Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Alan Wake (2012)

This game is about Night Springs, and... Coffee thermoses.

My friend has been trying to get me into the Alan Wake sphere for a while, but I kept on ignoring him. Then, one day, I got this music video recommend to me on YouTube, and the results were astonishing. 


Overnight, I became obsessed with the song, the lyrics, and the universe of Alan Wake. I came running to my friend pleading: "Why didn't you show me this music video sooner?!" his reply was that, it would have been kind of a spoiler to the first game. To me, the performance made me want to try out this series, and maybe other Remedy games in the future.


I couldn't take my eyes off of this 1972 Chevrolet Impala. It tickles my fancy.
 




Well met, Mr. Wake.



It's always great; whenever I find one of the Night Springs episodes.


I vibe with this dude.

The game is filled with some stunning vistas, which were depicting some otherwise mundane pieces of infrastructure, intertwined with the mountainous nature of Bright Falls; a logging camp deep in the woods, an abandoned mineshaft cutting through the rocky terrain, a railroad carried across the valley by an deck truss (under-truss) bridge, the mesmerizing mechanism of a swing-bridge, the junkyards filled with 40s cars, the crazy metal concert in that one farm, and many more...






Standee Wake! Stop this insolent mockery, immediately! 





Loved shining my flashlight around the environment, it really drew me into the world of the game in an immersive way.





Great music choices in this game; my favorites were Poe - Haunted and  Roy Orbison - In Dreams.



Oh and the weirdest coincident ever, I finished the game after it had received an update, which changed the credits song from the legendary David Bowie - Space Oddity! with a song called Strange Moons by Petri Alanko. The new song does capture the essence of the ending pretty well, I'd say. Speaking of the ending...


Sadly, the gameplay gets pretty stale very early on in the game also, I didn't like the ending, I thought it was a let down. I'm however, still in the market for more Alan Wake, who knows when I'll get to the second game though. Sweet dreams, everyone.

Links:

Sunday, February 9, 2025

H.M.S. Defiant (1962)

 

Also Known as "Damn the Defiant!" in the U.S.

I'm back to my shenanigans of watching classic naval war films, after a long hiatus. I don't have much to say though; it is a film based on the 1958 Mutiny novel, not to be confused with the Mutiny on the Bounty's real incident, and films of 1935, and 1962. 


While reading the Wikipedia page for the film– I came across this passage, and wanted to shed a light on it.

" In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther wrote: "The perennially popular topic of wooden ships and iron men, of eighteenth-century square-riggers, naval martinets and mutineers is handled with the kind of graphic splendor that should set a million boyish hearts aflame ... [Y]ou will know that you've sat through a picture that does not make much psychological sense but has the rich and rosy luster of a blood-drenched seafaring romance. ... So, if you're for naval roistering, here is your cup of rum."


This film had a couple of nice frigates and a ship of the line. As usual, I'll share my favorite screenshots.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Little Armory (2015)


Illustration by カロ 

Little Armory is a product line of 1/12 scale plastic kit military-style models and figures, by the Tomytec Co. With kits ranging from pistols, and rifles, to grenades, and anti-tank weapons. 

Illustration by samaru

However, the main thing that drew me in the first place was their advertisements, aka anime girls with guns. With beautiful illustrations by some of the best military artists in the business. I'll try my best to credit them.

Illustration by daito

From what I can tell, this series has been around as far back as 2015 - 2016. According to the official site, Little Armory also has a novel and manga. I couldn't find either with a quick search so, I'm thinking this has got to be some really niche stuff (at least for a non-Japanese audience).

Illustration by samaru

Illustration by samaru

Illustration by しのづかあつと

Illustration by Kome

Illustration by カロ

Illustration by 坂崎ふれでい

Illustration by KZM

Illustration by スズキ唯知

Links:

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

My top 2024 media

SPOILER warning for some of the mentioned media.


Same as last year. This list includes TV shows, Movies, Anime, Music and Video games. That I watched/played and enjoyed or remember quite fondly looking back. It is not limited to media released or came out in 2024, but rather media that I enjoyed and engaged with in 2024.

TV shows:

I watched a ton of Poirot, and made a post about it too! But I have yet to complete it, as I've watched it to the 9th season. I tried to watch this other show, also adapted from Agatha Christie's works: Father Brown. About a pastor who goes around solving murders, but I quickly dropped it -due to the lack of visual and audio quality- after one episode.

Movies:

Not many movies were watched this year, only 7 in fact. None the less, I'll rank them in terms of enjoyment:

  1. Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951)

    Cool movie that I made a post about back in January. Big enjoy.

  2. The Battle of the River Plate (1956)

    My post.

  3. The Maltese Falcon (1941)

    On Letterboxd I wrote: A great noir picture! Loved the main character's attitude throughout this film, and the dialogue was pretty entertaining overall.

    "You're a good man, sister!".

  4. L.A. Confidential (1997)

    Rated: 7/10

  5. Stalker (1979)

    My only gripes with this film was its length, accompanied by its slow-burn pace.
    On Letterboxd I wrote: Looks fantastic! Just too long.

  6. High Noon (1952)

    Marking the end of an era where the hero is loved and adored by all.
    SPOILERS: Remembering this film, I think the town folks were straight up bullying their sheriff!?
    Other than that, a pretty solid picture.

  7. Coogan's Bluff (1968)
Anime:

2024 was a phenomenal year for Anime, objectively and subjectively. I have watched or completed many Anime shows this year, with a ton of variety. Many favorites were picked this year, I'm not sure that I can rank them, so the first 3 4 5 Animes came in first place for me, which are:
  1. Yubisaki to Renren (2024)

    This Anime deserves it's own post honestly. It's a romance story that involves a girl who's afflicted with hearing loss. And (I can't state this enough) it's the most heart-warming and cute romance anime I have watched. Go and watch it!
    On Anilist I wrote: Simply wow! Itsu is such a carefree but considerate guy, how is he so overpowered!? Also Madoka's condition is so gut-wrenching to me but, she still speaks! even if it is a little unclear. This anime is out of this world. An eye opener. I'm thankful for the things that I was given, from the moment I was born till my death, truly thankful.

    SPOILER: Oushi is still the only maidenless one here lol. Other than that superb ending. 10/10.

  2. Gekai Elise (2024)

    An Anime that hit many of my sweet spots, involving a cute and smart main character and a banger opening. Made a post about it too.
    On Anilist I wrote: Cute master surgeon Elise is treating patients and performing miracle surgeries. Enjoyed. 10/10. 

  3. LasTame (2023)

    A pillar of the emerging Akujo subgenre in my opinion. Read my post about it for more.
    On Anilist I wrote: Tear jerker, the Stale and Val's episodes got me good. Very wholesome anime overall. 10/10.  

  4. Moriarty the Patriot (2020)

    Featuring one of my favorite eras and locations - 1800's London - I've also wrote a post about this masterpiece of an Anime. 
    On Anilist I wrote: Absolutely delighted by this anime! Beautiful English landscapes and Victorian architecture in addition to the hero being none other than Professor Moriarty!
    Lovely! 10/10.

  5. I'll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History (2024)

    Man, this show is a blessing, if you're enjoying the surge of what I like to call The Akujo/Reincarnated Damsel a subgenre of isekai or another world, then this one is a treat, and a definite classic.
    SPOILER: On Anilist I wrote: ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    HOLY SHIT NO WAY THIS ENDS ON A SEQUEL BAIT WTF!!???
    It was amazing though, a definite high new bar for the Akujo subgenre, and for that I'm grateful. 10/10.

  6. Arte (2020)

    Taking place in another cool period and local - Italy during the Renaissance era - I've made a post about it too.
    On Anilist I wrote: Beautiful anime about the struggles of a woman in a male dominant field. Loved the era depicted too! 10/10.

  7. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (2023)

    If you looked at this list with utter despise (for whatever reason); Watch. This. Anime. It's great.
    On Anilist I wrote: Phenomenal Plot and characters! 10/10.

  8. Aa! Megami-sama! (1993)

    Vintage art. 
    On Anilist I wrote: First class masterpiece. 10/10.

  9. The Fable (2024)

    A bit gory, but the premise kept me coming back. It's pretty good. Rated: 8.5/10

  10. Maou Gun Saikyou no Majutsushi wa Ningen datta (2024)

    On Anilist I wrote: This anime just ended. Here's hoping for a sequel. 9/10.


Manga:

Yes! As an Anime only guy this might come as a surprise. Although I've not completed any, but I did read a couple of chapters this year:
  1. My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren’t Wicked (2020)

    Gold, to say the least. More in my post.

  2. How to Grill Our Love (2020)

    A fun kind of outdoorsy Anime, and Cute. Only 13 chapters in though.

  3. Marine Corps Yumi (2012)

    Coincidentally, also 13 chapters in. This one is.. it's... different.

Music:

Many remixes and edits were enjoyed this year. In no particular order:



Game:

I did a lot of gaming (by my standards) this year. Games that I've enjoyed, in no particular order:

  1. Helldivers 2 (2024)

    My go-to game this year, for winding down and having a good old time. Weren't for the glitches and occasional crashes, this game could've easily gotten a perfect score from me. Still fun though.


    Beautiful grenade.


    HOLD THE LINE ! ! !


    Had to match brother's tacticoolness. A masterful extraction.

  2. Cities Skylines 2 (2023)

    I'm still mixed on this game. I love the road building tool and the surface tool, but it is still not finished sadly. When a lot of issues get resolved, I might play again.

  3. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (2002)

    See my post about this game.

  4. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands (2017)

    Haven't finished it, but I'm having a blast infiltrating cartel bases with a friend of mine! It is insane how this game was made to be as Co-op friendly as it is. I enjoy.

  5. Cold Waters (2017)

    Big enjoy. See my post about it.

  6. Alan Wake (2012)

    Haven't finished it.

  7. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered (2020)

    A pleasant surprise of a game! Fun drifting and real-life car collection. I liked the bit where information about the car you have selected is being readout to you, before each level.
    Haven't finished it.



  8. Rune Factory 4 Special

    A fun little RPG with farming elements.
    Haven't finished it.

  9. Manor Lords (2024)

    Played this when it 'came out'. Sadly it is in early access. Will be waiting for a full release.

  10. XCOM 2 (2016)

    Finally managed to see this game to the end (on the easiest difficulty). See my post about it.

  11. Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age (2024)

    Still in its infancy. Looking forward to play more of this game, when it gets out of early access.

Been a busy year for me. Here's to a bountiful year full of mirth and prosperity.
Media that I'm looking forward to (doesn't mean I'll be playing/watching them necessarily) are: 

For Games: 
For Anime: 

Links:

Monday, December 23, 2024

Neo Classic Cars - A stream of Consciousness

1993 Dodge Viper GTS Concept

Nothing grandiose, just wanted to share this YouTube video that popped into my feed. It's a video about the latest Grand Theft Auto V's Online DLC -Agents of Sabotage- except this video sheds light on the vehicles added to the game and their real-life counterparts. The video is very well edited and put together. I had a blast watching it; as someone who likes cars, trucks and cool vehicles in general, and I hope you like it too. 

Usually I don't pay attention to any car made after 1979 but this video kind of expanded my horizons (just a bit). 


2003 F150 SVT Lightning

2005 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 Coupe 1SB

1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

1985 Buick Regal Grand National

To me, it's hard for one vehicle to grab all of my attention, however if multiple cool vehicle were in one spot or they interacted with one another e.g. a police chase. That would really grab hold of me and leave me in awe. I believe my first ever interaction with a piece of media involving cars was the opening cinematic for the 1999 game Driver You Are the Wheelman, on the PlayStation One. Which I blame for my.. non-conventional taste in cars.

What I'm trying to same is that verity is the spice of life.. or something to that extent. I might make more posts in the future about the kinds of vehicle that I enjoy or dream of owning. Have fun everyone, and drive safely.

Links: