[digital-elixir]

What happens when you take the rich, layered storytelling of Final Fantasy 7, interesting characters, fantastical environments, entertaining gameplay, toss into a 2002 fan fiction generator seasoned heavily with Tetsuya Nomura and hit blend? The unholy coalescence spat out will unmistakably become Dirge of Cerberus.⁣ ⁣ To quote an exquisite Let’s Play from TheDarkId, “So, is the game fun, at least? - No. No it is not. It is poorly paced, has barebones gunplay, the controls are awkward, there are lukewarm RPG elements, and it's riddled with cutscenes.”⁣ ⁣ Every single original character in this bizzarro spin off universe such Shelke, Shalua, Nero, Weiss, Azul, Rosso, and Grimoire are shallow, out of place and crank the ridiculous meter to astronomical levels. The dialog is extremely superfluous and manages to reach turbo insanity near the finale. It is an insult to FF7 and Nomura’s story telling influence has slowly seeped into the FF7 Remake and inevitably Part 2 – Rebirth coming out in the near future.⁣ ⁣ The sad and painful realization is at the end of the day, further down, deep down, there exists a small amount of decency and charm screaming to be uncovered. Wonderful, detailed set pieces, excellent animations, thoughtful camera angles, unique character designs, exquisite sound and folly work, thematic and sharp UI layout and overall presentation all exist beneath this rotten, FF-adjacent amalgamation of storytelling sludge.⁣ ⁣ Composed by Masashi Hamauzu, the soundtrack is a beacon of silver lining. “Silent Edge”, “Counteroffensive”, “Trespasser”, “Turks 101”, “Underground Complex”, Wild Pack”, “Lucrecia's Research” are excellent and harken back to signature melodies, motifs and styles found in the FFXIII OST.⁣ ⁣ Play this game at your own peril. It will tarnish your ideals and challenge what you thought you knew about the FF7 universe. You have been warned.⁣ ⁣ #digitalthoughts #squareenix #squaresoft #retrogaming #gaming #videogames #action #jrpg #finalfantasy #finalfantasyvii #dirgeofcerberus #deepground #playstation #ps2 #480i #crtgaming #background #sony #playstation #ファイナルファンタジー #レトロゲーム https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr1k-UqvfIp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[digital-elixir]

I'm in some kind of beat-em up mood. ⁣ Next up is Capcom's "King of Dragons". Solid sprite art, classic Capcom music (composed by Yoko Shimomura no less!) and challenging gameplay. While I'm almost positive the arcade version is better, the SNES port has heart. ⁣ ⁣ I particularly like the "Woooo" yell that occurs while battling foes and how your armor and weapons upgrade visually as one progresses through the short yet detailed stages.⁣ ⁣ If you like Capcom and games such as Final Fight, give this one a try!⁣ ⁣ #kingofdragons #thekingofdragons #capcom #snes #arcade #16bit #crt #scanlines #instagaming #videogames #gaming #oldschoolgaming #retrogaming #retrogames #trinitron #sonytriniton #bvm #240p #classicgaming #brawler #retrocollective #superfamicom #photography #dslr #canon #ザ・キングオブドラゴンズ https://www.instagram.com/p/CpWnQU0O9Bh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[digital-elixir]

Various scenes from a SNES beat-em-up called Denjin Makai, or as the fan translation "Ghost Chaser".⁣ ⁣ This game has some wacky enemy designs! I dig the futuristic aesthetics and Bubble Gum Crisis-esque style.⁣ ⁣ #ghostchaser #denjinmakai #snes #16bit #crt #scanlines #instagaming #videogames #gaming #oldschoolgaming #retrogaming #retrogames #trinitron #sonytriniton #bvm #240p #classicgaming #brawler #retrocollective #banpresto #winkysoft #superfamicom #photography #dslr #canon #ゴーストチェイサー電精 https://www.instagram.com/p/CpO9WlqOH3_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[digital-elixir]

God of War Ragnarök is a fantastic sequel. I played the original 2018 release beforehand which allowed deeper perspective and gravitas to the story, gameplay, characters and settings of the current title.⁣ ⁣ Ragnarök improves upon the core of God of War in many ways. Gameplay is smoother and more refined. Animation and graphics are stellar and voice acting is top notch. Writing is phenomenal and tight, with callbacks to the previous title well-chosen and impactful. Much of the original mechanics remain intact. I felt right at home tossing the Leviathan Axe into multiple enemies, executing powerful runic attacks and thoroughly exploring every nook and cranny before moving on. The variety of armor sets and weapon attachments provided fantastic customization. Altering play styles to mix and match unique perks and synergies is a grand delight.⁣ ⁣ The original God of War had excellent, beautiful music and Ragnarök is no slouch either. While the entire soundtrack is fitting, some of my favorites are “A Son’s Path”, “Jotunheim”, “To Forgive or to Kill”, “The Hammer of Thor” and “Gna Battle Theme”.⁣ ⁣ Watching the story unfold is a treat – the cinematic sequences, realistic interactions and emotions woven throughout had me glued to the screen. And while there were some modern day gaming pet peeves (such as the overabundant hand holding / commentary regarding puzzles), my journey from start to finish left me feeling quite satisfied. Post-game has plenty to complete and the inevitable New Game + will give players a fresh take on their second run.⁣ ⁣ I highly, highly recommend playing Ragnarök. It is a must play and rightly belongs in the pantheon of Sony’s first party titles.⁣ ⁣ #godofwar #GoW #sony #kratos #atreus #norse #mjollnir #santamonicastudios #ps5 #ps4 #videogames #instagaming #gaming https://www.instagram.com/p/CpLwcPVvlk4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[digital-elixir]

Returnal is a title I initially glanced over, dismissing it as yet another boring action game. How wrong I was. I loved every single moment of the playthrough and found myself coming back for more.⁣ ⁣ The first thing that stood out is the phenomenal sound design. From the dark, pulsing, anxiety inducing music which swells as combat builds intensity, to the punchy, otherworldly weapon blasts, experiencing this with a strong sound system or headphones is an absolute pleasure.⁣ ⁣ I’ve played my share of roguelikes in the past and this is one of the most brutal imo. It pulls zero punches and requires one to be laser focused. Enemy encounter combinations can be downright evil and it’s imperative to eliminate hostiles asap. In addition, the environment and other hazards will easily take large swathes of your meager health bar. Bosses and Elites will test both your reaction times and complete understanding of the game mechanics. Do not get attached to your current run, ever. In mere moments, it can be ended.⁣ ⁣ Visually, Returnal oozes style. Colors, lighting, textures and set pieces are remarkable and I spent many moments rotating the camera around taking it all in.⁣ ⁣ The soundtrack is top notch. I cannot nitpick a single track. All of them are ethereal, haunting, mysterious and daunting. The combat themes in all their permutations are exquisite. ⁣ ⁣ Thematically the story in Returnal is both intriguing and unnerving. Each playthrough dives deeper into Selene’s past to uncover the truth. I particularly enjoyed both the audio logs and first person segments.⁣ ⁣ If you’re a fan of challenging roguelikes, fast paced, quick thinking action and extremely smooth, responsive and rewarding gameplay, you owe it to yourself to play Returnal. Soon to be released for PC too!⁣ ⁣ #digitalthoughts #returnal #housemarque #sony #ps5 #roguelike #psychologicalhorror #3Dspatialaudio #schmup #bullethell #video games #gaming #instagaming #timeloop #backlog #4k #4k60 #dualsense https://www.instagram.com/p/CnK6cRxSZrj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[digital-elixir]

Recently had my monitor serviced from @retro_perception. Throughout the entire process Josh provided a professional, extremely friendly, quality, precise and thorough repair of my TV.⁣ ⁣ This included full cleaning inside and out of the chassis; including each individual board, re-capping the deflection and video processing board and a full calibration of geometry, linearity, and convergence. My monitor was having an issue with screen jitter and after installing new caps the issue was resolved! ⁣ ⁣ Every console I throw at it now is crisp, dialed in and perfect. I couldn't be happier!! ⁣ ⁣ If you need services or just wanna talk retro games with someone who is passionate about vintage technology, look no further. Highly, highly recommended.⁣ ⁣ #crt #sonypvm #sonybvm #sonytrinitron #retrogaming #scanlines #vintagetech #tvrepair #technician #tech #gamingcommunity #gaming https://www.instagram.com/p/CjULRZaL0ZK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[digital-elixir]

Recently finished viewing How to Train Your Dragon and the subsequent sequels. I love all things dragons and CG movies, so naturally this series was right up my alley!⁣ ⁣ DreamWorks have always crafted wonderful and heartwarming stories and their animation is top notch. It’s ever so impressive viewing advances in technology and animation over time. Hiccup and Toothless are unique characters that grow with each other and other minor characters. ⁣ ⁣ Voice acting is very well done with actors and actresses lending their talent masterfully. Out of all the movies I enjoyed, the first is my favorite. 2 and 3 are entertaining but not as satisfying. That being said, by the end of the third film, it ended on a positive note.⁣ ⁣ If you’re in the mood for adventure and dragons, give this series a view!⁣ ⁣ #digitalthoughts #bluray #dreamworks #howtotrainyourdragon #hiccup #toothless #dragons #cgi #movie #adventure https://www.instagram.com/p/Civiq33P48R/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[digital-elixir]

Recently picked up the Rush Hour Trilogy and gave all three a proper viewing. Hadn't seen these in a long while and they still brought the laughs! Jackie Chan's incredible acrobatic and martial arts prowess is oh so impressive and Chris Tucker's style of comedy and acting meshes well.⁣ ⁣ I still prefer the original, followed by the second. While the third falls a bit flat with the plot, it has wonderful scenes. Cinematography, lightning, set pieces, action and stunts are all top notch. If you haven't seen these yet, watch them for your next movie night! ⁣ ⁣ #digitalthoughts #rushhour #warnerbros #jackiechan #christucker #kungfu #martialarts #movie #action #comedy #blu-ray #vhs #dvd https://www.instagram.com/p/Chx7MGEvTWY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[digital-elixir]

Let’s talk about Dead Space, why it’s phenomenal and how it happens to be one of my favorite sc-fi horror games of all time.⁣ ⁣ There are key elements required in order to successfully create dread. Dead Space has these elements in spades and does it well. Yes, there are quite a few jump scares (i.e. being startled) but the way in which fear manifests while playing is masterful.⁣ ⁣ One of these elements is the excellent sound design and music. These play an integral role in creating tension. Metal and debris clang, luggage, chairs and tables bump and jostle, doors open with loud, futuristic screeches, monsters let out horrific roars and screams and weapons sound brutal and punchy. Accompanied by this is a tense, dynamic soundtrack which constantly creates uneasiness. ⁣ ⁣ Gameplay is solid. A tight, responsive loop with a thoughtful, built in heads up display that constantly provides need to know information. Limb dismemberment is key and each enemy has their strengths and weaknesses. Weapons feel powerful and unique. Zero gravity sections are clever, never too long and realistically lack sound which adds to the fear.⁣ ⁣ The story is tight, well written and extremely intriguing. Combine that with stellar dialog, direction and surprisingly great voice acting. The audio logs littered across the USG Ishimura allow fantastic and colorful world building.⁣ ⁣ If you’re a fan of horror, resident evil games, sci-fi movies or well-made games in general, I highly, highly recommend playing this asap. ⁣ ⁣ #deadspace #ds1 #necromorph #usgishimura #horror #shooter #issac #engineer #earedwoodshores #electronicarts #visceralgames #videogame #videogames #gamer #gaming #backlog #instagaming #gamecollection #ps3 https://www.instagram.com/p/CaV6GGupug3/?utm_medium=tumblr

[digital-elixir]

Wanted to show another incredible freehand artwork from Chrono Trigger drawn by Han. This was a request I made a while back. I’m always blown away at the detail and style. So much talent. Thank you!! 🤩⁣ ⁣ #chronotrigger #crono #akiratoriyama #art #artwork #freehand #pencil #sketch #videogames #gaming #instagaming #gamersofinstagram #retrogames #snes #supernintendo https://www.instagram.com/p/CaDp8C_vhNe/?utm_medium=tumblr

[digital-elixir]

Trials of Mana is a modern remake of the 1995 game Seiken Densetsu 3. While the SNES version is my favorite, this version caught me off guard with stellar Japanese voice acting, improved cut scenes and combat. Intrigue, adventure, sorrow and happiness await!⁣ ⁣ There are 6 characters to select and each have their own backstories, personalities and playstyles. Your selection will determine one of three major plot lines. Each character is capable of class changing a total of 3 times (the third was added in this version) allowing for an insane amount of party compositions. Light and strong attacks allow combos and each class receives special moves that can quickly turn the tide of battle. Levels ups, armor, accessories and an interesting skill system allows deep customization of your party.⁣ ⁣ Fantastic visuals all around. Characters, enemies, towns, items, user interface and many spells are well detailed. My favorite aspect are the weapon models. Every single one has unique designs, colors and shapes. Any game in which the weapons change appearance gains huge merit in my book. Character art is gorgeous and each class design looks excellent.⁣ ⁣ The OST is wonderful. Many tracks retain original instruments found in the SNES version and plenty are faithfully recreated and not poorly remixed. Many stand out tracks such as “Where Angels Fear to Tread”, “Walls and Steels”, “Little Sweet Café”, “Another Winter”, “Swivel”, “Left-handed Wolf”, “Few Paths Forbidden”, “Female Turbulence”, “Powell”, “Political Pressure”, “Faith Total Machine”, “Nuclear Fusion”, “Splash Hop”, “Last Audience”, “Strange Medicine” and “Decision Bell” are well worth a listen.⁣ ⁣ If you’re looking for a cheerful, colorful, surprisingly deep, faithful and well-made remake of Secret of Mana 3, you absolutely need to play Trials of Mana. It’s comfort food jrpg in the best possible way. I loved every moment and played through twice in a row.⁣ ⁣ #secretofmana #trialsofmana #seikendensetsu #som #squareenix #squaresoft #rpg #jrpg #anime #videogame #videogames #gamer #gaming #backlog #instagaming #gamecollection #ps4 https://www.instagram.com/p/CZQHIvcP_kE/?utm_medium=tumblr

[digital-elixir]

Echoing @cheapretrokorean with his #LetsPlay10Games. I adore enjoying games at a slower pace, absorbing all they have to offer. That being said, here is the list!⁣ ⁣ Suikoden 4 – This one is a long time coming. I didn’t put enough time in and truly want to see it through. The plot is interesting but the game itself isn’t grabbing me as much as I wanted. It’s a solid game but I keep getting distracted.⁣ ⁣ Trials of Mana – Started this a few weeks ago. A solid remake of the original SNES classic. Love it!!⁣ ⁣ Mega Man X Collection – While I’ve technically beaten a few titles from this collection, my goal this year is to go through all the old X games as a retrospective while taking plenty of crispy screenshots.⁣ ⁣ Megaman Zero Collection – As a follow up to the X series, I need to experience Zero’s side as I’ve heard these are some of the best modern Mega Man games in a while.⁣ ⁣ Valkyrie Profile – Okay, so I’ve already played and beaten this game YEARS ago, but I love it so much I want to play it again this year.⁣ ⁣ Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria – This one has been on my radar for so long and I’ve never actually sat down and started it. This too shall change!⁣ ⁣ Shadow Hearts: From the New World – After playing 1 and 2, I thought it’s about time to actually play the third in the series.⁣ ⁣ Until Dawn – This one I keep procrastinating. I plan to play it around Halloween for real this time!⁣ ⁣ Darkest Dungeon – More of a comfort food game, I am hooked on this incredible experience and as much as it stresses me out, I keep coming back for more.⁣ ⁣ Elden Ring – My most anticipated game of 2022 and will most easily be Number 1 priority to play as soon as it’s released. Extremely eager for this one.⁣ ⁣ #backlog #retrogames #gamecollection #instagaming #gaming #eldenring #darkestdungeon #untildawn #shadowhearts #valkyrieprofile #megamanx #megamanzero #trialsofmana #suikoden4 #videogames #psx #ps1 #ps2 #ps4 #ps5 #digitalthoughts https://www.instagram.com/p/CYkPM-NPzKP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[digital-elixir]

Battle Chasers: Nightwar is an RPG inspired by classic games of the past. It includes procedural dungeons, crafting, turn-based combat, rich story, stellar art and emotional music. Gully, Callibretto, Knolan, Garrison, Monika and Alumon join forces to uncover and put an end to a horrendous evil.⁣ ⁣ From character designs to special moves, Battlechasers is beautiful. I loved the bold colors in each area from the lush forests, to deep red and orange trees, to cold, snowy winter zones. Character designs by Joe Madureira look iconic and flashy. Equipment, spells and the UI is extremely well done.⁣ ⁣ Combat is well paced and in depth. Turn based battles often had me strategizing to ensure victory. Character perks allow customization and a bevy of equipment and accessories give room to tailor your personal playstyle. Battle animations are smooth and attacks and spells are visceral and satisfying. Both voice acting and writing is clean and concise.⁣ ⁣ Composed and produced by Jesper Kyd and Clark Powell, Battle Chasers soundtrack is nothing short of wonderful. A few of my favorites are “The Beginning”, “Smugglers and Thieves”, “When the Smoke Clears”, “Loftbuckler”, “Mana Surge”, “A Hidden Dagger”, “Mud & Lead, Blood Red”, “Full Moon”, “In Harm’s Way”, “Crimson Winter” and “Awe”.⁣ ⁣ Battlechasers: Nightwar surprised me. I wasn’t expecting such a well-made game full of charm, excitement, depth and heart. After an unexpected 55+ hours, I can absolutely say this is a must play for any fan of RPG’s!⁣ ⁣ #digitalthoughts #battlechasersnightwar #battlechasers #airshipsyn #thqnordic #joemadureira #jesperkyd #clarkpowell #kickstarter #videogames #gaming #instagaming #gamecollection #backlog #rpg #jrpg #playstation #ps4 https://www.instagram.com/p/CX9wGPSPYhh/?utm_medium=tumblr

[digital-elixir]

Digital Thoughts – The Good The Bad and The Weird⁣ ⁣ Found this DVD inside a bargain bin at my local video game store for $5. Had no idea what to expect and I liked the cover art. Naturally I can’t resist random bargain bin movies so I picked it up!⁣ ⁣ In this nonstop action / comedy set in 1939, A thief discovers a treasure map and quickly finds himself knee deep in trouble. Followed by an assassin and a bounty hunter, there is no shortage of shoot-outs, brawls and flying fisticuffs. All filmed exceptionally well with unique camera angles, fast paced cuts and well thought out scenes. It’s violent for sure, but nothing over the top. I particularly enjoyed the extremely well done sound design - in particular the sounds of different pistols, rifles and cannons.⁣ ⁣ If you’re in the mood for a great western action shoot 'em up with the perfect sprinkling of clever comedy, give this one a watch!⁣ ⁣ #digitalthoughts #movie #film #dvd #thegoodthebadandtheweird #kimjee-woon #songkang-ho #leebyung-hun #jungwoo-sung #grimmpictures #cjentertainment #korea https://www.instagram.com/digital.elixir/p/CXe7fjUJvej/?utm_medium=tumblr

[digital-elixir]

Check out this incredible freehand artwork from Suikoden 2 drawn by @helenpham_thepisces! The shading, attention to detail and personal style is beautiful. Thank you so much 😎⁣🙏 ⁣ #suikoden2 #suikoden #gensosuikoden #watermargin #108starsofdestiny #konami #konamicomputerentertainmenttokyo #art #artwork #freehand #pencil #sketch #videogames #gaming #instagaming #gamersofinstagram #retrogames #yoshitakamurayama #幻想水滸伝 #水浒传 https://www.instagram.com/p/CVgkW79vPnI/?utm_medium=tumblr

[digital-elixir]

The Bioshock Collection has been on my radar for some time. I played System Shock 2 years ago and as a big fan, I wanted to give this series a try. The focus on plasmids, weapons, audio logs and the environment greatly intrigued me.⁣ ⁣ The wet, dark and mysterious world of rapture has gorgeous lighting, neon signs and cool particle effects. One truly feels immersed in a world under the ocean. Bioshock 2 takes visuals to new levels with higher fidelity and effects. Infinite looks absolutely breathtaking. Some of the set pieces here need to be admired. The amount of work put into these games is a technical marvel.⁣ ⁣ Across each title, both gunplay and mechanics are exciting and engaging. I loved scrounging for items while looting each nook and cranny. Plasmids are excellent and allow varied styles of play. Bioshock is rough around the edges but impactful and satisfying. Bioshock 2 feels smoother and more visceral adding in Big Daddy drill attacks and improved plasmids. Infinite is peak performance with phenomenal hook gliding, interesting vigors and polished gun fights. The voice acting in each title is stellar.⁣ ⁣ Music is on point. Classic songs from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s paint a beautiful tapestry in both tone and feel. “Chasing Shadows”, “The Trouble with Me is You”, “How Much Is that Doggie in the Window” are worth a listen. The symphonic ambient pieces are both creepy and unsettling. Infinite has many fantastic tracks. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”, “Goodnight Irene”, and “God Only Knows” are quite pleasing to the ear.⁣ ⁣ After playing all three titles, I can honestly say Bioshock 2 is my favorite. Bioshock is incredible and well-made and Infinite, while extremely polished and fun, fell flat for me. I highly recommend these games if you’re a fan of FPS’s or great stories and environments!⁣ ⁣ #bioshock #bioshock2 #bioshockinfinite #irrationalgames #bigdaddy #rapture #atlas #comstock #splicer #systemshock #2kgames #playstation #ps5 #videogame #gaming #instagaming #gamestagram #gamersofinstagram #backlog https://www.instagram.com/p/CU6ULBNFkCU/?utm_medium=tumblr

[digital-elixir]

Set in Sengoku-era Japan, Hideyoshi (created by you) will battle foes and legendary warriors in fast, hardcore combat. Expertly remastered and enhanced for PS5, there is a massive amount of content which reveals a complicated tale woven through many chapters.⁣ ⁣ Nioh 2 is a perfect refinement of Nioh 1 in every shape and form. Yokai shift allows distinct fighting styles, Burst Counters stop strong unblockable attacks and Soul Cores allow the use of enemy abilities. The sheer number of weapon combinations are staggering; each brings something completely different to the table. In addition, magic spells, Ninjutsu, and guardian spirts allow further customization in an already massively deep combat system.⁣ ⁣ Nioh’s visuals are outstanding. Every armor and weapon is highly detailed, environments are colorful and atmospheric. Elemental effects and spells pull you into the world. Weapon skills have style, beauty and substance. HDR looks wonderful, especially with a well calibrated display.⁣ ⁣ In regards to the soundtrack, Akihiro Manabe crafts a beautiful soundscape with vast, incredible pieces. “Opening”, “Awakening”, “Battle 1”, “Battle 3”, “Soaring”, “Magara Naotaka”, “Freed from This Mortal Coil”, “Dark Realm 2”, “Twighlight”, “Daigoji Temple”, “Tokichiro 2”, “The Interim”, “William” and “Dream” are absolute standouts.⁣ ⁣ Nioh 2 is incredible. There is so much to witness and play, loot to obtain, enemies to slay and weapons to enjoy. Multiple difficulty levels, challenging bosses, extra content and even a fantastic co-op experience, this game will keep you entertained for hours. If you enjoy Ninja Gaiden or any of the Souls games, give this one a play immediately.⁣ ⁣ #koushibusawa #teamninja #koeitecmo #tecmo #yugokanno #hide #william #rpg #loot #videogame #videogames #gamer #gaming #gamecollection #playstation #ps4 #ps5 #sony #sonyinteractiveentertainment #仁王2 https://www.instagram.com/p/CUBohYjFyB2/?utm_medium=tumblr