Breaking it all Down

Posted on May 30, 2026May 7, 2026 by Alexander Case

Book Review: The Masquerades of Spring

I have one more Rivers of London Novella (and the new novel, Stone & Sky) before I’m caught back up. Time to talk about the novella, The Masquerades of Spring.

Posted on May 29, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 9: Those Damn Stairs

I start taking on these stupid stairs.

Music:
“The Witching Hour”
Performed & Arranged by OceansAndrew
Based on “Dracula’s Castle”, “Dungeon – Main Theme”
Composed by akiropito, Jeff Lorber, Michiru Yamane, Rika Muranaka, Tomoko Sano, Tony Haynes
https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR04313

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 May 28, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 8: HowToFix Elevator

I try to figure out how to fix the Elevator.

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 May 27, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

TV Review: Murderbot Season 1

The new Murderbot novel has just come out, so while I read that, here’s my thoughts on the first season of the Murderbot TV show.

Murderbot is available for streaming on Apple TV+.

‘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 May 26, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 7: Blue Key

I realize that I forgot to buy the key to the Blue Doors, and backtrack to do that.

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 May 25, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 6: The Tough Get Shopping

I reach the merchant in the Library.

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 May 24, 2026May 7, 2026 by Alexander Case

Video Game Review: 429 Shibuya Scramble

One of the games from my New Year’s Resolutions from last year that I finished up early this year was 428 Shibuya Scramble. However, I haven’t reviewed that on the blog yet, so it’s time to rectify that.

Posted on May 23, 2026April 21, 2026 by Alexander Case

Book Review: Heavenly Tyrant

Iron Widow’s finale left me looking forward to where this story was going to go in the sequel. I’ve finished reading Heavenly Tyrant, the sequel. Before I get into the weeds, I’ll just say I was not disappointed. However, I am going to have to include some spoilers from Iron Widow.

Posted on May 22, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 5: On the Outer Walls

I reach the Outer Walls and explore.

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 May 21, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 4: Walking to the Library

I start trying to make it to the library.

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 May 20, 2026May 2, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime (Video) Review: May I Ask For One Final Thing?

While we wait for more JoJo, I review a different anime series with someone who stops time and punches the hell out of people.

The current streaming status of May I Ask For One Final Thing is on JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/saigo-ni-hitotsu-dake-onegai-shitemo-yoroshi-desho-ka

‘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 May 19, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 3: Kindred Spirit

Alucard meets with Maria.

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 May 18, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 2: Beast Friends

Alucard has his first boss fight.

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 May 17, 2026April 21, 2026 by Alexander Case

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen Part 19: Reconsecrated

It’s time to restore the Dragonlance.

Posted on May 16, 2026April 18, 2026 by Alexander Case

Film Review: Yellowbeard

Sometimes a comedy film is well conceived, but ill executed. Thus is the case with Yellowbeard, a film that almost works, but keeps finding ways to not stick the landing.

Posted on May 15, 2026May 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Movement 1: Rondo of Blood

Wherein Richter Belmont fights Dracula.

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 May 14, 2026April 26, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 241: Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

I watch the ending and give final thoughts.

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 May 13, 2026April 26, 2026 by Alexander Case

Vlog: Why I Like Vote By Mail

Vote by Mail is under attack in the US – which sucks because I really like it. Here’s why.

‘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 May 12, 2026April 26, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 240: Ultima Showdown

I take on Ultima for the last time.

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 May 11, 2026April 26, 2026 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 239: From Bad To Worse

Things for Joshua get worse.

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 May 10, 2026April 18, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime Review: Chained Soldier Season 2

Not a lot of the heavier fanservice shows tend to get second seasons. Chained Soldier is a bit of an exception, with its combination of action and fanservice, rather than putting its focus on the fanservice itself. This makes for an interesting position for the show’s second season.

Posted on May 9, 2026April 18, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime Review: Oshi No Ko Season 3

The second season of Oshi No Ko got into what the progress of creating a 2.5D play is, Aqua feeling like he could move on from his revenge plan, and Ruby started a revenge plan of her own after finding Sensei (Aqua’s old body) dead body hidden in a cave. In Season 3, we get to see how Ruby goes hunting for the man behind Sensei and Ai’s murders, and ultimately, Aqua returns to the road to revenge.

Posted on May 8, 2026April 26, 2026 by Alexander Case