Breaking it all Down

Posted on March 15, 2026March 9, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime Review: Steamboy

Steamboy is a film that started with monumental expectations. It was Katsuhiro Otomo’s first non-anthology film since Akira. It was his first project that basically didn’t begin its life as a manga. It took 10 years to make. It was, at the time, the most expensive anime film to make (having begun its life as a planned OVA, with 3 40-minute episodes). It was set up for failure and didn’t disappoint. I’ve finally watched it, and even with greatly tempered expectations, I didn’t go away happy.

Posted on March 14, 2026March 8, 2026 by Alexander Case

Video Game Review: Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster

One of the games on my New Year’s Resolution list was the Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster. I’d already started it in 2025, and had played it partway through several times over – on SNES Emulation back in the late 90s, on the PS1, and on the GBA. So, now it’s time to take a look at the Pixel Remaster.

Posted on March 13, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 206: Hang Together or Hang Separately

We have to get the people of Dalimil to unite against (checks notes) Akashic Bandits.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
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Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 12, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 205: Love & Sacrifice

Jill joins our party, and we check in on an agent of The Undying in Ash.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 11, 2026February 22, 2026 by Alexander Case

Film (Video) Review: Mission: Impossible

This week, I’m taking a look at the movie that kicked off a blockbuster spy/heist/con franchise, with Mission: Impossible.

Mission: Impossible is available for streaming on:

‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 10, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 204: Sea of Flowers

Clive tries to help Jill feel better.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 9, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 203: Serizawa

Mid makes a decision about her Mithril Engine technology.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 8, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

NextGen #47 (November 1998)

I’m still making my way through NextGen, with Issue 47 for November 1998

Posted on March 7, 2026February 27, 2026 by Alexander Case

Linux Diaries Redux III: Doubling Up

Something I didn’t quite anticipate when I started this project was that, well, prices for everything that uses NAND would start rising quite so high, quite so fast. Consequently, beyond getting an SSD for the server, I’m also having to get the ball rolling on the follow-up project as well.

Posted on March 6, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 202: Playing Our Respects

We finish the armband and pay our respects at Joshua & Clive’s father’s grave.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 5, 2026March 1, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 201: Some Assembly Required

Joshua & Clive have a gift from their father that needs a finishing touch.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 4, 2026February 14, 2026 by Alexander Case

The Things Your Tabletop RPG Needs

I’ve started the process of preparing for my next campaign, and pitching various games to my group, which has got me thinking about what makes an RPG easier for me to prep for and easier for me to sell my players on.

‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on March 3, 2026February 14, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 200: Baby Shower

The woman Gav rescued is going to give birth soon, so Gav wants to make her something.

Posted on March 2, 2026February 14, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 199: Enthusiastic New Guy

I evaluate a new Scout.

Posted on March 1, 2026February 23, 2026 by Alexander Case

Thoughts on the 2026 Winter Olympics

I have been watching the Olympic Games for most of my life, ever since I was a kid. As a child, I was caught up in the pageantry and Olympic spirit. As an adult, I’m more aware of the politics involved, and the corruption, sportwashing, and other human rights issues that so often mar the games. However, I keep waiting, as even if the games themselves don’t live up to the spirit, I still kinda believe in the dream. So, how about this year’s Games?

Posted on February 28, 2026February 23, 2026 by Alexander Case

Dragonlance: Shadows of the Dragon Queen Part 17: The Back Door

This time, we finish up the chapter.

Posted on February 27, 2026February 14, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 198: Old Teacher

I help Tomes & Dion reconcile.

Posted on February 26, 2026February 14, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 197: House of Pain

Last episode wasn’t the only experiment Waloed was doing on Bearers.

Posted on February 25, 2026February 7, 2026 by Alexander Case

Vlog: Selling Stocks Because Of Genie AI Is Dumb

A bunch of dumbasses sold their shares of Unity, Nintendo, CD Projekt, and other video game companies because Google made a really dumb LLM project that makes a space you can walk around in – and it started living rent-free in my brain. I get into why, if you sold, you proved you don’t understand the market, and are probably bad at being a human being.

VideoGameChronicle’s article on the story: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/numerous-video-game-company-share-prices-dropped-following-googles-project-genie-ai-rollout/

‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on February 24, 2026February 14, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 196: Disposable Bearers

I encounter one of the nasty projects Waloed was using Bearers for.

Posted on February 23, 2026February 14, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 195: Errand List

I Hoover up a bunch of side quests.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on February 22, 2026February 21, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime Explorations Episode 41: Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works

Fateuary has come again, so it’s time to discuss Unlimited Blade Works!

Episode 41: Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works
Fateuary has come again, so it’s time to discuss Unlimited Blade Works! (Minor technical note, a bunch of my audio got dropped due to poor mike placement on my end. That said, most of my contributions to the conversation was moderation, so you should be able to hear what Tora & David have to say without any issues.)

(Minor technical note, a bunch of my audio got dropped due to poor mike placement on my end. That said, most of my contributions to the conversation were moderation, so you should be able to hear what Tora & David have to say without any issues.)

News Links:

Prestige Wrestling’s Roseland XIII Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knCc-PGVJz8
The Second Ghost in the Shell TRPG: https://mailchi.mp/manticgames.com/the-ghost-in-the-shell

Next month, we’ll be watching Yona of the Dawn. You can find where that is available for streaming on JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/yona-of-the-dawn

Opening:

Donut by Anozira
Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut
Used with permission

Donation Links…

To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights

Posted on February 21, 2026February 21, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime Review: Cat’s Eye (2025)

It’s interesting looking at Cat’s Eye in the context of various 80s revival series like the Rumiko Takahashi revivals. Those series kept the setting in the original time, while lightly modernizing some of the more off-color jokes. Cat’s Eye – a heist series – also tones down some of the off color humor, while also leaving the core premise unchanged (Charlie’s Angels but Heists, and not wearing masks), and moving the series to the present day. That last bit is where the series starts to run into trouble.

Posted on February 20, 2026January 4, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 194: People’s History of Bearers

I have to find a banned book about the true history of Bearers.

Music:
“Land of Eikons/Away (Overture)”
Scored by Masayoshi Soken, Nobuo Uematsu