u/ArticAuk

I have seen the new podcast moment in which they were debating mass effect vs Kotor.

There is of course a lot of factors in which decide which is the better rpg but for me it’s a clear winner of mass effect and the one factor that does it are the characters.

I’m not saying kotor has bad characters but for me it’s nothing different from any other star wars related media archetype (The Jedi, the apprentice, the mercenary, the robot etc. no hate to Star Wars but if you watch a lot of Star Wars related media you know what I mean). Meanwhile mass effect has a lot of cool characters that I can see myself hanging out and having fun if they existed in real life. It was also really cool watching how they developed in the story. From Tali in her pilgrimage to becoming an admiral, Liara a naive scientist to the shadow broker or Wrex a mercenary who did not care for his race to becoming the de-facto leader of the krogans comeback. Even small characters like Joker or Dr Chawkas were fun to talk to over the games with what they had to say.

Sure the story and ending of 3 was disappointing but I can simply ignore it and maybe it’s cope but I can do the “it’s about the journey not the destination” with the ending and ignore it.

What’s your piece of media where the story might be crap but the characters saved it for you.

The internet has a lot of cons but also has some pros and I feel one of them is realizing there is a fandom or something close to it in just about anything you didn’t even know it’s possible or something that causes you to fall in a rabbit hole out of curiosity with how far it goes.

I am asking this cause recently I went back to Orlando for nostalgia of the amusement parks and wanting to try the new Epic Universe park with friends. Wanted to do some research about what people think and honestly I did not expect how people treat seriously the reviewing of parks.

I understand since it cost a lot of money and is basically sometimes an investment but I have seen specific channels ranking not only the parks but also their theming, the entertainment shows, capacity. On the rides itself they even go looking at calcs at how fast it goes and all the designs like if they were playing tycoon simulator.

I was surprised at the level of analysis. I knew stuff like defunctland exist but I didn’t know there were many art and videos how to make a successful theme park.

What are some niche rabbit holes you fell into.

The work of someone is always an expression of the author on their belief or personality through one or another, which is why their moment when they are burned out or not feeling it that you can see it in the work.

My first example is got to be chainsaw man. Now listen I love Fujimoto but we have to admit it kinda felt the burnout between half of part 2 with the pacing, decline of the art and abrupt ending (and maybe that was the intended ending all along but it just felt wrong).

For a book example I’m guessing but I feel someone happened with the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. Everything was comedic and with a cheeky tone. Than comes the ending in the most depressing ending I’ve ever seen that made me feel empty when I read it a few years ago.

What are some other examples?

What are some games or series that, at first glance, seem to have a simple story but actually are crazy and complex?

My first example has to be the Marathon series. The first two games seem to be a simple doom clone, except instead of a Marine killing demons, you are a security guard killing aliens.
The second game does have a tidbit of the AI Durandal trying to survive the eventual heat death of the universe, but that's not the main story.

Its on the third game Marathon Infinity that goes 0 to 100. From killing aliens to now the protagonist going through multiple alternate realities and timelines in his dreams to stop a reality warping alien whose sealed inside a planet escape captivity and destroy the universe while being heavily implied that you are slowly ascending to godhood due to the cyborg implants of a ancient alien civilization. Also you might also be the reincarnation/amalgamation of of every great hero in history.

This is all told to you in terminals who can have vague poem like writing and to remind people again this was back in the time when the biggest PC game was the original Doom.

What other series looks simple but goes crazy out of nowhere?

What is an online debate discussion based on a topic from a game or series that people are still debating after all these years?

While many people rag on Skyrim's writting (and sometimes rightfully so), I’ve got to hand it to the Civil War plotline not being (completely) one sided that people in the fandom are still discussing it to this day.

While I lean more toward the Empire side, I do think both sides have their pros and cons that balance them out, allowing anyone to make their own choice. On one hand, it’s justified that the Stormcloaks want to become independent, since a major theme in the games is how the Empire has been in decline over time so its fair that they dont want to be shackled with dead weight. They also allowed the elf equivalent of the Gestapo to torture and interrogate their citizens, banning Talos worship and committing other evil deeds. While the empire were forced to make this choice, it still would feels like a slap in the face, since it was partly thanks to Skyrim that they “won” the war. Also, Hammerfell proved that it’s possible to become independent and drive the elves out of their homeland, so it makes sense that the Stormcloaks would want the same thing.

On the other hand, the elves are benefiting from the civil war and actually want it to last longer to weaken the Empire. It’s pretty clear they’re preparing for a second full-on invasion, which many think a unified Empire would be better than everyone being divided. Last but certainly not least is the Nord racism, with Dark Elves being forced to live in slums and Argonians stuck on the docks which is something that could spread across Skyrim if the Stormcloaks win.

These are some of the reasons why the Civil War debate is still going strong after all these years (even though the majority tends to side with the Empire).