Living Aristotleanly ... (Part 2) Main Points of Virtues for the cultivated life.

So as I recently finished Nichomachean Ethics, this part two was due too long. But I will have to come back to it multiple times during my life to explain more and more of the ideas. I admit I rushed into it but sometimes It was better for me to read certain paragraphs of the books inside.

For a recap of an introduction to Aristotle's ideas, go to this link. (http://mrmacavastel.blogspot.com/2017/03/living-aristotelian-life-in-postmodern.html)

 But let's look into what Aristotle wanted to teach us.


(https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/98953036-famous-mathematicians/marble-and-alabaster-bust-of-aristotle-famous-mathematicians/)

1) Find the Golden Mean

When Aristotle talks about finding the Golden Mean, he wants to find a scientific/logical balance of two extremes. But what's interesting is that he make an effort to find it in a very rational way. He explains, through reason, how finding the golden mean is a virtuous task. So since he explains how by using two specific virtues, we'll talk about them the most because he goes greatly into details with them: Courage and Generosity.

Courage is the virtue of bravely going into scenarios even when feeling fear. But when Aristotle looks at courage, he also looks at the extremes of Courage. In his eyes, there is an excess of a virtue and regress. For example, Courage is in-between Recklessness (The excess of Courage) and Cowardice (Regress).

Recklessness, in Aristotle's eyes, is blind courage without examining anything at all with the situation in mind. So when one needs to feel fear, there is none and there is no caution for even personal safety and reckless behaviors lead closely to death. Cowardice is the lack of any courage whatsoever. Refusing to stand up for one's self (or/and others) and living in fear is a true regress of Courage. Seeing these two extremes made Aristotle focus on finding the golden mean of the virtues.

Generosity is freely giving without it hurting oneself and in the spirit of helping those who deserve it. Aristotle focuses on the importance of righteousness when it comes to generosity because there is an amount that will be too much, we might give money when we shouldn't (I know someone terribly like this), and we might give it to the wrong people.

But let's focus on how he gets this by noticing the excess and regress of Generosity (called Liberality in many translations but we'll use Generosity due to many knowing the word more familiarly). The Regress, in this case, is Stinginess (a greediness focused on hoarding all goods and money, i.e. Ebineezer Scrooge the Miser). And for the Excess, ... well, Aristotle is unsure about the right word in this case. He refers to this as Wastefulness (as well as some Aristotle academics) but some use the word Profligacy. (I'll be using this when the talk of Generosity come up again in the later parts.)

By finding the extremes of the virtues he wishes to find this mean as a reminder of logical conclusion in pursuing a virtuous life.

2) Practice does make perfect.

The proposition being made in this statement is the fact that Aristotle says that in order to cultivate virtue it must be practiced in repetition. In other words, virtue is a habit rather than just conscious choice. Though of course, Aristotle makes it noted that virtuous habit is a good choice, it's the conscious repetition of good choices that promote moral flourishing.

The virtue is habit principle is a common motif when Aristotle talks about when people make good choices to better their lives in the long run but he also talks about the consequences of making habits of bad choices. Lack of virtue can be improved on and can still be promoted when some people are good in some virtues and lack in others. Since virtue is habitual, it can be taught and practiced. And continued practice leads to a better life.

3) The Importance of Friendship

Aristotle noted that there are 3 kinds of friendship we all face. But let me explain what he constitutes as a friendship. This is crucial.

Aristotle notes that a "friendship" of one good person and one bad person can't be considered one due to the nature of the bad person and his motivations for being friends with him (the good person). It's an obscure example but let's look at Peter Keating and Howard Roark from The Fountainhead. Peter can only befriend people for his self-esteem and pride. He has none as an architect because he was put in that position by his mother and his friendship with Roark is only a means to help him ensure himself as a good person. He may not be as bad as other characters like Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter, or Shou Tucker,(URGHHH! I HATE THIS BASTARD SO MUCH! Anyone who isn't a fan of anime or has never seen Full-Metal Alchemist might want to watch the show to see why we anime fans get worked up about dogs and wigs.) but his weakness in virtues does make him a bad (though somewhat pitiable) guy,

Even if both parties are bad in the relationship, they could never work out a means to goodness and virtuosity in friendship. Look at Hitler and Stalin for a good example. Both are notorious dictators and yet formed a friendly alliance where. in the end, one (Hitler) betrayed the other (Stalin).

And now, let's look at the 3 main examples of friendships,

I) Friends for Pleasure: These friends are the types of friends you come together with to enjoy your lives with. Like going to the movies, amusement parks, having drinks, etc. When good and compatible friends go out, their entertainment is doubled due to good company.

II) Friends en stratagem: I have personally coined this phrase but I can't say confidently that it's original for these kinds of relationships have happened in the past so many times. These are similar to business and political ends primarily, though not always in association with it. It's a strategic friendship to make allies in a certain circle and usually ends with a "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" issue. However, the two in this situation must be friends and have been in good standing and virtue to achieve a healthy relationship. (Evil on one or both sides can't apply.)

III) True friends: These are the friends Aristotle Praised the most. They share your feelings with you, can be able to open up about things you might be too sensitive to talk with others on, and such. They are just like you yet not so. Two good people who see the benefit of each others company, not just for Pleasure or gain, can find the end in itself in this situation.

4) 11 Virtues are Necessary for a Flourishing Life

There are 11 Virtues Aristotle mentions in his book. All are varied in length of discussion but he does mention they are between two radical extremes.

I. Courage: The be brave when the moment is needed. In excess, it's recklessness that does lead to abandoning and in regress, it's cowardice which enables fear and lack of standing to anyone when needed.

II. Generosity: To be charitable, to the right people, at the right time, and in the right mindset. Excess is profligacy (giving out too much money rashly and showboating it) with the regress being Stinginess or Miserliness (withholding all money and goods.)

III. Temperance: The rational control in pursuing earthly desires. Debauchery is the excess of the loss of self-control. Scarcity is the regress of temperance in refusing all earthly desires. (A monks life one could say.) Noting this, Aristotle promotes being able to enjoy yourself within the means rather than this ascetic lifestyle.

IV. Magnanimity: Generally, translations of this have included greatness of soul but I'll also use pride to explain this. This virtue is the feeling of accomplishment and the right way to showcase and promote it. The excess discovered is Vanity (pride with no real accomplishment or such) and the regress is described as the smallness of soul. (To be honest, this could be due to literal translations of the Ethics. Some use Pusillanimous (Latin for the small soul so it does fit in a way))

V. Magnificence: How to carry one's self. A form of pride in how one is presented with their affluence and wealth. Vulgarity is the excess and the regrees is Pettiness.

VI. Indignation: A form of envy where people attack the misrepresentation of justice in society. (Aristotle uses the words Righteous Indignation to further emphasize the mean as well as how people can carry indignation into the excess and regresses of Envy (which Aristotle believed was an evil in itself but that's another story.) and Spitefulness(sometimes called Malicious enjoyment, and some like to also call it Schadenfreude (Thank you Avenue Q)).

VII. Patience: To be calm and focused in situations and with other people. The excess of Patience is Irrascability (impatientness) and the regress is described as Lack of spirit. (It's hard for me to say what this is but I guess it could be also described unambitious though I don't think this is the right word either.)

VIII. Truthfulness: The truthfulness Aristotle is dealing with is Truth of oneself and one's accomplishments. Beware of Boasting (the excess of promoting one's self in exaggeration) and of self-depreciation (the regress which can also be called understatement).

IX. Wittiness: The virtue of being clever with words as well being serious and joking at the right times. The excess is buffoonery (the man who takes everything as a joke and nothing serious) and the regress being boorishness (the man who takes everything too seriously and can't stand a joke).

X. Friendliness: The ability to get along with the right people. The excess being a flatter with no substance whatsoever to critique and the regress being curmudgeonly when one is unfriendly and constantly avoids others and society.

XI. Modesty: The virtue to accept and understand shame. (Aristotle didn't necessarily make this a virtue but that it was a good character trait to have. I would argue it makes a good virtue if understood.) The shameless are in excess due to never feeling shame and the shy (not the same way as we see shy people but how they react to their actions) as regress due to feeling shame for all actions even when (most of the time) their actions have nothing to be ashamed of.

5) "Reason" is absolute to a good life

Ayn Rand said she had an enormous debt to the Philosopher Aristotle for his foundation of Metaphysics and Epistemology had led her to formulate the Objectivist Philosophy. And why shouldn't it?

"Reason" is the primary driving force in making good decisions in life and thus Aristotle talks back to reason as it is "reason" that makes good choices and instinct that, often much more than not, leads us to bad choices due to not reasoning out and thus making an effort into understanding our choices before us.

Thes 5 points are crucial in understanding one of the most important ethicists in our entire human existence and I hope I got some of you interested in reading his Ethics, though a bit of a warning, it is a heavy read so also prepare for a little light reading. (Just like the next book I'll be reviewing: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice.)

Stay Tuned Darlings!

The Most Beautiful Game I've Played so Far: A Review of Okami

In 2017, we've received many games where the aesthetic theme is integral to the storytelling. Cuphead and Bendy and the Ink Machine are two of the giants that focus on a 1930's cartoon aesthetic to tell their stories. The former, a love letter to the Fleischer Brothers surreal cartoons and very early shooter games like Kontra, and the later is a horror game which also has the Fleischer Brothers to thank for the style and themes.

But at the end of 2017, there was a rereleased game that was on the down low. And yet this game has been acclaimed from when it was first released through its sales were moderate at best. This game was one I heard about but never played until I got it back in 2015. But as I play the PS3 download version, I was immersed in a world of color, fantasy, myth, and art. This game is Okami!

Backstory: The game was originally supposed to be all 3-D and 3-d environments made to give the game a realistic look but instead they decided for a look with more of a meaning and went with Watercolors and Sumi-e (the art of Japanese ink painting. Look at this)


(https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/japan-traditional-japanese-painting-sumi-e-art-temple-sun-lake-gm688478754-126801097)

Thus this was one of the important aspects of Sumi-e painting focuses on nature and harmony with it. And it takes an entire lifetime to master. But another aspect (the plot) is centered on many of the Shinto Myths found in the books The Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. Not just major myths but even hidden references like the tale Okuni-Nushi and the Hare of Inaba, Princess Kaguya, The Bamboo Cutter and the Sparrow Clan, and Otohime and Urashima Taro. But the main storyline has a reimagined style of the creation myth of Japan and the myth of the creation of demons and monsters in Japan.

Just to add one more important thing, Okami is the japanese word for wolf but it features the kanji for god (Kami) so it's a picture pun on the fact you're playing a wolf god.

Plot: The Plot is heavily taken from Mythology and reinterprets classic Shinto Myths and Folklore into this game. But it's divided into 3 parts, each focused on its own mythos. But the most popularly known to us is the tale of Orochi and Susano-o. In the game, Orochi has been foolishly revived and the darkness has penetrated most of Eastern Japan with little hope in the world where all the gods have been reduced to being little to nothing. In a desperate hope, Sakuya summons the last of her power to get Amaterasu to save the world. Assisting her is the sprite Issun, a wandering artist who assists as our Navi to Amaterasu's Link (it's a spot on comparison with Navi talking a lot and Link being silent, Issun is at least funny and expressive and Amaterasu just barks.) And now you play as the two of them searching to destroy the dark fogs over Japan and restore order and the belief in the gods again.


Amaterasu (wolf) and Issun (sprite)
(http://makingthecrossover.wikia.com/wiki/Touhou_vs._Capcom/Amaterasu)

Characters: There are so many characters to enjoy and love but the main characters are quite a treat and I kinda don't want to spoil the other two plotlines so I'm gonna keep them on the down low.

Amaterasu: Based on the Goddess Amaterasu, Ammy is the Sun Goddess of the world and works with 12 other lunar zodiac inspired gods to make up the 13 Celestial Brush Gods. She is the playable protagonist and has the power to make the sun beam down on the world.



(http://okami.wikia.com/wiki/Amaterasu)

Issun: The Wandering artist. He is searching for all of the heavenly brush techniques to be a master artist. Can be a bit of a perv since he notices all the beautiful women in this game.


(http://okami.wikia.com/wiki/Issun)

Sakuya: Based on Konohaka Sakuya, she's the goddess of flowers and trees. She called for Amaterasu to fight against the darkness. She's a very sympathetic goddess in similar standing to a wood nymph of Greek lore with being the protector of the Konohana tree in Kamiki Village and being their protector. Has ... um... nice peaches??..?


(http://okami.wikia.com/wiki/Sakuya)

Susano: Based on the God Susano-O, Susano is a lazy swordsman and descendant of the great hero Nagi. The polar opposite of what Nagi is thought to have been (heroic, amazing and bold while Susano is Lazy, boasting, cowardly) and he himself carries himself with way too much hubris.


(http://okami.wikia.com/wiki/Susano)

Orochi: Based on the 8 headed monster Yamato-no_Orochi, he's a monster who eats maidens every year for a sacrifice. After 100 years of death, he as revived completely ready for a new era of Darkness. (I really love this picture with the blood and emphasis on dark colors and hues.)



(http://okami.wikia.com/wiki/Orochi)

Kushi: Based on the Goddess Kushinada-Hime, Kushi is a simple Sake Maiden. However, she is chosen as the new sacrifice to celebrate Orochi's rebirth. She has a plan up her sleeves to distract Orochi and she has a crush on Susano.


(http://okami.wikia.com/wiki/Kushi)


Gameplay and Battles: The gameplay is similar to The Legend of Zelda series (though I haven't played much Zelda, it's familiar to me so I'm aware.) But the main focus is on art and nature. Art with the Suni-e ink painting environments and Nature for the main subject matter of Suni-e and the themes of nature being a heavy motif in the game.

However, in this game, you can actually be the artist. (There's even a nice detail of Amaterasu using her tail as an ink brush.) And you can use the ink to create new paths and manipulate nature. The game emphasizes the need to explore with many sidequests and new locations opening up every new act. The 1st act gets you to Eastern Japan and the countryside. The 2nd Act takes you to Western Japan and the Capital of Sei-An city and the sea coasts, and the final act takes us to Northern Japan and the Cold Tundra there.

Each environment is rich and beautiful in the gaming details and designs. Also, the philosophy of Sumi-e painting is captured with every game detail. It's not about being a realistic painting in detail; it is to capture the essence of the bounty of nature and usually, Sumi-e artists are all impressionistic in their approach and it flows well from this game. But I also like how even the humans and urban and town environments are also in this style and flow well with the central theme of harmony with nature. Most towns are near water supplies like wells, rivers, and the ocean to add a light touch of realism to the mix too. And featured in some cutscenes are the actual Japanese paintings incorporated with both story elements and the bestiary too.

Spoiler for Act 2 but since you guys have no idea where this comes in, I'll let you experience it.




The Battles are combative and require a balanced use of both ink brush techniques and your weapons divided into 3 categories: Rosary Beads, Glaives, and Reflectors. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses with Rosary Beads giving rapid fast attacks but require distance away and do the lowest amount of damage, Reflectors doing moderate damage but still a balanced choice and Glaives being the strongest and being able to charge the attacks each but attack speed is sacrificed.

In battles, all your brush techniques will be used to by manipulating certain elements enemies give off to attack others. You can send projectiles back to enemies, get them caught in vines, make the winds blow and ice freezes them. It requires a lot of creativity to destroy these monsters. Also, make sure you look out for demon fangs. Those will help in the long haul, trust me.

At the end of the battles, you'll be judged on how fast you kill the enemies and if you avoided being attacked. The highest ranks give a blooming cherry blossom tree, the lowest ranks give a seed waiting to be grown so even the results screen is natural themed too.

The music is a beautiful combination of both western orchestra and eastern instruments. I just love the sorrowful theme at very emotional points of loss and goodbyes.

Positives:

The game is very artistic and seemingly blends the artistic style into the gameplay successfully. The tale is quick but very relaxing and zen making you want to focus on looking everywhere.

And there's a lot of sidequests to do but they feel like they are a part of the game and that if you want to choose to go further you can.

The special Stray Bead mission is long but it's especially important. It's worth doing as it tests all your abilities and searching to the test and knowledge of brush skills too.

Negatives:

Sometimes when you battle, not all your abilities go along with the game. Sometimes, I did a wind spell but it slowed time instead or when I was doing an ability, I got it connected to my weapon of choice. (Some weapons have elemental powers)

Also, the trophies are easy, maybe too easy and have little requirements but the stupid fishing one is a bore and so much to do with that one.

Overall: This game is another you should put in your Library. Only available for PS2 and Wii, this game is remastered for PS3, PS4, XBOX 1, Steam, and soon Nintendo Switch. Also, this game has such a strong aesthetic to it, it goes into the games where we can discuss the possibility of gaming as an artistic and interactive medium. The game is a must-have for Legend of Zelda fans, those who love adventure games, or for more casual gamers because the only battles you really need to fight are all story oriented but the full experience is what makes it a masterpiece.

5/5

And as usual, don't forget to follow and like and comment and critique me. Feedback is especially important to help create even more professional content for you and me.

The Economics and Light Empowerment of Animal Crossing: New Leaf

You know, this idea just randomly popped into my head after playing a little more Animal Crossing. Ever heard of it?

This is an adorable, relaxing, zen kind of game. I would argue it's a precursor of all your app games with town building but I argue that it's more than that. (Well, Animal Crossing's new app game is out but my phone keeps getting little storage more and more. I need an Ipad or something again. Not just an iPhone. In fact, I'm getting pissed off at my phone.) But this game is all about doing everyday things in life but in a more calming way. You pay a mortgage for a house and can make additions while also getting reviewed on the Feng Shui aspects, (unlike in Real Life, Feng Shui actually works in this game), make friends with all the adorable Animal Villagers, and, primarily in New Leaf, make your town prettier.

All that sounds pretty nice right? Now let's focus on the economics. However, I'll be focused on Animal Crossing New Leaf''s economics as I've never played any of the other Animal Crossing games. This is my first one. As I said earlier, you actually get to pay for a mortgage by paying Tom Nook, a Tanuki (yes his name is a joke on the species he is) Raccoon who has a dealing with the Housing Market of Animal Crossing. Considering, there is no real known nation other than what we know about all other towns that are similar to our own and that Tom Nook directly works for each one. He sells all kinds of additions from a basement and second floor to 4 main rooms and a secret storehouse. But he also attracts the player with facades, gates, frames, mailboxes, and doors. All the essentials needed to showcase our home to anyone interested in coming to our towns.

Now there are other stores in town too. We have Timmy and Tommy's (Tom's Twin Nephews) shop Nooklings, which upgrades to an Emporium shop of 3 stories with an upscale shoppers place on the top. So as well as helping Tom's endeavors, we also help with his shop and expand when we buy more and more from his sales. Also, there is a local clothing shop with a small selection of shirts, pants, dresses, and hats/accessories to showcase ourselves. And later on, we can add to the store a QR reader to have any new designs for clothes and make our own designs to advertise as well. Also, I can't forget the opening of other stores and services like Kicks (the owner sells shoes and socks), Shampoodle (makeup and hairstyle changes), Garden Center (plants and trees), The Roost (a coffee shop), a Dream Suite (A Tapir lets us visit dream versions of other towns if we don't have the right friends), Club LOL (a DJ Dance Club), Re-Tail (A Goodwill look-a-like where you can sell old items to other town citizens and the two alpaca owners and also repaint other items) and Katrina's Fortune Shop (the fortunes actually work). So we have a small town economy grown into a suburban-style town. This is important to notice because most of these shops happen only if we invest in the Nooklings shop and the Able Sisters Clothing Store. But Club LOL, The Dream Suite, the Roost and Katrina's shop are all only available by suggestions from the towns members.

Let me explain something I forgot to mention. In Animal Crossing New Leaf, we become the mayor of our new town. So we have all the power invested in us. We primarily have to make sure our town is satisfactory to our denizens and also make our town as distinct from others as possible. We have the choice to make all sorts of public works projects and add new places to our town. But there is one important aspect of this. We have to get all funds voluntarily. I. E. No taxation. It's kind of interesting to note that even though this was primarily a way to get us as the player to invest in our towns, it's done by making it sound like we all want to support it if we can rather than use force. Unlike most cities where public works projects would be taxed upon the citizens, we can volunteer donations to support new ideas whether being petitions for a club or support a new hot spring and traffic light or a mini-campsite.

Also, there is one other thing to notice about this major role. We have access to four ordinances. There are a Night Owl and Early Bird Ordinance which both affect what times the residents of your town wake up early and go to sleep. The Beautiful Town Ordinance to focus on keeping your town clean. And finally, and this is important A Bell Boom Ordinance. This one effects you by making the Re-Tail store by back two premium items (if this ordinance isn't activated, they will buy one premium item) for a higher price. Also, all sales go up by 20% but all buybacks are up 20%. An inflation consequence but made for those wanting to make large amounts of money for projects and their house.

So in other words, it seems like Animal Crossing is making an unintentional commentary and support for mostly laissez-faire economics. (The ordinances really count as the only laws and since it's a feel-good simulator and no one commits crimes or even has a notion of sin and crime [though there is a police station but its primary use is to notice any new people coming to town like Redd the Fox, Katrina, and other special animals for a new gameplay showcase each day] so laws are very relaxed) And you have the chance to sell all sorts of items to make the most money and reinvest it into the town. And you can have people visit all over to do barters, trades, and sales on the individual scale too. And the economic world is so relaxed as well to build it up and watch it grow over time. It's privatized predominantly and the government's main feature is just one regulation (the ordinances) and voluntary public works projects (though I sure wish my townspeople actually donated a little money to each project; I'm always stuck donating to finish these works. I know that's the point of the game but come on. A little help goes a long way).


 Of course, this is more Complementary evidence due to the scale of the world we experience in Animal Crossing and that the main themes of the game focusing more on returning to the country, community, friendship, and environmentalism with the focus on keeping the town clean and the natural environment clean and thriving. But it's quite interesting noticing the impact of the game on others. However, the commentary part I want to focus on is the aspect of the consumerism in this game.

You have to invest a lot of heavy consumerism in this game. And thus you can make it seem like you can compete with everyone else by making your town the best: Have all the wallpaper, donate all items to the museum, have all fashions and such, making your town the pretties. It makes it an over-consumption market rather than a balance of consumption and production due to emphasizing the human want of consumption, i.e. buy stuff for stuff's sake rather than buying for survival. But this should be noticed due to how there is a plethora of items to buy from the stores, especially the fully upgraded Nooklings store called T&T Emporium. Also, there is Joan the Boar and her Stock Market Turnip sales. Buy Low, Sell High and use that money to buy more items.

But even doing that isn't the full point of the game to play it fast. It's a very relaxed and welcoming game meant to attract casual gamers and those who want a game to relax with rather than being over competitive. But I think it's funny how this game reflects modern life so well. Making friends, paying the mortgage, and building more into one's income. But it's done in such a relaxing and zen manner it means to make us feel accomplished. I've heard many people who say this and other similar games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon which focus on making farms but also developing relationships with people. (Play Stardew Valley, it has some great moments of character development through the scenes are very small.) This is especially important. A game that has made people cope with the world's difficulties in a cathartic and meaningful experience. Casual for everyone to play but positive and empowering to give a reflection on our life. (People with mental health issues and some acquaintances I know love the relaxing atmosphere and calm demeanor to help them in their everyday lives.)

So I want to leave on this positive note of happiness and to give this game a try if you like simulator games with adorable animals.

Authors Note: I couldn't find too many articles or videos dealing with this subject. This is the only one I could find which helped in the influence. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeFbdzbvNjM) But I'm sure there is commentary I might've missed. What do you guys think of AC: NL and the possible economic theory. This is primarily complimentary and supplementary evidence so It's interpretive. (It's not that I don't want to believe in my hypothesis but because the economics was a way to add entertainment value over real meaning in the game, that is my main argument for this is primarily interpretive over actual objective value.) I wanted to add this to make people understand this article on the evidence I've seen and so my audience can honestly see that this article is primarily noticing a possible coincidence. But I hope it provides entertainment for you all and maybe gets you interested in this game. As for my argument for the empowerment of AC: NL, check out Jirard the Completionist's Defend It video on AC: NL (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynC5ST87RB8) to see a much more eloquent argument.

And don't forget to share, like, and comment to help make these articles stronger for you!

Hidden Gems PS2 Part 2

Darlings! Good to be back. Now it's time for the PS2 Gems Part 2.

So for this one, we have a couple of series on here so I'll go into the first games and then just basic plot for the sequels if made.

1) Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army and Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon: Another member of the Shin Megami Tensei series, Raidou Kuzunoha is a devil summoning detective of the Raidou Kuzunoha clan of devil summoners chosen by ability rather than decent lineage. He must solve mysteries while fighting in an arena with other demons like Ukobach, Parvati, Kudan, and others whether they are mainstays of the overall SMT series or new demons made only for the Raidou Kuzunoha series. It's a fun RPG but it is seriously difficult. Also, it's fun exploring Tokyo in Pre-WW1 era Japan.

The game is a real-time RPG so you'll be commanding your demons to do their abilities but you can also let them go crazy at your own risk. I personally enjoyed the mystery of Raidou Kuzunoha. Though it can be a little difficult to follow, if you ever pick it up and forget where to go, the detective agency you go to has files of all the things you did up to current events and your friend, Detective Shouhei Narumi will tell you what to do next as well as your talking cat Gotou.

Also the sequels main Saving Grace is the new mechanics. It's pretty much the same Tokyo to explore but with more demons, the ability to summon two at a time, the alignment system of the mainstream SMT series, and the Luck System (which is the main theme and issue of problems [plot and gameplay-wise]) in Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon. Good luck gets you bonuses and an easier game, and bad luck makes it a bitch to survive. Both games are for PS2 but you can download them on the PS3 if you own one.

2) Shadow Hearts 1,2, and For the New World: Ok, this one is a triple threat so I'll just go and talk about them in order since they all are chronologically like that.

Shadow Hearts 1 is an RPG from the defunct Sacnoth Gaming Company, meant to be a rival to the Square Enix company, which never worked out since before FTNW the company declared bankruptcy and the weird part is all 3 games were published to the outside market by other gaming companies. (The first two were published by Midway of Original Mortal Kombat fame and the third by XSEED Games known for ... I don't really know. I don't play many XSEED games to know or remember.) But weirdly enough, it's understandable why this RPG didn't do so well due to being truly hidden. But now to the game. Shadow Hearts runs on a graphics engine similar to Final Fantasies VII through IX. It would've worked out if FFX didn't make an appearance in the same year. (Brutal Right?)

So the story is focused upon a rude hero (it actually calls the guy "Rude Hero" before you go and save the "Girl in Danger") named Yuri Hyuga who saves "Girl in Danger" Alice Elliot. The two walk their way through China to find out more about the evil Warlock Roger Bacon and his plans to reincarnate the universe. You travel with 4 other characters and all 6 have some pretty interesting and sometimes funny conversations depending on who you choose to accompany you at times.

Just know that Yuri is your main guy so can't switch him out for the "He's the Protagonist" tropes and rules of RPGs. However, Yuri is a Harmonixer, a man who can absorb demons powers and transform into them. And every character has their own style of attacks with some ranging more with certain magical or physical attacks but Yuri is generally the well-rounded guy thanks to the demons. And the turned based style doesn't get boring with the quick time event Judgement Ring. This device in the game allows you to do your abilities but you have to time it on the colored spaced correctly to advance. Sadly, the coloration is very difficult to see, but luckily the spinner line is colored so you can fill in your work. Oh, and if you fail, you won't be able to use certain abilities or attack only so much.

The main highlight of the game is the atmosphere. It's dark, enemies are grotesque monsters from Cthulu Mythos, in fact, the series is loosely inspired by such stories. (Just remember kiddies, you can't beat Cthulu because he's simply the fear of the unknown and there is no way to beat the unknown. It's indifferent to you.) Also, exploring Europe and China is fun with an overworld map with specific locations to be lead to so you won't feel lost with the flow of this RPG. Oh, and you might want to take your time in China because you can't return back from their in the second half of the game. But this alternate history, RPG is fun.

Shadow Hearts 2 improves on the system and the graphics and voice acting (the first one doesn't have much) is great and enjoyable. The sidequests you do for all the characters makes it awesome for it levels ups your abilities for them from collecting Oils for synthesis potions and Tarot Cards for Luck effects, finding compositions of Wagner's Operas to improve sword fighting, photo shooting enemies to summon their abilities, and fighting wolves in competition for Best Wolf makes the interactions funny in the generic anime style and also the cool bonus dungeons in post-game are pretty cool. The plot focuses on an international secret society's plans for evil and also Yuri is back after the tragic death of Alice from the first game. With new allies Blanca the Wolf, Gepetto the Puppeteer (and Alice's Uncle), Karen the German Lieutenant in WWI escaping as a fugitive of war, and others. All of them team together, traveling through Europe and Japan while also fighting against some of the evilest demons summoned by the secret society, Sapientes Gladio.

Shadow Hearts 3 takes SH2's system and just tweaks it a little to make it somewhat unique. This plot focuses instead on Johnny Garland as he is a detective finding out what happened to one of his clients subject of interest as he is killed by a monster coming from a mysterious portal. Along the way, two Native Americans, one a harmonixer and the other, a specialist in Gun-Fu (I'm not making this up. It's how quirky Shadow Hearts is) ask Detective Garland to help them hunt down Prof. Gilbert, a former client of Johnny's. Along the way, even more, weird characters like a Brazillian Ninja, a Vampire who eats positive and negative calories to change fighting styles, a fat Cat who fights with Drunken Fist, and a Mariachi with a flamethrower in his guitar make up for another cast of weirdos. (But Weirdos in a good way.) There isn't much to say due to gameplay being familiar already and I would say it has the weakest story due to not focusing on the original cast of Shadow Hearts but it doesn't mean it's unenjoyable. I especially like the Cthulean style more with the enemies you fight making the slight horror aspects show from the game.

All 3 games are available for PS2 only sadly.

3) Haunting Ground: I mentioned this one for my Halloween list of video games but I didn't go deep into plot and horror as well as gameplay. Haunting Ground is a survivor horror game with its origins in the parent game Clock Tower. Basically, you are a young girl, Fiona Belli, and she is mysteriously kidnapped to a castle where she meets four residents that have their own mysterious agendas. Each of them stalks the poor girl but she has made a new friend. Hewie the Dog can be made to attack enemies and find items but this game is mostly focused on sneaking. So with that, you can be quite a tricky sneaky player but there are four different endings depending on certain situations. I'll let you guys figure it out. Also, I nearly forgot to mention that there is an alchemy lab for you to make all sorts of items to help in your journey so it'll make it easier. Haunting Ground is sadly only for PS2.

4) Psychonauts: Before Inside-Out Happened, this game got you inside people's heads literally. This cult classic Tim Shafer game lets you play Rasputin, a young psychic wishing to be a psychic agent to put his powers to potential against his anti-psychic father's wishes. You have an arsenal of psychic powers from Pyrokinesis, Telekinesis, Clairvoyance, and others to fight off mental issues and training grounds to power yourself against an unknown threat. Each of the level designs is very clever from expressing certain characters' personality to expressive environments showing some NCP's mental health issues. This is also one of those games that tries to be funny, yet it works and it's a hilarious game. I have to stop sometimes so I can enjoy the jokes that come into the game. And in 2019, we'll be getting a sequel. Psychonauts is available on PS2, PS3, PS4, XBOX, XBOX 360, and PC.

5) Okage: Shadow King: The reason I put this very hidden gem on here was for finding on The PS2 for PS4 games at the PS Store. This game has a very Tim Burtonesque style and aesthetic and also features some pretty funny dialogue. The story focuses that the main character's shadow has been taken over by Evil King Stan but upon learning he's not the only evil King, he has taken revenge on our protagonist to hunt down all the fake evil kings. The game is very funny with dialogue choices the protagonist can make and plays like the standard RPG from early FF games and don't let your MC die or it's game over. If you like Tim Burton, this game will be up your alley. But it plays like a standard RPG with the aesthetics and humor being saving grace. There is no voice acting other than a cheesy narrator. This game is for PS2 and PS4.

So here are 5 games to Enjoy. Sorry I haven't posted much due to working on paying my rent. But hopefully, once I pay it off this month, I can write more articles with some political and some gaming news/suggestions.

Shin Megami Tensei: Part 3 The Art of Kazuma Kaneko (People)

Ok Everyone, This one took me a while because I want to show Kaneko's versatility when it comes to designing demons but it also has a bit of history as we'll look into his early designs so we'll be looking at some past designs from the first Megami Tensei games and like SMT 2 and  Nocturne. We'll focus a part of this series to Kaneko's successor. (Masayuki Doi. His works have been mixed among the fans, (Myself included) but he does have a combo of hits and misses and when he hits, he does it well.) But before we do the demons, let's look at his human designs first.

Kaneko's main style is varied but his human designs have a very simplistic look. But what he lacks in making distinct facial features and looks, (Almost all characters have a similar profile look) he makes up for in Fashion! Kaneko is a master of following fashion trends from casual, classy, to the haute couture.

Let's look at the first Shin Megami Tensei Protagonist.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/0/05/Kazuya_render.png/revision/latest?cb=20120921120529)

So from this design, we see Kaneko's usage of color more in emphasizing what our protagonist wears. We see this a lot with many of his human characters. His character's skins are usually pale to emphasize the clothes being the main characteristics of the MC. But notice the patterns and colors of the clothes. They're modern and that's the main separation of clothes seen in Fantasy games like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts where clothes seem made arbitrarily to emphasize the fantastical elements of the story. Let's compare to the KH2 outfit of one of my favorite protagonists, Sora. (https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/kingdomhearts/images/6/6d/Sora_%28Art%29_KHII.png/revision/latest?cb=20130917025201) The clothes could look pretty normal but with the emphasis on the straps being a major outline and the overly baggy pants being both unrealistic and a tribute to Mickey Mouse (Sora originally wore Mickey's colors of white gloves, yellow shoes, and red pants). Also, the huge zipper lines for Sora's overshirt as well as his trademark shoes also should be noted. Exaggeration is in this aspect of the KH universe, SMT tries to be more subtle but also reflects Kaneko's philosophy.

Now there are some more famous Kaneko characters. Let's look at Madam from SMT II. (https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/5/50/SMTII-Madam.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090623072243) Madam is the governess of Valhalla, a section of Tokyo Millenium. This design Kaneko made shows his love for Haute Couture designs with a combination of formal dress and abstract patterns and designs. (Notice the chains and overexaggerated collar) But Kaneko successfully makes the design look natural to Madam and makes one feel as if you could meet this eccentric woman someday. Maybe at a high fashion show or a rich dinner party. But even other supporting cast members also have fashionable and modern styles that emphasize their looks.

Isamu from SMT: Nocturne (https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/b/bc/Nocturne-IsamuNiita.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20081210030909) has a very punk and gothic aesthetic from Ripped Jeans, predominantly black clothes, the demonic Belt Buckle (I think it's foreshadowing but if you guys ever play this game, let me know what you think about the Belt Buckle being a foreshadow element. Also, if it helps, the face on the buckle looks similar to Kaneko's design of the demon Azazel.), and cap which covers his right eye. But yet it's fashionable and you could imagine someone wearing this in a contemporary setting.

Kaneko even goes further to period style clothing, specifically 1920's Japan. Heavily inspired by Japan's late Meiji period and Jazz Age Japan, Kaneko features his character designs from the Devil Summoner Series to be just as individualistic from other characters of the mainline SMT series. Shouhei Narumi, Raidou's mentor and friend, is all cut clean and dapper with a 3 piece brown suit. (https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/6/60/DSRK-Narumi.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170417100235) The bowler, popular for its time, fits perfectly into Narumi's suit and the tie is an individualistic touch but still matches with the overall suit. The curly hair is also a nice touch to focus a little on Narumi's appearance being a bit messy like his personality sometimes.

And for another lady, let's focus on the Narumi Detective Agency's (unofficial) Investigative Journalist, Tae Asakura. (https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/3/3a/DSRK-TaeAsakura.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090523083854) Tae refers herself to be a modern woman and it's no surprise given her cosmopolitan look. Also inspired by Western Fashion, Tae prefers being individualistic by going with the modern lady's look with her Peter Pan haircut under her lady's bowler. Also, she wears a white blouse to compliment her overall light creme outfit of a business skirt and matching overcoat. Her posture has a sly and curious look to her, reflecting her role as a journalist digging up gossip on all sorts of places including places where other devil summoners congregate to find clues about their own personal agendas. Tae's look reflects the beginnings of the 20th-century woman and Kaneko does an excellent job of coming up with her design and characterization from just a single look.

Lastly, Let's look into Stephen this time. (https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/4/43/STEVEN.png/revision/latest?cb=20121008155542) If you haven't guessed, Stephen in the games is based on the late Stephen Hawking, wheelchair and all. In this game series, Stephen is a scientist who helped create the digital demon database summoning system. So he has knowledge of the demons but in style to Hawking, he has traveled into the multiverse and watches to see what the protagonist does. The Bright Red Suit called immediate attention to him but unlike the ideas of passion and rage, he's quite calm and analytical. Soothing but stern. And his facial features and glasses are also reminiscent of Stephen drawing further parallels from Reality vs. Fantasy. Even his wheelchair is similar to Hawkings but added with more gadgets for Interdimensional transportation and demon summoning.

Now before I go, I want to mention that Part 4 will focus on the Demons of Megami Tensei and include pictures of YHWH and Lucifer as well as other demons that Kaneko has designed so it will take longer than anticipated for this article to come out. But here's a quote from Kaneko to describe his philosophy of SMT.

Profile

"Another thing that bothered me was the trend of the main character always being portrayed as someone special -- a legendary warrior, for example. It was the equivalent of saying you can't succeed unless you're from a wealthy family, and I just couldn't stand that. I wasn't born with special genes, and I'm sure most other players weren't either. No matter who you are, if you're given a chance and have the guts to try your best, you can become a hero... That became the concept of Megami Tensei."

Dreaming of Manderlay: A Review of Rebecca

So as I finished Rebecca, those haunting words at the beginning of the novel haunted me once again. "Last Night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again." Daphne du Maurier focuses primarily on Gothic Storytelling in a more suspenseful and psychological mentality on focusing on the main aspect of jealousy, living in another's shadow, and

Plot: (Basic Plot because spoilers will ruin the whole book and the suspence and surprise) In Monte Carlo, our unnamed narrator meets with the mysterious Maximilliam (Maxim) de Winter. After a few short days of courtship, though unknown to our protagonist, he proposes matrimony and they are off to Maxim's home, Manderlay. But our new Mrs. de Winter is focused on how she is being overpowered by the pressence of the first Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca, and her housekeeper and confidant, Mrs. Danvers. But Rebecca's pressence and secrets overpower, and yet motivate her to find the secretive darkness of Manderlay.

Pacing and Setting: (Mild spoilers)  The pacing is slowly built up primarily through a first-person steam of concsiousness with most of the setting taking place in Manderlay and around the surrounding areas like the Gardens, Beach, and Cliffs nearby. du Maurier focuses more on the aspects of the psychological and emotional aspects of Mrs. de Winter so the focus is primarily on her memories as well as her slow recollections of the events of her life in Manderlay. But there are some minor places, (like Monte Carlo earlier, and London periodically) that also add to both plot and experience in the story.

Characters: (Minor spoilers)

The Second Mrs. de Winter: A nameless protagonist where we are shown her story throug her eyes. She is constantly found in the shadow of Rebecca de Winter, her husbands late wife.

Maxim de Winter: The widower of Rebecca and newly made husband to the second Mrs. de Winter. A man of dual calm and rage. A man who seems distraught over his late wife and his love for Mrs. de Winter.

Rebecca: The Late Mrs. de Winter. A woman of an independant nature. All that's known of her is through the people in her life and their opinions and experiences with her.

Mrs. Danvers: The housekeeper and main servant of Manderlay household. She is a loyal lady to the late Rebecca de Winter. However, seeing a new threat to her household with the second Mrs. de Winter motivates Danvers to psychologically manipulate and abuse her.

Mrs. van Hopper: To Mrs. de Winter she was ... well it's hard to describe their relationship other than possibly she (Mrs. de Winter) was originally paid consort to van Hopper. Mrs. van Hopper is the foil to Mrs. de Winter. Mrs. van Hopper is vain, socialble and snooty compared to Mrs. de Winter's shy, meek, and calm demeanor.

Beatrice (de Winter) and Giles  Lacey: Beatrice is Maxims sister and Giles is brother in law. The two are an odd couple but they do seem romantic and caring for one another. Beatrice is  blunt and direct with other people though has a dual caring and sympathetic side. Giles is often portayed as a tired old dog but is a bit of a foil to Maxim.

Jack Favrell: The Cousin to Rebecca. Our protagonist doesn't trust him much due to his personality being brash, careless, and playboylike.

Frank Crawley: The assistant to Mr. de Winter. A loyal man and friend to Maxim and the Missus.

Pluses: The story has some great characters and characterizations leading up to the ending and I'm quite surprised to say I did not see plot twists coming until after reading and learning what happened and a story that can do that for me is a winner in my book. (No pun intended.)

Minues: The slow pacing of this story is a bit of a sleeper for those prefering action and more dynamic approaches to the story.

Overview: The Gothic tale of Rebecca is chilling and spledid in the weaving of the tale and makes me want to read other novels and stories that Daphne du Maurier has written. She writes with excellent point to details, characterization, and drama as she slowly unravels the story to the conclusion.
4/5

Also, I want to make a note for any other people who follow my blog that the article for Shin Megami Tensei Part 3 is still postponed due to referencing and more written analysis is needed to further explain the design techniques and important emphasis on the artwork of Kazuma Kaneko. Also, I'll be writing an article on one of my favorite programs to watch and the emphasis of uplifting media entertainment.

I have some important news!

So as I said earlier, I have important News!

I FOUND JESUS.  Yes, I couldn't belive it myself but I did.


And so I brought him to my house once again.


He did the floorboards.


He makes excellent tamales.


And who knew he was right behind the Home Depot.



Wait ... you thought I was returning to Christianity?

JOKES ON YOU! APRIL FOOLS!

Sorry I had to do this since it will be a while til we have an April Fool's Easter. So this worked perfectly but go out there and enjoy yourself with some pagan symbolism and secular fun!

Also, stay tuned tomorrow for my new announcement for the latest book I'll be reading starting tomorrow.