Strife's Sanctum

This week's anime review is a doozy: an all-time classic movie, turned into an all-time classic series.  I was originally going to do episodes on both seasons, but I managed to squeeze a longer runtime out and get details on both instead.  I imagine GITS will be a gold mine franchise to dig in many, many times in the future.  As it is, I wanted to begin with what I feel was the gold...

This week, it is time to look at a game that changed course.  The creators of Chrono Trigger wanted to avoid making a direct sequel.  In so doing, they manage two vastly different narratives.  First, a visual novel that plays like a D&D one shot.  This ends up alluding to the meat of today's story.  Chrono Cross is a game of weird complexes.  While it captures som...

I realized during Anime Detour that I was losing steam and wasn't going to be able to do a rundown of it.  I think it was smart of me to get a recording of this one done first just in case.  This week's anime review is one of the "strange for strange sake" shows.  While it doesn't have a perfect conclusion, Ergo Proxy has some interesting detective thriller/political intrigue going...

I normally don't discuss comedies, but this one had to be talked about.  The Isekai (Other/Parallel World) genre has dominated anime for 5-10 years now.  I've even talked about a couple like Rising of the Shield Hero.  So, it was high time a show came along and took the piss out of it.  Not only does KonoSuba do that, it manages to be one of the funniest shows without really br...

This was an episode a long time in the making for me.  For every RPG, anime, and other Japanese product I've seen, read, or heard about, none of them have held a place for me quite like this franchise of rhythm games.  However, I knew that if I was going to tackle them, I wouldn't just focus on the games.  I needed to explain what Vocaloid is as a concept, how widespread it is, and...

Today's episode is about one of the most awe-inspiring genre deconstructions.  If you haven't seen this show before, I implore everyone to watch to episode 3.  If you don't get into it after that episode, this show is NOT for you.  As for everyone who has seen it, get ready for me to go at breakneck pace as to why this rewatch got Madoka Magica into my top 5 anime ever.  While...

Today's podcast talks about a wonderful game from the PS2 era.  A flashy, eye-catching, 2D beat-em-up/RPG, Odin Sphere was a resounding critical success for a small company known as Vanillaware.  They re-released it for the PS4 back in 2016, and I have loved it both times I played it.  It melds fast action brawling, unique crafting mechanics, storybook/fairytale/theater visuals, and...

This week's review is of an anime that has held up amazingly well for 15 years.  Owning in equal parts a charismatic lead, one of a kind visual presentation, and a dramatic retelling of the classic novel, The Count of Monte Cristo anime adaptation is definitely a force.  I've had a lot to gush over recently, and I don't stop my roll just yet.   "Bide your time, and hold out hope." &...

This week, it's time to delve into a franchise held up as a a gold standard (and creator) of Japanese RPGs.  Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest has been around for 35 years.  It has held firm against the notion of change, and is all the better for it.  For people like me frustrated at FF always changing and mucking with formula, Dragon Quest is almost latched to and adheres to its past and...

The team learns how dire the fight against Salem really is.  Because of this, trust is a harsh commodity to come by.  The Atlas/Mantle arc stretches three volumes, and answers many big questions that pull the entire scope of the story into view.  I also predict how the show may end in 3-5 volumes from now, provided it gets that far.  This is the finale of a 3-part review of the...

Cast your minds back to 1993.  Toys R Us is still a thing.  Slips of yellow and white paper signify the games you buy.  One such game back then was one that would go on to become a classic.  Well regarded as one of the best platformers ever, Mega Man X changed the Mega Man formula at a time they needed a figurative shot in the arm.  And...for a time, it was good.  But...

Last time we went into Remnant, I spoke about Team RWBY going from a comedic bunch to a layered narrative with a lot of high stakes.  Volumes 4 and 5 are about their journeys apart, and what new evils await them.   Tentative schedule (based on Tuesday Dates)   January 25th: Mega Man X  February 1st: RWBY: Volumes 6-8  February 8th: Dragon Quest VIII   Anime: RWBY&nbsp...

So, Shin Megami Tensei, a no-nonsense, battle heavy, demonic romp.  At least that's what I would say if navigating the overworld was full of platforming bull****.  Between that, a hidden ending locked behind an insufferable boss (even by superboss standards), and paper thin story, SMTV manages to be as brutal as its namesake.  But in sometimes more frustrating ways that needed. &nbs...

This is going to be my trickiest review to date.  By sheer length, RWBY is something I couldn't possibly tackle all at once.  Whether watching it back or reviewing it.  But as far as shows go, it has been my favorite non-gaming media in quite a long time.  The anime inspired visual and fight design, a catchy (if off-putting at first) CG style, intriguing characters, and a wealt...

One of my longtime favorites, Breath of Fire 3 represents an RPG that does everything well, even if if doesn't completely hit the mark.  I've always had a fondness for the game's story, and some of the themes it represents.   Tentative schedule (based on Tuesday Dates)   January 4th: RWBY: Volumes 1-3  January 11th: Shin Megami Tensei V  January 18th: RWBY: Volume 4-5 &nbs...

With the movie only a day away, I felt it appropriate to rewatch an anime tie-in compilation from before the release of Matrix Reloaded.  While not every short story hits high marks, the majority are visual splendor mixed with thought provoking questions about the nature of humans trapped inside the Matrix.   Tentative schedule (based on Tuesday Dates)   December 28th: Breath of Fir...

I've been wondering if I'd ever have a guest on these podcasts, but now was the long awaited time.  One of my best Twitch friends stopped by to take a trip down memory lane with Super Mario games from 1985 to 1991.  Thanks to Leigh, we also discuss many other games in the span of the discussion I wasn't privy too.  I found it very fun and informative to actually attempt an interview...

D&D is great, anime is great, so what happens when a dirty, dark, anime gets D&D mechanics?  You get an awesome show.   Timestamps 0:00 - Intro 7:25 - Characters 18:20 - Plot/D&D/Positives/Negatives 25:28 - Outro Tentative schedule   December 14th: Super Mario All-Stars (w/Guest LeighClipse)  December 21st: The Animatrix  December 28th: Breath of Fire 3  ...

Phoenix Wright is a beloved visual novel franchise with a lot of interesting gameplay elements and characters.  It meshes comedy and drama well, and I do my best to do an overview of the first game's cases without too many spoilers.   Tentative schedule   December 7th: Goblin Slayer  December 14th: Breath of Fire 3  December 21st: The Animatrix   Game: Phoenix Wright:...

The live action version of Cowboy Bebop is here, and it's FINE!  It's fine.  It's got some great stuff (some really great episodes), some spotty choices, and one obvious elephant in the room.  I will get into all of it in detail.  I delve into a lot here, but keep it spoiler free for the first few minutes.   Tentative schedule   November 30th: Phoenix Wright: Ace Atto...

A cold didn't stop me.  I wanted to get this out before watching the Netflix version.  I rewatched Bebop last week, and it still holds the place as my favorite anime ever.  A great mix of drama, action, and a splash of comedy.  Spacey spaghetti western, with kick ass characters in a sort of crime drama/bounty hunter episodic format.  There is so much to recommend, I think...

One of the most expansive RPGs ever, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 tells a crazy tale of a game that gives the player too much to handle sometimes.  But despite some weird issues, there's no way to account for just the level of material crammed into one game...and this is just the base game...   Timestamps 0:00 - Intro/Xeno Series Overview 4:54 - Plot 10:30 - Characters 23:10 - Blades/Drivers/G...

An anime appearing on MTV2 of all things, Heat Guy J was a pretty decent crime drama/action show with some cool visuals.  It won't be the most amazing watch in the world, but it is a show I go back to constantly, because it does a lot well.   Timestamps 0:00 - Intro 5:39 - Characters 14:55 - Plot 20:35 - "PG-13 Crime Thriller" 24:20 - Outro Upcoming schedule  November 9th: Xenoblade...

A game that stands the test of time, Symphony of the Night was my introduction to Castlevania, and stayed my preferred style between the exploration style or platformer originals.  Either way, Castlevania is a vaunted gaming franchise.  SOTN is widely considered the best, and for good reason.  I only hope I can do some justice. Timestamps  0:00 - Intro  13:10 - Characters/...

I just got back from my first convention since the pandemic started, and it was just like old times.  I kinda ramble about certain things, but the major concepts (schedule, guest panels, cosplay) take a big chunk of the precedings.  Conventions of any type are special experiences that everyone should go to at least once.   Upcoming schedule October 26th: Castlevania: Symphony of the...