Strife's Sanctum

Final Fantasy VIII is in the rear view mirror.  However, Leigh and I spent some more time reflecting about the journey.  This ended up becoming probably the best podcast I'd done, along with EASILY the longest.  That is because FFVIII has a ton of things to dig into, both good and bad.  All we can do is try to do it some justice.  Our hope is that you find this review is a...

This week's review is a continuation of Ace Attorney.  However, this will feature the anime adaptation of the Trilogy material.  While it isn't the best animated, and has some serious pacing issues due to cutting a lot of extra game content to fit the format, this is still a viable version.  You could still find enjoyment via the addition of voice acting (something the games have so...

This is a continuation of Ace Attorney.  For other information, watch my review of Ace Attorney https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/X6nF9LFSSvb  This week's review is a continuation of Ace Attorney.  Now that I have uploaded all the games on the LP, I am initimately familiar with Phoenix Wright.  it is going to be a fun couple of weeks going back into the courtroom.   Ten...

If you haven't watched Season 1, do that first or check out this recap https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/e1ju7ne This week's review is a continuation of a show that had potential in Season 1.  Everything I wanted to happen has in this second set.  A mystery section, a focus on a different character, and an overall more serious tone was so much more what I wanted to see out of this. &nb...

This week's review will be a rare spoiler filled one.  That's because it concerns a game that has a troubled plot twist that has gone down as divisive and (to me and others) infamous.  The game is definitely strong in some aspects, but Star Ocean has a history of solid combat. This game is certainly still fun to play.  It even boasts an expansive crafting system long before it becam...

This week's review concerns a chilling anime about judging one's life and death.  Through suspensful versions of everyday games, arbiters judge those who have passed on; judge who is worthy of being reincarnated or sent to the void.  Death Parade is a fascinating show that delivers on a unique premise.  It doesn't overstay its welcome, and is an enthralling work while it exists. &nb...

This week's review showcases a new IP from the creator of Zero Escape.  Instead of a series of locked room puzzles, Sominum Files focuses on dreams, the mysteries bured within, and how those tie into a series of murders.  The gameplay of Somnium Files has some weird warts.  However, the story and characters make up for it.   Tentative schedule (based on Monday Dates)   Nov...

This week's review is about a charming anime about two charming people who charm both each other and the audience.  While a secondary focus of the show is on medieval economics and trade warfare, the front story is two characters with undeniable chemistry falling for each other while journeying north.  It just so happens one of them is the wisest wolf of them all. Tentative schedule (bas...

This week's review is going to be a collection of rapid fire selections of multiple games from the old school SNES paradise.  Super Metroid, Earthworm Jim, E.V.O.: Search for Eden, Turtles in Time, you name it.  I talk about as much stuff as I can.   *Community Tab is now open! Vote on the next of a series of episodes for both the anime and video game reviews.  Votes will be co...

Happy Halloween!  How am I going to celebrate?  Talking about a show that defies all sanity by taking the original version and re-dubbing it into a crazy silly romp of a comedy.   Tentative schedule (based on Monday Dates)   November 7th: SNES Grab-Bag  November 14th: Spice and Wolf  November 21st: AI: The Somnium Files  November 28th: Death Parade  December...

My run of Halloween themed episodes continues with one of the few horror games I remember playing: Silent Hill 2.  It is weird timing, considering all the news about a remake and revitalization of the franchise these past couple of weeks.  I originally did this episode solo, but a friend requested to appear and provide her take on this game as well.  LeighClipse has been on the show...

This week begins our Halloween episodes.  I wanted to talk about one of the most revered vampire anime series out there.  If you want glorious, bloody, stuff, you'll get what you want.  However, there are two versions.  Much like Fullmetal Alchemist, Hellsing created a standalone OVA before the manga was finished.  Both Hellsing and FMA03 veer off into a more introspective...

My next video game review is going to be one that I'm fearful will get me some flack.  Or, at least I would, if I was trying to tackle this franchise all at once.  However anyone chooses to define it, Kingdom Hearts is special.  It can e very divisive, but at its core, it is Square Enix doing Square Enix things with Disney and FF characters mixed in.  Later entries have and wil...

If you haven't watched my review of the first season of Shield Hero, please listen to that first: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/mCwk6tW7Otb However, if you have seend Season 2, then you know my "kindness" or relative patience has run out.  I'm not saying Season 1 was perfect, but it had a great hook, cool character chemistry, and a decent bleakness/angst in the long, LONG catalog of is...

This week's game review takes us back to the SNES era.  Several Ys veterans came together to create a new set of franchises.  One was Actraiser.  Another was the "Soul Blazer" Trilogy.  While the original game doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, it features solid action RPG gameplay and enough story to get you going.  A solid start which would be expanded upon with Illusion...

This week's anime review centers on a show that works because all of its elements add up to be the perfect mix.  On their own, I don't think this show would have wowed me.  I'm not into romance, I'm not really into the Super Sentai/Power Rangers thing.  The characters and writing are kinda basic doofy comedy.  However, mixed all together, these ended up making a pleasant romcom...

This week's video game review is going to be fun.  Not only do I get to talk about one of the staples of early 90s gaming, I also get to rank different pieces of the game worst to first.  Sonic is a franchise with ups and downs.  While I don't think 1991 is the best example of its greatness, it ushered in a new era of gaming.  "Sega Does What Nintendon't" started here, with a f...

This week's anime review takes us back to the mid-2000s.  Adult Swim was riding high, and I was always up for new shows.  When the opening theme for this hit, and I saw how weird the opening video was, I knew I was in for some strange stuff.  A mystery thriller with some social commentary, Paranoia Agent certainly left an impression.  As with most mystery shows, the beginning a...

Today's game review is one of the staples of the old school era.  Link to the Past is my favorite Zelda game of all time, partly due to how well designed it was even way back in the early 90s, and also for the continued forays into the Randomizer scene.  There's so much to love about the third Zelda game.  It took everything the original did and expanded upon it, visuals and all. &n...

Today's anime review is about a subtle story, a child and "father" venturing into a lovely looking world.  If anyone enjoyed the esoteric visual style of Mushi-Shi, this could be right up your alley.   Tentative schedule (based on Monday Dates)   August 29th: The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past  Sep0tember 5th: Paranoia Agent  September 12th: Sonic The Hedgehog  Sep...

We venture back into the world of Tales of.  Arise had the potential to be the best of the franchise so far.  A complete graphical overhaul on the PS4/PS5 hardware and Unreal Engine gave Arise an unprecedented polish and quality for the franchise.  Some of the cities and overworld locations are beautiful.  The story and characters aren't as memorable as Velvet (who carried Bers...

Heh  Today's anime review is a special one.  Widely considered one of the best and most popular shows of recent season, Spy x Family did something I didn't think possible: unseat Cowboy Bebop as my favorite anime.  It achieved this by a unique premise played for laughs, three insanely strong characters with great chemistry, and a willingness to go all out with those elements.  ...

Today's game review is a double bill of some of Castlevania's best work: Aria and Dawn of Sorrow.  The tail end of the Gameboy Advance era saw the best of the post-SOTN crop.  The Souls mechanic added to Soma Cruz's arsenal.  A couple years later, a new coat of paint and audio polish lead to a direct sequel on the Nintendo DS.  Despite looking and sounding better, the game is l...

For the first time in a while, one of these podcasts appears on the main channel.  It's because one year ago, I decided to try my hand at reviewing video games and anime.  It isn't always perfect, but I feel comfortable with how I've done things.  I've changed things up and become way more loose and carefree (especially with certain episodes).  The channel itself has crossed 50...

This week's episode is an RPG institution: Final Fantasy IV.  Whenever anyone asks, "what is the best way to get into FF," this is the best answer for anyone looking for that full retro aesthetic.  The first to feature the Active Time Battle System, fully fleshed out characters (Rydia best girl), great dramatic moments, and a decent story, FFIV is my choice for the origin of the franchis...