"if we were to dissect a house as we might a human cadaver, we would find ourselves able to isolate and describe its various appendages and their functions in a decidedly anatomical fashion."
ultrakill by arsi "hakita" patala // mystery flesh pit national park // anatomy by kitty horrorshow // perfect vermin by talia bob mair and angad matharoo // i want to play god by cao hui // house of leaves by mark z. danielewski
hii!!! i'm starting a new series where i put out gifsets made from playthroughs of "weird" (or otherwise obscure, off-putting, lost media, or particularly fascinating) games!!!
i plan to cover 3 at a time, with all the gifs being themed a certain color
PLEASE RECOMMEND ME GAMES TO CLIP FROM!! i'm always interested in hearing your suggestions!
games featured: HOW FISH IS MADE (2022), KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION (2021), PERFECT VERMIN (2020)
credit is preferred; link back to this post if you use my gifs!! feel free to @ me too, i'd love to see it what you make with my gifs!!!
#20: Lucy Gray Baird - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Such a lovely character. She's one of the very few genuinely fun people in the Hunger Games, and I absolutely love her and the Covey. The way she haunts the story (and Snow) until the very end, even when he tried his best to erase her from history, is great. I also love the poem she's named after.
"Yet some maintain that to this day
She is a living child;
That you may see sweet Lucy Gray
Upon the lonesome wild.
O’er rough and smooth she trips along,
And never looks behind;
And sings a solitary song
That whistles in the wind."
completely unrelated, but I love this dress from the movie
#19: Henry of Skalitz - Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Just such a delightful man. He's realistic, likable, and fun to play as.
#18: Lae'zel of Creche K'Liir - Baldur's Gate 3
Such a good character arc and incredible design. The gith as a whole are so rarely empathetic characters, but Lae'zel has one of the most devastating and real arcs in the game. She's also just so cool. Beautiful armor and hair, incredible sword, pet red dragon, leading the gith rebellion? She's just a badass.
#17: Katniss Everdeen - The Hunger Games
Such a well-rounded character. Underrated in her own series. Not only sparks a rebellion through sheer kindness, but is strong enough to be the figurehead of it and see it through to the end. After finishing TBOSAS and SOTR, I only love her more for being the fire that finally burns Snow AND stops a new dictatorship from taking power at the same time.
Beautiful art by polearts_ on Instagram
#16: Handsome Jack - Borderlands 2 / Tales/ The Pre-Sequel
Gearbox, unfortunately, shot themselves in the foot when they made Handsome Jack. He's such an incredible villain that nobody will ever compare to him. Comically evil, somewhat empathetic, likable, funny, and still a truly cruel man, Jack is one of the most interesting villains of the 2010s while still being a full-on villain. His resentment of Angel runs so deep that it's almost like he still loves her. He almost destroys a planet in his search for ultimate power. He hijacks Rhys' arm and makes him strangle himself. He has a pet horse named Butt Stallion. Truly a man of multitudes.
#15: The Reporter - Perfect Vermin
A very bare-bones character, but that's what makes him so impactful. His obsession with being someone who people remember and his eventual battle with cancer after swearing to be different than his mother is so depressingly real. The entire epilogue in the doctor's office is devastating, as someone close to someone who has had cancer multiple times, and the quote "No one will care about my death if I don't prove to them that I lived" will probably haunt me for the rest of my life.
#14: Bayonetta / Cereza (1 + 2)
I could honestly talk for hours about Bayonetta. I didn't like the third game very much, but the first two are still incredible. Bayonetta's connection with little Cereza, the fact that she loved herself so much that she literally split the timeline so that she would never forget who she was, and Bayonetta 1/2's role as the maiden and crone is just beautiful. Also, she serves cunt. Such a fun and ridiculous game with such emotional moments and an incredibly likable main character.
#13: Serana - TES V: Skyrim
The vamp companion herself. Such a fun character, and one of the only companions in unmodded Skyrim with any personality. Her quest to find herself and finally live outside of the grasp of her parents is beautiful, as is her recovery from the horrors of becoming a Daughter of Coldharbour. I hate that so many mods exist just to sexualize her.
#12: Team Sonic - Sonic the Hedgehog
I just think they're neat. Tails and Amy are adorable, Knuckles is super cool, and Sonic is just a likable guy.
#11: Madoka / Homura - Madoka Magica
What can I say, I love doomed yuri. But seriously, the good/evil dynamic between them is so interesting and heartbreaking. Homura is one of my favorite morally grey characters, and the fact that Madoka had the most to lose out of the entire Holy Quintet but was still the only one to make a completely selfless wish in every timeline and be willing to sacrifice themselves for the chance to make the world a better place is so painful. I absolutely LOVE Madoka as a personification of hope and Homura being unable to accept that if it means she doesn't get to save her. I could talk about this for hours.
#10: Cole - Dragon Age: Inquisition
Again, I just think he's neat. I really wish they had done more with the idea of spirits being able to become human in other Dragon Age media. He's such a sweetie (I mean, c'mon, human embodiment of compassion in the most literal sense) and he never leaves my party.
#9: GlaDOS / Chell - Portal 1 + 2
Again, I love toxic yuri. Their dynamic in Portal 1 and 2 is so impressively established, considering Chell never says a single word. When I was like 10 and beat the second game for the first time 'Want You Gone' had me freaking out that I wasn't delusional, GlaDOS did care for Chell in some capacity, even if she tried to convince Chell (and herself) that it was just the leftover emotion from Caroline. One of the most iconic villains of the 2010s, and probably the most likable player character who never says a word.
#8: Pink Diamond / Rose Quartz - Steven Universe
The queen of morally grey characters herself. I love Pink / Rose. Her evolution from a puppet ruler who was kept as a perpetual child by her abusers to the leader of a rebellion who acted as many gems' first (and only) mother figure and forced her abusers away from Earth is incredible. I know many people resent her for never loving Pearl (in a romantic sense), but honestly, I think that just speaks to her character. She could easily take advantage of Pearl's undying (and programmed) devotion and love, but instead chooses to encourage her as much as possible to make connections independent of her. I would do unspeakable things for an SU movie from Rose's perspective, showing some of that time gap between the still-childish version of her we see at the end of A Single Pale Rose and the wise woman we see in the earliest flashbacks, when she was pregnant with Steven.
Gorgeous art by oxlxlo
#7: Midna + Link - TLOZ: Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess is (in my opinion) the best Zelda game. The characters are all so beautiful, the music is incredible, the story is insane, and the overall vibe is just gorgeous. Midna and the Twilight version of Link are definitely my favorite main pair in the series. Midna offers so much unique gameplay and a unique version of the typical Zelda 'helper' character. I, obviously, really like morally grey characters, and I love that you really see Midna change throughout the game as she sees just how much Link is willing to do to help the people of Hyrule (and beyond). I especially love the scene in the mirror chamber when she admits to having used Link to try and get what she wants just to leave the light world behind, but as soon as she apologizes he's completely cool with it and is down to enter more mortal danger just to help his weird shadow imp friend. The Frenelovers (Friend - Enemy - Lovers) Ever.
#6: The Master - Fallout 1
The Master and his super mutants are truly some of the most depressing characters in the entire series. The Master did so many terrible things just because he was convinced that he was going to save the world, only to find out that his reign of terror was for nothing. He's so devastated by this that he kills himself, leaving all the FEV mutants alone without a purpose in a world that knows them only as mindless monsters. They were supposed to save the world, but now they're nothing but the remains of a horrific cult and a failed plot to save humanity. I especially love how every facet of his personality speaks when he says "It cannot be" as if every part of him has just realized the true weight of his actions. Such a good villain, ugh.
#5: Thorin Oakenshield - The Hobbit
Thorin's story is just such a good tragedy. All descendants of his grandfather are doomed to feel the goldsickness, and even a man as strong as Thorin couldn't move past it. He and his beloved nephews all die as a result, and he never gets to see the kingdom he worked so hard to bring back return to its former glory.
lovely art by @/maedictus
#4: Kira Nerys - Star Trek: Deep Space 9
Kira, like Sisko, is such an incredible character from day one, whereas most of the others in DS9 take a while to really develop. Her struggles with PTSD, her religion, and trying to keep Bajor together while they rebuild are so well written. Her conversation with Kai Opaka on her violent past in the episode 'Battle Lines' is especially touching. Honestly, Nana Visitor is such an incredible actor, and Kira does so much for DS9's discussions on both war and the aftermath.
#3: Bheem + Ram - R.R.R. (Rise Roar Revolt)
RRR in general is a great work of anti-colonialism, but I especially love Ram and Bheem's role in the rebellion. Bheem takes on a much more obviously hostile role in the fight against British occupation, leaving him at odds with Ram, who is acting as a devoted British officer to protect his village. The scene where they realize that they are brothers in the fight for a free India is great, and honestly, RRR is one of the best movies I've ever seen. The British officer telling the other soldiers not to kill the Indian civilians with their guns because "One Indian life is not even worth a bullet" is chilling, as is the British ladies' treatment of Malli. Probably the only 3-hour movie to exist where there isn't anything boring, and it's all because of these two.
#2: Dorian Pavus - Dragon Age: Inquisition
I'm usually not a huge fan of characters in romance-heavy RPGs having set sexualities, but I absolutely love how Dorian's sexuality ties into his story. His struggle with deciding if he can (and if he even should) reconcile with his father after what he tried to do to him is great, as is his romance with the Iron Bull if the player doesn't romance either of them. What I love most about Dorian, though, is his relationship with slavery and the class system. Honestly, his original view on slavery is... kind of understandable. To him, it's just another part of life. And he does raise a very good point about the elves in the alienages being slaves in all but name. Don't worry, I'm not about to start defending fictional slavery. He is very obviously wrong. But I really love that he's allowed to be so wrong without being a villain, and while still growing as a person throughout the game, especially if you're playing as Lavellan. His love for Tevinter and drive to make it a better place for everyone is really compelling, and as many issues as I had with the Tevinter we see in DA:V, I love that he was apparently successful in stopping (legal) slavery. He also just has a great personality and is absolutely gorgeous. Like, oh my god?? That's a beautiful man.
and last but not least...
#1: Benjamin Sisko - Star Trek: Deep Space 9
Honestly, just a great dude. One of the only really good father figures I can think of in media. An open-minded but still flawed man. His entire character arc is so great. Avery Brooks is an incredible actor, and I especially love his performances in 'In the Pale Moonlight' and his argument with Quark, when Quark confronts him about his resentment of the Ferengi (can't remember the episode :( ) His interactions with everyone in the crew are great, especially his struggle to understand Jadzia (and later Ezri) and his weird resentment-appreciation of Garak. I also love how much Brooks worked to make sure that Sisko was explicitly tied to African-American culture, like when he wears the Homestead Grays hat (an all-black baseball team from the early to mid-1900s). Just such an incredible character who means so much to me, the Star Trek community as a whole, and especially black men, as a black character who was allowed to be emotional and nuanced. He loves baseball. He punched an all-powerful being beyond his comprehension in the face, while also being chill with the Prophets. He's a great dad. He explained the very concept of linear existence to a mysterious entity on his first day on the job. He allows nearly everyone on his crew, including himself, to commit acts of terrorism every so often. He's haunted by the sheer weight on his shoulders. And he can live with it. He CAN live with it.
And now it's time for everyone's favorite part (if you're still here this far into this long-ass post)...
Honorable Mentions!
Spy - TF2
Ethel Cain - Preacher's Daughter
Amanda Young - Saw
Abbi + Ilana - Broad City
Rosalina - Mario Galaxy
In case you can't tell, I really like female characters
Perfect Vermin dev's new game is a precision platformer with a decent amount of movement tech. Like Super Meat Boy with LISA-style writing and character designs - it's really good. Demo's about an 1-2 hours depending on how much you wanna talk to the characters:
Clown Meat is a Precision Platformer with an emphasis on speedrunning and replayability. Tumble through a butchered world where humanity is
“I always hated my mother. I lived in terror of becoming like her. What horrible comedy that in the end i even die like her. Twisted by hate and desire. I was cruel to you before. Your task was always impossible. My hope was never fair. I offer this as an explanation of my hate. I offer no excuse. Do not worry yourself with the timer. It is not for you. I am being unborn. And once again i am amused by the simple beauty of colours. Such abstract and fleeting things. I will unknow them. It was good to live. It was good.”
