Alasdair Padman 🍉
@alasdairpadman.bsky.social
Writer, connoisseur, and critic of all things Gothic, Speculative, or otherwise; now offering sporadic critique of any and all media that piques their interest! | 26 | (he/they) | LA | Free Palestine! 🇵🇸 | No NFTs, Crypto, AI, or other stupid grifts.
Sailor Moon solidarity (as seen in LA)
August 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Sailor Moon solidarity (as seen in LA)
So I’ve been really enjoying Mega Man Zero BUT this fucking boss (and its previous form) have really put me off the whole experience. Not because it’s particularly hard, but because of the amount of dialogue I have to skip through to retry the fight.
July 22, 2025 at 6:40 PM
So I’ve been really enjoying Mega Man Zero BUT this fucking boss (and its previous form) have really put me off the whole experience. Not because it’s particularly hard, but because of the amount of dialogue I have to skip through to retry the fight.
God, I love a good:
April 8, 2025 at 10:41 PM
God, I love a good:
In a fit of madness, I shaved my beard and now all I can see is this:
April 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
In a fit of madness, I shaved my beard and now all I can see is this:
The 'other' (more positive) thing that stands out is just how fucking cool Nier: Replicant's visuals are! Like, look at this:
April 3, 2025 at 8:52 AM
The 'other' (more positive) thing that stands out is just how fucking cool Nier: Replicant's visuals are! Like, look at this:
... that it tries to derive a resonant narrative from, and it only sometimes succeeds. This is especially true when it comes to Kaine. Much has been made of her attire, but little of the way she is so often wrangled into being the damsel-in-distress for Nier and co. to save. It's really frustrating.
April 3, 2025 at 8:45 AM
... that it tries to derive a resonant narrative from, and it only sometimes succeeds. This is especially true when it comes to Kaine. Much has been made of her attire, but little of the way she is so often wrangled into being the damsel-in-distress for Nier and co. to save. It's really frustrating.
Gonna be thinking and writing *a lot* about Nier: Replicant in the next couple weeks, but what really stands out this playthrough is the quality - or lack thereof - of the script. It's not 'bad' per say, but it's hardly the masterpiece I remember it as. Rather - it has a lot of good ideas that...
April 3, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Gonna be thinking and writing *a lot* about Nier: Replicant in the next couple weeks, but what really stands out this playthrough is the quality - or lack thereof - of the script. It's not 'bad' per say, but it's hardly the masterpiece I remember it as. Rather - it has a lot of good ideas that...
This is likely to be my third full playthrough of Nier: Replicant (2021), and it's all because of how it LOOKS! I'm obsessed with its juxtaposition of minimalist landscapes, anachronistic locales, and fantastical enemies.
March 30, 2025 at 4:11 AM
This is likely to be my third full playthrough of Nier: Replicant (2021), and it's all because of how it LOOKS! I'm obsessed with its juxtaposition of minimalist landscapes, anachronistic locales, and fantastical enemies.
So, I'm not finished with Avowed yet. In fact, I'm probably only about halfway, but I'm really enjoying it so far! Especially in comparison to the Outer Worlds - a game that did very little for me despite its excellent art direction, which I'm very glad to say has carried over to the Living Lands.
February 22, 2025 at 1:30 AM
So, I'm not finished with Avowed yet. In fact, I'm probably only about halfway, but I'm really enjoying it so far! Especially in comparison to the Outer Worlds - a game that did very little for me despite its excellent art direction, which I'm very glad to say has carried over to the Living Lands.
I’ve mostly been avoiding Star Wars, but on the suggestion of @several-rats.bsky.social I’ve decided to rewatch the Bad Batch (and check out season 3). I still don’t love season 1; it’s pretty run of the mill SW, but there’s a couple moments - like Cad Bane’s return - that manage to surprise me.
February 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I’ve mostly been avoiding Star Wars, but on the suggestion of @several-rats.bsky.social I’ve decided to rewatch the Bad Batch (and check out season 3). I still don’t love season 1; it’s pretty run of the mill SW, but there’s a couple moments - like Cad Bane’s return - that manage to surprise me.
I’ve always liked the *idea* of dungeon crawlers, but while I’ve tried many, there are few - if any!? - that I can confidently say I enjoyed. That is, until I booted up Dungeon Encounters (2021). Aesthetically spartan, mechanically streamlined, and narratively… absent… it really does capture the…
January 25, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I’ve always liked the *idea* of dungeon crawlers, but while I’ve tried many, there are few - if any!? - that I can confidently say I enjoyed. That is, until I booted up Dungeon Encounters (2021). Aesthetically spartan, mechanically streamlined, and narratively… absent… it really does capture the…
This look almost, ALMOST makes me care about the end of season 6. But lo, the plot is so incredibly flaccid and the dialogue, formulaic, and the characters, dull as doorknobs. It is truly Riverdale’s lowest moment.
December 19, 2024 at 5:55 AM
This look almost, ALMOST makes me care about the end of season 6. But lo, the plot is so incredibly flaccid and the dialogue, formulaic, and the characters, dull as doorknobs. It is truly Riverdale’s lowest moment.
First week at a new job and I'm struck down with a bad cold 😔 but at least I get to play a little more #stalker2. This is quickly turning into my comfort game; as good as any cup of tea!
December 9, 2024 at 3:02 AM
First week at a new job and I'm struck down with a bad cold 😔 but at least I get to play a little more #stalker2. This is quickly turning into my comfort game; as good as any cup of tea!
The best - and maybe only good? - part of season 5 are these guys (and only their design; stupid storyline btw):
December 8, 2024 at 10:21 PM
The best - and maybe only good? - part of season 5 are these guys (and only their design; stupid storyline btw):
This might be it, folks… The best film I’ve watched all year: Wong Kar-wai’s “Chungking Express” (1994)! Though I’ll save that praise on the off chance that “Fallen Angels” (1995) is even better.
December 8, 2024 at 7:49 AM
This might be it, folks… The best film I’ve watched all year: Wong Kar-wai’s “Chungking Express” (1994)! Though I’ll save that praise on the off chance that “Fallen Angels” (1995) is even better.
December 7, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Love the way STALKER 2 *feels*. Some of it's comparitive (been playing a lot of third-person RPGs lately) but I keep trying to zoom out - escape from Skif's body - as if that might eleviate some of the tension, only to remember that I am as trapped as he.
November 24, 2024 at 2:42 AM
Love the way STALKER 2 *feels*. Some of it's comparitive (been playing a lot of third-person RPGs lately) but I keep trying to zoom out - escape from Skif's body - as if that might eleviate some of the tension, only to remember that I am as trapped as he.
I'm not gonna award Veilguard a review score (I find them pretty reductive), but if I were to... Well, let's just say that the ending would've brought it up by at least a point.
Unfortunately, a good ending does not a good story make, but I'm glad that my time with Veilguard ended on a high note.
Unfortunately, a good ending does not a good story make, but I'm glad that my time with Veilguard ended on a high note.
November 21, 2024 at 8:17 AM
I'm not gonna award Veilguard a review score (I find them pretty reductive), but if I were to... Well, let's just say that the ending would've brought it up by at least a point.
Unfortunately, a good ending does not a good story make, but I'm glad that my time with Veilguard ended on a high note.
Unfortunately, a good ending does not a good story make, but I'm glad that my time with Veilguard ended on a high note.
It's janky, no doubt about it, but not nearly as much as I expected. And honestly - the combat's really fun! But it's the city that I'm here for.
November 11, 2024 at 2:31 AM
It's janky, no doubt about it, but not nearly as much as I expected. And honestly - the combat's really fun! But it's the city that I'm here for.
Made the foolish decision to start DA: Veilguard while I'm still finishing up Metaphor ReFantazio, and WOW do I have thoughts! But I'm not so sure I've anything unique to offer to the conversation - at least, not yet.
So while I mull it over, enjoy this snapshot of my Rook!
#Veilguard
#DragonAge
So while I mull it over, enjoy this snapshot of my Rook!
#Veilguard
#DragonAge
November 3, 2024 at 7:21 AM
Made the foolish decision to start DA: Veilguard while I'm still finishing up Metaphor ReFantazio, and WOW do I have thoughts! But I'm not so sure I've anything unique to offer to the conversation - at least, not yet.
So while I mull it over, enjoy this snapshot of my Rook!
#Veilguard
#DragonAge
So while I mull it over, enjoy this snapshot of my Rook!
#Veilguard
#DragonAge
... of the game, it seems to argue that, by placing the Prince upon the throne (you know, the one that's been in slumber for the whole game!), a utopia will be achieved.
But that's really NOT how this works.
For one, the Prince - irregardless of his morals or upbringing - is still a member...
But that's really NOT how this works.
For one, the Prince - irregardless of his morals or upbringing - is still a member...
October 29, 2024 at 9:02 PM
... of the game, it seems to argue that, by placing the Prince upon the throne (you know, the one that's been in slumber for the whole game!), a utopia will be achieved.
But that's really NOT how this works.
For one, the Prince - irregardless of his morals or upbringing - is still a member...
But that's really NOT how this works.
For one, the Prince - irregardless of his morals or upbringing - is still a member...
It should be no surprise that I do, in fact, like Metaphor ReFantazio, but the deeper I delve into the narrative, the more I have to wonder at its politics - most especially as they are expressed through the tournament for the throne.
As usual, there will be SPOILERS...
#MetaphorReFantazio
As usual, there will be SPOILERS...
#MetaphorReFantazio
October 29, 2024 at 8:41 PM
It should be no surprise that I do, in fact, like Metaphor ReFantazio, but the deeper I delve into the narrative, the more I have to wonder at its politics - most especially as they are expressed through the tournament for the throne.
As usual, there will be SPOILERS...
#MetaphorReFantazio
As usual, there will be SPOILERS...
#MetaphorReFantazio
Still haven't finished Metaphor, but I'm starting wonder if its aesthetic and mechanical references to SMT and Persona are more intrinsic to its narrative than I first suspected.
This is, after all, a story about storytelling, so it's likely that these parallels....
#Metaphor
#MetaphorReFantazio
This is, after all, a story about storytelling, so it's likely that these parallels....
#Metaphor
#MetaphorReFantazio
October 23, 2024 at 7:15 PM
Still haven't finished Metaphor, but I'm starting wonder if its aesthetic and mechanical references to SMT and Persona are more intrinsic to its narrative than I first suspected.
This is, after all, a story about storytelling, so it's likely that these parallels....
#Metaphor
#MetaphorReFantazio
This is, after all, a story about storytelling, so it's likely that these parallels....
#Metaphor
#MetaphorReFantazio
... Wake because - hack writer, or not - his prose can't just be copied; certainly not without the emotional core behind it.
This is further highlighted by this note:
This is further highlighted by this note:
October 22, 2024 at 8:06 PM
... Wake because - hack writer, or not - his prose can't just be copied; certainly not without the emotional core behind it.
This is further highlighted by this note:
This is further highlighted by this note:
Hundreds of typewriters; each fitted with a machine meant to *generate* Alan Wake-style prose. The pages are then evaluated by FBC staff, by comparing them to Wake's actual prose.
Not only does this feel like a very deliberate indictment of genAI garbage, but it also...
Not only does this feel like a very deliberate indictment of genAI garbage, but it also...
October 22, 2024 at 8:01 PM
Hundreds of typewriters; each fitted with a machine meant to *generate* Alan Wake-style prose. The pages are then evaluated by FBC staff, by comparing them to Wake's actual prose.
Not only does this feel like a very deliberate indictment of genAI garbage, but it also...
Not only does this feel like a very deliberate indictment of genAI garbage, but it also...