There are so many pieces of art in the world, that to experience all of them require almost infinite lifetimes. With such a vast world, it is understandable that some will fall through the fingers of anyone trying to capture all. Sometimes, that is one of the beloved games of its genre. Sometimes, that is "Prey" (2006 - the original one). To understand "Prey", is to understand a vast network of satisfying gameplay, mind-bending physics, and a lack of disregard for its story. To understand "Prey", requires one's attention.

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There are, sometimes, projects so massive and so expansive, that it becomes a beacon of hope for those who enjoy such projects, but also becomes a barrier of entry for those who REALLY want to enjoy those projects, but are extremely threatened by their lack of explanation. When such projects lack the necessary starting steps to guide one in, one can lose in some amazing and unforgettable experiences. Such is the story of "Crusader Kings III".

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With one week of unplanned break, one returns to discuss yet another video game, and this time the subject matter is that of piracy. But not the cool piracy of the modern era in which softwares are shared with the masses, but the brutal piracy of the 19th century, in which Blackbeard and Henry Morgan thrived. This is the world in which Sid Meier (of "Sid Meier's Civilization" fame) has set his seminal piracy simulator: "Sid Meier's Pirates!".

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In Switchblade City, the Aces used to fight crime, but that was a long time ago. Now, the city is filled with gangsters and crime lords, each trying to carve up sections of it for their own desires. In this city, one has to learn to fight to survive and use everything in their line of sight to fight, and that is the exact situation that "Fallen Aces" puts one in. Made by New Blood Interactive, "Fallen Aces" is the noir-inspired immersive sim, and it's one hell of a style over substance game.

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When the courier walks through the ruins of Mojave, dealing with the intricate balances of power near Hoover Dam and the bustling city of New Vegas, it's hard not to want to continue their story further and further. Thankfully, the brilliant minds in Obsidian Entertainment decided to do continue the journey of the courier, even outside of Mojave and the confines of New Vegas. So, it's time for one to go through and talk about "Honest Hearts" and "Lonesome Road".

Check out my appearance on "Criterion Now": https://cinejourneys.com/criterion-now-episode-159-iranian-and-world-cinema/

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When the courier walks through the ruins of Mojave, dealing with the intricate balances of power near Hoover Dam and the bustling city of New Vegas, it's hard not to want to continue their story further and further. Thankfully, the brilliant minds in Obsidian Entertainment decided to do continue the journey of the courier, even outside of Mojave and the confines of New Vegas. So, it's time for one to go through and talk about "Old World Blues" and "Dead Money".

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In October of 2281, a courier near the town of Goodsprings got a bullet to the head by a casino owner named Benny. That was the catalyst that started the wonderous and amazing tales to befall Mojave and the city of "New Vegas", built on top of the ruins of Las Vegas. And all of that is contained in one extremely well-made package called "Fallout: New Vegas". One of the best games ever made (if not THE best game ever made), "Fallout: New Vegas" still rides high more than a decade since its release.

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When one spends too much time within an activity, sometimes one gets ideas and daydreams of creation within that activity. Sometimes one even goes forward and start brainstorming a prototype of that creation. Sometimes, that creation is a concept for a board game about Greek mythology, centered around a creator who saw his creation come to life: Pygmalion. Sometimes, one is oblivious to the irony of choosing this myth as the backbone and the title of one's own attempt at creation.

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Nowruz is the Persian new year, and can be translated literally as "new day". It's the harbinger of new things to come and a goodbye to all that was left behind. So, much like any other new year, it brings with itself some introspection and some resolutions. Possibilities seem endless. Severance, on the other hand, is an Apple TV+ tv show about a rigid system in which any acts to changing it are herculean. A day after Nowruz, Severance had its second season finale.

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When one finally sits down and crosses off an item off of an overly robust "to-do" list, it fills one with pride. Pride over a job well done, and drive to keep that sense of pride alive and relevant. So, in pursuit of that feeling and that drive, one will try to look at the other items on that overly robust "to-do" list and plan to achieve them one by one. Coinciding that with the end of a tumultuous year, will bring out the fires of retrospection, and one can put some things in perspective.

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