Nintendo Rhapsody (World 1: Far From Home)

Nintendo Rhapsody is an ongoing story about how Nintendo, and video games in general, helped me through some of the harder times in my life. Each chapter, known as a 'world' in Nintendo Rhapsody, is rather self contained with introductions and conclusions.



World 1-1: Magic Carpet Ride

When I was eight years of age, I lived away from home for a few months in East Los Angeles at a facility known simply as The Diagnostic School. It was a wretched experience. I slept in a dormitory-style bedroom with other children like myself. All the while being monitored from just outside by a member of their staff. My medication was also closely monitored. Various drugs and dosages therein were administered. At one point, a patch was applied to my back. If a child was especially naughty, they would lock them in a padded room devoid of light, until they were willing to cooperate. Needless to say, I was quite the school trouble maker to have found myself in a place like that. By day, I attended classes per usual and ate what everyone else ate from the cafeteria. I grew to loathe cafeteria food.

Farewell, Satoru Iwata

I, like many others, was shocked to learn of Satoru Iwata's sudden death. Yet another tragic victim of cancer. He was Nintendo​'s chief executive officer. But he was so much more to the fans; more than a mere businessman. He himself was a gamer. He touched so many with his Iwata Asks and Nintendo Direct initiatives.

IGN's tribute illustrates the man far better than I can put into words...


IGN's A Farewell Tribute to Nintendo's Satoru Iwata

To the Moon Review

I just happened to see a Twitter message by Josh Henry​ a few nights ago about a game titled To the Moon by Freebird Games​. He was wondering how it was. I then realized I already possessed the game in my Steam library. Yet another one of those Steam games I had never touched. I probably picked it up via a Humble Indie Bundle and forgot all about it. On a whim, I decided to give it a shot. My first thought was Chrono Trigger. Something about the 16-bit graphics and the accompanying music score. As I entered the big house and found a man on his death bed, I shivered for a moment before pressing onward. I was taken aback to something I hoped I had blocked out for good. Which is, coincidentally enough, the very essence of this game. Repressed memories. To the Moon takes place in an era in which scientists can link up with dying patients and retrieve memories digitally from their unconscious minds. Think Inception or Psychonauts. As such, the game turns out being a rather emotional journey! As we begin to piece together the life of that man, Johnny, we uncover his deepest secrets. We then meet the love of his life, River, and come to understand the relationship they share. As I wrote in my Steam review, "Chrono Trigger with even more emotion and intrigue." I made note there how To the Moon is quite linear with only bits of exploration here and there. The only real puzzle is a match game completed at the end of each memory. If you enjoy rich stories, however, it is definitely worth checking out. It is a heartfelt experiment in human feeling! As one final note: You will cry!