Alexander Case, Author at Breaking it all Down

Posted on January 26, 2026December 21, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 179: Seeking Rare Materials

I start another group of hunts for upgrade materials.

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Posted on January 25, 2026January 24, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime Explorations Episode 40 Boys Over Flowers K-Drama (eps. 1-12)

This month, for Lunar New Year, we’re watching the first half (episode 1-12) of the K-Drama adaptation of Boys Over Flowers.

Episode 40: Boys Over Flowers K-Drama (eps. 1-12)
This month, for Lunar New Year, we’re watching the first half (episode 1-12) of the K-Drama adaptation of Boys Over Flowers. Next Month, we’re watching the TV Series Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works.

Posted on January 24, 2026January 23, 2026 by Alexander Case

Quick Notes on Projects

Life stuff has gotten in the way a little when it comes to doing my regular weekend reviews. However, there is some good news! Nintendo Power Retrospectives will be coming back next month, as I’ve figured out a few of the technical hiccups I’ve been running into.

Posted on January 23, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 178: Catching Up At Home

Time to catch up with what’s going on at the Hideaway.

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

Posted on January 22, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 177: Trials of Odin

I take on my first trial – this one for Odin.

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

Posted on January 21, 2026January 5, 2026 by Alexander Case

My Favorite Anime of 2025

It’s time to take a look at my Top 8 Anime of 2025.

Footage of all anime series is used under fair use for purposes of criticism.

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

Donation Links…

To support relief from the Palisades Wildfires: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/palisades-fire-2025/
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 January 20, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 176: One Does Not Simply Walk Into Waloed

We explore the plains outside of Stonhyrr.

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

Posted on January 19, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 175: The Black Gate

It’s time to seek out the gates of Stonhyrr.

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

Posted on January 18, 2026January 10, 2026 by Alexander Case

Anime Review: My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s

The other Isekai anime I took a look at in the Fall 2025 season was My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s, or “My Status as an Assassin” for short. This one was much more conventional in terms of an Isekai anime, but it handles its characterization and worldbuilding much more reasonably.

Posted on January 17, 2026December 28, 2025 by Alexander Case

Dragonlance: Shadows of the Dragon Queen Part 15: Little Help From My Friends

This time we meet up with another group of locals in the Wastes.

Posted on January 16, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 174: A Fool Fights In A Burning House

We catch up with what our allies are doing.

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

Posted on January 15, 2026December 14, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 173: Puppet On A String

I beat Barnabas, but Ultima is pleased with that.

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

Posted on January 14, 2026December 28, 2025 by Alexander Case

Podcast Review: When We Were Wizards

This week I get back to some Tabletop RPG history and take a look at an oral history/hagiography of Gary Gygax, billed as a history of D&D.

When We Were Wizards Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pcZ1tc0riPb1IarAXnIqS

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

Donation Links…

To support relief from the Palisades Wildfires: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/palisades-fire-2025/
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 January 13, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 172: Kingslayer

It’s time to fight Barnabas.

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

Posted on January 12, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 171: Long Way To The Top

I’ve got to get through several more floors of the tower.

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

Posted on January 11, 2026December 27, 2025 by Alexander Case

Anime Review: May I Ask For One Final Thing?

I’ve been generally keeping clear of Isekai anime the last few years, also with a lot of fantasy series based on light novels. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t because those series were frequently crap. When I saw May I Ask For One Final Thing come up on the list of upcoming anime, along with one other show I’ll get to later, it seemed like a good time to put my toe back in. I’d say this was something of a pleasant surprise.

Posted on January 10, 2026December 27, 2025 by Alexander Case

Anime Review: My Hero Academia Final Season

There’s a quote from Kurt Vonnegut where the end of it sticks in my brain, in a good way: “Goddamnit, you’ve got to be kind.” The final season of My Hero Academia (to a degree, also the previous season), I feel, builds up to that quote being the core message of the series. There will be spoilers.

Posted on January 9, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 170: Tower of Reverie

I’ve reached Barnabas’ tower, now I need to reach the top.

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

Posted on January 8, 2026December 10, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 169: Paths of Doom

I head on the road to my battle with Barnabas and Odin.

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

Posted on January 7, 2026December 21, 2025 by Alexander Case

Vlog: Remembering My First FLGS

Due to some recent events, I’ve been thinking about my first FLGS, Ancient Wonders in Tualatin. I share some of my memories about the store, the nearby stores that followed, and some thoughts on the importance of supporting your Friendly Local Gaming Store.

Video Tour of Ancient Wonders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY3RuhlDKzk

Donation Links…

To support relief from the Palisades Wildfires: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/palisades-fire-2025/
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 January 6, 2026December 7, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 168: O Hai Odin

We have another run-in with Odin.

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

Posted on January 5, 2026December 7, 2025 by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 167: Welcome to Marmo

We make the journey to Ash.

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

Posted on January 4, 2026December 27, 2025 by Alexander Case

2026 Anime New Year’s Resolutions

My 2025 Anime New Year’s Resolutions didn’t quite work out according to plan. Some of this was on me in terms of scheduling – I could probably have slipped Golden Boy in pretty much anywhere (and I’m writing this in 2025, so I still might slip it in). Others less so, as for example, I’d put the first season of Mushi-shi on my list, only for the license to have expired by the time October came around, or for A Silent Voice only to be available on HBO Max. So, I’ve learned my lesson and will be dialing back my resolutions this year to 6, which I’ll try to do across podcasting and personal viewing.

Posted on January 3, 2026December 27, 2025 by Alexander Case

2026 Video Game New Year’s Resolutions

Well, my 2025 Video Game New Year’s Resolutions went much better than my anime resolutions. I got through most of the list as of this writing (I’m writing this the week before Christmas), with two titles remaining – Final Fantasy XVI and 428 Shibuya Scramble. Of those, I’m probably going to get through Shibuya Scramble before the end of the year, and hopefully I’ll get through FFXVI before AGDQ. However, it’s time to talk about the year to come. Here are my resolutions for 2026.