Magpie Gamer

Ark: The Animated Series is a 2024 animated series based on the video game, Ark: Survival Evolved. The story is taken directly from collectable pages scattered throughout the video game, which recounts the same story from the perspectives of multiple characters, each writing in their native language. Hand drawn animation was chosen for the series because it "ages better" than 3D and is not easily mistaken for a video game cut-scene. Snail Games (publisher) chose the American based studio, Lex + Otis, to animated the series and paid for a massive, star-studded ensemble to voice the characters. The series was announced in 2020 but went without a confirmed release date or streaming platform until 2024, when the first six episodes were released unexpectedly in a surprise drop. For unexplained reasons, part two was delayed to sometime in 2026. Given the developer/publisher's history of abandoning projects or announcing vaporware, I have decided to release this review o...

I don't know much about musical theory, nor am I a musically inclined person. However, I do love to listen to video game soundtracks. They can be a powerful listening experiences in their own right, or be as evocative as the scores composed for film. Each of these posts will feature a sampling of music tracks from a single game title, or series/franchise in some rare cases. A complete list of these can be found on the Video Game Music page. Composer: Chikayo Fukuda Singer: Tomoyo Mitani North American Release Date: February 21, 2012 Asura is one of eight Guardian Generals who derive their power from human worship, which they use in an eternal war against hostile beings called Gohma. Seeking greater power and true immortality, the other seven Guardian Generals abduct Asura's daughter, murder his wife, and frame Asura for the death of their emperor. After 12,000 years have past, Asura is reborn into the living world to seek vengeance on the Seven Deities. The ...

Story: The world is stuck in a perpetual loop of war, death, and suffering where colonies of child soldiers are ruled over by a Moebius monster with fealty to a "Queen". Sounds dark, right? Well... its not. The 'power of friendship' is emphasized heavily and everyone is obsessed with smiling. A certain villain ( Shania ) who commits genocide - twice - is forgiven because they have mommy issues. The story keeps telling you how bad things are but it doesn't look or feel that way. Characters talk in circles constantly, explaining and reexplaining the very obvious themes of the game like you're a 5 year old. Noah (the protagonist) is the most generic "good guy" and the Moebius villains are literal immortal children playing with their 'toys'. They all have the same wacky mannerisms and will throw a tantrum whenever things don't go their way, so they never come off as a serious threat. Most of the story beats are broadcast too early and...

Story: In a medieval fantasy setting there is a group of magic users called "deities" by some and "witches" by others. Eirudy, a witch living in the secluded Misty Forest, has narrowly escaped the witch hunts. One day she meets a young nobleman named Adrian, whose mother is sick. After saving his life, the two become friends. The only problem is Adrian's father Regal, who heavily taxes the common man, can control dragons and hates witches. There are three or four dialogue options that can change the story for a "light", "dark", or "true" ending. Gameplay: At her atelier, Eirudy can craft weapons or items, which moves time forward. Every few days she can train various stats that will make combat and crafting easier. As a "Marionette Witch" Eirudy can bring dolls to life using 'soul juice' extracted from people and animals defeated in combat. These dolls can then be ridden around and used in battle. T...