Posted on 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.

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Posted on by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 163: Live For The One, Die For The One

I take on a side quest for the Undying.

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

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

Posted on by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 162: Fraternal Devotion

I head over to Baklad, where Eloise’s plan has run into a snag.

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

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

Posted on by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 160: Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos

The Duke of Oriflamme has come to Northreach to make it the new seat of the Empire, and not everyone is happy with his plans.

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

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

Posted on by Alexander Case

Where I Play Final Fantasy XVI Part 159: Thank You For Your Cooperation

I help one of the Cursebearers take down her former master.

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

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

Posted on by Alexander Case

Some Quick Thoughts on The Game Awards (2025)

This week (as of this writing) was the 2025 Game Awards, and with it came discussion from various avenues of game journalism and criticism about the place of The Game Awards. A particular avenue of speculation that I found myself being drawn down is, well, why do we care about The Game Awards? Part of this lies with the cynicism and not-quite-contempt that the Academy Awards are often also held in. This lead to me thinking about why the Game Awards grabbed people’s attention, why we cared then, and why the luster has fallen off now.

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Posted on by Alexander Case

Video Game Review: Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII: Remake, in my opinion, ended on a very strong point in the game. It covered a core early part of the game, setting up that this was a series that wasn’t just reiterating the story, but was also in dialogue with the concept of remakes and reimaginings, and the expectations that come with that. It set up a sequel in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth that was more wide open, and which I was eagerly looking forward to. I was not disappointed.

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