Top Ten Non-Square Enix RPG's

Top Ten Non-Square Enix RPG's

Hello everyone. It's time for a Top Ten. I haven't done one of these so I'll have some very pivotal rules for this one. We're going to count down the top ten Role Playing Video Games that aren't created by Square-Enix

1. The main rules will be one game per franchise if the RPG had a series.
2. The games must not have been popular when they came out until they have had a resurgence thanks to fandoms, remasters and re-releases, featuring in popular media, etc. If they have a cult following, that still counts as well.
3. It must have sold low or had barely noticeable press coverage when the game released or it might have been shadowed by previews that gave negative press if such is to be.
4. All Square Enix Franchises are off the Board. No Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, The World Ends With You (as much as I love it), Dragon Quest, etc. Sorry Square Enix lovers but sometimes other companies can come up with some good RPG's.
5. This also counts for video games that are published by Square Enix or assisted with production from Square-Enix in the past so the Star Ocean Series is off the table and So is Super Mario RPG due to those technicalities.
6. Games will be rated by the importance of the game in the franchise (again if they do have a franchise), the improvements made overall, and extra boons like effecting video game sales/reviving old franchises/impact of future installments/cult classic love.

Ok, then here we go.

10. Shadow Hearts: Covenant: This game was made by ex-Square Enix employees when they started the now-defunct Sacnoth (later called Nautilus) company. This RPG has a darker tone compared to Final Fantasy but still has lighthearted moments of humor. Set in an alternate universe during WWI, Yuri Hyuga and friends get involved with secret societies, demon summoning, and saving the entire universe from Lovecraftian style situations. And Yuri must use his powers as a harmonixer, a human who can eat demon souls and turn into them, to stop all kinds of evils from members of the Ars Goetia, Rasputin, and the Japanese Government.

(Blanca (center) and Gepetto (left) face against one of the first enemies of the game. Seen is the Judgement Ring)

The game also features quite a bit of humor with the main cast and a couple of side characters including flamboyant twins who run a shop you visit most of the time. The enemies all have the Lovecraft vibe with tentacled plants, dolls with bugs nests inside them, large roaches and weird babies, floating zombie ghosts in chairs, the list goes on with most being palette swaps of other enemies but still do the job right.

(Yuri (in the Black Jacket) with Allies (from left) Joachim (blonde) , Lucia (back in the peach dress), Karin (redhead), and Gepetto (green suit) searching through a mystic mansion)

And another boon to this game is the character development. The side quests have each a character to help with either ultimate armor, weapon or ability in each case so don't shirk on them because it's quite enjoyable seeing them achieve their goals as well as some of the oddball humor that invades scenes at random times. But it's an overall fun cult classic that does deserve a PS2 for PS4 badly but we can still enjoy some nice play-throughs and occasional cosplay nods.


9. Fire Emblem: Awakening: Without this game, we wouldn't see the return of Fire Emblem and have its fate regulated to Super Smash Bros thanks to iconic characters like Marth and Ike. Though it did garner a small following in the West, Awakening was the game that gave the popularity and focuses needed to be engaging with a cast of unique and tactical characters all aligned differently to go forward with the goals of having the crest of Fire Emblem restored. However the main villains as well as a grand cast of heroes, anti-heroes, and tragic villains emerge as they all help stop the villainous plight truly behind the shadows.

(Logo of Fire Emblem with Chrom and other allies attacking and casting spells)

Played similarly to chess, you must control your members on a square by square board moving them to defeat enemies and grow stronger. But on the main style of the game, if your party dies, they die. IF your leaders (Prince Chrom and Robin (default name) the Tactician die, it's automatic game over. And at least one of them must be in each battle to add more difficulty to the game.

(Gameplay of Fire Emblem: Awakening, the characters must face their opponents horizontally and vertically, (diagonally if they can shoot arrows or cast spells)

But this games impact was the much needed hero of its day. This was supposed to be the last Fire Emblem Game if saled didn't go well. The Fire Emblem legacy would've died here but at least would've been off with a bang. But thanks to high sales, positive reviews, and love for each of the characters, this prompted the Fire Emblem franchise to continue with a new Fire Emblem coming for the Switch soon.

8. Mario and Luigi RPG 3: Bowser's Inside Story: Despite Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars being a collaborative effect on Nintendo and Square's part. Nintendo has done a great job with its own RPG list, especially a future franchise that'll be in the list. But before we go there, we must go here. Mario and Luigi and Paper Mario are both great RPG franchises that Nintendo made with the trademark characters but given a comedy spin when it comes to the antics of the Brothers in Mario and Luigi or the 2-D joys of Paper Mario and friends.

(The Main Chase of Bowser's Inside Story: (From Left to Right) Midbus, Fawful, Bowser, Mario, Starlow, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Toadbert, Corporal Paratroopa (flying above), Toadsworth, Broggy, and Baroque Monsieur)

In Bowser's Inside Story, you play as both Mario and Luigi, but also with Bowser for the first time in way too long since Legend of the Seven Stars. Following a comical yet slightly serious tone of good vs. evil, Fawful from Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga has tricked Bowser into eating a Mushroom that sucks up enemies. Now with an uncontrollable appetite, he storms the Mushroom Kingdom while also allowing Fawful to control both the Mushroom and Koopa Kingdoms. And an illness called the Blorbs is oversizing the Mushroom Kingdom Citizens, making them unable to fight or do anything at all.

(Gameplay showing Mario and Luigi inside Bowser and his Bone Thwomps (left) and attacking enemies controlled by Fawful (right))

For the battles, you chose an attack and if you time the presses successfully, the system rewards you with more damage against enemies whether you jump upon them or hit them with your hammer. Also the skills you do also have certain requirements to achieve max damage, from drawing lines with your stylus to hitting A and B at the right time. Also Each Brother and Bowser is controlled with different buttons, Mario is controlled by A, Luigi by B, and Bowser has X and Y.

The Game's main draw is the oddball scenario and the comedy mostly known throughout the Mario and Luigi RPG series and this one was chosen for being the funniest and being the first Mario and Luigi RPG on the DS/3DS. And to make even the Mario fans happier, BIS will be rereleased on 3DS in 2019.


7. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch  This game combines the best of two worlds: Studio Ghibli and RPG's. Level-5 had a cult hit RPG with Dark Cloud and its sequel. However, their main popularity with the RPG world rose with this collaboration came across with a combo of Monster Hunting elements, a grand score by Joe Hisaishi, and a wonderful voiced British Cast. (I'd say that the cast brings more of the whimsical elements of the game to life.)

(The first main city of Ni No Kuni, Ding Dong Dell)

Focused upon Oliver, a young boy trying to revive his dead mother by finding her soul mate in The Other World (Where the title Ni no Kuni roughly translated means) he travels to find a world of heartbroken people and as a wizard, plans to restore their hears and find the Saga Alicia. Meeting new friends and going on an adventure that even sets certain magical laws as well as understanding the power of his magic, Oliver and his friends Esther, Swaine, and Prince Marcassain must fight against the the evil White Witch and her Djinn, Shadar.

(The Main Cast and some of the familars you will face in Ni no Kuni. In the main center are Oliver: (Center) Esther (Oliver's left) and Swaine (Oliver's Right).  )

The World is a Treasure Trove of Imagination, Fantasy, and Wonder. It's a wonderful Alice in Wonderland Tale of its own right and the RPG elements mostly focus on it being a real time RPG while also incorporating common tropes of JRPG's like abilities that cost magic to use. The most notable is the Monster Gatherer aspect and many of the monsters are quite interest but it's kind of sad that many of them that you collect are re-skins when they level up. But you can also upgrade certain abilities of theirs with sweet treats though certain families prefer some treats over others and must be fed that to gain affinity and higher stats.And with the sequel, this game shines due to having the back power of Studio Ghibli's hands and transitioning from Nintendo DS to PS3 updated everything to a beautiful game that could possibly be described one day as a work of art.

(Two of the main villains: The White Witch and her parrot Apis.)

6. Undertale: There have been many spectacular indie RPG's like Darkest Dungeon, Citizens of Earth, and (one of my personal favorite) Knights of Pen and Paper 1 and 2. But the one that can be considered the biggest success is Undertale. Combining aspects of 8-bit and old school RPG's like Earthbound and the early Shin Megami Tensei, the story focuses on a young child going to a land of faeries and decides the fate of its world.

(The main protagonist going through a town in Undertale)

The Game's Alignment system is one of the highest acclaimed pieces, even bleeding into other play-throughs like how they constantly remind you of all choices, good and bad you made. With the choice of being able to kill anyone you want or being pacifistic helps develop the game on multiple levels of philosophical and ethical questions as well as character-centric storytelling that allows anyone to get to know specific favorites more and rewarding them with those special scenes and moments. And with the game being inspired by Irish and Celtic Lore of Faeries and magic, it enriches the experience of it overall.

(Sans (the skeleton next to the MC) and the MC at Grillby's bar in 

And with its success came a multitude of fan support and with one of the largest fan bases ranging from artists, musicians, and even game creators who redeveloped and made games inspiring and sometimes bootlegging it. It's made a cultural and gaming impact on us and hopefully in the better for years to come and for future indies.


5. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Bioware has had many successes in the Western RPG world. But credit is due to Dragon Age: Inquisition. Focusing on the Civil Unrest in Thedas, a customizable MC, made into the chosen due to a mark (Totally not a MCGuffin!) on his body claiming him as such, to bring peace to the land with his advisors and allies as well as stop demons from conquering said land due to the unrest.

(The MC and some of your party fighting enemy forces in DA:I)

But unlike other RPGs, since our main character is fully customizable, more emphasis is made on the choice you make such as dealing with chosing how do accomplish missions as well as dealing and talking to you allies as you forge alliances and friendships. This adds an interesting mechanism in especially since choice matters in deciding how to get Thedas to peace. Choosing one of 3 advisers allows for 3 different paths of Diplomacy, Warfare, and Spying (thought spying helps lead towards Diplomacy and Warfare, though your own allies might find the prospects of trusting you difficult.) This mechanic makes the socio-political atmosphere more interactive compared to the conquering against the blight run world of Fereldin in Dragon Age:Origins.

(The main logo art of the game featuring the main cast)

Also, in this fantasy setting, there's a bit more in the social diversity range and group to anyone interested with an extensive treasure trove of editing your avatar to fit your personal wants as well as grand storytelling with each party members own trials and tribulations like Dorian confronting his father with his homosexuality to Blackwall, the devout Grey Warden hoping for peace despite his purge on the forces of evil.


4. Dark Souls: The game, the strife, a newborn legend. Well, at least it makes more sense  when you decide to look at all the parts of the information and looking at way too many lore and philosophy meanings for the story of Dark Souls. But this game has been a video game cultural icon, even if it has been overused in quote and meme culture. (I.E. This game is the Dark Souls of RPGS, even though in general Dark Souls is an RPG game.)

(One of the inventory menus showcasing items that will help you survive your strife in Dark Souls)

Dark Souls did something similar to Undertale, go back to the games of the past to find inspiration. The thing they took instead however, was the archaic style of older video games: little plot, hard difficulty, and overwhelming frustration! The game focuses on a nameless protagonist looking for what he's lost as his true self in a void of death, destruction, and nihilism. The only hint of what to do is what others are saying about reclaiming humanity and finding a new path to your salvation.

(One of the Bosses you can face in Dark Souls: The Gaping Dragon. The Teeth coming out of the stomach has a slight parallel to Cthulu's tentacled form with overemphasis and body horror twists and disconjunctions)

But with the constant struggle to beat over the top, Lovecraftian style bosses from Elditch Nightmares, a constant and psycho-maddeding reincarnation cycle, and what seems like no place is safe and there is no where to really go, Dark Souls still manages to immerse us in both its world and lore and with going back to early gaming days basics, manages a challenge of both gaming and intellectual prowess. (This is due to Namco offering a $10,000 prize to explain the full plot of the Dark Souls Saga back in 2016 and that has many people from Wisecrack to Nerdy, INC to come up with the Philosophical and Plot structures of Dark Souls.) And it is to this minimalist plot requiring deep exploration and constant struggle for greatness which is what will make Dark Souls continue it's triumph for many generations to come.


3. Persona 5:

(The Protagonist going to attack the Shadow Silky in Persona 5. Also features the battle menu.)

The game, the anticipation, the success. This was a contender from Game of the Year by many beloved fans and reviewers alike. And with a combo of a grand plot, adding to the traditional fighting elements of Personas with reintroducing 3 attack elements, and adding extra features to make every choice count even more than the last one, Persona 5 becomes a titan of RPG greatness.

(The Protagonist treading around Yongen-Jaya, his new neighborhood he moves to in Persona 5)

Focusing on the memories of a vagrant youth, he recalls how he was accused of a crime he never committed and how he ended up a Shujin academy and the friends and enemies he'd make. Luckily, with some power from Igor (a mysterious owner of The Velvet Room) and his assistants, Caroline and Justine, Akira or Ren (depending on whether you prefer the Manga or Anime name respectively) becomes a Phantom Thief, stealing the hearts of criminals while making it off like a king, and uncovering a conspiracy that has allowed strange occurrences to happen all over Shibuya and general Tokyo.

(The Cast of Phantom Thieves talking about the next heist and the next villain's heart to steal.)

With your daily aspects, you do a life sim with day to day interactions like playing video games, hanging out with friends, working out, attending school, increasing your personal states like Courage and Intellect, and buying the things you'll need to enter the dungeons. By night you become the Phantom Thieves. Explore the many palaces of the minds of the villains you plan to reform while improving social standings with a close knit group of friends and tricksters and rebels.

2. Pokemon X and Y: If we are going to discuss Non-Square Enix RPG's, let's discuss Pokemon. Pokemon is predominantly the first J-RPG that many of us will be familiar with due to growing up with it just like with Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, or the Mana series. One on one battles in a turn-based system of knocking our enemies out. Pokemon X and Y are chosen as due to their impact on the future of Pokemon games, and what it was designed as.

(Pokemon X and Y starters (From Left to Right: Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie)

This game was the love letter to Pokemon fans all over the world with the Second Generation of a Pokemon game featuring a real world inspiration out of Japan. (Unova, the first one was based on New York City and Manhattan Island and Kalos is based on France.) But the extra additions, primarily the updated graphics and the 3D realism and fantastic elements of Pokemon make it an extra special experience as well as a new update to keep Pokemon fresh and alive from transitioning from 2-D to 3-D.

(The Map of Kalos Region)

This game's theme on Beauty makes sense given France is a capital of culture of the arts, beautiful chateaus and scenery of the French Countryside and Rhine, and the many vineyards to enjoy as well as offering DS Photo compatatbilites to have you snapshot Kalos as a real tourist destination. And it also added fashion choices to buy from the many stores you can find in the cities and towns of Kalos. And with 72 additional pokemon to the mix, people have already found their fan favorites.

(The new 3D models seen in X and Y for  Luminous City.)

And now for the Honorable mentions:

Odin Sphere: Liefaisir: Vanillaware has a wonderful collection of video games with fantasy and storybook-esque designs and graphics but Odin Sphere takes the cake. Odin Sphere originally was released for PS2 but re-released for PS3 and PS4. Focused on the tale of 5 heroes as they pursue their own goals and eventually end up saving the world, Odin Sphere is an episodic video game focused on a cast of fantastical and artistically designed people with an intriguing interwoven story.

Dark Cloud: This game was Level-5's dungeon Crawler RPG and Town Builder Combo that focused on 6 heroes restoring order and peace to a world torn by a catastrophic Nazi-like warring nation. With the cities all over being destroyed, Toan and his friends must go searching into the realms to restore the towns and eventually fight through many regenerating dungeons and placing correctly the right way to restore the town.

Knights of Penn and Paper 1 & 2: Both are parodies of the Dice Rolling RPG Dungeons and Dragons but with its own layout and land. With choosing crazy character combos (Like a Paris Hilton rich girl Rogue or a Jock Wizard), lampooning Wizards of the Coast, regular Fantasy Tropes, and other D&D style scenarios and an all too on the nose meta-narrative parody plot, this game is both hilarious and loving at the same time, giving a tongue in cheek perspective on the game we love.

Darkest Dungeon: The Lovecraft tribute RPG has the same similarity to Dark Souls in difficulty so don't get clingy to your units too much. Even if you do, always expect them to die or go mad. With a Gothic Victorian aesthetic style to the game, the Cthulu Madness overreach with multiple members dying, having different mental issues and problems more than physical ailments, and the constant need to explore the Darkest Dungeon though such a spiral will heed one either into madness and/or death, Dark Dungeon does a great service to the source material that is the Lovecraftian Mythos.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne This games Gothic aesthetic, post-apocalyptic themes and philosophical choice matters scenario has wonderful mechanics. Despite the dated graphics and minimal voice acting in cut scenes (only battle grunts are even heard), the game is often rated not only as one of the greatest hidden gems of all time but sometimes the greatest PS2 RPG of all time.


And now for number one ...

1. The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Bathsheba went all out from what they have done with Elder Scrolls IV and added more of the Drakenborn lore as well as allowing much to alignment and created an entire world and culture loosely taken from Slavic and Nordic lore and history.

(One of the first town's you'll come across, Riverwood in Skyrim)

The game pits you against two factions of the realm of Skyrim, The Imperials and the Stormcloaks. Each has their own moral compass and ideologies that make them morally ambiguous with The Imperials allowing the disintegration of the Stormcloaks and the sovereignty of their lives but wish to restore peace as well as offer better rights for elves and minorities. The Stormcloaks wish to restore Skyrims culture and sovereignty away from a tyrannical empire but would restrict people back to traditions (like racism against elves and other races) irregardless of anything other than the idea of "preserving culture." It makes for a powerful and potent moral dilemma that makes it difficult but noteworthy.

(The skills trees of Skyrim: More than what is featured!)

Another praiseworthy aspect is the RPG Tree of skills coming from a variety of means to level up and how it can be accomplished. Though the many ideas of certain classes are present, it instead allows free reign of allowing anyone to challenge themselves or better themselves with a roundabout warrior, mage, or thief as the general three classes. But you can really make it whatever you wish as you find special runestones to upgrade yourself and fight the many monsters and armies of Skyrim.

Also, the expansive terrain and the socio-political culture is rich thanks to careful and meticulous world building Bethseba has implemented in their design to make exploration the world both a treat and a rewarding experience for those who progress farther through the game and can chose to do the main storyline or not.

Updates on my resolutions

Hello, Darlings! Yes, it's me! It's me! It's me, it's me, it's me, it's me, it's me, it's me, it's me, it's me, it's me, it's... me, me, me, me, me ... me, me, me, me, me ... me, me, me, me, me, me, me, ... me ... (breaths in and in the lowest bellow I can I say) MEEEEEEEE!

And who am I, I, I, I, I, ... I, I, I, I, I, ... I?

Well, I'm Marcos Pisanis of course, the creator of this blog. (Also, if you guys didn't get the weird presentational joke, it's a reference to the musical Young Frankenstein, the song being Surprise)(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnVa8x4LxYU) It has my name in it so I don't see why you couldn't tell. So I love a good surprise and I'm glad to share with you the good surprises of my resolutions as well as other small goals this year.

So I have 6 goals in mind. But let's start with my four resolutions this year. And I'll comment on my progress so far.

1) Reading More: I originally made a promise to read 6 books by the end of the year. They are The Vampire Lestat, Rebecca, Nichomachean Ethics, The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, Wuthering Heights, and We the Living. So far I read the first four books on the list! I am currently on page 125 of 326 of Wuthering Heights so I'm about 38% finished so I'm not halfway through but if I've already read four and a quarter books in the first half of the year, I'm making excellent progress.

2) Writing More: I had originally planned to write a rough draft of one short story, one play of any kind (stage, television, screen, podcast, etc.), and one novel. But I haven't made much progress on that angle. However, since I have contributed a lot to my writing thanks to my blog, It has made my writings come to a wider audience, even if I haven't released any drafts to anyone until I have the first draft finished. I am happy to say however, I have more concepts I'm debating. However, as for me deciding to pursue them, that's another story but If I decide not to, I'll at least include it elsewhere.

3) Paying Debt: Well, I'm not giving values. But let's say I owed in the 5 digits and now it's in the 4 digits. I have paid about between 37.59% to 43.27%. The reason I have those percentages is that I don't remember how much I originally owed. So I want to give myself the bigger percentage just to treat myself but yet, I still owe a lot and I have plans to get it even lower throughout the year. And it's also kind of why I don't go out a lot. (I would love to eat at all the LA restaurants or a trip to a theme park for a day but I can't.)

4) Losing Weight: I was very vague with the goal of losing weight because the trick is to lose body fat and not weight in general. And that can be difficult. And so far, I only managed to gain weight. In fact, the only thing I think that helps me not gain weight is my kinda good record of eating healthily. But I have no idea how much I weight and I kind don't want to know until I learn more. And I'll be moving to a new gym so my aunt and I can be workout buddies and help motivate one another. And since she knows more about healthy living, it'll be valuable. I did get down at one point in my life from 179-181 to 121 so I wanna do that again and this time, try to lose body fat more and gain a little more muscle mass from last time.

5) Inheriting a Business: I'm inheriting my Grandfather's Tax Business. But with the recent news of the Trump Tax returns making H&R Block close down stores, it means I'm going to have to find ways to add more supplemental income as well. But so far, it's on trying to find new parts to expand the enterprise but there are other things that need to be done before I take over. Like my next step.

6) Cleaning out: The office my grandfather does most of his work in is very messy and I began cleaning it last year but we have a lot to accomplish. And I also want to clean out his storage unit. Luckily we did but as of right now, we put his stuff in the garage so now we need to go through that. So now that most of the boxes are in places close to me, I can sort and clean it out for a cleaner and better office for all to enter in.

So with all the finalities into place. I hope the next half goes into losing weight, enjoying a little more time off, well I know that's impossible due to how much money I need to pay rent off to but it's pretty much less and close to half. And with helping my grandfather and his/our business, it's a long but fulfilling journey to being a new man despite the other things. So have a nice begining to the second half of the year.

How Strange but Interesting: A Review of Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux

(SMT: Strange Journey Redux Box Art)

I've never played the original SMT: SJ because it was too late to get it by the time this game came out, though I have searched for it. And to be honest, there are some commentaries in this game I'm not fond of. But I will be professional in telling why I don't like some commentaries but primarily be focused on telling the aspects of the game.

Story: In the not too distant future of 2020, Eastern Europe has been invaded again. Tokyo has had an increase in sex and drug-related crimes with overdoses and murders. The Latin American Economies have crashed and violence and turmoil have been seen. China and South Asian countries have contributed more to toxic pollution. And the United Nations seems tense and heavy with resentment towards each other. But the only thing that has united them, is a mysterious opening called "The Schwarzwelt." (Literally The Black World in German) It's open in Antartica and the only hint of what's inside are mysterious pictures of Burning Cities, Palaces of Pleasure, An Extremely Huge Department Store, and a City that doubles as a Junkyard and Landfill.

The United Nations has sent a secret army force to investigate and, if possible, stop the Schwarzwelt from expanding or all of humanity will be eradicated by being engulfed in this void. You play one of these soldiers and you are backed by American Marine Jimenez, Your Commander Gore, and a Russian Scientist Zelenin. Step into the world of Schwarzwelt to understand the mystery of why it appears while also meeting Bugaboo, a demon who persuades Jimenez to Chaos, and Mastema, the angel of Punishment who hearkens Zelenin to Law. But with a new character named Alex in the mix, who wants to kill you, and a new Dungeon led by the mysterious Goddess Demeter, gives you six possible endings to go through. It's a lot of Playthroughs but you'll have to trust yourself as you go through this STRANGE JOURNEY: REDUX.

Backstory: Inspired by films like John Carpenter's The Thing and the post-apocalyptic Damnation Alley, the Atlus team wanted to develop the new SMT: IV game. However, many elements just feel off making the reason why the game is called Strange Journey more appropriate. For example, The main setting is in a realm of alternate dimensions in Antartica instead of the usual Urban settings of Tokyo. The main cast is all adults and it's usually young teenagers who are on the path to becoming adults who take this plunge into the demon realm. And most odd is the fact that this game was originally made for the Nintendo DS instead of a home console which would've gotten a better demographic as well as how the DS is usually seen as a family-friendly console thanks to Nintendo. But Kazuma Kaneko said that this console was the perfect way to end the game off when necessary, and had to do with another Atlus series, Etrian Odyssey (I've never played it but I'd like to.) But for any Persona fan who's played Persona Q, you'll understand the whole playstyle quite easily. Just add SMT elements and there you go, SMT: SJR.

Characters:

(The Protagonist/Hero)

The Hero: An American (Japanese in the Japanese version) Marine tasked to stop the growth of the Schwartzwelt. Tugged at all sides, he must choose allies and enemies as he comes to decide the fate of the world and mankind.

(Zelenin)

Zelenin: The Law Hero of this game. She's the first female of an SMT mainline game to align with Law. A Russian Scientist searching for clues to stop the Schwarzwelt, she comes face to face with Mastema, Angel of Punishment, who guides her out of a prison in Sector Bootes and leads her on the path to be a Messiah for God.

(Jimenez)

Jimenez: A Mexican-American (At least I think he's Mexican) Marine and a brazen black sheep to the Red Sprite Team, he is looking to stop the Schwartzwelt. However, he becomes the Hero of Chaos and wishes to help the demons in conquering Earth and making a new dog eat dog world.

(Commander Gore)

Commander Gore: The leader of the forces of the Red Sprite in the Schwartzwelt. He is the Neutral Hero of this story. He is one of the most powerful and focused members of the team and promotes harmony and
Gameplay: The gameplay is a dungeon crawler so those who like fast paced RPG's might not get the thrills they would expect but the battles feel fierce and fast because you are in serious danger. The Environment is a grid that focuses on exploration and discovery. Looking up in the environment can help with predicting other places to go to and making travel faster.

(Demeter)

Demeter: The Goddess of Agriculture and the Harvest. She is the main guide of the new Womb of Grief. And now she leads us to a new place where fruit is lost and must be returned to her. However, what these fruits are for, are a mystery to us.

(Alex)

Alex: A mysterious woman who is responsible for killing the Protagonist early in the game. She would've succeeded if it weren't for Demeter's rebirthing of him. She wants to kill Zelenin, Jimenez and the Protagonist but her motivations are unclear.

(Louisa Ferre)

Louisa Ferre: A mysterious woman with a very familiar name. She looks on the protagonists one in a while when traveling to deeper sectors of the Schwartzwelt. She seems to be a part of having her own agenda but what she wants remains unclear.

(The Three Wise Men. Behind them are the pictures of the future alignment choices)

The Three Wise Men: These men are mysteriously looking at the Protagonists' choices. Not much is known but what can be analyzed is what 3 fates they see of the world.

(Mastema)

Mastema: The Angel of Punishment in Judeo-Christian Lore. He is responsible for Influencing Zelenin to law. And he is trying to destroy Schwartzwelt for the Millenium kingdom to arise.

(Bugaboo)

Bugaboo: The Bogeyman, or a variant of him. This Bugaboo is a 3/4 demon but 1/4 leaves any possibility for him to be whatever, angel or demon. After being persecuted by a rogue demon, Jimenez befriends him and also gives more sympathy to the Chaos side.

Gameplay:

The RPG battles take place in a turn-based strategy in predicting what enemies strengths and weaknesses are. In many SMT Games, Weaknesses, Resistances, Repels, and Nulls aren't mutually inherited in each game. For example, a Fairy is Resistant to Electricity but weak to Wind in SMT: IV; In SMT: SJR, she's Resistant to Fire with no noticeable weaknesses. So the main elements to use are Physical, Gun, Fire, Ice, Electricity, Wind, Light, And Darkness. And unlike the Press Turn system, (where attacking enemy weaknesses gets you an extra turn on attacking) its the who has the higher attack speed RPG (like Final Fantasy) but the new system does add a bit of help. If you attack the enemies' weakness, the entire party based on your alignment (Law, Chaos, and Neutrality) will attack. Only those who share your alignment will attack an enemy/enemies. So the game pushes you to have a solid alignment sharing party vs. the strongest demons. But there are many demons so they will be pretty strong.

(Fighting demons in Bootes: Featured demons are Lilim and Jack Frost)

Also returning are many old demons seen in many SMT DS games, but we do have some newcomers as well or rather, redesigns. Demeter is the main guide in the Womb of Grief dungeon and has Zeus as a boss. Zeus has a new design as well with a half light, half dark motif. Mada, who hasn't been seen in modern mainline SMT games, also appears too as well as Zaou Gongen, Hypnos, and the SMT design of Thanatos. Two new appearances in a long time are the demons Amon based on the Goetic demon and Anahita, a Zoroastrian goddess of Water and Rivers. But the biggest revelation to this game (pun intended) is Maria, The MOTHER MARY of Catholicism and Christianity is a summonable demon in this game. She hasn't been seen since SMT: Nine, an XBOX exclusive only available in Japan. (It wasn't that good due to being a project that had too many ideas and delivered so little. It was the basis for the Online MMO SMT: Imagine though.)

The Demon Fusion app is also here but demons only have 6 instead of 8 skills from SMT IV and Apocalypse. And inheritance of skills come from demon cores. But be very wise in using them. I haven't figured out how to get them back yet. But the sources opens up the ability of certain demons to get new abilities than just plain innate ones and a skill that is available from fusion inheritance (only sometimes).

(Alice with her stats, ready for fusion.)

And back at base, you can pay for new apps to make dungeon crawling easier, Demonicas (body armor), guns, swords, and accessories, get some missions, and save.

So primarily expect to dungeon crawl everything, go back to base for either refreshing and buying items and such. Demon fusion and a new field save are available everywhere.


Themes and Motifs: In this game, there is a different style of a theme than in previous SMT Games. For example, the major theme in this game is the human destruction of the environment. At first I thought it was going to be another environmentalist warning (I'm not an environmentalist and am personally sick of all that pandering about it when people definitely don't act like they do. Sorry for the rant but it kinda does annoy me.), but how the Atlus team tells the story is a lot darker and impactful on all kinds of environments.

(Tyrant Morax: The Leader of the forces of Sector Antlia. Behind him is the burning sector.)

The first dungeon, Antlia, is a representation of war environments happening all over the world. Specifically, in Eastern Europe, there are invasions happening all over again.

(Picture of a Youtuber's caption pic of Sector Bootes: The Second dungeon of SJR)
(Sorry I couldn't find one with a better resolution.)

(Sector Carina)

Sector Carina is seen as the Ultimate Store. (Amazon eat your heart out.) A representation of human consumption and economic gluttony. Originally characterized by the economic chaos in the South and Latin American countries (very fitting given Venezuela and to think that back in Sept. 2013 when the economy started to collapse, SMT predicted a similar, though without any political bias, situation 5 years ago back in October of 2009.) But this store has everything and more in it with Animals, toys, planes, etc.

(Sector Delphinius)

Sector Delphinius is a Junkyard. This place of both human and item waste is serving all kinds of junk and human and animal skeletons rotting and decomposing away in a grim and desolate junkyard where demons lurk and radioactive and toxic pollution reign.

(The Womb of Grief: The only new dungeon introduced in SMT: SJR)

The Womb of Grief is the newest dungeon but it has no symbolic references to it other than being a womb, but who is being born? Well, your guide for this dungeon is a very friendly and cute Demeter: The Greek Goddess of the Harvest and Seasons. She wants you to explore the dungeon and take out the bosses who guard the special fruit. But what does she truly want? That is the mystery of this dungeon. With this dungeon, if you make it far enough, you can have one of the 3 new endings of the game.

There are 4 other dungeons but I'd rather not spoil them due to their plot relevance though you already have an idea. I want it to be a surprise and I want you to personally decide your fate in this game. That's the best and only way to enjoy the game. Follow the alignment your convictions lead you to.

Positives:

The Storyline: If you're already familiar with the common tropes of SMT, then you'll come through just fine. If not, prepare for a philosophical parable of choice, free will, and ideology.

The Characters: The characters have a fascinating dynamic. I know this will sound very SJW of me but I like the diversity of the cast. The fact that everyone is from different countries since the UN is making them all travel to the Schwartzwelt makes it feel like it is a world team mission. Also, I like the contrast of the collaboration of the Red Sprite Team in contrast to the United Nations members who seem like they are ready for waring with one another and putting on facades of togetherness while the Red Sprite Team actually does get along (with the exception of Black Sheep Jimenez.)

The New Demons: Seeing the 4 newly designed demons is such a treat and shows the hard work that new series artist, Masayuki Doi is doing with creating new demon designs for the series. He's continuing the Kaneko legacy while also being innovative. I know some of us kind of flacked on him in SMT IV but he's growing quite well into demon designs.

The Graphics: They are the one up from the original game it comes off as smoother and clearer while traveling through the sectors. And it brings out the colors and life of each sector as it haunts you while traveling.

Negatives:

The Preachiness: I admit, this is the first SMT game where I wasn't as fully enveloped in the storyline due to the themes and preachiness at times where Morax wanted to destroy humans for their destructive behaviors, and other leader demons who wanted the same destruction for various reasons. The game can pretty much be a reminder of watching one's self and the environment around him but luckily it's not to where the environmentalism (The only green environmentalism mentioned is Sector Delphinius which is true that us humans need to beware of making Earth uninhabitable for anyone with toxic and radioactive pollution.) is offputting.

The Character Sprites: The New Character Sprites by Doi have garnered Criticism but the only criticism I'll give is that sometimes, they feel a bit lifeless. I don't know if it's because its a Japanese only dub or that the faces aren't fully expressive but it's a fluke but it doesn't fully distract from the experience.

No 3D: I think the game could've used the 3D aspects of the 3DS quite well and it could make the dimensions deeper just like the SMT IV and IV Apocalypse games. Both had 3D elements that made them quite enjoyable.

No Dub: It's all subbed. Not that's bad but I would've loved to hear some of my favorite actors from America voicing characters in this game. It doesn't detract from the game but I would've liked it as an "icing on the cake" scenario.

Overall: This game is a wonderful part of the SMT Lore. A couple of small flubs but noting too overdramatic to destroy the experience and the added decisions of following the new endings give a bunch of replayability to the game. And if you are a fan of Persona or Dungeon Crawlers or SMT in general, this game should be in your 3DS library.

4/5

Passwords: This game has a password system to gain new allies and you can share them with people. So here are 5 passwords for some cool demons. Enter the codes exactly as I put or else you will get no demon. This is your warning.


Nue with healing abilities: 
Top: BufuBoyz4Life

Hathor with wind and healing spells: 
Top: IuS?pmYjpV&R3?j6 
Bottom: zFlnoKHC7qVFoC?0

Rangda with All Null and Repel every element (And starts at Level 1)
Top: t9pQpzT5poMVZr9b
Bottom: 97lF2cEYrAV74y?t

Thor with Support and Strong Physical Abilities (And Starts at Level 1)
Top: kGEqAL5PZwK3rWG7
Bottom: 0uFLHhBxMKCL40Dj

Black Frost with All Elemental Skills and one Healing and one Almighty Spell (And starts at Level 1) 

Top: 1vEWnEQmV9ZkjhQZ
Bottom: 9xQsZlOIjAMmlRPA

Reading is a Virtue: Or How My Intellectual Friends and I came with the Conclusion of Reading Truly Between the Lines

(The Baudelaire Family Library before being burned down)

The Interest of Deciding to Write this Article (and the reason why I also
capitalized those letters) is due to one of my intellectual peers and an article he (R.C. is how I'll refer to him) wrote.

His Article dealt with the reasons behind why the Free Speech movement was heading in the wrong direction by citing examples like how Tommy Robinson wasn't a martyr for the Free Speech Movement and how his actions are more of a call to monetary arms for him and the recent NLF scandal in dealing with dissenting football policies on dealing with those who kneel but instead, tampering with the NLF teams chances at victory.

But when he posted these opinions on the forum we are a part of, He was met with sharp calls for the main administrator of the forum to censor and ban his article. (Luckily he's acquainted with both of us and he had refused to delete the blog post) But the irony was laid bare. Even though Freedom of Speech is eternally a human right, It's ok to censor in private settings.

But prior to this, RC and I had discussed one of my favorite authors (his too), Lemony Snicket. You Might know him for A Series of Unfortunate Events, a Book series focused on the Baudelaire Orphans as they travel guardian to guardian to escape the clutches of their "probably not 3rd cousin 4 times removed or 4th cousin 3 times removed" Count Olaf. But Snicket has a very clever motif and its application in the series as well as its importance to us in everyday life: reading and libraries.


(Justice Strauss' Library in the TV Series)

Reading is a considered virtue in each book and a library is a constant motif with all kinds of libraries being featured to solve some kind of problem in the series. In The Reptile Room, Klaus reads books on Snakes and one, in particular, helps deal with (Spoiler Alert though it's often alluded to at the beginning of the book.) the Murder of Uncle Monty Montgomery. And each library has its own theme behind it like Justice Strauss' Judicial Library in The Bad Begining, The Grammar Library of Aunt Josephine's in The Wide Window, The Library of Records at Heimlich Hospital seen in The Hostile Hospital, and (the most elaborate of them all) The Arboretum Library on the mysterious island in The End.

Snicket emphasizes how only evil people don't read and Count Olaf sure does not read. He doesn't pick up a book and has had little interest in a book. In the TV series, his library is bare and it looks like all he does is drink.










(The Daily Punctilio Headline in the first 2 episodes of ASoUE)

But even this means naught for Snicket adds a little more depth to the mix than just claiming that we should read. The primary example is due to the mistakes and lack of journalistic integrity in The Daily Punctilio. The Daily Punctilio is a newspaper styled like The New York Times (their motto: All the News in Fits of Print is a parody of the NYT's motto: All the News that Fits to Print) and The Washington Post and other such newspapers, but the Punctilio has no editors to fix any mistakes and choses sensationalist articles over truth and honesty in the papers. Yet in both the Books and the TV series, everyone takes the words for facts. The main instigator of such articles is Geraldine Julienne, a woman who I hate so much but yet hasn't appeared in the TV series yet. (It seems Elanora Poe is taking her place. But Elanora in the books is Mr. Athur Poe's [Banker and in charge of the affairs of the Baudelaires] sister. Instead, she's a combination of Elanora (Head of Staff at The Daily Punctilio) and Polly Poe (Mr. Poe's wife in the Books) Also it should be noted that Punctilio is a word which here means a petty point of conduct or procedure, which fits perfectly with how the newspaper is done. Now, this would be perfect to avoid and would have no trouble ... if everyone didn't get their news and only read this newspaper as their only reliable source of information. Everyone reads this newspaper and no one seems to question what they have read even when the Baudelaries are later made out to be murderers by the paper and let Count Olaf and his crimes go free.


(Aunt Josephine's Libary in the TV series)

But it's a very important lesson for others and myself with reading all types of stories as well as opinions as much as we can. We all know we live in a politically divided time (then again, aren't most time's politically divided so the phrase is just pretty useless) and as you know this even goes with making it hard for ourselves to talk about reading and hearing what the enemy has to say.

As you all know, my political opinions are among 3 philosophical/economic schools in general: Objectivism, Libertarianism, and Classical Liberalism. All 3 have similar bases but their fundamentals are quite different with what is promoted. Objectivism is primarily focused as a full philosophy to give guidance and examine the world in. Libertarianism is more politically motivated rather than a moral/ethical philosophy. Because people from different philosophical and religious backgrounds can still support Libertarianism. Then with Classical Liberalism, it's similar to Libertarianism but there is more of an ethical background in the various philosophers and thinkers of the Enlightenment. 


But I can't just rely purely on all Objectivist sources. If I did, it'd make me no more dogmatic than the people I claim to be arguing against. One of my other friends from the same intellectual forum (Boris) had also this to say about the difficulties of being Libertarian.

To Paraphrase: "Unlike the Republican or the Democrat who only have to read theirs and then their opponents' works, (that is the rational ones) The Libertarian must-read not only their own sources, but both Democrat and Republican sources to even more critically understand the politi-sphere."

We all need to step back a little and read things we don't like and try to give an open ear. It may not be at least fruitful to us but it does help us grow into better people. That's what we need today. And if we just reason it out, then what have we to lose but our argument.

So even though the original intent of Snicket's quote would be to read books of any genre, I can also say this is very sound advice for even us in a politicking world.

A Memorial Day Anecdote

I just want to say a very Happy and Reflective Memorial Day for us all here in America.

I want to do a little anecdote on this with my relationship with my step-father in providing part of my respect towards our military and veterans and one involving my personal story in visiting the Vietnam memorial.



My story begins with a visit to Washington D.C.

I witnessed all sorts of places in D.C. like the Smithsonian, the Arlington Cemetary, And Mount Vernon. But we also visited the memorials. (There's only one monument (Washington Monument)) But what was experienced was a very important notice.

We visited many of the war memorials as well as FDR, Lincoln, and Jefferson. But the most important for war for me would be Vietnam. My grandfather was involved in the Vietnam war and is a veteran from there so you can see the important link it has for me.




Seeing the names mentioned for me, reflected in the granite and having us be both reflective literally and metaphorically, is quite important. Sadly seeing the Crosses (MIA) The Circle in the Cross (There is none but it symbolizes their survival and returns to America) and lastly those Diamonds (confirmed deaths)

Personally, I don't think we had anything to gain in Vietnam but we shouldn't have pussied out to the Anti-Industrial Revolution a.k.a. The Hippies. (There are books about how Vietnam was close to not being taken over by Communism but that our lack of obligation and last moments of non-interference (thanks to the protests of Hippies and others) in the Vietnam wars final moments of being taken over by the Communist Vietnamese and the Chinese (the Communist Vietnamese had major support of them due to China's interest in being a global power if rival with the Americans and the Soviets.)

But why am I mentioning this? It's because of those 4 words we constantly say, the ones that were mentioned in the Korean War Memorial and should be for all memorials and such reminders for anyone (war or peacetime)

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

It's so true. We sometimes take for granted our freedom and can be entitled to it but we can't fight for our freedoms when either foreign or domestic We must be thankful every day. Thank a vet, thank god if you believe, be thankful that we have this moment. It can be gone in an instant, but it can be won and still here.

So as we celebrate Memorial Day (I'll be doing that by working today May 28th, 2018.) I want you all to remember to be reflective again and if possible, be reflective on all days about the joy and goodness of freedom in this country.

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.