 By kyndarisLeave a comment

This year has seen many personal ups and downs. With its end, though, there has been some relief from the burdens I’ve carried as the sole carer for my elderly grandmother. And yet, I cannot say 2025 was a good year. The world continues to be thrown into chaos. Divisons between communities continue to deepen. And hate continues to pervade the headlines.

Let’s start from the beginning shall we?

Perhaps it was apt that 2025 started with an attack on New Orleans where a truck rammed down pedestrians on Bourbon Street. 15 people were killed and another 57 were injured. Fortunately, such worries were brushed aside following the funeral of Jimmy Carter (who had passed in 2024). And then, the unthinkable happened: Justin Trudeau resigned. He would be replaced by Mark Carney, a position he retained following a snap election later in the year.

To appease the new zeitgeist, Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) decided to remove moderation of content on their platforms, as well as to push pages that were more political in nature (primarily conservative).

But all this was quashed by the brutal wildfire in Los Angeles (which, undoubtedly, was a Republican plot to destroy more parts of the Democratic stronghold. I jest, of course, but maybe there is some merit to it? I like to think so, anyway). Many homes, including those belonging to celebrities, were destroyed. The community, though, came together and looked to restore what had been lost.

January also saw the first of a ceasefire from Israel and Hamas. Further strikes would launch in March. There would be another ceasefire and then more conflict. Israel, as always, proving to be the instigator in many of the atrocities in Gaza. As the conflict heated up over the course of 2025, protests would be held to stop the fighting. However, like a cornered animal, Israel would continue to lash out – striking out at enemies in Iran, Syria and even a base in Qatar. It is not until late 2025 that a peace plan is signed though Israel would continue to launch several attacks on Palestinians in Gaza (and even send missiles towards Lebanon).

2025 also saw additional competitors to US generative AI modules, including the likes of DeepSeek (which was created using open-source and at much cheaper costs than US equivalents). While this shakes the market, AI technology would continue to dominate. As of time of writing up this post (Christmas Day), the bubble has yet to burst.

Late January would see Donald Trump ascend once more as the president of the United States of America. This is in spite of the fact he was impeached before AND was found guilty of several felonies. As one of his acts, Trump threatens tariffs for Mexico and Canada while also placing heavy tariffs on China. These would be delayed multiple times but he would later place a blanket 10% for all countries that would go into effect come August. Many other trading blocs impose reciprocal tariffs though there would also be several countries who would negotiate with the US to lessen the blow to their respective industries affected. Even Australia would throw its hat in the ring though the wins were few.

In other parts of the world, Sara Duterte, the vice-president of the Philippines would be impeached. Sweden suffered a mass shooting at a local school. In support of ousted president, Yoon Suk Yeol, there was the rise of the White Skull Squad in South Korea.

Back in the US, Elon Musk would be assigned to the Department of Government Efficiency (or DOGE for short). They would fire many federal workers only to rehire some of them. This was mostly due to the DOGE only having a shallow understanding of many important roles.

The US would also see the mass deportations of Venezuleans to an El Salvador prison despite no proof they were part of criminal gangs. However, it would not stop there. ICE would grab civilians off the streets if they believed the person was an unlawful non-citizen. Mass protests would ensue in several major cities. This, unfortunately, would lead to crackdowns from the Trump administration where the National Guard would be sent in (without the consent of the State governor).

As 2025 marched on, ex-Philippines president Duterte (father of Sara Duterte) would face trial at the International Criminal Court. The Sudanese army would seize the presidential palace in Khartoum following two years of civil war. In Turkiye, protests would erupt as a presidential challenger is detained.

There would also be smaller events including the leaking of US military plans to a journalist who was mistakenly added to a Signal group. Wildfires would ravage Korea and the Unification church in Japan was ordered to be dissolved. In Myanmar and Thailand, a earthquake would kill hundreds. Elsewhere in the world, Pakistan would repatriate approximately 80,000 Afghans who had fled to the country.

Early 2025, with DOGE still running rampant, also saw Tesla stocks fall drastically. Thousands would protest, causing damage to Tesla dealerships or attacking owners of the cars themselves.

In some mixed news, three direwolf pups would be brought back from extinction.

Alas, the world would continue to fall into disrepair. Following an appearance int he Vaitcan city on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis would pass away. In his stead, Pope Leo XIV would be elected. The first American to ever be elevated to such a role.

As we headed towards the middle of 2025, tensiosn would rise between Pakistan and India following a mass shooting in a popular tourist spot in Kashmir. Southern Iran would suffer a chemical explosion, and Spain and Portugal would endure a massive blackout. Back in the US, Trump would sign an executive order to cut funding to public news outlets (a win to many who have lost faith in traditional media though getting the news from social media is, in my mind, presumably worst).

In a complete upset (though it came as a relief to me), Labor wins the Australian election in May. Peter Dutton, Opposition leader, would lose his seat. Reshuffling afterwards, Sussan Ley would take the reins. They would also see a split from the Nationals though the Coalition would reform after a week. The People’s Action Party, another incumbent government, would also win its 14th consecutive election in Singapore.

As the year rolled on, India would strike nine sites in Pakistan. In retalitation, Pakistan would shoot down five Indian aircrafts. Back in the US, Trump would be offered a private plan by Qatar to replace Air Force One. Joe Biden would then be diagnosed with prostate cancer. And, in the state of New york, a Mexican ship would crash into the Brooklyn Bridge.

Prior to Ukraine-Russia peace talks, a massive drone attack is launched on a Russian military base. Ukraine would also hit the bridge between Russia and Crimea (mostly to establish some breathing space). Unfortunately, 2025 would see the tides turn and Russia would gain more ground. As of the writing of the post, no peace plan would be formally adopted.

With many elections across the world, there would be more disruptions: Karol Nawrocki would win the Poland presidential election and Lee Jae-Myung would snap up South Korea’s leading spot. In the Netherlands, the far-right leader would quit the rocky coalition and their government collapses.

Back in the US, the One Big Beautiful Bill passes in Congress. This sees a rift form between Trump and Elon Musk, with the tech billionaire forming a new political party in opposition. Whispers of Trump’s involvement with Epstein would then begin to swirl. Ultimately, the files (heavily redacted) would release in late December.

Summer in the northern hemisphere would bring more tragedy, including severe flooding in Texas, killing hundreds. New York would also endure a flooding and Europe would face ever more severe heatwaves.

Elsewhere, conflict would arise between Cambodia and Thailand.

And as Israel proves recalcitrant in its bombing of Gaza, many countries harden their stance against it and choose to recognise Palestine as an independent state. Including, of course, Australia.

As August rolls through, postal services to the US are halted due to tariffs on goods lower than specific threshold. For Australians looking to send packages over, shipping resumes at the end of September.

September also saw a huge military parade in China featuring the likes of Putin, Kim Jung Un and previous leader of the Victorian Labor Party: Daniel Andrews. In Indonesia, protests break out – mostly against rising injustice and corruption among the elite. Similarly, Nepal also sees violent protests led primarily by Gen Z. The Nepal PM resigns and the capital burns.

Though there are no violent protests, the Prime Minister of Japan resigns (Sanae Takaichi would then be elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party) and the French one loses a no-confidence vote.

Conflict continues to stoke the world as 2025 rolls towards the end. Poland is forced to shoot down drones purportedly from Russia. In the Philippines, protests continue regarding overt corruption. Electronic Arts (EA) is purchased for $55 billion by Saudi conglomerates and goes private. In the US, Trump claims there is a strong link to paracetamol (or, acetaminophen) and autism (spoiler alert: there isn’t. The real link is most likely between high fevers and their possible impact on developing foetuses).

And, for forty days, the US government would go into shutdown. This was primarily over the lack of subsidies for health care. Following a victory in the New York mayoral election (with Zohran Momdani), eight Democrats would vote in favour to pass the budget in the Republicans favour. Trump would later sign an executive order exempting food from tariffs as inflation on grocery bills begin to bite.

Across the world, though, there would be a student led coup in Madagascar. After the president flees, the military takes over. In France, burglars would steal the Napoleanic jewels from the Louvre.

To the devastation of many, the AWS cloud unit goes down, disurpting hundreds of other platforms and websites. This would happen again when Microsoft Azure goes down. A Cloudflare outage also crashes several sites.

In royal news, the Queen Mother of Thailand, Queen Sirikit passes away. Prince Andrew, following further accusations, is stripped of his titles and is asked to leave the Royal Lodge.

With 2025 nearing the end, both New Delhi and Islamabad suffered a bombing attack. A massive fire would break out in Hong Kong, killing up to 161 people. In Benin, there was a failed coup attempt. But it was the acquisiton of Warner Bros Discovery by Netflix that surprised many. Though the deal has yet to go through, many are fearful what this could mean for the movie industry.

Back in Australia, we saw under 16s banned from social media. And, in a shocking display of cold calculation, there was a mass shooting down at Bondi Beach during a Chanukah event by extremists.

Once again, seeing how the events of the world has shaken out over the course of the year has further outlined how hate and divison had shaped politics and the way many see the world. This has only been further stoked by populist leaders looking to win clout by sowing seeds of fear and taking advantage of the pain many people feel. While I would like to think 2026 would see a return to normalcy, I cannot help but feel like we’re on a speeding train, headed towards disaster. Distrust runs rampant and society is fracturing at the seams. Authoritarianism is on the rise, corruption is rife and many world leaders look first to themselves rather than the people they serve.

But though the outlook looks bad, there is still hope. After each tragedy, people come together in the best of ways. They donate. They check in. And they uplift.

I just wish we got to see the best of humanity more often. Yet selfless acts of kindness are few and far between. And despite my jaded and cynical outlook on life, I cannot help but look for the light. There is too much wrong with the world. Why cannot we, as a people, choose to leave it a better place than we found it?

Rising Sun

On December 19, 2025October 31, 2025 By kyndarisLeave a comment

The Bakumatsu is a pivotal period of Japanese history where the once isolationist nation opens up. More importantly, it marked the end of the feudal shogunate system. In the last two years, I’ve somehow played two video games that were set during this time period. These were Like a Dragon: Ishin! and Rise of the Ronin. The latter of which was the one I completed late October, right after the release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Both games, of course, featured key characters from the time period including Sakamoto Ryoma, the various members of the Shinsengumi like Soji Okita, Ernest Satow (interpreter), and the last shogunate Tokugawa Yoshinobu.

While Like a Dragon: Ishin! was a more stylised version of history, set only in Tosa and Kyoto, Rise of the Ronin plays through all the core events including the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, the Ansei Purge and the Sakuradamon incident. And rather than have the player in the shoes of famed heroes, the game centres the story around an unnamed protagonist of the Veiled Edge. Together with their Blade Twin, they watched their village burn down. Filled with rage, they were trained by the Kuraso clan in the arts of combat and assassination.

During one of their first jobs with their Blade Twin, they are sent to infiltrate the Black Ships (the term used to describe Western ships because of the tar used on their hulls), and assassinate Commadore Matthew Perry. Though they are successful at stealing the secret message, they fail to kill the Commadore and the protagonist is forced to escape – leaving behind their Blade Twin.

The overall narrative then sees the protagonist trying to find their Blade Twin even as they become embroiled in the politics of the time, an outside influence to the major events playing out.

In time, the protagonist joins the cause of reforming Japan and bringing about a new dawn. Unfortunately, their Blade Twin, who had survived the earlier showdown with Matthew Perry, desperately wishes to watch Japan burn down in the flames of conflict. Mostly as retribution for their home being destroyed.

While the narrative does marry the events and weave the protagonist’s involvement in a relatively coherent manner, I couldn’t help but feel let down. Primarily because the main protagonist barely speaks (even though they have voice acting). Rather, they serve as a mute side character witnessing historical events unfold before their eyes for most of the game. Their sole contribution being the fact their a dab hand at cutting down their foes (though not all actually die. Merely defeated to survive another day where they might rejoin your side if you change between the pro- and anti-shogunate factions).

This is despite the lengths the game goes to paint their favourable bonds with a vast cast of characters and how it is the power of these bonds that differentiates the playable character from their Blade Twin, also known as the Demonclaw Samurai.

Then there was all the praise lavished upon the protagonist though they never seemed to express their own views or spoke at all during the cutscenes. And don’t get be started on the Veiled Vow romance options. Why would, given their past, would Commadore Matthew Perry actually enter into a romantic relationship with the protagonist? It made no sense!

Is it any wonder I felt let down by the story and the main character?

They just seemed to have no personality beyond the occasional dialogue options available. In comparison, Like a Dragon: Ishin! saw players in the shoes of the one and only Sakamoto Ryoma who infiltrated the Shinsengumi by using a pseudonym: Hajime Saito. Despite the stoicism, there was a clear motivation behind Ryoma’s actions. He had a way of going about the mission he set for himself. Rise of the Ronin’s protagonist, meanwhile, was more often a vehicle to simply move the plot along.

That said, the game itself did have several colourful characters in its cast. I very much liked Kaishu Katsu, Ryoma and Jules Brunet. All of them had unique outlooks on the conflict between the various factions driving events in Japan during the Bakumatsu. Yet, perhaps, in spite of this, they still tried their best to bring about a better tomorrow.

Narrative aside, Rise of the Ronin had a strong foundation for its combat and gameplay. Though I don’t much like Soulsbourne-like combat with a heavy focus on parries and stamina bar, it worked well for the game. The game, though, was made easier with several difficulty settings. Something I did toy with because the timing to parry certain attacks was never as obvious as I would have liked (nor did I like the fact it was mapped to the heavy attack button or that enemies were barely staggered when you were trying to lay in a few combos). Perhaps I could have dodged more in the game but Rise of the Ronin didn’t really reward dodging much (or blocking for that matter).

As for the other aspects of gameplay, the traversal mechanics reminded me of Assassin’s Creed though it was less smooth in how the protagonist scaled walls and scaffolding. While I appreciated the smaller maps, there were still plenty of collectibles to collect (although unlocking where they were was quite easy).

Another thing Rise of the Ronin did well was its grapple hook and glider combo. While I feel like they weren’t integral to the gameplay, it was still fun to zip up into the air and zip across a river. Although, admittedly, my immersion was very much broken when you pointed the glider down and it did not serve the increase glider speed in any perceivable manner. Only by unlocking the ability to fly faster through inventions could you speed up how fast the glider flew.

Beyond these issues, I liked being able to customise the outfits my character wore, as well as the look of their weapons.

Oh, and we got to fight Earnest Satow, who had rocket boots (I think that’s historically accurate)! Still better than fighting Thomas Glover? Who knows. Both of these brief antagonists came out of nowhere.

With that said, Rise of the Ronin did feel very much like an underpolished Assassin’s Creed game. From its focus on history and how it broken down each historical character, organisation, landmark and important event, to even how the player characters ran around while being controlled. There wasn’t anything I would have considered unique, though, of course, I didn’t have to climb towers to unlock more of the map before me.

In that sense, Rise of the Ronin felt like a serviceable game but not quite what I actually wanted. It had its moments of fun but I didn’t fall in love with it.

Perhaps if the narrative had been more compelling, I would have been more invested. As it was, I cared more for the non-playable characters (though the fact you’d often fight them and then be friends again in the next was a little jarring) than the main protagonist.