I’ll check it out.

Those are honestly my favorite replays—where it’s not repetition in the same way a reread is… It’s a new narrative in the same world. Anyway I’ll stop pontificating at you. Thanks for the good question.

Right! RPS had some great stuff about this with respect to Invisible Inc. (and probably rimworld and dwarf fortress and crusader II etc.) around emergent narrative and how powerful it can be to have to leave a character behind on a level. Reading about sacrifice vs. making one, if only virtually.

Also I’m a little in my feelings about Roger Elbert’s take on video games and art after pcgamer posted something about it recently and I think I’m trying to convince the imaginary masses that games have artistic merit etc.

Trying to answer your question and couldn’t fit it in one post. Wasn’t trying to be pedantic—probably just enjoying my own thoughts a bit much.

There are games I love like I love books, and games I love like I love a handmade object and games I love like someone might love archery. The archery ones hold up forever, the objects occasionally for a long time, and the books vary but usually don’t hold up to repeated playthroughs for long.

So like, sometimes the art is the narrative (crpgs, etc) but sometimes it is the gameplay (rocketleague) and sometimes it’s the mechanics (slay the spire, into the beach). Sometimes it’s a combo. But the comparison of movies to video games unfairly or maybe unintentionally preferences narrative art.

Yeah it’s essential.

No Gunstar Heroes?

Bushido Blade is unmatched for couch multiplayer. One shot kills were invigorating, and button mash offs were wild fun. Unexpected real world slaps to distract from in game tactics is honestly my favorite thing a game can cause, and Bushido Blade might have been the best at it besides early Halo.

His defense is greatly improved as well. As is his attitude in general. Getting easier and easier to root for him.

Bookish isn’t the word I would use. Curious, but not confined to texts.

The Anna Hibiscus books are lovely and moral and have a ton of replay value.

I’m listening.

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell or maybe The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

Both genre, (zombie and low fantasy, respectively) but both punch well above their weight in humanity, creativity, and prose.

I also really loved Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by K. J. Parker.