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Why Azula Staying a Villain Will Only Lead To Bad Stories Part 3: Why Azula Staying a Villain Is Bad for Her Own Character

Note: Here is a link to an interview where Gene Yang implies that Azula got less than ideal treatment at her asylum.

Note: Here Is a Post Containing All the New, Azula-Relevant Lore From the TRPG, Including What She Has Been up to Post-Smoke and Shadow.

Note: Here are the links to Part 1 and Part 2 of This Series

In the earlier parts of this series I explained why Azula staying a villain will only have bad effects on stories set in Aang’s era, the characters involved in such stories, and the messages such stories are trying to send to the audience. But I haven’t yet talked about why Azula staying a villain is bad for Azula’s character herself, and so I will do so here.

But before I do so, I have to make it clear that I will analyze Azula’s character through both of fandom’s most popular interpretations of Azula’s character, and so I will elaborate on what they are before starting my analysis.

The Psychopath

The Psychopath is how the majority of ATLA’s fandom views Azula (I will refer to this Azula as The Psycho from here on out), who is both meant to be a cautionary tale of how those born with severe, incurable ASPD/dark triad traits are not meant to be given any quarter, and how no amount of love or care will be able to make them fit for society, let alone a functional person. 

Under this lens, The Psycho, unlike Zuko or Iroh, inherited Ozai, Azulon, and/or Sozin’s mental illness(es) and only lives for power and to subjugate others. She is only capable of understanding hierarchical relationships based on power, hence her predatorily targeting the psychologically vulnerable Ty Lee and Mai to be her slaves friends on top of her relentless tormenting of Zuko, whose death, along with Iroh, Azulon, and Lu Ten’s, she craves so Ozai, who she only “loves” because of his power, can get the throne and make her his heir. 

The Psycho deeply resents Ursa, not because Ursa was neglectful to her, but because she hated Ursa for how she constantly reprimanded her antisocial behavior on top of not being able to comprehend Ursa’s non-psychopathic morality, or why she was drawn Zuko displaying values in line with her’s. And when Azula hallucinates Ursa saying she loves Azula, it is not because Azula desperately wanted her mother’s love, or that Ursa didn't love her, but instead Azula raging at the first person who saw through and rejected her manipulative ways.

When the psychopath allowed Zuko to “redeem” himself during The Crossroads of Destiny, it wasn’t because she actually meant it. No, it was because she needed someone to not only take down Aang and Katara, but also take down Iroh before she would have betrayed him on the spot and thrown him into a cell next to Iroh. 

But alas, Katara managed to escape with Aang’s dead body before she could double-tap, and therefore had to bring Zuko home while giving him the credit so that in the case of Aang surviving, Ozai will do what she thinks he should have done a long time ago and kill Zuko off, leaving her the sole heir. Or if Aang really did die, Zuko’s paranoia will eat him alive and allow Azula to easily be named her father’s heir since she is the stable one in comparison.

When she comforts Zuko and Ty Lee, or shows concern about them, during The Beach, it is not because she cares about them. No, it is because she realizes that for her plans to work, she needs both of them to stay by her side as her complaint and willing tools, and so manipulates them by feigning empathy.

When Mai and Ty Lee “betray” her and start her downward spiral, the “guilt” she feels is not her feeling remorse for her actions and behavior towards them, but instead a narcissistic injury, which is only worsened once she sees Zuko stand victorious and guaranteed the throne while she is chained to the ground and denied everything she has been working towards her whole life.

The Princess

This interpretation of Azula (who I will from here on out refer to as The Princess) is the minority opinion held by those who are Azula sympathizers, or at least those who don’t want to make Azula born evil or evil for evil’s sake considering that it would go against the ethos of the show.

The Princess is meant to be a tragic tale of how: being a golden child is not a good thing and is in fact a form of abuse; how royalty, especially the genocidal, imperialist, colonizing royalty that Azula was born into, is an inherently abusive institution that creates abusers while victimizing the royals themselves; and how grooming someone to be a child general only has negative effects on the one being groomed.

For under this lens, The Princess’ deepest desire was to do right by her family and friends while also receiving their affection. Not to mention being the exemplary post-Sozin Princess. 

But unfortunately for The Princess, she was born the second child to Prince Ozai, who, from the very moment he saw she had the “spark”, sought to turn her into the son he never had in an effort to claim the Fire Nation throne to sate his desire for power, with the first thing he bestowed upon her, her name, being an ominous omen of what was to come.

For while Azula did have a good relationship with her brother and mother, in addition to making two friends from school in the form of Mai and Ty Lee, things quickly soured once Azula’s firebending kicked in and it was apparent that she was a prodigy, causing Ozai to focus his attention on making Azula the son he should have had in an effort to make a credible bid for the throne in the future, despite the fact that his father would never favor him, a lowly palace creature, over his war hero first born son Iroh, or his war hero grandchild Lu Ten.

Thus, Azula slowly but surely became more cruel, adopting the viewpoints and aggressive/sadistic behavior that her father egged her to adopt. And while Ozai’s corruption of her could have been stopped and/or counteracted by one of the adults in her life noticing Ozai’s favor for what it was, unfortunately none of the adults in her life did so.

For Iroh and Lu Ten were off at war and, as evidenced by Iroh’s gift to Azula (anyone who interacted with Azula for more than a minute would know that Azula is not a doll type of girl), really didn’t know her that well, in addition to Iroh most likely favoring Zuko (ex. knife from a defeated general with a worthwhile message vs. a generic doll) due to the fact that, while he knew how boys worked, he most likely didn’t know how to interact with girls considering Azula was the first girl born to the Royal Family in generations.

Azulon, as evidenced by his reactions to Azula and Zuko’s performances and him ordering to kill Zuko after Ozai made an ill-advised claim to the throne, really does not care for the children produced by his second born son, even though they make up the majority of his second generation heirs.

And Ursa, while scolding Azula’s negative behavior and encouraging Azula’s prosocial behavior, like pushing Zuko to play with Azula when Azula asks if Zuko could play with her and her friends, fails to get at the root of why Azula says horrible things like wishing that her Uncle and cousin would die so Ozai could get the throne. 

While the TV show makes it unclear why Ursa treats Azula the way she does, the comics heavily imply that a mix of Ozai threatening to hurt her if she corrected his prodigy and Ursa seeing Azula as the successful byproduct of the eugenics experiment that caused Azulon to kidnap her and have Ozai rape her, causes Ursa to inadvertently neglect Azula in an effort to avoid triggering herself as much as possible.

But even with all that, at least with Azulon on the throne, Iroh as the Crown Prince with Lu Ten as his heir, and Ursa around, at least Azula still had a childhood where she got to play games with her friends and Zuko.

But after the chain reaction that started with Lu Ten’s unexpected death and ended with Ozai on the throne, Ursa banished, and Iroh discredited in the eyes of their nation, Azula's childhood was nothing more than a memory.

For Azula within a span of two years not only starts wearing makeup in a likely attempt to make herself look older in court, but also has blue flames (Iroh and Zuko when they see the 14 year old Azula don’t act shocked by Azula’s flames, heavily implying Azula had them before Zuko’s banishment), no doubt due to Ozai, now with no restraints, actively grooming both of his child to become the child generals he needs to win the war. And once Zuko showed that he couldn’t “measure up”, Ozai burned him in an Agni Kai before sending him on a wild goose chase with the intention of never bringing him back home.

And speaking of Agni Kai’s, under this lens, when The Princess smirks as she sees her brother burn, it is due to some combination of: being glad that it is not her; thinking that it is expected of her to overtly relish sadistic acts since that is what is expected of post-Sozin nobility; thinking that Zuko is finally getting what he deserves now that no one can “coddle” him; and thinking that Zuko deserves it for being tied to their mother’s disappearance (there is no way Azula by that age didn’t realize the connection between her telling Ursa of Azulon’s order and Ursa’s disappearance).

But after Zuko and Iroh leave, things get much worse for The Princess since she realizes that without Daddy’s favorite scapegoat, all his attention is on her, knowing damn well what happens to children that fail to meet his obscene standards.

This, in combination with her friends moving away, causes Azula to spend three years basically studying, training, or in court, with her already limited social skills becoming even more stunted due to her only interactions coming from palace servants who are meant to be seen, not heard, old men in court/her father’s war council, Lo and Li, and her father.

Thus, by the time Ozai gives her mission to bring back Iroh and Zuko dead or alive, she may be a master firebender and military strategist/tactician, but she is an emotional and socially stunted human being incapable of forming real bonds despite her desire to do so, let alone navigate the impossible situation of trying to be a friend while also being a military commander/their absolute sovereign.

For after Zuko and Iroh escape her at the beach, causing Azula to realize that she needs a small elite team to hunt them, Azula quickly realizes that Ty Lee and Mai, who have skills that compliment her skills while also being people she trusts, are perfect for the mission.

And while Ty Lee is glad to see Azula, she refuses to join Azula’s mission since she enjoys the circus, forcing Azula to either have to pull rank and destroy their friendship, if there was any friendship in the first place, or accept Ty Lee’s refusal and jeopardize the success of her mission, and even her life considering Ozai’s track record in regards to accepting failure.

Thus, Azula burns Ty Lee’s nets and gets Ty Lee to come as a “friend”, which is fucked up to say the least, but at least it makes logical sense for what someone of Azula’s upbringing would do, instead of being a vicious act done to sate her innate cruelty and sadism.

Likewise, even though Mai willingly and enthusiastically, at least on the surface, joins Azula’s quest, Azula essentially forces Mai to not trade Bumi for Tom Tom, despite Mai’s obvious displeasure (note that the scene where Mai “agrees” with Azula to not trade for Bumi is the only time she ever refers to Azula as Princess Azula), for largely the same reasons why Azula burned Ty Lee’s nets. 

For how do you think Ozai would have reacted if he found out that Azula traded away one of the most dangerous POWs for a toddler?

When The Princess allowed Zuko to "redeem" himself during the Crossroads of Destiny, it wasn’t because she needed his help, or that she was going into the fight with the intention to scapegoat Zuko, but because she found him pitiful being Iroh’s little tea boy and desired him back in her life, even if it meant basically sacrificing the throne.

And that Katara managing to escape with Aang’s body did not change her plans since, as far as Azula is concerned, there is no way someone could survive a fully charged lightning blast with no grounding. That is until their little talk at the pond caused Azula to realize that Zuko lied to her about the possibility of Aang’s survival, thus causing her to lie to Ozai about who “killed” Aang in an attempt to cover her ass, as well as give Zuko a chance to rectify his mistake.

And yes, her lie was partially motivated by giving Zuko a chance to rectify his mistake, for if Azula was just interested in scapegoating Zuko, she could have used his visits to Iroh to show Ozai that he lied to her about Aang’s death. For if Zuko was willing to lie about his covert visits to Iroh, why wouldn’t he lie about Aang’s survival like the “dishonorable” man he was?

When she comforted Zuko and Ty Lee, or showed concern about them, during The Beach, it is because she cares about them and wants nothing more than to spend her vacation with her friends and brother by her side, with them choosing, when given the choice, to spend their vacation time away from her deeply hurting her.

When Mai and Ty Lee “betray” her and start her downward spiral, she feels genuine remorse for her actions and behavior towards them. But unlike Zuko who had Iroh to help him process his emotions, all she had was Ozai and Lo and Li, with the former giving her the now worthless title of Fire Lord to go burn the world by himself when all she wanted was for him to not leave her like everyone else did, and the latter just being subordinates who ultimately had no power over her.

And when she cries once she sees Zuko stand victorious and guaranteed the throne while she is chained to the ground, it is not due to her being denied everything she has been working towards her whole life, but instead due to seeing Zuko have a friend who will unconditionally stand by him while she has no one by her side, despite doing everything that was expected of her by her teachers and father.

Interlude

So now that I have laid out what are the two most popular conceptions of Azula’s character, I will proceed to go through the events of The Search and Smoke and Shadow (which I’ll refer to from here on out as S&S) in order to show why the actions she took in those stories and/or powers she displayed don’t really make sense with either conception of Azula.

The Search (Both)

There isn’t really anything to criticize here since Azula is deeply psychotic during The Search due to not really receiving any treatment in the asylum (WoG all but says the asylum is responsible for comics!Azula’s mental state) and is acting to restore what she considers the righteous regime since, instead of anyone trying to make any effort to help her realize that indoctrination she received was wrong, all the communication she received in the 1 to 2 years she was stuck in the asylum was between her healers and her fellow asylum inmates.

But there is one major point that does need criticism, and that is Azula’s bending and physical prowess.

And this is because, despite being in an abusive asylum for 1 to 2 years where (presumably) she was constantly chi-blocked and restrained, Azula’s physical capabilities seem to remain intact. 

And even more inexplicably, her bending seems to have gotten better since she is now able to make a lightning sphere, make lightning zaps, make her flames stay blue even after she is no longer actively controlling them, use her lightning as a bootleg chidori (as seen when she breaks the roof of Noren and Noriko’s home), and is able to make instant lightning.

And while I don’t think it was impossible for Azula to improve her bending in such a short time or discover new techniques, I hate how her improvements fly in the face of how her abilities, and quite frankly how bending in general, were previously depicted.

For in the TV show, Azula’s abilities were depicted as the combination of natural talent, having the resources of a nation-state help her to hone said talent, having friends with diverse skills willing to help her fill in the gaps in her skills, and being able to/having the incentive to obsessively train to reach her full potential.

But in the comics, they tell us the only thing that Azula has left out of the above elements that led her to being so powerful is her natural talent, and yet they want us to believe that she made massive improvements?

And making things worse is that, other than slightly quicker lightning generation and fire jets, TV!Azula does not really improve and/or add new techniques due to the implication that she has mastered Sozin style firebending, and so she thinks all she has do is steadily improve what she knows while waiting to finish puberty to achieve her full potential.

Meanwhile, part of the reason why Zuko and Katara manage to get to her level, or even surpass her depending on your views, so quickly is due to the combination of meeting the original masters of their bending art and/or being exposed to and implementing the other bending arts into their bending to either improve it or implement countermeasures for when they encounter hostile benders of the other elements.

For example, when Katara fights in the North Pole, part of the reason why she loses to Zuko is because, despite restraining him in a dome of ice, the fact that it is hollow allows Zuko just enough movement and air to melt the whole thing. 

But after spending time with Aang and Zuko and (presumably) learning about the the airbender’s heat regulation ability, Zuko’s breath of fire technique, and how firebenders need both movement and air to use their bending, Katara is able to use said knowledge to defeat Azula during Sozin’s Comet by first freezing the two of them in solid ice, thus not allowing Azula to move or breathe, and then using her breathe to warm ice into water so she can move around in the block of ice so she can restraint Azula.

And yet, despite having no exposure to the other bending elements or to the dragons, Azula is able to come up with several innovations?

(Yes, I know Xu Ping An had instant lightning 400 years ago, but it seems pretty obvious that the technique was lost to time seeing as how neither Ozai nor Iroh could ever do the technique despite both of them being in situations where it would have been useful; hence the assumption that Azula “discovered” instant lightning.)

But despite Azula’s new bending skills and retained physical prowess, it is not like the comics would continue to give Azula new bending abilities, or even increase her physical prowess, despite her becoming a homeless, penniless, fugitive deep in psychosis after she escapes Zuko’s custody during the climax of The Search, right?

S&S (Both)

Well unfortunately for those who want their characters to have power boosts that make sense with previous established lore, Azula’s bending and physical prowess get such a massive boost in S&S to the point that not only does she become the clear cut strongest firebender in history, but also now has a credible argument that she is the strongest non-Avatar, non-bloodbending, non-spirit fused fighter in the entire Avatar franchise.

For in regards to her bending, Azula develops: area of effect lightning, the ability to use quick charge lightning, concussive-effect only lightning, the ability to control and split her lightning after she has fired it, and smokebending.

And in regards to her physical prowess, Azula is able to ward off Suki and Ty Lee, despite wearing a one-eyed mask and a billowing cloak, consistently dodge Mai’s knives even when Mai throws them with lethal intent, and quickly physical overwhelm Zuko, despite Zuko having no indication that she wasn’t fighting to kill him, and thus had no reason to hold back. 

Like I understand that her bending and physical boosts in S&S are at least more plausible than they were in The Search due to her being free and having people to train with, but even then, when you think about it, they still are really unjustified.

For example, Suki and Ty Lee at this point have not only taught each other their skills, in addition to Ty Lee presumably telling Suki Azula’s fighting style, especially after Azula escapes Zuko’s custody, but also have every reason to believe that Azula is going to seek revenge against all that have “wronged” her. 

Moreover, they had at least one year to improve under nearly perfect circumstances since they are the Fire Lord’s bodyguards, and so they mostly likely had access to best training resources and recovery methods that Zuko can provide since he has every incentive to make sure his protection detail is up to par since he is facing constant assassination attempts on his life.

And yet, despite all their advantages combined with the fact that Azula has had subpar at best training circumstances, we are supposed to believe that they can’t even keep her occupied long enough for reinforcements, who at worst like 30 seconds away, to come, or even force her to use her bending to ward them off?

Or in another example, how did Azula and the Fire Warriors learn to smokebend, let alone master it to the degree they seem to have? For while smokebending is a thing (Aang smokebended in the beginning of The Firebending Masters while Kyoshi bended smoke when she tried to firebend for the first time), the Kyoshi novels imply that it is painful to bend smoke.

And the fact that despite its highly useful applications, only the Fire Warriors are seen using it, implies that either the Fire Warriors invented the technique or that it was a lost technique that can only be done by master benders.

But despite all the questions that smokebending brings up, we are never given an in-universe or out-of-universe explanation for how it works, despite it almost leading to Aang getting killed by two unnamed Fire Warriors while Azula uses it to escape Zuko’s clutches despite being in a crypt with only one exit even though Aang and Zuko already had experience with the technique.

And while I could keep on going, the point of bringing up Azula's physical and bending power boosts is to highlight how the comics’ desperation to keep Azula a credible antagonist, even though her situation post-Sozin’s Comet and previous established lore indicated that post-Sozin’s Comet Azula would suffer a massive decrease in her bending and physical prowess due to being involuntary psych warded, caused it give Azula unearned and unjustified power boosts despite her previously being depicted as someone who had to work hard and take advantage of the resources she had access to be the formidable warrior was depicted in the TV show.

And how the only plausible explanation, that Azula is a mutant thanks to being a successful eugenics experiment, not only flies in the face of how her bending progress was previously depicted, but also how bending in general worked before the comics, in addition to giving a pro-eugenics endorsement, which I don’t think was the point.

But even with all the problems in regards to how comics!Azula was able to improve her physicality and bending, at least the comics took advantage of Azula becoming stronger in order to tell compelling stories in line with either popular conception of Azula’s character once she supposedly recovered her sanity in S&S, right?

S&S (The Psycho)

Well, in regards to The Psycho, I don’t think S&S is a favorable depiction of her at all. For while Azula does engage in a lot of violence and plotting that seems similar to her actions in the TV show, when you take a closer look, you find only a superficial similarity at best.

And this is because while the psycho is a sadist, all of her actions while sane were taken with two goals in mind: to secure and/or further her power. 

But despite supposedly regaining her sanity, being able to recruit a loyal team of elite firebenders without Zuko ever finding out, becoming the strongest firebender in history, being able to link up with and convince a pro-Ozai group, the New Ozai Society (NOS), to give her the chains of command, and being able to operate a whole ass conspiracy in the Royal Palace without anyone finding out for at least day, The Psycho decides that the best course of action is not to use the pro-Ozai group to raise a rebellion to restore her and/or her father onto the throne, or to kill everyone who would oppose her return to power.

(Yes, I think the Fire Warriors had the power to outright kill everyone who opposed them considering two of them were able to knock down Aang while Azula was able to easily defeat Zuko in the crypt of the first Fire Lord's royal adviser.)

No, she decides that her “true destiny” is to manipulate the pro-Ozai group to act way sooner than they should have to get all their members, and those would support them, arrested while using their funds to engage in a mass child kidnapping scheme as part of a long term plan to turn Zuko into the dictator of her dreams while wearing a costume inspired by the nightmares of her childhood slave friend that she is responsible for, which makes no sense.

For even if The Psycho might fear that the Fire Nation population would never accept her on the throne, that fear is highly unsupported considering she was the war hero who had essentially ended the war before her brother’s unexpected betrayal caused the Fire Nation’s efforts for the past hundred years to be all for nothing, something that she could use to further endear herself to the still heavily indoctrinated population.

Not to mention, if The Psycho was able to convince a foreign secret police that their best option in the moment was to join her, the enemy princess with only two allies at moment, how hard would it have been for her to convince her subjects to rally around her? Especially since Zuko forced them to vacate their newest colonies, as well as pay reparations, at least to the Southern Water Tribe?

But in the case that The Psycho is unable to rally people around her in order to attempt a traditional counterrevolution, or even outright kill Zuko and his allies, there were still other ways to achieve her goal of securing power.

Ways like leading a guerrilla movement in which they destabilize the Fire Nation to the point that the masses are begging for a strongwoman to replace the weak-willed Zuko, or taking advantage of Zuko and Ursa’s desire to fix their family to come back to the palace and launch a soft coup after manipulating the Royal Court, or even taking advantage of the fact that she and her team of smokebenders had unfettered access to the Palace for at least a day to covertly assassinate Zuko and anyone in the palace who might support him.

But no, The Psycho decided on a plot that not only discredited her among any groups that would seek to put her and/or Ozai back on the throne, but also made her the most wanted terrorist in the Fire Nation, with a good chunk of her real allies, the Fire Warriors, in jail after getting defeated in the Garden of Tranquil Souls. Moreover, Zuko is now aware of Azula’s desire to mold him, and therefore is highly unlikely to be swayed by her attempts to manipulate him, let alone accept her back into his life if she ever decides to try to manipulate him by “turning a new leaf”.

“But Azula is a sadistic psycho who derives pleasure from tormenting others. Hence why she decided to mess with him in S&S since if she can’t have the throne as long as Aang is alive, she might as well fuck with Zuko by doing things like reducing him to begging her to not take his life because no one will stand for her on the throne.”

Well, even if we ignore the fact that her team did knock down Aang for a considerable amount of time, as well as my well founded assumption that the Fire Warriors are strong enough to outright kill Zuko and his allies, there were better ways for Azula to sadistically torment Zuko if that is what she wanted to do. Especially considering from her POV, Zuko had her sadistically locked up in the abusive asylum for over a year before only retrieving her so she could extract intel from Ozai about the location of the mother who she blames from her downfall, with Zuko then “mercifully” offering her the option of returning the palace, provided that she is kept under constant surveillance 24/7, as a reward for doing his bidding.

Like killing and/or maiming the kidnapped kids one by one, or killing Kiyi in front of him instead of kidnapping her, or either killing or scarring Ty Lee instead of just slapping her, or either killing or scarring Mai instead of just toying with her, or even giving Zuko another facial scar after she defeated him in the crypt.

But no, instead of actually engaging in sadism, all we got was The Psycho essentially playing a meaner version of the ultimately harmless pranks she used to play on Zuko as children, only on a grander scale and with no opportunity to repeat it again considering Zuko, and his allies assuming he told them about Azula’s motive rant, are now aware of her long term plans.

However, maybe my complaints about S&S are unfounded because maybe Azula’s character is not what adherents to the The Psycho interpretation of her character think it is. For maybe The Princess interpretation of her character is the correct one, and so S&S makes sense under that interpretation, right?

S&S (The Princess)

Well, in regards to The Princess, I don’t think Azula’s actions and behavior in S&S fits within this interpretation of Azula either. Especially since in S&S, The Princess is supposed to have not only regained her sanity, but also have moved past supporting Ozai as well.

For in regards to her nation, how does engaging in a mass kidnapping plot that turns the Caldera City masses into a fear riddled mess liable to start agitating for Ozai’s return, or working with a pro-Ozai organization that nearly succeeds in killing Zuko, as well as Ursa, Noren, and Kiyi, going to help Zuko become a ruler who rules through fear, or help his in reign in general?

For isn’t the source of the Fire Lord’s divine right to rule their ability to maintain order? And so by showing that Zuko is unable to keep the peace, isn’t Azula undermining Zuko’s rule? Especially since from the masses’ POV, unless Zuko later went public with the identity of the Fire Warriors, the Kemurikage spirits are rebuking him just like they rebuked Toz?

And while Azula did bloodlessly dismantle the NOS by forcing them to act sooner than they should have while also draining their coffers by forcing Ukano to care for the kidnapped kids, surely the person who essentially conquered Ba Sing Se with just three other people could have come up with a way to bloodlessly dismantle the NOS that didn’t involve needlessly traumatizing her subjects.

In regards to her family, why would Zuko, after the bullshit she pulled in S&S, ever want her back in his life, let alone do anything other than throw her into the nearest jail cell for life after having Aang de-bend her? And why would Ursa want anything to do with her after she endangered both of her siblings? Especially if Azula was the one who told Ukano about the real road the Fire Lord uses to travel to the Royal Palace from the Royal Harbor, and thus is responsible for almost getting Zuko, Ursa, Kiyi, and Noren all killed during Ukano’s ambush?

And in regards to her former friends, why would Azula sadistically fuck with them after regaining her mental stability? For even if Azula still hasn’t consciously accepted what her subconscious told her about her being wrong to control them with fear, isn’t it odd that someone who is still hurt by her friends’ “betrayals” go out her way to antagonize them, especially Mai?

For what was the purpose of slapping Ty Lee, when a simple punch would have done the job, other than to get back at Ty Lee for chi-blocking her at the Boiling Rock?

Is Azula so stupid that she could not see Mai interpreting her manipulating Ukano, as well as kidnapping Tom Tom, as anything other than her punishing Mai for her betrayal? Especially after her mochi rant in which she all but said that the Fire Warriors took image of the Kemurikage thanks to Azula remembering Mai fearing being tormented by them after Azula “convinced” her to steal the mochi Michi made for Mai’s grandmother’s birthday?

Like assuming that Azula does still care about them, does she realize that her actions towards them in S&S all but closed off any avenue for reconciliation? Because at least Azula’s actions towards them pre-S&S could be explained by Azula trying to be the daughter, and later general, her father demanded her to be, whereas in S&S, Azula doesn’t even have that excuse considering Ozai has long been disposed of.

“Why are you assuming that just because Azula regained her sanity and turned her back on Ozai means that she is suddenly going to become a good person? Abuse victims’ paths of healing are not straight lines; abuse victims often regress before becoming better for good like Zuko did in Ba Sing Se. So why are you acting like it is illogical for Azula to act like this, especially when Azula's mannerisms during certain parts of S&S, like her rant to Mai, indicate that she is still psychotic, albeit not actively?”

I recognize that healing is often not linear, and I do think it is more than logical to think that Azula’s healing will involve a lot of backsliding. But what I don’t agree with is the idea that Azula’s actions as a healing abuse victim make sense in-universe or meta-textually.

For example, while it was tough to see Zuko backsliding in regards to his healing arc by betraying Iroh and helping Azula not only conqueror Ba Sing Se, but also help put a lightning bolt in Aang’s back, it made perfect sense. 

And this is because in-universe it was obvious in retrospect that Zuko only changed because there was no feasible way for him to “redeem” himself to Ozai. Hence why he decided that if he could not be Ozai’s ideal son, he could at least be Iroh’s ideal son. 

However, when Azula gave him the means to get everything he wanted in life, with Iroh’s only response to Azula’s “offer” being telling Zuko to turn his back on his nation and family with no prior build up, of course Zuko would choose the easy path.

Meanwhile, meta-textually, Zuko choosing the easy path made his redemption arc that much stronger since not only did it give his redemption that much more weight when he got everything he thought he wanted, and yet rejected it because it was wrong, but also subverted audience expectations since Book 2 had been priming the audience for Zuko’s heel-face turn.

However, in-universe it doesn’t make sense that Azula would resort to using fear-based tactics when she knows, at least subconsciously, that her fear-mongering pushed away everyone she cared about. Not to mention the fact that, unlike with Zuko in Ba Sing Se, Azula doesn’t care about Ozai, and so there is no need to get back into his good graces by adopting his methods once again.

And meta-textually, seeing Azula speed-run through her TV show arc of using fear and manipulation to get what she wants, only to fail once people start standing up to her because love is stronger than fear, is boring since it is a repeat of her TV show arc. Especially since the audience will not take Azula seriously since LoK prevents Azula from succeeding, or even causing long-term damage, and so she lacks the credibility she had during the events of the TV show.

“But Azula regressing and resorting to her old tactics is good storytelling since not everyone can overcome their abuse, and so having a character who rejects help provides much needed realism to Avatar while also highlighting how special/lucky Zuko was to break out of the cycle of abuse.”

Personally, I don’t think Azula healing and then either finding peace or redeeming herself really affects Zuko’s story or character since I think she can be more than Zuko, Iroh, and the Gaang's foil. But even disregarding my personal bias, I don’t think such an arc will work because Azula has yet to receive honest, real help.

For instead of getting actual mental health treatment and de-Sozinfication, she instead got dumped in an asylum that not only abused her, but also would have been her new permanent home if Zuko didn’t, after realizing that the shitty state of his nuclear family reflected badly on him, decide to bring her back to the palace under 24/7 surveillance after she extracted intel from Ozai about Ursa’s possible location. 

Azula then only managed to go on the search for Ursa unbound and free, but with people who she hates, who (rightfully) hate her, and have no knowledge on how to deal with someone dealing with severe mental health issues, because she managed to break free of her restraints, find Ozai’s secret chest full of Ursa’s letters, and burn all of them except for the bastard letter, thus allowing her to blackmail Zuko into agreeing with her terms.

And even though Zuko during the climax of The Search offered to help her, she rejects Zuko’s offer since, as far as she is concerned, Zuko put her in the asylum in an effort to break her, and is only trying to make amends so he can put her there for life again, especially since he already got what he needed from her on top of her almost killing their mother in front of him.

I am fine with people not being able to overcome their abuse/trauma and rejecting not only help, but also a second chance to do better.

But when has anyone ever tried talking to Azula like a rational actor, or tried to explain to her the error of her ways?

For in my opinion, it is weird that most, if not all of the main villains in Avatar, got several chances to do better before becoming irredeemable evil because they consciously, as rational actors, rejected the heroes’ overtures to do better.

Hell, even Ozai got two chances from Aang to stop the war before Aang de-bended him and removed him from power.

So what makes Azula so dangerous or inherently irredeemable that she can’t even be reasoned with?

Unless…Azula was never a rational actor in the first place, and so my attempts to analyze her as either a very misguided person or cold-blooded dark triad is wrong. 

For maybe the correct way to analyze Azula is not with The Psycho or The Princess lenses, but instead…

The Crazy One

While most people like to believe that the people have their reasons for doing evil, there are the rare few who like causing pain and suffering just because. And The Crazy One is one of those people who got to indulge in all of her crazy thanks being born into a family actively waging a genocidal war on the rest of the planet.

Under this lens, Azula never had any reason for hurting others other than just because she wanted to, and only snapped at the end of the TV show because Ozai, the one person capable of keeping her on her lease, left her to her own devices, and so her destructive tendencies turned inward.

And this lack of a master, combined with her inherent craziness, explains all of her antics in the comics. For Azula was always crazy and insane, it is just that the shift from Azulon and Ozai’s regimes, in which cruelty and violence were celebrated, to Zuko’s more humane regime meant that her antics were no longer condoned, let alone legally acceptable.

Or in other words, who is mentally ill often depends on social context, and The Crazy One had her social context change almost overnight to her detriment.

And The Crazy One’s insanity removes the need to analyze her motives and desires because there is none, just like the Post-Crisis version of The Joker doesn’t really lead himself to deep characterization because there is no rhyme or reason to what they do other than to satisfy their sick desires and/or impulses.

However, while I do think The Crazy One interpretation is the one, on first glance, that best explains Azula’s actions in the comics, I don’t really think it works at all in the TV show.

For as far as current canon is concerned, Azula never showed any signs of mental instability before Mai and Ty Lee’s “betrayals” and never showed any signs of madness before her conversation with “Ursa” during Sozin’s Comet. 

Not to mention there is ample evidence that Azula does not do things for the lols. Evidence like (1) the fact the fact that she is constantly refers to/mentions either the Fire Nation or her father whenever she wants to accomplish something, (2) the fact that when she found out she wasn’t going with Ozai on Sozin’s Comet, her first reaction was yell at Ozai that he can’t treat her like Zuko, and (3) the existence of “Ursa”.

For in regards to (1), even if you think you think it is wrong to take those comments at face value since Azula is a raging narcissist who conflates the Fire Nation with herself and only talks about Ozai because he is the source of her power, at least self-aggrandizement is a motive beyond lols. Not to mention Azula does talk about Ozai even when there is no way Ozai, or people loyal to him, could hear her say so.

In regards to (2), the fact that she says, “You can’t treat me like Zuko!” the moment Ozai tells her she is not coming with him to raze the Earth Kingdom instead of telling him, for example, that it is her plan, and so she deserves to share the glory, or that she is the strongest firebender loyal to him, and so she can make razing the Earth Kingdom easier, or that she should come because she can help him the event that Iroh, Aang, and/or the rest of the resistance attempt to attack him during Sozin’s Comet, heavily suggests that one of her motivations, if not the main one, is to avoid losing Ozai’s favor, or even worse, become his scapegoat.

For it is quite obvious that Azula knows what happens to Ozai’s children who fail to meet his standards and/or “betray” him. And Azula has every reason to believe that Ozai is angry with her considering she lied to him about the possibility of Aang surviving, who really killed Aang, and whether or not Zuko was completely loyal to him.

(In my opinion, it is likely in the aftermath of Iroh’s escape that Ozai learned of Zuko’s visits to Iroh after having the surviving guard(s) investigated.)

Not to mention, on top of her lies, she failed to capture and/or kill the Gaang, as well as have her allies betray her, enabling Zuko to escape with several high value war prisoners.

But if (1) and (2) fail to convince you that Azula has actual motives, (3) is the strongest argument in my opinion. For “Ursa” is not some random figment of Azula’s imagination, but instead her heavily suppressed consciousness essentially telling her that she was wrong to use fear to control others and that her justification for doing so is completely wrong.

Azula believed that trust is for fools, fear is the only reliable way because she tried trusting Ursa, but Ursa “rejected” her due to being a “monster” while she got “loved” by Ozai as long as she feared him and did exactly what he said. Hence why Azula used fear to keep Mai and Ty Lee by her side, along with Zuko depending whether or not you believe Azula actually cares for Zuko, and why she was shocked and hurt that they turned on her despite knowing the consequences of doing so.

In fact, the existence of “Ursa” during the comics is exactly why The Crazy One interpretation of Azula’s character doesn’t make sense in the comics either. For The Search has Azula essentially listen to “Ursa” tell her that she was wrong, and that she can find a place in the post-war world if she just lets go of Ozai’s obviously erroneous teachings. And in S&S, “Ursa” stops “harassing” Azula once she decides her true destiny is to “help” Zuko.

Not to mention, the comics give evidence that avoiding becoming Ozai’s scapegoat is at least one of her motivating factors, for they show Ozai severely emotionally abuse Zuko in front of Azula, with Ursa, the only other (relevant) adult in the room, being powerless to stop it.

“But comics!Azula is raving loon whose conception of helping her brother is becoming a mass child kidnapping domestic terrorist hellbent on turning him into a tyrant!”

I never said that Azula having motives equals her being mentally stable, or that she would try to achieve her goals in a rational manner. Also, there are several good reasons why comics!Azula comes off a raving loon. 

For Azula spent at least a year in an asylum where she not only failed to receive any de-Sozinfication*, but also got abused to the point that she thought Zuko put her in there to break her, even though she knows Zuko doesn’t have that level of cruelty in him. And even after she escapes his custody and stops hearing “Ursa’s” voice, the artwork in S&S at certain times (ex. her rant to Mai about why the Fire Warriors decided to use the Kemurikage’s visage) suggests that Azula has not overcome her mental illness, but instead only managed to stop being actively psychotic…for now at least.

(*The only way Zuko and Iroh, who are similar to Azula in that they grew up as indoctrinated royalty, were able to turn away from Sozinism was by spending time away from the palace and experiencing life as peasants so they could see that Sozin was wrong about the other nations and the war. So, while I don’t think post-war Azula should be allowed to travel freely, or even to the other nations, I think for her to heal, she needs to be exposed to other cultures through stuff like unedited history books.)

“Come on man! If Azula is not a dark-triad seeking to dominate the world, a good person who had the misfortune of being born to an autocratic royal family waging a genocidal world war to facilitate settler colonialism and imperialism, or a loon whose only desire is to see others be hurt, then what is comics!Azula, and why is it bad for her character that she remains a villain?”

Well, I do have an explanation for what explains comics!Azula’s character, and why it is bad for her character. But before I do, I have to talk about the….

TTRPG

Before I get to the main conclusion, I have to address the recently released TTRPG, especially since its characterization of a non-redeemed Azula is for the most part what I wanted from the franchise.

For while the TTRPG does not talk about the abusive nature of the asylum, and how it worsened Azula’s mental state, the TTRPG makes it clear that Azula’s abusive behavior and imperialism was caused by being raised in the Fire Nation’s Royal Court, as well as due to Ozai focusing attention on his golden child, with Ursa, despite her best efforts, being unable to counter Ozai’s poisonous influence.

And that, due to her lack of de-Sozinfication, Azula is actively working to regain the throne so she restart the Hundred Year War and lead the Fire Nation to imperial glory by establishing a transnational, clandestine network of pro-war Fire Nationalists while also searching for means to overcome the Avatar’s overwhelming power like trying to find a scroll that describes how to unleash a dangerously powerful dark spirit.

However, no matter how much I like this course correction, it doesn’t make sense considering Azula’s previous actions and behavior in S&S. For if S&S!Azula had her TTRPG motivations, why didn’t the Fire Warriors kill Zuko and his allies considering they had the power to do so on top of their stealth advantage? 

Why did Azula kidnap Kiyi in the fashion that she did knowing that she was highly likely to get into a fight with Zuko and his allies, and therefore most likely expose her involvement, as well as her continued desire to antagonize Zuko?

Why did Azula essentially cause the NOS to collapse when, if Fire Warriors didn’t force Ukano to act before he had an adequate amount of support, it would have been the perfect vehicle to challenge Zuko? Especially since people in prison talk, and short of Zuko imposing a punishable by death gag order on everyone involved like Ukano and Mai, it would quickly become public knowledge hat her leadership is worthless considering she got most of her “allies” imprisoned and had to resort to mass child kidnapping to attempt to achieve her (on the surface) goals?

Or, if Zuko ever talks about what Azula told him in the tomb and it leaks out, that Azula thinks it is her destiny to mold Zuko in her image, and thus anyone who would support her would drop their support since, in addition to being a bonkers goal, it is obvious that Azula won’t succeed?

Why would a character noted for her martial genius essentially risk becoming a pariah to people willing to sacrifice their lives to put her back on the throne? Especially since she is aware that the act of banishing everyone during her short reign as Fire Lord-apparent (probably) makes people suspicious of her ability to maintain a hold on power without veering into insanity?

But maybe I am wrong for asking questions about Azula’s characterization and motives because she is not supposed to be a character with psychological interiority and motives.

For maybe Azula is not a character unto herself and only exists to help other characters develop as well as drive the plot forward. Or in other words, Azula is…

The Plot Device

After trying analyze Azula’s character through the three most popular interpretations, the best explanation for Azula’s post-TV show behavior is that she is a living plot device who exists solely to provide conflict in a story since the franchise needs a recognizable villain who has the means and motive to provide a challenge to the post-War Gaang. 

But not too much of a challenge since LoK all but says that the Gaang lived, for the most part, happy lives in which they became living legends. And so Azula can’t win or cause the Gaang to suffer any real personal or reputational loss. 

Hence why Azula managed to grow in power despite spending over a year in an abusive asylum before becoming a penniless, homeless, fugitive, and thus without any of the resources or stability she previously needed to grow in power. 

Or why she didn’t kill Noriko despite having her in her grasp with no one being able to stop her before dropping the bastard letter that would have helped her delegitimize Zuko’s rule.

Or why she was able to break into several asylums and find several willing, elite firebenders to join her terrorist cell without Zuko ever finding out.

Or why she was able to turn on Ozai despite lacking the life experiences and support that Zuko needed to realize that Ozai was not worth following.

Or why Azula had enough mental stability to essentially destroy the NOS from the inside, but not enough mental stability to recognize larping as a spirit and engaging in mass child kidnapping would more likely than not make her a permanent pariah to her family, her former friends, her brother’s supporters, and anyone willing to support her and/or Ozai’s claim to the throne.

Or why she didn’t outright kill Zuko and his allies despite having an elite team of smokebenders who were more than capable of matching the Gaang.

Or why she didn’t sadistically torture Zuko, or anyone she perceived to be even tangentially involved in her downfall, despite having several opportunities to do so.

Or why, despite telling Zuko that she thinks that it is her destiny to mold him into the tyrant of her dreams, and proving it by not killing him when she had the chance, she goes back to thinking that her destiny is to reclaim the throne.

Or why Azula is able to establish a transnational network dedicated to putting her back in power that Zuko can’t find, even with the resources of a nation-state, despite it (likely) being public knowledge that she destroyed the NOS thanks to her delusional leadership just like her delusions allowed the then traitor Zuko to take the throne from her, and thus cause the Fire Nation, with the Avatar’s help, to lose the Hundred Year War even though they had all but won it.

And you what sucks about Azula becoming a living plot device? 

Unlike other living plot devices like Post-Crisis Joker, whose existence causes the audience to ask thought provoking questions (ex. when is someone truly irredeemable, should vigilantes become executors when the law is incapable of putting monsters away, etc.) on top furthering post-crisis Batman’s characterization by highlighting how Batman’s no-kill rule doesn’t come from morality, but instead from his psychosis, post-TV show Azula doesn’t really cause the audience to engage with difficult questions, or further any of the other main character’s characterization in any meaningful way.

Thus, it is Azula becoming a living plot device, or more specially, a plot device that does nothing to advance the story or other characters’ characterization, is why I think Azula staying a villain will only lead to bad stories. For short of Aang’s era becoming a lot darker, or Bryke becoming willing to use Azula to drive meaningful change in other characters**, there are no more meaningful or exciting stories to tell with Azula.

(**I think an example of using Azula to drive meaningful change in other characters is having the details of Azula’s escape become public knowledge after she has caused a mass casualty event, forcing Zuko to realize that he has been a lackluster, selfish Fire Lord up to that point. Thus, public pressure plus the lives lost makes Zuko take active steps to become a better ruler, steps that cause Zuko to start becoming the respected Fire Lord that LoK heavily implies he became.)

For if Azula remains an antagonist and doesn’t get imprisoned and/or killed for good, she’ll just become an expy of Team Rocket where she shows up and causes non-irreversible trouble before blasting off again once she has either met her nebulous, ever changing goals or realizes that the Gaang has put an end to her current plot.

Moreover, I think a Team Rocket-esque Azula is a betrayal of her character because, regardless of your views on Azula, I think it is safe to say that TV!Azula was a serious threat who not drove the plot a good chunk of the time, but also forced the protagonists to grow in order to meet the threat she represented, especially after she killed Aang, caused Zuko to backslide, and took over Ba Sing Se with only one casualty.

And yet, for all the power-ups, the maniacal motive rants, and dastardly plots, post-TV show Azula doesn’t have the aura of danger that she had in the TV show, and I think her character suffers greatly for it.

Or in other words, when you saw Azula in the TV show, you knew shit would get real. But whenever you see Azula in a post-TV show work, you just go, “Oh, there goes that crazy Azula with her crazy plans that are doomed to fail thanks to LoK and Aang’s era’s age rating.”

Hence why I wish Azula would stop being a villain and at least either become an anti-hero or an anonymous peasant who has found peace and is a productive member of society, even if she never reconciles with her family and/or old friends.

Or, if Azula is too evil and/or broken to be anything more than a constant danger to society, that she be killed or imprisoned for life after being de-bended. For I would rather Azula be taken to the metaphorical woodshed then to see a once great character continue to fall.

Conclusion

So yeah, it is clear that Bryke wanted Azula to be the final villain, but it doesn't make sense how Azula can be such a threat or powerful bender post-Sozin's Comet. She clearly has no inner peace, she was restrained in an abusive asylum for at least a year, she is still too nationalistic to willingly incorporate techniques from other forms of bending, she no longer has access to wealth and power of the Fire Nation state, and she is a homeless, penniless fugitive. 

And yet she is the best H2H fighter and firebender in the franchise after the comics and is able to create a terrorist cell made up of asylum inmates without Zuko ever finding out before then creating a transnational network dedicated to helping her reclaim the throne, with Zuko being unable to find her, or dismantle her network, despite having the literal resources of a nation-state at his command.

Like I understand that Azula often tends to break the rules the franchise sets even in the show (ex. generating lightning despite being in the middle of a psychotic breakdown), but their need to keep Azula a villain is really starting to hurt the franchise.

Like if they wanted a villain!Azula, couldn't they, for example, have her become the first crime lord of the United Republic in an effort to cultivate power outside of the nation-state construct and to help prevent people from turning her in into Aang's allies' custody after she escapes in The Search?

Isn't that weird that comics!Azula quickly got over her trauma of being betrayed by Mai and Ty Lee in S&S? 

How did she manage to get over Ozai to the point that she would actively work against him and (presumably) getting reinstated as his heir? 

Why would she think it is her life goal to "help" Zuko, when the last time she helped him it ended in his betrayal and ultimately getting locked up in an abusive asylum? 

Why doesn't Azula care about having a conversation with real!Ursa?

Why would Azula, after the events of S&S, go back to thinking that her true destiny is to retake the throne so she can restart the Hundred Year War? 

Like what is the explanation? Well, as of right now, there is none, suggesting that they view Azula as just a plot device who only exists to drive conflict in Fire Nation-centered stories.

But not too much conflict since if Azula was to do anything truly irredeemable, it would make Aang and Zuko look bad since Azula only managed to get, and stay, free because of their incompetence, and in Zuko’s case, selfishness.

Therefore, it is for the above articulated reasons why I think Azula staying a villain will only lead to bad stories. 

For if Azula doesn’t/can’t drive change and has no discernible motives, why should we care about her character or the stories she is involved in?

#azula #atla #atla comics #avatar legends rpg #avatar studios #azula meta #atla comics critical #avatar legends rpg critical #avatar studios critical #yang critical #bryke critical #justanotherthrowaway1950meta

[avatar-the-second-age]

Hey, so I am planning an avatr campiagn with this RPG, I was orginal going to use avatar legends, but it doesn't create the rpg I want. This one might but I have a few questions before I buy the corebook for genesys, How similar is this game to dnd? Can you make characters died? Can the GM create stats for NPCs so that NPcs can fight with the players? How should I make Azula the main villain?

It's great to hear you're interested in trying Genesys! It's a great system to play games that are narrative-driven, as its unique dice provide inspiring and creative prompts any time they are rolled.

That being said, rolling dice and playing as a character with six primary attributes is where the biggest similarities end between Genesys and Fifth Edition D&D. They're both tabletop RPGs, so naturally they have some common DNA. But the playstyle and storytelling facilitated by the two systems couldn't be more dramatically different.

You can make characters that die in Genesys; all characters go down pretty easily, unless it is specifically your character's "thing" that they're tough. Being incapacitated because you've taken on too many wounds, or too much strain doesn't mean death. A character dies if a player wants their character to die, or if they sustain multiple critical injuries such that they roll 140+ on a d100 (with a +40 modifier from said critical injuries) and get the 'death' or 'dying out' result. NPCs can break some of these rules but are, in general, just as much of a glass cannon as PCs. The game is designed to emulate cinematic fights and pulp adventure action. This is not a game where every character creation option has "combat viability" because combat is not a primary pillar of gameplay in Genesys. It is one of several, including structured social encounters, and general puzzles and the like.

Creating NPCs is super easy, they can fight with players but you have to be mindful of action economy in structured encounters (whether that is combat, social, or something else). If your players outnumber the NPC(s), even if the NPC is "powerful," the players are probably going to win because they get more actions. Keep this in mind.

As for making Azula? I'd recommend taking a look at the rules first before trying to design an NPC. The core rulebook provides a LOT of good guidance on creating an adversary worthy of attention.

#genesys #genesys RPG #roleplaying games #avatar the last airbender #avatar the second age

[firehananas]

About me ☆

☆*。*.・+★~ Welcome welcome ! ~☆*。*.・+★

✿ Call me Hana, Fire, Feufeu or wtv in between. ✿

✿ She/They | Bisexual ✿

✿ Adult (over 21) ✿

✿ Fanfiction writer since 2015 - here my Ao3 (most of them are in French tho). Sometimes I draw too! ✿

✿ Which as you guess, implied I’m not English native! I’m open to criticism but please keep that in mind. ✿

✿ Search “hana talks”/ “hana cause” to see my rambles (or block them). I tried to tag the possible trigger with cw:darksubject or tw:darksubject ✿

⚠️ I may reblog/post about suggestive content (tagged “suggestive”) and usually hide under the cut. However I’ll never post/reblog explicit works! This is why I kindly ask you to acknowledge to be at very least 16 before following me. ⚠️

Some fandoms I’m into:

✿ Anime/manga: Tenkuu Shinpan|High Rise Invasion, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, 3-gatsu no lion|March comes in like a Lion, Revolutionary Girl Utena... ✿ Video games: Fire Emblem, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Forgotton Anne, Ace Attorney... ✿ Cartoons: Avatar (last airbender/legend of Kora), She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Bee and Puppycat... ✿ RPG maker games: Ib, Mad Father, The witch’s house, Uri games in general... Mostly RPG horror as you can see. ✿ Visual Novel stuff: Eldarya, the Arcana, Our life, Vincent the Secret of Myers, Death Mark & Spirit Hunter:NG, Your turn to die... I have a soft spot for Dating Sim or VN with interesting mechanisms. ✿ Others: Vocaloid, Evillious Chronicles...

❤ Simp for a ton of fictional characters, you have been warned ❤

★ Also: Manlybadasshero enjoyer, Squeezie watcher, Tiboudouboudou stander, withcindy is my queen, Espoir du Vide entousiaste ★

☆ If you have any question, my asks are open! ☆

⚠️ If you have a default profil pic + a blank account and you start following me, I’ll send you a DM to make sure you’re not a bot. If you don’t answer, you’ll be block. The only bot tolerated here is the dear and darling haiku bot.

Edit : don’t send pic because I’ll assume you’re a bot too - or worst, a jerk. I’m not risking myself on unwanted smut, sorry.

⚠️ I couldn’t care less about the pro and antishipper war. I’ve been enough long in fandoms to know this is pointless and bullshit. Wtv your side, you’re welcome for as long you don’t make a fuss; if you are uncomfortable feel free to block/leave. Take care of yourself.

Thank you!

#about me #hana talks

[valtharr]

Here's a picture that, in my opinion, encapsulates why the "TTRPG=D&D" mindset that's so pervasive (and that, I assume, this group exists to criticize) is even detrimental to D&D players themselves.Some context:A month or two ago, Magpie Games launched a Kickstarter for an RPG based on the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender (and Legend of Korra). This RPG, mind you, is Powered By The Apocalypse, which is something the Kickstarter page was very upfront about. Heck, there are even some AP sessions on Youtube that should show that, at the very least, it's not D&D. So, a while after the Kickstarter ended, the official ATLA Youtube channel posted a community poll, asking their viewers (for some reason) if they ever played D&D. One of the comments on that post was the one I screenshotted here. If, for whatever reason, you're not able to see the picture: It's a comment by someone claiming that they are "excited for the official setting" and that they even backed it.

When I saw that comment, all I thought was "oh boy"

This isn't me getting angry at a D&D player for liking D&D. This is me *pitying* a D&D player, because they spent who knows how much money expecting to get an official D&D setting based on a franchise they like, and who will probably have a rude awakening once they get their book and realize that the ruleset said book uses is incredibly different from, and by extension very hard to adapt to, the system they want to play in. Now, I could just blame the person themselves for not reading the KS page properly, but I honestly think they were just a victim of the pervasive idea that either D&D is the only game there is, or that, at least, every other game is similar enough to D&D to be easily adaptable (though from their wording, I suspect it's the former). If the overall mainstream perception of TTRPGs would reflect the variety of the medium, both folks who dislike, but also folks who like D&D would be better off.

#ttrpg #ttrpgs #rpg #rpgs #dnd #d&d #dungeons & dragons #Dungeons and Dragons #Avatar The Last Airbender #atla #the legend of korra #tlok

[rpgsandbox]

Grab your friends and escape to another world!

You've found an enchanted portal — a transition point — between worlds. The portal, called a Crossing, takes you to a world you thought only existed in novels and films: a magical land where dragons roam the skies, orcs and hobgoblins terrorize weary travelers, and unicorns prance through the forest. It is a world where humans join other peoples such as elves, trolls, dwarves, changelings, and the dreaded creatures who steal the night. It is a world of fantasy — of imagination.

It is the Realm.

It is Legendlore.

Drawn from The Realm and Legendlore comics, the Legendlore RPG will whisk characters from our world to a magical fantasy realm filled with dragons, orcs, unicorns, and hobgoblins. With over 60 comics published covering three volume runs, The Realm and Legendlore combined became one of Caliber Comics' most critically acclaimed series.

In the Legendlore RPG, players can choose to play as themselves or create a new character employing the 5th Edition Fantasy Rules System.

Tired of being stuck at home? Are you ready for a magical adventure? Here's your chance to find a Crossing and have some adventure in The Realm!

Legendlore was originally a comic called The Realm, first published by Arrow Comics in 1986 and since procured by Caliber Comics, about four people who fall through a Crossing into the Realm. The Realm is home to fantasy creatures from elves to dragons, and the characters discover they too have ‘fantasy powers’ – the jock becomes a Fighter, while the bookish one becomes a Wizard, and so on. They go on adventures and some of them eventually find their way back to Earth.

This is the basic premise of the Legendlore RPG. You cross into the Realm, where you become a hairfoot Bard, or maybe an elven Sorcerer. You can change any characteristics you like. For example if you have hay fever and glasses, you choose if your Legendlore self keeps or drops those. Your identity might not always match your outward physique, but your Legendlore character does. We've also updated the 1980s setting so Realmborn characters represent all ethnicities, genders, and sexualities. No one in the Realm will bat an eyelash at your agender panromantic self.

You are not the first from Earth to encounter the nations of the Realm. The Realm has had Visitors before, and each time these Visitors left something with the Realm: whether it be a new word, or even accidental technology. Some Visitors became stranded and formed their own communities out of an immediate need for survival. These communities can still be found in the Realm, though they tend to be pockets of isolation and have their own customs and concerns even if they are within the boundaries of other nations. Sharp-eyed Visitors may recognize aspects of their world turned into phenomena: in the depths of a forest, they may encounter a glider plane abandoned with vines anchoring it to the soil, its metal rusting, its markings faded under a strange sun its paint was never meant to withstand. These phenomena are considered Strange Things throughout the Realm.

Just as Earth had impacts on the Realm, the Realm can change a Visitor from Earth. Legends are the destinies Visitors may have when Crossing into the Realm: it is part of their Crossing, part of their destiny.

Each character has their own Legend, which affects the story and is built up through relatively minor actions as well as through more obviously weighty choices. Legends are things like “Avatar of Peace” or “Regent of Dragons” or “Heir to the Mountain”: they represent the destiny of You (your character) and mechanically can resemble backgrounds. Perhaps the You you want to be in the Realm is trying to not spread any more violence than absolutely necessary for self-defense. As a Player, you might want their destiny to reflect that commitment to peaceful solutions and to avoid continuing cycles of revenge and violence: thus the “Avatar of Peace” Legend. The seeds of that legend are there, but how does that affect You throughout Your adventures in the Realm?

Curious to hear what a session may sound like? Click HERE to crossover to an Actual Play recording, where three roleplayers are teleported into the Realm, where they must try to find a way home. Hitching a ride thrusts them straight into a missing person’s case, but all is not what it seems. ‘Into the Realm’ is an introduction to Legendlore, and used as an example of a campaign opening.

The Legendlore RPG setting is currently available as a "Rough Draft" text-only PDF file from DriveThruRPG.com. We want to take the next steps to turn this into fully-illustrated, beautifully laid out PDF sourcebook that befits the legacy of this setting.

We also want to take it a step further - creating an 8.5" x 11" hardcover with a beautifully designed, striking cover image printed in four color gloss, with  more than 200 full-color pages and endpapers on high-quality paper stock. Exceptional funding may allow us to add Stretch Goals that further develop the setting and provide additional materials for play, We also want to get at least one print run into traditional distribution and available for sale at game and hobby stores.

The Legendlore RPG uses rules based on the 5th Edition of the world's most popular fantasy tabletop RPG system, and comprises three sections (Player, Setting, Game Master) including an introductory adventure!

During this campaign, we will feature spotlight previews of various sections to highlight the different aspects of The Realm and the Legendlore setting. You can download the entire rough manuscript for free from DriveThruRPG.com now!

The primary goal of this Kickstarter campaign is to create the best version of the Legendlore RPG possible. Your support allows us to fund the best production, use the most appropriate components, and possibly even contract more art for the core book. We hope to not only deliver a beautiful book to all of our backers but, as noted, also fund at least one print run to be sold through distribution and into book and hobby stores that are so vital to our community.

Beyond that main goal, we hope to gain additional funding to explore more of the world of Legendlore, possibly expanding into rules companions and other Game Master and player tools and accessories. The greater our funding for this project, the more resources we can use to explore these scenarios and challenges.

Beyond those campaign-specific goals, we hope to do what our games have always done — build a community invested in each other's stories and shared imaginations. Every person who participates is joining with the goal of bringing this game into the world, and that common goal is a powerful binding element that we can't help but want to share. When you back this project, you join us on this journey and become part of our fantasy family.

Kickstarter campaign ends: Thu, July 2 2020 7:00 PM BST

Website: Onyx Path Publishing

#RPG #kickstarter #Legendlore #Caliber Comics #Onyx Path Publishing

[a-singing-carebear]

Thank You Critical Role - My D&D story

“The adventure begins, they were always beside you. Your nerdy best friends and the DM to guide you”. Critical role, what more can I say?

I started playing dungeons and dragons when I was around 4\5th grade, playing with a group as an afternoon group\class. 4E, and I don't remember much besides my halfling ranger and a lot of glances and readthrough of my still existing Player's Handbook. (Well the first half of the book, the miniatures section didn’t really speak to me) Finding out my father was a DM when he was younger, and I even went to some events. I can't at all recall why I stopped, but the happiness and creativity wonder I felt still lingered in my mind. 

I had the love for fantasy, I had things like LOTR, “hey! it’s just like D&D”, and a lot of creativity and storytelling crafting.

After that, I kinda moved on I guess, felt lonely, and like geekness and role-playing was a bad and childish thing (though it made me feel so spectacular). The closest I got was some lively Avatar OC with some new friends.

Fast forward to 2015, The episode “Dungeons, Dungeons & More Dungeons” from gravity falls. All those feelings rose again and I remembered how much I loved playing.

(also enjoy role-playing and with LARP being mentioned there too, when I went to some Cons I had a blast with the foam swords there).

I took out the 4e Player's Handbook, made with my brother (who got in and out of d&d by that time) a carved foam platform and a cubes map - thus started a made-up game by the name of "D&F" (Dungeons & Fandoms), using his found old dices and it's a 1 on 1 encounter magic arena with no distinct roles. What started as "let's make Ability Scores to characters from shows" became a random "I cast a tree of pancakes on you! -no, I burned it with fire-bending you’re dead". A game that also slowly died as we grew up and apart (“I mean, they used to be best friends, but then they got all stupid. Can you promise me you won't get stupid?”)

(FOUND IT!!!) A mild discovery of the ingenious song “Never Split The Party”, an actual d&d song I discovered after watching Semblance of Sanity and figuring out that their ditty “don’t you know you never split the party” is an actual song their singing.

[This video is just a d&d podcast they had, but kinda sums up everything I feel about why I enjoy D&D!]

Then another tiny spark 3 years later when the Voltron episode “Monsters & Mana” came out (BTW, a great d&d parody episode). Which mostly came to an end after a glance in the book and dices and helping a friend with ideas to craft his own RPG game.

We arrive at the date when everything changed (well, almost), December 7th, 2018. The day I discovered the “Mighty Nein Animated Intro - Your Turn To Roll” and my life were never the same.

Stumbled upon it by complete accident. I was at a loss for words, I heard the name “Critical Role” thrown about many times on tumbler’s trending list and saw pictures and art of mostly Jester. I didn't even know what is it - a tv show? a game? well, it looks like D&D. The song was incredible and brought me back, I started writing a full-fleshed out character - a human ranger taught by an elf, but the idea was quickly shifted to another fantasy story by me (it’s heard sticking to it when you know it’s just backstory and character info and you will not play and you have no one). But I continue watching this video on repeat (haha not even knowing what it actually is), scouting tumbler for info and watching some random animatics, learning it's probably a podcast d&d\rpg or something. It could have been amazing as a tv show (XD)… and then another video got released, same incredible essence of d&d song but different animation, and different characters That was my first introduction to Vox Machina.

I had to check this out. Tried to get into the fandom but got lost, even though the interest was there. Stepping upon the awesome cosplay OP and even found out about a hamilton album parody - and my musical loving self was ecstatic.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIDuJAvTTRc&list=PL39vwIwCtLi3l4J6IMV6rS2HaLCujNzRT -  Vox Machina: An Exandrian Musical)

Found the full podcast list of champion 1 and started this May. But it was hard following just by voice, and I wanted to see what was happening, every episode was 3-4 hours long, with me in my military base it was impossible. (also I thought to myself “it looks cool, but what so investing and amazing about watching some people play D&D - boy I was wrong).

Then my unexpected savior arrived, miss Corona the pandemic.

I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands and the Critical Role vids got suggested again on YouTube, yes indeed, I discovered there are actually filmed episodes. Towards the end of May, I started the journey and the flame reignited. I started talking to a good friend of mine about his interest in d&d and we started crafting characters - I resurrected my charter into a half-elven ranger with a full backstory. Down the road, I asked another two friends of mine about their interest in d&d (because maybe I can join together an actual party), one of them said, and I’m quoting “no I don’t have experience playing…but I swear I wanted to talk to you about D&D”. Unfortunately, the two friends groups didn’t mix but we made an improved first session with me as the fucking DM, simply magical. Later that week I started a 1on1 campaign with the other friend, with him as the DM and a marvelous start of an adventure (and helping him learn the rules as an ADM, with the past faded expirations I had).

All while fangirly, hyperfixation way continuing with the journey of Vox Machina, it’s amazing because as opposed to other shows I can also completely see the fandom growing along with the show and cast (i just hope I can catch up to the Mighty Nein before the inevitable 3rd campaign, 198 episodes to go - happy 100th ep!). It’s also difficult to get into the Critters fandom right now because most of the community is focused and recognized by Mighty Nein. Also burning up creativity slots and making more various characters then I could ever use - I’m enjoying myself so muchhh. Diving headfirst into this beautiful crazy of the mess that is D&D.

Nothing’s never too late and it’s ok if you have hiatus. It doesn’t make you any less worthy and I don’t need to feel bad about this journey of that a bunch of nerdy-ass voice actors sit around and play Dungeons & Dragons got me back to loving, playing and caring about the world of d&d, it’s part of the intent. As a fantasy lover (spells, costumes, items, structures, creatures, you name it), aspiring creative writer and an untalented lover of acting theatrical and role-playing, along with the incredible mechanism of RPG and the vast community, the amazing time with friends, its the game for me, it always had been. So thank you Critical Role for igniting that flame once again - even if I will lose it again I will always have you guys. “Can you answer the call? Dig in deep in your soul. As the legend unfolds, now it's your turn to roll!”

(sorry for the lengthy length, it was meant to be much shorter)

#critical role #vox machina #the mighty nein #geek and sundry #tabletop rpg #d&d #dungens and dragons #friends #dnd e4 #dnd e5 #ranger #longasspost #COVID19 #quarentinelife #critters

[satoshi-mochida]

Nippon Ichi Software has released the first official information and screenshots of its recently announced Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk followup Labyrinth of Galleria: Coven of Dusk for PlayStation 4 and PS Vita.

Get the details below.

■ About

Title: Labyrinth of Galleria: Coven of Dusk

Genre: RPG

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS Vita

Release Date: July 25, 2019 (Japan)

Players: One

Cross-Save: Supported

PlayStation 4 Pro Enhanced: Supported

Price:

-PlayStation 4

Standard Edition: 7,200 yen (without tax) / 7,776 yen (with tax)

Limited Edition: 9,200 yen (without tax) / 9,936 yen (with tax)

Digital Edition: 7,200 yen (without tax) / 7,776 yen (with tax)

-PS Vita

Standard Edition: 6,200 yen (without tax) / 6,696 yen (with tax)

Limited Edition: 8,200 yen (without tax) / 8,856 yen (with tax)

Digital Edition: 6,200 yen (without tax) / 6,696 yen (with tax)

Challenge the “underground labyrinth” and experience the story of the “Witch Brigade” once more…

A group of loving and courageous adventures, in search of wonders—.

Nippon Ichi Software will release Labyrinth of Galleria: Coven of Dusk for PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. We are working hard to develop an exploration-type dungeon RPG played from the first-person perspective.

The director and scenario writer is Tatsuya Izumi, who worked on our very own The Witch and the Hundred Knight and Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk games. Additionally, The Witch and the Hundred Knight and Disgaea series veteran Takehito Harada is handling character design, and Tenpei Sato, who composed for the same series, is in charge of the music.

We hope you can look forward to this new RPG from Nippon Ichi Software.

■ Story

—The story of somewhere not here.

“Clear the underground labyrinth full of mysteries.”

As the “Necrolamp” owned by the witch Madam Malta, the player will obey her commands and make their way through an untrodden, underground labyrinth.

The player commands magical beings called puppet soldiers that are neither human nor beast.

The puppet soldiers born of magical power and the strange lantern Necrolamp make form a unique group…When the “witch brigade” challenges the labyrinth, the curtain will rise on a mysterious adventure in search of treasures.

■ Characters

Eureka, The Exploration Assistant

A girl who came to Galleria in response to a poster seeking an exploration assistant. She is energetic, cheerful, and positive in any situation. As the witch Madam Malta’s assistant, she helps with labyrinth exploration by becoming an anchor to the real world for wandering souls.

Necrolamp, The Strange Lantern

The player’s avatar, in which “wandering souls” and the “player’s soul” are sealed. It cannot move on its own, and its above ground actions occur together with Eureka as it’s vessel. Though it can express its intentions, it does not speak or express emotion. Its name is can be set by the player.

Madam Malta, The Old Witch

An old witch with long gray hair who goes by the nickname Grandma. At the request of the ruler of Galleria, she searches the underground labyrinth using puppet soldiers in order to find treasures.

Perico, The Witch’s Granddaughter

The witch Madam Malta’s granddaughter, who travels with her. While energetic, she is always ill-humored and you cannot tell what she is thinking. There are things that she does not understand, which tend to surprise her. She also likes cats.

■ World

Galleria, A Mansion with a Mysterious Underground Labyrinth

A mansion built in a remote area and the setting of this story. It can be found in the depths of a thick forest, at the furthest end of the remote countryside where rural landscapes fill the area. In its basement is a “complicated and mysterious gallery” called “The Underground Labyrinth of Galleria.”

Underground Labyrinth

An underground labyrinth—a “gallery” created by demons, according to legend—deep below Galleria. Nowadays, its existence is ignored, and the method to enter the labyrinth has been lost. But inside there are said to be treasures that possess mysterious powers.

Treasures

A collection of mysterious treasures of unknown origin and mysterious powers that are said to bring the possessor misfortune.

Facets

Facets refers to the “type of puppet soldier,” as there exist various categories and each has different strengths and weaknesses. Even if the same puppet soldier has a different facet, its stats and skills will change in a big way, so it is necessary to adequately utilize and combine them based on the situation.

Witch Brigade and Puppet Soldiers

Puppet soldiers are created by witches using a wooden puppet and an anima (soul). A group consisting of puppet soldiers is called a coven, but a larger group is called a witch brigade. Puppet soldiers are magical beings (Manania) and can only take on the form of a human in the underground labyrinth where there is a high concentration of magic.

■ Facets

Wonder Corsair

Combat professionals that are experts in the martial arts and the use of all weaponry. While they courageously challenge even enemies that are difficult to defeat, they are emphasize helping the party and survival. They are all-purpose attackers that specialize in well-balanced offense and defense more than attack power, and can adapt to any situation.

—Male

—Female

Shinomashira

The Mashira clan comes from a country in the east. Among the clans that work in assassination, they specialize in group battles. They attack at close range with a striking-style weapon called the “Blunt Hammer,” and move their body according their skilled taijutsu, making them good at disrupting the front lines. They are an attack-specialized facet that controls the enemy’s focus and dominates the battlefield.

—Male

—Female

■ System

The player takes on the role of Necrolamp, a lantern owned by the witch Madam Malta, and obeys her command to clear the labyrinth. Puppet soldiers created by the witch join the party. Each puppet soldier has different combat abilities and fight in place of the player (who cannot directly attack).

Covens

In Labyrinth of Galleria: Coven of Dusk, a group of characters called a coven makes up a single unit in battle. There are many types of covens, and a witch brigade can be formed by placing characters in covens.

The abilities of a coven is determined by the characters in the coven and the traits of the coven itself. Depending on the compositions, you can create all sorts of witch brigades. Up to five covens can make up your party. Battles against enemies unfold through the offensive and defensive powers of multiple covens.

—Not only can you set a puppet soldier’s nature, visual type, and name, you can also set their preferred stat growth, color, skill selection, and flavor text.

Freely Explore the Underground Labyrinth

The labyrinth is a 3D dungeon the player explores in the first-person perspective. Enemies are represented by symbols on the map, and touching a symbol triggers a battle. Both enemies and allies can move one square at a time. By fully utilizing your field of vision and map, you can avoid encountering strong enemies while also getting your hands on the rare items that lie asleep in the labyrinth’s depths.

■ Battle System

In battle, the player commands several covens, and each coven can launch an attack on the enemy. You can utilize various tactics to defeat the enemy, such as going full-offensive with a coven full of attackers, utilizing specialized techniques activated by coven units, and employing formation effects.

Only three characters in each coven can directly participate in battle. But depending on the coven, up to eight characters can be assigned to a single coven. Five covens x eight characters = a maximum of 40 characters (plus additional strength) that can participate in battle. This is the true power of the witch brigade.

—What is the “Liberation” displayed above each character?

—For those that prefer a small party, you can also register just one character to each coven.

■ Critical Gore

If a critical hit occurs when attacking an enemy, there is a chance that it will destroy a vital part of the enemy’s body. This is known as a Critical Gore.

The enemy’s stats will severely decrease depending on the destroyed part. The occurrence of criticals are affected by various factors, including the characteristics of the coven. Focusing on critical hits to gain the upper hand in battle is a good strategy, as there are many ways for a coven to generate critical hits.

However, allies can also experience a Critical Gore and have their parts destroyed. While a puppet soldier can continue fighting even if its arms or torso is destroyed, if its head is destroyed, it will be incapacitated with one hit. Destroyed parts will only return after being repaired at the base, and you must be careful as losing parts will lower your stats.

■ Formations

Your covens fight in a single formation that is split into a vanguard and rearguard.

Covens can assume different types of formations, each of which produce different effects.

The All-out Attack formation puts all covens in the vanguard.

The Pincer formation puts the left and right covens in the vanguard, and the center covens in the rearguard.

The Convoy formation puts all covens in the rearguard.

■ Miramachina

By summoning a character called a Miramachina, they are placed in front of a coven to act as its shield. While the player cannot issue individual commands to Miramachina and there is a limit on the number of turns one can stay on the field, they support the battle in various ways with their unique abilities.

Miramachina are also resistant to physical attacks and fight as self-thinking defensive wall types known as “independent puppet soldiers.”

—The gallery room “Red Tribuna” at the heart of Galleria acts as your base from which you can head into the labyrinth.

—Apart from exploring the underground labyrinth, a main story that revolves around the daily happenings above ground in Galleria will unfold.

—Destroy walls in the labyrinth to create new paths using the “Wall Breaker” skill.

■ Limited Edition and First-Print Bonuses

Limited Edition

The limited edition of Labyrinth of Galleria: Coven of Refrain will include the following content:

A copy of the game

Soundtrack (by Tenpei Sato) featuring various music from the game

Unannounced item

Three-sided spine box

First-Print Bonus

First-print copies of Labyrinth of Galleria: Coven of Refrain will include an original theme for PlayStation 4 or PS Vita.

View the screenshots at the gallery.

#Labyrinth of Galleria: Coven of Dusk #Labyrinth of Galleria #Nippon Ichi Software #PS4 #PS Vita #Gematsu #I'm sure it'll come to the Switch eventually. #Don't read the site's comment section. #long post

[runicscribbles]

Rules: name your top 10 favorite characters from 10 different fandoms and then tag 10 people.

Ahhh!!! Thank you @sword-and-sheith. This is open for anyone who’d love to take it, just tag me so I can see your cool answers. 

1. Shiro - Voltron Legendary Defenders

It’s a hard toss up between Shiro and Keith because I love them both so much, but I have a type with the beaten, broken, tired hero who keeps on fighting just because it’s the right thing to do. Shiro is the archetype. Not to mention how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE the brainwashed hero into evil villain trope.

2. Commander Shepard - Mass Effect

One of my favorite games of all time. One of my favorite heroes. Ticks all the boxes of hero beaten down and never giving up, always fighting to help people, and inspiring everyone around her to keep moving forward. She is my idol and I want to be more like her in every way.

3. Flash Thompson/Agent Venom - Marvel Comics

Can’t mention heroes who fight through adversity to do the right thing even when it hurts without my best boy, Flash Thompson. He goes from being Peter Parker’s bully and high school nemesis and a victim of some horrifically violent physical abuse by his father to become a hero. He overcomes his past, struggles with addiction, is a double-amputee, and never stops fighting to be a better man. My favorite superhero of all time. If you haven’t read Venom (2012), do yourself a favor and pick it up. Then yell about him with me!

4. Aloy - Horizon Zero Dawn

Another video game heroine in my all time favorite game. The thing that makes Aloy special is that she answers violence, bigotry, and hatred with compassion. She is raised in isolation, an outcast, despised by the tribe who is supposed to be her family and she is still so kind. She is the only one who carries the knowledge of an ancient and terrible tragedy that she could use to upend the world or crush other people’s beliefs, but she doesn’t. She’s a warrior guided by a gentle heart.

5. Amy Santiago - Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Okay, so this one is a self-insert. I have never connected so deeply with a character ever in my entire life. An overachiever who is constantly needing validation, someone who gets excited when they organize their life in binders. Someone who is smart, capable, funny, awkward, successful (and loved) BECAUSE of it. I am her and I want to be her. My personal hero.

6. Scott McCall - Teen Wolf

Remember that type with the self-sacrificing, broken hero who keeps fighting and keeps being kind even when they’ve lost everything and been so hurt? Enter Scott McCall, a young man who gave too much to be a hero and never let it taint him with cruelty or hate. He stayed soft and that was his strength. My sweet boy, you deserved so much better.

7. Pike Trickfoot - Critical Role

I have just been sucked into the amazing fun that is D&D and table top RPG games, largely due to watching Critical Role. This one was a toss up between Pike Trickfoot, the hard-fighting and gentle cleric of Campaign One and player Ashley Johnson’s Barbarian Aasimar warrior Yasha in Campaign Two. Maybe I just love Ashley Johnson. Maybe I just love lady warriors who kick ass!

8. Korra - Avatar: The Legend of Korra

Lady warrior? Check! Bisexual icon? Check! Someone who struggles and fails and learns and grows and loves and I could go on forever. I rarely get to see women who can be aggressive without being turned into male sexual fantasies, or women allowed to be frustrated or to screw up without being demonized. Or to be butch! Korra let me see someone like me in a fantasy show and be the hero.

9. Raven - Raven: The Pirate Princess

If you are not reading Raven: The Pirate Princess by Jeremy Whitley (available at Comixology), I am begging you to pick it up. A diverse cast of women pirates, all of whom are LGBTQ+. Of them all, and trust me it’s almost impossible to pick a favorite, I think Raven is closest to my heart. The main character and captain of her pirate crew, Raven is a hard-hitting leader who never backs down from a fight...and who turns into a COMPLETE awkward lesbian mess whenever she tries to flirt with her pretty best friend. My favorite disaster gay!

10. Pearl - Steven Universe

Oh no, another battered and broken hero who fights for others no matter what? I am so predictable! Throw in lesbian heartbreak, pining, and a too-organized overachiever, and of course Pearl is my favorite. She makes me so proud and so hurt all at once, all I want is for her to be happy. She deserves a chance to be loved!

#Meme #:D :D :D #Thank you!

[justanotherthrowaway1950]

Hot Take: Azula's Mental Illness(es) Only Exist to Nerf Her

Azula’s mental breakdown and subsequent fall to (long-term?) madness is one of the most talked about character arcs in ATLA, with much ink spilled analyzing why it happened, what type of mental illness(es) Azula may have, and whether she may be able to rise from the ashes of her shame and humiliation.

However, maybe Azula’s downfall was not meant to be some profound end to a 3-D character that still has people talking about it, even though ATLA last aired almost 15 years ago and her last comics appearance was in 2016.

No, maybe Azula’s mental breakdown and subsequent struggles with mental health only exists to nerf a villain sue whose sympathetic moments come due to wanting to give her an ambiguous mental disorder that nerfs her so that not only are Zuko and Katara able to defeat her, but also to prevent her from being a serious threat to the Gaang post-war. 

For if Azula didn't go crazy during Sozin's Comet, Zuko and Katara would have never gotten to the Fire Nation Royal Palace since she would have had the imperial firebenders and the Dai Li to protect her. And even if they did manage to get to her, she would have never challenged Zuko to an Agni Kai just like she refused Zuko's challenge in S2. 

Meanwhile, in the case where they manage to defeat her, if they had to kill her, Zuko's already shaky legitimacy is gone. And in the case where they manage to capture her, even if Aang de-bends her, she is still a potent symbol for pro-war elements to rally around since she never proved herself too unstable to rule.

Not to mention, Azula’s insanity also allows Bryke to use Azula as an antagonist in future works without having to deal with the obvious question of why doesn't Azula (attempt to) slaughter everyone between her and the throne if Aang doesn't show up and defeat her in the Avatar State.

For in The Search, if Azula was sane, she would have easily escaped the Gaang's custody and used the letter to start a civil war, not even bothering to find Ursa. In Smoke and Shadow, if she was truly sane, she would have slaughtered everyone who opposed her and/or was remotely tied to her downfall before taking the throne again and restarting the Hundred Year War.

Moreover, Azula’s insanity allowed Bryke to avoid having to answer the question of what type of punishment did Ozai's 14 year old second-in command deserve at the end of the war.

For Azula failing into madness gave them an excuse to have Zuko involuntarily psych war her in an asylum in a show of mercy that also conveniently discredits Azula in the eyes of the Fire Nation without staining Zuko and/or Aang’s reputations in- or out-of-universe.

So yeah, Azula’s mental illness is obviously a plot-driven nerf in retrospect, and therefore we should stop trying to ascribe deeper meaning to her downfall. 

“Nice headcanon you got there but canon disagrees with you. First of all, even if Azula didn’t banish the Dai Li and imperial firebenders, it wouldn’t have mattered since they are fodder to likes of Zuko and Katara, with Zuko’s Comet boost essentially canceling out the imperial firebenders’ Comet boost. Second of all, assuming Zuko would have challenged a sane Azula to an Agni Kai, Azula can’t refuse an Agni Kai, let alone one for the throne. Third of all, Azula wasn't strong enough to take either Katara or Zuko 1v1 by the end of the series. And finally, other than when Azula had Zuko at firepoint, there was no other time she could have killed the main characters after the war ended, so the idea she could have slaughtered everyone sans an Avatar State Aang is pure Azula stan wanking at its finest.”

In regards to the first point, the Dai Li are not fodder considering it took just two of them to enable Azula to avoid Aang, Toph, and Sokka as long as she did during the Day of Black Sun, and a whole unit of Dai Li agents plus Zuko and Azula was enough for Aang to decide to let go of Katara to master the Avatar State since he didn’t think him and Katara could defeat them all.

And second of all, since Katara and Zuko are entering the Fire Nation on Appa, they are essentially sitting ducks for a legion of Sozin’s Comet enhanced firebenders, especially since Zuko’s best fire redirection feat didn’t occur till Smoke and Shadow, and even then, he only redirected the fire of four firebenders, and not an entire legion like he would have to in this scenario.

And speaking of imperial firebenders, even if they are still relative fodder to Zuko, the Comet boost makes them superior to Katara if the fire produced by the soldiers who faced Toph in the airship are any indication of what the Sozin’s Comet amped imperial firebenders can do. 

And unlike those soldiers, the imperial firebenders won’t have to hold back for fear of destroying their surroundings since they will be firing into the air or in the Coronation Plaza, assuming Zuko, Katara, and Appa haven’t been burned alive at that point and manage to reach it in the first place.

In regards to the second point, Zuko was a literal traitor at that point just like in S2 when Azula refused his Agni Kai challenge. Besides, if anyone could walk up the Fire Nation Royal Palace and challenge the Fire Lord to an Agni Kai, how would the Fire Lord be able to do anything other than fight since they would be fighting Agni Kai after Agni Kai?

“Um, literally be so strong that no one even dares to challenge them since it's a death sentence? Like why do you think the Fire Lord is considered the apex firebender? For the Kyoshi novels, even if they take place centuries before the events of ATLA, say that even the head mistress of the Royal Fire Academy for Girls has to be the peak firebender at the institution to not lose her position. And Bryke have made comments saying that Ozai had fought in several Agni Kais as a Prince in order to keep his position; hence why no one challenges him to an Agni Kai as Fire Lord.”

So if that was the case ,why doesn't Smoke and Shadow Azula challenge Zuko to an Agni Kai instead of engaging in her 48D plan then? Especially since the TTRPG says she wants the throne again?

Not to mention, ​​Iroh knew how to redirect lightning before Lu Ten's death, yet never challenged Ozai to an Agni Kai even after becoming enlightened, and thus realized the war was wrong, on top of (most likely) seeing his beloved nephew get abused daily.

So, if that line of thought about Agni Kais is true, wouldn't that make Iroh look passive as fuck at best, and a piece of shit at worst, even though Iroh is supposed to be respected and wise good guy after his enlightment?

Anyway, getting back on track, in regards to the third point, if Zuko was strong enough to take on Azula by himself, how come Iroh, one of the wisest characters in ATLA, someone who knows about Zuko’s abilities, and is at times a mouthpiece for the writers, tells Zuko to take someone with him to take down Azula? 

Or how come Zuko only challenges Azula to an Agni Kai after seeing she is in the middle of a mental breakdown? 

Or how come Katara refuses to directly confront Azula and essentially defeats her by tricking her with a trap that she would have seen coming a mile away if she was sane?

It is pretty obvious that Zuko, even after closing the gap thanks to training with the Dragons, is still not Azula’s equal, while Katara, even if she is arguably slightly stronger than Azula, is no match for a sane Sozin’s Comet boosted Azula.

And in regards to the final point, even if you discount when she had Zuko pinned down in crypt, she could have killed the main cast in several different ways. 

For she could have used the fact that no one was aware of the secret tunnels, or that she was in Caldera City, to covertly assassinate Zuko and his allies one by one with the rest of the Fire Warriors. Especially since no one, not even Zuko or Aang, have a reliable counter to their smokebending.

She could have actually helped the New Ozai Society, instead of manipulating Ukano into acting earlier so she could teach Zuko a lesson, and raised a true insurgency. 

She could have kicked Aang with fire when they were chasing after her on the Royal Palace roof-tops instead of just kicking him.

She could have fully charged her lightning so that when she redirected it at Zuko, it would have killed him when he failed to redirect it due to being caught off guard instead of just knocking him off his feet.

She could have slashed Ty Lee with a fire dragger instead of slapping her. 

She could have kicked Mai with fire instead of just kicking her, or more generally, actually attacked Mai to kill her instead of toying with her the whole time when they were in the Garden of Tranquil Souls.

Not to mention the fact that not only has her battle awareness and speed increased, for she dodged a serious Ty Lee trying to chi-block her from her blindside while also casually dodging Mai’s knives, but also she now has quick charge lightning; instant lightning; the ability to wield lightning like a bootleg chidori; the ability to make lightning spheres; the ability to make lightning zaps; lightning redirection; instant area of effect lightning; the ability to control and spilt her lightning stream after she has fired it; concussive lightning; faster fire jets; and, most controversially, the apparent ability to psychically generate and manipulate smoke.

There are other things she could have done, but that point is that if Azula really wanted Zuko and company dead during Smoke and Shadow, they would be dead. 

And even if she was foolish enough to try to attack them head-on, there is a really strong argument that the only person who could stop her is an Avatar State Aang, assuming her encounter with Katara does not take place during a full moon.

So to conclude, maybe there is no deeper reason for Azula’s mental breakdown other than the writers backing themselves into a corner and realizing that the only real way a sane Azula would ever get stopped is by Avatar State Aang. 

That and they did not want to deal with the thorny issue of what punishment a sane Azula would get for her actions taken during the war while also wanting the option to use Azula as ongoing villain without having her rack-up a high body count before she is stopped.

Without her mental breakdown, in regards to the TV show, at best the Final Agni Kai never happens, and at worst, Zuko, Katara, and Appa are all dead. Meanwhile, in regards to the comics, at best Azula leads a bloody insurgency before she is stopped for good, and at worst, the Hundred Year War restarts without anyone able to stand up to her.

So yeah Azula needed to be nerfed, and they ended up doing it with the one thing that could truly stop her: herself.

#azula #azula meta #atla #atla comics #avatar legends rpg #atla critical #atla comics critical #avatar legends rpg critical #bryke critical #justanotherthrowaway1950meta

[allmoddedapk]

War of Kings : Strategy war game Mod 79 Apk (Unlimited resources)

New Post has been published on https://www.allmoddedapk.com/war-of-kings-strategy-war-game-mod-apk/

War of Kings : Strategy war game Mod 79 Apk (Unlimited resources)

War of Kings : Strategy war game Mod 79 Apk (Unlimited resources)

War of Kings : Strategy war game  – War of Kings is the first real strategy (RTS) war game for Android devices,

The story begins in a world full of wars , conflicts and Clash between clans, you must start in the search for soldiers and allies and you will be the commander and Legend and then build your own clan and empire step by step and fight Kingdoms and enemies in Global War who are near you , King of Thrones!

⚔️ Features ⚔️

⭐️ Multiplayer “Online Play Mode” : You can start looking for opponents from around the world and fight them with Friends and win loot and gems to develop civilization kingdoms,

⭐️ Without Internet “Offline Play Mode”: Don’t have an Internet connection?! Do not worry you can play continuously with enemies without the need to connect to the Internet.

⭐️ Many civilizations: European civilization, Turkish civilization, Spanish civilization, Arab civilization, Vietnamese civilization, Russian civilization, Indian civilization and much much more.

⭐️ Clan war mode “New”: Develop your base and join your friends clans to fight the enemy civilizations around you and develop your strategy to eliminate them.

⭐️ Voice and written chat: You can chat with your friends during the war and interact with them.

⭐️ Friends List : You can send friendships request with others, receive friend requests and play with them.

⭐️ Different modes of war: You can play the game in a 1vs1 or 2vs2 or 3vs3 or clan war mode.

⭐️ House of Dragons : Fight to summon dragons that will destroy your enemies once they are close to your clan.

Soldiers and monsters from several worlds: There are many human soldiers and other Orcs and un-dead monsters.

⭐️ Easy control: Easy control and there are dozens of tools to easily control soldiers and move them anywhere, play like clash kingdom strategy try to discover it!.

⭐️ Many options to develop your clan: We believe that everyone has their own strategy so dozens of features and tools are provided that make your clan developed and powerful to defeat enemies.

⭐️ Use your intelligence: In the “War of Kings” game intelligence and strategy is the key to winning, so you have to devise your own strategy effective and powerful to overcome your opponents.

⭐️ Multiple avatars: You can choose your RPG avatar to be the symbol of your clan.

⭐️ Clan Development When you start the battle with the opponent there is a building called “Academy” from which you can develop the capabilities of your soldiers and increase your resources to make the clan large and powerful ,battle kingdoms.

⭐️ Many resources: You have to make the workers work to collect resources for the survival of the citizens. There are resources of wood, stone, gold and wheat, so you must keep your resources at parity.

⭐️ Soundtracks: War of Kings possesses many wonderful music that makes you in constant thinking to develop your clan to be the strongest!

⭐️ Small size and little use of Internet data: Don’t worry about losing your internet data, we have succeeded in making war of Kings one of the best game that use very little internet data and also the size of the game on your phone.

We hope you enjoy and share the game to friends and do not forget to leave us your opinion and criticism to make the game more interesting.

#War_Of_Kings

#79 #modapk #Unlimited Resources #War of Kings : Strategy war game

[entergamingxp]

CrossCode Review — Cross Out Some Time to Play This Gem

July 16, 2020 11:00 AM EST

Radical Fish Games has risen the bar of quality in terms of the experience you can get in a retro-inspired indie game with CrossCode.

Having initially passed on the PC release of CrossCode back in 2018, when it was announced that this indie title from Radical Fish Games was coming to consoles, I knew I wasn’t going to make the same mistake. Having now seen it through, boy, oh boy, am I glad I didn’t skip out this time around because CrossCode is without a doubt one of the most expertly-crafted retro-inspired games I have ever had the pleasure of playing.

“CrossCode is without a doubt one of the most expertly-crafted retro-inspired games I have ever had the pleasure of playing.”

The alien world of Shadoon plays host to players of CrossWorlds, a futuristic melding of an MMORPG, LARPING (live-action role-playing), and Disney World. Players who log-in, take control of a body, known as an Avatar. You play as Lea, an amnesiac, and mute Avatar seeking her past while working to discover the secrets of the Ancients of Shadoon. Lea won’t need to uncover the mysteries, though, as she will be able to party up with a cast of endearing and bombastic characters to aid her, both inside and outside the game.

I loved the one-sided small talk between Lea and your first party member, Emilie-Sophie de Belmond, a Pentafist (think a Monk/punchy class) who goes by the character name Emilienator. Even though Lea has a limited vocabulary in which to respond, Emilie has no issue going on about whatever is on her mind, from beating you in races through dungeons or how she got chewed out at work for being late to a meeting. Who looks in their spam folder in their email, seriously? I also found the justice-seeking Apollo, a fellow Spheromancer that strives to keep players honest and punish any that may be cheating in CrossWorlds, to be hilarious. He’s your stereotypical exaggerated hero of justice, but Radical Fish Games’ writing prowess takes him so much more fun than his similar archetype peers. He will challenge Lea multiple times throughout the story, pushing Lea and making sure she stays on the up-and-up.

The supporting cast I enjoyed just as much as the main party. Sergey, who acts as your support from the real world, helps to repair your voice module, adding in new keywords for you to use and interact with your new friends. Whenever he would randomly pop-in, more often than not, I would find myself chuckling at his remarks and quips. Rather early on, you will find yourself a member of a small guild, the First Scholars, whose aim is to be the first to discover the final secrets of the Ancients. Run by the sweet and motherly Hlin, and her stoic second-in-command, Beowulf, I was surprised how much I came to love these characters the more I spoke with them and learned their stories.

CrossCode does a good job making the in-game world feel like a popular hustling-and-bustling MMO, even though it is a single-player experience. NPCs of various classes are often running around the different areas in the wild, while cities and other social hubs are packed with vendors and other faux players to further sell the vibe. You can also join a guild, tackle tough bosses, and make friends with exciting characters.

Much like a real MMO, there is plenty of side business that you get yourself into in-between your dives into the game’s various dungeons which further plot. Townsfolk and other NPC Avatars offer missions that range from your standard fair of fetch quests and monster-slaying tasks to logging the local fauna of Shadoon. Crafting in the traditional sense is absent in CrossCode and in its place you will be trading items at specialty vendor stalls. You can expect to spend time running through the wild cutting down plants and hunting down enemies, which is reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda series. Luckily the rewards for trading are worth it, as the gear you can get is far superior to the stock you can find in the shops proper.

“CrossCode does a good job making the in-game world feel like a popular hustling-and-bustling MMO, even though it is a single-player experience.”

CrossCode gameplay balances between fast-paced hack-n-slash combat with intricate puzzles. Encounters with even generic enemies in the wild can become tense clashes as mobs can consist of five or more at a time, each trying to kill you. In some of the more frantic matches, finding the narrow passages between the bullets and dodging my way to safety reminded me of a SHUMP.

Lea, as a Spheromancer, is far from being powerless and has plenty of options to fight back. As you progress throughout the game, you will unlock multiple skill trees that let you improve your stats and unlock new skills and abilities for your close-range, long-range, and defensive moves. A particularly cool aspect is that you have you can quickly swap between specific sub-trees and unique move options from the menu system, without the need to spend your points on both.

There is an added sense of intensity and urgency in combat with the inclusion of a ranking system. As you defeat enemies, a small bar will fill and once you fill it you will gain a rank. The higher your rank is ( which goes all the way to S-Rank), the more chances you’ll have to gain rare loot from enemies. This rarer loot is incredibly valuable as many quests and the gear you can trade for at the vendors, require them. As soon as a battle ends, a timer will begin counting down, and when it runs out, you lose your rank and have to start over. This means you will have to grind items and it’s a good idea to plan out a route around an area that will let you hit as many enemies as you can, as fast as you can. A trick I found particularly useful was to leave one enemy and start scouting out the next mob while your AI companions deal with the final enemy. This will give you some extra time to explore and track down more foes.

To throw another little wrench into the situation, increasing your rank and farming for items you will also be tempting fate. As long as you have a rank and are stringing encounters together to build it, you won’t have any access to the experience you are gathering and you won’t be auto-recovering between fights. Will you risk taking on that larger mob, netting a bunch of good drops, or should you call it quits and get that level-up that’s waiting for you? It’s a nice mechanic that just adds another layer to an already rich combat system.

When you aren’t fighting snowmen, hedgehogs, and bunnies, there is a good chance that you will be hopping around the landscape or racking your brain to figure out the solution to a puzzle. Before playing CrossCode, I wasn’t aware of how prevalent puzzles would be, but color me surprised when I realized that not only were puzzles a big part of the game, but they are very well-done. Most of the puzzles I found to be the perfect balance of challenge and inventiveness, thanks mostly to incorporating mechanics that involved bouncing balls off the walls and mirrors to hit targets. Running around the open-world has an aspect of puzzle-solving, too, as you will see various chests and items out of reach, and you will have to figure out how to reach them by jumping over pits and navigating walls and plateaus of varying heights. This incentivizes exploration in a fun way, and there’s a sense of satisfaction and surprise when you’ve found that hidden route or you discover a secret area that just appears when you get close to it.

For as good as the puzzles are and as tight as the gameplay is, what blew me away the most with CrossCode is how breathtaking the sprites and pixel art are. Players familiar with the RPGs from Square Enix’s golden age on the Super Nintendo will recognize the much of the inspiration here, stemming from titles like Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana. You will explore scorching deserts, wintery mountain peaks, dark, dreary mines, and advanced technological laboratories. Each location’s visuals are all done with such expert craftsmanship, that you could take a snapshot and hang it in your room, and it would look fantastic. Monster designs, especially the screen-filling bosses, are finely detailed and exude such personalities and charm. You’ll find yourself saying “awwww” the first time you see the cute bunnies before they then pounce to destroy you.

“You owe it to yourself to uncover the secrets Shadoon and CrossWorlds with Lea and friends in CrossCode.”

As you play, you will find more and more cute nods to other franchises that the developers clearly love. Items like the Phoenix Feather that come with descriptions that are a clear homage to the popular Final Fantasy curative item. Another that may seem familiar is the Salty Ice Cream that is, “Best enjoyed at sunset on top of a clocktower.” My personal favorites of these are the Metal Gears that are, “Just gears made out of metal, yepp,” and the Masterball, which “Heroes once used this device to capture legendary fiends.” I’m not going to lie, skimming the item descriptions turned into one of my favorite pastimes in this game, so be sure to check them out as you go, too.

The love that Radical Fish Games has put into CrossCode has resulted in a game that will be talked about as critically and with as much praise as other masterpieces like Shovel Knight or The Messenger. CrossCode’s mix of exciting exploration, chaotic yet tight combat, vast skill trees, and clever puzzles that all wrapped up in some of the most beautiful pixel art in the past decade is an experience any fan of RPGs should partake in. Some of the dungeons do go on a bit long, and I found it to be a little annoying at times (the first dungeon having ice physics was a bold choice). I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the exchange system with the item vendors and found myself wishing for a more traditional crafting system, but these small gripes did little to tarnish my overall experience. Every new area I found myself in or new items that contained a nod to pop culture or games from the past put a smile on my face.

In short, Radical Fish Games has raised the bar for retro-inspired indie games. You owe it to yourself to uncover the secrets Shadoon and CrossWorlds with Lea and friends in CrossCode.

July 16, 2020 11:00 AM EST

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2020/07/crosscode-review-cross-out-some-time-to-play-this-gem/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=crosscode-review-cross-out-some-time-to-play-this-gem

[icosafeedron]

What shows/franchises/series do you like?

Oh golly, where do I begin? Just off the top of my head (I know I’m going to forget a few):

-Critical Role and The Adventure Zone are a pair of D&D/tabletop rpg things I adore

-Also, D&D in general

-I’m rewatching Person of Interest and I think it might be my favorite tv show ever? It’s just so good and it’s got compelling ethical questions about A.I. that are HANDLED WELL and I loooove the main characters so, so much

-I like the behemoth that is disney/star wars/marvel

-not so big into DC but Wonder Woman is FANTASTIC

-In the video games department, Horizon: Zero Dawn rocked my world

-I like Pokemon, too, but sadly haven’t played the recent few games to come out. No Alola for me yet

-Lost interest in completing Fire Emblem Fates for the moment, but I’ll be back! Eventually!

-Love me some Steven Universe

-My Little Pony’s neat as well

-Night Vale. And Alice Isn’t Dead!

-My opinion on Doctor Who is that I am in general a fan of it though these last few seasons have rubbed me the wrong way. I loved Bill, though

-Speaking of BBC Dirk Gently season 2 just ended and just whoa. Very violent but the plot basically is just an insane amount of continuity attention and Chekhov’s gunnery

-The Good Place is hecking good

-I like a lot of anime in a scattered fashion I guess but my recent standout fave is everything by Studio Trigger because I watched both kill la kill and Little Witch Academia recently and WOW

So uhhhh, yeah

I hope that was a satisfying answer without being entirely too much? These things are hard for me to judge

Edit: Oh no I forgot Voltron how does one even do that

Aaaaand Avatar the Last Airbender/Legend of Korra okay I think I’m done now for tonight at least

[miketendo-64]

After an incredibly agonising week and all the hype, a Direct finally came but not in the way we wished it. Instead of being a full blow event, it was a Mini Direct and some of the newest games revealed, were merely ports. But hey, who doesn’t love Donkey Kong and Hyrule Warriors? So in our usual Digest fashion, here’s a covering of everything revealed from the Direct, starting with a video and ending with tweets:

  Nintendo Continues Momentum Into 2018: Dark Souls, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Mario Tennis Coming To Nintendo Switch:

  Updates Bring More Characters and Content to Hits Like Super Mario Odyssey, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Pokkén Tournament DX

  REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 11, 2018 – Nintendo debuted a new Nintendo Direct Mini video presentation today spotlighting a selection of first- and third-party titles coming in early 2018. Following a strong holiday season, Nintendo Switch owners will see a variety of new games and content arriving in the next few months, including DARK SOULS: REMASTERED, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Mario Tennis Aces and Kirby Star Allies games, and a certain green-clad brother bringing a new mode to the Super Mario Odyssey game.

“Nintendo Switch is the fastest-selling home console in history, and Nintendo is not taking our foot off the gas in 2018,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “For the millions of people who just received Nintendo systems as gifts, or consumers getting ready to join the growing community of Nintendo Switch owners, Nintendo and our third-party partners have fun new games and content in store at retail or for digital purchase.”

  A sampling of some of the announcements includes

DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED: The first title in the genre-defining action role-playing franchise is coming to Nintendo Switch. DARK SOULS: REMASTERED includes the Artorias of the Abyss DLC, as well as improved framerate and resolution from the original DARK SOULS game for an exhilarating return to Lordran. This marks the franchise’s debut on a Nintendo platform, and now for the first time ever, this revered (and challenging) game can be played on the go. DARK SOULS: REMASTERED launches on May 25.

Mario Tennis Aces: A new Mario Tennis game is bringing a new level of skill and competition to Nintendo Switch. Mario steps onto the court in classy tennis garb for intense rallies against a variety of characters in full-blown tennis battles. New wrinkles in tennis gameplay will challenge your ability to read an opponent’s position and stroke to determine which shot will give you the advantage. And this time the game adds the first story mode since the Mario Tennis game on Game Boy Advance, offering a new flavor of tennis gameplay, with a variety of missions and boss battles. The game launches for Nintendo Switch this spring.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong return for the franchise’s debut on Nintendo Switch. This title includes all the fun and challenge of the original game, plus a new beginner-friendly mode that lets players enjoy this critically acclaimed adventure as groovy surfing simian Funky Kong. Funky Kong can double jump, hover, perform infinite rolls and even perform infinite underwater corkscrews. Thanks to his sturdy surfboard, even spikes can’t slow him down. The game launches for Nintendo Switch on May 4.

Kirby Star Allies: Kirby’s debut on Nintendo Switch is a grand new adventure packed with content. The new Artist ability lets Kirby unleash his creativity, while the new Spider ability lets him ensnare enemies in webs. Kirby also can hurl new friend hearts at enemies to win them over with love and add them to his party. Plus, up to four friends* can team up and combine Kirby’s unique abilities with ally abilities for powerful new Friend Abilities. The game launches for Nintendo Switch on March 16.

The World Ends with You: Final Remix: This 2008 Nintendo DS game has been updated for Nintendo Switch with HD visuals and a new epilogue that sheds new light on the game’s story. Players can join rhythmic battles using either Joy-Con controllers or the Nintendo Switch touch screen. The game is scheduled to launch this year.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition: A new, ultimate version of the exhilarating action game set in the Zelda universe will include every map and mission, plus all 29 playable characters from both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of the game, along with all of the previous paid downloadable content. Play as Link, Zelda, Midna, Skull Kid and dozens more in action-packed battles at home or on the go. Additionally, the game includes new outfits for Link and Zelda based on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game. This new version launches for Nintendo Switch in spring.

SNK HEROINES ~Tag Team Frenzy~: Play as iconic heroines from SNK’s history in a new, two-on-two tag-team fighting game. Players can activate a variety of Special Moves with the press of a button, and make use of special items to turn the tide of battle. One of the competitors will be Yuri Sakazaki from ACA NEOGEO Art of Fighting 2, which launches today in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch. SNK HEROINES ~Tag Team Frenzy~ launches on Nintendo Switch this summer.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana: When the passenger liner he was aboard sank, the adventurer Adol drifted to a deserted island inhabited by vicious creatures that have evolved in many different ways. To survive, Adol must gather fellow shipwreck survivors and build a base. High-speed battles require players to change between three types of characters at a moment’s notice. The epic RPG launches for Nintendo Switch this summer.

PAYDAY 2: As players join with friends* locally or online to execute elaborate heists, full touch-screen support makes menu navigation easier than ever, while the HD Rumble feature lets them feel everything from explosions to weapon recoil right in their hands. Debuting in the Nintendo Switch version of the game, a new playable character named Joy will be introduced. Joy is a Japanese computer whiz who wears a custom LED light mask that changes her appearance as she sees fit. PAYDAY 2 launches for Nintendo Switch on Feb. 27.

Fe: In this new type of platforming adventure, players run, climb and glide their way through a dark Nordic forest to explore its living, breathing world. Use the motion controls of the Joy-Con controllers to sing in tune with creatures and plants to unlock new abilities. Each song has a distinct sound and feel thanks to HD Rumble. The game launches digitally for Nintendo Switch on Feb. 16.

Celeste: This modern take on the pure action platformer lets Madeline climb any surface on Celeste Mountain if she has the stamina. Playing in Assist Mode lets players tweak the difficulty, from a slower pace to full-on invincibility. Unlockable B-side chapters offer even more challenging adventures. The game launches digitally for Nintendo Switch on Jan. 25.

  Game Updates & DLC:

Super Mario Odyssey: A new mini-game called Balloon World is coming to one of the highest-rated games of all time. Once players download the free update and complete the main story, Balloon World will become available. In “Hide It” mode, players have a certain amount of time to hide a balloon. In “Find It” mode, players have the same amount of time to locate balloons hidden by other players from around the world. Players can move up the rankings** by finding hidden balloons and becoming expert hiders. The free update will be released in February with new Snapshot Mode filters and new outfits.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: A new hero swings into action! Donkey Kong is headed to the game as a playable character, complete with an exclusive new storyline and world to explore. The DLC pack will release in spring and will be available for purchase individually, or as part of the Season Pass or Gold Edition of the game.

Pokkén Tournament DX Battle Pack: The Battle Pack is now available for purchase in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and includes two Waves of Battle Pokémon and Avatar items. Wave 1 of the Battle Pack contains Battle Pokémon Aegislash and a new Support Pokémon Set featuring Mega Rayquaza and Mimikyu. Aegislash can change between two formes, and players can wield them both. Wave 2 includes the new Battle Pokémon Blastoise and a new Support Pokémon Set featuring Mew and Celebi. Wave 1 will be available Jan. 31, and Wave 2 is scheduled for Mar. 23.

  Demos:

Kirby: Battle Royale: The free demo is available in Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

Dragon Quest Builders: The free demo is available today in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.

  https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/951453981397565441

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/951461233672286208

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/951469238815993856

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/951484316726517760

Lastly, we have another batch of images for you to go through, enjoy:

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We hope you found our Nintendo Direct Mini Digest helpful!

  Source: Nintendo PR

Nintendo Direct Mini (11.01.18) Digest (From Hyrule to a DK Port & all the Other News) After an incredibly agonising week and all the hype, a Direct finally came but not in the way we wished it.

#Donkey Kong Country #Hyrule Warriors #Mario Tennis #news #Nintendo #nintendo direct #Nintendo Switch

[mirairambles]

Fire Emblem Warriors [Nintendo Switch] - Review

Fire Emblem Warriors is the latest entry into Koei Tecmo’s Warriors series of hack-and-slash video games. Based upon Nintendo’s Fire Emblem franchise, Fire Emblem Warriors combines the tactical elements and characters of the Fire Emblem series, with the general gameplay of the Warriors series. The game follows 2014′s Hyrule Warriors as the second collaboration title between a Nintendo franchise and Koei Tecmo’s Warriors; with the 2014 title featuring characters from The Legend of Zelda series. Many gameplay elements from that game are present in Fire Emblem Warriors, though both games are different enough that one may like one, but not the other; they are, however, also similar enough that it would be very easy to compare them to one another, which many have done and will continue to do.

The plot of Fire Emblem Warriors is a rather simple one: an ancient beast known as the Chaos Dragon has been reawakened after thousands of years, and the main characters - a pair of twins and the prince and princess of Aytolis, Rowan and Lianna - have to use the Fire Emblem (which, in this game, is known as the Shield of Flames) in order to seal it away once more. Characters from other Fire Emblem titles - most notably Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Awakening, and Fates - also appear in the game as playable warriors, with their appearances being the work of Outrealm Gates created by the Chaos Dragon as it awakens.

While the Warriors series has never been especially known for its stories, it is hard to deny that the plot of Fire Emblem Warriors is especially lazy. Hyrule Warriors features a similar premise, though as the Zelda series all takes place within one world over many millennia (unlike Fire Emblem, in which many games take place within their own worlds and are not linked to each other), they use the idea of time being distorted in order to explain the appearances of heroes from multiple different games. In addition, the 2017 title Warriors All-Stars, which features characters from several different IPs owned by Koei Tecmo, similarly focuses around a number of different characters being taken from their worlds in order to save the one that the main protagonists reside in. Both of the aforementioned titles however make these plots more interesting by using characters created specifically for these crossover titles - namely Lana and Cia for Hyrule Warriors and Tamaki, Shiki, and Setsuna for Warriors All-Stars. Fire Emblem Warriors features the royal twin stars of the game - the aforementioned Rowan and Lianna - as well as the prince of the neighbouring kingdom of Gristonne, Darios (who, despite being present throughout the entire game, can not be played as). Unlike the characters of other titles however, Rowan and Lianna don’t really have anything to make them interesting and do not stand out at all among the other characters of the game. Lianna is described as a more studious woman, and her brother is more excitable, wanting to forego becoming king in order to become a knight instead. These are all of the characteristics of the characters; they barely even stand out among the protagonists of other RPG series.

Fire Emblem Warriors features a total of 23 different characters to play as; with an additional 2 characters being genderswapped versions of the avatar characters from Awakening and Fates. While an impressive number, very few characters have unique movesets - in fact. there are only 16 movesets. Without purchasing DLC, Hyrule Warriors for the Wii U featured 21 unique movesets - or, should one count characters included in free updates, 25 unique movesets; the port of the game for the New Nintendo 3DS, released in 2016, featured 37 unique movesets in the base game. Considering this, it isn’t hard to be just a little bit disappointed when you unlock a new character only to learn that you’ve already played their moveset before. One of my personal gripes when it comes to movesets are that a number of characters fight on horseback. Riding on horseback is a feature present in many Warriors games, but in most cases it’s optional; in Fire Emblem Warriors, some characters can only be played as while on horseback. While some may not see this as a problem, I personally find that playing as mounted units is a challenging endeavour, as they lack the precision that other characters have, and at times the camera will lag behind their quicker attack movements. While this normally wouldn’t be a problem, almost a third of the playable characters - 7 of the 23 - are mounted units, meaning that in most battles, you’ll have to deal with at least one being in your party.

Surprisingly enough, many of the Fire Emblem series’ gameplay elements mesh quite well with the Warriors hack-and-slash gameplay. Fire Emblem Warriors allows players to command their units using a tactical grid almost identical to the gameplay spaces of Fire Emblem titles, and players can also pair units up in order to have them attack together and increase their bonds. This whole idea is hindered however when you can’t necessarily choose who you bring into battle - even in Free Mode (and if you can, the game doesn’t make it clear; even after reading through the tutorials multiple times, I still can’t figure it out)!

Unfortunately, praise can not be handed out to all of the gameplay elements. Fire Emblem notably features a weapons triangle - units wielding certain weapons deal more damage against units wielding others. Fire Emblem Warriors takes this element, but the more frantic and fast-paced gameplay makes it harder to keep track of which enemies have what. Additionally, although I’m not sure whether I’m to blame or the game is, the orders given to units through the tactical grid are not always followed by the CPU units; one time I had ordered Hinoka (a Pegasus Knight weak to Archer units) to stay at the allied base and away from the target (an Archer), and yet somehow she ended up across the map and getting killed by them, meaning I can no longer use her in battle. Though not a huge loss, as I disliked playing as her anyway, it nevertheless made me extremely frustrated. This happened a few times to me, and I even considered switching from Classic Mode (units that are defeated remain unusable) to Casual Mode (units that are defeated come back in the next battle) out of frustration (though I did not).

In addition to the game’s story mode, the game also includes a “History Mode”. History Mode allows the player to revisit battles from previous Fire Emblem games, and complete new scenarios in order to advance through these events. This mode is comparable to Hyrule Warriors’ Adventure Mode, and players are even able to unlock certain characters by playing through this mode (namely female Robin, male Corrin, Lyn from The Blazing Blade, and Celica from Shadows of Valentia). Both the History Mode and story mode suffer from a common problem: they lack identity. Aside from the tactical map and weapons triangle, the game feels very... bland and devoid of character. While the gameplay does feel smoother than Hyrule Warriors, Warriors All-Stars also used the same fundamentals and built a game that feels more unique and interesting than the end result of Fire Emblem Warriors. Something that helps with this are the game’s stages - Hyrule Warriors and Warriors All-Stars feature many stages with unique designs inspired by the games represented, but Fire Emblem Warriors’ stages, at least from what I can tell, all seem to be generic areas created specifically for this game. While that could be good (other Warriors games often prove this to be true), the maps generally all follow similar design principles, meaning that they all blend together and do not feel unique; more, they feel like backdrops to a battle instead of the setting of a battle.

One other major criticism comes from Fire Emblem Warriors’ incredibly annoying voice samples and portrayals, with the English voices seeming more like a distraction than an actual part of the game. The original Japanese voices are also not in the game by default, and must be downloaded (thankfully they’re free).... though the frequency of the playing of certain voice lines is still incredibly annoying.

In certain ways, the game improves over Hyrule Warriors, but ultimately it falls flat when compared to it. The game’s lack of identity is its biggest flaw. I would personally recommend this game to fans of the more recent entries into the Fire Emblem series, though those that do not enjoy them, or the series as a whole, will likely not get as much out of this game. Fans of other Warriors titles may also want to try this game out, but I hesitate in saying that all fans of that series will enjoy it. I went into the game with low expectations, but I come out with very mixed feelings about wanting to go back to complete the game 100%.

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Top 100 Role-Playing Games of All Time

The latest issue of the magazine Game Informer has an impressive size list with the best role-playing games in the history of the game industry. In the 290th issue of the magazine they collected the best of their best, assigning each game a certain place.

As it became known GameNews, the list was made on the basis of the subjective opinion of the editorial board. It included projects such as The Witcher, Mass Effect, Fallout, Diablo, Everquest, Final Fantasy and other legendary games. However, the editorial board of the magazine was put first by The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Despite criticism of the fifth part of the game Bethesda Game Studios, as of November 2016, the game sold more than 30 million copies. This figure does not include the sale of the reissue Skyrim Special Edition, as well as not yet released version of the game for Nintendo Switch. The game received 9.4 points from the critics of the gaming industry and was warmly received by gamers, and also received the title of "Games of the Year" at VGA 2011 and the Golden Joystick Awards 2012.

In the top ten games, as it became known GameNews, put such games as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Mass Effect 2, Diablo II, World of Warcraft, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. It should be noted that in addition to Skyrim, the list also includes two previous parts of the series, Morrowind and Oblivion. However, they were closer to the middle of the list.

Top 100 Role-Playing Games of All Time:

100. Torment: Tides of Numenera 99. Dragon Quest III 98. Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 97. Dark Cloud 2 96. Lost Odyssey 95. The World Ends With You 94. Golden Sun 93. Pillars of Eternity 92. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together 91. Bastion 90. Panzer Dragoon Saga 89. Tales of Symphonia 88. Radiata Stories 87. Vagrant Story 86. Pool of Radiance 85. Might of Magic: World of Xeen 84. Horizon Zero Dawn 83. Xenoblade Chronicles 82. South Park: The Stick of Truth 81. Destiny 80. Odin Sphere 79. Dragon’s Dogma 78. Wasteland 77. Radiant Historia 76. Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar 75. Shadow Hearts: Covenant 74. Monster Hunter Generations 73. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night 72. Paper Mario 71. Jade Empire 70. Undertale 69. Disgaea: Hour of Darkness 68. Divinity: Original Sin 67. Path of Exile 66. XCOM: Enemy Unknown 65. Mass Effect 64. Darkest Dungeon 63. Valkyria Chronicles 62. Baldur’s Gate 61. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings 60. Icewind Dale II 59. Chrono Cross 58. Tales of the Unknown Volume 1: The Bard’s Tale 57. Dragon Age: Inquisition 56. Fable II 55. Skies of Arcadia 54. Grandia II 53. Star Ocean: The Second Story 52. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 51. Dragon Quest VIII: The Journey of the Cursed King 50. Pokemon Gold & Silver 49. Xenogears 48. Persona 3 47. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 46. Demon’s Souls 45. Mass Effect 3 44. Fire Emblem: Awakening 43. Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord 42. Shadowrun 41. Xenosaga: Episode I – Der Wille zur Macht 40. Neverwinter Nights 39. Fallout 38. System Shock 2 37. Diablo III 36. Fallout: New Vegas 35. Final Fantasy X 34. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium 33. Final Fantasy 32. Valkyrie Profile 31. Ultima VII: The Black Gate 30. Persona 4 29. Suikoden II 28. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars 27. Earthbound 26. Dragon Age: Origins 25. Kingdom Hearts II 24. Dark Souls 23. Final Fantasy IV 22. Everquest 21. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind 20. Diablo 19. Persona 5 18. Final Fantasy VII 17. Ultima Online 16. Secret of Mana 15. Pokemon Red & Blue 14. Deus Ex 13. Planescape: Torment 12. Fallout 3 11. Bloodborne 10. Final Fantasy Tactics 9. Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn 8. Diablo II 7. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 6. World of Warcraft 5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 4. Mass Effect 2 3. Chrono Trigger 2. Final Fantasy VI 1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

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The 35 Best PC Games to Play Right Now (2020)

Consoles make up a large portion of the video game market, but they are not the only way to play them.

There are mobile and PC games, some of which can be played on both consoles and PC. There have been endless debates about whether consoles or PCs are better for gaming.

This article doesn't address this debate, but it will provide you with solid options for gameplay that will help you settle the dispute for yourself.

Here's the list of 35 of the best PC games.

The 35 Best PC Games to Play Right Now

Control

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a psychically powered agent of a secret government agency?

Even if you've never had that particular Fantasy, Control is definitely worth playing. Players get to play, Jesse, a young woman looking for her brother. Her search takes her to the Bureau of Control and its headquarters, The Oldest House.

As Jesse explores the building, she encounters more mysteries, enemies, and gains new psychic powers. This is a fantastic game, with a unique and riveting storyline.

The Witcher 3

The Witcher is one of the most popular video game series ever.

The adventures of Geralt are legendary! Between the books, the Netflix series, and the games themselves, few people haven't at least heard of the series. Enjoy all the things you love about high Fantasy in this epic game.

Grand Theft Auto 5

Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the most popular Grand Theft Auto games out there.

The game is expansive and allows players to explore some of the best things about the series.

A massive open world and the kind of storyline GTA is known for gives this game instant classic status.

Fortnite

When Fortnite came out, it took the world by storm. The game remains wildly popular to this day, with significant features like a Star Wars reveal and a Deadpool cameo, it is no wonder why.

Players can spend hours running around this battle royale style game. The ability to strategize and build custom forts are the hallmarks of this game and offer players an endless array of battle possibilities.

Overwatch

Overwatch is a team-based, first-person shooter, which focuses on avatars (aka heroes), each with a specific skill and fighting style.

There is a sequel to this game in the works and is supposed to feature new heroes, new powers, new skins, and all-new settings.

Elder Scrolls

Elder Scrolls is a monolith in the high fantasy video game genre. This series is one of the most expansive open-world RPGs of all time. Magic, elves, dragons, and epic quests are the hallmarks of this series.

Regardless of which game in the series you choose to play, players will be guaranteed weeks of fun and adventure.

Minecraft

Minecraft is a game unlike anything else on the market. It has completely shaped a generation. Its name recognition is off the charts.

This pixelated build your world is perfect for endless fun. There's always something new to try or explore in the marvelous world of Minecraft.

Disco Elysium

Ever wanted to be an amnesiac who solves murders? Yeah, I didn't know I wanted to be one until I played Disco Elysium.

This game is one-of-a-kind. It has no combat whatsoever. The game progression is determined by a player skill tree development and dialogue choices. The game offers true mind games.

Elite

The Elite series is one of the longest-running series in video game history. This space adventure has always been iconic.

There are multiple games in this franchise, and each one of them is worth the playthrough. Battle aliens and travel through space in this exciting out-of-this-world series.

League of Legends

League of Legends is a significant player in MMOs.

It is a classic multiplayer online battle arena (aka MOBA). Team battles are the name of the game here, and League of Legends does the game very well. There have been plenty of expansions on this already comprehensive platform, and it is definitely a fun game to play.

Half-Life

Half-Life is a dystopian post-alien invasion survival series.

It even has a VR title, Half-Life: Alyx, which is the most recently released game in the series. The titles focus on the struggles of working outside the law in a post-apocalyptic society.

This game is good for gritty sci-fi fun.

DOTA 2

DOTA 2 is the perfect game for fans of League of Legends, just, you know, free (mostly anyway). The game is a multiplayer online battle arena (aka MOBA). It features a battle between two teams of five.

Players get to control a powerful hero, each with its unique abilities. FYI, the free version doesn't offer heroes, but the paid version does. Either way, the game is loads of fun and is excellent for those looking to enjoy a good team battle.

World of Warcraft

One question: Horde or Alliance? World of Warcraft is another open-world RPG derived from a high fantasy background.

Play solo, join a guild, or team up to hit dungeons. WoW is always adding new content, and players can enjoy an increasingly expanding world with endless quests. Either way, WoW is an excellent addition to any video game library.

BioShock: The Collection

BioShock: The Collection is actually a remastered version of all three BioShock games. These three games are all first-person shooters.

The first two games are set in the underwater city of Rapture. The third is a prequel. The games all feature custom weaponry and a passing critique of politics. What's not to love?

Doom Eternal

Doom is retro video games at their finest. The game is a first-person shooter that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. Gamers get to play the Doom Slayer, a demon hunter looking to eradicate the demons that have taken over.

Doom Eternal is the newest installment in the Doom series, and it is loads of fun. It is well worth playing, even for those of us who aren't the best at first-person shooters.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is loads of fun. Fulfill all of your cowboy fantasies, ride around on your horse, track down criminals, and explore the Old West.

The game is an RPG, but it feels refreshing, given its historically realistic take on historic America. Red Dead Redemption 2 is perfect for RPG fans who want to focus on an open world without high fantasy aspects.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a gorgeous computer game. The graphics are stunning, and the story is both uplifting and heartbreaking.

The cute little forest spirit character is absolutely charming, and the score is haunting. This is a beautiful game, and everyone should try it at least once.

Call of Duty

Call of Duty is yet another team-based first-person shooter, although this one is meant to be based in realism. This means that the weapons, ammo, abilities of the players, and the environment are based on the weapons, ammo, abilities of actual humans, and environment found in real life.

The newest addition to this series is called, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Grab some friends and raid some ammo caches, Call of Duty has a version for everyone.

The Sims

The Sims have been around forever. It is a completely unique RPG, and when it came out, it was one-of-a-kind. Operate a completely customized avatar and create a customized setting from a city to a neighborhood to a house. The Sims offers tons of options, so there's always something to do there. It's a great game, and if you like Minecraft or Animal Crossing, there are probably elements of The Sims that will excite you as well.

Apex Legends

Apex Legends is a battle royale game set in the same universe as Titanfall. Sixty players are divided into 20 teams and set loose on each other. The exciting thing about Apex Legends is the way it lets players communicate. The ping system is rather unique and very useful. If you like battle-royale games, then you'll like Apex Legends.

Outer Wilds

Players looking for a real challenge can check out the Outer Wilds. This game is a real challenge. The game starts with an astronaut stranded on a planet where the sun is about to go supernova.

Gamers get 22 minutes to discover everything they can about the world they're on, why the sun is going supernova, who the natives are. After 22 minutes, the supernova occurs, and the game starts from the beginning, with players getting to use the information from their previous playthrough to further their progress. It is nail-biting, satisfying fun.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege is a tactical shooter game. Players get to play a spec-ops anti-terrorism unit. The unit takes various missions such as diffusing bombs, rescuing hostages, taking on terrorists.

This is an excellent esports, multiplayer game. Fans of military tactical games are sure to love this game.

Divinity

Divinity is a turn-based fantasy RPG. The series is dark and action-packed, making it a fan-favorite. The game offers a one-of-a-kind situation where gamers can operate two avatars in single-player mode and one avatar a piece in co-op mode.

Destiny

PvP and PvE games are all the rage, and few games capitalize on their popularity more than the Destiny franchise. This first-person shooter is one wild adventure. Given how much fun the game is to play, it is little wonder that it was named Game of the Year back in 2014.

All three expansions are worth playing.

Mass Effect

Mass Effect is a military sci-fi MMORPG set in space. This trilogy is fantastic, despite criticisms of the third installment (the first and second games are universally loved). The games are classic MMORPGs.

Intriguing dialogue and dynamic characters make Mass Effect a series for the ages. Mass Effect is an absolute delight with hours of gameplay for players to indulge.

Dragon Age

Dragon Age is a favorite fan, MMORPG. It is another high fantasy powerhouse, known for its complex plots, and in-depth lore. The series has three games released thus far, but news of a fourth installment is already out.

Each game is fantastic; the characters are engaging; the plot is riveting, and the setting of Thedas is beautiful. There is absolutely no reason why fans of fantasy games shouldn't love this series.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a wildly popular free RPG and for a good reason. The game has been around for ages, and there are few games as massive as this one. The game takes all the best things about Star Wars and puts them at players' fingertips.

Join the Jedi or the Dark Side and explore the galaxy. May the force be with you.

Dishonored

Dishonored is a gritty industrial action-adventure series. This first-person shooter is perfect for fans of action-strategy RPGs. Players get to enjoy the challenge of infiltrating target locations and gaining magical abilities.

Uncover the truth behind those who betrayed you and clear your name. With a star-studded cast and gorgeously rendered recreations of major global cities, Dishonored is a great series, and everyone should play it at least once.

Portal

Portal is a fascinating puzzle game. It features a cute stick figure named Chell, who uses a special device called, “the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device”. The device creates portals between two flat planes.

The puzzles in this game are loads of fun, and they're great for hours of fun. Battle the evil AI, GLaDOS (aka Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System), and reward yourself with cake!

Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy is an iconic series. The characters and storyline are beloved the world over. The series has over 15 games in the main storyline alone, and even though not all of them are available on PC, the ones that are, are amazing.

The games aren't light on playthrough times either, with the average game requiring 30+ hours to complete the main questline. Final Fantasy is a fantastic franchise, and all of its games are worth playing.

Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate is a unique RPG with an interesting origin. The game gets its start from the popular tabletop RPG, Dungeons & Dragons. The major races and settings are pulled from the Forgotten Realms, which is a particular ‘world' within D&D.

It is a delightful cross-section between the tabletop world and video games. Explore the world of D&D like never before in Baldur's Gate.

Bayonetta

Bayonetta is a sleek, cool video game that hails from Japan. It features a wickedly powerful witch whose name is, you guessed it, Bayonetta. Bayonetta is an angel-slaying, demon-summoning, gun-slinging enchantress.

This game is all about style, the flashier the fight, the more rewards you get. Players will get to up their noir fantasy game with Bayonetta.

Left 4 Dead

Who doesn't love a good zombie apocalypse survival challenge? Left 4 Dead has all the hallmarks of an excellent survival horror series. It is a first-person shooter with its twist on the historical genre.

There are four protagonists, and the game requires no small amount of teamwork to succeed. It is an excellent game with a unique take on a favorite fan subject.

Mafia

Ah, the old school mafia. Who wouldn't want to play an old fashioned mafia member, from the golden age of the rat pack? The whole series is engaging and worth every minute of gameplay.

The gameplay is fun, and the dialogue hearkens back to all of those mafia movies we all saw as children. Nostalgia with a dash of chaotic evil anyone?

Tetris Effect

Tetris is a true OG in computer games. It even comes pre-loaded on some of them. Recently, Tetris was given a facelift called the Tetris Effect. This reboot is even more addictive than the original.

The game has psychedelic backgrounds and a track tailor-made for the rhythms of this puzzle game. This game rockets up the nostalgia and ups the fun of this truly timeless classic PC game.

Bonus: Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn started as a PS4 exclusive, and it remains one of the most popular PS4 games to date. However, it was announced recently that the game would come to PC in the summer of 2020. If the game is half as popular on PC as it is on PS4, then it will be one for the ages.

The Bottom Line

Any one of these games is perfect for days of immersive fun. With the right PC and graphics package, players can take some of their favorite console games to a whole new level. Fans of games from all across the spectrum will find something enjoyable on this list. Whether you're a PC purist or a console addict, any one of these games is guaranteed to entertain.

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