Derek
@astralcitymini.com
Professional editor and arcade romanticist in Chicago.
Digital explorer. 🗺️ Café connoisseur. ☕️ Audiophile. 🎧
I post mostly about video games and gay shit.
🏳️🌈 he/him
Digital explorer. 🗺️ Café connoisseur. ☕️ Audiophile. 🎧
I post mostly about video games and gay shit.
🏳️🌈 he/him
Pinned
Derek
@astralcitymini.com
· Mar 29
Astral City Mini
High-fidelity writing and state-of-the-art critique double your reading enjoyment!
astralcitymini.com
Announcing the launch of Astral City Mini, my personal blog featuring short-to-medium-form writing about video games, their music, and related miscellany.
astralcitymini.com
astralcitymini.com
Reposted by Derek
Just downloaded my copy of Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved on the Switch! Way back in 2023 I did some volunteer testing on this game and offered my feedback on some early builds. It's so impressive to see how polished the game looks now! Congrats @traindetective.bsky.social on the release!
November 26, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Just downloaded my copy of Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved on the Switch! Way back in 2023 I did some volunteer testing on this game and offered my feedback on some early builds. It's so impressive to see how polished the game looks now! Congrats @traindetective.bsky.social on the release!
They remembered Stars of Tears! I hoot; I holler. 🤩 The rest is a thinly veiled #FFXIV cover album, but you won’t hear me complaining. 🎧
'SQUARE ENIX Vocal Covers - Timeless Classics Vol.2' cover album (1 CD) features music from Final Fantasy XIV, Xenogears, and Grimm's Notes. Releases February 18, 2026 for 2400 JPY.
www.jp.square-enix.com/music/sem/pa...
Album illus.: Ahmondo
www.jp.square-enix.com/music/sem/pa...
Album illus.: Ahmondo
November 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
They remembered Stars of Tears! I hoot; I holler. 🤩 The rest is a thinly veiled #FFXIV cover album, but you won’t hear me complaining. 🎧
Started watching The Mighty Nein, which rules.
But my god do the ads on Prime Video make me incandescent with rage. I hate that it costs extra money on top of a Prime sub to go ad-free. It used to simply Not Have Ads. The present sucks.
But my god do the ads on Prime Video make me incandescent with rage. I hate that it costs extra money on top of a Prime sub to go ad-free. It used to simply Not Have Ads. The present sucks.
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Started watching The Mighty Nein, which rules.
But my god do the ads on Prime Video make me incandescent with rage. I hate that it costs extra money on top of a Prime sub to go ad-free. It used to simply Not Have Ads. The present sucks.
But my god do the ads on Prime Video make me incandescent with rage. I hate that it costs extra money on top of a Prime sub to go ad-free. It used to simply Not Have Ads. The present sucks.
what if we kissed
at the Square Enix Capsule Garden
at the Square Enix Capsule Garden
Finally visited SQEX Capsule Garden in Shibuya, a new gatcha store themed around Square Enix goods. And by store, I mean wall. It does have exclusive stuff so check it out if you need to buff up your FF/DQ/Nier merch collection.
November 25, 2025 at 11:02 PM
what if we kissed
at the Square Enix Capsule Garden
at the Square Enix Capsule Garden
Considering how much I adored the first two Famicom Detective Club games, even I’m surprised I’m so LTTP with Emio: The Smiling Man. But here I am! And it’s already good. It might have the best implementation of Live2D-style portraits I’ve ever seen. Everyone is so…well, animated!
November 25, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Considering how much I adored the first two Famicom Detective Club games, even I’m surprised I’m so LTTP with Emio: The Smiling Man. But here I am! And it’s already good. It might have the best implementation of Live2D-style portraits I’ve ever seen. Everyone is so…well, animated!
Reposted by Derek
If you played Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, consider nominating it for a chill Steam Award! 🐮❤️
store.steampowered.com/news/app/250...
store.steampowered.com/news/app/250...
November 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
If you played Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, consider nominating it for a chill Steam Award! 🐮❤️
store.steampowered.com/news/app/250...
store.steampowered.com/news/app/250...
Spent $1.50 to make about a month’s worth of pandan syrup. Worth every penny.
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Spent $1.50 to make about a month’s worth of pandan syrup. Worth every penny.
Dorks that we are, husband and I made navel orange cookies from the 2nd #FFXIV cookbook for Friendsgiving today. The powdered sugar coating could use a second application for the glamour, but they’re deliciously moist & zingy.
November 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Dorks that we are, husband and I made navel orange cookies from the 2nd #FFXIV cookbook for Friendsgiving today. The powdered sugar coating could use a second application for the glamour, but they’re deliciously moist & zingy.
Reposted by Derek
November 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reposted by Derek
Hi all. ❤️ thanks for reaching out. I’m sad about FPC still, but I’m coping.
I am looking for work! I’m interested in Head of Community/Comms roles for teams who want to build strong and lasting communities. I’ve done Creator programs, PR, Brand, Social, Corporate comms mgmt - you name it!
I am looking for work! I’m interested in Head of Community/Comms roles for teams who want to build strong and lasting communities. I’ve done Creator programs, PR, Brand, Social, Corporate comms mgmt - you name it!
November 21, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Hi all. ❤️ thanks for reaching out. I’m sad about FPC still, but I’m coping.
I am looking for work! I’m interested in Head of Community/Comms roles for teams who want to build strong and lasting communities. I’ve done Creator programs, PR, Brand, Social, Corporate comms mgmt - you name it!
I am looking for work! I’m interested in Head of Community/Comms roles for teams who want to build strong and lasting communities. I’ve done Creator programs, PR, Brand, Social, Corporate comms mgmt - you name it!
A phenomenally insightful piece. Timothy interrogates the themes of these games with refreshing optimism. He also gives voice to my own feeling of loneliness playing DQIII HD-2D. I yearn for the catharsis of camaraderie embedded in its pre/sequels. Guess I’m getting on with those sooner than later.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is not Dragon Quest I or Dragon Quest II, but it is a a classic song of hope for our modern, hopeless times. In one of my deepest dives yet, I unpack how these games have changed, and how the meaning of Dragon Quest has evolved for me through these remakes. #blutoid
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Has Forever Changed How I Look At The Legendary RPG Series:
November 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
A phenomenally insightful piece. Timothy interrogates the themes of these games with refreshing optimism. He also gives voice to my own feeling of loneliness playing DQIII HD-2D. I yearn for the catharsis of camaraderie embedded in its pre/sequels. Guess I’m getting on with those sooner than later.
With this final piece of the puzzle, RPGFan's gotta have the most comprehensive "SQ" review coverage on the web. I'm proud to have contributed the SQ Chips review fourteen(!!) years ago—and I stand by my endorsement. Cheers to @gameodactyl.bsky.social for all his hard work covering most of the rest!
Square Enix is proud of their music –so much that they have a record label devoted to compilations, OSTs, guest works, and more. The SQ series is an array of different and dynamic arrangements and Pat's reviewed the collection –and you can too!♫
Reviews: www.rpgfan.com/music-review...
Reviews: www.rpgfan.com/music-review...
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
With this final piece of the puzzle, RPGFan's gotta have the most comprehensive "SQ" review coverage on the web. I'm proud to have contributed the SQ Chips review fourteen(!!) years ago—and I stand by my endorsement. Cheers to @gameodactyl.bsky.social for all his hard work covering most of the rest!
Cursed to forever mix up 中枢、中軸、and 枢軸 in WaniKani, pushing them back down into my review pile until the end of time 💀
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Cursed to forever mix up 中枢、中軸、and 枢軸 in WaniKani, pushing them back down into my review pile until the end of time 💀
Reposted by Derek
I don't know which of my kouhais need to hear this, but because I'm seeing this in a ton of commercial J>E game locs: you really shouldn't retain quotation marks in the same places as the Japanese source text 9 times of 10, especially outside dialogue. Punctuation parity in general is often sloppy.
November 21, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I don't know which of my kouhais need to hear this, but because I'm seeing this in a ton of commercial J>E game locs: you really shouldn't retain quotation marks in the same places as the Japanese source text 9 times of 10, especially outside dialogue. Punctuation parity in general is often sloppy.
I will be participating in the WoL sticker trade for the first time at #FFXIV Fan Festival 2026! Can't wait to see everyone's designs!
#FanfestWoLTrade returns for NA #FFXIV Fanfest 2026!
As always, participation is open to all, so bring your Warriors of Light to bear and receive a free badge ribbon to trade with others over the weekend! 🎀
Links and information in the🧵!
As always, participation is open to all, so bring your Warriors of Light to bear and receive a free badge ribbon to trade with others over the weekend! 🎀
Links and information in the🧵!
November 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
I will be participating in the WoL sticker trade for the first time at #FFXIV Fan Festival 2026! Can't wait to see everyone's designs!
This eccentric little game is an absolute delight. I'm so proud my company is publishing it! @hilltopworks.bsky.social and the team really went the extra mile with the English dub and theme song. Please do reach out to us via the link below if you're interested in covering/streaming it 🐮🍽️🐱🥡🔭🧺🍎
Are you a streamer who loves:
🕹️ Retro Games
👾 Pixel Graphics
🍕 Pizza
🎶 Catchy Tunes
Then #MilanosOddJobCollection might just be for you!
Previously only available in Japan, this charming retro title releases worldwide on Dec. 9, and code requests are now open!
👇
https://bit.ly/StreamMilano
🕹️ Retro Games
👾 Pixel Graphics
🍕 Pizza
🎶 Catchy Tunes
Then #MilanosOddJobCollection might just be for you!
Previously only available in Japan, this charming retro title releases worldwide on Dec. 9, and code requests are now open!
👇
https://bit.ly/StreamMilano
November 20, 2025 at 11:41 PM
This eccentric little game is an absolute delight. I'm so proud my company is publishing it! @hilltopworks.bsky.social and the team really went the extra mile with the English dub and theme song. Please do reach out to us via the link below if you're interested in covering/streaming it 🐮🍽️🐱🥡🔭🧺🍎
The Golden Joysticks are a far sight better than Geoff's Ad Show at actually honoring the people who make games. Irrespective of who's even winning awards, I have immense respect for Jennifer English, @benstarr.bsky.social, and everyone else using their platform to uplift their fellow creatives.
November 20, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The Golden Joysticks are a far sight better than Geoff's Ad Show at actually honoring the people who make games. Irrespective of who's even winning awards, I have immense respect for Jennifer English, @benstarr.bsky.social, and everyone else using their platform to uplift their fellow creatives.
Grey skies have been bumming me out this week, so I brightened my morning visiting a new Filipino bakery called Del Sur. Absolutely incredible pastry lineup. I left with a calamansi chamomile bun, a chai roll, and an adobo chicken hand pie.
November 20, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Grey skies have been bumming me out this week, so I brightened my morning visiting a new Filipino bakery called Del Sur. Absolutely incredible pastry lineup. I left with a calamansi chamomile bun, a chai roll, and an adobo chicken hand pie.
We as an industry need to stop giving Grand Theft Auto VI air.
November 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM
We as an industry need to stop giving Grand Theft Auto VI air.
Holy shit, YES. I wish my company were doing ‘em, but I’m happy to see this nonetheless.
aight so the meat of this comp's still JP-only but Sting is localising Baroque Shooting & Become a Meta-Being: they'll both be out digitally worldwide on December 17
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
November 20, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Holy shit, YES. I wish my company were doing ‘em, but I’m happy to see this nonetheless.
This $3.49 eggplant and cheese hand pie from my local Middle East bakery won’t fix me, but it will come pretty goddamn close.
November 19, 2025 at 8:58 PM
This $3.49 eggplant and cheese hand pie from my local Middle East bakery won’t fix me, but it will come pretty goddamn close.
Reposted by Derek
there is literally no circumstance where i would not take a video game on its own terms
November 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
there is literally no circumstance where i would not take a video game on its own terms
Composer and musician friends: is there a book or resource for music theory and/or composition that you'd recommend to a beginner like me? I'm interested in shoring up my fundamentals in advance of toying around with electronic music composition. (CC: @elmore.zone, @scowsh.bsky.social, et al?)
November 19, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Composer and musician friends: is there a book or resource for music theory and/or composition that you'd recommend to a beginner like me? I'm interested in shoring up my fundamentals in advance of toying around with electronic music composition. (CC: @elmore.zone, @scowsh.bsky.social, et al?)
Reposted by Derek
Planet Blip is a real place (if you want it)
i haven't spoken about blippo+ much yet but it has been one of my favorite video game experiences this year. so much love, art and care poured into this game. now that i'm nearing the end, i don't want to finish it bc i don't want it to be over! i want to live on planet blip!
November 18, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Planet Blip is a real place (if you want it)