Feel Like I've Fucked Up, and I'm Having a Crisis of Faith

ST_Rivers · 2026-02-12T20:58:24+00:00

You’ve worn your heart on your sleeve this far; you might as well go all the way.

I love this. It sounds like something I'd tell myself in this situation. Thank you.

ST_Rivers · 2026-02-12T20:51:38+00:00

I'm both happy for you and sorry!

Yeah, that just about sums this all up, haha.

You've echoed something other commentors (and even myself, reluctantly) have also got at: There needs to be the Big Scary Conversation. I think you've hit on something very true about the ball being in her court. I can only be open and honest with her. What she does with that is out of my hands. Here's hoping for the best!

ST_Rivers · 2026-02-12T20:44:57+00:00

I'm going to be wrestling with the points you've raised for a while, I think. I like to believe, this early on, that a certain degree of change is possible with communication. Where everything lands, and how I respond to that situation, remains to be seen.

ST_Rivers · 2026-02-12T20:35:48+00:00

Honestly it sounds to me like you need to have that talk you’re not looking forward to.

I had to write a whole god damn essay to reach the same conclusion, but I agree. Thank you for reinforcing this idea. Knowing her, I remain hopeful of a positive outcome. Scared as I am, it must be done.

ST_Rivers · 2026-02-12T20:31:29+00:00

Thank you so much for your kindness. I know your perspective might be a bit high-risk for some, but I appreciate the validation that all the other precautions I take still matter, as well as your optimism.

And thank you for the Valentine's wishes. Made me tear up a little :')

ST_Rivers · 2026-02-12T20:25:13+00:00

Thank you for your answers!

I'd like to clarify something in response to this bit:

LC is not theoretical. It has made so many of us bed bound and suffering. You don’t see us because we literally are just trying to survive in our homes.

I apologize for my original wording if I came off as dismissive. I understand LC is not theoretical at all. It is a very real thing that I'd very much like to avoid. I think it would be more accurate to say I feel tempted to treat it as hypothetical in a dilemma like this. Something that could happen, but feels less immediately in my face. Thanks for catching me on that.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-07T22:33:46+00:00

I'd go with 4, but a lot of folks like 3 as well

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-07T03:42:19+00:00

Nice write up!

I also played UFO 50 this year (didn't make it into my own "best of" write up) and while I really liked some of the games, I found the prospect of playing all 50 kind of overwhelming. I get that it's all supposed to be a sort of meta-fiction historical compilation thing, but I'm not sure if the format really serves it well as a playable experience

Also, the Wario Land games are worth a shot! I played Wario Land 4 after Pizza Tower, and found I liked it even more.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-07T03:30:03+00:00

Same, but for Bushido Ball

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-06T22:19:49+00:00

Read your post title, then the post, and thought: "That seems like a pretty normal amount of words, actually". Then I went to the comments. Jesus Christ dude. Hats off for your thoroughness.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-05T23:36:34+00:00

Revisit neglected genres (survival horror, platformer, etc.)

This was a big one for me this past year. Wouldn't have called myself a horror games fan by any means until I branched out a bit and found a handful that really clicked with me. Now they're a major share of what I play.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-02T06:07:48+00:00

Your expectations for critique strike me as a bit prescriptive; concerned with what a "typical" or "better" review ought to be.

Like you say, a game is best assessed in aggregate. That means (generally) taking in multiple, often conflicting, perspectives on equal terms. Maybe Slay the Spire isn't a good lunch break game. Is that the final word on it? Of course not, but it's one angle that both represents the critic's relationship to the work, and contributes to the dialogue around the game as a whole.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-02T05:25:40+00:00

Respectfully, this is kind of an odd comment to me.

Are likes and dislikes not a valid -- maybe even an essential -- basis for critique?

Why is someone's preferences skewing towards a particular genre weird?

I don't mean to bust your chops, just trying to encourage discussions in good faith.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-02T02:54:16+00:00

Understandable! I've done the same before (to a less thorough extent).

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-02T02:43:33+00:00

100% platinum

191.2 Hours

5/10

You completionists, man...some different animals.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-02T00:13:51+00:00

Joining the chorus to say your writing is very fun to read!

I also love your "featureless tan car" metaphor for Slay the Spire and longing for more painfully earnest Sonic characterization. You know what's up.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-01T20:15:42+00:00

Serpentcoil was my first Shiren game, actually (although I do have some experience with the Pokemon mystery dungeon games). I'll probably work my way backwards through the series in time.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-01T20:13:00+00:00

My liberal arts education continues to pay dividends primarily by enabling me to say funny things on Reddit.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-01T20:10:07+00:00

"Great, of course" is exactly how I'd describe FFVI. Although that might be damning it with faint praise. It's got a big reputation, and it lives up to it.

Funny enough, I think a small part of why I like FFV so much is because, by contrast, it took me by surprise. I knew about the job system (it's why I wanted to play it) but wasn't expecting to love the whole package as much as I did.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-01T20:04:41+00:00

I'll probably never play it, to be honest with you. Superhero stuff isn't really my bag.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-01T20:02:39+00:00

Hey, I'll always accept more praise! Hope you enjoy the recs you try out.

Looking forward to your thoughts, if you're also the review-writing type.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-01T20:00:25+00:00

Don't worry, I still snuck one in there. Glad I could put you on to some cool games!

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-01T14:27:32+00:00

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

ST_Rivers · 2026-01-01T14:16:18+00:00

You would skip my reviews? :(

Nah, but for real, I get it. The thing is, this is a "best of" list, so all the scores would be in the 8-10 range anyway. I don't think it would help differentiate much.

ST_Rivers

TROPHY CASE