Alexander
@aurumalex.bsky.social
Yet another wannabe video essayist. However, not completely talentless.
Channel: youtube.com/@AurumAlex64
Check out my work early: patreon.com/AurumAlex
Channel: youtube.com/@AurumAlex64
Check out my work early: patreon.com/AurumAlex
Pinned
I Love Pokémon Sun and Moon?
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
Lillie is perhaps Pokémon's greatest achievement, a single character in games which demonstrate why this series is worth caring about.
I'm less fond of that bag she's always carrying around, though.
Sun and Moon almost manage to reconcile these two opinions.
youtu.be/3G9QPimGu4M
I'm less fond of that bag she's always carrying around, though.
Sun and Moon almost manage to reconcile these two opinions.
youtu.be/3G9QPimGu4M
It's that time of year again to play peak-of-the-century
November 13, 2025 at 10:38 PM
It's that time of year again to play peak-of-the-century
Brothership turns 1 today. A very good game. I might even say it's the best new game Nintendo's put out in over 3 years, though I've admittedly felt somewhat distant from their recent offerings.
November 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Brothership turns 1 today. A very good game. I might even say it's the best new game Nintendo's put out in over 3 years, though I've admittedly felt somewhat distant from their recent offerings.
Reposted by Alexander
Just beat Legends ZA. Genuinely a really fun Pokémon game, probably in the top 5 for the series, although the finale completely missed the mark for me.
The most clever idea in ZA is that it gives a framework to understand Team Flare's perspective in a way that X & Y never even attempted to.
The most clever idea in ZA is that it gives a framework to understand Team Flare's perspective in a way that X & Y never even attempted to.
an aerial view of a city with a large tower in the distance
ALT: an aerial view of a city with a large tower in the distance
media.tenor.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Just beat Legends ZA. Genuinely a really fun Pokémon game, probably in the top 5 for the series, although the finale completely missed the mark for me.
The most clever idea in ZA is that it gives a framework to understand Team Flare's perspective in a way that X & Y never even attempted to.
The most clever idea in ZA is that it gives a framework to understand Team Flare's perspective in a way that X & Y never even attempted to.
I replayed Pokémon Ultra Sun and, to my surprise, had fun. Unfortunately, some of that fun was undermined when the game started asking scintillating questions like "let's tacitly justify Pokémon torture" and "Lillie is useless."
Oh. Neither of those were questions, were they?
youtu.be/JotCgyIe70U
Oh. Neither of those were questions, were they?
youtu.be/JotCgyIe70U
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Are Confusing.
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I replayed Pokémon Ultra Sun and, to my surprise, had fun. Unfortunately, some of that fun was undermined when the game started asking scintillating questions like "let's tacitly justify Pokémon torture" and "Lillie is useless."
Oh. Neither of those were questions, were they?
youtu.be/JotCgyIe70U
Oh. Neither of those were questions, were they?
youtu.be/JotCgyIe70U
Lillie is perhaps Pokémon's greatest achievement, a single character in games which demonstrate why this series is worth caring about.
I'm less fond of that bag she's always carrying around, though.
Sun and Moon almost manage to reconcile these two opinions.
youtu.be/3G9QPimGu4M
I'm less fond of that bag she's always carrying around, though.
Sun and Moon almost manage to reconcile these two opinions.
youtu.be/3G9QPimGu4M
I Love Pokémon Sun and Moon?
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Lillie is perhaps Pokémon's greatest achievement, a single character in games which demonstrate why this series is worth caring about.
I'm less fond of that bag she's always carrying around, though.
Sun and Moon almost manage to reconcile these two opinions.
youtu.be/3G9QPimGu4M
I'm less fond of that bag she's always carrying around, though.
Sun and Moon almost manage to reconcile these two opinions.
youtu.be/3G9QPimGu4M
This was me with Astro Bot last year
I feel @aurumalex.bsky.social introduction in his Unwound Future video sum up my feelings on the mattere more or less.
October 13, 2025 at 11:56 PM
This was me with Astro Bot last year
The AI summaries YouTube places on my own videos are so full of nothing they couldn't possibly be useful to anyone. I'm assuming there's no way to disable this "feature."
The second one makes my Brothership video sound like a sponsored ad by Nintendo lol
The second one makes my Brothership video sound like a sponsored ad by Nintendo lol
October 12, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The AI summaries YouTube places on my own videos are so full of nothing they couldn't possibly be useful to anyone. I'm assuming there's no way to disable this "feature."
The second one makes my Brothership video sound like a sponsored ad by Nintendo lol
The second one makes my Brothership video sound like a sponsored ad by Nintendo lol
Reposted by Alexander
Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon turns 10 today!
It is, as of now, the most recent brand-new entry in the series! And to be truthful, I think that if it weren't for nostaliga for Explorers, Super might be my favorite entry.
It is, as of now, the most recent brand-new entry in the series! And to be truthful, I think that if it weren't for nostaliga for Explorers, Super might be my favorite entry.
September 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon turns 10 today!
It is, as of now, the most recent brand-new entry in the series! And to be truthful, I think that if it weren't for nostaliga for Explorers, Super might be my favorite entry.
It is, as of now, the most recent brand-new entry in the series! And to be truthful, I think that if it weren't for nostaliga for Explorers, Super might be my favorite entry.
What's all this about "streamlining" DQ7 I'm reading? If it doesn't take 20 hours to get vocations and I'm not going through Providence's Mountaintop Tunnel five separate times, am I *really* playing DQ7?
Fix the past, save the present in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, launching for #NintendoSwitch and #NintendoSwitch2 on Feb 5, 2026! #NintendoDirect
Pre-order now: ninten.do/6013sYKdN
Pre-order now: ninten.do/6013sYKdN
September 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
What's all this about "streamlining" DQ7 I'm reading? If it doesn't take 20 hours to get vocations and I'm not going through Providence's Mountaintop Tunnel five separate times, am I *really* playing DQ7?
Nearly seven years later, Deltarune continues to be a triumph.
Equal parts clever, funny, and earnest, Deltarune is the rare game to remind us that the most worthwhile things in life lie just beyond ourselves.
I'm confident the game'll be able to stick the landing.
youtu.be/3GbJfhgCyfg
Equal parts clever, funny, and earnest, Deltarune is the rare game to remind us that the most worthwhile things in life lie just beyond ourselves.
I'm confident the game'll be able to stick the landing.
youtu.be/3GbJfhgCyfg
DELTARUNE Is the Final DARK FOUNTAIN
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
September 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Nearly seven years later, Deltarune continues to be a triumph.
Equal parts clever, funny, and earnest, Deltarune is the rare game to remind us that the most worthwhile things in life lie just beyond ourselves.
I'm confident the game'll be able to stick the landing.
youtu.be/3GbJfhgCyfg
Equal parts clever, funny, and earnest, Deltarune is the rare game to remind us that the most worthwhile things in life lie just beyond ourselves.
I'm confident the game'll be able to stick the landing.
youtu.be/3GbJfhgCyfg
Questions for those that have played Pokémon Sun and Moon: when you received Solgaleo/Lunala, what did you name it, if at all? Importantly, why?
Lastly, what did you end up doing with it?
Lastly, what did you end up doing with it?
September 2, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Questions for those that have played Pokémon Sun and Moon: when you received Solgaleo/Lunala, what did you name it, if at all? Importantly, why?
Lastly, what did you end up doing with it?
Lastly, what did you end up doing with it?
Addendum! While playing through Brothership, there was one joke that reminded me of something else. It was the same joke, executed similarly, only I had a much different reaction. Why the difference? Is it simply because it happened in a game I wasn't fond of?
youtu.be/8i3RA7Dy6-A
youtu.be/8i3RA7Dy6-A
Why Every Single Video Game Needs to Be Serious
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
August 24, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Addendum! While playing through Brothership, there was one joke that reminded me of something else. It was the same joke, executed similarly, only I had a much different reaction. Why the difference? Is it simply because it happened in a game I wasn't fond of?
youtu.be/8i3RA7Dy6-A
youtu.be/8i3RA7Dy6-A
Sometimes I remember they made an entire season of Star Trek textually about how suffering is not only inevitable, but actually a prerequisite for greatness.
To that end, nearly every single character in the show is centrally defined by a single traumatic moment.
To that end, nearly every single character in the show is centrally defined by a single traumatic moment.
a man with gray hair and a beard says we 're all hostages to what we love
ALT: a man with gray hair and a beard says we 're all hostages to what we love
media.tenor.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Sometimes I remember they made an entire season of Star Trek textually about how suffering is not only inevitable, but actually a prerequisite for greatness.
To that end, nearly every single character in the show is centrally defined by a single traumatic moment.
To that end, nearly every single character in the show is centrally defined by a single traumatic moment.
Though Unwound Future is far from the last Professor Layton game they would ever make, it has still retained its reputation as the series' high point within broader conversation.
Let's just say it has held onto this position for good reason.
youtu.be/Aaiyw4bKSdQ
Let's just say it has held onto this position for good reason.
youtu.be/Aaiyw4bKSdQ
Why Unwound Future is Not-So-Secretly the Best Layton Game
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
August 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Though Unwound Future is far from the last Professor Layton game they would ever make, it has still retained its reputation as the series' high point within broader conversation.
Let's just say it has held onto this position for good reason.
youtu.be/Aaiyw4bKSdQ
Let's just say it has held onto this position for good reason.
youtu.be/Aaiyw4bKSdQ
They always cook with these Arcanum zones.
It also 99.9% confirms we'll eventually be using the Arcanum to travel to Khonsu's world. Which wasn't too hard to predict, but it's nice to see I was on the right track.
It also 99.9% confirms we'll eventually be using the Arcanum to travel to Khonsu's world. Which wasn't too hard to predict, but it's nice to see I was on the right track.
July 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
They always cook with these Arcanum zones.
It also 99.9% confirms we'll eventually be using the Arcanum to travel to Khonsu's world. Which wasn't too hard to predict, but it's nice to see I was on the right track.
It also 99.9% confirms we'll eventually be using the Arcanum to travel to Khonsu's world. Which wasn't too hard to predict, but it's nice to see I was on the right track.
Reposted by Alexander
I know there's a lot who are underwhelmed by Legends: ZA's setting being so limited, but that's actually what I've found promising.
That its scope is tailored to its premise (facilitating an urban redevelopment plan) shows a commitment to an idea Pokémon is usually hesitant to follow through on.
That its scope is tailored to its premise (facilitating an urban redevelopment plan) shows a commitment to an idea Pokémon is usually hesitant to follow through on.
a pokemon game is being played in a city street
ALT: a pokemon game is being played in a city street
media.tenor.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I know there's a lot who are underwhelmed by Legends: ZA's setting being so limited, but that's actually what I've found promising.
That its scope is tailored to its premise (facilitating an urban redevelopment plan) shows a commitment to an idea Pokémon is usually hesitant to follow through on.
That its scope is tailored to its premise (facilitating an urban redevelopment plan) shows a commitment to an idea Pokémon is usually hesitant to follow through on.
Listening to some Ace Attorney music, and it reminded me how effective "Reunion, and Turnabout" is in re-introducing the concept of spirit mediums. Rather than the act itself, the case focuses on the *why* of it, using the dead as a tool for shirking blame and abdicating autonomy.
July 17, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Listening to some Ace Attorney music, and it reminded me how effective "Reunion, and Turnabout" is in re-introducing the concept of spirit mediums. Rather than the act itself, the case focuses on the *why* of it, using the dead as a tool for shirking blame and abdicating autonomy.
the tl;dw
Before you are two candidates:
Rayquaza:
-Becomes free-will-pilled
-Has his head in the clouds but performs duties flawlessly when reminded
Gardevoir:
-Burdened by natural order
-Inexplicably wants her memory wiped every few months (claims it's "part of her role")
I know who I'd follow.
Before you are two candidates:
Rayquaza:
-Becomes free-will-pilled
-Has his head in the clouds but performs duties flawlessly when reminded
Gardevoir:
-Burdened by natural order
-Inexplicably wants her memory wiped every few months (claims it's "part of her role")
I know who I'd follow.
July 8, 2025 at 8:18 PM
the tl;dw
Before you are two candidates:
Rayquaza:
-Becomes free-will-pilled
-Has his head in the clouds but performs duties flawlessly when reminded
Gardevoir:
-Burdened by natural order
-Inexplicably wants her memory wiped every few months (claims it's "part of her role")
I know who I'd follow.
Before you are two candidates:
Rayquaza:
-Becomes free-will-pilled
-Has his head in the clouds but performs duties flawlessly when reminded
Gardevoir:
-Burdened by natural order
-Inexplicably wants her memory wiped every few months (claims it's "part of her role")
I know who I'd follow.
Lastly, it's time to discuss the first Pokémon Mystery Dungeon.
In-between learning the values of a good rescuer, Rescue Team shows us that the "roles" humans and Pokémon occupy may not be as static as we thought.
...Just be sure to ignore the Gardevoir in the room.
youtu.be/PAttVi6mz1g
In-between learning the values of a good rescuer, Rescue Team shows us that the "roles" humans and Pokémon occupy may not be as static as we thought.
...Just be sure to ignore the Gardevoir in the room.
youtu.be/PAttVi6mz1g
Breaking Roles in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
July 4, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Lastly, it's time to discuss the first Pokémon Mystery Dungeon.
In-between learning the values of a good rescuer, Rescue Team shows us that the "roles" humans and Pokémon occupy may not be as static as we thought.
...Just be sure to ignore the Gardevoir in the room.
youtu.be/PAttVi6mz1g
In-between learning the values of a good rescuer, Rescue Team shows us that the "roles" humans and Pokémon occupy may not be as static as we thought.
...Just be sure to ignore the Gardevoir in the room.
youtu.be/PAttVi6mz1g
Xenoblade Chronicles X is one of the most impressive open-world games. It's one of the most impressive games, period.
And now with Definitive Edition, Xenoblade X also happens to situate itself neatly between the series' past and present, for better... and for worse.
youtu.be/_oXse5d4D_0
And now with Definitive Edition, Xenoblade X also happens to situate itself neatly between the series' past and present, for better... and for worse.
youtu.be/_oXse5d4D_0
Xenoblade Chronicles X is a Game Like No Other
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
May 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Xenoblade Chronicles X is one of the most impressive open-world games. It's one of the most impressive games, period.
And now with Definitive Edition, Xenoblade X also happens to situate itself neatly between the series' past and present, for better... and for worse.
youtu.be/_oXse5d4D_0
And now with Definitive Edition, Xenoblade X also happens to situate itself neatly between the series' past and present, for better... and for worse.
youtu.be/_oXse5d4D_0
Pleasantly surprised by the positive reception to the new Fantasy Life, because honestly, my faith in Level-5 has cratered in recent years. I wasn't planning on picking this up, but seeing some more footage of it has made me more interested.
Hopefully this means good things for their other games.
Hopefully this means good things for their other games.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has sold 500K copies worldwide within 2 days of launch across all platforms (Switch/PS5/PS4/Xbox Series/Steam)
May 24, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Pleasantly surprised by the positive reception to the new Fantasy Life, because honestly, my faith in Level-5 has cratered in recent years. I wasn't planning on picking this up, but seeing some more footage of it has made me more interested.
Hopefully this means good things for their other games.
Hopefully this means good things for their other games.
ADDENDUM: Maps are ubiquitous in video games. Some are better than others. All of them are special to me. Why is that? Allow me to explain.
Warning: several minutes of Wizard101 discussion to follow.
youtu.be/jG7EfXTKBZk
Warning: several minutes of Wizard101 discussion to follow.
youtu.be/jG7EfXTKBZk
An Ode to Video Game Maps
YouTube video by AurumAlex
youtu.be
May 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
ADDENDUM: Maps are ubiquitous in video games. Some are better than others. All of them are special to me. Why is that? Allow me to explain.
Warning: several minutes of Wizard101 discussion to follow.
youtu.be/jG7EfXTKBZk
Warning: several minutes of Wizard101 discussion to follow.
youtu.be/jG7EfXTKBZk