Barloq
@barloq.bsky.social
Writer, blogger, father. DOA: Dead or Alive is still the best video game movie. Trash connoisseur. Blessed by the chupacabra. Read my writings at ichoosetostand.net
Man... the end of Act I in Clair Obscur blew my fucking mind. Legitimately one of the biggest narrative moments in gaming for me.
Then we transition into Act II, where you go from feeling powerless to overpowered as fuck, LOL. My builds are strong enough now that I rarely even need to dodge at all.
Then we transition into Act II, where you go from feeling powerless to overpowered as fuck, LOL. My builds are strong enough now that I rarely even need to dodge at all.
a close up of a man with a beard and mustache smiling .
ALT: a close up of a man with a beard and mustache smiling .
media.tenor.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Man... the end of Act I in Clair Obscur blew my fucking mind. Legitimately one of the biggest narrative moments in gaming for me.
Then we transition into Act II, where you go from feeling powerless to overpowered as fuck, LOL. My builds are strong enough now that I rarely even need to dodge at all.
Then we transition into Act II, where you go from feeling powerless to overpowered as fuck, LOL. My builds are strong enough now that I rarely even need to dodge at all.
My annual year-end article about my favourite movie posters of 2025 is now live, check it out! There's some top-tier entries this year!
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/15-b...
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/15-b...
December 13, 2025 at 5:32 PM
My annual year-end article about my favourite movie posters of 2025 is now live, check it out! There's some top-tier entries this year!
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/15-b...
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/15-b...
Good time to announce that a series of Ace Combat Love/Hate articles are already in progress and will be out sometime in 2026? 👀
Maybe I'm gonna have to time that to coincide with Ace Combat 8's release window...
Maybe I'm gonna have to time that to coincide with Ace Combat 8's release window...
a group of fighter jets are flying over a city with the words gentlemen i do not believe
ALT: a group of fighter jets are flying over a city with the words gentlemen i do not believe
media.tenor.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Good time to announce that a series of Ace Combat Love/Hate articles are already in progress and will be out sometime in 2026? 👀
Maybe I'm gonna have to time that to coincide with Ace Combat 8's release window...
Maybe I'm gonna have to time that to coincide with Ace Combat 8's release window...
Reposted by Barloq
I think I'm gonna nut.
Total War: Warhammer 40,000 – Announce Trailer
YouTube video by Warhammer
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 7:38 AM
I think I'm gonna nut.
OMFG the new Street Fighter movie looks INCREDIBLE.
youtu.be/Ddn5SYRHzpU
youtu.be/Ddn5SYRHzpU
Street Fighter Movie World Premiere Trailer from The Game Awards 2025
YouTube video by thegameawards
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 3:08 AM
OMFG the new Street Fighter movie looks INCREDIBLE.
youtu.be/Ddn5SYRHzpU
youtu.be/Ddn5SYRHzpU
It's year-end at IC2S, so we're kicking off my annual countdown lists with my favourite Magic cards of 2025. :)
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/my-f...
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/my-f...
a card that says secret rendezvous on the front of it
ALT: a card that says secret rendezvous on the front of it
media.tenor.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It's year-end at IC2S, so we're kicking off my annual countdown lists with my favourite Magic cards of 2025. :)
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/my-f...
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/my-f...
That's Final Fantasy X done and dusted. Didn't realize I was so close to the end.
...now I can give Clair Obscur full focus in my free time, lol.
...now I can give Clair Obscur full focus in my free time, lol.
December 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
That's Final Fantasy X done and dusted. Didn't realize I was so close to the end.
...now I can give Clair Obscur full focus in my free time, lol.
...now I can give Clair Obscur full focus in my free time, lol.
Work just put out an "acceptable use of AI" memo saying the ways we can use AI to make our work better... and, nope, fuck that, Imma continue to use my brain.
Let's see how those KPI metrics shake out when all's said and done, because I've always scored high on year-end reviews.
Let's see how those KPI metrics shake out when all's said and done, because I've always scored high on year-end reviews.
December 9, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Work just put out an "acceptable use of AI" memo saying the ways we can use AI to make our work better... and, nope, fuck that, Imma continue to use my brain.
Let's see how those KPI metrics shake out when all's said and done, because I've always scored high on year-end reviews.
Let's see how those KPI metrics shake out when all's said and done, because I've always scored high on year-end reviews.
Holy, I did not realize I played this much DOA6 this year, lol. Nioh 2? Yeah, that's a long-ass game, but DOA6? I think this is because I would boot it up for 10-15 minutes on breaks for a while to grind DOA Quest, haven't played in a few months tho. Might need to scratch that itch again soon. :)
December 8, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Holy, I did not realize I played this much DOA6 this year, lol. Nioh 2? Yeah, that's a long-ass game, but DOA6? I think this is because I would boot it up for 10-15 minutes on breaks for a while to grind DOA Quest, haven't played in a few months tho. Might need to scratch that itch again soon. :)
Reposted by Barloq
SATURDAY NIGHT SLAM MASTERS
CAPCOM 1994
SEGA GENESIS
CAPCOM 1994
SEGA GENESIS
December 7, 2025 at 4:01 AM
SATURDAY NIGHT SLAM MASTERS
CAPCOM 1994
SEGA GENESIS
CAPCOM 1994
SEGA GENESIS
So, updated thoughts on Clair Obscur about 5 hours in:
-This is a Bioshock-tier game, a once-in-a-generation timeless classic. The sky-high production values, strong writing, and an incredible amount of imagination and originality are second to none. This game IS as good as people have said! /1
-This is a Bioshock-tier game, a once-in-a-generation timeless classic. The sky-high production values, strong writing, and an incredible amount of imagination and originality are second to none. This game IS as good as people have said! /1
December 7, 2025 at 3:27 AM
So, updated thoughts on Clair Obscur about 5 hours in:
-This is a Bioshock-tier game, a once-in-a-generation timeless classic. The sky-high production values, strong writing, and an incredible amount of imagination and originality are second to none. This game IS as good as people have said! /1
-This is a Bioshock-tier game, a once-in-a-generation timeless classic. The sky-high production values, strong writing, and an incredible amount of imagination and originality are second to none. This game IS as good as people have said! /1
Started Clair Obscur, and it's going about how I expected:
-Fantastic writing, direction, and voice acting. Graphics and art design are really good, but it's also got that clear, scrappy, AA-budget charm to it.
-I fucking DESPISE the combat system they've built here.
-Fantastic writing, direction, and voice acting. Graphics and art design are really good, but it's also got that clear, scrappy, AA-budget charm to it.
-I fucking DESPISE the combat system they've built here.
a man with a beard is holding a gun in front of a building
ALT: a man with a beard is holding a gun in front of a building
media.tenor.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Started Clair Obscur, and it's going about how I expected:
-Fantastic writing, direction, and voice acting. Graphics and art design are really good, but it's also got that clear, scrappy, AA-budget charm to it.
-I fucking DESPISE the combat system they've built here.
-Fantastic writing, direction, and voice acting. Graphics and art design are really good, but it's also got that clear, scrappy, AA-budget charm to it.
-I fucking DESPISE the combat system they've built here.
Reposted by Barloq
I had to write about Horses for @aftermath.site aftermath.site/horses-indie...
December 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I had to write about Horses for @aftermath.site aftermath.site/horses-indie...
My Ninja Gaiden 4 Love/Hate article is now live! I have LOTS of thoughts on this game, check them out here:
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/love...
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/love...
December 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
My Ninja Gaiden 4 Love/Hate article is now live! I have LOTS of thoughts on this game, check them out here:
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/love...
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/12/love...
Reposted by Barloq
Working on a parable called The Emperors of Dunning-Kruger Mountain in which a bunch of people rise to positions of power but don’t know and won’t tell each other that they are all in way over their heads so instead they just invite more people up.
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Working on a parable called The Emperors of Dunning-Kruger Mountain in which a bunch of people rise to positions of power but don’t know and won’t tell each other that they are all in way over their heads so instead they just invite more people up.
Took some screenshots for you, specifically, @hayabusa.love.
December 3, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Took some screenshots for you, specifically, @hayabusa.love.
Things have been quiet on IC2S for the last couple months (my 9/11 musings notwithstanding), but we'll be picking back up in December. I've got my usual year-end rankings writen and queued up, and I'll probably have at least 1 other article completed before the new year, if not more.
December 1, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Things have been quiet on IC2S for the last couple months (my 9/11 musings notwithstanding), but we'll be picking back up in December. I've got my usual year-end rankings writen and queued up, and I'll probably have at least 1 other article completed before the new year, if not more.
Reposted by Barloq
Reposted by Barloq
Seeing how much of the right-wing on Twitter is just bot farms, kinda lays bare how much hate and hatred is a project that needs to be constantly maintained, a fire that needs to be fed all the time lest it go out for a moment, so much time, effort, and resources to keep people angry and hateful.
November 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Seeing how much of the right-wing on Twitter is just bot farms, kinda lays bare how much hate and hatred is a project that needs to be constantly maintained, a fire that needs to be fed all the time lest it go out for a moment, so much time, effort, and resources to keep people angry and hateful.
I probably shouldn't have started Ninja Gaiden 4 on Hard mode immediately after coming off of almost 60 hours of Nioh 2, LOL. Not only does that require a total brain rewiring to come to grips with the controls/gameplay loop, but NG4 is *definitely* more of a Platinum game than a Team Ninja one.
a video game character with a mask and a shield
ALT: a video game character with a mask and a shield
media.tenor.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I probably shouldn't have started Ninja Gaiden 4 on Hard mode immediately after coming off of almost 60 hours of Nioh 2, LOL. Not only does that require a total brain rewiring to come to grips with the controls/gameplay loop, but NG4 is *definitely* more of a Platinum game than a Team Ninja one.
There's a new article up on IC2S... this one's MUCH different than modg of my recent output.
I've been thinking back on 9/11 a lot recently, & spent a good chunk of the last week reliving that day through the eyes of the people who were there. I have thoughts:
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/11/star...
I've been thinking back on 9/11 a lot recently, & spent a good chunk of the last week reliving that day through the eyes of the people who were there. I have thoughts:
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/11/star...
the statue of liberty is lit up at night in the background
ALT: the statue of liberty is lit up at night in the background
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
There's a new article up on IC2S... this one's MUCH different than modg of my recent output.
I've been thinking back on 9/11 a lot recently, & spent a good chunk of the last week reliving that day through the eyes of the people who were there. I have thoughts:
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/11/star...
I've been thinking back on 9/11 a lot recently, & spent a good chunk of the last week reliving that day through the eyes of the people who were there. I have thoughts:
www.ichoosetostand.net/2025/11/star...
Reposted by Barloq
Today is the day to repost this meme about International Men's Day, one of the most unironically wholesome memes that has ever been made.
Shoutout to all my fellow champs, chiefs, and kings. ✊
Shoutout to all my fellow champs, chiefs, and kings. ✊
November 19, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Today is the day to repost this meme about International Men's Day, one of the most unironically wholesome memes that has ever been made.
Shoutout to all my fellow champs, chiefs, and kings. ✊
Shoutout to all my fellow champs, chiefs, and kings. ✊
After 59 hours with Nioh 2... I think I'm satisfied. I've technically got the DLCs and a bunch of side content to go if I wanted to, but I've finished the story and I feel good retiring here. The game's every bit as good as the first, and easily the best-playing Soulslike out there, but I've got /1
November 17, 2025 at 9:46 PM
After 59 hours with Nioh 2... I think I'm satisfied. I've technically got the DLCs and a bunch of side content to go if I wanted to, but I've finished the story and I feel good retiring here. The game's every bit as good as the first, and easily the best-playing Soulslike out there, but I've got /1
Ok, I think that my most recent project is more or less complete... a workspace upgrade! I've got TONS more desk space and storage to keep things organized, and the whole thing is more "personal" now. ☺️
Probably gonna tinker a bit more, but I'm quite happy with how it turned out!
Probably gonna tinker a bit more, but I'm quite happy with how it turned out!
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Ok, I think that my most recent project is more or less complete... a workspace upgrade! I've got TONS more desk space and storage to keep things organized, and the whole thing is more "personal" now. ☺️
Probably gonna tinker a bit more, but I'm quite happy with how it turned out!
Probably gonna tinker a bit more, but I'm quite happy with how it turned out!
OMG. Haven't played any DOA for a couple months, was cleaning and found my 3DS with DOA Dimensions in it. Opened it up to see if it was still in sleep mode and accidentally started a 50 match survival game (which I hadn't cleared before). Figured "fuck it, why not?" to see how far I'd get... 😳
November 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
OMG. Haven't played any DOA for a couple months, was cleaning and found my 3DS with DOA Dimensions in it. Opened it up to see if it was still in sleep mode and accidentally started a 50 match survival game (which I hadn't cleared before). Figured "fuck it, why not?" to see how far I'd get... 😳