The Year-End Post About Games, Reflection, and Maybe Other Things

December 21, 2024

I've had ideas on stuff to post this month, like talking about TGA (namely the new VF) and a long post about what games I played and liked (and didn't like) but I got sick early on and then I had an issue with one of my hands that's fixed itself and then I got too caught in the cycle of drafting and revising stuff trying to make an elaborate long post. I decided that I'll just put my thoughts out for this without thinking too much.

In regards to the site, I haven't posted as much as I wanted to. A part of it was what I said earlier, but another thing was that I felt like I couldn't just post anything without something a lot more substantial behind it. I think with Twitter going the way it is and me not really wanting to join another social media site or Discord server or whatever people are trying to do these days, I'm going to try and get into the habit of just posting stuff that's on my mind moving forward. That's kind of what I wanted to do from the start anyway. I just have to accept that sometimes just saying "I liked x thing" is good enough and I don't have to force myself to make more out of it.

Funnily enough, initially, I was going to add some kind of widget to post short posts on the front page or something because I remember there being some site where you could make an account and post short messages and you could add an HTML eidget to your site so they'd appear there. I couldn't remember what the site was called, only that I saw it on someone else's site, so I ultimately gave up on it. But I suppose it'll be better this way.

I also wanted to change the look of the site a little bit. Not necessarily the layout but just stuff like adding a banner and stylizing what's there. I was going to try and do that this month but the aforementioned sickness got in the way. This is something I'll try to work on later down the line but probably not soon.

But at the very least, I do feel like I've accomplished something with the site. I didn't know HTML or CSS at all (or at least, very little from school that I've forgotten) until I went and made this site. Even though I was constantly back and forth between this and finding an actual blog platform, I'm glad I went this route because I enjoy having the freedom to do what I want in regards to how the site looks and functions. Granted, I've taken a very minimalistic approach in the end but as long as it works.

As for video games, well...

If I were to sum up this year, it would be my Project Moon arc. I've started Limbus Company on a whim at the very end of last year and then it somehow took ahold of my life. I've found myself in love with both the games and the world that they depict. I still need to finish Ruina, but I'm very close to the end (2 receptions left in Star of the City) so hopefully soon-ish.

On the topic of mobage, don't pay too much attention to Last Cloudia being there. I only played it specifically because of the SO2 collab since my friend told me they were adding Dias who is a favorite of mine. I do like the idea of the game since I like SO but I'm basically just autoing everything and the Steam version doesn't even have controller support nevermind keyboard which doesn't help. Why must I do everything with the mouse?

And on that note, I quit Granblue Fantasy this year after playing it for about 8 years, since before the English update. It's rough because I still like the IP and characters (else I wouldn't have bought and played Relink as much as I did) but I've really gotten tired of the game loop of grinding online raids for a copy of a weapon you need 4 of for your 10 weapon grid. And then the materials to actually uncap it among other things. Compound stuff like Guild Wars/Unite and Fight on top of it and I'm just burnt out. Limbus is the only mobage I play now and I'm currently happy with it.

Before Limbus came out, I actually didn't use Steam that much. I generally only played on PS4/Vita but now I opt to do most stuff on my laptop. Though a lot of it has been fighting games which I have also gotten back into after many years. Especially on Fightcade. I found myself really liking KoF XI and I wish it would get that Steam release like the others but alas. Other fighting games I've played a decent amount of include CVS2, VF5 (cautiously optimistic about the new game but they certainly came out swinging with their initiative so far) and Rivals of Aether.

Other stuff I played and liked include:

The Judgment duology, which have become my favorite RGG games by far. I do think Judgment has a better story but Lost Judgment is just so excellent in every other category that it really feels like the peak of the series.

Rabbit and Steel. This was a late purchase as I bought it on the autumn sale since things finally alligned for me to buy it. It is really fun just going through it with my friend and making dumb builds even though I am fucking terrible at hard mode.

Enchant Farm, which is an old RPG Maker game that got translated early in the year and almost feels like a game made specifically for me with its focus on combat and exploration while having neat customization options via equipment and characters. I was really obsessed with the game for a few things, but I got caught up in other things irl and just never got back to it. I really ought to though.

In regards to stuff I want to do next year... I don't really like to plan stuff like that because I'm bound to drop them but if I tried to do something this year and couldn't really work on it as much as I wanted to, then I try to focus on it the next. So next year, I want to really focus on learning Lua and music tracker software. Those were things I was trying to work on but stuff irl stopped me from doing so. Of course, there's also the previously mentioned site update. And maybe some things I've started a long time ago but had to put on hold for whatever reason, like Japanese. But I'm not holding my breath on that.

Anyway, that's about it. This was... very all over the place but I've been mulling about this kind of post for weeks as someone who can't really express themselves well and now it's winter and even closer to the end of the year. I can't say I really accomplished anything this year (outside of making this site I guess) but I suppose that's all the more reason to go harder next year. Stay safe out there.