Are Telltale Games Still Special?

Telltale has gained a reputation as a premiere story teller in video games. While mainly using other licensed properties, such as The Walking Dead, Fables, and Game of Thrones, Telltale has told mature, complex, and engaging stories that always capture my attention. I feel invested and engaged in the characters that I play throughout each game, making each choice, from picking my friends or saving a life, extremely stressful and important. However, with Telltale making so many games recently, have they lost their special charm?

2012’s The Walking Dead was a major surprise. It managed to tell a heartfelt and extremely emotional story of a man trying to not only survive, but raise a child in the zombie apocalypse. Your actions not only affected yourself, but the life of Clementine. I cared more for her then Lee, the player’s protagonist, so when Lee finally died in the games final moments, I was more concerned that I had set Clementine up to survive in a world that wanted nothing more then to destroy her. It’s no wonder that The Walking Dead was a frontrunner, if not outright winner, of numerous Game of the Year awards.

It was a re-invigoration of the adventure-point-and-click genre, a genre that had remained stagnant for many years. It also brilliant worked on player agency and choice. While it certainly wasn’t completely new having branching stories based on player choice (see Mass Effect), the choices presented were different. Unlike Mass Effect and other choice-based series, the choices presented in The Walking Dead were never simply good or evil. Each decision walked in the shades of grey in-between. Do you rob a family in order to feed yourself? Do you let one of your group die because he constantly endangers to rest? It was never easy and it all felt important.

The relationship between Lee and Clementine was central to The Walking Dead

That’s not to say the game. Most notable of these were with the game’s engine. Frame rate and skipping were not only uncommon, they were expected. I never saw anyone play a Telltale Game without some obvious glitch occurring. It was just, unfortunately, part of the experience. Controls were also clunky. Even the story wasn’t immune. While there was never any bad writing per se, trying to fill out a 5 episode arc sometimes even felt too long. Certainly Walking Dead’s Season 1 Episode 2 was good, but was it really necessary to visit a cannibal family’s farm? What did it add beside building the protagonist’s relationship with Clementine. There is something to be said for narrative streamlining. Take the time for emotional moments but don’t drag things out too long. IT worked well in a bite sized chuck when the game originally came out, but going back to replay the series all at once, it feels like a major sidetrack in the story.

Was the side trip to St. John's Dairy Farm really necessary?

This brings me around to my original purpose. Since the release of Walking Dead Season 1, Telltale has shown no signs of slowing down. They have released The Walking Dead Season 1, The Walking Dead Season 2, Fable’s Wolf Among Us, Tales from the Borderlands, a Game of Thrones game, and currently has plans for a Marvel game, another season of The Walking Dead, as well as, oddly enough, a Minecraft game. This isn’t even mentioning Telltales announcement of their first original IP. Telltale keeps going with no signs of slowing down. This isn’t to say that the games aren’t good. In fact, many are excellent. I love the writing of Borderlands and Game of Thrones. I adored, absolutely adored The Wolf Among Us. I instantly get excited with each new Telltale announcement.

Yet while each game is good, are they still special? There was something unique about the original season of The Walking Dead. There was a reason that it won game of the year and yet none of it’s predecessors (actual or spiritual) have received such acclaim. It’s because they haven’t given us anything new. Each game plays exactly like the last. While the story and settings may change, I know exactly what to expect as a gamer.

Tales of the Borderlands is extremely well-written, but does it add anything new?

 Let’s lot at other series. What makes each game in a big series great is that each one feels special. Halo 1 is drastically different from Halo 2. Halo 2 is even more different from Halo 3. Same goes for Uncharted 1, 2 and 3. I get excited for each new Halo release because I know there will be something new. It will still be my lovely Halo, but the sense of discovery and exploration is imperative to my enjoyment. Even the annual Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed try to add something new each year. If they don’t gamers are quick to shout back their displeasure (see Modern Warfare 2 and 3 as well as Assassin’s Creed Black Flag to Unity). So why do we allow accept it with Telltale?

Certainly, their writing has gotten worse. If anything, each story is more engaging then the last. But I’m never surprised. And I love being pleasantly surprised. Give me a new gameplay feature. Tell the story in a different way (which, to be fair, Telltale’s use of multiple protagonists in their most recent Borderlands and Game of Thrones games has at least added a spice of innovation) or give me different content.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be the first in line to buy a new Telltale Game each and every time. But I want that same sense of joy and wonder I got the first time I encountered a zombie with Lee back in 2012. I know that Telltale is talented enough to give me that.

The Top 5 Comics of DC's New 52

I am an unashamed DC Comics nerd. I have seen every single DC Comics animated film ever made, own pretty much every DC video game for the past two console generations (including, embarrassingly, the terrible Young Justice and Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe games),  I regularly watch every episode of their live-action series shows (Arrow, The Flash, Constantine, and even [shudder] Gotham) and spend an unnecessary amount of money each week on just DC comics.

I absolutely adore the universe and, more specifically, the great characters that inhabit it. Oh, I’m not talking about Superman, Green Lantern, the Flash, or any of the other big names that everyone knows. I’m talking about the myriad side characters that make up the DC universe that are truly unique and fleshed out. Something that, at least to me, the Marvel Universe lacks. Sure, Marvel’s main characters are much more present and varied then DC’s. But I have always felt that Marvel’s side characters have lacked a little something.

At any rate, the DCU is one of my favorite fictional universes. With the recent news that the DC’s relaunch line of the The New 52  is coming to an official end after the two month long Convergence event series, I thought it was time to take a short look back at what I feel are my favorite series of DC’s New 52.

HM: Injustice: Gods Among Us

I wanted to start this list off quickly with one cheat. Technically, Injustice: Gods Among Us is not a part of the New 52 world. Instead, it stands on it’s own in it's own universe. But, despite being a video game tie-in, this book has consistently BLOWN my mind. If you haven’t read this series, pick it up now. It’s a wonderful exploration of all the DC characters and what they are truly capable of when the absolute worst happens. The answers may surprise you. But what makes this series work is the true despair, grief, and sadness that comes from the characters that both feels incredibly strong and yet insanely believable, given all that we know about these characters after decades and decades of development. Many long-time characters die in this series and every single one breaks your heart in new ways because, due to this series stand-alone nature, we know that it’s actually permanent in this world. So it hurts. Read this series. Do it now. Why are you still here?

#5: Batman/Superman

While I have never been a huge fan of Superman as a standalone character, I have always found him to be at his most effective as a foil to other DC characters. And there is probably no greater opposite to Superman then Batman. What makes this title so great (besides Jae Lee’s always ridiculously gorgeous artwork) is how it juxtaposes Batman and Superman so clearly; from their methods, their beliefs, even their personalities. Outside of one truly atrocious storyline (the terrible Game Over storyline that also dropped Jae Lee’s art) this series compares and contrasts Bruce and Clark in constantly interesting ways while still exploring the true and powerful friendship that these two characters have for each other. A must read for any fan of this nerd-tastic bromance.

One quick sidenote: It’s this comic that has me optimistic for the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie. While Man of Steel was FAR from a perfect movie, I find Synder’s decision to have (SPOILER) Superman murder Zod to be extremely interesting. I really hope they explore this gap between the two superheroes. On the one hand you have Batman, a dark and brooding hero who also vows to never kill anyone. On the other, you have Superman, a hero usually seen as a bright and shinning beacon of pure, unwavering goodness who has also committed the act of murder. If used correctly, these two characters can become BRILLIANT foils for each other as total contradictory characters in every way who still find a way to work together. Anyways, thanks for allowing this digression.

#4: Swamp Thing

There is so much to say about this series. From the excellent exploration of existential ideas to the brilliant storylines and artwork, Swamp Thing has never failed to amaze. While the series started with a great storyline, Rotworld, by the masterful Scott Synder (who, spoiler, will be appearing again on this list) that explored how Alec Holland dealt with the responsibility of becoming the Swamp Thing, the series really took off when the reins were handed to Charles Soule.

While I was originally extremely worried and skeptical with Synder’s departure, Soule took the series to new heights. Freed from the almost 2 year long Rotworld storyline, Soule began to explore smaller, yet no less impactful, stories that explored Holland’s drive, belief systems, and despair while attending to the duties of the Swamp Thing. It’s an absolute shame that this series will not be surviving the relaunch post-Convergence as it truly was a shining gem of the DC Universe. Though knowing comics, the Swamp Thing won’t stay down long.

#3: Harley Quinn

One of the big disappointments of the New 52 has been it’s treatment of many of it’s female characters (look no further then Starfire). However, one female character (along with Wonder Woman and Batwoman) who finally got a chance to really grow was Harley Quinn. While Harley Quinn has always been one of my favorites. It wasn’t really until recently that she really struck out on her own. Usually playing second fiddle to the ever popular Joker, Harley finally broke away from that abusive relationship and grew on her own. After finding independence in the pages of Suicide Squad, Harley finally got her own series, which has quickly become one of DC’s top sellers. As one would expect, Harley’s comic is zany and insane, yet completely adorable and endearing. Harley has quickly become the DCU’s version of Deadpool, breaking the fourth wall with ease and going on wacky adventures just for the hell of it. But what makes this series work is how believable Harley somehow remains, despite the zaniness of her adventures. Harley feels genuine sadness and happiness that constantly rings true. Harley’s bisexuality is also constantly explored in a believable way, with a non-committed but loving relationship with Poison Ivy. It fills me with joy that after Convergence, Harley Quinn will not only continue but also be getting a spinoff team-up comic with Power Girl. I am so down.

#2: Animal Man

Another New 52 series that ended too soon, Animal Man is an absolutely brilliant series.  Like Swamp Thing, the bulk of this series initial run dealt with the Rotworld storyline. It was a great storyline that wonderfully crossed over with Swamp Thing (and, for a short while, the F.R.A.N.K.E.N.S.T.I.E.N. series) that allowed writer Jeff Lemire to explore Buddy Baker’s motivations. Yet what made this series so unique as compared to the rest of the DCU was it’s incredible focus on family. With a wife and two children, Buddy has more to think about when he dons his costume then most heroes. Buddy’s sometimes opposing senses of duty and family are woven deeply into the series. Also like Swamp Thing, this series really took hold after the end of Rotworld.

Fair warning however. This series will break your heart. There are several moments that nearly destroyed me and the final issue of this series was the first comic that ever made me truly weep. The final images of this run are impactful and poignant, giving this book the wonderful finale it deserved, even if it came too soon.

#1: Batman

Did you really think it could be anyone else? As much as I wanted to give the top spot to a lesser known series, I couldn’t justify it. From day one, the amazing team of writer Scott Synder and artist Greg Capullo have knocked every single issue out of the park. From the truly creepy and mind-blowing Court of Owls storyline to the brilliant retelling of Batman’s growing pains in Zero Year to the great exploration of the Joker/Batman relationship (as well as the relationship between Bruce and the entire Bat-family) in Death of the Family and Endgame, this series has never let go. A sad tendency of many writers when it comes to Batman is to forget to make Batman human. Batman can be really easy to make larger-then-life. Everyone forgets that the whole point of Batman is that he is just human. Unlike Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and many other DC superheroes, Bruce Wayne is vulnerable. He can make mistakes, which is something that many writers and comic fans alike forget that Batman can even do. Yet Scott Synder gives us a Batman who is fallible and still can have the strong presence that the character of Batman embodies.

This series run is all about the relationships that Bruce has. From Batman’s relationship with his rouge’s gallery to Alfred to Gordon and to the Bat-Family, Batman is given more of a heart in Synder’s run then ever before. The series is also helped by Capullo’s ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK. Also, let’s not forget the amazing coloring this series employs, especially during the Zero Year arc. Never before have a I seen such a harmonious fusion of art and content in a DC or Marvel mainstream comic. Despite everything, Batman is still number one.

Cause HE’S BATMAN!!!!!

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments. I always love to hear feedback, good or bad. Thanks for reading.

Magic the Gathering and LGBT Representation

I was a huge Magic the Gathering player. I own hundreds of cards, made multiple decks, and continue to play, although less frequently, with my friends. When I lived in London, I would stop by Forbidden Planet everyday on the way home from work to pick up a new booster pack. Looking back, it’s sad and scary how much money I spent on these cards, especially given my current post-college grad money position. Magic the Gathering allowed me to enter a world filled with badass warriors, dragons, magic, dimension hoping, and innumerable different creatures. Not only that, it gave me, though the card game itself, an agency and role to play in this well-crafted (if not always well-written) world. Yet over the past few years, I've grown away from Magic the Gathering, mostly due to lack of time and money. Yet Magic the Gathering, along with the fantasy it created and the community it fostered for me in the real world, will always hold a place in my heart.

Sooooooooo many Magic cards.....

 So when I logged online one day a few months ago to find that Magic the Gathering become a talking point, I was surprised and interested. I was even more surprised to learn that the issue was one that was near and dear to my heart. Magic the Gathering had introduced a their first transgendered character in the form of “Alesha, Who Smiles at Death.”

As a transwoman myself, I was extremely interested in this new character. I’m always down for more LGBT representation, especially when I myself consider myself a part of the B and the T. The fact that she was in an epic fantasy world, a genre that has historically ignored women, was even more interesting. While Magic The Gathering has always had strong female characters and women have appeared as strong characters in mainstream epic fantasy, such as Lord of the Rings’ Eowyn, Dragonlance’s Bloodmoon or Kitiara, and Aria or Daenerys in Game of Thrones, they typically are side characters who compliment or are even completely separate from their male counterparts’ separate, and usually more important, quest (See Tolkein’s totally male Fellowship of the Ring or completely male filled The Hobbit). So I decided to take a look at Alesha and see how they would tackle trans issues in an epic fantasy world. What I found surprised me.

What I found most important and most surprising is that Alesha’s transgendered background is almost completely a non-issue. Here is a passage from her story and the revealing of her transgendered origins at the age of 16:

She had been so different – only sixteen, a boy in everyone’s eyes but her own, about to choose and declare her name before the khan and all the Mardu.

The khan had walked among the warriors, hearing the tales of their glorious deeds. One by one, they declared their new war names, and each time, the khan shouted the names for all to hear. Each time, the horde shouted the name as one, shaking the earth.

Then the khan came to Alesha. She stood before him, snakes coiling in the pit of her stomach, and told how she had slain her first dragon. The khan nodded and asked her name.

“Alesha,” she said, as loudly as she could. Just Alesha, her grandmother’s name.

“Alesha!” the khan shouted, without a moment’s pause.

And the whole gathered horde shouted “Alesha!” in reply. The warriors of the Mardu shouted her name.

In that moment, if anyone had told her that in three years’ time she would be khan, she just might have dared to believe it.

After this section, Alesha’s transgendered nature becomes a non-issue. She is female and that is that. The understated way in which she is introduced is refreshing. Many times with characters who represent LGBT, the characters become simply that; representations. Nothing more or less. A gay character becomes singularly characterized by their one trait-they are gay. They sometimes have less personality outside of that single fact or, at the very least, much of their character development stems from their sexuality or gender identity.

Also, she's just damn cool

While many lesbian and gay characters are starting to avoid this trope (see Mitchell and Cameron in Modern Family as good example) many Bisexual and Transgendered characters still face this. Take a look at Laverine Cox’s character in Orange is the New Black or Jeffrey Tambor’s award winning turn in Transparent. Much has been made recently of these two transgendered characters in the mainstream, and rightly so. It’s extremely gratifying transgendered issues, specifically transwomen issues, are being showcased in a way that is catching the attention of the mainstream. However, for both of these characters, much of their character arcs revolve around their transgenderism, especially at first.

This also occurs much of the time with bisexual characters, where being bisexual becomes a main focus of their stories. I can only think of a handful of characters such as Prince Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who, or Bo in Lost Girl who are bisexual and rarely, if ever, had arcs that specifically dealt with the fact that “oh, I’m bisexual.” For these characters, they love who they love. There almost always are important character arcs revolving around their relationships, but rarely does gender matter. That is how an LGBT character should be written.

Bisexual characters like Lost Girl's Bo are extremely important for LGBT representation

 As a bisexual transwoman myself, being transgendered and bisexual is an important part of my identity. There is no getting around that. But it is not all who I am and why I sometimes don’t bother to say that I am transgendered. I am by no means hiding, but I also wish for others to see me as more then just a transgendered person. There is much more to my personality and many more struggles that I face other then being transgendered.

I am not saying to completely disregard transgendered or bisexual issues in mainstream culture. In fact, I think characters found in works like Orange is the New Black and Transparent are incredibly important to begin a national/worldwide understanding of what transgendered people go though.  However, sometimes its nice to see a character who can be transgendered or bisexual but also be so much more then those singular identities, much like complex human beings in real life. Now it’s time for me to go build a Magic the Gathering deck around “Alesha, Who Smiles at Death.” Excuse me, I got money to spend.

(A small sidenote that I wished to bring up in this article but couldn’t find a good place to fit it. There as been little to no transmen representation in mainstream media, which is extremely disappointing. While transmen face very similar issues to transwomen, they also face very different struggles from their female counterparts. Their stories also deserve to be told and deserve a place in the current transgendered discussion. It’s sad and disappointing how often they are overlooked. This deserves an article of it’s own and probably will get one from me, but I wanted to at least mention it here.)

Why I'm Restarting Pixel Splatter

By Jessie Earl

Finally, after two years with nothing new whatsoever, I’m finally restarting Pixel Splatter. Yet, as I sit here, preparing myself to beginning writing again, I feel the need to create a written explanation and commitment to why I want to restart this blog and what I think it’s purpose is going forward.

When Pixel Splatter started, I wanted it to be a place where I could just write out my thoughts on pop culture and video games. A place to just say what I wanted to say. But quickly, I found myself getting excited and adding more and more people to the project in hopes of creating something bigger. Eventually, it became too much and, as with many creative projects, Pixel Splatter was abandoned.

Since then, a lot has changed in my life. I have graduated college. I met new people. I visited more places in the world. I got more experience. Maybe most importantly, to me personally anyways, I finally came out as a transwoman. Since that time over a year ago, I have grown a lot. I’ve become a new person. I’ve become, hopefully, more confident and have cultivated a larger understanding of myself and who I want to be. This transformation was not easy by any means. Mental health is always important. It’s not always easy to fight to make sure you maintain a positive and healthy relationship with your own mind. I shall leave things at that and say no more.

Now, more then a half a year since graduating, I find myself having a hard time pushing myself to do more. I sit bored, wanting desperately to write, to create. I feel it in my bones. Sometimes the desire keeps me up at night, making my blood race and my mind go wild. But, even with all that passion, I keep finding it hard to put pen to paper. Or fingers to keyboard to be more accurate. Starting this very article that you are reading was one of the hardest things to do. I stared at the blank page for 30 minutes, knowing what I wanted to say but not knowing how to say it.

So that’s the goal. To push myself to begin writing again. I’m going to continue this blog, just for myself, with the goal of putting something out at least once a week. It may not be good writing, It may not be interesting or worthwhile writing. But it will be writing. It will be me, sitting down and taking the time to try and articulate something. I don’t really care if anyone reads this. I certainly hope you do and I certainly hope you find that I have something worth saying. But in the end, this is for me in the hopes of finding a new way to push and motivate myself now that the structure of academia that I have had my entire life is gone.

Anyways, I know this article was basically just one long ramble. I didn’t really have any set ideas in my mind when I started writing this. I just knew that I wanted to get this stuff out and say it. I think that hopefully what I write from now on will be more concise. I hope you’ll join me and find what I have to say interesting. If not, thanks for reading this and I wish you the best of luck on whatever path you currently find yourself. Thanks for taking a moment to listen to me when our paths crossed.