Games
Hi, Internet!
I’d like to talk to you, both, about some of the things that we’ve been getting up to in the downtime around the casa. Most of the time, it’s games, and boy, do I want to tell you about a couple doozies.
“But, Sam,” you say, “where does someone like you, a race car model/fashion driver/semi-professional cartoonist, find the time?”
To which I would respond by laughing and falling asleep on the keyboard…
The first game I want to talk to you about, which I’m pretty sure flew under your radar, especially if you own a PlayStation, is friggin’ Spider-Man. I’ve played a majority of all the Spider-Man games that have come out over the years, including some very fond memories of heading down to the Blockbuster and renting Maximum Carnage every other weekend (how’s that for some bona fides?), and I gotta tell you this game puts that one to shame in every way.
I could go on and on about the graphics and the gameplay and the wonderful fashion choices, but I think the best thing is I can share it with the step-daughter, and as someone still relatively new to the step-dad game, that’s pretty great. I mean, just look at some of the photos we were able to pull off
Our favorite thing was throwing trash cans around the populace of New York and seeing which citizens flinched. It was amazing!
“But, Sam,” you interject, again, “what about your friends? Don’t you do game with them?”
Yes, yes I do. But ours is more tabletop in nature. And don’t worry, have I got a recommendation for you!
It’s called Thornwatch and it’s like D&D had to pee really bad, so they cut out all the fluff and got right to the action. It’s made by the Penny Arcade boys, so it’s gotta be good.
The gist of the game is that one player, acting as the judge, is reeking havoc in an enchanted forest known as the Eyrewood. The rest of the players, acting as the Thornwatch, have been summoned to that location to try to bring some semblance of peace back to the wood. Scenarios have unique win and loss goals for both the judge and the Thornwatch, and depending on who wins and loses, and if you have the time, the story can branch from there. It’s pretty great.
The lore, the art, the game mechanics. All of it is top of line. If you’re into tabletop RPGs, but you only have an hour or so at your disposal, Thornwatch cuts straight to the adventuring and it is a wonderful addition to the genre. It has a game board that changes with each scenario (and stellar art), and classes that fit within the traditional RPG archetypes, but are altogether unique.
It also lends itself wonderfully to customization, y’know, for those of us who can’t leave well enough alone. Below are some classes for Thornwatch that I’m trying to work into the game.
…I kinda wanna go workshop them now.
Peace out, grrl scouts!
