Banquo
@banquoviaquo.bsky.social
Writer, GM/DM, localization editor, monster tamer, sometimes VA. Opinions mine. I wanna make people Feel Emotions. 🇨🇦
Been playing a lot of Cladun X3, but I feel like I just can't get online to work without putting in specific addresses. If you've got it and want to download a few random D&D folks or Dragon Quest monsters, mine's at 9682-7428. I'll happily take a code if you've got one.
November 18, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Been playing a lot of Cladun X3, but I feel like I just can't get online to work without putting in specific addresses. If you've got it and want to download a few random D&D folks or Dragon Quest monsters, mine's at 9682-7428. I'll happily take a code if you've got one.
Allowing you to write your own custom combat barks and callouts is one of the coolest things a game can do. All the more incredible when it actually vocalizes them as written in the audio, as it does in Freedom Wars.
January 13, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Allowing you to write your own custom combat barks and callouts is one of the coolest things a game can do. All the more incredible when it actually vocalizes them as written in the audio, as it does in Freedom Wars.
this musical timing was not on purpose, but it cracked me up (especially with that pose)
December 30, 2024 at 3:29 AM
this musical timing was not on purpose, but it cracked me up (especially with that pose)
I should open every D&D session like this
December 29, 2024 at 7:33 AM
I should open every D&D session like this
once more we have hit that part of the tabletop RPG where we encounter a boss significant and powerful enough to get a pre-fight cutscene. once more I burst into sony vegas like a husky taking down a poorly-attached baby gate
November 30, 2024 at 10:13 AM
once more we have hit that part of the tabletop RPG where we encounter a boss significant and powerful enough to get a pre-fight cutscene. once more I burst into sony vegas like a husky taking down a poorly-attached baby gate
It is done. These will make some handsome non-coconut nanaimo bars. Or as my in-laws have come to call them, "Canadian crack".
November 28, 2024 at 4:46 AM
It is done. These will make some handsome non-coconut nanaimo bars. Or as my in-laws have come to call them, "Canadian crack".
17. Suikoden II.
Part of this is, of course, that it's another (infamously) huge ensemble cast. But this one I'll always remember because I only ever played it while hanging out with some very dear friends, and we live-voice-acted the entire thing. Everyone should play at least one game like that.
Part of this is, of course, that it's another (infamously) huge ensemble cast. But this one I'll always remember because I only ever played it while hanging out with some very dear friends, and we live-voice-acted the entire thing. Everyone should play at least one game like that.
October 20, 2024 at 7:38 PM
17. Suikoden II.
Part of this is, of course, that it's another (infamously) huge ensemble cast. But this one I'll always remember because I only ever played it while hanging out with some very dear friends, and we live-voice-acted the entire thing. Everyone should play at least one game like that.
Part of this is, of course, that it's another (infamously) huge ensemble cast. But this one I'll always remember because I only ever played it while hanging out with some very dear friends, and we live-voice-acted the entire thing. Everyone should play at least one game like that.
16. Rez.
In some ways, the idea of a game inducing synesthesia isn't all that different from the flow state most of them aspire to anyway. Rez's visuals and music go for both—it's genuinely entrancing. Somehow both driving and meditative. Especially "Fear is the Mind Killer".
In some ways, the idea of a game inducing synesthesia isn't all that different from the flow state most of them aspire to anyway. Rez's visuals and music go for both—it's genuinely entrancing. Somehow both driving and meditative. Especially "Fear is the Mind Killer".
October 20, 2024 at 7:16 PM
16. Rez.
In some ways, the idea of a game inducing synesthesia isn't all that different from the flow state most of them aspire to anyway. Rez's visuals and music go for both—it's genuinely entrancing. Somehow both driving and meditative. Especially "Fear is the Mind Killer".
In some ways, the idea of a game inducing synesthesia isn't all that different from the flow state most of them aspire to anyway. Rez's visuals and music go for both—it's genuinely entrancing. Somehow both driving and meditative. Especially "Fear is the Mind Killer".
Hallo hallo. I'm John—a localization editor, writer and worldbuilder with a love for sprawling, deep worlds and the characters that live in them. Been fortunate to work on English versions for a number of scripts, most recently Metaphor: ReFantazio.
I gain lifespan whenever players cry at the end.
I gain lifespan whenever players cry at the end.
October 20, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Hallo hallo. I'm John—a localization editor, writer and worldbuilder with a love for sprawling, deep worlds and the characters that live in them. Been fortunate to work on English versions for a number of scripts, most recently Metaphor: ReFantazio.
I gain lifespan whenever players cry at the end.
I gain lifespan whenever players cry at the end.
15. Massive Chalice.
I love multi-generational games, whether they're rooted in written characters or random-generated ones. This is the latter. Despite its core gameplay being startlingly similar to XCOM, its dynastic multi-century scope and strategy make it a lovely tell-yourself-stories game.
I love multi-generational games, whether they're rooted in written characters or random-generated ones. This is the latter. Despite its core gameplay being startlingly similar to XCOM, its dynastic multi-century scope and strategy make it a lovely tell-yourself-stories game.
October 20, 2024 at 7:04 AM
15. Massive Chalice.
I love multi-generational games, whether they're rooted in written characters or random-generated ones. This is the latter. Despite its core gameplay being startlingly similar to XCOM, its dynastic multi-century scope and strategy make it a lovely tell-yourself-stories game.
I love multi-generational games, whether they're rooted in written characters or random-generated ones. This is the latter. Despite its core gameplay being startlingly similar to XCOM, its dynastic multi-century scope and strategy make it a lovely tell-yourself-stories game.
14. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time.
Aside from loving procgen games, and loving Pokemon, the games' password systems... The way you'd post a bill online when you were in trouble, and some other player could come rescue you... It was like it worked in real life exactly as it did in-game.
Aside from loving procgen games, and loving Pokemon, the games' password systems... The way you'd post a bill online when you were in trouble, and some other player could come rescue you... It was like it worked in real life exactly as it did in-game.
October 20, 2024 at 6:08 AM
14. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time.
Aside from loving procgen games, and loving Pokemon, the games' password systems... The way you'd post a bill online when you were in trouble, and some other player could come rescue you... It was like it worked in real life exactly as it did in-game.
Aside from loving procgen games, and loving Pokemon, the games' password systems... The way you'd post a bill online when you were in trouble, and some other player could come rescue you... It was like it worked in real life exactly as it did in-game.
13. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle.
Yeah, chao gardens. With the whole Sonic Advance data transfer and everything. Plus the music, the speed levels, playable Eggman (felt like a big deal)... The fact that I so readily bought into the weird stuff like an occasional "Yooosh" spoke to how powerful it was.
Yeah, chao gardens. With the whole Sonic Advance data transfer and everything. Plus the music, the speed levels, playable Eggman (felt like a big deal)... The fact that I so readily bought into the weird stuff like an occasional "Yooosh" spoke to how powerful it was.
October 20, 2024 at 4:29 AM
13. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle.
Yeah, chao gardens. With the whole Sonic Advance data transfer and everything. Plus the music, the speed levels, playable Eggman (felt like a big deal)... The fact that I so readily bought into the weird stuff like an occasional "Yooosh" spoke to how powerful it was.
Yeah, chao gardens. With the whole Sonic Advance data transfer and everything. Plus the music, the speed levels, playable Eggman (felt like a big deal)... The fact that I so readily bought into the weird stuff like an occasional "Yooosh" spoke to how powerful it was.
12. Asura's Wrath.
Gameplay-wise, sure, it's not deep. Quick-time events and some fun-but-repetitive arena battles. But between the crazy anime fights, the voice-acting, the setpieces... that game is legit jaw-dropping. I cannot let my players figure out how deeply it influenced my D&D campaign.
Gameplay-wise, sure, it's not deep. Quick-time events and some fun-but-repetitive arena battles. But between the crazy anime fights, the voice-acting, the setpieces... that game is legit jaw-dropping. I cannot let my players figure out how deeply it influenced my D&D campaign.
October 20, 2024 at 4:02 AM
12. Asura's Wrath.
Gameplay-wise, sure, it's not deep. Quick-time events and some fun-but-repetitive arena battles. But between the crazy anime fights, the voice-acting, the setpieces... that game is legit jaw-dropping. I cannot let my players figure out how deeply it influenced my D&D campaign.
Gameplay-wise, sure, it's not deep. Quick-time events and some fun-but-repetitive arena battles. But between the crazy anime fights, the voice-acting, the setpieces... that game is legit jaw-dropping. I cannot let my players figure out how deeply it influenced my D&D campaign.
11. Magic Pengel: The Quest for Color.
It did not take long to feel like I was a tad above the intended age bracket for this game, even at 12. It aims at a Studio Ghibli feel, and doesn't quite nail it. But conceptually, drawing your own monsters and having them come alive? They already had me.
It did not take long to feel like I was a tad above the intended age bracket for this game, even at 12. It aims at a Studio Ghibli feel, and doesn't quite nail it. But conceptually, drawing your own monsters and having them come alive? They already had me.
October 20, 2024 at 3:53 AM
11. Magic Pengel: The Quest for Color.
It did not take long to feel like I was a tad above the intended age bracket for this game, even at 12. It aims at a Studio Ghibli feel, and doesn't quite nail it. But conceptually, drawing your own monsters and having them come alive? They already had me.
It did not take long to feel like I was a tad above the intended age bracket for this game, even at 12. It aims at a Studio Ghibli feel, and doesn't quite nail it. But conceptually, drawing your own monsters and having them come alive? They already had me.
10. Black and White.
I was never much of a PC gamer—never had one that could run anything too ambitious. For Lionhead games, I made exceptions. Their ideas were too wondrous and novel not to. Black and White was hard, but the idea of a "god game" was captivating. I hope GOG or someone rescues it.
I was never much of a PC gamer—never had one that could run anything too ambitious. For Lionhead games, I made exceptions. Their ideas were too wondrous and novel not to. Black and White was hard, but the idea of a "god game" was captivating. I hope GOG or someone rescues it.
October 20, 2024 at 3:43 AM
10. Black and White.
I was never much of a PC gamer—never had one that could run anything too ambitious. For Lionhead games, I made exceptions. Their ideas were too wondrous and novel not to. Black and White was hard, but the idea of a "god game" was captivating. I hope GOG or someone rescues it.
I was never much of a PC gamer—never had one that could run anything too ambitious. For Lionhead games, I made exceptions. Their ideas were too wondrous and novel not to. Black and White was hard, but the idea of a "god game" was captivating. I hope GOG or someone rescues it.
9. Kirby Superstar.
The drop-in drop-out "Helper" system made this the best multiplayer game I ever had. Endlessly replayed it—sometimes, setting up me and my sister's toys in front of the TV and narrating the action/voicing the characters out loud as if the toys were watching a movie.
The drop-in drop-out "Helper" system made this the best multiplayer game I ever had. Endlessly replayed it—sometimes, setting up me and my sister's toys in front of the TV and narrating the action/voicing the characters out loud as if the toys were watching a movie.
October 20, 2024 at 3:27 AM
9. Kirby Superstar.
The drop-in drop-out "Helper" system made this the best multiplayer game I ever had. Endlessly replayed it—sometimes, setting up me and my sister's toys in front of the TV and narrating the action/voicing the characters out loud as if the toys were watching a movie.
The drop-in drop-out "Helper" system made this the best multiplayer game I ever had. Endlessly replayed it—sometimes, setting up me and my sister's toys in front of the TV and narrating the action/voicing the characters out loud as if the toys were watching a movie.
8. Animal Crossing.
We rented this from Blockbuster initially. My sister and I played it the whole week she was sick at home. On the way to return it, I became suddenly aware that we could not go without it, and I put all my kidly savings towards getting our own copy in the same trip.
We rented this from Blockbuster initially. My sister and I played it the whole week she was sick at home. On the way to return it, I became suddenly aware that we could not go without it, and I put all my kidly savings towards getting our own copy in the same trip.
October 20, 2024 at 3:20 AM
8. Animal Crossing.
We rented this from Blockbuster initially. My sister and I played it the whole week she was sick at home. On the way to return it, I became suddenly aware that we could not go without it, and I put all my kidly savings towards getting our own copy in the same trip.
We rented this from Blockbuster initially. My sister and I played it the whole week she was sick at home. On the way to return it, I became suddenly aware that we could not go without it, and I put all my kidly savings towards getting our own copy in the same trip.
7. Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires.
This is the closest thing I've found to a way to translate a D&D campaign into an action game. The sheer depth of character customization, the amount of slots--I've played this over and over as 100s of my original characters. Seriously, this is a game for writers.
This is the closest thing I've found to a way to translate a D&D campaign into an action game. The sheer depth of character customization, the amount of slots--I've played this over and over as 100s of my original characters. Seriously, this is a game for writers.
October 20, 2024 at 3:06 AM
7. Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires.
This is the closest thing I've found to a way to translate a D&D campaign into an action game. The sheer depth of character customization, the amount of slots--I've played this over and over as 100s of my original characters. Seriously, this is a game for writers.
This is the closest thing I've found to a way to translate a D&D campaign into an action game. The sheer depth of character customization, the amount of slots--I've played this over and over as 100s of my original characters. Seriously, this is a game for writers.
6. Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
I love huge ensemble casts. Fire Emblem is a big reason why. This one's setting—and professorial framing—made it the defining (original) game of the Switch for me, and I spent enough hours in it to, uh, horrify my colleagues. Wasn't perfect, but it was all I wanted.
I love huge ensemble casts. Fire Emblem is a big reason why. This one's setting—and professorial framing—made it the defining (original) game of the Switch for me, and I spent enough hours in it to, uh, horrify my colleagues. Wasn't perfect, but it was all I wanted.
October 20, 2024 at 2:55 AM
6. Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
I love huge ensemble casts. Fire Emblem is a big reason why. This one's setting—and professorial framing—made it the defining (original) game of the Switch for me, and I spent enough hours in it to, uh, horrify my colleagues. Wasn't perfect, but it was all I wanted.
I love huge ensemble casts. Fire Emblem is a big reason why. This one's setting—and professorial framing—made it the defining (original) game of the Switch for me, and I spent enough hours in it to, uh, horrify my colleagues. Wasn't perfect, but it was all I wanted.
5. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King.
A wonderful, therapeutic, now-lost piece of Wiiware. Build a town, issue quests, raise adventurers. I played it 20+ times, each time redesigning my city and growing to love my random-generated adventurers. Another forlorn hope for a remaster.
A wonderful, therapeutic, now-lost piece of Wiiware. Build a town, issue quests, raise adventurers. I played it 20+ times, each time redesigning my city and growing to love my random-generated adventurers. Another forlorn hope for a remaster.
October 20, 2024 at 2:49 AM
5. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King.
A wonderful, therapeutic, now-lost piece of Wiiware. Build a town, issue quests, raise adventurers. I played it 20+ times, each time redesigning my city and growing to love my random-generated adventurers. Another forlorn hope for a remaster.
A wonderful, therapeutic, now-lost piece of Wiiware. Build a town, issue quests, raise adventurers. I played it 20+ times, each time redesigning my city and growing to love my random-generated adventurers. Another forlorn hope for a remaster.
4. Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 added more monsters, sure, but also introduced optional ENTIRE RANDOMLY-GENERATED WORLDS as the rarest of loot. Each one characterized by its own name, tileset, and monster population. Even more "infinite" discovery. I can only dream of this getting ported forward.
October 20, 2024 at 2:42 AM
4. Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 added more monsters, sure, but also introduced optional ENTIRE RANDOMLY-GENERATED WORLDS as the rarest of loot. Each one characterized by its own name, tileset, and monster population. Even more "infinite" discovery. I can only dream of this getting ported forward.
3. Look at that weird box art.
I don't remember how I got Dragon Warrior Monsters, but it eclipsed Pokemon for me, which was a heck of a feat. The breeding system and gradually-elevating stat caps made for a perfect-feeling gameplay loop, and it felt infinite, even if it wasn't. Timeless chiptunes.
I don't remember how I got Dragon Warrior Monsters, but it eclipsed Pokemon for me, which was a heck of a feat. The breeding system and gradually-elevating stat caps made for a perfect-feeling gameplay loop, and it felt infinite, even if it wasn't. Timeless chiptunes.
October 20, 2024 at 2:35 AM
3. Look at that weird box art.
I don't remember how I got Dragon Warrior Monsters, but it eclipsed Pokemon for me, which was a heck of a feat. The breeding system and gradually-elevating stat caps made for a perfect-feeling gameplay loop, and it felt infinite, even if it wasn't. Timeless chiptunes.
I don't remember how I got Dragon Warrior Monsters, but it eclipsed Pokemon for me, which was a heck of a feat. The breeding system and gradually-elevating stat caps made for a perfect-feeling gameplay loop, and it felt infinite, even if it wasn't. Timeless chiptunes.
(I know how this looks, but this is the last MR.)
2. The game that kept me going in dark times. It's simpler and softer than its predecessors. Buggy, too--my file was technically softlocked, storywise. But when I wasn't playing it, I was thinking about it. I spent in-game centuries in that world.
2. The game that kept me going in dark times. It's simpler and softer than its predecessors. Buggy, too--my file was technically softlocked, storywise. But when I wasn't playing it, I was thinking about it. I spent in-game centuries in that world.
October 20, 2024 at 2:14 AM
(I know how this looks, but this is the last MR.)
2. The game that kept me going in dark times. It's simpler and softer than its predecessors. Buggy, too--my file was technically softlocked, storywise. But when I wasn't playing it, I was thinking about it. I spent in-game centuries in that world.
2. The game that kept me going in dark times. It's simpler and softer than its predecessors. Buggy, too--my file was technically softlocked, storywise. But when I wasn't playing it, I was thinking about it. I spent in-game centuries in that world.
Obvious ones first.
1. Monster Rancher as a series rewrote my synapses. But Monster Rancher 2 was the first I played, and I'd run to my best friend's house on every school lunch hour to eat macaroni and cheese and go through his parents' CD library to see what wonders were hiding within.
1. Monster Rancher as a series rewrote my synapses. But Monster Rancher 2 was the first I played, and I'd run to my best friend's house on every school lunch hour to eat macaroni and cheese and go through his parents' CD library to see what wonders were hiding within.
October 20, 2024 at 2:11 AM
Obvious ones first.
1. Monster Rancher as a series rewrote my synapses. But Monster Rancher 2 was the first I played, and I'd run to my best friend's house on every school lunch hour to eat macaroni and cheese and go through his parents' CD library to see what wonders were hiding within.
1. Monster Rancher as a series rewrote my synapses. But Monster Rancher 2 was the first I played, and I'd run to my best friend's house on every school lunch hour to eat macaroni and cheese and go through his parents' CD library to see what wonders were hiding within.