The September 2024 Quarterly Media Report

This quarter has been a little rough on me. I've had physical health issues (that I'm being treated for) all year, but this summer my mental health took a hit. I think I'm slowly getting back to a good headspace.

Games

July

I played more Coral Island though after this month I stopped playing it. I'm sure I'll get back to it, it's just that the news about the Humble Games Layoffs really bummed me out.

I'm taking my sweet time with Hades II. I love what I've played so far. I want a patch desperately.

I played Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes some more. Slowly progressing. I like dicking around in this game.

Played more of my sweet precious Moonstone Island. I got away from it after July though.

Because it was the 35th anniversary of Mother 1 / EarthBound Beginnings I and a couple of friends elected to play some of the game on its anniversary. I was the only person in our group to have ever beaten it, which I assure y'all would not have been possible without save states.. I love that game so much, but I cannot say it is a good game, you know?

I started Vampire Therapist. It's great, though I haven't played as much of it as I'd like. Get it. It's good, and there have been free content updates that have dropped (not that I've touched them, gotta beat the main game first) so there's lots of game.

I had a really bad day in July, and elected to break out one of my “Having a Bad Day” games, which in this case was A Short Hike. While I have beaten it before (and heartily recommend it), I did not beat it this time, because my brother and I learned the hard way that the Xbox Controller everyone recommends doesn't like pairing with multiple computers without freaking out. I'll have to get my own controller at some point (I have a Nintendo Pro Controller I use sometimes, but I like the XBox Controller better, unfortunately). All in all I recommend making a steam collection for your ”Break Glass In Case of Bad Day” games. This idea came from a discord buddy, and I immediately stole it for myself and it has served me many times over.

I played some XenoBlade Chronicles I, though it was mostly screwing around collecting stuff. I'm glad I now know I can raise relationships by giving party members gifts in an option hidden deep in various menus. I'm a little bitter I didn't know sooner, but at least I can use it now.

And of course I played Umineko Chiru Episode 7, Maybe episode 8 will change my mind, but I genuinely think despite the heavy material in this episode, it very well might be my favorite (I promise it is not all because of Lion and Willard).

August

I played more Eiyuden Chronicle. At first I was focusing on it because the first of the Story DLC was supposed to come out. As you may know, it got delayed. And so I started focusing on other games.

As in Fields of Mistria. mostly. It is in Early Access, and as a result you can't romance any of the characters yet, but there's already a decent amount of content, and it feels like it does so many things right. It's addressed a lot of the things I dislike about Stardew Valley (And I did not put 500+ hours into a game I dislike. I think the good outweighs what I dislike.) If you want a good farming game, the chance to be non-binary in a game (and pick from a decent range of pronouns, though I must stress as of yet no Neopronouns are included), or just to bathe in a 90's anime aesthetic, might I recommend Fields of Mistria?

I beat Umineko Chiru episode 7 this month, and since my brother had agreed to go through episode 8 with me, this changed when I would play the game (because he needed to be present).

I played a little Hades II. I got my first clear (in the underworld). Play it play it play it.

Did more Vampire Therapist. Haven't gotten super far.

Progressed the story in XenoBlade Chronicles I. I had forgotten who someone was because they didn't seem important and BOY was I wrong. Thankfully my brother remembered.

As you may know, hit Visual Novel Fate / Stay Night came out in August. I had always wanted to play it (and this is the non porn-game version), but I waited about a week to start playing it because there were some major issues at launch. I was getting really frustrated with the bad UI, but it turns out that stops being an issue once you beat the prologue. It's a long prologue though, so keep that in mind. I sometimes play it on Saturdays when my brother can't do Umineko.

I wanted a relaxing game I could turn my brain off to, so I played a bit of Silent Hope. Definitely a game to get back to.

I played more EarthBound Beginnings. Pippi is so strong I wish you could keep her in the party. Seriously, move over Ninten, Pippi has this covered! So of course I am doing some grinding in the cemetery to help the wimp Ninten gain some levels before I am forced to give away Pippi.

September

I played a little more Fields of Mistria but by this month I'd about exhausted the available content. I regret nothing.

All I knew about Umineko Chiru Episode 8 was that it had a choice. This is incorrect. It has multiple choices and becomes a goddamn Professor Layton game. I'm not sure how many of these choices and puzzles matter though.

I booted up My Time at Portia for the first time in a while.

I started playing Rune Factory 5 on PC this time. It has a few hiccups, but it's still a great game. There seems to be a rule that each Rune Factory (well there's a few of them I haven't played) has to have something glaringly obvious problem with it that will be fixed in the next in the series. For the problems I have with this one (not to mention the glitches and bugs) I assume that Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be like this too.

Things I'd Like to Work on (Game-wise)

Since I made the effort to play My Time at Portia I'd like to keep at it, but Rune Factory 5 is awfully enticing.

Of course I need to play more Vampire Therapist, if only for the fact it's nearly October and therefore perfect Vampire time.

You may have noticed Ciel noSurge was not on my list this quarter. Poor planning. I plan to play more, of course. But...

Things I'm looking forward to (Game-wise)

There's a fan-translation patch coming for Ciel noSurge on vita. I love doing these sorts of one-person-audience Translation Let's Plays with my brother, I think he wants to prioritize Kuro no Kiseki (Trails Through Daybreak) since he's several games behind now, so me playing it on my own may be best. I'll have to discuss it.

For Moonstone Island's Anniversary, there's supposed to be a big update (and presumably more decor DLC) that adds festivals. It released today, but aside from opening steam to update the game, I haven't touched it yet. I'm excited. I love this game so much!

Books

July

I don't know why, but I had the urge to jump into a lot of YA Novels again, not super recent ones either. My library's e-book service had Kiera Cass' The Selection series, and I wanted to give it a try because it sounded fascinating (and of course, fun). I finished the titular book in July.

My library also has a fair amount of manga, so I reread Volumes 1 through 10 of Kamome Shirahama's Witch Hat Atelier. It's a very good series, I whole-heartedly recommend it.

I reread volume 1 of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: Eternal Edition by Naoko Takeuchi. I had checked out volume 2, but realized I needed a refresher. So I read those two.

I started a re-read of Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo. My brother's also gotten into it recently, it's fun to discuss how certain wordplay is translated with him. The translators did a really good job in my opinion.

I read a Middle Grade Novel Dear Mothman by Robin Gow. It's about a trans boy looking for and writing to Mothman while dealing with the grief of losing his best friend. I was positive I was gonna cry at the end, but I did not, to my surprise. It's a great book, I recommend it.

I started a reread of the Graceling series by Kristin Cashore. I read the titular novel, and despite how a certain aspect of disability is handled (which I will say Cashore worked on in later books) it's a solid read.

August

Upped my reading goal to 100 books. Probably will raise it again given how many graphic novels and manga I appear to be reading this year.

I read volumes 3 and 4 of Sailor Moon, and volumes 6 through 10 of Spy x Family. And of course, a bit more of Witch Hat Atelier.

I read The Elite and The One which finishes off the first part of The Selection series. There's some short stories I haven't read because my library didn't have them when I checked. Also, there's some books set in the future, but I haven't gotten around to them yet.

I read an asexual platonic “romance” book Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao. I loved it. Romance was in quotes because it's about finding someone who understands you but is more like the best friend you'll ever have and you don't want to kiss them. So that might not count as romance to you. I hope to see more Ace Spectrum romances in the future.

September

Tragedy struck. My Kobo libra 2 bricked. It had lasted about 2 years and unlike the one before it—did not die from a big dog sitting on it. Anyway, I had some perilous days where I was sulking because I couldn't read my e-books (and was refusing to read them on a computer screen) but my new Kobo came. One of the color e-ink models. I love it! Once I figured out the Stylus annotation became so fun. I imagine I will get a lot of mileage out of research using this.

So as you may have expected, those days without an e-reader I read more physical books.

I read Barda by Ngozi Ukazu. I am not familiar with the character, but these DC graphic novels are always so approachable. I know Ukazu has another DC project in the pipeline and I can't wait.

I read Tiffany's Griffon written by Magnolia Porter Siddell (one of my favorite webcomic makers) with art by Maddi Gonzalez. It's really good. Imagine knowing everything about a fantasy world, and when the moment comes for you to go save that world, you find out you are not the chosen one, but someone unfamiliar with the series is. It's great, it's touching, I'm glad I got it.

I read X-Gender volumes 1 and 2 (completing it) by Asuka Miyazaki. The first volume is very informative regarding the X-Gender marker in Japan, but the second volume is a bit different because it was made during the beginning of Covid, so Miyazaki couldn't go to any queer bars and didn't like doing web-events. So that's different than I expected, but it's still good!

I read Patience & Esther: An Edwardian Romance by S.W. Searle. I didn't realize when I bought it that it was erotica (it is published by “Smut Peddler” so this is 100% me not paying attention) but it's not like I'm allergic to erotica on occasion. It's a sweet read.

I also read Ruined by Sarah Vaughn, Sarah Winifred Searle, Niki Smith, which is Regency period I believe? Anyway, I don't think this one is tagged on Storygraph as erotica, but you do see genitalia drawn, so keep that in mind if that would bother you. I love reading Regency Period stuff so this was a nice treat for me.

I read Volume 1 of The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren. It's a horror story about your best friend dying, some creature replacing him, and seemingly you are the only one that can tell the difference, but the creature has all of your friend's memories. Also it's in love with you, so yes it's BL plus horror. It's a very interesting read and I plan to read more of it.

On my Kobo I read volume 11 of Spy x Family. There's more, but my hold hasn't come in. I also read the sixth volume of Sailor Moon, and while I did enjoy it (Hotaru / Saturn was one of my favorite characters from what I can recall of watching the (censored) anime), I need a break. I've got volume 7 checked out but I haven't read it yet, and no one has placed a hold on it, so thankfully I don't have to haul ass.

This month I finished How to Read Nonfiction Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster. It's an excellent read about media literacy. It was recommended to me by an academic friend. Foster has written about reading a variety of things. I plan to read his one on Poetry next.

Things I'd Like to Work on (Reading-Wise)

When I finish reading Katzenjammer (Francesca Zappia), I plan to get back to the Graceling series, and also those last books in The Selection. Hopefully the short stories aren't required reading.

If I could shake myself to get myself to finish Children of Blood and Bone so I could get on with the series, reread the second book, and FINALLY witness how this series ends, I would. I think I'm scared of finishing it which is why I'm taking such a leisurely pace.

I'd also like to reread and finish the books I had to return because of my Kobo breaking, whenever the library gives them to me again.

Things I'm looking forward to (Reading-Wise)

I found out Song of the Lioness is getting a comic adaption, though it won't be available until 2025.

In November Dark Horse will publish its first volume of Tom Siddell's Gunnerkrigg Court series (which is an omnibus of the first two volumes of the original publication). I am, of course, excited.

I have to reread Iron Widow because Xiran Jay Zhao confirmed we will see Heavenly Tyrant this year. Hell yes.

Lore Olympus volume 7 is coming out soon. Too many good reads are coming out!

Miscellaneous Media

July

Because I am too anxious a person to beat Undertale I am watching someone's first time playthrough (Pacifist) and hoping to enjoy it vicariously through their Let's Play.

I watched more of the 1992 version of X-Men the Animated Series. God, Cyclops is such a dick but Mr. Sinister is a creepy pervert.

Watched more Pokémon Horizons.

Watched a little Pokémon: Indigo League because sometimes you're just in the mood for the version from your childhood where Ash can be cocky and a jerk. Good times.

Because the stars aligned, I was able to participate in the Mastodon Sunday Movie event “Monsterdon”. The movie was Invaders from Mars (1953 Version). I really had fun.

I started listening to an audio drama called Remnants which I promise is not just because of its name. It calls itself “Too Weepy For Work” and while I haven't cried often due to the show, that tagline fits very well. It's fascinating, both roles in the show (so far) are performed by Eira Major, who evidently has quite a range.

August

A bit more of the Undertale LP. Slowly but surely making my way through.

I listened to and completed an audio drama called And 195 . It's about a marathon runner who often ends up in other worlds during marathons.

I also tried out an audio drama called Pixie, which I would say is targeted at children. It's a cute one.

Watched more X-Men. Watched more Pokémon: Indigo League this time in honor of Rachael Lillis, who recently died. I mean this with no disrespect to the later voice actors, they're good at what they do, but Veronica Taylor et al were the voices of my childhood, so Rachael Lillis was my Misty, my Jessie.

Watched more Pokémon Horizons. It's such a soothing show.

Continued with the Remnants audio drama. It's something to look forward to every Monday.

September

I am getting close to the end of the (first) run of this Undertale LP. I know to get the Pacifist ending you have to do a minimum of two runs. So presumably there's a fair chunk left.

This month the Remnants audio drama was amazing, especially episodes 9 and 10. I'm wondering at which point I should re-listen / marathon them.

In X-men 1992 we finished the Phoenix Saga. I figured that was a good point to take a break.

Tried this podcast / audio drama called Shelterwood. It's a suburban gothic horror story that is presented similarly to a true crime podcast. It's fascinating.

We caught up to what Netflix has available of Pokémon Horizons. Waiting impatiently for more.

I got back into The Magnus Archives. I don't like listening to it without taking notes which is why my progress is so slow.

I'm quite behind (as I've been prioritizing things like audio dramas lately_ but I like listening to stories from audio magazines. A few Cast of Wonders stories stuck out to me this month:

• All-Consuming by Taryn Rose Frazier, narrated by Dani Cutler. It's a story about having an eating disorder told via self-cannibalism.
• Flawless by Frances Hardinge, narrated by Kat Day, a fairy-tale-like story about double standards raising a boy versus raising a girl.
• Three Wishes to Save the World by Rebecca Zahabi, narrated by Anne-Louise Fortune which is about Individual Change regarding the climate crisis in a realistic and helpful way (despite the fact the story is about using a genie to fix the world) I honestly think a lot of doomers need to read this story. Maybe me using a grocery tote won't make a dent compared to Oil Companies doing their thing, but feeling hopeless and helpless hurts.

Dracula Daily / Re: Dracula is in full swing by this point. Sobbed at the September 20th episode like I did last year.

I listened to an audio drama series called Falling Forward. All of it over the course of two days. It's about a hacker trying to get revenge on a tech bro. It's very good, and the episodes are extremely short. I think it would take roughly 40 minutes to listen to the entire series.

And just yesterday, I managed to make it to the live-tooting Mastodon event "Monsterdon". The movie was Invaders from Mars (1986 Version). I assure you I did not go into it planning to see the remake of my first Monsterdon movie, but it was a fun watch. It has Really good practical effects, the aliens in the movie were basically works of art. Since a key point of the film is both that the protagonist collects pennies and the aliens eat or need copper, I want to know if by the 80s, pennies were mostly zinc like they are now. I know it's not the right time period, but Tumblr's favorite historical figure, Ea-Nasir (Ea-nāṣir ) with his possibly subpar copper ingots, should have made a guest appearance. Also I've decided because this movie has the aliens stealing copper wiring, it's probably sponsored by those speakers with gold cables.

Things I'd Like to Work on (In General)

I'm hoping to finish the first season of The Magnus Archives by the end of the year. The main obstacle in that is that a lot of stuff happens in Dracula in October (and early November). So while I do want to listen to The Magnus Archives and listen to some of the million other audio dramas and podcasts I'm subscribed to, if nothing else it will require time management.

I try to listen to new music on occasion. I think it's good for me. Enrichment in my Enclosure if you will. I don't really jot down when I do it, but I wonder if I should, and add it to these round-ups (Which get ever longer). My main worry is while I like music I feel I don't really have anything profound to say about it. I'm not sure it'd be interesting to hear “I found a favorite version of Der Tod und das Mädchen and it's by Nathalie Stutzmann and I bought a digital version of the album immediately afterwards and listened to it on repeat”. I mean if you'd find that interesting by all means tell me.

Things I'm looking forward to (Miscellaneous)

Monsterdon will work differently for October. Last I heard it would be all Dracula or Dracula-adjacent movies. If I participate, I'm going to specifically make it a goal to not be a huge asshole about the differences between the movies and the novel.

I looked it up. I will get new Pokémon Horizons episodes in November. Gotta be patient.

I have no idea when new Pokémon Concierge episodes are coming, and that makes me sad, same with Delicious in Dungeon / Dungeon Meshi and I fear I may go into withdrawal despite the fact there are many good things to watch (presuming streaming services don't just throw them in a shredder as a tax write-off).

I still haven't watched Bridgerton or gotten back into Riverdale. There's too many things to watch!

And that covers most of the last 3 months. I hope you found it interesting. Let me know if there's anything you think I should get into, though give me a lot of patience because I am slow at listening to suggestions.