Nova Wolf

[nova-wolf-actual]

time to figure out how to use tumblr

[nova-wolf-actual]

My Breath of the Wild analysis

I’m a pretty big fan of the Legend of Zelda.  Maybe not the biggest fan.  I couldn’t name 5 of Mikau’s albums or anything, but it’s been one of my favorite franchises for a while.  I remember playing Ocarina of Time for the first time at my grandmother’s. Admittedly, the forest temple was a bit too much for my stupid dumb kid brain, so Saria had to wait just a little while longer for me to find her, and get her sagely blessing.  Before failing miserably at that, I remember the strong sense of mourning and dread when walking out of the Temple of Time into Hyrule Castle Town (and also being horrified by the abominations that are ReDead). This was exacerbated in Hyrule Field, but was coupled with this sense of amazement and wonderment at this devastated world.  Later on, I’d convince procure a strategy guide to help me and my inability to solve simple puzzles, but I won’t forget the impact the game had on me.  

Flash forward several years, and several titles later.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all of it, and I love the lore behind it all.  As well as the je ne sais quoi the franchise carries. The quirk, and the charm.

Just a few weeks ago, Breath of the Wild was released.  I knew it was going to be awesome and a blast to play, but I didn’t expect it to rope me in like it has.  It has all the childhood awe of expanse and scale that I thought Ocarina of Time had, but immensely larger.  I was impressed by Twilight Princess for that, but this is on an incredible level. The fact that after all of these hours I’ve put into the game, and I still have only really breached the surface of everything there is to do and see is astounding to me.  All of the mechanics in the game are so rewarding for spending hours in the game just exploring, too.  I think perhaps the fact that there isn’t much of a conventional leveling system for every great effort that you do (e.g. your stamina doesn’t increase for climbing, you have no strength attribute that grows with every fight won, etc.) is a very wise choice.  In fact, a leveling system wouldn’t fit the narrative at all, despite it fitting the mold otherwise to have that in place.  It’s a bit obvious, so I won’t pretend this is some great revelation.  As the hero (that’s Mr. Hero to the Koroks), you have all the skills you should need to defeat Calamity Ganon, you just need to remember them.  As you learn, you were a great warrior to rise up the ranks; so great in fact you’re awarded the accolade of being Princess Zelda’s personal knight.  You’ve just forgotten all of your own abilities, and all of your memories.  So somehow being able to level up wouldn’t really make sense at all.  The only arguably method of leveling Link is through the completion of shrines, as for every 4 spirit orbs you receive you can add either a heart container, or a quarter of a wheel of stamina.

In an unconventional leveling sense, though, I think the game excels at that.  As you progress to more difficult areas, you find stronger weapons, better ingredients, and more diverse and stronger armor [as well as the ability to strengthen it through the befriending (bribing?) of the bodacious and flirtatious Great Fairies].  I’ve found myself really enjoying that particular system.  Speaking of weapons, they break.  Some weapons last only a few hits, as others will see you through many battles.  Normally I would hate this, as weapon degradation is such a crappy mechanic 9/10 times.  In my opinion, Breath of the Wild is that 1 out of 10 times.  I think that it works because of the ways the game gives you to see through the puzzles and battles in your own way.  It causes you to think (but not always forces you, sometimes pure prowess during fights will allow you to tackle even the toughest of enemies with shoddy weapons) each battle through, to examine your environments and realize different tactics to execute your targets.  It certainly isn’t the only game to offer this, but it does it in a somehow very refreshing way.  It also affords you the opportunity to actually learn the enemies.  I think basically what I’m trying to say is that it gives a tactical and strategic element to the Legend of Zelda that hasn’t really been there before.  Also, in a very weak argument for it, it brings back pleasant memories of Way of the Samurai 2 (short of being able to strengthen your weapons so that they never break) and the weapon system in that game.  In another parallel to that game, the random encounters with assassins is very reminiscent.

I also want to touch on something that really tickles me pink.  The characters are so lovely.  And so many of them are hot [like wtf!?  Link, Zelda, Sidon (wtf?), Urbosa, etc.  This isn’t really worth delving into, but there’s a lot of hotties in this installment of Hyrule].  They have that really bizarre yet endearing oddity and quirkiness that would leave the game remiss were it not there.  Even the random NPCs that don’t particularly matter still seem so full of life.  I’ve thought about this quite a bit, and I think that’s done so well because of the fact that you’re left to your own devices for so long that when you do come across a random encounter, or a small town full of unique characters, it makes you feel drawn to them.  Almost as if you’ve been out in isolation for so long that you’re not quite attuned to the way this new, 100 years in the future from your time, society operates, yet you’re still enamored by them.  To learn who they are.  And it’s handled well.  Some may not have very many interactions at all, and my cycle through the same two things every time you talk to them, but even still it just has so much…  Character. It feels like a living, breathing world.

Another point I want to make: the gameplay is so fun.  I truly feel like I can do anything.  I can go anywhere, I can see what I want to, I can take on (and die to) whatever enemy I feel like, and I am not constrained by normal conventions.  I’ve found myself climbing to incredibly tall peaks just to ravel in the visa, or even just to jump off and see how far I can glide.  I’ll surmount a hill just to turn around and shield-surf down.  It’s been a good long while since I’ve felt the desire to just “play” in a video-game world.  Breath of the Wild allows the perfect place to do just that.  To just enjoy myself doing menial, non-consequential things. It’s okay to be aimless.  To take a breather and just bask in the sun, or splash in puddles.  It offers a perfect escapism that I think couldn’t have come a better time.  It’s almost akin to the type of non-serious “at-my-own-pace” gameplay of Animal Crossing.  It lets you just exist.

I won’t pretend there aren’t some issues with the game (and also Switch as a platform, but that’s a different discussion).  There are some resolutions to side-quests that are pretty lack luster.  They offer no follow up.  It wouldn’t have to be in depth, but would complete the quest in a more satisfying way (I really want to know what became of the creepy guy when we fuck his world up with telling him the girl at the inn wants 100 crickets! There should’ve been some sort of dialogue there).  It would also be nice for some post main-quest recognition (this is a problem I have with a lot of video games.  I’m fucking looking hard at you, Skyrim), though I understand in a free-form open world game this would be very very taxing.  There also isn’t a lot of diversity in the recipes you can learn. I guess this isn’t as big of a problem, as different added ingredients beyond the original recipe just serve to strengthen (or slightly alter) the result.  I just feel like with the myriad of different ingredients, there should be more dishes to be made.  

I really, really love the development of Zelda (this is why the Captured Memories quest is really good to complete!).  She’s way more multi-faceted in this title.  She displays flaws and strengths.  Insecurities while still maintaining poise.  She seems way more 3D of a character than what she’s been given in the past (Though, Zelda playable character when?).  It isn’t the greatest, but it’s the best the franchise has seen.

All-in-all, this title has proven itself to be my favorite in the franchise.  It has its lows as do all games, but its highs are incredible. It has captured me in a way that I haven’t felt in a very long time.  It feels a bit hard to swallow, in a way.  I’ve latched on to Ocarina of Time for so long (maybe for nostalgia?) that it saying another title in the franchise feels alien.  But it’s the future now.  So I’m going to be alien.  I adore Breath of the Wild.  

[nova-wolf-actual]

Online Harassment

So, this is not a new problem by any means whatsoever, but I'm already kind of on tilt today and seeing persistent cases of this is furthering it, so here are my two cents on online harassment/bullying.

First and foremost, beyond a shadow of a doubt does this problem exist.  To claim otherwise is either being purposefully ignorant and showing a clear lack of empathy, or at best being blind to the situation.   This notion I've seen tossed around that if being harassed, you should just go offline is nothing short of absurd to me.  It's a place that everyone who has access has a "right" too.  Sure, the internet is a privilege, but in this age where technology is only becoming more and more advanced with each passing day, and where outreach for what you love, your interests, etc. some avenues of income, and even hobbies can only be achieved by utilizing this tool.  So, being that everyone has a right to be there, it should go without saying that they have a right to be there without being harassed, receiving death threats, constant bombardment of vitriolic statements, etc.  You don't have to agree with everything you read.  You don't have to agree with people's opinions.  But to go out of your way to tear them down because of that is sophomoric, and generally awful.  That argument is the equivalent of telling a woman that if she doesn't want to be catcalled, she shouldn't go out in public.  If a guy doesn't want garbage thrown at him, he shouldn't take a walk in the park.  It's not based on any sort of reality, and instead fruit of a seed planted that any sort of nay-saying to a disgusting portrayal of callousness is some sort of infringement of one's right to free speech.  

This is tangential, but for clarification "Free Speech" is NOT getting to say whatever the hell you want to whomever the hell you want free of consequence, but instead that you may voice your opinion without fear of governmental and judicial repercussions (And even in there are caveats, e.g. you can't incite riotous behavior, slanderous or libelous statements are punishable, etc.).  Even if you just consider it "harmless trolling", should Facebook, Twitter, et al decide what you're doing is detrimental to its image, them blocking or even banning your account is NOT, I repeat NOT an infringement of your first amendment rights.  By creating an account with any of these social media platforms you agree to their ToS.  Should they decide you violated that, they have every right (That you have given them in agreeing with their EUAs) to tell you to piss off.  It isn't censorship, and it certainly isn't some mythical "SJW" or "PC" movement controlling the world with nothing better to do than decide that you out of 7.3 billion people should be stripped of your rights to voice your hateful comments.  Just because you buy a dozen donuts at Dunkin Donuts doesn't mean you can throw them at fellow patrons without being kicked to the curb.  

From our phones, to now even our watches, we are interconnected to this series of tubes known as the Internet.  Once you're engaged, it takes a complete lifestyle shift to be disengaged from it.  So when harassment takes place, bombardment of emails, tweets, (And this is some of the even more milder things people do), it follows that person.  It affects their day-to-day lives.  There isn't a "lol just turn off your computer" option for that.  It follows the victim wherever they go.  What is happening is their "walk in the park" or their "going out in public" is being encroached upon.  They're being catcalled, they're having garbage thrown at them and it's senseless and 100% the fault of the aggressor.  You're going out of your way to make someone else's life a living hell, you're perpetuating a culture of abuse, and this is so detrimental to the human race as a whole on so many levels.  When you're called out for it, you're being petulant to act like you're being unduly silenced for being told to stop being an asshole.  

At the end of the day, your friends, family, coworkers aren't going to rat you out to the Thought Police to be whisked away never to be seen from again.  I'm not saying you can't have debates with someone, or that you have to raise a cup to everything someone says regardless of agreement or not.  You don't have to like their work.  If you go out of your way to try to destroy that person's life, what I am saying is you're not leading a righteous procession to 'burn the witch', you're completely denigrating another human being simply because you can't reconcile within yourself that not everyone's paradigm has to be your own.  You don't have to even agree with some of the things I've said here, but I implore you to demonstrate a bit of self-awareness and act with some grace and empathy, when you disagree with someone, when you argue, consider that they are a human being just as you are.  

[nova-wolf-actual]

Mental health is a weird thing.  I'm a huge proponent of dismantling the stigma around those that are afflicted, while at the same time being extremely guarded and scared of "coming out" about my own issues.  Here I am, trying to practice what I preach.

I'm not doing this for any sort of special attention for the issues that I have.  I'm simply writing this as I feel it's an important clarification to who I am.  

Since I'm gaining a wee bit of notoriety with co-hosting "Blackwell Podcast", and will eventually get around to streaming regularly, as well as making Let's Plays, and other videos as well as being an entity on the internet meaning that privacy is rarely afforded, I figure it's better to come straight from me than any other source that may pop-up.  This also might explain some of the "weird" things about me to help put things in perspective for folks starting to get a taste of my personality.

I want to go ahead and give a trigger warning, as I'll be talking about my personal experiences with abuse and mental illness.

I have suffered with mental health issues for mostly my entire life.  Since I was in the late single digits.  It most likely stemmed from my abusive step-father.  Or if there is validity to depression, among other illnesses being hereditary, it was jump-started by this occurrence.  There are a few instances I still remember as clear as if writing this immediately after it happening.  Being beaten with a broom stick.  Being picked up by my ankles and having my head swung into a wall.  I oddly remember the aches from the blows I suffered, almost like a dull, chronic pain.  This isn't even what bothers me the most about that stint.  It's the fact that I was taught a lesson that after years is still a constant effort to unlearn; that violence and anger are a norm for solving your problems.  This wasn't just from my step-father.  Conflict, to put it mildly, is one of the few inheritances I've received from my family.  I learned things no human being, especially not a child should have to learn.  This is just my own account of my own life.  I'm well aware there are many out there who have had it way worse, and by no means would I want to downplay anyone else's experiences.  This all culminated to one Christmas night, some argument breaking out over a board game I wanted to play that I had received as a gift.  I don't remember the basis of the argument, though I'm sure remembering what I do of my step-father, it was just the fact that I wanted to play the game.  It quickly escalated.  I was hit so naturally I fled, and cowered under an end table down the hallway where I watched my mom be thrown to the ground as she was trying to keep him from getting to me.  So many years later, and I still have a hard time with Christmas.  Despite having good ones since then, I still just dread it with every ounce of my being.    

I know I at the very least have depression.  I was diagnosed with it at an early age, and various health-care providers I've sought the help of seem to go off of that (though I suspect it might be a misdiagnosis.  However, I'm not attempting to self-diagnose here.  I have my own ideas of what the official classification is, and have researched it extensively but am in no way qualified to speak with any authority on the matter).  I've been prescribed plenty of anti-depressants, multiples at a time, that didn't really work.  Most recently, it just made things worse.  A lot worse, honestly.  I couldn't control my emotions at all while I was taking them.  So of course, I stopped.  I don't have the best history of seeking help.  This is on me.  I don't always utilize my resources appropriately.  I don't really trust therapists too much.  I understand you have to kinda find one that clicks with you, but my most recent one literally stood me up.  I went for my appointment, and waited for 30 minutes.  He never even called to clear things up afterward as to why he didn't show.  I've attempted suicide several times.  It's an idea I struggle to put out of my head.  I haven't made attempts in a while, though.  There isn't really much to talk about there, nor do I want to vilify the premise that suicide is never the answer.  I guess it's just worth mentioning, to put things into context.  I have a hard time being around people, talking to people, meeting people, etc. and tend to be extremely reclusive (except for certain phases I go through, which I will get into in a bit) unless I just absolutely force myself to do something.  The podcast helps to a degree.  It gives me a project to work on, something that I'm very adamant about, as well as giving me a certain degree of consistency.  It also helps that people are enjoying it.  It feels nice to be a part of something that people look forward to, even if just to an infinitesimal degree.  This may seem contradictory if you're familiar with the show, because of how much I talk.   I don't particularly trust people.  I haven't in some time.  Even people in my personal life.  Some of it is on them, my "friends", but I can't pretend like it isn't just my own issues amplifying the more negative facets that comes with engaging other humans.  This makes the periods of time where I crave human contact and attention very difficult, as this constant duality exists.  I have periods where I'm extremely sociable, will go out a lot, and sort of keep this surreal energy about me.  I'll sleep for maybe 2-3 hours a night, but won't feel tired in the least.  I would also describe a feeling of depersonalization.  Actually, I have that feeling a lot; not just during my energized phases.  This adds yet another duality to my life.  It's nigh impossible to remain consistent with anything that I do, which brings up a lot of issues in my personal life.  Work, social life, hobbies, things of that nature.  I have phases of deep depression.  From July until August of last year, I barely spoke to anyone.  I came home and drank every night to numb myself (I have a history of this.  It's also worth noting that alcoholism runs in my family.  There are only specific times when I can't control it, though, and tend to bring myself around eventually).  Prior to that, from about October 2014 to January 2015, it was much of the same thing.  I would remain silent unless I had no other option but to talk to someone at work, and then it would be mostly yes's and no's.  If I ever have a blackout from all social media, it's probably during one of these times.  I'm doing better, though.  I suppose there are plenty of smaller details I could go into, extrapolating on instances, but I'm not writing my full auto-biography just yet.

Tying all of this in to Life is Strange, as the game is one of the main motivations I have for writing this about myself, I feel like the mental health issues presented in the game were handled extremely well.  It's one thing I greatly appreciate about the game.  I talked about the game, and how it helps me put things into perspective with my most recent therapist.  I'm not sure what he thought about all of it.  He always seemed interested in steering the conversation toward my reason for being on the planet.  I don't really believe in anything like that, but that's a different conversation.  I identify with a lot of the elements in the game.  The way Nathan behaved, a lot of what Kate went through, the way Chloe felt are all things that resonated with me, and I could see myself so much in particular aspects of their behavior and demeanor.  I absolutely cherish the game.  I tend to latch on to things as it is, which if you could see my extensive collection of Nintendo things that I have, you'd witness exactly what I mean, but even by my standards this game has been something else for me.  I don't know how long I'll be as obsessed with it as I currently am, but it's been an incredible experience to connect with so many people that enjoy the game, or have worked on the game in some facet.  It also keeps me petrified as putting myself out there means new ways for this to all come crashing down on me, but I try my best not to hang up on thoughts like those.  

I feel extremely weird putting this out, but equally as weird about holding it in.  I also worry about this seeming like I'm piggy-backing on a similar thing that one of my fellow co-hosts and buddies did.  I guess I figured now was as good of time as any.  If you read all of this, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to do so.  If any of this seems familiar to you, or is something you struggle with as well, don't be stupid like me and seek help.  I will eventually, but I can't stand the thought of others suffering through what ails them alone.  I may not be quick to divulge any more information regarding this stuff.  I'll just talk about it as I feel comfortable in doing so.            

[nova-wolf-actual]

so... if there is a The Legend of Zelda Triforce Heroes demo code left, can I have it?

Unfortunately, I gave them all out. I also believe the demo period has ended now that the game itself has come out. Sorry!

[nova-wolf-actual]

nova_w01f

Life is Strange Season 1 Finale! Time to get emotionally rekt

Streaming the Life is Strange Finale now.  Come get emotionally rekt with me, if you can’t wait to play it on your own

[nova-wolf-actual]

Tri-Force Heroes codes

I've got two extra codes for the Tri-Force Heroes demo, as I don't have any friends with 3DS's (can I call them friends at all knowing that?). So, just message me or respond to this and I'll pick two folks when I get off work this evening. I also don't have a lot of followers, so anyone wanting to reblog this feel free so more people have a chance. Thanks!

[weloveshortvideos]

If video game lag happened in real life 

[sizvideos]

[nova-wolf-actual]

-level 20 required-

-level 20 achieved-

[nova-wolf-actual]

Just got the PS4 Destiny bundle. After everything finishes downloading and installing I'm gonna start on my journey. If any of you fine folks want to add me, my PSN name is Spacecowboyj.

[paperbeatsscissors]

s̸̛̊̽̌͝w̷͒̿̏̉͊e̵̿̋̊̋͠e̸̎̾̒̂̃t̵͛̍͐̓͝ ̶́͌̂̂͌d̶̓͐́̆̾r̵͒̓̿̾̎e̷͗̾͗͘͠a̵̐̂̋̓̕m̶͒̓̃̐̕š̴͛̔̚̚

[boredpanda]

Creative Cakes That Are Too Cool To Eat

[quoting-shakespeare-to-ducks]

really pretty, but also could be called “Creative cakes that are 90% fondant and thus uneatable.”

[nova-wolf-actual]

Tfw you blow out the candle on the charmander cake, knowing you just killed the charmander.

[blackwellpodcast]

Episode 1 is now up!

We’re pleased to announce that Episode 1 of Blackwell Podcast is finally up!  You can check it out on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpDyaR6sQrY&feature=youtu.be

Our website is also now launched.  

https://blackwellpodcast.wordpress.com/

If you like the game Life is Strange, and want to hear what we have to say about it, check us out!  Plus, we’re finalizing the details, but we have something big in the works, so stay tuned!

[space-pics]

Lake Eyre - South Australia [2,400 x 1,315] http://space-pics.tumblr.com/

[astronomicalwonders]

[nova-wolf-actual]

NGC2244 - the Heart of the Rosette Nebula The Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49) is a large, circular H II region located near one end of a giant molecular cloud in the Monoceros region of the Milky Way Galaxy. The open cluster NGC 2244 (Caldwell 50) is closely associated with the nebulosity, the stars of the cluster having been formed from the nebula’s matter. The cluster and nebula lie at a distance of some 5,200 light-years from Earth (although estimates of the distance vary considerably, down to 4,900 light-years.) and measure roughly 130 light years in diameter. The radiation from the young stars excite the atoms in the nebula, causing them to emit radiation themselves producing the emission nebula we see. The mass of the nebula is estimated to be around 10,000 solar masses. Credit: Jim Collins/Wikipedia

[gottacatchemall]

[ロコンまとめ]

[nova-wolf-actual]

nova_w01f

Life is Strange, ain't it? (World's Greatest Detective episodes replay) Ep. 2!

Doing detective work in Episode 2!  Come hang out!