William Lane
@williamjtlane.bsky.social
Policy, Public Affairs and Electoral Analysis
'Political Analyst' - Aaron H. Ellis
Views my own
Writes at https://thepartyanimal.substack.com/
'Political Analyst' - Aaron H. Ellis
Views my own
Writes at https://thepartyanimal.substack.com/
Yeah agreed.
One joke I remember from Yahtzee's Dark Souls 3 review was the idea that there was just a big cloud of Soulsbourne that roamed the From Software offices, which the devs just carved bits of off and stuck into whichever game they were making.
Nightreign feels like that joke made real.
One joke I remember from Yahtzee's Dark Souls 3 review was the idea that there was just a big cloud of Soulsbourne that roamed the From Software offices, which the devs just carved bits of off and stuck into whichever game they were making.
Nightreign feels like that joke made real.
November 13, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Yeah agreed.
One joke I remember from Yahtzee's Dark Souls 3 review was the idea that there was just a big cloud of Soulsbourne that roamed the From Software offices, which the devs just carved bits of off and stuck into whichever game they were making.
Nightreign feels like that joke made real.
One joke I remember from Yahtzee's Dark Souls 3 review was the idea that there was just a big cloud of Soulsbourne that roamed the From Software offices, which the devs just carved bits of off and stuck into whichever game they were making.
Nightreign feels like that joke made real.
The animation is excellent, but probably a little too realistic for what I assume was the target audience.
A more stylised and comedic film would have appealed to children, while a big budget animation for teens/adults is a known tough sell in Anglo/European markets (just ask War of the Rohirrim!)
A more stylised and comedic film would have appealed to children, while a big budget animation for teens/adults is a known tough sell in Anglo/European markets (just ask War of the Rohirrim!)
November 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
The animation is excellent, but probably a little too realistic for what I assume was the target audience.
A more stylised and comedic film would have appealed to children, while a big budget animation for teens/adults is a known tough sell in Anglo/European markets (just ask War of the Rohirrim!)
A more stylised and comedic film would have appealed to children, while a big budget animation for teens/adults is a known tough sell in Anglo/European markets (just ask War of the Rohirrim!)
Watched Lightyear (2022) with my flatmate tonight, and for the first half I was quite surprised at its negative reception. It's really quite ambitious for an animated sci fi film, and reframes classic Pixar themes in interesting ways.
Then the 'twist' happens, and I thought "oh dear, I get it now".
Then the 'twist' happens, and I thought "oh dear, I get it now".
November 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Watched Lightyear (2022) with my flatmate tonight, and for the first half I was quite surprised at its negative reception. It's really quite ambitious for an animated sci fi film, and reframes classic Pixar themes in interesting ways.
Then the 'twist' happens, and I thought "oh dear, I get it now".
Then the 'twist' happens, and I thought "oh dear, I get it now".
So as of now I'm going to the @coopparty.party.coop party conference on Saturday and Sunday this week!
Drop a line if you're going and fancy a chat, It's always great to meet new people interested in devolution, community policy and reviving local areas :)
Drop a line if you're going and fancy a chat, It's always great to meet new people interested in devolution, community policy and reviving local areas :)
November 11, 2025 at 5:36 PM
So as of now I'm going to the @coopparty.party.coop party conference on Saturday and Sunday this week!
Drop a line if you're going and fancy a chat, It's always great to meet new people interested in devolution, community policy and reviving local areas :)
Drop a line if you're going and fancy a chat, It's always great to meet new people interested in devolution, community policy and reviving local areas :)
So they clearly do have an appeal to less well off voters, but so far it's quite geographically limited.
At the same time its worth noting that Labour also tend to do better with better off voters now, the centre-left coalition in general is a lot wealthier than it was even 20 years ago.
At the same time its worth noting that Labour also tend to do better with better off voters now, the centre-left coalition in general is a lot wealthier than it was even 20 years ago.
November 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
So they clearly do have an appeal to less well off voters, but so far it's quite geographically limited.
At the same time its worth noting that Labour also tend to do better with better off voters now, the centre-left coalition in general is a lot wealthier than it was even 20 years ago.
At the same time its worth noting that Labour also tend to do better with better off voters now, the centre-left coalition in general is a lot wealthier than it was even 20 years ago.
Final Thoughts:
A muddled follow-up to a 10/10 game, B2 feels like a compromise between the searing clarity of the original's vision and a traditional fantasy Metroidvania.
It's still a good game, but it feels overwritten and lacks the punch and urgency of the original.
Final Score: 7/10
A muddled follow-up to a 10/10 game, B2 feels like a compromise between the searing clarity of the original's vision and a traditional fantasy Metroidvania.
It's still a good game, but it feels overwritten and lacks the punch and urgency of the original.
Final Score: 7/10
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Final Thoughts:
A muddled follow-up to a 10/10 game, B2 feels like a compromise between the searing clarity of the original's vision and a traditional fantasy Metroidvania.
It's still a good game, but it feels overwritten and lacks the punch and urgency of the original.
Final Score: 7/10
A muddled follow-up to a 10/10 game, B2 feels like a compromise between the searing clarity of the original's vision and a traditional fantasy Metroidvania.
It's still a good game, but it feels overwritten and lacks the punch and urgency of the original.
Final Score: 7/10
Negatives:
Writing - The plot is confusing, the lore is convoluted and the game's writing feels significantly less evocative
Visual Design - Lacking the unifying catholic imagery of B1, B2 feels much more like generic fantasy
Enemy Reuse - Far, far too much, both between areas and between B1 & B2
Writing - The plot is confusing, the lore is convoluted and the game's writing feels significantly less evocative
Visual Design - Lacking the unifying catholic imagery of B1, B2 feels much more like generic fantasy
Enemy Reuse - Far, far too much, both between areas and between B1 & B2
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Negatives:
Writing - The plot is confusing, the lore is convoluted and the game's writing feels significantly less evocative
Visual Design - Lacking the unifying catholic imagery of B1, B2 feels much more like generic fantasy
Enemy Reuse - Far, far too much, both between areas and between B1 & B2
Writing - The plot is confusing, the lore is convoluted and the game's writing feels significantly less evocative
Visual Design - Lacking the unifying catholic imagery of B1, B2 feels much more like generic fantasy
Enemy Reuse - Far, far too much, both between areas and between B1 & B2
Positives:
Area Variety - B2 is more of a traditional Metroidvania than the first game, and that shows in the gameplay variety
Weapon Variety - B2 allows switching between 3 (4 w/DLC) weapons unlike the first game
Boss Fights - Although not as good as the original, the bosses remain great
Area Variety - B2 is more of a traditional Metroidvania than the first game, and that shows in the gameplay variety
Weapon Variety - B2 allows switching between 3 (4 w/DLC) weapons unlike the first game
Boss Fights - Although not as good as the original, the bosses remain great
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Positives:
Area Variety - B2 is more of a traditional Metroidvania than the first game, and that shows in the gameplay variety
Weapon Variety - B2 allows switching between 3 (4 w/DLC) weapons unlike the first game
Boss Fights - Although not as good as the original, the bosses remain great
Area Variety - B2 is more of a traditional Metroidvania than the first game, and that shows in the gameplay variety
Weapon Variety - B2 allows switching between 3 (4 w/DLC) weapons unlike the first game
Boss Fights - Although not as good as the original, the bosses remain great
Sixth is Blasphemous 2 by @thegamekitchen.com
Release Year: 2023
Genre: Metroidvania
Playthrough length: 45hrs
A sequel to the 2019 hit, Blasphemous 2 takes place generations after the end of the first game, with the Penitent One being revived to prevent the birth of the child of the Miracle.
Release Year: 2023
Genre: Metroidvania
Playthrough length: 45hrs
A sequel to the 2019 hit, Blasphemous 2 takes place generations after the end of the first game, with the Penitent One being revived to prevent the birth of the child of the Miracle.
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Sixth is Blasphemous 2 by @thegamekitchen.com
Release Year: 2023
Genre: Metroidvania
Playthrough length: 45hrs
A sequel to the 2019 hit, Blasphemous 2 takes place generations after the end of the first game, with the Penitent One being revived to prevent the birth of the child of the Miracle.
Release Year: 2023
Genre: Metroidvania
Playthrough length: 45hrs
A sequel to the 2019 hit, Blasphemous 2 takes place generations after the end of the first game, with the Penitent One being revived to prevent the birth of the child of the Miracle.
But even then there are subtle differences in colour between the different shades of yellow used in different councils, as seen below.
Could this be part of the reason for the Lib Dem colour change? Almost certainly not :) Still its quite funny that even Wikipedia can't decide what colour they are.
Could this be part of the reason for the Lib Dem colour change? Almost certainly not :) Still its quite funny that even Wikipedia can't decide what colour they are.
November 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
But even then there are subtle differences in colour between the different shades of yellow used in different councils, as seen below.
Could this be part of the reason for the Lib Dem colour change? Almost certainly not :) Still its quite funny that even Wikipedia can't decide what colour they are.
Could this be part of the reason for the Lib Dem colour change? Almost certainly not :) Still its quite funny that even Wikipedia can't decide what colour they are.
Something I find strangely cute is the way that Wikipedia hasn't yet got to grips with what colour the Lib Dems are supposed to be.
I've been looking through the councils up for election in 2026, and some have the Lib Dems in their new 'Liberal orange', while most still have them as yellow.
I've been looking through the councils up for election in 2026, and some have the Lib Dems in their new 'Liberal orange', while most still have them as yellow.
November 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Something I find strangely cute is the way that Wikipedia hasn't yet got to grips with what colour the Lib Dems are supposed to be.
I've been looking through the councils up for election in 2026, and some have the Lib Dems in their new 'Liberal orange', while most still have them as yellow.
I've been looking through the councils up for election in 2026, and some have the Lib Dems in their new 'Liberal orange', while most still have them as yellow.
He did two endings for them, that's the older one
The later version had them become powerful enemies of Sauron in the east, preventing him from marshalling all of his forces against Middle Earth
At the same time he also reworked it so that they came earlier to Middle Earth than the other wizards
The later version had them become powerful enemies of Sauron in the east, preventing him from marshalling all of his forces against Middle Earth
At the same time he also reworked it so that they came earlier to Middle Earth than the other wizards
November 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
He did two endings for them, that's the older one
The later version had them become powerful enemies of Sauron in the east, preventing him from marshalling all of his forces against Middle Earth
At the same time he also reworked it so that they came earlier to Middle Earth than the other wizards
The later version had them become powerful enemies of Sauron in the east, preventing him from marshalling all of his forces against Middle Earth
At the same time he also reworked it so that they came earlier to Middle Earth than the other wizards
While I don't agree with everything in @rosenstead.bsky.social's piece, she's bang on about One Nation Cons not being Liberals
I mentioned this in a recent article, while some remaining Tories are gettable tactical votes, they're not long term switchers
thepartyanimal.substack.com/p/keeping-th...
I mentioned this in a recent article, while some remaining Tories are gettable tactical votes, they're not long term switchers
thepartyanimal.substack.com/p/keeping-th...
November 7, 2025 at 10:58 AM
While I don't agree with everything in @rosenstead.bsky.social's piece, she's bang on about One Nation Cons not being Liberals
I mentioned this in a recent article, while some remaining Tories are gettable tactical votes, they're not long term switchers
thepartyanimal.substack.com/p/keeping-th...
I mentioned this in a recent article, while some remaining Tories are gettable tactical votes, they're not long term switchers
thepartyanimal.substack.com/p/keeping-th...
Other highlights of the later era include Dragonfly, Bones of the Earth and The Daughter of Odren
Earthsea is one of those fantasy settings that you just want more of, so finally finishing it is bittersweet (much like Firelight). I am so glad my mum introduced me to the series all those years ago
Earthsea is one of those fantasy settings that you just want more of, so finally finishing it is bittersweet (much like Firelight). I am so glad my mum introduced me to the series all those years ago
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Other highlights of the later era include Dragonfly, Bones of the Earth and The Daughter of Odren
Earthsea is one of those fantasy settings that you just want more of, so finally finishing it is bittersweet (much like Firelight). I am so glad my mum introduced me to the series all those years ago
Earthsea is one of those fantasy settings that you just want more of, so finally finishing it is bittersweet (much like Firelight). I am so glad my mum introduced me to the series all those years ago
Just finished the full Earthsea Cycle for the first time!
Like most fans I truly adore the original trilogy (Wizard, Tombs & Shore)
I have mixed feelings about the Earthsea Revisited era (Tehanu - Firelight), but there is a lot of good there, and The Finder is almost as good as the original novels
Like most fans I truly adore the original trilogy (Wizard, Tombs & Shore)
I have mixed feelings about the Earthsea Revisited era (Tehanu - Firelight), but there is a lot of good there, and The Finder is almost as good as the original novels
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Just finished the full Earthsea Cycle for the first time!
Like most fans I truly adore the original trilogy (Wizard, Tombs & Shore)
I have mixed feelings about the Earthsea Revisited era (Tehanu - Firelight), but there is a lot of good there, and The Finder is almost as good as the original novels
Like most fans I truly adore the original trilogy (Wizard, Tombs & Shore)
I have mixed feelings about the Earthsea Revisited era (Tehanu - Firelight), but there is a lot of good there, and The Finder is almost as good as the original novels
And we must treat his demands the way Gandalf treated the Mouth of Sauron.
October 31, 2025 at 7:40 PM
And we must treat his demands the way Gandalf treated the Mouth of Sauron.
I had forgotten just how directly Sauron's demand for territory and control over Gondor & Rohan mirrors Putin's demand for territory over Ukraine.
Tolkien saw what too many people even now fail to see.
Tolkien saw what too many people even now fail to see.
October 31, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I had forgotten just how directly Sauron's demand for territory and control over Gondor & Rohan mirrors Putin's demand for territory over Ukraine.
Tolkien saw what too many people even now fail to see.
Tolkien saw what too many people even now fail to see.
...but I challenge anyone to read the Akallabêth and not view it as a tale of the tragedy of imperialism, and how it can turn a culture into a savage, violent mockery of itself.
It's about how an island, trading superpower becomes obsessed with escaping death and ends up destroying itself...
It's about how an island, trading superpower becomes obsessed with escaping death and ends up destroying itself...
October 31, 2025 at 12:06 PM
...but I challenge anyone to read the Akallabêth and not view it as a tale of the tragedy of imperialism, and how it can turn a culture into a savage, violent mockery of itself.
It's about how an island, trading superpower becomes obsessed with escaping death and ends up destroying itself...
It's about how an island, trading superpower becomes obsessed with escaping death and ends up destroying itself...
Genuinely one of the hardest images ever made.
I love how it and the earlier Mexican one give totally different views on Britain 1940-41. One is the hopeful, internationalist view of a supporter from abroad, the other the grim determination of a Brit who has realised just how far there is to go.
I love how it and the earlier Mexican one give totally different views on Britain 1940-41. One is the hopeful, internationalist view of a supporter from abroad, the other the grim determination of a Brit who has realised just how far there is to go.
October 30, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Genuinely one of the hardest images ever made.
I love how it and the earlier Mexican one give totally different views on Britain 1940-41. One is the hopeful, internationalist view of a supporter from abroad, the other the grim determination of a Brit who has realised just how far there is to go.
I love how it and the earlier Mexican one give totally different views on Britain 1940-41. One is the hopeful, internationalist view of a supporter from abroad, the other the grim determination of a Brit who has realised just how far there is to go.
Joe's arm flailing was genius! I was genuinely worried he'd fall off.
October 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Joe's arm flailing was genius! I was genuinely worried he'd fall off.
Watching Alan Carr screaming and crossing that bridge like the last child to be picked at PE was incredible TV, I was in stiches!
October 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Watching Alan Carr screaming and crossing that bridge like the last child to be picked at PE was incredible TV, I was in stiches!
Also, you know, Tolkien had actually fought in a war, a war that traumatised the entire european continent and would lead to a even greater war decades later
Unlike them he wan't a poser or a charlatan, he wasn't even anti-war in concept. But he understood what war meant and the suffering it led to
Unlike them he wan't a poser or a charlatan, he wasn't even anti-war in concept. But he understood what war meant and the suffering it led to
October 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Also, you know, Tolkien had actually fought in a war, a war that traumatised the entire european continent and would lead to a even greater war decades later
Unlike them he wan't a poser or a charlatan, he wasn't even anti-war in concept. But he understood what war meant and the suffering it led to
Unlike them he wan't a poser or a charlatan, he wasn't even anti-war in concept. But he understood what war meant and the suffering it led to
Tolkien quite literally shows us on the page what he thinks happens to a society that becomes obsessed with eternal life and overcoming death.
It leads to stagnation, violence and despair every single time.
It leads to stagnation, violence and despair every single time.
October 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Tolkien quite literally shows us on the page what he thinks happens to a society that becomes obsessed with eternal life and overcoming death.
It leads to stagnation, violence and despair every single time.
It leads to stagnation, violence and despair every single time.
The very idea that the man who could write this paragraph would support Musk's valorisation of 'hard men' is for the birds.
And ironically Samwise Gamgee is actually one of the 'hardest men' in fiction, but largely because he is the exact opposite of everything the reactionaries yearn for.
And ironically Samwise Gamgee is actually one of the 'hardest men' in fiction, but largely because he is the exact opposite of everything the reactionaries yearn for.
October 29, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The very idea that the man who could write this paragraph would support Musk's valorisation of 'hard men' is for the birds.
And ironically Samwise Gamgee is actually one of the 'hardest men' in fiction, but largely because he is the exact opposite of everything the reactionaries yearn for.
And ironically Samwise Gamgee is actually one of the 'hardest men' in fiction, but largely because he is the exact opposite of everything the reactionaries yearn for.