Vol. 33 - What Do You Mean there are 33 of These
Hello hello 👋🏾
Despite it all, we're still here. Let's get to it.
Interesting Stuff
oxfruit
They have a lovely etsy store that I got some prints from. Check them out.
Why is Tokyo so fashionable?
An interesting thread about fashion from Derek Guy, a cool dude. Worth the follow if you're on bsky.
Retro Portable Catalog
I've written quite a bit about Retro Portables before. There's a lot to take in about them, but this helpful little site helps you break down what you're looking for and then figure out what you want. Just click the filter button on the top-right to get started. I used it to grab my 40XXV which I've been quite smitten with, so it has my vouch, if nothing else.
Planted Recently
Writing About My Favorite Games
Finally finished this with My Favorite Games - Top 10 - Part 2. I don't know why I took so long for this. But at least it's done.
Just a Guy Online
Thinking about my place online and as someone who presumes to be creative.
Tech Stack - 12012024
Made some updates to the stuff that I use.
Final Fantasy VI Thoughts
Catching up on one of the most critically acclaimed JRPGs ever made.
Playing and Finishing and Backlogs and Libraries
Overthinking about one of my hobbies as usual.
Media Corner
Games
Playing:
Fantasian: Neo Dimension. Hironobu Sakaguchi just doing it for the love of the game at this point. Good for him.
Path of Exile 2. Surprisingly enjoyable, significantly more so than the first one for me. Probably the benefit of a fresh start.
Mega Man Star Force DX. Dipping my toes into this before jumping into Battle Network 6 for a replay. This is a romhack with some QOL added which is nice. It seems fun so far, if less complex than the original series.
Marvel Rivals. Better than I expected. Needs some polishing but not a bad time. Playing support as usual. More fun with a four-stack.
Finished:
Phantasy Star IV. Phenomenal. Up there with the other 16-bit greats. As I've said in various online spaces, this game would have rewired my brain chemistry had I played it as a kid. Give it a look.
Tales of Destiny: Director's Cut. Great combat and fun characters but the usual "tales slog" with that final third. Possibly the worst dungeons in any Tales game as well.
TV/Film
I'mma be honest, I've just been rewatching Game Changer and Make Some Noise reruns over and over again. My brain is broken. I want to watch Star Wars Andor once I figure out what's wrong with me.
Music
BEASTIEBALL Original Sound Track - Lena Raine
Aimai Heart Spice - Single - YUC'e
Endlessness - Nala Sinephro
Status Update
I'm doin' alright. Did some digital winter cleaning which I think will be good for me. Just sort of...I dunno, unfulfilled, but for reasons that are a bit too private for a newsletter, LOL sorry.
It's funny, I have no idea if anyone reads these. I have subscribers, but I don't track stats or anything. I don't usually get comments or anything. Just sort of yelling into the void. I hope if you're out there listening that you enjoyed this.
Signing Off
Anyways. I hope you're doing well and thank you for reading. Hit the ko-fi link below if you like and want to support this letter, and if you wanna hang out I'm on Bluesky.
https://ko-fi.com/barquq