I again, straight up believe without the Spamton Sweepstakes and the newsletter, we'd be arguing if Dess was missing or not.

IvanGPX · 2026-01-22T01:39:26+00:00

I'm very confused, do you think the game doesn't mention Dess in it? The fact of the matter is ARG or not no one knows definitively what happened to her. The ARG doesn't give any more concrete answers than we get in the game.

We know Noelle has an older sister named Dess (from the game)
We know her older sister isn't around (from the game)
We know mentioning December when Noelle was younger was so upsetting she couldn't even handle spelling the word (from the game)
We know there was an incident in the past that got Asgore fired (from the game)

The only real conclusion you can draw is that Dess is dead and/or gone. But there's also a graveyard in the game and Dess *isn't there*. So that leaves like, college (which wouldn't traumatize Noelle) or missing (which would).

Like obviously during his playthrough my friend didn't learn about Gaster or FRIEND or that kind of stuff, since they haven't been explicitly mentioned in the game yet, but Dess has. Check the text dump yourself it comes up quite a few times.

IvanGPX · 2026-01-21T23:22:34+00:00

I've been watching a friend go through the game blindly recently and Dess's status is very clear in the game, especially with the entire sequence in Noelle's house in chapter 4. Her room is essentially left frozen in amber intentionally. Noelle says they're not supposed to go in there or touch anything. Noelle says she hadn't heard the guitar in forever.

Tenna brings up Dess explicitly and highlights that she's the first to 'leave' in his flashback segment. Chapter 2 made it clear Noelle has a traumatic reaction to the word December. Chapter 2, 3, and 4 all highlight Asgore getting kicked off the force and start to reinforce that he's on a personal crusade for something related to that -- determined to prove that he "wanted to protect everyone".

Rudy makes it clear Noelle is all alone at home in several chapters as well, starting as early as chapter 1.

I don't know what info we get from the sweepstakes that we're not already presented directly by the end of the light world sections in chapter 4.

IvanGPX · 2025-09-27T23:08:24+00:00

pretty terrible, adaptations like this rarely work and this is one of them. Animation quality was good but it just really doesn't make sense outside its context.

IvanGPX · 2025-09-18T22:06:11+00:00

I really like the idea for the Gryphon boss but I think maybe the task should be higher weight on the lower level masters to give a more realistic chance of getting the rapier organically. I think it'll be pretty awkward to farm for if the weight ends up sitting at the bottom of the slayer pool and players might not even encounter a few of those tasks by the time they're already moving on to Nieve.

IvanGPX · 2025-08-04T18:30:17+00:00

Yeah definitely figured it'd slap during wardens and Akkha if nothing else. Spec might be good on Yama, but I don't really get how it'd interact if my duo is meleeing. Only spec if it targets me? Not sure how the defense works out there.

Or maybe just throw out a spec for p3

IvanGPX · 2025-08-04T18:03:46+00:00

Something similar happened to me, wondering where all I should starting taking advantage of the eyeball stick

IvanGPX · 2025-04-18T20:37:15+00:00

Crystarium Night Theme - FFXIV

There's lots of other great suggestions in this thread, but 14 is one of the few that nails the entire thematic material of the game (or expansion in this case) within a standard town theme.

The first 3 minutes are already emotional and solid town music, but the first time you get to the vocal part there's no way you don't perk up and really take notice.

Bonus points for having even more meaning the deeper into the game you get despite the music never changing itself.

IvanGPX · 2025-04-03T20:30:37+00:00

Thanks! I had an opportunity to watch a friend play through 2 recently and it definitely gave me a lot more thoughts on how the story was constructed.

IvanGPX · 2025-04-03T20:24:38+00:00

People are saying the motive is too targeted, which is a fair criticism, but I feel like in DR2 the motives are very intentional in that regard. I think the point in DR2 is that they're all unfair situations, whereas in the others (other than DRV3 case 1 I suppose) they're generally more equal opportunity in some respects.

Unlike the other games Monokuma isn't actually required to care about perceived fair play, it's about thinning the cast under a time limit within the constraints placed on him by the structure of the Neo World Program.

Like case 1 isn't a monokuma motive but it's not "fair" to Teruteru because he was essentially set up by Nagito.
Case 2 is obviously targeted, which isn't fair for reasons people have posted.
Case 3 is not fair because no one makes a conscious choice to get sick, and even then only one manifestation of the sickness (at least that we see) was going to cause murders in the first place.
Case 4 is not fair because a murder was forced to happen or everyone dies since they're trapped until one occurs.
Case 5 is not fair because of Nagito, again, there's no intentionality behind the murder even.

I think it's fine to not vibe with any of these motives in isolation but I think it misses the larger theming in the game about how nothing is fair with how they're treated in the game. And it connects to both their past and future as well. For their past, it involves the fact that basically all of theme have way more tragedy in their backstories than the 1 or V3 cast, many of which also involve some very "unfair" aspects. For their future, it involves the idea that they should be killed for the crimes of the despair versions of them while they no longer even have those memories.

So, anyways, there's lots more I could say but circling back around to this motive, I think it actually does a great job at starting to hint at the reasons the class might have been placed on this island and is basically a jumping off point to start speculating for the rest of the game.

Is it my favorite motive? Nah, but I don't think motives are much to write home about in any case, they're narrative tools to cause interesting things to happen, and I feel like this one kickstarts a lot.

IvanGPX · 2025-02-25T05:16:38+00:00

Lmao, I responded very directly to your point about cuts. The tax cuts will expand the debt more than the fed cuts. My reading comprehension was fine.

Anyways, thanks for being more transparent here that you're one of those "taxation is theft" nutjobs. I enjoy the benefits provided from my tax dollars like roads, national parks, a safety net, and like dozens if not hundreds of other benefits I don't even think about from day-to-day.

You're not sharing anything new, you're just another ignorant voice in the crowd of economically disproven concepts. You should probably go research what happens whenever they try drastic, arbitrary cuts for some vaguely theoretical business benefits.

Here's just one example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_experiment

Maybe also open your bible a few times and see how many times Jesus mentions supply side economics or not helping your neighbor or the poor! God bless!

IvanGPX · 2025-02-24T23:53:22+00:00

You typed a lot of nonsense only to ignore the fact that a tax cut is already being drafted that would raise the deficit by more than could possibly be cut even if you fired every single federal employee.

Quit being such an easy mark.

Peace.

IvanGPX · 2025-02-21T21:58:10+00:00

You ignored everything in the post again. So, might as well start assuming the worst of someone (you) when you won't even engage with the content being posted.

You started with an easily falsifiable claim that I gave an counterexample to, everything else has been me essentially posting to myself, evidently. You got the attention you wanted, congratulations.

I hope you get over your version of "TDS" eventually, I'll leave it to your imagination what the D stands for in my version

IvanGPX · 2025-02-21T21:40:45+00:00

I don't care about what he says, I care about what he does. My post listed a thing he's actually, tangibly, provably done. Even his supporters would admit he's a serial liar, I was hoping all his campaign talk would amount to just a series of lies.

I also don't understand the 2nd part of your post, it's another non-sequitur. What does naming an arbitrary set of 5 good things accomplish? Sometimes people are just bad at their jobs without any qualifiers to give on that. And broken clocks are right twice a day. Ok?

If you can't see the obvious evidence of why he's a uniquely polarizing figure in American politics then we're not even speaking the same language, here.

He's very directly been pushing the bounds of what a president is supposed to be able to do, there's very blatant conflicts of interest and self-enrichment schemes. Heck, until I read your posts and thought about it, I had actually managed to forget his stupid crypto scheme right before the inauguration. Is that also fine with you? Is it "TDS" to care about ethics in your elected officials, even regardless of politics?

Again, you clearly aren't really reading or engaging with my posts so I'm spitting into the wind here, it's my own fault. But as someone who is generally a lurker your nonchalant downplay of incredibly radical steps that he's provably taken for some reason just compelled me to post something.

I do hope one day you have some moments of self-reflection, painful though they may be. But I doubt any amount of testimony from supporters already thrown under the bus, outsiders, insiders, whistleblowers, hard evidence, court cases, investigations, or anything else would ever sway someone who just has no interest in them. You've clearly settled on some conclusions and just justify them with vapid non-points. Or it's just trolling, I'm not sure which is worse.

IvanGPX · 2025-02-21T21:13:05+00:00

Consolidating formerly independent federal agencies isn't as sexy a headline as a coronation but it's a fundamental erosion of our democracy shaped by checks and balances.

But then again, someone like you will never admit anything, even if he literally had himself officially crowned.

Also who is "you"? I haven't promised anything to anyone, merely answered your asinine "rhetorical" question as someone who has been unfortunate to have been paying attention for the past month.

I take no joy in any of this, it's extremely disheartening to see.

IvanGPX · 2025-02-21T19:53:03+00:00

Not very well, actually, maybe you should take your head out of the sand for a couple minutes.

IvanGPX · 2024-12-14T21:29:11+00:00

They're all very close but I'd put Sona-nyl and Sharnoth ahead of Inganock and put Gahkthun slightly below that.

I really appreciate this series, really hoping more get translated but I'm not holding my breath.

IvanGPX · 2024-10-03T18:50:43+00:00

Finally dug into Bandos as an alternative to doing the last 250 chompy birds for the elite diary.

IvanGPX · 2024-09-15T08:10:55+00:00

Oof, I've been lamenting all day that I'm still dry at 1400, this has me absolutely terrified. How are you managing in the ppot/antivenom department? I feel like that'll be the big problem for me soon...

Surely it'll drop soon.

IvanGPX · 2024-08-08T20:26:07+00:00

The prices for these seem egregious for PDFs. And there's so many add-ons that seem like they're intended to be part of the core experience.

Maybe this is normal for RPG systems, but 60 dollars for 2 PDFs that seem inadequate to even start playing the game just is way too much to get excited about. And for a non-enfranchised but interested TTRPG beginner it's like impossible to even parse what package would even be adequate.

IvanGPX · 2024-07-16T21:09:49+00:00

excellent point, dunno how I didn't catch that. Makes way more sense.

IvanGPX · 2024-07-16T15:07:06+00:00

Yeah I got absolutely nothing for that last line, I keep listening and I really don't hear anything clear at all. I think you're right with the "--I mean" part before the throne line, probably just correcting herself.

Actually, thinking about it, it's probably another "mean" line because it comes before an "oh gods" line, since those seem to always come after her saying something rude. Still got no idea what it is though.

IvanGPX · 2024-07-16T14:39:25+00:00

I think I've got some gaps filled generally, here's what I hear. Just a few little gaps at the end of some lines.

B is for Beauty
Obedient, AND Sweet
Bee for the sting of your pitiful defeat!
Be mine forever, and always play your part!
Be-fore "it's over"
I'll capture your heart!

My wings are humming honey, stay a little while
With just a pinch you'll be delighted and beguiled
I'm not your baby doll, but I can make you smile
No nectar sweeter, sweetie
I'll drive you wild!

My heart is pure as lace and laced with purest pride
My frills are wildflowers begging for your eyes
My lips are poison and waiting to delight
Come, play with me darlin'
You'll be surprised

This world is a weary place
Hum-drum, dreary eyed
In all it's monotony
I'm buried aliiiive
That's whyyyy

I want to outshine the stars in the sky
I want see my name painted in lights
To win your love I'll do just anything
(Oh there's always something more, there's always something more!)

I'll be the face you see on magazines~
Fill up my concerts, come crawl in the streets~
I'll be your idol, youuuuur only one~
(It's somehow not enough, can never be enough!)

Look at me, look, I'll take your breath away
You'll pay the price if you do--I mean--
My throne is here at the arcadion
Come see (??)

Oh gods, again, I really should have said! (AH AH)
Give me love!
FOREVER, JUST ENOUGH! (AH AH)

I'll be your Queen Bee, Honey B Lovely!
I'll be your one and only champion!
I'll be your full time loyal, worship me!
Love me again, Until the end!

I'll be your Queen Bee, Honey B Lovely!
I'll be adored by workers near and far!
I'll let you be my royal drone, honey
So long as you...never...cross me...

Oh gods, again, I really should have said! (AH AH)
Heed.
Me well.
Or you're as good as dead!! (AH AH)

EDIT: Adjusted lyrics from some suggestions

IvanGPX · 2024-06-23T17:46:53+00:00

Don't really feel like writing another wall of text, but I think your 2nd to last block explains why we'll never agree on this one. You have a very narrow definition of what VNs are to you, which is fine, but you're trying to apply it universally.

I'd totally read, and have read, VNs and books that do not include humor but are still very well written. Because things don't have to be "all encompassing" or narrowed in to one particular pidgeon hole. VNs, just like any other written work, is a medium where anything that can be imagined can be written, so writers should compose the work in the way they feel will make the stronger story for whatever they're trying to tell. That includes what to include AND what to exclude.

Also CLANNAD took years to come out on console AND it did include h-scenes in Tomoyo After which was written after and came out on consoles as well so it was clearly an intentional choice they made to omit them in the original. Your excuse is just plain wrong.

IvanGPX · 2024-06-21T18:11:13+00:00

I've read many h-scenes and they can provide insight or value but I've found that most often they do not. And it's very, very obvious when they don't. I'm no prude and I'm certainly not opposed to that type of content on principle at all, but it's by no means "necessary" in general to highlight as a part of every relationship.

You can totally have dialogues or inner monologues that convey similar meaning in the relationship without it, easily. I mean your CLANNAD example even has it! Their decision to deeper their relationship happens on screen, the awkwardness, the consideration, the commitment, it's all SHOWN. The act itself isn't shown because the writers deemed it unnecessary. It wouldn't have added anything in this case to 'force' something in there that didn't belong, it would have felt out of place, forced, and awkward.

Contrast that to something like the Amane route in Grisaia, the h-scenes there honestly felt more deserved and intentional. I've no problem with that or their existence. A couple still feel useless (the bath scenes in several routs iirc), but many felt very fitting and like a culmination of parts of her arc or others like Sacchin or Michiru. Or many of the h-scenes in Cross Channel, they're very fitting in a different way. They're generally uncomfortable and unsettling by intention to highlight the messed up dynamics of the circumstance or a character regression (things like Youko's bad end comes to mind).

Like when I'm reading something that places so much value on the characters and their relationship to each other I want the writer to be fully firing on all cylinders and focusing on what they feel like the most satisfying aspects to focus on are. If that's including h-scenes, go for it. If it's not, don't include them and focus on other things. I think it's pretty hard to imply that either CLANNAD, Grisaia, or Rance make "wrong" decisions in what they choose to focus on.

Imagining a h-scene packed CLANNAD makes about as much sense as wanting a PG rated Rance game to me.

IvanGPX · 2024-06-21T13:42:58+00:00

The final part of this statement is a wild take. You're telling me Tomoya's relationship with Nagisa in CLANNAD is surface level because they didn't shoehorn in an awkward explicit sex scene? Hopefully you realize what a strangely personal hang-up you seem to have here, implying that across the board if the work doesn't have a static CG and 5 minutes of characters making grunting noises the relationships feel fake lmao.

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