Fiction of 2019

[nerdietalk]

Hell yeah, a new and improved obsessive list

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August

[nerdietalk]

Nancy Drew: The Deadly Device

Hey! These games are about murder again! Nancy Drew moving up in the world! Taking some risks!

Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall

Liked it a little less that Deadly Device, but the character drama's much stronger. Big ol tragic family fucking up the world. Love that shit.

Monkey Island 2: Revenge of LeChuck

I was dreading starting this and put it off for years. Actually? Also a really good one! Guybrush turning into a dick wasn't as bad as it could have been. The ending twist better paced than I expected. LeChuck comes off much more terrifying than he usually does, Tales of Monkey Island aside. Chapter 2 goes on too long, but 3 and 4 knock it out of the park. A great piece of the franchise.

Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice

Somehow a stronger and weaker entry in the series! It starts a Phoenix Wright games and ends up more of an Apollo Justice 2. Some of the characters are weaker but the cases are better than usual! The cases all follow this idea of perception and people blaming others for mistakes they made. Shaming the outsider rather than examining their own failings. This works better in some cases than ever.

But more than anything, the game aims to give Apollo a backstory and a send-off. It took until Dual Destinies for Apollo to gain a strong, personal arc. This game goes further, finally showing his childhood and role models. His motive for becoming a lawyer. And this wouldn't work as well if Dhurke wasn't such an endearing character right away. He sells you as the guy that wanted to be there for Apollo, but couldn't. The guy who did inspire Apollo to become a lawyer, despite believing Dhurke abandoned him. Apollo just becomes a much clearer picture. He tries to separate his feelings and his work and fails constantly. He never brings up his personal life because he's completely ashamed to admit he still just wants his dad to come back. It's a total retcon, but it actually works so much better than it should. Apollo is finally a full picture.

There's another bit of this developing characterization: Maya. She's still the same girl, but she's grown up. She's less silly than before. And Phoenix, like the player, doesn't know how to deal with it. Phoenix tries to egg her into the stepladder debate and gets no response. She's not a child anymore.

SADLY, not everything works. They try to sell you on the tragedy of the new prosecutor, but I just don't buy it. Edgeworth and Franziska worked because their arrogance came from a place of desperation to prove themselves. Nahyuta being secretly good doesn't work for me because of the perverse pleasure he takes calling everyone a sinner. I can't buy that he's chill when he's doing these things even outside of the country.

I don't believe Phoenix is a father to Trucy. He's concerned for her safety once and then never again. The tight bond Phoenix has with Maya isn't given here to Trucy. Let Phoenix age.

Ema finally getting her forensic work fills like she's lost a bit of her edge that was fun in Apollo Justice. Apollo Justice is dedicated to showing characters fail, and seeing Ema's failure undone gives me mixed feelings! But she's still a little snarky and bitter and that time lost still matters. So there's that.

I think... older Pearl needs more. It's like the games don't know what to do with her. They wanted her to still be a child but she's almost an adult. And I think now, what I want, is to see her take a major role. I think I want Pearl Fey: Ace Attorney. Or at the very least, she could be an assistant character to Apollo or Athena. That would be awesome.

All in all, despite my grievances, I enjoyed it a lot! It was a challenge again and a thrill to unlock the clues you need to show that murderer who's boss. The new breakdowns are a delight, case 2 being the stand-out. I thought I would hate Khu'rain, but it comes together really well and it's built up carefully to make sure it works. A great game and a promising future for the franchise!

Loom

Its... really ambitious. Its gonna be noteworthy mainly for the Monkey Island gag on it, but there are a lot of really broad ideas its going for! Characters don't have long but their motives are so quick and clear you get what they're about quickly. Bobbin is endearing and grows surprisingly quickly. But its also such a short game. There's not much time for major depth. I wish it had gotten its planned sequels because the ideas are really impressive.

Curse of Monkey Island

Not sure how I feel, actually! Its good but I think some jokes go on too long. The game joking that its funny Voodoo Lady's the only female character isn't funny when its true. Elaine getting damseled is just disappointing. But the evolution of insult swordfighting is fun! And Guybrush has more of a personality than he did before. I don't want to claim Ron Gilbert would make a perfect sequel, but I do think... something has changed. Its unclear what, but something.

The Dig

Fairly compelling sci-fi story. Immediately shoots its theme in the foot at the end, so good job on that.

Full Throttle Remastered

I was sure I'd hate this but its definitely one of Schafer's best. Creative, hilariously unexpected puzzle solutions, and also a perfectly short pace. Worth a buy!

Oh... Sir! The Hollywood Roast

Fun party game. Same as the first, with a new theme. Perfectly serviceable.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: A Graphical Adventure

Oh you old point and clicks. Frustrating me at every turn even as I have a blast. That Nazi castle and final temple.... woof that was hard!

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis

I can see why people wanted this to be Indy 4. Its an exciting story, well-done Indy action, solid puzzles, and its got the same uncomfortable gender/race dynamics.

Rusty Lake Hotel

These games exist and keep going and pretending they have a story and jeez louise.