Anime review spectacular: Bonded Pairs

Man, do I love duos. Whether they rely on each other for strength or emotional support, there's just something about it. I eat that shit up! I think my love for this kind of story originated from the impression that Soul Eater left on me. Even if it's not specifically about the power created through the bond between two people, I just love me a story that focuses on a pair that rely on each other. Whether there are superpowers involved or not, nothing beats that dynamic. I haven't come across anything in anime that's done the Soul Eater "my best friend is a weapon" thing as well as it, but a lot of creators have certainly tried! The results can get... weird. In today's review spectacular I present three varying takes on powered-up pairs and three dynamic duos.

A strong start to 2025 with PlayStation's January State of Play

Tides of Annihilation, one of many great new announcements

Like many of you, I went into 2025's first State of Play with no expectations. After all, these presentations have sucked for at least this entire generation. Well, my disappointment was negligible and my day was made. I guess it's true that you're less likely to be disappointed if you lower your expectations. But is that really true? Did I enjoy the showcase so much simply because I wasn't expecting much? Looking at the actual contents of the presentation, I don't think so. This legitimately was the best one I've seen, outside of Nintendo, for many years. It comes down to three things: announcements, dates, and gameplay.

The Valentine's Day Anime Romcom Review Spectacular

When looking over the long list of anime I watched in 2024, I realized how many of them are romantic comedies. What better time to look back at them is there than today? Maybe you'll find something fun to enjoy with your partner, or perhaps you can vicariously live out your harem fantasy. There's sure to be something for everybody... and several for nobody!

THE RETURN

 Just a short little post to announce that Installation 04 has fully returned for year 20. Expect an extravaganza of reminiscence throughout 2025 and a bunch of other new stuff too, including videos. Starting... now!

20 Years

Two decades ago, I created this blog. It might feel like stating the obvious, but times sure were different back then. I was a teenager, for one thing. I recently mulled through some ancient posts because I was feeling nostalgic and it left me feeling conflicted. On the one hand, I remembered just how enthusiastic I used to be. On the other, I was reminded how unenthusiastic I had become. It would seem that being an adult really does suck the life out of you. 

It's been eight years since I've posted anything here, and even longer than that since I was actually active. Still, I remembered this 20th anniversary because this place is special to me. Maybe sometime soon I will return. After all, the world could use more of the passion and positivity I used to bring in my youth. I would like to try and recapture that, if only a little. 

So here's to 20 years of Installation 04! May the next 20 be even better.

20 for 20: My Favorite Pokemon

It wasn't easy picking my top 20 Pokemon, you know. I could have made an entire list out of generation two Pokemon alone! In the end, I three main factors determined my picks:

1. Nostalgia
2. Design
3. Usage

I added a few Pokemon on the list that served me well in battle, but my list mostly consists of designs I've always liked from older generations that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. So then, let's begin!

E3 2016, as Predicted by Amiibo

Every June when E3 rolls around, we gamers start getting really excited. Our hearts swell with anticipation and our minds race with the possibilities of what might be. It's a great time for every gamer because no matter what you play there's something new for you to be excited about.

Xbox Live Trials Could Have Changed Gaming for the Better

The year was 2006, about six months after the launch of the Xbox 360. I had gotten mine just in time for summer and was looking for something to play. None of the launch games really caught my eye, though the newly-released Ovlivion was on my list of games to get. Before that, though, I hooked up my system, logged into Xbox Live, and checked out the new and improved Xbox Live Arcade. Microsoft had dabbled with downloadable arcade games on the original Xbox, even before Nintendo's Virtual Console was a thing. At this point, though, XBLA only had a few games including some of the arcade titles from the original Xbox, a free copy of Hexic, and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. I'd heard some good things about Geometry Wars leading up to the 360's launch and had a passing interest in it. When I navigated to the game page, I was met with a surprise: I could try the game for free. I could try all the games for free.

Kirby: Planet Robobot's Soundtrack Finally Gives My Favorite Kirby Games Some Love

Kirby: Planet Robobot came out recently in Japan, and I wanted to share how fucking awesome the sondtrack is. Why is it awesome, you ask? Because it's got so many great rearrangements of music from classic Kirby games that done't usually get any love. My favorite ones! I'm talking Dreamland 2, and 3, as well as Crystal Shards. They're all represented here, and it's glorious. I honestly kind of wish they'd gone all out and just filled the game with classic tunes because the new stuff, in my opinion, is mostly forgettable like the last two main-series games. But I'd say a good chunk of the music is a trip down nostalgia lane. Let's listen together, shall we?

The Platinum Demo has me worried about FFXV

About a year ago, Square-Enix released the first public demo of Final Fantasy 15 packaged along with Final Fantasy Typo HD. I bought Typo just so I could play it, and it was worth every penny. Episode Duscae, as it was called, was a demo in the classic sense. It excised a chunk of the main game that showed off nearly all of the systems coming to the final release. It was glorious. Perfect! Everything I'd hoped Final Fantasy XV would be after ten years of waiting. It raised my hype through the roof and left me chomping at the bit for more. 

The new Platinum Demo achieved none of those things. In fact, it might have undone them. Whereas Episode Duscae confirmed to me that Final Fantasy XV was going to be the amazing game I hoped it would be, the Platinum Demo has cast doubt on my eager anticipation. There's a few problems with it, starting with the fact that they'd make this objectively inferior taste of Final Fantasy XV the only taste available to the general public.