Resolve & Memory - Why Am I Making This? Issue #18
Hello everyone, and welcome to the end of the year!
It’s Julien. Artist, photographer, game developer, etc, writing my final monthly creative-updates newsletter of 2021. It’s been a tough one, as I discussed last month, but we’re going to keep more lighthearted and reflective today.
I have three things to talk about - first, resolutions for 2022 and my general creative resolve. Second, a quick think-back over what I was up to this year. And third, for those of you dedicated enough to read to the end, a list of my favorite video games I’ve played this year with a few thoughts about them. I’ve been deeply absorbed in games over the past few months, so I thought it would be fitting to think about my year in games.
Resolve
One of the games I played this year, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (possibly my new favorite Ace Attorney game, for those familiar with the series), has its final chapter called “The Resolve of Ryunosuke Naruhodo”, which, at the end of the game, felt perfect and epic. (Ryunosuke is the main character of the game, a budding lawyer from late-1800s Japan.)
My resolve for the coming year might not be as resolute as Ryunosuke’s, but it’s not nonexistent, as it usually is. Since last newsletter, I have kept working on art for my tiny game, A Birthday Gift For Maribelle, animating a whole bunch of character sprites and drawing a few backgrounds.
(The above should be appearing as animated gifs - if they aren’t, maybe try a different browser or email app.)
Since starting work on my game last month I’ve been keeping up with indie game news to an even greater extent than I usually do. I am determined to join some of the other small games I’m following along with, and release my game into the world sometime next year.
That’s my main ambition for 2022. I have never in my life completed a medium-to-large scale personal project like this, and I hope that I can do it.
This Past Year
I started the year with some drawing classes, which will, I think, have a lasting impact on me. Other than my recent animation work and drawing in the classes, I haven’t done very much drawing or painting this year, but when I occasionally sketch from life, doodle for pottery, or come up with simple character designs, I’m much freer (though not necessarily more skilled) than I have been in the past. One of these years I’ll make some more traditional drawings and paintings again, and I think I’ll surprise myself with how I’ve grown.
I did a lot of photography - especially film photography - throughout the spring and summer. I got two new film cameras (a 35mm and a 6x6) and also did a bunch of wedding photography for the first time this year. I also did a few photo projects for other people, which was very fulfilling. I don’t have any plans to become an especially professional photographer seeking out clients and things, but I’m glad to have gotten some experience in that area, and I think it’s something that will keep developing naturally after all the experience I had this year.
Over the summer I also sold my crafts in a physical store for the first time. It was shockingly motivating to know that people liked my various items (mostly rugs and pottery) enough to buy them.
And pottery! It’s been a slow burn, learning pottery over the last two years, but I’ve really grown to love it. I started a wheel throwing class this past August and have learned so much, and I hope I continue to improve at it in 2022. Here’s some pottery I haven’t shared in this newsletter yet.
Games
My favorite games I’ve played this year, in no particular order:
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
This one is first for a reason. I think - and I only played it a few months ago, so I might be jumping the gun, we’ll see - this is my new favorite video game of all time. It has my favorite characters in any game, without a doubt. The themes, character arcs, worldbuilding, sense of exploration, lack of traditional game combat or currency - the things I love about it go on and on. Not only that, but when I learned it was made in a relatively simple program called Gamemaker, I finally was inspired to start my own game using Gamemaker as well. I had been procrastinating on learning a “real” game engine, but if Gamemaker was good enough for Chicory it was good enough for me. That it got me inspired and unstuck in my own game making feels like nothing short of a miracle.
I also made two cups starring some of the Chicory characters towards the end of the year.
Hollow Knight
This game is second for a reason, too. If it weren’t for Chicory, Hollow Knight would have almost certainly climbed to “favorite game of all time” status this year. As it is, I think it will be a perennial favorite and is probably my #2. I beat most of the game for the first time this year on my second playthrough (after getting stuck in my first playthrough in 2020), and got through most of it again in a third playthrough. The world of Hallownest is truly a joy to make my way through. The sense of story and exploration is almost unparalleled. One of my greatest hopes for 2022 is that I'll be able to play the sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
I think I actually played this at the very end of 2020 but I’m counting it here anyway. An incredibly sweet, short, photo-based game where you play as a young naturalist and environmentalist on her summer holiday, birding. I played it and felt that it was designed for me specifically. Just a wonderful game.
Toem
Another indie photo-taking game! This one is more puzzle-based and less story-based, but it’s still sweet. I haven’t finished it yet but plan to soon. It’s interesting how different the vibes are in this and Alba, and what aspects of each might appeal more to different people, considering they are both small indie games about taking photos. I would very happily see the universe of indie photo-taking games expand even more.
New Pokémon Snap
Another photo-taking game?? I have wanted a new Pokémon Snap game literally since the first one came out in 1999. I got my wish and it was all I hoped for. Photo-taking games forever.
A Short Hike
An indie star that somehow I hadn’t played until this year. A true great. It feels like this game really showed how impactful a very short game can be. So glad it exists, and I’m sure I’ll play it many times.
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
I have enjoyed the Ace Attorney games - puzzle filled visual novels where you play as a lawyer - since I was about 13. This one was released in English this year, and like I said above, it might be my new favorite in the series. The characters and overall plot are so satisfying - I was really sad to see them go by the end of the game.
Coffee Talk
I love the idea of visual novels, but besides Ace Attorney, Danganronpa, and the visual novel sections of some JRPG-type games (Persona, Fire Emblem), I’ve not really been captivated by one. Until this game about a coffee shop!
Signs of the Sojourner
A creative deck building game about conversations, set in a post apocalyptic but cozy world. Loved the setting, loved the concept.
Baba is You
A modern classic indie puzzle game. A bit too hard for me by the end, but overall very fun and clever.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Replayed a lot of this game for the first time since 2018. As good as it ever was.
Animal Crossing New Horizons 2.0 and Happy Home Paradise
The Animal Crossing update and DLC were really wonderful. Designing houses is so much fun.
Thanks for reading!
I think that’s all I have for you! See you next year. Stay safe, hang in there. I believe in us to find moments of peace even through these difficult times.
Love,
Julien